A Central Role for JNK/AP-1 Pathway in the Pro-Oxidant Effect of Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate through Superoxide Dismutase 1 Gene Repression and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Hematopoietic Human Cancer Cell Line U937

Iron Responsive Element-Mediated Responses to Iron Dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Iron trafficking and accumulation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the role of iron dyshomeostasis in early disease stages is uncertain. Currently, gene expression changes indicative of iron dyshomeostasis are not well characterized, making it difficult to explore these in existing datasets.

OBJECTIVE

To identify sets of genes predicted to contain iron responsive elements (IREs) and use these to explore possible iron dyshomeostasis-associated gene expression responses in AD.

METHODS

Comprehensive sets of genes containing predicted IRE or IRE-like motifs in their 3' or 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) were identified in human, mouse, and zebrafish reference transcriptomes. Further analyses focusing on these genes were applied to a range of cultured cell, human, mouse, and zebrafish gene expression datasets.

RESULTS

IRE gene sets are sufficiently sensitive to distinguish not only between iron overload and deficiency in cultured cells, but also between AD and other pathological brain conditions. Notably, changes in IRE transcript abundance are among the earliest observable changes in zebrafish familial AD (fAD)-like brains, preceding other AD-typical pathologies such as inflammatory changes. Unexpectedly, while some IREs in the 3' untranslated regions of transcripts show significantly increased stability under iron deficiency in line with current assumptions, many such transcripts instead display decreased stability, indicating that this is not a generalizable paradigm.

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal IRE gene expression changes as early markers of the pathogenic process in fAD and are consistent with iron dyshomeostasis as an important driver of this disease. Our work demonstrates how differences in the stability of IRE-containing transcripts can be used to explore and compare iron dyshomeostasis-associated gene expression responses across different species, tissues, and conditions.

Redox Role of ROS and Inflammation in Pulmonary Diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), either derived from exogenous sources or overproduced endogenously, can disrupt the body's antioxidant defenses leading to compromised redox homeostasis. The lungs are highly susceptible to ROS-mediated damage. Oxidative stress (OS) caused by this redox imbalance leads to the pathogenesis of multiple pulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). OS causes damage to important cellular components in terms of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA histone modification. Inflammation further enhances ROS production inducing changes in transcriptional factors which mediate cellular stress response pathways. This deviation from normal cell function contributes to the detrimental pathological characteristics often seen in pulmonary diseases. Although antioxidant therapies are feasible approaches in alleviating OS-related lung impairment, a comprehensive understanding of the updated role of ROS in pulmonary inflammation is vital for the development of optimal treatments. In this chapter, we review the major pulmonary diseases-including COPD, asthma, ARDS, COVID-19, and lung cancer-as well as their association with ROS.

SARS-CoV-2 Mediated Endothelial Dysfunction: The Potential Role of Chronic Oxidative Stress

Endothelial cells have emerged as key players in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 inflammatory pathologies. Dysfunctional endothelial cells can promote chronic inflammation and disease processes like thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and lung injury. In endothelial cells, mitochondria regulate these inflammatory pathways via redox signaling, which is primarily achieved through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Excess mtROS causes oxidative stress that can initiate and exacerbate senescence, a state that promotes inflammation and chronic endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress can also activate feedback loops that perpetuate mitochondrial dysfunction, mtROS overproduction, and inflammation. In this review, we provide an overview of phenotypes mediated by mtROS in endothelial cells - such as mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and senescence - as well as how these chronic states may be initiated by SARS-CoV-2 infection of endothelial cells. We also propose that SARS-CoV-2 activates mtROS-mediated feedback loops that cause long-term changes in host redox status and endothelial function, promoting cardiovascular disease and lung injury after recovery from COVID-19. Finally, we discuss the implications of these proposed pathways on long-term vascular health and potential treatments to address these chronic conditions.

Tanshinone IIA pretreatment promotes cell survival in human lung epithelial cells under hypoxia via AP-1-Nrf2 transcription factor

Activator protein-1 (AP-1) plays a decisive role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation under hypoxia; thus, AP-1 subunits or dimers could be modulated for a desired phenomenon in a cell using a suitable compound of therapeutic potential. Herein, we used Tanshinone-IIA as an AP-1 (subunits) modulator, and the purpose of the study was to investigate the signaling mechanism exhibited by Tan-IIA in facilitating tolerance to hypoxia. A549 cells were pretreated with Tan-IIA and exposed to hypoxia for 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. Biochemical and molecular parameters were assessed in order to trace the signaling pathway. Tan-IIA attenuated hypoxia-induced oxidative stress by modulating the expression of AP-1 subunits (via. MAPK) and Nrf2 transcription factor, which in turn were responsible for maintaining the higher levels of antioxidant enzymes and genes (HO). Tan-IIA increased the cell survival. This could be attributed to an increased NO level via iNOS gene and activated JNK, ERK pathway that induced c-jun/c-fos, c-jun/fosB, junD/c-fos, and junD/fosB heterodimers. This in turn leads to the cell cycle progression by activating cyclins (D and B). This was further confirmed by the lower levels of p53 and their downstream genes (p16, p21, p27). In addition, Tan-IIA decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels by inhibiting the formation of junB/fra-1 heterodimer regulated by p38. Tan-IIA increased cell survival to hypoxia by maintaining the higher levels of cellular iNOS, HO-1, jun-D, c-jun, fos B via Nrf2-AP-1.

Lavender essential oil induces oxidative stress which modifies the bacterial membrane permeability of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Misuse of antibiotics in the clinical and agricultural sectors has caused the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae which contributes a threat to human health. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of lavender essential oil (LVO) as an antimicrobial agent in combinatory therapy with meropenem in suppressing the growth of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP). Synergistic interactions between LVO and meropenem were detected, which significantly reduce the inhibitory concentration of both LVO and meropenem by 15 and 4-fold respectively. Comparative proteomic profiling identified a disruption in the bacterial membrane via oxidative stress that was indicated by loss of membrane and cytoplasmic proteins and the upregulation of oxidative regulators. As a proof of concept, zeta potential measurements showed a change in cell surface charge while outer membrane permeability measurement indicated an increase in membrane permeability following exposure to LVO. This was indicative of a disrupted outer membrane. Ethidium bromide influx/efflux assays demonstrated no significant efflux pump inhibition by LVO, and scanning electron microscopy revealed irregularities on the cell surface after exposure to LVO. Oxidative stress was also detected with increased level of ROS and lipid peroxidation in LVO-treated cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that LVO induced oxidative stress in K. pneumoniae which oxidizes the outer membrane, enabling the influx of generated ROS, LVO and meropenem into the bacterial cells, causing damage to the cells and eventually death.

Dibromoacetic Acid Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice through Oxidative Stress and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling Pathway Activation

Dibromoacetic acid (DBA) is one of haloacetic acids, often as a by-product of disinfection in drinking water. DBA is a multiple-organ carcinogen in rodent animals, but little research on its hepatotoxicity has been conducted and its mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we found that DBA could induce obvious hepatotoxcity in Balb/c mice as indicated by histological changes, increasing serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and accumulation of hepatic glycogen, after the mice were administered DBA at doses of 1.25, 5, and 20 mg/kg body weight for 28 days via oral gavage. In mechanism study, DBA induced oxidative stress as evidenced by increasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs) in the serum, and decreasing the level of glutathione (GSH) in the liver. DBA induced inflammation in the liver of the mice which is supported by increasing the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the mRNA levels of TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the liver. DBA also upregulated the protein levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), inhibitor of nuclear factor κB alpha (IκB-α), nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65), and the phosphoralation of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Conclusion. DBA could induce hepatotoxicity in mice by oral exposure; the mechanism is related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway activation.

The Role of NADPH Oxidases and Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Disorders

For a number of years, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOX) was synonymous with NOX2/gp91^phox and was considered to be a peculiarity of professional phagocytic cells. Over the last decade, several more homologs have been identified and based on current research, the NOX family consists of NOX1, NOX2, NOX3, NOX4, NOX5, DUOX1 and DUOX2 enzymes. NOXs are electron transporting membrane proteins that are responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation-primarily superoxide anion (O₂^●-), although hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can also be generated. Elevated ROS leads to oxidative stress (OS), which has been associated with a myriad of inflammatory and degenerative pathologies. Interestingly, OS is also the commonality in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). NOX enzymes are expressed in neurons, glial cells and cerebrovascular endothelial cells. NOX-mediated OS is identified as one of the main causes of cerebrovascular damage in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will discuss recent developments in our understanding of the mechanisms linking NOX activity, OS and neurodegenerative diseases, with particular focus on the neurovascular component of these conditions. We conclude highlighting current challenges and future opportunities to combat age-related neurodegenerative disorders by targeting NOXs.

Mechanisms of concanavalin A-induced cytokine synthesis by hepatic stellate cells: Distinct roles of interferon regulatory factor-1 in liver injury

Mice depleted of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are protected from concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver injury that is mediated by the activation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1). The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of ConA-mediated signaling and synthesis/release of mediators by HSCs that damage hepatocytes. Primary cultures of wildtype (WT) and IRF1-knockout (KO) HSCs and hepatocytes were used, and ConA-induced liver damage in interferon (IFN)αβ receptor-deficient (IFNαβR-KO) mice was determined. Specific binding of ConA to HSCs induced rapid activation of JAK2 and STAT1. ConA-induced expression of IRF1, IFNβ, tumor necrosis factor α, and CXCL1 was abrogated by selective inhibition of JAK2 and STAT1. Despite activating JAK2/STAT1, ConA failed to stimulate expression of inflammatory cytokines in HSCs from IRF1-KO mice. ConA-conditioned WT-HSC medium caused activation of JNK and caspase 3, and apoptosis of hepatocytes from WT but not from IRF1-KO or IFNαβR-KO mice. Conversely, ConA-conditioned medium of IRF1-KO HSCs failed to cause apoptosis of WT or IRF1-KO hepatocytes. IFNαβR-KO mice were protected from ConA-induced liver damage, and ConA-induced hepatic expression of IRF1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and infiltration of neutrophils were significantly lower in IFNαβR-KO than in WT mice. These results demonstrate distinct roles of IRF1 in hepatic inflammation (HSCs) and injury (hepatocytes) and can be an important target for intervention in acute liver injury.

Recent Advances in Antabuse (Disulfiram): The Importance of its Metal-binding Ability to its Anticancer Activity

BACKGROUND

Considerable evidence demonstrates the importance of dithiocarbamates especially disulfiram as anticancer drugs. However there are no systematic reviews outlining how their metal-binding ability is related to their anticancer activity. This review aims to summarize chemical features and metal-binding activity of disulfiram and its metabolite DEDTC, and discuss different mechanisms of action of disulfiram and their contributions to the drug's anticancer activity.

METHODS

We undertook a disulfiram-related search on bibliographic databases of peerreviewed research literature, including many historic papers and in vitro, in vivo, preclinical and clinical studies. The selected papers were carefully reviewed and summarized.

RESULTS

More than five hundreds of papers were obtained in the initial search and one hundred eighteen (118) papers were included in the review, most of which deal with chemical and biological aspects of Disulfiram and the relationship of its chemical and biological properties. Eighty one (81) papers outline biological aspects of dithiocarbamates, and fifty seven (57) papers report biological activity of Disulfiram as an inhibitor of proteasomes or inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes, interaction with other anticancer drugs, or mechanism of action related to reactive oxygen species. Other papers reviewed focus on chemical aspects of dithiocarbamates.

CONCLUSION

This review confirms the importance of chemical features of compounds such as Disulfiram to their biological activities, and supports repurposing DSF as a potential anticancer agent.