Downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in a co-culture system with human stimulated X-linked CGD neutrophils

GSI CTA evaluation of the vertebrobasilar artery in normal adults at high altitude

Objective

Vascular geometry is influenced by several factors during its growth and development. Here, we compared the differences in vertebrobasilar geometry among residents of a plateau region at different altitudes and investigated the relationship between vascular geometry and altitude.

Methods

Data of some adults in the plateau region who experienced vertigo and headache as the main symptoms but had no evident abnormalities found during imaging examination were collected. They were divided into three groups based on an altitude gradient: group A (1,800-2,500 masl), group B (2,500-3,500 masl), and group C (over 3,500 masl). They underwent head-neck energy-spectrum computed tomography angiography with a gemstone spectral imaging scanning protocol. The following indices were observed: (1) vertebrobasilar geometric configurations (walking, tuning fork, lambda, and no confluence), (2) vertebral artery (VA) hypoplasia, (3) the bending number of bilateral VA intracranial segment, (4) length and tortuosity of the basilar artery (BA), and (5) anteroposterior (AP)-mid-BA angle, BA-VA angle, lateral-mid-BA angle, and VA-VA angle.

Results

Of the 222 subjects, 84 of them were included in group A, 76 in group B, and 62 in group C. The number of participants in walking, tuning fork, lambda, and no confluence geometries was 93, 71, 50, and 8, respectively. As altitude increased, the tortuosity of the BA also increased (1.05 ± 0.06 vs. 1.06 ± 0.08 vs. 1.10 ± 0.13, P = 0.005), as did the lateral-mid-BA angle (23.18° ± 9.53° vs. 26.05° ± 10.10° vs. 31.07° ± 15.12°, P = 0.007) and the BA-VA angle (32.98° ± 17.85° vs. 34.51° ± 17.96° vs. 41.51° ± 19.22°, P = 0.024). There was a relatively weak positive correlation between the altitude and the tortuosity of the BA (r_s= 0.190, P = 0.005), the lateral-mid-BA angle (r_s= 0.201, P = 0.003), and the BA-VA angle (r_s= 0.183, P = 0.006) which showed a significant difference. Compared with groups A and B, there were more multibending groups and fewer oligo-bending groups in group C (P < 0.001). There was no difference found in the vertebral artery hypoplasia, actual length of the BA, VA-VA angle, and AP-mid-BA angle among the three groups.

Conclusion

As the altitude increased, the tortuosity of the BA and the sagittal angle of the vertebrobasilar arterial system also increased. The increase in altitude can lead to changes in vertebrobasilar geometry.

PART1 destabilized by NOVA2 regulates blood-brain barrier permeability in endothelial cells via STAU1-mediated mRNA degradation

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction is recognized as a precursor of Alzheimer's disease development. Endothelial cells as structural basis of blood-brain barrier were observed tight junction failure in amyloid-β(1-42)-stimulated environment. In this study, we found NOVA2, PPP2R3A were down-regulated while PART1, p-NFκB-p65 were up-regulated in amyloid-β(1-42)-incubated endothelial cells. Knockdown of either NOVA2 or PPP2R3A and overexpression of PART1 all increased blood-brain barrier permeability. Lower blood-brain barrier permeability was observed in overexpression of NOVA2 and PPP2R3A and knockdown of PART1 and NFκB-p65. Same tendencies were found in the tight junction-related proteins expressions. Furthermore, overexpression and knockdown of NOVA2 and PART1 had no effect on cell viability. Mechanistically, NOVA2 overexpression was confirmed to reduce half-life of PART1. PART1 could destabilize PPP2R3A messenger RNA (mRNA) by interacting with STAU1. In addition, p-NFκB-p65 functioning as transcription factor reduced the expression of tight junction-related proteins, which was prompted by low protein level of PPP2R3A. Our study highlights the crucial role of NOVA2/PART1/PPP2R3A/p-NFκB-p65 pathway in amyloid-β(1-42)-incubated endothelial cells to modulating blood-brain barrier permeability through STAU1-mediated messenger RNA degradation, implying a potential mechanism of lncRNA and protein interaction in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Pitavastatin maintains MAPK7 expression and alleviates angiotensin II-induced vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury

Statins have been reported to suppress vascular remodeling in rats with spontaneous hypertension. However, the possible effects of the statin pitavastatin on hypertension-induced endothelial inflammation and injury remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin on HUVEC injury and inflammation. HUVECs were exposed to angiotensin (Ang) II with or without pitavastatin co-treatment, after which MAPK7 expression was detected via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. MAPK7 expression was additionally silenced in HUVECs via transfection with short hairpin RNA, followed by Ang II treatment with or without pitavastatin. Cell viability, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, nitric oxide (NO) production and cell apoptosis were then measured by using Cell Conting Kit-8, ELISA, commercial corresponding kits and TUNEL staining, respectively. Western blotting was also used to determine the protein expression of endothelial NO synthase and endothelin 1, and the proteins involved in apoptosis. Results of the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of MAPK7 in Ang II-induced endothelial cells were decreased, which was reversed following treatment with pitavastatin. Pitavastatin reversed the Ang II-induced reduction in cell viability and reversed the Ang II-induced increase in inflammatory factor and ROS levels and apoptosis in HUVECs by activating MAPK7. Treatment with pitavastatin also increased the production of NO in addition to increasing the expression of endothelial NO synthase and endothelin-1 in Ang II-induced HUVECs through MAPK7 activation. Collectively, results from the present study demonstrated that treatment with pitavastatin preserves MAPK7 expression to alleviate Ang II-induced vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury. Therefore, findings of the present study may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of pitavastatin on vascular endothelial cell inflammation and injury.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Multisystem review of pathophysiology

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with high morbidity and mortality. COVID-19, which is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2), affects multiple organ systems through a myriad of mechanisms. Afflicted patients present with a vast constellation of symptoms, from asymptomatic disease to life-threatening complications. The most common manifestations pertain to mild pulmonary symptoms, which can progress to respiratory distress syndrome and venous thromboembolism. However, in patients with renal failure, life-threatening cardiac abnormalities can ensue. Various mechanisms such as viral entry through Angiotensin receptor (ACE) affecting multiple organs and thus releasing pro-inflammatory markers have been postulated. Nevertheless, the predictors of various presentations in the affected population remain elusive. An ameliorated understanding of the pathology and pathogenesis of the viral infection has led to the development of variable treatment options, with many more that are presently under trial. This review article discusses the pathogenesis of multiple organ involvement secondary to COVID-19 infection in infected patients.

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This review sheds light on the pathogenesis of multi-organ involvement secondary to COVID-19 infection.

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The predictors of various presentations in the affected population are not clear at present. A better understanding of the pathology and pathogenesis of the viral infection will be pivotal in the development of variable treatment options.

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Various proposed mechanisms such as viral entry through Angiotensin receptor (ACE) affecting multiple organs, releasing pro-inflammatory markers and cytokines inducing hypercoagulable state and cytokine storm syndrome have been postulated.