1.A Method Based on the Complex Network for Mining the System Biological Information of Scutellaria Barbata D. Don
Chenjun HU ; Ju HE ; Jiadong XIE ; Peipei FANG ; Youwei DING ; Kongfa HU ; Yuqing MAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2018;20(9):1506-1514
Scutellaria barbata D. Don is widely used in TCM clinical practice, so it is important to delve the information of its system biology. In this paper, we integrate its natural compounds and genomics information. The Herb-Prince complex networks algorithm is used to delve potential associated genes, gene families and KEGG signal pathways for Scutellaria barbata D. Don, and the information is verified by literature. The top 100 genes, 4 gene families and 10 KEGG signaling pathways were found. The related results are highly consistent with the clinical and pharmacological studies of Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which provide decision support for researchers to study pharmacological activities of Scutellaria barbata D. Don at the molecular level.
2.Decoding the Cellular Trafficking of Prion-like Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Chenjun HU ; Yiqun YAN ; Yanhong JIN ; Jun YANG ; Yongmei XI ; Zhen ZHONG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2024;40(2):241-254
The accumulation and spread of prion-like proteins is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In a process known as 'seeding', prion-like proteins such as amyloid beta, microtubule-associated protein tau, α-synuclein, silence superoxide dismutase 1, or transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa, propagate their misfolded conformations by transforming their respective soluble monomers into fibrils. Cellular and molecular evidence of prion-like propagation in NDs, the clinical relevance of their 'seeding' capacities, and their levels of contribution towards disease progression have been intensively studied over recent years. This review unpacks the cyclic prion-like propagation in cells including factors of aggregate internalization, endo-lysosomal leaking, aggregate degradation, and secretion. Debates on the importance of the role of prion-like protein aggregates in NDs, whether causal or consequent, are also discussed. Applications lead to a greater understanding of ND pathogenesis and increased potential for therapeutic strategies.
Humans
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Prions
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Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology*
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Amyloid beta-Peptides
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Alzheimer Disease
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alpha-Synuclein
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tau Proteins
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Parkinson Disease
3. Pharmacological Activation of RXR-α Promotes Hematoma Absorption via a PPAR-γ-dependent Pathway After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Chaoran XU ; Huaijun CHEN ; Shengjun ZHOU ; Chenjun SUN ; Xiaolong XIA ; Yucong PENG ; Jianfeng ZHUANG ; Xiongjie FU ; Hanhai ZENG ; Hang ZHOU ; Yang CAO ; Qian YU ; Yin LI ; Libin HU ; Guoyang ZHOU ; Feng YAN ; Gao CHEN ; Jianru LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2021;37(10):1412-1426
Endogenously eliminating the hematoma is a favorable strategy in addressing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to determine the role of retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) in the context of hematoma absorption after ICH. Our results showed that pharmacologically activating RXR-α with bexarotene significantly accelerated hematoma clearance and alleviated neurological dysfunction after ICH. RXR-α was expressed in microglia/macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes. Mechanistically, bexarotene promoted the nuclear translocation of RXR-α and PPAR-γ, as well as reducing neuroinflammation by modulating microglia/macrophage reprograming from the M1 into the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, all the beneficial effects of RXR-α in ICH were reversed by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. In conclusion, the pharmacological activation of RXR-α confers robust neuroprotection against ICH by accelerating hematoma clearance and repolarizing microglia/macrophages towards the M2 phenotype through PPAR-γ-related mechanisms. Our data support the notion that RXR-α might be a promising therapeutic target for ICH.
4.Pharmacological Activation of RXR-α Promotes Hematoma Absorption via a PPAR-γ-dependent Pathway After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
Chaoran XU ; Huaijun CHEN ; Shengjun ZHOU ; Chenjun SUN ; Xiaolong XIA ; Yucong PENG ; Jianfeng ZHUANG ; Xiongjie FU ; Hanhai ZENG ; Hang ZHOU ; Yang CAO ; Qian YU ; Yin LI ; Libin HU ; Guoyang ZHOU ; Feng YAN ; Gao CHEN ; Jianru LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2021;37(10):1412-1426
Endogenously eliminating the hematoma is a favorable strategy in addressing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to determine the role of retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) in the context of hematoma absorption after ICH. Our results showed that pharmacologically activating RXR-α with bexarotene significantly accelerated hematoma clearance and alleviated neurological dysfunction after ICH. RXR-α was expressed in microglia/macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes. Mechanistically, bexarotene promoted the nuclear translocation of RXR-α and PPAR-γ, as well as reducing neuroinflammation by modulating microglia/macrophage reprograming from the M1 into the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, all the beneficial effects of RXR-α in ICH were reversed by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. In conclusion, the pharmacological activation of RXR-α confers robust neuroprotection against ICH by accelerating hematoma clearance and repolarizing microglia/macrophages towards the M2 phenotype through PPAR-γ-related mechanisms. Our data support the notion that RXR-α might be a promising therapeutic target for ICH.
Anilides/pharmacology*
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Cerebral Hemorrhage/drug therapy*
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Hematoma/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Macrophages
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Microglia
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Neuroprotection
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PPAR gamma
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Retinoid X Receptor alpha