Heat-Shock Proteins

Mitochondrial unfolded protein response mechanism and its cardiovascular protective effects

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a cytoprotective response in response to cellular stress that is activated in response to mitochondrial stress to maintain intra-protein homeostasis, thereby protecting the cell from a variety of stimuli. The activation of this response has been linked to cardiovascular diseases. Here, we reviewed the current understanding of UPRmt and discussed its specific molecular mechanism, mainly in mammals, as well as addressing its protective role against cardiovascular diseases, so as to provide direction for further research on UPRmt and therapies targeting cardiovascular diseases in the future.

Effect of tannic acid on doxorubicin-induced cellular stress: Expression levels of heat shock genes in rat spleen

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline group antibiotic, has been extensively employed as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid and hematopoietic tumors in humans. Amid exposure to diverse stress conditions, living organisms swiftly initiate the synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a set of highly conserved proteins. Tannic acid (TA) has garnered increasing study attention due to its special chemical properties, health benefits, and wide availability. This study's primary aim is to elucidate the impact of DOX and TA on the expression levels of Hsp90aa1, Hspa1a, Hspa4, and Hspa5 in the spleen tissues of rats. Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus, male, 9-10 weeks old, 180 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, DOX (30 mg/kg cumulative), TA (50 mg/kg), and DOX + TA (5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively). Subsequently, spleen tissues were collected from rats, and complementary DNA libraries were generated after the application process. The quantitative real-time PCR method was used to detect and quantify the mRNA expression changes of the Hsp90aa1, Hspa1a, Hspa4, and Hspa5 genes our results showed that the mRNA expressions of the targeted genes were up-regulated in rat spleen tissues exposed to DOX. However, this increase was remarkably suppressed by TA treatment. These findings suggest that TA may serve as a protective agent, mitigating the toxic effects of DOX in the rat spleen.

Unveiling Immune-related feature genes for Alzheimer's disease based on machine learning

The identification of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) remains a crucial area of research. In this study, utilizing the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) algorithm, we identified RHBDF2 and TNFRSF10B as feature genes associated with AD pathogenesis. Analyzing data from the GSE33000 dataset, we revealed significant upregulation of RHBDF2 and TNFRSF10B in AD patients, with correlations to age and gender. Interestingly, their expression profile in AD differs notably from that of other neurodegenerative conditions. Functional analysis unveiled their involvement in immune response and various signaling pathways implicated in AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, our study demonstrated the potential of RHBDF2 and TNFRSF10B as diagnostic biomarkers, exhibiting high discrimination power in distinguishing AD from control samples. External validation across multiple datasets confirmed the robustness of the diagnostic model. Moreover, utilizing molecular docking analysis, we identified dinaciclib and tanespimycin as promising small molecule drugs targeting RHBDF2 and TNFRSF10B for potential AD treatment. Our findings highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of RHBDF2 and TNFRSF10B in AD management, shedding light on novel strategies for precision medicine in AD.

Effect of Heat Shock Treatment on the Virulence of Grass Carp Reovirus in Rare Minnow Gobiocypris rarus

The mode and outcome of fish-virus interactions are influenced by many abiotic factors, among which water temperature is especially important in poikilothermic fish. Rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus is a eurythermal small cyprinid fish that is sensitive to infection with genotype II grass carp reovirus (GCRV). HSP70, a conservative and key player in heat shock response, is previously identified as an induced pro-viral factor during GCRV infection in vitro. Here, rare minnow was subjected to heat shock treatment (HST), 1 h treatment at 32 °C followed by reverting to a normal temperature of 24 °C, and subsequently challenged with GCRV-II at a dosage of 1 × LD50. The effect of HST on GCRV virulence in vivo was evaluated by calculating virus-associated mortality and viral load in both dead and survival fish. The results revealed that HST enhanced the mortality of rare minnow infected with GCRV; the fact that viral loads in the tissue samples of HST-treated fish were significantly higher than those in samples of the control group at 6, 8 d p.i. reflected a faster infection process due to HST. Quantitative gene expression analysis was further employed to show that the expression levels of Hsp70 in intestine and liver tissues from the HST group declined faster than muscle tissue after HST. HST W/O GCRV challenge upregulated proinflammatory cytokines such as MyD88 and Nf-κB, which was in consistence with the inflammation observed in histopathological analysis. This study shed light on the complexity of the interaction between fish abiotic and biotic stress response, which suggested that HST, an abiotic stress, could enhance the virulence of GCRV in Gobiocypris rarus that involved modulating the gene expression of host heat shock, as well as a pro-inflammatory response.

The pathogenicity and regulatory function of temperature-sensitive proteins PscTSP in Pseudofabraea citricarpa under high temperature stress

Citrus fruit rich in beneficial health-promoting nutrients used for functional foods or dietary supplements production. However, its quality and yield were damaged by citrus target spot. Citrus target spot is a low-temperature fungal disease caused by Pseudofabraea citricarpa, resulting in citrus production reductions and economic losses. In this study, transcriptome and gene knockout mutant analyses were performed on the growth and pathogenicity of P. citricarpa under different temperature conditions to quantify the functions of temperature-sensitive proteins (PscTSP). The optimum growth temperature for P. citricarpa strain WZ1 was 20 °C, while it inhibited or stopped growth above 30 °C and stopped growth below 4 °C or above 30 °C. Certain PscTSP-key genes of P. citricarpa were identified under high temperature stress. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression levels of PscTSPs under high temperature stress. PscTSPs were limited by temperature and deletion of the PscTSP-X gene leads to changes in the integrity of citrus cell walls, osmotic regulation, oxidative stress response, calcium regulation, chitin synthesis, and the pathogenicity of P. citricarpa. These results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of temperature sensitivity and pathogenicity in P. citricarpa, providing a foundation for developing resistance strategies against citrus target spot disease.

HSP70 protects against acute pancreatitis-elicited intestinal barrier damage in rats

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a frequent but severe abdominal emergency in general surgery with intestinal barrier dysfunction. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone that has been proposed to exert favorable effects on AP. Nonetheless, the detailed impacts of HSP70 on the intestinal barrier function in AP are unknown, which will be investigated here. After the injection of sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct, the rat models of AP were established. After modeling, HSP70 expression was up-regulated through lentivirus infection. Western blot was used to detect HSP70 expression. H&E staining was used to examine the histological changes in the pancreatic and intestinal tissues. The levels of pancreatic biochemical markers and oxidative stress markers were detected using corresponding assay kits. ELISA was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines and gastrointestinal function indicators. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of tight junction proteins. DCFH-DA probe and MitoSOX Red probe were used to detect total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), respectively. TUNEL assay and Western blot were used to detect apoptosis. During the model construction, severe pancreatic and abnormal intestinal tissue abnormalities were observed, inflammatory response was activated and the intestinal barrier was disrupted. HSP70 expression was down-regulated in the intestinal tissues AP rat models. HSP70 ameliorated the morphological damage of pancreatic and intestinal tissues of AP rats. In addition, HSP70 significantly reduced intestinal barrier damage, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in the intestinal tissues of AP rat models. Collectively, HSP70 might attenuate AP through exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic effects and inhibiting intestinal barrier disruption.

Effects of isorhamnetin on liver injury in heat stroke-affected rats under dry-heat environments via oxidative stress and inflammatory response

Isorhamnetin is a natural flavonoid compound, rich in brass, alkaloids, and sterols with a high medicinal value. This study investigated the effects of isorhamnetin on liver injury and oxidative and inflammatory responses in heat-stroke-affected rats in a dry-heat environment. Fifty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal temperature control (NC, saline), dry-heat control (DHC, saline), low-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (L-AS, 25 mg/Kg), medium-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (M-AS, 50 mg/Kg), and high-dose isorhamnetin-pretreated (H-AS, 100 mg/Kg) group. Saline was administered to the NC and DHC groups and corresponding concentrations of isorhamnetin were administered to the remaining three groups for 1 week. Blood and liver tissue were analyzed for oxidative stress and inflammation. The liver histopathological injury score, serum liver enzyme (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase), liver oxidative stress index (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and malondialdehyde), and inflammation index (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and lipopolysaccharides) were significantly higher in the DHC group than in the NC group (P < 0.05). These index values in the L-AS, M-AS, and H-AS groups were significantly lower than those in the DHC group (P < 0.05). The index values decreased significantly with an increase in the concentration of isorhamnetin (P < 0.05), while the index values of CAT and SOD showed the opposite tendency (P < 0.05). The expression of liver tissue nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), caspase-3, and heat shock protein (HSP-70) was higher in the DHC group than in the NC group (P < 0.05). Comparison between the isorhamnetin and DHC groups revealed that the expression of NF-кB and caspase-3 was decreased, while that of HSP-70 continued to increase (P < 0.05). The difference was significant for HSP-70 among all the isorhamnetin groups (P < 0.05); however, the NF-кB and caspase-3 values in the L-AS and H-AS groups did not differ. In summary, isorhamnetin has protective effects against liver injury in heat-stroke-affected rats. This protective effect may be related to its activities concerning antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory response, inhibition of NF-кB and caspase-3 expression, and enhancement of HSP-70 expression.

Selection Signal Analysis Reveals Hainan Yellow Cattle Are Being Selectively Bred for Heat Tolerance

Hainan yellow cattle are indigenous Zebu cattle from southern China known for their tolerance of heat and strong resistance to disease. Generations of adaptation to the tropical environment of southern China and decades of artificial breeding have left identifiable selection signals in their genomic makeup. However, information on the selection signatures of Hainan yellow cattle is scarce. Herein, we compared the genomes of Hainan yellow cattle with those of Zebu, Qinchuan, Nanyang, and Yanbian cattle breeds by the composite likelihood ratio method (CLR), Tajima's D method, and identifying runs of homozygosity (ROHs), each of which may provide evidence of the genes responsible for heat tolerance in Hainan yellow cattle. The results showed that 5210, 1972, and 1290 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened by the CLR method, Tajima's D method, and ROH method, respectively. A total of 453, 450, and 325 genes, respectively, were identified near these SNPs. These genes were significantly enriched in 65 Gene Ontology (GO) functional terms and 11 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways (corrected p < 0.05). Five genes-Adenosylhomocysteinase-like 2, DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member C3, heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 1A, CD53 molecule, and zinc finger and BTB domain containing 12-were recognized as candidate genes associated with heat tolerance. After further functional verification of these genes, the research results may benefit the understanding of the genetic mechanism of the heat tolerance in Hainan yellow cattle, which lay the foundation for subsequent studies on heat stress in this breed.

Discovery of N-Benzyl-4-(1-bromonaphthalen-2-yl)oxybutan-1-amine as a Potential Antifungal Agent against Sporidia Growth and Teliospore Germination of Sporisorium scitamineum

The cultivation of sugar cane using perennial roots is the primary planting method, which is one of the reasons for the serious occurrence of sugar cane smut disease caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Sporisorium scitamineum in the sugar cane perennial root planting area. Consequently, it is crucial to eliminate pathogens from perennial sugar cane buds. In this study, we found that MAP kinase Hog1 is necessary for heat stress resistance. Subsequent investigations revealed a significant reduction in the expression of the heat shock protein 104-encoding gene, SsHSP104, in the ss1hog1Δ mutant. Additionally, the overexpression of SsHSP104 partially restored colony growth in the ss1hog1Δ strain following heat stress treatment, demonstrating the crucial role of SsHsp104 in SsHog1-mediated heat stress tolerance. Hence, we constructed the ss1hsp104:eGFP fusion strain in the wild type of S. scitamineum to identify small-molecule compounds that could inhibit the heat stress response, leading to the discovery of N-benzyl-4-(1-bromonaphthalen-2-yl)oxybutan-1-amine as a potential compound that targets the SsHog1 mediation SsHsp104 pathway during heat treatment. Furthermore, the combination of N-benzyl-4-(1-bromonaphthalen-2-yl)oxybutan-1-amine and warm water treatment (45 °C for 15 min) inhibits the growth of S. scitamineum and teliospore germination, thereby reducing the occurrence of sugar cane smut diseases and indicating its potential for eliminating pathogens from perennial sugar cane buds. In conclusion, these findings suggest that N-benzyl-4-(1-bromonaphthalen-2-yl)oxybutan-1-amine is promising as a targeted compound for the SsHog1-mediated SsHsp104 pathway and may enable the reduction of hot water treatment duration and/or temperature, thereby limiting the occurrence of sugar cane smut diseases caused by S. scitamineum.

Targeting heat shock protein 47 alleviated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and remodeling in mice through suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome

AIM

Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is an increasing problem, occurring in many cancer patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy, ultimately leading to heart failure (HF). Unfortunately, DIC remains difficult to manage due to an ignorance regarding pathophysiological mechanisms. Our work aimed to evaluate the role of HSP47 in doxorubicin-induced HF, and to explore the molecular mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice were exposed to multi-intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (DOX, 4mg/kg/week, for 6 weeks continuously) to produce DIC. HSP47 expression was significantly upregulated in serum and in heart tissue in DOX-treated mice and in isolated cardiomyocytes. Mice with cardiac-specific HSP47 overexpression and knockdown were generated using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAVV9) injection. Importantly, cardiac-specific HSP47 overexpression exacerbated cardiac dysfunction in DIC, while HSP47 knockdown prevented DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, cardiac atrophy and fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, we identified that HSP47 directly interacted with IRE1α in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, we provided powerful evidence that HSP47-IRE1α complex promoted TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome and reinforced USP1-mediated NLRP3 ubiquitination. Moreover, NLRP3 deficiency in vivo conspicuously abolished HSP47-mediated cardiac atrophy and fibrogenesis under DOX condition.

CONCLUSION

HSP47 was highly expressed in serum and cardiac tissue after doxorubicin administration. HSP47 contributed to long-term anthracycline chemotherapy-associated cardiac dysfunction in an NLRP3-dependent manner. HSP47 therefore represents a plausible target for future therapy of doxorubicin-induced HF.

TRIM26 restricts Epstein-Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells through K48-linked ubiquitination of HSP-90β

The tripartite interaction motif (TRIM) family of proteins is known for their antiviral activity through different mechanisms, such as interfering with viral components, regulating immune responses, and participating in autophagy-mediated defense pathways. In this study, we investigated the role of tripartite interaction motif 26 (TRIM26), which is encoded by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene, in regulating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We found that TRIM26 expression was induced upon EBV infection and that it indirectly targeted EphA2, a crucial epithelial receptor for EBV entry. Our results showed that TRIM26 interacted with heat shock protein 90-beta (HSP-90β) and promoted its polyubiquitination, which led to its degradation via the proteasome pathway. This, in turn, affected EphA2 integrity and suppressed EBV infection. These findings suggest that TRIM26 could be a valuable target for developing therapeutic interventions against EBV infection and its associated pathogenesis.

Inhibition of Cell Apoptosis by Apicomplexan Protozoa-Host Interaction in the Early Stage of Infection

Apicomplexan protozoa, which are a group of specialized intracellular parasitic protozoa, infect humans and other animals and cause a variety of diseases. The lack of research on the interaction mechanism between Apicomplexan protozoa and their hosts is a key factor restricting the development of new drugs and vaccines. In the early stages of infection, cell apoptosis is inhibited by Apicomplexan protozoa through their interaction with the host cells; thereby, the survival and reproduction of Apicomplexan protozoa in host cells is promoted. In this review, the key virulence proteins and pathways are introduced regarding the inhibition of cell apoptosis by the interaction between the protozoa and their host during the early stage of Apicomplexan protozoa infection. It provides a theoretical basis for the development of drugs or vaccines for protozoal diseases.

Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and Cardiovascular Complications of Obesity: Searching for Potential Biomarkers

Heat shock proteins (HSPs), a family of proteins that support cellular proteostasis and perform a protective function under various stress conditions, such as high temperature, intoxication, inflammation, or tissue hypoxia, constitute a promising group of possible biochemical markers for obesity and cardiovascular diseases. HSP27 is involved in essential cellular processes occurring in conditions of obesity and its cardiometabolic complications; it has protective properties, and its secretion may indicate a cellular response to stress. HSP40 plays a controversial role in the pathogenesis of obesity. HSP60 is involved in various pathological processes of the cardiovascular, immune, excretory, and nervous systems and is associated with obesity and concomitant diseases. The hypersecretion of HSP60 is associated with poor prognosis; hence, this protein may become a target for further research on obesity and its cardiovascular complications. According to most studies, intracellular HSP70 is an obesity-promoting factor, whereas extracellular HSP70 exhibited inconsistent dynamics across different patient groups and diagnoses. HSPs are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular pathology. However, in the context of cardiovascular and metabolic pathology, these proteins require further investigation.

Translating Senotherapeutic Interventions into the Clinic with Emerging Proteomic Technologies

Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest with profound phenotypic changes, including the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Senescent cell accumulation contributes to aging and many pathologies including chronic inflammation, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Targeted removal of senescent cells in preclinical models promotes health and longevity, suggesting that the selective elimination of senescent cells is a promising therapeutic approach for mitigating a myriad of age-related pathologies in humans. However, moving senescence-targeting drugs (senotherapeutics) into the clinic will require therapeutic targets and biomarkers, fueled by an improved understanding of the complex and dynamic biology of senescent cell populations and their molecular profiles, as well as the mechanisms underlying the emergence and maintenance of senescence cells and the SASP. Advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomic technologies and workflows have the potential to address these needs. Here, we review the state of translational senescence research and how proteomic approaches have added to our knowledge of senescence biology to date. Further, we lay out a roadmap from fundamental biological discovery to the clinical translation of senotherapeutic approaches through the development and application of emerging proteomic technologies, including targeted and untargeted proteomic approaches, bottom-up and top-down methods, stability proteomics, and surfaceomics. These technologies are integral for probing the cellular composition and dynamics of senescent cells and, ultimately, the development of senotype-specific biomarkers and senotherapeutics (senolytics and senomorphics). This review aims to highlight emerging areas and applications of proteomics that will aid in exploring new senescent cell biology and the future translation of senotherapeutics.

Crossroad between the Heat Shock Protein and Inflammation Pathway in Acquiring Drug Resistance: A Possible Target for Future Cancer Therapeutics

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) against chemotherapeutic agents has become a major impediment in cancer therapy. Understanding the underlying mechanism behind MDR can guide future treatment for cancer with better therapeutic outcomes. Recent studies evidenced that crossroads interaction between the heat shock proteins (HSP) and inflammatory responses under the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in modulating drug responsiveness and drug resistance through a complex cytological process. This review aims to investigate the interrelationship between inflammation and HSP in acquiring multiple drug resistance and investigate strategies to overcome the drug resistance to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. HSP plays a dual regulatory effect as an immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory agent, involving the simultaneous blockade of multiple signaling pathways in acquiring MDR. For example, HSP27 shows biological effects on monocytes by causing IL10 and TNFα secretion and blocking monocyte differentiation to normal dendritic cells and tumor-associated macrophages to promote cancer progression and chemoresistance. Thus, the HSP function and immune-checkpoint release modalities provide a therapeutic target for a therapeutically beneficial approach for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. The interconnection between inflammation and HSP, along with the tumor microenvironment in acquiring drug resistance, has become crucial for rationalizing the effect of HSP immunomodulatory activity with immune checkpoint blockade. This relationship can overcome drug resistance and assist in the development of novel combinatorial cancer immunotherapy in fighting cancer with decreasing mortality rates.

Current status and progress in the omics of Clonorchis sinensis

Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) is a fish-borne trematode that inhabits the bile duct of mammals including humans, cats, dogs, rats, and so on. In the complex life cycle of C. sinensis, the worm develops successively in two intermediate hosts in fresh water and one definitive host. What's more, it undergoes eight developmental stages with a distinct morphology. Clonorchiasis, caused by C. sinensis infection, is an important food-borne parasitic disease and one of the most common zoonoses. C. sinensis infection could result in hyperplasia of the bile duct epithelium, obstructive jaundice, gall-stones, cholecystitis and cholangitis, even liver cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, clonorchiasis is a serious public health problem in endemic areas. Integrated strategies should be adopted in the prevention and control of clonorchiasis due to the epidemiological characteristics. The recent advances in high-throughput technologies have made available the profiling of multiple layers of a biological system, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These data can help us to get more information about the development, physiology, metabolism, and reproduction of the parasite as well as pathogenesis and parasite-host interactions in clonorchiasis. In the present study, we summarized recent progresses in omics studies on C. sinensis providing insights into the studies and future directions on treating and preventing C. sinensis associated diseases.

Impact of Non-Invasive Physical Plasma on Heat Shock Protein Functionality in Eukaryotic Cells

Recently, biomedical research has increasingly investigated physical plasma as an innovative therapeutic approach with a number of therapeutic biomedical effects. It is known from radiation and chemotherapy that these applications can lead to the induction and activation of primarily cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSP). HSP protect cells and tissues from physical, (bio)chemical, and physiological stress and, ultimately, along with other mechanisms, govern resistance and treatment failure. These mechanisms are well known and comparatively well studied in drug therapy. For therapies in the field of physical plasma medicine, however, extremely little data are available to date. In this review article, we provide an overview of the current studies on the interaction of physical plasma with the cellular HSP system.