Objectives miR-207 has been identified as being expressed in natural killer (NK) cell exosomes that play a role in disease progression; however, to date, there are no studies specifically linking miR-207 to tuberculosis (TB). Methods Bioinformatics methods employed for prediction, followed by a dual luciferase reporter assay to determine whether lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) is targeted by miR-207. The experiments were divided into four groups using the liposome transfection method (OP-LAMP2 group: co-transfected with miR-207 mimics and LAMP2 overexpression plasmid; EP group: co-transfected with mimics NC and null-loaded plasmid; siLAMP2 group: transfected with siLAMP2; and siLAMP2-NC group: transfected with siLAMP2-NC). TB infection was modeled using H37Ra-infected Ana-1 cells. The impact of LAMP2 on intracellular mycobacterial load and clearance of extracellular residual mycobacteria were assessed by tuberculosis colony-forming unit counting. Flow cytometry was used to assess the total apoptosis rate. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the relative expression of LAMP2, apoptosis genes, pyroptosis genes, and autophagy genes. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the relative expression of LAMP2 proteins, apoptosis proteins, pyroptosis proteins, and autophagy proteins. Results Dual luciferase reporter assay test showed that there was a targeting relationship between LAMP2 and miR-207. The transfection model was successfully constructed under real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot statistical analysis, and microscopic observation. The infection model was successfully established under microscopic observation. Colony forming unit counting revealed that the number of colonies in the OP-LAMP2 group was lower than that in the EP group, while the number of colonies in the siLAMP2 group was higher than that in the siLAMP2-NC group. Flow cytometry assay revealed that the total apoptosis in OP-LAMP2 group was lower than that in EP group, and the total apoptosis in siLAMP2 group was higher than that in siLAMP2-NC group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that the relative expression of apoptosis and pyroptosis-related proteins and genes in the control group was lower in the OP-LAMP2 group compared to the EP group, and higher in the siLAMP2 group compared to the siLAMP2-NC group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detected that the relative expression of autophagy positively regulated genes Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)and Beclin1 in the OP-LAMP2 group was higher in the OP-LAMP2 group compared to the EP group, and lower in the siLAMP2 group compared to the siLAMP2-NC group, while the relative expression of negatively regulated autophagy genes followed the opposite trend to that of autophagy positively regulated genes. The relative expression of autophagy-related proteins was consistent with the trend of autophagy genes. Conclusions miR-207 enhances macrophage apoptosis, cellular pyroptosis and inhibits autophagy, promoting survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by targeting the autophagy-related protein LAMP2, thus offering a novel therapeutic direction for tuberculosis.
Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/physiology* ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Humans ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Tuberculosis/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Pyroptosis/genetics*

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced ferroptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods A model of oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis was established. VSMCs were co-treated with either the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin or the autophagy inducer carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), followed by detection of autophagy and ferroptosis-related indexes. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used respectively to analyze the expression of mTOR, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), sequestosome 1 (p62), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). Flow cytometry was employed to assess VSMC death. C11 BODIPY fluorescent staining was used to measure cellular lipid peroxidation levels. Colorimetric assays were performed to determine the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) and glutathione (GSH). Results oxLDL significantly upregulated mTOR expression in VSMCs, while increasing p62 expression and reducing LC3 expression, thereby suppressing VSMC autophagy. Compared with oxLDL treatment alone, rapamycin co-treatment reversed oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis, as characterized by reduced VSMC death, increased GPX4 expression and GSH contents, along with decreased MDA content, Fe²⁺ content and lipid peroxidation levels. Similarly, CCCP co-treatment activated autophagy characterized by reduced p62 expression and elevated LC3 expression, which subsequently alleviated oxLDL-induced ferroptosis, showing reduced VSMC death, increased GPX4 expressions and GSH contents, and decreased MDA content, Fe²⁺ content and lipid peroxidation levels. Moreover, mTOR inhibition by rapamycin significantly reversed the oxLDL-induced upregulation of p62 and downregulation of LC3. Conclusion mTOR may promote oxLDL-induced VSMC ferroptosis by suppressing autophagy.
Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Animals ; Rats ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects* ; Sequestosome-1 Protein/genetics* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Sirolimus/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVES: Oxaliplatin (OXA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are 2 commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) play crucial roles in the development of chemoresistance in various cancers. However, the role and mechanism of miR-224-5p in regulating CRC chemoresistance remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the function of miR-224-5p in chemoresistant CRC cells and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: CRC datasets GSE28702 and GSE69657 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs between drug-sensitive and resistant groups (OXA or 5-FU) were analyzed, and miR-224-5p was identified as the target miRNA. Chemoresistant cell lines HCT15-OXR, HCT15-5-FU, SW480-OXR, and SW480-5-FU were established. Transient transfections were performed using miR-224-5p mimics, inhibitors, and their respective negative controls (control mimic, control inhibitor) in these cell lines. Cells were treated with different concentrations of OXA or 5-FU post-transfection, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was determined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The expression levels of miR-224-5p, LC3, and P62 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and/or Western blotting. Autophagic flux was assessed using a tandem fluorescent-tagged LC3 reporter assay. TargetScan 8.0, miRTarBase, miRPathDB, and HADb were used to predict B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) as a potential miR-244-5p target, which was further validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: Chemoresistant CRC cells exhibited down-regulated miR-224-5p expression, whereas up-regulation of miR-224-5p enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity. Exposure to OXA or 5-FU significantly increased autophagic activity in chemoresistant CRC cells, which was reversed by miR-224-5p overexpression. Dual-luciferase assays verified Bcl-2 as a direct target of miR-224-5p. CONCLUSIONS MiR-224-5p regulates chemoresistance in CRC by modulating autophagy through direct targeting of Bcl-2.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Fluorouracil/pharmacology* ; Oxaliplatin ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

China is a high-incidence region for gastric cancer globally. The disease is characterized by a high morbidity rate, low early diagnostic rate, and poor long-term outcomes, imposing a significant burden on both patients and society. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, developing novel therapeutic strategies, and identifying new drug targets is of great importance. Telomerase expression is broadly associated with cancer cell targeting, and its up-regulation is one of the key factors driving the initiation and progression of gastric cancer. Additionally, telomerase is intricately involved in the regulation of autophagy and autophagy-associated cell death. While autophagy can induce chemoresistance, excessive autophagy may lead to cell death, which also constitutes one of the mechanisms of chemotherapy. Telomerase not only directly contributes to gastric cancer pathogenesis but also indirectly influences its development and treatment by modulating autophagy and autophagic cell death. Therefore, telomerase holds promise as a novel therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics* ; Telomerase/genetics* ; Autophagy/physiology*

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved self-degradation process in eukaryotes. It not only plays a role in plant growth and development but also is involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plants can initiate autophagy to degrade the surplus or damaged cytoplasmic materials and organelles, thus coping with abiotic and biotic stresses. The initiation of autophagy depends on autophagy-related genes (ATGs). The transcription factors can directly bind to the promoters of ATGs to activate autophagy and regulate their transcriptional levels and post-translational modifications. Furthermore, ATGs can directly or indirectly interact with plant hormones to regulate plant responses to stresses. When plants are exposed to salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, and pathogen stress, ATGs are significantly induced, which enhances the autophagy activity to facilitate the degradation of the denatured and misfolded proteins, thereby enhancing plant tolerance to adversity stresses. This article summarizes the discovery, structures, and classification of plant ATGs, reviews the research progress in the mechanisms of ATGs in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, and prospects the future research directions. This review is expected to provide the genetic resources and a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of crops in responses to stress tolerance.
Autophagy/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plants/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Genes, Plant ; Plant Physiological Phenomena ; Droughts

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia has been well documented in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are a crucial regulator of bone homeostasis. Our previous study revealed a decreased osteogenic ability of BMSCs in AIS-related osteopenia, but the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 22 AIS patients and 18 age-matched controls were recruited for this study. Anthropometry and bone mass were measured in all participants. Bone marrow blood was collected for BMSC isolation and culture. Osteogenic and adipogenic induction were performed to observe the differences in the differentiation of BMSCs between the AIS-related osteopenia group and the control group. Furthermore, a total RNA was extracted from isolated BMSCs to perform RNA sequencing and subsequent analysis. RESULTS: A lower osteogenic capacity and increased adipogenic capacity of BMSCs in AIS-related osteopenia were revealed. Differences in mRNA expression levels between the AIS-related osteopenia group and the control group were identified, including differences in the expression of LRRC17 , DCLK1 , PCDH7 , TSPAN5 , NHSL2 , and CPT1B . Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed several biological processes involved in the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy. The Western blotting results of autophagy markers in BMSCs suggested impaired autophagic activity in BMSCs in the AIS-related osteopenia group. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that BMSCs from AIS-related osteopenia patients have lower autophagic activity, which may be related to the lower osteogenic capacity and higher adipogenic capacity of BMSCs and consequently lead to the lower bone mass in AIS patients.
Humans ; Adolescent ; Scoliosis/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Osteogenesis/genetics* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/genetics* ; Kyphosis ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Doublecortin-Like Kinases

The aim of the present study was to observe the effects of Notch1 and autophagy on extracellular matrix deposition in renal tubulointerstitium of diabetes and to explore the mechanism. The mice were randomly divided into normal control group (db/m mice) and diabetes group (db/db mice). After 12 weeks of feeding, the mice were sacrificed and the corresponding biochemical indexes were measured. Rat renal tubular epithelial cells NRK52E were cultured under normal glucose (NG) and high glucose (HG) respectively, and the expression of Notch1 and LC3 proteins were detected by Western blotting. Autophagosomes in NRK52E cells with overexpressed and knockdown Notch1 under NG and HG conditions were observed by confocal microscope, and the expression changes of Notch1, Collagen-I and III protein were detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that the Notch1 and Collagen-III expressions were increased (P < 0.01) and the LC3 expression was decreased (P < 0.05) in db/db mice compared with db/m mice. In vitro, the Notch1 was increased (P < 0.01) and the LC3 expression was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in NRK52E cells of HG group compared with NG group. There was no significant change of Notch1 and LC3 expression between the mannitol (MA) group and the NG group. Autophagy was decreased and extracellular matrix deposition was aggravated when Notch1 was overexpressed. In contrast, autophagy was increased and extracellular matrix deposition was relieved by knockdown of Notch1 under HG conditions. In conclusion, Notch1 protein expression was increased and autophagy was reduced in renal tissue of diabetes and renal tubular epithelial cells under HG. The extracellular matrix deposition in the renal tubulointerstitium was relieved by regulating autophagy after the knockdown of Notch1.
Animals ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glucose/pharmacology* ; Kidney ; Mice ; Rats ; Receptor, Notch1/genetics*

We have previously reported that Cystatin C (CysC) is a pivotal mediator in the neuroprotection induced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning; however, the underlying mechanism and how CysC changes after stroke are not clear. In the present study, we demonstrated that CysC expression was elevated as early as 3 h after reperfusion, and this was further enhanced by HBO preconditioning. Concurrently, LC3-II and Beclin-1, two positive-markers for autophagy induction, exhibited increases similar to CysC, while knockdown of CysC blocked these elevations. As a marker of autophagy inhibition, p62 was downregulated by HBO preconditioning and this was blocked by CysC knockdown. Besides, the beneficial effects of preserving lysosomal membrane integrity and enhancing autolysosome formation induced by HBO preconditioning were abolished in CysC rats. Furthermore, we demonstrated that exogenous CysC reduced the neurological deficits and infarct volume after brain ischemic injury, while 3-methyladenine partially reversed this neuroprotection. In the present study, we showed that CysC is biochemically and morphologically essential for promoting autophagic flux, and highlighted the translational potential of HBO preconditioning and CysC for stroke treatment.
Animals ; Autophagy ; physiology ; Beclin-1 ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Cystatin C ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Lysosomes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroprotection ; physiology ; Oxygen ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Transgenic ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

ObjectiveTo explore the antagonistic effect of vitamin E (VE) on male reproductive toxicity induced by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in pubertal SD rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThirty 5-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, corn oil control, low-dose (10 mg/kg/d), medium-dose (100 mg/kg/d) and high-dose DEHP exposure (500 mg/kg/d), and VE intervention (high-dose DEHP + VE ［100 mg/kg/d］), and treated respectively for 30 successive days. At 3 days after treatment, the testes of the animals were harvested for determination of the oxidative stress index, serum reproductive hormone levels, cauda epididymal sperm parameters, and expressions of cell apoptosis-related genes and proteins.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the rats of the medium- and high-dose DEHP groups showed significant decreases in the levels of such serum reproductive hormones as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T), sperm parameters as average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN) and wobble (WOB), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px), but significant increases were observed in the latter two groups in the content of malondialdehyde (MDA)(［3.32±0.87］ nmol/mg pro vs ［2.13±0.49］ nmol/ mg pro), mRNA expressions of Bad, Bax, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and protein expressions of Cytochrome C and Caspase-3. In comparison with the high-dose DEHP group, the VE intervention group exhibited remarkably increased serum LH and T levels, sperm VAP, VSL, VCL, STR and WOB, and activities of SOD and GSH-Px, but markedly decreased mRNA expressions of Bad, Bax, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as the protein expressions of Cytochrome C and Caspase-3 in the testis tissue (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExposure to DEHP induces androgen secretion disorders, causes oxidative damage to the testicular tissue, activates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in the testis, and ultimately reduces the quality of epididymal sperm, while VE can protect the rat testis from DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Autophagy-Related Protein 5 ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Epididymis ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

Autophagy is an evolutionarily-conserved self-degradative process that maintains cellular homeostasis by eliminating protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Recently, vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB), which is associated with the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has been shown to regulate autophagy. In the present study, we demonstrated that knockdown of VAPB induced the up-regulation of beclin 1 expression, which promoted LC3 (microtubule-associated protein light chain 3) conversion and the formation of LC3 puncta, whereas overexpression of VAPB inhibited these processes. The regulation of beclin 1 by VAPB was at the transcriptional level. Moreover, knockdown of VAPB increased autophagic flux, which promoted the degradation of the autophagy substrate p62 and neurodegenerative disease proteins. Our study provides evidence that the regulation of autophagy by VAPB is associated with the autophagy-initiating factor beclin 1.
Autophagy ; drug effects ; physiology ; Beclin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; R-SNARE Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection