RETRACTED ARTICLE: Distinctive pathways characterize A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis

Study on mechanism of transdermal administration of eugenol for pain treatment by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology

The objective of this study was to explore the pharmacological mechanism of transdermal administration of eugenol (EUG) for pain treatment. Firstly, network pharmacology techniques were employed to identify the potential targets responsible for the analgesic effect of EUG. Subsequently, molecular docking technology was used to validate interactions between EUG and the crystal structure of the core target protein. Finally, the impact of EUG on the expression and activation of TRPV1 receptors in HaCaT cells was evaluated through in vitro experiments, thus confirming the analysis of network pharmacology. The study suggested that the transdermal administration of EUG for pain treatment might target the TRPV1 receptor. Molecular docking revealed that EUG could spontaneously bind to the TRPV1 receptor with a high binding ability. The analysis of Western blot (WB) and intracellular Ca2+ levels demonstrated that EUG could increase the expression of TRPV1 in HaCaT cells, activating TRPV1 to induce intracellular Ca2+ influx (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the initial application of EUG would cause a brief stimulation of TRPV1 receptors and upregulation of TRPV1 expression. Upon continued exposure, EUG would act as a TRPV1 agonist, increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels that might be associated with desensitization of pain sensations.

Saikosaponin-d Attenuates Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis by Regulating Macrophage Polarization

Objective

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common clinical autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have found that HT pathogenesis is associated with macrophage polarization. Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is an active component in the Chinese medicine Bupleurum, which has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this study was to verify the therapeutic effect of SSd on HT and to investigate the regulatory effect of SSd on macrophage polarization in HT.

Methods

Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the relevant targets and signaling pathways of SSd for HT treatment. The therapeutic effect of SSd on HT model mice and the effect on macrophage polarization were detected by animal experiment.

Results

Network pharmacological analysis showed that SSd can alleviate HT against multiple targets such as IL-6 and IL-10 and can act on macrophage polarization-related signaling pathways such as MAPK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that SSd intervention attenuated the lymphocytic infiltration in thyroid tissues of HT mice (P = 0.044); SSd intervention reduced serum TPOAb antibody level in HT mice (P < 0.001); SSd adjusted M1/M2 imbalance towards M2-type macrophage polarization in the spleen of HT mice (P = 0.003); SSd inhibited the expressions of Th1-type cytokine IFN-γ and Th17-type cytokine IL-17 systemically and locally in the thyroid of HT mice (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

SSd treatment can regulate Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg imbalances and reduce the severity of HT in mice by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages.

Molecular mechanism by which CDCP1 promotes proneural-mesenchymal transformation in primary glioblastoma

Background

Compared with the proneural (PN) subtype of glioblastoma (GBM), the mesenchymal (MES) subtype is more invasive and immune evasive and is closely related to poor prognosis. Here, we used transcriptome data and experimental evidence to indicate that CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is a novel regulator that facilitates the transformation of PN-GBM to MES-GBM.

Methods

The mRNA expression data of CDCP1 in glioma were collected from the TCGA, CGGA and GEO databases, and in vitro experiments verified CDCP1 expression in glioma tissue samples. Independent prognostic analysis revealed the correlation of the CDCP1 expression level and patient survival. Bioinformatics analysis and experiments verified the biological function of CDCP1. Multivariate proportional hazards models and a PPI network were used to select key genes. A prognostic risk model for predicting the survival of glioma patients was constructed based on the selected genes.

Results

The results showed that the expression of CDCP1 increased with increasing tumor grade and that the overexpression of CDCP1 correlated with a poor prognosis. CDCP1 was highly expressed in MES-GBM but weakly expressed in PN-GBM. The risk model (considering CDCP1 combined with CD44 and ITGAM expression) could represent a tool for predicting survival and prognosis in glioma patients.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that CDCP1 plays an important role in facilitating the transformation of PN-GBM to MES-GBM.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02373-1.

A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Strategy to Explore Potential Targets and Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Curcumin on Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a refractory immune disease, which is often complicated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Curcumin, the most active ingredient of Curcuma longa with a variety of biological activities, has wide effects on the body system. The study is aimed at exploring the potential therapeutic targets underlying the effect of curcumin on SLE-ONFH by utilizing a network pharmacology approach and molecular docking strategy.

Methods

Curcumin and its drug targets were identified using network analysis. First, the Swiss target prediction, GeneCards, and OMIM databases were mined for information relevant to the prediction of curcumin targets and SLE-ONFH-related targets. Second, the curcumin target gene, SLE-ONFH shared gene, and curcumin-SLE-ONFH target gene networks were created in Cytoscape software followed by collecting the candidate targets of each component by R software. Third, the targets and enriched pathways were examined by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Eventually, a gene-pathway network was constructed and visualized by Cytoscape software; key potential central targets were verified and checked by molecular docking and literature review.

Results

201 potential targets of curcumin and 170 related targets involved in SLE-ONFH were subjected to network analysis, and the 36 intersection targets indicated the potential targets of curcumin for the treatment of SLE-ONFH. Additionally, for getting more comprehensive and accurate candidate genes, the 36 potential targets were determined to be analyzed by network topology and 285 candidate genes were obtained finally. The top 20 biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions were identified, when corrected by a P value ≤ 0.05. 20 related signaling pathways were identified by KEGG analysis, when corrected according to a Bonferroni P value ≤ 0.05. Molecular docking showed that the top three genes (TP53, IL6, VEGFA) have good binding force with curcumin; combined with literature review, some other genes such as TNF, CCND1, CASP3, and MMP9 were also identified.

Conclusion

The present study explored the potential targets and signaling pathways of curcumin against SLE-ONFH, which could provide a better understanding of its effects in terms of regulating cell cycle, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, inflammation, and bone destruction.

Remarkable Homeostasis of Protein Sialylation in Skeletal Muscles of Hibernating Daurian Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)

As the most common post-translational protein modification, glycosylation is intimately linked to muscle atrophy. This study aimed to investigate the performance of protein glycosylation in the soleus muscle (SOL) in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) and to determine the potential role of protein glycosylation in the mechanism underlying disuse muscle atrophy prevention. The results showed that (1) seven glycan structures comprising sialic acid α2-3 galactose (SAα2-3Gal) were altered during hibernation; (2) alterations in the SAα2-3Gal structure during hibernation were based on changes in the expression levels of beta-galactoside alpha-2 and 3-sialyltransferases; and (3) α2-3–linked sialylated modifications of heat shock cognate 70 and pyruvate kinase and expression of 14-3-3 epsilon protein were oscillatorily changed during hibernation. Our findings indicate that the skeletal muscles of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels maintain protein sialylation homeostasis by restoring sialylation modification during periodic interbout arousal, which might protect the skeletal muscles against disuse atrophy.

A network pharmacology approach to explore the potential targets underlying the effect of sinomenine on rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential targets underlying the effect of sinomenine (SIN) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by utilizing a network pharmacology approach.

METHODS

SIN and its drug targets were identified using network analysis followed by experimental validation. First, the Pharmmapper, UniProt and GeneCards databases were mined for information relevant to the prediction of SIN targets and RA-related targets. Second, the SIN-target gene and SIN-RA target gene networks were created in Cytoscape software followed by the collection of the candidate targets of each component by R software. Eventually, the key targets and enriched pathways were examined by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven potential targets of SIN and 3797 related targets involved in RA were subjected to network analysis, and the 20 intersection targets indicated the principal pathways linked to RA. Additionally, 16 key targets, which were linked to more than three genes, were determined to be crucial genes. GO analysis showed that 14 biological processes, 5 cellular components and 2 molecular functions were identified, when corrected by a P value ≤ 0.01. Seven related signaling pathways were identified by KEGG analysis, when corrected according to a Bonferroni P value ≤ 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The present study explored the potential targets and signaling pathways of SIN during the treatment of RA, which may help to illustrate the mechanism (s) involved in the action of SIN and may provide a better understanding of its anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects in terms of inhibiting angiogenesis, synovial hyperplasia, and bone destruction.

Role and mechanism of the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome in oral disease

OBJECTIVE

To summarize evidence and data from experimental studies regarding the role and mechanism of the Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis of several representative oral diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search of PubMed and EBSCO was performed. The literature was searched using a combination of keywords, e.g., NLRP3 inflammasome, inflammation, microorganisms, oral inflammatory diseases, and oral immunological diseases.

RESULTS

The initiation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of several representative oral diseases, including periodontitis, oral lichen planus, dental pulp disease, and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in the progression of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses. The possible role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in several oral diseases, including not only periodontitis and pulpitis but also mucosal diseases and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, may involve the aberrant regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Understanding the cellular and molecular biology of the NLRP3 inflammasome is necessary because the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of oral inflammatory and immunological diseases.