Ischemia preconditioning is neuroprotective in a rat cerebral ischemic injury model through autophagy activation and apoptosis inhibition

Sublethal ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a powerful inducer of ischemic brain tolerance. However, its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. In this study, we chose four different IPC paradigms, namely 5 min (5 min duration), 5×5 min (5 min duration, 2 episodes, 15-min interval), 5×5×5 min (5 min duration, 3 episodes, 15-min intervals), and 15 min (15 min duration), and demonstrated that three episodes of 5 min IPC activated autophagy to the greatest extent 24 h after IPC, as evidenced by Beclin expression and LC3-I/II conversion. Autophagic activation was mediated by the tuberous sclerosis type 1 (TSC1)-mTor signal pathway as IPC increased TSC1 but decreased mTor phosphorylation. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed that IPC protected against cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Critically, 3-methyladenine, an inhibitor of autophagy, abolished the neuroprotection of IPC and, by contrast, rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, potentiated it. Cleaved caspase-3 expression, neurological scores, and infarct volume in different groups further confirmed the protection of IPC against I/R injury. Taken together, our data indicate that autophagy activation might underlie the protection of IPC against ischemic injury by inhibiting apoptosis.     

非编码RNA在脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

脑卒中(stroke)是导致成年人残疾和死亡的第二大病因,缺血性脑卒中约占所有脑卒中病例的87%^[1],成为了现代社会健康和生活质量的主要威胁。缺血性脑卒中(ischemic stroke)由于脑血流量严重减少,脑组织缺乏血液和氧气供应,最终导致神经元细胞死亡和脑梗死^[2]。     

五味子醇甲通过调控自噬流减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的:探究五味子醇甲(Sch A)减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用及其潜在机制。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham组)、模型组[大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)组]及Sch A低、中、高剂量治疗组,每组6只。制备大鼠左侧MCAO模型,90 min后再灌注,治疗组Sch A的剂量分别为40、80和160μg·kg^?1·d^?1。造模7 d后进行神经功能损伤方面的评价(mNSS评分),并用TTC染色检测MCAO大鼠脑梗死体积。通过Western blot检测MCAO大鼠脑缺血半影区神经元自噬相关蛋白P62、LAMP1、cathepsin B和ubiquitin的表达水平,综合分析自噬流情况;使用免疫荧光双标法检测Sch A处理后MCAO大鼠脑缺血半影区神经元自噬水平诱导情况。结果:相比于MCAO组,Sch A处理后大鼠mNSS评分和脑梗死体积显著降低(P<0.05),并有剂量依赖性,以Sch A高剂量组差异显著。Western blot结果显示,与sham组比较,MCAO组大鼠cathepsin B蛋白表达水平下降,P62及ubiquitin的表达水平升高(P<0.05);与MCAO组比较,Sch A处理显著升高cathepsin B表达水平的同时降低了P62及ubiquitin的表达水平,以Sch A高剂量组差异显著(P<0.05);而LAMP1在各组间表达仅有下调或上调趋势,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。免疫荧光结果显示,与MCAO组比较,Sch A处理提高了MCAO大鼠脑缺血半影区LC3-Ⅱ表达阳性的神经元比例,以Sch A高剂量组升高显著(P<0.01)。结论:Sch A可逆转MCAO大鼠脑缺血半影区cathepsin B、P62及ubiquitin表达水平而发挥抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用,其机制可能与神经元自噬有关。     

DICER activates autophagy and promotes cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by binding with let-7i-5p

ObjectiveDrug resistance is the main obstacle in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to explore the mechanism of DICER in NSCLC resistance and its downstream signaling pathways.MethodsThe A549 cisplatin (DDP)-resistant strain A549/DDP was established. A549/DDP cells were transfected with DICER- and let-7i-5p-related vectors, and treated with autophagy activator rapamycin. The cell viability and apoptosis were tested by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The formation of autophagosomes was observed with a transmission electron microscopy. RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were conducted to detect expression levels of DICER, let-7i-5p, autophagy-related proteins, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was implemented to confirm the targeted binding of DICER and let-7i-5p.ResultsDICER was highly expressed in DDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells, and DICER could target and negatively regulate the expression of let-7i-5p. DDP treatment could inhibit the viability and promote cell apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. Downregulation of DICER in A549/DDP cells exhibited a decrease of cell viability, a decreased ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I and autophagosomes, together with an elevation of cell apoptosis rate and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Treatment of rapamycin and let-7i-5p inhibitor reversed the effects of downregulated DICER in cell viability, ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I, autophagosomes, cell apoptosis rate and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR in A549/DDP cells.ConclusionOur research suggests that DICER promotes autophagy and DDP resistance in NSCLC through downregulating let-7i-5p, and inhibits the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.     

The different functions of short and long thymic stromal lymphopoietin isoforms in autophagy-mediated asthmatic airway inflammation and remodeling

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling as well as hyper-responsiveness. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), which is a crucial inflammatory cytokine in immune homeostasis, consists of two isoforms, the long isoform lfTSLP and short isoform sfTSLP. The lfTSLP promotes inflammation and plays a pivotal role in asthma pathogenesis, while sfTSLP had been reported to have anti-asthma effects. Experiments have shown that lfTSLP could induce autophagy in hepatocytes. It is unknown whether lfTSLP or sfTSLP could influence autophagy and affect the progression of asthma. Using house dust mite (HDM)-stimulated airway smooth muscle cells as an in vitro model and HDM-induced asthma mice as in vivo model, we found that lfTSLP could induce autophagy and remodeling, while sfTSLP has the reverse effect. Strikingly, sfTSLP treatment in vivo reversed HDM-mediated activation of inflammation and airway remodeling, partly determined by autophagy change. These findings may help us understand the function of TSLP isoforms in the pathogenesis of asthma, and they support the use of drugs targeting sfTSLP and TSLP for asthma treatment.     

Molecular and immunological developments in placentas

Cytotrophoblasts differentiate in two directions during early placentation: syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). STBs face maternal immune cells in placentas, and EVTs, which invade the decidua and uterine myometrium, face the cells in the uterus. This situation, in which trophoblasts come into contact with maternal immune cells, is known as the maternal-fetal interface. Despite fetuses and fetus-derived trophoblast cells being of the semi-allogeneic conceptus, fetuses and placentas are not rejected by the maternal immune system because of maternal-fetal tolerance. The acquired tolerance develops during normal placentation, resulting in normal fetal development in humans. In this review, we introduce placental development from the viewpoint of molecular biology. In addition, we discuss how the disruption of placental development could lead to complications in pregnancy, such as hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, or miscarriage.     

Saikosaponin-d increases radiation-induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells by promoting autophagy via inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of saikosaponin-d (SSd) on autophagy activity and radiosensitivity of hepatoma cells, and to elucidate its related molecular mechanisms.Methods: The growth of SMMC-7721 and MHCC97L hepatoma cells were detected by clonal formation and survival fraction. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of apoptosis of hepatoma cells. The morphological changes of autophagy of hepatoma cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy and were further quantitatively detected by laser confocal microscopy. The expressions of related proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results: SSd can significantly increase the apoptosis of hepatoma cells induced by radiation and inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells. The addition of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or an mTOR agonist (MHY1485), which could reduce the promoting effect of SSd on radiation-induced apoptosis and inhibitory effect on the proliferation of hepatoma cells. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy results also showed that the number of autophagosomes was significantly higher in the radiation and SSd co-treatment group than in the radiotherapy or SSd alone group; however, the effect of SSd on autophagy in hepatoma cells was decreased after adding MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or AMPK inhibitor (Compound C). Western blot analysis showed that after the addition of SSd, the phosphorylation of mTOR was significantly decreased by radiation, the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and Beclin-1 was increased, p62 was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP was enhanced; this effect of SSd was partially reversed after the addition of MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or Compound C.Conclusions: SSd increases radiation-induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells by promoting autophagy via inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation and providing a possible potential approach for radiosensitization therapy of liver cancer.     

Monoamine oxidases in age-associated diseases: New perspectives for old enzymes

Population aging is one of the most significant social changes of the twenty-first century. This increase in longevity is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, further rising healthcare costs. At the molecular level, cellular senescence has been identified as a major process in age-associated diseases, as accumulation of senescent cells with aging leads to progressive organ dysfunction. Of particular importance, mitochondrial oxidative stress and consequent organelle alterations have been pointed out as key players in the aging process, by both inducing and maintaining cellular senescence. Monoamine oxidases (MAOs), a class of enzymes that catalyze the degradation of catecholamines and biogenic amines, have been increasingly recognized as major producers of mitochondrial ROS. Although well-known in the brain, evidence showing that MAOs are also expressed in a variety of peripheral organs stimulated a growing interest in the extra-cerebral roles of these enzymes. Besides, the fact that MAO-A and/or MAO-B are frequently upregulated in aged or dysfunctional organs has uncovered new perspectives on their roles in pathological aging. In this review, we will give an overview of the major results on the regulation and function of MAOs in aging and age-related diseases, paying a special attention to the mechanisms linked to the increased degradation of MAO substrates or related to MAO-dependent ROS formation.     

Autophagy in the diabetic heart: A potential pharmacotherapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Association of diabetes with an elevated risk of cardiac failure has been clinically evident. Diabetes potentiates diastolic and systolic cardiac failure following the myocardial infarction that produces the cardiac muscle-specific microvascular complication, clinically termed as diabetic cardiomyopathy. Elevated susceptibility of diabetic cardiomyopathy is primarily caused by the generation of free radicals in the hyperglycemic milieu, compromising the myocardial contractility and normal cardiac functions with increasing redox insult, impaired mitochondria, damaged organelles, apoptosis, and cardiomyocytes fibrosis. Autophagy is essentially involved in the recycling/clearing the damaged organelles, cytoplasmic contents, and aggregates, which are frequently produced in cardiomyocytes. Although autophagy plays a vital role in maintaining the cellular homeostasis in diligent cardiac tissues, this process is frequently impaired in the diabetic heart. Given its clinical significance, accumulating evidence largely showed the functional aspects of autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy, elucidating its intricate protective and pathogenic outcomes. However, etiology and molecular readouts of these contrary autophagy activities in diabetic cardiomyopathy are not yet comprehensively assessed and translated. In this review, we attempted to assess the role of autophagy and its adaptations in the diabetic heart. To delineate the molecular consequences of these events, we provided detailed insights into the autophagy regulation pieces of machinery including the mTOR/AMPK, TFEB/ZNSCAN3, FOXOs, SIRTs, PINK1/Parkin, Nrf2, miRNAs, and others in the diabetic cardiomyopathy. Given the clinical significance of autophagy in the diabetic heart, we further discussed the potential pharmacotherapeutic strategies towards targeting autophagy. Taken together, the present report meticulously assessed autophagy, its adaptations, and molecular regulations in diabetic cardiomyopathy and reviewed the current autophagy-targeting strategies.     

The secretion of IL-1β and options for release

Unlike most cytokines, IL-1β lacks a secretory signal sequence raising the question of how is this cytokine processed and delivered outside the producing cells. After the seminal observation that IL-1β is actively secreted by human monocytes through a route alternative to the classic endoplas mic reticulum–Golgi, several different pathways have been proposed for IL-1β secretion in different cell types and culture conditions, some of which are unique to macrophage cell lines. Here we describe the most credited of these pathways. In particular, we will focus on IL-1β secretion from primary human blood monocytes. In fact, although data from macrophages or macrophage cell lines are predominant, secretion of IL-1β by monocytes is the most clinically relevant.