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Liu P, Wang Y, Tian K, Bai X, Wang Y, Wang Y. Artesunate inhibits macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells and attenuates vascular inflammatory injury in atherosclerosis via NLRP3. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116255. [PMID: 38325261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116255] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is one of the main pathogenic factors of atherosclerosis (AS), and the phenotypic transformation of macrophages in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) contributes to the inflammatory injury of blood vessels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate reportedly exerts anti-inflammatory activity against AS. Herein, we aimed to explore the artesunate-mediated anti-inflammatory and HVSMC phenotypic switch effects against AS and elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. In vitro, artesunate decreased expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin (IL)- 1β. Artesunate significantly inhibited low-density lipoprotein (LDL) expression in HVSMCs and macrophages. In vivo, artesunate reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE-/- mice, as well as decreased NLRP3 and CD68 expression in atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate decreased serum levels of triglycerides and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in HFD-med mice; however, serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL were unaltered. Treatment with artesunate substantially increased α-smooth muscle actin expression in aortic tissues while inhibiting expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, heparinase, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Collectively, our findings suggest that artesunate-mediated effects may involve inhibition of the ERK1/2/NF-κB/IL-1β pathway in HVSMCs via the downregulation of NLRP3 expression. Thus, artesunate could serve as a novel strategy to treat AS by inhibiting AS plaque formation and suppressing macrophage-like phenotype switching of HVSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yuqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Keke Tian
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xinyu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yaowen Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Cardiac Arrhythmias Therapeutic Service Center, Chongqing 400010, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Chen J, Oggero S, Cecconello C, Dalli J, Hayat H, Hjiej Andaloussi A, Sanni S, Jonassen TE, Perretti M. The Annexin-A1 mimetic RTP-026 promotes acute cardioprotection through modulation of immune cell activation. Pharmacol Res 2023; 198:107005. [PMID: 37992916 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.107005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The cardio-protective and immuno-regulatory properties of RTP-026, a synthetic peptide that spans the Annexin-A1 (AnxA1) N-terminal region, were tested in rat acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS In vitro, selective activation of formyl-peptide receptor type 2 (FPR2) by RTP-026 occurred with apparent EC50 in the 10-30 nM range. With human primary cells, RTP-026 counteracted extension of neutrophil life-span and augmented phagocytosis of fluorescent E.coli by blood myeloid cells. An in vivo model of rat acute infarction was used to quantify tissue injury and phenotype immune cells in myocardium and blood. The rat left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded and then reopened for 2-hour or 24-hour reperfusion. For the 2-hour reperfusion protocol, RTP-026 (25-500 µg/kg; given i.v. at the start of reperfusion) significantly reduced infarct size by ∼50 %, with maximal efficacy at 50 µg/kg. Analyses of cardiac immune cells showed that RTP-026 reduced neutrophil and classical monocyte recruitment to the damaged heart. In the blood, RTP-026 (50 µg/kg) attenuated activation of neutrophils and monocytes monitored through CD62L and CD54 expression. Modulation of vascular inflammation by RTP-026 was demonstrated by reduction in plasma levels of mediators like TNF-α, IL-1β, KC, PGE2 and PGF2α⊡ For the 24-hour reperfusion protocol, RTP-026 (30 µg/kg given i.v. at 0, 3 and 6 h reperfusion) reduced necrotic myocardium by ∼40 %. CONCLUSIONS RTP-026 modulate immune cell responses and decreases infarct size of the heart in preclinical settings. Tempering over-exuberant immune cell activation by RTP-026 is a suitable approach to translate the biology of AnxA1 for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Chen
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom; Centre for inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Oggero
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Cecconello
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jesmond Dalli
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom; Centre for inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Hedayatullah Hayat
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmad Hjiej Andaloussi
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Mauro Perretti
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom; Centre for inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom.
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Shepherd JM, Ross J, Anton L, Rourke C, Brentnall AR, Tarning J, White NJ, Thiemermann C, Brohi K. Safety and efficacy of artesunate treatment in severely injured patients with traumatic hemorrhage. The TOP-ART randomized clinical trial. Intensive Care Med 2023; 49:922-933. [PMID: 37470832 PMCID: PMC10425486 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed at determining whether intravenous artesunate is safe and effective in reducing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in trauma patients with major hemorrhage. METHODS TOP-ART, a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, phase IIa trial, was conducted at a London major trauma center in adult trauma patients who activated the major hemorrhage protocol. Participants received artesunate or placebo (2:1 randomization ratio) as an intravenous bolus dose (2.4 mg/kg or 4.8 mg/kg) within 4 h of injury. The safety outcome was the 28-day serious adverse event (SAE) rate. The primary efficacy outcome was the 48 h sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. The per-protocol recruitment target was 105 patients. RESULTS The trial was terminated after enrolment of 90 patients because of safety concerns. Eighty-three participants received artesunate (n = 54) or placebo (n = 29) and formed the safety population and 75 met per-protocol criteria (48 artesunate, 27 placebo). Admission characteristics were similar between groups (overall 88% male, median age 29 years, median injury severity score 22), except participants who received artesunate were more shocked (median base deficit 9 vs. 4.7, p = 0.042). SAEs occurred in 17 artesunate participants (31%) vs. 5 who received placebo (17%). Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) occurred in 9 artesunate participants (17%) vs. 1 who received placebo (3%). Superiority of artesunate was not supported by the 48 h SOFA score (median 5.5 artesunate vs. 4 placebo, p = 0.303) or any of the trial's secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION Among critically ill trauma patients, artesunate is unlikely to improve organ dysfunction and might be associated with a higher VTE rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Shepherd
- Centre for Trauma Sciences, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK.
| | - Jennifer Ross
- Centre for Trauma Sciences, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK
| | - Lourdes Anton
- Centre for Trauma Sciences, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK
- Chelsea Research Center, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 2nd Floor Wallace Wing, 203 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Claire Rourke
- Centre for Trauma Sciences, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK
- NHS Blood and Transplant Clinical Trials Unit, Cambridge Blood Centre, Long Road, Cambridge, CB20PT, UK
| | - Adam R Brentnall
- Centre for Evaluation and Methods, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christoph Thiemermann
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Karim Brohi
- Centre for Trauma Sciences, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4AT, UK
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Duan Q, Wu J. Dihydroartemisinin ameliorates cerebral I/R injury in rats via regulating VWF and autophagy-mediated SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway. Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230698. [PMID: 37415610 PMCID: PMC10320570 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been found to inhibit the expression of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a marker of endothelial cell injury, but its mechanism in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains obscure. In this study, I/R model was constructed through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, followed by DHA administration. The effect of DHA on rat cerebral I/R injury was investigated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, TUNEL staining, and Western blot. Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) isolated from newborn rats were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), and then treated with DHA. The results showed that MCAO treatment induced infarction, nerve cell apoptosis, and brain tissue impairment in rats, which was mitigated by DHA. OGD/R inhibited viability and accelerated apoptosis of BMVECs, which was alleviated by DHA. I/R procedures or OGD/R up-regulated expressions of VWF, ATG7, Beclin1, and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, while down-regulating Occludin, Claudin-5, ZO-1, P62, SIRT1, and FOXO1 expressions in vivo and in vitro; however, these effects of I/R procedures or OGD/R were offset by DHA. VWF overexpression reversed the above effects of DHA on OGD/R-induced BMVECs. In summary, DHA ameliorates cerebral I/R injury in rats by reducing VWF level and activating autophagy-mediated SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Duan
- Emergency Department, Nantong Rich Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226006, China
| | - Junxia Wu
- Emergency Department, The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong, No. 500 Yonghe Road, Gangzha District, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226000, China
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Kisler K, Sagare AP, Lazic D, Bazzi S, Lawson E, Hsu CJ, Wang Y, Ramanathan A, Nelson AR, Zhao Z, Zlokovic BV. Anti-malaria drug artesunate prevents development of amyloid-β pathology in mice by upregulating PICALM at the blood-brain barrier. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:7. [PMID: 36707892 PMCID: PMC9883925 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00597-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PICALM is one of the most significant susceptibility factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In humans and mice, PICALM is highly expressed in brain endothelium. PICALM endothelial levels are reduced in AD brains. PICALM controls several steps in Aβ transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Its loss from brain endothelium in mice diminishes Aβ clearance at the BBB, which worsens Aβ pathology, but is reversible by endothelial PICALM re-expression. Thus, increasing PICALM at the BBB holds potential to slow down development of Aβ pathology. METHODS To identify a drug that could increase PICALM expression, we screened a library of 2007 FDA-approved drugs in HEK293t cells expressing luciferase driven by a human PICALM promoter, followed by a secondary mRNA screen in human Eahy926 endothelial cell line. In vivo studies with the lead hit were carried out in Picalm-deficient (Picalm+/-) mice, Picalm+/-; 5XFAD mice and Picalmlox/lox; Cdh5-Cre; 5XFAD mice with endothelial-specific Picalm knockout. We studied PICALM expression at the BBB, Aβ pathology and clearance from brain to blood, cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses, BBB integrity and behavior. RESULTS Our screen identified anti-malaria drug artesunate as the lead hit. Artesunate elevated PICALM mRNA and protein levels in Eahy926 endothelial cells and in vivo in brain capillaries of Picalm+/- mice by 2-3-fold. Artesunate treatment (32 mg/kg/day for 2 months) of 3-month old Picalm+/-; 5XFAD mice compared to vehicle increased brain capillary PICALM levels by 2-fold, and reduced Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels and Aβ and thioflavin S-load in the cortex and hippocampus, and vascular Aβ load by 34-51%. Artesunate also increased circulating Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels by 2-fold confirming accelerated Aβ clearance from brain to blood. Consistent with reduced Aβ pathology, treatment of Picalm+/-; 5XFAD mice with artesunate improved CBF responses, BBB integrity and behavior on novel object location and recognition, burrowing and nesting. Endothelial-specific knockout of PICALM abolished all beneficial effects of artesunate in 5XFAD mice indicating that endothelial PICALM is required for its therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS Artesunate increases PICALM levels and Aβ clearance at the BBB which prevents development of Aβ pathology and functional deficits in mice and holds potential for translation to human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassandra Kisler
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Abhay P. Sagare
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Divna Lazic
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Sam Bazzi
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Erica Lawson
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Ching-Ju Hsu
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Yaoming Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Anita Ramanathan
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Amy R. Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Berislav V. Zlokovic
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience and the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
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Zhang Y, RuXian G. Didymin, a natural flavonoid, relieves the progression of myocardial infarction via inhibiting the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:2319-2327. [PMID: 36416076 PMCID: PMC9704078 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2148170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Globally, the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases remain high. Didymin, a flavonoid glycoside, has long been used as a dietary antioxidant. OBJECTIVE To determine the role of didymin in myocardial infarction (MI), and its possible myocardial protective mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS C57/BL6 mice (aged 6-8 weeks, n = 40) were divided into five groups: sham group, ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, I/R + didymin (1 mg/kg) group, I/R + didymin (2 mg/kg) group and I/R + didymin (4 mg/kg) group. Didymin was administered intragastrically daily before I/R for 5 consecutive days. H9C2 cells were divided into five groups: control group, H/R group, H/R + didymin (3 μM) group, H/R + didymin (10 μM) group and H/R + didymin (30 μM) group. H9C2 cells were treated with didymin for 24 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). RESULTS In vivo, didymin reduced the pathological damage and fibrosis of myocardial tissues, decreased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, connective tissue growth factor, collagen I and collagen III. Moreover, didymin reduced myocardial apoptosis, inhibited NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 expression, and alleviated the inflammatory response. In vitro, didymin reduced MI, apoptosis, inflammation and the levels of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 in H9C2. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Didymin prevented the deterioration of MI by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in vivo and in vitro, and may be a potential natural drug for the treatment of MI. Our study provides the scientific basis for further research of didymin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- CONTACT Yong Zhang Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, No. 107 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang832008, China
| | - GuLi RuXian
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
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Han J, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Yang S. Artemisinin relieves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via modulating miR-29b-3p and hemicentin 1. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:918966. [PMID: 36034861 PMCID: PMC9403756 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.918966] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To explore the impact of artemisinin (ARS) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Myocardial I/R rat model and cell model were used in this study. The cell viability, morphological changes, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were evaluated in cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells in vitro by using cell counting kit-8, microscope, flow cytometry, and commercial kits. High throughput sequencing is used to identify molecular targets of ARS on myocardial I/R injury, and then the gene-gene interaction network was constructed. MiR-29b-3p, hemicentin 1 (HMCN1), and apoptosis-related genes were tested by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. In the myocardial I/R rat model, echocardiography, (Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) TTC staining, Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Masson Trichrome staining, and TUNEL staining are applied to evaluate the protective effect of ARS on the myocardial injury. Results: In vitro, we demonstrated that ARS alleviated H2O2-induced myocardial I/R injury, manifested by increased H9c2 viability, decreased pathological changes, apoptosis, and oxidative stress biomarker ROS, LDH, and CK-MB. Then, sequencing analysis revealed that miR-29b-3p/HMCN1 was the target of ARS for myocardial I/R injury. Notably, rescue experiments indicated that ARS inhibited myocardial I/R injury through targeted regulation miR-29b-3p/HMCN1. In vivo, we confirmed that ARS reduced myocardial injury, fibrosis, and apoptosis via modulation of miR-29b-3p/HMCN1. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the functional role of the ARS/miR-29b-3p/HMCN1 axis in alleviating myocardial I/R injury, which provided a new direction for myocardial I/R injury therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Han
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ziguan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhonghe Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shuyu Yang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Artesunate Restrains Maturation of Dendritic Cells and Ameliorates Heart Transplantation-Induced Acute Rejection in Mice through the PERK/ATF4/CHOP Signaling Pathway. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:2481907. [PMID: 34462628 PMCID: PMC8403043 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2481907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heart transplantation (HT) is the only effective treatment for end-stage heart failure because it can effectively improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients with heart failure. Artesunate (ART) is an artemisinin derivative, with good water solubility and higher oral bioavailability. The main aim of this study was to determine the role of ART in HT mice. Methods In animal experiments, mice were divided into the control group, HT group, low ART+HT group, and high ART+HT group. Next, inflammatory cell infiltration, oxidative stress injury, and myocardial cell apoptosis were determined in heart tissue. The proportion of multiple lymphocytes in spleen and lymph nodes was then determined using flow cytometry. In addition, cell experiments were conducted to determine the changes in expression of surface maturation markers of BMDC and changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species after LPS stimulation. Finally, western blot analysis was performed to determine the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (CHOP/ATF4/PERK). Results The survival time of mice in the ART treatment group was significantly prolonged and was positively correlated with the dose. In animal experiments, ART significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in heart tissue and the proportion of CD4+CD8+ T cells in spleens and lymph nodes. Moreover, ART treatment lowered the 8-OHdg in hearts and myocardial apoptosis. In cell experiments, ART treatment slowed down the development and maturation of BMDCs by inhibiting the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins. Furthermore, the treatment alleviated the oxidative stress damage of BMDCs. Conclusion ART can inhibit maturation of dendritic cells through the endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway, thereby alleviating acute rejection in mice after heart transplantation.
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Cai L, Tang H, Zhou M, Ding Y, Li X, Shi Z. Artesunate Attenuated the Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model. J Surg Res 2021; 267:404-413. [PMID: 34225053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inflammatory reaction is an important mechanism of pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Artesunate (AS) has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AS could inhibit the development of AAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS AngII infused ApoE (-/-) male mice were selected as AAA model. Mice were spilt into three groups, the experimental control group (AngII), the AS treatment group (AngII + AS) and the negative control group (Vehicle) with 14 in each group. Daily administration of AS (100 mg/kg/d) or vehicle performed 3 day before the perfusion. At the end of the 28-day experiment, animal ultrasound and electronic digital caliper were used to measure the diameter of abdominal aorta. Histologic assays were performed to observe the microstructure of the aorta wall. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect inflammatory cells, as well as the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The transcription of cytokines and adhesion molecules were investigated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). Western blotting was performed to determine whether the NF-κB pathway is involved in the mechanism. RESULTS While AS failed to reduce the incidence of AAA, AS effectively reduced the diameter of AAA independently of blood pressure effects. Immunofluorescence detection showed that AS effectively reduced the levels of CD45+ cells and MAC3+ macrophages as well as MMP-2 and MMP-9. qPCR revealed that AS reduced mRNA transcription levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, the cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1. AS decreased the levels of NF-κB signaling pathway in aorta. CONCLUSIONS AS can attenuate the development of AAA in mice. The possible mechanism is anti-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cai
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanfei Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Ding
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Shi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China..
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Rangel FOD. Reperfusion Strategies in Acute Myocardial Infarction: State of the Art. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.36660/ijcs.20200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Chen Y, Wu J, Zhu J, Yang G, Tian J, Zhao Y, Wang Y. Artesunate Provides Neuroprotection against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via the TLR-4/NF-κB Pathway in Rats. Biol Pharm Bull 2021; 44:350-356. [PMID: 33390425 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b20-00604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation has an important role in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Artesunate (ART) has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory pharmacological activities, and it is used for various types of serious malaria, including cerebral malaria. ART maintains a high concentration in the brain but little is known about the neuroprotective effect of ART against brain I/R injury. We studied the neuroprotection of ART against brain I/R injury and its underlying mechanism. In this study, rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological deficits, cerebrum water content, infarct volume, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-staining, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were measured. Administration of 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg ART intraperitoneally (i.p.) 10 min after MCAO significantly decreased brain water content and improved neurological deficits in a dose-dependent manner. An 80 mg/kg dosage was optimal. ART significantly reduced infarct volume, suppressed MPO activity and diminished the expressions of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, MyD88, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 in the area of the ischemic cortex. The neuroprotective action of ART against focal cerebral I/R injury might be due to the attenuation of inflammation through the TLR-4/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Chen
- Institute for Cancer Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Department of Pathology, Jinshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
| | - Jingxian Wu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University
| | - Guoan Yang
- Institute for Cancer Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - Junying Tian
- Department of Foreign Language, Chongqing Medical University
| | - Yong Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University
| | - Yili Wang
- Institute for Cancer Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University
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Synergistic antitumor activity of sorafenib and artesunate in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1609-1620. [PMID: 32300243 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is currently the standard chemotherapy drug for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But its efficacy requires improvement, it is imperative to seek therapeutic strategies that combine sorafenib with other anticancer agents. In this study we investigated the synergistic anticancer effect of combining sorafenib and artesunate, an anti-malaria drug derivative, against HCC in vitro and in vivo. We first showed that artesunate (1-100 μM) alone dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of five HCC cell lines tested with IC50 values of around 100 μM. Artesunate treatment dose-dependently increased the ROS level in both HuH7 and Hep3B cells; addition of NAC significantly ameliorated the antiproliferation effect of artesunate against HuH7 and Hep3B cells. Then we demonstrated that combination of sorafenib and artesunate exerted synergistic antiproliferation effect and induced synergistic apoptosis in HCC cell lines. In nude mice bearing Hep3B xenografts, combined administration of sorafenib and artesunate significantly enhanced the suppression on tumor growth. We further revealed that sorafenib dose-dependently decreased the levels of p-ERK and p-STAT3, whereas artesunate markedly increased the levels of p-ERK and p-STAT3 in HuH7 and Hep3B cells. When used in combination, sorafenib abolished artesunate-elevated levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of ERK by inhibitor PD0325901 or STAT3 by inhibitor Stattic markedly enhanced the anticancer activity of artesunate, suggesting that suppression of ERK and STAT3 signaling by sorafenib contributes to the synergistic anticancer activity against HCC caused by combination of sorafenib and artesunate. Taken together, our results provide an evidence for possible use of sorafenib plus artesunate or artemisinin analogs for treatment of HCC in the future.
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Augustin Y, Staines HM, Krishna S. Artemisinins as a novel anti-cancer therapy: Targeting a global cancer pandemic through drug repurposing. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 216:107706. [PMID: 33075360 PMCID: PMC7564301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinins are a unique class of antimalarial drugs with significant potential for drug repurposing for a wide range of diseases including cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and the majority of cancer related deaths occur in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) where conventional treatment options are often limited by financial cost. Drug repurposing can significantly shorten new therapeutic discovery pathways, ensuring greater accessibility and affordability globally. Artemisinins have an excellent safety and tolerability profile as well as being affordable for deployment in Low and Middle Class Income Countries at around USD1 per daily dose. Robust, well designed clinical trials of artemisinin drug repurposing are indicated for a variety of different cancers and treatment settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Augustin
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry M Staines
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjeev Krishna
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom.
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Fan S, Zhang D, Liu F, Yang Y, Xu H. Artesunate alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial necrosis in rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells via regulating the FAK/PI3K/Akt pathway. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1291. [PMID: 33209871 PMCID: PMC7661874 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background The various anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects of Artesunate (Art) have been explored in numerous studies. This study aimed to evaluate the function of Art on myocardial necrosis in apoptotic cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro. Methods Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into groups: a control group, a myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MI/R) group, and MI/R+ Art groups. To establish a MI/R model, rats were subjected to left anterior descending artery ischemia for 45 minutes, and then reperfusion for 2 hours. Hypoxia was induced in H9C2 cells by subjecting them to hypoxic conditions at 37 °C for 4 hours, before placing them in a normoxic chamber for 2 hours. The test methods were used in this test, such as echocardiography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), HE staining, TUNEL staining, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blot, and CCK-8 assay. Results Art improved myocardial systolic function caused by MI/R injury in vivo. Simultaneously, Art reduced the levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnl), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and myohemoglobin (Mb) in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, Art inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/phosphatidylinositide-3 kinases (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway was also activated by Art in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, after inhibitor PF573228 was added, Art inhibited apoptosis in H9C2 cells via activation of the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro. Conclusions This study confirms that Art alleviated MI/R injury and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Art exerted an inhibitory effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, Art may serve as an alternative treatment for MI/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyang Fan
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Deyin Zhang
- Department of Galactphore, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuyun Liu
- Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Yang
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongliang Xu
- Department of Heart Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Sun DW, Gao Q, Qi X. Danshensu Ameliorates Cardiac Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury through Activating Sirt1/FoxO1/Rab7 Signal Pathway. Chin J Integr Med 2019; 26:283-291. [PMID: 31254156 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-019-3165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the specific molecular mechanisms of Danshensu (DSS) in the treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS IRI model was established with isolated rat hearts by performing global ischaemia for 30 min, and then followed by 60 min reperfusion. Also, H9C2 cells were subjected to 4-h hypoxia followed by 3-h reoxygenation. Then 10 μmol/L DSS were added in the reperfusion/reoxygenation step to intervene IRI. Cardiac function, structural change and apoptosis were respectively tested by Langendorff System, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick endabeling (TUNEL) stainings. Then lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide gasification enzyme (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sirt1/FoxO1/Rab7 Signal Pathway was monitored at both protein and mRNA levels. RESULTS The results showed that IRI not only greatly attenuated cardiac function (LVDP and ±dp/dtmax, P<0.01, P<0.05) and increased the level of the marker enzymes (cardiac troponin T, LDH, P<0.01) from the coronary effluents, but also markedly induced changes in the structure of cardiomyocytes and contributed to apoptosis, which were mediated by boosted endogenous ROS. However, after treatment with DSS all above indexes were improved, which was related to activating Sirt1/FoxO1/Rab7 signal pathway accompanied with the enhancement of antioxidant defense system, such as superoxide gasification enzyme and glutathione peroxidase. CONCLUSION DSS is able to protect hearts from IRI, which may be attributable to inhibiting excessive ROS through Sirt1/FoxO1/Rab7 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Wei Sun
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, 300120, China
| | - Qing Gao
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Xin Qi
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, China.
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What's New in Shock, June 2018? Shock 2018; 49:613-615. [PMID: 29757922 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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