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Liu Y, Cheng G, Cao J, Zhang J, Luo C, Huang L. The "double-edged sword effect" of nicotine. Fitoterapia 2024; 177:106102. [PMID: 38945494 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106102] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
As the main effect substances of tobacco products, the physiological effects of nicotine have attracted the attention of researchers, especially in recent years, the discussion on the benefits and harms of nicotine (or tobacco products) has become increasingly fierce. In this review, the structure, distribution and physiological effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) are summarized. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of nicotine in the body were introduced. Further, the positive effects of low-dose and short-term nicotine exposure on mitochondrial function regulation, stem cell proliferation and differentiation, nervous system protection and analgesia were elucidated. At the same time, it is also discussed that high-dose and long-term nicotine exposure can activate the oxidative stress effect, mediate abnormal epigenetic modification, and enhance the immune inflammatory response, and then produce negative effects on the body. To sum up, this review suggests that there is a "double-edged sword" effect of nicotine, which on the one hand helps people to understand the physiological effects of nicotine more comprehensively and carefully, and on the other hand provides some theoretical basis for the rational use of nicotine and the innovative development of related products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China
| | - Guang Cheng
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China
| | - JiXue Cao
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China
| | - ChengHao Luo
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China.
| | - Long Huang
- China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, China.
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Shahabi P, Karimi-Sales E, Alipour MR. Effects of nicotine on microRNA-124 expression in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 25:27. [PMID: 38549169 PMCID: PMC10976767 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-024-00749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine, the main compound of smoking may exert its effects by changing the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). This study was conducted to further investigate the molecular mechanisms of miRNA-dependent effects of nicotine in an animal model of liver fibrosis. METHODS The bile duct ligation (BDL) approach was used to create a model of liver fibrosis. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used in the study. The effects of nicotine administration on miRNA-124 expression, as well as alpha-smooth muscle actin (liver fibrosis marker) and chemokine ligand 2 (an inflammatory chemokine), were investigated using RT-qPCR. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3; as a potential target for miRNA-124) were investigated by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. Liver enzyme activity levels were measured using a colorimetric assay. In addition, the effects of nicotine on the process of liver fibrosis were investigated with histological studies. RESULTS The development of liver fibrosis in BDL rats and nicotine administration led to a decrease in miRNA-124 expression. The decrease in the expression is accompanied by the increase in the expression of fibrotic and proinflammatory genes. Also, an increase in STAT-3 mRNA and protein expression was observed in the fibrotic rats that received nicotine. In addition, the significant increase in bilirubin and liver enzymes in fibrotic rats worsens with nicotine administration. The results of histological studies also confirm these results. CONCLUSION Considering that miRNA-124 is an anti-inflammatory miRNA, it can be concluded that the decrease in its expression due to nicotine exposure leads to an increase in inflammatory processes and subsequently to an increase in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Karimi-Sales
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Shahabi P, Karimi-Sales E, Alipour MR. Nicotine promotes development of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis by increasing expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rats. Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 10:62-71. [PMID: 38765906 PMCID: PMC11100344 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2024.136227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study Liver fibrosis and cigarette smoking seem to be directly linked. Nicotine, as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), induces many downstream signaling pathways. The pathways through which nicotine affects the process of liver fibrosis have not been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the nicotine-induced effects on fibrosis progression in cholestatic rats. Material and methods First, the Wistar rats were subjected to sham or bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery. The rats were treated with low and high doses of nicotine (1 or 10 mg/kg) for three weeks. They were monitored for their body weights before and 21 days after BDL. Also, spleens were weighed to calculate the spleen/body weight ratio. Ductular proliferation and fibrosis were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) as well as Masson's trichrome staining. The mRNA expression of α4nAChR, α7nAChR, and fibrosis gene α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was measured by real-time PCR. Results The findings showed that nicotine promotes the development of BDL-induced liver fibrosis. The ratio of spleen/body weight was significantly affected by nicotine exposure. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining showed that the level of liver fibrosis was higher in the cholestatic BDL groups, and this effect was significantly augmented in the nicotine-treated rats. Also, α4nAChR, α7nAChR, and α-SMA expression was observed in the BDL rats and increased following nicotine treatment. Conclusions The activation of nAChR triggers biliary proliferation and liver fibrosis. Studying the intracellular mechanism of nicotine and alteration in the expression of nicotinic receptors following nicotine exposure can be useful both in diagnosing nicotine-related diseases and finding new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Karimi-Sales
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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O’Brien A, Zhou T, White T, Medford A, Chen L, Kyritsi K, Wu N, Childs J, Stiles D, Ceci L, Chakraborty S, Ekser B, Baiocchi L, Carpino G, Gaudio E, Wu C, Kennedy L, Francis H, Alpini G, Glaser S. FGF1 Signaling Modulates Biliary Injury and Liver Fibrosis in the Mdr2 -/- Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1574-1588. [PMID: 35271760 PMCID: PMC9234675 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) belongs to a family of growth factors involved in cellular growth and division. MicroRNA 16 (miR-16) is a regulator of gene expression, which is dysregulated during liver injury and insult. However, the role of FGF1 in the progression of biliary proliferation, senescence, fibrosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and its potential interaction with miR-16, are unknown. In vivo studies were performed in male bile duct-ligated (BDL, 12-week-old) mice, multidrug resistance 2 knockout (Mdr2-/-) mice (10-week-old), and their corresponding controls, treated with recombinant human FGF1 (rhFGF1), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) antagonist (AZD4547), or anti-FGF1 monoclonal antibody (mAb). In vitro, the human cholangiocyte cell line (H69) and human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used to determine the expression of proliferation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory genes following rhFGF1 treatment. PSC patient and control livers were used to evaluate FGF1 and miR-16 expression. Intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM), along with hepatic fibrosis and inflammation, increased in BDL mice treated with rhFGF1, with a corresponding decrease in miR-16, while treatment with AZD4547 or anti-FGF1 mAb decreased hepatic fibrosis, IBDM, and inflammation in BDL and Mdr2-/- mice. In vitro, H69 and HSCs treated with rhFGF1 had increased expression of proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammatory markers. PSC samples also showed increased FGF1 and FGFRs with corresponding decreases in miR-16 compared with healthy controls. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that suppression of FGF1 and miR-16 signaling decreases the presence of hepatic fibrosis, biliary proliferation, inflammation, senescence, and angiogenesis. Targeting the FGF1 and miR-16 axis may provide therapeutic options in treating cholangiopathies such as PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- April O’Brien
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Tori White
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Abigail Medford
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Lixian Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Konstantina Kyritsi
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Nan Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Jonathan Childs
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Danaleigh Stiles
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Ludovica Ceci
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
| | - Burcin Ekser
- Division of Transplant SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Leonardo Baiocchi
- Hepatology UnitDept of MedicineUniversity of Tor Vergata RomeRomeItaly
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of MovementHuman and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”RomeItaly
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of AnatomicalHistologicalForensic Medicine and Orthopedics SciencesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Chaodong Wu
- Department of NutritionTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- ResearchRichard L. Roudebush VA Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- ResearchRichard L. Roudebush VA Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- ResearchRichard L. Roudebush VA Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Department of Medical PhysiologyTexas A&M University College of MedicineBryanTXUSA
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Zhi YK, Li J, Yi L, Zhu RL, Luo JF, Shi QP, Bai SS, Li YW, Du Q, Cai JZ, Liu L, Wang PX, Zhou H, Dong Y. Sinomenine inhibits macrophage M1 polarization by downregulating α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 100:154050. [PMID: 35397284 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sinomenine (SIN) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for decades in China to treat arthritis. In a previous study, SIN acted on α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) to inhibit inflammatory responses in macrophages, which indicates a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of SIN. However, the level of α7nAChR was increased in the inflammatory responses and was downregulated by SIN in vitro, so the underlying mechanisms of SIN acting on α7nAChR remain unclear. PURPOSE To analyze the role of α7nAChR in inflammation and the effect and mechanism of SIN regulation of α7nAChR. METHODS The effects of SIN on α7nAChR in endotoxemic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages were observed. Nicotine (Nic) was used as a positive control, and berberine (Ber) was used as a negative control targeting α7nAChR. The antagonists of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) and mecamylamine (Me), were used to block α7nAChR. In RAW264.7 macrophage cells in vitro, α7nAChR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down α7nAChR. Macrophage polarization was analyzed by the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1. U0126 was used to block ERK phosphorylation. The cytokines α7nAChR, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1 were detected. RESULTS SIN decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and the expression of α7nAChR increased by LPS in endotoxemic mice. The above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. In the α7nAChR shRNA transfected RAW264.7 cells, compared with the control, α7nAChR was knocked down, and M1 phenotype markers (including TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) were significantly downregulated, whereas M2 phenotype markers (including IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1) were significantly upregulated when stimulated by LPS. SIN inhibited the expression of p-ERK1/2 and the transcription factor Egr-1 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, and the above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. The expression of α7nAChR was suppressed by U0126, which lessened the expression of p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1. CONCLUSIONS SIN acts on α7nAChR to inhibit inflammatory responses and downregulates high expression of α7nAChR in vivo and in vitro. The increase of α7nAChR expression is correlated with inflammatory responses and participates in macrophage M1 polarization. SIN downregulates α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1, which contributes to inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization and inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Kun Zhi
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Lang Yi
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Li Zhu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Fang Luo
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Ping Shi
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Sha-Sha Bai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Wu Li
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Qun Du
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Zhong Cai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Liang Liu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, P.R. China
| | - Pei-Xun Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, P.R. China.
| | - Yan Dong
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.
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Resolving the graft ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver transplantation at the single cell resolution. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:589. [PMID: 34103479 PMCID: PMC8187624 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) remains the major reason for impaired donor graft function and increased mortality post-liver transplantation. The mechanism of IRI involves multiple pathophysiological processes and numerous types of cells. However, a systematic and comprehensive single-cell transcriptional profile of intrahepatic cells during liver transplantation is still unclear. We performed a single-cell transcriptome analysis of 14,313 cells from liver tissues collected from pre-procurement, at the end of preservation and 2 h post-reperfusion. We made detailed annotations of mononuclear phagocyte, endothelial cell, NK/T, B and plasma cell clusters, and we described the dynamic changes of the transcriptome of these clusters during IRI and the interaction between mononuclear phagocyte clusters and other cell clusters. In addition, we found that TNFAIP3 interacting protein 3 (TNIP3), specifically and highly expressed in Kupffer cell clusters post-reperfusion, may have a protective effect on IRI. In summary, our study provides the first dynamic transcriptome map of intrahepatic cell clusters during liver transplantation at single-cell resolution.
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Youssef ME, Abdelrazek HM, Moustafa YM. Cardioprotective role of GTS-21 by attenuating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 394:11-31. [PMID: 32776158 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-01957-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) was investigated in a variety of inflammatory conditions and constitutes a valuable line in their treatment. In the current study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of GTS-21 (GTS) as a partial selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAchR) agonist in diabetic cardiomyopathy model in rats. This mechanism was elaborated to study whether it could alleviate the electrocardiographic, histopathological, and molecular levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway proteins. Diabetes was induced by the injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with GTS (1 or 2 mg/kg/day), methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective α7-nAchR antagonist (2 mg/kg/day) plus GTS (2 mg/kg/day), or the vehicle. All treatments were given by the intraperitoneal route. Ventricular rate and different electrocardiograph (ECG) anomalies were detected. Plasma levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) were measured by ELISA. Additionally, we elucidated the levels of several proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Cardiac levels of TLR4 and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) were detected by ELISA. The cardiac expression of myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), NF-κB, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and active caspase-1 were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the cardiac levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were determined by ELISA. Diabetic rats showed (i) ECG signs of cardiomyopathy such as significant ST segment elevations, prolonged QRS, QT intervals, and ventricular tachycardia; (ii) increased plasma levels of cTnT and CK-MB; (iii) increased expression of cardiac TLR4; (iv) elevated immunohistochemical expression of cardiac, Myd88, TRAF6, and NF-κB; (v) diminution in the cardiac expression of p-Akt; and (vi) adaptive increases in cardiac expression of TNF-α and IL-6. These effects were ameliorated in diabetic rats treated with both doses of GTS. Pretreatment with MLA did not completely reverse the ameliorative effect of GTS on cTnT, TRAF6, TNF-α, and IL-6, thereby reinforcing the presence of possible α7-nAchR-independent mechanisms. The activation of α7-nAchR with GTS offers a promising prophylactic strategy for diabetic cardiomyopathy by attenuating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud E Youssef
- Department of pharmacology and biochemistry, Faculty of pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Heba M Abdelrazek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of veterinary medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Yasser M Moustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Promotes Cholangiocarcinoma Progression and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process. Dig Dis Sci 2019; 64:2843-2853. [PMID: 30949902 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-05609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most deadly malignant tumors characterized by a tendency of local invasiveness and metastasis at the early phase, high recurrence rate, and difficulty in treatment. Alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is highly expressed in a variety of tumors, including cholangiocarcinoma, and may promote tumor progression, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. AIMS Our study is the first to expound upon the role that α7-nAChR plays in cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS We assessed 50 human cholangiocarcinoma tissue samples and 20 normal biliary samples using immunohistochemical staining to find the correlation between α7-nAChR expression and clinicopathological characteristics. We used human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and RBE and α7-nAChR gene knockdown RBE cell lines generated by shRNA lentivirus transfection to investigate the biological functions of α7-nAChR in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasiveness in vitro. Further, western blotting was used to detect apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related signaling proteins. Cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice were used for tumorigenicity assays in vivo. RESULTS The expression of α7-nAChR was high in cholangiocarcinoma tissues and was closely related to a shorter survival time in patients. α7-nAChR knockdown decreased cell proliferation ability, increased early apoptosis, and weakened cell migration and invasion. Apoptosis-related proteins and components of the EMT process were altered after α7-nAChR knockdown. Moreover, nude mice xenograft experiments confirmed that α7-nAChR could promote cholangiocarcinoma in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of α7-nAChR induces cholangiocarcinoma progression by blocking apoptosis and promoting the EMT process. As an effective molecular biomarker and prognostic factor, α7-nAChR is a promising therapeutic target in cholangiocarcinoma.
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Knockout of α-calcitonin gene-related peptide attenuates cholestatic liver injury by differentially regulating cellular senescence of hepatic stellate cells and cholangiocytes. J Transl Med 2019; 99:764-776. [PMID: 30700848 PMCID: PMC6570540 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-018-0178-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP) is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide involved in several pathophysiological processes. α-CGRP is involved in the regulation of cholangiocyte proliferation during cholestasis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate if α-CGRP regulates bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis by using a α-CGRP knockout (α-CGRP-/-) mouse model. α-CGRP-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to sham surgery or BDL for 7 days. Then, liver fibrosis and cellular senescence as well as the expression of kinase such as p38 and C-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway were evaluated in total liver, together with measurement of cellular senescence in cholangiocytes or hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). There was enhanced hepatic expression of Calca (coding α-CGRP) and the CGRP receptor components (CRLR, RAMP-1 and RCP) in BDL and in both WT α-CGRP-/- and BDL α-CGRP-/- mice, respectively. Moreover, there was increased CGRP serum levels and hepatic mRNA expression of CALCA and CGRP receptor components in late-stage PSC samples compared to healthy control samples. Depletion of α-CGRP reduced liver injury and fibrosis in BDL mice that was associated with enhanced cellular senescence of hepatic stellate cells and reduced senescence of cholangiocytes as well as decreased activation of p38 and JNK MAPK signaling pathway. Cholangiocyte supernatant from BDL α-CGRP-/- mice inhibited the activation and increased cellular senescence of cultured human HSCs (HHSCs) compared to HHSCs stimulated with BDL cholangiocyte supernatant. Taken together, endogenous α-CGRP promoted BDL-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis through differential changes in senescence of HSCs and cholangiocytes and activation of p38 and JNK signaling. Modulation of α-CGRP/CGRP receptor signaling may be key for the management of biliary senescence and liver fibrosis in cholangiopathies.
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