1.A photodynamic nanohybrid system reverses hypoxia and augment anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of immunotherapy.
Haitao YUAN ; Xiaoxian WANG ; Xin SUN ; Di GU ; Jinan GUO ; Wei HUANG ; Jingbo MA ; Chunjin FU ; Da YIN ; Guohua ZENG ; Ying LONG ; Jigang WANG ; Zhijie LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3243-3258
Photodynamic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the dysfunctional tumor vasculature results in tumor hypoxia and the low efficiency of drug delivery, which in turn restricts the anticancer effect of photodynamic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed photosensitive lipid nanoparticles. The synthesized PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles could produce type I/II reactive oxygen species (ROS) by electron or energy transfer through PFBT under light irradiation. Moreover, this nanosystem could alleviate tumor hypoxia and promote vascular normalization through Roxadustat. Upon irradiation with white light, the ROS produced by PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles in situ dysregulated calcium homeostasis and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, which further promoted the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, enhanced antigen presentation, and stimulated an effective adaptive immune response, ultimately priming the tumor microenvironment (TME) together with the hypoxia alleviation and vessel normalization by Roxadustat. Indeed, in vivo results indicated that PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles promoted M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, recruited more natural killer cells, and augmented infiltration of T cells, thereby leading to efficient photodynamic immunotherapy and potentiating the anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody. Collectively, photodynamic immunotherapy with PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles efficiently program TME through the induction of immunogenicity and oxygenation, and effectively suppress tumor growth through immunogenic cell death and enhanced anti-tumor immunity.
2.The chordata olfactory receptor database.
Wei HAN ; Siyu BAO ; Jintao LIU ; Yiran WU ; Liting ZENG ; Tao ZHANG ; Ningmeng CHEN ; Kai YAO ; Shunguo FAN ; Aiping HUANG ; Yuanyuan FENG ; Guiquan ZHANG ; Ruiyi ZHANG ; Hongjin ZHU ; Tian HUA ; Zhijie LIU ; Lina CAO ; Xingxu HUANG ; Suwen ZHAO
Protein & Cell 2025;16(4):286-295
3.BiFC and FACS-based CRISPR screening revealed that QKI promotes PABPN1 LLPS in colorectal cancer cells.
Mengxia LI ; Zhijie HU ; Yingye HUANG ; Yuting HAN ; Cheng LIANG ; Yuchi LIU ; Runze WU ; Xin LU ; Ke DENG ; Susu LIU ; Xin OU ; Yuwei LI ; Chao LIU ; Xuening LI ; Jingting LIANG ; Yonggui FU ; Anlong XU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):557-574
Protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a pivotal phenomenon intricately linked to cellular processes, is regulated by various other proteins. However, there is still a lack of high-throughput methods for screening protein regulators of LLPS in target proteins. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening method to identify protein phase separation regulators by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this newly developed method, we screened the RNA-binding proteins that regulate PABPN1 phase separation and identified the tumor suppressor QKI as a promoter of PABPN1 phase separation. Furthermore, QKI exhibits decreased expression levels and diminished nuclear localization in colorectal cancer cells, resulting in reduced PABPN1 phase separation, which, in turn, promotes alternative polyadenylation (APA), cell proliferation, and migration in colorectal cancer.
Humans
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Poly(A)-Binding Protein I/genetics*
;
CRISPR-Cas Systems
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Movement
4.Mechanism of auraptene in improving acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice.
Renyang OU ; Shan HUANG ; Lihong MA ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Shengshan LIU ; Yuanliang WANG ; Yezi SUN ; Nana XU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU ; Guosheng RAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):590-594
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate whether auraptene (AUR) exerts a protective effect on acute diquat (DQ)-induced liver injury in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
Forty SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group (Control group), DQ poisoning model group (DQ group), AUR treatment group (DQ+AUR group), and AUR control group (AUR group), with 10 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg DQ aqueous solution (0.5 mL); Control group and AUR group received an equal volume of pure water intraperitoneally. Four hours post-modeling, DQ+AUR group and AUR group were administered 0.5 mg/kg AUR aqueous solution (0.2 mL) by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days, while Control group and DQ group received pure water. Blood and liver tissues were collected after anesthesia on day 7. Liver ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected using WST-1, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and enzymatic reaction methods, respectively. Protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues was analyzed by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Transmission electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria in the Control group exhibited mild swelling, uneven distribution of matrix, and a small number of cristae fractures. In the AUR group, mitochondria showed mild swelling, with no obvious disruption of cristae structure. In the DQ group, mitochondria demonstrated marked swelling and increased volume, matrix dissolution, loss and fragmentation of cristae, and extensive vacuolization. In contrast, the DQ+AUR group showed significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, volume increase, matrix dissolution, cristae loss and fragmentation, and vacuolization compared to the DQ group. Compared with the DQ group, the DQ+AUR group exhibited significantly lower serum AST levels (U/L: 173.45±23.60 vs. 255.33±41.51), ALT levels (U/L: 51.77±21.63 vs. 100.70±32.35), and hepatic MDA levels (μmol/g: 12.40±2.76 vs. 19.74±4.10), along with higher hepatic GSH levels (mmol/g: 37.65±14.95 vs. 20.58±8.52) and SOD levels (kU/g: 124.10±33.77 vs. 82.81±22.00), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed upregulated Nrf2 expression (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.87±0.37 vs. 0.53±0.22) and HO-1 expression (HO-1/β-actin: 1.06±0.22 vs. 0.49±0.08), and downregulated Keap1 expression (Keap1/β-actin: 0.82±0.12 vs. 1.52±0.76) and activated caspase-9 expression (activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.16±0.28 vs. 1.71±0.30) in the DQ+AUR group compared to the DQ group (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
AUR attenuates DQ-induced acute liver injury in mice by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Liver/pathology*
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*
;
Diquat/poisoning*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Apoptosis
;
Coumarins
5.A national questionnaire survey on endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China
Xing WANG ; Bing HU ; Yiling LI ; Zhijie FENG ; Yanjing GAO ; Zhining FAN ; Feng JI ; Bingrong LIU ; Jinhai WANG ; Wenhui ZHANG ; Tong DANG ; Hong XU ; Derun KONG ; Lili YUAN ; Liangbi XU ; Shengjuan HU ; Liangzhi WEN ; Ping YAO ; Yunxiao LIANG ; Xiaodong ZHOU ; Huiling XIANG ; Xiaowei LIU ; Xiaoquan HUANG ; Yinglei MIAO ; Xiaoliang ZHU ; De'an TIAN ; Feihu BAI ; Jitao SONG ; Ligang CHEN ; Yingcai MA ; Yifei HUANG ; Bin WU ; Xiaolong QI
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(1):43-51
Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.
6.Transcriptomic analysis of SR8278 improving lacrimal gland dysfunction in-duced by jet lag in mice
Shenzhen HUANG ; Di QI ; Xiaoting PEI ; Dingli LU ; Hongli SI ; Duliurui HUANG ; Wenxiao ZHANG ; Mengru BA ; Shuting XUAN ; Zhijie LI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(4):264-269
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of SR8278,a synthetic antagonist of nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1(NR1D1),in alleviating the structural and functional impairment of the extraorbital lacrimal glands induced by jet lag in mice.Methods Totally 36 healthy wild C57BL/6J mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divid-ed into 3 groups(normal group,jet-lag group,and jet-lag+SR8278 group)after adapting to a circadian rhythm chamber under the 12 h light/12 h dark(12 h/12 h LD)cycle for 2 weeks,with 12 mice in each group.Mice in the normal group were fed in a circadian rhythm chamber in a 12 h LD cycle,mice in the jet-lag group were fed in a 12 h/12 h LD cycle with an 8-hour advanced LD schedule,and mice in the jet lag+SR8278 group were fed in a 12 h/12 h LD cycle with an 8-hour advanced LD schedule and received 25 mg·kg-1 SR8278.At the end of 5 days of intervention,locomotor activity,core body temperature and tear secretion of mice in each group were collected,and the weight of lacrimal gland tissues and size of lacrimal gland cells were measured.Immunohistochemical methods were used for histological evaluation of the extraor-bital lacrimal glands in mice.Lacrimal ribonucleic acid(RNA)was extracted for high-throughput RNA-sequencing analysis containing NR1D1,and the obtained transcriptomic data were used for KEGG and GO functional enrichment analysis.Re-sults Compared with the normal group,the jet-lag group had higher daytime activity,lower nighttime activity,higher daytime core body temperature,and lower nighttime core body temperature,with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).Compared with the jet-lag group,the jet-lag+SR8278 group had lower daytime activity,higher nighttime activi-ty,lower daytime core body temperature,and higher nighttime core body temperature,with statistically significant differ-ences(all P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the jet-lag group showed a decrease in lacrimal gland weight and tear secretion and an increase in size of lacrimal gland cells,with statistical significance(all P<0.05);compared with the jet-lag group,the jet-lag+SR8278 group had an increase in lacrimal gland weight and tear secretion and a decrease in size of lacrimal gland cells,with statistical significance(all P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the jet-lag group showed a higher expression of NR1D1 in the lacrimal gland at night;compared with the jet-lag group,the jet-lag+SR8278 group showed a lower expression of NR1 D1 in the lacrimal gland at night(both P<0.05).Bioinformatics analysis showed 947 significantly different genes in the jet-lag group and the jet-lag+SR8278 group,of which 43 are significantly upregulated genes,and 904 are significantly downregulated genes.The Notch signaling pathway has the most significant difference.Conclusion SR8278 effectively enhances the tear secretion function of jet-lagged mice by targeting NR1D1 inhibition.This process may be completed through the Notch signaling pathway.
7.Quality monitoring indicator system in blood banks of Shandong: applied in blood donation services, component preparation and blood supply process
Yuqing WU ; Hong ZHOU ; Zhijie ZHANG ; Zhiquan RONG ; Xuemei LI ; Zhe SONG ; Shuhong ZHAO ; Zhongsi YANG ; Qun LIU ; Lin ZHU ; Xiaojuan FAN ; Shuli SUN ; Wei ZHANG ; Jinyu HAN ; Haiyan HUANG ; Guangcai LIU ; Ping CHEN ; Xianwu AN ; Hui ZHANG ; Junxia REN ; Xuejing LI ; Chenxi YANG ; Bo ZHOU ; Hui YE ; Mingming QIAO ; Hua SHEN ; Dunzhu GONGJUE ; Yunlong ZHUANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(3):275-282
【Objective】 To establish an effective quality indicator monitoring system, scientifically and objectively evaluate the quality management level of blood banks, and achieve continuous improvement of quality management in blood bank. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system that covers the whole process of blood collection and supply was established, the questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong. Statistical analysis of 21 quality monitoring indicators in terms of blood donation service (10 indicators), blood component preparation (7 indicators ), and blood supply (4 indicators) from each blood bank from January to December 2022 were conducted using SPSS25.0 software The differences in quality monitoring indicators of blood banks of different scales were analyzed. 【Results】 The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood donation service process of 17 blood banks were as follows: 44.66% (2 233/5 000) of regular donors proportion, 0.22% (11/50) of adverse reactions incidence, 0.46% (23/5 000) of non-standard whole blood collection rate, 0.052% (13/25 000) of missed HBsAg screening rate, 99.42% (4 971/5 000) of first, puncture successful rate, 86.49% (173/200) of double platelet collection rate, 66.50% (133/200) of 400 mL whole blood collection rate, 99.25% (397/400) of donor satisfaction rate, 82.68% (2 067/2 500) of use rate of whole blood collection bags with bypass system with sample tube, and 1 case of occupational exposure in blood collection.There was a strong positive correlation between the proportion of regular blood donors and the collection rate of 400 mL whole blood (P<0.05). The platelet collection rate, incidence of adverse reactions to blood donation, and non-standard whole blood collection rate in large blood banks were significantly lower than those in medium and small blood banks (P<0.05). The average quality monitoring indicators for blood component preparation process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the leakage rate of blood component preparation bags was 0.03% (3/10 000), the discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.05% (61/2 000), the discarding rate of hemolysis blood was 0.13%(13/10 000). 0.06 case had labeling errors, 8 bags had blood catheter leaks, 2.76 bags had blood puncture/connection leaks, and 0.59 cases had non-conforming consumables. The discarding rate of hemolysis blood of large blood banks was significantly lower than that of medium and small blood banks (P<0.05), and the discarding rate of lipemic blood of large and medium blood banks was significantly lower than that of small blood banks (P<0.05). The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood supply process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the discarding rate of expired blood was 0.023% (23/100 000), the leakage rate during storage and distribution was of 0.009%(9/100 000), the discarding rate of returned blood was 0.106% (53/50 000), the service satisfaction of hospitals was 99.16% (2 479/2 500). The leakage rate of blood components during storage and distribution was statistically different with that of blood component preparation bags between different blood banks (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of regular blood donors, incidence of adverse reactions, non-standard whole blood collection rate, 400 mL whole blood collection rate, double platelet collection rate, the blood bag leakage rate during preparation process, the blood components leakage rate during storage and distribution as well as the discarding rate of lipemic blood, hemolysis blood, expired blood and returned blood among large, medium and small blood banks (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The establishment of a quality monitoring indicator system for blood donation services, blood component preparation and blood supply processes in Shandong has good applicability, feasibility and effectiveness. It can objectively evaluate the quality management level, facilitate the continuous improvement of the quality management system, promote the homogenization of blood management in the province and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluation of blood banks.
8.Effect of interference with Nrf2 gene expression on functionality and EMT pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Yize ZHUANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Zhijie QIN ; Fei LI ; Miao LUO ; Xia FAN ; Zhou ZHOU ; Huang HUANG ; Yingming TANG ; Chunhua ZHENG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(9):664-669
Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro, and the role of Nrf2 gene in regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.Methods:Three Nrf2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences were designed and synthesized, namely siRNA-223, siRNA-538 and siRNA-756, and the unrelated sequences were designed and synthesized. The plasmids carrying various siRNA sequences of Nrf2 were constructed, and the plasmids carrying siRNA sequences and the plasmids carrying unrelated sequences were transfected into human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells, namely interference group and empty vector group, respectively. Additionally, Caco-2 cells without any treatment were used as the control group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) methods were used to detect the relative expression of Nrf2 gene in transcription and translation levels in each group of cells, in order to verify the interference effect of Nrf2; the siRNA with the best interference effect was selected for subsequent experiments. CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation ability of each group of cells (expressed as absorbance value); RT-qPCR was used to detect the relative expression of EMT pathway-related factors [vimentin (Vim), N-cadherin (N-cad) and E-cadherin (E-cad)] in transcription level in each group of cells; WB method was used to detect the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in each group of cells.Results:The results of RT-qPCR and WB methods showed that compared with the control group and the empty group, the relative expression of Nrf2 gene in transcription and translation levels in Caco-2 cells of the siRNA-756 interference group were the lowest, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The CCK-8 results showed that the absorbance values of Caco-2 cells in the control group, empty group and siRNA-756 interference group after 48 hours of culture were (100±5)%, (94±4)% and (82±5)%, respectively; compared with the control group and the empty group, the siRNA-756 interference group had lower absorbance value, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The results of RT-qPCR method showed that the relative expression of Vim and N-cad in transcription level in the siRNA-756 interference group were higher than those in the control group and the empty vector group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05); the relative expression of E-cad in transcription level was lower than those in the control group and the empty vector group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). The results of WB method showed that the relative expression of Bax protein in the siRNA-756 interference group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Interference with Nrf2 expression in vitro can weaken the proliferation and anti-apoptotic abilities of human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. The mechanism may be that Nrf2 regulates the expression of Vim, N-cad and E-Cad in the EMT pathway to enhance the EMT ability of tumor cells.
9.Protective effect and mechanism of quercetin on acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice
Shan HUANG ; Jianhong WANG ; Renyang OU ; Guosheng RAO ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Nana XU ; Manhong ZHOU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(6):604-608
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QR) on acute liver injury induced by diquat (DQ) poisoning in mice and its mechanism.Methods:Eighty healthy male C57BL/6 mice with SPF grade were randomly divided into control group, DQ model group, QR treatment group, and QR control group, with 20 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established by a one-time intraperitoneal injection of DQ solution (40 mg/kg); the control and QR control groups received equivalent amounts of distilled water through intraperitoneal injection. Four hours after modeling, the QR treatment group and the QR control group received 0.5 mL QR solution (50 mg/kg) through gavage. Meanwhile, an equivalent amount of distilled water was given orally to the control group and the DQ model group. The treatments above were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. Afterwards, the mice were anesthetized, blood and liver tissues were collected for following tests: changes in the structure of mice liver tissue were observed using transmission electron microscopy; the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissues were measured using the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 (WST-1) method, the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, and enzymatic methods, respectively; the protein expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues were detected using Western blotting.Results:Severe mitochondrial damage was observed in the liver tissues of mice in the DQ model group using transmission electron microscopy, yet mitochondrial damage in the QR treatment group showed significant alleviation. Compared to the control group, the DQ model group had significantly increased levels of MDA in liver tissue, serum AST, and ALT, yet had significantly decreased levels of GSH and SOD in liver tissue. In comparison to the DQ model group, the QR treatment group exhibited significant reductions in serum levels of ALT and AST, as well as MDA levels in liver tissue [ALT (U/L): 52.60±6.44 vs. 95.70±8.00, AST (U/L): 170.45±19.33 vs. 251.10±13.09, MDA (nmol/mg): 12.63±3.41 vs. 18.04±3.72], and notable increases in GSH and SOD levels in liver tissue [GSH (μmol/mg): 39.49±6.33 vs. 20.26±3.96, SOD (U/mg): 121.40±11.75 vs. 81.67±10.01], all the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Western blotting results indicated that the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues of the DQ model group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. On the other hand, the protein expressions of Keap1 and activated caspase-9 were conspicuously higher when compared to the control group. In comparison to the DQ model group, the QR treatment group showed a significant increase in the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues (Nrf2/β-actin: 1.17±0.08 vs. 0.92±0.45, HO-1/β-actin: 1.53±0.17 vs. 0.84±0.09). By contrast, there was a notable decrease in the protein expressions of Keap1 and activated caspase-9 (Keap1/β-actin: 0.48±0.06 vs. 1.22±0.09, activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.17±0.12 vs. 1.59±0.30), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Conclusion:QR may reduce acute liver injury induced by DQ poisoning in mice via activating Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
10.Protective effect of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 inhibitor C25-140 on acute kidney injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice.
Tingting HUANG ; Guosheng RAO ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Nana XU ; Manhong ZHOU ; Renyang OU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(12):1273-1278
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) inhibitor C25-140 on acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by acute diquat (DQ) poisoning in mice.
METHODS:
A total of 80 SPF grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, DQ model group, C25-140 intervention group, and C25-140 control group, with 20 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning mouse model was established by using one-time intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL of 40 mg/kg DQ solution. The normal control group and C25-140 control group were injected with an equal amount of pure water into the peritoneal cavity. After 4 hours of model establishment, the C25-140 intervention group and C25-140 control group were given intraperitoneal injection of C25-140 5 mg/kg. The normal control group and DQ model group were given equal amounts of pure water, once a day for 7 consecutive days. After 7 days, the mice were anesthetized, eye blood was collected, and renal tissue was collected after sacrifice. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed under a light microscope and renal tissue structure and mitochondrial changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of serum interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of TRAF6, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in renal tissue. Chemical method was used to determine the content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).
RESULTS:
During the observation period, there were no abnormal behaviors in the normal control group mice. The DQ model group mice gradually showed symptoms such as mental fatigue, fluffy fur, reduced activity, and low food intake after being exposed to the toxin, and severe cases resulted in death. The above symptoms were alleviated in the C25-140 intervention group compared to the DQ model group. Under light microscopy, HE staining showed infiltration of inflammatory cells, glomerulosclerosis, proximal tubular dilation, and vacuolization in the DQ model group, while the inflammatory response was reduced in the C25-140 intervention group compared to the DQ model group. Under transmission electron microscopy, the DQ model group showed relatively high levels of mitochondrial damage, severe swelling, increased volume, matrix dissolution, ridge fracture and loss. The degree of mitochondrial damage in the C25-140 intervention group was reduced compared to the DQ model group. Compared with the normal control group, the levels of serum SCr, BUN, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA in the DQ model group were significantly increased, while the serum SOD level was significantly decreased. Compared with the DQ model group, the levels of serum SCr, BUN, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA in the C25-140 intervention group were significantly reduced [SCr (μmol/L): 59.07±13.11 vs. 83.61±20.13, BUN (mmol/L): 25.83±9.95 vs. 40.78±11.53, IL-6 (ng/L): 40.76±7.03 vs. 83.33±21.83, IL-1β (ng/L): 53.87±7.82 vs. 91.74±12.53, TNF-α (ng/L): 102.52±32.13 vs. 150.92±31.75, MDA (μmol/L): 3.57±1.06 vs. 5.75±1.83], and the serum SOD level was significantly increased (kU/g: 162.52±36.13 vs. 122.72±22.13), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Western blotting results showed that the protein expression levels of TRAF6, NF-κB, and MyD88 in the renal tissue of DQ model group mice were significantly higher than those in the normal control group. The expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins in the C25-140 intervention group of mice were significantly lower than those in the DQ model group (TRAF6/β-actin: 1.05±0.36 vs. 1.74±0.80, NF-κB/β-actin: 0.57±0.07 vs. 1.03±0.75, MyD88/β-actin: 0.58±0.07 vs. 1.03±0.33, all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
TRAF6 inhibitor C25-140 can alleviate AKI induced by DQ poisoning in mice by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.
Animals
;
Male
;
Acute Kidney Injury/prevention & control*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Diquat
;
TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Kidney/pathology*
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Peptide Fragments

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