Role of miR-106-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in oxidative stress injury and inflammatory infiltration in the liver of the mouse with gestational hypertension

Exploring the mechanism of Alisma orientale for the treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension and potential hepato-nephrotoxicity by using network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Background: Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) is a disease that causes serious maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Alisma Orientale (AO) has a long history of use as traditional Chinese medicine therapy for PIH. This study explores its potential mechanism and biosafety based on network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Methods: Compounds of AO were screened in TCMSP, TCM-ID, TCM@Taiwan, BATMAN, TOXNET and CTD database; PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, DisGeNET and OMIM databases were used to predict the targets of AO anti-PIH. The protein-protein interaction analysis and the KEGG/GO enrichment analysis were applied by STRING and Metascape databases, respectively. Then, we constructed the "herb-compound-target-pathway-disease" map in Cytoscape software to show the core regulatory network. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to analyze binding affinity and reliability. The same procedure was conducted for network toxicology to illustrate the mechanisms of AO hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Results: 29 compounds with 78 potential targets associated with the therapeutic effect of AO on PIH, 10 compounds with 117 and 111 targets associated with AO induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were obtained, respectively. The PPI network analysis showed that core therapeutic targets were IGF, MAPK1, AKT1 and EGFR, while PPARG and TNF were toxicity-related targets. Besides, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis showed that AO might modulate the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways in treating PIH and mainly interfere with the lipid and atherosclerosis pathways to induce liver and kidney injury. The "herb-compound-target-pathway-disease" network showed that triterpenoids were the main therapeutic compounds, such as Alisol B 23-Acetate and Alisol C, while emodin was the main toxic compounds. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation also showed good binding affinity between core compounds and targets. Conclusion: This research illustrated the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of AO against PIH and AO induced hepato-nephrotoxicity. However, further experimental verification is warranted for optimal use of AO during clinical practice.

Sepsis-associated brain injury: underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for acute and long-term cognitive impairments

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis causes cerebral dysfunction in the short and long term and induces disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), neuroinflammation, hypoperfusion, and accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau protein in the brain. White matter changes and brain atrophy can be detected using brain imaging, but unfortunately, there is no specific treatment that directly addresses the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairments in sepsis. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of sepsis-associated brain injury, with a focus on BBB dysfunction and Aβ and tau protein accumulation in the brain. We also describe the neurological manifestations and imaging findings of sepsis-associated brain injury, and finally, we propose potential therapeutic strategies for acute and long-term cognitive impairments associated with sepsis. In the acute phase of sepsis, we suggest using antibiotics (such as rifampicin), targeting proinflammatory cytokines, and preventing ischemic injuries and hypoperfusion. In the late phase of sepsis, we suggest targeting neuroinflammation, BBB dysfunction, Aβ and tau protein phosphorylation, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β), and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). These proposed strategies are meant to bring new mechanism-based directions for future basic and clinical research aimed at preventing or ameliorating acute and long-term cognitive impairments in patients with sepsis.

Differential Expression of Serum TUG1, LINC00657, miR-9, and miR-106a in Diabetic Patients With and Without Ischemic Stroke

Background: Ischemic stroke is one of the serious complications of diabetes. Non-coding RNAs are established as promising biomarkers for diabetes and its complications. The present research investigated the expression profiles of serum TUG1, LINC00657, miR-9, and miR-106a in diabetic patients with and without stroke.

Methods: A total of 75 diabetic patients without stroke, 77 patients with stroke, and 71 healthy controls were recruited in the current study. The serum expression levels of TUG1, LINC00657, miR-9, and miR-106a were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results: We observed significant high expression levels of LINC00657 and miR-9 in the serum of diabetic patients without stroke compared to control participants. At the same time, we found marked increases of serum TUG1, LINC00657, and miR-9 and a marked decrease of serum miR-106a in diabetic patients who had stroke relative to those without stroke. Also, we revealed positive correlations between each of TUG1, LINC00657, and miR-9 and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). However, there was a negative correlation between miR-106a and NIHSS. Finally, we demonstrated a negative correlation between LINC00657 and miR-106a in diabetic patients with stroke.

Conclusion: Serum non-coding RNAs, TUG1, LINC00657, miR-9, and miR-106a displayed potential as novel molecular biomarkers for diabetes complicated with stroke, suggesting that they might be new therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetic patients with stroke.

A decline in club cell secretory proteins in lung transplantation is associated with release of natural killer cells exosomes leading to chronic rejection

BACKGROUND

In human lung transplant recipients, a decline in club cell secretory protein (CCSP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid has been associated with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) as well as the induction of exosomes and immune responses that lead to CLAD. However, the mechanisms by which CCSP decline contributes to CLAD remain unknown.

METHODS

To define the mechanisms leading to CCSP decline and chronic rejection, we employed two mouse models: 1) chronic rejection after orthotopic single lung transplantation and 2) anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-induced obliterative airway disease.

RESULTS

In the chronic rejection mouse model, we detected circulating exosomes with donor MHC (H2b) and lung self-antigens and also development of antibodies to H2b and lung self-antigens and then a decline in CCSP. Furthermore, DBA2 mice that received injections of these exosomes developed antibodies to donor MHC and lung self-antigens. In the chronic rejection mouse model, natural killer (NK) and CD8 T cells were the predominant graft-infiltrating cells on day 14 of rejection followed by exosomes containing NK cell-associated and cytotoxic molecules on day 14 and 28. When NK cells were depleted, exosomes with NK cell-associated and cytotoxic molecules as well as fibrosis decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction of exosomes led to immune responses to donor MHC and lung self-antigens, resulting in CCSP decline, leading to NK cell infiltration and release of exosomes from NK cells. These results suggest a novel role for exosomes derived from NK cells in the pathogenesis of chronic lung allograft rejection.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG16, binding with miR-106b-5p, promoted cell apoptosis and inflammation in allergic rhinitis by up-regulating leukemia inhibitory factor to activate the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type I hypersensitive disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG16 acts as an oncogene in a variety of tumors and promotes the occurrence of inflammation in many inflammatory diseases. The study aims to investigate the expression of SNHG16 and its potential biological functions in AR. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of SNHG16 in AR was up-regulated. The AR cell model was constructed by stimulating primary nasal mucosal epithelial cells from AR patients with IL-13. After knocking down the expression of lncRNA SNHG16, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA. The results showed that SNHG16 promoted cell apoptosis and inflammation. Then, bioinformatics analysis was used to screen miRNAs bound with SNHG16. Luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down experiment were used to verify the relationship. We found that the expression of miR-106b-5p was down-regulated and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression was up-regulated in the AR cell model. The expression of phospho-Janus kinase 1 and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were detected by Western blotting. Silencing the expression of LIF could inhibit the activity of JAK1/STAT3 pathway and further inhibit cell apoptosis and the occurrence of inflammation. Then transfected SNHG16 shRNA alone or together with miR-106b-5p antagomir into the AR cell model, we found that silencing the expression of SNHG16 down-regulated the expression of LIF and inhibited the activity of the JAK1/STAT3 pathway, cell apoptosis, and inflammation. However, miR-106b-5p antagomir weakened its inhibitory effects. The role of SNHG16 in AR was further verified by the ovalbumin-induced AR mouse model in vivo. In conclusion, SNHG16 up-regulates LIF expression by binding with miR-106b-5p, thus promoting the activity of JAK1/STAT3 pathway, and promoting the development of AR. These results provide new targets for the treatment of AR and may help reduce the damage caused by AR.

Melatonin ameliorates hypertension in hypertensive pregnant mice and suppresses the hypertension-induced decrease in Ca2+-activated K+ channels in uterine arteries

Decreased secretion of melatonin was reported to be associated with an enhanced risk of hypertension and diabetes. However, the effect of melatonin on gestational hypertension (GH) and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. A GH mouse model was established via electrical stimulation. The hypertensive phenotypes were indicated by systolic blood pressure (SBP) and urinary protein levels. Uterine artery (UtA) endothelial function was detected by relaxation, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Protein expression levels were determined using immunochemistry and Western blots. Pregnancy outcomes were indicated by the fetal live ratio, fetal weight and placental weight. Melatonin supplementation ameliorated hypertensive phenotypes in the mice with GH and enhanced UtA endothelial response to acetylcholine. The BK_Ca potassium channel was involved in the effect of melatonin on UtA endothelial function, and melatonin promoted BK_Ca potassium channel expression and function in UtAs. Finally, melatonin improved pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice. In conclusion, melatonin ameliorates hypertension in hypertensive pregnant mice and suppresses hypertension-induced decreases in Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels in uterine arteries.

NFKB1-mediated downregulation of microRNA-106a promotes oxidative stress injury and insulin resistance in mice with gestational hypertension

This study intended to investigate the role of NFKB1 in oxidative stress injury and insulin resistance in gestational hypertension (GH) mice. Following establishment of a GH mouse model by high-fat diet, NFKB1, miR-106a, and FLOT2 expression was detected in liver of mice. After NFKB1, miR-106a, and FLOT2 were altered in GH mice by lentiviral vector, oxidative stress markers in liver tissues were examined by colorimetry, and insulin resistance was assessed by fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Next, hepatocytes were isolated from GH mice and treated with miR-106a mimic, inhibitor or siRNA, followed by determination of hepatocyte apoptosis and the expression of inflammation- and apoptosis-related factors. Evaluation of the correlations among NFKB1, miR-106a, and FLOT2 were conducted. Liver of GH mice harbored NFKB1 and FLOT2 upregulation and miR-106a downregulation. miR-106a was transcriptionally inhibited by NFKB1, and negatively targeted FLOT2. Oxidative stress injury and insulin resistance in GH mice and apoptosis and inflammation of hepatocytes from GH mice were decreased after silencing NFKB1 or FLOT2 or overexpressing miR-106a. These findings provided evidence demonstrating the inhibitory effect of NFKB1 silencing on oxidative stress injury and insulin resistance in GH mice via miR-106a upregulation and FLOT2 downregulation.

Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs Associated with Vein Graft Restenosis in Rats

Objective: Intimal hyperplasia is the main cause of restenosis of vein grafts after venous transplantation. MicroRNAs are considered to play a role in vein graft restenosis; however, the expression profile of microRNAs in neointima has not been reported in detail. We wanted to investigate the differentially expressed microRNAs in the restenosis of vein grafts in rats.Methods: We established a rat model for vein transplantation to explore the pathogenic roles of microRNAs during intimal hyperplasia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to confirm intimal hyperplasia in the vein grafts. Changes in microRNA expression in the vein grafts were detected 3 and 14 days after surgery by sequencing, reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and bioinformatics analyses for functional annotation.Results: We detected 711 newly predicted microRNAs among all the comparisons. Among these comparisons, 437 differentially expressed microRNAs were detected in the postoperative day 3 group versus the control group, 265 were detected in the postoperative day 14 group versus the control group, and 158 were detected in the postoperative day 14 group versus the postoperative day 3 group. Pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of target genes that mediate Wnt, mitogen-activated protein kinase, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton signaling.Conclusion: Our results provide insight into the pathogenesis of restenosis and will help develop novel targets in the prevention and treatment of vein graft restenosis.

Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang Inhibits Aβ 25-35-Induced Apoptosis in Primary Cultured Rat Hippocampal Neuronal Cells via the p38 MAPK Pathway: An Experimental Validation and Network Pharmacology Study

Qingxin kaiqiao fang (QKF), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, has been applied to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) for many years and has exhibited remarkable effects. However, the underlying mechanism is still not explicit. The current study aims to investigate whether QKF exerts an antiapoptotic role through the p38 MAPK pathway in the course of AD. Network pharmacology analysis was applied to study the effective components, possible therapeutic targets, and AD-related pathway of QKF. Further, the AD cell model was established using amyloid-beta (Aβ)_25-35 peptide and primary hippocampal neuronal cells extracted from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats. Microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) imaging was used to detect the morphology of hippocampal neurons. Western blot (WB) analysis was applied to detect the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays, respectively. SB203580 and U46619 were used to detect changes in cell morphology, cell viability, and apoptosis upon inhibiting or activating p38 MAPK. Our present work showed that QKF protects hippocampal neuronal morphology, enhances cell viability, and reduces the number of TUNEL-positive cells. In addition, our results showed that QKF increased the expression levels of antiapoptotic proteins and decreased the expression of proapoptotic proteins. QKF at 25 mg·mL⁻¹ best inhibited neuronal apoptosis among the three doses of QKF by suppressing p38 MAPK activity. Collectively, QKF plays an antiapoptotic role via the p38 MAPK pathway.

Serum Level of miR-1 and miR-155 as Potential Biomarkers of Stress-Resilience of NET-KO and SWR/J Mice

In the present study, we used three strains of mice with various susceptibility to stress: mice with knock-out of the gene encoding norepinephrine transporter (NET-KO), which are well characterized as displaying a stress-resistant phenotype, as well as two strains of mice displaying two different stress-coping strategies, i.e., C57BL/6J (WT in the present study) and SWR/J. The procedure of restraint stress (RS, 4 h) was applied, and the following behavioral experiments (the forced swim test and sucrose preference test) indicated that NET-KO and SWR/J mice were less sensitive to RS than WT mice. Then, we aimed to find the miRNAs which changed in similar ways in the serum of NET-KO and SWR/J mice subjected to RS, being at the same time different from the miRNAs found in the serum of WT mice. Using Custom TaqMan Array MicroRNA Cards, with primers for majority of miRNAs expressed in the serum (based on a preliminary experiment using the TaqMan Array Rodent MicroRNA A + B Cards Set v3.0, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) allowed the identification of 21 such miRNAs. Our further analysis focused on miR-1 and miR-155 and their targets—these two miRNAs are involved in the regulation of BDNF expression and can be regarded as biomarkers of stress-resilience.