1.Therapeutic role of miR-26a on cardiorenal injury in a mice model of angiotensin-II induced chronic kidney disease through inhibition of LIMS1/ILK pathway.
Weijie NI ; Yajie ZHAO ; Jinxin SHEN ; Qing YIN ; Yao WANG ; Zuolin LI ; Taotao TANG ; Yi WEN ; Yilin ZHANG ; Wei JIANG ; Liangyunzi JIANG ; Jinxuan WEI ; Weihua GAN ; Aiqing ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Bin WANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):193-204
BACKGROUND:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD.
METHODS:
We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Angiotensin II/toxicity*
;
Mice
;
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/genetics*
;
LIM Domain Proteins/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Cell Line
;
Humans
2.POU2F1 inhibits miR-29b1/a cluster-mediated suppression of PIK3R1 and PIK3R3 expression to regulate gastric cancer cell invasion and migration.
Yizhi XIAO ; Ping YANG ; Wushuang XIAO ; Zhen YU ; Jiaying LI ; Xiaofeng LI ; Jianjiao LIN ; Jieming ZHANG ; Miaomiao PEI ; Linjie HONG ; Juanying YANG ; Zhizhao LIN ; Ping JIANG ; Li XIANG ; Guoxin LI ; Xinbo AI ; Weiyu DAI ; Weimei TANG ; Jide WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):838-850
BACKGROUND:
The transcription factor POU2F1 regulates the expression levels of microRNAs in neoplasia. However, the miR-29b1/a cluster modulated by POU2F1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown.
METHODS:
Gene expression in GC cells was evaluated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ hybridization. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate protein interactions. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological behavior of GC cells. MiR-29b1/a cluster promoter analysis and luciferase activity assay for the 3'-UTR study were performed in GC cells. In vivo tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice.
RESULTS:
POU2F1 is overexpressed in GC cell lines and binds to the miR-29b1/a cluster promoter. POU2F1 is upregulated, whereas mature miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p are downregulated in GC tissues. POU2F1 promotes GC metastasis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p or miR-29a-3p expression in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, PIK3R1 and/or PIK3R3 are direct targets of miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p , and the ectopic expression of PIK3R1 or PIK3R3 reverses the suppressive effect of mature miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p on GC cell metastasis and invasion. Additionally, the interaction of PIK3R1 with PIK3R3 promotes migration and invasion, and miR-29b-3p , miR-29a-3p , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 regulate migration and invasion via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway in GC cells. In addition, POU2F1 , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 expression levels negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p expression levels in GC tissue samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The POU2F1 - miR-29b-3p / miR-29a-3p-PIK3R1 / PIK3R1 signaling axis regulates tumor progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Movement/physiology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Octamer Transcription Factor-1/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics*
;
Male
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Female
3.Precision therapy targeting CAMK2 to overcome resistance to EGFR inhibitors in FAT1 -mutated oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Yumeng LIN ; Yibo HUANG ; Bowen YANG ; You ZHANG ; Ning JI ; Jing LI ; Yu ZHOU ; Ying-Qiang SHEN ; Qianming CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1853-1865
BACKGROUND:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent type of cancer with a high mortality rate in its late stages. One of the major challenges in OSCC treatment is the resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanism underlying drug resistance and develop appropriate precision therapy strategies to enhance clinical efficacy.
METHODS:
To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2) inhibitor KN93 and EGFR inhibitors, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments using two FAT atypical cadherin 1 ( FAT1 )-deficient (SCC9 and SCC25) and two FAT1 wild-type (SCC47 and HN12) OSCC cell lines. We assessed the effects of EGFR inhibitors (afatinib or cetuximab), KN93, or their combination on the malignant phenotype of OSCC in vivo and in vitro . The alterations in protein expression levels of members of the EGFR signaling pathway and SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) were analyzed. Changes in the yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) protein were characterized. Moreover, we analyzed mitochondrial dysfunction. Besides, the effects of combination therapy on mitochondrial dynamics were also evaluated.
RESULTS:
OSCC with FAT1 mutations exhibited resistance to EGFR inhibitors treatment. The combination of KN93 and EGFR inhibitors significantly inhibited the proliferation, survival, and migration of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells and suppressed tumor growth in vivo . Mechanistically, combination therapy enhanced the therapeutic sensitivity of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells to EGFR inhibitors by modulating the EGFR pathway and downregulated tumor stemness-related proteins. Furthermore, combination therapy induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted mitochondrial dynamics, ultimately resulting in tumor suppression.
CONCLUSION
Combination therapy with EGFR inhibitors and KN93 could be a novel precision therapeutic strategy and a potential clinical solution for EGFR-resistant OSCC patients with FAT1 mutations.
Humans
;
ErbB Receptors/metabolism*
;
Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Animals
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
;
Cadherins/metabolism*
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Mutation/genetics*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Cetuximab/pharmacology*
;
Afatinib/therapeutic use*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
4.Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation.
Zhikai LIAO ; Yunzhu YAO ; Bingqi DONG ; Yue LE ; Longfei LUO ; Fang MIAO ; Shan JIANG ; Tiechi LEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(11):1367-1378
BACKGROUND:
Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis.
METHODS:
Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8 + T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2 -/- ) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation.
RESULTS:
IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8 + T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs . lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs . 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs . 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs . 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ + mast cell and CD8 + T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2 -/- mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs . KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs . 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.
Vitiligo/metabolism*
;
Mast Cells/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Interferon-gamma/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Melanocytes/metabolism*
;
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Female
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
;
Stem Cell Factor/metabolism*
5.Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) facilitates gemcitabine chemosensitivity in gallbladder cancer by regulating the miR-23b-3p/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathway.
Hui WANG ; Yixiang GU ; Miaomiao GUO ; Ming ZHAN ; Min HE ; Yang ZHANG ; Linhua YANG ; Yingbin LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2783-2792
BACKGROUND:
Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert pivotal roles in fostering chemoresistance across diverse tumors. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of lncRNAs in modulating chemoresistance within the context of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains obscure. This study aimed to uncover how lncRNAs regulate chemoresistance in gallbladder cancer, offering potential targets to overcome drug resistance.
METHODS:
To elucidate the relationship between gemcitabine sensitivity and small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 ( SNHG1 ) expression, we utilized publicly available GBC databases, GBC tissues from Renji Hospital collected between January 2017 and December 2019, as well as GBC cell lines. The assessment of SNHG1, miR-23b-3p, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was performed using in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to quantify the cell viability. Furthermore, a GBC xenograft model was employed to evaluate the impact of SNHG1 on the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were executed to assess the specificity and sensitivity of SNHG1.
RESULTS:
Our analyses revealed an inverse correlation between the lncRNA SNHG1 and gemcitabine resistance across genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, GBC cell lines, and patients. Gain-of-function investigations underscored that SNHG1 heightened the gemcitabine sensitivity of GBC cells in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Mechanistic explorations illuminated that SNHG1 could activate PTEN -a commonly suppressed tumor suppressor gene in cancers-thereby curbing the development of gemcitabine resistance in GBC cells. Notably, microRNA (miRNA) target prediction algorithms unveiled the presence of miR-23b-3p binding sites within SNHG1 and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PTEN . Moreover, SNHG1 acted as a sponge for miR-23b-3p, competitively binding to the 3'-UTR of PTEN , thereby amplifying PTEN expression and heightening the susceptibility of GBC cells to gemcitabine.
CONCLUSION
The SNHG1/miR-23b-3p/PTEN axis emerges as a pivotal regulator of gemcitabine sensitivity in GBC cells, holding potential as a promising therapeutic target for managing GBC patients.
Humans
;
Deoxycytidine/pharmacology*
;
PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics*
;
Gemcitabine
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
6.SAMSN1 causes sepsis immunosuppression by inducing macrophages to express coinhibitory molecules that cause T-cell exhaustion via KEAP1-NRF2 signaling.
Yao LI ; Tingting LI ; Fei XIAO ; Lijun WANG ; Xuelian LIAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Yan KANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(13):1607-1620
BACKGROUND:
Immunosuppression is closely related to the pathogenesis of sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of the Sterile Alpha Motif, Src Homology 3 domain and nuclear localization signal 1 (SAMSN1) in sepsis and elucidate its potential molecular mechanism in sepsis induced immunosuppression.
METHODS:
RNA sequencing databases were used to validate SAMSN1 expression in sepsis. The impact of SAMSN1 on sepsis was verified using gene knockout mice. Flow cytometry was employed to delineate how SAMSN1 affects immunity in sepsis, focusing on immune cell types and T cell functions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated gene editing in RAW264.7 macrophages enabled interrogation of SAMSN1 's regulatory effects on essential macrophage functions, including cell proliferation and phagocytic capacity. The mechanism of SAMSN1 in the interaction between macrophages and T cells was investigated using the RAW264.7 cell line and primary cell lines.
RESULTS:
SAMSN1 expression was significantly increased in patients with sepsis and was positively correlated with sepsis mortality. Genetic deletion of Samsn1 in murine sepsis model improved T cell survival, elevated T cell cytolytic activity, and activated T cell signaling transduction. Concurrently, Samsn1 knockout augmented macrophage proliferation capacity and phagocytic efficiency. In macrophage, SAMSN1 binds to Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), causing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) to dissociate from the KEAP1-NRF2 complex and translocate into the nucleus. This promotes the transcription of the coinhibitory molecules CD48/CD86/carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), which bind to their corresponding receptors natural killer cell receptor 2B4/CD152/T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) on the surface of T cells, inducing T-cell exhaustion.
CONCLUSIONS
SAMSN1 deletion augmented adaptive T cell immunity and macrophage phagocytic-proliferative dual function. Furthermore, it mediates the KEAP1-NRF2 axis, which affects the expression of coinhibitory molecules on macrophages, leading to T-cell exhaustion. This novel immunosuppression mechanism potentially provides a candidate molecular target for sepsis immunotherapy.
Animals
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/immunology*
;
Sepsis/metabolism*
;
Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/genetics*
;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Flow Cytometry
;
T-Cell Exhaustion
7.SMUG1 promoted the progression of pancreatic cancer via AKT signaling pathway through binding with FOXQ1.
Zijian WU ; Wei WANG ; Jie HUA ; Jingyao ZHANG ; Jiang LIU ; Si SHI ; Bo ZHANG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Xianjun YU ; Jin XU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(20):2640-2656
BACKGROUND:
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy prone to gemcitabine resistance. The single-strand selective monofunctional uracil DNA glycosylase (SMUG1), which is responsible for initiating base excision repair, has been reported to predict the outcomes of different cancer types. However, the function of SMUG1 in pancreatic cancer is still unclear.
METHODS:
Gene and protein expression of SMUG1 as well as survival outcomes were assessed by bioinformatic analysis and verified in a cohort from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Subsequently, the effect of SMUG1 on proliferation, cell cycle, and migration abilities of SMUG1 cells were detected in vitro . DNA damage repair, apoptosis, and gemcitabine resistance were also tested. RNA sequencing was performed to determine the differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways, followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting verification. The cancer-promoting effect of forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) and SMUG1 on the ubiquitylation of myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) was also evaluated. Finally, a xenograft model was established to verify the results.
RESULTS:
SMUG1 was highly expressed in pancreatic tumor tissues and cells, which also predicted a poor prognosis. Downregulation of SMUG1 inhibited the proliferation, G1 to S transition, migration, and DNA damage repair ability against gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. SMUG1 exerted its function by binding with FOXQ1 to activate the Protein Kinase B (AKT)/p21 and p27 pathway. Moreover, SMUG1 also stabilized the c-Myc protein via AKT signaling in pancreatic cancer cells.
CONCLUSIONS
SMUG1 promotes proliferation, migration, gemcitabine resistance, and c-Myc protein stability in pancreatic cancer via protein kinase B signaling through binding with FOXQ1. Furthermore, SMUG1 may be a new potential prognostic and gemcitabine resistance predictor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Humans
;
Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation/physiology*
;
Mice
;
Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/genetics*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Gemcitabine
;
Mice, Nude
;
Apoptosis/physiology*
;
Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives*
;
Cell Movement/genetics*
8.Diabetic vascular calcification inhibited by soluble epoxide hydrolase gene deletion via regressing NID2-mediated IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Yueting CAI ; Shuiqing HU ; Jingrui LIU ; Jinlan LUO ; Wenhua LI ; Jiaxin TANG ; Siyang LIU ; Ruolan DONG ; Yan YANG ; Ling TU ; Xizhen XU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(20):2657-2668
BACKGROUND:
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are metabolites of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, are degraded into inactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Many studies have revealed that sEH gene deletion exerts protective effects against diabetes. Vascular calcification is a common complication of diabetes, but the potential effects of sEH on diabetic vascular calcification are still unknown.
METHODS:
The level of aortic calcification in wild-type and Ephx2-/- C57BL/6 diabetic mice induced with streptozotocin was evaluated by measuring the aortic calcium content through alizarin red staining, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunofluorescence staining. Mouse vascular smooth muscle cell lines (MOVAS cells) treated with β-glycerol phosphate (0.01 mol/L) plus advanced glycation end products (50 mg/L) were used to investigate the effects of sEH inhibitors or sEH knockdown and EETs on the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells, which was detected by Western blotting, alizarin red staining, and Von Kossa staining.
RESULTS:
sEH gene deletion significantly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by increasing levels of EETs in the aortas of mice. EETs (especially 11,12-EET and 14,15-EET) efficiently prevented the osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells by decreasing nidogen-2 (NID2) expression. Interestingly, suppressing sEH activity by small interfering ribonucleic acid or specific inhibitors did not block osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells induced by β-glycerol phosphate and advanced glycation end products. NID2 overexpression significantly abolished the inhibitory effect of sEH gene deletion on diabetic vascular calcification. Moreover, NID2 overexpression mediated by adeno-associated virus 9 vectors markedly increased insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and phospho-ERK1/2 expression in MOVAS cells. Overall, sEH gene knockout inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by decreasing aortic NID2 expression and, then, inactivating the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
sEH gene deletion markedly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification through repressed osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells mediated by increased aortic EET levels, which was associated with decreased NID2 expression and inactivation of the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Vascular Calcification/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Epoxide Hydrolases/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics*
;
Male
;
Gene Deletion
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/genetics*
;
Cell Line
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/genetics*
;
Mice, Knockout
9.The role of microglia activated by the deletion of immune checkpoint receptor CD200R1 gene in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
Jia-Li GUO ; Tao-Ying HUANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Kun NIU ; Xarbat GONGBIKAI ; Xiao-Li GONG ; Xiao-Min WANG ; Ting ZHANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(1):13-24
The study aimed to investigate the effect of the CD200R1 gene deletion on microglia activation and nigrostriatal dopamine neuron loss in the Parkinson's disease (PD) process. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to construct the CD200R1-/- mice. The primary microglia cells of wild-type and CD200R1-/- mice were cultured and treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microglia phagocytosis level was assessed by a fluorescent microsphere phagocytosis assay. PD mouse model was prepared by nigral stereotaxic injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human α-synuclein (α-syn). The changes in the motor behavior of the mice with both genotypes were evaluated by cylinder test, open field test, and rotarod test. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the loss of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression level of CD68 (a key molecule involved in phagocytosis) in microglia. The results showed that CD200R1 deletion markedly enhanced LPS-induced phagocytosis in vitro by the microglial cells. In the mouse model of PD, CD200R1 deletion exacerbated motor behavior impairment and dopamine neuron loss in substantia nigra. Fluorescence intensity analysis results revealed a significant increase in CD68 expression in microglia located in the substantia nigra of CD200R1-/- mice. The above results suggest that CD200R1 deletion may further activates microglia by promoting microglial phagocytosis, leading to increased loss of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in the PD model mice. Therefore, targeting CD200R1 could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of early-stage PD.
Animals
;
Microglia/physiology*
;
Mice
;
Phagocytosis
;
Parkinson Disease/genetics*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology*
;
Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology*
;
Antigens, CD/metabolism*
;
Gene Deletion
;
Substantia Nigra
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Male
;
alpha-Synuclein
;
CD68 Molecule
;
Orexin Receptors
10.CXCR3 counteracts cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy by regulating E3 ubiquitin ligases, myogenic factors, and fatty acid β-oxidation pathways.
Miao-Miao XU ; Xiao-Guang LIU ; Li-Ming LU ; Zhao-Wei LI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):255-266
This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Wild-type mice were divided into two groups: cisplatin group and control group (treated by normal saline). The results showed that, compared to the control group, the expression levels of CXCR3 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated in the skeletal muscle of the cisplatin group, suggesting that CXCR3 may play an important role in the model of cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. To further investigate its role and potential mechanisms, CXCR3 knockout mice and wild-type mice were treated with cisplatin to induce skeletal muscle atrophy. The results revealed that CXCR3 knockout not only failed to alleviate cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, but also further reduced body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Further analysis showed that, in the cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy model, CXCR3 knockout significantly up-regulated the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases in skeletal muscle and down-regulated the expression levels of myogenic regulatory factors. To explore the molecular mechanism by which CXCR3 gene deletion exacerbated cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, transcriptomic sequencing was performed on the atrophied skeletal muscles of wild-type and CXCR3 knockout mice. The results showed that, compared to wild-type mice, 14 genes were significantly up-regulated and 12 genes were significantly down-regulated in the skeletal muscle of CXCR3 knockout mice. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed a significant enrichment of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation. Quantitative real-time PCR validation results were consistent with the transcriptomic sequencing results. These findings suggest that CXCR3 may counteract cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by up-regulating E3 ubiquitin ligases, down-regulating myogenic regulatory factors, and enhancing the recruitment of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes.
Animals
;
Cisplatin/adverse effects*
;
Muscular Atrophy/physiopathology*
;
Mice
;
Receptors, CXCR3/metabolism*
;
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Oxidation-Reduction
;
Fatty Acids/metabolism*
;
Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male

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