Identification of core genes associated with the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Salvianolic acid B and immune cell infiltration characteristics using bioinformatics analysis

Suppression of FOXC1 induces pyroptosis of the coronary artery through activation of JAK2

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) triggers endothelial pyroptosis and is associated with a multitude of pathological cardiovascular manifestations, including atherosclerosis. However, the associated transcriptional regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated a novel transcriptional regulator upstream of JAK2.

METHODS

We validated the binding and regulation of Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) and JAK2 using chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Immunofluorescence was used to detect protein localization in cells and tissues. Immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and Oil Red O staining were used to identify tissue lesions. Transcriptional functions were investigated using in vitro and in vivo coronary artery disease (CAD) atherosclerosis models.

RESULTS

The mRNA levels of JAK2 were considerably higher in both the cardiac tissues of mice and the peripheral blood of patients with CAD than in equivalent controls. JAK2 expression increased markedly in the coronary arteries of ApoeKO mice, whereas FOXC1 expression exhibited a decreasing trend. In vitro, FOXC1 bound to the JAK2 promoter region and inversely regulated the expression of JAK2. Mechanistic studies have revealed that the FOXC1-JAK2 pathway regulates pyroptosis and participates in the pathogenesis of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). In vivo, the suppression of FOXC1 was confirmed to stimulate the levels of JAK2 and pyroptosis, contributing to the pathological progression of aortic and coronary artery damage.

CONCLUSIONS

We established the FOXC1-JAK2 regulatory pathway and verified its reverse-regulatory function in CAD pyroptosis. Our data emphasizes that FOXC1 is critical for the treatment of pyroptosis-induced injury in patients with CAD.

Characterization of peripheral artery disease and associations with traditional risk factors, mobility, and biomarkers in the project baseline health study

BACKGROUND

There is a dearth of research on immunophenotyping in peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study aimed to describe the baseline characteristics, immunophenotypic profile, and quality of life (QoL) of participants with PAD in the Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS).

METHODS

The PBHS study is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal cohort study that collected clinical, molecular, and biometric data from participants recruited between 2017 and 2018. In this analysis, baseline demographic, clinical, mobility, QoL, and flow cytometry data were stratified by the presence of PAD (ankle brachial index [ABI] ≤0.90).

RESULTS

Of 2,209 participants, 58 (2.6%) had lower-extremity PAD, and only 2 (3.4%) had pre-existing PAD diagnosed prior to enrollment. Comorbid smoking (29.3% vs 14%, P < .001), hypertension (54% vs 30%, P < .001), diabetes (25% vs 14%, P = .031), and at least moderate coronary calcifications (Agatston score >100: 32% vs 17%, P = .01) were significantly higher in participants with PAD than in those with normal ABIs, as were high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (5.86 vs 2.83, P < .001). After adjusting for demographic and risk factors, participants with PAD had significantly fewer circulating CD56-high natural killer cells, IgM+ memory B cells, and CD10/CD27 double-positive B cells (P < .05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reinforces existing evidence that a large proportion of PAD without claudication may be underdiagnosed, particularly in female and Black or African American participants. We describe a novel immunophenotypic profile of participants with PAD that could represent a potential future screening or diagnostic tool to facilitate earlier diagnosis of PAD.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03154346, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03154346.

Exploring the association between rosacea and acne by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Clinically, rosacea occurs frequently in acne patients, which hints the existence of shared signals. However, the connection between the pathophysiology of rosacea and acne are not yet fully understood. This study aims to unveil molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of rosacea and acne. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by limma and weighted gene co-expression network analysis and screened hub genes by constructing a protein-protein interaction network. The hub genes were verified in different datasets. Then, we performed a correlation analysis between the hub genes and the pathways. Finally, we predicted and verified transcription factors of hub genes, performed the immune cell infiltration analysis using CIBERSORT, and calculated the correlation between hub genes and immune cells. A total of 169 common DEGs were identified, which were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways. Finally, hub genes were identified as IL1B, PTPRC, CXCL8, MMP9, CCL4, CXCL10, CD163, CCR5, CXCR4, and TLR8. 9 transcription factors that regulated the expression of hub genes were identified. The infiltration of γδT cells was significantly increased in rosacea and acne lesions and positively linked with almost all hub genes. These identified hub genes and immune cells may play a crucial role in the development of rosacea and acne.

Salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge: A potential antitumor agent

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb widely found in China since ancient times with a high economic and medicinal value. Salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) is an important natural product derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza and this review summarizes the anticancer activity of Sal-B. Sal-B inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by targeting multiple cell signaling pathways. This review aims to review experimental studies to describe the possible anticancer mechanisms of Sal-B and confirm its potential as a therapeutic drug.