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Yan Q, Feng Z, Jiang B, Yao J. Biological functions of connexins in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:142-149. [PMID: 37837320 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2267713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases with unknown etiology. Gap junctions composed of connexins (Cxs) have been recently validated as an important factor in the development of IBD. Under IBD-induced inflammatory response in the gut, gap junctions connect multiple signaling pathways involved in the interaction between inflammatory cells with other intestinal cells, which altogether mediate the development of IBD. This paper is a narrative review aiming to comprehensively elucidate the biological function of connexins, especially the ubiquitously and predominantly expressed Cx43, in the pathogenesis of IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaojing Yan
- Colorectal Surgery Center, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Center for Anorectal Disease, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiling Feng
- Colorectal Surgery Center, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Colorectal Surgery Center, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Center for Anorectal Disease, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Yao
- Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
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2
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Herradón E, González C, González A, Uranga JA, López-Miranda V. Cardiovascular Toxicity Induced by Chronic Vincristine Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:692970. [PMID: 34366848 PMCID: PMC8333869 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.692970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vincristine is an effective anticancer agent for treating leukemias, lymphomas, and other solid tumors. Vincristine's better-known severe side effects include bone marrow depression, hyponatremia, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal distress. In recent years, cardiovascular damage also has been described during vincristine treatments. However, the vascular toxicity induced by vincristine is little studied. The aim of the present is to evaluate whether these alterations remain after the suspension of chemotherapy treatment (sequelae) and the possible mechanisms involved in this vascular damage. Adult male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into four treatment groups: two groups of saline (0.9% NaCl; saline, sequelae saline) and two groups of vincristine (100 μg/kg; vincristine, sequelae vincristine). Saline or vincristine was administered intraperitoneally in two cycles of 5 days each, leaving a rest period between cycles of 2 days. The final cumulative vincristine dose administered was 1 mg/kg. Sequelae groups correspond to 2 weeks after stopping treatment with the antitumor agent. At the end of the different experimental protocols, cardiac and vascular functions were analyzed. Alterations in the expression of different proteins in the cardiovascular tissues were also investigated. Chronic treatment with vincristine did not produce significant changes in basal cardiac function but provoked significant endothelial dysfunction in the aorta and a significant decrease in the mesenteric contractile function. These cardiovascular functional alterations disappeared 2 weeks after the suspension of chemotherapy treatment. Vincristine treatment caused a significant increase in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS), and connexin 43 in cardiac tissue. In the aorta, the chronic treatment with vincristine caused a slight non-significant increase in TNFα expression, a significant increase in eNOS and iNOS, and a significant decrease in connexin 43. After 2 weeks of vincristine treatment (sequelae group), the expression of TNFα increased and eNOS and iNOS expressions disappeared, but a significant decrease in the expression of connexin 43 was still observed in the aorta. In mesenteric arteries, similar data to those found in the aorta were observed. In conclusion, chronic treatment with vincristine causes functional alterations in the vascular function of both conductance and resistance vessels and changes in the expressions of TNFα, eNOS, iNOS, and connexin 43 in cardiovascular tissues, implicating direct toxicity during its treatment. These functional alterations are transitory and disappear after the suspension of its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Herradón
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Medica (IQM) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,High Performance Research Group in Experimental Pharmacology (Pharmakom-URJC), URJC, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Cristina González
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Medica (IQM) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Antonio González
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Medica (IQM) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,High Performance Research Group in Experimental Pharmacology (Pharmakom-URJC), URJC, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio Uranga
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC), URJC, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Visitación López-Miranda
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,Unidad Asociada al Instituto de Química Medica (IQM) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.,High Performance Research Group in Experimental Pharmacology (Pharmakom-URJC), URJC, Alcorcón, Spain
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Ehrenfeld V, Fulda S. Thioredoxin inhibitor PX-12 induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Biol Chem 2021; 401:273-283. [PMID: 31352431 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Imbalances in redox homeostasis have been described to be involved in the development, progression and relapse of leukemia. As the thioredoxin (Trx) system, one of the major cellular antioxidant networks, has been implicated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we investigated the therapeutic potential of Trx inhibition in ALL. Here, we show that the Trx inhibitor PX-12 reduced cell viability and induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner in different ALL cell lines. This antileukemic activity was accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and enhanced PRDX3 dimerization. Pre-treatment with the thiol-containing ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), but not with non-thiol-containing scavengers α-tocopherol (α-Toc) or Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP), significantly rescued PX-12-induced cell death. Furthermore, PX-12 triggered activation of BAK. Importantly, knockdown of BAK reduced PX-12-stimulated ROS production and cell death. Similarly, silencing of NOXA provided significant protection from PX-12-mediated cell death. The relevance of mitochondria-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptosis was further supported by data showing that PX-12 triggered cleavage of caspase-3 and that addition of the broad-range caspase inhibitor carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk) potently blocked cell death upon PX-12 treatment. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of PX-12-induced cell death in ALL and further highlights the therapeutic potential of redox-active compounds in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Ehrenfeld
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University, Komturstr. 3a, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University, Komturstr. 3a, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Zhou Y, Gao L, Xia P, Zhao J, Li W, Zhou Y, Wei Q, Wu Q, Wu Q, Sun D, Gao K. Glycyrrhetinic Acid Protects Renal Tubular Cells against Oxidative Injury via Reciprocal Regulation of JNK-Connexin 43-Thioredoxin 1 Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:619567. [PMID: 33603672 PMCID: PMC7884636 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.619567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is steadily increasing. Although renal tubular epithelium injury is closely correlated with the prognosis of CKD, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood and therapeutic strategies are limited. The main bioactive component of the Chinese medicine herb, glycyrrhiza, is 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid (Ga), which is also a pharmacological inhibitor of gap junctions. Our previous studies indicated that Ga is able to ameliorate renal cell injury. The present study explored the regulatory role of Ga in redox signaling in renal tubular epithelial cells with oxidative injury. Methods: Rat renal tubular epithelial cells, NRK-52E, were incubated with Px-12, a thioredoxin inhibitor, to mimic thioredoxin deficiency and induce oxidative injury in vitro. A Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to analyze cell viability while a reactive oxygen species (ROS)/superoxide (O2 -) fluorescence probe was employed to determine oxidative stress. Apoptosis was evaluated using DT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling/4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and cleaved caspase 3 protein analysis. Western blot analysis was used to analyze the expression of specific proteins while siRNA transfection was performed to downregulate targeted proteins. Results: Inhibition of thioredoxin 1 by Px-12 triggered renal tubular cell oxidative injury as evidenced by morphological change, loss of cellular viability, over production of ROS and O2 -, and appearance of cleaved caspase-3. Ga significantly attenuated cell oxidative injury, as indicated by the parameters mentioned above. Px-12 induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and subsequently the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in NRK-52E cells. Ga and the JNK inhibitor, sp600125, markedly suppressed Px-12-induced generation of intracellular ROS and O2 -. Inhibition of JNK improved Px-12-elicited NRK-52E cell injury. Moreover, sp600125 inhibited Cx43 expression. After downregulation of Cx43 via Cx43 siRNA transfection, the phosphorylation of JNK was markedly reduced. Furthermore, Ga restored the expression of thioredoxin 1 inhibited by Px-12. Conclusion: ROS-JNK-Cx43-thioredoxin 1 signaling plays a crucial role in renal tubular cell injury. JNK is involved in the regulation of thioredoxin 1 and Cx43, and Cx43 reciprocally regulates thioredoxin 1. Inhibition of gap junctions by Ga alleviated renal tubular oxidative injury via improvement of thioredoxin 1-mediated redox signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Leiping Gao
- Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, China
| | - Ping Xia
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Zhou
- Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, China
| | - Qingxue Wei
- Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, China
| | - Qijing Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dongdong Sun
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Gao
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Zhang X, Mao Z, Huang Y, Zhang Z, Yao J. Gap junctions amplify TRPV4 activation-initiated cell injury via modification of intracellular Ca 2+ and Ca 2+-dependent regulation of TXNIP. Channels (Austin) 2020; 14:246-256. [PMID: 32752916 PMCID: PMC7515575 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1803552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The elevated intracellular Ca2+ and oxidative stress are well-reported mechanisms behind renal tubular epithelial injury initiated by various insults. Given that TRPV4 and connexin43 (Cx43) channels are activated by a wide range of stimuli and regulate both intracellular Ca2+ and redox status, we speculated an involvement of these channels in renal tubular cell injury. Here, we tested this possibility and explored the potential underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that exposure of renal tubular epithelial cells to aminoglycoside G418 led to cell death, which was attenuated by both TRPV4 and gap junction (Gj) inhibitor. Activation of TRPV4 caused cell damage, which was associated with an early increase in Cx43 expression and function. Inhibition of Cx43 with chemical inhibitor or siRNA largely prevented TRPV4 activation-induced cell damage. Further analysis revealed that TRPV4 agonists elicited a rise in intracellular Ca2+ and caused a Ca2+-dependent elevation in TXNIP (a negative regulator of the antioxidant thioredoxin). In the presence of Gj inhibitor, however, these effects of TRPV4 were largely prevented. The depletion of intracellular Ca2+ with Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM or downregulation of TXNIP with siRNA significantly alleviated TRPV4 activation-initiated cell injury. Collectively, our results point to a critical involvement of TRPV4/Cx43 channel interaction in renal tubular cell injury through mechanisms involving a synergetic induction of intracellular Ca2+ and oxidative stress. Channel interactions could be an important mechanism underlying cell injury. Targeting channels could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of acute tubular cell injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiling Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, China.,Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Chuo, Japan
| | - Zhimin Mao
- Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Chuo, Japan
| | - Yanru Huang
- Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Chuo, Japan
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Chuo, Japan
| | - Jian Yao
- Division of Molecular Signaling, Department of the Advanced Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Chuo, Japan
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6-Dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs induce reactive oxygen species-mediated tumor cell apoptosis via bi-targeting thioredoxin 1 and telomerase. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 401:115079. [PMID: 32497534 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) and telomerase play key roles in the development and progression process of most tumors, and they both are promising drug therapy targets. We have, for the first time, discovered that Trx1 and telomerase had a dual-target synergistic effect. Based on that results, we designed a series of 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs (named as YLS00X) and verified whether they can inhibit Trx1 and telomerase simultaneously. TrxR1/Trx1 system activity and telomerase expression were significantly inhibited by 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs, especially YLS004. YLS004 can also cause ROS accumulation, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. The vitro antitumor activity of 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs using MTT assay on 11 different human cancer cells and found that human colon cancer cells(HCT116) and melanoma cells (A375) were the most sensitive cells to 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs treatment and vivo xenografts models also confirmed that. The serum biochemical parameters and multiple organs HE staining results of subacute experiments indicated that YLS004 might be mildly toxic to immune organs, including the thymus, spleen, and hematopoietic system. Besides, YLS004 was rapidly metabolized in the rats' blood. Our study revealed that YLS004, a Trx1 and telomerase inhibitor, has strong anti-tumor effects to colon cancer and melanoma cells and is a promising new candidate drug.
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