Beclin1-mediated interplay between autophagy and apoptosis: New understanding

Lycopene Regulates Macrophage Immune Response through the Autophagy Pathway Mediated by RIPK1

The effects of lycopene (LP) on macrophage immune responses were evaluated in this study. Compared with the control treatment, LP treatment significantly increased cell vitality, phagocytic activity, and chemokine production in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, compared with the control treatment, 4 μM LP treatment significantly activated autophagy, enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), while necrostatin-1 significantly reversed these effects of LP. Furthermore, compared with that in the control group, RIPK1 was significantly upregulated in the 4 μM LP and 4 μM LP + spautin-1 groups, whereas p-mTOR levels were reduced. More importantly, compared with that in the control group, p62 was significantly downregulated, and Beclin1, LC3-II, and Atg7 were upregulated in the 4 μM LP group, while spautin-1 significantly reversed these effects of LP. These results confirm that LP activates the mTOR/Beclin1/LC3/p62 autophagy signaling pathway through RIPK1, thereby enhancing the immune response of macrophages.

Emerging role of exosomal microRNA in liver cancer in the era of precision medicine; potential and challenges

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have great potential in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In this study, we explored the various applications of these small molecules while analyzing their complex roles in tumor development, metastasis, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. We also discussed the complex interactions that exist between exosomal miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs such as circular RNAs, and show how these interactions coordinate important biochemical pathways that propel the development of HCC. The possibility of targeting exosomal miRNAs for therapeutic intervention is paramount, even beyond their mechanistic significance. We also highlighted their growing potential as cutting-edge biomarkers that could lead to tailored treatment plans by enabling early identification, precise prognosis, and real-time treatment response monitoring. This thorough analysis revealed an intricate network of exosomal miRNAs lead to HCC progression. Finally, strategies for purification and isolation of exosomes and advanced biosensing techniques for detection of exosomal miRNAs are also discussed. Overall, this comprehensive review sheds light on the complex web of exosomal miRNAs in HCC, offering valuable insights for future advancements in diagnosis, prognosis, and ultimately, improved outcomes for patients battling this deadly disease.

Breviscapine ameliorates autophagy by activating the JAK2/STAT5/BCL2 pathway in a transient cerebral ischemia rat model

Breviscapine (Bre), an extract from Erigeron breviscapus, has been widely used to treat cerebral ischemia but the mechanisms of its neuroprotective effects need to be clarified. The present study investigated whether Bre could alleviate excessive autophagy induced by cerebral ischemia in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemia model via activating the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) pathway. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e. Sham group, MCAO+saline group, MCAO+Bre group, MCAO+DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) group, and MCAO+Bre+AG490 (Tyrphostin AG490, the inhibitor of STAT5) group. The model was established and neuroprotection was evaluated by determining infarct volumes and conducting neurological behavioral tests. Autophagy levels in the infarct penumbra were detected using transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting. The expression of proteins in the JAK2/STAT5/BCL2 pathway was tested by Western blotting. Compared to the MCAO+saline group, the infarct volumes in the MCAO+Bre group were significantly reduced and neurological behavior improved. Breviscapine administration also significantly increased p-JAK2, p-STAT5, and BCL2 expression but decreased autolysosome numbers; it also downregulated Beclin-1 expression and the LC3II/LCI ratio. The JAK2 inhibitor AG490 reversed these effects. These findings indicate that breviscapine can improve neural recovery following ischemia through alleviating excessive autophagy and activation of the JAK2/STAT5/BCL2 axis.

YTHDC1 inhibits autophagy-dependent NF-κB signaling by stabilizing Beclin1 mRNA in macrophages

BACKGROUND

YTHDC1, a key m(6)A nuclear reader, plays a crucial role in regulating mRNA splicing, export, and stability. However, the functional significance and regulatory mechanisms of YTHDC1 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain to be explored.

METHODS

We established a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model in vivo and LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated macrophage inflammation in vitro. The expression of YTHDC1 was determined. Colocalization of YTHDC1 and macrophages was assayed by immunofluorescence staining. LV-YTHDC1 or shYTHDC1 lentiviruses were applied for YTHDC1 overexpression or inhibition. For NF-κB inhibition, JSH-23 was utilized. The interaction of YTHDC1 and Beclin1 mRNA was determined by RIP, and the m6A modification of Beclin1 was confirmed by MeRIP.

RESULTS

In DSS-induced colitis and LPS/IFN-γ-treated RAW264.7 macrophages, we observed a significant downregulation of YTHDC1. Overexpression of YTHDC1 resulted in decreased levels of iNOS, CD86, and IL-6 mRNA, along with inhibited NF-κB activation in LPS/IFN-γ-treated RAW264.7 cells. Conversely, downregulation of YTHDC1 promoted iNOS expression and inhibited autophagy. Additionally, the effect of YTHDC1 knockdown on CD86 and IL-6 mRNA induced by LPS/IFN-γ was abolished by the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23. Mechanistically, YTHDC1 interacted with Beclin1 mRNA, thereby stabilizing Beclin1 mRNA and enhancing Beclin1 expression and autophagy. These effects ultimately led to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling in LPS/IFN-γ-challenged macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

YTHDC1 inhibited the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response by stabilizing Beclin1 mRNA, which may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD.

Biological role and expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in tumorigenesis and development and its potential for targeted tumor therapy

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), also known as histamine-releasing factor (HRF) or fortilin, is a highly conserved protein found in various species. To date, multiple studies have demonstrated the crucial role of TCTP in a wide range of cellular pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation and survival, cell cycle regulation, cell death, as well as cell migration and movement, all of which are major pathogenic mechanisms of tumorigenesis and development. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the functional role of TCTP in tumor initiation and progression, with a particular focus on cell proliferation, cell death, and cell migration. It will highlight the expression and pathological implications of TCTP in various tumor types, summarizing the current prevailing therapeutic strategies that target TCTP.

Rotenone activates the LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway to induce autophagy and apoptosis in rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

The specific mechanism by which rotenone impacts thoracic aortic autophagy and apoptosis is unknown. We aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of rotenone on autophagy and apoptosis in rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells (RTAEC) via activation of the LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of rotenone on autophagy and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells.

METHODS

In vivo, 60 male SD rats were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups: control (Con), DMSO, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg groups, respectively. After 28 days of treatment, histopathological and ultrastructural changes in each group were observed using HE and transmission electron microscopy; Autophagy, apoptosis, and LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blot; Apoptosis levels in the thoracic aorta were detected by TUNEL. In vitro, RTAEC were cultured and divided into control (Con), DMSO, 20, 100, 500, and 1000 nM groups. After 24 h of intervention, autophagy, apoptosis, and LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 pathway-related factors were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR; Flow cytometry to detect apoptosis levels; Autophagy was inhibited with 3-MA and CQ to detect apoptosis levels, and changes in autophagy, apoptosis, and downstream factors were detected by the AMPK inhibitor CC intervention.

RESULTS

Gavage in SD rats for 28 days, some degree of damage was observed in the thoracic aorta and heart of the rotenone group, as well as the appearance of autophagic vesicles was observed in the thoracic aorta. TUNEL analysis revealed higher apoptosis in the rotenone group's thoracic aorta; RTAEC cultured in vitro, after 24 h of rotenone intervention, showed increased ROS production and significantly decreased ATP production. The flow cytometry data suggested an increase in the number of apoptotic RTAEC. The thoracic aorta and RTAEC in the rotenone group displayed elevated levels of autophagy and apoptosis, and the LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 pathway proteins were activated and expressed at higher levels. Apoptosis and autophagy were both suppressed by the autophagy inhibitors 3-MA and CQ. The AMPK inhibitor CC reduced autophagy and apoptosis in RTAEC and suppressed the production of the AMPK downstream factors ULK1 and P-ULK1.

CONCLUSIONS

Rotenone may promote autophagy in the thoracic aorta and RTAEC by activating the LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway, thereby inducing apoptosis.

Cinnamaldehyde ameliorates STZ-induced diabetes through modulation of autophagic process in adipocyte and hepatic tissues on rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a worldwide public health issue. In the globe, Egypt has the ninth-highest incidence of diabetes. Due to its crucial role in preserving cellular homeostasis, the autophagy process has drawn a lot of attention in recent years, Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the traditional medication metformin with the novel therapeutic effects of cinnamondehyde on adipocyte and hepatic autophagy in a model of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The study was conducted on 40 male albino rats, classified into 2 main groups, the control group and the diabetic group, which was subdivided into 4 subgroups (8 rats each): untreated diabetic rats, diabetic rats received oral cinnamaldehyde 40 mg/kg/day, diabetic rats received oral metformin 200 mg/kg/day and diabetic rats received a combination of both cinnamaldehyde and metformin daily for 4 weeks. The outcomes demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde enhanced the lipid profile and glucose homeostasis. Moreover, Cinnamaldehyde had the opposite effects on autophagy in both tissues; by altering the expression of genes that control autophagy, such as miRNA 30a and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), it reduced autophagy in adipocytes and stimulated it in hepatic tissues. It may be inferred that by increasing the treatment efficacy of metformin and lowering its side effects, cinnamaldehyde could be utilized as an adjuvant therapy with metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

DEHP induces apoptosis and autophagy of the thyroid via Rap1 signaling pathway: In vivo and in vitro study

OBJECTIVE

DEHP has thyroid toxicity and affects thyroid function. However, the mechanism is unclear.

METHODS

The offspring of SD rats were gavaged with different doses of DEHP from in utero to 8 or 12 weeks old. We observed the thyroid morphology with HE and autophagosomes with TEM. The THs levels were tested with ELISA. The apoptosis level was tested by flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis-related genes, autophagy-related genes and Rap1 pathway genes, were measured with qRT-PCR and Western blot. We established an MEHP-treated Nthy-ori 3-1 cell model and inhibited the Rap1 to verify the mechanism.

RESULTS

DEHP could cause pathological damage and ultrastructure damage of thyroids in offspring rats. After DEHP exposure, the THs levels were altered, the apoptosis levels increased, and autophagosomes appeared. DEHP significantly affected the levels of apoptosis-related genes and autophagy-related genes. DEHP also affected the levels of Rap1 pathway, which was correlated with the levels of apoptosis and autophagy. After inhibiting Rap1 in Nthy-ori 3-1 cells, the THs levels were altered. Rap1 pathway was inhibited and the levels of apoptosis and autophagy were down-regulated.

CONCLUSION

DEHP could induce the apoptosis and autophagy of the thyroid, and Rap1 signaling pathway may play a significant role.

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide alleviates thiacloprid-induced kidney injury in quails via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Thiacloprid (THI) is a neonicotinoid insecticide, and its wide-ranging use has contributed to severe environmental and health problems. Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) possesses multiple biological activities such as antioxidant and antiapoptosis effect. Although present research has shown that THI causes kidney injury, the exact molecular mechanism and treatment of THI-induced kidney injury remain unclear. The study aimed to investigate if DOP could alleviate THI-induced kidney injury and identify the potential molecular mechanism in quails. In this study, Japanese quails received DOP (200 mg/kg) daily with or without THI (4 mg/kg) exposure for 42 days. Our results showed that DOP improved hematological changes, biochemical indexes, and nephric histopathological changes induced by THI. Meanwhile, THI exposure caused oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, THI and DOP cotreatment significantly activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway, restored antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced apoptosis and autophagy in quail kidneys. In summary, our study demonstrated that DOP mitigated THI-mediated kidney injury was associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in quails.

Combining large-spot low-fluence 1064-nm and fractional 1064-nm picosecond lasers for promoting protective melanosome autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway for the treatment of melasma

Melasma is a common condition of hyperpigmented facial skin. Picosecond lasers are reported to be effective for the treatment of melasma. We aimed to identify the most effective therapeutic mode and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of picosecond lasers for the treatment of melasma. Female Kunming mice with melasma-like conditions were treated using four different picosecond laser modes. Concurrently, in vitro experiments were conducted to assess changes in melanin and autophagy in mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells treated with these laser modes. Changes in melanin in mouse skin were detected via Fontana-Masson staining, and melanin particles were evaluated in B16-F10 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to analyse the expression levels of melanosome and autophagy-related messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and proteins. A combination of large-spot low-fluence 1064-nm and fractional 1064-nm picosecond lasers resulted insignificant decreases in melanin as well as in mRNA and protein expression of melanin-synthesizing enzymes (TYR, TRP-1 and MITF). This combination also led to increased expression of the autophagy-related proteins, Beclin1 and ATG5, with a marked decrease in p62 expression. Intervention with the PI3K activator, 740 Y-P, increased TYR, TRP-1, MITF, p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR and p62 expression but decreased the expression of LC3, ATG5 and Beclin1. A combination of large-spot low-fluence 1064-nm and fractional 1064-nm picosecond lasers proved more effective and safer. It inhibits melanin production, downregulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, enhances melanocyte autophagy and accelerates melanin metabolism, thereby reducing melanin content.

Crosstalk between m6A modification and autophagy in cancer

Autophagy is a cellular self-degradation process that plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic functions in cells and organisms. Dysfunctional autophagy has been linked to various diseases, including cancer. In cancer, dysregulated autophagy is closely associated with the development of cancer and drug resistance, and it can have both oncogenic and oncostatic effects. Research evidence supports the connection between m6A modification and human diseases, particularly cancer. Abnormalities in m6A modification are involved in the initiation and progression of cancer by regulating the expression of oncogenes and oncostatic genes. There is an interaction between m6A modification and autophagy, both of which play significant roles in cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. m6A modification can either directly inhibit autophagy or promote its initiation, but the complex relationship between m6A modification, autophagy, and cancer remains poorly understood. Therefore, this paper aims to review the dual role of m6A and autophagy in cancer, explore the impact of m6A modification on autophagy regulation, and discuss the crucial role of the m6A modification-autophagy axis in cancer progression and treatment resistance.

Circ-ZNF236 mediates stem cells from apical papilla differentiation by regulating LGR4-induced autophagy

AIM

Human stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) are an appealing stem cell source for tissue regeneration engineering. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to exert pivotal regulatory functions in various cell differentiation processes, including osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. However, few studies have shown the potential mechanism of circRNAs in the odonto/osteogenic differentiation of SCAPs. Herein, we identified a novel circRNA, circ-ZNF236 (hsa_circ_0000857) and found that it was remarkably upregulated during the SCAPs committed differentiation. Thus, in this study, we showed the significance of circ-ZNF236 in the odonto/osteogenic differentiation of SCAPs and its underlying regulatory mechanisms.

METHODOLOGY

The circular structure of circ-ZNF236 was identified via Sanger sequencing, amplification of convergent and divergent primers. The proliferation of SCAPs was detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry analysis and EdU incorporation assay. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining (ARS) were performed to explore the regulatory effect of circ-ZNF236/miR-218-5p/LGR4 axis in the odonto/osteogenic differentiation of SCAPs in vitro. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, as well as dual-luciferase reporting assays, revealed that circ-ZNF236 binds to miR-218-5p. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mRFP-GFP-LC3 lentivirus were performed to detect the activation of autophagy.

RESULTS

Circ-ZNF236 was identified as a highly stable circRNA with a covalent closed loop structure. Circ-ZNF236 had no detectable influence on cell proliferation but positively regulated SCAPs odonto/osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, circ-ZNF236 was confirmed as a sponge of miR-218-5p in SCAPs, while miR-218-5p targets LGR4 mRNA at its 3'-UTR. Subsequent rescue experiments revealed that circ-ZNF236 regulates odonto/osteogenic differentiation by miR-218-5p/LGR4 in SCAPs. Importantly, circ-ZNF236 activated autophagy, and the activation of autophagy strengthened the committed differentiation capability of SCAPs. Subsequently, in vivo experiments showed that SCAPs overexpressing circ-ZNF236 promoted bone formation in a rat skull defect model.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ-ZNF236 could activate autophagy through increasing LGR4 expression, thus positively regulating SCAPs odonto/osteogenic differentiation. Our findings suggested that circ-ZNF236 might represent a novel therapeutic target to prompt the odonto/osteogenic differentiation of SCAPs.

Tetrahydropiperine, a natural alkaloid with neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a life-threatening neurological disease with various pathological mechanisms. Tetrahydropiperine (THP) is a natural alkaloid with protective effects against multiple diseases, such as seizure, and pain. This study was to examine the impact of THP on IS and investigate its potential mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We employed network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to identify the target proteins of THP for intervention in IS. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to create a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model. PC-12 cells were chosen to establish an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model. Disease modeling followed by nimodipine (NIMO); 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and rapamycin (RAP) interventions. Open field test, Longa score, balance beam test, and forelimb grip test were used to measure motor and neurological functions. The degree of neurological damage recovery was assessed through behavioral analysis, and cerebral infarction volume was determined using TTC staining. Morphological changes were examined through HE and Nissl staining, and ultrastructural changes in neurons were observed using transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression of autophagy and related pathways was analyzed through Western blot (WB). The appropriate hypoxia time and drug concentration were determined using CCK-8 assay, which also measured cell survival rate.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology findings indicated that the impact of THP on IS was enhanced in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. THP demonstrated robust docking capability with proteins associated with the autophagy and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, as indicated by the molecular docking outcomes. THP significantly improved behavioral damage, reduced the area of cerebral infarction, ameliorated histopathological damage from ischemia, increase neuronal survival, and alleviated ultrastructural damage in neurons (P < 0.05). THP enhanced the survival of PC-12 cells induced by OGD and ameliorated the morphological harm to the cells (P < 0.05). THP was found to elevate the quantities of P62, LC3-Ⅰ, PI3K, P-AKt/Akt, and P-mTOR/mTOR proteins while reducing the levels of Atg7 and Beclin1 proteins. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed no autophagosomes in the THP, 3-MA, and 3-MA + THP groups.

CONCLUSION

The activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by THP inhibits autophagy and provides relief from neurological damage in IS.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) induces apoptosis and autophagy by inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in human granulosa cell line KGN

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is recognized as an environmental endocrine disruptor with widespread use in industrial manufacturing and daily life, contributing to various public health concerns. However, the precise impacts of PFOS on the ovary and its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to delineate the ovarian toxicity of PFOS and scrutinize its effects on apoptosis and autophagy through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in the human granulosa cell line (KGN). Cell viability, assessed via the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), revealed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability upon PFOS exposure. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated an elevated proportion of apoptotic cells following PFOS treatment. Western blot analyses unveiled increased expression of Bax, Cyt c, cleaved caspase-9, and LC3-II/I, coupled with decreased expression of Bcl-2 and p62. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations illustrated a heightened number of autophagosomes induced by PFOS. Molecular docking investigations, in conjunction with Western blot experiments, substantiated PFOS's significant inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings collectively underscore that PFOS induces apoptosis and autophagy in KGN cells through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, providing experimental evidence for PFOS-induced ovarian toxicity and elucidating the underlying regulatory mechanisms in KGN cells.

Akt/mTOR Pathway Agonist SC79 Inhibits Autophagy and Apoptosis of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Associated with Neonatal White Matter Dysplasia

White matter dysplasia (WMD) in preterm infants due to intrauterine inflammation is caused by excessive apoptosis of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). In recent years, studies have found that excessive autophagy and apoptosis are highly interconnected and important in infection and inflammatory diseases in general. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to confirm whether regulation of autophagy by using the Akt phosphorylation agonist SC79 can inhibit abnormal apoptosis of OPCs and promote myelin maturation and white matter development in neonatal rats with WMD. We investigated the effect of inflammation on oligodendrocyte development in P0 neonatal rats by intracerebellar injection of LPS, and collected brain tissue at P2 and P5. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate white matter damage, while immunofluorescence staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analysis (TUNEL), and western blotting were used to evaluate autophagy and apoptosis. First, we observed that white matter development was arrested and white matter fiber maturation was impaired in LPS-inflicted pups compared with those in the sham-operated group. Second, treatment with SC79 reduced the levels of LC3II, caspase 3, caspase 9, and Bax/Bcl-2 and increased the levels of p62, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the brain tissue of neonatal rats. Finally, SC79 treatment inhibited OPC apoptosis by increasing the binding of Beclin 1 to Bcl-2, which promoted OPC differentiation and maturation. However, the opposite results were observed after rapamycin administration. Taken together, our results suggest that SC79 can inhibit the abnormal apoptosis of OPCs caused by excessive autophagy through the Akt/mTOR pathway and that SC79 is a potential therapeutic agent for WMD in preterm infants.

Modification of BCLX pre-mRNA splicing has antitumor efficacy alone or in combination with radiotherapy in human glioblastoma cells

Dysregulation of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic protein isoforms arising from aberrant splicing is a crucial hallmark of cancers and may contribute to therapeutic resistance. Thus, targeting RNA splicing to redirect isoform expression of apoptosis-related genes could lead to promising anti-cancer phenotypes. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in adults. In this study, through RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis, we found that BCLX pre-mRNA is aberrantly spliced in GBM cells with a favored splicing of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. Modulation of BCLX pre-mRNA splicing using splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) efficiently elevated the pro-apoptotic isoform Bcl-xS at the expense of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. Induction of Bcl-xS by SSOs activated apoptosis and autophagy in GBM cells. In addition, we found that ionizing radiation could also modulate the alternative splicing of BCLX. In contrast to heavy (carbon) ion irradiation, low energy X-ray radiation-induced an increased ratio of Bcl-xL/Bcl-xS. Inhibiting Bcl-xL through splicing regulation can significantly enhance the radiation sensitivity of 2D and 3D GBM cells. These results suggested that manipulation of BCLX pre-mRNA alternative splicing by splice-switching oligonucleotides is a novel approach to inhibit glioblastoma tumorigenesis alone or in combination with radiotherapy.

New Insights into Decabromodiphenyl Ether-Induced Splenic Injury in Chickens: Involvement of ROS-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway Triggering Autophagy and Apoptosis

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is a widely used brominated flame retardant that can easily detach from materials and enter into feed and foodstuffs, posing a serious risk to human and animal health and food safety of animal origin. However, the immunotoxic effects of BDE-209 on the avian spleen and the exact mechanism of the toxicity remain unknown. Therefore, we established an experimental model of BDE-209-exposed chickens and a positive control model of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in vivo and treated MDCC-MSB-1 cells and chicken splenic primary lymphocytes with BDE-209 in vitro. The results showed that BDE-209 treatment caused morphological and structural abnormalities in the chicken spleens. Mechanistically, indicators related to oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), autophagy, and apoptosis were significantly altered by BDE-209 exposure in both the spleen and lymphocytes, but the use of the N-acetylcysteine or the 4-phenylbutyric acid significantly reversed these changes. In addition, BDE-209 exposure decreased the spleen antimicrobial peptide and immunoglobulin gene expression. In conclusion, the present research revealed that BDE-209 exposure enhanced lymphocyte autophagy and apoptosis in chicken spleen via the ROS-mediated ERS pathway. This signaling cascade regulatory relationship not only opens up a new avenue for studying BDE-209 immunotoxicity but also provides important insights into preventing BDE-209 hazards to animal health.

Resveratrol and quercetin protect from Benzo(a)pyrene-induced autophagy in retinal pigment epithelial cells

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the role of Resveratrol (RES) and quercetin (QR) treatments against Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)p)-induced autophagy in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

METHODS

The IC50 doses of B(a)p, RES and QR in retinal pigment epithelial cells were determined by MTT assay and the relevant agents were administered singly or in combinations to ARPE-19 cells for 24 h. Occurrence of autophagy in the cells was verified by detection of autophagosomes using fluorescence microscope. Also, the mRNA expression levels of LC3 and Beclin 1 genes were analyzed by RT-PCR to collect further data on autophagy. Caspase-3 and IL-1β levels in lysed cells were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Autophagosomes were detected in B(a)p-treated ARPE-19 cell lines, as well as a 1.787-fold increase in LC3 mRNA expression levels. No autophagosome occurred in RES and QR treatments, and a significant decrease in their percentage amounts were observed in B(a)p + RES and B(a)p + QR. The mRNA expression levels of LC3 and Beclin 1 also supported these findings. B(a)p had no effect on Caspase-3 levels in ARPE-19 cells, but combined with RES and QR, it increased Caspase-3 levels significantly.IL-1β levels were higher in B(a)p, B(a)p + QR, B(a)p + RES, RES and QR than control group. This rise in IL-1β levels was correlated with suppression of mRNA expression levels of Beclin 1.

CONCLUSION

B(a)p exposure caused autophagy in ARPE-19 cells, but did not induce apoptosis. RES and QR treatments prevented B(a)p-induced autophagy. Therefore, RES and QR treatments showed protective effect against potential degenerative diseases caused by chronic exposure to B(a)p.

Inhibiting Liver Autophagy and Promoting Hepatocyte Apoptosis by Schistosoma Japonicum Infection

We established a mouse model of Schistosoma japonicum infection in order to study the effects of the infection on hepatocyte autophagy and apoptosis. We also stimulated HepG2 cells with soluble egg antigens (SEA) in vitro. At two, four, and six weeks post-infection, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot (WB) were used to detect liver expression levels of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins. HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of SEA. The changes in the levels of autophagy-related proteins and HepG2 cell apoptosis were detected. The Lc3b, Beclin1, Atg7, and Atg12 mRNA levels were significantly lower at four and six weeks after infection than those in the uninfected group. At four and six weeks following infection, the levels of Beclin1, LC3BII/I, Atg7, and p62 proteins were considerably lower than those in the uninfected group. The protein levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and fibrosis-related proteins α-SMA and collagen 3 in the liver post-infection were significantly higher than those in uninfected mice. HepG2 cells stimulated with SEA showed decreased levels of Beclin1, p62, and Atg7 proteins and significantly increased apoptosis rates. The findings demonstrated that following infection with S. japonicum, mice's liver fibrosis worsened, hepatic autophagy was suppressed, and hepatocyte apoptosis was encouraged.

Dent disease 1-linked novel CLCN5 mutations result in aberrant location and reduced ion currents

Dent disease is a rare renal tubular disease with X-linked recessive inheritance characterized by low molecular weight proteinuria (LMWP), hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis. Mutations disrupting the 2Cl-/1H+ exchange activity of chloride voltage-gated channel 5 (CLCN5) have been causally linked to the most common form, Dent disease 1 (DD1), although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted the whole exome capture sequencing and bioinformatics analysis within our DD1 cohort to identify two novel causal mutations in CLCN5 (c.749 G > A, p. G250D, c.829 A > C, p. T277P). Molecular dynamics simulations of ClC-5 homology model suggested that these mutations potentially may induce structural changes, destabilizing ClC-5. Overexpression of variants in vitro revealed aberrant subcellular localization in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), significant accumulation of insoluble aggregates, and disrupted ion transport function in voltage clamp recordings. Moreover, human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells overexpressing either G250D or T277P displayed higher cell-substrate adhesion, migration capability but reduced endocytic function, as well as substantially altered transcriptomic profiles with G250D resulting in stronger deleterious effects. These cumulative findings supported pathogenic role of these ClC-5 mutations in DD1 and suggested a cellular mechanism for disrupted renal function in Dent disease patients, as well as a potential target for diagnostic biomarker or therapeutic strategy development.

Autophagy and Apoptosis in Rabies Virus Replication

Rabies virus (RABV) is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family and Lyssavirus genus, which is highly neurotropic and can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Autophagy and apoptosis are two evolutionarily conserved and genetically regulated processes that maintain cellular and organismal homeostasis, respectively. Autophagy recycles unnecessary or dysfunctional intracellular organelles and molecules in a cell, whereas apoptosis eliminates damaged or unwanted cells in an organism. Studies have shown that RABV can induce both autophagy and apoptosis in target cells. To advance our understanding of pathogenesis of rabies, this paper reviews the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and apoptosis induced by RABV and the effects of the two cellular events on RABV replication.

Baitouweng decoction repairs the intestinal barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice via regulation of AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that mainly affects the colon. Recently, UC has become a significant social and economic problem worldwide. Baitouweng decoction (BD), a traditional Chinese medicine described in the "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", has been used for centuries to treat intestinal diseases. However, its underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored.

AIM OF STUDY

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of BD on autophagy for repairing the colonic barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice and explored its role in regulating the autophagic signaling pathway AMPK/mTOR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice with colitis were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days. The effectiveness of BD in treating DSS-induced colitis was evaluated through body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, pathological changes, organ index, and proportion of blood cells. Moreover, intestinal epithelial permeability was analyzed by examining FITC-dextran leakage, the bacterial load of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and bacterial infiltration of colon tissues. Barrier function was evaluated by assessing the number and proportion of colonic goblet cells and the expression of tight junction proteins, including ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin. Furthermore, the levels of autophagy were assessed by examining the number of autophagosomes and the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3, Beclin1, and P62. Additionally, network pharmacology research was conducted to analyze the potential mechanisms underlying the medicinal effects, as indicated by the role of AMPK/mTOR in regulating the autophagic signaling pathway.

RESULTS

BD improved colitis symptoms in mice by restoring body weight and colon length and reducing inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, BD decreased the diffusion of FITC-dextran and bacterial translocation in MLNs, as well as bacterial infiltration of the colonic mucosa. The number and proportion of colonic goblet cells, the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin, and the levels of autophagy were also increased by BD. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that BD might affect intestinal autophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the activation of AMPK phosphorylation and the downregulation of mTOR expression following BD treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that BD repaired the intestinal epithelial barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice by activating AMPK phosphorylation and inhibiting mTOR expression to promote autophagy.

The research progress of crosstalk mechanism of autophagy and apoptosis in diabetic vascular endothelial injury

In recent years, the widespread prevalence of diabetes has become a major killer that threatens the health of people worldwide. Of particular concern is hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial injury, which is one of the factors that aggravate diabetic vascular disease. During the process of diabetic vascular endothelial injury, apoptosis is an important pathological manifestation and autophagy is a key regulatory mechanism. Autophagy and apoptosis interact with each other. Hence, the crosstalk mechanism between the two processes is an important means of regulating diabetic vascular endothelial injury. This article reviews the research progress in apoptosis in the context of diabetic vascular endothelial injury and discusses the crosstalk mechanism of autophagy and apoptosis and its role in this injury. The purpose is to guide the prevention and treatment of diabetic vascular endothelial injury in the future.

Preparation of polyclonal antibodies to the chicken Beclin1 protein and its application in the detection of nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus

Beclin1, also known as ATG6, has been shown to be closely related to coronavirus, however, the link between Beclin1 and nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) has been poorly investigated and there are no available antibodies specifically targeting the chicken Beclin1 protein. The study aimed to prepare and assay a polyclonal antibody to Beclin1, enabling a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of Beclin1 in NIBV. In this study, we amplified the chicken Beclin1 target gene and constructed a recombinant plasmid using prokaryotic expression techniques, then obtained the recombinant target protein by induced expression. Finally, the serum is obtained by immunizing rabbits with the purified and concentrated protein. The results show that the antiserum potency of the ELISA assay was >1:204800. By western blotting and immunofluorescence, the antibodies we prepared specifically recognized the chicken Beclin1 protein, which is mainly found in the nucleus of trachea, lung, kidney, spleen and fabricant cells. NIBV infection significantly decreased the expression of Beclin1 in the trachea, but increased in others. We have successfully prepared specific rabbit anti-chicken Beclin1 polyclonal antibodies, and detected changes in tissues of diseased chickens infected with NIBV, laying the foundation for further studies on the role of Beclin1 in avian diseases.

Overexpression of HSPB6 inhibits osteosarcoma progress through the ERK signaling pathway

Heat shock protein B6 (HSPB6) plays a certain role in the formation of several cancers, whereas its effect on osteosarcoma remains unclear. In this study, the effect of HSPB6 on osteosarcoma was validated through numerous experiments. HSPB6 was down-regulated in osteosarcoma. As indicated by the result of CCK-8 and colony formation assays, HSPB6 overexpression was likely to inhibit the osteosarcoma cells proliferation, whereas the flow cytometry analysis suggested that apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells was increased after HSPB6 overexpression. Furthermore, transwell and wound healing assays suggested that when HSPB6 was overexpressed, osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion were declined. Moreover, the western blotting assay suggested that the protein level of p-ERK1/2 was down-regulated in osteosarcoma when HSPB6 was overexpressed. Besides, the effect of HSPB6 on osteosarcoma in vivo was examined. As indicated by the result, HSPB6 overexpression was likely to prevent osteosarcoma growth and lung metastasis in vivo. As revealed by the findings of this study, HSPB6 overexpression exerted anticancer effects in osteosarcoma through the ERK signaling pathway and HSPB6 may be suitable target for osteosarcoma molecular therapies.

Identification of the role of autophagy-related TNFSF10/ hsa-let-7a-5p axis in vitiligo development and potential herbs exploring based on a bioinformatics analysis

Background

Vitiligo is a common clinical disorder caused by the destruction of epidermal melanocytes, which is often associated with autoimmune mechanisms. Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and exhibits close associations with various autoimmune disorders. While dysautophagy of melanocytes is associated with vitiligo pathogenesis, there is a lack of studies on autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in blood samples from individuals with vitiligo.

Methods

Blood samples from individuals with vitiligo and healthy controls were compared to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were subsequently subjected to further analysis. Then, miRNAs correlated with core genes were predicted by five distinct online tools, and those miRNAs that appeared in three or more tools at the same time were chosen for further enrichment analysis. Furthermore, in vitro experiments of targeting core genes were conducted.

Results

The results showed that there were a total of 30 ARGs among DEGs, with 13 up-regulated genes and 17 down-regulated genes. Based on the functional enrichment analysis of DEGs and projected miRNAs, we hypothesized that autophagy and apoptosis may synergistically contribute to the progression of vitiligo, with the TNFSF10/hsa-let-7a-5p axis potentially playing an important role that should not be ignored. In addition, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was found to be the common component in BAI GUO, CHA YE, and MEI ZHOU JIN LV MEI, which were discovered to be potential in vitiligo treatment by inducing cell autophagy and apoptosis targeting TNFSF10.

Conclusion

It was the first time that TNFSF/hsa-let-7a-5p was discovered to be involved in the development of vitiligo through autophagy and apoptosis. Meanwhile, we observed that BAI GUO, CHA YE, and MEI ZHOU JIN LV MEI were promising to treat vitiligo by regulating autophagy and apoptosis via TNFSF10. These findings could lead to new directions for investigating the pathogenesis and therapy of vitiligo.

Global research trends and hot spots on autophagy and kidney diseases: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2022

Background: Autophagy is an essential cellular process involving the self-degradation and recycling of organelles, proteins, and cellular debris. Recent research has shown that autophagy plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of kidney diseases. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analysis regarding the relationship between autophagy and kidney diseases. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted by searching for literature related to autophagy and kidney diseases in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2000 to 2022. Data processing was carried out using R package "Bibliometrix", VOSviewers, and CiteSpace. Results: A total of 4,579 articles related to autophagy and kidney diseases were collected from various countries. China and the United States were the main countries contributing to the publications. The number of publications in this field showed a year-on-year increasing trend, with open-access journals playing a major role in driving the literature output. Nanjing Medical University in China, Osaka University in Japan, and the University of Pittsburgh in the United States were the main research institutions. The journal "International journal of molecular sciences" had the highest number of publications, while "Autophagy" was the most influential journal in the field. These articles were authored by 18,583 individuals, with Dong, Zheng; Koya, Daisuke; and Kume, Shinji being the most prolific authors, and Dong, Zheng being the most frequently co-cited author. Research on autophagy mainly focused on diabetic kidney diseases, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease. "Autophagy", "apoptosis", and "oxidative stress" were the primary research hotspots. Topics such as "diabetic kidney diseases", "sepsis", "ferroptosis", "nrf2", "hypertension" and "pi3k" may represent potential future development trends. Research on autophagy has gradually focused on metabolic-related kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. Additionally, PI3K, NRF2, and ferroptosis have been recent research directions in the field of autophagy mechanisms. Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive bibliometric study summarizing the relationship between autophagy and kidney diseases. The findings aid in identifying recent research frontiers and hot topics, providing valuable references for scholars investigating the role of autophagy in kidney diseases.

Polystyrene microplastics with different sizes induce the apoptosis and necroptosis in liver through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/autophagy axis

The production of plastics worldwide has been instrumental in the progress of modern society, while the increasing accumulation of plastics castoff in oceans, soils and anywhere else has become a major pressure source on environmental sustainability and animal health. Meanwhile, from a biological perspective, our understanding of the toxicological fingerprints of plastics, especially microplastics (MPs), is still poor. Here, we reported a phenomenon of hepatotoxicity dominated by MPs in the form of polystyrene (PS), was observed in mice model systems and cellular assays. Apoptosis and necroptosis related to the size of particles were seen upon PS-MPs introduction, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and quantitative analysis of signaling pathways in vivo and vitro. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that the levels of liver cell injury caused by PS-MPs were negatively correlated with the particle diameters. Small-sized particles (1-10 μm) induced cell death primarily as necroptosis whereas the large-sized particles (50-100 μm) mainly induced apoptosis, which was directly accomplished by PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling axis and its targeted autophagy flux. More interestingly, inhibition of autophagy not only alleviated PS-MPs-triggered cell death, but also changed the form of death injury to a certain extent. This uncovered crosstalk relationship opens up a new avenue for investigating the biological and toxicological effects of MPs, and may provide important insights for preventing and limiting of health hazards from MPs.

Anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of total saponins from Rhizoma Panacis Majoris on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

BACKGROUND

Total saponins from Rhizoma Panacis Majoris (RPMTG) showed significant antitumour activity in our previous studies. Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) with tumour-like characteristics have received attention as a therapeutic target for RA. However, the potential effect and mechanism of action of RPMTG against RA-FLS remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigated the therapeutic effect of RPMTG on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats, and the regulation effect and underlying mechanism on apoptosis, autophagy of RA-FLS.

METHODS

The therapeutic effect of RPMTG was determined by the symptoms and signs of AIA rats. The production of inflammatory cytokines was detected by ELISA. Histopathological change of the ankle and synovial tissues were detected by HE staining. Flow cytometry, Hoechst 33342/PI staining, MDC staining, and TEM were used to determine the effects of RPMTG on apoptosis and autophagy. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression levels of proteins.

RESULTS

In AIA rats, RPMTG treatment ameliorated paw swelling, and arthritis score, restored synovial histopathological changes, inhibited the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β, exhibiting its potent anti-arthritis effect. In vitro, RPMTG depressed the proliferation of RA-FLS, arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, and induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, RPMTG significantly inhibited the autophagy in vivo and in vitro, proved by decreasing the expression of autophagy-related indicators (LC3II/LC3I, Beclin-1). Mechanistically, the study demonstrated that the activation of p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways was mainly involved in the therapeutic effects of RPMTG. Interestingly, the effect of RPMTG on apoptosis was reversed after Rapamycin treatment, which preliminarily demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of RPMTG on autophagy was beneficial to the effect on inducing apoptosis. The regulation effect of RPMTG concurrently on apoptosis and autophagy revealed its unique advantages in RA treatment.

CONCLUSION

RPMTG showed potent therapeutic effects on AIA rats and induced apoptosis, inhibited autophagy mainly through activating the p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in RA-FLS.

Tat-P combined with GAPR1 releases Beclin1 to promote autophagy and improve Bronchopulmonary dysplasia model

Long-term exposure to hyperoxia can leading to the bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The progression of BPD is primarily driven by the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells, and the regulation of autophagy has an impact on apoptosis. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of an autophagy-promoting peptide (Tat-P) in ameliorating BPD. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Tat-P promoted autophagy and partially prevented apoptosis caused by exposure to hyperoxia. Further investigation into the mechanism revealed that Tat-P competitively binds to GAPR1, displacing the Beclin1 protein and thereby inhibiting the apoptosis. In vivo experiments conducted on Sprague-Dawley pups exposed to high oxygen levels demonstrated that Tat-P promoted autophagy and reduced apoptosis in lung tissues and ameliorated BPD-related phenotypes. Our findings elucidate the underlying mechanisms and effects of Tat-P in enhancing autophagy and preventing apoptosis. This study presents an approach for the prevention and treatment of BPD.

PI3K/Akt signaling in urological cancers: Tumorigenesis function, therapeutic potential, and therapy response regulation

In addition to environmental conditions, lifestyle factors, and chemical exposure, aberrant gene expression and mutations involve in the beginning and development of urological tumors. Even in Western nations, urological malignancies are among the top causes of patient death, and their prevalence appears to be gender dependent. The prognosis for individuals with urological malignancies remains dismal and unfavorable due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatment methods. PI3K/Akt is a popular biochemical mechanism that is activated in tumor cells as a result of PTEN loss. PI3K/Akt escalates growth and metastasis. Moreover, due to the increase in tumor cell viability caused by PI3K/Akt activation, cancer cells may acquire resistance to treatment. This review article examines the function of PI3K/Akt in major urological tumors including bladder, prostate, and renal tumors. In prostate, bladder, and kidney tumors, the level of PI3K and Akt are notably elevated. In addition, the activation of PI3K/Akt enhances the levels of Bcl-2 and XIAP, hence increasing the tumor cell survival rate. PI3K/Akt ] upregulates EMT pathways and matrix metalloproteinase expression to increase urological cancer metastasis. Furthermore, stimulation of PI3K/Akt results in drug- and radio-resistant cancers, but its suppression by anti-tumor drugs impedes the tumorigenesis.

Piperine Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in HSC-3 Human Oral Cancer Cells by Regulating PI3K Signaling Pathway

Currently, therapies for treating oral cancer have various side effects; therefore, research on treatment methods employing natural substances is being conducted. This study aimed to investigate piperine-induced apoptosis and autophagy in HSC-3 human oral cancer cells and their effects on tumor growth in vivo. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay demonstrated that piperine reduced the viability of HSC-3 cells and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, annexin-V/propidium iodide staining, and analysis of apoptosis-related protein expression confirmed that piperine induces apoptosis in HSC-3 cells. Additionally, piperine-induced autophagy was confirmed by the observation of increased acidic vesicular organelles and autophagy marker proteins, demonstrating that autophagy in HSC-3 cells induces apoptosis. Mechanistically, piperine induced apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in HSC-3 cells. We also confirmed that piperine inhibits oral cancer tumor growth in vivo via antitumor effects related to apoptosis and PI3K signaling pathway inhibition. Therefore, we suggest that piperine can be considered a natural anticancer agent for human oral cancer.

Increased DNMT1 Involvement in the Activation of LO2 Cell Death Induced by Silver Nanoparticles via Promoting TFEB-Dependent Autophagy

The accumulation of exogenous silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) will terminally bring about liver injury, including cell death, where DNA methylation tends to be a crucial epigenetic modulator. The change in the cell autophagy level verified to be closely associated with hepatocyte death has been followed with wide interest. But the molecular toxicological mechanisms of AgNPs in relation to DNA methylation, autophagy, and cell death remain inconclusive. To address the issue above, in LO2 cells treated with increasing concentrations of AgNPs (0, 5, 10, and 20 μg/mL), a cell cytotoxicity assay was performed to analyze the level of cell death, which also helped to choose an optimal concentration for next experiments. An immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the autophagic flux as well as TFEB translocation, with qRT-PCR and western blot being used to analyze the expression level of autophagy-related genes and proteins. According to our findings, in the determination of cell viability, 20 μg/mL (AgNPs) was adopted as the best working concentration. LO2 cell death, autophagy, and TFEB nuclear translocation were induced by AgNPs, which could be inhibited by lysosome inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or siRNA specific for TFEB. Moreover, AgNP exposure led to DNA hypermethylation, with DNMT1 taking part mainly, which could be obviously prevented by 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) or trichostatin A (TSA) treatment or DNMT1 knockout in LO2 cells. Our studies suggest that through TFEB-dependent cell autophagy, increased DNMT1 may facilitate cell death induced by AgNPs.

Cyclophilin D as a potential therapeutic target of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury by mediating crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy

Background

Liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a complex and multifactorial pathophysiological process. It is well recognized that the membrane permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening of mitochondria plays a crucial role in cell death after I/R injury. Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a critical positive regulator of mPTP. However, the effect of CypD on the pathogenesis of liver I/R injury and whether CypD is a potential therapeutic target are still unclear.

Methods

We constructed liver-specific CypD knockout and AAV8-peptidyl prolyl isomerase F (PPIF) overexpression mice. Then, a 70% liver I/R injury model was established in mice, with 90 min of ischemia and 6 h of reperfusion. The liver function was detected by the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (alanine transaminase) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (aspartate aminotransferase), the liver damage score and degree of necrosis were measured by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of liver tissues. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining, apoptosis, and autophagy-related molecules were used to detect apoptosis and autophagy during liver I/R.

Results

The liver-specific knockout of CypD alleviated necrosis and dysfunction in liver I/R injury, by reducing the excessive production of ROS, and inhibiting cell apoptosis and autophagy. On the contrary, overexpression of CypD exacerbated I/R-induced liver damage.

Conclusion

We found that the downregulation of CypD expression alleviated liver I/R injury by reducing apoptosis and autophagy through caspase-3/Beclin1 crosstalk; in contrast, the upregulation of CypD expression aggravated liver I/R injury. Therefore, interfering with the expression of CypD seems to be a promising treatment for liver I/R injury.

Multifaceted role of redox pattern in the tumor immune microenvironment regarding autophagy and apoptosis

The reversible oxidation-reduction homeostasis mechanism functions as a specific signal transduction system, eliciting related physiological responses. Disruptions to redox homeostasis can have negative consequences, including the potential for cancer development and progression, which are closely linked to a series of redox processes, such as adjustment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and species, changes in antioxidant capacity, and differential effects of ROS on downstream cell fate and immune capacity. The tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits a complex interplay between immunity and regulatory cell death, especially autophagy and apoptosis, which is crucially regulated by ROS. The present study aims to investigate the mechanism by which multi-source ROS affects apoptosis, autophagy, and the anti-tumor immune response in the TME and the mutual crosstalk between these three processes. Given the intricate role of ROS in controlling cell fate and immunity, we will further examine the relationship between traditional cancer therapy and ROS. It is worth noting that we will discuss some potential ROS-related treatment options for further future studies.

HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA AGGRAVATES RENAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY BY EXACERBATING PINK1-PARKIN-MEDIATED MITOPHAGY

ABSTRACT

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common perioperative complication, which is associated with acute kidney injury. Bilirubin permeabilizes mitochondrial membranes leading to mitochondrial swelling and dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between PINK1-PARKIN-mediated mitophagy and renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury aggravated by hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: A C57BL/6 mouse hyperbilirubinemia model was induced via intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution. In addition, a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model of TCMK-1 cells was established. In these models, we determined the effects of hyperbilirubinemia on oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and fibrosis. Results:In vitro , colocalization of GFP-LC3 puncta and Mito-Tracker Red showed that the number of mitophagosomes increased in TCMK-1 cells under H/R and bilirubin condition. Silencing of PINK1 or inhibition of autophagy alleviated mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in H/R injury aggravated by bilirubin and decreased cell death detected by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium. In vivo , hyperbilirubinemia increased serum creatinine level in the renal IR injury mice model. Hyperbilirubinemia enhanced apoptosis induced by renal IR. In addition, hyperbilirubinemia increased mitophagosomes and autophagosomes and disrupted mitochondrial cristae in the IR kidney. Inhibition of PINK1 or autophagy reduced histological damages by alleviating apoptosis in renal IR injury, aggravated by hyperbilirubinemia. 3-MA or PINK1-shRNA-AAV9 treatment decreased the area of collagen and proteins related to fibrosis in renal IR injury, aggravated by hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that hyperbilirubinemia aggravated oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and fibrosis in renal IR injury by exacerbating PINK1-PARKIN-mediated mitophagy.

Beclin-1-dependent autophagy, but not apoptosis, is critical for stem-cell-mediated endometrial programming and the establishment of pregnancy

The human endometrium shows a remarkable regenerative capacity that enables cyclical regeneration and remodeling throughout a woman's reproductive life. Although early postnatal uterine developmental cues direct this regeneration, the vital factors that govern early endometrial programming are largely unknown. We report that Beclin-1, an essential autophagy-associated protein, plays an integral role in uterine morphogenesis during the early postnatal period. We show that conditional depletion of Beclin-1 in the uterus triggers apoptosis and causes progressive loss of Lgr5+/Aldh1a1+ endometrial progenitor stem cells, with concomitant loss of Wnt signaling, which is crucial for stem cell renewal and epithelial gland development. Beclin-1 knockin (Becn1 KI) mice with disabled apoptosis exhibit normal uterine development. Importantly, the restoration of Beclin-1-driven autophagy, but not apoptosis, promotes normal uterine adenogenesis and morphogenesis. Together, the data suggest that Beclin-1-mediated autophagy acts as a molecular switch that governs the early uterine morphogenetic program by maintaining the endometrial progenitor stem cells.

Silica Nanoparticles Promote Apoptosis in Ovarian Granulosa Cells via Autophagy Dysfunction

Although silica nanoparticles (SNPs) are generally thought to be biocompatible and safe, the adverse effects of SNPs were also reported in previous studies. SNPs cause follicular atresia via the induction of ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. However, the mechanisms for this phenomenon are not well understood. This study focuses on exploring the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis induced by SNPs in ovarian granulosa cells. Our results showed that 25.0 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/intratracheal instillation of 110 nm in diameter spherical Stöber SNPs caused ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in follicles in vivo. We also found that SNPs mainly internalized into the lumens of the lysosomes in primary cultured ovarian granulosa cells in vitro. SNPs induced cytotoxicity via a decrease in viability and an increase in apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. SNPs increased BECLIN-1 and LC3-II levels, leading to the activation of autophagy and increased P62 level, resulting in the blockage of autophagic flux. SNPs increased the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and cleaved the caspase-3 level, resulting in the activation of the mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway. SNPs enlarged the LysoTracker Red-positive compartments, decreased the CTSD level, and increased the acidity of lysosomes, leading to lysosomal impairment. Our results reveal that SNPs cause autophagy dysfunction via lysosomal impairment, resulting in follicular atresia via the enhancement of apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells.

Transcription of Autophagy Associated Gene Expression as Possible Predictors of a Colorectal Cancer Prognosis

(1) Background: Autophagy plays a dual role in oncogenesis-it contributes to the growth of the tumor and can inhibit its development. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the transcriptional activity of LAMP-2, BECN1, PINK1, and FOXO1 genes involved in the autophagy process in histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma sections of colorectal cancer: (2) Methods: A gene expression profile analysis was performed using HG-U133A and the RT-qPCR reaction. The transcriptional activity of genes was compared in sections of colorectal cancer in the four clinical stages (CSI-CSIV) concerning the control group; (3) Results: In CSI, the transcriptional activity of the PINK1 gene is highest; in CS II, the LAMP-2 gene is highest, while FOXO1 increases gradually from CSI reaching a maximum in CSIII. There is no BECN1 gene expression in colorectal cancer cells; (4) Conclusions: The observed differences in the mRNA concentration profile of autophagy-related genes in colon cancer specimens may indicate the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of this cancer. Genes involved in autophagy may be diagnostic tools for colorectal cancer screening and personalized therapy in the future.

Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Properties of n-Butanol Fraction the Acanthopanax senticosus Extracts in H2O2-RAW264.7 Cells and CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

The Acanthopanax senticosus has been shown to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, which are associated with health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. A previous study has shown that the n-butanol fraction of A. senticosus extract had the strongest antioxidant effect in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the effects that the n-butanol fraction of A. senticosus extract could relieve oxidative stress damage through antioxidant and antiapoptotic in the H₂O₂-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the CCl₄-induced liver injury. The result showed that the n-butanol fraction extract could relieve damage by increasing the intracellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD) level, decreasing intracellular ROS and MDA levels, and regulating antioxidant and antiapoptotic-related gene expression levels. The morphological observation of HE, TUNE, and immunohistochemistry staining of liver tissue verified that the n-butanol fraction extract is though anti-oxidative and antiapoptotic to alleviate cellular oxidative damage. The RT-PCR assay showed that the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE and the Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway were related to the molecular mechanism of action. The experimental results show that Acanthopanax senticosus extract has a good effect in treating liver injury and enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the body.

Mitochondrial quality control mechanisms as therapeutic targets in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic drug that is utilized for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, but its clinical application is hampered by life-threatening cardiotoxicity including cardiac dilation and heart failure. Mitochondrial quality control processes, including mitochondrial proteostasis, mitophagy, and mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, serve to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis in the cardiovascular system. Importantly, recent advances have unveiled a major role for defective mitochondrial quality control in the etiology of DOX cardiomyopathy. Moreover, specific interventions targeting these quality control mechanisms to preserve mitochondrial function have emerged as potential therapeutic strategies to attenuate DOX cardiotoxicity. However, clinical translation is challenging because of obscure mechanisms of action and potential adverse effects. The purpose of this review is to provide new insights regarding the role of mitochondrial quality control in the pathogenesis of DOX cardiotoxicity, and to explore promising therapeutic approaches targeting these mechanisms to aid clinical management.

Acteoside and ursolic acid synergistically protects H2O2-induced neurotrosis by regulation of AKT/mTOR signalling: from network pharmacology to experimental validation

CONTEXT

Ursolic acid (UA) and acteoside (ATS) are important active components that have been used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) because of their neuroprotective effects, but the exact mechanism is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Network pharmacology was used to explore the mechanism of UA + ATS in treating AD, and cell experiments were used to verify the mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UA + ATS targets and AD-related genes were retrieved from TCMSP, STITCH, SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, DisGeNET and GEO. Key targets were obtained by constructing protein interaction network through STRING. The neuroprotective effects of UA + ATS were verified in H₂O₂-treated PC12 cells. The subsequent experiments were divided into Normal, Model (H₂O₂ pre-treatment for 4 h), Control (H₂O₂+ solvent pre-treatment), UA (5 μM), ATS (40 μM), UA (5 μM) + ATS (40 μM). Then apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 activity, ATG5, Beclin-1 protein expression and Akt, mTOR phosphorylation levels were detected.

RESULTS

The key targets of UA + ATS-AD network were mainly enriched in Akt/mTOR pathway. Cell experiments showed that UA (ED₅₀: 5 μM) + ATS (ED₅₀: 40 μM) could protect H₂O₂-induced (IC₅₀: 250 μM) nerve damage by enhancing cells viability, combating apoptosis, restoring MMP, reducing the activation of caspase-3, lessening the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, and increasing the expression of ATG5 and Beclin-1.

CONCLUSIONS

ATS and UA regulates multiple targets, bioprocesses and signal pathways against AD pathogenesis. ATS and UA synergistically protects H₂O₂-induced neurotrosis by regulation of AKT/mTOR signalling.

Effect of sub-lethal ammonia and nitrite stress on autophagy and apoptosis in hepatopancreas of Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeusvannamei

Oxidative stress caused by ammonia and nitrite, affect the health and growth of aquaculture animals, results in oxidative damages. However, the toxic mechanism and pathogenesis of ammonia and nitrite to aquatic invertebrates are not completely clear. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of sub-lethal ammonia and nitrite on autophagy and apoptosis in hepatopancreas of Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimps were exposed to sub-lethal ammonia (20 mg/L) and nitrite (20 mg/L) for 72 h, respectively. Hepatopancreas was collected for investigating the autophagy and apoptosis under stress conditions. The results showed that ammonia stress could induce up-regulated of autophagy (ATG3, ATG4, ATG10 and ATG12) and apoptosis (Caspase3 and P53) genes transcription. Nitrite stress could also induce up-regulated of autophagy (ATG3, ATG4, ATG5 and ATG10) and apoptosis (Caspase3) genes transcription. The expression of the autophagy related genes increased at first and then decreased with increasing exposure time. The atrophy, lysis, vacuolation of cell and other tissue damages in hepatopancreas were observed after 72h exposure to ammonia and nitrite. The results indicated that ammonia and nitrite stress could induce autophagy and apoptosis, and results in oxidative damage.

Haizao Yuhu decoctions including three species of glycyrrhiza protected against propylthiouracil-induced goiter with hypothyroidism in rats via the AMPK/mTOR pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glycyrrhiza and sargassum are among the 18 incompatible medicaments according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Although it contains glycyrrhiza and sargassum, Haizao Yuhu decoction (HYD) is a classic prescription widely used as TCM to treat goiter. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, glycyrrhiza is divided into three varieties: Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fish., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. Whether the three varieties of glycyrrhiza have different efficacy or toxicity when applied in the HYD is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore whether the HYDs comprising three varieties of glycyrrhiza have different efficacy or toxicity when used to treat goiter in rats and the underlying mechanisms of these HYDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For two weeks, the goiter model was replicated by intragastric propylthiouracil (PTU) administration. Samples were divided into the control group, model group, euthyrox group, HYD with glycyrrhiza uralensis (HYD-U) group, HYD with glycyrrhiza glabra (HYD-G) group, and HYD with glycyrrhiza inflata (HYD-I) group. After four weeks of treatment, body weight, rectal temperature, thyroid/liver/kidney coefficient, thyroid/liver/kidney function, thyroid/liver/kidney histomorphology, and thyroid ultrastructure were evaluated. Then, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to detect genes and proteins affecting autophagy and apoptosis in thyroid cells in the AMP-activated Protein Kinases (AMPK)/Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.

RESULTS

All three HYDs increased thyroid hormones (THs) levels, relieved thyroid pathological tissue and ultrastructure, and activated vital proteins and genes in the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Comparisons among the efficacy of the three HYDs indicated that HYD-U restored the THs most effectively; however, no difference in the anti-goiter effect was observed. Moreover, the three HYDs resulted in no toxicity and promoted the recovery of impaired liver and kidney function caused by PTU. Comparisons among the recovery effects of the three HYDs on the liver and kidney were the same.

CONCLUSION

Our experiments demonstrated that the three HYDs had outstanding anti-goiter effects and protected liver and kidney function. Their anti-goiter effects were attributed to AMPK/mTOR pathway-induced autophagy and apoptosis. HYD-U resulted in the best THs recovery. It was further indicated that in our present study, glycyrrhiza and sargassum were compatible in the three HYDs, thereby suggesting their safety of compounding in HYD and providing a basis for the research of the 18 incompatible medicaments.

First Evidence of the Expression and Localization of Prothymosin α in Human Testis and Its Involvement in Testicular Cancers

Prothymosin α (PTMA) is a phylogenetically conserved polypeptide in male gonads of Vertebrates. In Mammals, it is a ubiquitous protein, and, possessing a random-coil structure, it interacts with many other partners, in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. PTMA has been widely studied during cell progression in different types of cancer because of its anti-apoptotic and proliferative properties. Here, we provided the first evidence of PTMA expression and localization in human testis and in two testicular cancers (TC): classic seminoma (CS) and Leydig cell tumor (LCT). Data showed that its protein level, together with that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a cell cycle progression marker, increased in both CS and LCT samples, as compared to non-pathological (NP) tissue. Moreover, in the two-cancer tissue, a decreased apoptotic rate and an increased autophagic flux was also evidenced. Results confirmed the anti-apoptotic action of PTMA, also suggesting that it can act as a switcher from apoptosis to autophagy, to favor the survival of testicular cancer cells when they develop in adverse environments. Finally, the combined data, even if they need to be further validated, add new insight into the role of PTMA in human normal and pathological testicular tissue.

Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Anti-Tumor Effect of Metformin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck. Due to its high malignancy and easy recurrence, the five-year survival rate is only 50–60%. Currently, commonly used chemotherapy drugs for OSCC include cisplatin, paclitaxel, and fluorouracil, which are highly cytotoxic and cause drug resistance in patients. Therefore, a safe and effective treatment strategy for OSCC is urgent. To address this issue, our study investigated the anti-tumor activity of metformin (the first-line diabetes drug) in OSCC. We found that metformin could inhibit OSCC cell proliferation by promoting apoptosis and blocking the cell cycle in G1 phase. Additionally, we also found that metformin could induce protective autophagy of OSCC cells. After inhibiting autophagy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the metformin-induced apoptosis was enhanced. In vitro, metformin inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumor in nude mice and HCQ enhanced this effect of metformin. Therefore, metformin combined with HCQ may become a safe and effective treatment strategy for OSCC.

Pennogenin-3-O-α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside (Spiroconazol A) Isolated from Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa Induces Autophagic Cell Death by p38 MAPK Activation in NSCLC Cells

In our previous study, we reported the isolation of pennogenin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (spiroconazol A), a steroidal saponin, from the flowers of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of spiroconazol A on autophagy and its underlying mechanisms in A549 and NCI-H358 human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Spiroconazol A inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. To determine the type of programmed cell death induced by spiroconazol A, we performed a characterization of apoptosis in spiroconazol A-treated A549 cells. Our results showed that spiroconazol A significantly suppressed A549 cell viability but did not influence cell apoptosis because phosphatidylserine and caspase activation were not detected. Furthermore, spiroconazol A treatment upregulated the expression of LC3-II and autophagy-related Beclin-1 protein, suggesting that spiroconazol A induces autophagy in A549 cells. Moreover, spiroconazol A activated the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but did not affect the phosphorylation of Janus kinase or ERK1/2. Notably, SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, had a significant inhibitory effect on spiroconazol A-induced autophagic cell death in A549 cells. Our results indicated that spiroconazol A-induced autophagy is dependent on p38 MAPK signaling and has potential as a therapeutic target in NSCLC.