PC4 serves as a negative regulator of skin wound healing in mice

The navel nanoethosomal formulation of gamma-oryzanol attenuates testicular ischemia/reperfusion damages

Testicular torsion reduces blood flow to testes and induces tissue ischemia. Antioxidant can have pivotal roles in alleviation of the effects of torsion/reperfusion. Gamma-oryzanol (γ-Oryzanol) has several pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and anti-apoptosis that can be used in this way. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nanoethosomal formulation of gamma-oryzanol (γ-Oryzanol-NEs) on testicular damages in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion damage. Following induction of ischemia/reperfusion, the mice were treated with γ-Oryzanol and γ-Oryzanol-NEs (6 mg/kg) in times of 3 h and 6 h. The expression of positive cells of TUNEL, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) and caspase 3 and histopathological parameters were assessed. The results showed higher expression of positive cells of TUNEL, HSP70 and caspase 3 and lower expressions of SOD and GPx in control mice compared with those treated with γ-Oryzanol-NEs (P = 0.001). The treatment with γ-Oryzanol-NEs could decrease pathological damages and the expression of positive cells of TUNEL, HSP70 and caspase 3 and increase the expressions of SOD and GPx. In conclusion, γ-Oryzanol-NEs could have the protective effects on torsion/reperfusion by decreasing apoptosis and increasing antioxidant status in a mouse model.

Metal-organic framework-based nanoplatform enhance fibroblast activity to treat periodontitis

After periodontal tissue injury, reconstruct soft tissue sealing around the tooth surface is of fundamental importance to treat periodontitis. Among multiple cell types, fibroblast plays a central role in reestablishing functional periodontium. To enhance fibroblast activity, a novel metal-organic framework-based nanoplatform is fabricated using mesoporous Prussian blue (MPB) nanoparticles to load baicalein (BA), named MPB-BA. Drug release test displayed sustained BA release of MPB-BA. Cell proliferation, transwell migration and wound healing tests revealed accelerated fibroblast proliferation and migration for the established MPB-BA nanoplatform. Moreover, vinculin immunofluorescence staining, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed up-regulated vinculin protein and integrin α5 and integrin β1 gene expressions for MPB-BA, suggesting improved cell adhesion. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichromatic staining suggested superior anti-inflammatory and collagen fiber reconstruction effects for MPB-BA in a rat experimental periodontitis model in vivo. Our study may provide a promising strategy for the treatment of periodontitis.

Nanoliposomal peptides derived from Spirulina platensis protein accelerate full-thickness wound healing

Spirulina platensis is a type of blue-green algae that contains large amounts of protein with therapeutic effects. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of encapsulated Spirulina protein hydrolysates (SPH) with nanoliposomes (NLPs) in reducing wound healing period. SPH-loaded NLPs showed the size and zeta potential of 158 nm and -48 mV, respectively; as well as a uniform non-aggregated morphology. In-vitro MTT toxicity studies on the Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFFF-2) cell line exhibited that the hydrolyzed peptides had no toxic effect and increased cell growth. The scratch test confirmed the MTT results. For in-vivo study, 162 mice were divided into nine groups, including the mice groups treated with blank gel, blank NLPs, and those treated with 2.5, 5, and 10 % SPH and SPH-loaded NLPs. The histopathological assessment was done to investigate rate of fibroblast proliferation and epithelialization. Immunofluorescence staining for bFGF, CD31, COL1A was conducted. The results showed that the mice group treated with SPH-NLPs showed higher wound contraction, epithelization, fibroblast proliferation, and higher expressions for bFGF, CD31, COL1A compared with blanks and other groups. In conclusion, the derived and encapsulated peptides showed significant effects in accelerating wound healing via angiogenesis and collagen production.

Accelerative effect of nanohydrogels based on chitosan/ZnO incorporated with citral to heal the infected full-thickness wounds; an experimental study

Antimicrobial-resistant is a major challenge in to treat infected wounds, and new formulations should be produced. Citral (Citl), chitosan (Chsn), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles may accelerate the wound healing process in terms of their antibacterial properties. This new study aimed to investigate the effects of ointments produced from ZnO/Chsn/Citl nanoparticles (NPs) to treat the infected wounds. Following the preparation of ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs, swelling behavior, the release of citral, toxicity, and antibacterial properties were evaluated. Base ointment, mupirocin, and ointments made from Chsn-NPs, Chsn/Citl-NPs, and ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs were used to treat the mice. The ointments' effects on wound contraction, total bacterial count, and immunofluorescence staining for TNF-α, TGF-β, and bFGF were tested. The synthesis of ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs was validated by XRD, FT-IR, DLS, and TEM findings. In higher dilutions, chitosan/citral and ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs indicated better antibacterial activity. Nanoparticles were safe up to concentration of the 0.5 mg/mL. The mice in Chsn/Citl and ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs treated groups showed higher (P < 0.05) wound contraction ratio and expressions for bFGF, and lower total bacterial count and expressions for TGF-β and TNF-α compared to control mice. Ointments prepared from ZnO/Chsn/Citl-NPs could compete with the commercial ointment of mupirocin and can be used to treat infected wounds after clinical studies.

Biofabrication of ZnO/Malachite nanocomposite and its coating with chitosan to heal infectious wounds

Recently, nanocomposites produced from clays and metals coated with chitosan have shown wound healing activity. This study aimed to synthesize the zinc oxide/malachite nanocomposite (ZnO/Mlt-NC) and its coating form with chitosan (ZnO/Mlt/Chsn-NC). Physicochemical characterization of the produced nanocomposites was investigated. Biomedical effects of nanocomposites, such as in vivo and in vitro antibacterial activity, antioxidant properties, cytotoxicity, and modulation in the gene expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and histopathological parameters, were also investigated. Expression intensities of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were also investigated by immunofluorescence staining. To investigate biomedical effects under in vivo conditions, infected wounds were induced and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The results indicated spherical ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of malachite and strong antibacterial activity and antioxidant properties. The ointments produced from the nanocomposites also exhibited wound healing activity. The administration of the ointments prepared from ZnO/Mlt, and ZnO/Mlt/Chsn NCs decreased the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while it increased the expressions of IL-10, TGF-β and bFGF. In sum, the nanocomposites produced from ZnO, malachite, and chitosan had better biological activity than ZnO/Malachite nanocomposites. We suggest applying ZnO/Mlt/Chsn nanocomposites in the structure of ointments to treat infected wounds after future clinical studies.

Acceleration of ageing via disturbing mTOR-regulated proteostasis by a new ageing-associated gene PC4

Research on ageing‐associated genes is important for investigating ageing and anti‐ageing strategies. Here, we firstly reported that the human positive cofactor 4 (PC4), a multifunctional and highly conserved nucleoprotein, is accumulated and activated during ageing and causes global accelerated ageing process by disrupting proteostasis. Mechanistically, PC4 interacts with Sin3‐HDAC complex and inhibits its deacetylated activity, leads to hyper‐acetylation of the histones at the promoters of mTOR‐related genes and causes mTOR signalling activation. Accordingly, mTOR activation causes excessive protein synthesis, resulting in impaired proteostasis and accelerated senescence. These results reveal a new biological function of PC4 in vivo, recognizes PC4 as a new ageing‐associated gene and provides a genetically engineered mouse model to simulate natural ageing. More importantly, our findings also indicate that PC4 is involved in histone acetylation and serves as a potential target to improve proteostasis and delay ageing.

Mitigation of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis by small-molecule dye IR-780

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a common complication during thoracic radiotherapy, but there are few effective treatments. Here, we identify IR-780, a mitochondria-targeted near-infrared (NIR) dye, can selectively accumulate in the irradiated lung tissues. Besides, IR-780 significantly alleviates radiation-induced acute lung injury and fibrosis. Furthermore, our results show that IR-780 prevents the differentiation of fibroblasts and the release of pro-fibrotic factors from alveolar macrophages induced by radiation. Besides, IR-780 downregulates the expression of glycolysis-associated genes, and 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) also prevents the development of fibrosis in vitro, suggesting radioprotective effects of IR-780 on RIPF might be related to glycolysis regulation. Finally, IR-780 induces tumour cell apoptosis and enhances radiosensitivity in representative H460 and A549 cell lines. These findings indicate that IR-780 is a potential therapeutic small-molecule dye during thoracic radiotherapy.

Knockdown of PC4 increases chemosensitivity of Oxaliplatin in triple negative breast cancer by suppressing mTOR pathway

As a multifunctional nuclear protein, the human positive cofactor 4 (PC4) is highly expressed in various tumors including breast cancer and has potential roles in cancer development and progression. However, the functional signatures and molecular mechanisms of PC4 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression and chemotherapeutic response are still unknown. In this study, we found that PC4 is significantly upregulated in TNBC cells compared with non-TNBC cells, implying its potential role in TNBC. Then, in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that knockdown of PC4 increased chemosensitivity of Oxaliplation (Oxa) in TNBC by suppressing mTOR pathway. Therefore, our findings demonstrated the signatures and molecular mechanisms of PC4 in TNBC chemotherapeutic response, and indicated that PC4 might be a promising therapeutic target for TNBC.