The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is closely related to genetic factors. This article has systematically reviewed the research progress of molecular genetic mechanism on Parkinson's disease by focusing on the role of six high-penetrance pathogenic genes (SNCA, LRRK2, PRKN, PINK1, PARK7, and VPS35) and some risk genes (such as GBA1). These genetic variants eventually converge in three core pathogenic biological pathways, including lysosomal-autophagy pathway disorder, mitochondrial quality control disorder and α-synuclein metabolic abnormality. In-depth understanding of these molecular mechanisms is of great significance for the development of targeted therapy and realization of precision medicine for this disease.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism* ; alpha-Synuclein/genetics* ; Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2/genetics* ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Animals ; Glucosylceramidase/genetics* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on podocyte injury of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and reveal its potential mechanism. METHODS: In in vitro experiment, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, normal, high glucose (HG), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1) α activator (HG+thapsigargin 1 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups. Additionally, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, including normal, HG, AS-IV (HG+AS-IV 20 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups, respectively. After 24 h treatment, the morphology of podocytes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was observed by electron microscopy. The expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and IRE-1α were detected by cellular immunofluorescence. In in vivo experiment, DN rat model was established via a consecutive 3-day intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injections. A total of 40 rats were assigned into the normal, DN, AS-IV [AS-IV 40 mg/(kg·d)], and IRE-1α inhibitor [STF-083010, 10 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=10), respectively. The general condition, 24-h urine volume, random blood glucose, urinary protein excretion rate (UAER), urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats were measured after 8 weeks of intervention. Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, nuclear factor kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65), interleukin (IL)-1β, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), and nephrin at the mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic vacuolation and ER swelling were observed in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups. Podocyte morphology and ER expansion were improved in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups compared with HG group. Cellular immunofluorescence showed that compared with the normal group, the fluorescence intensity of GRP78 and IRE-1α in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups were significantly increased whereas decreased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the HG group was increased (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the expression of above indices was decreased in the AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups, and the expression in the IRE-1α activator group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of nephrin was decreased in the HG group, and increased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). The in vivo experiment results revealed that compared to the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, BUN, blood creatinine and urinary protein in the DN group were higher (P<0.05). Compared with DN group, the above indices in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial widening and mesangial cell proliferation in the renal tissue of the DN group. Compared with the DN group, the above pathological changes in renal tissue of AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were alleviated. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N were consistent with immunofluorescence analysis. CONCLUSION AS-IV could reduce ERS and inflammation, improve podocyte pyroptosis, thus exerting a podocyte-protective effect in DN, through regulating IRE-1α/NF-κ B/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Podocytes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Saponins/therapeutic use* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Multienzyme Complexes

OBJECTIVES: Injury to human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) compromises myocardial microcirculation and may contribute to major cardiovascular events such as coronary heart disease, posing a serious health threat. Understanding the mechanisms of hypoxia-induced HCMEC damage is thus of great clinical relevance. This study aims to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan against hypoxia-induced HCMEC injury. METHODS: HCMECs were cultured under hypoxic conditions for 24 hours to establish a cellular model of hypoxic injury. Cells were divided into six groups: normal control, hypoxia, hypoxia + low-dose Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan, hypoxia + medium-dose, hypoxia + high-dose, and hypoxia + salvianolic acid B (positive control). Cell viability was assessed using the MTS assay. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured to evaluate cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), caspase-3, and caspase-8 were determined with corresponding assay kits. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and expression of necroptosis-related proteins, receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and its phosphorylated form (p-RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and its phosphorylated form (p-RIPK3), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) and its phosphorylated form (p-MLKL), was examined via Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, hypoxia significantly decreased cell viability (P<0.01), increased MDA levels (P<0.05), and reduced CAT and SOD activity (P<0.05), accompanied by elevated apoptosis (P<0.01) and increased levels of p-RIPK1, p-RIPK3, and p-MLKL (P<0.05). High-dose Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan significantly improved cell viability (P<0.01), reduced MDA content (P<0.05), increased CAT activity (P<0.05), and suppressed necroptosis-related protein expression (P<0.05) compared with the hypoxia group. CONCLUSIONS Li Qi Huo Xue Di Wan exerts a protective effect against hypoxia-induced injury in HCMECs. This effect is mediated by attenuation of oxidative stress, thereby reducing both apoptosis and necroptosis.
Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*

Hippo signaling is a highly conserved pathway central to diverse cellular processes. Dysregulation of this pathway not only leads to developmental abnormalities but is also closely related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. Recent studies have uncovered that, in addition to the classical signaling cascade regulation, biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation play a key role in the spatiotemporal regulation of Hippo signaling. In this review, we provide a summary of the latest research progress on the regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway by phase separation, with a particular focus on transcriptional activation mediated by Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with post-synaptic density-95, disks-large, and zonula occludens-1 (PDZ)-binding domain (TAZ) condensates. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of chemical crosslinking combined with mass spectrometry to analyze the TAZ condensate interactome and examine the role of the protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) in modulating the biophysical properties of TAZ condensates, which in turn influence their transcriptional activity and pro-tumorigenic functions. These insights not only advance our understanding of Hippo signaling but also offer new perspectives for therapeutic interventions targeting diseases linked to dysregulated YAP/TAZ activity.
Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology* ; Animals ; Biomolecular Condensates/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Neoplasms ; Transcriptional Activation ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Didang Decoction-medicated serum on autophagy in high glucose (HG)-induced rat glomerular endothelial cells (RGECs) and explore the pathway that mediates its effect. METHODS: Primary RGECs were isolated and cultured using sequential sieving combined with collagenase digestion, followed by identification using immunofluorescence assay for factor VIII. High glucose medium was used to induce RGECs to simulate a diabetic environment, and the effects of Didang Decoction-medicated serum and 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor), either alone or in combination, on autophagy of HG-exposed cells were evaluated by observing autophagic vacuoles using monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were employed to measure mRNA and protein expression levels of Beclin-1, p62, LC3B, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR. RESULTS: Compared with the control cells, the HG-exposed RGECs showed significantly reduced autophagic fluorescence intensity, decreased Beclin-1 mRNA expression, increased p62 mRNA expression, downregulated Beclin-1 protein and LC3-II/I ratio, and upregulated p62, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR protein levels. Didang Decoction-medicated serum significantly enhanced autophagic fluorescence intensity in HG-exposed cells, increased Beclin-1 mRNA expression, decreased p62 mRNA expression, upregulated Beclin-1 protein, and downregulated p62, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR protein levels. CONCLUSIONS Didang Decoction-medicated serum enhances autophagy in HG-exposed RGECs by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which sheds light on a new therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.
Animals ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Glucose ; Cells, Cultured ; Kidney Glomerulus/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of 4-(arylethynyl)-pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidine (10b) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like behaviors and ERK1/2-SGK1 signaling pathway in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mouse models exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS) were treated with daily gavage of saline, 10b at low, moderate and high doses, or paroxetine for 14 days. The changes in PTSD-like behaviors of SPS mice with different treatments were observed using behavioral tests. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the protein expression levels of mGluR5, p-ERK, and SGK1 in the hippocampus of the mice. Pathological changes in the liver and kidney tissues of the mice were examined using HE staining. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses were employed to evaluate the binding stability between the compound 10b and mGluR5. RESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, the SPS mice exhibited obvious PTSD-like behaviors with increased hippocampal expressions of mGluR5 and p-ERK proteins and decreased SGK1 protein expression. Compound 10b significantly ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in SPS mice, inhibited mGluR5 expression, and reversed the dysregulation of p-ERK and SGK1. No obvious liver or kidney toxicity was observed after 10b treatment. Molecular docking and dynamics studies demonstrated a stable interaction between 10b and mGluR5. CONCLUSIONS The compound 10b ameliorates PTSD-like behaviors induced by SPS in mice possibly by inhibiting mGluR5 expression to modulate the ERK1/2-SGK1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/drug therapy* ; Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology* ; Immediate-Early Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Male ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Hippocampus/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zheng GanDecoction (ZGF) on tumor progression in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Seventy SD rats were subjected to regular intraperitoneal injections of DEN (50 mg/kg) for 12 weeks to induce HCC tumorigenesis, with another 10 rats receiving saline injections as the normal control. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) for daily treatment with distilled water ( model group), Huaier Granules (4 g/kg; positive control group), or ZGF at low, medium, and high doses (2, 4, and 8 g/kg, respectively) via gavage for 17 weeks. Body weight changes of the rats were monitored, and after completion of the treatments, the rats were euthanized for measurement of liver, spleen and thymus indices and morphological and histopathological examinations of the liver tissues using HE staining. The expressions of YAP, p-YAP, MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1 in the liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control rats, the rat models with DEN-induced HCC exhibited much poorer general condition with a significantly reduced survival rate, increased body weight and liver and spleen indices, and a lowered thymus index. ZGF treatment obviously reduced liver and spleen indices, increased the thymus index, and improved pathologies of the liver tissues of the rat models. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed a dose-dependent reduction of YAP expression and an increment of p-YAP expression in ZGF-treated rats, which also exhibited significantly upregulated hepatic expressions of MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1. CONCLUSIONS ZGF inhibits DEN-induced HCC in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway via upregulating MST1 and LATS1 expression, which promotes YAP phosphorylation and degradation to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the tumor cells.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To examine the changes in serum levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) proteins GRP78/CHOP in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and analyze their diagnostic value and association with renal pathological features. METHODS: From a sample bank established based on a multicenter cohort study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 60 LN patients and 35 SLE patients without renal involvement were randomly selected. ELISA was used to detect serum levels of GRP78 and CHOP in the patients to analyze their correlation with clinical features and their diagnostic ability for LN and active LN. MRL/lpr mice were used as an animal model of LN to examine their serum levels of GRP78 and CHOP expression and renal expressions of endoplasmic reticulum apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: Serum GRP78 and CHOP levels were significantly higher in LN patients than in SLE patients without renal involvement (P<0.05), and were also higher in active LN patients than in patients in the stable phase (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that serum GRP78 and CHOP levels were positively correlated with SLEDAI scores and 24-h urinary protein. ROC analysis showed that CHOP had a high diagnostic ability for LN (AUC=0.762) and active LN (AUC=0.933). Consistent with the clinical findings, serum GRP78 and CHOP levels were elevated in LN mice, and the expressions of PERK and IRE1α pathway proteins were also increased in the kidneys of the mice. TUNEL staining showed increased renal cell apoptosis and elevated renal expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in LN mice. CONCLUSIONS Serum levels of GRP78/CHOP are increased in LN patients possibly in association with ERS-induced apoptosis mediated by the PERK/IRE1α dual pathway.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Lupus Nephritis/blood* ; Transcription Factor CHOP/blood* ; Heat-Shock Proteins/blood* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr ; Female ; Adult ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism* ; Male ; eIF-2 Kinase/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Young Adult ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Signal Transduction

The nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in the prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). WNK1 kinase negatively regulates NLRP3 in various inflammatory conditions, but its role in early brain injury (EBI) after SAH remains unclear. In this study, we used an in vivo SAH model in rats/mice and AAV-WNK1 intraventricular injection to investigate its neuroprotective mechanisms. WNK1 expression was significantly reduced in SAH patient blood and SAH model brain tissue, correlating negatively with microglial activation. AAV-WNK1 alleviated brain edema, neuronal necrosis, behavioral deficits, and inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In hemin-stimulated BV-2 cells, WNK1 overexpression reduced NLRP3 activation and inflammatory cytokines. Chloride counteracted WNK1's inhibitory effects, and WNK1 suppressed P2X7R-induced NLRP3 activation. Mechanistically, WNK1 functioned via the OXSR1/STK39 pathway. These findings highlight WNK1 as a key regulator of intracellular chloride balance and neuroinflammation, presenting a potential therapeutic target for SAH treatment.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Rats ; Mice ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1/genetics* ; Male ; Humans ; Chlorides/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

Tumor cell-intrinsic programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signals mediate tumor initiation, progression and metastasis, but their effects in ameloblastoma (AM) have not been reported. In this comprehensive study, we observed marked upregulation of PD-L1 in AM tissues and revealed the robust correlation between elevated PD-L1 expression and increased tumor growth and recurrence rates. Notably, we found that PD-L1 overexpression markedly increased self-renewal capacity and promoted tumorigenic processes and invasion in hTERT⁺-AM cells, whereas genetic ablation of PD-L1 exerted opposing inhibitory effects. By performing high-resolution single-cell profiling and thorough immunohistochemical analyses in AM patients, we delineated the intricate cellular landscape and elucidated the mechanisms underlying the aggressive phenotype and unfavorable prognosis of these tumors. Our findings revealed that hTERT⁺-AM cells with upregulated PD-L1 expression exhibit increased proliferative potential and stem-like attributes and undergo partial epithelial‒mesenchymal transition. This phenotypic shift is induced by the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis; thus, this study revealed a crucial regulatory mechanism that fuels tumor growth and recurrence. Importantly, targeted inhibition of the PD-L1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis significantly suppressed the growth of AM patient-derived tumor organoids, highlighting the potential of PD-L1 blockade as a promising therapeutic approach for AM.
Ameloblastoma/metabolism* ; Humans ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Cell Proliferation ; Up-Regulation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; Jaw Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Male