Negative Feedback of the cAMP/PKA Pathway Regulates the Effects of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation on Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cell Pyroptosis as a Novel Mechanism of BLM-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Astragaloside IV alleviates renal fibrosis by inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis induced by urotensin II through regulating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanism of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in alleviating renal fibrosis by inhibiting Urotensin II-induced pyroptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells.

METHODS

Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control group without operation: gavage with 5ml/kg/d water for injection and UUO model group: gavage with 5ml/kg/d water for injection; UUO+ AS-IV group (gavage with AS-IV 20mg/kg/d; and UUO+ losartan potassium group (gavage with losartan potassium 10.3mg/kg/d, with 10 rats in each group. After 2 weeks, Kidney pathology, serum Urotensin II, and cAMP concentration were detected, and the expressions of NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were detected by immunohistochemistry. Rat renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro, and different concentrations of Urotensin II were used to intervene for 24h and 48h. Cell proliferation activity was detected using the CCK8 assay. Suitable concentrations of Urotensin II and intervention time were selected, and Urotensin II receptor antagonist (SB-611812), inhibitor of PKA(H-89), and AS-IV (15ug/ml) were simultaneously administered. After 24 hours, cells and cell supernatants from each group were collected. The cAMP concentration was detected using the ELISA kit, and the expression of PKA, α-SMA, FN, IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-N, and Caspase-1 was detected using cell immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Renal tissue of UUO rats showed renal interstitial infiltration, tubule dilation and atrophy, renal interstitial collagen fiber hyperplasia, and serum Urotensin II and cAMP concentrations were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group (p <0.05). AS-IV and losartan potassium intervention could alleviate renal pathological changes, and decrease serum Urotensin II, cAMP concentration levels, and the expressions of NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, and IL-1β in renal tissues (p <0.05). Urotensin II at a concentration of 10-8 mol/L could lead to the decrease of cell proliferation, (p<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the cAMP level and the PKA expression were significantly increased (p<0.05). After intervention with AS-IV and Urotensin II receptor antagonist, the cAMP level and the expression of PKA were remarkably decreased (p<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-N, and Caspase-1 in the Urotensin II group was increased (p<0.05), which decreased in the AS-IV and H-89 groups.

CONCLUSION

AS-IV can alleviate renal fibrosis by inhibiting Urotensin II-induced pyroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

LncRNA-mediated ceRNA network reveals the mechanism of action of Saorilao-4 decoction against pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a type of interstitial pneumonia with complex etiology and high mortality, is characterized by progressive scarring of the alveolar interstitium and myofibroblastic lesions. In this study, we screened for potential biomarkers in PF and clarified the role of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in the inhibitory effect of SRL-4 on PF. Methods: Healthy male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, CON, MOD, and SRL-4. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed to determine the biological functions of the target genes. A visualized lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network was constructed using Cytoscape, while key genes in the network were identified using the cytoNCA plugin. Results: Seventy-four differentially expressed lncRNAs and 118 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the target genes were mainly enriched in the cell membrane and in response to organic substances, while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the target genes were mainly enriched in the AMPK, PPAR, and cAMP signaling pathways. We elucidated a ceRNA axis, namely, Plcd3-OT1/rno-miR-150-3p/Fkbp5, with potential implications in PF. Key genes, such as AABR07051308.1-201, F2rl2-OT1, and LINC3337, may be important targets for the treatment of PF, while the AMPK, PPAR, and cAMP signaling pathways are potential key targets and important pathways through which SRL-4 mitigates PF. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SRL-4 improves PF by regulating the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network.

Translation regulation in response to stress

Cell stresses occur in a wide variety of settings: in disease, during industrial processes, and as part of normal day-to-day rhythms. Adaptation to these stresses requires cells to alter their proteome. Cells modify the proteins they synthesize to aid proteome adaptation. Changes in both mRNA transcription and translation contribute to altered protein synthesis. Here, we discuss the changes in translational mechanisms that occur following the onset of stress, and the impact these have on stress adaptation.

Regulation of alveolar macrophage death in pulmonary fibrosis: a review

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a disease in which excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation occurs in pulmonary mesenchyme, which induces the destruction of alveolar structures and poor prognosis. Macrophage death is responsible for ECM accumulation after alveolar epithelial injury in PF. Depending on the local micro-environments, macrophages can be polarized to either classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) macrophage phenotypes. In general, M1 macrophages can promote inflammation and sterilization, stop the continuous damage process and prevent excessive repair, while M2 macrophages are anti-inflammatory and promote tissue repair, and excessive M2 macrophage activity may inhibit the absorption and degradation of ECM. Emerging evidence has revealed that death forms such as pyroptosis mediated by inflammasome affect polarization direction and ultimately lead to the development of PF. Pharmacological manipulation of macrophages death signals may serve as a logical therapeutic strategy for PF. This review will focus on the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation and underlying mechanisms of macrophages and their mediators in the influence of macrophage death on the development of PF. We expect to provide help in developing effective therapeutic strategies in clinical settings.

Ficolin B secreted by alveolar macrophage exosomes exacerbates bleomycin-induced lung injury via ferroptosis through the cGAS-STING signaling pathway

Pathogenesis exploration and timely intervention of lung injury is quite necessary as it has harmed human health worldwide for years. Ficolin B (Fcn B) is a recognition molecule that can recognize a variety of ligands and play an important role in mediating the cell cycle, immune response, and tissue homeostasis in the lung. However, the role of Fcn B in bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury is obscure. This study aims to investigate the sources of Fcn B and its mechanism in BLM-induced lung injury. WT, Fcna-/-, and Fcnb-/- mice were selected to construct the BLM-induced lung injury model. Lung epithelial cells were utilized to construct the BLM-induced cell model. Exosomes that were secreted from alveolar macrophages (AMs) were applied for intervention by transporting Fcn B. Clinical data suggested M-ficolin (homologous of Fcn B) was raised in plasma of interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. In the mouse model, macrophage-derived Fcn B aggravated BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Fcn B further promoted the development of autophagy and ferroptosis. Remarkably, cell experiment results revealed that Fcn B transported by BLM-induced AMs exosomes accelerated autophagy and ferroptosis in lung epithelial cells through the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. In contrast, the application of 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) reversed the promotion effect of Fcn B from BLM-induced AMs exosomes on lung epithelial cell damage by inhibiting autophagy-dependent ferroptosis. Meanwhile, in the BLM-induced mice model, the intervention of Fcn B secreted from BLM-induced AMs exosomes facilitated lung injury and fibrosis via ferroptosis. In summary, this study demonstrated that Fcn B transported by exosomes from AMs exacerbated BLM-induced lung injury by promoting lung epithelial cells ferroptosis through the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.

The DRD2 Antagonist Haloperidol Mediates Autophagy-Induced Ferroptosis to Increase Temozolomide Sensitivity by Promoting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Glioblastoma

PURPOSE

Temozolomide resistance remains a major obstacle in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). The combination of temozolomide with another agent could offer an improved treatment option if it could overcome chemoresistance and prevent side effects. Here, we determined the critical drug that cause ferroptosis in GBM cells and elucidated the possible mechanism by which drug combination overcomes chemoresistance.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Haloperidol/temozolomide synergism was assessed in GBM cell lines with different dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) expression in vitro and in vivo. Inhibitors of ferroptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) were used to validate the specific mechanisms by which haloperidol and temozolomide induce ferroptosis in GBM cells.

RESULTS

In the present work, we demonstrate that the DRD2 level is increased by temozolomide in a time-dependent manner and is inversely correlated with temozolomide sensitivity in GBM. The DRD2 antagonist haloperidol, a butylbenzene antipsychotic, markedly induces ferroptosis and effectively enhances temozolomide efficacy in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, haloperidol suppressed the effect of temozolomide on cAMP by antagonizing DRD2 receptor activity, and the increases in cAMP/PKA triggered ER stress, which led to autophagy and ferroptosis. Furthermore, elevated autophagy mediates downregulation of FTH1 expression at the posttranslational level in an autophagy-dependent manner and ultimately leads to ferroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide experimental evidence for repurposing haloperidol as an effective adjunct therapy to inhibit adaptive temozolomide resistance to enhance the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in GBM, a strategy that may have broad prospects for clinical application.

Upregulation of postsynaptic cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling alleviates copper(Ⅱ)-induced oxidative stress and pyroptosis in MN9D cells

It has been widely reported that long-term exposure to copper increases the prevalence and mortality of Parkinson's disease. Our previous study showed that CuSO₄ exposure induced a significant increase in the expression of cleaved Caspase1 proteins and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc of mice. In this study, the effects of copper(Ⅱ) on cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway and pyroptosis-related proteins in MN9D cells were investigated by setting up copper(Ⅱ) exposure groups with different concentration gradients, to provide possible molecular evidence for studying the mechanism of copper(Ⅱ)-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. We found that after 48hours of copper(Ⅱ) exposure, the cu content in MN9D cells increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the proliferation activity decreased significantly. In addition, copper(Ⅱ) exposure caused up-regulation of PDE4D and down-regulation of D1R, cAMP, PKA and p-CREB/CREB. Simultaneously, we proved that copper(Ⅱ) exposure induced oxidative stress in MN9D cells, including decreased GSH-Px content, Keap1 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential, increased malondialdehyde content, ROS intensity, and Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, HSP-70 expression, further causing up-regulation of inflammasome and GSDMD protein. After pretreatment with Roflupram, the level of copper(Ⅱ)-induced oxidative damage decreased, the expression of inflammasome and GSDMD proteins were down-regulated. However, the protective effects of ROF were blocked by H-89. In summary, copper(Ⅱ) treatment induced oxidative stress and inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in MN9D cells, which may be related to copper(Ⅱ)-induced postsynaptic cAMP, PKA, and CREB signal transduction disorders.

Perspectives of PDE inhibitor on treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) without an identifiable cause. If not treated after diagnosis, the average life expectancy is 3-5 years. Currently approved drugs for the treatment of IPF are Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, as antifibrotic drugs, which can reduce the decline rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) and reduce the risk of acute exacerbation of IPF. However these drugs can not relieve the symptoms associated with IPF, nor improve the overall survival rate of IPF patients. We need to develop new, safe and effective drugs to treat pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that cyclic nucleotides participate in the pathway and play an essential role in the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Phosphodiesterase (PDEs) is involved in cyclic nucleotide metabolism, so PDE inhibitors are candidates for pulmonary fibrosis. This paper reviews the research progress of PDE inhibitors related to pulmonary fibrosis, so as to provide ideas for the development of anti-pulmonary fibrosis drugs.