1
|
Deng J, Wei RQ, Zhang WM, Shi CY, Yang R, Jin M, Piao C. Crocin's role in modulating MMP2/TIMP1 and mitigating hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12716. [PMID: 38830933 PMCID: PMC11148111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62900-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
To explore the molecular pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and identify potential therapeutic targets, we performed transcriptome sequencing of lung tissue from mice with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Our Gene Ontology analysis revealed that "extracellular matrix organization" ranked high in the biological process category, and matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) and other proteases also played important roles in it. Moreover, compared with those in the normoxia group, we confirmed that MMPs expression was upregulated in the hypoxia group, while the hub gene Timp1 was downregulated. Crocin, a natural MMP inhibitor, was found to reduce inflammation, decrease MMPs levels, increase Timp1 expression levels, and attenuate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. In addition, analysis of the cell distribution of MMPs and Timp1 in the human lung cell atlas using single-cell RNAseq datasets revealed that MMPs and Timp1 are mainly expressed in a population of fibroblasts. Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that crocin significantly inhibited myofibroblast proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that crocin inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation and regulated the pulmonary arterial fibroblast MMP2/TIMP1 balance by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. In summary, our results indicate that crocin attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice by inhibiting TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133000, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wei
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Wen-Mei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Chang-Yu Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ming Jin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133000, China.
| | - Chunmei Piao
- Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Song B, Liu W, Zhu Y, Peng Y, Cui Z, Gao B, Chen L, Yu Z, Song B. Deciphering the contributions of cuproptosis in the development of hypertrophic scar using single-cell analysis and machine learning techniques. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207522. [PMID: 37409114 PMCID: PMC10318401 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, but the exact mechanisms related to its formation remain unclear, making it difficult to treat. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of cuproptosis in the information of HS. To this end, we used single-cell sequencing and bulk transcriptome data, and screened for cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) using differential gene analysis and machine learning algorithms (random forest and support vector machine). Through this process, we identified a group of genes, including ATP7A, ULK1, and MTF1, as novel therapeutic targets for HS. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to confirm the mRNA expression of ATP7A, ULK1, and MTF1 in both HS and normal skin (NS) tissues. We also constructed a diagnostic model for HS and analyzed the immune infiltration characteristics. Additionally, we used the expression profiles of CRGs to perform subgroup analysis of HS. We focused mainly on fibroblasts in the transcriptional profile at single-cell resolution. By calculating the cuproptosis activity of each fibroblast, we found that cuproptosis activity of normal skin fibroblasts increased, providing further insights into the pathogenesis of HS. We also analyzed the cell communication network and transcription factor regulatory network activity, and found the existence of a fibroblast-centered communication regulation network in HS, where cuproptosis activity in fibroblasts affects intercellular communication. Using transcription factor regulatory activity network analysis, we obtained highly active transcription factors, and correlation analysis with CRGs suggested that CRGs may serve as potential target genes for transcription factors. Overall, our study provides new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of HS, which may inspire new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lin Chen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Baoqiang Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng Y, Xie L, Yang D, Luo K, Li X. Small-molecule natural plants for reversing liver fibrosis based on modulation of hepatic stellate cells activation: An update. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 113:154721. [PMID: 36870824 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis (LF) is a trauma repair process carried out by the liver in response to various acute and chronic liver injuries. Its primary pathological characteristics are excessive proliferation and improper dismissal of the extracellular matrix, and if left untreated, it will progress into cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is intimately associated to the onset of LF, and it is anticipated that addressing HSCs proliferation can reverse LF. Plant-based small-molecule medications have anti-LF properties, and their mechanisms of action involve suppression of extracellular matrix abnormally accumulating as well as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress. New targeting HSC agents will therefore be needed to provide a potential curative response. PURPOSE The most recent HSC routes and small molecule natural plants that target HSC described domestically and internationally in recent years were examined in this review. METHODS The data was looked up using resources including ScienceDirect, CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed. Keyword searches for information on hepatic stellate cells included "liver fibrosis", "natural plant", "hepatic stellate cells", "adverse reaction", "toxicity", etc. RESULTS: We discovered that plant monomers can target and control various pathways to prevent the activation and proliferation of HSC and promote the apoptosis of HSC in order to achieve the anti-LF effect in this work by compiling the plant monomers that influence many common pathways of HSC in recent years. It demonstrates the wide-ranging potential of plant monomers targeting different routes to combat LF, with a view to supplying new concepts and new strategies for natural plant therapy of LF as well as research and development of novel pharmaceuticals. The investigation of kaempferol, physalin B, and other plant monomers additionally motivated researchers to focus on the structure-activity link between the main chemicals and LF. CONCLUSION The creation of novel pharmaceuticals can benefit greatly from the use of natural components. They are often harmless for people, non-target creatures, and the environment because they are found in nature, and they can be employed as the starting chemicals for the creation of novel medications. Natural plants are valuable resources for creating new medications with fresh action targets because they feature original and distinctive action mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Kaipei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang R, Li S, Chen P, Yue X, Wang S, Gu Y, Yuan Y. Salvianolic acid B suppresses hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway via miR-6499-3p/LncRNA-ROR. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 107:154435. [PMID: 36155216 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNA (LncRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in liver fibrosis and are closely associated with hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. We previously found that salvianolic acid B (Sal B) improves liver fibrosis by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, whether the LncRNA, regulator of reprogramming (LncRNA-ROR) plays a role in Sal B-mediated anti-fibrosis effects via the NF-κB signaling pathway remain unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Sal B on HSC activation and liver fibrosis and investigate its mechanism from the perspective of LncRNA-ROR-mediated NF-κB signaling pathways. METHODS LX-2 and T6 cell lines were cultured. Animal models of liver fibrosis were established using CCl4 in male BALB/c mice. Primary HSCs were isolated from mice and cultured. Serum biochemical and liver histological analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of Sal B on liver fibrosis. The index of HSC activation and the expression of LncRNA-ROR, microRNAs (miRNAs), and inflammatory factors were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or immunofluorescence staining. Cell proliferation was measured by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). NF-κB signaling-associated protein levels were assessed using western blotting or immunofluorescence staining. A luciferase reporter assay was used to detect transcription activity. RESULTS In this study, a lower level of LncRNA-ROR was found during Sal B attenuating HSC activation in HSCs. Mechanistically, Sal B impeded the NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit HSC proliferation and activation by downregulating LncRNA-ROR. Additionally, Sal B upregulated miR-6499-3p to target LncRNA-ROR for degradation. Functionally, Sal B treatment ameliorated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting HSC activation. CONCLUSION Sal B suppresses HSC activation and liver fibrosis via regulation of miR-6499-3p/LncRNA-ROR-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. These results reveal a new molecular mechanism of Sal B on liver fibrosis from the insight of LncRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Xin Yue
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shaozhan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yanqiu Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yongfang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mo He Rd, Shanghai 201999, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zheng M, Zhou H, Xie J, Zhang H, Shen X, Zhu D. Molecular typing and prognostic model of lung adenocarcinoma based on cuprotosis-related lncRNAs. J Thorac Dis 2022; 14:4828-4845. [PMID: 36647499 PMCID: PMC9840007 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-22-1534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Previous research has shown the heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for the different effects and prognoses of the same treatment. Cuprotosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death involved in the development of tumors. Therefore, it is important to study the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate cuprotosis to identify molecular subtypes and predict survival of LUAD. Methods The expression profile, clinical, and mutation data of LUAD were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the "ConsensusClusterPlus" package was used to cluster LUADs based on cuprotosis-related lncRNAs (CR-lncRNAs). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression were used to construct a prognostic model. CIBERSORT and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were used for assessing immune cells infiltration and immune function. The tumor microenvironment (TME) score was calculated by ESTIMATE, and the tumor mutational burden (TMB) and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) were used to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy. Results Firstly, 501 CR-lncRNAs were identified based on the co-expression relationship of 19 cuprotosis genes. And univariate Cox further obtained 34 prognosis-related CR-lncRNAs. The unsupervised consensus clustering divided LUAD samples into cluster A and cluster B, and showed cluster A had better prognosis, more immune cells infiltration, stronger immune function, and a higher TME score. Subsequently, we used Lasso Cox regression to construct a prognostic model, and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses showed the risk score could be an independent prognostic indicator. Immune cells infiltration, immune function, and TME score were increased markedly in the low-risk group, while TMB and TIDE suggested the efficacy of immunotherapy might be increased in high-risk group. Conclusions Our research identified two new molecular subtypes and constructed a novel prognostic model of LUAD which could provide new direction for its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miaosen Zheng
- Department of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Rugao, Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Rugao, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Rugao, Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Rugao, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Rugao, Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Rugao, China
| | - Xiaojian Shen
- Department of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Rugao, Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Rugao, China
| | - Dongbing Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Rugao, Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Rugao, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boozari M, Hosseinzadeh H. Crocin molecular signaling pathways at a glance: A comprehensive review. Phytother Res 2022; 36:3859-3884. [PMID: 35989419 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Crocin is a hydrophilic carotenoid that is synthesized in the flowers of the Crocus genus. Numerous in vitro and in vivo research projects have been published about the biological and pharmacological properties and toxicity of crocin. Crocin acts as a memory enhancer, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, neuroprotective, and so on. Here, we introduce an updated and comprehensive review of crocin molecular mechanisms based on previously examined and mentioned in the literature. Different studies confirmed the significant effect of crocin to control pathological conditions, including oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. The neuroprotective effect of crocin could be related to the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Notch, and cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein signaling pathways. The crocin also protects the cardiovascular system through the inhibitory effect on toll-like receptors. The regulatory effect of crocin on PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathways can play an effective role in the treatment of metabolic disorders. The crocin has anticancer activity through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, vascular endothelial growth factor, Wnt/β-catenin, and Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription suppression. Also, the nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 and p53 signaling pathway activation may be effective in the anticancer effect of crocin. Finally, among signaling pathways regulated by crocin, the most important ones seem to be those related to the regulatory effect on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Boozari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|