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MacCallum PE, Cooze JB, Ward J, Moore KA, Blundell J. Evaluating the effects of single, multiple, and delayed systemic rapamycin injections to contextual fear reconsolidation: Implications for the neurobiology of memory and the treatment of PTSD-like re-experiencing. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114855. [PMID: 38185381 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is known to mediate the formation and persistence of aversive memories. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, administered around the time of reactivation blocks retrieval-induced mTOR activity and de novo protein synthesis in the brains of rodents, while correspondingly diminishing subsequent fear memory. The goal of the current experiments was to further explore rapamycin's effects on fear memory persistence. First, we examined whether mTOR blockade at different time-points after reactivation attenuates subsequent contextual fear memory. We show that rapamycin treatment 3 or 12 h post-reactivation disrupts memory persistence. Second, we examined whether consecutive days of reactivation paired with rapamycin had additive effects over a single pairing at disrupting a contextual fear memory. We show that additional reactivation-rapamycin pairings exacerbates the reconsolidation impairment. Finally, we examined if impaired reconsolidation of a contextual fear memory from rapamycin treatment had any after-effects on learning and recalling a new fear association. We show that rapamycin-impaired reconsolidation does not affect new learning or recall and protects against fear generalization. Our findings improve our understanding of mTOR- dependent fear memory processes, as well as provide insight into potentially novel treatment options for stress-related psychopathologies such as posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip E MacCallum
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Jane B Cooze
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Joshua Ward
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Kelsey Am Moore
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Blundell
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3X9, Canada.
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Yang S, Zhu G. Phytotherapy of abnormality of fear memory: A narrative review of mechanisms. Fitoterapia 2023; 169:105618. [PMID: 37482307 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
It is generally believed that in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the high expression of fear memory is mainly determined by amygdala hyperactivity and hippocampus hypoactivity. In this review, we firstly updated the mechanisms of fear memory, and then searched the experimental evidence of phytotherapy for fear memory in the past five years. Based on the summary of those experimental studies, we further discussed the future research strategies of plant medicines, including the study of the mechanism of specific brain regions, the optimal time for the prevention and treatment of fear memory-related diseases such as PTSD, and the development of new drugs with active components of plant medicines. Accordingly, plant medicines play a clear role in improving fear memory abnormalities and have the drug development potential in the treatment of fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Yang
- The Second Affiliation Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China.
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Rosa J, de Carvalho Myskiw J, Fiorenza NG, Furini CRG, Sapiras GG, Izquierdo I. Hippocampal cholinergic receptors and the mTOR participation in fear-motivated inhibitory avoidance extinction memory. Behav Brain Res 2023; 437:114129. [PMID: 36179804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence has demonstrated the hippocampal cholinergic system and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) participation during the memory formation of aversive events. This study assessed the role of these systems in the hippocampus for the extinction memory process by submitting male Wistar rats to fear-motivated step-down inhibitory avoidance (IA). The post-extinction session administration of the nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists, mecamylamine and scopolamine, respectively, both at doses of 2 µg/µl/side, and rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor (0.02 µg/µl/side), into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus, impaired the IA extinction memory. Furthermore, the nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists, nicotine and muscarine, respectively, had a dose-dependent effect on the IA extinction memory when administered intra-CA1, immediately after the extinction session. Nicotine (0.6 µg/µl/side) and muscarine (0.02 µg/µl/side), respectively, had no effect, while the higher doses (6 and 2 µg/µl/side, respectively) impaired the IA extinction memory. Interestingly, the co-administration of muscarine at the lower dose blocked the impairment that was induced by rapamycin. This effect was not observed when nicotine at the lower dose was co-administered. These results have demonstrated the participation of the cholinergic receptors and mTOR in the hippocampus for IA extinction, and that the cholinergic agonists had a dose-dependent effect on the IA extinction memory. This study provides insights related to the behavioural aspects and the neurobiological properties underlying the early stage of fear-motivated IA extinction memory consolidation and suggests that there is hippocampal muscarinic receptor participation independent of mTOR in this memory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rosa
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43422, Room 208 A, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Natalia Gindri Fiorenza
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Branch Ceara, 60760-000 Eusebio, CE, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Regina Guerino Furini
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, 3rd Floor, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gerson Guilherme Sapiras
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Clinical Hospital of Passo Fundo (HCPF), Tiradentes 295, 99010-260 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Ivan Izquierdo
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Ipiranga 6690, Floor 2, 90610-600 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT), National Research Council of Brazil, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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4
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Gao F, Wang J, Yang S, Ji M, Zhu G. Fear extinction induced by activation of PKA ameliorates anxiety-like behavior in PTSD mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 222:109306. [PMID: 36341808 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy aiming to promote fear extinction is a useful treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms underlying fear extinction and effective methods used to promote fear extinction in PTSD are still lacking. In this study, we displayed dysfunctions of cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and calcium signaling in peripheral serum of PTSD patients using bioinformatics analysis. Later, we confirmed the dysfunctions of cAMP-PKA, AKT/mTOR and calcium signaling in the hippocampus of PTSD mice. Moreover, the reduction of calpain1 in the hippocampus enhanced fear memory acquisition. Single activation of PKA by systemic application of rolipram (ROL) or meglumine cyclic adenylate (M-cAMP) before re-exposure promoted fear extinction and improved anxiety-like behavior in PTSD mice. Moreover, systemic application of ROL before re-exposure improved hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling and calpain1/AKT/mTOR signaling. Interestingly, the effects of activation of PKA could be partially blocked by TrkB antagonist, ANA-12 and mTOR inhibitor, RAPA. Finally, intranasal administration of ROL could also adjust the abnormality of fear memory and improve anxiety-like behaviors in PTSD mice. Collectively, activation of PKA could promote fear extinction, which correlated with the reduction of anxiety-like behavior. The mechanisms were related to the BDNF/TrkB and calpain1/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. PKA activation might be a useful complementary therapy for PE in the symptom elimination of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain Diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain Diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shaojie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain Diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Manman Ji
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain Diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain Diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
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5
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Yang S, Qu Y, Wang J, Gao F, Ji M, Xie P, Zhu A, Tan B, Wang X, Zhu G. Anshen Dingzhi prescription in the treatment of PTSD in mice: Investigation of the underlying mechanism from the perspective of hippocampal synaptic function. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 101:154139. [PMID: 35523115 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anshen Dingzhi prescription (ADP) is an important prescription for the treatment of mental diseases in traditional Chinese medicine and is widely used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. PURPOSE To explore the ameliorative effect of ADP on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like behaviors in mice and determine the underlying mechanism. METHODS The constituents of ADP were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. The PTSD-like behaviors of mice subjected to single prolonged stress (SPS) were evaluated using behavioral tests. Potential pathological changes in the hippocampus were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to detect the expression of proteins involved in relevant signaling pathways. RESULTS Five quality control markers (ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, tenuifolin, poricoic acid B, and α-asarone) were detected in the ADP solution. The ginsenoside Rg1 content in ADP was found to be 0.114 mg/g. Mice subjected to SPS showed obvious fear generalization and anxiety-like behaviors. ADP treatment prevented the behavioral changes caused by exposure to SPS. Compared with control animals, the number of normal pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of mice exposed to SPS was decreased and the number of degenerating pyramidal cells was increased; however, ADP administration could counteract these effects. Furthermore, the protein expression of BDNF, p-TrkB, μ-calpain, PSD95, GluN2A, GluA1, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and ARC was decreased, while that of PTEN and GluN2B was increased in the hippocampus of mice subjected to SPS compared with that in control animals; however, these changes in protein expression were reversed following ADP treatment. Importantly, the ameliorative effect of ADP on PTSD-like behaviors and synaptic protein expression were inhibited by rapamycin administration. CONCLUSIONS ADP administration improves PTSD-like behaviors in mice and this effect may be mediated through an mTOR-dependent improvement in synaptic function in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Yan Qu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Manman Ji
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Pan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Aisong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Bei Tan
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Xuncui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China.
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China.
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6
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Han Y, Cai X, Pan M, Gong J, Cai W, Lu D, Xu C. MicroRNA-21-5p acts via the PTEN/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway to prevent cardiomyocyte injury caused by high glucose/high fat conditions. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:230. [PMID: 35222707 PMCID: PMC8815051 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) play important roles in cardiovascular disease. miR-21-5p is known to be involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte injury under high glucose and high fat (HG-HF) conditions, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, a cardiomyocyte cell line, H9c2, was treated with 33 mM glucose and 250 µM sodium palmitate for 24, 48, and 72 h to produce HG-HF injury. After treatment, miR-21-5p expression was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. A miR-21-5p mimic was then constructed and transfected into the cells and the potential molecular mechanism was investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8, TUNEL, flow cytometry and western blot assays. Expression of miR-21-5p was significantly downregulated by HG-HF treatment of H9c2 cells for 24, 48, and 72 h. In subsequent experiments, cells were treated for an intermediate period (48 h). Compared with the control group, HG-HF treatment significantly inhibited H9c2 proliferation and promoted apoptosis, while these effects were significantly reduced in the miR-21-5p mimic. Compared with the control group, HG-HF treatment significantly increased reactive oxygen species, while miR-21-5p mimic significantly reduced this effect. Compared with the control group, HG-HF treatment significantly increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and phosphorylated (p)-Akt and decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, p-PTEN, and p-FOXO3a, while overexpression of miR-21-5p significantly reduced these effects. The results revealed that miR-21-5p inhibited apoptosis and oxidative stress in H9c2 cells induced by HG-HF, likely through the PTEN/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Han
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqi Cai
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Jin Gong
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Wenqin Cai
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Dan Lu
- Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Changsheng Xu
- Fujian Institute of Hypertension, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
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7
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Wang J, Gao F, Cui S, Yang S, Gao F, Wang X, Zhu G. Utility of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone in preventing astrocytic and synaptic deficits in the hippocampus elicited by PTSD. Pharmacol Res 2022; 176:106079. [PMID: 35026406 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytic functions and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathways are impaired in stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases. Previous studies have reported neuroprotective effects of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a TrkB activator. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a modified single-prolonged stress (SPS&S) model and the potential beneficial effects of 7,8-DHF. SPS&S reduced the hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocytes, and induced morphological changes in astrocytes. From the perspective of synaptic function, the SPS&S model displayed reduced expression of BDNF, p-TrkB, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 (GluA1), NMDA receptor subunit N2A/N2B ratio, calpain-1, phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and conversely, higher phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) expression in the hippocampus. Acute or continuous intraperitoneal administration of 7,8-DHF (5 mg/kg) after SPS&S procedures prevented SPS&S-induced fear memory generalization and anxiety-like behaviors as well as abnormalities of hippocampal oscillations. Most importantly, 7,8-DHF attenuated SPS&S-induced abnormal BDNF-TrkB signaling and calpain-1-dependent cascade of synaptic deficits. Furthermore, treatment with a TrkB inhibitor completely blocked while an mTOR inhibitor partially blocked the effects of 7,8-DHF on behavioral changes of SPS&S model mice. Our collective findings suggest that 7,8-DHF effectively alleviates PTSD-like symptoms, including fear generalization and anxiety-like behavior, potentially by preventing astrocytic and synaptic deficits in the hippocampus through targeting of TrkB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Shuai Cui
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Shaojie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Fang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Xuncui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230038, China.
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8
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Reyes-García SE, Escobar ML. Calcineurin Participation in Hebbian and Homeostatic Plasticity Associated With Extinction. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:685838. [PMID: 34220454 PMCID: PMC8242195 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.685838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In nature, animals need to adapt to constant changes in their environment. Learning and memory are cognitive capabilities that allow this to happen. Extinction, the reduction of a certain behavior or learning previously established, refers to a very particular and interesting type of learning that has been the basis of a series of therapies to diminish non-adaptive behaviors. In recent years, the exploration of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this type of learning has received increasing attention. Hebbian plasticity (the activity-dependent modification of the strength or efficacy of synaptic transmission), and homeostatic plasticity (the homeostatic regulation of plasticity) constitute processes intimately associated with memory formation and maintenance. Particularly, long-term depression (LTD) has been proposed as the underlying mechanism of extinction, while the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) has been widely related to both the extinction process and LTD. In this review, we focus on the available evidence that sustains CaN modulation of LTD and its association with extinction. Beyond the classic view, we also examine the interconnection among extinction, Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, as well as emergent evidence of the participation of kinases and long-term potentiation (LTP) on extinction learning, highlighting the importance of the balance between kinases and phosphatases in the expression of extinction. Finally, we also integrate data that shows the association between extinction and less-studied phenomena, such as synaptic silencing and engram formation that open new perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma E Reyes-García
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología del Aprendizaje y la Memoria, División de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Martha L Escobar
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología del Aprendizaje y la Memoria, División de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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9
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Moxibustion Improves Chronic Heart Failure by Inhibiting Autophagy and Inflammation via Upregulation of mTOR Expression. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6635876. [PMID: 33603819 PMCID: PMC7872756 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6635876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
How moxibustion improves chronic heart failure is extremely complex and still unclear. This study aimed to explore whether moxibustion inhibits autophagy and reduces inflammation by regulating mTOR expression to induce myocardial protective effects and alleviate symptoms associated with chronic heart failure. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function and cardiac structure of rats, including heart rate (HR), left atrium diameter (LA), left ventricular diameter (LV), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), interventricular septum (IVS), ejection fraction (EF), and fractional shortening (FS). BNP and NT-pro BNP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Autophagy-associated protein (ATG) genes and mTOR were detected by PCR. The expression of mTOR and phosphorylated-mTOR was detected through western blotting of proteins from myocardial tissue samples. The left ventricular inflammatory response was detected by immunohistochemistry and included ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression. The relationship between autophagy and inflammation was analyzed by correlation analysis. The results from echocardiography and ELISA showed that moxibustion could significantly improve heart function and structure. Western blot and PCR results showed that moxibustion treatment elevated mTOR expression. Further, moxibustion could inhibit autophagy and regulate the expression of key autophagy-related genes, including Vps34, ATG3, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, and ATG13. By contrast, rapamycin could partially reduce the effects of moxibustion. Immunohistochemistry results indicated that moxibustion could reduce myocardial inflammation. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between autophagy and inflammation. Moxibustion can protect cardiac function in rats with heart failure, possibly inhibiting excessive autophagy of cardiomyocytes and reducing inflammatory reactions through the elevation of mTOR expression.
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10
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Lu C, Yang W, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Gong Y, Hu F, Yu W, Dong X. Inhibition of Pre-B Cell Colony Enhancing Factor Reduces Lung Injury in Rats Receiving Cardiopulmonary Bypass. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:51-60. [PMID: 33442236 PMCID: PMC7800440 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s281554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective Pre-B cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF) is an important proinflammatory cytokine involved in acute lung injury. However, whether PBEF participates in lung injury caused by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of silencing PBEF on lung injury and the sodium and water transport system in rats receiving CPB. Methods Morphological changes in lung tissues were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. PBEF was detected using immunohistochemistry. The sodium and water transport system-related proteins and cellular signaling pathways were detected by Western blotting. Results Rats receiving CPB (model group) had more severe alveolar wall damage and higher expression of PBEF in free form than the control rats. Western blotting showed that the expression of PBEF, surfactant protein D (SP), aquaporin (AQP) 1, AQP5, and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) was significantly higher in the lung tissue of CPB rats than control rats. By contrast, adenovirus-encoding sh-PBEF significantly reduced the expression of PBEF, SP, AQP1, AQP5, and ENaC in the lung tissues of rats treated with CPB. The phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), protein kinase B (AKT), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were significantly increased in the lung tissue of rats that received CPB, and were downregulated by adenovirus-encoding sh-PBEF. Conclusion Adenovirus-encoding sh-PBEF could reduce lung injury and repair the sodium–water transport system in rats receiving CPB, likely through reducing MAPK, ERK1/2, and Akt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianliang Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zulei Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Fajia Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenpeng Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China
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Zhang T, Dong K, Xiao L, Li G, Zhang Z. Effects of Co-Administration of Icariin and Panax notoginseng Saponins on Intestinal Microbiota and Hippocampal Protein Expression in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:2169-2179. [PMID: 33061388 PMCID: PMC7519864 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s253972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the effect of icariin (ICA) combined with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on intestinal microbiota and hippocampal protein expression in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS Transgenic mice were treated with icariin and PNS. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess spatial memory, and the gut microbiota and differential protein expression in the hippocampus were investigated using high-throughput screening techniques. Differential protein expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS The MWM results showed that the mice treated with the medium dose of ICA+PNS spent significantly more time in the target quadrant compared with the AD group. Bacterial diversity was the lowest in the AD group, with significantly greater diversity in the ICA + PNS treatment group. Three proteins were selected for proteomic analysis, and qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase ubiquitin like 1 (Oasl1), trichoplein keratin filament-binding protein (TCHP), and tumor necrosis factor receptor associated 3-interacting protein 1 (MIPT3). Compared with control mice, MIPT3 expression was increased and Oasl1 and TCHP were reduced in the AD group. These abnormal protein expressions tended to normalization after treatment with medium dose of ICA and PNS. CONCLUSION Treatment with ICA and PNS ameliorated memory impairment in an AD mouse model. The mechanisms may be related to modulation of the intestinal microbiota and expression of Oasl1, TCHP, and MIPT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Keli Dong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangcheng Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhanwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha410007, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China
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Song Z, Shen F, Zhang Z, Wu S, Zhu G. Calpain inhibition ameliorates depression-like behaviors by reducing inflammation and promoting synaptic protein expression in the hippocampus. Neuropharmacology 2020; 174:108175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Li F, Zhang J, Liao R, Duan Y, Tao L, Xu Y, Chen A. Mesenchymal stem cell‑derived extracellular vesicles prevent neural stem cell hypoxia injury via promoting miR‑210‑3p expression. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:3813-3821. [PMID: 33000190 PMCID: PMC7533502 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential to give rise to offspring cells and hypoxic injury can impair the function of NSCs. The present study investigated the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on NSC injury, as well as the underlying mechanisms. MSC-EVs were isolated and identified via morphological and particle size analysis. Cobalt chloride was used to establish a hypoxic injury model in NSCs. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay was conducted to detect apoptosis. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-210-3p, and western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and Bcl-2 19 kDa interacting protein (BNIP3). Compared with the control group, NSC apoptosis, and the expression of miR-210-3p, AIF and BNIP3 were significantly higher in the cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia group. By contrast, treatment with MSC-EVs further increased miR-210-3p expression levels, but reduced NSC apoptosis and the expression levels of AIF and BNIP3 compared with the model group (P<0.05). In addition, miR-210-3p inhibitor reduced miR-210-3p expression, but promoted hypoxia-induced apoptosis and the expression levels of AIF and BNIP3 compared with the model group (P<0.05). Collectively, the results suggested that MSC-EVs prevented NSC hypoxia injury by promoting miR-210-3p expression, which might reduce AIF and BNIP3 expression levels and NSC apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Rui Liao
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
| | - Yongchun Duan
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
| | - Lili Tao
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
| | - Yuwei Xu
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
| | - Anbao Chen
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650101, P.R. China
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Li X, Shi W, Xiong Q, Hu Y, Qin X, Wan G, Zeng Q. Leptin improves intestinal flora dysfunction in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520920062. [PMID: 32529880 PMCID: PMC7294385 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520920062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of leptin on intestinal flora and inflammation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. METHODS Mice were fed an HFD for 8 weeks; some were concurrently administered oral leptin for 4 weeks. Pathological changes in adipose tissue were detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining; endotoxin content in adipose tissue was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal flora were characterized by 16S bacterial rDNA sequencing. Levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α), and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) were detected by western blotting. RESULTS Mice in the HFD group exhibited weight gain, elevated endotoxin content, and adipocyte hypertrophy, compared with the non-obese control group. Moreover, abundance of bacteria in the Bacteroides genus and community diversity were both reduced in the HFD group; reductions also were observed at corresponding phylum, class, and order levels. Levels of TLR4, IκB-α, and p-JNK were also elevated in the HFD group. Compared with the model group, leptin administration reduced the weight gain and endotoxin content, while increasing Bacteroides abundance and community diversity; it also reduced the levels of TLR4, IκB-α, and p-JNK. CONCLUSION Leptin administration improved intestinal flora dysfunction and inflammation in mice with HFD-induced obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Li
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weihong Shi
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qinghua Xiong
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yungang Hu
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xu Qin
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Guanqun Wan
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Department of Plastic Maxillofacial Surgery, People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Mao XB, Cheng YH, Peng KS, You ZP. Sirtuin (Sirt) 3 Overexpression Prevents Retinopathy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e920883. [PMID: 32506069 PMCID: PMC7275642 DOI: 10.12659/msm.920883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sirtuin (Sirt) 3 could promote autophagy by downregulating the expression of genes related to neovascularization in retinal endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Sirt3 overexpression on retinopathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and to assess its mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ntraperitoneal injection of STZ in rats was used to produce a diabetic model. The study rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6 for each group): a control group; a model group; a model+scrambled adenovirus group; and a model+Sirt3 overexpression group. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining determined the pathological changes of retina tissues. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting were used to detect the expression of Sirt3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3). RESULTS In the model group, the inner limiting membrane was swollen, uneven and thickened, and the capillary endothelial cells occasionally protruded into the inner limiting membrane. These abnormalities were prevented by Sirt3 overexpression. Compared with the control group, the expression of Sirt3 at both mRNA and protein levels in the model group was significantly reduced, while the expression of VEGF was increased versus the control group (P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Bang Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yan-Hua Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Ke-Su Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Zhi-Peng You
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland)
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Luo Z, Dai Y, Chen M, Zhu C, Wu K, Li G, Shang X. Silencing of RBP‑JK promotes the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into vascular endothelial cells. Mol Med Rep 2019; 21:69-76. [PMID: 31746399 PMCID: PMC6896324 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are important for postnatal angiogenesis and are suitable for use in construction of blood vessels by tissue engineering. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBP-JK) on the differentiation of BM-MSCs into vascular endothelial cells, and to assess the underlying mechanisms. BM-MSCs were isolated and identified by flow cytometry. Lentiviral vectors encoding RBP-JK shRNA (shRBPJK) were constructed to knockdown RBP-JK expression and endothelial differentiation of BM-MSCs was induced. The experimental groups were treated with: empty lentiviral vector (vector group), growth factors (bFGF and VEGF; induced group), shRBPJK (shRBPJK group), and growth factors + shRBPJK (induced + shRBPJK group). The expression of endothelial markers, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (Flk-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were detected by immunofluorescence. Additionally, in vitro blood vessel formation and phagocytosis were assessed using acetylated LDL, Dil complex and the underlying molecular mechanisms evaluated by western blotting. BM-MSCs were separated and transduced with shRBPJK to reduce RBP-JK expression. Compared with the vector group, the expression of the endothelial cell markers, Flk-1 and vWF, in vitro tubule formation, and phagocytosis ability increased, while the expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-NF-κB/NF-κB were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the induced, shRBPJK, and induced + shRBPJK groups. Compared with the induced group, the expression of Flk-1 and vWF, the number of tubules, and phagocytosis were higher in the induced + shRBPJK group, while the expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-NF-κB/NF-κB were lower (P<0.05). Collectively, the present data indicated that silencing of RBP-JK promotes the differentiation of MSCs into vascular endothelial cells, and this process is likely regulated by AKT/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Dai
- Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Chen Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Kerong Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Guoyuan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Xifu Shang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
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Yang SJ, Song ZJ, Wang XC, Zhang ZR, Wu SB, Zhu GQ. Curculigoside facilitates fear extinction and prevents depression-like behaviors in a mouse learned helplessness model through increasing hippocampal BDNF. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:1269-1278. [PMID: 31028292 PMCID: PMC6786307 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Curculigoside (CUR) is the main active component of traditional Chinese medicine Curculigoorchioides Gaertn (Xianmao in Chinese), which exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities. In this study we investigated the effects of CUR on fear extinction and related depression-like behaviors in mice. In fear conditioning task, we found that administration of CUR (1.6, 8, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip, for 7 days) did not affect memory consolidation, but CUR at higher doses (8, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1) significantly facilitated fear extinction, especially on D3 and D4. Moreover, CUR administration significantly ameliorated the fear conditioning-induced depression-like behaviors, likely through promoting fear extinction. We showed that CUR increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylation of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus, and activated protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Administration of the selective TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) also facilitated fear extinction, ameliorated depression-like behaviors. We established a mouse learned helplessness (LH) model to evaluate the antidepressant activity of CUR. The spatial memory was assessed in Morris water maze. We showed that LH-induced depression-like behaviors, including prolonged immobility times in forced swim and tail suspension tests as well as spatial memory impairments; LH also downregulated BDNF expression and the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus. Administration of CUR (1.6, 8, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip, for 14 days) or 7,8-DHF (5 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip, for 3 days) prevented LH-induced depression-like behaviors and promoted BDNF expression and the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, CUR can accelerate the fear memory extinction and ameliorate depression-like behaviors in mice via promoting BDNF expression and activating the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- San-Juan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Zhu-Jin Song
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Xun-Cui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Zheng-Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Sheng-Bing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
- Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Guo-Qi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China.
- Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China.
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Ge Z, Yang Y, Zhou X, Zhang J, Li B, Wang X, Luo X. Overexpression of the hyperplasia suppressor gene inactivates airway fibroblasts obtained from a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:2754-2762. [PMID: 31322244 PMCID: PMC6691245 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) overexpression on the activation of airway fibroblasts in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and assess the underlying molecular mechanisms. The rat model of COPD was established by injection of papain and confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Airway fibroblasts were identified using immunofluorescence, and HSG expression was facilitated by an HSG vector. Cell viability, apoptosis and the levels of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured via Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and ELISA analyses, respectively, and potential mechanisms were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Airway fibroblasts from COPD rats were isolated and identified based on vimentin expression. Compared with the control group, HSG overexpression reduced cell viability, promoted apoptosis, and reduced the protein levels of TGF-β1, MMP-9 and PDGF. Additionally, HSG overexpression reduced β-catenin and Ras homology family member A (RhoA) expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Conversely, Wnt signaling pathway agonists lithium chloride (LiCl) and 4-ethyl-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl- (1,3)dioxolo(4,5-j)phenanthridine (HLY78), significantly reduced the effects of HSG overexpression (P<0.05 vs. HSG). Cell viability in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups was increased, whereas apoptosis was reduced compared with HSG treatment alone. The protein levels of TGF-β1, MMP-9 and PDGF were also decreased in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups compared with the HSG group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of β-catenin and RhoA was higher in the HSG + LiCl and HSG + HLY78 groups compared with the HSG group (P<0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that HSG overexpression inactivated airway fibroblasts from COPD by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghang Ge
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Department of Research and Teaching, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
| | - Xian Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, P.R. China
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Zhang J, Na S, Pan S, Long S, Xin Y, Jiang Q, Lai Z, Yan J, Cao Z. Inhibition of USP4 attenuates pathological scarring by downregulation of the TGF‑β/Smad signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:1429-1435. [PMID: 31173246 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological scarring is a result of the hypertrophy of scar tissue during tissue repair following trauma. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of ubiquitin‑specific protease 4 (USP4) silencing on pathological scarring, and to evaluate the mechanistic basis for the effect. An MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. Immunoprecipitation (IP) was used to determine ubiquitination levels of the TGF‑β receptor (TβR)I and Smad7. Tumor formation was assessed by injecting keloid fibroblasts. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes in tumor tissue. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis assays were used to evaluate the expression levels of TβRI and Smad7. Compared with the untreated control animals, cell viability and the expression of TβRI and Smad7 increased significantly in animals treated with TGF‑β. Short hairpin RNA for USP4 (shUSP4) decreased the cell viability of negative control cells, TGF‑β‑induced cellular proliferation, and the expression of TβRI and Smad7. IP experiments indicated that the ubiquitination level of TβRI was decreased following USP4 silencing. There was no remarkable difference in the structure of scar tissue among the various animal groups at 14 days following treatment, while the necrotic area of the scar tissue in the shUSP4 and vialinin A (USP inhibitor)‑treated animals increased significantly at the 28th and 42nd day compared with the control animals. At days 14, 28 and 42, the expression levels of TβRI and Smad7 in the shUSP4 and vialinin A‑treated animals were significantly decreased compared with the control animals (P<0.05). In summary, interference with or inhibition of USP4 prevented the activity of the TGF‑β/Smad pathway signaling and inhibited the formation of pathological scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Sijia Na
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shuting Pan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Sang Long
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yuqi Xin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qingkun Jiang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Zhongwei Lai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Yan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyi Cao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Zhang Z, Liu S, Huang S. Thymosin β4 prevents oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced injury in rat cortical neurons. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:2385-2393. [PMID: 31692484 PMCID: PMC6710540 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s208600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated whether thymosin (T) β4 protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury in rat cortical neurons, as well as the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Primary rat cortical neurons were transfected with Tβ4 overexpression plasmid; the transfection efficiency was confirmed by detecting Tβ4 expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The OGD/R model was established and apoptotic cells were quantified by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Structural changes in the endoplasmic reticulum were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78, C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blotting. The effect of Tβ4 on OGD/R injury was evaluated by adding exogenous Tβ4 to neuronal cultures. RESULTS Cortical neurons were identified by the expression of neuron-specific enolase. In OGD/R cells, the rate of apoptosis was increased and GRP78, CHOP, and Bax were upregulated whereas Bcl-2 was downregulated relative to the control group. These effects were reversed by Tβ4 overexpression. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was observed in the OGD/R group, but this was abolished in neurons overexpressing Tβ4. The protective effect of Tβ4 against OGD/R injury was also demonstrated in cells treated with exogenous Tβ4 (10 ng/mL), which blocked OGD/R-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ER stress-related and pro-apoptotic protein expression. CONCLUSION Tβ4 prevents OGD/R-induced ER stress-dependent apoptosis in cortical neurons, and is a potential treatment for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongsheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The 6th Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The 6th Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, People's Republic of China
| | - Sichun Huang
- Department of Neurology, The 6th Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, People's Republic of China
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