Cross-talk of Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis of Allergic Asthma and Cataract

A bibliometric and visualized analysis of the pathogenesis of cataracts from 1999 to 2023

Research on the pathogenesis of cataracts is ongoing and the number of publications on this topic is increasing annually. This study offers an overview of the research status, popular topics, and scholarly tendencies in the field of cataract pathogenesis over recent decades，which helps to guide future research directions, and optimize resource allocation. In the present study, we performed a bibliometric analysis of cataract pathogenesis. Publications from January 1, 1999, to December 20, 2023, were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), and the extracted data were quantified and analyzed. We analyzed and presented the data using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Python. In all, 4006 articles were evaluated based on various characteristics, including publication year, authors, countries, institutions, journals, citations, and keywords. This study utilized VOSviewer to conduct visualized analysis, including co-authorship, co-citation, co-occurrence, and network visualization. The CiteSpace software was used to identify keywords with significant bursts of activity. The number of annual global publications climbed from 76 to 277 between 1999 and 2023, a 264.47% rise. Experimental Eye Research published the most manuscripts (178 publications), whereas Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science received the most citations (6675 citations). The most influential and productive country, institution, and author were the United States (1244 publications, 54,456 citations), University of California system (136 publications, 5401 citations), and Yao Ke (49 publications, 838 citations), respectively. The top 100 ranked keywords are divided into four clusters through co-occurrence analysis: (1) secondary cataracts, (2) oxidative stress, (3) gene mutations and protein abnormalities, and (4) alteration of biological processes in lens epithelial cells. Further discussions on the four subtopics outline the research topics and trends. In conclusion, the specific mechanism of cataract formation remains a popular topic for future research and should be explored in greater depth.

Post-Marketing Safety Concerns with Upadacitinib: A Disproportionality Analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting system

BACKGROUND

Upadacitinib was approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and atopic dermatitis. This study assessed the adverse events (AEs) associated with upadacitinib by mining data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS

Disproportionality analyses, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and the multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) algorithms, were employed to quantify the signals of upadacitinib-associated AEs.

RESULTS

A total of 3,837,420 reports of AEs were collected from the FAERS database, of which 4494 reports were identified with upadacitinib as the "primary suspect (PS)". Upadacitinib-induced AEs occurrence targeted 27 system organ clases (SOCs). A total of 200 significant disproportionality PTs conforming to the four algorithms were simultaneously retained. Unexpected significant AEs, such as arthralgia, musculoskeletal stiffness, diverticulitis, and cataract might also occur. The median onset time of upadacitinib-associated AEs was 65 days (interquartile range [IQR] 21-182 days), and most of the onsets occurred within the first 1, 2, 3, and 4 months after initiation of upadacitinib.

CONCLUSION

This study found potential new AEs signals and might provide important support for clinical monitoring and risk identification of upadacitinib.

Candidate genes identification and RNA-seq based pathway analysis associated with primary angle-closure glaucoma with cataract

BACKGROUND

Cataract is commonly observed in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma; however, its underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to improve our knowledge on the pathological processes involved in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) by identifying potential prognostic genes associated with cataract progression.

METHODS

Thirty anterior capsular membrane samples were collected from PACG patients with cataracts and age-related cataracts. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two cohorts were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to screen the DEGs, and potential prognostic markers and their coexpression network were then predicted by bioinformatic analyses. The DEGs were further validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A total of 399 DEGs were found to be specifically associated with cataracts development in PACG patients, among which 177 and 221 DEGs were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. STRING and Cytoscape network analyses revealed seven genes-CTGF, FOS, CAV1, CYR61, ICAM1, EGR1, and NR4A1-that were remarkably enriched and mainly involved in the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Toll-like receptor, and TNF signaling pathways. RT-qPCR-based validation further confirmed that the sequencing results were accurate and reliable.

CONCLUSIONS

Herein, we identified seven genes and their signaling pathways that may contribute to cataract progression in patients with high intraocular pressure. Taken together, our findings highlight new molecular mechanisms that may explain the high incidence of cataracts in PACG patients. In addition, the genes identified herein may represent new foundations for the development of therapeutic strategies for PACG with cataract.

Novel genetic variants in long non-coding RNA MEG3 are associated with the risk of asthma

Background

Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory airway disease worldwide. Asthma is a complex disease whose exact etiologic mechanisms remain elusive; however, it is increasingly evident that genetic factors play essential roles in the development of asthma. The purpose of this study is to identify novel genetic susceptibility loci for asthma in Taiwanese. We selected a well-studied long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), MEG3, which is involved in multiple cellular functions and whose expression has been associated with asthma. We hypothesize that genetic variants in MEG3 may influence the risk of asthma.

Methods

We genotyped four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MEG3, rs7158663, rs3087918, rs11160608, and rs4081134, in 198 patients with asthma and 453 healthy controls and measured serum MEG3 expression level in a subset of controls.

Results

The variant AG and AA genotypes of MEG3 rs7158663 were significantly over-represented in the patients compared to the controls (P = 0.0024). In logistic regression analyses, compared with the wild-type GG genotype, the heterozygous variant genotype (AG) was associated with a 1.62-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) [1.18-2.32], P = 0.0093] increased risk and the homozygous variant genotype (AA) conferred a 2.68-fold (95% CI [1.52-4.83], P = 0.003) increased risk of asthma. The allelic test showed the A allele was associated with a 1.63-fold increased risk of asthma (95% CI [1.25-2.07], P = 0.0004). The AG plus AA genotypes were also associated with severe symptoms (P = 0.0148). Furthermore, the AG and AA genotype carriers had lower serum MEG3 expression level than the GG genotype carriers, consistent with the reported downregulation of MEG3 in asthma patients.

Conclusion

MEG3 SNP rs7158663 is a genetic susceptibility locus for asthma in Taiwanese. Individuals carrying the variant genotypes have lower serum MEG3 level and are at increased risks of asthma and severe symptoms.

Cross-sectional study of the association between asthma and cataract among 40 years and older in the USA

Background

This study is aimed to assess the association between asthma and cataract in a representative sample in the United States.

Methods

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. Ten years (2010-2019) of NHIS were analyzed in this study. Asthma and cataract status were collected from relevant questionnaires among participants aged 40 years and older. Multivariate regression analyses were applied to explore the association between asthma and cataract.

Results

From 40,457 participants included, those with asthma had higher prevalence of cataract than those without asthma (29.41% vs 25.87%, p < 0.001). Participants who had asthma had 40% higher odds of cataract compared to those without, after adjusting for potential confounding covariates (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.29-1.52, p < 0.001). When viewing asthma as the outcome, participants who had cataract had 36% higher odds of asthma compared to those without, after adjusting for potential confounding covariates (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.25-1.47, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

With our study, we demonstrated that individuals with asthma were more likely to develop cataract compared with those without asthma. Further RCTs are needed to confirm this potential impact of asthma on cataract and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Mechanism of Peitu Shengjin Formula Shenlingbaizhu Powder in Treating Bronchial Asthma and Allergic Colitis through Different Diseases with Simultaneous Treatment Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Shenlingbaizhu powder (SLBZP), one of the classic Earth-cultivating and gold-generating prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat various diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of SLBZP on bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic colitis (AC) remain to be elucidated.

Methods

Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to explore the potential mechanism of SLBZP in treating BA and AC with the simultaneous treatment of different diseases. The potential active compounds of SLBZP and their corresponding targets were obtained from BATMAN-TCM, ETCM, SymMap TCM@TAIWAN, and TCMSP databases. BA and AC disease targets were collected through DisGeNET, TTD, GeneCards, PharmGKB, OMIM, NCBI, The Human Phenotype Ontology, and DrugBank databases. Common targets for drugs and diseases were screened by using the bioinformatics and evolutionary genomics platform. The analyses and visualizations of Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of common targets were carried out by R software. The key targets were screened by using the plug-in “cytoHubba” of Cytoscape software, and the “active compound-key target” network was constructed. Molecular docking analysis was performed using AutoDock software. The miRTarBase database was used to predict microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting key targets, and the key target-miRNA network was constructed.

Result

Through screening, 246 active compounds and 281 corresponding targets were obtained. Common targets were mainly enriched in 2933 biological processes and 182 signal pathways to play the role of treating BA and AC. There were 131 active compounds related to key targets. The results of molecular docking showed that the important active compounds in SLBZP had good binding ability with the key targets. The key target-miRNA network showed that 94 miRNAs were predicted.

Conclusion

SLBZP has played the role of treating different diseases with the same treatment on BA and AC through the characteristics of multicompound, multitarget, and multipathway of traditional Chinese medicine, which provides a theoretical basis for explaining the mechanism and clinical application of SLBZP treating different diseases with the same treatment in BA and AC.

Erworbene Katarakte

Weitaus seltener und daher weniger bekannt als die altersbedingte Katarakt ist die sekundär erworbene Katarakt, die eine diagnostische und chirurgische Herausforderung darstellen kann. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die häufigsten Subtypen vor allem bei Erwachsenen und beleuchtet die chirurgischen Besonderheiten einschließlich perioperativer Charakteristika.

Erworbene Katarakte

Weitaus seltener und daher weniger bekannt als die altersbedingte Katarakt ist die sekundär erworbene Katarakt, die eine diagnostische und chirurgische Herausforderung darstellen kann. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die häufigsten Subtypen vor allem bei Erwachsenen und beleuchtet die chirurgischen Besonderheiten einschließlich perioperativer Charakteristika.

The association between cataract and sleep apnea: a nationwide population-based cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The association between sleep apnea (SA) and cataract was confirmed in a comprehensive large-scale study. This study aimed to investigate whether SA was associated with increased risk of cataract.

METHODS

The 18-year nationwide retrospective population-based cohort study used data retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. We selected adult patients with a diagnosis of SA, based on diagnostic codes (suspected SA cohort) or on presence of diagnosis after polysomnography (SA cohort), and matched each of them to 5 randomly selected, and age- and sex-matched control participants. The incidence rate of cataract was compared between patients with SA and the controls. The effect of SA on incident cataract was assessed using multivariable Poisson regression and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 6,438 patients in the suspected SA cohort were matched with 32,190 controls (control A cohort), including 3,616 patients in the SA cohort matched with 18,080 controls (control B cohort). After adjusting for age, sex, residency, income level, and comorbidities, the incidence rates of cataract were significantly higher in the SA cohorts than in the corresponding control cohorts. SA was an independent risk factor for incident cataract (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.4 [1.2-1.6]). In patients with SA, elder age, heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for incident cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed a significantly higher risk for developing cataract in patients with SA. Physicians caring for patients with SA should be aware of this ophthalmic complication.

CITATION

Liu P-K, Chang Y-C, Wang N-K, et al. The association between cataract and sleep apnea: a nationwide population-based cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(3):769-777.

Influence of hyperocclusion on the remodeling of gingival tissues

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of hyperocclusion on the remodeling of gingival tissues and detect the related signaling pathways.

DESIGN

Hyperocclusion models were established by tooth extraction in mice. The mice were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 28, or 56 days after the surgery, and the left mandibular first molars with gingival tissues were isolated and examinations were focused on the gingival tissues. Apoptotic cells were examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technology. Proliferating cells, p65, inflammatory cytokines, and β-catenin were detected using immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

A series of apoptosis and proliferation responses were triggered in stressed gingival tissues. It was observed that the levels of p65, proinflammatory factors including interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in extraction group were higher compared with those from mice with intact dentition, and peaked on days 14, 14 and 7 respectively. The expression of β-catenin was increased under hyperocclusion situations, peaked on day 14, and declined to the initial levels over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that hyperocclusion causes remodeling of the gingival tissues by activating a series of adaptive responses. Both nuclear factor kappa B and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways may be responsible for those adaptive responses though the exact mechanism is not clear.

Protective Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside on H2O2-induced Oxidative Damage in Lens Epithelial Cells

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on oxidative damage in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-exposed human lens epithelial cell lines (SRA01/04) and the possible mechanisms underlying its protective effects.Materials and methods: SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups: the control (CON) group, model (H₂O₂) group and treatment (NR+H₂O₂) group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total glutathione (GSH) levels were detected to evaluate oxidative damage induced by different concentrations of H₂O₂ in SRA01/04 cells. After SRA01/04 cells were treated with NR and/or H₂O₂, cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst staining, cell apoptosis was analysed using flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with the DCFH-DA probe, and mitochondria were stained with MitoTracker to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, western blotting was performed to detect the levels of proteins associated with apoptosis and related signalling pathways.Results: H₂O₂ induced oxidative damage in SRA01/04 cells by inhibiting the activity of SOD and CAT and reducing total GSH levels. Treatment of SRA01/04 cells with NR significantly increased cell viability and reduced cell apoptosis and ROS generation, whereas SOD and CAT activities and total GSH and MMP levels were improved by the NR treatment in an H₂O₂-exposed cell model. Furthermore, NR significantly inhibited the activation of the MAPK pathway but promoted activation of the JAK2/Stat3 pathway compared with the model group.Conclusions: NR may alleviate oxidative damage by targeting the MAPK and JAK2/Stat3 pathways in H₂O₂-treated SRA01/04 cells. NR may represent anovel drug for preventing or treating cataracts.