Aim To explore the specific mechanism by which scutellarin(Scu)antagonizes the injury of human aortic endothelial cells(HAEC)induced by 2,2-azobis(2-methylpropylimidate)dihydrochloride(AAPH)by regulating the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2)/ac-tivating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homology protein(CHOP)pathway.Methods HAEC were pre-pro-tected by Scu and then injured by AAPH to explore the molecular mechanism of Scu on HAEC injury.The cells were di-vided into control group,AAPH group,AAPH+Scu low,medium and high groups.The contents of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and glutathione S-transferase(GSH-ST)in the cells were measured.The content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells was detected by fluorescent probe,and the apop-tosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI method.The mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),PERK,p-PERK,eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α),p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis(PUMA),Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 in cells was detected by Western blot.In order to further study the molecular mechanism of Scu against HAEC injury,gene silencing technology was used to inhibit the expression of PERK in HAEC.The cells were divided in-to five groups:control group,AAPH+si-con group,AAPH+Scu+si-con group,AAPH+si-PERK group,AAPH+si-PERK+Scu group.The mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells after si-PERK interference was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of PERK,p-eIF2α,eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,PUMA,Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 in cells after si-PERK interference was detected by Western blot.Results The content of ROS and the rate of apoptosis were significantly reduced after Scu intervention(P＜0.01).Scu could down-regulate the mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α,and down-regulate the protein expression of GRP78,p-PERK,p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,PUMA,Caspase-3,Caspase-12 and up-regulate the protein expression of Nrf2 and Bcl-2(P＜0.01).After interference with si-PERK,there were significant differences in the protein expression of PERK,p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,PUMA,Caspase-3,Caspase-12,as well as the mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells compared to before interference(P＜0.01).It is proved that Scu could anti-endoplasmic role in reticulum stress and apoptosis,which is closely associated with the regula-tion of the PERK-Nrf2/ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusion Scu can effectively alleviate AAPH-induced injury to HAEC by regulating PERK-Nrf2/ATF4-CHOP pathways to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis.

Rho proteins and the Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)signaling pathway are cruci-al components of intracellular signaling cascades.Rho proteins,which belong to the small GTPase family,play a pivotal role in regulating essential elements of the cytoskeleton within cells.ROCK functions as a downstream effector protein kinase of Rho,modulating various biological processes,including cell morphology,migration,and proliferation.Recent studies have underscored the signifi-cance of the ROCK signaling pathway in the replication of a diverse group of viruses.Furthermore,it has been discovered that some viruses disrupt cellular contraction,adhesion,and migration through the Rho/ROCK pathway,subsequently influencing the immune response triggered by vi-ral infections and affecting the tight junctions between cells.This article primarily reviews the re-search progress regarding the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway and its key signaling molecules,Rho and ROCK,in terms of their activation and regulation of viral replication and tight junction pro-teins between cells.

Rho proteins and the Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)signaling pathway are cruci-al components of intracellular signaling cascades.Rho proteins,which belong to the small GTPase family,play a pivotal role in regulating essential elements of the cytoskeleton within cells.ROCK functions as a downstream effector protein kinase of Rho,modulating various biological processes,including cell morphology,migration,and proliferation.Recent studies have underscored the signifi-cance of the ROCK signaling pathway in the replication of a diverse group of viruses.Furthermore,it has been discovered that some viruses disrupt cellular contraction,adhesion,and migration through the Rho/ROCK pathway,subsequently influencing the immune response triggered by vi-ral infections and affecting the tight junctions between cells.This article primarily reviews the re-search progress regarding the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway and its key signaling molecules,Rho and ROCK,in terms of their activation and regulation of viral replication and tight junction pro-teins between cells.

Aim To explore the specific mechanism by which scutellarin(Scu)antagonizes the injury of human aortic endothelial cells(HAEC)induced by 2,2-azobis(2-methylpropylimidate)dihydrochloride(AAPH)by regulating the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2)/ac-tivating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homology protein(CHOP)pathway.Methods HAEC were pre-pro-tected by Scu and then injured by AAPH to explore the molecular mechanism of Scu on HAEC injury.The cells were di-vided into control group,AAPH group,AAPH+Scu low,medium and high groups.The contents of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and glutathione S-transferase(GSH-ST)in the cells were measured.The content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells was detected by fluorescent probe,and the apop-tosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI method.The mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),PERK,p-PERK,eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α),p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis(PUMA),Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 in cells was detected by Western blot.In order to further study the molecular mechanism of Scu against HAEC injury,gene silencing technology was used to inhibit the expression of PERK in HAEC.The cells were divided in-to five groups:control group,AAPH+si-con group,AAPH+Scu+si-con group,AAPH+si-PERK group,AAPH+si-PERK+Scu group.The mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells after si-PERK interference was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of PERK,p-eIF2α,eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,PUMA,Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 in cells after si-PERK interference was detected by Western blot.Results The content of ROS and the rate of apoptosis were significantly reduced after Scu intervention(P＜0.01).Scu could down-regulate the mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α,and down-regulate the protein expression of GRP78,p-PERK,p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,PUMA,Caspase-3,Caspase-12 and up-regulate the protein expression of Nrf2 and Bcl-2(P＜0.01).After interference with si-PERK,there were significant differences in the protein expression of PERK,p-eIF2α,ATF4,CHOP,Nrf2,Bcl-2,PUMA,Caspase-3,Caspase-12,as well as the mRNA expression of PERK and eIF2α in cells compared to before interference(P＜0.01).It is proved that Scu could anti-endoplasmic role in reticulum stress and apoptosis,which is closely associated with the regula-tion of the PERK-Nrf2/ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusion Scu can effectively alleviate AAPH-induced injury to HAEC by regulating PERK-Nrf2/ATF4-CHOP pathways to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecular peptides widely existing in the innate immunity of organisms, serving as the first line of defense. Natural AMPs possess various biological activities and are difficult to develop drug resistance. However, they are easily broken down by digestive enzymes in the body. In recent years, increasing methods have been reported to enhance the stability of AMPs, including incorporation of unnatural amino acids, chemical modifications, strategic avoidance of enzyme cleavage sites, cyclization, and nano peptide design. This review summarizes the methods for improving the stability of AMPs against protease degradation, aiming to provide references for further research in this field.
Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism* ; Protein Stability ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/chemistry* ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry*

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of aort-oesophageal fistula(AEF).Methods Retropective analysis was performed on 6 patients presenting with AEF between January 2002 and December 2014,and relative literature was reviewed on its pathogenesis,di-agnosis,prognosis and treatment.Results Five men and 1 woman with a mean age of 49 (range,27-71 years)were recruited to the study.One case of AEF was caused by esophageal foreign body,2 cases were caused by aneurysm while the other 3 patients presented AEF after aortic surgery.All 6 patients showed he-matemesis,among whom 3 presented sentinel hemorrhage,1 presented exsanguination after sentinel hemor-rhage,2 presented sudden exsanguination.Among 4 patients with sentinel hemorrhage,2 accompanied with chest pain,1 with dysphagia and 1 with fever.Two patients had a history of hypertension.Diagnostic rate was nearly 100% by gastroscopy or CT/CTA.Four patients died from hemorrhagic shock and 2 patients re-covered from surgery.Conclusion AEF should be seriously considered for patients with a history of hyper-tension,aortic disease or esophageal foreign body presenting sentinel hemorrhage,chest pain,dysphagia,fa-tal exsanguination followed by symptom-free interval.Prompt examinations and aggressive surgery are of great significance for survival.