Thioredoxin-2 impacts the inflammatory response via suppression of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in sepsis shock

Thioredoxin/Glutaredoxin Systems and Gut Microbiota in NAFLD: Interplay, Mechanism, and Therapeutical Potential

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common clinical disease, and its pathogenesis is closely linked to oxidative stress and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Recently accumulating evidence indicates that the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems, the two thiol-redox dependent antioxidant systems, are the key players in the NAFLD's development and progression. However, the effects of gut microbiota dysbiosis on the liver thiol-redox systems are not well clarified. This review explores the role and mechanisms of oxidative stress induced by bacteria in NAFLD while emphasizing the crucial interplay between gut microbiota dysbiosis and Trx mediated-redox regulation. The paper explores how dysbiosis affects the production of specific gut microbiota metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), amino acids, bile acid, and alcohol. These metabolites, in turn, significantly impact liver inflammation, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and cellular damage through thiol-dependent redox signaling. It suggests that comprehensive approaches targeting both gut microbiota dysbiosis and the thiol-redox antioxidant system are essential for effectively preventing and treating NAFLD. Overall, comprehending the intricate relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and thiol-redox systems in NAFLD holds significant promise in enhancing patient outcomes and fostering the development of innovative therapeutic interventions.

Lack of TRPV1 Channel Modulates Mouse Gene Expression and Liver Proteome with Glucose Metabolism Changes

To investigate the role of the transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) in hepatic glucose metabolism, we analyzed genes related to the clock system and glucose/lipid metabolism and performed glycogen measurements at ZT8 and ZT20 in the liver of C57Bl/6J (WT) and Trpv1 KO mice. To identify molecular clues associated with metabolic changes, we performed proteomics analysis at ZT8. Liver from Trpv1 KO mice exhibited reduced Per1 expression and increased Pparα, Pparγ, Glut2, G6pc1 (G6pase), Pck1 (Pepck), Akt, and Gsk3b expression at ZT8. Liver from Trpv1 KO mice also showed reduced glycogen storage at ZT8 but not at ZT20 and significant proteomics changes consistent with enhanced glycogenolysis, as well as increased gluconeogenesis and inflammatory features. The network propagation approach evidenced that the TRPV1 channel is an intrinsic component of the glucagon signaling pathway, and its loss seems to be associated with increased gluconeogenesis through PKA signaling. In this sense, the differentially identified kinases and phosphatases in WT and Trpv1 KO liver proteomes show that the PP2A phosphatase complex and PKA may be major players in glycogenolysis in Trpv1 KO mice.

Integrative Analysis of Small RNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Identifies Signatures Associated With Chronic Epididymitis

Chronic epididymitis (CE) refers to a long-lasting inflammatory condition of the epididymis, which is considered the most common site of intrascrotal inflammation and an important aetiological factor of male infertility. Recent studies demonstrate that small RNAs secreted from epididymal epithelium modulate embryo development and offspring phenotypes via sperm transmission, and the resulting modifications may lead to transgenerational inheritance. However, to date, the genome-wide analysis of small RNA together with the transcriptomic expression profiles of human epididymis and CE is still lacking. In this study, we facilitated next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to comprehensively analyze the small RNA and mRNA in an integrative way and identified signatures associated with CE. Both of the small RNA and mRNA expression data demonstrated relatively larger molecular differences among the segmental region of the epididymides, including caput, corpus, and cauda, than that of the inflammatory conditions. By comparing the inflamed caputs to the controls, a total of 1727 genes (1220 upregulated and 507 downregulated; 42 most significant genes, adjusted P <0.05) and 34 miRNAs (23 upregulated and 11 downregulated) were identified as differentially expressed. In silico functional enrichment analysis showed their roles in regulating different biological activities, including leukocyte chemotaxis, extracellular milieu reconstruction, ion channel and transporter-related processes, and nervous system development. Integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA identified a regulatory network consisting of 22 miRNAs and 31 genes (miRNA-mRNA) which are strong candidates for CE. In addition, analysis about other species of small RNA, including (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), Y RNA, and rsRNA identified the distinct expression pattern of tsRNA in CE. In summary, our study performed small RNA and miRNA profiling and integrative analysis in human CE. The findings will help to understand the role of miRNA-mRNA in the pathogenesis of CE and provide molecular candidates for the development of potential biomarkers for human CE.

Topotecan reduces sepsis-induced acute lung injury and decreases the inflammatory response via the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway

This study aims to determine the function of topotecan (TPT) in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by sepsis. The mouse sepsis model was constructed through cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The ALI score and lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio were applied to evaluate the level of lung injury. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to examine the role of TPT in lung tissue in a CLP-induced ALI mouse model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the concentrations of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Western blot was used to detect relevant protein levels in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Moreover, 10-day survival was recorded by constructing the CLP model. The results indicated that TPT could improve lung tissue damage in mice and could significantly reduce lung injury scores (p < 0.01) and the W/D ratio (p < 0.05). Treatment with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate obtained the similar results with the TPT treatment. Both significantly reduced the inflammatory response in the lungs, including reducing the number of neutrophils and total cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), significantly reducing the total protein concentration of the BALF, and significantly inhibiting the activity of MPO. Both also inhibited inflammatory cytokine expression and the levels of NF-κB pathway proteins induced by sepsis. Furthermore, TPT significantly improved survival in sepsis. TPT improves ALI in the CLP model by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, preventing fatal inflammation.

FM-CATH, A Novel Cathelicidin From Fejervarya Multistriata, Shows Therapeutic Potential for Treatment of CLP-Induced Sepsis

Sepsis is an exacerbated inflammatory reaction induced by severe infection. As important defensive molecules in innate immunity, several AMPs are reported to prevent septic shock. In this study, we characterized a novel cathelicidin, FM-CATH, from the frog skin of F. multistriata. FM-CATH was found to adopt an amphipathic α-helix structural in membrane-mimetic environments and possess favorable antimicrobial effects against bacteria and fungus. In addition, it triggered the agglutination of bacteria. It could also strongly bind to LPS and LTA. Additionally, FM-CATH affected the enzymatic activities of thrombin, plasmin, β-tryptase, and tPA, leading to coagulation inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we observed that FM-CATH improved survival rate and inhibited pathological alteration, bacterial count, serum biochemistry, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that FM-CATH might be served as a promising agent for the treatment of sepsis.