A dual network cross-linked hydrogel with multifunctional Bletilla striata polysaccharide/gelatin/tea polyphenol for wound healing promotion.

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex biological process, and traditional biological excipients cannot meet the needs of the wound healing process, and there is an urgent need for a biological dressing with multifunctionality and the ability to participate in all stages of wound healing. This study developed tea polyphenol (TP) incorporated multifunctional hydrogel based on oxidized Bletilla striata polysaccharide (OBSP) and adipic acid dihydrazide modified gelatin (Gel-ADH) with antimicrobial, antioxidant hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties to promote wound healing. The composite OBSP, Gel-ADH, TP (OBGTP) hydrogels prepared by double crosslinking between OBSP, TP and Gel-ADH via Schiff base bonding and hydrogen bonding had good rheological and swelling properties. The introduction of TP provided the composite hydrogel with excellent antioxidant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coil). In the rat liver hemorrhage model and skin injury model, the OBGTP composite hydrogel had significant (p < 0.001) hemostatic ability, and had the ability to accelerate collagen deposition, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, and promote rapid wound healing. In addition, OBGTP hydrogels had adhesive properties and good biocompatibility. In conclusion, OBGTP multifunctional composite hydrogels have great potential for wound healing applications.

Multi-omics analysis reveals BDE47 induces depression-like behaviors in mice by interfering with the 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-associated microbiota-gut-brain axis.

2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47) is a foodborne environmental risk factor for depression, but the pathogenic mechanism has yet to be fully characterized. In this study, we clarified the effect of BDE47 on depression in mice. The abnormal regulation of the microbiome-gut-brain axis is evidenced closely associated with the development of depression. Using RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and 16s rDNA amplicon sequencing, the role of the microbiome-gut-brain axis in depression was also explored. The results showed that BDE47 exposure increased depression-like behaviors in mice but inhibited the learning memory ability of mice. The RNA sequencing analysis showed that BDE47 exposure disrupted dopamine transmission in the brain of mice. Meanwhile, BDE47 exposure reduced protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT), activated astrocytes and microglia cells, and increased protein levels of NLRP3, IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α in the brain of mice. The 16 s rDNA sequencing analysis showed that BDE47 exposure disrupted microbiota communities in the intestinal contents of mice, and faecalibaculum was the most increased genus. Moreover, BDE47 exposure increased the levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α in the colon and serum of mice but decreased the levels of tight junction protein ZO-1 and Occludin in the colon and brain of mice. In addition, the metabolomic analysis revealed that BDE47 exposure induced metabolic disorders of arachidonic acid and neurotransmitter 2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) was one of the most decreased metabolites. Correlation analysis further revealed gut microbial dysbiosis, particularly faecalibaculum, is associated with altered gut metabolites and serum cytokines in response to BDE47 exposure. Our results suggest that BDE47 might induce depression-like behavior in mice through gut microbial dysbiosis. The mechanism might be associated with the inhibited 2-AG signaling and increased inflammatory signaling in the gut-brain axis.

Calpain inhibitor MDL28170 alleviates cerebral ischemia­reperfusion injury by suppressing inflammation and autophagy in a rat model of cardiac arrest.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is associated with a poor neurological prognosis in patients who have experienced cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential role of a calpain inhibitor in CIRI using a rat model of CA. CA was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, and MDL28170 (a calpain inhibitor) was administered to the rats within 30 min after the return of spontaneous circulation. Differences between groups were evaluated by measuring survival rate, CPR duration and neurological deficit score. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were performed to assess cerebral injury, and microstructure and autophagy were assessed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of calpain-1, calpain-2, calpastatin, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, P62, beclin-1 and LC3 in the brain tissues were determined using western blotting and double immunofluorescence staining. There was no significant difference in CPR duration or survival rate among the groups. At 24 h after CPR, the CA group demonstrated damaged tissue morphology; decreased neurological deficit scores, and P62 expression; and upregulated calpain-2, IL-1ßp17, TNF-α, beclin-1 and LC3 levels in the cortex. However, MDL28170 improved neuronal function and suppressed inflammation and autophagy by inhibiting calpain-2 level, but there were no differences in the calpain-1 and calpastatin levels. These results suggest that calpain-2, inflammation and autophagy are involved in CA-induced CIRI. MDL28170 inhibited calpain-2 expression, inflammation and autophagy, which suggests its potential efficacy in treating post-CA nerve damage.

[Effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor on calpain in rat cerebral cortex after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 on calpain-related proteins in the brain, and to understand the pathophysiological changes of calpain in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: Forty-two rats were divided into sham operation (Sham) group (n = 6), model group (n = 12), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group (n = 12), and PD98059 group (n = 12) by random number table. The rat model of CIRI induced by cardiac arrest-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA-CPR) was reproduced by transesophageal electrical stimulation to induce ventricular fibrillation. In the Sham group, only the basic operations such as anesthesia, tracheal intubation, and arteriovenous catheterization were performed without CA-CPR. The rats in the DMSO control group and PD98059 group were injected with DMSO or PD98059 0.30 mg/kg via femoral vein, respectively, 30 minutes after the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and rats in the Sham group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline. The duration of CPR, 24-hour survival rate and neurological deficit score (NDS) after ROSC were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the pathological changes of the cerebral cortex. The expressions of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), ERK, calpastatin, calpain-1, and calpain-2 were detected by Western blotting. The co-expression of p-ERK and calpain-2 was detected by double immunofluorescence. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the duration of CPR and 24-hour survival rate among all groups. In the model group, the nuclei of the cerebral cortex were obviously deformed and pyknotic, cells vacuoles and tissues were arranged disorderly, Nissl corpuscles were significantly reduced, NDS scores were also significantly reduced, level of ERK phosphorylation was increased, and calpain-2 protein was significantly up-regulated compared with the Sham group. There was no significant difference in the above parameters between the DMSO control group and the model group. After intervention with PD98059, the pathological injury of brain tissue was significantly improved, Nissl corpuscles were significantly increased, the NDS score was significantly higher than that in the model group [75.0 (72.0, 78.0) vs. 70.0 (65.0, 72.0), P < 0.05], the level of ERK phosphorylation and calpain-2 protein expression were significantly lower than those in the model group [p-ERK (p-ERK/ERK): 0.65±0.12 vs. 0.92±0.05, calpain-2 protein (calpain-2/GAPDH): 0.73±0.10 vs. 1.07±0.14, both P < 0.05], while there was no significant difference in the expressions of calpastatin and calpain-1 in the cerebral cortex among all the groups. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that p-ERK and calpain-2 were co-expressed in cytosol and nucleus, and the co-expression rate of p-ERK and calpain-2 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the Sham group [(38.6±4.3)% vs. (9.2±3.5)%, P < 0.05], while it was significantly lowered in the PD98059 group compared with the model group [(18.2±7.0)% vs. (38.6±4.3)%, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: ERK together with calpain-2 participated in CIRI induced by CA-CPR. PD98059 inhibited the expression of calpain-2 and ERK phosphorylation. Therefore, ERK/calpain-2 may be a novel therapeutic target for CIRI.

Selective and Real-Time Detection of Nitric Oxide by a Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe in Live Cells and Tissue Slices.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes. To understand these NO-mediated processes, it is a key to develop rapid and specific detection methods for NO. In the past 2 decades, numerous excellent fluorescent probes for NO have been designed; however, it still remains limitations such as slow response, low selectivity, and short excitation wavelength (<600 nm). In this Article, a two-photon fluorescent probe, NO-QA5, has been developed with 3-dimethylaminophenyl linking at the 6-position of 5-aminoquinoline as both the active site and prefluorophore for detection of NO. The nonfluorescent NO-QA5 can fast react with NO via a diazonium intermediate to generate two azoic regioisomers, one of which exhibits intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) emission, and two-photon absorption behavior (Î´Φ = 57 GM), giving a turn-on fluorescence rapid response. The sensing reaction is pH-insensitive in the range of 6-11 and highly selective and well sensitive (LOD = 15 nM), possible undergoing the same intermediate diazonium with the reaction under diazotization condition (NaNO2/HCl). Also, as a nitrite fluorescent probe NO-QA5 exhibits highly sensitive (LOD = 7 nM). Therefore, NO-QA5 can serve as a dual functional fluorescent probe for NO and NO2-. Furthermore, NO-QA5 as a specific imaging agent has been demonstrated by achieving both exogenous and endogenous detections of NO in living cells under both one- and two-photon excitation and high resolution in tissue slices under two-photon excitation.

[Regulation of paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation via inhibition of c-Abl kinase to protect ventilator induce lung injury in vivo in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the inhibition of paxillin tyrosine residues 31 and tyrosine residues 118 (Pxn Y31 and Pxn Y118) phosphorylation via inhibition of c-Abl kinase will effectively block its downstream effector molecules vessel endothelium-cadherin (VE-cad), and whether Rho/Rho kinase activation which will induce the vascular barrier dysfunction. METHODS: Ninety healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (each n =10). Only tracheotomy was undergone in the sham group. Groups of protective ventilation were set at a volume tidal (VT) of 6 mL/kg, a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH2O (1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa) for 1 hour or 2 hours (namely group PVT 1 h and group PVT 2 h), respectively. Groups of high VT were put on mechanical ventilation (MV) at high VT 30 mL/kg, PEEP 0 for 1 hour or 2 hours (namely group HVT 1 h and group HVT 2 h), respectively. Groups UO126 and AG957 pretreatment were set on MV at HVT for 1 hour or 2 hour respectively, but they were given p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/44MAPK) inhibitor UO126 1 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection or c-Abl kinase inhibitor AG957 10 mL/kg by intragastric injection 1 hour before HVT ventilation. All the animals were sacrificed after experiments and specimens of lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. Pulmonary vascular permeability was measured by Evans blue (EB). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in BALF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then the change of lung tissue pathology was observed with light microscope, diffuse alveolar damage system (DAD) score and lung wet/dry ratio (W/D) were estimated. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured by colorimetric analysis, phosphorylations of c-Abl Y245, Pxn Y31, Pxn Y118, VE-cad Y658, p42/44MAPK Y202/Y204, myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin-associated phosphatasetype Y696 (MYPT Y696) were determined by Western Blot. RESULTS: (1)There were no obvious pathological changes in the lung tissue in the sham group and PVT 1 h or 2 h group, and also there were no significant differences in all the parameters between above groups. However, the injury in lung tissue was severe in the HVT groups. In addition, DAD score, lung W/D ratio, EB content, the activity of MPO, and TNF-α in BALF in HVT groups were significantly higher than those in sham group and PVT groups. After pretreatment with AG957 or UO126, all the parameters were significantly decreased as compared with those of groups HVT. (2) The levels of phosphorylation of the proteins in lung tissue in HVT groups were increased as compared with those of group sham and groups PVT, especially at 2 hours of MV. However, compared with groups HVT, the level of p-VE-cad Y658 in lung tissue decreased significantly in group AG957 and group UO126 at 2 hours after HVT. However, the levels of all phosphorylated proteins at 2 hours were significantly lowered in the AG957 group compared with those of the HVT group [p-c-Abl Y245 (gray value): 0.29±0.04 vs. 0.42±0.04, p-Pxn Y31 (gray value): 0.51±0.03 vs. 0.70±0.05, p-Pxn Y118 (gray value): 0.65±0.04 vs. 0.91±0.04, p-VE-cad Y658 (gray value): 0.77±0.07 vs. 1.32±0.07, p-p42/44MAPK Y202/Y204 (gray value): 0.38±0.06 vs. 0.61±0.03, p-MLC (gray value): 0.37±0.04 vs. 0.77±0.05, p-MYPT Y696 (gray value): 0.54±0.05 vs. 0.87±0.06, all P < 0.05]. After pretreatment with UO126, the phosphorylation level of VE-cad in lung tissue at 2 hours was significantly lower than that of HVT group (gray value: 0.74±0.04 vs. 1.32±0.07), and the phosphorylation levels of p42/44MAPK and its downstream effector molecules MLC and MYPT Y696 were also significantly decreased [p-p42/44MAPK Y202/Y204 (gray value): 0.38±0.07 vs. 0.61±0.03, p-MLC (gray value): 0.37±0.04 vs. 0.77±0.05, p-MYPT Y696 (gray value): 0.55±0.05 vs. 0.87±0.06, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Pxn Y31 and Pxn Y118 phosphorylation could be blocked by inhibition of c-Abl kinase, which could strengthen VE-cad at attachment junction and might block formation of Pxn-guanine nucleotide-exchange factor H1 (GEF-H1)-p44/42MAPK signalosome which induce activation local Rho signaling, lead to activation of MLC phosphorylation, actomyosin contraction, and increase endothelial permeability.

Red fluorescent probes based on a Bodipy analogue for selective and sensitive detection of selenols in solutions and in living systems.

Selenocysteine (Sec), which is a biological selenol incorporated into selenoproteins specifically, plays vital roles in physiological processes and cancer treatment. However, there are limited fluorescent probes for selective detection of Sec and in only one case is a near-infrared (IR) fluorescent probe applied in biological imaging of Sec in living animals. In this work, we have synthesized a new fluorophore, boron-dibenzopyrromethene (B-Bodipy), with an absorption maximum at 650-660 nm, and constructed two deep red fluorescent probes, Sel-p1 and Sel-p2, which are two ethers composed of a 2,4-dinitrobenzenoxy and B-Bodipy moiety. Experiments in solution show that the two probes can react effectively with selenols to release the fluorophore via aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr), with a low limit of detection (16 nM and 9 nM), high selectivity and excellent photostability. The potential application for the detection of Sec in cells has been demonstrated by cell imaging experiments of Sel-p2, including detection of exogenous Sec and selenite-induced Sec in living cells. Furthermore, Sel-p2 as a red fluorescent probe can achieve the detection of Sec in animals by mice imaging experiments.

Acid-Activatable Michael-Type Fluorescent Probes for Thiols and for Labeling Lysosomes in Live Cells.

A Michael addition is usually taken as a base-catalyzed reaction. Most fluorescent probes have been designed to detect thiols in slightly alkaline solutions (pH 7-9). The sensing reactions of almost all Michael-type fluorescent probes for thiols are faster in a high pH solution than in a low pH solution. In this work, we synthesized a series of 7-substituted 2-(quinolin-2-ylmethylene)malonic acids (QMAs, substituents: NEt2, OH, H, Cl, or NO2) and their ethyl esters (QMEs) as Michael-type fluorescent probes for thiols. The sensing reactions of QMAs and QMEs occur in distinct pH ranges, pH < 7 for QMAs and pH > 7 for QMEs. On the basis of experimental and theoretic studies, we have clarified the distinct pH effects on the sensing reactivity between QMAs and QMEs and demonstrated that two QMAs (NEt2, OH) are highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probes for thiols in acidic solutions (pH < 7) and promising dyes that can label lysosomes in live cells.

[Research on the effect of protection against ventilator-induced lung injury via regulation of caveolin-1/heme oxygenase-1 signaling].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the inhibition of caveolin-1 tyrosine residues 14 (Cav-1-Y14) phosphorylation with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (PP2) will upregulate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity to protect against ventilation induced lung injury in vivo of an animal model. METHODS: Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (each n=6). Group A served as normal control group, in which rats did not receive ventilation but tracheotomy. Groups B1 and B2 received lung protective ventilation respectively for 1 hour or 2 hours. Groups C1 and C2 received high tidal volume (40 mL/kg) ventilation for 1 hour or 2 hours, respectively. The group D1 or D2 also received high tidal volume ventilation for 1 hour or 2 hour respectively, but they were given PP2 1 hour before high tidal volume ventilation. The groups E1 and E2 also received high tidal volume ventilation respectively for 1 hour or 2 hours, but tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 and HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) were given to animals 18 hours before high tidal volume ventilation. All the animals were sacrificed after ventilation, and the specimens of lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. Then the changes in pathology of lung tissue was observed, and diffuse alveolar damage scores (DAD) were calculated, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured by colorimetric analysis, lung wet/dry ratio (W/D) was estimated. The expressions of phosphorylated caveolin-1 (P-Cav-1-Y14), caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and HO-1 were determined by Western Blot. The expressions of high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) and advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE) in lung tissues were assayed with immunohistochemistry staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in BALF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in all the parameters between group A and groups B. Compared with group B1, DAD score, W/D ratio, the activity of MPO and the concentration of TNF-α in BALF in group C1 were significantly increased [ DAD score: 7.97±0.59 vs. 0.55±0.13, W/D ratio: 5.70±1.61 vs. 5.04±0.63, MPO (U/g): 1.82±0.14 vs. 0.77±0.26, TNF-α (ng/L): 370.10±29.61 vs. 54.38±8.18, all P<0.05], and the injury in ventilation 2 hours group was more serious than that in ventilation 1 hour group. Compared with groups C, all the parameters in groups D were significantly decreased. The parameters in groups E were significantly higher than those in groups A, B, and D, but no significant difference was found as compared with groups C. Compared with groups B, the protein expressions of Cav-1 and P-Cav-1-Y14 (gray value) in groups C were significantly increased (1 hour: 1.49±0.02 vs. 1.26±0.13, 1.34±0.02 vs. 0.87±0.04; 2 hours: 1.58±0.02 vs. 1.27±0.27, 1.31±0.01 vs. 0.95±0.02, all P<0.05), and the expression of HO-1 protein (gray value) was significantly decreased (1 hour: 0.59±0.02 vs. 1.10±0.01, 2 hours: 0.49±0.01 vs. 1.20±0.02, both P<0.05). No significant difference in Cav-1 protein expression between groups D as well as groups E and groups C. The protein expression of P-Cav-1-Y14 in groups D and E was significantly lower than that in groups C. The protein expression of HO-1 in groups D was significantly higher than that in groups C, but the phenomenon was not found in groups E as compared with groups C. Compared with group A, the positive expression of HMGB1 and RAGE in lung tissue in groups C and E was significantly increased, but no significant difference was found between groups B as well as groups D and group A. CONCLUSIONS: Cav-1-Y14 phosphorylation is the key factor for ventilator induced lung injury, which can not only lead to a decrease in vascular barrier function, but also inhibit the activity of HO-1 enzyme, thus further aggravates inflammatory injury of the lung as induced by mechanical ventilation.

Ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probes for mitochondrial hydrogen sulfide in living cells.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule with diverse biological roles. Various fluorescent probes for H2S with biological application have been developed. However, two-photon ratiometric imaging of mitochondrial H2S is scarce. In this paper, we report two ratiometric two-photon probes, AcHS-1 and AcHS-2, which employ 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide as the fluorophore and 4-azidobenzyl carbamate as the H2S response site. These probes exhibit high selectivity toward H2S over biothiols and other reactive species, low detection limits of 50-85 nM, low cytotoxicity, and high stability under physiological conditions. Furthermore, through cell imaging with one-photon and two-photon microscopy, MCF-7 cells incubated with two probes show a marked change in emission color from blue to green in response to H2S. Cell images costraining with a mitochondrial dye reveal that AcHS-2 is a mitochondria-specific two-photon probe for H2S. These results show that AcHS-2 may find useful applications in biological research such as tracking mitochondrial H2S in living biological specimens.