Exosomes derived from umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway and reduce the inflammatory response to promote recovery from spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious traumatic disease of the central nervous system and leads to incomplete or complete loss of the body's autonomous motor and sensory functions, seriously endangering human health. Recently, exosomes have been proposed as important substances in cell-to-cell interactions. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes exert good therapeutic effects and play a crucial role in neurological damage repair. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying their effects remain unknown. Herein, we found that compared to SCI rats, those subjected to umbilical cord MSC (UC-MSC)-derived exosomes injection showed an improved motor ability. Nevertheless, the transcriptome of BV2 microglia in different treatment groups indicated that the action pathway of exosomes might be the NF-κB/MAPK pathway. Additionally, exosomes from UC-MSCs could inhibit P38, JNK, ERK, and P65 phosphorylation in BV2 microglia and SCI rat tissues. Moreover, exosomes could inhibit apoptosis and inflammatory reaction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of BV2 microglia in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, UC-MSCs-derived exosomes might protect SCI in rats by inhibiting inflammatory response via the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway, representing novel treatment targets or approaches for SCI.

Identification of marker genes for spinal cord injury.

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a profoundly disabling and devastating neurological condition, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. It imposes unbearable psychological and economic pressure on both patients and their families, as well as placing a heavy burden on society. Methods: In this study, we integrated datasets GSE5296 and GSE47681 as training groups, analyzed gene variances between sham group and SCI group mice, and conducted Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis based on the differentially expressed genes. Subsequently, we performed Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Lasso regression analyses. Results: We identified four characteristic disease genes: Icam1, Ch25h, Plaur and Tm4sf1. We examined the relationship between SCI and immune cells, and validated the expression of the identified disease-related genes in SCI rats using PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments. Discussion: In conclusion, we have identified and verified four genes related to SCI: Icam1, Ch25h, Plaur and Tm4sf1, which could offer insights for SCI treatment.

Association between ankylosing spondylitis and m6A methylation.

BACKGROUND: N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) is the most common reversible mRNA modification in eukaryotes implicated in key roles in various biological processes. The purpose of our analysis was to examine the association of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with m6A methylation. METHOD: We obtained 72 samples from the data set GSE73754, including 52 AS patients and 20 healthy people. We divided the samples into two groups: the experimental group and the control group, and then observed the differences of 26 m6A related genes in the two groups. We also analyzed the correlation between different m6A genes. We used a random forest tree model to screen seven m6A signature genes associated with AS to evaluate its prevalence. Next, the samples were classified according to the m6a content and differential genes. Immune analysis, gene ontology, and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Finally, we scored each sample with m6a and analyzed the relationship between different samples and inflammation-related factors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we screened out AS-related genes and the nomogram showed that they were negatively correlated with the incidence of AS. And we found that AS may have some relationship with immunity. Our analysis results could provide further insights into the treatment of AS.

Polyphyllin VII induces fibroblasts apoptosis via the ERK/JNK pathway.

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a pathological scar that often occurs in burn patients. Its histology is characterized by the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts (FB) and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Inhibition of proliferation and activation of FB is essential for the treatment of HS. The crude extracts of traditional Chinese medicines have beneficial therapeutic effects on HS besides possessing fewer side effects and being easily available. Polyphyllin VII (PP7) is an isoprene saponin isolated from Rhizoma paridis. It has a pro-apoptotic effect on cancer cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that PP7 exerts a significant inhibitory effect on hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) in vitro. We also demonstrate that PP7 considerably induces the apoptosis of HSFs and inhibits their activity. Our data show that the PP7-induced HSFs cell apoptosis was mainly due to the enhanced expression of apoptotic genes (Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9) and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, PP7 treatment also enhances the expression of JNK, but that of extracellular protein kinases (ERK) was reduced, and induces apoptosis through ERK/JNK pathways. Thus, PP7 can be used as a drug to prevent the formation of HS.

Retraction Note: Chondro-protective effects of polydatin in osteoarthritis through its effect on restoring dysregulated autophagy via modulating MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Chondroprotective and antiarthritic effects of Daphnetin used in vitro and in vivo osteoarthritis models.

AIMS: Daphnetin (DAP) is a traditional Chinese drug usually used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial and insecticidal, anti-tumor and neuro-protective effects of DAP. However, its anti-arthritic potential remains unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro and in vivo chondroprotective effects of DAP. MAIN METHODS: The effect of DAP on primary rabbit chondrocytes was examined using recombinant human IL-1ß for 24 h. For the in vivo studies, rabbits were randomly divided into groups: a normal control group and osteoarthritis (OA) groups. The OA groups received three different doses of DAP for 4 or 8 weeks. The anti-arthritic effect of DAP was assessed using histopathological examinations, qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. KEY FINDINGS: Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that DAP exerts a protective effect against IL-1ß in chondrocytes. In vitro, DAP inhibits the expression of IL-6, IL-12, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-13, induced by IL-1ß in rabbit chondrocytes, and stimulates the production of IL-10. The inhibitory effect of DAP on the MMPs is partially regulated by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT, MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. The effect of DAP on OA may be attributed to the suppression of inflammatory factor secretion, chondrocyte apoptosis observed by the decrease in pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 and BAX, and the activation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2. SIGNIFICANCE: DAP has a broad range of prospects in the treatment of OA, which provides a novel therapeutic strategy for OA.

Gö6983 attenuates breast cancer-induced osteolysis by the apoptotic pathway.

Bone metastasis caused by breast cancer leads to significant complications in treatment, and the resulting osteolysis considerably affects patients' overall survival and quality of life. Gö6983 is a broad spectrum protein kinase C inhibitor. In this study, based on our finding that the Gö6983 inhibits osteolysis, we applied Gö6983 to the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer-induced mouse bone metastasis model. And we found that Gö6983 has a strong inhibitory effect on the tumorigenic model of breast cancer by promoting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Our study, therefore, demonstrates that Gö6983 has a potential inhibitory effect on breast cancer-induced osteoclast activation and provides mechanistic insight that may prove useful for designing future treatments.

Chondro-protective effects of polydatin in osteoarthritis through its effect on restoring dysregulated autophagy via modulating MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the cartilage that is prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly demography. Polydatin (PD), a natural resveratrol glucoside, has shown significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential in previous studies. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic properties of PD in vitro and in vivo, and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of all relevant factors were evaluated by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) where suitable. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were analyzed using the suitable probes and flow cytometry. The histological evidence of cartilage was assessed in rat models, moreover, the several serum cytokines levels and autophagy levels were evaluated. The result showed PD displayed significant chondro-protective effects, inferred in terms of reduced inflammation and cartilage degradation, apoptosis inhibition, and lower ROS production. The protective effects were attenuated by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, indicating a mediating role of autophagy in PD action. Mechanistically, PD exerted its effects by inhibiting the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways which led to the down-regulation of mTOR. In conclusion, PD protects against cartilage degeneration by activating the autophagy flux in the chondrocytes via the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.