MaiJiTong granule attenuates atherosclerosis by reducing ferroptosis via activating STAT6-mediated inhibition of DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 pathways in LDLR-/- mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Atherosclerosis is the primary pathological basis of cardiovascular disease. Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death, a process of lipid peroxidation driven by iron, which can initiate and promote atherosclerosis. STAT6 is a signal transducer that shows a potential role in regulating ferroptosis, but, the exact role in ferroptosis during atherogenesis remains unclear. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Maijitong granule (MJT) is used for treating cardiovascular disease and shows a potential inhibitory effect on ferroptosis. However, the antiatherogenic effect and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we determined the role of STAT6 in ferroptosis during atherogenesis, investigated the antiatherogenic effect of MJT, and determined whether its antiatherogenic effect was dependent on the inhibition of ferroptosis.

METHODS

8-week-old male LDLR-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) at 1st and 10th week, respectively, to assess the preventive and therapeutic effects of MJT on atherosclerosis and ferroptosis. Simultaneously, the anti-ferroptotic effects and mechanism of MJT were determined by evaluating the expression of genes responsible for lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism. Subsequently, we reanalyzed microarray data in the GSE28117 obtained from cells after STAT6 knockdown or overexpression and analyzed the correlation between STAT6 and ferroptosis. Finally, the STAT6-/- mice were fed HFD and injected with AAV-PCSK9 to validate the role of STAT6 in ferroptosis during atherogenesis and revealed the antiatherogenic and anti-ferroptotic effect of MJT.

RESULTS

MJT attenuated atherosclerosis by reducing plaque lesion area and enhancing plaque stability in both preventive and therapeutic groups. MJT reduced inflammation via suppressing inflammatory cytokines and inhibited foam cell formation by lowering the LDL level and promoting ABCA1/G1-mediated lipid efflux. MJT ameliorated the ferroptosis by reducing lipid peroxidation and iron dysregulation during atherogenesis. Mechanistically, STAT6 negatively regulated ferroptosis by transcriptionally suppressing SOCS1/p53 and DMT1 pathways. MJT suppressed the DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 via stimulating STAT6 phosphorylation. In addition, STAT6 knockout exacerbated atherosclerosis and ferroptosis, which abolished the antiatherogenic and anti-ferroptotic effects of MJT.

CONCLUSION

STAT6 acts as a negative regulator of ferroptosis and atherosclerosis via transcriptionally suppressing DMT1 and SOCS1 expression and MJT attenuates atherosclerosis and ferroptosis by activating the STAT6-mediated inhibition of DMT1 and SOCS1/p53 pathways, which indicated that STAT6 acts a novel promising therapeutic target to ameliorate atherosclerosis by inhibiting ferroptosis and MJT can serve as a new therapy for atherosclerosis treatment.

Identifying critical genes and pathways of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy via bioinformatics analysis

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still uncertain. We aimed to identify the critical genes and pathways involved in DCM based on bioinformatics analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The GSE59672 and GSE23598 mice heart tissue microarray data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The "limma" package of R software was used to screen the differently expressed genes (DEGs). GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses were performed on DEGs by using "clusterProfiler" package in R software. The PPI (Protein - Protein Interaction) network of DEGs constructed by STRING online database and thereby the top 15 hub genes selected by cytoHubba in Cytoscape software. The hub genes interaction was performed by GeneMANIA online database. The "Corrplot" R package was employed to assess hub genes correlation.

RESULTS

Finally, a total of 492 and 501 DEGs were screened in GSE59672 and GSE23598 datasets, respectively. GO analyses revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix organization, metabolic process, regulation of collagen-containing extracellular matrix. KEGG pathway analyses indicated that DEGs were mainly involved in protein digestion and absorption, ECM-receptor interaction, phagosome, and p53 signaling pathway. Finally, the 8 hub genes were identified, including Col1a1, Col3a1, Col1a2, Col6a1, Ptprc, Tyrobp, Itgb2, and Ctss.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study identified a series of key genes, including Col1a1, Col3a1, Col1a2, Col6a1, Ptprc, Tyrobp, Itgb2, and Ctss. In addition, important pathways were also discovered. The results of this study may provide a novel molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic targets for DCM.

Integrated Metabolomics and Gut Microbiome Analysis Reveals the Efficacy of a Phytochemical Constituent in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis

SCOPE

Cinnamaldehyde (CAH), a phytochemical constituent isolated from cinnamon, is gaining attention due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CAH in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Integrated metabolomics and gut microbiome analysis are performed for 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced UC rats. The effect of CAH on colonic inflammation, lipid peroxidation, metabolic profiles, and gut microbiota is systematically explored. It finds that CAH improves the colitis-related symptoms, decreases disease activity index, increases the colon length and body weight, and alleviates histologic inflammation of UC rats. These therapeutic effects of CAH are due to suppression of inflammation and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, multi-omics analysis reveals that CAH treatment cause changes in plasma metabolome and gut microbiome in UC rats. CAH regulates lipid metabolic processes, especially phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Meanwhile, CAH modulates the gut microbial structure by restraining pathogenic bacteria (such as Helicobacter) and increasing probiotic bacteria (such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CAH exerts a beneficial role in UC by synergistic modulating the balance in gut microbiota and the associated metabolites, and highlights the nutritional and medicinal value of CAH in UC management.

Intervention of Tanshinone IIA on the PGK1-PDHK1 Pathway to Reprogram Macrophage Phenotype After Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction remains a disease with high morbidity and death rate among cardiovascular diseases. Macrophages are abundant immune cells in the heart. Under different stimulatory factors, macrophages can differentiate into different phenotypes and play a dual pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory role. Therefore, a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial infarction is to regulate the energy metabolism of macrophages and thereby regulate the polarization of macrophages. Tan IIA is an effective liposolubility component extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza and plays an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. On this basis, this study proposed whether Tan IIA could affect phenotype changes by regulating energy metabolism of macrophages, and thus exert its potential in the treatment of MI.

METHODS

Establishing a myocardial infarction model, Tan IIA was given for 3 days and 7 days for intervention. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography, and cardiac pathological sections of each group were stained with HE and Masson to observe the inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis area after administration. The expression and secretion of inflammatory factors in heart tissue and serum of each group, as well as the proportion of macrophages at the myocardial infarction site, were detected using RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. The mitochondrial function of macrophages was evaluated using JC-1, calcium ion concentration detection, reactive oxygen species detection, and mitochondrial electron microscopic analysis. Mechanically, single-cell transcriptome data mining, cell transcriptome sequencing, and molecular docking technology were used to anchor the target of Tan IIA and enrich the pathways to explore the mechanism of Tan IIA regulating macrophage energy metabolism and phenotype. The target of Tan IIA was further determined by gene knockdown and overexpression assay.

RESULTS

The intervention of Tan IIA can improve the cardiac function, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis after MI, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in the heart, enhance the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, increase the proportion of M2-type macrophages, reduce the proportion of M1-type macrophages, and promote tissue repair, suggesting that Tan IIA has pharmacological effects in the treatment of MI. In terms of mechanism, RNA-seq results suggest that the phenotype of macrophages is strongly correlated with energy metabolism, and Tan IIA can regulate the PGK1-PDHK1 signaling pathway, change the energy metabolism mode of macrophages, and then affect its phenotype.

CONCLUSION

Tan IIA regulates the energy metabolism of macrophages and changes its phenotype through the PGK1-PDHK1 signaling pathway, thus playing a role in improving MI.

Distinct roles of telomerase activity in age-related chronic diseases: An update literature review

Although telomerase has low activity in somatic quiescent cells, it plays an significant roles in regenerative cells such as endothelial cells, hepatocytes, epithelial cells, and hemocytes. Telomerase activity and telomere length are critical factors in age-related chronic diseases as they are closely related to cell senescence. However, whether telomerase activity plays a key role in disease progression or whether the role of telomerase is unified among different diseases are unresolved. Considering that aging is the most important risk factor for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, this article will analyze the evidence, mechanism, and therapeutic potential of telomerase activity in several chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, heart failure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in order to provide clues for the use of telomerase activity to target the treatment of age-related chronic diseases.

Anti-atherosclerotic effects of naringenin and quercetin from Folium Artemisiae argyi by attenuating Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)/ matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9): network pharmacology-based analysis and validation

Effective components and related target genes of Folium Artemisiae argyi were screened from Traditional Chinese Medicines for Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The therapeutic targets of atherosclerosis were searched in the MalaCards and OMIM databases. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in WebGestalt online and verified according to ClueGo and Pedia apps in Cytoscape. Then, the protein-protein interaction network was analyzed using the STRING database and constructed using Cytoscape. Differential expression of target genes was identified in GSE9128 and GSE71226 by GEO2R. And then, molecular docking was performed using the Molecular Operating Environment. Finally, we validated the protein expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6)/IL-1β /MMP9 by qRT-PCR and Western blot in Raw264.7 which was induced by LPS. A total of 232 potential target genes and 8 ingredients of Folium Artemisiae argyi were identified. Quercetin and naringenin are potential candidate bioactive agents in treating atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA), MMP9 and IL-1β could be potential target genes. KEGG analysis demonstrated that the fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis pathway play a crucial role in the anti-atherosclerosis effect of Folium Artemisiae argyi. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) validation demonstrated that VEGFA was downregulated, while MMP9 and IL-1β were upregulated in patients with atherosclerosis. Molecular docking suggested that only MMP9 had a good combination with quercetin. The cell experiment results suggested that naringenin and quercetin have strong anti-inflammation effects, and significantly inhibit the expression of MMP9. Practical ApplicationsArtemisiae argyi is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been widely used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. This research demonstrated the bioactive ingredients, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of Folium Artemisiae argyi in treating atherosclerosis. It also suggests a reliable approach in investigating the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in treating Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Mesoporous silica-based nanocarriers with dual response to pH and ROS for enhanced anti-inflammation therapy of 5-demethylnobiletin against psoriasis-like lesions

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease accompanied with chronic papulosquamous lesions and multiple comorbidities that considerably affect patients' quality of life. In order to develop an enhanced therapeutic strategy for psoriasis, 5-demethylnobiletin (5-DN), a kind of polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) with high anti-inflammatory activity, was delivered in vitro and in vivo by the nanocarrier of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) both in the human keratinocytes HaCaT cell line and the mouse model with psoriasis-like lesions. The drug-loaded nanocarrier system (MSNs@5-DN) significantly improved the biocompatibility and bioavailability of 5-DN. Investigations at cell biological, histopathological, and molecular levels revealed the pharmacological mechanism of the drug delivery system, including the inhibition of inflammatory responses by downregulating the proinflammatory cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The upregulation of anti‑inflammatory cytokine of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and microRNA-17-5p, a critical regulator of the PTEN/AKT pathway, was also observed. The psoriasis-like lesions were markedly ameliorated in the mouse models treated with MSNs@5-DN. The designed drug-loading system shows an enhanced therapeutic outcome for psoriasis-like lesion compared with free 5-DN. This study revealed the synergistic effect of functionalized MSNs loaded with PMFs on the clinical treatment of human psoriasis.

Novel Near-Infrared Fluorescence Probe for Bioimaging and Evaluating Superoxide Anion Fluctuations in Ferroptosis-Mediated Epilepsy

Ferroptosis is an iron-regulated, caspase-mediated pathway of cell death that is associated with the excessive aggregation of lipid-reactive oxygen species and is extensively involved in the evolution of many diseases, including epilepsy. The superoxide anion (O2•-), as the primary precursor of ROS, is closely related to ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a highly effective and convenient method for the real-time dynamic monitoring of O2•- during the ferroptosis process in epilepsy for the diagnosis and therapy of ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy. Nevertheless, no probes for detecting O2•- in ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy have been reported. Herein, we systematically conceptualized and developed a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe, NIR-FP, for accurately tracking the fluctuation of O2•- in ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy. The probe showed exceptional sensitivity and outstanding selectivity toward O2•-. In addition, the probe has been utilized effectively to bioimage and evaluate endogenous O2•- variations in three types of ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy models (the kainic acid-induced chronic epilepsy model, the pentylenetetrazole-induced acute epilepsy model, and the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus model). The above applications illustrated that NIR-FP could serve as a reliable and suitable tool for guiding the accurate diagnosis and therapy of ferroptosis-mediated epilepsy.

Development and validation of a multiphase CT radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion in patients with gastric cancer

AIM

To develop a nomogram to predict lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer by integrating multiphase computed tomography (CT) radiomics and clinical risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and seventy-two gastric cancer patients (121 training and 51 validation) with preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images and clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively. The clinical risk factors were selected by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Radiomic features were extracted and selected from the arterial phase (AP), venous phase (VP), and delayed phase (DP) CT images of each patient. Clinical risk factors, radiomic features, and integration of both were used to develop the clinical model, radiomic models, and nomogram, respectively.

RESULTS

Radiomic features from AP (n=6), VP (n=6), DP (n=7) CT images and three selected clinical risk factors were used for model development. The nomogram showed better performance than the AP, VP, DP, and clinical models in the training and validation datasets, providing areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.890 (95% CI: 0.820-0.940) and 0.885 (95% CI:0.765-0.957), respectively. All models indicated good calibration, and decision curve analysis proved that the net benefit of the nomogram was superior to that of the clinical and radiomic models throughout the vast majority of the threshold probabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram integrating multiphase CT radiomics and clinical risk factors showed favourable performance in predicting LVI of gastric cancer, which may benefit clinical practice.

The origin, progress, and application of cell-based cardiac regeneration therapy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a severe threat to human health, with morbidity and mortality increasing yearly and gradually becoming younger. When the disease progresses to the middle and late stages, the loss of a large number of cardiomyocytes is irreparable to the body itself, and clinical drug therapy and mechanical support therapy cannot reverse the development of the disease. To explore the source of regenerated myocardium in model animals with the ability of heart regeneration through lineage tracing and other methods, and develop a new alternative therapy for CVDs, namely cell therapy. It directly compensates for cardiomyocyte proliferation through adult stem cell differentiation or cell reprogramming, which indirectly promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation through non-cardiomyocyte paracrine, to play a role in heart repair and regeneration. This review comprehensively summarizes the origin of newly generated cardiomyocytes, the research progress of cardiac regeneration based on cell therapy, the opportunity and development of cardiac regeneration in the context of bioengineering, and the clinical application of cell therapy in ischemic diseases.

Guanxinning injection ameliorates cardiac remodeling in HF mouse and 3D heart spheroid models via p38/FOS/MMP1-mediated inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. Guanxinning injection (GXNI) is clinically used for the treatment of coronary heart disease, but its therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism for HF are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GXNI on HF, with a special focus on its role in myocardial remodeling.

METHODS

3D cardiac organoids and transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse models were established and utilized. Heart function and pathology were evaluated by echocardiography, hemodynamic examination, tail-cuff blood pressure and histopathology. Key targets and pathways regulated by GXNI in HF mouse heart were revealed via RNA-seq and network pharmacology analysis, and were verified by RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

GXNI significantly inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and cells death. It protected mitochondrial function in cardiac hypertrophic organoids and markedly improved cardiac function in HF mice. Analysis of GXNI-regulated genes in HF mouse hearts revealed that IL-17A signaling in fibroblasts and the corresponding p38/c-Fos/Mmp1 pathway prominently mediated cardiac. Altered expressions of c-Fos, p38 and Mmp1 by GXNI in heart tissues and in cardiac organoids were validated by RT-PCR, WB, IHC, and IF. H&E and Masson staining confirmed that GXNI substantially ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in HF mice and in 3D organoids.

CONCLUSION

GXNI inhibited cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy mainly via down-regulating p38/c-Fos/Mmp1 pathway, thereby ameliorating cardiac remodeling in HF mice. Findings in this study provide a new strategy for the clinical application of GXNI in the treatment of heart failure.

Multi-omics approach for identification of molecular alterations of QiShenYiQi dripping pills in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that qi deficiency and blood stasis are the key pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). As a representative prescription for replenishing qi and activating blood, QiShenYiQi dripping pills (QSYQ) has been used for treating heart diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanism of QSYQ in improving HFpEF is not well understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study is to investigate the cardioprotective effect and mechanism of QSYQ in HFpEF using the phenotypic dataset of HFpEF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HFpEF mouse models established by feeding mice combined high-fat diet and N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester drinking water were treated with QSYQ. To reveal causal genes, we performed a multi-omics study, including integrative analysis of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data. Moreover, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based PKG inhibition confirmed that QSYQ mediated myocardial remodeling through PKG.

RESULTS

Computational systems pharmacological analysis based on human transcriptome data for HFpEF showed that QSYQ could potentially treat HFpEF through multiple signaling pathways. Subsequently, integrative analysis of transcriptome and proteome showed alterations in gene expression in HFpEF. QSYQ regulated genes involved in inflammation, energy metabolism, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, confirming its function in the pathogenesis of HFpEF. Metabolomics analysis revealed fatty acid metabolism as the main mechanism by which QSYQ regulates HFpEF myocardial energy metabolism. Importantly, we found that the myocardial protective effect of QSYQ on HFpEF mice was attenuated after RNA interference-mediated knock-down of myocardial PKG.

CONCLUSION

This study provides mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of HFpEF and molecular mechanisms of QSYQ in HFpEF. We also identified the regulatory role of PKG in myocardial stiffness, making it an ideal therapeutic target for myocardial remodeling.

M2 Macrophage-Derived sEV Regulate Pro-Inflammatory CCR2+ Macrophage Subpopulations to Favor Post-AMI Cardiac Repair

Tissue-resident cardiac macrophage subsets mediate cardiac tissue inflammation and repair after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-expressing macrophages have phenotypical similarities to M1-polarized macrophages, are pro-inflammatory, and recruit CCR2⁺ circulating monocytes to infarcted myocardium. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) from CCR2^̶ macrophages, which phenotypically resemble M2-polarized macrophages, promote anti-inflammatory activity and cardiac repair. Here, the authors harvested M2 macrophage-derived sEV (M2_EV ) from M2-polarized bone-marrow-derived macrophages for intramyocardial injection and recapitulation of sEV-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injured hearts. Rats and pigs received sham surgery; I/R without treatment; or I/R with autologous M2_EV treatment. M2_EV rescued cardiac function and attenuated injury markers, infarct size, and scar size. M2_EV inhibited CCR2⁺ macrophage numbers, reduced monocyte-derived CCR2⁺ macrophage recruitment to infarct sites, induced M1-to-M2 macrophage switching and promoted neovascularization. Analysis of M2_EV microRNA content revealed abundant miR-181b-5p, which regulated macrophage glucose uptake, glycolysis, and mitigated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation. Functional blockade of miR-181b-5p is detrimental to beneficial M2_EV actions and resulted in failure to inhibit CCR2⁺ macrophage numbers and infarct size. Taken together, this investigation showed that M2_EV rescued myocardial function, improved myocardial repair, and regulated CCR2⁺ macrophages via miR-181b-5p-dependent mechanisms, indicating an option for cell-free therapy for AMI.

Sp1-like protein KLF13 acts as a negative feedback regulator of TGF-β signaling and fibrosis

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is the primary factor that drives fibrosis in most forms of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to identify endogenous regulators of TGF-β signaling and fibrosis. Here, we show that tubulointerstitial fibrosis is aggravated by global deletion of KLF13 and attenuated by adeno-associated virus-mediated KLF13 overexpression in renal tubular epithelial cells. KLF13 recruits a repressor complex comprising SIN3A and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the TGF-β target genes, limiting the profibrotic effects of TGF-β. Temporary upregulation of TGF-β induces KLF13 expression, creating a negative feedback loop that triggers the anti-fibrotic effect of KLF13. However, persistent activation of TGF-β signaling reduces KLF13 levels through FBXW7-mediated ubiquitination degradation and HDAC-dependent mechanisms to inhibit KLF13 transcription and offset the anti-fibrotic effect of KLF13. Collectively, our data demonstrate a role of KLF13 in regulating TGF-β signaling and fibrosis.

Tanshinone IIA enhances the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via up-regulating miR-223-5p

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is a serious obstacle for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) to benefit from post-ischemic reflow. The low immunogenicity and low carcinogenicity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes (exo) offer advantage in treating myocardial injuries. Tanshinone IIA (TSA) is an effective drug for MI/RI treatment. However, the underlying mechanism and targets remain obscure. In this study, we systematically investigated the therapeutic effect and its mechanism of TSA-pretreated MSC-derived exosomes (TSA-MSC_exo) in ameliorating MI/RI in rats. Expectedly, the MI/RI was significantly relieved by TSA-MSC_exo compared with MSC_exo. Moreover, the overexpression of CCR2 in rats' heart was used to determine CCR2 had a regulatory effect on monocyte infiltration and angiogenesis after MI/RI. MiRNA microarray analysis of MSC_exo and TSA-MSC_exo revealed miR-223-5p an effective candidate mediator for TSA-MSC_exo to exert its cardioprotective function and CCR2 as the downstream target. In summary, our findings indicated that miR-223-5p packaged in TSA-MSC_exo inhibited CCR2 activation to reduce monocyte infiltration and enhanced angiogenesis to alleviate MI/RI. Thus, the development of cell free therapies for exosomes derived from the combination TSA and MSC provides an effective strategy for the clinical therapies of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

SUMO1 regulates post-infarct cardiac repair based on cellular heterogeneity

Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMOylation) is a dynamic post-translational modification that maintains cardiac function and can protect against a hypertrophic response to cardiac pressure overload. However, the function of SUMOylation after myocardial infarction (MI) and the molecular details of heart cell responses to SUMO1 deficiency have not been determined. In this study, we demonstrated that SUMO1 protein was inconsistently abundant in different cell types and heart regions after MI. However, SUMO1 knockout significantly exacerbated systolic dysfunction and infarct size after myocardial injury. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed the differential role of SUMO1 in regulating heart cells. Among cardiomyocytes, SUMO1 deletion increased the Nppa ⁺ Nppb ⁺ Ankrd1 ⁺ cardiomyocyte subcluster proportion after MI. In addition, the conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts subclusters was inhibited in SUMO1 knockout mice. Importantly, SUMO1 loss promoted proliferation of endothelial cell subsets with the ability to reconstitute neovascularization and expressed angiogenesis-related genes. Computational analysis of ligand/receptor interactions suggested putative pathways that mediate cardiomyocytes to endothelial cell communication in the myocardium. Mice preinjected with cardiomyocyte-specific AAV-SUMO1, but not the endothelial cell-specific form, and exhibited ameliorated cardiac remodeling following MI. Collectively, our results identified the role of SUMO1 in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells after MI. These findings provide new insights into SUMO1 involvement in the pathogenesis of MI and reveal novel therapeutic targets.

TBMaLT, a flexible toolkit for combining tight-binding and machine learning

Tight-binding approaches, especially the Density Functional Tight-Binding (DFTB) and the extended tight-binding schemes, allow for efficient quantum mechanical simulations of large systems and long-time scales. They are derived from ab initio density functional theory using pragmatic approximations and some empirical terms, ensuring a fine balance between speed and accuracy. Their accuracy can be improved by tuning the empirical parameters using machine learning techniques, especially when information about the local environment of the atoms is incorporated. As the significant quantum mechanical contributions are still provided by the tight-binding models, and only short-ranged corrections are fitted, the learning procedure is typically shorter and more transferable as it were with predicting the quantum mechanical properties directly with machine learning without an underlying physically motivated model. As a further advantage, derived quantum mechanical quantities can be calculated based on the tight-binding model without the need for additional learning. We have developed the open-source framework-Tight-Binding Machine Learning Toolkit-which allows the easy implementation of such combined approaches. The toolkit currently contains layers for the DFTB method and an interface to the GFN1-xTB Hamiltonian, but due to its modular structure and its well-defined interfaces, additional atom-based schemes can be implemented easily. We are discussing the general structure of the framework, some essential implementation details, and several proof-of-concept applications demonstrating the perspectives of the combined methods and the functionality of the toolkit.

GLSP and GLSP-derived triterpenes attenuate atherosclerosis and aortic calcification by stimulating ABCA1/G1-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux and inactivating RUNX2-mediated VSMC osteogenesis

Background and Purpose: Atherosclerosis is the main pathophysiological foundation of cardiovascular disease, which was caused by inflammation and lipid metabolism disorder, along with vascular calcification. Aortic calcification leads to reduced plaque stability and eventually causes plaque rupture which leads to cardiovascular events. Presently, the drug to treat aortic calcification remains not to be available. Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GLSP) is from Ganoderma lucidum which is a Traditional Chinese Medicine with the homology of medicine and food. It has multiple pharmacological effects, but no research on aortic calcification during atherosclerosis was performed. This study investigated the effects of GLSP on atherosclerosis and aortic calcification and revealed the underlying mechanism. Methods: In vivo, 8-week-aged male LDLR^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce atherosclerosis along with aortic calcification. Simultaneously, the mice were treated with GLSP at the first week of HFD feeding to determine the protection against early and advanced atherosclerosis. Subsequently, the mice tissues were collected to evaluate the effects of GLSP on atherosclerosis, and aortic calcification, and to reveal the underlying mechanism. In vitro, we determined the major components of GLSP triterpenes by HPLC, and subsequently assessed the protective effects of these main active components on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and calcification in RAW264.7 and HASMC cells. Results: We observed GLSP attenuated plaque area and aortic calcification in the mice with early and advanced atherosclerosis. GLSP reduced the number of foam cells by improving ABCA1/G1-mediated cholesterol efflux in macrophages. In addition, GLSP protected against the aortic endothelium activation. Moreover, GLSP inhibited aortic calcification by inactivating RUNX2-mediated osteogenesis in HASMCs. Furthermore, we determined the major components of GLSP triterpenes, including Ganoderic acid A, Ganoderic acid B, Ganoderic acid C6, Ganoderic acid G, and Ganodermanontriol, and found that these triterpenes promoted ABCA1/G1-mediated cholesterol efflux and inhibited inflammation in macrophage, and inactivated RUNX2-mediated osteogenesis in VSMC. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that GLSP attenuates atherosclerosis and aortic calcification by improving ABCA1/G1-mediated cholesterol efflux and inactivating RUNX2-mediated osteogenesis in LDLR^-/- mice. GLSP may be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification.

Rg3 regulates myocardial pyruvate metabolism via P300-mediated dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation in TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy

The failing heart is characterized by an increase in glucose uptake and glycolytic rates that is not accompanied by a concomitant increase in glucose oxidation. Lower coupling of glucose oxidation to glycolysis possibly owes to unchanged or reduced pyruvate oxidation in mitochondria. Therefore, increasing pyruvate oxidation may lead to new therapies for heart disease. Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) is a component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH). DLD mutations or defects are closely associated with metabolic diseases. However, few studies explore the effects of DLD mutants or acylation status on PDH activity and pyruvate metabolism. P300 is protein 2-hydroxyisobutyryltransferases in cells, and P300-dependent lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of glycolytic enzymes affects glucose metabolism. However, there are no relevant reports on the effect of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation on the energy metabolism of heart failure, and it is worth further in-depth study. In this study, we showed that 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation is an essential protein translational modification (PTM) that regulates the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc). In a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy, the 2-hydroxyisobutylation of DLD was significantly increased, related to the decrease in PDH activity. In addition, our data provide clear evidence that DLD is a direct substrate of P300. As one of the main active ingredients of ginseng, ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) can reduce the 2-hydroxyisobutylation levels of DLD and restore the PDH activity by inhibiting the acyltransferase activity of P300, thereby producing beneficial effects whenever the heart is injured. Therefore, this study suggests a novel strategy for reversing myocardial hypertrophy.

Experimental evaluation and structure-activity relationship analysis of bridged-ring terpenoid derivatives as novel Blattella germanica repellent

Cockroaches are urban pests that are very difficult to control. Using repellents is a green, safe and effective strategy for their control. In order to find novel cockroach repellents, the repellent activity of 45 bridged-ring terpenoid derivatives synthesized from β-pinene against Blattella germanica was tested. The relationship between the molecular structure of these bridged-ring terpenoid derivatives and their repellent activity against Blattella germanica was also analysed. The results show that some of the bridged-ring terpenoid derivatives exhibit good repellent activity against Blattella germanica, and six compounds (RR = 60.44-87.32%) show higher repellent activity against Blattella germanica than DEET (RR = 54.77%), making them promising for development as new cockroach repellents. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis revealed that the HOMO-1 energy, Kier and Hall index (order 2), Balaban index, and relative positive charged surface area of bridged-ring terpenoid derivatives have effects on repellent activity against Blattella germanica. The present study may provide a theoretical basis for the high-value use of β-pinene and can be helpful to the development of novel repellents against Blattella germanica.

Tanshinone IIA ameliorates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Th17 cells differentiation

Purpose:

Tanshinone IIA is a well-known lipophilic active constituent refined from traditional Chinese medicines, danshen. It has been previously demonstrated to possess various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, promoting angiogenesis effect and so on. However, the mechanism of tanshinone IIA on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of tanshinone IIA on MI/RI.

Methods:

MI/RI rat models were set up. Echocardiographic evaluation and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to analyze the cardiac function and morphology of MI/RI. Western blot was conducted for the detection of protein expression of pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 in heart tissues. Flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for the detection of proinflammatory cytokines and Th17 cells differentiation.

Results:

We found that tanshinone IIA alleviated the myocardial damage of MI/RI, ameliorated the overall and local inflammatory reaction, and produced a cardioprotective effect by inhibiting of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Th17/Treg cells differentiation.

Conclusions:

Our results highlighted the cardio-protective effect of tanshinone IIA on MI/RI and uncovered its underlying mechanism related to the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and the modulation of Th17/Treg cells differentiation.

CXCR1 and its downstream NF-κB inflammation signaling pathway as a key target of Guanxinning injection for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Guanxinning Injection (GXNI) is used clinically to treat cardiac injury, but its active components and mode of action remains unclear. Therefore, a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) model-based integrated strategy including function evaluation, RNA-seq analysis, molecular docking, and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was employed to elucidate the effect and mechanism of GXNI and its main ingredient on cardiac injury. These results revealed that GXNI significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury in I/R mice. RNA-seq analysis clarified that CXCR1-mediated interleukin-8 pathway played a critical role in MIRI. Molecular docking screening identified danshensu (DSS) as the major active components of GXNI targeting CXCR1 protein, which was confirmed in an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocytes damage model showing that GXNI and DSS reduced the protein expression of CXCR1 and its downstream NF-κB, COX-2, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. CETSA and isothermal dose-response fingerprint curves confirmed that DSS combined with CXCR1 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GXNI and DSS significantly decreased the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and the number of neutrophils in post I/R myocardial tissue. In conclusion, this study revealed that GXNI and its active components DSS exert inhibitory effects on inflammatory factor release and leukocyte infiltration to improve I/R-induced myocardial injury by down-regulating CXCR1-NF-κB-COX-2/ICAM-1/VCAM-1 pathway.

Precise Monitoring and Assessing Treatment Response of Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Hypoxia with a Nitroreductase-Activated Golgi-Targetable Fluorescent Probe

Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is mostly attributed to an outbreak of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which makes leukocytes infiltrate into the lung and results in lung hypoxia. Nitroreductase (NTR) is significantly upregulated under hypoxia, which is commonly regarded as a potential biomarker for assessing sepsis-induced acute lung hypoxia. Increasing evidence shows that NTR in the Golgi apparatus could be induced in sepsis-induced ALI. Meanwhile, the prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitor (dimethyloxalylglycine, DMOG) attenuated sepsis-induced ALI through further increasing the level of Golgi NTR by improving hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activity, but as yet, no Golgi-targetable probe has been developed for monitoring and assessing treatment response of sepsis-induced ALI. Herein, we report a Golgi-targetable probe, Gol-NTR, for monitoring and assessing treatment response of sepsis-induced ALI through mapping the generation of NTR. The probe displayed high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 54.8 ng/mL and good selectivity to NTR. In addition, due to the excellent characteristics of Golgi-targetable, Gol-NTR was successfully applied in mapping the change of Golgi NTR in cells and zebrafish caused by various stimuli. Most importantly, the production of Golgi NTR in the sepsis-induced ALI and the PHD inhibitor (DMOG) against sepsis-induced ALI were visualized and precisely assessed for the first time with the assistance of Gol-NTR. The results demonstrated the practicability of Gol-NTR for the precise monitoring and assessing of the personalized treatment response of sepsis-induced ALI.

Upregulation of Wilms' Tumor 1 in epicardial cells increases cardiac fibrosis in dystrophic mice

Cardiomyopathy is a primary cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Mechanistic understanding of cardiac fibrosis holds the key to effective DMD cardiomyopathy treatments. Here we demonstrate that upregulation of Wilms' tumor 1 (Wt1) gene in epicardial cells increased cardiac fibrosis and impaired cardiac function in 8-month old mdx mice lacking the RNA component of telomerase (mdx/mTR-/-). Levels of phosphorylated IƙBα and p65 significantly rose in mdx/mTR-/- dystrophic hearts and Wt1 expression declined in the epicardium of mdx/mTR-/- mice when nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and inflammation were inhibited by metformin. This demonstrates that Wt1 expression in epicardial cells is dependent on inflammation-triggered NF-κB activation. Metformin effectively prevented cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function in mdx/mTR-/- mice. Our study demonstrates that upregulation of Wt1 in epicardial cells contributes to fibrosis in dystrophic hearts and metformin-mediated inhibition of NF-κB can ameliorate the pathology, and thus showing clinical potential for dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Translational Perspective: Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Promising exon-skipping treatments are moving to the clinic, but getting sufficient dystrophin expression in the heart has proven challenging. The present study shows that Wilms' Tumor 1 (Wt1) upregulation in epicardial cells is primarily responsible for cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction of dystrophic mice and likely of DMD patients. Metformin effectively prevents cardiac fibrosis and improves cardiac function in dystrophic mice, thus representing a treatment option for DMD patients on top of existing therapies.

Role of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in cardiovascular disease: Pathogenesis and clinical implications

The CCL2-CCR2 axis is one of the major chemokine signaling pathways that has received special attention because of its function in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Numerous investigations have been performed over the past decades to explore the function of the CCL2-CCR2 signaling axis in cardiovascular disease. Laboratory data on the CCL2-CCR2 axis for cardiovascular disease have shown satisfactory outcomes, yet its clinical translation remains challenging. In this article, we describe the mechanisms of action of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in the development and evolution of cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, atherosclerosis and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension and myocardial disease. Laboratory and clinical data on the use of the CCL2-CCR2 pathway as a targeted therapy for cardiovascular diseases are summarized. The potential of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is explored.

Few-cycle Yb laser source at 20 kHz using multidimensional solitary states in hollow-core fibers

We demonstrate ultrashort pulse compression from 300 fs down to 17 fs at a repetition rate of 20 kHz and 160-µJ output pulse energy (3.2 W of average power) using multidimensional solitary states (MDSS) in a 1-meter hollow-core fiber (HCF) filled with N₂O. Under static pressure, thermal limitations at this repetition rate annihilate the MDSS with suppression of spectral broadening. The results obtained in differential pressure configuration mitigate thermal effects and significantly increase the range of repetition rate over which MDSS can be used to compress sub-picosecond laser pulses.

COVID 19 pandemic: Impact of changes experienced on social workers' professional quality of life in Singapore

COVID-19 has impacted all spheres of life massively. Among the emerging studies on the psychosocial impact of the pandemic, few studies look specifically at how social workers are impacted. To understand this gap, this study surveyed 337 social workers. The findings showed that changes experienced in the workplace were enormous and caused secondary traumatic stress while engendering compassion satisfaction among social workers, but the presence of social support moderated to keep the secondary traumatic stress at bay. Resilience mediated association between social and workplace support and compassion fatigue. Social support seemed to have the largest effect on reducing stress through resilience. Workplace support also helped mitigate burnout. In conclusion, continued social and workplace support will be key to supporting social workers during a pandemic.

Exploring Ganweikang Tablet as a Candidate Drug for NAFLD Through Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as liver disease in which more than 5% of hepatocytes are steatotic with little or no alcohol consumption. NAFLD includes benign nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Importantly, NASH is an advanced progression of NAFL and is characterized by steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. However, to date, no drugs specifically targeting NAFLD have been approved by the FDA. Therefore, a new drug or strategy for NAFLD treatment is necessary. However, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and no single-target drugs have achieved the desired results. Noticeably, traditional Chinese medicine formulations are a complex system with multiple components, multiple targets, and synergistic effects between components. The Ganweikang tablet is a compound formula based on traditional Chinese medicine theory and clinical experience. In this study, network pharmacology analysis indicates Ganweikang tablet as a candidate for NAFLD treatment. Furthermore, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of Ganweikang tablet on the NAFL and NASH and tried to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms in animal models and cell experiments. As expected, Ganweikang tablet was found to improve NAFL and NASH by modulating inflammation, apoptosis, and fatty acid oxidation by inhibiting NFκB, caspase-8, and activating PPARα, which not only indicates that Ganweikang tablet as a drug candidate but also provides a theoretical basis of Ganweikang tablet for the treatment of NAFL and NASH.

The Induction of Endothelial Autophagy and Its Role in the Development of Atherosclerosis

Increasing attention is now being paid to the important role played by autophagic flux in maintaining normal blood vessel walls. Endothelial cell dysfunction initiates the development of atherosclerosis. In the endothelium, a variety of critical triggers ranging from shear stress to circulating blood lipids promote autophagy. Furthermore, emerging evidence links autophagy to a range of important physiological functions such as redox homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and the secretion of vasomodulatory substances that determine the life and death of endothelial cells. Thus, the promotion of autophagy in endothelial cells may have the potential for treating atherosclerosis. This paper reviews the role of endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and explores the molecular mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis development.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Temporal Diversity and Dynamics of Cardiac Immunity after Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is strongly associated with the temporal regulation of cardiac immunity. However, a variety of current clinical trials have failed because of the lack of post-MI immunomodulating/anti-inflammatory targets. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of the cardiac Cd45⁺ immune cell at 0, 3, 7, and 14 d after injury in a mouse left anterior descending coronary artery ligation model is performed. Major immune cell populations, distinct subsets, and dynamic changes are identified. Macrophages (Mø) are most abundant, peaking at 3 d after infarction. Mø-5 and Mø-6 are the predominant infiltrated subsets at this time point, with strong expression of inflammatory factors. Further analysis demonstrates that suppressing these sets attenuated pathological MI progression by preventing subsequent leukocyte extravasation and adverse remodeling. Abundant apoptotic neutrophils and a profibrotic macrophage subset on days 7 and 14, respectively, are also detected. These results provide a basis for developing cell type- and time-specific interventions in MI.

Low-dose three-dimensional CT angiography for the evaluation of posterolateral protrusion of the vertebral artery over the posterior arch of the atlas: a quantitative anatomical comparison study of the rotational and neutral positions

AIM

To investigate the changes in relevant anatomical parameters of posterolateral protrusion of the vertebral artery (VA) between head-neck rotational and neutral positions using low-dose three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Low-dose 3D-CTA images obtained for various craniocervical diseases in 36 non-dominant VA side patients with neutral, left and right head-neck rotational positions were evaluated. The relevant parameters from superior and inferior views, including external diameter (ED), internal diameter (ID), transverse diameter (TD), heights and diameters of posterolateral protrusion of the VA over the posterior arch of the atlas in the neutral and rotational positions, were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

There was no significant differences in the rotational angle (left/right: 31.23 ± 6.60/29.94 ± 6.09°, p>0.05). There were no significant differences in heights and diameters of bilateral VA between rotational and neutral positions (all p>0.05). The contralateral ID, ED, and TD of the rotational positions were significantly shorter than those of the neutral position (all p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the three ipsilateral diameters (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Posterolateral protrusion of the VA is not uncommon in the population, and surgeons should be aware of its presence, especially the increased possibility of injury to the VA caused by head-neck rotation, during the operation; thus, preoperative evaluation by low-dose 3D-CTA should be considered.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Clinical phenotype and practice

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a pathophysiological condition of cardiac structure and function changes in diabetic patients without coronary artery disease, hypertension, and other types of heart diseases. DCM is not uncommon in people with diabetes, which increases the risk of heart failure. However, the treatment is scarce, and the prognosis is poor. Since 1972, one clinical study after another on DCM has been conducted. However, the complex phenotype of DCM still has not been fully revealed. This dilemma hinders the pace of understanding the essence of DCM and makes it difficult to carry out penetrating clinical or basic research. This review summarizes the literature on DCM over the last 40 years and discusses the overall perspective of DCM, phase of progression, potential clinical indicators, diagnostic and screening criteria, and related randomized controlled trials to understand DCM better.

Traditional Herbal Medicine Discovery for the Treatment and Prevention of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary artery remodeling that may subsequently culminate in right heart failure and premature death. Although there are currently both non-pharmacological (lung transplantation, etc.) and pharmacological (Sildenafil, Bosentan, and new oral drugs on trial) therapies available, PAH remains a serious and fatal pulmonary disease. As a unique medical treatment, traditional herbal medicine (THM) treatment has gradually exerted its advantages in treating PAH worldwide through a multi-level and multi-target approach. Additionally, the potential mechanisms of THM were deciphered, including suppression of proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, controlling the processes of inflammation and oxidative stress, and regulating vasoconstriction and ion channels. In this review, the effects and mechanisms of the frequently studied compound THM, single herbal preparations, and multiple active components from THM are comprehensively summarized, as well as their related mechanisms on several classical preclinical PAH models. It is worth mentioning that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate sodium and tetramethylpyrazine are under clinical trials and are considered the most promoting medicines for PAH treatment. Last, reverse pharmacology, a strategy to discover THM or THM-derived components, has also been proposed here for PAH. This review discusses the current state of THM, their working mechanisms against PAH, and prospects of reverse pharmacology, which are expected to facilitate the natural anti-PAH medicine discovery and development and its bench-to-bedside transformation.

Restoring Cardiac Functions after Myocardial Infarction-Ischemia/Reperfusion via an Exosome Anchoring Conductive Hydrogel

Both myocardial infarction (MI) and the follow-up reperfusion will lead to an inevitable injury to myocardial tissues, such as cardiac dysfunctions, fibrosis, and reduction of intercellular cell-to-cell interactions. Recently, exosomes (Exo) derived from stem cells have demonstrated a robust capability to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair. However, the short half-life of Exo and rapid clearance lead to insufficient therapeutic doses in the lesion area. Herein, an injectable conductive hydrogel is constructed to bind Exo derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to treat myocardial injuries after myocardial infarction-ischemia/reperfusion (MI-I/R). To this end, a hyperbranched epoxy macromer (EHBPE) grafted by an aniline tetramer (AT) was synthesized to cross-link thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) and thiolated Exo anchoring a CP05 peptide via an epoxy/thiol "click" reaction. The resulting Gel@Exo composite system possesses multiple features, such as controllable gelation kinetics, shear-thinning injectability, conductivity matching the native myocardium, soft and dynamic stability adapting to heartbeats, and excellent cytocompatibility. After being injected into injured hearts of rats, the hydrogel effectively prolongs the retention of Exo in the ischemic myocardium. The cardiac functions have been considerably improved by Gel@Exo administration, as indicated by the enhancing ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and reducing fibrosis area. Immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results demonstrate that the expression of cardiac-related proteins (Cx43, Ki67, CD31, and α-SMA) and genes (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, vWF, TGF-β1, MMP-9, and Serca2a) are remarkably upregulated. The conductive Gel@Exo system can significantly improve cell-to-cell interactions, promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and result in a prominent therapeutic effect on MI-I/R, providing a promising therapeutic method for injured myocardial tissues.

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe, posing an enormous threat to public health and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in combination with Western medicine (WM), has made important and lasting contributions in the battle against COVID-19. In this review, updated clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM, presented in newly recognized three distinct phases of the disease, are summarized and discussed. By integrating the available clinical and preclinical evidence, the efficacies and underlying mechanisms of TCM on COVID-19, including the highly recommended three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, are described in a panorama. We hope that this comprehensive review not only provides a reference for health care professionals and the public to recognize the significant contributions of TCM for COVID-19, but also serves as an evidence-based in-depth summary and analysis to facilitate understanding the true scientific value of TCM.

Tianma Gouteng Decoction regulates oxidative stress and inflammation in AngII-induced hypertensive mice via transcription factor EB to exert anti-hypertension effect

Hypertension is one of the important causes of cardiovascular diseases, and the imbalance of vascular homeostasis caused by oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation occurs throughout hypertension pathogenesis. Therefore, inhibiting oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation is important for treating hypertension. Tianma Gouteng Decoction (TGD) is a Chinese herbal medicine that is commonly used to treat hypertension in China, and demonstrates clinically effective antihypertensive effects. However, its blood pressure reduction mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we further determined the antihypertensive effects of TGD and revealed its underlying mechanism. We established an AngII-induced hypertension mice model, which was treated with TGD for six weeks. We monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight every week. After six weeks, we detected changes in the structure and function of the heart, the structure of blood vessels, and vasomotor factors. We also detected the expression of oxidative stress and inflammation-related genes. We found that TGD can significantly reduce blood pressure, improve cardiac structure and function, and reverse vascular remodeling, which could be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation. We also found that the effect of inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation could be related to the up-regulation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) expression by TGD. Therefore, we used AAV9 to knock down TFEB and observe the role of TFEB in TGD's antihypertensive and cardiovascular protection properties. We found that after TFEB knockdown, the protective effect of TGD on blood pressure and cardiovascular remodeling in AngII-induced hypertensive mice was inhibited, and that it was unable to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, our study demonstrated for the first time that TGD could exert anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects through TFEB and reverse the cardiovascular remodeling caused by hypertension.

Calycosin ameliorates atherosclerosis by enhancing autophagy via regulating the interaction between KLF2 and MLKL in apoE-/- mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Atherosclerosis is one of the underlying causes of cardiovascular disease. Formation of foam cells and necrotic core in the plaque is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, which results from lipid deposition, apoptosis, and inflammation in macrophage. Macrophage autophagy is a critical anti-atherogenic process and defective autophagy aggravates atherosclerosis by enhancing foam cell formation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Hence, enhancing autophagy can be a strategy for atherosclerosis treatment. Calycosin, a flavonoid from Astragali Radix, displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and therefore is potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the antiatherogenic effect of calycosin and the involved mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the potential benefits of calycosin on autophagy and atherosclerosis, and revealed the underlying mechanism.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In this study, apoE^-/- mice were fed high-fat diet for 16 weeks in presence of calycosin and/or autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, which was followed by determination of atherosclerosis development, autophagy activity, and the involved mechanisms.

KEY RESULTS

Calycosin protected against atherosclerosis and enhanced plaque stability via promoting autophagy. Calycosin inhibited foam cells formation, inflammation, and apoptosis by enhancing autophagy. MLKL was demonstrated as a new autophagy regulator, which can be negatively regulated by KLF2. Mechanistically, inhibitory effects of calycosin on atherogenesis were via improving autophagy through modulating KLF2-MLKL signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

This study demonstrated the atheroprotective effect of calycosin was through upregulating KLF2-MLKL-mediated autophagy, which not only proposed novel mechanistic insights into the atherogenesis but also identified calycosin as a potential drug candidate for atherosclerosis treatment.

Rg3 promotes the SUMOylation of SERCA2a and corrects cardiac dysfunction in heart failure

SUMOylation of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) has been shown to play a critical role in the abnormal Ca2+ cycle of heart failure. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), the main active constituent of Panax ginseng, exerts a wide range of pharmacological effects in cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of Rg3 on abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis in heart failure has not been reported. In this study, we showed a novel role of Rg3 in the abnormal Ca2+ cycle in cardiomyocytes of mice with heart failure. Among mice undergoing transverse aortic constriction, animals that received Rg3 showed improvements in cardiac function and Ca2+ homeostasis, accompanied by increases in the SUMOylation level and SERCA2a activity. In an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cell hypertrophy model, Rg3 reduced the ISO-induced Ca2+ overload in HL-1 cells. Gene knockout of SUMO1 in mice inhibited the cardioprotective effect of Rg3, and SUMO1 knockout mice that received Rg3 did not exhibit improved Ca2+ homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. Additionally, mutation of the SUMOylation sites of SERCA2a blocked the positive effect of Rg3 on the ISO-induced abnormal Ca2+ cycle in HL-1 cells, and was accompanied by an abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress response and generation of ROS. Our data demonstrated that Rg3 has a positive effect on the abnormal Ca2+ cycle in the cardiomyocytes of mice with heart failure. SUMO1 is an important factor that mediates the protective effect of Rg3. Our findings suggest that drug intervention by regulating the SUMOylation of SERCA2a can provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of heart failure.

An herbal preparation ameliorates heart failure with preserved ejection fraction by alleviating microvascular endothelial inflammation and activating NO-cGMP-PKG pathway

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous disease presenting a substantial challenge to clinicians. Currently, there is no safe and efficacious HFpEF treatment. In this study, we reported a standardized herbal medicinal product, QiShenYiQi (QSYQ), that can be used in the treatment of HFpEF.

METHODS

HFpEF mice were established by infusing a combination of N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and feeding them a high-fat diet for 14 weeks. In the 10th week, the HFpEF mice were given dapagliflozin or QSYQ via oral gavage for four weeks. The blood pressure, echocardiography, hemodynamics, leukocyte infiltration, and oxidative stress in HFpEF mice were evaluated. Besides, inflammatory factors, endothelial adhesion factors, and endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT) markers were investigated.

RESULTS

QSYQ significantly attenuated concentric cardiac remodeling while improving diastolic function and left ventricular compliance in HFpEF mice. QSYQ also inhibited inflammation and immunocyte recruitment during HFpEF. The infiltration of CD8⁺, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD11b/c⁺ monocytes was substantially mitigated in the myocardium of QSYQ-treated mice. TNF-α, MCP-1, NF-κB, and NLRP3 levels also reduced after QSYQ treatment. Furthermore, QSYQ significantly reversed the elevated expression of endothelial adhesion factors and EndMT occurrence. These effects of QSYQ were demonstrated by the activation of NO-cGMP-PKG pathway and reduction of eNOS uncoupling in the HFpEF heart.

CONCLUSION

These results provide novel evidence that QSYQ treatment improves HFpEF by inhibiting microvascular endothelial inflammation and activating NO-cGMP-PKG pathway.

Discovery of tetrahydropalmatine and protopine regulate the expression of dopamine receptor D2 to alleviate migraine from Yuanhu Zhitong formula

BACKGROUND

Migraine is the third most common disease worldwide, leading to severely decreased quality of life for the patients. In spite of great efforts endeavored in pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic strategies for treating migraine, the outcome is rather disappointing in terms of efficacy. Compelling evidence shows that the expression level of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) plays an essential role in progression of migraine.

PURPOSE

To explore potential therapeutical possibilities, the attention was paid to Yuanhu Zhitong formula (YHZTF), which is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription frequently applied to relieve pain. The aim of this study was to identify the promising compounds derived from YHZTF with anti-migraine effects and investigate the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

The high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular networking were performed for comprehensive chemical profiling of YHZTF. Network pharmacology was used to generate herbal-component-target-pathway network. Based on the pathway enrichment analysis, the active substances of anti-migraine and the potential molecular mechanism were further determined by performing animal experiments combined with molecular docking strategy.

RESULTS

In total, 31 substances were identified in YHZTF, including alkaloids such as tetrahydropalmatine and protopine. The analysis of herbal-component-target-pathway network suggests that the alkaloid substances (e.g. tetrahydropalmatine and protopine) from YHZTF target dopamine receptors, thus can be linked to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. In a nitroglycerin-induced migraine animal model, pretreatment with tetrahydropalmatine or protopine substantially lessened the aberrant migraine-like symptoms. The results of molecular docking analysis showed that tetrahydropalmatine and protopine had strong affinities to dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). Using RT-qPCR, the investigators found that DRD2 was significantly down-regulated at the mRNA level in brain tissues of tetrahydropalmatine and protopine-treated group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the results provide reliable evidence showing that the active substances tetrahydropalmatine and protopine from YHZTF lessens migraine symptoms in an in vivo mouse model suggestively via regulating expression of DRD2. These findings shed light on novel therapeutic strategies and targets to treat migraine using natural products.

A high stem to leaf ratio reduced rainfall use efficiency under altered rainfall patterns in a semi-arid grassland in northeast China

Rainfall use efficiency (RUE) is crucial for understanding the changes in grassland productivity due to variations in future rainfall patterns. Recently, numerous studies have been conducted on the relationship between RUE and the amount of rainfall, but there has been little research on the influence of rainfall distribution and the interactive effect of rainfall amounts and distribution on RUE. Here, a simulated rainfall experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of rainfall amount (average rainfall amount (R0), 334 mm; decreased (R-) and increased (R+) rainfall amounts, 233 mm and 434 mm, respectively) and dry intervals (comprising 6-day, 9-day, 12-day, 15-day, 18-day and 21-day intervals between rainfall) on productivity and RUE in Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., a dominant grass of the Eastern Eurasian Steppe. Our results showed that (1) for biomass production and RUE, moderate extension of dry intervals was conducive to enhancing total biomass production and RUE. The peak values of total biomass and RUE appeared during the 15-day interval for R-, and the 18-day interval for R0 and R+. (2) For biomass allocation, extension of dry intervals decreased the stem to leaf ratio (S/L) and the root to shoot ratio (R/S). (3) Further, the S/L ratio was significantly negatively correlated with RUE. These results suggest that variations in rainfall patterns can alter the RUE by changing the S/L ratio, and finally influence biomass production in L. chinensis. These findings have important implications for understanding and predicting the effect of future climate change on productivity in semi-arid grassland.

Downregulation of Hotair or LSD1 Impaired Heart Regeneration in the Neonatal Mouse

Previous studies have shown that lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) could regulate cell cycle progression through demethylation. The 3'domain of HOX transcript antisense RNA (Hotair) combined with the LSD1/CoREST/REST complex helps LSD1 target the corresponding gene. However, its role in mice's myocardial regeneration is still unclear. The heart from neonatal mice shows strong myocardial regeneration ability, but this ability disappears 7 days after birth. Our study shows that the myocardial tissue highly expresses Hotair and Lsd1 within 1 week after birth, consistent with the myocardial regeneration time window. Knockdown Lsd1 or Hotair expression by RNA interference could inhibit myocardial regeneration and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Our results suggest that Hotair-mediated demethylation of LSD1 may play an important role in myocardial regeneration in neonatal mice.

Combination therapy of tanshinone IIA and puerarin for pulmonary fibrosis via targeting IL6-JAK2-STAT3/STAT1 signaling pathways

Efficient therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is still a major challenge. The current studies with single-target drug therapy are the pessimistic approaches due to the complex characteristics of IPF. Here, a combination therapy of Tanshinone IIA and Puerarin for IPF was proposed to alleviate IPF due to their antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. In vivo, the combination therapy could significantly attenuate the area of ground glass opacification that was presented by 85% percentile density score of the micro-CT images when compared to single conditions. In addition, the combination therapy enormously improved the survival rate and alleviated pathological changes in bleomycin (BLM)-induced IPF mice. By using a wide spectrum of infiltration biomarkers in immunofluorescence assay in pathological sections, we demonstrate that fewer IL6 related macrophage infiltration and fibrosis area after this combination therapy, and further proved that IL6-JAK2-STAT3/STAT1 is the key mechanism of the combination therapy. In vitro, combination therapy markedly inhibited the fibroblasts activation and migration which was induced by TGF-β1 or/and IL6 through JAK2-STAT3/STAT1 signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that combination therapeutic effect of TanIIA and Pue on IPF may be related to the reduced inflammatory response targeting IL6, which could be an optimistic and effective approach for IPF.