scholarly journals Neuropathic Injury–Induced Plasticity of GABAergic System in Peripheral Sensory Ganglia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caixue Wang ◽  
Han Hao ◽  
Kaitong He ◽  
Yating An ◽  
Zeyao Pu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Gabaergic System ◽  
Sensory Ganglia ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter ◽  
Inhibitory Mechanisms ◽  
Nociceptive Input ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Inhibitory GABAA channel circuits in the dorsal spinal cord are the gatekeepers of the nociceptive input from the periphery to the CNS. Weakening of these spinal inhibitory mechanisms is a hallmark of chronic pain. Yet, recent studies have suggested the existence of an earlier GABAergic “gate” within the peripheral sensory ganglia. In this study, we performed systematic investigation of plastic changes of the GABA-related proteins in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the process of neuropathic pain development. We found that chronic constriction injury (CCI) induced general downregulation of most GABAA channel subunits and the GABA-producing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase, consistent with the weakening of the GABAergic inhibition at the periphery. Strikingly, the α5 GABAA subunit was consistently upregulated. Knock-down of the α5 subunit in vivo moderately alleviated neuropathic hyperalgesia. Our findings suggest that while the development of neuropathic pain is generally accompanied by weakening of the peripheral GABAergic system, the α5 GABAA subunit may have a unique pro-algesic role and, hence, might represent a new therapeutic target.

The anti-allodynic α2δ ligand pregabalin inhibits the trafficking of the calcium channel α2δ-1 subunit to presynaptic terminals in vivo

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia S. Bauer ◽  
Wahida Rahman ◽  
Alexandra Tran-Van-Minh ◽  
Rafael Lujan ◽  
Anthony H. Dickenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Voltage Gated ◽  
Sensory Nervous System ◽  
Pain Symptoms ◽  
Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

Neuropathic pain is caused by lesion or dysfunction of the peripheral sensory nervous system. Up-regulation of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunit α2δ-1 in DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurons and the spinal cord correlates with the onset of neuropathic pain symptoms such as allodynia in several animal models of neuropathic pain. The clinically important anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin are α2δ-1 ligands, but how these drugs alleviate neuropathic pain is poorly understood. In the present paper, we review recent advances in our understanding of their molecular mechanisms.

scholarly journals Attacins: A Promising Class of Insect Antimicrobial Peptides

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Francesco Buonocore ◽  
Anna Maria Fausto ◽  
Giulia Della Pelle ◽  
Tomislav Roncevic ◽  
Marco Gerdol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Physiological Importance ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Large Repertoire

Insects produce a large repertoire of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. These peptides are produced from a large precursor that contains a signal domain, which is cleaved in vivo to produce the mature protein with antimicrobial activity. At present, AMPs from insects include several families which can be classified as cecropins, ponericins, defensins, lebocins, drosocin, Metchnikowin, gloverins, diptericins and attacins according to their structure and/or function. This short review is focused on attacins, a class of glycine-rich peptides/proteins that have been first discovered in the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia). They are a rather heterogeneous group of immunity-related proteins that exhibit an antimicrobial effect mainly against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we discuss different attacin and attacin-like AMPs that have been discovered so far and analyze their structure and phylogeny. Special focus is given to the physiological importance and mechanism of action of attacins against microbial pathogens together with their potential pharmacological applications, emphasizing their roles as antimicrobials.

scholarly journals Methionine and Arginine Supply Alters Abundance of Amino Acid, Insulin Signaling, and Glutathione Metabolism-Related Proteins in Bovine Subcutaneous Adipose Explants Challenged with N-Acetyl-d-sphingosine

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2114
Author(s):  
Yusheng Liang ◽  
Nana Ma ◽  
Danielle N. Coleman ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Glutathione Metabolism ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Subcutaneous Adipose

The objective was to perform a proof-of-principle study to evaluate the effects of methionine (Met) and arginine (Arg) supply on protein abundance of amino acid, insulin signaling, and glutathione metabolism-related proteins in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) explants under ceramide (Ce) challenge. SAT from four lactating Holstein cows was incubated with one of the following media: ideal profile of amino acid as the control (IPAA; Lys:Met 2.9:1, Lys:Arg 2:1), increased Met (incMet; Lys:Met 2.5:1), increased Arg (incArg; Lys:Arg 1:1), or incMet plus incArg (Lys:Met 2.5:1 Lys:Arg 1:1) with or without 100 μM exogenous cell-permeable Ce (N-Acetyl-d-sphingosine). Ceramide stimulation downregulated the overall abundance of phosphorylated (p) protein kinase B (AKT), p-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p-eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). Without Ce stimulation, increased Met, Arg, or Met + Arg resulted in lower p-mTOR. Compared with control SAT stimulated with Ce, increased Met, Arg, or Met + Arg resulted in greater activation of mTOR (p-mTOR/total mTOR) and AKT (p-AKT/total AKT), with a more pronounced response due to Arg. The greatest protein abundance of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was detected in response to increased Met supply during Ce stimulation. Ceramide stimulation decreased the overall protein abundance of the Na-coupled neutral amino acid transporter SLC38A1 and branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK). However, compared with controls, increased Met or Arg supply attenuated the downregulation of BCKDK induced by Ce. Circulating ceramides might affect amino acid, insulin signaling, and glutathione metabolism in dairy cow adipose tissue. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the role of rumen-protected amino acids in regulating bovine adipose function.

scholarly journals Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. Ethanol Extract Has Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Effects In Vitro and In Vivo by Targeting the IRAK1/AP-1 Pathway

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2529
Author(s):  
Haeyeop Kim ◽  
Woo Seok Yang ◽  
Khin Myo Htwe ◽  
Mi-Nam Lee ◽  
Young-Dong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Hepatoprotective Activity ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. has been used traditionally as a remedy for many diseases, especially inflammation. Therefore, we analyzed and explored the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of a Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. ethanol extract (Dt-EE). Dt-EE clearly and dose-dependently inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells. Also, Dt-EE suppressed the activation of the MyD88/TRIF-mediated AP-1 pathway and the AP-1 pathway related proteins JNK2, MKK4/7, and TAK1, which occurred as a result of inhibiting the kinase activity of IRAK1 and IRAK4, the most upstream factors of the AP-1 pathway. Finally, Dt-EE displayed hepatoprotective activity in a mouse model of hepatitis induced with LPS/D-galactosamine (D-GalN) through decreasing the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and suppressing the activation of JNK and IRAK1. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that Dt-EE could be a candidate anti-inflammatory herbal medicine with IRAK1/AP-1 inhibitory and hepatoprotective properties.

scholarly journals miR-146a-5p Promotes Chondrocyte Apoptosis and Inhibits Autophagy of Osteoarthritis by Targeting NUMB

Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 194760352110235
Author(s):  
Hongjun Zhang ◽  
Wendi Zheng ◽  
Du Li ◽  
Jia Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cartilage Tissue ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Chondrocyte Apoptosis ◽  
Knee Cartilage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Human And Mouse

Objective miR-146a-5p was found to be significantly upregulated in cartilage tissue of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). NUMB was shown to be involved in the autophagy regulation process of cells. We aimed to learn whether NUMB was involved in the apoptosis or autophagy process of chondrocytes in OA and related with miR-146a-5p. Methods QRT-PCR was used to detect miR-146a-5p level in 22 OA cartilage tissues and 22 controls. The targets of miR-146a-5p were analyzed using software and the luciferase reporter experiment. The apoptosis and autophagy, and related proteins were detected in chondrocytes treated with miR-146a-5p mimic/inhibitor or pcDNA3.1-NUMB/si-NUMB and IL-1β, respectively. In vivo experiment, intra-articular injection of miR-146a-5p antagomir/NC was administered at the knee of OA male mice before and after model construction. Chondrocyte apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins were also detected. Results miR-146a-5p was highly expressed in knee cartilage tissue of patients with OA, while NUMB was lowly expressed and negatively regulated by miR-146a-5p. Upregulation of miR-146a-5p can promote cell apoptosis and reduce autophagy of human and mouse chondrocytes by modulating the levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, Bax, Beclin 1, ATG5, p62, LC3-I, and LC3-II. Increasing the low level of NUMB reversed the effects of miR-146a-5p on chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy. Intra-articular injection of miR-146a-5p antagomir can also reverse the effects of miR-146a-5p on the apoptosis and autophagy of knee joint chondrocytes in OA mice. Conclusion Downregulation of miR-146a-5p suppresses the apoptosis and promotes autophagy of chondrocytes by targeting NUMB in vivo and in vitro.

scholarly journals 1455. Potential Mechanisms of Cefiderocol MIC Increase in Enterobacterales in In Vitro Resistance Acquisition Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S730-S730
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Yamano ◽  
Rio Nakamura ◽  
Miki Takemura ◽  
Roger Echols
Keyword(s):  
Iron Transport ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Mueller Hinton ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Mueller Hinton Agar ◽  
Related Proteins

Abstract Background Cefiderocol (CFDC) is a novel siderophore, iron-chelating cephalosporin, which is transported into bacteria via iron transporters. CFDC has potent in vitro and in vivo activity against all aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant strains. To date, clinical isolates with cefiderocol MIC >4 µg/mL have been found infrequently, in which the presence of a few β-lactamases or altered iron transport was found. We investigated potential new mechanisms causing CFDC MIC increases in non-clinical studies. Methods The mutation positions were determined by whole genome sequencing using four K. pneumoniae mutants including two KPC producers and one NDM producer that had shown CFDC MIC increases in previous in vitro resistance-acquisition studies. The mutant strains were obtained at the frequency of 10-7 to < 10-8 by spreading bacteria on standard Mueller‒Hinton agar medium containing CFDC at concentrations of 10× MIC, with or without apo-transferrin (20 μg/mL). CFDC MIC was determined by broth microdilution using iron-depleted cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The emergence of MIC increase mutants was also assessed by in vitro chemostat models under humanized plasma pharmacokinetic exposures of CFDC. Results The possible resistance mechanisms were investigated. Mutation of baeS or envZ, sensors of two-component regulation systems, were found in three or two mutants among the tested four isolates, respectively, and caused the MIC to increase by 4–32-fold. The altered expression level of specific genes by the baeS or envZ mutation could affect CFDC susceptibility, but the specific genes have not been identified. In addition, the mutation of exbD, an accessory protein related to iron transport, was identified in one case and caused the MIC to increase by >8-fold. In vitro chemostat studies using two isolates (one NDM producer and one KPC producer) showed no resistance acquisition during 24-hour exposure. Table. Overview of mutation emergence in five isolates of K. pneumoniae Conclusion The mutation of two-component regulation systems (BaeSR and OmpR/EnvZ) and iron transport-related proteins were shown to be possible mechanisms causing CFDC MIC increases, but these mutants did not appear under human exposures. Disclosures Yoshinori Yamano, PhD, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Employee) Rio Nakamura, BSc, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Employee) Miki Takemura, MSc, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Employee) Roger Echols, MD, Shionogi Inc. (Consultant)

scholarly journals Inhibition of CCL7 derived from Mo-MDSCs prevents metastatic progression from latency in colorectal cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoli Ren ◽  
Jianbiao Xiao ◽  
Wanning Zhang ◽  
Feifei Wang ◽  
Yongrong Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Metastatic Progression ◽  
Ht29 Cells ◽  
Metastatic Cells ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Mice Liver ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Related Proteins

AbstractIn colorectal cancer (CRC), overt metastases often appear after years of latency. But the signals that cause micro-metastatic cells to remain indolent, thereby enabling them to survive for extended periods of time, are unclear. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to explore the co-localization of CCL7 and CCR2. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were employed to detect the characters of metastatic HT29 cells in mice liver. Flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the immune cells. Bruberin vivo MS FX Pro Imager was used to observe the liver metastasis of CRC in mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were employed to detect the expressions of related proteins. Trace RNA sequencing was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in MDSCs from liver micro-M and macro-M of CRC in mice. Here, we firstly constructed the vitro dormant cell models and metastatic dormant animal models of colorectal cancer. Then we found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were increased significantly from liver micro-metastases to macro-metastases of CRC in mice. Moreover, monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSC) significantly promoted the dormant activation of micro-metastatic cells compared to polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSC). Mechanistically, CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs bound with membrane protein CCR2 of micro-metastatic cells and then stimulated the JAK/STAT3 pathway to activate the dormant cells. Low-dose administration of CCL7 and MDSCs inhibitors in vivo could significantly maintain the CRC metastatic cells dormant status for a long time to reduce metastasis or recurrence after radical operation. Clinically, the level of CCL7 in blood was positively related to the number of Mo-MDSCs in CCR patients, and highly linked with the short-time recurrence and distant metastasis. CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs plays an important role in initiating the outgrowth of metastatic latent CRC cells. Inhibition of CCL7 might provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of metastasis recurrence.

scholarly journals Ovarian Accumulation of Nanoemulsions: Impact of Mice Age and Particle Size

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8283
Author(s):  
Eike Folker Busmann ◽  
Julia Kollan ◽  
Karsten Mäder ◽  
Henrike Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Reticuloendothelial System ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Measured Signal ◽  
Reproductive Aging ◽  
Sex Steroid Hormone ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Radiant Efficiency

Nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery comes with great benefits due to the unique physicochemical properties of newly developed nanocarriers. However, they may come as well with severe toxicological side effects because of unwanted accumulation in organs outside of their targeted site of actions. Several studies showed an unintended accumulation of various nanocarriers in female sex organs, especially in the ovaries. Some led to inflammation, fibrosis, or decreasing follicle numbers. However, none of these studies investigated ovarian accumulation in context to both reproductive aging and particle size. Besides the influences of particle size, the biodistribution profile may be altered as well by reproductive aging because of reduced capacities of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), changes in sex steroid hormone levels as well as altering ovarian stromal blood flow. This systematic investigation of the biodistribution of intravenously (i.v) injected nanoemulsions revealed significant dependencies on the two parameters particle size and age starting from juvenile prepubescent to senescent mice. Using fluorescent in vivo and ex vivo imaging, prepubescent mice showed nearly no accumulation of nanoemulsion in their uteri and ovaries, but high accumulations in the organs of the RES liver and spleen independently of the particle size. In fertile adult mice, the accumulation increased significantly in the ovaries with an increased particle size of the nanoemulsions by nearly doubling the portion of the average radiant efficiency (PARE) to ~10% of the total measured signal of all excised organs. With reproductive aging and hence loss of fertility in senescent mice, the accumulation decreased again to moderate levels, again independently of the particle size. In conclusion, the ovarian accumulation of these nanocarriers depended on both the age plus the particle size during maturity.

scholarly journals The inhibitory effect of silencing CDCA3 on migration and proliferation in bladder urothelial carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dexin Shen ◽  
Yayun Fang ◽  
Fenfang Zhou ◽  
Zhao Deng ◽  
Kaiyu Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Urothelial Carcinoma ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Tumor Cell Growth ◽  
Migration Ability ◽  
Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma ◽  
Related Proteins

Abstract Background CDCA3 is an important component of the E3 ligase complex with SKP1 and CUL1, which could regulate the progress of cell mitosis. CDCA3 has been widely identified as a proto-oncogene in multiple human cancers, however, its role in promoting human bladder urothelial carcinoma has not been fully elucidated. Methods Bioinformatic methods were used to analyze the expression level of CDCA3 in human bladder urothelial carcinoma tissues and the relationship between its expression level and key clinical characteristics. In vitro studies were performed to validate the specific functions of CDCA3 in regulating cell proliferation, cell migration and cell cycle process. Alterations of related proteins was investigated by western blot assays. In vivo studies were constructed to validate whether silencing CDCA3 could inhibit the proliferation rate in mice model. Results Bioinformatic analysis revealed that CDCA3 was significantly up-regulated in bladder urothelial carcinoma samples and was related to key clinical characteristics, such as tumor grade and metastasis. Moreover, patients who had higher expression level of CDCA3 tend to show a shorter life span. In vitro studies revealed that silencing CDCA3 could impair the migration ability of tumor cells via down-regulating EMT-related proteins such as MMP9 and Vimentin and inhibit tumor cell growth via arresting cells in the G1 cell cycle phase through regulating cell cycle related proteins like p21. In vivo study confirmed that silencing CDCA3 could inhibit the proliferation of bladder urothelial carcinoma cells. Conclusions CDCA3 is an important oncogene that could strengthen the migration ability of bladder urothelial carcinoma cells and accelerate tumor cell growth via regulating cell cycle progress and is a potential biomarker of bladder urothelial carcinoma.

scholarly journals A Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) Signaling Loop Is Involved in Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3812
Author(s):  
Mai-Huong T. Ngo ◽  
Sue-Wei Peng ◽  
Yung-Che Kuo ◽  
Chun-Yen Lin ◽  
Ming-Heng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Combination Index ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Margin Distribution ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Emt Markers

The role of a YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop in HCC resistance to sorafenib remains unknown. Method: Sorafenib-resistant cells were generated by treating naïve cells (HepG2215 and Hep3B) with sorafenib. Different cancer cell lines from databases were analyzed through the ONCOMINE web server. BIOSTORM–LIHC patient tissues (46 nonresponders and 21 responders to sorafenib) were used to compare YAP mRNA levels. The HepG2215_R-derived xenograft in SCID mice was used as an in vivo model. HCC tissues from a patient with sorafenib failure were used to examine differences in YAP and IGF-R signaling. Results: Positive associations exist among the levels of YAP, IGF-1R, and EMT markers in HCC tissues and the levels of these proteins increased with sorafenib failure, with a trend of tumor-margin distribution in vivo. Blocking YAP downregulated IGF-1R signaling-related proteins, while IGF-1/2 treatment enhanced the nuclear translocation of YAP in HCC cells through PI3K-mTOR regulation. The combination of YAP-specific inhibitor verteporfin (VP) and sorafenib effectively decreased cell viability in a synergistic manner, evidenced by the combination index (CI). Conclusion: A YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop may play a role in HCC sorafenib resistance and could provide novel potential targets for combination therapy with sorafenib to overcome drug resistance in HCC.

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