Programmed cell death protein 1 promotes hepatitis B virus transmission through the regulation of ERK1/2-mediated trophoblasts differentiation

TLR signaling pathway and the effects of main immune cells and epigenetics factors on the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and sterility

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), often known as spontaneous miscarriages occurring two or more times in a row, is a reproductive disease that affects certain couples. The cause of RPL is unknown in many cases, leading to difficulties in therapy and increased psychological suffering in couples. Toll-like receptors (TLR) have been identified as crucial regulators of inflammation in various human tissues. The occurrence of inflammation during parturition indicates that Toll-like receptor activity in tissues related to pregnancy may play a crucial role in the onset and continuation of normal function, as well as in various pregnancy complications like infection-related preterm. TLRs or their signaling molecules may serve as effective therapeutic targets for inhibiting premature activity. At the maternal-fetal interface, TLRs are found in both immune and non-immune cells, such as trophoblasts and decidual cells. TLR expression patterns are influenced by the phases of pregnancy. In this way, translational combinations like epigenetics, have indicated their impact on the TLRs.Importantly, abnormal DNA methylation patterns and histone alterations have an impressive performance in decreasing fertility by influencing gene expression and required molecular and cellular activities which are vital for a normal pregnancy and embryonic process. TLRs, play a central duty in the innate immune system and can regulate epigenetic elements by many different signaling pathways. The potential roles of TLRs in cells, epigenetics factors their ability to identify and react to infections, and their place in the innate immune system will all be covered in this narrative review essay.

RACK1 promotes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in Marc-145 cells through ERK1/2 activation

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an acute infectious disease that spreads rapidly among pigs and seriously threatens the pig industry. Activation of ERK1/2 is a hallmark of most viral infections. RACK1 interacts with a variety of kinases and membrane receptors that closely associated with viral infections and the development and progression of cancer. However, no studies have clearly defined whether RACK1 can regulate PRRSV infection through ERK1/2 activation. In our study, using RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, indirect fluorescent staining, siRNA knockdown and protein overexpression techniques, we found that downregulation of cellular RACK1 inhibited ERK1/2 activation and subsequently suppressed PRRSV infection, while overexpression of RACK1 enhanced ERK1/2 activation and PRRSV infection. Bioinformatic and Co-immunoprecipitation experimental analysis revealed that cellular RACK1 could interact with viral N protein to exert its function. We elaborated that RACK1 promoted PRRSV replication in Marc-145 cells through ERK1/2 activation. Our study provides new insights into regulating the innate antiviral immune responses during PRRSV infection and contributes to further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying PRRSV replication.

Network-based pharmacology and molecular docking exploring the "Bupleuri Radix-Scutellariae Radix" mechanism of action in the viral hepatitis B treatment

Viral hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is characterized by liver lesions. Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix are the main traditional medicine pairs with remarkable efficacy in hepatitis B. However, their molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. The main active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix, as well as therapeutic targets for the treatment of hepatitis B, were identified through network pharmacology techniques. We identified viral hepatitis B targets using the GeneCards, online mendelian inheritance in man, and therapeutic target databases. We discovered the active components of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix as well as therapeutic targets using the encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine, HERB, traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and a bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine databases. VENNY obtained the intersections. Cytoscape and STRING were used to create the "active ingredient-potential target" network and protein interaction network. The DAVID database was used to enrich GO and KEGG pathways. The results were confirmed using the molecular docking method. There were 1827 viral hepatitis B targets, and 37 active ingredients for Bupleuri and Scutellariae Radix, with the main components being quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor A, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3, transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, and cellular tumor antigen p53 are among the 78 common targets of Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix intervention in viral hepatitis B. KEGG enrichment resulted in 107 pathways, including cancer, hepatitis B, and TNF signaling pathways. According to the molecular docking technique, quercetin, wogonin, baicalein, and kaempferol had strong binding activities with TNF, MAPK3, and IL-6. In this study, we initially identified various molecular targets and multiple pathways involved in hepatitis B treatment with Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix.

Astragaloside IV attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury-induced apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells through miR-21-5p

We aimed to explore the role of miR-21-5p in the inhibitory effects of astragaloside IV (As-IV) on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury-induced apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells. Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells RLE-6TN were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into control (C), hypoxia/reoxygenation injury (H/R), As-IV and miR-21-5p-siRNA + As-IV groups (n = 6). H/R model was established by 24 h of hypoxia and 4 h of reoxygenation. As-IV group was given 1 nmol/L As-IV and incubated for 1 h before modeling. MiR-21-5p-siRNA + As-IV group was transfected with 50 nmol/L miR-21-5p-siRNA. After 48 h, they were incubated with 1 nmol/L As-IV for 1 h before modeling. Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, and apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB were measured by immunofluorescence assay. The targeting relationship between miR-21-5p and TLR4 was determined by luciferase assay. Compared with H/R group, the cell viability, miR-21-5p, bax and cleaved caspase-3 expressions of As-IV group increased, apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression decreased, and TLR4 and NF-κB expressions were down-regulated (P < 0.05). Compared with As-IV group, the cell viability, miR-21-5p, bax and cleaved caspase-3 expressions of miR-21-5p-siRNA + As-IV group decreased, apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression increased, and the expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB were up-regulated (P < 0.05). As-IV up-regulates miR-21-5p expression, inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and suppresses the apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells during hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.