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Ren C, Wang L, Li X, Tang Y, Zhi X, Zhuang M, Chen Q, Gao X, Lv X, Wang C, Wu X, Liu K, Zhao X, Li Y. Elucidating the mechanism of action of Radix Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Radix Astragalus mongholicus Bunge ultrafiltration extract on radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis based on network pharmacology and experimental research. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 199:106794. [PMID: 38788908 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis can induce cardiac dysfunction and remodeling. Great attention has been paid to traditional chinese medicine (TCM) 's effectiveness in treating MF. Radix Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Radix Astragalus mongholicus Bunge ultrafiltration extract (RAS-RA), which is a key TCM compound preparation, have high efficacy in regulating inflammation. However, studies on its therapeutic effect on radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF) are rare. In this study, RAS-RA had therapeutic efficacy in RIMF and elucidated its mechanism of action. First, we formulated the prediction network that described the relation of RAS-RA with RIMF according to data obtained in different databases. Then, we conducted functional enrichment to investigate the functions and pathways associated with potential RIMF targets for RAS-RA. In vivo experiments were also performed to verify these functions and pathways. Second, small animal ultrasound examinations, H&E staining, Masson staining, transmission electron microscopy, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western-blotting, Immunohistochemical method and biochemical assays were conducted to investigate the possible key anti-RIMF pathway in RAS-RA. In total, 440 targets were detected in those 21 effective components of RAS-RA; meanwhile, 1,646 RIMF-related disease targets were also discovered. After that, PPI network analysis was conducted to identify 20 key targets based on 215 overlap gene targets. As indicated by the gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis results, inflammation and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways might have important effects on the therapeutic effects on RIMF. Molecular docking analysis revealed high binding of effective components to targets (affinity < -6 kcal/mol). Based on experimental verification results, RAS-RA greatly mitigated myocardial fibrosis while recovering the cardiac activity of rats caused by X-rays. According to relevant protein expression profiles, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was important for anti-fibrosis effect of RAS-RA. Experimental studies showed that RAS-RA improved cardiac function, decreased pathological damage and collagen fiber deposition in cardiac tissues, and improved the mitochondrial structure of the heart of rats. RAS-RA also downregulated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels. Additionally, RAS-RA improved the liver and kidney functions and pathological injury of rat kidney and liver tissues, enhanced liver and kidney functions, and protected the liver and kidneys. RAS-RA also increased PI3K, AKT and mTOR protein levels within cardiac tissues and downregulated α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III. The findings of this study suggested that RAS-RA decreased RIMF by suppressing collagen deposition and inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, RAS-RA was the potential therapeutic agent used to alleviate RIMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhen Ren
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Lirong Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xiaodong Zhi
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Mengjie Zhuang
- Xinjiang Medical University School of Basic Medicine, Urumqi 830000 PR China
| | - Qilin Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xiang Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xinfang Lv
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Chunling Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xue Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Kai Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China
| | - Xinke Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China.
| | - Yingdong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Lanzhou 730000 PR China; Key clinical specialty of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Key Specialized Cardiovascular Laboratory National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000 PR China.
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Picchio V, Gaetani R, Pagano F, Derevyanchuk Y, Pagliarosi O, Floris E, Cozzolino C, Bernava G, Bordin A, Rocha F, Pereira ARS, Ministro A, Pinto AT, De Falco E, Serino G, Massai D, Tamarat R, Pesce M, Santos SCR, Messina E, Chimenti I. Early Impairment of Paracrine and Phenotypic Features in Resident Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells after Thoracic Radiotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2873. [PMID: 38474123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity and consequent diseases still represent potential severe late complications for many cancer survivors who undergo therapeutic thoracic irradiation. We aimed to assess the phenotypic and paracrine features of resident cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (CMSCs) at early follow-up after the end of thoracic irradiation of the heart as an early sign and/or mechanism of cardiac toxicity anticipating late organ dysfunction. Resident CMSCs were isolated from a rat model of fractionated thoracic irradiation with accurate and clinically relevant heart dosimetry that developed delayed dose-dependent cardiac dysfunction after 1 year. Cells were isolated 6 and 12 weeks after the end of radiotherapy and fully characterized at the transcriptional, paracrine, and functional levels. CMSCs displayed several altered features in a dose- and time-dependent trend, with the most impaired characteristics observed in those exposed in situ to the highest radiation dose with time. In particular, altered features included impaired cell migration and 3D growth and a and significant association of transcriptomic data with GO terms related to altered cytokine and growth factor signaling. Indeed, the altered paracrine profile of CMSCs derived from the group at the highest dose at the 12-week follow-up gave significantly reduced angiogenic support to endothelial cells and polarized macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory profile. Data collected in a clinically relevant rat model of heart irradiation simulating thoracic radiotherapy suggest that early paracrine and transcriptional alterations of the cardiac stroma may represent a dose- and time-dependent biological substrate for the delayed cardiac dysfunction phenotype observed in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Picchio
- Department of Angio Cardio Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Roberto Gaetani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Council of Research (IBBC-CNR), 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Yuriy Derevyanchuk
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Olivia Pagliarosi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Erica Floris
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Claudia Cozzolino
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Bordin
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Filipe Rocha
- Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa (CCUL@RISE), Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Simões Pereira
- Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa (CCUL@RISE), Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Augusto Ministro
- Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa (CCUL@RISE), Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Teresa Pinto
- Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa (CCUL@RISE), Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena De Falco
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Mediterranea Cardiocentro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Serino
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Diana Massai
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Radia Tamarat
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Susana Constantino Rosa Santos
- Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa (CCUL@RISE), Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisa Messina
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Isotta Chimenti
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Mediterranea Cardiocentro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
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Socol Y, Richardson A, Garali-Zineddine I, Grison S, Vares G, Klokov D. Artificial intelligence in biology and medicine, and radioprotection research: perspectives from Jerusalem. Front Artif Intell 2024; 6:1291136. [PMID: 38282906 PMCID: PMC10812117 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2023.1291136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
While AI is widely used in biomedical research and medical practice, its use is constrained to few specific practical areas, e.g., radiomics. Participants of the workshop on "Artificial Intelligence in Biology and Medicine" (Jerusalem, Feb 14-15, 2023), both researchers and practitioners, aimed to build a holistic picture by exploring AI advancements, challenges and perspectives, as well as to suggest new fields for AI applications. Presentations showcased the potential of large language models (LLMs) in generating molecular structures, predicting protein-ligand interactions, and promoting democratization of AI development. Ethical concerns in medical decision making were also addressed. In biological applications, AI integration of multi-omics and clinical data elucidated the health relevant effects of low doses of ionizing radiation. Bayesian latent modeling identified statistical associations between unobserved variables. Medical applications highlighted liquid biopsy methods for non-invasive diagnostics, routine laboratory tests to identify overlooked illnesses, and AI's role in oral and maxillofacial imaging. Explainable AI and diverse image processing tools improved diagnostics, while text classification detected anorexic behavior in blog posts. The workshop fostered knowledge sharing, discussions, and emphasized the need for further AI development in radioprotection research in support of emerging public health issues. The organizers plan to continue the initiative as an annual event, promoting collaboration and addressing issues and perspectives in AI applications with a focus on low-dose radioprotection research. Researchers involved in radioprotection research and experts in relevant public policy domains are invited to explore the utility of AI in low-dose radiation research at the next workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehoshua Socol
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ariella Richardson
- Department of Data Mining, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Imene Garali-Zineddine
- Health and Environnent Division, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Stephane Grison
- Health and Environnent Division, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Guillaume Vares
- Health and Environnent Division, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Dmitry Klokov
- Health and Environnent Division, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Sallam M, Mysara M, Benotmane MA, Crijns APG, Spoor D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Baatout S, Guns PJ, Aerts A, Ramadan R. DNA Methylation Alterations in Fractionally Irradiated Rats and Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:16214. [PMID: 36555856 PMCID: PMC9783664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation-Induced CardioVascular Disease (RICVD) is an important concern in thoracic radiotherapy with complex underlying pathophysiology. Recently, we proposed DNA methylation as a possible mechanism contributing to RICVD. The current study investigates DNA methylation in heart-irradiated rats and radiotherapy-treated breast cancer (BC) patients. Rats received fractionated whole heart X-irradiation (0, 0.92, 6.9 and 27.6 Gy total doses) and blood was collected after 1.5, 3, 7 and 12 months. Global and gene-specific methylation of the samples were evaluated; and gene expression of selected differentially methylated regions (DMRs) was validated in rat and BC patient blood. In rats receiving an absorbed dose of 27.6 Gy, DNA methylation alterations were detected up to 7 months with differential expression of cardiac-relevant DMRs. Of those, SLMAP showed increased expression at 1.5 months, which correlated with hypomethylation. Furthermore, E2F6 inversely correlated with a decreased global longitudinal strain. In BC patients, E2F6 and SLMAP exhibited differential expression directly and 6 months after radiotherapy, respectively. This study describes a systemic radiation fingerprint at the DNA methylation level, elucidating a possible association of DNA methylation to RICVD pathophysiology, to be validated in future mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magy Sallam
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Mysara
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Anne P. G. Crijns
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Spoor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Guns
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - An Aerts
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Raghda Ramadan
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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