Trehalose, sucrose and raffinose are novel activators of autophagy in human keratinocytes through an mTOR-independent pathway

Trehalose: Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms-An Updated Review

Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide that has recently gained significant attention for its neuroprotective properties in various models of neurodegeneration. This review provides an overview of available experimental data on the beneficial properties of trehalose for central nervous system pathological conditions. Trehalose's impact on neuronal cell survival and function was also examined. As a result, we identified that trehalose's neuroprotection includes autophagy modulation as well as its capability to stabilize proteins and inhibit the formation of misfolded ones. Moreover, trehalose mitigates oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by stabilizing cellular membranes and modulating mitochondrial function. Furthermore, trehalose attenuates excitotoxicity-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and inhibiting inflammasome activation. A possible connection of trehalose with the gut-brain axis was also examined. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic effects of trehalose in neurodegenerative diseases. According to the conclusions drawn from this study, trehalose is a promising neuroprotective agent as a result of its distinct mechanism of action, which makes this compound a candidate for further research and the development of therapeutic strategies to combat neuronal damage and promote neuroprotection in various neurological diseases.

Trehalose Rescues Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Induced by Ovariectomy through Alleviating Osteoblast Pyroptosis via Promoting Autophagy

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis, a prevalent bone metabolic disease, often requires long-term drug treatments that may lead to serious side effects. Trehalose, a natural disaccharide found in various organisms, has been shown to have a promoting effect on autophagy. However, whether trehalose can improve bone mass recovery in ovariectomized rats and its underlying mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, trehalose was administered to ovariectomized rats to evaluate its therapeutic potential for osteoporosis following ovariectomy.

METHODS

Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical staining techniques were utilized to evaluate the impact of trehalose on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in mice, both in imaging and histological dimensions. Furthermore, the influence of trehalose on osteoblastogenesis and functional activity was quantified through Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining and immunoblotting assays.

RESULTS

Trehalose effectively mitigated bone loss, elevated autophagy and suppressed pyroptosis in ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, 3-methyladenine diminished the protective effects of trehalose, particularly in promoting autophagy and inhibiting pyroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Trehalose demonstrates significant potential in treating osteoporosis by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome-driven pyroptosis, primarily through autophagy promotion. This suggests that trehalose could be a promising, safer alternative treatment for osteoporosis.

The structural characterization and UV-protective properties of an exopolysaccharide from a Paenibacillus isolate

Introduction

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is known to cause damage to the skin, leading to sunburn and photo-aging. Chemical sunscreen products may give rise to health risks including phototoxicity, photosensitivity, and photosensitivity. Natural polysaccharides have attracted considerable interests due to diverse biological activities.

Methods

A novel polysaccharide isolated was purified and structurally characterized using chemical methods followed by HPLC, GLC-MS, as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The photoprotective effect of the EPS on UVB-induced damage was assessed in vitro using cultured keratinocytes and in vivo using C57BL/6 mouse models.

Results

The average molecular weight of the EPS was 5.48 × 106 Da, composed of glucose, mannose and galactose residues at a ratio of 2:2:1. The repeating units of the EPS were →3)-β-D-Glcp (1→3) [β-D-Galp (1→2)-α-D-Glcp (1→2)]-α-D-Manp (1→3)-α-D-Manp (1→. In cultured keratinocytes, the EPS reduced cytotoxicity and excessive ROS production induced by UVB irradiation. The EPS also exhibits an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen degradation found in the photodamage in mice. 1H NMR-based metabolomics analysis for skin suggested that the EPS partly reversed the shifts of metabolic profiles of the skin in UVB-exposed mice.

Conclusion

The EPS exhibits skin photoprotective effects through regulating oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. Our findings highlight that the EPS is a potential candidate in sunscreen formulations for an efficient solution to UVB radiation.

Reversible assembly and disassembly of V-ATPase during the lysosome regeneration cycle

Regulation of the luminal pH of late endocytic compartments in continuously fed mammalian cells is poorly understood. Using normal rat kidney fibroblasts, we investigated the reversible assembly/disassembly of the proton pumping V-ATPase when endolysosomes are formed by kissing and fusion of late endosomes with lysosomes and during the subsequent reformation of lysosomes. We took advantage of previous work showing that sucrosomes formed by the uptake of sucrose are swollen endolysosomes from which lysosomes are reformed after uptake of invertase. Using confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation of NRK cells stably expressing fluorescently tagged proteins, we found net recruitment of the V1 subcomplex during sucrosome formation and loss during lysosome reformation, with a similar time course to RAB7a loss. Addition of invertase did not alter mTORC1 signalling, suggesting that the regulation of reversible V-ATPase assembly/disassembly in continuously fed cells differs from that in cells subject to amino acid depletion/refeeding. Using live cell microscopy, we demonstrated recruitment of a fluorescently tagged V1 subunit during endolysosome formation and a dynamic equilibrium and rapid exchange between the cytosolic and membrane bound pools of this subunit. We conclude that reversible V-ATPase assembly/disassembly plays a key role in regulating endolysosomal/lysosomal pH in continuously fed cells.

Effects of Trehalose Administration in Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type III

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by a deficiency of lysosomal enzymes required for the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), mainly in the central nervous system. Trehalose has been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent to attenuate neuropathology in MPS III. We conducted a single- arm, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy of trehalose treatment in patients with MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB.

METHODS

Five patients with MPS III were enrolled. Trehalose was administrated intravenously (15 g/week) for 12 weeks. Health-related quality of life and cognitive function, serum biomarkers, liver, spleen, and lung imaging were assessed to evaluate trehalose efficacy at baseline and trial end (week 12).

RESULTS

TNO-AZL Preschool children Quality of Life (TAPQOL) scores increased in all patients, and the mean scores for quality of life were increased after the intervention. Serum GAG levels were reduced in all treated patients (however, the differences were not statistically significant). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were reduced in all patients post-treatment (p=0.0039). The mean levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) were also decreased after 12 weeks of treatment with Trehalose. Decreased serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance and increased GPX activity were observed at the end of the study. Decreases in mean splenic length were observed, whereas the liver volume did not change.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in health-related quality of life and serum biomarkers (GAGs, liver aminotransferase levels, antioxidant status), as well as liver and spleen size, were found following 3 months of trehalose administration in patients with MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB.

Natural Activators of Autophagy

Autophagy is the process by which cell contents, such as aggregated proteins, dysfunctional organelles, and cell structures are sequestered by autophagosome and delivered to lysosomes for degradation. As a process that allows the cell to get rid of non-functional components that tend to accumulate with age, autophagy has been associated with many human diseases. In this regard, the search for autophagy activators and the study of their mechanism of action is an important task for treatment of many diseases, as well as for increasing healthy life expectancy. Plants are rich sources of autophagy activators, containing large amounts of polyphenolic compounds in their composition, which can be autophagy activators in their original form, or can be metabolized by the intestinal microbiota to active compounds. This review is devoted to the plant-based autophagy activators with emphasis on the sources of their production, mechanism of action, and application in various diseases. The review also describes companies commercializing natural autophagy activators.

A novel peptidoglycan isolated from Semiaquilegia adoxoides inhibits Aβ42 production via activating autophagy

The accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) containing senile plaques is one of the key histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increasing evidences demonstrated the important role of autophagy in Aβ clearance. Recent studies implied that extracts from Semiaquilegia adoxoides (DC.) Makino could ameliorate the memory of D-galactose induced aging mice. However, the bioactive substance and underlying mechanism remains unknown. Thus, the present study sought to explore the effects of a novel homogenous peptidoglycan on Aβ42 secretion and the underlying mechanism. Briefly, we extracted a novel peptidoglycan named SA02C using hot water extraction and alcohol precipitation with the Mw of 13.72 kDa. SA02C contains 73.33% carbohydrate and 27.83% protein. The structure characterization revealed that its glycan part might mainly composed of galacturonic acid with minor rhamnose in backbone, and branched with glucose, galactose, arabinose, xylose and galacturonic acid. The protein or peptide moiety in SA02C was bonded to the polysaccharide via threonine. Bioactivities test showed that SA02C could reduce Aβ42 production in a dose dependent manner with no obvious cytotoxicity. Mechanism study demonstrated that SA02C could modulate APP processing by upregulating the expression of ADAM10, sAPPα and downregulating BACE1, sAPPβ. Furthermore, SA02C also could stimulate autophagy by promoting the expression of the markers of autophagy such as LC3B and ATG5, resulting in the promotion of Aβ42 phagocytosis.

A Sequential Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine Increases Collagen Deposition in Human Gingival Fibroblasts and in an Engineered 3D Gingival Model under Inflammatory Conditions

Periodontal therapies use immune mediators, but their side effects can increase with dosage. Micro-immunotherapy (MI) is a promising alternative that employs immune regulators at low and ultralow doses to minimize adverse effects. In this study, the effects of 5 capsules and the entire 10-capsule sequence of the sequential MI medicine (MIM-seq) were tested in two in vitro models of periodontitis. Firstly, human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) exposed to interleukin (IL)-1β to induce inflammation were treated with five different capsules of MIM-seq for 3 days or with MIM-seq for 24 days. Subsequently, MIM-seq was analyzed in a 3D model of human tissue equivalent of gingiva (GTE) under the same inflammatory stimulus. Simultaneously, a non-IL-1β-treated control and a vehicle were included. The effects of the treatments on cytotoxicity, collagen deposition, and the secreted levels of IL-1α, IL-6, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were evaluated. None of the tested items were cytotoxic. The complete sequence of MIM-seq decreased PGE2 release and restored collagen deposition levels induced by IL-1β treatment in hGFs exposed to IL-1β. MIM-seq treatment restored collagen production levels in both models. These promising preclinical findings suggest that MIM-seq should be further investigated for periodontitis treatment.

Trehalose attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inducing autophagy in smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide, which has been identified as an autophagy inducer and exhibits protective effect in cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infraction and atherosclerosis. However, the functional role of trehalose in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains undefined.

METHODS

To study the effect of trehalose in AAA, trehalose (1 g/kg per day) were given for 14 continuous days in a mouse model of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm. On day 14, ultrasound was performed to measure aortic diameter before the abdominal aortas were harvested and processed for further analysis. Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining and TUNEL staining were performed on paraffin sections to evaluate vascular histology and apoptosis, immunofluorescence staining and Western-blot were performed to evaluate expression of autophagy markers.

RESULTS

Echocardiography and in situ pictures demonstrated that trehalose attenuated infrarenal aorta dilation. Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining showed elastin degradation was improved in trehalose-treated group. Compared with vehicle-treated mice, trehalose treatment restored smooth muscle cell contractile phenotype with increased α-SMA, Calponin and Myh11 expression. Furthermore, trehalose also attenuated cell apoptosis and leukocytes infiltration. Importantly, trehalose induced autophagy with decrease SQSTM1/p62 accumulation, increased lamp2 expression and LC3B conversion.

CONCLUSION

Trehalose attenuated AAA progression with decreased inflammation and restored SMC contractile phenotype by inducing autophagy. These results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of trehalose in AAA.

Protective Effect of Castanopsis sieboldii Extract against UVB-Induced Photodamage in Keratinocytes

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays disrupt the skin by causing photodamage via processes such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, DNA damage, and/or collagen degradation. Castanopsis sieboldii is an evergreen tree native to the southern Korean peninsula. Although it is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, its protective effect against photodamage in keratinocytes has not been investigated. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the effect of 70% ethanol extract of C. sieboldii leaf (CSL3) on UVB-mediated skin injuries and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. CSL3 treatment restored the cell viability decreased by UVB irradiation. Moreover, CSL3 significantly inhibited UVB- or tert-butyl hydroperoxide-mediated ROS generation in HaCaT cells. ER stress was inhibited, whereas autophagy was upregulated by CSL3 treatment against UVB irradiation. Additionally, CSL3 increased collagen accumulation and cell migration, which were decreased by UVB exposure. Notably, epigallocatechin gallate, the major component of CSL3, improved the cell viability decreased by UVB irradiation through regulation of ER stress and autophagy. Conclusively, CSL3 may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of UVB-induced skin damage.

From ecology to oncology: To understand cancer stem cell dormancy, ask a Brine shrimp (Artemia)

The brine shrimp (Artemia), releases embryos that can remain dormant for up to a decade. Molecular and cellular level controlling factors of dormancy in Artemia are now being recognized or applied as active controllers of dormancy (quiescence) in cancers. Most notably, the epigenetic regulation by SET domain-containing protein 4 (SETD4), is revealed as highly conserved and the primary control factor governing the maintenance of cellular dormancy from Artemia embryonic cells to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Conversely, DEK, has recently emerged as the primary factor in the control of dormancy exit/reactivation, in both cases. The latter has been now successfully applied to the reactivation of quiescent CSCs, negating their resistance to therapy and leading to their subsequent destruction in mouse models of breast cancer, without recurrence or metastasis potential. In this review, we introduce the many mechanisms of dormancy from Artemia ecology that have been translated into cancer biology, and herald Artemia's arrival on the model organism stage. We show how Artemia studies have unlocked the mechanisms of the maintenance and termination of cellular dormancy. We then discuss how the antagonistic balance of SETD4 and DEK fundamentally controls chromatin structure and consequently governs CSCs function, chemo/radiotherapy resistance, and dormancy in cancers. Many key stages from transcription factors to small RNAs, tRNA trafficking, molecular chaperones, ion channels, and links with various pathways and aspects of signaling are also noted, all of which link studies in Artemia to those of cancer on a molecular and/or cellular level. We particularly emphasize that the application of such emerging factors as SETD4 and DEK may open new and clear avenues for the treatment for various human cancers.

A Localized Materials-Based Strategy to Non-Virally Deliver Chondroitinase ABC mRNA Improves Hindlimb Function in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model

Spinal cord injury often results in devastating consequences for those afflicted, with very few therapeutic options. A central element of spinal cord injuries is astrogliosis, which forms a glial scar that inhibits neuronal regeneration post-injury. Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) is an enzyme capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), the predominant extracellular matrix component of the glial scar. However, poor protein stability remains a challenge in its therapeutic use. Messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery is an emerging gene therapy technology for in vivo production of difficult-to-produce therapeutic proteins. Here, mineral-coated microparticles as an efficient, non-viral mRNA delivery vehicles to produce exogenous ChABC in situ within a spinal cord lesion are used. ChABC production reduces the deposition of CSPGs in an in vitro model of astrogliosis, and direct injection of these microparticles within a glial scar forces local overexpression of ChABC and improves recovery of motor function seven weeks post-injury.

Study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of oral trehalose on inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, nutritional and clinical status in traumatic head injury patients receiving enteral nutrition

INTRODUCTION

In traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, inflammatory processes and oxidative stress have been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, disability, increased rate of muscle catabolism, malnutrition, hospital stay and mortality. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that trehalose can decrease inflammatory and oxidative factors. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral trehalose consumption on this marker in critically ill TBI patients at intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a pilot randomised, prospective and double-blind clinical trial. The study sample size is of 20 (10 patients in each group) TBI patients aged 18-65 years at ICU. Randomisation is performed by permuted block randomisation method. The allocation ratio is 1:1. An intervention group will receive 30 g of trehalose instead, as a part of the carbohydrate of daily bolus enteral feeding and the control group will receive standard isocaloric hospital bolus enteral feeding for 12 days. The inflammatory factors (C reactive protein, interleukin 6) and oxidative stress markers (glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, total antioxidant capacity) will be measured at the baseline, at the 6th day, and at the end of the study (12th day). Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill scores, 28-day mortality, anthropometric assessments and the clinical and nutritional status will be measured. Each patient's nutritional needs will be calculated individually. The statistical analysis would be based on the intention to treat.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The vice-chancellor of the research centre of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences is sponsoring this study. IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1400.113.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) Id: IRCT20210508051223N1, Registration date: 26 July 2021.

Modulation of autophagy, apoptosis and oxidative stress: a clue for repurposing metformin in photoaging

Long-term sun exposure is the commonest cause of photoaging, where mutual interplay between autophagy, oxidative stress, and apoptosis is incriminated. In combating photoaging, pharmacological approaches targeted to modulate autophagy are currently gaining more ground. This study aimed to examine repurposing metformin use in such context with or without the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) in ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation-induced skin damage. The study was conducted on 70 female CD1 mice that were randomly assigned into seven groups (10/group): normal control, vehicle-treated-UVA-exposed mice, three metformin UVA-exposed groups (Topical 1 and 10%, and oral 300 mg/kg), topical coQ10 (1%)-treated mice, and combined oral metformin with topical coQ10-treated UVA-exposed mice. After UVA-exposure for 10 weeks (3 times/week), macroscopic signs of photoaging were evaluated. Mice were then euthanized, and the skin was harvested for biochemical estimation of markers for oxidative stress, inflammation, matrix breakdown, and lysosomal function. Histopathological signs of photoaging were also evaluated with immunohistochemical detection of associated changes in autophagic and apoptotic markers. Metformin, mainly by topical application, improved clinical and histologic signs of photoaging. This was associated with suppression of the elevated oxidative stress, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase 1, and caspase, with induction of cathepsin D and subsequent change in anti-LC3 and P62 staining in skin tissue. In addition to metformin antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities, its anti-photoaging effect is mainly attributed to enhancing autophagic flux by inducing cathepsin D. Its protective effect is boosted by coQ10, which supports their potential use in photoaging.

Disaccharide Trehalose in Experimental Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders: Molecular Targets and Translational Potential

Induction of autophagy is a prospective approach to the treatment of neurodegeneration. In the recent decade, trehalose attracted special attention. It is an autophagy inducer with negligible adverse effects and is approved for use in humans according to FDA requirements. Trehalose has a therapeutic effect in various experimental models of diseases. This glucose disaccharide with a flexible α-1-1'-glycosidic bond has unique properties: induction of mTOR-independent autophagy (with kinase AMPK as the main target) and a chaperone-like effect on proteins imparting them natural spatial structure. Thus, it can reduce the accumulation of neurotoxic aberrant/misfolded proteins. Trehalose has an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibits detrimental oxidative stress partially owing to the enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defense represented by the Nrf2 protein. The disaccharide activates lysosome and autophagosome biogenesis pathways through the protein factors TFEB and FOXO1. Here we review various mechanisms of the neuroprotective action of trehalose and touch on the possibility of pleiotropic effects. Current knowledge about specific features of trehalose pharmacodynamics is discussed. The neuroprotective effects of trehalose in animal models of major neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases are examined too. Attention is given to translational transition to clinical trials of this drug, especially oral and parenteral routes of administration. Besides, the possibility of enhancing the therapeutic benefit via a combination of mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent autophagy inducers is analyzed. In general, trehalose appears to be a promising multitarget tool for the inhibition of experimental neurodegeneration and requires thorough investigation of its clinical capabilities.

Potential Methods of Targeting Cellular Aging Hallmarks to Reverse Osteoarthritic Phenotype of Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes pain, physical disability, and life quality impairment. The pathophysiology of OA remains largely unclear, and currently no FDA-approved disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs) are available. As has been acknowledged, aging is the primary independent risk factor for OA, but the mechanisms underlying such a connection are not fully understood. In this review, we first revisit the changes in OA chondrocytes from the perspective of cellular hallmarks of aging. It is concluded that OA chondrocytes share many alterations similar to cellular aging. Next, based on the findings from studies on other cell types and diseases, we propose methods that can potentially reverse osteoarthritic phenotype of chondrocytes back to a healthier state. Lastly, current challenges and future perspectives are summarized.

Rediscovery of 4-Trehalosamine as a Biologically Stable, Mass-Producible, and Chemically Modifiable Trehalose Analog

Nonreducing disaccharide trehalose is used as a stabilizer and humectant in various products and is a potential medicinal drug, showing curative effects on the animal models of various diseases. However, its use is limited as it is hydrolyzed by trehalase, a widely expressed enzyme in multiple organisms. Several trehalose analogs are prepared, including a microbial metabolite 4-trehalosamine, and their high biological stability is confirmed. For further analysis, 4-trehalosamine is selected as it shows high producibility. Compared with trehalose, 4-trehalosamine exhibits better or comparable protective activities and a high buffer capacity around the neutral pH. Another advantage of 4-trehalosamine is its chemical modifiability: simple reactions produce its various derivatives. Labeled probes and detergents are synthesized in one-pot reactions to exemplify the feasibility of their production, and their utility is confirmed for their respective applications. The labeled probes are used for mycobacterial staining. Although the derivative detergents can be effectively used in membrane protein research, long-chain detergents show 1000-3000-fold stronger autophagy-inducing activity in cultured cells than trehalose and are expected to become a drug lead and research reagent. These results indicate that 4-trehalosamine is a useful trehalose substitute for various purposes and a material to produce new useful derivative substances.

Trehalose Protects Keratinocytes against Ultraviolet B Radiation by Activating Autophagy via Regulating TIMP3 and ATG9A

Trehalose, a natural disaccharide, is synthesized by many organisms when cells are exposed to stressful stimuli. On the basis of its ability to modulate autophagy, trehalose has been considered an innovative drug for ameliorating many diseases, but its molecular mechanism is not well described. Previous findings demonstrated that trehalose plays a photoprotective role against ultraviolet (UV) B-induced damage through autophagy induction in keratinocytes. In this study, coimmunoprecipitation, label-free quantitative proteomic and parallel reaction monitoring, and western blot analysis demonstrated that trehalose promotes the interaction between tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 3 and Beclin1. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining analysis suggested that trehalose increases ATG9A localization in lysosomes and decreases its localization in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, in the presence or absence of UVB radiation, we evaluated the influence of TIMP3 and ATG9A small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the effect of trehalose on autophagy, cell death, migration, or interleukin-8 expression in keratinocytes, including HaCaT, A431, and human epidermal keratinocytes. The results revealed that in HaCaT cells, TIMP3 and ATG9A siRNA resulted in attenuation of trehalose-induced autophagy and inhibited cell death. In A431 cells, TIMP3 and ATG9A siRNA led to attenuation of trehalose-induced autophagy and cell death and inhibited migration. In human epidermal keratinocytes, trehalose-induced autophagy and inhibition of the interleukin-8 expression were blocked by ATG9A but not TIMP3 siRNA. In addition, the results of quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated the abnormal expression of TIMP3 and ATG9A in actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma skin tissues. These findings suggest the protective effects of trehalose in normal keratinocytes and its inhibitory effects on cancerous keratinocytes, possibly mediated by activation of autophagy and regulation of TIMP3 and ATG9A, providing the mechanistic basis for the potential use of trehalose in the prevention or treatment of UVB-induced skin diseases.

Biochemical and molecular alterations and potential clinical applications of biomarkers in keratoconus

Keratoconus (KC) is a complex multifactorial corneal ectatic disorder, with disease onset commonly in the second-third decades significantly affecting quantity, quality of vision, and quality of life. Several pathways and factors such as eye rubbing, inflammatory, oxidative, metabolic, genetic, and hormonal among others have been studied in the last two decades. However, the management of KC is still based on a few "one-size fits all" approaches and is predominantly guided by topo/tomographic parameters. Consideration of the several novel factors which have the potential to be biomarkers in addressing several unanswered questions in the disease process could help in the better predictive ability of progression or vision loss and customization of treatment options. This article delves into the understanding of these novel factors or biomarkers based on the pathogenesis of KC and features a special focus on their potential clinical applications and their future role in personalized medicine.

Effects of trehalose on NFE2L2, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the kidney of aged rats

Aging is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, which damages organs such as the kidney. Trehalose has abundant beneficial activities including antioxidative effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of trehalose on several antioxidant parameters of the aged kidney. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: young (4 months), aged (24 months), and aged-trehalose. The third group was treated with 2% trehalose for one month. The expression of target genes and enzyme activities in the kidney of the animals were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme colorimetric procedures, respectively. Protein levels of NFE2L2 showed a 50% reduction in aged rats compared to young rats (P<0.001), which was restored by trehalose intervention. In addition, the activity and mRNA levels of catalase (CAT) increased in aged rats while treatment with trehalose reversed this trend. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was reduced in the kidneys of aged rats but was not affected by trehalose intervention .It is concluded that trehalose supplementation alleviates the antioxidant system impairments in the kidneys of aged rats. However, further investigations are needed to thoroughly describe the antioxidative impacts of trehalose on the kidneys during aging.

Impact of Intravenous Trehalose Administration in Patients with Niemann-Pick Disease Types A and B

Background and Aims: Niemann–Pick disease (NPD) types A (NPA) and B (NPB) are caused by deficiency of the acid sphingomyelinase enzyme, which is encoded by the SMPD1 gene, resulting in progressive pathogenic accumulation of lipids in tissues. Trehalose has been suggested as an autophagy inducer with therapeutic neuroprotective effects. We performed a single-arm, open-label pilot study to assess the potential efficacy of trehalose treatment in patients with NPA and NPB patients. Methods: Five patients with NPD type A and B were enrolled in an open-label, single-arm clinical trial. Trehalose was administrated intravenously (IV) (15 g/week) for three months. The efficacy of trehalose in the management of clinical symptoms was evaluated in patients by assessing the quality of life, serum biomarkers, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs at the baseline and end of the interventional trial (day 0 and week 12). Results: The mean of TNO-AZL Preschool children Quality of Life (TAPQOL) scores increased in all patients after intervention at W12 compared to the baseline W0, although the difference was not statistically significant. The serum levels of lyso-SM-509 and lyso-SM were decreased in three and four patients out of five, respectively, compared with baseline. Elevated ALT and AST levels were decreased in all patients after 12 weeks of treatment; however, changes were not statistically significant. Pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) was also decreased and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was increased in serum of patients at the end of the study. Imaging studies of spleen and lung HRCT showed improvement of symptoms in two patients. Conclusions: Positive trends in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), serum biomarkers, and organomegaly were observed after 3 months of treatment with trehalose in patients with NPA and NPB. Although not statistically significant, due to the small number of patients enrolled, these results are encouraging and should be further explored.

Effects of Nonporous Silica Nanoparticles on Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

PRECIS

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), which are potential drug carriers for glaucoma treatment, may induce mild dose-dependent cytotoxicity but not so severe as to compromise a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in immortalized trabecular meshwork (TM) cells.

PURPOSE

Nanoparticle-based ophthalmic drug delivery is a promising field of drug development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of nonporous SiNPs on human TM cells.

METHODS

TM cells were exposed to different concentrations (0 to 100 µg/mL) of SiNPs (50, 100, and 150 nm) for up to 48 hours. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the intracellular distribution of SiNPs. Cellular viability assay, reactive oxygen species generation, autophagy, and activation of the mTOR pathway were evaluated. Histologic analysis of the TM structure was performed after intracameral injection of SiNPs (0.05 mL of 200 µg/mL concentration) in rabbits.

RESULTS

SiNPs were taken up by TM cells and localized in the cytoplasm. Neither nuclear entry nor mitochondrial damage was observed. SiNPs induced a mild but dose-dependent increase of lactate dehydrogenase. However, neither increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels nor apoptosis was observed after SiNPs exposure. Significant coactivation of autophagy and the mTOR pathway were observed with exposure to SiNPs. Aqueous plexus structure was well maintained without inflammation in rabbits after SiNPs exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

SiNPs induce mild and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in TM cells. However, the toxicity level is not enough to compromise the mTOR pathway of TM cells and histologic structure of the aqueous plexus tissue.

Trehalose-based neuroprotective autophagy inducers

A small set of trehalose-centered putative autophagy inducers was rationally designed and synthesized, with the aim to identify more potent and bioavailable autophagy inducers than free trehalose, and to acquire information about their molecular mechanism of action. Several robust, high yield routes to key trehalose intermediates and small molecule prodrugs (2-5), putative probes (6-10) and inorganic nanovectors (12a - thiol-PEG-triazole-trehalose constructs 11) were successfully executed, and compounds were tested for their autophagy-inducing properties. While small molecules 2-11 showed no pro-autophagic behavior at sub-millimolar concentrations, trehalose-bearing PEG-AuNPs 12a caused measurable autophagy induction at an estimated 40 μM trehalose concentration without any significant toxicity at the same concentration.

Stachyose triggers apoptotic like cell death in drought sensitive but not resilient plants

Programmed cell death (PCD) is one of the most intensively researched fields in modern mammalian biology with roles in cancer, aging, diabetes and numerous neurodegenerative diseases. It is becoming increasingly clear that PCD also plays significant roles in plant defence and responses to the environment. Given their unique ability to tolerate desiccation (cells remain viable even after they've lost 95% of their water), resurrection plants make ideal models to study the regulation of plant PCD pathways. Previously, we showed that the Australian resurrection plant, Tripogon loliiformis, suppresses plant PCD, via trehalose-mediated activation of autophagy pathways, during drying. In the present study, we created a full-length T. loliiformis cDNA library, performed a large-scale Agrobacterium screen for improved salinity tolerance and identified Stachyose synthase (TlStach) as a potential candidate for improving stress tolerance. Tripogon loliiformis shoots accumulate stachyose synthase transcripts and stachyose during drying. Attempts to generate transgenic plants expressing TlStach failed and were consistent with previous reports in mammals that demonstrated stachyose-mediated induction of apoptosis. Using a combination of transcriptomics, metabolomics and cell death assays (TUNNEL and DNA laddering), we investigated whether stachyose induces apoptotic-like cell death in T. loliiformis. We show that stachyose triggers the formation of the hallmarks of plant apoptotic-like cell death in the desiccation sensitive Nicotiana benthamiana but not the resilient T. loliiformis. These findings suggest that T. loliiformis suppresses stachyose-mediated apoptotic-like cell death and provides insights on the role of sugar metabolism and plant PCD pathways. A better understanding of how resilient plants regulate sugar metabolism and PCD pathways may facilitate future targeting of plant metabolic pathways for increased stress tolerance.

Trehalose Ameliorates Seizure Susceptibility in Lafora Disease Mouse Models by Suppressing Neuroinflammation and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Lafora disease (LD) is one of the progressive and fatal forms of a neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by teenage-onset myoclonic seizures. Neuropathological changes in LD include the formation of abnormal glycogen as Lafora bodies, gliosis, and neuroinflammation. LD is caused by defects in the gene coding for phosphatase (laforin) or ubiquitin ligase (malin). Mouse models of LD, developed by targeted disruption of these two genes, develop most symptoms of LD and show increased susceptibility to induced seizures. Studies on mouse models also suggest that defective autophagy might contribute to LD etiology. In an attempt to understand the specific role of autophagy in LD pathogenesis, in this study, we fed LD animals with trehalose, an inducer of autophagy, for 3 months and looked at its effect on the neuropathology and seizure susceptibility. We demonstrate here that trehalose ameliorates gliosis, neuroinflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and reduces susceptibility to induced seizures in LD animals. However, trehalose did not affect the formation of Lafora bodies, suggesting the epileptic phenotype in LD could be either secondary to or independent of Lafora bodies. Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy inducers can be considered as potential therapeutic molecules for Lafora disease.

A systems pharmacology approach to identify the autophagy-inducing effects of Traditional Persian medicinal plants

Aging is correlated with several complex diseases, including type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration diseases, and cancer. Identifying the nature of this correlation and treatment of age-related diseases has been a major subject of both modern and traditional medicine. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) embodies many prescriptions for the treatment of ARDs. Given that autophagy plays a critical role in antiaging processes, the present study aimed to examine whether the documented effect of plants used in TPM might be relevant to the induction of autophagy? To this end, the TPM-based medicinal herbs used in the treatment of the ARDs were identified from modern and traditional references. The known phytochemicals of these plants were then examined against literature for evidence of having autophagy inducing effects. As a result, several plants were identified to have multiple active ingredients, which indeed regulate the autophagy or its upstream pathways. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis of the identified targets confirmed the collective contribution of the identified targets in autophagy regulating processes. Also, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the targets was reconstructed. Network centrality analysis of the PPI network identified mTOR as the key network hub. Given the well-documented role of mTOR in inhibiting autophagy, our results hence support the hypothesis that the antiaging mechanism of TPM-based medicines might involve autophagy induction. Chemoinformatics study of the phytochemicals using docking and molecular dynamics simulation identified, among other compounds, the cyclo-trijuglone of Juglans regia L. as a potential ATP-competitive inhibitor of mTOR. Our results hence, provide a basis for the study of TPM-based prescriptions using modern tools in the quest for developing synergistic therapies for ARDs.

BMP4 micro-immunotherapy increases collagen deposition and reduces PGE2 release in human gingival fibroblasts and increases tissue viability of engineered 3D gingiva under inflammatory conditions

Background

We aimed to evaluate the effect of low doses (LD) bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP2) and BMP4 micro‐immunotherapy (MI) in two in vitro models of periodontal wound healing/regeneration.

Methods

We first evaluated the effect of LD of BMP2 and BMP4 MI on a 2D cell culture using human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) under inflammatory conditions induced by IL1β. Biocompatibility, inflammatory response (Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release), collagen deposition and release of extracellular matrix (ECM) organization‐related enzymes (matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP1) and metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1)) were evaluated after short (3 days) and long‐term (24 days) treatment with BMP2 or BMP4 MI. Then, given the results obtained in the 2D cell culture, LD BMP4 MI treatment was evaluated in a 3D cell culture model of human tissue equivalent of gingiva (GTE) under the same inflammatory stimulus, evaluating the biocompatibility, inflammatory response and effect on MMP1 and TIMP1 release.

Results

LD BMP4 was able to decrease the release of the inflammatory mediator PGE2 and completely re‐establish the impaired collagen metabolism induced by IL1β treatment. In the 3D model, LD BMP4 treatment improved tissue viability compared with the vehicle, with similar levels to 3D tissues without inflammation. No significant effects were observed on PGE2 levels nor MMP1/TIMP1 ratio after LD BMP4 treatment, although a tendency to decrease PGE2 levels was observed after 3 days.

Conclusions

LD BMP4 MI treatment shows anti‐inflammatory and regenerative properties on hGF, and improved viability of 3D gingiva under inflammatory conditions. LD BMP4 MI treatment could be used on primary prevention or maintenance care of periodontitis.

Therapeutic applications and biological activities of bacterial bioactive extracts

Bacteria are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as pigments, alkaloids, antibiotics, and others. These bioactive microbial products serve a great application in human and animal health. Their molecular diversity allows these natural products to possess several therapeutic attributes and biological functions. That's why the current natural drug industry focuses on uncovering all the possible ailments and diseases that could be combated by bacterial extracts and their secondary metabolites. In this paper, we review the major utilizations of bacterial natural products for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases, allergies, autoimmune diseases, infections and other diseases that threaten public health. We also elaborate on the identified biological activities of bacterial secondary metabolites including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant activities all of which are essential nowadays with the emergence of drug-resistant microbial pathogens. Throughout this review, we discuss the possible mechanisms of actions in which bacterial-derived biologically active molecular entities could possess healing properties to inspire the development of new therapeutic agents in academia and industry.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines at Ultra-Low Dose Exert Anti-Inflammatory Effect In Vitro: A Possible Mode of Action Involving Sub-Micron Particles?

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Indeed, immunotherapy blocking these 2 cytokines has been developed. Micro-immunotherapy (MI) also uses ultra-low doses (ULD) of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impregnated on lactose-sucrose pillules, to counteract their overexpression. The study has been conducted with 2 objectives: examine the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and the capacity of 2 unitary medicines, TNF-α (27 CH) and IL-1β (27 CH), to reduce the secretion of TNF-α in human primary monocytes and THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure; then, investigate the presence of particles possibly containing starting materials using tunable resistive pulse sensing technique. The results show that the unitary medicines, tested at 3 pillules concentrations (5.5, 11 and 22 mM), have reduced the secretion of TNF-α in both models by about 10−20% vs. vehicle control, depending on concentration. In this exploratory study, particles (150−1000 nm) have been detected in MI ULD-impregnated pillules and a hypothesis for MI medicines mode of action has been proposed. Conscious that more evaluations are necessary, authors are cautious in the conclusions because the findings described in the study are still limited, and future investigations may lead to different hypothesis.

Trehalose Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in Primary Human Macrophages and CD4+ T Lymphocytes through Two Distinct Mechanisms

Autophagy is a highly conserved recycling pathway that promotes cell survival during periods of stress. We previously reported that induction of autophagy through the inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) inhibits HIV replication in human macrophages and CD4+ T lymphocytes (T cells). However, the inhibition of MTOR has modulatory effects beyond autophagy that might affect viral replication. Here, we examined the effect on HIV replication of trehalose, a nontoxic, nonreducing disaccharide that induces autophagy through an MTOR-independent mechanism. Treatment of HIV-infected macrophages and T cells with trehalose inhibited infection in a dose-dependent manner. Uninfected and HIV-infected macrophages and T cells treated with trehalose exhibited increased markers of autophagy, including LC3B lipidation with further accumulation following bafilomycin A1 treatment, and increased levels of LAMP1, LAMP2, and RAB7 proteins required for lysosomal biogenesis and fusion. Moreover, the inhibition of HIV by trehalose was significantly reduced by knockdown of ATG5 Additionally, trehalose downregulated the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in T cells and CD4 in both T cells and macrophages, which reduced HIV entry in these cells. Our data demonstrate that the naturally occurring sugar trehalose at doses safely achieved in humans inhibits HIV through two mechanisms: (i) decreased entry through the downregulation of CCR5 in T cells and decreased CD4 expression in both T cells and macrophages and (ii) degradation of intracellular HIV through the induction of MTOR-independent autophagy. These findings demonstrate that cellular mechanisms can be modulated to inhibit HIV entry and intracellular replication using a naturally occurring, nontoxic sugar.IMPORTANCE Induction of autophagy through inhibition of MTOR has been shown to inhibit HIV replication. However, inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) has cellular effects that may alter HIV infection through other mechanisms. Here, we examined the HIV-inhibitory effects of the MTOR-independent inducer of autophagy, trehalose. Of note, we identified that in addition to the inhibition of the intracellular replication of HIV by autophagy, trehalose decreased viral entry in human primary macrophages and CD4+ T cells through the downregulation of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in T cells and CD4 in both T cells and macrophages. Thus, we showed that trehalose uniquely inhibits HIV replication through inhibition of viral entry and intracellular degradation in the two most important target cells for HIV infection.

Redirecting Vesicular Transport to Improve Nonviral Delivery of Molecular Cargo

Cell engineering relies heavily on viral vectors for the delivery of molecular cargo into cells due to their superior efficiency compared to nonviral ones. However, viruses are immunogenic and expensive to manufacture, and have limited delivery capacity. Nonviral delivery approaches avoid these limitations but are currently inefficient for clinical applications. This work demonstrates that the efficiency of nonviral delivery of plasmid DNA, mRNA, Sleeping Beauty transposon, and ribonucleoprotein can be significantly enhanced through pretreatment of cells with the nondegradable sugars (NDS), such as sucrose, trehalose, and raffinose. The enhancement is mediated by the incorporation of the NDS into cell membranes, causing enlargement of lysosomes and formation of large (>500 nm) amphisome-like bodies (ALBs). The changes in subcellular structures redirect transport of cargo to ALBs rather than to lysosomes, reducing cargo degradation in cells. The data indicate that pretreatment of cells with NDS is a promising approach to improve nonviral cargo delivery in biomedical applications.

Potential ocular and systemic COVID-19 prophylaxis approaches for healthcare professionals

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it, innumerable challenges in healthcare, both through the direct burden of morbidity and mortality of the disease, and also by the curtailing of other essential albeit less emergency medical services to reduce the risk of community spread. Reports from around the world are showing mounting number of cases even in healthcare professionals spite of usage of adequate personal protective equipment. There are a number of factors which could account for this, be it the affinity of the virus to the respiratory and other mucosa or to patient risk factors for developing severe forms of the disease. In view of the growing need for resuming other medical services, it is essential to find newer ways to protect ourselves better, whether by systemic or topical mucosal prophylaxis with various medications or lifestyle changes promoting wellbeing and immunity. This article discusses additional prophylactic measures including drug repurposing or new indication paradigms to render protection. Certain medications such as chloroquine, trehalose, antihistaminics, and interferons used topically for various ocular conditions with reasonably good safety records are known to have anti-viral properties. Hence, can be harnessed in preventing SARS-CoV-2 attachment, entry, and/or replication in host cells. Similarly, use of hypertonic saline for nasal and oral mucosa and dietary changes are possible methods of improving our resistance. These additional prophylactic measures can be cautiously explored by healthcare professionals to protect themselves and their patients.

Trehalose against Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into a Potential Therapy

Trehalose is a natural disaccharide with a remarkable ability to stabilize biomolecules. In recent years, trehalose has received growing attention as a neuroprotective molecule and has been tested in experimental models for different neurodegenerative diseases. Although the underlying neuroprotective mechanism of trehalose's action is unclear, one of the most important hypotheses is autophagy induction. The chaperone-like activity of trehalose and the ability to modulate inflammatory responses has also been reported. There is compelling evidence that the dysfunction of autophagy and aggregation of misfolded proteins contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, given the linking between trehalose and autophagy induction, it appears to be a promising therapy for AD. Herein, the published studies concerning the use of trehalose as a potential therapy for AD are summarized, providing a rationale for applying trehalose to reduce Alzheimer's pathology.

Glucose Exerts an Anti-Melanogenic Effect by Indirect Inactivation of Tyrosinase in Melanocytes and a Human Skin Equivalent

Sugars are ubiquitous in organisms and well-known cosmetic ingredients for moisturizing skin with minimal side-effects. Glucose, a simple sugar used as an energy source by living cells, is often used in skin care products. Several reports have demonstrated that sugar and sugar-related compounds have anti-melanogenic effects on melanocytes. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which glucose inhibits melanin synthesis is unknown, even though glucose is used as a whitening as well as moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics. Herein, we found that glucose significantly reduced the melanin content of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16 cells and darkly pigmented normal human melanocytes with no signs of cytotoxicity. Furthermore, topical treatment of glucose clearly demonstrated its whitening efficacy through photography, Fontana-Masson (F&M) staining, and multi-photon microscopy in a pigmented 3D human skin model, MelanoDerm. However, glucose did not alter the gene expression or protein levels of major melanogenic proteins in melanocytes. While glucose potently decreased intracellular tyrosinase activity in melanocytes, it did not reduce mushroom tyrosinase activity in a cell-free experimental system. However, glucose was metabolized into lactic acid, which can powerfully suppress tyrosinase activity. Thus, we concluded that glucose indirectly inhibits tyrosinase activity through conversion into lactic acid, explaining its anti-melanogenic effects in melanocytes.

ZmDREB1A Regulates RAFFINOSE SYNTHASE Controlling Raffinose Accumulation and Plant Chilling Stress Tolerance in Maize

Raffinose accumulation is positively correlated with plant chilling stress tolerance; however, the understanding of the function and regulation of raffinose metabolism under chilling stress remains in its infancy. RAFFINOSE SYNTHASE (RAFS) is the key enzyme for raffinose biosynthesis. In this study, we report that two independent maize (Zea mays) zmrafs mutant lines, in which raffinose was completely abolished, were more sensitive to chilling stress and their net photosynthetic product (total soluble sugars and starch) accumulation was significantly decreased compared with controls after chilling stress. A similar characterization of the maize dehydration responsive element (DRE)-binding protein 1A mutant (zmdreb1a) showed that ZmRAFS expression and raffinose content were significantly decreased compared with its control under chilling stress. Overexpression of maize ZmDREB1A in maize leaf protoplasts increased ZmDREB1A amounts, which consequently upregulated the expression of maize ZmRAFS and the Renilla LUCIFERASE (Rluc), which was controlled by the ZmRAFS promoter. Deletion of the single dehydration-responsive element (DRE) in the ZmRAFS promoter abolished ZmDREB1A's influence on Rluc expression, while addition of three copies of the DRE in the ZmRAFS promoter dramatically increased Rluc expression when ZmDREB1A was simultaneously overexpressed. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR demonstrated that ZmDREB1A directly binds to the DRE motif in the promoter of ZmRAFS both in vitro and in vivo. These data demonstrate that ZmRAFS, which was directly regulated by ZmDREB1A, enhances both raffinose biosynthesis and plant chilling stress tolerance.

Involvement of Nrf2 and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling in trehalose protection against cadmium-induced kidney injury

Cadmium (Cd) poisoning is characterized by multiple organ dysfunction in organisms, and the kidney is the main target organ of Cd toxicity. Trehalose (Tr), a multifunctional bioactive disaccharide, possesses potential kidney protective properties. Nevertheless, the specific biological function of Tr in antagonizing kidney injury induced by Cd remains to be elucidated. Herein, an in vivo model of Tr antagonizing Cd nephrotoxicity was established and the indictors related to kidney function, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were detected to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the Tr-protection against Cd-induced kidney injury of rats. Firstly, Tr significantly declined the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine, and partially restored renal pathological changes caused by Cd. Secondly, Cd exposure significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and decreased the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in serum. However, Tr significantly ameliorated these abnormal alterations. Moreover, Tr regulated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway to suppress the Cd-induced nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD (P) H quinone reductase-1 (NQO1). Meanwhile, Tr significantly reversed the increased Sequestosome-1(SQSTM1/p62) and decreased Kelch-like ECH associated protein-1 (Keap1) protein levels induced by Cd. Thirdly, further mechanistic exploration suggested that Tr inhibited the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway induced by Cd. Collectively, the results indicated that Tr exerts antioxidant and anti-apoptosis functions involving the Nrf2 and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathways to protect against Cd-induced kidney injury in rats.

Molecular Mechanism of Autophagy: Its Role in the Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of progressive dementia that is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ)-containing neuritic plaques and intracellular Tau protein tangles. This distinctive pathology indicates that the protein quality control is compromised in AD. Autophagy functions as a "neuronal housekeeper" that eliminates aberrant protein aggregates by wrapping then into autophagosomes and delivering them to lysosomes for degradation. Several studies have suggested that autophagy deficits in autophagy participate in the accumulation and propagation of misfolded proteins (including Aβ and Tau). In this review, we summarize current knowledge of autophagy in the pathogenesis of AD, as well as some pathways targeting the restoration of autophagy. Moreover, we discuss how these aspects can contribute to the development of disease-modifying therapies in AD.

A Comprehensive Review of Autophagy and Its Various Roles in Infectious, Non-Infectious, and Lifestyle Diseases: Current Knowledge and Prospects for Disease Prevention, Novel Drug Design, and Therapy

Autophagy (self-eating) is a conserved cellular degradation process that plays important roles in maintaining homeostasis and preventing nutritional, metabolic, and infection-mediated stresses. Autophagy dysfunction can have various pathological consequences, including tumor progression, pathogen hyper-virulence, and neurodegeneration. This review describes the mechanisms of autophagy and its associations with other cell death mechanisms, including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, and autosis. Autophagy has both positive and negative roles in infection, cancer, neural development, metabolism, cardiovascular health, immunity, and iron homeostasis. Genetic defects in autophagy can have pathological consequences, such as static childhood encephalopathy with neurodegeneration in adulthood, Crohn's disease, hereditary spastic paraparesis, Danon disease, X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy, and sporadic inclusion body myositis. Further studies on the process of autophagy in different microbial infections could help to design and develop novel therapeutic strategies against important pathogenic microbes. This review on the progress and prospects of autophagy research describes various activators and suppressors, which could be used to design novel intervention strategies against numerous diseases and develop therapeutic drugs to protect human and animal health.

Autophagic flux disruption contributes to Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells via MAPK/ERK activation

Targeting autophagy may serve as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) has been shown to exert promising anti-cancer effects. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Whether GLP regulates autophagy in cancer has never been reported. In this study, GLP induced the initiation of autophagy in colorectal cancer (CRC) HT-29 and HCT116 cells, as evidenced by enhanced level of LC3-II protein, GFP-LC3 puncta, and increased formation of double membrane vacuoles. However, GLP treatment caused marked increase of p62 expression. Addition of late stage autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine (CQ), further enhanced LC3-II and p62 level, as well as increased autophagosome accumulation, suggesting a blockage of autophagic flux by GLP in CRC cells. We then found GLP blocked autophagosome and lysosome fusion as determined by mRFP-GFP-LC3 colocalization analysis. Mechanistic study revealed that GLP-induced disruption of autophagosome-lysosome fusion is due to reduced lysosome acidification and lysosomal cathepsin activities. Cell viability and flow cytometry assays revealed that GLP-induced autophagosome accumulation is responsible for GLP-induced apoptosis in CRC cells. In line with this, inhibition of autophagy initiation by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an early stage autophagy inhibitor, attenuated GLP-induced apoptosis. In contrast, suppression of autophagy at late stage by CQ enhanced the anti-cancer effect of GLP. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GLP-induced autophagosome accumulation and apoptosis is mediated via MAPK/ERK activation. Finally, GLP inhibited tumor growth and also inhibited autophagic flux in vivo. These results unveil new molecular mechanism underlying anti-cancer effects of GLP, suggesting that GLP is a potent autophagy inhibitor and might be useful in anticancer therapy.

Trehalose Modulates Autophagy Process to Counteract Gliadin Cytotoxicity in an In Vitro Celiac Disease Model

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that is triggered by the ingestion of gliadin peptides, the alcohol-soluble fraction of wheat gluten. These peptides, which play a key role in the immune response that underlies CD, spontaneously form aggregates and exert a direct toxic action on cells due to the increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, peptic-tryptic digested gliadin peptides (PT-gliadin) lead to an impairment in the autophagy pathway in an in vitro model based on Caco-2 cells. Considering these premises, in this study we have analyzed different mTOR-independent inducers, reporting that the disaccharide trehalose, a mTOR-independent autophagy activator, rescued the autophagy flux in Caco-2 cells treated with digested gliadin, as well as improved cell viability. Moreover, trehalose administration to Caco-2 cells in presence of digested gliadin reduced the intracellular levels of these toxic peptides. Altogether, these results showed the beneficial effects of trehalose in a CD in vitro model as well as underlining autophagy as a molecular pathway whose modulation might be promising in counteracting PT-gliadin cytotoxicity.

Apigenin restores impairment of autophagy and downregulation of unfolded protein response regulatory proteins in keratinocytes exposed to ultraviolet B radiation

Ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation is a major environmental risk factor that is responsible for the development and progression of many skin cancers. Apigenin, a type of bioflavonoid, has been reported to inhibit UVB-induced skin cancer. However, how apigenin functions in keratinocytes with UV damage remains unclear. In this study, by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, we found that apigenin treatment increased cell death in the primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and the cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line COLO-16. Apigenin treatment reduced microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II turnover, acridine orange staining and GFP-LC3 puncta in both cell types, suggesting autophagy inhibition. However, apigenin treatment restored the inhibition of autophagy in UVB-challenged HEKs. Moreover, apigenin treatment restored the UVB-induced downregulation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ataxia-telangiectasia, Rad3-related (ATR) and the unfolded protein response (UPR) regulatory proteins, BiP, IRE1α and PERK in HEKs. Apigenin treatment also inhibited UVB-induced apoptosis and cell death in HEKs. In addition, autophagy inhibition by autophagy-related gene (ATG) 5 RNA interference interrupted apigenin-induced restoration of ATR, ATM and BiP, which were downregulated in HEKs exposed to UVB radiation. Our findings indicate that apigenin exhibits a novel protective effect in keratinocytes with UVB damage, suggesting potential application as a photoprotective agent.

Hybrid complexes of photosynthetic reaction centers and quantum dots in various matrices: resistance to UV irradiation and heating

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (up to 0.6 J/cm²) and heating (65 °C, 20 min) on the absorption spectra and electron transfer in dehydrated film samples of photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) from purple bacterium Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides, as well as in hybrid structures consisting of RCs and quantum dots (QDs), have been studied. The samples were placed in organic matrices containing the stabilizers of protein structure-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and trehalose. UV irradiation led to partially irreversible oxidation of some RCs, as well as to transformation of some fraction of the bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) molecules into bacteriopheophytin (BPheo) molecules. In addition, UV irradiation causes degradation of some BChl molecules that is accompanied by formation of 3-acetyl-chlorophyll a molecules. Finally, UV irradiation destroys the RCs carotenoid molecules. The incorporation of RCs into organic matrices reduced pheophytinization. Trehalose was especially efficient in reducing the damage to the carotenoid and BChl molecules caused by UV irradiation. Hybrid films containing RC + QD were more stable to pheophytinization upon UV irradiation. However, the presence of QDs in films did not affect the processes of carotenoid destruction. The efficiency of the electronic excitation energy transfer from QD to P865 also did not change under UV irradiation. Heating led to dramatic destruction of the RCs structure and bacteriochlorins acquired the properties of unbound molecules. Trehalose provided strong protection against destruction of the RCs and hybrid (RC + QD) complexes.

Modulation of Autophagy for Controlling Immunity

Autophagy is an essential process that maintains physiological homeostasis by promoting the transfer of cytoplasmic constituents to autophagolysosomes for degradation. In immune cells, the autophagy pathway plays an additional role in facilitating proper immunological functions. Specifically, the autophagy pathway can participate in controlling key steps in innate and adaptive immunity. Accordingly, alterations in autophagy have been linked to inflammatory diseases and defective immune responses against pathogens. In this review, we discuss the various roles of autophagy signaling in coordinating immune responses and how these activities are connected to pathological conditions. We highlight the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulators that can impact immune responses and the mechanisms of action responsible.

Autophagy in Plants: Both a Puppet and a Puppet Master of Sugars

Autophagy is a major pathway that recycles cellular components in eukaryotic cells both under stressed and non-stressed conditions. Sugars participate both metabolically and as signaling molecules in development and response to various environmental and nutritional conditions. It is therefore essential to maintain metabolic homeostasis of sugars during non-stressed conditions in cells, not only to provide energy, but also to ensure effective signaling when exposed to stress. In both plants and animals, autophagy is activated by the energy sensor SnRK1/AMPK and inhibited by TOR kinase. SnRK1/AMPK and TOR kinases are both important regulators of cellular metabolism and are controlled to a large extent by the availability of sugars and sugar-phosphates in plants whereas in animals AMP/ATP indirectly translate sugar status. In plants, during nutrient and sugar deficiency, SnRK1 is activated, and TOR is inhibited to allow activation of autophagy which in turn recycles cellular components in an attempt to provide stress relief. Autophagy is thus indirectly regulated by the nutrient/sugar status of cells, but also regulates the level of nutrients/sugars by recycling cellular components. In both plants and animals sugars such as trehalose induce autophagy and in animals this is independent of the TOR pathway. The glucose-activated G-protein signaling pathway has also been demonstrated to activate autophagy, although the exact mechanism is not completely clear. This mini-review will focus on the interplay between sugar signaling and autophagy.

Lycopene upregulates ZO-1 and downregulates claudin-1 through autophagy inhibition in the human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line COLO-16

Lycopene, a kind of carotenoid, has been reported to have an inhibitory function on tumor cell migration. However, the potential role of lycopene in the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the biological effects of lycopene in the human cSCC cell line COLO-16, human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and the immortalized human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. We found that lycopene inhibited the cell proliferation and migration of COLO-16 cells but not normal keratinocytes. In addition, lycopene upregulated the protein levels of ZO-1 in COLO-16 and HaCaT cells but not in HEKs. In contrast, lycopene upregulated the protein level of claudin-1 in HEKs but downregulated claudin-1 in COLO-16 cells. Lycopene led to a decrease in autophagic flux in COLO-16 cells in a mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (MTORC1)-dependent manner. Importantly, autophagy inhibition contributed to the lycopene-induced regulation on ZO-1 and claudin-1 in COLO-16 cells. Moreover, JNK inhibitor (SP600125) and MEK inhibitor (U0126) treatment abolished the increase in phosphorylated MTOR and ribosomal protein S6 as well as the increase in ZO-1 and the decrease in claudin-1 in lycopene-treated COLO-16 cells. Gene silencing of JNK and ERK also prohibited ZO-1 upregulation and claudin-1 downregulation. In conclusion, lycopene upregulates ZO-1 expression and downregulates claudin-1 expression through the activation of ERK, JNK and MTORC1 as well as the inhibition of autophagy in human cSCC cells. Our findings demonstrate that autophagy plays a key role in lycopene-mediated pharmacological effects. This study indicates that lycopene might be a useful chemopreventive agent against cSCC.