The Effect of Lecithins Coupled Decorin Nanoliposomes on Treatment of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis

A biological guide to glycosaminoglycans: current perspectives and pending questions

Mammalian glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), except hyaluronan (HA), are sulfated polysaccharides that are covalently attached to core proteins to form proteoglycans (PGs). This article summarizes key biological findings for the most widespread GAGs, namely HA, chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS), keratan sulfate (KS), and heparan sulfate (HS). It focuses on the major processes that remain to be deciphered to get a comprehensive view of the mechanisms mediating GAG biological functions. They include the regulation of GAG biosynthesis and postsynthetic modifications in heparin (HP) and HS, the composition, heterogeneity, and function of the tetrasaccharide linkage region and its role in disease, the functional characterization of the new PGs recently identified by glycoproteomics, the selectivity of interactions mediated by GAG chains, the display of GAG chains and PGs at the cell surface and their impact on the availability and activity of soluble ligands, and on their move through the glycocalyx layer to reach their receptors, the human GAG profile in health and disease, the roles of GAGs and particular PGs (syndecans, decorin, and biglycan) involved in cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, the possible use of GAGs and PGs as disease biomarkers, and the design of inhibitors targeting GAG biosynthetic enzymes and GAG-protein interactions to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Overexpression of circ PTK2 suppresses the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the miR-200c/SIK2/PI3K/Akt axis

Excessive hepatic lipid accumulation is involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A previous study showed that the circular RNA (circRNA) PTK2 was significantly downregulated in NAFLD mice. However, the detailed function of circ PTK2 in NAFLD remains unclear. A high-fat diet (HFD) was used to establish a mouse model of NAFLD, and free fatty acid (FFA) treatment was used to establish an in vitro model of NAFLD. Oil red O staining was used to evaluate lipid accumulation. The pathological changes in mice were observed by HE staining. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were applied to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. A dual luciferase reporter assay and RIP were used to explore the relationship among circ PTK2, miR-200c and SIK2. Circ PTK2 and SIK2 were downregulated and miR-200c was upregulated in NAFLD. Upregulation of circ PTK2 reversed lipid accumulation in FFA-treated HepG2 cells. Moreover, circ PTK2 bound to miR-200c, and SIK2 was identified as the direct target of miR-200c. Moreover, the miR-200c inhibitor-induced decrease in lipid accumulation was reversed by SIK2 knockdown. Furthermore, the impact of circ PTK2 overexpression on PI3K/Akt signaling was partially reversed by SIK2 silencing. Circ PTK2 overexpression alleviates NAFLD development via the miR-200c/SIK2/PI3K/Akt axis. Thus, our work might provide new methods for NAFLD treatment.

The Biology of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Hypertrophic Scarring

Significance: Hypertrophic scars (HTS) are a fibroproliferative disorder that occur following deep dermal injury and affect up to 72% of burn patients. These scars result in discomfort, impaired mobility, disruption of normal function and cosmesis, and significant psychological distress. Currently, there are no satisfactory methods to treat or prevent HTS, as the cellular and molecular mechanisms are complex and incompletely understood. This review summarizes the biology of proteins in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM), which are involved in wound healing and hypertrophic scarring. Recent Advances: New basic research continues toward understanding the diversity of cellular and molecular mechanisms of normal wound healing and hypertrophic scarring. Broadening the understanding of these mechanisms creates insight into novel methods for preventing and treating HTS. Critical Issues: Although there is an abundance of research conducted on collagen in the ECM and its relationship to HTS, there is a significant gap in understanding the role of proteoglycans and their specific isoforms in dermal fibrosis. Future Directions: Exploring the biological roles of ECM proteins and their unique isoforms in HTS, mature scars, and normal skin will further the understanding of abnormal wound healing and create a more robust understanding of what constitutes dermal fibrosis. Research into the biological roles of ECM protein isoforms and their regulation during wound healing warrants a more extensive investigation to identify their distinct biological functions in cellular processes and outcomes.

LncRNA HOTAIR regulates the lipid accumulation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via miR-130b-3p/ROCK1 axis

BACKGROUND

Excessive hepatic lipid accumulation can lead to the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Previous study showed that upregulation of lncRNA HOTAIR significantly increased total cholesterol and triglyceride. However, the function of HOTAIR in lipid accumulation during the progression NAFLD remains unclear.

METHODS

High fat diet was used to mimic NAFLD in vivo, and free fatty acid was used to establish in vitro model of NAFLD. Oil red O staining was applied to test the lipid accumulation. The pathological changes in mice were observed by H&E staining. Western blot and qRT-PCR were applied to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. RIP assay was used to explore the relationship among HOTAIR, miR-130b-3p and ROCK1.

RESULTS

The level of HOTAIR was upregulated in NAFLD. Downregulation of HOTAIR reversed lipid accumulation in FFA-treated HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes. Meanwhile, HOTAIR bound with miR-130b-3p, and ROCK1 was identified to be the direct target of miR-130b-3p. Moreover, miR-130b-3p mimics-caused lipid accumulation decrease was reversed by pcDNA3.1-ROCK1. Furthermore, the effect of miR-130b-3p mimics on p-AMPK2α and ROCK1 level was partially reversed by ROCK1 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of HOTAIR significantly inhibited the progression of NAFLD through mediation of miR-130b-3p/ROCK1 axis. Our study might shed new lights on exploring new methods against NAFLD.