Apoptotic mechanism activated by blue light and cisplatinum in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells

Blue light irradiation suppresses oral squamous cell carcinoma through induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

The therapeutic potential of blue light photobiomodulation in cancer treatment, particularly in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell death, has attracted significant interest. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent form of oral cancer, necessitating innovative treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes. In this study, we investigated the effects of 420 nm blue LED light on OSCC and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that 420 nm blue light effectively reduced OSCC cell viability and migration, and induced G2/M arrest. Moreover, we observed that 420 nm blue light triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in OSCC cells, leading to activation of the CHOP signal pathway and alterations in the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins, ultimately promoting cell apoptosis. Additionally, blue light suppressed mitochondrial gene expression, likely due to its damage to mitochondrial DNA. This study highlights the distinct impact of 420 nm blue light on OSCC cells, providing valuable insights into its potential application as a clinical treatment for oral cancer.

The effect of Fernblock® in preventing blue-light-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells is associated with NRF2 induction

Blue light exposure of the ocular apparatus is currently rising. This has motivated a growing concern about potential deleterious effects on different eye structures. To address this, ARPE-19 cells were used as a model of the retinal pigment epithelium and subjected to cumulative expositions of blue light. The most relevant cellular events previously associated with blue-light-induced damage were assessed, including alterations in cell morphology, viability, cell proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the induction of DNA repair cellular mechanisms. Consistent with previous reports, our results provide evidence of cellular alterations resulting from repeated exposure to blue light irradiation. In this context, we explored the potential protective properties of the vegetal extract from Polypodium leucotomos, Fernblock® (FB), using the widely known treatment with lutein as a reference for comparison. The only changes observed as a result of the sole treatment with either FB or lutein were a slight but significant increase in γH2AX+ cells and the raise in the nuclear levels of NRF2. Overall, our findings indicate that the treatment with FB (similarly to lutein) prior to blue light irradiation can alleviate blue-light-induced deleterious effects in RPE cells, specifically preventing the drop in both cell viability and percentage of EdU+ cells, as well as the increase in ROS generation, percentage of γH2AX+ nuclei (more efficiently with FB), and TNF-α secretion (the latter restored only by FB to similar levels to those of the control). On the contrary, the induction in the P21 expression upon blue light irradiation was not prevented neither by FB nor by lutein. Notably, the nuclear translocation of NRF2 induced by blue light was similar to that observed in cells pre-treated with FB, while lutein pre-treatment resulted in nuclear NRF2 levels similar to control cells, suggesting key differences in the mechanism of cellular protection exerted by these compounds. These results may represent the foundation ground for the use of FB as a new ingredient in the development of alternative prophylactic strategies for blue-light-associated diseases, a currently rising medical interest.

The Role of Immune Cells in DKD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is a common microvascular complication and a major cause of death in patients with diabetes. Disorders of immune cells and immune cytokines can accelerate DKD development of in a number of ways. As the kidney is composed of complex and highly differentiated cells, the interactions among different cell types and immune cells play important regulatory roles in disease development. Here, we summarize the latest research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions among various immune and renal cells in DKD. In addition, we discuss the most recent studies related to single cell technology and bioinformatics analysis in the field of DKD. The aims of our review were to explore immune cells as potential therapeutic targets in DKD and provide some guidance for future clinical treatments.

The Hippo-YAP Signaling Pathway in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis is the most prevalent joint disease and is characterized by articular cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and changes in periarticular and subchondral bone. Recent studies have reported that Yes-associated protein (YAP) and the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) have significant effects on the proliferation, migration, and survival of chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs). YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, as well as the related Hippo-YAP signaling pathway, are responsible for the condition of cells and articular cartilage in joints. They are tightly regulated to maintain metabolism in chondrocytes and FLSs because abnormal expression may result in cartilage damage. However, the roles and mechanisms of the Hippo-YAP pathway in arthritis remain largely unknown. This review summarizes the roles and key functions of YAP/TAZ and the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway in FLSs and chondrocytes for the induction of proliferation, migration, survival, and differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) research. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies involving YAP/TAZ and the related Hippo-YAP signaling pathway involved in OA.

Keratinocytes Exposed to Blue or Red Light: Proteomic Characterization Showed Cytoplasmic Thioredoxin Reductase 1 and Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3 Triggered Expression

Several cell-signaling mechanisms are activated by visible light radiation in human keratinocytes, but the key regulatory proteins involved in this specific cellular response have not yet been identified. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were exposed to blue or red light at low or high irradiance for 3 days in cycles of 12 h of light and 12 h of dark. The cell viability, apoptotic rate and cell cycle progression were analyzed in all experimental conditions. The proteomic profile, oxidative stress and mitochondrial morphology were additionally evaluated in the HaCaT cells following exposure to high-irradiance blue or red light. Low-irradiance blue or red light exposure did not show an alteration in the cell viability, cell death or cell cycle progression. High-irradiance blue or red light reduced the cell viability, induced cell death and cell cycle G2/M arrest, increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered the mitochondrial density and morphology. The proteomic profile revealed a pivotal role of Cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) in the response of the HaCaT cells to high-irradiance blue or red light exposure. Blue or red light exposure affected the viability of keratinocytes, activating a specific oxidative stress response and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results can help to address the targets for the therapeutic use of light and to develop adequate preventive strategies for skin damage. This in vitro study supports further in vivo investigations of the biological effects of light on human keratinocytes.

Tumor-derived covalent organic framework nanozymes for targeted chemo-photothermal combination therapy

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered enormous attention in anti-cancer therapy recently. However, the intrinsic drawbacks such as poor biocompatibility and low target-specificity greatly restrain the full clinical implementation of COF. Herein, we report a biomimetic multifunctional COF nanozyme, which consists of AIEgen-based COF (TPE-s COF) with encapsulated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The nanozyme was co-cultured with HepG2 cells until the cell membrane was fused with lipophilic TPE-s COF-Au@Cisplatin. By using the cryo-shocking method, we fabricated an inactivated form of the TPE-s COF-Au@Cisplatin nanozyme endocytosed in the HepG2 cell membrane (M@TPE-s COF-Au@Cisplatin), which lost their proliferative ability and pathogenicity. Upon laser irradiation, the M@TPE-s COF-Au@Cisplatin nanozymes cleaved, thereby releasing the TPE-s COF-Au nanozyme and Cisplatin to exert their photothermal and drug therapeutic effect. This work opens a new avenue to the synthesis of tumor-derived fluorescent TPE-s COF-Au nanozymes for highly efficient, synergetic, and targeted chemo-photothermal combination therapy of liver cancer.

Is blue light exposure a cause of precocious puberty in male rats?

Purpose

Our study aimed to examine the effects of blue light exposure on prepubertal male rats' puberty and testis tissue.

Methods

Eighteen 21-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups consisting of six rats in each group: Control Group (CG), Blue Light-6 hours (BL-6), and Blue Light-12 hours (BL-12). CG rats were maintained with 12/12-hour light-dark cycles. The rats of BL-6 and BL-12 were exposed to blue light (450-470nm/irradiance level 0.03uW/cm2) for 6 hours and 12 hours, respectively. Rats were exposed to blue light until the first signs of puberty. The ELISA method was used to analyze the serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, DHEA-S, leptin, ghrelin, melatonin, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde. Testes were dissected for histomorphological examination.

Results

The medians of the pubertal entry days of the CG, BL-6, and BL-12 were 38^th, 30^th, and 28^th days, respectively. (p:0.001) The FSH, LH, and testosterone concentrations of all groups were similar. The FSH concentration increased as the LH concentration increased (r: 0.82 p: 0.001). The serum LH concentration increased as serum testosterone, and DHEAS decreased, respectively (r: -0.561, p: 0.01) (r:-0.55 p:0.01). Testicular lengths and weights of the BL groups were smaller compared to CG (p: 0.03),(p: 0.04). GPx was higher for BL-6 and BL-12 than the CG (p:0.021, p:0.024). Testis tissue was compatible with the pubertal period in all groups. As the blue light exposure time increased, spermatogenesis was suppressed, and capillary dilatation and edema in the testis tissue increased.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to show the effects of blue light exposure on male rats' puberty process. And we showed that exposure to blue light and the duration of exposure lead to precocious puberty in male rats. The blue light exposure suppressed spermatogenesis, marked vasodilatation in the interstitial area of the testis, and disrupted the integrity of the basement membrane. These findings intensified with increasing exposure time.

Progress of phototherapy for osteosarcoma and application prospect of blue light photobiomodulation therapy

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor that mainly affects the pediatric and adolescent population; limb salvage treatment has become one of the most concerned and expected outcomes of OS patients recently. Phototherapy (PT), as a novel, non-invasive, and efficient antitumor therapeutic approach including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), has been widely applied in superficial skin tumor research and clinical treatment. OS is the typical deep tumor, and its phototherapy research faces great limitations and challenges. Surprisingly, pulse mode LED light can effectively improve tissue penetration and reduce skin damage caused by high light intensity and has great application potential in deep tumor research. In this review, we discussed the research progress and related molecular mechanisms of phototherapy in the treatment of OS, mainly summarized the status quo of blue light PBMT in the scientific research and clinical applications of tumor treatment, and outlooked the application prospect of pulsed blue LED light in the treatment of OS, so as to further improve clinical survival rate and prognosis of OS treatment and explore corresponding cellular mechanisms.

Triptolide inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation via the microRNA-155-5p/brain-derived neurotrophic factor to reduce podocyte injury in mice with diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complication of diabetes. This study sought to explore the mechanism of triptolide (TP) in podocyte injury in DN. DN mice were induced by high-fat diet&streptozocin and treated with TP. Fasting blood glucose, 24 h urine microalbumin (UMA), the pathological changes of renal tissues, and ultrastructure of renal podocytes were observed. Podocytes (MPC5) were induced by high-glucose (HG) in vitro and treated with TP or microRNA (miR)-155-5p mimics, with Irbesartan as positive control. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and levels of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory factors in MPC5 were detected. The levels of miR-155-5p, podocyte marker protein Nephrin, and inflammatory factors in mice and MPC5 were detected. The targeting relationship between miR-155-5p and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was verified. The expression levels of BDNF were detected. miR-155-5p mimics and overexpressed (oe)-BDNF plasmids were co-transfected into mouse podocytes treated with HG and TP. TP reduced fasting glucose and 24 h UMA of DN mice, alleviated the pathological damage and podocyte injury, up-regulated Nephrin level, and down-regulated miR-155-5p. TP down-regulated the high expression of miR-155-5p in HG-induced MPC5 cells and inhibited HG-induced OS and inflammatory injury, and the improvement effect of TP was better than Irbesartan. Overexpression of miR-155-5p reversed the protective effect of TP on injured mouse podocytes. miR-155-5p targeted BDNF. oe-BDNF reversed the inhibitory effect of oe-miR-155-5p on TP protection on podocyte injury in mice. Overall, TP up-regulated BDNF by inhibiting miR-155-5p, thus inhibiting OS and inflammatory damage and alleviating podocyte injury in DN mice.