Activation of NLR family, domain of pyrin containing 3 inflammasome by nitrous oxide through thioredoxin-interacting protein to induce nerve cell injury

Progress in Research on the Role of the Thioredoxin System in Chemical Nerve Injury

(1) Background: Various factors, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, tumors, inflammation, trauma, immune disorders, and neuronal toxicity, can cause nerve damage. Chemical nerve injury, which results from exposure to toxic chemicals, has garnered increasing research attention. The thioredoxin (Trx) system, comprising Trx, Trx reductase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and Trx-interacting protein (TXNIP; endogenous Trx inhibitor), helps maintain redox homeostasis in the central nervous system. The dysregulation of this system can cause dementia, cognitive impairment, nerve conduction disorders, movement disorders, and other neurological disorders. Thus, maintaining Trx system homeostasis is crucial for preventing or treating nerve damage. (2) Objective: In this review study, we explored factors influencing the homeostasis of the Trx system and the involvement of its homeostatic imbalance in chemical nerve injury. In addition, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the Trx system-targeting active substances against chemical nerve injury. (3) Conclusions: Chemicals such as morphine, metals, and methylglyoxal interfere with the activity of TXNIP, Trx, and Trx reductase, disrupting Trx system homeostasis by affecting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and apoptotic signaling-regulated kinase 1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, thereby leading to neurological disorders. Active substances such as resveratrol and lysergic acid sulfide mitigate the symptoms of chemical nerve injury by regulating the Ras/Raf1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and the miR-146a-5p/TXNIP axis. This study may guide the development of Trx-targeting modulators for treating neurological disorders and chemical nerve injuries.

MiR-21 participates in the neuroprotection of diazoxide against hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy by targeting PDCD4

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death and permanent neurological disability. Here, we designed to quest therapeutic effects of diazoxide (DZ) on HIE and its mechanism.

METHODS

The cell model of HIE was established. CCK8 and flow cytometry were applied to test cell viability and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and western blotting was evaluated to the expression of miR-21, PDCD4, PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT. Commercial kits were employed to detect SOD, MDA, LDH. DCFH-DA was used to measure intracellular ROS. ELISA was performed to estimate IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RIP assay were applied to confirm the binding relationships between miR-21 and PDCD4.

RESULTS

In H19-7 cells and PC12 cells stimulated by OGD, with low cell viability, high apoptosis, miR-21 high expression and PDCD4 low expression. However, the functions were all reversed by DZ administration. Furthermore, miR-21 inhibitor could abolish the beneficial effects of DZ on OGD-induced cells. Besides, miR-21 could interact with PDCD4. In addition, PDCD4 involved with the regulation of DZ to OGD-induced cells via PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

DZ enhanced miR-21 level and inhibited PDCD4 level via PI3K/AKT pathway to resisted HIE.

microRNA-135a-5p regulates NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome-mediated hypertensive cardiac inflammation and fibrosis via thioredoxin-interacting protein

Hypertension is a severe public health problem that induces cardiac injury with alterations of gene expressions. The current study sought to evaluate the mechanism of microRNA(miR)-135a-5p in NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediation of cardiac inflammation and hypertensive cardiac fibrosis. Firstly, hypertensive mouse models were established using angiotensin II (Ang II), followed by miR-135a-5p agomir treatment. Subsequently, mouse blood pressure and basic cardiac function indexes, histopathological changes, and cardiac fibrosis were all determined, in addition to detection of factors related to inflammation and fibrosis. Additionally, mice cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were isolated and treated with Ang II. The binding relationship of miR-135a-5p and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) was predicted and testified, while the interaction of TXNIP and NLRP3 was detected by means of a co-immunoprecipitation assay. It was found that miR-135a-5p was poorly-expressed in Ang II-treated mice and further exerted cardioprotective effects against hypertensive heart diseases. Moreover, over-expression of miR-135a-5p resulted in inhibition of inflammatory infiltration and almost eliminated cardiac fibrosis, as evidenced by decreased Collagen (COL)-I, COL-III, a-smooth muscle actin, NLRP3, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. Mechanically, miR-135a-5p inhibited TXNIP expression to block the binding of TXNIP and NLRP3. On the other hand, TXNIP up-regulation reversed the protective role of miR-135a-5p over-expression in CFs. Collectively, our findings indicated that miR-135a-5p over-expression inhibited TXNIP expression to block the binding of TXNIP and NLRP3, thereby alleviating hypertensive cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.