scholarly journals Based on Network Pharmacology Tools to Investigate the Mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii Against IgA Nephropathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Xia ◽  
Di Liu ◽  
Haiyang Liu ◽  
Juanyong Zhao ◽  
Chengyuan Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Tripterygium Wilfordii ◽  
Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Hub Gene

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease and poses a global major public health burden. The preparation of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) is widely applied for treating patients with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy in China, while the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to verify the therapeutic mechanism of TwHF on IgAN by undertaking a holistic network pharmacology strategy in combination with in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods: TwHF active ingredients and their targets were obtained via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. The collection of IgAN-related target genes was collected from GeneCards and OMIM. TwHF-IgAN common targets were integrated and visualized by Cytoscape. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to determine the predominant molecular mechanisms and pathways of TwHF on the treatment of IgAN. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed by the STRING online search tool, and hub genes were identified using R software. The expression of hub gene and related signaling were evaluated in TwHF-treated mice through immunohistochemistry and western blot and further validated in human mesangial cells (HMCs). In addition, Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of TwHF on cell proliferation and cell cycle of mesangial cells.Results: A total of 51 active ingredients were screened from TwHF and 61 overlapping targets related to IgAN were considered potential therapeutic targets, GO functions and KEGG analyses demonstrated that these genes were primarily associated with DNA-binding transcription factor binding, lipid and atherosclerosis pathway. Genes with higher degrees including AKT1, CXCL8, MMP9, PTGS2, CASP3, JUN are hub genes of TwHF against IgAN. Verification of hub gene JUN both in vitro and in vivo showed that TwHF significantly attenuated JUN phosphorylation in the kidneys of IgAN mice and aIgA1-activated HMCs, meanwhile suppressing HMCs proliferation and arresting G1-S cell cycle progression.Conclusion: Our research strengthened the mechanisms of TwHF in treating IgAN, inhibition of JUN activation may play a pivotal role in TwHF in alleviating IgAN renal injury.

scholarly journals Bioinformatic and experimental findings to indicate anti-cancer targets and mechanisms of calycosin against nasopharyngeal carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangxian Liu ◽  
Qijin Pan ◽  
Liangliang Wang ◽  
Shijiang Yi ◽  
Peng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Tunel Staining ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Experimental Findings

Abstract Background: Calycosin is a naturally-occurring phytoestrogen that reportedly exerts anti- nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) effects. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms for anti-NPC using calycosin remain unrevealed. Methods: Thus, a network pharmacology was used to uncover anti-NPC pharmacological targets and mechanisms of calycosin. Additionally, validated experiments were conducted to validate the bioinformatic findings of calycosin for treating NPC. Results: As results, bioinformatic assays showed that the predictive pharmacological targets of calycosin against NPC were TP53, MAPK14, CASP8, MAPK3, CASP3, RIPK1, JUN, ESR1, respectively. And the top 20 biological processes and pharmacological mechanisms of calycosin against NPC were identified accordingly. In clinical data, NPC samples showed positive expression of MAPK14, reduced TP53, CASP8 expressions. In studies in vitro and in vivo, calycosin-dosed NPC cells resulted in reduced cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis. In TUNEL staining, calycosin exhibited elevated apoptotic cell number. And immunostaining assays resulted in increased TP53, CASP8 positive cells, and reduced MAPK14 expressions in calycosin-dosed NPC cells and tumor-bearing nude mice. Conclusion: Altogether, these bioinformatic findings reveal optimal pharmacological targets and mechanisms of calycosin against NPC, following with representative identification of human and preclinical experiments. Notably, some of original biotargets may be potentially used to treat NPC.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Models to Investigate the Efficacy of Coptidis and Scutellaria Containing Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (01) ◽  
pp. 161-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihan Huang ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Fan Cheung ◽  
Hor-Yue Tan ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Disease Networks ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Single Target ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Unlike Western medicines with single-target, the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) always exhibit diverse curative effects against multiple diseases through its “multi-components” and “multi-targets” manifestations. However, discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM remain to be challenged. In the current study, we, for the first time, applied an integrated strategy by combining network pharmacology with experimental evaluation, for exploration and demonstration of the therapeutic potentials and the underlying possible mechanisms of a classic TCM formula, Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD). First, the herb–compound, compound–protein, protein–pathway, and gene–disease networks were constructed to predict the major therapeutic diseases of HLJDD and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Network pharmacology analysis showed the top one predicted disease of HLJDD treatment was cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and inflammation-related genes played an important role in the treatment of HLJDD on cancer. Next, based on the prediction by network pharmacology analysis, both in vitro HCC cell and in vivo orthotopic HCC implantation mouse models were established to validate the curative role of HLJDD. HLJDD exerted its antitumor activity on HCC in vitro, as demonstrated by impaired cell proliferation and colony formation abilities, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as inhibited migratory and invasive properties of HCC cells. The orthotopic HCC implantation mouse model further demonstrated the remarkable antitumour effects of HLJDD on HCC in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating network pharmacology with experimental study for discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM.

scholarly journals Establishment of a Ciliogenesis-Associated Signaling Model for Polycystic Kidney Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ling Lu ◽  
Qiuling Liu ◽  
Lei Zhi ◽  
Xuchun Che ◽  
Bo Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Polycystic Kidney Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Polycystic Kidney ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Zebrafish Model

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) represents the most prevalent inherited progressive kidney disorder in humans. Due to complexity of the genetic network behind the disease, the molecular mechanisms of PKD are still poorly understood yet. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This study aimed to develop a ciliogenesis-associated gene network for PKD patients and comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. <b><i>Method:</i></b> The potential hub genes were selected based on the differential expression analysis from the GEO database. Meanwhile, the primary hub genes were further elucidated by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In this study, we established a comprehensive differentially expressed genes profile (including <i>GNAS, PI4KB, UMOD, SLC7A13,</i> and <i>MIOX</i>) for PKD patients compared with the control specimen. At the same time, enrichment analysis was utilized to demonstrate that the G-protein-related signaling and cilia assembling signaling pathways were closely associated with PKD development. The further investigations of the interaction between 2 genes (<i>GNAS</i> and <i>PI4KB</i>) with in vivo and in vitro analyses revealed that PI4KB functioned as a downstream factor for GNAS and spontaneously activated the phosphorylation of Akt into p-Akt for ciliogenesis in PKD formation. The <i>PI4KB</i> depletion mutant zebrafish model displayed a PKD phenotype as well as absence of primary cilia in the kidney<i>.</i> <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Collectively, our work discovered an innovative potential signaling pathway model for PKD formation, which provided a valuable insight for future study of the mechanism of this disease.

scholarly journals Anti-apoptosis mechanism of triptolide based on network pharmacology in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yayu Li ◽  
Xue Jiang ◽  
Litao Song ◽  
Mengdie Yang ◽  
Jing Pan
Keyword(s):  
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
P53 Protein ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Tripterygium Wilfordii ◽  
P53 Expression ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Abstract Triptolide (TPL), the active component of Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits anti-cancer and antioxidant functions. We aimed to explore the anti-apoptosis mechanism of TPL based on network pharmacology and in vivo and in vitro research validation using a rat model of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The chemical structures and pharmacological activities of the compounds reported in T. wilfordii were determined and used to perform the network pharmacology analysis. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) was then used to identify the network targets for 16 compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii. Our results showed that 47 overlapping genes obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases were involved in the occurrence and development of FSGS and used to construct the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using the STRING database. Hub genes were identified via the MCODE plug-in of the Cytoscape software. IL4 was the target gene of TPL in FSGS and was mainly enriched in the cell apoptosis term and p53 signaling pathway, according to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. TPL inhibited FSGS-induced cell apoptosis in rats and regulated IL4, nephrin, podocin, and p53 protein levels via using CCK8, TUNEL, and Western blot assays. The effects of IL4 overexpression, including inhibition of cell viability and promotion of apoptosis, were reversed by TPL. TPL treatment increased the expression of nephrin and podocin and decreased p53 expression in rat podocytes. In conclusion, TPL inhibited podocyte apoptosis by targeting IL4 to alleviate kidney injury in FSGS rats.

scholarly journals Involvement of Histone Lysine Methylation in p21 Gene Expression in Rat KidneyIn Vivoand Rat Mesangial CellsIn Vitrounder Diabetic Conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangjun Li ◽  
Chaoyuan Li ◽  
Xiaoxia Li ◽  
Peihe Cui ◽  
Qifeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Lysine Methylation ◽  
Histone Lysine Methylation ◽  
Histone Lysine

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common complication associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by glomerular mesangial expansion, inflammation, accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, and hypertrophy, is the major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Increasing evidence suggested that p21-dependent glomerular and mesangial cell (MC) hypertrophy play key roles in the pathogenesis of DN. Recently, posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs) have uncovered novel molecular mechanisms involved in DN. However, precise regulatory mechanism of histone lysine methylation (HKme) mediating p21 related hypertrophy associated with DN is not clear. We evaluated the roles of HKme and histone methyltransferase (HMT) SET7/9 in p21 gene expression in glomeruli of diabetic rats and in high glucose- (HG-) treated rat mesangial cells (RMCs). p21 gene expression was upregulated in diabetic rats glomeruli; chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed decreased histone H3-lysine9-dimethylation (H3K9me2) accompanied with enhanced histone H3-lysine4-methylation (H3K4me1/3) and SET7/9 occupancies at the p21 promoter. HG-treated RMCs exhibited increased p21 mRNA, H3K4me level, SET7/9 recruitment, and inverse H3K9me, which were reversed by TGF-β1 antibody. These data uncovered key roles of H3Kme and SET7/9 responsible for p21 gene expressionin vivoandin vitrounder diabetic conditions and confirmed preventive effect of TGF-β1 antibody on DN.

scholarly journals Anti-Autophagy Mechanism of Zhi Gan Prescription Based on Network Pharmacology in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chufeng Qin ◽  
Lichuan Luo ◽  
Yusheng Cui ◽  
Li Jiang ◽  
Beilei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Bioactive Components ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Nash Model

Background and Aims: Zhi Gan prescription (ZGP) has been clinically proven to exert a favorable therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study purpose to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms of ZGP action in NASH.Methods: Systematic network pharmacology was used to identify bioactive components, potential targets, and the underlying mechanism of ZGP action in NASH. High fat (HF)-induced NASH model rats were used to assess the effect of ZGP against NASH, and to verify the possible molecular mechanisms as predicted by network pharmacology.Results: A total of 138 active components and 366 potential targets were acquired in ZGP. In addition, 823 targets of NASH were also screened. In vivo experiments showed that ZGP significantly improved the symptoms in HF-induced NASH rats. qRT-PCR and western blot analyses showed that ZGP could regulate the hub genes, PTEN, IL-6 and TNF in NASH model rats. In addition, ZGP suppressed mitochondrial autophagy through mitochondrial fusion and fission via the PINK/Parkin pathway.Conclusion: ZGP exerts its effects on NASH through mitochondrial autophagy. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of ZGP in NASH.

scholarly journals Macromolecular properties that promote mesangial binding and mesangiopathic nephritis.

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. S149 ◽  
Author(s):  
S N Emancipator ◽  
C S Rao ◽  
A Amore ◽  
R Coppo ◽  
J G Nedrud
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Mesangial Cell ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Sendai Virus ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
The Matrix

The hydrodynamic size, electrostatic charge, and specificity are established determinants of the site of glomerular localization of macromolecules. Larger macromolecules or aggregates and anionic charge are associated with mesangial deposits, despite the fact that the mesangial matrix bears a negative charge similar to that of the capillary wall. Antigens such as Sendai virus, a model infectious pathogen, gliadin, a model dietary/environmental agent and fibronectin, a model endogenous macromolecule, bind to mesangial cells in vitro on the basis of cell surface glycoconjugates. Nonantibody immunoglobulin A, which does not bind to cells directly, binds to these elements via different carbohydrate specificities (simple sugar inhibition). Such binding promotes or augments macromolecular deposition in the mesangium. More significantly, mesangial deposits per se are not pathogenic, because normal renal function can be observed with florid deposits. Pathogenic deposits must have properties that alter mesangial cell metabolism or interaction with the matrix. Although complement activation is well recognized, complement-independent mechanisms related to cell surface modulation are being recognized. In vitro, antigen/immunoglobulin A aggregates alter mesangial cell eicosanoid synthesis. In vivo, large-lattice cross-linking by particulate antigen promotes hematuria. We conclude that the binding of macromolecules to cells and the cross-linking of cell surface molecules cause alterations in the mesangial cells and therefore in glomerular function. The mesangial cell, rather than a passive respondent, is an active participant in the genesis of glomerulonephritis.

scholarly journals The Active Compounds and Therapeutic Target of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. in Attenuating Proteinuria in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Liu ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
Zhengri Shen ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tripterygium Wilfordii ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F ◽  
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook ◽  
Systematic Understanding

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TWHF) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and widely used to treat diabetic kidney disease in China. Emerging evidences have revealed its ability to attenuate diabetic nephropathy (DN). Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides (TWPs), triptolide (TP), and celastrol are predominantly active compounds isolated from TWHF. The effects and molecular mechanisms of TWHF and its active compounds have been investigated in recent years. Currently, it is becoming clearer that the effects of TWHF and its active compounds involve in anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-fibrosis, regulating autophagy, apoptosis, and protecting podocytes effect. This review presents an overview of the current findings related to the effects and mechanisms of TWHF and its active compounds in therapies of DN, thus providing a systematic understanding of the mechanisms and therapeutic targets by which TWHF and its active compounds affect cells and tissues in vitro and in vivo.

Effect of simvastatin on high glucose- and angiotensin II-induced activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in mesangial cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (1) ◽  
pp. F116-F121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy K. Banes-Berceli ◽  
Sean Shaw ◽  
Guochuan Ma ◽  
Michael Brands ◽  
Douglas C. Eaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Glucose ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Glomerular Mesangial Cell ◽  
Protein Excretion ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Stat Pathway

In the current study, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on the ability of high glucose (HG) and ANG II to activate the JAK2-STAT signaling cascade and induce glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) growth. We found that pretreatment with simvastatin significantly inhibited HG- and ANG II-induced collagen IV production, JAK2 activation, and phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 in GMC. We also found that the activation of JAK2 by HG and ANG II was dependent on the Rho family of GTPases. Consistent with these in vitro results, both albumin protein excretion and phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1, and STAT3 were attenuated in renal glomeruli by administration of simvastatin in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of HG diabetes. This study demonstrates that simvastatin blocks ANG II-induced activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in the diabetic environment, in vitro and in vivo, and, thereby, provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying early diabetic nephropathy.

Flavonoids as P-gp Inhibitors: A Systematic Review of SARs

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (25) ◽  
pp. 4799-4831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahua Cui ◽  
Xiaoyang Liu ◽  
Larry M.C. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Transporter Family ◽  
Promising Area ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Nontoxic Inhibitors

P-glycoprotein, also known as ABCB1 in the ABC transporter family, confers the simultaneous resistance of metastatic cancer cells towards various anticancer drugs with different targets and diverse chemical structures. The exploration of safe and specific inhibitors of this pump has always been the pursuit of scientists for the past four decades. Naturally occurring flavonoids as benzopyrone derivatives were recognized as a class of nontoxic inhibitors of P-gp. The recent advent of synthetic flavonoid dimer FD18, as a potent P-gp modulator in reversing multidrug resistance both in vitro and in vivo, specifically targeted the pseudodimeric structure of the drug transporter and represented a new generation of inhibitors with high transporter binding affinity and low toxicity. This review concerned the recent updates on the structure-activity relationships of flavonoids as P-gp inhibitors, the molecular mechanisms of their action and their ability to overcome P-gp-mediated MDR in preclinical studies. It had crucial implications on the discovery of new drug candidates that modulated the efflux of ABC transporters and also provided some clues for the future development in this promising area.

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