Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury （CIRI） is a secondary brain injury that may occur in patients with ischemic stroke during the process of blood flow recovery. NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome plays an important role in the occurrence and development of CIRI. Regulating the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome can induce cell pyroptosis， induce neuroinflammatory response， promote macrophage/microglial polarization， destroy the blood-brain barrier， affect angiogenesis and neurogenesis， thereby affecting CIRI. Traditional Chinese medicine has obvious advantages in the treatment of CIRI. In this paper， with NLRP3 inflammasome as the core， we systematically elucidated the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicines on CIRI， and found that traditional Chinese medicines monomers （such as baicalin， polygalasaponin F） and traditional Chinese medicines compound formulas （such as Huangqi guizhi wuwu decoction， Yiqi shengqing formulation） can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activity， reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress， and improve neuronal injury， thereby reducing CIRI.

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury （CIRI） is a secondary brain injury that may occur in patients with ischemic stroke during the process of blood flow recovery. NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome plays an important role in the occurrence and development of CIRI. Regulating the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome can induce cell pyroptosis， induce neuroinflammatory response， promote macrophage/microglial polarization， destroy the blood-brain barrier， affect angiogenesis and neurogenesis， thereby affecting CIRI. Traditional Chinese medicine has obvious advantages in the treatment of CIRI. In this paper， with NLRP3 inflammasome as the core， we systematically elucidated the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicines on CIRI， and found that traditional Chinese medicines monomers （such as baicalin， polygalasaponin F） and traditional Chinese medicines compound formulas （such as Huangqi guizhi wuwu decoction， Yiqi shengqing formulation） can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activity， reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress， and improve neuronal injury， thereby reducing CIRI.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Chromatin/genetics* ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Mice ; DNA Footprinting/methods*

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIR1)refers to the recovery of blood supply after cerebral ischemia,which leads to further damage and the dysfunction of brain tissue.Modern medicine has made some progress in the prevention and treatment of CIRI,but it still faces some challenges and limitations.Therefore,it is of great clinical value to find effective interventions to prevent and treat CIRI.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and its downstream proteins are important targets for the treatment of CIRI and play key roles in the regulation of cellular energy homeostasis.Traditional Chinese medicine for CIRI has multi-target and multi-pathway activities and multiple effects.It can activate a cascade of reactions in the AMPK signaling pathway and can be used to treat CIRI by regulating autophagy,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,and apoptosis,and has achieved certain result.Therefore,this paper summarizes the structure and mechanisms of the AMPK-related signaling pathway,elaborates on its relationship with CIRI,and systematically summarizes the research status of traditional Chinese medicine's ability to regulate the AMPK signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of CIRI.This paper aims to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of CIRI using traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs.

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability in China,and treatment options are still very limited.The method of dredging Fu-organs has been proved to have a significant effect in the treatment of ischemic stroke,but its mechanism is not clear.With the progress of brain-gut communication research,more and more evidence shows that brain-gut communication plays an important role during ischemic stroke.Based on the theory of"brain-gut interaction",this paper discusses the mechanism of Tongfu method in the treatment of ischemic stroke,and discusses the intestinal flora,brain-gut peptide,intestinal metabolites,intestinal mucosal barrier and other aspects.It is concluded that Tongfu method can treat ischemic stroke by regulating intestinal flora,brain-gut peptide content,intestinal metabolite content and repairing intestinal mucosal barrier.In order to provide more ideas for elucidating the mechanism of Tongfu method in the treatment of ischemic stroke,it has very important theoretical and clinical value.

Objective:To investigate whether memantine hydrochloride (MEM) could promote the bactericidal effect of neutrophils against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the possible mechanism. Methods:Neutrophils were co-incubated with different concentrations of MEM and MRSA for 4 h. Then the cell lysates were collected and cultured on plate for survival bacteria counting. After co-incubation, the neutrophils were collected to detect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). A mouse model of MRSA infection was established, and then the mice were treated with or without MEM. Blood, spleen and kidney samples were collected from the mice for bacterial colony counting and blood procalcitonin (PCT) detection. In the 48 h survival experiment, the mice were first infected with MRSA, and then treated with MEM or PBS. The survival rates of the mice were calculated and the survival curves were drawn.Results:The number of MRSA co-cultured with neutrophils decreased significantly in the presence of MEM, and within a certain concentration range, the survival number of MRSA decreased with the increase of MEM concentration. Moreover, MEM could significantly promote the production of ROS by neutrophils and the formation of NETs. In vivo experiment showed that the concentration of PCT in mouse blood samples was lower in the MRSA+ MEM group than in the MRSA+ PBS group. The animal experiment also revealed that MEM significantly decreased the bacteria loads in mouse blood and organs and increased the 48 h survival rate after MRSA infection.Conclusions:MEM could significantly promote the bactericidal effect of neutrophils against MRSA, which might be related to the enhanced generation of ROS by neutrophils and the formation of NETs.

Objective : To investigate whether Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31 can inhibit the ozone ( O3 ) -induced mice lung airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus hypersecretion． Methods : Eight-week C57BL /6 mice were randomized into four groups，including phosphate buffer saline (PBS) + Air group，SS-31 + Air group， PBS + O3 group and SS-31 + O3 group．C57BL /6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with SS-31 ( 10 mg / kg) one hour before ozone exposure ，and then single-exposed to ozone at a concentration of 5. 01 × 10 －6 mol / m3 for 3 hours．After 24 hours，airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells numbers were measured．Lung tissue schiff periodic acid shiff (PAS) staining，malondialdehyde (MDA) ，inflammatory factors ( interleukin，IL ) -1 β , IL-6 ，IL-18 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 ( MCP-1 ) ) and mucin factor (MUC5B) were detected，and the protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) ，pro-Caspase 1 / Caspase 1 (p20) ，Gasdermin D ( GSDMD) and Cleaved GSDMD were determined by Western blot. Results: O3 exposure caused both mice lung airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus hypersecretion．However，SS-31 could inhibit the O3 -induced airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus secretion，reduce the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factor mRNA expression ，and downregulate the protein expression level of NLRP3 and the activated forms of Caspase 1 and GSDMD． Conclusion SS-31 could suppress O3 -induced mice airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus hypersecretion by inhibiting the NLRP3 / Caspase 1 / GSDMD signaling pathway.