1.Mechanisms of HNE mediated NLRP3 promoting EMT in chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps.
Junmei ZHAO ; Yaqian LIANG ; Qing LUO
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(7):624-631
Objective:The mucosa of Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) is accompanied by tissue remodeling. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) plays an important role in tissue remodeling, but the mechanism of EMT is not yet clear. The purpose of this study is to further clarify the pathogenesis of CRSwNP and provide another idea and theoretical basis for the treatment of CRSwNP. Methods:①The expression of NLRP3 and EMT-related protein(E-cadherin, Vimentin) in the nasal mucosa of the CRSwNP group and the normal control group were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC). ②Primary human nasal epithelial cells(HNECs) were cultured in vitro, and HNE-intervened cells with different concentrations(0, 10, 25, 50, 100 ng/mL) were used. After stimulation for 24 h, mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin, NLRP3 were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. ③Cells were collected at 0, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours later after incubation with HNE with the optimal concentration, and the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin and NLRP3 were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. ④Primary human nasal epithelial cells were pretreated with NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950, then stimulated with HNE, and EMT-related proteins(E-cadherin, Vimentin) and NLRP3 expression were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Results:①The expression levels of NLRP3 and Vimentin in nasal polyps of CRSwNP patients were higher than those of control group, and the expression of E-cadherin was lower(P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and Vimentin increased when HNE stimulated primary human nasal epithelial cells, while the expression of E-cadherin decreased. ②The effect was most significant when the HNE stimulated nasal mucosal epithelial cells were exposed to 50 ng/mL(P<0.05). The primary human nasal epithelial cells were stimulated with 50 ng/ml HNE, and the effect was most significant when the duration of HNE exposure was 36 h(P<0.05). ③Primary human nasal epithelial cells were pretreated with MCC950 and then stimulated with HNE. The mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin in the NLRP3 inhibitor pretreated group were increased, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Vimentin and NLRP3 were decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion:ln CRSwNP, HNE promotes EMT in human nasal mucosal epithelial cells by activating NLRP3.
Humans
;
Nasal Polyps/metabolism*
;
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Sinusitis/metabolism*
;
Cadherins/metabolism*
;
Vimentin/metabolism*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Nasal Mucosa/cytology*
;
Rhinitis/metabolism*
;
Epithelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Rhinosinusitis
3.Intervention of Acute Lung Injury by Traditional Chinese Medicine via Regulating Oxidative Stress: A Review
Ang'ang LI ; Xiao LIANG ; Junmei LI ; Qing PENG ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):305-312
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinically critical disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, with high morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary inflammation caused by trauma, infection, and other factors in vivo and in vitro can damage alveolar epithelial and vascular endothelial barriers, resulting in lung tissue congestion and edema and eventually leading to significant dyspnea and hypoxemia, It can further develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome. Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenesis of ALI. A large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can promote the aggregation of inflammatory cells, increase pulmonary capillary permeability, and even directly damage lung tissue. Therefore, regulating oxidative stress becomes one of the effective means to reduce the degree of lung injury. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ALI is divided into the categories of "sudden wheezing" and "dyspnea due to wheezing". TCM treats the causes of dampness, heat, poison, and stasis by syndrome differentiation and treatment, regulates Qi and blood, and balances Yin and Yang to restore the physiological function of the lung. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that TCM can regulate ROS through multiple targets and mechanisms and play a role in reducing lung inflammation and protecting alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial vessels, in which the nuclear factor E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway plays an important role. Based on the generation and clearance of ROS, this article summarized the related mechanisms of TCM monomers, TCM pairs, and TCM compounds in regulating oxidative stress to prevent ALI, so as to provide theoretical reference for the research and development of new TCM for ALI and clinical treatment.
7.Construction and mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis model in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Xiao LIANG ; Angang LI ; Qing PENG ; Jianxun LIU ; Junmei LI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(6):848-857
Objective The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is a common clinical issue after acute lung injury(ALI).We aimed to construct a model simulating clinical ALI-induced pulmonary fibrosis by repeated challenges with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).We then observed the development from ALI to pulmonary fibrosis,to explore the possible mechanisms mediating the transition from inflammatory injury to fibrosis.Methods Mice were treated with LPS(1,2,4,8 mg/kg)intranasally to induce ALI.At 7 d,14 d,21 d,28 d,35 d,and 42 d after modeling respectively,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),collagen 1(Col-1),and hydroxyproline levels in lung tissue,and collagen fiber deposition were observed by Masson staining and compared to determine the process and degree of fibrosis formation in different modeling method.Expression changes in interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 in lung tissue at each time point were detected to explore the mechanisms of fibrosis formation.Results Treatment of mice with 1,4,and 4 mg/kg LPS for 3 consecutive days(M-1 group)result ed in a stable ALI-induced pulmonary fibrosis model.Masson staining showed that α-SMA,Col-1,hydroxyproline,and collagen fiber deposition in the lung tissue began to increase in M-1 group mice in a time-dependent manner after 7 d.Collagen deposition in the lung tissue interstitium was significantly increased at 21 d post-modeling,and fibrosis indicators were significantly increased at 28 d,compared with control mice.Collagen deposition continued to increase until 42 d.Hydroxyproline and collagen fibers in the lung tissue in the other model groups with different doses and hit times did not increase significantly compared with the control group.TGF-β1 expression detected by Western blot began to increase gradually 14 d after modelling in the M-1 group,and was significantly higher than in the control group at 28 d.The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β increased significantly on day 7(acute phase),and TNF-α expression continued to increase until 28 d,while IL-1β gradually decreased after day 7.TNF-α and IL-1β in the lung tissue both continued to decrease after the acute phase in the other model groups without fibrosis.Conclusions LPS 1,4,and 4 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days can be used to construct an ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome-induced pulmonary fibrosis model,via a mechanism that may be related to the sustained high expression of TNF-α regulating TGF-β1 to induce fibroblast activation and proliferation.
8.Research Progress in the Preparation Process and Pharmacological Effects of 6-Shogaol
Siyi CHENG ; Qing PENG ; Junmei LI ; Ang'ang LI ; Mingqian SUN ; Li LIN ; Shuo MENG ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):180-185
6-Shogaol is an active component of gingerol in zingiber,which can be converted from 6-Gingerol under acidic and heating conditions.Modern research shows that 6-Shogaol has rich pharmacological activities,and it is found that 6-Shogaol has stronger anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor and antioxidant activities than 6-Gingerol.In this article,the preparation technology and pharmacological effects of 6-Shogaol were reviewed,and the extraction and separation methods of 6-Shogaol,as well as the targets and pathways involved in the process of exerting its pharmacological effects,were summarized,which could lay the foundation for the comprehensive development and clinical application of 6-Shogaol.
9.Research Progress in the Preparation Process and Pharmacological Effects of 6-Shogaol
Siyi CHENG ; Qing PENG ; Junmei LI ; Ang'ang LI ; Mingqian SUN ; Li LIN ; Shuo MENG ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):180-185
6-Shogaol is an active component of gingerol in zingiber,which can be converted from 6-Gingerol under acidic and heating conditions.Modern research shows that 6-Shogaol has rich pharmacological activities,and it is found that 6-Shogaol has stronger anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor and antioxidant activities than 6-Gingerol.In this article,the preparation technology and pharmacological effects of 6-Shogaol were reviewed,and the extraction and separation methods of 6-Shogaol,as well as the targets and pathways involved in the process of exerting its pharmacological effects,were summarized,which could lay the foundation for the comprehensive development and clinical application of 6-Shogaol.
10.Construction and mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis model in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Xiao LIANG ; Angang LI ; Qing PENG ; Jianxun LIU ; Junmei LI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(6):848-857
Objective The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is a common clinical issue after acute lung injury(ALI).We aimed to construct a model simulating clinical ALI-induced pulmonary fibrosis by repeated challenges with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).We then observed the development from ALI to pulmonary fibrosis,to explore the possible mechanisms mediating the transition from inflammatory injury to fibrosis.Methods Mice were treated with LPS(1,2,4,8 mg/kg)intranasally to induce ALI.At 7 d,14 d,21 d,28 d,35 d,and 42 d after modeling respectively,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),collagen 1(Col-1),and hydroxyproline levels in lung tissue,and collagen fiber deposition were observed by Masson staining and compared to determine the process and degree of fibrosis formation in different modeling method.Expression changes in interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 in lung tissue at each time point were detected to explore the mechanisms of fibrosis formation.Results Treatment of mice with 1,4,and 4 mg/kg LPS for 3 consecutive days(M-1 group)result ed in a stable ALI-induced pulmonary fibrosis model.Masson staining showed that α-SMA,Col-1,hydroxyproline,and collagen fiber deposition in the lung tissue began to increase in M-1 group mice in a time-dependent manner after 7 d.Collagen deposition in the lung tissue interstitium was significantly increased at 21 d post-modeling,and fibrosis indicators were significantly increased at 28 d,compared with control mice.Collagen deposition continued to increase until 42 d.Hydroxyproline and collagen fibers in the lung tissue in the other model groups with different doses and hit times did not increase significantly compared with the control group.TGF-β1 expression detected by Western blot began to increase gradually 14 d after modelling in the M-1 group,and was significantly higher than in the control group at 28 d.The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β increased significantly on day 7(acute phase),and TNF-α expression continued to increase until 28 d,while IL-1β gradually decreased after day 7.TNF-α and IL-1β in the lung tissue both continued to decrease after the acute phase in the other model groups without fibrosis.Conclusions LPS 1,4,and 4 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days can be used to construct an ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome-induced pulmonary fibrosis model,via a mechanism that may be related to the sustained high expression of TNF-α regulating TGF-β1 to induce fibroblast activation and proliferation.

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