1.Inhibition of the cGAS‑STING Pathway Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Inner Ear Hair Cell Damage.
Ying SUN ; Shengyu ZOU ; Xiaoxiang XU ; Shan XU ; Haiying SUN ; Mingliang TANG ; Weijia KONG ; Xiong CHEN ; Zuhong HE
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):359-373
Although cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, it is severely toxic and causes irreversible hearing loss, restricting its application in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Here, we established in vitro and in vivo ototoxicity models of cisplatin-induced hair cell loss, and our results showed that reducing STING levels decreased inflammatory factor expression and hair cell death. In addition, we found that cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was accompanied by cytosolic DNA, which may act as a critical linker between the cyclic GMP-AMP synthesis-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway and the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. H-151, a specific inhibitor of STING, reduced hair cell damage and ameliorated the hearing loss caused by cisplatin in vivo. This study underscores the role of cGAS-STING in cisplatin ototoxicity and presents H-151 as a promising therapeutic for hearing loss.
Cisplatin/toxicity*
;
Animals
;
Nucleotidyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/pathology*
;
Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Hearing Loss/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Ototoxicity/metabolism*
2.GALM Alleviates Aβ Pathology and Cognitive Deficit Through Increasing ADAM10 Maturation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
Na TIAN ; Junjie LI ; Xiuyu SHI ; Mingliang XU ; Qian XIAO ; Qiuyun TIAN ; Mulan CHEN ; Weihong SONG ; Yehong DU ; Zhifang DONG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(8):1377-1389
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, causing dementia and affecting millions of individuals. One prominent characteristic in the brains of AD patients is glucose hypometabolism. In the context of galactose metabolism, intracellular glucose levels are heightened. Galactose mutarotase (GALM) plays a crucial role in maintaining normal galactose metabolism by catalyzing the conversion of β-D-galactose into α-D-galactose (α-D-G). The latter is then converted into glucose-6-phosphate, improving glucose metabolism levels. However, the involvement of GALM in AD progression is still unclear. In the present study, we found that the expression of GALM was significantly increased in AD patients and model mice. Genetic knockdown of GALM using adeno-associated virus did not change the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and APP-cleaving enzymes including a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10), β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and presenilin-1 (PS1). Interestingly, genetic overexpression of GALM reduced APP and Aβ deposition by increasing the maturation of ADAM10, although it did not alter the expression of BACE1 and PS1. Further electrophysiological and behavioral experiments showed that GALM overexpression significantly ameliorated the deficits in hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice. Importantly, direct α-D-G (20 mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited Aβ deposition by increasing the maturation of ADAM10, thereby improving hippocampal CA1 LTP and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice. Taken together, our results indicate that GALM shifts APP processing towards α-cleavage, preventing Aβ generation by increasing the level of mature ADAM10. These findings indicate that GALM may be a potential therapeutic target for AD, and α-D-G has the potential to be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Animals
;
ADAM10 Protein/metabolism*
;
Alzheimer Disease/pathology*
;
Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Humans
;
Mice
;
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/pathology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Long-Term Potentiation/physiology*
3.Study on the effects of telomerase reverse transcriptase in alleviating doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.
Qingqing GU ; Qianwe CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Dabei CAI ; Tingting XIAO ; Qingjie WANG ; Ling SUN
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):583-589
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in alleviating doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity.
METHODS:
(1) Cell experiments: rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into control group (CON group), null adenovirus transfection group (NC group), TERT overexpression adenovirus transfection group (TERT group), DOX group (treated with 1 μmol/L DOX for 12 hours), DOX+NC group, and DOX+TERT group (null adenovirus or TERT overexpression adenovirus were transfected for 24 hours and then treated with 1 μmol/L DOX for 12 hours). The mRNA expression of TERT in cardiomyocytes was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of intracellular Bax, Bcl-2, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and p62 were detected by Western blotting. (2) Animal experiments: male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group (Sham group), DOX group (acute cardiotoxicity model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of DOX 15 mg/kg), DOX+NC group and DOX+TERT group (modeled after transfection with airborne adenovirus or TERT overexpression adenovirus for 7 days). After 7 days of modeling, the area of myocardial fibrosis was detected by Sirius scarlet staining, and cardiac function was detected by echocardiography.
RESULTS:
(1) Cellular experiments: the mRNA expression level of TERT was significantly higher in the TERT group compared with the CON and NC groups. Compared with the CON group, the TERT mRNA expression level of cardiomyocytes in the DOX group and the DOX+NC group were significantly lower, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly lower, the protein expressions of Bax and LC3 were significantly increased, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and p62 were significantly decreased. No significant differences were found between the DOX group and DOX+NC group. Compared with the DOX group and DOX+NC group, the TERT mRNA expression level was increased in the DOX+TERT group (relative expression: 1.02±0.10 vs. 0.61±0.05, 0.54±0.03, both P < 0.05), the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly increased (1.14±0.05 vs. 0.96±0.01, 0.96±0.01, both P < 0.05), the protein expressions of Bax and LC3 were significantly decreased, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and p62 were significantly increased (Bax/β-actin: 0.88±0.01 vs. 1.31±0.02, 1.26±0.01; LC3-II/I: 2.16±0.05 vs. 2.64±0.06, 2.58±0.02; Bcl-2/β-actin: 0.65±0.01 vs. 0.40±0.01, 0.41±0.01; p62/β-actin: 0.45±0.01 vs. 0.23±0.02, 0.29±0.01; all P < 0.05). (2) Animal experiments: compared with the Sham group, the percentage of myocardial fibrosis area was significantly increased and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) were significantly decreased in the DOX group and DOX+NC group. Compared with the DOX group and DOX+NC group, the percentage of myocardial fibrotic area was significantly decreased in the DOX+TERT group (%: 2.33±0.06 vs. 3.76±0.07, 3.87±0.06, both P < 0.05), and the LVEF and FS were significantly increased [LVEF (%): 67.00±1.14 vs. 54.60±1.57, 53.40±2.18; FS (%): 38.60±0.51 vs. 30.60±1.10, 30.00±0.71; all P < 0.05].
CONCLUSION
Up-regulation of TERT expression can inhibit DOX-induced cardiomyocyte autophagy and apoptosis, attenuate DOX-induced myocardial fibrosis in mice, improve cardiac function, and thus alleviate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
Animals
;
Doxorubicin/toxicity*
;
Telomerase/metabolism*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Cardiotoxicity
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
;
Adenoviridae
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Transfection
;
Apoptosis
4.Protective mechanism of modulating cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase/stimulator of interferon gene pathway in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in mice.
Liangyu MI ; Wenyan DING ; Yingying YANG ; Qianlin WANG ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Ziqi TAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Min ZHENG ; Longxiang SU ; Yun LONG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(7):651-656
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the role and mechanism of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase/stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS/STING) pathway in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice.
METHODS:
Male wild-type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (each n = 10): normal control group, ALI model group, and 5, 50, 500 μg/kg inhibitor pretreatment groups. The ALI model was established by tail vein injection of oleic acid (7 mL/kg), while the normal control group received no intervention. The inhibitor pretreatment groups were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding doses of cGAS inhibitor RU.521 respectively 1 hour before modeling. At 24 hours post-modeling, blood was collected, and mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue pathological changes were observed under light microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and pathological scores were assessed. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, phosphorylated TANK-binding kinase 1 (p-TBK1), phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (p-IRF3), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe STING and p-NF-κB positive expressions in lung tissue. Serum interferon-β (IFN-β) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal control group, the ALI model group exhibited significant focal alveolar thickening, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary capillary congestion, and neutrophil infiltration in the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli, along with markedly increased pathological scores (10.33±0.58 vs. 1.33±0.58, P < 0.05). Protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3, and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue significantly increased [cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 1.24±0.02 vs. 0.56±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 1.27±0.01 vs. 0.55±0.01, p-TBK1 protin (p-TBK1/β-actin): 1.34±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.01, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 1.23±0.02 vs. 0.36±0.01, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 1.30±0.02 vs. 0.53±0.02, all P < 0.05], positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly elevated [STING (A value): 0.51±0.03 vs. 0.30±0.07, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.57±0.05 vs. 0.31±0.03, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also significantly higher (ng/L: 256.02±3.84 vs. 64.15±1.17, P < 0.05). The cGAS inhibitor pretreatment groups showed restored alveolar structural integrity, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased hemorrhage area, along with dose-dependent lower pathological scores as well as the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3 and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue, with significant differences between the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group and ALI model group [pathological score: 2.67±0.58 vs. 10.33±0.58, cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 0.56±0.03 vs. 1.24±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 0.67±0.03 vs. 1.27±0.01, p-TBK1 protein (p-TBK1/β-actin): 0.28±0.01 vs. 1.34±0.03, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 0.32±0.01 vs. 1.23±0.02, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.63±0.01 vs. 1.30±0.02, all P < 0.05]. Compared with the ALI model group, positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly reduced in the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group [STING (A value): 0.40±0.01 vs. 0.51±0.03, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.43±0.02 vs. 0.57±0.05, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also markedly reduced (ng/L: 150.03±6.19 vs. 256.02±3.84, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The cGAS/STING pathway is activated in oleic acid-induced ALI, leading to exacerbated inflammatory responses and increased lung damage. RU.521 can inhibit cGAS, thereby down-regulating the expression of pathway proteins and cytokines, and providing protection to lung tissue.
Animals
;
Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Male
;
Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Signal Transduction
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Oleic Acid/adverse effects*
;
Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism*
;
Lung/pathology*
;
Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
5.Emerging evidence of inter-organ interaction on drug transporters under liver injury.
Ling JIANG ; Ying DENG ; Ruijing MU ; Wenke FENG ; Xiaonan LIU ; Li LIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):687-699
Dysfunction of drug transporters significantly affects therapeutic outcomes and drug efficacy in patients with liver injury. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that liver injury involves complex inter-organ interactions among the brain, eye, liver, intestine, and kidney. Recent advances in basic and clinical research have illuminated the physiologic and molecular mechanisms underlying transporter alterations in liver injury, particularly those associated with bilirubin, reactive oxygen species, ammonia, bile acid, and inflammatory factors. Notably, the influence of these transporter modifications on drug pharmacokinetics in liver injury patients remains inadequately understood. Additional research is necessary to fully comprehend these effects and their therapeutic implications. The documented alterations of transporters in distant organs across various liver diseases indicate that dosage modifications may be required when administering transporter-substrate drugs, including both traditional Chinese and Western medicines, to patients with liver dysfunction. This strategy helps maintain drug concentrations within therapeutic ranges while reducing adverse reactions. Furthermore, when utilizing transporter inducers or inhibitors clinically, consideration of their long-term effects on transporters and subsequent therapeutic impact is essential. Careful attention must be paid to avoid compromising the elimination of toxic metabolites and proteins when inhibiting these transporters. Similarly, prudent use of inducers or inducer-type therapeutic drugs is necessary to prevent enhanced drug resistance. This review examines recent clinical and experimental findings regarding the inter-organ interaction of drug transporters in liver injury conditions and their clinical relevance.
Humans
;
Liver/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism*
;
Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism*
;
Biological Transport
;
Liver Diseases/drug therapy*
;
Pharmaceutical Preparations/metabolism*
6.Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Slows down Amyloidogenic Processing of Amyloid Precursor Protein via Regulating Its Intracellular Trafficking.
Qian ZHANG ; Xiao Ling WANG ; Yu Li HOU ; Jing Jing ZHANG ; Cong Cong LIU ; Xiao Min ZHANG ; Ya Qi WANG ; Yu Jian FAN ; Jun Ting LIU ; Jing LIU ; Qiao SONG ; Pei Chang WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):607-624
OBJECTIVE:
To reveal the effects and potential mechanisms by which synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) influences the distribution of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), endolysosomal system, and cell membranes and to reveal the effects of SV2A on APP amyloid degradation.
METHODS:
Colocalization analysis of APP with specific tagged proteins in the TGN, ensolysosomal system, and cell membrane was performed to explore the effects of SV2A on the intracellular transport of APP. APP, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expressions, and APP cleavage products levels were investigated to observe the effects of SV2A on APP amyloidogenic processing.
RESULTS:
APP localization was reduced in the TGN, early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, whereas it was increased in the recycling endosomes and cell membrane of SV2A-overexpressed neurons. Moreover, Arl5b (ADP-ribosylation factor 5b), a protein responsible for transporting APP from the TGN to early endosomes, was upregulated by SV2A. SV2A overexpression also decreased APP transport from the cell membrane to early endosomes by downregulating APP endocytosis. In addition, products of APP amyloid degradation, including sAPPβ, Aβ 1-42, and Aβ 1-40, were decreased in SV2A-overexpressed cells.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrated that SV2A promotes APP transport from the TGN to early endosomes by upregulating Arl5b and promoting APP transport from early endosomes to recycling endosomes-cell membrane pathway, which slows APP amyloid degradation.
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics*
;
Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Protein Transport
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Mice
;
Endosomes/metabolism*
;
trans-Golgi Network/metabolism*
7.miR-302a-3p targeting lysosomal-associated membrane protein 5 inhibits the invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Li YU ; Tiejun ZHOU ; Xiao WU ; Xinhong LIN ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Yongxian LAI ; Xinyue LIAO ; Hang SI ; Yun FENG ; Jie JIAN ; Yan FENG
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(4):547-558
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore the expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 5 (LAMP5) and microRNA (miR)-302a-3p in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their functional mechanism on the invasion and metastasis of OSCC.
METHODS:
The expression of LAMP5 in OSCC and its sensitivity as a prognostic indicator were analyzed on the basis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and cell immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of LAMP5 in OSCC tissues and cells. The effect of LAMP5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells was evaluated through cell counting kit-8, immunocytochemistry, migration, and invasion assays, respectively. The miRNA targeting prediction websites were used to predict the miR that regulates LAMP5 and verify the targeted regulatory effect of miR-302a-3p on LAMP5. The effect of LAMP5 knockdown on OSCC tumor growth was evaluated in a nude mouse tumorigenesis model.
RESULTS:
LAMP5 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. It showed high sensitivity in the early diagnosis of OSCC. LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells, whereas LAMP5 overexpression increased these cell activities. The expression of LAMP5 was regulated by miR-302a-3p. In vivo, LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of OSCC tumor.
CONCLUSIONS
LAMP5 promotes the malignant progression of OSCC by enhancing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. The expression of LAMP5 is negatively regulated by miR-302a-3p.
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Movement
;
Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
8.Correlation analysis of cell-free DNA in gingival crevicular fluid with periodontal clinical indicators and cyclic guanosine phosphate-adenosine phosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes signaling pathway.
Lan CHEN ; Xuanzhi ZHU ; Jieyu ZHOU ; Jiyao LI ; Lei ZHAO
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(6):808-818
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to explore the potential relationships of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) with periodontal clinical indicators and the expression of DNA receptor pathway cyclic guanosine phosphate-adenosine phosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in gingival tissues and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).
METHODS:
GCF and gingival tissue samples were collected from periodontally healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with periodontitis. Periodontal clinical indicators were recorded, including plaque index (PLT), bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was quantified, and the correlation between GCF and periodontal clinical indicators was analyzed. Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to assess the distribution of cGAS, STING, and p-STING in gingival tissues. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the key components of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, namely, cGAS, STING, inhibitory of kappa-B kinase (IKK), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured. Furthermore, cfDNA extracted from GCF was employed to stimulate HGFs in the healthy control and periodontitis groups, and the mRNA expression levels of the key molecules of cGAS-STING signaling pathway were detected through Western blot and RT-qPCR.
RESULTS:
The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was found to be significantly elevated in the periodontitis group compared with the control group. Moreover, cfDNA concentration demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the periodontal clinical indicators. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed considerably increased percentage of fluorescence co-localization of cGAS, STING, and p-STING with the gingival fibroblast FSP-1 marker in the gingival tissues of the periodontitis group. The mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly higher in the periodontitis group. In vitro stimulation of HGFs with GCF-derived cfDNA resulted in increased protein expression of cGAS and p-STING and considerably upregulated the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the healthy and periodontitis groups compared with the blank group. Correlation analysis showed that the concentration of cfDNA at the sampling site was positively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 in gingival tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
cfDNA concentrations in the GCF of patients with periodontitis are considerably elevated, and are associated with the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in HGFs. These findings suggest that cfDNA contributes to the progression of periodontitis.
Humans
;
Gingival Crevicular Fluid/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Gingiva/cytology*
;
Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/analysis*
;
Fibroblasts/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Periodontitis/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Female
9.Research progress in outer membrane vesicles of Gram-negative bacteria.
Xiumei NI ; Yu LIU ; Kaiyun LIU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1221-1239
Membrane vesicles (MVs) are non-replicating spherical nanoparticles produced by bacteria. The MVs actively released from Gram-negative bacteria are termed outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). OMVs carry various biomolecules, such as lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, proteins, and nucleic acids for material exchange between cells and perform component-dependent physiological functions. In recent years, OMVs have been developed into various biological products, such as vaccines, adjuvants, drug delivery carriers, and cancer immunotherapy agents because of their unique structures and functions. This review describes the biogenesis, composition, and physiological functions of OMVs of Gram-negative bacteria, summarizes the recent research progress of OMVs in product development and cell modifications or engineering, highlights new methods for OMV preparation and characterization, and provides an outlook on the future research directions, with the aim to provide a good reference for study and development of the application of OMVs in the biomedical field.
Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism*
;
Bacterial Outer Membrane/metabolism*
;
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism*
10.Effects of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) on myocardial circPAN3, FOXO3, BNIP3 levels and myocardial fibrosis in rats with chronic heart failure.
Lan LI ; Bing GAO ; Jing HU ; Pan LIU ; Liya LI ; Ruihua LI ; Jing WANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1600-1608
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) on the circular RNA of exon 2-5 of the Pan3 gene (circPAN3), forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), and Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B19kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and explore the potential mechanisms of moxibustion in alleviating myocardial fibrosis.
METHODS:
Ten rats of 60 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group. The remaining rats underwent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation to establish the CHF model. Forty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, a rapamycin (RAPA) group, and a moxibustion+RAPA group, with 10 rats in each group. The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15), 30 min per session. The RAPA group received intraperitoneal injection of the autophagy activator RAPA (1 mg/kg). The moxibustion+RAPA group first received RAPA injection, followed by mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15). All interventions were administered once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. After the intervention, cardiac ultrasound was used to measure ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS). Serum placental growth factor (PLGF) level was determined by ELISA. Myocardial tissue morphology and collagen volume were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression levels of circPAN3, FOXO3, and BNIP3 mRNA in myocardial tissue were detected by real-time PCR, while FOXO3 and BNIP3 protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited myocardial cell disorder, severe fibrosis, and increased collagen volume (P<0.01), along with significantly decreased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and the serum PLGF level, as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed reduced myocardial fibrosis, decreased collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the RAPA group showed further deterioration in these parameters (P<0.01). Compared with the RAPA group, the moxibustion+RAPA group exhibited alleviation of myocardial fibrosis, reduced collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion could alleviate myocardial fibrosis in CHF rats, possibly through upregulation of myocardial circPAN3 expression, downregulation of FOXO3 and BNIP3 expression, and inhibition of excessive myocardial autophagy.
Animals
;
Moxibustion
;
Heart Failure/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
RNA, Circular/metabolism*
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Forkhead Box Protein O3/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Humans
;
Fibrosis/genetics*
;
Chronic Disease/therapy*
;
Mitochondrial Proteins

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