Arsenic trioxide activates yes-associated protein by lysophosphatidic acid metabolism to selectively induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells

M6A modification in cardiovascular disease: With a focus on programmed cell death

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is one of the most predominant internal RNA modifications in eukaryotes and has become a hot spot in the field of epigenetics in recent years. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death globally. Emerging evidence demonstrates that RNA modifications, such as the m6A modification, are associated with the development and progression of many diseases, including CVDs. An increasing body of studies has indicated that programmed cell death (PCD) plays a vital role in CVDs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying m6A modification and PCD in CVDs remain poorly understood. Herein, elaborating on the highly complex connections between the m6A mechanisms and different PCD signaling pathways and clarifying the exact molecular mechanism of m6A modification mediating PCD have significant meaning in developing new strategies for the prevention and therapy of CVDs. There is great potential for clinical application.

Unravelling the impact of RNA methylation genetic and epigenetic machinery in the treatment of cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy (CM) represents a heterogeneous group of diseases primarily affecting cardiac structure and function, with genetic and epigenetic dysregulation playing a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Emerging evidence from the burgeoning field of epitranscriptomics has brought to light the significant impact of various RNA modifications, notably N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 2'-O-methylation (Nm), and 6,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), on cardiomyocyte function and the broader processes of cardiac and vascular remodelling. These modifications have been shown to influence key pathological mechanisms including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inflammation, immune response, and myocardial fibrosis. Importantly, aberrations in the RNA methylation machinery have been observed in human CM cases and animal models, highlighting the critical role of RNA methylating enzymes and their potential as therapeutic targets or biomarkers for CM. This review underscores the necessity for a deeper understanding of RNA methylation processes in the context of CM, to illuminate novel therapeutic avenues and diagnostic tools, thereby addressing a significant gap in the current management strategies for this complex disease.

Electrochemiluminescence assay for the impact of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on resisting arsenic-induced apoptosis

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a traditional edible fungus with strong medicinal value. G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) encapsulate many of the key beneficial properties of this species, providing a valuable tool for the treatment of a range of diseases. The present study was developed to explore the protective benefits of GLP treatment in the context of arsenic poisoning. Through microscopy and flow cytometry experiments, NaAsO2 was found to induce rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cell apoptosis, together with reductions in cell surface epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. GLP treatment, however, was able to reduce apoptosis rates and elevate the expression of EGFR relative to NaAsO2-treated cells. GLP extracts (50, 100, 200 mg·mL-1) prepared from four types of G. lucidum were administered to RTE cells damaged with arsenic, revealing limited differences in position resistance among these varieties. This work provides reference for the pharmaceutical and medical research of G. lucidum.

Integrating Anion-π+ Interaction and Crowded Conformation to Develop Multifunctional NIR AIEgen for Effective Tumor Theranostics via Hippo-YAP Pathway

The technology of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) presents a promising avenue for fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic cancer therapy. However, existing near-infrared AIE photosensitizers (PSs) frequently encounter limitations, including tedious synthesis, poor tumor retention, and a limited understanding of the underlying molecular biology mechanism. Herein, an effective molecular design paradigm of anion-π+ interaction combined with the inherently crowded conformation that could enhance fluorescence efficacy and reactive oxygen species generation was proposed through a concise synthetic method. Mechanistically, upon photosensitization, the Hippo signaling pathway contributes to the death of melanoma cells and promotes the nuclear location of its downstream factor, yes-associated protein, which regulates the transcription and expression of apoptosis-related genes. The finding in this study would trigger the development of high-performance and versatile AIE PSs for precision cancer therapy based on a definite regulatory mechanism.

RNA modification in cardiovascular disease: implications for therapeutic interventions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world, with a high incidence and a youth-oriented tendency. RNA modification is ubiquitous and indispensable in cell, maintaining cell homeostasis and function by dynamically regulating gene expression. Accumulating evidence has revealed the role of aberrant gene expression in CVD caused by dysregulated RNA modification. In this review, we focus on nine common RNA modifications: N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N4-acetylcytosine (ac4C), pseudouridine (Ψ), uridylation, adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, and modifications of U34 on tRNA wobble. We summarize the key regulators of RNA modification and their effects on gene expression, such as RNA splicing, maturation, transport, stability, and translation. Then, based on the classification of CVD, the mechanisms by which the disease occurs and progresses through RNA modifications are discussed. Potential therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, are reviewed based on these mechanisms. Herein, some of the CVD (such as stroke and peripheral vascular disease) are not included due to the limited availability of literature. Finally, the prospective applications and challenges of RNA modification in CVD are discussed for the purpose of facilitating clinical translation. Moreover, we look forward to more studies exploring the mechanisms and roles of RNA modification in CVD in the future, as there are substantial uncultivated areas to be explored.

Parsing the Q-Markers of Baoyin Jian to Treat Abnormal Uterine Bleeding by High-Throughput Chinmedomics Strategy

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common and frequently occurring disease in gynecology, seriously threatening women's health. Baoyin Jian (BYJ) is a classical prescription for treating AUB. However, the lack of quality control standards of BYJ for AUB have limited the development and applications of BYJ. This experiment aims to explore the mechanism of action and screen the quality markers (Q-markers) of BYJ against AUB through the Chinmedomics strategy to improve the quality standards of Chinese medicine and provide scientific basis for its further development. BYJ has hemostatic effects in rats, as well as the ability to regulate the coagulation system following incomplete medical abortion. According to the results of histopathology, biochemical indexes and urine metabolomics, a total of 32 biomarkers of ABU in rats were identified, 16 of which can be significantly regulated by BYJ. Using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serum pharmacochemistry technology, 59 effective components were detected in vivo, of which 13 were highly correlated with efficacy, and 9 components, namely catalpol, rehmannioside D, paeoniflorin, berberine, phellodendrine, baicalin, asperosaponinVI, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid, were screened out as the Q-markers of BYJ based on the "Five Principles" of Q-markers. In sum, BYJ can effectively alleviate abnormal bleeding symptoms and metabolic abnormalities in AUB rats. The study shows that Chinmedomics is an effective tool for screening Q-markers and provides scientific support for the further development and clinical use of BYJ.

Comprehensive Analysis and Functional Characteristics of Differential Expression of N6-Methyladenosine Methylation Modification in the Whole Transcriptome of Rheumatoid Arthritis

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent chemical modification in eukaryotic mRNA and is associated with the development of various immune diseases. However, the role of m6A methylation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development is unclear. We preliminarily explored the role of m6A methylation-related mRNAs in RA for its clinical application. The discovery of m6A methylation-modifying genes in this study may provide a fresh perspective on the development of drugs for RA treatment. High-throughput sequencing combined with methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequencing were used to assess whole-transcriptome m6A modifications in the synovium of patients with RA. The relationship between m6A-modified target genes and RA inflammation and macrophages was determined. The expression of the m6A-modified significant transcript-enriched inflammatory signaling pathway was assessed through animal experiments. Differentially expressed m6A genes were correlated with macrophage activation involved in immune response, vascular endothelium, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K - Akt signaling pathway, and other inflammatory processes. Furthermore, combined analysis with m6A-seq and RNA-seq revealed 120 genes with significant changes in both m6A modification and mRNA expression. We selected the top 3 candidate mRNAs that were upregulated and downregulated simultaneously. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) mRNA and protein in RA patients was lower than that in healthy control (HC). SHC-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) and neurexophilin-3 (NXPH3) mRNA expressions were increased in RA patients. The expression of M1 macrophages was increased in RA patients. RA markers are such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and peptide containing citrulline (CCP). Further animal experiments showed that the expression of synovial MAPK, PI3K, and Akt1 proteins in the RA model was increased, and the PTEN, p-PTEN protein expression was decreased. PI3K, Akt1, PTEN, and p-PTEN were correlated to RA joint inflammation. This study revealed a unique pattern of differential m6A methylation modifications in RA and concluded that m6A modification is related to the occurrence of RA synovial inflammation.

N6-Methyladenosine RNA Methylation in Cardiovascular Diseases

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most universal and abundant post-transcriptional modification of eukaryotic RNA and occurs mainly at the consensus motif RR (m6A) CH (R = A or G, H = A, C, or U) in long internal exons, near stop codons, or in the 3' untranslated region (UTR). "Writers," "erasers," and "readers" are responsible for the occurrence, removal, and recognition of m6A modification, respectively. Substantial evidence has shown that m6A RNA modification can exert important functions in physiological and pathological processes. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a wide array of disorders affecting heart or vessels, including atherosclerosis (AS), hypertension (HT), ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure (HF), and so on. Despite the advances in lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, antiplatelet agents, and anticoagulation therapy, CVDs are still the leading cause of death worldwide. Recent studies have suggested that m6A modification of RNA may contribute to the pathogenesis of CVDs, providing a novel research insight for CVDs. Herein, we provide an up-of-date summarization of the molecular mechanism of m6A and the roles of m6A in different types of CVDs. At last, we propose that m6A might be a potiential biomarker or therapeutic target for CVDs.