Glued-bamboo composite based on a highly cross-linked cellulose-based adhesive and an epoxy functionalized bamboo surface.

Bamboo, as a renewable bioresource, exhibits advantages of fast growth cycle and high strength. Bamboo-based composite materials are a promising alternative to load-bearing structural materials. It is urgent to develop high-performance glued-bamboo composite materials. This study focused on the chemical bonding interface to achieve high bonding strength and water resistance between bamboo and dialdehyde cellulose-polyamine (DAC-PA4N) adhesive by activating the bamboo surface. The bamboo surface was initially modified in a directional manner to create an epoxy-bamboo interface using GPTES. The epoxy groups on the interface were then chemically crosslinked with the amino groups of the DAC-PA4N adhesive, forming covalent bonds within the adhesive layer. The results demonstrated that the hot water strength of the modified bamboo was improved by 75.8 % (from 5.17 to 9.09 MPa), and the boiling water strength was enhanced by 232 % (from 2.10 to 6.99 MPa). The bonding and flexural properties of this work are comparable to those of commercial phenolic resin. The activation modification of the bamboo surface offers a novel approach to the development of low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and sustainable bamboo engineering composites.

Mammalian orthoreovirus capsid protein σ3 antagonizes RLR-mediated antiviral responses by degrading MAVS.

Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) outer capsid protein σ3 is a multifunctional protein containing a double-stranded RNA-binding domain, which facilitates viral entry and assembly. We reasoned that σ3 has an innate immune evasion function. Here, we show that σ3 protein localizes in the mitochondria and interacts with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) to activate the intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Consequently, σ3 protein promotes the degradation of MAVS through the intrinsic caspase-9/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway. Moreover, σ3 protein can also inhibit the expression of the components of the RNA-sensing retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway to block antiviral type I interferon responses. Mechanistically, σ3 inhibits RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 expression is independent of its inhibitory effect on MAVS. Overall, we demonstrate that the MRV σ3 protein plays a vital role in negatively regulating the RLR signaling pathway to inhibit antiviral responses. This enables MRV to evade host defenses to facilitate its own replication providing a target for the development of effective antiviral drugs against MRV. IMPORTANCE: Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) is an important zoonotic pathogen, but the regulatory role of its viral proteins in retinoic acid-inducible gene-like receptor (RLR)-mediated antiviral responses is still poorly understood. Herein, we show that MRV σ3 protein co-localizes with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) in the mitochondria and promotes the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway to cleave and consequently degrade MAVS. Furthermore, tryptophan at position 133 of σ3 protein plays a key role in the degradation of MAVS. Importantly, we show that MRV outer capsid protein σ3 is a key factor in antagonizing RLR-mediated antiviral responses, providing evidence to better unravel the infection and transmission mechanisms of MRV.

Bacteroides and NAFLD: pathophysiology and therapy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver condition observed globally, with the potential to progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any drugs for the treatment of NAFLD. NAFLD is characterized by histopathological abnormalities in the liver, such as lipid accumulation, steatosis, hepatic balloon degeneration, and inflammation. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and its metabolites significantly contribute to the initiation and advancement of NAFLD. Bacteroides, a potential probiotic, has shown strong potential in preventing the onset and progression of NAFLD. However, the precise mechanism by which Bacteroides treats NAFLD remains uncertain. In this review, we explore the current understanding of the role of Bacteroides and its metabolites in the treatment of NAFLD, focusing on their ability to reduce liver inflammation, mitigate hepatic steatosis, and enhance intestinal barrier function. Additionally, we summarize how Bacteroides alleviates pathological changes by restoring the metabolism, improving insulin resistance, regulating cytokines, and promoting tight-junctions. A deeper comprehension of the mechanisms through which Bacteroides is involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD should aid the development of innovative drugs targeting NAFLD.

Mammalian reovirus µ1 protein attenuates RIG-I and MDA5-mediated signaling transduction by blocking IRF3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation.

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) is a non-enveloped, gene segmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus. It is an important zoonotic pathogen that infects many mammals and vertebrates that act as natural hosts and causes respiratory and digestive tract diseases. Studies have reported that RIG-I and MDA5 in the innate immune cytoplasmic RNA-sensing RIG-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway can recognize dsRNA from MRV and promote antiviral type I interferon (IFN) responses. However, the mechanism by which many MRV-encoded proteins evade the host innate immune response remains unclear. Here, we show that exogenous µ1 protein promoted the proliferation of MRV in vitro, while knockdown of MRV µ1 protein expression by shRNA could impair MRV proliferation. Specifically, µ1 protein inhibited MRV or poly(I:C)-induced IFN-ß expression, and attenuated RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling axis transduction during MRV infection. Importantly, we found that µ1 protein significantly decreased IFN-ß mRNA expression induced by MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, IRF3(5D), and degraded the protein expression of exogenous MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1 and IRF3 via the proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. Additionally, we show that µ1 protein can physically interact with MDA5, RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, and IRF3 and attenuate the RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling cascades by blocking the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3. In conclusion, our findings reveal that MRV outer capsid protein µ1 is a key factor in antagonizing RLRs signaling cascades and provide new strategies for effective prevention and treatment of MRV infection.

Non-invasive diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Current status and future perspective.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease throughout the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis can result from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe stage of NAFLD progression. By some estimates, NAFLD affects almost one-third of the world's population, which is completely new and serious public health issue. Unfortunately, NAFLD is diagnosed by exclusion, and the gold standard for identifying NAFLD/NASH and reliably measuring liver fibrosis remains liver biopsy, which is an invasive, costly, time-consuming procedure and involves variable inter-observer diagnosis. With the progress of omics and imaging techniques, numerous non-invasive serological assays have been generated and developed. On the basis of these developments, non-invasive biomarkers and imaging techniques have been combined to increase diagnostic accuracy. This review provides information for the diagnosis and assessment of NAFLD/NASH in clinical practice going forward and may assist the clinician in making an early and accurate diagnosis and in proposing a cost-effective patient surveillance. We discuss newly identified and validated non-invasive diagnostic methods from biopsy-confirmed NAFLD patient studies and their implementation in clinical practice, encompassing NAFLD/NASH diagnosis and differentiation, fibrosis assessment, and disease progression monitoring. A series of tests, including 20-carboxy arachidonic acid (20-COOH AA) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin D2 (dhk PGD2), were found to be potentially the most accurate non-invasive tests for diagnosing NAFLD. Additionally, the Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRE), combination of the FM-fibro index and Liver stiffness measurement (FM-fibro LSM index) and the machine learning algorithm (MLA) tests are more accurate than other tests in assessing liver fibrosis. However, it is essential to use bigger cohort studies to corroborate a number of non-invasive diagnostic tests with extremely elevated diagnostic values.

Distribution of mudsnail Bullacta caurina along smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora invasion stages on a coast of the Yellow Sea, China.

On a Chinese coast of the Yellow Sea, a 15-year Spartina alterniflora invasion sequence was classified into five stages: no invasion, initial invasion, immature invasion, mature invasion, and senescing invasion. The effects of invasion on Bullacta caurina distribution were studied. The stem density and vegetation coverage, and sediment organic matter content increased after S. alterniflora invaded, whereas chlorophyll a concentration and porewater salinity decreased. The stem density and vegetation coverage, and porewater salinity were the dominant factors explaining habitat variations. The invasion stages, seasons and their interaction had significant effects on B. caurina density, and the density decreased after initial invasion stage of S. alterniflora. Here, a clumped spatial distribution pattern was detected on B. caurina population. Organic matter content and chlorophyll a concentration were distinguished for predicting B. caurina density. The hydrologic condition, food resources, temperature, and predation risk comprehensively affected B. caurina distribution after S. alterniflora invasion.

Geniposide plus chlorogenic acid reverses non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via regulation of gut microbiota and bile acid signaling in a mouse model in vivo.

Background: Geniposide and chlorogenic acid are the major active ingredients in Yinchenhao Decoction and are widely used as herbal medicines in Asia. This study further assessed their effects on improvement of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a mouse model and explored the underlying molecular events in vivo. Methods: Male C57BL/6 and farnesoid X receptor knockout (FXR-/-) mice were used to establish the NASH model and were treated with or without geniposide, chlorogenic acid, obeticholic acid (OCA), and antibiotics for assessment of the serum and tissue levels of various biochemical parameters, bile acid, DNA sequencing of bacterial 16S amplicon, protein expression, and histology. Results: The data showed that the combination of geniposide and chlorogenic acid (GC) reduced the levels of blood and liver lipids, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and the liver tissue index in NASH mice. In addition, GC treatment improved the intestinal microbial disorders in the NASH mice as well as the intestinal and serum bile acid metabolism. At the gene level, GC induced FXR signaling, i.e., increased the expression of FXR, small heterodimer partner (SHP), and bile salt export pump (BSEP) in liver tissues and fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) expression in the ileal tissues of NASH mice. However, antibiotics (ampicillin, neomycin, vancomycin, and tinidazole) in drinking water (ADW) reversed the effect of GC on NASH and altered the gut microbiota in NASH mice in vivo. Furthermore, GC treatment failed to improve NASH in the FXR-/- mouse NASH model in vivo, indicating that the effectiveness of GC treatment might be through FXR signaling activation. Conclusion: GC was able to alleviate NASH by improving the gut microbiome and activating FXR signaling; its effect was better than each individual agent alone.

Body Size and Weight of Pill Bugs (Armadillidium vulgare) Vary between Urban Green Space Habitats.

Rapid urban development poses a threat to global biodiversity. At the same time, urban green spaces offer opportunities for holding biodiversity in cities. Among biological communities, the soil fauna plays a crucial role in ecological processes but is often ignored. Understanding the effects of environmental factors on soil fauna is critical for ecological conservation in urban areas. In this study, five typical green space habitats were selected including bamboo grove, forest, garden, grassland, and wasteland in spring, for detecting the relationship between habitats and Armadillidium vulgare population characteristics in Yancheng, China. Results indicate that soil water content, pH, soil organic matter, and soil total carbon varied significantly among habitats, as well as the body length and body weight of pill bugs. The higher proportion of larger pill bugs was found in the wasteland and the lower proportion in the grassland and the bamboo grove. The body length of pill bugs was positively related to pH. Soil total carbon, soil organic matter, and the number of plant species were correlated with the body weight of pill bugs.

Gypenosides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via farnesoid X receptor activation.

Background: Gypenosides (Gyps), the major botanical component of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, was found to up-regulate the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the exact role of FXR and underlying mechanisms in Gyps-mediated effects on NASH remain to be elucidated. Purpose: This study investigated whether Gyps attenuates NASH through directly activating FXR in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NASH, and delineated the molecular pathways involved. Study design: A mouse model of HFD-induced NSAH was used to examine effects of Gyps on NASH with obeticholic acid (OCA) as a positive control, and the role of FXR in its mechanism of action was investigated in wild-type (WT) and FXR knockout (KO) mice. Methods: WT or FXR KO mice were randomly assigned into four groups: normal diet (ND) group as negative control, HFD group, HFD + Gyps group, or HFD + OCA group. Results: Treatment with Gyps and OCA significantly improved liver histopathological abnormalities in HFD-induced NASH, reduced the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS), and lowered hepatic triglyceride (TG) content compared with the HFD group. In agreement with these liver tissue changes, biochemical tests of blood samples revealed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), TG, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fasting insulin (FINS) levels were significantly lower in the HFD + Gyps vs. HFD group. Furthermore, Gyps and OCA treatment significantly up-regulated hepatic FXR, small heterodimer partner (SHP), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression, and significantly down-regulated sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthetase (FASN), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) protein levels compared with the HFD group in WT mice but not in FXR KO mice. Notably, Gyps- and OCA-mediated pharmacological effects were significantly abrogated by depletion of the FXR gene in FXR KO mice. Conclusion: Gyps ameliorated HFD-induced NASH through the direct activation of FXR and FXR-dependent signaling pathways.

HSP27 Attenuates cGAS-Mediated IFN-ß Signaling through Ubiquitination of cGAS and Promotes PRV Infection.

Pseudorabies (PR) is a domestic and wild animal infectious disease caused by the pseudorabies virus (PRV) and is one of the major infectious diseases that endanger the global swine industry. Studies have reported that PRV may achieve cross-species transmission from pigs to humans in recent years. Therefore, in-depth exploration of the relationship between PRV and host proteins is of great significance for elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of PRV and anti-PRV infection. Here, we report that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) ubiquitinates and degrades cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and attenuates cGAS-mediated antiviral responses, thereby promoting PRV infection. Overexpression of HSP27 promoted PRV proliferation in vitro, while knockdown of HSP27 inhibited PRV infection. Importantly, we found that HSP27 inhibited PRV infection or poly(dA:dT)-activated IFN-ß expression. Further studies found that HSP27 may inhibit cGAS-STING-mediated IFN-ß expression through targeting cGAS. In addition, we found that HSP27 can suppress the expression of endogenous cGAS in different cells at both gene transcription and protein expression levels, and that HSP27 interacts with and ubiquitinates cGAS. In conclusion, we reveal for the first time that HSP27 is a novel negative regulator of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway induced by PRV infection or poly(dA:dT) activation and demonstrate that HSP27 plays a crucial role in PRV infection.

Persistent hiccup as one of the initial symptoms of leucine-rich glioma-inactivated-1 encephalitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis, an autoimmune disorder, is characterized by faciobrachial dystonic seizures, epilepsy, memory deficits and altered mental status while hiccup is not commonly found in patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male was presented with slurred speech, abnormal gait, faciobrachial dystonic seizures and impaired cognition. Besides, the hiccup was one of the initial symptoms. His brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed multiple lesions with left caudate nucleus, putamen, insula and left hippocampus involvement. Because a diagnosis of antibody-related limbic encephalitis was suspected, studies including an autoimmune profile were done by cell-based assays. After anti-LGI1 antibodies were detected in both cerebrospinal fluid and serology, pulse methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin were started and hence hiccups disappeared along with other symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that persistent hiccups might be one of the initial manifestations of LGI1 subtype of voltage-gated potassium channel complex antibody associated autoimmune encephalitis.

FDA approval summary: Crizotinib for pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

In January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved crizotinib for pediatric patients 1 year and older and young adults with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). This is the first approval for pediatric sALCL. Approval was based on a single-arm trial of crizotinib monotherapy that included 26 patients, aged 1-20 years, with previously treated sALCL. Efficacy was based on centrally assessed objective response rate (88%) and duration of response. Herein, we highlight unique aspects of the regulatory review, including extension of the indication to young adults, postmarketing safety, and dose optimization strategies.

FDA Approval Summary: Revised Indication and Dosing Regimen for Ponatinib Based on the Results of the OPTIC Trial.

On December 18, 2020, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental application for ponatinib extending the indication in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) to patients with resistance or intolerance of at least 2 prior kinase inhibitors. Ponatinib was initially approved in December 2012 but was briefly voluntarily withdrawn due to serious safety concerns including the risk of arterial occlusive events (AOE). It returned to the market in December 2013 with an indication limited to patients with T315I mutation or for whom no other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy was indicated with revised warnings and precautions. A post-marketing requirement was issued to identify the optimal safe and effective dose for CP-CML. Thus, the OPTIC trial was performed, which randomized patients to 1 of 3 doses, 45 mg, 30 mg, or 15 mg, with a dose reduction to 15 mg on achievement of MR2 (BCR-ABLIS ≤1%). Patients enrolled were treated with at least 2 prior TKIs or had a T315I mutation. Patients with a history of clinically significant, uncontrolled, or active cardiovascular disease were excluded. Efficacy was established on an interim analysis based on the rate of MR2 at 12 months in the modified intent-to-treat population of 261 patients, with 88, 86, and 87 patients in the 45, 30, and 15 mg cohorts, respectively. With a median follow-up of 28 months, the rate of achievement of MR2 at 12 months was 42%, 28%, and 24% in the respective cohorts. The safety profile was consistent with that observed in prior evaluations of ponatinib with notable adverse reactions including pancreatitis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver dysfunction, and AOE. Of patients treated at the 45/15 mg dose, AOEs were seen in 13%, with a higher rate being observed in patients age 65 or older compared to younger patients. A readjudication of AOEs seen on the prior pivotal phase 2 study resulted in a rate of 26%. Overall, the results supported a modification of the recommended dose for patients with CP-CML to 45 mg until the achievement of MR2 followed by a reduction to 15 mg. The expansion of the indication to patients with exposure to 2 prior TKIs was approved given data showing that ponatinib could be successfully used for the treatment of this population with appropriate monitoring and screening for risk factors.

FDA Approval Summary: Ruxolitinib for Treatment of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Failure of One or Two Lines of Systemic Therapy.

On September 22, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved ruxolitinib for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after the failure of one or two lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. Approval was based on Study INCB 18424-365 (REACH-3; CINC424D2301; NCT03112603), a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial of ruxolitinib in comparison to best available therapy (BAT) for the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory cGVHD occurring after the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A total of 329 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either ruxolitinib 10 mg twice daily (n = 165) or BAT (n = 164). BAT was selected by the investigator prior to randomization. The overall response rate through Cycle 7 Day 1 was 70% (95% CI, 63-77) in the ruxolitinib arm, and 57% (95% CI, 49-65) in the BAT arm. The median duration of response, calculated from first response to progression, death, or initiation of new systemic therapies for cGVHD, was 4.2 months (95% CI, 3.2-6.7) for the ruxolitinib arm and 2.1 months (95% CI, 1.6-3.2) for the BAT arm; and the median time from first response to death or initiation of new systemic therapies for cGVHD was 25 months (95% CI, 16.8-not estimable) for the ruxolitinib arm and 5.6 months (95% CI, 4.1-7.8) for the BAT arm. Common adverse reactions included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and infections. Given the observed response rate with durability, the clinical benefit of ruxolitinib appears to outweigh the risks of treatment for cGVHD after the failure of one or two lines of systemic therapy.

FDA Approval Summary: Oral Azacitidine for Continued Treatment of Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Unable to Complete Intensive Curative Therapy.

On September 1, 2020, the FDA granted approval for oral azacitidine (Onureg, CC-486) for continued treatment of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who achieved complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) following intensive induction chemotherapy and who are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. Approval was based on improvement in overall survival using CC-486 300 mg daily in a 2 weeks on/2 weeks off schedule in comparison with placebo (HR, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.86; P = 0.0009) in the randomized trial CC-486-AML-001 (QUAZAR) in adults ≥ 55 years old with AML in CR/CRi who did not complete standard intensive induction and postremission therapy. Of note, the study was not designed to test CC-486 as maintenance after standard postremission therapy or as an alternative to standard postremission therapy. Gastrointestinal toxicities, fatigue, and pneumonia were more common in patients treated with CC-486 compared with placebo. Additional studies are needed to establish safe dosing for patients with hepatic impairment. The pharmacokinetic parameters, recommended dose, and recommended schedule of CC-486 differ substantially from those of other azacitidine formulations; therefore, inappropriate substitutions between formulations pose a considerable risk for harm.

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab, Atezolizumab, and Cemiplimab-rwlc as Single Agents for First-Line Treatment of Advanced/Metastatic PD-L1-High NSCLC.

FDA's approval of cemiplimab-rwlc on February 22, 2021, follows prior approvals of pembrolizumab and atezolizumab for similar indications as first-line treatment for patients with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)-high advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approvals of these anti-PD-L1 agents were supported by statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival (OS) in international, multicenter, active-controlled randomized trials. In KEYNOTE-024, the OS HR was 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-0.89; P = 0.005] favoring pembrolizumab over platinum-doublet chemotherapy. In IMpower110, the OS HR was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.40-0.89; P = 0.0106) favoring atezolizumab over platinum-doublet chemotherapy. In Study 1624, the OS HR was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.53-0.87; P = 0.0022) favoring cemiplimab-rwlc over platinum-doublet chemotherapy. The progression-free survival (PFS) effect sizes for these anti-PD-L1 antibodies were also comparable across their respective registrational trials, and their safety profiles were consistent with the anti-PD-L1 class adverse event profile. The consistent survival benefits and manageable toxicity profiles of these single-agent anti-PD-L1 antibodies have established them as important treatment options in the PD-L1-high NSCLC treatment landscape. FDA approvals of these anti-PD-L1 antibodies, based on their favorable benefit-risk profiles, present effective chemotherapy-free therapeutic options for patients with advanced PD-L1-high NSCLC in the United States.

HSP27 Protein Dampens Encephalomyocarditis Virus Replication by Stabilizing Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene 5.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a protein family that respond to physiological stress, such as heat, starvation, and infection. As cellular protein chaperones, they play an important role in protein folding, assembly, and degradation. Though it is well known that HSP27 is involved in a range of viral infections, its role during an encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection is not known. Here, we report that EMCV degrades HSP27 and that EMCV proteins 2Cpro and 3Apro are primarily responsible for its degradation. Consequently, loss of cellular HSP27 augmented EMCV proliferation, an effect that could be reversed upon HSP27 overexpression. Importantly, we found that HSP27 positively regulated EMCV-triggered type I interferon (IFN) production. Moreover, overexpression of 2Cpro and 3Apro significantly blocked type I IFN production. We also found for the first time that HSP27, as a molecular chaperone, can specifically interact with MDA5 and stabilize the expression of MDA5. Collectively, this study shows that HSP27 dampens EMCV infectivity by positively regulating EMCV-triggered retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptor (RLR)/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) signal pathway, while EMCV proteins 2Cpro and 3Apro interact with HSP27 and degrade HSP27 protein expression to allow EMCV proliferation. Our findings provide further mechanistic evidence for EMCV partaking in immune escape mechanisms, and that 2Cpro and 3Apro could serve as potential antiviral targets.

Efficacy and Mechanism of a Chinese Classic Prescription of Yueju in Treating Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Protecting Hepatocytes from Apoptosis.

Yueju, a famous classic Chinese prescription, has been extensively used in treating depression syndromes for hundreds of years. Recent studies have reported that Yueju showed good effects in treating metabolic diseases, such as obesity and hyperlipidemia. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which leads to cirrhosis and severe cardiovascular diseases, is closely linked to obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism. In this study, Yueju could decrease the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-C but increase the high-density lipoprotein-C in the serum of the NASH rat model induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. Yueju could alleviate hepatosteatosis by increasing the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and inhibiting the expression of fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. Yueju downregulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 1A1, ameliorating the liver fibrilization. Yueju could also protect the hepatocytes from apoptosis by upregulating antiapoptosis protein Bcl-2 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and downregulating apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase. Thus, Yueju could improve liver function, regulate lipid metabolism, alleviate hepatosteatosis and fibrosis, and protect hepatocytes from apoptosis against NASH. Yueju may be used as an alternative effective medicine for NASH treatment.

Intestinal Microecology: An Important Target for Chinese Medicine Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, causing serious economic and medical burdens. Currently, Chinese medicine (CM) has become an important means in treating NAFLD in China. Intestinal microecology (IM) is an important part of the internal environment in the human body and is involved in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. In this paper, the authors systematically discuss the significance of IM in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the current status of research on the CM treatment of NAFLD via IM regulation. In combination with our own research practice, we propose that IM is an important target for the treatment of NAFLD with CM and formulate plans for future research to target limitations existing in current studies.

Gypenosides regulate farnesoid X receptor-mediated bile acid and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Gypenosides (Gyp) are the main ingredient of the Chinese medicine, Gynostemma pentaphyllum. They are widely used in Asia as a hepatoprotective agent. Here, we elucidated the mechanism of Gyp in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with a focus on farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-mediated bile acid and lipid metabolic pathways. METHODS: NASH was induced in mice by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, while mice in the control group were given a normal diet. At the end of week 10, HFD-fed mice were randomly divided into HFD, HFD plus Gyp, and HFD plus obeticholic acid (OCA, FXR agonist) groups and were given the corresponding treatments for 4 weeks. Next, we analyzed the histopathological changes as well as the liver triglyceride (TG) level and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), TG, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels as well as the bile acid profile. We carried out RT-PCR and western blotting to detect HFD-induced alterations in gene/protein expression related to bile acid and lipid metabolism. RESULTS: The HFD group had histopathological signs of hepatic steatosis and vacuolar degeneration. The liver TG and serum ALT, AST, FBG, FINS, TC, and LDL-C levels as well as the total bile acid level were significantly higher in the HFD group than in the control group (P < 0.01). In addition, we observed significant changes in the expression of proteins involved in bile acid or lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). Upon treatment with Gyp or OCA, signs of hepatic steatosis and alterations in different biochemical parameters were significantly improved (P < 0.05). Further, HFD-induced alterations in the expression genes involved in bile acid and lipid metabolism, such as CYP7A1, BSEP, SREBP1, and FASN, were significantly alleviated. CONCLUSIONS: Gyp can improve liver lipid and bile acid metabolism in a mouse model of NASH, and these effects may be related to activation of the FXR signaling pathway.