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Kools J, Voermans N, Jiang JG, Mitelman O, Mellion ML, Ramana V, van Engelen BGM. An open-label pilot study of losmapimod to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and changes in biomarker and clinical outcome assessments in participants with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123096. [PMID: 38959779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123096] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a genetic disease caused by aberrant DUX4 expression, leading to progressive muscle weakness. No effective pharmaceutical treatment is available. Losmapimod, a small molecule selective inhibitor of p38 α/β MAPK, showed promising results in a phase 1 trial for the treatment of FSHD, prompting additional studies. We report the findings of an open-label phase 2 trial (NCT04004000) investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and exploratory efficacy of losmapimod in participants with FSHD1. METHODS This study was conducted at a single site in the Netherlands from August 2019 to March 2021, with an optional, ongoing open-label extension. Participants aged 18 to 65 years with FSHD1 took 15 mg of losmapimod twice daily for 52 weeks. Primary endpoints were measures of losmapimod safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints were assessments of losmapimod pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. RESULTS Fourteen participants were enrolled. No deaths, serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), or discontinuations due to TEAEs were reported. Losmapimod achieved blood concentrations and target engagements that were previously associated with decreased DUX4 expression in vitro. Clinical outcome measures showed a trend toward stabilization or improvement. CONCLUSIONS Losmapimod was well tolerated and may be a promising new treatment for FSHD; a larger phase 3 study is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Kools
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Nicol Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Taherian M, Bayati P, Mojtabavi N. Stem cell-based therapy for fibrotic diseases: mechanisms and pathways. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:170. [PMID: 38886859 PMCID: PMC11184790 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03782-5] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process, that could result in permanent scarring and impairment of the physiological function of the affected organ; this condition which is categorized under the term organ failure could affect various organs in different situations. The involvement of the major organs, such as the lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and skin, is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality across the world. Fibrotic disorders encompass a broad range of complications and could be traced to various illnesses and impairments; these could range from simple skin scars with beauty issues to severe rheumatologic or inflammatory disorders such as systemic sclerosis as well as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Besides, the overactivation of immune responses during any inflammatory condition causing tissue damage could contribute to the pathogenic fibrotic events accompanying the healing response; for instance, the inflammation resulting from tissue engraftment could cause the formation of fibrotic scars in the grafted tissue, even in cases where the immune system deals with hard to clear infections, fibrotic scars could follow and cause severe adverse effects. A good example of such a complication is post-Covid19 lung fibrosis which could impair the life of the affected individuals with extensive lung involvement. However, effective therapies that halt or slow down the progression of fibrosis are missing in the current clinical settings. Considering the immunomodulatory and regenerative potential of distinct stem cell types, their application as an anti-fibrotic agent, capable of attenuating tissue fibrosis has been investigated by many researchers. Although the majority of the studies addressing the anti-fibrotic effects of stem cells indicated their potent capabilities, the underlying mechanisms, and pathways by which these cells could impact fibrotic processes remain poorly understood. Here, we first, review the properties of various stem cell types utilized so far as anti-fibrotic treatments and discuss the challenges and limitations associated with their applications in clinical settings; then, we will summarize the general and organ-specific mechanisms and pathways contributing to tissue fibrosis; finally, we will describe the mechanisms and pathways considered to be employed by distinct stem cell types for exerting anti-fibrotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Taherian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Bayati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mojtabavi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Guarino A, Pignata P, Lovisari F, Asth L, Simonato M, Soukupova M. Cognitive comorbidities in the rat pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1392977. [PMID: 38872822 PMCID: PMC11171745 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1392977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with epilepsy are prone to cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and other behavioral disorders. Cognitive comorbidities are particularly common and well-characterized in people with temporal lobe epilepsy, while inconsistently addressed in epileptic animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to ascertain whether there is good evidence of cognitive comorbidities in animal models of epilepsy, in particular in the rat pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. We searched the literature published between 1990 and 2023. The association of spontaneous recurrent seizures induced by pilocarpine with cognitive alterations has been evaluated by using various tests: contextual fear conditioning (CFC), novel object recognition (NOR), radial and T-maze, Morris water maze (MWM) and their variants. Combination of results was difficult because of differences in methodological standards, in number of animals employed, and in outcome measures. Taken together, however, the analysis confirmed that pilocarpine-induced epilepsy has an effect on cognition in rats, and supports the notion that this is a valid model for assessment of cognitive temporal lobe epilepsy comorbidities in preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata Guarino
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Pignata
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca Lovisari
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Laila Asth
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Li P, Cao G. PDCD4 silencing alleviates KA‑induced neurotoxicity of HT22 cells by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress via blocking the MAPK/NF‑κB signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:55. [PMID: 38234627 PMCID: PMC10790171 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Human programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) has been reported to participate in multiple neurological diseases. However, the role of PDCD4 in epilepsy, as well as its underlying mechanism, remains unclear. To induce excitotoxicity, 100 µM kainic acid (KA) was applied for the stimulation of HT22 cells for 12 h. Initially, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PDCD4 were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. A lactate dehydrogenase assay was performed to detect cell injury. Cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry and western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Oxidative stress was detected using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining, and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) assay kits. Furthermore, the expression levels of MAPK/NF-κB signaling-related proteins and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins C/EBP homologous protein, glucose-regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor 4 and phosphorylated-eukaryotic initiation factor-2α were assessed by western blotting. It was revealed that PDCD4 expression was markedly elevated in KA-induced HT22 cells, whereas PDCD4 silencing alleviated KA-induced neurotoxicity of HT22 cells by alleviating cell injury and inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, PDCD4 silencing reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species and MDA, but elevated those of SOD and GSH-Px. PDCD4 silencing also suppressed ER stress by blocking the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. By contrast, the MAPK agonist phorbol myristate acetate reversed the effects of PDCD4 silencing on KA-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in HT22 cells. In conclusion, PDCD4 silencing alleviated KA-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in HT22 cells by suppressing ER stress through the inhibition of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, which may provide novel insights into the treatment of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Department of Neurology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, P.R. China
| | - Guiling Cao
- Department of Neurology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, P.R. China
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Mao Y, Lei R, Pei H, Zhang Y, Jiang Y, Gu Y, Zhu C, Zhu Z. Identification of module genes and functional pathway analysis in septic shock subtypes by integrated bioinformatics analysis. J Gene Med 2023; 25:e3561. [PMID: 37394280 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed to identify the module genes and key gene functions and biological pathways of septic shock (SS) through integrated bioinformatics analysis. METHODS In the study, we performed batch correction and principal component analysis on 282 SS samples and 79 normal control samples in three datasets, GSE26440, GSE95233 and GSE57065, to obtain a combined corrected gene expression matrix containing 21,654 transcripts. Patients with SS were then divided into three molecular subtypes according to sample subtyping analysis. RESULTS By analyzing the demographic characteristics of the different subtypes, we found no statistically significant differences in gender ratio and age composition among the three groups. Then, three subtypes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and specific upregulated DEGs (SDEGs) were identified by differential gene expression analysis. We found 7361 DEGs in the type I group, 5594 DEGs in the type II group, and 7159 DEGs in the type III group. There were 1698 SDEGs in the type I group, 2443 in the type II group, and 1831 in the type III group. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between the expression data of 5972 SDEGs in the three subtypes and the gender and age of 227 patients, constructed a weighted gene co-expression network, and identified 11 gene modules, among which the module with the highest correlation with gender ratio was MEgrey. The modules with the highest correlation with age composition were MEgrey60 and MElightyellow. Then, by analyzing the differences in module genes among different subgroups of SS, we obtained the differential expression of 11 module genes in four groups: type I, type II, type III and the control group. Finally, we analyzed the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment of all module DEGs, and the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of different module genes were different. CONCLUSIONS Our findings aim to identify the specific genes and intrinsic molecular functional pathways of SS subtypes, as well as further explore the genetic and molecular pathophysiological mechanisms of SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Mao
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruyi Lei
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Pei
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yepeng Zhang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yumin Jiang
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yulei Gu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changjv Zhu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Emergency Department and Trauma Engineering Research Center, Henan Provincial, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Identification of Prognostic Fatty Acid Metabolism lncRNAs and Potential Molecular Targeting Drugs in Uveal Melanoma. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:3726351. [PMID: 36267302 PMCID: PMC9578887 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3726351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to identify prognostic fatty acid metabolism lncRNAs and potential molecular targeting drugs in uveal melanoma through integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods In the present study, we obtained the expression matrix of 309 FAM-mRNAs and identified 225 FAM-lncRNAs by coexpression network analysis. We then performed univariate Cox analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and cross-validation and finally obtained an optimized UVM prognosis prediction model composed of four PFAM-lncRNAs (AC104129.1, SOS1-IT1, IDI2-AS1, and DLGAP1-AS2). Results The survival curves showed that the survival time of UVM patients in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that in the low-risk group in the train cohort, test cohort, and all patients in the prognostic prediction model (P < 0.05). We further performed risk prognostic assessment, and the results showed that the risk scores of the high-risk group in the train cohort, test cohort, and all patients were significantly higher than those of the low-risk group (P < 0.05), patient survival decreased and the number of deaths increased with increasing risk scores, and AC104129.1, SOS1-IT1, and DLGAP1-AS2 were high-risk PFAM-lncRNAs, while IDI2-AS1 were low-risk PFAM-lncRNAs. Afterwards, we further verified the accuracy and the prognostic value of our model in predicting prognosis by PCA analysis and ROC curves. Conclusion We identified 24 potential molecularly targeted drugs with significant sensitivity differences between high- and low-risk UVM patients, of which 13 may be potential targeted drugs for high-risk patients. Our findings have important implications for early prediction and early clinical intervention in high-risk UVM patients.
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Li S, Lu Z, Huang Y, Wang Y, Jin Q, Shentu X, Ye J, Ji J, Yao K, Han H. Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Micelles: Break the Dry Eye Vicious Cycle. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200435. [PMID: 35435328 PMCID: PMC9189644 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) impacts ≈30% of the world's population and causes serious ocular discomfort and even visual impairment. Inflammation is one core cause of the DED vicious cycle, a multifactorial deterioration in DED process. However, there are also reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulating inflammation and other points in the cycle from the upstream, leading to treatment failure of current therapies merely targeting inflammation. Accordingly, the authors develop micelle-based eye drops (more specifically p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor Losmapimod (Los)-loaded and ROS scavenger Tempo (Tem)-conjugated cationic polypeptide micelles, designated as MTem/Los) for safe and efficient DED management. Cationic MTem/Los improve ocular retention of conjugated water-soluble Tem and loaded water-insoluble Los via electrostatic interaction with negatively charged mucin on the cornea, enabling an increase in therapeutic efficiency and a decrease in dosing frequency. Mechanistically, MTem/Los effectively decrease ROS over-production, reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, restrain macrophage proinflammatory phenotypic transformation, and inhibit cell apoptosis. Therapeutically, the dual-functional MTem/Los suppress the inflammatory response, reverse corneal epithelial defect, save goblet cell dysfunction, and recover tear secretion, thus breaking the vicious cycle and alleviating the DED. Moreover, MTem/Los exhibit excellent biocompatibility and tolerability for potential application as a simple and rapid treatment of oxidative stress- and inflammation-induced disorders, including DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Li
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
| | - Zhouyu Lu
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
| | - Yue Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization of Ministry of EducationDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027P. R. China
| | - Yin Wang
- School of PharmacyShanghai Jiao Tong University800 Dongchuan RoadShanghai200240P. R. China
| | - Qiao Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization of Ministry of EducationDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027P. R. China
| | - Xingchao Shentu
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of OphthalmologyZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
| | - Juan Ye
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of OphthalmologyZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
| | - Jian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization of Ministry of EducationDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027P. R. China
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of OphthalmologyZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
| | - Haijie Han
- Eye CenterThe Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of OphthalmologyZhejiang University88 Jiefang RoadHangzhou310009P. R. China
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Luo XM, Zhao J, Wu WY, Fu J, Li ZY, Zhang M, Lu J. Post-status epilepticus treatment with the Fyn inhibitor, saracatinib, improves cognitive function in mice. BMC Neurosci 2021; 22:2. [PMID: 33451301 PMCID: PMC7811255 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-020-00606-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening neurological disorder. The hippocampus, as an important area of the brain that regulates cognitive function, is usually damaged after SE, and cognitive deficits often result from hippocampal neurons lost after SE. Fyn, a non-receptor Src family of tyrosine kinases, is potentially associated with the onset of seizure. Saracatinib, a Fyn inhibitor, suppresses epileptogenesis and reduces epileptiform spikes. However, whether saracatinib inhibits cognitive deficits after SE is still unknown. Methods In the present study, a pilocarpine-induced SE mouse model was used to answer this question by using the Morris water maze and normal object recognition behavioral tests. Results We found that saracatinib inhibited the loss in cognitive function following SE. Furthermore, we found that the number of hippocampal neurons in the saracatinib treatment group was increased, when compared to the SE group. Conclusions These results showed that saracatinib can improve cognitive functions by reducing the loss of hippocampal neurons after SE, suggesting that Fyn dysfunction is involved in cognitive deficits after SE, and that the inhibition of Fyn is a possible treatment to improve cognitive function in SE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Ming Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China. .,Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wen-Yue Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jie Fu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zheng-Yu Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
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Talwar H, McVicker B, Tobi M. p38γ Activation and BGP (Biliary Glycoprotein) Induction in Primates at Risk for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer-A Comparative Study with Humans. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E720. [PMID: 33276422 PMCID: PMC7712431 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of cancer-related deaths largely due to CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). Identification of targetable mechanisms continues and includes investigations into the role of inflammatory pathways. Of interest, MAPK is aberrantly expressed in CRC patients, yet the activation status is not defined. The present study assessed p38γ activation in CRC patients, cancer cells, and tissues of cotton top tamarin (CTT) and common marmoset (CM). The primate world is an overlooked resource as colitis-CRC-prone CTT are usually inure to liver metastasis while CM develop colitis but not CRC. The results demonstrate that p38γ protein and phosphorylation levels are significantly increased in CRC patients compared to normal subjects and CTT. Furthermore, p38γ phosphorylation is significantly elevated in human CRC cells and hepatoblastoma cells but not in CM colon. Additionally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and biliary glycoprotein (BGP) are induced in the CRC patients that showed p38γ phosphorylation. Inhibition of p38 MAPK in CRC cells showed a significant decline in cell growth with no effect on apoptosis or BGP level. Overall, p38γ is activated in CRC tumorigenesis and likely involves CEA antigens during CRLM in humans but not in the CTT or CM, that rarely develop CRLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvinder Talwar
- Research and Development VA Medical Center and Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - Benita McVicker
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA;
| | - Martin Tobi
- Research and Development Service, Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit VAMC, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
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Xiong L, Zhou H, Zhao Q, Xue L, Al-Hawwas M, He J, Wu M, Zou Y, Yang M, Dai J, He M, Wang T. Overexpression of miR-124 Protects Against Neurological Dysfunction Induced by Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 40:737-750. [PMID: 31916069 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00769-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of lifelong disabilities worldwide, without effective therapies and clear regulatory mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as a significant regulator in neuroregeneration and neuronal apoptosis, thus holding great potential as therapeutic targets in HIE. In this study, we established the hypoxia-ischemia (HI) model in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model in vitro. Zea-longa score and magnetic resonance imaging were applied to verify HI-induced neuronal dysfunction and brain infarction. Subsequently, a miRNA microarray analysis was employed to profile miRNA transcriptomes. Down-regulated miR-124 was found 24 h after HIE, which corresponded to the change in PC12, SHSY5Y, and neurons after OGD. To determine the function of miR-124, mimics and lentivirus-mediated overexpression were used to regulate miR-124 in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Our results showed that miR-124 overexpression obviously promoted cell survival and suppressed neuronal apoptosis. Further, the memory and neurological function of rats was also obviously improved at 1 and 2 months after HI, indicated by the neurological severity score, Y-maze test, open field test, and rotating rod test. Our findings showed that overexpression of miR-124 can be a promising new strategy for HIE therapy in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liulin Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Haoli Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Lulu Xue
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Mohammed Al-Hawwas
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Jingyuan He
- Institute of Neuroscience, Animal Zoology Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650031, China
| | - Maxiu Wu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yu Zou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Mingan Yang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, 92182, USA
| | - Jing Dai
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Manxi He
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Tinghua Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China. .,The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China. .,Institute of Neuroscience, Animal Zoology Department, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650031, China.
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