Abnormalities of hydrogen sulfide and glutathione pathways in mitochondrial dysfunction

Glutathione-responsive biodegradable nanohybrid for cancer photoacoustic imaging and gas-assisted photothermal therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT), particularly in the near-infrared-II (NIR-II) range, has attracted widespread attention over the past years. However, the accompanied inflammatory responses can result in undesirable side effects and contribute to treatment ineffectiveness. Herein, we introduced a novel biodegradable nanoplatform (CuS/HMON-PEG) capable of PTT and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generation, aimed at modulating inflammation for improved cancer treatment outcomes. The embedded ultrasmall copper sulphide (CuS) nanodots (1-2 nm) possessed favorable photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and NIR-II photothermal capabilities, rendering CuS/HMON-PEG an ideal phototheranostic agent. Upon internalization by 4T1 cancer cells, the hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticle (HMON) component could react with the overproduced glutathione (GSH) to produce H2S. In addition to the anticipated photothermal tumor ablation and H2S-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, the anti-inflammatory regulation was also been demonstrated by the downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). More importantly, the modulation of inflammation also promoted wound healing mediated by PTT. This work not only presents a H2S-based nanomodulator to boost NIR-II PTT but also provides insights into the construction of novel organic/inorganic hybrid nanosystems.

Cortistatin prevents glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head via the GHSR1a/Akt pathway

Long-term use of glucocorticoids (GCs) is known to be a predominant cause of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Moreover, GCs can mediate apoptosis of various cell types by exaggerating oxidative stress. We have previously found that Cortistatin (CST) antagonizes oxidative stress and improves cell apoptosis in several conditions. In this study, we detected that the CST expression levels were diminished in patients with ONFH compared with femoral neck fracture (FNF). In addition, a GC-induced rat ONFH model was established, which impaired bone quality in the femoral head. Then, administration of CST attenuated these ONFH phenotypes. Furthermore, osteoblast and endothelial cells were cultured and stimulated with dexamethasone (Dex) in the presence or absence of recombinant CST. As a result, Dex induced impaired anabolic metabolism of osteoblasts and suppressed tube formation in endothelial cells, while additional treatment with CST reversed this damage to the cells. Moreover, blocking GHSR1a, a well-accepted receptor of CST, or blocking the AKT signaling pathway largely abolished the protective function of CST in Dex-induced disorder of the cells. Taken together, we indicate that CST has the capability to prevent GC-induced apoptosis and metabolic disorder of osteoblasts in the pathogenesis of ONFH via the GHSR1a/AKT signaling pathway.

Biosynthesis-mediated Ni-Fe-Cu LDH-to-sulfides transformation enabling sensitive detection of endogenous hydrogen sulfide with dual-readout signals

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a vital endogenous gas signal molecule undertaking numerous physiological functions such as biological regulation and cytoprotection. Herein, we developed an electrochemical (EC) and photothermal (PT) dual-readout signals method for H₂S detection based on a novel biosynthesis-mediated Ni-Fe-Cu LDH-to-sulfides transformation strategy. Interestingly, the Cu²⁺-based Ni-Fe LDH (Ni-Fe-Cu LDH) can act as the Cu²⁺ source to react with H₂S, resulting in the in-situ generation of Cu_xS on Ni-Fe-Cu LDH surfaces. Because of the EC signal and intrinsic near-infrared (NIR) PT conversion ability of Cu_xS under 808 nm laser irradiation, the obtained Cu_xS@Ni-Fe-Cu LDH is applied to stimulate EC signal and temperature readout. By this means, a dual-readout signal mode is established for H₂S detection. Under the optimum conditions, this combination of EC and PT methods displays a wide linear range for H₂S to 0.1 μM-90 μM and 50 μM-400 μM, respectively, with a low detection limit of 0.09 μM. In addition, the practicality of Ni-Fe-Cu LDH is verified by determination of endogenous H₂S in living cells. This work not only provides a promising application for H₂S diagnosis but also exhibits the new characteristic of Ni-Fe-Cu LDH nanomaterials as signal transduction tags.

Hydrogen sulfide-induced oxidative stress mediated apoptosis via mitochondria pathway in embryo-larval stages of zebrafish

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a highly toxic gas, has become a polluting gas that cannot be ignored, while H₂S exposure results in acute or chronic poisoning or even death in humans or animals and plants, but the relevant mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, 9-day-old zebrafish larvae were exposed continuously to culture medium containing 30 μM survival rate was counted on H₂S, and our results indicated that H₂S exposure increased intracellular ROS, Ca²⁺, NO and MDA contents and decreased SOD activity, meaning that H₂S caused oxidative stress in embryo-larval stages of zebrafish. Furthermore, we found that transgenic zebrafish (cms Tg/+ AB) displayed a lower fluorescence intensity, and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and JC-1 monomer fluorescence ratio increased under H₂S treatment conditions. These findings indicated that H₂S caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, in this experiment, after H₂S treatment, the increase of apoptotic cells, activity of caspase 3 and transcription of typical apoptosis-associated genes including BCL2 associated agonist of cell death (Bad), and BCL2 associated X apoptosis (Baxa) and so on were found, which suggested that H₂S caused apoptosis in zebrafish larvae. Therefore, our data meant that H₂S-traggered oxidative stress mediate mitochondrial dysfunction, thus triggering apoptosis. In conclusion, oxidative stress triggered H₂S-induced apoptosis via mitochondria pathway in embryo-larval stages of zebrafish.

Protein S-sulfhydration: Unraveling the prospective of hydrogen sulfide in the brain, vasculature and neurological manifestations

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and hydrogen polysulfides (H₂S_n) are essential regulatory signaling molecules generated by the entire body, including the central nervous system. Researchers have focused on the classical H₂S signaling from the past several decades, whereas the last decade has shown the emergence of H₂S-induced protein S-sulfhydration signaling as a potential therapeutic approach. Cysteine S-persulfidation is a critical paradigm of post-translational modification in the process of H₂S signaling. Additionally, studies have shown the cross-relationship between S-sulfhydration and other cysteine-induced post-translational modifications, namely nitrosylation and carbonylation. In the central nervous system, S-sulfhydration is involved in the cytoprotection through various signaling pathways, viz. inflammatory response, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and angiogenesis. Further, studies have demonstrated H₂S-induced S-sulfhydration in regulating different biological processes, such as mitochondrial integrity, calcium homeostasis, blood-brain permeability, cerebral blood flow, and long-term potentiation. Thus, protein S-sulfhydration becomes a crucial regulatory molecule in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we first described the generation of intracellular H₂S followed by the application of H₂S in the regulation of cerebral blood flow and blood-brain permeability. Further, we described the involvement of S-sulfhydration in different biological and cellular functions, such as inflammatory response, mitochondrial integrity, calcium imbalance, and oxidative stress. Moreover, we highlighted the importance of S-sulfhydration in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Chitosan Oligosaccharides Alleviate H2O2-stimulated Granulosa Cell Damage via HIF-1α Signaling Pathway

Oocyte maturation disorder and decreased quality are the main causes of infertility in women, and granulosa cells (GCs) provide the only microenvironment for oocyte maturation through autocrine and paracrine signaling by steroid hormones and growth factors. However, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress caused by ovarian hypoxia are the largest contributors to ovarian aging and GC dysfunction. Therefore, the amelioration of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress is expected to be a pivotal method to improve GC function and oocyte quality. In this study, we detected the protective effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), on hydrogen peroxide- (H₂O₂-) stimulated oxidative damage in a human ovarian granulosa cell line (KGN). COS significantly increased cell viability, mitochondrial function, and the cellular glutathione (GSH) content and reduced apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and the levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF) in H₂O₂-stimulated KGN cells. COS treatment significantly increased levels of the TGF-β1 and IL-10 proteins and decreased levels of the IL-6 protein. Compared with H₂O₂-stimulated KGN cells, COS significantly increased the levels of E₂ and P₄ and decreased SA-β-gal protein expression. Furthermore, COS caused significant inactivation of the HIF-1α-VEGF pathway in H₂O₂-stimulated KGN cells. Moreover, inhibition of this pathway enhanced the inhibitory effects of COS on H₂O₂-stimulated oxidative injury and apoptosis in GCs. Thus, COS protected GCs from H₂O₂-stimulated oxidative damage and apoptosis by inactivating the HIF-1α-VEGF signaling pathway. In the future, COS might represent a therapeutic approach for ameliorating disrupted follicle development.

Rhodanese Rdl2 produces reactive sulfur species to protect mitochondria from reactive oxygen species

Mitochondria damage is related to a broad spectrum of pathologies including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and carcinogenesis. Recently, it has been found that reactive sulfur species (RSS) has a close connection with mitochondrial health. However, the enzyme involving in mitochondrial RSS generation and the mechanism of how RSS affects mitochondrial health are not well understood. In this study, we discovered that rhodanese 2 (Rdl2) is the main enzyme responsible for RSS generation in S. cerevisiae mitochondria, in which no sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (Sqr) is present. Rdl2 releases sulfane sulfur atoms (S⁰) from stable S⁰ carriers (thiosulfate and dialkyl polysulfide) to produce RSS. Rdl2 deletion leads to morphological change, dysfunction, and DNA degradation of mitochondria. Rdl2-generated RSS can protect DNA from HO^• attack. The reaction rate between RSS and HO^• is ∼10¹⁰ M^-1s^-1, two magnitudes higher than that of HO^• reacting with DNA. Surprisingly, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) promotes HO^• production through stimulating the Fenton reaction, leading to increased DNA damage. This study highlights the antioxidation function of RSS in vivo and sheds a light on the elusive connection between RSS biogenesis and mitochondrial health.

Nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide: Sibling rivalry in the family of epigenetic regulators

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were previously only known for their toxic properties. Now they are regarded as potent gaseous messenger molecules (gasotransmitters) that rapidly transverse cell membranes and transduce cellular signals through their chemical reactions and modifications to protein targets. Both are known to regulate numerous physiological functions including angiogenesis, vascular tone, and immune response, to name a few. NO and H₂S often work synergistically and in competition to regulate each other's synthesis, target protein activity via posttranslational modifications (PTMs), and chemical interactions. In addition to their canonical modes of action, increasing evidence has demonstrated that NO and H₂S share another signaling mechanism: epigenetic regulation. This review will compare and contrast biosynthesis and metabolism of NO and H₂S, their individual and shared interactions, and the growing body of evidence for their roles as endogenous epigenetic regulatory molecules.

Primary Coenzyme Q deficiencies: A literature review and online platform of clinical features to uncover genotype-phenotype correlations

Primary Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiencies are clinically heterogeneous conditions and lack clear genotype-phenotype correlations, complicating diagnosis and prognostic assessment. Here we present a compilation of all the symptoms and patients with primary CoQ deficiency described in the literature so far and analyse the most common clinical manifestations associated with pathogenic variants identified in the different COQ genes. In addition, we identified new associations between the age of onset of symptoms and different pathogenic variants, which could help to a better diagnosis and guided treatment. To make these results useable for clinicians, we created an online platform (https://coenzymeQbiology.github.io/clinic-CoQ-deficiency) about clinical manifestations of primary CoQ deficiency that will be periodically updated to incorporate new information published in the literature. Since CoQ primary deficiency is a rare disease, the available data are still limited, but as new patients are added over time, this tool could become a key resource for a more efficient diagnosis of this pathology.