Overexpression of AGT promotes bronchopulmonary dysplasis via the JAK/STAT signal pathway

Blocking IL-17a Signaling Decreases Lung Inflammation and Improves Alveolarization in Experimental Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic lung disease of preterm infants that is associated with life-long morbidities. Inflammatory insults contribute to BPD pathogenesis. Although the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-17a, plays a role in various neonatal inflammatory disorders, its role in BPD pathogenesis is unclear. To test the hypothesis that blocking IL-17a signaling decreases lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated experimental BPD in neonatal mice, wild-type mice were injected intraperitoneally with phosphate-buffered saline or LPS during the saccular lung developmental phase. Pulmonary IL-17a expression was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by flow cytometry. LPS-injected mice had higher pulmonary IL-17a protein levels and IL-17a+ and IL-22+ cells. γδ T cells, followed by non-T lymphoid cells, were the primary producers of IL-17a. Wild-type mice were then injected intraperitoneally with isotype antibody (Ab) or IL-17a Ab, while they were treated with phosphate-buffered saline or LPS, followed by quantification of lung inflammatory markers, alveolarization, vascularization, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. LPS-mediated alveolar simplification, apoptosis, and cell proliferation inhibition were significantly greater in mice treated with isotype Ab than in those treated with IL-17a Ab. Furthermore, STAT1 activation and IL-6 levels were significantly greater in LPS-exposed mice treated with isotype Ab than in those treated with IL-17a Ab. The study results indicate that blocking IL-17a signaling decreases LPS-mediated experimental BPD.

Exploring the interaction of Valsartan and Valsartan-Zn(ll) complex with DNA by spectroscopic and in silico methods

Belonging to the Sartan family, antihypertensive drug - Valsartan (Val) had been found to possess antioxidant properties. Also, the zinc complex of Valsartan (VZn) has been recently recognized as inducing agents of the reductive stress effects thus possessing anticancer activity. Hence, in this work an attempt has been made to understand the interaction of Val and VZn with DNA using spectroscopic and in silico methods as DNA has been identified as the target for many anticancer drugs. VZn has been prepared in 2:1 M ratio and characterised by absorbance, FTIR, HRMS, NMR and Job's continuous variation method. VZn has been tested against human lungs cancer cell line which exhibited good anticancer activity (IC₅₀ = 89 µg/mL). Interaction of Val and VZn with ct-DNA under physiological conditions has been studied by spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, absorbance, FTIR, circular dichroism (CD) and in silico methods. Fluorescence quenching, DNA melting and viscometric studies confirmed that both ligand and complex bind to the grooves of the ct-DNA. The experimental results have revealed that VZn strongly bind with DNA compared to Val. Docking study suggested that, Val binds at major groove while VZn binds to both minor and major grooves of B-DNA.

A high-resolution cell atlas of the domestic pig lung and an online platform for exploring lung single-cell data

The genetically engineered pig is regarded as an optimal source of organ transplantation for humans and an excellent model for human disease research, given its comparable physiology to human beings. A myriad of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data on humans has been reported, but such data on pigs are scarce. Here, we apply scRNA-seq technology to study the cellular heterogeneity of 3-month-old pig lungs, generating the single-cell atlas of 13,580 cells covering 16 major cell types. Based on these data, we systematically characterize the similarities and differences in the cellular cross-talk and expression patterns of respiratory virus receptors in each cell type of pig lungs compared with human lungs. Furthermore, we analyze pig lung xenotransplantation barriers and reported the cell-type expression patterns of 10 genes associated with pig-to-human immunobiological incompatibility and coagulation dysregulation. We also investigate the conserved transcription factors (TFs) and their candidate target genes and constructed five conserved TF regulatory networks in the main cell types shared by pig and human lungs. Finally, we present a comprehensive and openly accessible online platform, ScdbLung. Our scRNA-seq atlas of the domestic pig lung and ScdbLung database can guide pig lung research and clinical applicability.

Parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor regulates osteosarcoma K7M2 Cell growth by interacting with angiotensinogen

This study aimed to determine the interactions between parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTHR1) and angiotensinogen (AGT) and the effects of these agents on osteosarcoma (OS). We constructed a stably transfected mouse OS K7M2 cell line (shPTHR1- K7M2) using shRNA and knocked down AGT in these cells using siRNA-AGT. The transfection efficiency and expression of AGT, chemokine C-C motif receptor 3 (CCR3), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 9 (CCL9) were determined using real-time quantitative PCR. Cell viability and colony formation were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and crystal violet staining, respectively. Cell apoptosis and cycle phases were assessed by flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion were evaluated using Transwell assays. Interference with PTHR1 upregulated the expression of AGT and CCR3, and downregulated that of CCL9, which was further downregulated by AGT knockdown. Cell viability, migration, invasion and colony formation were significantly decreased, while cell apoptosis was significantly increased in shPTHR1-K7M2, compared with those in K7M2 cells (P < .05 for all). However, AGT knockdown further inhibited cell viability after 72 h of culture but promoted cell migration and invasion. PTHR1 interference decreased and increased the numbers of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, respectively, compared with those in K7M2 cells. Angiotensinogen knockdown increased the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase compared with that in the shPTHR1-K7M2 cells. Therefore, PTHR1 affects cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion and colony formation, possibly by regulating AGT/CCL9 in OS cells.

Candesartan and valsartan Zn(ii) complexes as inducing agents of reductive stress: mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis

Candesartan and valsartan Zn(ii) complexes as inducing agents of reductive stress, including mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.

The Secretive Liaison of Particulate Matter and SARS-CoV-2. A Hypothesis and Theory Investigation

As the novel coronavirus disease sweeps across the world, there is growing speculation on the role that atmospheric factors may have played on the different distribution of SARS-CoV-2, and on the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19. Knowing the role that environmental factors play in influenza virus outbreaks, environmental pollution and, in particular, atmospheric airborne (particulate matter, PM) has been considered as a potential key factor in the spread and mortality of COVID-19. A possible role of the PM as the virus carrier has also been debated. The role of PM in exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular disease has been well recognized. Accumulating evidence support the hypothesis that PM can trigger inflammatory response at molecular, cellular and organ levels. On this basis, we developed the hypothesis that PM may play a role as a booster of COVID-19 rather than as a carrier of SARS-CoV-2. To support our hypothesis, we analyzed the molecular signatures detected in cells exposed to PM samples collected in one of the most affected areas by the COVID-19 outbreak, in Italy. T47D human breast adenocarcinoma cells were chosen to explore the global gene expression changes induced by the treatment with organic extracts of PM 2.5. The analysis of the KEGG's pathways showed modulation of several gene networks related to the leucocyte transendothelial migration, cytoskeleton and adhesion system. Three major biological process were identified, including coagulation, growth control and immune response. The analysis of the modulated genes gave evidence for the involvement of PM in the endothelial disease, coagulation disorders, diabetes and reproductive toxicity, supporting the hypothesis that PM, directly or through molecular interplay, affects the same molecular targets as so far known for SARS-COV-2, contributing to the cytokines storm and to the aggravation of the symptoms triggered by COVID-19. We provide evidence for a plausible cooperation of receptors and transmembrane proteins, targeted by PM and involved in COVID-19, together with new insights into the molecular interplay of chemicals and pathogens that could be of importance for sustaining public health policies and developing new therapeutic approaches.

Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 targeting STING transcription promotes bronchopulmonary dysplasia through regulation of CREB

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a severe complication of preterm infants characterized by increased alveolarization and inflammation. Premature exposure to hyperoxia is believed to be a key contributor to the pathogenesis of BPD. No effective preventive or therapeutic agents have been created. Stimulator of interferon gene (STING) is associated with inflammation and apoptosis in various lung diseases. Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 has been reported to be involved in BPD. However, how MALAT1 regulates STING expression remains unknown. In this study, we assessed that STING and MALAT1 were up-regulated in the lung tissue from BPD neonates, hyperoxia-based rat models and lung epithelial cell lines. Then, using the flow cytometry and cell proliferation assay, we found that down-regulating of STING or MALAT1 inhibited the apoptosis and promoted the proliferation of hyperoxia-treated cells. Subsequently, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that suppressing MALAT1 decreased the expression and promoter activity of STING. Moreover, transcription factor CREB showed its regulatory role in the transcription of STING via a chromatin immunoprecipitation. In conclusion, MALAT1 interacts with CREB to regulate STING transcription in BPD neonates. STING, CREB and MALAT1 may be promising therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of BPD.

Identification of differentially expressed genes, associated functional terms pathways, and candidate diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel diseases by bioinformatics analysis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic inflammatory disorders caused by genetic influences, the immune system and environmental factors. However, the underlying pathogenesis of IBDs and the pivotal molecular interactions remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic signatures in patients with IBDs and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying IBD subtypes. The gene expression profiles of the GSE75214 datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in UC and CD patients compared with controls using the GEO2R tool. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses of DEGs were performed using DAVID. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of the DEGs were constructed using Cytoscape software. Subsequently, significant modules were selected and the hub genes were identified. In the GO and KEGG pathway analysis, the top enriched pathways in UC and CD included Staphylococcus aureus infection, rheumatoid arthritis, complement and coagulation cascades, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation. In addition, the GO terms in the category biological process significantly enriched by these genes were inflammatory response, immune response, leukocyte migration, cell adhesion, response to molecules of bacterial origin and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. However, several other biological processes (GO terms) and pathways (e.g., ‘chemotaxis’, ‘collagen catabolic process’ and ‘ECM-receptor interaction’) exhibited significant differences between the two subtypes of IBD. The top 10 hub genes were identified from the PPI network using respective DEGs. Of note, the hub genes G protein subunit gamma 11 (GNG11), G protein subunit beta 4 (GNB4), Angiotensinogen (AGT), Phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) are disease-specific and may be used as biomarkers for differentiating UC from CD. Furthermore, module analysis further confirmed that common significant pathways involved in the pathogenesis of IBD subtypes were associated with chemokine-induced inflammation, innate immunity, adapted immunity and infectious microbes. In conclusion, the present study identified DEGs, key target genes, functional pathways and enrichment analysis of IBDs, enhancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBDs and also advancing the clarification of the underlying molecular mechanisms of UC and CD. Furthermore, these results may provide potential molecular targets and diagnostic biomarkers for UC and CD.