Balancing Apoptosis and Autophagy for Parkinson's Disease Therapy: Targeting BCL-2

New findings on post-mortem chicken quality changes: The ROS-influenced MAPK-JNK signaling pathway affects chicken quality by regulating muscle cell apoptosis

Research conducted previously has demonstrated that apoptosis significantly influences the chicken quality. While ROS are acknowledged as significant activators of apoptosis, the precise mechanism by which they influence muscle cell apoptosis in the post-mortem remains unclear. In this study, chicken samples were treated with rosemarinic acid and H2O2 to induce varying ROS levels, and the ROS-triggered apoptosis mechanism in chicken muscle cells in post-mortem was analyzed. The TUNEL results revealed that elevated ROS levels in chicken were associated with a greater degree of muscle cell apoptosis. Western-blot results suggested that sarcoplasmic ROS could initiate apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway by activating the MAPK-JNK signaling pathway. Moreover, TEM and shear force results demonstrated that muscle cell apoptosis initiates myofiber fragmentation and structural damage to sarcomeres, ultimately reducing chicken tenderness. This study enhances our understanding of post-mortem muscle cell apoptosis, providing valuable insights for regulating chicken quality.

A comprehensive review of natural compounds and their structure-activity relationship in Parkinson's disease: exploring potential mechanisms

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing cells in the Substantia nigra region of the brain. Complementary and alternative medicine approaches have been utilized as adjuncts to conventional therapies for managing the symptoms and progression of PD. Natural compounds have gained attention for their potential neuroprotective effects and ability to target various pathways involved in the pathogenesis of PD. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the molecular targets and mechanisms of natural compounds in various experimental models of PD. This review will also explore the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these compounds and assess the clinical studies investigating the impact of these natural compounds on individuals with PD. The insights shared in this review have the potential to pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and interventions for PD.

Transcriptomic Communication between Nucleus and Mitochondria during the Browning Process of Lentinula edodes

To explore the reason for cytoplasmic replacement's significant effect on browning, transcriptomic data of nuclear (N) and mitochondrial (M) mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in L808 and two cytoplasmic hybrids (cybrids) (L808-A2 and L808-B) of Lentinula edodes at three different culturing times (80, 100, and 120 days) were obtained. The results showed that the expression of N and M genes and lncRNAs changed with the culture time and cytoplasmic source. Cytoplasmic replacement significantly affected some M and N genes related to the internal mechanism and external morphological characteristics of L. edodes browning. The internal browning mechanism should be the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-mediated antioxidant machinery to protect mycelia against oxidative stress induced by the generation of reactive oxygen species under light irradiation. External morphological characteristics were the changing features of brown films by melanin (an antioxidant) aggregation on the surface of the mycelia of the bag or log. Especially, some genes were related to the remodeling of the plasma membrane, extracellular enzymes of celluloses and hemicellulases, small molecules, and NADPH metabolic processes. Additionally, communication between the nucleus and mitochondria mediated by M-rps3 was reported for the first time, and it is mainly appreciated in M structural assembly, functional implementation, and cooperation with other organelles.

Crosstalk between mitochondria-ER contact sites and the apoptotic machinery as a novel health meter

Mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCS) function as transient signaling platforms that regulate essential cellular functions. MERCS are enriched in specific proteins and lipids that connect mitochondria and the ER together and modulate their activities. Dysregulation of MERCS is associated with several human pathologies including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and cancer. BCL-2 family proteins can locate at MERCS and control essential cellular functions such as calcium signaling and autophagy in addition to their role in mitochondrial apoptosis. Moreover, the BCL-2-mediated apoptotic machinery was recently found to trigger cGAS-STING pathway activation and a proinflammatory response, a recognized hallmark of these diseases that requires mitochondria-ER interplay. This review underscores the pivotal role of MERCS in regulating essential cellular functions, focusing on their crosstalk with BCL-2 family proteins, and discusses how their dysregulation is linked to disease.

Unveiling Lobophytum sp. the neuroprotective potential of Parkinson's disease through multifaceted mechanisms, supported by metabolomic analysis and network pharmacology

A main feature of neurodegenerative diseases is the loss of neurons. One of the most prevalent neurodegenerative illnesses is Parkinson disease (PD). Although several medications are already approved to treat neurodegenerative disorders, most of them only address associated symptoms. The main aim of the current study was to examine the neuroprotective efficacy and underlying mechanism of Lobophytum sp. crude extract in a rotenone-induced rat model of neurodegeneration mimicking PD in humans. The influence of the treatment on antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers was assessed in addition to the investigation of TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) immunochemistry, histopathological changes, and α-synuclein. Metabolomic profiling of Lobophytum sp. crude extract was done by using High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HR-LC-ESI-MS), which revealed the presence of 20 compounds (1-20) belonging to several classes of secondary metabolites including diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, steroids, and steroid glycosides. From our experimental results, we report that Lobophytum sp. extract conferred neuroprotection against rotenone-induced PD by inhibiting ROS formation, apoptosis, and inflammatory mediators including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, NF-кB, and subsequent neurodegeneration as evidenced by decreased α-synuclein deposition and enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity. Moreover, a computational network pharmacology study was performed for the dereplicated compounds from Lobophytum sp. using PubChem, SwissTarget Prediction, STRING, DisGeNET, and ShinyGO databases. Among the studied genes, CYP19A1 was the top gene related to Parkinson's disease. Dendrinolide compounds annotated a high number of parkinsonism genes. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway was the top signaling pathway related to the studied genes. Therefore, we speculate that Lobophytum sp. extract, owing to its pleiotropic mechanisms, could be further developed as a possible therapeutic drug for treating Parkinson's disease.

FoxO1 silencing in Atp7b-/- neural stem cells attenuates high copper-induced apoptosis via regulation of autophagy

Wilson disease (WD) is a severely autosomal genetic disorder triggered by dysregulated copper metabolism. Autophagy and apoptosis share common modulators that process cellular death. Emerging evidences suggest that Forkhead Box O1 over-expression (FoxO1-OE) aggravates abnormal autophagy and apoptosis to induce neuronal injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. Herein, the aim of this study was to investigate how regulating FoxO1 affects cellular autophagy and apoptosis to attenuate neuronal injury in a well-established WD cell model, the high concentration copper sulfate (CuSO4, HC)-triggered Atp7b-/- (Knockout, KO) neural stem cell (NSC) lines. The FoxO1-OE plasmid, or siRNA-FoxO1 (siFoxO1) plasmid, or empty vector plasmid was stably transfected with recombinant lentiviral vectors into HC-induced Atp7b-/- NSCs. Toxic effects of excess deposited copper on wild-type (WT), Atp7b-/- WD mouse hippocampal NSCs were tested by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Subsequently, the FoxO1 expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence (IF) assay, western blot (WB) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Meanwhile, the cell autophagy and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry (FC), TUNEL staining, 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), JC-1, WB, and qRT-PCR. The current study demonstrated a strong rise in FoxO1 levels in HC-treated Atp7b-/- NSCs, accompanied with dysregulated autophagy and hyperactive apoptosis. Also, it was observed that cell viability was significantly decreased with the over-expressed FoxO1 in HC-treated Atp7b-/- WD model. As intended, silencing FoxO1 effectively inhibited abnormal autophagy in HC-treated Atp7b-/- NSCs, as depicted by a decline in LC3II/I, Beclin-1, ATG3, ATG7, ATG13, and ATG16, whereas simultaneously increasing P62. In addition, silencing FoxO1 suppressed apoptosis via diminishing oxidative stress (OS), and mitochondrial dysfunction in HC-induced Atp7b-/- NSCs. Collectively, these results clearly demonstrate the silencing FoxO1 has the neuroprotective role of suppressing aberrant cellular autophagy and apoptosis, which efficiently attenuates neuronal injury in WD.

The romantic history of signaling pathway discovery in cell death: an updated review

Cell death is a fundamental physiological process in all living organisms. Processes such as embryonic development, organ formation, tissue growth, organismal immunity, and drug response are accompanied by cell death. In recent years with the development of electron microscopy as well as biological techniques, especially the discovery of novel death modes such as ferroptosis, cuprotosis, alkaliptosis, oxeiptosis, and disulfidptosis, researchers have been promoted to have a deeper understanding of cell death modes. In this systematic review, we examined the current understanding of modes of cell death, including the recently discovered novel death modes. Our analysis highlights the common and unique pathways of these death modes, as well as their impact on surrounding cells and the organism as a whole. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on cell death, with a focus on identifying gaps in our knowledge and opportunities for future investigation. We also presented a new insight for macroscopic intracellular survival patterns, namely that intracellular molecular homeostasis is central to the balance of different cell death modes, and this viewpoint can be well justified by the signaling crosstalk of different death modes. These concepts can facilitate the future research about cell death in clinical diagnosis, drug development, and therapeutic modalities.

Unlocking the potential of edible Ulva sp. seaweeds: Metabolomic profiling, neuroprotective mechanisms, and implications for Parkinson's disease management

Green seaweed (Ulva sp.) is frequently used as a food component and nutraceutical agent because of its high polysaccharide and natural fiber content in Asian countries. This study investigates both metabolomic profiling of Ulva sp. and the neuroprotective efficacy of its ethanol extract and its underlying mechanisms in a rotenone-induced rat model of neurodegeneration, mimicking Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans. Metabolomic profiling of Ulva sp. extract was done using liquid chromatography high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and led to the identification of 22 compounds belonging to different chemical classes.Catenin Beta Additionally, this study demonstrated the neuroprotective properties against rotenone-induced PD, which was achieved through the suppression of elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 together with the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, inflammatory mediators, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/serine/threonine protein kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Using a protein-protein interaction network, AKT1, GAPDH, TNF-α, IL-6, caspase 3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Catenin Beta 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, B-cell lymphoma -2, and HSP90AA1 were identified as the top 10 most significant genes. Finally, molecular docking results showed that compounds 1, 3, and 7 might possess a promising anti-parkinsonism effect by binding to active sites of selected hub genes. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the Ulva sp. extract has the potential to be further developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD.

Unveiling the Journey from the Gut to the Brain: Decoding Neurodegeneration-Gut Connection in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease, a classical motor disorder affecting the dopaminergic system of the brain, has been as a disease of the brain, but this classical notion has now been viewed differently as the pathology begins in the gut and then gradually moves up to the brain regions. The microorganisms in the gut play a critical role in maintaining the physiology of the gut from maintaining barrier integrity to secretion of microbial products that maintain a healthy gut state. The pathology subsequently alters the normal composition of gut microbes and causes deleterious effects that ultimately trigger strong neuroinflammation and nonmotor symptoms along with characteristic synucleopathy, a pathological hallmark of the disease. Understanding the complex pathomechanisms in distinct and established preclinical models is the primary goal of researchers to decipher how exactly gut pathology has a central effect; the quest has led to many answered and some open-ended questions for researchers. We summarize the popular opinions and some contrasting views, concise footsteps in the treatment strategies targeting the gastrointestinal system.

ncRNAs and their impact on dopaminergic neurons: Autophagy pathways in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a complex neurological illness that causes severe motor and non-motor symptoms due to a gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The aetiology of PD is influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental, and cellular variables. One important aspect of this pathophysiology is autophagy, a crucial cellular homeostasis process that breaks down and recycles cytoplasmic components. Recent advances in genomic technologies have unravelled a significant impact of ncRNAs on the regulation of autophagy pathways, thereby implicating their roles in PD onset and progression. They are members of a family of RNAs that include miRNAs, circRNA and lncRNAs that have been shown to play novel pleiotropic functions in the pathogenesis of PD by modulating the expression of genes linked to autophagic activities and dopaminergic neuron survival. This review aims to integrate the current genetic paradigms with the therapeutic prospect of autophagy-associated ncRNAs in PD. By synthesizing the findings of recent genetic studies, we underscore the importance of ncRNAs in the regulation of autophagy, how they are dysregulated in PD, and how they represent novel dimensions for therapeutic intervention. The therapeutic promise of targeting ncRNAs in PD is discussed, including the barriers that need to be overcome and future directions that must be embraced to funnel these ncRNA molecules for the treatment and management of PD.

MANF Alleviates Sevoflurane-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Neonatal Mice by Modulating Microglial Activation and Polarization

The precise mechanism underlying sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment remains largely unknown. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a neuroprotective factor that has shown promise in various neurological disorders. However, its impact on sevoflurane-induced alterations has not been investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of MANF in mitigating sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in young mice. Anesthesia with 3% sevoflurane 2 h daily was administered to young mice on postnatal day (P) 3, 6 and 9. We also constructed mono-macrophage-specific MANF knockout (MKO) mice in the mechanistic studies. Finally, the recombinant human MANF (rhMANF, 20 μg) protein was intraperitoneally administrated to neonatal mice before the sevoflurane anesthesia and the cognitive function, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine and synapse-associated protein PSD95, the status of neural apoptosis, microglia activation and oxidative stress in hippocampus of the mice were investigated. The sevoflurane anesthesia increased the expression of endogenous MANF in the hippocampus, especially in microglia. MKO upregulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), accelerated the neural apoptosis and the activation of microglia in hippocampus in young mice. MANF reversed the sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-α, the neural apoptosis and the reduction of the postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD95) induced by sevoflurane anesthesia. Also, pretreatment with MANF alleviated the sevoflurane-induced activation of microglia and oxidative stress. Our current results demonstrated that MANF ameliorated neurotoxicity induced by the sevoflurane anesthesia in young mice, and such protective effect was associated with inhibition of microglia activation and neuroinflammation.

6-Hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline Demonstrates Neuroprotective Properties in Experimental Parkinson's Disease by Enhancing the Antioxidant System, Normalising Chaperone Activity and Suppressing Apoptosis

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, whereby disturbances within the antioxidant defence system, increased aggregation of proteins, and activation of neuronal apoptosis all have a crucial role in the pathogenesis. In this context, exploring the neuroprotective capabilities of compounds that sustain the effectiveness of cellular defence systems in neurodegenerative disorders is worthwhile. During this study, we assessed how 6-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (HTHQ), which has antioxidant properties, affects the functioning of the antioxidant system, the activity of NADPH-generating enzymes and chaperones, and the level of apoptotic processes in rats with rotenone-induced PD. Six groups of animals were formed for our experiment, each with 12 animals. These were: a control group, animals with rotenone-induced PD, rats with PD given HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg, rats with PD given HTHQ at a dose of 25 mg/kg, animals with pathology who were administered a comparison drug rasagiline, and control animals who were administered HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The study results indicate that administering HTHQ led to a significant decrease in oxidative stress in PD rats. The enhanced redox status in animal tissues was linked with the recovery of antioxidant enzyme activities and NADPH-generating enzyme function, as well as an upsurge in the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes and factors Nrf2 and Foxo1. Administering HTHQ to rats with PD normalized the chaperone-like activity and mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70. Rats treated with the compound displayed lower apoptosis intensity when compared to animals with pathology. Therefore, owing to its antioxidant properties, HTHQ demonstrated a beneficial impact on the antioxidant system, resulting in decreased requirements for chaperone activation and the inhibition of apoptosis processes triggered in PD. HTHQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg had a greater impact on the majority of the examined variables compared to rasagiline.

Antioxidants activities of phytochemicals perspective modulation of autophagy and apoptosis to treating cancer

The study of chemicals extracted from natural sources should be encouraged due to the significant number of cancer deaths each year and the financial burden imposed by this disease on society. The causes of almost all cancers involve a combination of lifestyle, environmental factors, and genetic and inherited factors. Modern medicine researchers are increasingly interested in traditional phytochemicals as they hold potential for new bioactive compounds with medical applications. Recent publications have provided evidence of the antitumor properties of phytochemicals, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, thereby opening new avenues for their use in modern medicine. Various studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between apoptosis and autophagy, two critical mechanisms involved in cancer formation and regulation, indicating diverse forms of crosstalk between them. Phytochemicals have the ability to activate both pro-apoptotic and pro-autophagic pathways. Therefore, understanding how phytochemicals influence the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy is crucial for developing a new cancer treatment strategy that targets these molecular mechanisms. This review aims to explore natural phytochemicals that have demonstrated anticancer effects, focusing on their role in regulating the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy, which contributes to uncontrolled tumor cell growth. Additionally, the review highlights the limitations and challenges of current research methodologies while suggesting potential avenues for future research in this field.

Programmed cell death 4 blocks autophagy and promotes dopaminergic neuronal injury in Parkinson's disease

Dysregulation of autophagy has previously been associated with the formation of toxic proteins, such as α-synuclein, in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, it has been indicated that programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) can inhibit autophagy in certain conditions, such as diabetic nephropathy, atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, the hypothesis that PDCD4 can promote dopaminergic neuron damage through autophagy was proposed. To explore this hypothesis, the present study treated human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to establish an in vitro model of PD. The potential effects of PDCD4 knockdown on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, cell apoptosis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and autophagy were then evaluated in this model of PD using an LDH assay kit, flow cytometry, western blotting, ELISA and immunofluorescence. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was also applied to treat these cells, and its effects on these aforementioned parameters following PDCD4 knockdown were assessed. MPP+ was shown to increase the expression levels of PDCD4 in SK-N-SH cells. PDCD4 knockdown was revealed to suppress LDH release, cell apoptosis, secretion of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress. In addition, PDCD4 knockdown was demonstrated to enhance autophagy in cells treated with MPP+. By contrast, 3-MA treatment reversed the aforementioned effects of PDCD4 knockdown on cells, suggesting autophagy to be among the processes regulated by PDCD4 in SK-N-SH cells. The results of the present study suggested the existence of regulatory effects mediated by PDCD4 on autophagy in MPP+-induced SK-N-SH cells, offering potential future targets for PD therapy.

Parkinson's Disease and MicroRNAs: A Duel Between Inhibition and Stimulation of Apoptosis in Neuronal Cells

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent diseases of central nervous system that is caused by degeneration of the substantia nigra's dopamine-producing neurons through apoptosis. Apoptosis is regulated by initiators' and executioners' caspases both in intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, further resulting in neuronal damage. In that context, targeting apoptosis appears as a promising therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Non-coding RNAs-more especially, microRNAs, or miRNAs-are a promising target for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases because they are essential for a number of cellular processes, including signaling, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and gene regulation. It is estimated that a substantial portion of coding genes (more than 60%) are regulated by miRNAs. These small regulatory molecules can have wide-reaching consequences on cellular processes like apoptosis, both in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Furthermore, it was recommended that a disruption in miRNA expression levels could also result in perturbation of typical apoptosis pathways, which may be a factor in certain diseases like PD. The latest research on miRNAs and their impact on neural cell injury in PD models by regulating the apoptosis pathway is summarized in this review article. Furthermore, the importance of lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network for regulating apoptosis pathways in PD models and treatment is explored. These results can be utilized for developing new strategies in PD treatment.

Targeting autophagy drug discovery: Targets, indications and development trends

Autophagy plays a vital role in sustaining cellular homeostasis and its alterations have been implicated in the etiology of many diseases. Drugs development targeting autophagy began decades ago and hundreds of agents were developed, some of which are licensed for the clinical usage. However, no existing intervention specifically aimed at modulating autophagy is available. The obstacles that prevent drug developments come from the complexity of the actual impact of autophagy regulators in disease scenarios. With the development and application of new technologies, several promising categories of compounds for autophagy-based therapy have emerged in recent years. In this paper, the autophagy-targeted drugs based on their targets at various hierarchical sites of the autophagic signaling network, e.g., the upstream and downstream of the autophagosome and the autophagic components with enzyme activities are reviewed and analyzed respectively, with special attention paid to those at preclinical or clinical trials. The drugs tailored to specific autophagy alone and combination with drugs/adjuvant therapies widely used in clinical for various diseases treatments are also emphasized. The emerging drug design and development targeting selective autophagy receptors (SARs) and their related proteins, which would be expected to arrest or reverse the progression of disease in various cancers, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders, are critically reviewed. And the challenges and perspective in clinically developing autophagy-targeted drugs and possible combinations with other medicine are considered in the review.

Traditional Chinese medicine and its active substances reduce vascular injury in diabetes via regulating autophagic activity

Due to its high prevalence, poor prognosis, and heavy burden on healthcare costs, diabetic vascular complications have become a significant public health issue. Currently, the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetes-induced vascular complications remain incompletely understood. Autophagy, a highly conserved process of lysosomal degradation, maintains intracellular homeostasis and energy balance via removing protein aggregates, damaged organelles, and exogenous pathogens. Increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated autophagy may contribute to vascular abnormalities in various types of blood vessels, including both microvessels and large vessels, under diabetic conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses the characteristics of "multiple components, multiple targets and multiple pathways," and its safety has been demonstrated, particularly with minimal toxicity in liver and kidney. Thus, TCM has gained increasing attention from researchers. Moreover, recent studies have indicated that Chinese herbal medicine and its active compounds can improve vascular damage in diabetes by regulating autophagy. Based on this background, this review summarizes the classification, occurrence process, and related molecular mechanisms of autophagy, with a focus on discussing the role of autophagy in diabetic vascular damage and the protective effects of TCM and its active compounds through the regulation of autophagy in diabetes. Moreover, we systematically elucidate the autophagic mechanisms by which TCM formulations, individual herbal extracts, and active compounds regulate diabetic vascular damage, thereby providing new candidate drugs for clinical treatment of vascular complications in diabetes. Therefore, further exploration of TCM and its active compounds with autophagy-regulating effects holds significant research value for achieving targeted therapeutic approaches for diabetic vascular complications.

Neuroprotective potential of Afzelin: A novel approach for alleviating catalepsy and modulating Bcl-2 expression in Parkinson's disease therapy

The lost dopaminergic neurons in the brain prevent mobility in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is impossible to stop the disease's progress by means of symptoms management. Research focuses on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal degeneration. Exploration of potential neuroprotective drugs against prosurvival B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein is ongoing. An investigable cause behind PD, as well as preventive measures, could be discovered considering the association between such behavioural manifestations (cataleptic behaviours) and PD. The compound Afzelin, known to guard the nervous system, was chosen for this study. The study was done on rats divided into six different groups. First, there was a control group. The other group was treated with Reserpine (RES) (1 mg/kg). The third group received RES (1 mg/kg) and levodopa (30 mg/kg). The remaining three groups were given RES (1 mg/kg) in conjunction with Afzelin at the following doses: 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg. Cataleptic behavior and mobility in rats was assessed using the rotarod, open field, and modified forced-swim tests. thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), biogenic amines, and Bcl-2 level in rat tissue homogenates were considered. According to the study's findings, the rats treated through co-administration of RES and Afzelin improved significantly in their cataleptic behaviours and locomotor activity. In addition, administering Afzelin itself caused Bcl-2 expression, which could have some neuroprotection properties. This study provides meaningful information on the effectiveness of Afzelin in handling catalepsy and other degenerative neurologic disorders. As a result, other studies need to be conducted to establish the reasons behind the reactions and determine the long-term effects of Afzelin on these conditions.

High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein: A Plausible Therapeutic Molecular Target in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a widespread neurodegenerative disorder that exerts a broad variety of detrimental effects on people's health. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, α-synuclein aggregation and autophagy dysfunction may all play a role in the development of PD. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these pathophysiological processes remain unknown. Currently, research in PD has focussed on high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and different laboratory approaches have shown promising outcomes to some level for blocking HMGB1. Given that HMGB1 regulates mitochondrial dysfunction, participates in neuroinflammation, and modulates autophagy and apoptosis, it is hypothesised that HMGB1 has significance in the onset of PD. In the current review, research targeting multiple roles of HMGB1 in PD pathology was integrated, and the issues that need future attention for targeted therapeutic approaches are mentioned.

In-silico Codon Context and Synonymous Usage Analysis of Genes for Molecular Mechanisms Inducing Autophagy and Apoptosis with Reference to Neurodegenerative Disorders

Background

Autophagy and apoptosis are cellular processes that maintain cellular homeostasis and remove damaged or aged organelles or aggregated and misfolded proteins. Stress factors initiate the signaling pathways common to autophagy and apoptosis. An imbalance in the autophagy and apoptosis, led by cascade of molecular mechanism prior to both processes culminate into neurodegeneration.

Objective

In present study, we urge to investigate the codon usage pattern of genes which are common before initiating autophagy and apoptosis.

Methods

In the present study, we took up eleven genes (DAPK1, BECN1, PIK3C3 (VPS34), BCL2, MAPK8, BNIP3 L (NIX), PMAIP1, BAD, BID, BBC3, MCL1) that are part of molecular signaling mechanism prior to autophagy and apoptosis. We analyzed dinucleotide odds ratio, codon bias, usage, context, and rare codon analysis.

Results

CpC and GpG dinucleotides were abundant, with the dominance of G/C ending codons as preferred codons. Clustering analysis revealed that MAPK8 had a distinct codon usage pattern compared to other envisaged genes. Both positive and negative contexts were observed, and GAG-GAG followed by CTG-GCC was the most abundant codon pair. Of the six synonymous arginine codons, two codons CGT and CGA were the rarest.

Conclusions

The information presented in the study may be used to manipulate the process of autophagy and apoptosis and to check the pathophysiology associated with their dysregulation.

Huperzine A injection ameliorates motor and cognitive abnormalities via regulating multiple pathways in a murine model of Parkinson's disease

As a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, the satisfied therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) are still unavailable. As a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, the neuroprotective characteristic of Huperzine A (HupA) was supported by previous studies. However, questions remain on whether HupA injection (HAI, a main preparation of HupA) intervention conduces to PD treatment and if so, the potential molecular mechanisms. In this study, the efficacies of HAI treatment on PD-like pathological phenotypes were evaluated in a MPTP-induced PD murine model. The network pharmacology, transcriptome sequencing and experimental verification were integrated to comprehensively reveal the primary molecular mechanisms. Therapeutically, HAI intervention significantly improved the impaired locomotor behaviors as well as learning and memory abilities, and prevented the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of PD mice. The network pharmacology analysis combined with experimental results showed that HAI treatment could effectively restore the disordered transcriptional levels of inflammatory factors and apoptosis related genes in the SNpc and striatum tissues of PD mice. Transcriptome sequencing results found that inflammation and oxidative phosphorylation served as significant functional mechanisms involved in HAI administration. The experimental verification indicated that HAI treatment effectively regulated the abnormal transcription levels of inflammation and oxidative phosphorylation related hub genes in the hippocampal samples of PD mice. In addition, molecular docking suggested strong affinity between HupA and the above core targets. Overall, this work displayed the reliable therapeutic effects of HAI on ameliorating the pathological symptoms of PD mice via modulating multiple pathways. The current findings were expected to provide a potential anti-PD agent.

Antitumor activity of a whey peptide-based enteral diet in C26 colon tumor-bearing mice

The antitumor effects of a whey peptide-based enteral diet, whose main components are whey peptides and yogurt fermented by Lactobacillus delbureckii subsp. bulgaricus 2038 and Streptococcus thermophilus 1131, were investigated in mice. Our results indicated that the tumor weight in C26 carcinoma-transplanted mice was significantly smaller at day 16 post-implantation in the whey peptide-based enteral diet group (1.36 ± 0.54 g) than in the control group (1.83 ± 0.89 g) (p < 0.05). The whey peptide-based enteral diet group exhibited higher tumor cell apoptosis, lower cell proliferation, and inactive angiogenesis indicating by higher degree of TUNEL, lower positive rates of Ki-67, VEGF, and CD34 than control group. It also attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration of spleen and liver as indicated by the decreased spleen index (10.89 ± 2.06 vs. 12.85 ± 2.92, p < 0.05) and increased liver index (58.09 ± 11.37 vs. 53.19 ± 6.67, p < 0.05) in the whey peptide-based enteral diet group than the control diet group. These results proved the inhibitory effect of the whey peptide-based enteral diet on tumor growth, which might be attributed to the whey peptides component. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A whey peptide-based enteral diet (MEIN® ), containing cheese whey and multiple nutrients, was selected to verify the anti-tumor effect by animal experiments. The tumor weight growth, tumor cell proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration of spleen and liver in tumor model mice was significantly attenuated by the whey peptide-based enteral diet, that might be attributed to its whey peptides component. These results provided an additive direction for cancer therapy and need a further study including clinical trials.

Pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for Parkinson disease revealed by bioinformatic analysis of necroptosis and immune cell infiltration

Parkinson disease (PD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease with very high prevalence by age 80 years. Necroptosis is a newly identified form of programmed cell death implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, but has not yet been conclusively associated with PD. This study examined the contributions of necroptosis to PD using bioinformatics analysis. Datasets GSE26927, GSE49036, and GSE54536 from the gene expression omnibus database were analyzed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were then subjected to gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis to identify associated functions and signaling mechanisms. Necroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (NRDEGs) were then identified by the overlap of DEGs and the necroptosis gene set hsa04217. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were then used to build and visualize a protein-protein interaction network and identify hubs and key functional modules among NRDEGs. In addition, immune cell type abundance was analyzed based on DEGs using ImmuCellAI. The identified DEGs, KEGG pathway enrichment terms, and protein-protein interaction network structures of NRDEGs were validated using an independent dataset (GSE54536). The necroptosis pathway was significantly enriched and activated in PD samples. Thirteen NRDEGs were identified in the GSE26927 and GSE49036 datasets, including receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 1, CASP8 and FADD like apoptosis regulator, TNFRSF1A associated via death domain, and interleukin 1 beta, of which 6 were validated in the GSE54536 dataset. According to gene ontology and KEGG analyses, these NRDEGs are involved in necroptosis-related processes, apoptosis, B cell receptor signaling pathways, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Analysis of DEGs also revealed significant increases in CD8 + T cell and Tex cell infiltration and significant decreases in B cell and T gamma delta cell infiltration within the PD brain. Necroptosis pathways are active in PD and associated with immune cell infiltration. The factors controlling necroptotic signaling and immune infiltration identified in this study may be valuable diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for PD.

Deciphering the Mysterious Relationship between the Cross-Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative and Oncological Diseases

The relationship between oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders is extremely complex and is a topic of concern among a growing number of researchers around the world. In recent years, convincing scientific evidence has accumulated that indicates the contribution of a number of etiological factors and pathophysiological processes to the pathogenesis of these two fundamentally different diseases, thus demonstrating an intriguing relationship between oncology and neurodegeneration. In this review, we establish the general links between three intersecting aspects of oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., oxidative stress, epigenetic dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, examining each process in detail to establish an unusual epidemiological relationship. We also focus on reviewing the current trends in the research and the clinical application of the most promising chemical structures and therapeutic platforms that have a modulating effect on the above processes. Thus, our comprehensive analysis of the set of molecular determinants that have obvious cross-functional pathways in the pathogenesis of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases can help in the creation of advanced diagnostic tools and in the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.

Senolytic and senomorphic secondary metabolites as therapeutic agents in Drosophila melanogaster models of Parkinson's disease

Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model organism for a wide range of biological exploration. The well-known advantages of D. melanogaster include its relatively simple biology, the ease with which it is genetically modified, the relatively low financial and time costs associated with their short gestation and life cycles, and the large number of offspring they produce per generation. D. melanogaster has facilitated the discovery of many significant insights into the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and has served as an excellent preclinical model of PD-related therapeutic discovery. In this review, we provide an overview of the major D. melanogaster models of PD, each of which provide unique insights into PD-relevant pathology and therapeutic targets. These models are discussed in the context of their past, current, and future potential use for studying the utility of secondary metabolites as therapeutic agents in PD. Over the last decade, senolytics have garnered an exponential interest in their ability to mitigate a broad spectrum of diseases, including PD. Therefore, an emphasis is placed on the senolytic and senomorphic properties of secondary metabolites. It is expected that D. melanogaster will continue to be critical in the effort to understand and improve treatment of PD, including their involvement in translational studies focused on secondary metabolites.

Arsenic induced autophagy-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

Arsenic contamination of groundwater remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity receives increasing attention, however, the mechanism remains unclear. Hippocampal neuronal death is regarded as the main event of arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction. Mitochondria lesion is closely related to cell death, however, the effects of arsenic on PGAM5-regulated mitochondrial dynamics has not been documented. Crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis is complicated and autophagy has a dual role in the apoptosis pathways in neuronal cells. In this study, arsenic exposure resulted in mitochondrial PGAM5 activation and subsequent activation of apoptosis and AMPK-mTOR dependent autophagy. Intervention by autophagy activator Rapamycin or inhibitor 3-MA, both targeting at mTOR, accordingly induced activation or inhibition of apoptosis. Intervention by MK-3903 or dorsomorphin, activator or inhibitor of AMPK, received similar results. Our findings suggested that arsenic-induced PGAM5 activation played a role in AMPK-mTOR dependent autophagy and arsenic induced autophagy-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

The role and function of CLU in cancer biology and therapy

Clusterin (CLU) is a highly evolutionary conserved glycoprotein with multiple isoform-specific functions and is widely distributed in different species. Accumulated evidence has shown the prominent role of CLU in regulating several essential physiological processes, including programmed cell death, metastasis, invasion, proliferation and cell growth via regulating diverse signaling pathways to mediate cancer progression in various cancers, such as prostate, breast, lung, liver, colon, bladder and pancreatic cancer. Several studies have revealed the potential benefit of inhibiting CLU in CLU inhibition-based targeted cancer therapies in vitro, in vivo or in human, suggesting CLU is a promising therapeutic target. This review discusses the multiple functions and mechanisms of CLU in regulating tumor progression of various cancers and summarizes the inhibitors of CLU used in CLU inhibition-based targeted cancer therapies.

Inosine attenuates rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats by alleviating the imbalance between autophagy and apoptosis

Growing evidence points to impaired autophagy as one of the major factors implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Autophagy is a downstream target of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Inosine has already demonstrated a neuroprotective effect against neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases, mainly due its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We, herein, aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effects of inosine against rotenone-induced PD in rats and to focus on the activation of AMPK-mediated autophagy. Inosine successfully increased p-AMPK/AMPK ratio in PD rats and improved their motor performance and muscular co-ordination (assessed by rotarod, open field, and grip strength tests, as well as by manual gait analysis). Furthermore, inosine was able to mitigate the rotenone-induced histopathological alterations and to restore the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in PD rats' substantia nigra. Inosine-induced AMPK activation resulted in an autophagy enhancement, as demonstrated by the increased striatal Unc-S1-like kinase1 and beclin-1 expression, and also by the increment light chain 3II to light chain 3I ratio, along with the decline in striatal mammalian target of rapamycin and p62 protein expressions. The inosine-induced stimulation of AMPK also attenuated neuronal apoptosis and promoted antioxidant activity. Unsurprisingly, these neuroprotective effects were antagonized by a preadministration of dorsomorphin (an AMPK inhibitor). In conclusion, inosine exerted neuroprotective effects against the rotenone-induced neuronal loss via an AMPK activation and through the restoration of the imbalance between autophagy and apoptosis. These findings support potential application of inosine in PD treatment.

The Therapeutic Potential of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives in Parkinson's Disease: Focus on In Vivo Research Advancements

Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCDs) are polyphenols that are abundant in cereals, coffee, tea, wine, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods. To aid in the clinical prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), we evaluated in vivo investigations of the pharmacological properties of HCDs relevant to PD, and their pharmacokinetic and safety aspects. An extensive search of published journals was conducted using several literature databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science. The search terms included "hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives," "ferulic acid," "caffeic acid," "sinapic acid," "p-coumaric acid," "Parkinson's disease," and combinations of these keywords. As of April 2023, 455 preclinical studies were retrieved, of which 364 were in vivo studies; we included 17 of these articles on the pharmaceutics of HCDs in PD. Available evidence supports the protective effects of HCDs in PD due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, as well as antiapoptotic physiological activities. Studies have identified possible molecular targets and pathways for the protective actions of HCDs in PD. However, the paucity of studies on these compounds in PD, and the risk of toxicity induced with high-dose applications, limits their use. Thus, multifaceted studies of HCDs in vitro and in vivo are needed.

Disease-Modifying Effects of Vincamine Supplementation in Drosophila and Human Cell Models of Parkinson's Disease Based on DJ-1 Deficiency

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Current therapies are only symptomatic and are not able to stop or delay its progression. In order to search for new and more effective therapies, our group carried out a high-throughput screening assay, identifying several candidate compounds that are able to improve locomotor ability in DJ-1β mutant flies (a Drosophila model of familial PD) and reduce oxidative stress (OS)-induced lethality in DJ-1-deficient SH-SY5Y human cells. One of them was vincamine (VIN), a natural alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Vinca minor. Our results showed that VIN is able to suppress PD-related phenotypes in both Drosophila and human cell PD models. Specifically, VIN reduced OS levels in PD model flies. Besides, VIN diminished OS-induced lethality by decreasing apoptosis, increased mitochondrial viability, and reduced OS levels in DJ-1-deficient human cells. In addition, our results show that VIN might be exerting its beneficial role, at least partially, by the inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Therefore, we propose that these channels might be a promising target in the search for new compounds to treat PD and that VIN represents a potential therapeutic treatment for the disease.

DPP-4 inhibitors and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Parkinson's disease: a mutual relationship

Parkinson's disease (PD) usually occurs due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Management of PD is restricted to symptomatic improvement. Consequently, a novel treatment for managing motor and non-motor symptoms in PD is necessary. Abundant findings support the protection of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in PD. Consequently, this study aims to reveal the mechanism of DPP-4 inhibitors in managing PD. DPP-4 inhibitors are oral anti-diabetic agents approved for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is linked with an increased chance of the occurrence of PD. Extended usage of DPP-4 inhibitors in T2DM patients may attenuate the development of PD by inhibiting inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Thus, DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin could be a promising treatment against PD neuropathology via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic impacts. DPP-4 inhibitors, by increasing endogenous GLP-1, can also reduce memory impairment in PD. In conclusion, the direct effects of DPP-4 inhibitors or indirect effects through increasing circulating GLP-1 levels could be an effective therapeutic strategy in treating PD patients through modulation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurogenesis.

METTL3 Affects Spinal Cord Neuronal Apoptosis by Regulating Bcl-2 m6A Modifications After Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe type of neurological trauma. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the most common internal modifications of RNA. The role of METTL3, the predominant methylation enzyme of m6A modification, in SCI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of methyltransferase METTL3 in SCI.

METHODS

After establishing the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model of PC12 cells and rat spinal cord hemisection model, we found that the expression of METTL3 and the overall m6A modification level were significantly increased in neurons. The m6A modification was identified on B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) by bioinformatics analysis, and m6A-RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA immunoprecipitation. In addition, METTL3 was blocked by the specific inhibitor STM2457 and gene knockdown, and then apoptosis levels were measured.

RESULTS

In different models, we found that the expression of METTL3 and the overall m6A modification level were significantly increased in neurons. After inducing OGD, inhibition of METTL3 activity or expression increased the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, inhibited neuronal apoptosis, and improved neuronal viability in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of METTL3 activity or expression can inhibit the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons after SCI through the m6A/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

Peroxiredoxin-6 Released by Astrocytes Contributes to Neuroapoptosis During Ischemia

Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6), a member of the peroxiredoxin family, has progressively emerged as a possible therapeutic target for a variety of brain diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke. However, the role of PRDX6 in neurons under ischemic conditions has remained elusive. Here, we found that astrocytes could release PRDX6 extracellularly after OGD/R, and that PRDX6 release actually worsened neuroapoptosis under OGD/R. We discovered a unique PRDX6/RAGE/JNK signaling pathway that contributes to the effect of neuroapoptosis. We applied a specific inhibitor of the RAGE signaling pathway in a mouse MCAO model and observed significant alterations in animal behavior. Considered together, our findings show the crucial role of the astrocyte-released PRDX6 in the process of neuroapoptosis caused by OGD/R, and could provide novel insights for investigating the molecular mechanism of protecting brain function from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The deficiency of Maged1 attenuates Parkinson's disease progression in mice

Melanoma-associated antigen D1 (Maged1) has critical functions in the central nervous system in both developmental and adult stages. Loss of Maged1 in mice has been linked to depression, cognitive disorder, and drug addiction. However, the role of Maged1 in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear. In this study, we observed that Maged1 was expressed in the dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra in mice and humans, which could be upregulated by the in vivo or in vitro treatment with 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP+). Genetic ablation of Maged1 in mice attenuated motor deficits, the loss of DA neurons, and disease progression induced by MPTP. Moreover, Maged1 deficiency protected DA neurons against MPP+-induced toxicity in primary cultured cells. Mechanistically, loss of Maged1 upregulated the Akt signaling pathway and downregulated the mTOR signaling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells, which may in turn attenuate the cell apoptosis and impairment of autophagy. Consistent with it, the degeneration of midbrain and striatum among elderly Maged1 knockout mice was relatively mild compared to those in wild-type mice under physiological conditions. Taken together, this study suggested that Maged1 deficiency inhibited apoptosis and enhanced autophagy, which may provide a new potential target for the therapy of PD.

Neuroprotective Roles of Apelin-13 in Neurological Diseases

Apelin is a natural ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ, and the apelin/APJ system is widely distributed in vivo. Among the apelin family, apelin-13 is the major apelin isoform in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, and is involved in the regulation of various physiopathological mechanisms such as apoptosis, neuroinflammation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress. Apelin is currently being extensively studied in the nervous system, and apelin-13 has been shown to be associated with the onset and progression of a variety of neurological disorders, including stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, spinal cord injury (SCI), and psychiatric diseases. This study summarizes the pathophysiological roles of apelin-13 in the development and progression of neurological related diseases.

SIRT1 pathway in Parkinson's disease: a faraway snapshot but so close

Silent information regulator (SIRT) has distinctive enzymatic activities and physiological functions to control cell-cycle progression, gene expression, and DNA stability by targeting histone and non-histone proteins. SIRT1 enhances synaptic formation and synaptic activity, and therefore, can reduce the progression of various degenerative brain diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). SIRT1 activity is decreased by aging with a subsequent increased risk for the development of degenerative brain diseases. Inhibition of SIRT1 promotes inflammatory reactions since SIRT1 inhibits transcription of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) which also inhibits SIRT1 activation via activation of microRNA and miR-34a which reduce NAD synthesis. SIRT1 is highly expressed in microglia as well as neurons, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this review aimed to find the possible role of SIRT1 in PD neuropathology. SIRT1 has neuroprotective effects; therefore, downregulation of SIRT1 during aging promotes p53 expression and may increase the vulnerability of neuronal cell deaths. PD neuropathology is linked with the sequence of inflammatory changes and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines due to the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. In addition, oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis contribute mutually to PD neuropathology. Thus, SIRT1 and SIRT1 activators play a crucial role in the mitigation of PD neuropathology through the amelioration of oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling pathways.

Knockdown of PDCD4 ameliorates neural cell apoptosis and mitochondrial injury through activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and hampers normal living. It has been reported that programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is associated with tumor suppression, inflammatory response, and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PDCD4 in PD.

METHODS

The in vivo and in vitro PD models were established by MPTP-induced mice and MMP+ stimulated MN9D cells, respectively. The expression of PDCD4 was detected by western blot. The MN9D cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT and flow cytometry assay. Moreover, the MN9D cell mitochondrial injury was evaluated by JC-1 staining.

RESULTS

In this study, PDCD4 was highly expressed in brain tissue of MPTP-induced PD mouse model. In a loss-function experiments, knockdown of PDCD4 promoted MN9D cell viability and allayed MPP+-triggered MN9D cell apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of PDCD4 ameliorated MPP+-evoked MN9D cell mitochondrial injury. Mechanically, knockdown of PDCD4 abolished the effect of MMP+ stimulation via activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal. Notably, the protective effects of shPDCD4 on cell apoptosis and mitochondrial injury were suppressed by PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

CONCLUSION

In summary,knockdown of PDCD4 ameliorates neural cell apoptosis and mitochondrial injury through activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal, providing a novel target for PD treatment.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Potential application of heat shock proteins as therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common chronic neurodegenerative disease, and the heat shock proteins (HSPs) are proved to be of great value for PD. In addition, HSPs can maintain protein homeostasis, degrade and inhibit protein aggregation by properly folding and activating intracellular proteins in PD. This study mainly summarizes the important roles of HSPs in PD and explores their feasibility as targets. We introduced the structural and functional characteristics of HSPs and the physiological functions of HSPs in PD. HSPs can protect neurons from damage by degrading aggregates with three mechanisms, including the aggregation and removing α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates, promotion the autophagy of abnormal proteins, and inhibition the apoptosis of degenerated neurons. This study underscores the importance of HSPs as targets in PD and helps to expand new mechanisms in PD treatment strategies.

Non-SUMOylated alternative spliced isoforms of alpha-synuclein are more aggregation-prone and toxic

The exon skipping of α-Synuclein (α-Syn), the main constituent of the abnormal protein aggregation in Lewy bodies of Parkinson's disease (PD), forms four isoforms. In contrast to the full length α-Syn (α-Syn 140), little is known about the splice isoforms' properties and functions. SUMOylation, a post-translational modification, regulates α-Syn function, aggregation, and degradation, but information about α-Syn isoforms and the effect of SUMOylation on them is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the SUMOylation of α-Syn isoforms and its impact on cell death and α-Syn aggregation. In a cellular model of PD induced by rotenone, cell toxicity, SUMOylation, and α-Syn aggregation with or without isoforms overexpression were evaluated. First, rotenone induced cell toxicity and α-Syn aggregation, with a significant reduction of SUMOylation and autophagy. Boosting SUMOylation prevented α-Syn aggregation, phosphorylation and recovery of autophagy. Moreover, α-Syn 140 and α-Syn 126 were SUMOylated while the other two isoforms, α-Syn 112 and 98 were not and their overexpression showed that were more toxic and induced more α-Syn aggregation. Rotenone increased their toxicity that was not affected by boosting SUMOylation. These results may indicate a role of SUMOylation in modulating α-Syn aggregation, inducing to understanding more about the behavior of α-Syn isoforms.

The emerging role of circular RNAs in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and the most common movement disorder. It involves a gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although many studies have been conducted, the underlying molecular pathways of PD remain largely unknown. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of non-coding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure, are common in the brain. They are stable, conserved molecules that are widely expressed in eukaryotes in tissue-, cell-, and development-specific patterns. Many circRNAs have recently been identified in nervous system diseases, and some circRNA expression profiles have been linked to PD. Given that recent research has indicated the essential roles of various circRNAs in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, the identification of individual circRNAs may be a promising strategy for finding new treatment targets for PD. Moreover, the search for circRNAs with high specificity and sensitivity will open up new avenues for the early diagnosis and treatment of PD. Herein, we address the biogenesis, properties, and roles of circRNAs and review their potential utility as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in PD.

HOTAIRM1 knockdown reduces MPP+-induced oxidative stress injury of SH-SY5Y cells by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Objective

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease with complex pathogenesis. Although HOXA transcript antisense RNA myeloid-specific 1 (HOTAIRM1) is upregulated in PD, its exact role in HOTAIRM1 is seldom reported. The purpose of this study is to research the effect of HOTAIRM1 on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridonium (MPP⁺)-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

Methods

SH-SY5Y cells were treated with MPP⁺ at various concentrations or time points to induce SH-SY5Y cytotoxicity, so as to determine the optimal MPP⁺ concentration and time point. HOTAIRM1 expression upon MPP⁺ treatment was analyzed through qRT-PCR. Next, HOTAIRM1 was downregulated to observe the variance of SH-SY5Y cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress-related indexes, and protein levels of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In addition, rescue experiments were carried out to assess the role of Nrf2 silencing in HOTAIRM1 knockdown on MPP⁺-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

Results

MPP⁺ treatment-induced cytotoxicity and upregulated HOTAIRM1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mechanically, HOTAIRM1 knockdown enhanced cell viability, limited apoptosis, and oxidative stress, therefore protecting SH-SY5Y cells from MPP⁺-induced SH-SY5Y cytotoxicity. On the other hand, HOTAIRM1 knockdown activated the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1. Nrf2 silencing could counteract the neuroprotective effect of HOTAIRM1 knockdown on in vitro PD model.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that HOTAIRM1 knockdown could inhibit apoptosis and oxidative stress and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, therefore exerting neuroprotective effect on the PD cell model.

The function of p53 and its role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease compared to age-related macular degeneration

The protein p53 is the main human tumor suppressor. Since its discovery, extensive research has been conducted, which led to the general assumption that the purview of p53 is also essential for additional functions, apart from the prevention of carcinogenesis. In response to cellular stress and DNA damages, p53 constitutes the key point for the induction of various regulatory processes, determining whether the cell induces cell cycle arrest and DNA repair mechanisms or otherwise cell death. As an implication, aberrations from its normal functioning can lead to pathogeneses. To this day, neurodegenerative diseases are considered difficult to treat, which arises from the fact that in general the underlying pathological mechanisms are not well understood. Current research on brain and retina-related neurodegenerative disorders suggests that p53 plays an essential role in the progression of these conditions as well. In this review, we therefore compare the role and similarities of the tumor suppressor protein p53 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), two of the most prevalent neurological diseases, to the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is among the most common forms of retinal degeneration.

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Maqian Essential Oil against Ectopic Endometrial Stromal Cells and LPS-Induced Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Previous studies revealed that MQEO (Maqian fruits essential oil), which is extracted from the fruit of Maqian (Zanthoxylum myriacanthum var. Pubescens), had a good anti-inflammatory effect, but the effect on endometriosis in vitro remains unknown. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of MQEO against the EESCs (ectopic endometrial stromal cells) were investigated. Cells were treated with a concentration gradient (from 0.025 % to 0.15 %) of MQEO for 24 h and cell viability was detected by CCK-8. In addition, apoptotic rates were investigated using flow cytometry. The effect of MQEO on cell migration was determined by wound-healing and transwell assay. The expression of apoptosis-associated and cell adhesion-related proteins was assessed by western blotting. The transcriptional levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by Real-time qPCR. RNA-seq was used to identify the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in MQEO-pretreated EESCs. We found that the MQEO condition dosage-dependently reduced the cell viability of EESCs. Based on flow cytometry results, the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly with dosage. The wound-healing and transwell results showed that MQEO group exhibited a significantly decreased cell motility and migration ability in comparison with the normal group. Western blotting results showed that MQEO down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and CD44, but up-regulated the cleaved caspase-3 expression in EESCs. What's more, MQEO also inhibited the LPS-induced inflammation in human EECs (endometrial epithelial cells). RNA-seq revealed that 221 DEGs were up-regulated genes and 284 DEGs were down-regulated in MQEO-pretreated EESCs. Our data uncovered the beneficial effects of MQEO in endometriosis and provided new insights into the mechanism of the effect of MQEO on EESCs, suggesting MQEO could be a promising new therapeutic agent for endometriosis.

Systematic Review of the Therapeutic Role of Apoptotic Inhibitors in Neurodegeneration and Their Potential Use in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a deleterious brain disorder affecting cognition, emotion and reality perception. The most widely accepted neurochemical-hypothesis is the imbalance of neurotransmitter-systems. Depleted GABAergic-inhibitory function might produce a regionally-located dopaminergic and glutamatergic-storm in the brain. The dopaminergic-release may underlie the positive psychotic-symptoms while the glutamatergic-release could prompt the primary negative symptoms/cognitive deficits. This may occur due to excessive synaptic-pruning during the neurodevelopmental stages of adolescence/early adulthood. Thus, although SZ is not a neurodegenerative disease, it has been suggested that exaggerated dendritic-apoptosis could explain the limited neuroprogression around its onset. This apoptotic nature of SZ highlights the potential therapeutic action of anti-apoptotic drugs, especially at prodromal stages. If dysregulation of apoptotic mechanisms underlies the molecular basis of SZ, then anti-apoptotic molecules could be a prodromal therapeutic option to halt or prevent SZ. In fact, risk alleles related in apoptotic genes have been recently associated to SZ and shared molecular apoptotic changes are common in the main neurodegenerative disorders and SZ. PRISMA-guidelines were considered. Anti-apoptotic drugs are commonly applied in classic neurodegenerative disorders with promising results. Despite both the apoptotic-hallmarks of SZ and the widespread use of anti-apoptotic targets in neurodegeneration, there is a strikingly scarce number of studies investigating anti-apoptotic approaches in SZ. We analyzed the anti-apoptotic approaches conducted in neurodegeneration and the potential applications of such anti-apoptotic therapies as a promising novel therapeutic strategy, especially during early stages.

The role of BCL-2 family proteins in regulating apoptosis and cancer therapy

Apoptosis, as a very important biological process, is a response to developmental cues or cellular stress. Impaired apoptosis plays a central role in the development of cancer and also reduces the efficacy of traditional cytotoxic therapies. Members of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein family have pro- or anti-apoptotic activities and have been studied intensively over the past decade for their importance in regulating apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and cellular responses to anticancer therapy. Since the inflammatory response induced by apoptosis-induced cell death is very small, at present, the development of anticancer drugs targeting apoptosis has attracted more and more attention. Consequently, the focus of this review is to summarize the current research on the role of BCL-2 family proteins in regulating apoptosis and the development of drugs targeting BCL-2 anti-apoptotic proteins. Additionally, the mechanism of BCL-2 family proteins in regulating apoptosis was also explored. All the findings indicate the potential of BCL-2 family proteins in the therapy of cancer.

Crosstalk between regulatory non-coding RNAs and oxidative stress in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, which imposes an ever-increasing burden on society. Many studies have indicated that oxidative stress may play an important role in Parkinson’s disease through multiple processes related to dysfunction or loss of neurons. Besides, several subtypes of non-coding RNAs are found to be involved in this neurodegenerative disorder. However, the interplay between oxidative stress and regulatory non-coding RNAs in Parkinson’s disease remains to be clarified. In this article, we comprehensively survey and overview the role of regulatory ncRNAs in combination with oxidative stress in Parkinson’s disease. The interaction between them is also summarized. We aim to provide readers with a relatively novel insight into the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, which would contribute to the development of pre-clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Correlation of Ferroptosis and Other Types of Cell Death in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Ferroptosis is defined as an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic cell death pathway, with specific morphological phenotypes and biochemical changes. There is a growing realization that ferroptosis has significant implications for several neurodegenerative diseases. Even though ferroptosis is different from other forms of programmed death such as apoptosis and autophagic death, they involve a number of common protein molecules. This review focuses on current research on ferroptosis and summarizes the cross-talk among ferroptosis, apoptosis, and autophagy that are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. We hope that this information provides new ideas for understanding the mechanisms and searching for potential therapeutic approaches and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Lysosomal K+ channel TMEM175 promotes apoptosis and aggravates symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Lysosomes are degradative organelles and play vital roles in a variety of cellular processes. Ion channels on the lysosomal membrane are key regulators of lysosomal function. TMEM175 has been identified as a lysosomal potassium channel, but its modulation and physiological functions remain unclear. Here, we show that the apoptotic regulator Bcl-2 binds to and inhibits TMEM175 activity. Accordingly, Bcl-2 inhibitors activate the channel in a caspase-independent way. Increased TMEM175 function inhibits mitophagy, disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis, and increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS further activates TMEM175 and thus forms a positive feedback loop to augment apoptosis. In a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD), knockout (KO) of TMEM175 mitigated motor impairment and dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss, suggesting that TMEM175-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Overall, our study reveals that TMEM175 is an important regulatory site in the apoptotic signaling pathway and a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease (PD).

Neuroprotective Effects of Oligosaccharides From Periplaneta Americana on Parkinson’s Disease Models In Vitro and In Vivo

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the neurodegenerative diseases that is characterized by obvious motor and some nonmotor symptoms. Various therapeutics failed in the effective treatment of PD because of impaired neurological function in the brain and various complications. Periplaneta Americana oligosaccharides (OPA), the main active ingredients extracted from the medicine residues of Periplaneta Americana (P. Americana), have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible mechanisms of OPA against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced apotosis in SH-SY5Y cells and its potential neuroprotective effects in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD subacute model mice. The data demonstrated that OPA significantly reversed the MPP⁺-induced decrease in SH-SY5Y cell viability, reduced the proportion of apoptotic cells, and protected SH-SY5Y cells from apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Furthermore, OPA also alleviated the motor dysfunction of PD model mice, prevented the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells, suppressed the apoptosis of substantia nigra cells, and improved the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in vivo, suggesting that OPA demonstrated a significantly neuroprotective effect on PD model mice. These results indicated that OPA might be the possibility of PD therapeutics with economic utility and high safety.

Roles of stress response-related signaling and its contribution to the toxicity of zearalenone in mammals

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin frequently found in cereal crops and cereal-derived foodstuffs worldwide. It affects plant productivity, and is also a serious hazard to humans and animals if being exposed to food/feed contaminated by ZEA. Studies over the last decade have shown that the toxicity of ZEA in animals is mainly mediated by the various stress responses, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and others. Accumulating evidence shows that oxidative stress and ER stress signaling are actively implicated in and contributes to the pathophysiology of various diseases. Biochemically, the deleterious effects of ZEA are associated with apoptosis, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation by regulating the expression of genes implicated in these biological processes. Despite these findings, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these alterations remain unclear. This review summarized the characteristics, metabolism, toxicity and the deleterious effects of ZEA exposure in various tissues of animals. Stress response signaling implicated in the toxicity as well as potential therapeutic options with the ability to reduce the deleterious effects of ZEA in animals were highlighted and discussed.