Two conserved epigenetic regulators prevent healthy ageing.

It has long been assumed that lifespan and healthspan correlate strongly, yet the two can be clearly dissociated1-6. Although there has been a global increase in human life expectancy, increasing longevity is rarely accompanied by an extended healthspan4,7. Thus, understanding the origin of healthy behaviours in old people remains an important and challenging task. Here we report a conserved epigenetic mechanism underlying healthy ageing. Through genome-wide RNA-interference-based screening of genes that regulate behavioural deterioration in ageing Caenorhabditis elegans, we identify 59 genes as potential modulators of the rate of age-related behavioural deterioration. Among these modulators, we found that a neuronal epigenetic reader, BAZ-2, and a neuronal histone 3 lysine 9 methyltransferase, SET-6, accelerate behavioural deterioration in C. elegans by reducing mitochondrial function, repressing the expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins. This mechanism is conserved in cultured mouse neurons and human cells. Examination of human databases8,9 shows that expression of the human orthologues of these C. elegans regulators, BAZ2B and EHMT1, in the frontal cortex increases with age and correlates positively with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, ablation of Baz2b, the mouse orthologue of BAZ-2, attenuates age-dependent body-weight gain and prevents cognitive decline in ageing mice. Thus our genome-wide RNA-interference screen in C. elegans has unravelled conserved epigenetic negative regulators of ageing, suggesting possible ways to achieve healthy ageing.

Genome-wide landscape of ApiAP2 transcription factors reveals a heterochromatin-associated regulatory network during Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage development.

Heterochromatin-associated gene silencing controls multiple physiological processes in malaria parasites, however, little is known concerning the regulatory network and cis-acting sequences involved in the organization of heterochromatin and how they modulate heterochromatic gene expression. Based on systematic profiling of genome-wide occupancy of eighteen Apicomplexan AP2 transcription factors by ChIP-seq analysis, we identify and characterize eight heterochromatin-associated factors (PfAP2-HFs), which exhibit preferential enrichment within heterochromatic regions but with differential coverage profiles. Although these ApiAP2s target euchromatic gene loci via specific DNA motifs, they are likely integral components of heterochromatin independent of DNA motif recognition. Systematic knockout screenings of ApiAP2 factors coupled with RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling revealed three activators and three repressors of heterochromatic gene expression including four PfAP2-HFs. Notably, expression of virulence genes is either completely silenced or significantly reduced upon the depletion of PfAP2-HC. Integrated multi-omics analyses reveal autoregulation and feed-forward loops to be common features of the ApiAP2 regulatory network, in addition to the occurrence of dynamic interplay between local chromatin structure and ApiAP2s in transcriptional control. Collectively, this study provides a valuable resource describing the genome-wide landscape of the ApiAP2 family and insights into functional divergence and cooperation within this family during the blood-stage development of malaria parasites.

Deletion of Bak1 alleviates microglial necroptosis and neuroinflammation after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Microglial necroptosis exacerbates neurodegenerative diseases, central nervous system (CNS) injury, and demonstrates a proinflammatory process, but its contribution to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is poorly characterized. BCL-2 homologous antagonist-killer protein (Bak1), a critical regulatory molecule of endogenous apoptosis, can be involved in the pathologic process of necroptosis by regulating mitochondrial permeability. In this study, we revealed microglia undergo necroptosis after SAH in vivo and vitro. Western blot revealed that Bak1 was elevated at 24 h after SAH. Knocked down of Bak1 by adeno-associated virus attenuates microglial necroptosis, alleviates neuroinflammation, and improves neurologic function after SAH in mice. Furthermore, oxyhemoglobin (10 µM) induced necroptosis in BV2 microglia, increasing Bak1 expression and mediating proinflammatory phenotype transformation, exacerbating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Abrogating BV2 Bak1 could reduce necroptosis by down-regulating the expression of phosphorylated pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL), then down-regulating proinflammatory phenotype gene expression. RNA-Seq showed that disrupting BV2 Bak1 down-regulates multiple immune and inflammatory pathways and ameliorates cell injury by elevating thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) expression. In summary, we identified a critical regulatory role for Bak1 in microglial necroptosis and neuroinflammation after SAH. Bak1 is expected to be a potential target for the treatment strategy of SAH.

Toll-like receptor 4-mediated microglial inflammation exacerbates early white matter injury following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Neuroinflammation has been reported to be associated with white matter injury (WMI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). As the main resident immune cells of the brain, microglia can be activated into proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), expressed on the surface of the microglia, plays a key role in microglial inflammation. However, the relationship between TLR4, microglial polarization, and WMI following SAH remains unclear. In this study, a total of 121 male adult C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice, 20 WT mice at postnatal day 1 (P1), and 41 male adult TLR4 gene knockout (TLR4-/-) mice were used to investigate the potential role of TLR4-induced microglial polarization in early WMI after SAH by radiological, histological, microstructural, transcriptional, and cytological evidence. The results indicated that microglial inflammation was associated with myelin loss and axon damage, shown as a decrease in myelin basic protein (MBP), as well as increase in degraded myelin basic protein (dMBP) and amyloid precursor protein (APP). Gene knockout of TLR4 revised microglial polarization toward the anti-inflammatory phenotype and protected the white matter at an early phase after SAH (24 h), as shown through reduction of toxic metabolites, preservation of myelin, reductions in APP accumulation, reductions in white matter T2 hyperintensity, and increases in FA values. Cocultures of microglia and oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for myelin production and maintenance, were established to further elucidate the relationship between microglial polarization and WMI. In vitro, TLR4 inhibition decreased the expression of microglial MyD88 and phosphorylated NF-κB, thereby inhibiting M1 polarization and mitigating inflammation. Decrease in TLR4 in the microglia increased preservation of neighboring oligodendrocytes. In conclusion, microglial inflammation has dual effects on early WMI after experimental SAH. Future explorations on more clinically relevant methods for modulating neuroinflammation are warranted to combat stroke with both WMI and gray matter destruction.

DNA helicase RecQ1 regulates mutually exclusive expression of virulence genes in Plasmodium falciparum via heterochromatin alteration.

The Plasmodium falciparum var gene family encodes ∼60 surface antigens by which parasites escape the host immune responses via clonal expression of var genes. However, the mechanism controlling this mutual exclusivity, associated with alterations in chromatin assembly, is not understood. Here, we determined how expression of the var gene family is regulated by two RecQ DNA helicase family members, PfRecQ1 and PfWRN, in P. falciparum Through genetic manipulation, we found that the complete var repertoire was silenced on PfRecQ1 knockout, whereas their expression did not show noticeable changes when PfWRN was knocked out. More important, mutually exclusive expression of var genes could be rescued by complementation of PfRecQ1. In addition, knocking out either of these two helicase genes changed the perinuclear cluster distribution of subtelomeres and subtelomeric var genes. Whereas deletion of PfRecQ1 increased the heterochromatin mark trimethylated (H3K9me3) at the transcription start site (TSS) of the var gene upsC1, that deletion had no effect on the global distribution of H3K9me3 over gene bodies, including those for the var genes. ChIP-seq assay showed that PfRecQ1 was enriched globally at the TSSs of all genes, whereas PfWRN-enriched regions occurred at the gene bodies of the var gene family, but not of other genes or at TSSs of all genes. On PfRecQ1 deletion, the upsC1 var gene moved from the active perinuclear transcription region to a silenced region of the upsC type. These findings imply that PfRecQ1, but not PfWRN, is essential for maintaining the clonal expression of var genes.

Epigenetic editing by CRISPR/dCas9 in Plasmodium falciparum.

Genetic manipulation remains a major obstacle for understanding the functional genomics of the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum Although the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein 9) system has been successfully applied to introduce permanent changes in the parasite genome, its use is still limited. Here we show that fusing different epigenetic effector domains to a Cas9 null mutant efficiently and specifically reprograms the expression of target genes in P. falciparum By precisely writing and erasing histone acetylation at the transcription start site regions of the invasion-related genes reticulocyte binding protein homolog 4 (rh4) and erythrocyte binding protein 175 (eba-175), respectively, we achieved significant activation of rh4 and repression of eba-175, leading to the switch of the parasite invasion pathways into human erythrocytes. By using the epigenetic knockdown system, we have also characterized the effects of PfSET1, previously identified as an essential gene, on expression of mainly trophozoite- and schizont-specific genes, and therefore regulation of the growth of the mature forms of P. falciparum This epigenetic CRISPR/dCas9 system provides a powerful approach for regulating gene expression at the transcriptional level in P. falciparum.

Ponesimod protects against neuronal death by suppressing the activation of A1 astrocytes in early brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

As an important initiator and responder of brain inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes transform into two new reactive phenotypes with changed morphology, altered gene expression and secretion profiles, termed detrimental A1 and beneficial A2. Inflammatory events have been shown to occur during the phase of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the phenotype transformation of astrocytes as well as its potential contribution to inflammatory status in the EBI of SAH has yet to be determined. In the present study, both in vivo and in vitro models of SAH were established, and the polarization of astrocytes after SAH was analyzed by RNA-seq, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. The effect of astrocytic phenotype transformation on neuroinflammation was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We demonstrated that astrocytes were transformed into A1 astrocytes and caused neuronal death through the release of pro-inflammatory factors in EBI after SAH. Importantly, Ponesimod, an S1PR1 specific modulator, exerted neuroprotective effects through the prevention of astrocytic polarization to the A1 phenotype as proved by immunofluorescence, neurological tests, and TUNEL study. We also revealed the role of Ponesimod in modulating astrocytic response was mediated by the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Our study suggested that Ponesimod may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of brain injury following SAH.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic RNA distribution responsible for maintaining neuroinflammatory microenvironment.

Subcellular localization of transcripts is highly associated with regulation of gene expression, synthesis of protein, and also the development of the human brain cortex. Although many mechanisms are prevalent in the occurrence of neuroinflammation, the mechanisms based on differences in subcellular localization of transcripts have not been explored. To characterize the dynamic profile of nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts during the progress of haemorrhage-induced neuroinflammation, we isolated nucleo-cytoplasmic RNA fractions of oxyhaemoglobin (oxy-Hb) treated microglia cells and sequenced both fractions. We discovered that cytoplasmic retained genes were the major forces to maintain the neuroinflammatory microenvironment with 10 hub genes and 40 conserved genes were identified. Moreover, antisense RNA Gm44096 and lincRNA Gm47270, which co-expressed with a crowd of inflammatory genes in the cytoplasm, were discovered as regulatory strategies for sustaining the neuroinflammatory microenvironment. Thus, our study provides a new perspective on understanding haemorrhage-induced neuroinflammation and also reveals a mechanism of lncRNA responsible for maintaining the neuroinflammatory microenvironment.

Biglycan regulates neuroinflammation by promoting M1 microglial activation in early brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Neuroinflammation can be caused by various factors in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). One of the most important features of this process is M1 microglial activation. In turn, the TLR4/NF-κB pathway plays an essential role in activating M1 phenotypic microglia. Biglycan, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, functions as an endogenous ligand of TLR4 and TLR2 in macrophages. However, the underlying mechanisms associated with microglial activation in stroke pathogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify the role of biglycan in neuroinflammation following SAH. In our study, SAH was induced by endovascular perforation in young male C57BL/6J mice. Lentiviral vector was administered intracerebroventricularly to knock down Biglycan. Post-SAH assessments included neurobehavioral tests, immunofluorescence, western blot, qRT-PCR, Co-IP, flow cytometry, and ELISA. The biglycan level was markedly elevated following SAH in vivo. Of particularly note, knockdown of biglycan significantly improved neurological outcomes. TLR4 was bound with soluble biglycan in vitro. In addition, biglycan down-regulation suppressed the expression of phosphorylated-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as the cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) production in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we detected a decreased expression of CD16/32 and CD86, M1 markers when biglycan was inhibited in vitro. Our work suggests that biglycan can induce neuroinflammation by promoting M1 microglial activation at least in part through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway after experimental SAH. Targeting biglycan may be a promising strategy for the clinical management of SAH.

The cryptic unstable transcripts are associated with developmentally regulated gene expression in blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum.

The tight gene expression regulation controls the development and pathogenesis of human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum throughout the complex life cycle. Recent studies have revealed the pervasive nascent transcripts in the genome of P. falciparum, suggesting the existence of a hidden transcriptome involved in the dynamic gene expression. However, the landscape and related biological functions of nascent non-coding RNAs (ns-ncRNAs) are still poorly explored. Here we profiled the transcription dynamics of nascent RNAs by rRNA-depleted and stranded RNA sequencing over the course of 48-h intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). We identified the genome-wide sources of a total of 2252 ns-ncRNAs, mostly originating from intergenic and untranslated regions of annotated genes. By integrating the nascent RNA abundances with ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq analysis, we uncovered the euchromatic microenvironment surrounding the ns-ncRNA loci, and revealed a positive correlation between ns-ncRNAs and corresponding mRNA abundances. Finally, by gene knock-down strategy, we showed that the cooperation of RNA exosome catalytic subunit PfDis3 and PfMtr4 cofactor played a major role in ns-ncRNAs degradation. Collectively, this study contributes to understanding of the potential roles of short-lived nascent ncRNAs in regulating gene expression in malaria parasites.

Vascularized characteristics and functional regeneration of three-dimensional cell reconstruction of oral mucosa equivalents based on vascular homeostasis phenotypic modification.

Our prior research has effectively developed tissue-engineered vascularized oral mucosa equivalents (VOME); however, challenges such as low repeatability and stability, as well as the inability to accurately replicate the complexity of real blood vessels, were encountered. Therefore, this study aimed to screen the VOME and native oral mucosa vascular homeostasis phenotypes by tandem mass tag-tagged proteomics associated with laser capture microdissection and human angiogenesis antibody array technology. Then, lentiviruses were constructed and stably transfected with vascular endothelial-like cells (VELCs) to detect angiogenic capacity. HE, EdU Apollo tracer staining, immunofluorescence staining, scanning electron microscopy, biomechanical testing, and a small animal ultrasound imaging system were used to analyze the characteristics of vascularization homeostasis and monitor functional regeneration of the vascularized homeostatic phenotypic oral mucosal equivalents (VHPOME). The results showed that PGAM1, COL5A1, ANG, and RNH1 are potential specific angiogenesis phenotypes. High expression of PGAM1, COL5A1, and ANG and/or low expression of RNH1 can promote the angiogenesis of VOME. ANG/shRNH1 has the most significant tube-like structure-formation ability. The expression of PGAM1, COL5A1, and ANG in the VHPOME group was higher than that of the control group, and the expression of RNH1 was lower than that of the control group. COL5A1/ANG can significantly improve the mechanical properties. The blood flow signal was most significant in the ANG/shRNH1 group. PGAM1, COL5A1, ANG, shRNH1, PGAM1/ANG, COL5A1/ANG, PGAM1/shRNH1, PGAM1/shRNH1, COL5A1/shRNH1, and ANG/shRNH1 may be the targets for establishing vascularization homeostasis and functional regeneration of oral mucosal equivalent genes (groups), and ANG/shRNH1 has the most significant effect.

From Cell to Gene: Deciphering the Mechanism of Heart Failure With Single-Cell Sequencing.

Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease with significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Due to the intricate structure of the heart, diverse cell types, and the complex pathogenesis of HF, further in-depth investigation into the underlying mechanisms  is required. The elucidation of the heterogeneity of cardiomyocytes and the intercellular communication network is particularly important. Traditional high-throughput sequencing methods provide an average measure of gene expression, failing to capture the "heterogeneity" between cells and impacting the accuracy of gene function knowledge. In contrast, single-cell sequencing techniques allow for the amplification of the entire genome or transcriptome at the individual cell level, facilitating the examination of gene structure and expression with unparalleled precision. This approach offers valuable insights into disease mechanisms, enabling the identification of changes in cellular components and gene expressions during hypertrophy associated with HF. Moreover, it reveals distinct cell populations and their unique roles in the HF microenvironment, providing a comprehensive understanding of the cellular landscape that underpins HF pathogenesis. This review focuses on the insights provided by single-cell sequencing techniques into the mechanisms underlying HF and discusses the challenges encountered in current cardiovascular research.

A two-step strategy to expand primary human hepatocytes in vitro with efficient metabolic and regenerative capacities.

BACKGROUND: Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are highly valuable for drug-metabolism evaluation, liver disease modeling and hepatocyte transplantation. However, their availability is significantly restricted due to limited donor sources, alongside their constrained proliferation capabilities and reduced functionality when cultured in vitro. To address this challenge, we aimed to develop a novel method to efficiently expand PHHs in vitro without a loss of function. METHODS: By mimicking the in vivo liver regeneration route, we developed a two-step strategy involving the de-differentiation/expansion and subsequent maturation of PHHs to generate abundant functional hepatocytes in vitro. Initially, we applied SiPer, a prediction algorithm, to identify candidate small molecules capable of activating liver regenerative transcription factors, thereby formulating a novel hepatic expansion medium to de-differentiate PHHs into proliferative human hepatic progenitor-like cells (ProHPLCs). These ProHPLCs were then re-differentiated into functionally mature hepatocytes using a new hepatocyte maturation condition. Additionally, we investigated the underlying mechanism of PHHs expansion under our new conditions. RESULTS: The novel hepatic expansion medium containing hydrocortisone facilitated the de-differentiation of PHHs into ProHPLCs, which exhibited key hepatic progenitor characteristics and demonstrated a marked increase in proliferation capacity compared to cells cultivated in previously established expansion conditions. Remarkably, these subsequent matured hepatocytes rivaled PHHs in terms of transcriptome profiles, drug metabolizing activities and in vivo engraftment capabilities. Importantly, our findings suggest that the enhanced expansion of PHHs by hydrocortisone may be mediated through the PPARα signaling pathway and regenerative transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a two-step strategy that initially induces PHHs into a proliferative state (ProHPLCs) to ensure sufficient cell quantity, followed by the maturation of ProHPLCs into fully functional hepatocytes to guarantee optimal cell quality. This approach offers a promising means of producing large numbers of seeding cells for hepatocyte-based applications.

Astrocytic LRP1 enables mitochondria transfer to neurons and mitigates brain ischemic stroke by suppressing ARF1 lactylation.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) is an endocytic/signaling cell-surface receptor that regulates diverse cellular functions, including cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. LRP1 has been previously implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, but there are inconsistencies in its functions. Therefore, whether and how LRP1 maintains brain homeostasis remains to be clarified. Here, we report that astrocytic LRP1 promotes astrocyte-to-neuron mitochondria transfer by reducing lactate production and ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) lactylation. In astrocytes, LRP1 suppressed glucose uptake, glycolysis, and lactate production, leading to reduced lactylation of ARF1. Suppression of astrocytic LRP1 reduced mitochondria transfer into damaged neurons and worsened ischemia-reperfusion injury in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we examined lactate levels in human patients with stroke. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate was elevated in stroke patients and inversely correlated with astrocytic mitochondria. These findings reveal a protective role of LRP1 in brain ischemic stroke by enabling mitochondria-mediated astrocyte-neuron crosstalk.

TRPM4 Drives Cerebral Edema by Switching to Alternative Splicing Isoform After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects persons of all ages and is recognized as a major cause of death and disability worldwide; it also brings heavy life burden to patients and their families. The treatment of those with secondary injury after TBI is still scarce, however. Alternative splicing (AS) is a crucial post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism associated with various physiological processes, while the contribution of AS in treatment after TBI is poorly illuminated. In this study, we performed and analyzed the transcriptome and proteome datasets of brain tissue at multiple time points in a controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model. We found that AS, as an independent change against the transcriptional level, is a novel mechanism linked to cerebral edema after TBI. Bioinformatics analysis further indicated that the transformation of splicing isoforms after TBI was related to cerebral edema. Accordingly, we found that the fourth exon of transient receptor potential channel melastatin 4 (Trpm4) abrogated skipping at 72 h after TBI, resulting in a frameshift of the encoded amino acid and an increase in the proportion of spliced isoforms. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we have shown the numbers of 3nEx isoforms of Trpm4 may be positively correlated with volume of cerebral edema. Thus alternative splicing of Trpm4 becomes a noteworthy mechanism of potential influence on edema. In summary, alternative splicing of Trpm4 may drive cerebral edema after TBI. Trpm4 is a potential therapeutic targeting cerebral edema in patients with TBI.

Intertwined Relation between the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria in Ischemic Stroke.

In ischemic stroke (IS), accumulation of the misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria-induced oxidative stress (OS) has been identified as the indispensable inducers of secondary brain injury. With the increasing recognition of an association between ER stress and OS with ischemic stroke and with the improved understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism, novel targets for drug therapy and new strategies for therapeutic interventions are surfacing. This review discusses the molecular mechanism underlying ER stress and OS response as both causes and consequences of ischemic stroke. We also summarize the latest advances in understanding the importance of ER stress and OS in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and discuss potential strategies and clinical trials explicitly aiming to restore mitochondria and ER dynamics after IS.

S100A8 regulates autophagy-dependent ferroptosis in microglia after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Targeting microglial activation has been shown to ameliorate early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death after SAH, but these molecular features were not recognized as evidence of microglial function so far. In this study, we constructed microglial S100A8-specific knockdown and established the SAH model in vivo and in vitro. Multi-technology strategies, including high throughput sequencing, adeno-associated virus gene gene-editing and several molecular biotechnologies to validate the effects of S100A8 on microglial autophagy and ferroptosis after SAH. Our results revealed that the expression of S100A8 was significantly increased in brain tissue after SAH. Targeted microglial S100A8 inhibition improved neural function and neuronal apoptosis in mice after SAH. Further mechanism exploration found that favourable effects of S100A8 depletion in EBI may be through the inhibition of microglia autophagy-dependent ferroptosis. In conclusion, S100A8 may be a potential intervention target for microglial ferroptosis in EBI after SAH.

Advancement of epigenetics in stroke.

A wide plethora of intervention procedures, tissue plasminogen activators, mechanical thrombectomy, and several neuroprotective drugs were reported in stroke research over the last decennium. However, against this vivid background of newly emerging pieces of evidence, there is little to no advancement in the overall functional outcomes. With the advancement of epigenetic tools and technologies associated with intervention medicine, stroke research has entered a new fertile. The stroke involves an overabundance of inflammatory responses arising in part due to the body's immune response to brain injury. Neuroinflammation contributes to significant neuronal cell death and the development of functional impairment and even death in stroke patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that epigenetics plays a key role in post-stroke conditions, leading to inflammatory responses and alteration of the microenvironment within the injured tissue. In this review, we summarize the progress of epigenetics which provides an overview of recent advancements on the emerging key role of secondary brain injury in stroke. We also discuss potential epigenetic therapies related to clinical practice.

Gut microbiota-brain interaction: An emerging immunotherapy for traumatic brain injury.

Individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience the activation of the immune system, resulting in declines in cognitive and neurological function after brain injury. Despite decades of efforts, approaches for clinically effective treatment are sparse. Evidence on the association between current therapeutic strategies and clinical outcomes after TBI is limited to poorly understood mechanisms. For decades, an increasing number of studies suggest that the gut-brain axis (GBA), a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract, plays a critical role in systemic immune response following neurological diseases. In this review, we detail current knowledge of the immune pathologies of GBA after TBI. These processes may provide a new therapeutic target and rehabilitation strategy developed and used in clinical treatment of TBI patients.

Proteome Analysis of USP7 Substrates Revealed Its Role in Melanoma Through PI3K/Akt/FOXO and AMPK Pathways.

The ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), as a deubiquitinating enzyme, plays an important role in tumor progression by various mechanisms and serves as a potential therapeutic target. However, the functional role of USP7 in melanoma remains elusive. Here, we found that USP7 is overexpressed in human melanoma by tissue microarray. We performed TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis to evaluate the A375 human melanoma cells treated with siRNA of USP7. Our data revealed specific proteins as well as multiple pathways and processes that are impacted by USP7. We found that the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases/Akt (PI3K-Akt), forkhead box O (FOXO), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways may be closely related to USP7 expression in melanoma. Moreover, knockdown of USP7 in A375 cells, particularly USP7 knockout using CRISPR-Cas9, verified that USP7 regulates cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that inhibition of USP7 increases expression of the AMPK beta (PRKAB1), caspase 7(CASP7), and protein phosphatase 2 subunit B R3 isoform (PPP2R3A), while attenuating expression of C subunit of vacuolar ATPase (ATP6V0C), and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 11 beta (PEX11B). In summary, these findings reveal an important role of USP7 in regulating melanoma progression via PI3K/Akt/FOXO and AMPK signaling pathways and implicate USP7 as an attractive anticancer target for melanoma.