scholarly journals Shikonin induces programmed death of fibroblast synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting energy pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahui Li ◽  
Jinglong Pang ◽  
Zhe Liu ◽  
XianMing Ge ◽  
Yanan Zhen ◽  
...  

AbstractShikonin is the main component of the traditional Chinese medicine comfrey, which can inhibit the activity of PKM2 by regulating glycolysis and ATP production. Rheumatoid arthritis synovial cells (RA-FLSs) have been reported to increase glycolytic activity and have other similar hallmarks of metabolic activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of shikonin on glycolysis, mitochondrial function, and cell death in RA-FLSs. The results showed that shikonin induced apoptosis and autophagy in RA-FLSs by activating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting intracellular ATP levels, glycolysis-related proteins, and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway. Shikonin can significantly reduce the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, paw swelling in rat arthritic tissues, and the levels of inflammatory factors in peripheral blood, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-1β while showing less toxicity to the liver and kidney.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xianlun Pang ◽  
Jiang Yang ◽  
Xiaoli Zhen ◽  
Hai Nie ◽  
Hao Qin ◽  
...  

UHMWPE granule could induce macrophages and inflammatory responses in interfacial tissues, which eliminated the wear debris of UHMWPE component and further induced dissolution of the surrounding bone, leading aseptic loosening. However, the mechanism of synovial cells, especially fibroblast-like synovial (FLS) cells response to UHMWPE, remains unknown. Herein we choose FLS cells as research object. Vimentin (+) CD68 (-) was identified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining assay, and the cells were identified as FLS cells, which was consistent with the experimental requirements. The inhibitory evaluation showed that UHMWPE could significantly promote the proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of FLS cells in dose- and time-dependent manners and increase the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2, MMP2, and LOX. UHMWPE also can induce the expression of mIL-6R protein in FLS cells and further investigate the relationship between apoptosis and inflammation. Interestingly enough, when we added the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist (IL-6RA), the expression levels of proapoptosis-related proteins increased; in other words, UHMWPE-induced antiapoptosis diminished by IL-6RA (50 μg/ml). Taken together, these findings clearly demonstrated that UHMWPE promote growth in FLS cells through upregulating inflammatory factors to produce antiapoptotic effect.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 734-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shou-di He ◽  
Ning Tan ◽  
Chen-xia Sun ◽  
Kang-han Liao ◽  
Hui-jun Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Melittin, the major medicinal component of honeybee venom, exerts antiinflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic effects in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA is an inflammatory autoimmune joint disease that leads to irreversible joint destruction and functional loss. Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes (FLS) are dominant, special mesenchymal cells characterized by the structure of the synovial intima, playing a crucial role in both the initiation and progression of RA. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of melittin on the viability and apoptosis of FLS isolated from patients with RA. Methods: Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assays; apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, caspase-9, BAX, and Bcl-2) were also determined. To explore whether melittin alters inflammatory processes in RA-FLS, IL-1β levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, we performed GFP-LC3 punctate fluorescence dot assays and western blotting (for LC3, ATG5, p62, and Beclin 1) to assess autophagy in RA-FLS. Results: Our results show that melittin can significantly impair viability, promote apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibit IL-1β secretion in RA-FLS. Conclusion: Melittin may be useful in preventing damage to the joints during accidental local stimulation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 449-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeki Mitsunaga ◽  
Kazuyoshi Hosomichi ◽  
Yuko Okudaira ◽  
Hirofumi Nakaoka ◽  
Yasuo Suzuki ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jian Shou ◽  
Xinjuan Shi ◽  
Xiaoguang Liu ◽  
Yingjie Chen ◽  
Peijie Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractImmune cells are involved in skeletal muscle regeneration. The mechanism by which Treg cells are involved in the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of programmed death-1 in contused skeletal muscle regeneration, and to clarify the regulation of programmed death-1 on Treg cell generation and macrophage polarization, in order to deepen our understanding of the relationship between the immune system and injured skeletal muscle regeneration. The results show that programmed death-1 knockdown reduced the number of Treg cells and impaired contused skeletal muscle regeneration compared with those of wild-type mice. The number of pro-inflammatory macrophages in the contused skeletal muscle of programmed death-1 knockout mice increased, and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors increased, while the number of anti-inflammatory macrophages and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, antioxidant stress factors, and muscle regeneration-related factors decreased. These results suggest that programmed death-1 can promote contused skeletal muscle regeneration by regulating Treg cell generation and macrophage polarization.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-952
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yuying Gao ◽  
Peng Chen ◽  
Yu Zhou ◽  
Sheng Guo ◽  
...  

This study was to explore the mechanism by how exosomes (exo) derived from BMSCs affects cardiomyocyte apoptosis. BMSCs were isolated and incubated with cardiomyocytes while the cardiomyocytes were exposed to sevoflurane or DMSO treatment. Apoptotic cells were calculated and level of apoptosis related proteins was detected by Western blot. Through transfection with microRNA-(miRNA)-312 inhibitor, we evaluated the effect of BMSC-exo on the sevoflurane-induced apoptosis. Sevoflurane significantly inhibited the viability of cardiomyocytes and induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Besides, sevoflurane decreased the expression of miR-312 and enhanced Bax expression in cardiomyocytes through restraining the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK. Treatment with BMSC-exo, however, activated MAPK/ERK signaling by up-regulating miR-312, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis, promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation, and elevating the level of Bcl-2. In conclusion, BMSC-exo-derived miR-312 inhibits sevoflurane-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi K Lam ◽  
Wen Zhao ◽  
Wenfeng Cai ◽  
Guansheng Liu ◽  
Phil Bidwell ◽  
...  

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium handling is central not only in the control of heart function during excitation-contraction coupling but also in mitochondrial energetics and apoptosis. Recent studies have identified the anti-apoptotic protein, HS-1 associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) as a novel regulator of SR calcium cycling. Although HAX-1 has been shown to localize to mitochondria in various tissues, we found out that it also localizes to SR through its interaction with phospholamban (PLN) in cardiac muscle. Acute or chronic overexpression of HAX-1 in cardiomyocytes promoted PLN inhibition on the calcium ATPase (SERCA) and decreased cardiomyocyte calcium kinetics and contractile parameters. Accordingly, ablation of HAX-1 significantly enhanced SERCA activity and calcium kinetics. Furthermore, the HAX-1/PLN interaction appeared to also regulate cardiomyocyte survival. Indeed, overexpression of HAX-1 and the associated depressed SR Ca-load attenuated endoplasmic reticulum stress induced apoptosis, as evidenced by reduction of both caspase-12 activation and pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein induction during ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, the depressed SR Ca-cycling by HAX-1 overexpression was associated with reduced mitochondrial Ca-load as reflected by: a) hyper-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and decreases in its activity, to diminish ATP production consistent with the attenuated energetic demand in these hearts; and b) reduced levels of reactive oxygen species, indicating protection from oxidative damage and preserved mitochondrial integrity. These findings suggest that HAX-1 is a key regulator of Ca-cycling, apoptosis and energetics in the heart. Thus, decreases in HAX-1 levels, observed during ischemia/reperfusion injury, may contribute to the deteriorated function and progression to heart failure development.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 1125-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuqi Yan ◽  
Dechao Kong ◽  
Dong Ge ◽  
Yanming Zhang ◽  
Xishan Zhang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease characterised by prominent synoviocyte hyperplasia and a potential imbalance between the growth and death of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Mitomycin C (MMC) has previously been demonstrated to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and to induce fibroblast apoptosis. However, the effects of MMC on the proliferation and apoptosis of human RA FLS and the potential mechanisms underlying its effects remain unknown. Methods: Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptotic cell death was analysed via Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling. The production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed via flow cytometry, and the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were visualized based on JC-1 staining via fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined via Western blot. Results: Treatment with MMC significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in RA FLS. Furthermore, MMC exposure was found to stimulate the production of ROS and to disrupt the ΔΨm compared to the control treatment. Moreover, MMC increased the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and the subsequent cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in RA FLS, and the mechanism underlying this MMC-induced apoptosis may involve a mitochondrial signalling pathway.


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