OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of LncRNA SNHG20 on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and microtubule formation in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells through targeted regulation of the miR-520c-3p/RAB22A pathway. METHODS: After real-time fluorescence quantitative detection of LncRNA SNHG20, miR-520c-3p, RAB22A mRNA expression levels in OSCC tissues and cells, dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the relationship between the three. OSCC cells were randomly separated into control group, sh-NC group, sh-SNHG20 group, sh-SNHG20+anti NC group, and sh-SNHG20+anti miR-520c-3p group. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and E-cadherin proteins in the OSCC cells. The morphology of HSC-3 cells was observed under microscope. Changes in the number of microtubules formed were detected. The effect of LncRNA SNHG20 on the growth of OSCC tumors and the expression levels of LncRNA SNHG20, miR-520c-3p and RAB22 A in the transplanted tumors were detected by nude mice tumorigenesis experiment. RESULTS: LncRNA SNHG20 and RAB22A mRNA were upregulated in the OSCC tissues and cells, while miR-520c-3p was downregulated (P < 0.05). There were binding sites between LncRNA SNHG20 and miR-520c-3p, RAB22A and miR-520c-3p, which had targeted regulation relationship. Compared with the sh-NC group, the sh-SNHG20 group had fewer stromal like cells, more epithelial like cells, incomplete microtubule structure, and fewer nodules. LncRNA SNHG20, RAB22A, N-Cadherin, and vimentin were downregulated, while miR-520c-3p and E-cadherin were upregulated (P < 0.05). Compared with the sh-SNHG20+anti-NC group, the sh-SNHG20+anti-miR-520c-3p group had a higher number of stromal like cells, a lower number of epithelioid cells, tighter microtubule arrangement, and more microtubule nodules. miR-520c-3p and E-cadherin were downregulated, while RAB22A, N-cadherin, and vimentin were upregulated (P < 0.05). The transplanted tumor of OSCC in sh-SNHG20 group was smaller and lower than that in sh-NC group. The expression levels of LncRNA SNHG20 and RAB22A in the transplanted tumor tissues were lower than those in sh-NC group, and the expression level of miR-520c-3p was higher than that in sh-NC group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION LncRNA SNHG20 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and microtubule formation in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting the miR-520c-3p/RAB22A pathway. Inhibiting the expression of LncRNA SNHG20 can target and regulate the miR-520c-3p/RAB22A pathway to inhibit EMT and microtubule formation in OSCC cells.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; rab GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Animals ; Microtubules/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/genetics* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) exosomes on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) extracted from osteoporotic mice, and to evaluate the effect of hASCs exosomes on preventing bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. METHODS: hASCs exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation. The osteoporotic mice were established by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). BMSCs were isolated from osteo-porotic mice and cultured for further analysis. In the experimental group, these BMSCs were exposed to an osteogenic induction medium supplemented with hASCs exosomes to evaluate their potential effects on osteogenesis. In contrast, the control group was treated with the same osteogenic induction medium, but without the addition of hASCs exosomes, to serve as a baseline comparison for the study. To comprehensively assess the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs influenced by hASCs exosomes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity quantitative analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed. These evaluations provided critical insights into the role of hASCs exosomes in promoting osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in osteoporotic conditions. The fluorescence labeled hASCs exosomes were injected via the tail vein to observe the biodistribution of exosomes. Two weeks after OVX, the mice were divided into three groups: The experimental group consisted of estrogen-deficient mice receiving hASCs exosome injections; the negative control group consisted of estrogen-deficient mice receiving phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injections; and the positive control group consisted of mice that underwent Sham surgery and received PBS injections.The injections were administered once every 3 days, for a total of 8 injections. Afterward, the femurs were collected from the mice, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was performed to measure bone mineral density and conduct bone morphometric analysis. RESULTS: hASCs exosomes were successfully extracted using ultracentrifugation. After the induction by hASCs exosomes, ALP staining and ALP activity in the BMSCs extracted from osteoporotic mice were significantly enhanced, the expression of osteogenesis related genes in BMSCs were significantly up-regulated. More trabecular bone and higher bone mineral density were observed in estrogen-deficient mice injected with hASCs exosomes compared with estrogen-deficient mice injected with PBS, and there was no significant decrease in bone mineral density compared with the Sham operation group. CONCLUSION hASCs exosomes promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs extracted from osteoporotic mice. hASCs exosomes prevented bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Exosomes ; Estrogens/deficiency* ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Mice ; Osteoporosis/prevention & control* ; Ovariectomy ; Adipose Tissue/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of gene silencing or overexpression of Nemo-like kinase (NLK) during the process of neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and to explore the effect of NLK downregulation by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on promoting neuralized tissue engineered bone regeneration. METHODS: NLK-knockdown hBMSCs were established by transfection of siRNA (the experimental group was transfected with siRNA silencing the NLK gene, the control group was transfected with control siRNA and labeled as negative control group), and NLK-overexpression hBMSCs were established using lentivirus vector transfection technique (the experimental group was infected with lentivirus overexpressing the NLK gene, the control group was infected with an empty vector lentivirus and labeled as the empty vector group). After neurogenic induction, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of neural-related gene, and Western blot as well as immunofluorescence staining about several specific neural markers were used to evaluate the neural differentiation ability of hBMSCs.6-week-old male nude mice were divided into 4 groups: ① β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) group, ② β-TCP+ osteogenic induced hBMSCs group, ③ β-TCP+ siRNA-negative control (siRNA-NC) transfection hBMSCs group, ④ β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group. Four weeks after the subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis models were established, the osteogenesis and neurogenesis were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining and tissue immunofluorescence assay. Statistical analysis was conducted by independent sample t test. RESULTS: After gene silencing of NLK by siRNA in hBMSCs, neural-related genes, including the class Ⅲ β-tubulin (TUBB3), microtubule association protein-2 (MAP2), soluble protein-100 (S100), nestin (NES), NG2 proteoglycan (NG2) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), were increased significantly in NLK-knockdown hBMSCs compared with the negative control group(P < 0.05), and the expression levels of TUBB3 and MAP2 of the NLK silencing group were also increased. Oppositely, after NLK was overexpressed using lentivirus vector transfection technique, TUBB3, MAP2, S100 and NG2 were significantly decreased in NLK-overexpression hBMSCs compared with the empty vector group (P < 0.05), and the expression level of TUBB3 was also decreased. 4 weeks after the subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis model was established, more mineralized tissues were formed in the β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group compared with the other three groups, and the expression of BMP2 and S100 was higher in the β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group than in the other groups. CONCLUSION Gene silencing of NLK by siRNA promoted the ability of neural differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro and promoted neuralized tissue engineered bone formation in subcutaneous ectopic osteogenic models in vivo in nude mice.
Bone Regeneration/genetics* ; Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Cell Differentiation ; Mice, Nude ; Gene Silencing ; Mice ; Male ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics* ; Transfection ; Cells, Cultured ; Lentivirus/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological activity and antitumor effect of pegylated recombinant human interleukin 2 (PEG-rhIL-2) obtained by site-specific conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with non-natural amino acids, and to explore its antitumor mechanism. METHODS: The binding activities of PEG-rhIL-2 at three different sites (T41, Y45, and V91) to human interleukin 2 receptors α (IL-2R_α) and β (IL-2R_β) and were detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. Western blot was used to detect the levels of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (JAK-STAT5) signaling pathway activated by different doses of rhIL-2 and PEG-rhIL-2 in CTTL-2 and YT cells. Blood was collected after a single administration in mice to detect the drug concentration at different time points and evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2. Mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa1-6, pancreatic cancer cell line Pan-02, and colon cancer cell line MC-38 were selected. Tumor models were constructed in C57BL/6 mice. Different doses of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 and excipient control were administrated respectively to evaluate the tumor suppression effect of the drug. In the MC-38 colon cancer model, the tumor suppression effect of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 combined with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody was evaluated. Hepa1-6 mouse tumor models were constructed and rhIL-2, Y45-rhIL-2 and Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 were administrated respectively. The proportion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The SPR detection results showed that the binding activities of PEG-rhIL-2 to IL-2R_α/IL-2R_β were both reduced. The affinity of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 to IL-2R_α was reduced to approximately 1/250, and its affinity to IL-2R_β was reduced to 1/3. Western blot results showed that the activity of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 in stimulating JAK-STAT5 signaling in CTLL-2 cells expressing heterotrimeric IL-2 receptor complex IL-2R_αβγwas reduced to approximately 1/300, while its activity in YT cells expressing heterodimeric IL-2 receptor complex IL-2R_βγwas reduced to approximately 1/3. The pharmacokinetic evaluation after a single dose in the mice showed that the elimination half-life of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 was 17.7 h. Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 has pharmacokinetic characteristics superior to those of rhIL-2. Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 showed dose-dependent tumor suppression activity, and the combination of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 and anti-PD-1 antibody had a better tumor-inhibiting effect than the single use of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 or anti-PD-1 antibody. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 72 h after the administration of Y45-PEG-rhIL-2, the proportion of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8⁺T cells) increased by 86.84%. At 120 h after administration, the ratio of CD8⁺T cells to regulatory T cells (Treg) increased by 75.10%. CONCLUSION Y45-PEG-rhIL-2 obtained by site-specific conjugation via non-natural amino acids changed its receptor binding activity and inhibited tumor growth in dose-dependent manner in multiple tumor models by regulating CD8⁺T cells.
Interleukin-2/pharmacokinetics* ; Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology* ; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the specific mechanism of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) mediated histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) modification in promoting the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS: Samples of 40 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and paracancerous tissues resected from January 2021 to January 2023 were collected. The expressions of HDAC2 and H3K27ac in hepatocellular carcinoma, paracancerous tissues and cell lines were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The correlation between the expression levels of HDAC2 and H3K27ac and the relationship between HDAC2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed. The proliferation, migration and invasion of Hep3B and HepG2 cells were determined by MTS, clone formation, scratch and Transwell experiments. The acetylation of H3K27 mediated by HDAC2 was verified by Western blotting, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and chromatin immunoprecipitation high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq). In vivo xenotransplantation experiment, the tumorigenicity of cells in each group was measured, and the expression of proteins related to phosphoinositide 3-kinases/phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR) signal pathway was detected. RESULTS: High expression of HDAC2 and low expression of H3K27ac were found in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines (P < 0.05), and there was a negative correlation between them (r=-0.477, P=0.002). The expression of HDAC2 was related to tumor size, hepatitis B virus infection, TNM stage and portal vein tumor thrombus (P < 0.05). Compared with the sh-NC group of Hep3B and HepG2 cells, the proliferation, clone formation, migration and invasion ability of sh-HDAC2 group were decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the Empty group, the HDAC2 group exhibited increased expression levels and activity of HDAC2, as well as enhanced cell proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion ability, tumor volume and mass in vivo, and elevated expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR (P < 0.05). Conversely, the enrichment and expression levels of H3K27ac, along with the expression level of PTEN, were decreased (P < 0.05). In the iHDAC2 group, the expression levels and activity of HDAC2, as well as the proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion ability, tumor volume and mass in vivo, and expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR were reduced (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression levels of H3K27ac and PTEN were increased (P < 0.05). To validate the involvement of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in HDAC2-mediated regulation of malignant behaviors in liver cancer cells through H3K27ac, the PI3K activator 740Y-P was introduced. Compared with the iHDAC2 group, the iHDAC2+740Y-P group exhibited increased proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion ability, tumor volume and mass in vivo, and elevated expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR (P < 0.05). Conversely, the expression level of PTEN was decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION HDAC2 initiates PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signal pathway by mediating H3K27 acetylation, which promotes the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Histone Deacetylase 2/physiology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Acetylation ; Cell Movement ; Histones/metabolism* ; Animals ; Hep G2 Cells ; Male ; Female ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Signal Transduction ; Mice, Nude ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism* ; Lysine/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

This study evaluated the healing-promoting effect and applicability of seven new dressings in chronic wounds. A chronic wound model was established using 48 db/db diabetic mice, which were randomly divided into 8 groups (control, polymer film, alginate, foam, hydrocolloid, hydrogel, carbon fiber, and silver dressing groups). Regular monitoring was conducted on the 5, 10, 15, and 20 days after surgery, and a comprehensive evaluation was performed based on healing rate, characteristic of histopathology, and semi-quantitative scoring. The results showed that, except for the polymer film dressing group, all other dressing groups had significantly better healing-promoting effect than the control group ( P＜0.05), with the hydrocolloid, carbon fiber, and silver dressing groups demonstrated particularly outstanding efficacy. This study systematically compared the efficacy differences of seven dressings, and combined them with the adhesion, exudate volume and infection risks to provide a scientific basis for clinical dressing selection.
Animals ; Mice ; Wound Healing ; Bandages ; Male ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on systemic Candida albicans infection in mice and to provide supportive data for the development of novel antifungal drugs. METHODS: Ninety BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups according to a random number table: CA treatment group, fluconazole (positive control) group, and Tween saline (negative control) group, with 30 mice in each group. Initially, all groups of mice received consecutive intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg for 2 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mL C. albicans fungal suspension (concentration of 1.0 × 10⁷ CFU/mL) on the 4th day, to establish an immunosuppressed systemic Candida albicans infection animal model. Subsequently, the mice were orally administered CA, fluconazole and Tween saline, at 240, 240 mg/kg and 0.25 mL/kg respectively for 14 days. After a 48-h discontinuation of treatment, the liver, small intestine, and kidney tissues of mice were collected for fungal direct microscopic examination, culture, and histopathological examination. Additionally, renal tissues from each group of mice were collected for (1,3)- β -D-glucan detection. The survival status of mice in all groups was monitored for 14 days of drug administration. RESULTS: The CA group exhibited a fungal clearance rate of C. albicans above 86.7% (26/30), significantly higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%, 18/30, P<0.01) and the Tween saline group (30.0%, 9/30, P<0.01). Furthermore, histopathological examination in the CA group revealed the disappearance of inflammatory cells and near-normal restoration of tissue structure. The (1,3)-β-D-glucan detection value in the CA group (860.55 ± 126.73 pg/mL) was significantly lower than that in the fluconazole group (1985.13 ± 203.56 pg/mL, P<0.01) and the Tween saline group (5910.20 ± 320.56 pg/mL, P<0.01). The mouse survival rate reached 90.0% (27/30), higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%, 18/30) and the Tween saline group (30.0%, 9/30), with a significant difference between the two groups (both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS CA treatment exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy in mice with systemic C. albicans infection. Therefore, CA holds potential as a novel antifungal agent for targeted treatment of C. albicans infection.
Animals ; Acrolein/pharmacology* ; Candida albicans/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Candidiasis/pathology* ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Fluconazole/therapeutic use* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The chemical constituents of BBP were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). After 7 days of adaptive feeding, 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=10): normal control (NC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), low-, and high-dose BBP groups. The dosing cycle was 9 days. On the 12th and 14th days, 20 µL of Staphylococcus aureus solution (bacterial concentration of 1 × 10^-7 CFU/mL) was given by nasal drip after 1 h of intragastric administration, and the mice in the NC group was given the same dose of phosphated buffered saline (PBS) solution. On the 16th day, after 1 h intragastric administration, 100 µL of LPS solution (1 mg/mL) was given by tracheal intubation, and the same dose of PBS solution was given to the NC group. Lung tissue was obtained to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the lung wet/dry weight ratio and expressions of CD14 and other related proteins. The lower lobe of the right lung was obtained for pathological examination. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of neutrophils was counted. The colonic contents of the mice were analyzed by 16 sRNA technique and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: UPLC-MS revealed that the chemical components of BBP samples were mainly tauroursodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt. BBP reduced the activity of MPO, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of CD14 protein, thus suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway (P<0.05). The lung histopathological results indicated that BBP significantly reduced the degree of neutrophil infiltration, cell shedding, necrosis, and alveolar cavity depression. Moreover, BBP effectively regulated the composition of the intestinal microflora and increased the production of SCFAs, which contributed to its treatment effect (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS BBP alleviates lung injury in ALI mouse through inhibiting activation of NF-κB pathway and decreasing expression of CD14 protein. BBP may promote recovery of ALI by improving the structure of intestinal flora and enhancing metabolic function of intestinal flora.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/pathology* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Ursidae ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/metabolism* ; Powders ; Male ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cytokines/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum (SAA) against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA adducts and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved for ensuring the safe use of Asari Radix et Rhizoma. METHODS: In vitro, HEK293T cells overexpressing Flag-tagged multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were constructed by Lentiviral transduction, and inhibitory effect of top 10 common pairs of medicinal herbs with Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinic on MRP3 activity was verified using a self-constructed fluorescence screening system. The mRNA, protein expressions, and enzyme activity levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) were measured in differentiated HepaRG cells. Hepatocyte toxicity after inhibition of AAI metabolite transport was detected using cell counting kit-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including: control (1% sodium bicarbonate), AAI (10 mg/kg), stir-fried SAA (1.75 g/kg) and AAI + stir-fried SAA (1.75 and 8.75 g/kg) groups, 6 mice in each group. After 7 days of continuous gavage administration, liver and kidney damages were assessed, and the protein expressions and enzyme activity of liver metabolic enzymes NQO1 and CYP1A2 were determined simultaneously. RESULTS: In vivo, combination of 1.75 g/kg SAA and 10 mg/kg AAI suppressed AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced dA-ALI formation by 26.7%, and these detoxification effects in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Mechanistically, SAA inhibited MRP3 transport in vitro, downregulated NQO1 expression in vivo, increased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Notably, SAA also reduced AAI-induced hepatotoxicity throughout the detoxification process, as indicated by a 41.3% reduction in the number of liver adducts (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Stir-fried SAA is a novel drug candidate for the suppression of AAI-induced liver and kidney damages. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of transporters and metabolic enzymes.
Aristolochic Acids/toxicity* ; Animals ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Kidney/pathology* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; DNA Adducts/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Prunus armeniaca ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tanreqing Injection (TRQ) on the activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages infected with influenza A virus and the underlying mechanism based on mitophagy pathway. METHODS: The inflammatory model of murine macrophage J774A.1 induced by influenza A virus [strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1), PR8] was constructed and treated by TRQ, while the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO and autophagy specific inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used as controls to intensively study the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TRQ based on mitophagy-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. The levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3II) and P62 proteins were measured by Western blot. The release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the mtROS level was detected by flow cytometry, and the immunofluorescence and co-localization of LC3 and mitochondria were observed under confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Similar to the effect of Mito-TEMPO and contrary to the results of 3-MA treatment, TRQ could significantly reduce the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and autophagy adaptor P62, promote the expression of autophagy marker LC3II, enhance the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity, and inhibit the release of mtROS and IL-1β (all P<0.01). Moreover, LC3 was co-localized with mitochondria, confirming the type of mitophagy. CONCLUSION TRQ could reduce the level of mtROS by promoting mitophagy in macrophages infected with influenza A virus, thus inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the release of IL-1β, and attenuating the inflammatory response.
Mitophagy/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Animals ; Macrophages/virology* ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Influenza A virus/physiology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Injections