Butylphthalide Inhibits TLR4/NF-κB Pathway by Upregulation of miR-21 to Have the Neuroprotective Effect

Dl-3-n-butylphthalide promotes microglial phagocytosis and inhibits microglial inflammation via regulating AGE-RAGE pathway in APP/PS1 mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the most prevalent neurodegenerative condition worldwide, and its correlation with microglial function is notably significant. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), derived from the seeds of Apium graveolens L. (Chinese celery), has demonstrated the capacity to diminish Aβ levels in the brain tissue of Alzheimer's transgenic mice. Despite this, its connection to neuroinflammation and microglial phagocytosis, along with the specific molecular mechanism involved, remains undefined. In this study, NBP treatment exhibited a substantial improvement in learning deficits observed in AD transgenic mice (APP/PS1 transgenic mice). Furthermore, NBP treatment significantly mitigated the total cerebral Aβ plaque deposition. This effect was attributed to the heightened presence of activated microglia surrounding Aβ plaques and an increase in microglial phagocytosis of Aβ plaques. Transcriptome sequencing analysis unveiled the potential involvement of the AGE (advanced glycation end products) -RAGE (receptor for AGE) signaling pathway in NBP's impact on APP/PS1 mice. Subsequent investigation disclosed a reduction in the secretion of AGEs, RAGE, and proinflammatory factors within the hippocampus and cortex of NBP-treated APP/PS1 mice. In summary, NBP alleviates cognitive impairment by augmenting the number of activated microglia around Aβ plaques and ameliorating AGE-RAGE-mediated neuroinflammation. These findings underscore the related mechanism of the crucial neuroprotective roles of microglial phagocytosis and anti-inflammation in NBP treatment for AD, offering a potential therapeutic target for the disease.

Anti-Glioma Effects of Ligustilide or n-Butylphthalide on Their Own and the Synergistic Effects with Temozolomide via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Background

Ligustilide (LIG) and n-butylphthalide (NBP) have neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia; however, their roles in gliomas are not well-known.This study aimed to explore the anti-glioma effects of LIG and NBP individually and the synergistic effects of temozolomide (TMZ) via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Materials and Methods

Cytotoxicity of LIG and NBP alone and in combination with TMZ in U251 cells was determined using the CCk-8. The effect of compounds alone or in combination on cell migration was detected using the wound healing assay, and the invasion was evaluated by transwell assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and the changed expressions of proteins were detected by Western blotting.

Results

The results showed that LIG and NBP significantly inhibited the growth of U251 cells at concentrations of 4-10 µg/mL and 1.5-6 µg/mL in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05, p<0.01). The combination of 20 µg/mL TMZ with LIG in the concentration range of 4-10 µg/mL or with NBP of 0.5-6 µg/mlachieved synergistic effect towardsU251 cells. LIG and NBP, alone or in combination with TMZ, markedly inhibited cell invasion (p< 0.001) and enhanced apoptosis (p< 0.05). The combination of TMZ with LIG or NBP markedly inhibited cell migration (p< 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that LIG, NBP, and TMZ, alone and in combination, significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, and increased the expression of Bax.

Conclusion

Both LIG and NBP exert anti-glioma effects on their own through the PI3K/Akt pathway and enhance TMZ-mediated anti-glioma efficiency via the same pathway.

Retracted: Butylphthalide Inhibits TLR4/NF-κB Pathway by Upregulation of miR-21 to Have the Neuroprotective Effect

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/4687349.].

Exosomes From Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Suppress the Progression of Chronic Endometritis

Chronic endometritis (CE) is closely linked to the reproductive failure. Exosome (Exo)-based therapy is proposed as an encouraging strategy in inflammation-related disorders; however, little work has been devoted to its usage in CE therapy. An in vitro CE was established by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). The cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokine assays were performed in vitro, and the efficacy of Exos derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was evaluated in a mouse model of CE. We found that Exos isolated from ADSCs could be taken up by HESCs. Exos elevated the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in LPS-treated HESCs. Administration of Exos to HESCs suppressed the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Moreover, Exos exposure repressed the inflammation stimulated by LPS in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Exos exerted their ant-inflammatory effect via miR-21/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway in endometrial cells. Our findings suggest that ADSC-Exo-based therapy might serve as an attractive strategy for the treatment of CE.

Expression levels and network analysis of inflammamiRs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to DDE "in vitro"

Recent studies have demonstrated that dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) induced a pro-inflammatory condition in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, the molecular mechanisms implicated in this condition are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate miR-155, miR-126, and miR-21 expression levels in PBMC exposed "in vitro" to DDE. PBMC were dosed with increasing concentrations of DDE (10-80 µg mL^-1) at different treatment times (0-24 h). The results showed an up-regulation in the expression levels of assessed miRNAs (miR-155, miR-146, and miR-21) after PBMCs were exposed to DDE. Besides, bioinformatic analysis was performed to understand the biological roles of assessed miRNAs. The bioinformatic analysis shows that assessed miRNAs are associated with regulating signaling pathways involved in cancer, apoptosis, cell cycle, inflammation, metabolism, etc. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms related to the inflammatory processes and their regulation induced by DDE in PBMC exposed "in vitro".

Chlorogenic Acid Prevents Microglia-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress under Hypoxia-Ischemia Environment by Regulating the MIR497HG/miR-29b-3p/SIRT1 Axis

Background

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. CGA has been shown to improve neuroinflammation. This study is aimed at elucidating the exact mechanism by which CGA reduces neuroinflammation.

Methods

Oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) was utilized to treat BV2 microglia and HT-22 hippocampal neurons to engineer an in vitro model of hypoxic ischemia reperfusion. The levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10) and oxidative stress factors (MDA, SOD, and GSH-PX) in microglia were determined by ELISA kits. The neuron proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay, and LDH kit was used to determine LDH release in neurons. The fluorescent dye DCF-DA was employed to measure ROS levels in neurons. Correlation of MIR497HG, miR-29b-3p, and SIRT1/NF-κB in neurons and microglia was determined by qRT-PCR. Expressions of inflammatory proteins (COX2, iNOS), oxidative stress pathways (Nrf2, HO-1), and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3, caspase8, and caspase9) in microglia or neurons were determined by western blot. The interactions between MIR497HG and miR-29b-3p, as well as between miR-29b-3p and SIRT1, were determined by dual luciferase assay and RIP assay.

Results

CGA attenuated OGD-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress in microglia and inhibited microglia-mediated neuronal apoptosis. CGA increased the levels of MIR497HG and SIRT1 and suppressed the levels of miR-29b-3p in BV2 and HT-22 cells. MIR497HG knockdown, miR-29b-3p upregulation, and SIRT1 inhibition inhibited CGA-mediated anti-inflammatory and neuronal protective functions. There is a targeting correlation between MIR497HG, miR-29b-3p, and Sirt1. MIR497HG sponges miR-29b-3p to regulate SIRT1 expression in an indirect manner.

Conclusion

CGA upregulates MIR497HG to curb miR-29b-3p expression, hence initiating the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway and repressing OGD-elicited inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuron apoptosis.