Extrinsic Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibits Hyperoxia-Induced Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production by Enhancing Notch 1 and Homocysteine-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein (HERP) Expression

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is regulated by hyperoxia in premature infants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is involved in hyperoxia-mediated oxidative stress by observing the relationship between AhR and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after oxygen exposure in premature infants.

METHODS

After 48 h of oxygen inhalation at different concentrations, discarded peripheral blood was collected to separate PBMCs and plasma. ROS were labeled with MitoSOXTM Red and detected by fluorescence microscopy in PBMCs. The level of MDA in plasma was detected by thiobarbituric acid colorimetry, the level of MCP-1 in plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the localization of AhR was detected by immunofluorescence, and the level of AhR expression in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

As the volume fraction of inspired oxygen increased, compared with those in the air control group, the levels of ROS, MDA in plasma, and MCP-1 in plasma increased gradually in the low concentration oxygen group, medium concentration oxygen group and high concentration oxygen group. The cytoplasm-nuclear translocation rate of AhR gradually increased, and the expression level of AhR gradually decreased. The levels of ROS in PBMCs, MDA in the plasma and MCP-1 in the plasma of premature infants were positively correlated with the cytoplasm-nuclear translocation rate of AhR but negatively correlated with the level of AhR expression.

CONCLUSION

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is regulated by hyperoxia in premature infants.

Notch Signaling Is Associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis in Patients with Pigeon Breeder's Lung by Regulating Oxidative Stress

This study explored the molecular mechanism underlying the association of Notch signaling and oxidative stress with the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with pigeon breeder's lung (PBL). Rat models of fibrotic PBL were constructed with freeze-dried protein powder, and the animals were divided into the control (intratracheal instillation of normal saline; n = 9), M (PBL model; intratracheal instillation of freeze-dried protein powder; n = 9), and M + D (PBL+ the Notch inhibitor DAPT; n = 9) groups. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the protein levels of pathway factors and α-SMA, and the levels of ROS, GSH-PX, SOD, and MDA were observed using ELISA. To verify the results of the animal experiment, cytological models were constructed. The M group and the M + D group had significantly increased α-SMA levels (P < 0.05). Although both groups had significantly higher key protein levels in the Notch channel, the M + D group had significantly lower levels relative to the M group (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress products were examined, and the levels of MDA and ROS were significantly increased, while those of GSH-PX and SOD were significantly decreased in the M and M + D groups as compared to the control, but the M group and the M + D group significantly differed (P <  0.05). These findings were further validated by the cytological experiment. Notch signaling is associated with pulmonary fibrosis in PBL by regulating cellular oxidative stress, and inhibiting this pathway can slow down pulmonary fibrosis progression.

Calcitonin gene‑related peptide alleviates hyperoxia‑induced human alveolar cell injury via the CGRPR/TRPV1/Ca2+ axis

Although exogenous calcitonin gene‑related peptide (CGRP) protects against hyperoxia‑induced lung injury (HILI), the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which CGRP protects against hyperoxia‑induced alveolar cell injury. Human alveolar A549 cells were treated with 95% hyperoxia to establish a hyperoxic cell injury model. ELISA was performed to detect the CGRP secretion. Immunofluorescence, quantitative (q)PCR, and western blotting were used to detect the expression and localization of CGRP receptor (CGRPR) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Cell counting kit‑8 and flow cytometry were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of treated cells. Digital calcium imaging and patch clamp were used to analyze the changes in intracellular Ca2+ signaling and membrane currents induced by CGRP in A549 cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl‑2 and Bax were detected by qPCR and western blotting. The expression levels of CGRPR and TRPV1 in A549 cells were significantly downregulated by hyperoxic treatment, but there was no significant difference in CGRP release between cells cultured under normal air and hyperoxic conditions. CGRP promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in hyperoxia, but selective inhibitors of CGRPR and TRPV1 channels could effectively attenuate these effects; TRPV1 knockdown also attenuated this effect. CGRP induced Ca2+ entry via the TRPV1 channels and enhanced the membrane non‑selective currents through TRPV1 channels. The CGRP‑induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ was reduced by inhibiting the phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Moreover, PLC and PKC inhibitors attenuated the effects of CGRP in promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, exogenous CGRP acted by inversely regulating the function of TRPV1 channels in alveolar cells. Importantly, CGRP protected alveolar cells from hyperoxia‑induced injury via the CGRPR/TRPV1/Ca2+ axis, which may be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of the HILI.

CGRP is essential for protection against alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis by activating the AMPK/L-OPA1 signaling pathway during acute lung injury

Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) necroptosis is critical to disrupt the alveolar barrier and provoke acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we define calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), the most abundant endogenous neuropeptide in the lung, as a novel modulator of AEC necroptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Upon LPS-induced ALI, overexpression of Cgrp significantly mitigates the inflammatory response, alleviates lung tissue damage, and decreases AEC necroptosis. Similarly, CGRP alleviated AEC necroptosis under the LPS challenge in vitro. Previously, we identified that long optic atrophy 1 (L-OPA1) deficiency mediates mitochondrial fragmentation, leading to AEC necroptosis. In this study, we discovered that CGRP positively regulated mitochondrial fusion through stabilizing L-OPA1. Mechanistically, we elucidate that CGRP activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, the blockade of AMPK compromised the protective effect of CGRP against AEC necroptosis following the LPS challenge. Our study suggests that CRGP-mediated activation of the AMPK/L-OPA1 axis may have potent therapeutic benefits for patients with ALI or other diseases with necroptosis.

Different Aspects of Aging in Migraine

Migraine is a common neurological disease displaying an unusual dependence on age. For most patients, the peak intensity of migraine headaches occurs in 20s and lasts until 40s, but then headache attacks become less intense, occur less frequently and the disease is more responsive to therapy. This relationship is valid in both females and males, although the prevalence of migraine in the former is 2-4 times greater than the latter. Recent concepts present migraine not only as a pathological event, but rather as a part of evolutionary adaptive response to protect organism against consequences of stress-induced brain energy deficit. However, these concepts do not fully explain that unusual dependence of migraine prevalence on age. Many aspects of aging, both molecular/cellular and social/cognitive, are interwound in migraine pathogenesis, but they neither explain why only some persons are affected by migraine, nor suggest any causal relationship. In this narrative/hypothesis review we present information on associations of migraine with chronological aging, brain aging, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion as well as social, cognitive, epigenetic, and metabolic aging. We also underline the role of oxidative stress in these associations. We hypothesize that migraine affects only individuals who have inborn, genetic/epigenetic, or acquired (traumas, shocks or complexes) migraine predispositions. These predispositions weakly depend on age and affected individuals are more prone to migraine triggers than others. Although the triggers can be related to many aspects of aging, social aging may play a particularly important role as the prevalence of its associated stress has a similar age-dependence as the prevalence of migraine. Moreover, social aging was shown to be associated with oxidative stress, important in many aspects of aging. In perspective, molecular mechanisms underlying social aging should be further explored and related to migraine with a closer association with migraine predisposition and difference in prevalence by sex.

Tat-P combined with GAPR1 releases Beclin1 to promote autophagy and improve Bronchopulmonary dysplasia model

Long-term exposure to hyperoxia can leading to the bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The progression of BPD is primarily driven by the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells, and the regulation of autophagy has an impact on apoptosis. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of an autophagy-promoting peptide (Tat-P) in ameliorating BPD. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Tat-P promoted autophagy and partially prevented apoptosis caused by exposure to hyperoxia. Further investigation into the mechanism revealed that Tat-P competitively binds to GAPR1, displacing the Beclin1 protein and thereby inhibiting the apoptosis. In vivo experiments conducted on Sprague-Dawley pups exposed to high oxygen levels demonstrated that Tat-P promoted autophagy and reduced apoptosis in lung tissues and ameliorated BPD-related phenotypes. Our findings elucidate the underlying mechanisms and effects of Tat-P in enhancing autophagy and preventing apoptosis. This study presents an approach for the prevention and treatment of BPD.

Nesfatin-1 alleviates hyperoxia-induced lung injury in newborn mice by inhibiting oxidative stress through regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a pulmonary disease commonly observed in premature infants and it is reported that oxidative stress is a critical induction factor in BPD and is considered as a promising target for treating BPD. Nesfatin-1 is a brain-gut peptide with inhibitory effects on food intake, which is recently evidenced to show suppressive effect on oxidative stress. The present study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Nesfatin-1 in BPD mice. AECIIs were extracted from newborn rats and exposed to hyperoxia for 24 h, followed by treatment with 5 and 10 nM Nesfatin-1. Declined cell viability, increased apoptotic rate, upregulated Bax, downregulated Bcl-2, increased release of ROS and MDA, and suppressed SOD activity were observed in hyperoxia-treated AECIIs, which were extremely reversed by Nesfatin-1. Newborn rats were exposed to hyperoxia, followed by treated with 10 μg/kg Nesfatin-1 and 20 μg/kg Nesfatin-1. Severe pathological changes, elevated MDA level, and declined SOD activity were observed in lung tissues of BPD mice, which were rescued by Nesfatin-1. Furthermore, the protective effect of Nesfatin-1 on hyperoxia-challenged AECIIs was abolished by silencing SIRT1. Collectively, Nesfatin-1 alleviated hyperoxia-induced lung injury in newborn mice by inhibiting oxidative stress through regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.

Roles of Non-Coding RNA in Alzheimer's Disease Pathophysiology

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is accompanied by deficits in memory and cognitive functions. The disease is pathologically characterised by the accumulation and aggregation of an extracellular peptide referred to as amyloid-β (Aβ) in the form of amyloid plaques and the intracellular aggregation of a hyperphosphorelated protein tau in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that cause neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and oxidative stress. The search for pathomechanisms leading to disease onset and progression has identified many key players that include genetic, epigenetic, behavioural, and environmental factors, which lend support to the fact that this is a multi-faceted disease where failure in various systems contributes to disease onset and progression. Although the vast majority of individuals present with the sporadic (non-genetic) form of the disease, dysfunctions in numerous protein-coding and non-coding genes have been implicated in mechanisms contributing to the disease. Recent studies have provided strong evidence for the association of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with AD. In this review, we highlight the current findings on changes observed in circular RNA (circRNA), microRNA (miRNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in AD. Variations in these ncRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We also discuss the results of studies that have targeted these ncRNAs in cellular and animal models of AD with a view for translating these findings into therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

P311 knockdown alleviates hyperoxia-induced injury by inactivating the Smad3 signaling pathway in type II alveolar epithelial cells

P311 is associated with alveolar formation and development. However, the role and possible mechanism of P311 in hyperoxia-induced injury in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II) need to be elucidated. In our study, rat AEC II (RLE-6TN) were exposure to normoxia (21% O₂ and 5% CO₂) or hyperoxia (95% O₂ and 5% CO₂) for 24 h, followed by determination of P311 expression. After knockdown of P311 and hyperoxic treatment, cell viability, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and the Smad3 signaling pathway were examined. Rat AEC II were pretreated with SIS3 HCl for 4 h and then subjected to P311 overexpression plasmid transfection and hyperoxic exposure. Then, cell viability, apoptosis and the Smad3 signaling pathway were determined. The results showed that hyperoxic exposure significantly elevated P311 levels in rat AEC II. P311 knockdown increased cell viability, accelerated cell cycle progression and inhibited apoptosis, as well as suppression of the Smad3 signaling pathway in hyperoxia-exposed AEC II. Additionally, we found that P311 overexpression enhanced the effects of hyperoxia. Interestingly, SIS3 HCl incubation blocked the effects of P311 overexpression on rat AEC II function under hyperoxic condition, as evidenced by an increase in cell viability, and suppressions of apoptosis and the Smad3 signaling pathway. These results indicate that P311 knockdown may ameliorate hyperoxia-induced injury by inhibiting the Smad3 signaling pathway in rat AEC II. P311 may be a novel target for the treatment of hyperoxia-induced lung injury and even bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Case report: Monoclonal CGRP-antibody treatment in a migraine patient with a mutation in the mitochondrial single-strand binding protein (SSBP1)

Background

There is a growing body of mitochondrial disorders that are associated with headaches, albeit only one of them is currently listed in the latest International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3). Headache frequency and headache presentation can vary widely in this respective patient group. Acute and preventive migraine treatment can be quite challenging—the use of several established medications is often limited due to their side effects in the setting of mitochondrial dysfunction and multi-organ disease.

Case presentation

Along with a review of the literature on treatment options in patients with mitochondrial disorders and migraine headaches, we present the case of a 23-year-old male with a homozygous mutation in the mitochondrial single-strand binding protein (SSBP1) with chronic migraine with aura. After failing several standard of care prophylactics due to either side effects or inefficacy, he was successfully treated with a monoclonal anti-CGRP-antibody as a preventive migraine treatment. The monoclonal antibody was well tolerated and showed adequate efficacy with a sustained &gt; 50% reduction in monthly headache days after 3 years of treatment.

Conclusion

Migraine is often challenging to treat in patients with mitochondriopathy due to therapy-limiting comorbidities. Monoclonal CGRP-antibodies might be a safe treatment option in the prevention of migraine headaches in patients with a mitochondrial disorder.

Notch3 regulates ferroptosis via ROS-induced lipid peroxidation in NSCLC cells

Ferroptosis is type of programmed cell death (PCD), which is known to be involved in certain cancers. Notch3 signaling is reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and regulates iron metabolism, lipid synthesis and oxidative stress in some tissues. However, whether Notch3 signaling regulates ferroptosis is unclear. In this study, we found that ferroptosis inhibitors, ferrostatin-1 and liproxstatin-1, protected against cell death induced by Notch3 knockdown and that Notch3 knockdown initiated ferroptosis in NSCLC cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation, and Fe²⁺ levels, accompanied by downregulation of glutathione4 (GPX4) and peroxiredoxin6 (PRDX6). Conversely, Notch3 intracellular domain (NICD3) overexpression suppressed erastin-induced ferroptosis, which was synergistically enhanced by MJ33 in H1299 cells via a decrease in ROS levels and lipid peroxidation, accompanied by upregulation of GPX4 and PRDX6. Moreover, Notch3 knockdown decreased tumorigenesis in vivo with downregulation of GPX4 and PRDX6. In summary, here we have identified Notch3 as a potential negative regulator of ferroptosis in NSCLC.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Attenuates Hyperoxia-Induced Oxidative Damage in Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells Through Regulating Viability and Transdifferentiation

As a stem cell of alveolar epithelium, the physiological status of alveolar epithelium type II cells (AECII) after hyperoxia exposure is closely related to the occurrence of hyperoxia-induced lung injury and the restoration of normal morphological function of damaged alveolar epithelium. However, the relevant mechanisms involved are not very clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on AECII exposed to hyperoxia and its potential mechanisms. The AECII viability was detected using MTT assay. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were detected by spectrophotometry. The transdifferentiation capacity of AECII was evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Notch1, Hes, HERP, and AECII markers were detected using immunohistochemistry and/or RT-qPCR or immunofluorescence. ELISA was used for the determination of inflammatory markers. The results showed that CGRP significantly promoted cell viability, and markedly suppressed hyperoxia-induced transdifferentiation of AECII; these biological alterations were coincided with decreased MDA level, increased SOD activity, and activated Notch signaling pathway (upregulated expression levels of Notch1, Hes, and HERP). Notably, the in vitro effects of CGRP on Notch signaling pathway were further investigated in animal model, and the HE staining results showed that CGRP reduced in vivo oxidative injury and inflammation in hyperoxia-treated AECII through the promotion of structural and functional regeneration, accompanied by elevated Notch1 expression and activated Notch signaling cascade as shown by immunohistochemistry and QPCR, respectively. Immunohistochemistry of APQ-5 and SPC indicated that CGRP reversed the transdifferentiation of AECIIs in vivo. Our current results were consistent across both in vitro and in vivo settings, and provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

The Role of Non-coding RNAs in Alzheimer's Disease: From Regulated Mechanism to Therapeutic Targets and Diagnostic Biomarkers

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. AD is characterized by the production and aggregation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, hyperphosphorylated tau proteins that form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and subsequent neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, autophagy and oxidative stress. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can be used as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers due to their vital regulatory roles in multiple biological processes involved in disease development. The involvement of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of AD has been increasingly recognized. Here, we review the ncRNAs implicated in AD and elaborate on their main regulatory pathways, which might have contributions for discovering novel therapeutic targets and drugs for AD.

Peptidome analysis of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) conditioned medium from preterm and term infants

Background

The therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been widely confirmed in several animal models of premature infant diseases. Micromolecule peptides have shown promise for the treatment of premature infant diseases. However, the potential role of peptides secreted from MSCs has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to help to broaden the knowledge of the hUC-MSC secretome at the peptide level through peptidomic profile analysis.

Methods

We used tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling technology followed by tandem mass spectrometry to compare the peptidomic profile of preterm and term umbilical cord MSC (hUC-MSC) conditioned medium (CM). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) were conducted to explore the differentially expressed peptides by predicting the functions of their precursor proteins. To evaluate the effect of candidate peptides on human lung epithelial cells stimulated by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were, respectively, adopted to detect inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) expression levels at the mRNA and protein levels.

Results

A total of 131 peptides derived from 106 precursor proteins were differentially expressed in the preterm hUC-MSC CM compared with the term group, comprising 37 upregulated peptides and 94 downregulated peptides. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these differentially expressed peptides may be associated with developmental disorders, inflammatory response, and organismal injury. We also found that peptides ⁷¹¹⁸TGAKIKLVGT⁷¹²⁷ derived from MUC19 and ⁵⁰⁸AAAAGPANVH⁵¹⁷ derived from SIX5 reduced the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in H₂O₂-treated human lung epithelial cells.

Conclusions

In summary, this study provides further secretomics information on hUC-MSCs and provides a series of peptides that might have antiinflammatory effects on pulmonary epithelial cells and contribute to the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in premature infants.

Protective functions of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in H2O2-injured vascular endothelial cells through anti-oxidation and anti-apoptosis effects

Cell injury in the cardiovascular endothelia caused by oxidative stress is among the major inducers of endothelium dysfunction and serves an important role in initiating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, protecting and improving the normal function of endothelial cells are considered key measures against CVDs. As a traditional Chinese medicinal component, Lycium barbarum is regarded to have high medicinal value. The present study aimed to investigate the potential anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidation effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) on injured rat artery endothelial cells, to demonstrate the experimental and medicinal values of LBPs. In the present study, the aortic endothelial cells of rats were cultivated and randomly divided into five groups: A control group, H₂O₂-injured group (H₂O₂ group), H₂O₂+LBPs (110 µg/ml) group (low-dose group, LT), H₂O₂+LBPs (220 µg/ml) group (medium-dose group, MT) and H₂O₂+LBPs (440 µg/ml) group (high-dose group, HT). Among these, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected by colorimetry. Additionally, the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected by western blotting. It was observed that SOD activity and NO content decreased while MDA content increased significantly in the H₂O₂ group (P<0.05 vs. control); that SOD activity in the MT and HT group, and NO content in all three LBP groups were increased, while MDA content in the three LBP groups was decreased, compared with the H₂O₂ group (all P<0.05); that Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly in the H₂O₂ group while the expression of Bax increased significantly compared with the control group (both P<0.05); and that Bcl-2 expression in all three LBP groups increased, while Bax expression in the MT and HT groups decreased compared with the H₂O₂ group (all P<0.05), with these altered Bax levels being statistically similar to those in the control group (P>0.05). On light microscopy, the cells in the control group exhibited spindle-shaped morphology, consistent sizes, defined boundaries, and distinct nuclei of equivalent sizes with round or oval morphology. Additionally, the chromatin in the nuclei was evenly distributed, and all cells were adhered in a paving-stone arrangement. Notably, only few cells died. Conversely, the cells in the H₂O₂ group exhibited signs of damage and enlarged gaps, and focal cells died. In the HT group, the cells once again appeared adherent and exhibited similar morphological status to the normal cells. Overall, these results indicate that LBPs serve a protective role in oxidative-injured vascular endothelial cells through anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidation effects.

Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of lung alveolarization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. A key histopathological feature of BPD is stunted late lung development, where the process of alveolarization-the generation of alveolar gas exchange units-is impeded, through mechanisms that remain largely unclear. As such, there is interest in the clarification both of the pathomechanisms at play in affected lungs, and the mechanisms of de novo alveoli generation in healthy, developing lungs. A better understanding of normal and pathological alveolarization might reveal opportunities for improved medical management of affected infants. Furthermore, disturbances to the alveolar architecture are a key histopathological feature of several adult chronic lung diseases, including emphysema and fibrosis, and it is envisaged that knowledge about the mechanisms of alveologenesis might facilitate regeneration of healthy lung parenchyma in affected patients. To this end, recent efforts have interrogated clinical data, developed new-and refined existing-in vivo and in vitro models of BPD, have applied new microscopic and radiographic approaches, and have developed advanced cell-culture approaches, including organoid generation. Advances have also been made in the development of other methodologies, including single-cell analysis, metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics, as well as the generation and use of complex mouse genetics tools. The objective of this review is to present advances made in our understanding of the mechanisms of lung alveolarization and BPD over the period 1 January 2017-30 June 2019, a period that spans the 50th anniversary of the original clinical description of BPD in preterm infants.

The metabolic face of migraine - from pathophysiology to treatment

Migraine can be regarded as a conserved, adaptive response that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals with a mismatch between the brain's energy reserve and workload. Given the high prevalence of migraine, genotypes associated with the condition seem likely to have conferred an evolutionary advantage. Technological advances have enabled the examination of different aspects of cerebral metabolism in patients with migraine, and complementary animal research has highlighted possible metabolic mechanisms in migraine pathophysiology. An increasing amount of evidence - much of it clinical - suggests that migraine is a response to cerebral energy deficiency or oxidative stress levels that exceed antioxidant capacity and that the attack itself helps to restore brain energy homeostasis and reduces harmful oxidative stress levels. Greater understanding of metabolism in migraine offers novel therapeutic opportunities. In this Review, we describe the evidence for abnormalities in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in migraine, with a focus on clinical data (including neuroimaging, biochemical, genetic and therapeutic studies), and consider the relationship of these abnormalities with the abnormal sensory processing and cerebral hyper-responsivity observed in migraine. We discuss experimental data to consider potential mechanisms by which metabolic abnormalities could generate attacks. Finally, we highlight potential treatments that target cerebral metabolism, such as nutraceuticals, ketone bodies and dietary interventions.

Sensory Neuropeptides and their Receptors Participate in Mechano-Regulation of Murine Macrophages

This study aimed to analyze if the sensory neuropeptide SP (SP) and the neurokinin receptor 1 (NK1R) are involved in macrophage mechano-transduction, similar to chondrocytes, and if alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (αCGRP) and the CGRP receptor (CRLR/Ramp1) show comparable activity. Murine RAW264.7 macrophages were subjected to a cyclic stretch for 1–3 days and 4 h/day. Loading and neuropeptide effects were analyzed for gene and protein expression of neuropeptides and their receptors, adhesion, apoptosis, proliferation and ROS activity. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) were isolated after surgical osteoarthritis (OA) induction and proliferation, apoptosis and osteoclastogenesis were analyzed in response to loading. Loading induced NK1R and CRLR/Ramp1 gene expression and altered protein expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. SP protein and mRNA level decreased after loading whereas αCGRP mRNA expression was stabilized. SP reduced adhesion in loaded RAW264.7 macrophages and both neuropeptides initially increased the ROS activity followed by a time-dependent suppression. OA induction sensitized BMM to caspase 3/7 mediated apoptosis after loading. Both sensory neuropeptides, SP and αCGRP, and their receptors are involved in murine macrophage mechano-transduction affecting neuropeptide impact on adhesion and ROS activity. OA induction altered BMM apoptosis in response to loading indicate that OA-associated biomechanical alterations might affect the macrophage population.

Oxidative stress and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

With the progress of modern medicine, oxygen therapy has become a crucial measure for the treatment of premature infants. As an environmental stimulus, in the normal development of lungs, oxygen plays a very important regulatory role. However, the problem is that long-term exposure to hyperoxia can interfere with the development of lungs, leading to irreversible developmental abnormalities. Now, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is increasing year by year. The existing related research shows that although BPD is a multi-factor triggered disease, its main risk factors are the premature exposure to hyperoxia and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS). As for premature infants, especially very premature babies and those with very low birth weight, prolonged exposure to high oxygen can affect and alter the normal developmental trajectories of lung tissue and vascular beds, triggering developmental disorders, such as BPD. In the relevant studies about human BPD, a large number of them support that ROS is associated with impaired lung development. Neonates, due to the damage in the development of alveolar, are specific to hyperoxia-induced inflammatory damage. This review while focusing on the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of BPD, suggests that antioxidant measures may be effective to guard against BPD of preterm infants.