Promoting In Vivo NIR-II Fluorescent Imaging for Lipid in Lipid Metabolism Diseases Diagnosis.

Lipid metabolism diseases have become a tremendous risk worldwide, along with the development of productivity and particular attention to public health. It has been an urgent necessity to exploit reliable imaging strategies for lipids and thus to monitor fatty liver diseases. Herein, by converting the NIR-I signal to the NIR-II signal with IR1061 for the monitoring of lipid, the in vivo imaging of fatty liver disease was promoted on the contrast and visual effect. The main advantages of the imaging promotion in this work included a long emission wavelength, rapid response, and high signal-background-ratio (SBR) value. After promoting the NIR-I signal to NIR-II signal, IR1061 achieved higher SBR value and exhibited a dose-dependent fluorescence intensity at 1100 nm along with the increase of the EtOH proportion as well as steady and selective optical responses toward liposomes. IR1061 was further applied in the in vivo imaging of lipid in fatty liver diseases. In spite of the differences in body weight gain and TC level between healthy mice and fatty liver diseases two models, IR1061 achieved high-resolution imaging in the liver region to monitor the fatty liver disease status. This work might be informatic for the clinical diagnosis and therapeutical treatments of fatty liver diseases.

Imaging Investigation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progress via Monitoring γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase Level with a Near-Infrared Fluorescence/Photoacoustic Bimodal Probe.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main principal causes of cancer death, and the late definite diagnosis limits therapeutic approaches in time. The early diagnosis of HCC is essential, and the previous investigations on the biomarkers inferred that the γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) level could indicate the HCC process. Herein, a near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic (NIRF/PA) bimodal probe, CySO3-GGT, was developed for monitoring the GGT level and thus to image the HCC process. After the in-solution tests, the bimodal response was convinced. The various HCC processes were imaged by CySO3-GGT at the cellular level. Then, the CCl4-induced HCC (both induction and treatment) and the subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft mice models were selected. All throughout the tests, CySO3-GGT achieved NIRF and PA bimodal imaging of the HCC process. In particular, CySO3-GGT could effectively realize 3D imaging of the HCC nodule by visualizing the boundary between the tumor and the normal tissue. The information here might offer significant guidance for the dynamic monitoring of HCC in the near future.

Pseudohalioglobus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated NY5T, was isolated from marine sediment collected from coastal area in Weihai, China (122°07' 38.80'' E, 37°33' 57.60'' N). Cells of strain NY5T were 0.6-0.7 µm width and 1.9-2.0 µm length, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Growth of NY5T was observed at 25-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and pH 6.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 0.5-7.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0%). The isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the predominant fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) and C17:1 ω8c. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain NY5T was 60.1%. Strain NY5T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.2%) with Pseudohalioglobus lutimaris followed by Parahaliea aestuarii (96.9%), Parahaliea maris (96.7%), Parahaliea mediterranea (95.9%), and Halioglobus japonicus (94.9%). Given these phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties and phylogenetic analyses, strain NY5T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudohalioglobus, for which the name Pseudohalioglobus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NY5T (=KCTC 72416T=MCCC 1H00401T).

Chemical mitochondrial uncouplers share common inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation through inhibiting NFκB nuclear translocation.

Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in varieties of pathologies, the aim of the present study is to characterize the effect and mechanism of mitochondrial uncouplers on NLRP3 inflammasome activation by using three types of uncouplers, niclosamide, CCCP and BAM15. Niclosamide, CCCP and BAM15 inhibited LPS plus ATP-induced increases of NLRP3 protein and IL-1ß mRNA levels in RAW264.7 macrophages and THP-1 derived macrophages. Niclosamide, CCCP and BAM15 inhibited LPS plus ATP-induced increase of NFκB (P65) phosphorylation, and inhibited NFκB (P65) nuclear translocation in RAW264.7 macrophages. Niclosamide and BAM15 inhibited LPS-induced increase of IκBα phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophages, and the inhibitory effect was dependent on increased intracellular [Ca2+]i; however, CCCP showed no significant effect on IκBα phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with LPS. In conclusion, chemical mitochondrial uncouplers niclosamide, CCCP and BAM15 share common inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation through inhibiting NFκB nuclear translocation.

Aquimarina algicola sp. nov., isolated from the surface of a marine red alga.

A bacterial strain, designated M625T, was isolated from the surface of a marine red alga. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene and RpoB protein sequences, which indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Aquimarina within the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain M625T showed high sequence similarities to A. aggregata RZW4-3-2 T (95.7%), A. seongsanensis CBA3208T (95.3%) and A. versatilis CBA3207T (95.0%). The AAI and POCP values between strain M625T and A. muelleri DSM 19832 T were 71.8% and 57.9% respectively. The dDDH and ANI values between strain M625T and A. aggregata were 19.5% and 74.6% respectively. The strain was Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and long rod-shaped, and positive for hydrolysis of starch, cellulose, alginate, DNA and Tween 20. The dominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:1 G, and the polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and seven unidentified lipids. Based on the polyphasic comparisons, strain M625T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina algicola sp. nov. (type strain M625T = MCCC 1H00399T = KCTC 72685 T) was proposed.

Marinobacter orientalis sp. nov., a thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a marine solar saltern.

A facultatively anaerobic bacterium, strain W62T, was isolated from the marine solar saltern in Weihai, China. Cells of the novel strain were Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped and around 0.3-0.5 × 2.5-3.9 µm in size. Optimum growth occurred at 33-37 °C, with 3-5% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0-7.5. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain W62T had close relationship with Marinobacter vulgaris F01T (98.6%), Marinobacter confluentis KCTC 42705T (98.4%) and Marinobacter halotolerans NBRC 110910T (97.7%). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 4,050,555 bp, a G+C content of 57.3% and a complete sox system related to thiosulfate oxidization. Strain W62T had ubiquinone-9 as the sole respiratory quinone and possessed Summed Features 3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c), C16:0 and C18:1 ω9c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain W62T were identified as aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. According to the results of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic characterization, phylogenetic properties and genome analysis, strain W62T should represent a novel specie of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter orientalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is W62T (= MCCC 1H00317T = KCTC 62593T).

Tessaracoccus antarcticus sp. nov., a rhodopsin-containing bacterium from an Antarctic environment and emended description of the genus Tessaracoccus.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, strain JDX10T, was isolated from a soil sample of Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica. Cells of the strain were irregular rod-shaped and non-motile. Cells grew at 4-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.5) and with 0.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0 %). According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain JDX10T was associated with the genus Tessaracoccus, and showed highest similarities to Tessaracoccus rhinocerotis CCTCC AB 2013217T (97.2 %), Tessaracoccus flavescens SST-39T (96.9 %) and Tessaracoccus terricola JCM 32157T (96.9 %). The average nucleotide identity scores of strain JDX10T to T. rhinocerotis CCTCC AB 2013217T and T. bendigoensis JCM 13525T were 74.8 and 73.3 %, respectively and the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator scores were 19.2 and 18.7 %, respectively. The major (>10.0 %) cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-10(H4). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid. The phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical data showed that strain JDX10T should be classified as representing a novel species in the genus Tessaracoccus, for which the name Tessaracoccus antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JDX10T (=MCCC 1H00351T=KCTC 49242T).

Polaribacter aquimarinus sp. nov., isolated from the surface of a marine red alga.

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, asporogenous, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated ZY113T, was isolated from the surface of a marine red alga collected from the coast in Weihai, Shandong Province, China. Strain ZY113T was found to grow at 4-37 °C (optimum at 28-30 °C), with 1.0-7.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0-3.0%) and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0-8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZY113T is a member of the genus Polaribacter, with Polaribacter dokdonensis KCTC 12392T as a close relative (97.4% similarity). The sole respiratory quinone was found to be menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH and iso-C13:0. The polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 30.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analysis, strain ZY113T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter aquimarinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZY113T (= KCTC 62374T = MCCC 1H00296T).

Pedobacter chinensis sp. nov., a cellulose-decomposing bacterium from Arctic tundra soil.

A novel bacterial strain, JDX94T, was isolated from tundra soil sampled north of the Yellow River station, Arctic. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped and aerobic. The strain displayed growth at 4-37 °C with an optimum at 28 °C, with 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%) and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5). Cells contained summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as its major cellular fatty acids and menaquinone-7 as the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profile of strain JDX94T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and four unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 37.5 mol%. On the basis 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain JDX94T showed the highest sequence similarity (96.7 %) to Pedobacteragri JCM 15120T, followed by Pedobacteralluvionis DSM 19624T (96.3 %). Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain JDX94T and related species of the genus Pedobacter were 74.6-79.2 % and 18.9-24.5 %, respectively. Based on the presented results, we propose a novel species for which the name Pedobacterchinensis sp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain JDX94T (=MCCC 1H00335T= KCTC 62850T).

Microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation mediates IL-1ß-related inflammation in prefrontal cortex of depressive rats.

Depression is an inflammatory disorder. Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) may play a pivotal role in the central nervous system (CNS) inflammation of depression. Here, we investigated IL-1ß alteration in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-exposed rats, a well-documented model of depression, and further explored the molecular mechanism by which CUMS procedure induced IL-1ß-related CNS inflammation. We showed that 12-week CUMS procedure remarkably increased PFC IL-1ß mRNA and protein levels in depressive-like behavior of rats, without significant alteration of serum and CSF IL-1ß levels. We found that CUMS procedure significantly caused PFC nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inflammatory pathway activation in rats. The intriguing finding in this study was the induced activation of nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome with the increased IL-1ß maturation in PFC of CUMS rats, suggesting a new grade of regulatory mechanism for IL-1ß-related CNS inflammation. Moreover, microglial activation and astrocytic function impairment were observed in PFC of CUMS rats. The increased co-location of NLRP3 and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) protein expression supported that microglia in glial cells was the primary contributor for CUMS-induced PFC NLRP3 inflammasome activation in rats. These alterations in CUMS rats were restored by chronic treatment of the antidepressant fluoxetine, indicating that fluoxetine-mediated rat PFC IL-1ß reduction involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. These findings provide in vivo evidence that microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a mediator of IL-1ß-related CNS inflammation during chronic stress, and suggest a new therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of depression.

Analysis of optical properties and response mechanism of H2S fluorescent probe based on rhodamine derivatives.

H2S plays a crucial role in numerous physiological and pathological processes. In this project, a new fluorescent probe, SG-H2S, for the detection of H2S, was developed by introducing the recognition group 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether. The combination of rhodamine derivatives can produce both colorimetric reactions and fluorescence reactions. Compared with the current H2S probes, the main advantages of SG-H2S are its wide pH range (5-9), fast response (30 min), and high selectivity in competitive species (including biological mercaptan). The probe SG-H2S has low cytotoxicity and has been successfully applied to imaging in MCF-7 cells, HeLa cells, and BALB/c nude mice. We hope that SG-H2S will provide a vital method for the field of biology.

In Vivo Imaging of γ-Glutamyl Transferase in Cardiovascular Diseases with a Photoacoustic Probe.

In this work, a photoacoustic (PA) probe, HDS-GGT, was developed for the in vivo imaging of cardiovascular diseases by monitoring the γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) dynamics. HDS-GGT exhibited a stable PA signal with auxiliary absorbance and NIRF variation after the trigger by GGT. In all three modalities of absorbance, NIRF, and PA, HDS-GGT could quantitatively reflect the GGT level. In PA modality, HDS-GGT indicated the practical advantages including high sensitivity, high stability, and high specificity. In living oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced RAW264.7 cells, HDS-GGT indicated proper capability for imaging the plaques by visualizing the GGT dynamics. Moreover, during imaging in living model mice, HDS-GGT was achieved to distinguish the plaques from healthy blood vessels via a multiview PA presentation. HDS-GGT could also suggest the severity of plaques in the extracted aorta from the model mice, which was consistent with the histological staining results. The information herein might be useful for future investigations on cardiovascular diseases.

NLRP3 knockout in mice provided protection against Serratia marcescens-induced acute pneumonia by decreasing PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in macrophages.

Antibiotic-resistant Serratia marcescens (Sm) is known to cause bloodstream infections, pneumonia, etc. The nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), has been implicated in various lung infections. Yet, its role in Sm-induced pneumonia was not well understood. In our study, we discovered that deletion of Nlrp3 in mice significantly improved Sm-induced survival rates, reduced bacterial loads in the lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and bloodstream, and mitigated the severity of acute lung injury (ALI) compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Mechanistically, we observed that 24 h post-Sm infection, NLRP3 inflammasome activation occurred, leading to gasdermin D NH2-terminal (GSDMD-NT)-induced pyroptosis in macrophages and IL-1ß secretion. The NLRP3 or NLRP3 inflammasome influenced the expression PD-L1 and PD-1, as well as the count of PD-L1 or PD-1-expressing macrophages, alveolar macrophages, interstitial macrophages, PD-L1-expressing neutrophils, and the count of macrophage receptors with collagenous structure (MARCO)-expressing macrophages, particularly MARCO+ alveolar macrophages. The frequency of MARCO+ alveolar macrophages, PD-1 expression, particularly PD-1+ interstitial macrophages were negatively or positively correlated with the Sm load, respectively. Additionally, IL-1ß levels in BALF correlated with three features of acute lung injury: histologic score, protein concentration and neutrophil count in BALF. Consequently, our findings suggest that Nlrp3 deletion offers protection agaisnt acute Sm pneumonia in mice by inhibiting inflammasome activation and reducing Sm infection-induced PD-L1/PD-1 or MARCO expression, particularly in macrophages. This highlights potential therapeutic targets for Sm and other gram-negative bacteria-induced acute pneumonia.

Multifunctional fluorescence/photoacoustic bimodal imaging of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase in liver disorders under different triggering conditions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) seriously threatens the human health. Previous investigations revealed that γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) was tightly associated with the chronic injury, hepatic fibrosis, and the development of HCC, therefore might act as a potential indicator for monitoring the HCC-related processes. Herein, with the contribution of a structurally optimized probe ETYZE-GGT, the bimodal imaging in both far red fluorescence (FL) and photoacoustic (PA) modes has been achieved in multiple HCC-related models. To our knowledge, this work covered the most comprehensive models including the fibrosis and developed HCC processes as well as the premonitory induction stages (autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). ETYZE-GGT exhibited steady and practical monitoring performances on reporting the HCC stages via visualizing the GGT dynamics. The two modes exhibited working consistency and complementarity with high spatial resolution, precise apparatus and desirable biocompatibility. In cooperation with the existing techniques including testing serum indexes and conducting pathological staining, ETYZE-GGT basically realized the universal application for the accurate pre-clinical diagnosis of as many HCC stages as possible. By deeply exploring the mechanically correlation between GGT and the HCC process, especially during the premonitory induction stages, we may further raise the efficacy for the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Constructing a novel fluorescence detection method for γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and application on visualizing liver injury.

Liver injury is a serious threat to human health, and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is proven to be one of the clinical biomarkers of liver injury. The conventional detection method of GGT activity in serum suffers from the complex operation, expensive equipment, and incapability of dynamically monitoring in biological samples. Herein, in consideration of the excellent characteristics of fluorescent probes, such as simple operation, high sensitivity, low cost, and good biocompatibility, a novel fluorescence detection method for GGT based on the combination of probe Rho-GGT and glutamic acid 5-hydrazide (glutamlhydrine) was designed. This method was applied to liver injury model mice to construct the relationship between the fluorescence signal, GGT activity, and the occurrence or development stage of liver injury. The fluorescence detection method combined with clinical indexes could more accurately characterize the situation of liver fibrosis, and evaluate the efficacy of liver fibrosis drugs, which could help provide important information for accurate diagnosis and early treatment of liver injury. The successful implementation of this project would promote the accurate in situ detection of GGT in liver injury, which was expected to guide pre-clinical diagnosis and clinical practice.

Complete genome sequence of marine Roseobacter lineage member Ruegeria sp. YS9 with five plasmids isolated from red algae.

Ruegeria sp. YS9, an aerobic and chemoheterotrophic bacterium belonging to marine Roseobacter lineage, was a putative new species isolated from red algae Eucheuma okamurai in the South China Sea (Beihai, Guangxi province). The complete genome sequence in strain YS9 comprised one circular chromosome with 3,244,635 bp and five circular plasmids ranging from 38,085 to 748,160 bp, with a total length of 4.30 Mb and average GC content of 58.39%. In total, 4129 CDSs, 52 tRNA genes and 9 rRNA genes were obtained. Genomic analysis of strain YS9 revealed that 85 CAZymes were organized in 147 PUL-associated CAZymes involved in polysaccharides metabolism, which were the highest among its two closely related Ruegeria strains. Numerous PULs related to degradation on the cell wall of algae, especially agar, indicated its major player role in the remineralization of algal-derived carbon. Further, the existence of multiple plasmids provided strain YS9 with distinct advantages to facilitate its rapid environmental adaptation, including polysaccharide metabolism, denitrification, resistance to heavy metal stresses such as copper and cobalt, type IV secretion systems and type IV toxin-antitoxin systems, which were obviously different from the two Ruegeria strains. This study provides evidence for polysaccharide metabolic capacity and functions of five plasmids in strain YS9, broadening our understanding of the ecological roles of bacteria in the environment around red algae and the function patterns of plasmids in marine Roseobacter lineage members for environmental adaptation.

Discovery of the cysteine dynamics during the development and treatment of diabetic process by fluorescent imaging.

Herein, a novel fluorescent probe RhoDCM was developed for monitoring the cysteine (Cys) dynamics. For the first time, the Cys-triggered implement was applied in relatively complete diabetic mice models. The response of RhoDCM towards Cys suggested advantages including practical sensitivity, high selectivity, rapid reaction, and steadiness in various pH and temperature conditions. RhoDCM could basically monitor the intracellular Cys level, both exogenous and endogenous. It could further monitor the glucose level via detecting consumed Cys. Furthermore, the diabetic mice models including the no diabetic control group, the induced model groups by streptozocin (STZ) or alloxan, and the treatment groups induced by STZ and treated with vildagliptin (Vil), dapagliflozin (DA), or metformin (Metf) were constructed. The models were checked by oral glucose tolerance test and significant liver-related serum indexes. Based on the models, the in vivo imaging and penetrating depth fluorescence imaging both indicated that RhoDCM could characterize the status of the development and treatment in the diabetic process via monitoring the Cys dynamics. Consequently, RhoDCM seemed beneficial for inferring the order of severity in the diabetic process and evaluating the potency of therapeutic schedules, which might be informatic for correlated investigations.

Anthelmintic nitazoxanide protects against experimental pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nitazoxanide is a therapeutic anthelmintic drug. Our previous studies found that nitazoxanide and its metabolite tizoxanide activated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signals. As AMPK activation and/or STAT3 inhibition are targets for treating pulmonary fibrosis, we hypothesized that nitazoxanide would be effective in experimental pulmonary fibrosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate of cells was measured by using the high-resolution respirometry system Oxygraph-2K. The mitochondrial membrane potential of cells was evaluated by tetramethyl rhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) staining. The target protein levels were measured by using western blotting. The mice pulmonary fibrosis model was established through intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The examination of the lung tissues changes were carried out using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Masson staining. KEY RESULTS: Nitazoxanide and tizoxanide activated AMPK and inhibited STAT3 signalling in human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5 cells). Nitazoxanide and tizoxanide inhibited transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-induced proliferation and migration of MRC-5 cells, collagen-I and α-smooth muscle cell actin (α-SMA) expression, and collagen-I secretion from MRC-5 cells. Nitazoxanide and tizoxanide inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inhibited TGF-ß1-induced Smad2/3 activation in mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12 cells). Oral administration of nitazoxanide reduced the bleomycin-induced mice pulmonary fibrosis and, in the established bleomycin-induced mice, pulmonary fibrosis. Delayed nitazoxanide treatment attenuated the fibrosis progression. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Nitazoxanide improves the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, suggesting a potential application of nitazoxanide for pulmonary fibrosis treatment in the clinic.

Imaging and detection of sulfite in acute liver injury with a novel quinoxaline-based fluorescent probe.

Herein, a novel fluorescent probe HZY was developed for monitoring the sulfite (SO32-) dynamics. For the first time, the SO32- triggered implement was applied in the acute liver injury (ALI) model. The levulinate was selected to achieve the specific and relatively steady recognition reaction. With the addition of SO32-, the fluorescence response of HZY exhibited a large Stokes shift of 110 nm under the 380 nm excitation. The merits included high selectivity under various pH conditions. Compared with the reported fluorescent probes for sulfite, HZY indicated above-moderate performances including remarkable and rapid response (40 folds, within 15 min), and high sensitivity (limit of detection = 0.21 µM). Further, HZY could visualize the exogenous and endogenous SO32- level in living cells. Moreover, HZY could gauge the changing levels of SO32- in three types (induced by CCl4, APAP, and alcohol) of ALI models. Both in vivo imaging and depth-of-penetration fluorescence imaging demonstrated that HZY could characterize the developmental and therapeutic status during the liver injury process by measuring the dynamic of SO32-. The successful implementation of this project would promote the accurate in-situ detection of SO32- in liver injury, which was expected to guide the pre-clinical diagnosis and clinical practice.