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Liu Q, Nan Y, Yang Y, Li X, Jiang W, Jiao T, Li J, Jia X, Ye M, Niu Y, Yuan L. Exploring the Role of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Corneal Injury Repair and Investigating the Relevant Mechanisms through In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments. Molecules 2023; 29:49. [PMID: 38202631 PMCID: PMC10779902 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is the main active component of Fructus Lycii, exhibiting various biological activities. This study aims to explore the protective effects of LBP on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) and a rat corneal injury model. Potential target points for LBP improving corneal injury repair were screened from public databases, and functional and pathway enrichment analyses of core targets were conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Rat corneal alkali burns and HCEC oxidative stress injury models were established, and the results were validated through slit lamp examination, HE staining, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescence, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, scratch assay, and qRT-PCR methods. In the context of database retrieval, identification of 10 LBP monosaccharide components and 50 corneal injury repair-related targets was achieved. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that LBP might regulate the IL-17 and TNF signaling pathways through targets such as JUN, CASP3, and MMP9, thereby improving corneal damage. In vivo and in vitro experimental results indicated that LBP could reduce the increase of inflammation index scores (p < 0.05), inflammatory cell density (p < 0.01), TUNEL-positive cells (p < 0.01), corneal opacity scores (p < 0.01), and expression of corneal stromal fibrosis-related proteins α-SMA, FN, and COL (p < 0.01) caused by chemical damage to rat corneas. LBP inhibited oxidative stress-induced decreases in cell viability (p < 0.001) and migration healing ability (p < 0.01) in HCECs, reducing apoptosis rates (p < 0.001), ROS levels (p < 0.001), and the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 (p < 0.01). qRT-PCR results demonstrated that LBP intervention decreased the mRNA levels of JUN, CASP3, and MMP9 in H2O2-induced alkaline-burned corneas and HCECs (p < 0.01).The integrated results from network pharmacology and validation experiments suggest that the inhibitory effects of LBP on apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis after corneal injury may be achieved through the suppression of the TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways mediated by JUN, CASP3, and MMP9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Yi Nan
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Yifan Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Y.Y.); (M.Y.)
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Wenjie Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Taiqiang Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Jiaqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Xusheng Jia
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Mengyi Ye
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Y.Y.); (M.Y.)
| | - Yang Niu
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Ethnomedicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (Q.L.); (Y.N.); (X.L.); (W.J.); (T.J.); (J.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Ling Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
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Shen J, Liang Y, Bi Z, Yin X, Chen C, Zhao X, Liu S, Li Y. Cyclosporin A improves the hyperosmotic response in an experimental dry eye model by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Exp Eye Res 2023; 229:109418. [PMID: 36806672 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Hyperosmolarity is closely related to dry eye disease (DED), which induces corneal epithelial cell structure and dysfunction leading to ocular surface inflammation. Cyclosporine A (CSA) is a cyclopeptide consisting of 11 deduced amino acids. It has an immunosuppressive effect and shows a vital function in inhibiting the inflammatory response. The mechanism of CSA in DED is still not entirely clear. This experiment aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of CSA in the hyperosmotic DED model. This study found that CSA can inhibit the transcript levels of DED high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) in signaling pathways. In addition, the study also found that 550 mOsm/L can induce the formation of DED models in vivo or in vitro. Furthermore, different concentrations of CSA have different effects on the expression of HMGB1 in human corneal epithelial cells under hyperosmotic stimulation, and high concentrations of CSA may increase the expression of HMGB1. In addition, CSA effectively reduced the corneal fluorescence staining score of the DE group and increased the tear volume of mice. Therefore, this experimental investigation might supply new evidence for the mechanism of CSA in DED, provide a potential new therapy for treating DED, and provide a theoretical basis for CSA treatment of DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Binzhou Medical College, Yantai, 264000, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Zhaojing Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Xinmei Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China
| | - Shujun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
| | - Yuanbin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, China.
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