Edaravone attenuates myocyte apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in acute myocardial infarction

L-theanine alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in mice

BACKGROUND

L-theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid in tea that is widely used as a safe food additive. We investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of L-theanine in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).

METHODS

The cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of L-theanine and the role of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling were investigated in MIRI mice using measures of cardiac function, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Administration of L-theanine (10 mg/kg, once daily) suppressed the MIRI-induced increase in infarct size and serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, as well as MIRI-induced cardiac apoptosis, as evidenced by an increase in Bcl-2 expression and a decrease in Bax/caspase-3 expression. Administration of L-theanine also decreased the levels of parameters reflecting oxidative stress, such as dihydroethidium, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide, and increased the levels of parameters reflecting anti-oxidation, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in ischemic heart tissue. Further analysis showed that L-theanine administration suppressed the MIRI-induced decrease of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 in ischemic heart tissue. Inhibition of JAK2 by AG490 (5 mg/kg, once daily) abolished the cardioprotective effect of L-theanine, suggesting that the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway may play an essential role in mediating the anti-I/R effect of L-theanine.

CONCLUSIONS

L-theanine administration suppresses cellular apoptosis and oxidative stress in part via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby attenuating MIRI-induced cardiac injury. L-theanine could be developed as a potential drug to alleviate cardiac damage in MIRI.

Exploring the role and mechanism of hyperoside against cardiomyocyte injury in mice with myocardial infarction based on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most deadly diseases in the world. Hyperoside (Hyp) has been shown to have a protective effect on cardiovascular function through various signaling pathways, but whether it can protect myocardial infarction by regulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate whether Hyp could protect the heart against myocardial infarction injury in mice by modulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and its potential mechanism.

METHODS

In vivo experiments, the myocardial infarction model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of male C57BL/6 mice permanently. The mice were divided into seven groups: sham group, MI group, MI+Hyp (9 mg/kg), MI+Hyp (18 mg/kg) group, MI+Hyp (36 mg/kg) group, MI+Captopril group (15 mg/kg) group and MI+Hyp (36 mg/kg)+AG490 (7.5 mg/kg) group. Each group of animals were given different concentrations of hyperoside, positive control drug or inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3 singaling. After 14 days of administration, the electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography and serum myocardial injury markers were examined; Slices of mouse myocardial tissue were assessed for histopathological changes by HE, Masson and Sirius Red staining. TTC and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the myocardial infarction area and cardiomyocytes apoptosis respectively. The expression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins were detected by western blot. In vitro experiments, rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were deprived of oxygen and glucose (OGD) to stimulate myocardial ischemia. The experiment was divided into seven groups: Control group, OGD group, OGD+Hyp (20 μM) group, OGD+Hyp (40 μM) group, OGD+Hyp (80 μM), OGD+Captopril (10 μM) group and OGD+Hyp (80 μM)+AG490 (100 μM) group. Myocardial cell damage and redox index were measured 12 h after OGD treatment. ROS content in cardiomyocytes was detected by immunofluorescence. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway-related proteins, apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were detected by western blot.

RESULTS

In vivo, hyperoside could ameolirate ECG abnormality, increase cardiac function, reduce myocardial infarction size and significantly reduce myocardial fibrosis level and oxidation level. The experimental results in vitro showed that Hyp could reduce the ROS content in cardiomyocytes, decrease the level of oxidative stress and counteract the apoptosis induced by OGD injury . Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that hyperoside could increase phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3, indicating that hyperoside could play a cardioprotective role by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. It was also shown that hyperoside could increase the autophagy level of cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro. However the cardiomyocyte-protective effect of Hyp was abolished in combination with JAK2/ STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor AG490. These results indicated that the protective effect of Hyp on cardiomyocyte injury was at least partially achieved through the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Hyp can significantly improve cardiac function, ameliorate myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial remodeling in MI mice. The mechanism may be related to improving mitochondrial autophagy of cardiomyocytes to maintain the advantage of autophagy, and blocking apoptosis pathway through phagocytosis, thus suppressing apoptosis level of cardiomyocytes. These effects of Hyp are achieved, at least in part, by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Targeting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway with natural plants and phytochemical ingredients: A novel therapeutic method for combatting cardiovascular diseases

The aim of this article is to introduce the roles and mechanisms of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in various cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and myocardial ischemiareperfusion. In addition, the effects of phytochemical ingredients and different natural plants, mainly traditional Chinese medicines, on the regulation of different cardiovascular diseases via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway are discussed. Surprisingly, the JAK2 pathway has dual roles in different cardiovascular diseases. Future research should focus on the dual regulatory effects of different phytochemical ingredients and natural plants on JAK2 to pave the way for their use in clinical trials.

Network pharmacology approach and experimental verification of Dan-Shen Decoction in the treatment of ischemic heart disease

CONTEXT

Dan-Shen Decoction, which is composed of Danshen, Tanxiang and Sharen, has a good therapeutic effect on ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, systematic research on the exact mechanism of action of Dan-Shen Decoction is still lacking. The anti-IHD effect of Dan-Shen Decoction was examined in this study using a systematic pharmacological method.

OBJECTIVE

This study validates the efficacy and explores the potential mechanisms of Dan-Shen Decoction in treating IHD by integrating network pharmacology analyses and experimental verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The active components, critical targets and potential mechanisms of Dan-Shen Decoction against IHD were predicted by network pharmacology and molecule docking. H9c2 cells were pretreated with various 1 µg/mL Dan-Shen Decoction for 2 h before induction with 1000 µmol/L CoCl₂ for 24 h. The cell viability was detected by CCK8, and protein expression was detected by western blots.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology approach successfully identified 69 active components in Dan-Shen Decoction, and 122 potential targets involved in the treatment of IHD. The in vitro experiments indicate that the anti-IHD effect of Dan-Shen Decoction may be closely associated with targets such as AKT1 and MAPK1, as well as biological processes such as cell proliferation, inflammatory response, and metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

This study not only provides new insights into the mechanism of Dan-Shen Decoction against IHD, but also provides important information and new research ideas for the discovery of anti-IHD compounds from traditional Chinese medicine.

Trastuzumab-induced human cardiomyocyte damage through the Notch2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

OBJECTIVE

Trastuzumab is the preferred drug for the treatment of breast cancer. However, research on the cellular mechanisms of trastuzumab's potential cardiotoxicity is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to explore the toxic effects and potential mechanism of action of trastuzumab on cardiomyocytes.

METHOD

Human Cardiomyocyte (HCM) viability was assessed using the MTT method. HCM apoptosis was detected using the Hoechst33342/PI Fluorescent staining. The LDH and CK activities of the cell were measured using commercially available LDH and CK assay kits. The expression levels of Notch2, JAK2, STAT3, cleaved caspase 3, bax, and bcl 2 in HCMs were detected using western blotting.

RESULTS

The results showed that 250 mg/L trastuzumab induced cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis, inhibited viability, activated the Notch2 receptor, and inhibited JAK2/STAT3 expression in HCM. Inhibition of Notch2 expression in HCM by targeted siNotch2 transfection reversed the trastuzumab-induced injury and apoptosis, and the expression of JAK2/STAT3 returned to normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Trastuzumab induces Notch2 expression by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway of HCMs, promotes cell apoptosis, and causes cardiomyocyteinjury. Notch2 may be a potential target of trastuzumab-inducedmyocardial injury. This experiment reveals the mechanism of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity, providing a theoretical basis for the application of trastuzumab.

Mechanism Research of Platelet Core Marker Prediction and Molecular Recognition in Cardiovascular Events

BACKGROUND

Thrombosis triggered by platelet activation plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to find platelet combined biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases and investigate the possibility of Concanavalin A (ConA) acting on platelets as a new pharmacological target.

METHODS

High-throughput Technology and bioinformatics analysis were combined and groups of microarray chip gene expression profiles for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sickle cell disease (SCD) were obtained using GEO database screening. R language limma package was used to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO, KEGG, and other databases were utilized to perform the enrichment analysis of DEGs' functions, pathways, etc. PPI network was constructed using STRING database and Cytoscape software, and MCC algorithm was used to obtain the 200 core genes of the two groups of DEGs. Core targets were confirmed by constructing an intersection area screening. A type of molecular probe, ConA, was molecularly docked with the above core targets on the Zdock, HEX, and 3D-DOCK servers.

RESULTS

We found six core markers, CD34, SOCS2, ABL1, MTOR, VEGFA, and SMURF1, which were simultaneously related to both diseases, and the docking effect showed that VEGFA is the best-performing.

CONCLUSION

VEGFA is most likely to reduce its expression by binding to ConA, which could affect the downstream regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway during platelet activation. Some other core targets also have the opportunity to interact with ConA to affect platelet-activated thrombosis and trigger changes in cardiovascular events.

Induction of JAK2/STAT3 pathway contributes to protective effects of different therapeutics against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion

Insufficiency in coronary blood supply results in myocardial ischemia and consequently, various clinical syndromes and irreversible injuries. Myocardial damage occurs as a result of two processes during acute myocardial infarction (MI): ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. According to the available evidence, oxidative stress, excessive inflammation reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis are crucial players in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. There is emerging evidence that Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway offers cardioprotection against myocardial IR injury. This article reviews therapeutics that exert cardioprotective effects against myocardial IR injury through induction of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Deep Learning Reconstruction Algorithm-Based MRI Image Evaluation of Edaravone in the Treatment of Lower Limb Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

This research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of edaravone on lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury by MRI images of graph patch-based directional curvelet transform (GPBDCT), compression reconstruction algorithm. 200 patients with lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury after replantation of severed limb were randomly divided into the observation group (edaravone treatment) and control group (Mailuoning injection treatment), with 100 cases in each group. MRI scanning and image processing using the GPBDCT algorithm were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the two groups of patients. The results showed that the signal noise ratio (SNR) (22.01), relative $l_2$ norm error (RLNE) (0.0792), and matching degree $\gamma$ (0.9997) of the compression and reconstruction algorithm based on GPBDCT were superior to those of the conventional compression and reconstruction algorithm ( $P<0.05$ ). MRI examination showed that the decrease of bleeding signal after treatment in the observation group was superior to that in the control group. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (15 ± 2.02), malondialdehyde (MDA) (2.27 ± 1.02), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) (8.5 ± 1.02), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) (3.7 ± 0.42), and Caspase-3 protein (35.9 ± 5.42) in the observation group before and after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group ( $P<0.05$ ). In conclusion, the GPBDCT-based compression reconstruction algorithm has a better effect on MRI image processing, and edaravone can better remove free radicals and alleviate apoptosis.

Edaravone Attenuated Angiotensin II-Induced Atherosclerosis and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

Background: The aim of the study was to define whether edaravone, a free-radical scavenger, influenced angiotensin II (AngII)-induced atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) formation. Methods: Male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (8–12 weeks old) were fed with a normal diet for 5 weeks. Either edaravone (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally for 5 weeks. After 1 week of injections, mice were infused subcutaneously with either AngII (1000 ng/kg/min, n = 16–17 per group) or saline (n = 5 per group) by osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks. Results: AngII increased systolic blood pressure equivalently in mice administered with either edaravone or saline. Edaravone had no effect on plasma total cholesterol concentrations and body weights. AngII infusion significantly increased ex vivo maximal diameters of abdominal aortas and en face atherosclerosis but was significantly attenuated by edaravone administration. Edaravone also reduced the incidence of AngII-induced AAAs. In addition, edaravone diminished AngII-induced aortic MMP-2 activation. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that edaravone ameliorated mRNA abundance of aortic MCP-1 and IL-1β. Immunostaining demonstrated that edaravone attenuated oxidative stress and macrophage accumulation in the aorta. Furthermore, edaravone administration suppressed thioglycolate-induced mice peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) accumulation and mRNA abundance of MCP-1 in MPMs in male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. In vitro, edaravone reduced LPS-induced mRNA abundance of MCP-1 in MPMs. Conclusions: Edaravone attenuated AngII-induced AAAs and atherosclerosis in male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice via anti-oxidative action and anti-inflammatory effect.

Interleukin-6 mediated inflammasome activation promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma progression via JAK2/STAT3/Sox4/NLRP3 signaling pathway

Background

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been reported to be critical in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the set of pathways that IL-6 might activate in OSCC are not fully understood.

Methods

IL-6 and Sox4 expressions were first determined with RT-qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry in OSCC tissues, and correlations between IL-6 and Sox4 expression and patient pathological characteristics were examined, and Kaplan–Meier approach was employed for evaluating the prognostic utility in OSCC patients. CCK-8, EdU stain and colony formation assays were utilized to test cell proliferation in vitro. Mechanistically, downstream regulatory proteins of IL-6 were verified through chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, pull-down, and the rescued experiments. Western blot was used for detecting protein expression. A nude mouse tumorigenicity assay was used to confirm the role of IL-6 and Sox4 in vivo.

Results

IL-6 was upregulated in OSCC tissues, and Sox4 expression was positively correlated with IL-6 expression. High IL-6 and Sox4 expression was closely related to tumor size, TNM stage, and a poorer overall survival. Besides, IL-6 could accelerate OSCC cell proliferation by activating inflammasome via JAK2/STAT3/Sox4/NLRP3 pathways in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, STAT3 played as a transcription factor which positively regulated Sox4, and IL-6 promotes Sox4 expression by activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Moreover, through the rescue experiments, we further confirmed that IL-6 could promote proliferation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via JAK2/STAT3/Sox4 pathway in OSCC cells. Finally, knockdown of Sox4 suppressed OSCC growth in vivo, and antagonized the acceleration of IL-6 on tumor growth.

Conclusions

We confirmed that IL-6 plays an oncogenic role in OSCC progression by activating JAK2/STAT3/Sox4/NLRP3 pathway, which might be the therapeutic targets for OSCC remedy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02376-4.

Identification of ceRNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) Regulatory Network in Myocardial Fibrosis After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Purpose

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Edaravone combined with dexamethasone exhibits synergic effects on attenuating smoke-induced inhalation lung injury in rats

Inhalational lung injury often leads to morbidity and mortality during fire disasters. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of edaravone combined with dexamethasone on smoke-induced inhalational lung injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, namely, the control, model (inhalation), and three treatment groups (edaravone, dexamethasone, and edaravone combined with dexamethasone). After drug intervention in the acute lung injury model, arterial blood gas, wet:dry weight ratio of the lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and pulmonary histopathology were determined. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), inflammatory cytokines, peroxidase and apoptosis were further analyzed to explore the underlying mechanisms. The results of blood gas and inflammatory cytokine analysis and the histopathological data demonstrated that edaravone combined with dexamethasone had obvious protective effects on smoke infiltration and tissue injury. Moreover, after the co-administration of edaravone and dexamethasone, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in the lung tissue decreased, whereas those of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were elevated. In addition, this drug combination could inhibit smoke-induced apoptosis in lung tissues by reducing the cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-9, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and also reverse smoke-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, including ROS generation, loss of MMP, early release of cytochrome C, second mitochondrial activator of caspases, and apoptosis-inducing factor. In conclusion, edaravone combined with dexamethasone had a protective effect on smoke-induced inhalational lung injury in rats and can be further explored as an attractive therapeutic option for the treatment of smoke inhalation-induced pulmonary dysfunction.

Knockdown of 91 H Suppresses the Tumorigenesis of Osteosarcoma via Inducing Methylation of CDK4 Promoter

Background:

Osteosarcoma is the most leading primary malignancy of the bone in adolescents all over the world. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) 91 H has been reported to participated in multiple cancers. Meanwhile, lncRNA 91 H has been proved to be upregulated in osteosarcoma. However, the function of 91 H in osteosarcoma remains unclear.

Methods:

Gene and protein expressions in osteosarcoma cells were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell viability was tested by CCK-8 assay. Ki67 staining was used to measure cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis and cycle were assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, transwell assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to test the methylation of CDK4 promoter. Finally, xenograft mice model was established to explore the role of 91 H in osteosarcoma in vivo.

Results:

Knockdown of 91 H significantly inhibited the growth of osteosarcoma cells via inducing the cell apoptosis. In addition, 91 H siRNA notably suppressed the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Meanwhile, knockdown of 91 H inhibited the progression of osteosarcoma via inducing methylation of CDK4 promoter. Furthermore, 91 H knockdown obviously induced G1 arrest in osteosarcoma cells via inhibition of PCNA and Cyclin D1. Finally, knockdown of 91 H notably inhibited the tumor growth of osteosarcoma in vivo.

Conclusion:

knockdown of 91 H suppressed the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma via inducing methylation of CDK4 promoter in vitro and in vivo. Thus, 91 H may serve as a new target for the treatment of osteosarcoma.