DZ2002 alleviates corneal angiogenesis and inflammation in rodent models of dry eye disease via regulating STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DZ2002 in rodent models of DED. SCOP-induced dry eye models were established in female rats and mice, while BAC-induced dry eye model was established in female rats. DZ2002 was administered as eye drops (0.25%, 1%) four times daily (20 µL per eye) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. We showed that topical application of DZ2002 concentration-dependently reduced corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity, as well as alleviated conjunctival irritation in both DED models. Furthermore, we observed that DZ2002 treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and the levels of inflammation in the cornea and conjunctiva. Moreover, DZ2002 treatment in the BAC-induced DED model abolished the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in corneal tissues. We also found that DZ2002 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) while downregulating the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that DZ2002 exerts a therapeutic effect on corneal angiogenesis in DED, potentially by preventing the upregulation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways. Collectively, DZ2002 is a promising candidate for ophthalmic therapy, particularly in treating DED.

Reversible SAHH inhibitor ameliorates MIA-induced osteoarthritis of rats through suppressing MEK/ERK pathway.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by gradual articular cartilage degradation, accompanied by persistent low-grade joint inflammation, correlating with radiographic and pain-related progression. The latent therapeutic potential of DZ2002, a reversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), holds promise for OA intervention. This study endeavored to examine the therapeutic efficacy of DZ2002 within the milieu of OA. The cytotoxicity of DZ2002 was evaluated using the MTT assay on bone marrow-derived macrophages. The inhibitory impact of DZ2002 during the process of osteoclastogenesis was assessed using TRAP staining, analysis of bone resorption pits, and F-actin ring formation. Mechanistic insights were derived from qPCR and Western blot analyses. Through the intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), an experimental rat model of OA was successfully instituted. This was subsequently accompanied by a series of assessments including Von Frey filament testing, analysis of weight-bearing behaviors, and micro-CT imaging, all aimed at assessing the effectiveness of DZ2002. The findings emphasized the effectiveness of DZ2002 in mitigating osteoclastogenesis induced by M-CSF/RANKL, evident through a reduction in TRAP-positive OCs and bone resorption. Moreover, DZ2002 modulated bone resorption-associated gene and protein expression (CTSK, CTR, Integrin ß3) via the MEK/ERK pathway. Encouragingly, DZ2002 also alleviates MIA-induced pain, cartilage degradation, and bone loss. In conclusion, DZ2002 emerges as a potential therapeutic contender for OA, as evidenced by its capacity to hinder in vitro M-CSF/RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and mitigate in vivo osteoarthritis progression. This newfound perspective provides substantial support for considering DZ2002 as a compelling agent for osteoarthritis intervention.

7,8-dihydroxyflavone protects PC12 cells against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death through modulating PI3K/Akt and JNK pathways.

We have recently shown that 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) protects PC12 cells against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity through its antioxidant activity. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal protective activity of 7,8-DHF. Western blot analysis showed that 6-OHDA (100µM, 24h) enhanced the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2, but it markedly suppressed the expression of p-Akt, implying that 6-OHDA induces PC12 cell death through activating the pro-apoptotic MAPKs pathway but suppressing the survival PI3K/Akt pathway. More importantly, addition of 7,8-DHF fully prevented the activation of JNK and suppression of Akt induced by 6-OHDA. Interestingly, pretreatment with the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002 largely blocked 7,8-DHF function in protecting PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced cell death. In contrast, the MEK inhibitor PD98059 showed little effect on the protective activity of 7,8-DHF. These results suggest that 7,8-DHF might protect PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced cell death through activating PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibiting JNK pathway.