Neferine inhibits interleukin-1beta-induced chondrocyte apoptosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Apoptosis is involved in the formation of degenerative joint diseases.Therefore,anti-chondrocyte apoptosis may be an effective way to treat osteoarthritis.Neferine has a wide range of pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor and anti-apoptotic activities,and its effect on chondrocyte apoptosis is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of neferine on chondrocyte apoptosis induced by interleukin-1β and elucidate its possible mechanism. METHODS:(1)The rat chondrocytes at logarithmical stage were taken and intervened in five groups.The control group was cultured routinely.The model group was routinely cultured for 24 hours after treatment with interleukin-1β for 2 hours.The low-,medium-,and high-dose groups were treated with interleukin-1β for 2 hours and then cultured with 5,10,and 20 μmol/L neferine for 24 hours,respectively.At the end of culture,cell apoptosis,chondroglycoprotein 39 and type Ⅱ collagen levels in cell supernatants,mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins,and mRNA and protein expression of proteins related to the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)signaling pathway were detected.(2)Rat chondrocytes at logarithmic growth period were taken and divided into four groups:control group and model group were treated with the same intervention as above,drug group was treated with interleukin-1β for 2 hours and then cultured with 20 μmol/L neferine for 24 hours,and activator group was treated with interleukin-1β for 2 hours and then cultured with 20 μmol/L neferine and CCT020312,an activator of PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway,for 24 hours.At the end of culture,cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and mRNA and protein expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway-related proteins were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the model group showed increased apoptosis(P<0.05),decreased proliferative activity(P<0.05),increased level of chondroglycoprotein 39(P<0.05),decreased level of type Ⅱ collagen(P<0.05),decreased mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 protein(P<0.05),increased mRNA and protein expression of Bax protein,increased caspase-3 mRNA expression,increased Cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05),increased mRNA expression of PERK,ATF4,and C/EBP homologous protein(P<0.05),and increased protein expression of p-PERK,ATF4,and C/EBP homologous protein(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,neferine reversed the above effects of interleukin-1β on chondrocytes in a concentration-dependent manner.(2)Compared with the drug group,the activator group showed increased apoptosis(P<0.05),decreased proliferative activity(P<0.05),elevated mRNA expression of caspase-3,ATF4,and C/EBP homologous protein(P<0.05),and elevated protein expression of Cleaved-caspase-3,ATF4,and C/EBP homologous protein(P<0.05).(3)To conclude,neferine inhibits interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and enhances cell proliferation activity,and the mechanism of action may be related to blocking the PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Effect of Modified Shengjiangsan on Renal Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Sirt1/PERK Pathway in Rat Model of Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of modified Shengjiangsan in alleviating endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress and reducing urinary protein in the rat model of diabetic nephropathy （DN）. MethodSeventy-five SD rats were randomized into normal， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.37， 8.73， 17.46 g·kg-1， respectively） modified Shengjiangsan， and irbesartan （0.014 g·kg-1） groups， with 10 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding doses of medications or distilled water by gavage， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of glucose （GLU） in the blood， 24-hour urinary protein （24 h-UTP）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the renal tissue were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining， periodic acid-Schiff staining， and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe the pathological changes in rat kidneys. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the expression levels of nephrin， podocin， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） in the kidneys of rats. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of silent information regulator 1 （Sirt1）， phosphorylated （p）-protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）， and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha （eIF2α） in rat kidneys. ResultCompared with the normal group， the modeling caused pathological damage to the kidneys， elevated the levels of GLU and 24 h-UTP （P<0.05）， up-regulated the protein levels of GRP78， CHOP， ATF4， p-PERK， and p-eIF2α （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the protein level of Sirt1 （P<0.05） in rat kidneys. Compared with the model group， modified Shengjiangsan and irbesartan lowered the GLU and 24 h-UTP levels （P<0.05）， alleviated the pathological damage in the renal tissue， down-regulated the protein levels of GRP78， CHOP， ATF4， p-PERK， and p-eIF2α （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the protein level of Sirt1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Shengjiangsan up-regulates Sirt1 expression and inhibits phosphorylation of proteins in the PERK/eIF2α pathway to reduce ER stress and oxidative stress in the renal tissue， thus alleviating the pathological damage in the renal tissue and reducing urinary protein in DN rats.

Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Prescription in Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Improving Apoptosis of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Based on PERK/ATF4/CHOP / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription （YSTLP） on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and explore the mechanism based on endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）/transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）. MethodThe db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， valsartan group （10 mg·kg-1）， and low， middle， high-dose YSTLP groups （1， 2.5， 5 g·kg-1）. Samples were collected after eight weeks of drug intervention. In addition， db/m mice in the same litter served as the control group. Human renal tubular epithelial cells （HK-2） were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group， advanced glycated end-product （AGE） group， and AGE + low， middle， and high-dose YSTLP groups （100， 200， 400 mg·L-1）. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay was conducted to detect the viability of HK-2 cells. Calcium fluorescence probe staining and luciferase reporter gene method were adopted to detect the luciferase activity of folded protein response element （UPRE） and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Immunohistochemical （IHC） analysis was carried out to measure the protein expressions of phosphorylated PKR （p-PERK）， CHOP， and ATF4. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and X-box binding protein 1 （XBP1） in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of p-PERK， PERK， CHOP， ATF4， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and cleaved Caspase-3 in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. ResultIn the cellular assay， HK-2 cell viability was significantly reduced， and the apoptosis rate was elevated in the AGE group compared with the control group （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related factor Bcl-2 were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and those of Bax were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the AGE group， YSTLP administration treatment resulted in elevated cell viability and reduced apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were significantly elevated in a time- and dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）， and those of Bax were significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The intracellular Ca2+ imbalance and UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity were increased in the AGE group compared with the control group （P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the AGE group， YSTLP effectively improved intracellular Ca2+ imbalance in HK-2 cells and decreased UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. It reduced the mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 （P<0.01） and the protein expression levels of intracellular p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 in a dose- and time-dependent manner （P<0.01）. In animal experiments， the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced（P<0.01）， and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased in the model group compared with the control group （P<0.05）. The protein expression level of Bcl-2 was dose-dependently elevated， and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was dose-dependently decreased in the YSTLP groups compared with the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 were significantly elevated in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， YSTLP significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 （P<0.01） and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 （P<0.01）. ConclusionYSTLP can effectively inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress and improve apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PERK/AFT4/CHOP pathway.

Protective effect of SRT1720 on acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen in mice and its mechanism / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To evaluate the protective effect of the activator of silent information regulator 2-related enzymes 1(SIRT1),SRT1720,on liver injury induced by acetaminophen(APAP)in mice and explore its mechanism. Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group,SRT1720 treatment group,APAP treatment group,and APAP + SRT1720 treatment group,with 10 mice in each group. Mice in SRT1720 and APAP + SRT1720 groups were given SRT1720(30 mg/kg body mass)by intragastric administration,while normal saline of equal volume was given by intragastric administration in control and APAP groups,once a day for 5 days;On the 6th day,mice in APAP and APAP + SRT1720 groups were injected i. p. with APAP(325 mg/kg body mass),while those in control and SRT1720 groups with equal volume of normal saline. After 24 hours,the peripheral blood was taken and the serum was separated,which were detected for the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)by the corresponding kits;The liver tissue of mice was taken aseptically,observed for the pathological changes by HE staining,detected for the mRNA transcription levels of GRP78,PERK,eIF2 α,ATF4 and CHOP genes related to PERK-eIF2α-CHOP signaling pathway by RT-qPCR and detected for the relative expression levels of these corresponding proteins and Caspase12 protein by Western blot. Results Compared with normal control group,the serum ALT and AST levels of mice in APAP group significantly increased(t = 55. 21 and34. 29 respectively,each P < 0. 01);significant necrosis of hepatocytes was observed in liver tissue,the structure of hepatic lobules changed significantly,and the swelling and deformation of hepatocytes in some areas were serious;the mRNA transcription and relative protein expression levels of GRP78,PERK,eIFα,ATF4 and CHOP genes increased significantly(t = 9. 85～33. 89,each P < 0. 05)and the relative expression level of Caspase12 protein increased significantly(t = 11. 78,P < 0. 01). Compared with APAP group,the serum ALT and AST levels of mice in APAP + SRT1720 group decreased significantly(t = 42. 92 and 18. 02 respectively,each P < 0. 01);the degree of hepatocyte injury was obviously reduced and the number of swollen and deformed cells also significantly decreased;the mRNA transcription and relative protein expression levels of GRP78,PERK,eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP decreased significantly(t = 6. 19～22. 43,each P < 0. 05)and the expression level of Caspase12 protein showed no significant decrease(t = 0. 34,P > 0. 05). Conclusion SRT1720improved APAP-induced liver injury in mice,possibly by inhibiting PERK-eIF2α-CHOP signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS).

Research Progress of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress PERK-eIF2α-AFT4-CHOP Signaling Pathway in Hematological Malignancies / 肿瘤防治研究

The biosynthesis and maturation of proteins are primarily regulated by the endoplasmic reticulum in its physiological state. Thus, the disruption of physiological homeostasis initiates the buildup of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR). One of the important pathways by which UPR maintains intracellular homeostasis under ERS is activating protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK). The activation of the PERK pathway stimulates eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit-α (eIF2α) phosphorylation and the selective translation of active transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and PERK induces cell apoptosis by directly binding to the promoter of pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). This signaling pathway is also one of the important mechanisms by which UPR participates in the regulation of hematological malignancies and immune cells in a tumor microenvironment. This article provides an overview of advancements in research into the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in hematological malignancies and the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting this signaling pathway.

Role of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in decidual tissue of unexplained spontaneous abortion / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in decidua tissue of patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion and their correlation.Methods:The expres-sions of TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in decidua tissues of 32 patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion(abortion group)and 32 normal pregnancy(control group)were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot,respectively.The correlation between TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in abortion group were analyzed by Pearson hierarchical correlation analysis.Results:In immunohistochemical experiments,the cytoplasm of decidua cells in the two groups is the expression locus of TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2,the expression of the three proteins were different,and the expressions of TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in abortion group were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in ERK1/2 expression between abortion group and control group(P>0.05);In decidua tissue samples of abortion group,the protein level of TLR4 was higher than that of control group(P<0.05);the pro-tein level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.01),and the protein level of ERK1/2 in decidua tissue of abortion group was not statistically different from that of control group(P>0.05).TLR4 was positively correlated with p-ERK1/2 expression in abortion group(r=0.890,P<0.01).Conclusion:Abnormal activation of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms of unexplained spontaneous abortion.

Effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on PERK/ATF4/CHOP Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Tissue of Mice with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM);To explore its mechanism of action in the treatment of T2DM.Methods Totally 75 SPF male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group,metformin group,and Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-,medium-,low-dosage groups,with 15 mice in each group.15 db/m mice were set as the blank group.The administration groups received corresponding medicine for gavage for 12 weeks.Body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG)and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)in mice were detected,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue,the apoptosis of islet cells was determined by TUNEL staining,Western blot was used to detect pancreatic tissue glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,activated transcription factor 4(ATF4)and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)protein expression,RT-PCR was used to detect pancreatic tissue PERK,ATF4,CHOP mRNA expressions.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,FBG and HbA1c contents in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01);the pancreatic tissue structure was incomplete,with blurry boundaries and vacuoles inside,leading to a significant increase in pancreatic islet cells apoptosis(P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4,and CHOP proteins in pancreatic tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and the mRNA expressions of PERK,ATF4 and CHOP significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass,FBG and HbA1c contents of mice in each administration group significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);pathological changes in pancreatic tissue was reduced,and islet cells apoptosis decreased to varying degrees(P<0.05,P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4 and CHOP proteins in pancreatic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01)in Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-and medium-dosage groups and the metformin group,and the expressions of PERK,ATF4 and CHOP mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Gegen Qinlian Decoction may decreased pancreatic islet cells apoptosis,protect pancreatic cell function,and delay the progression of T2DM by inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway,and down-regulating the expressions of related genes and proteins.

Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in attenuating diabetic tubulopathy by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell apoptosis / 中国中药杂志

Renal tubular injury in patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) may be accompanied by glomerular and microvascular diseases. It plays a critical role in the progression of renal damage in DKD, and is now known as diabetic tubulopathy(DT). To explore the multi-targeted therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms in vivo of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), an extract from traditional Chinese medicine for treating kidney disease, in attenuating DT, the authors randomly divided all rats into four groups: a normal control group(normal group), a DT model group(model group), a DT model+TFA-treated group(TFA group) and a DT model+rosiglitazone(ROS)-treated group(ROS group). The DT rat model was established based on the DKD rat model by means of integrated measures. After successful modeling, the rats in the four groups were continuously given double-distilled water, TFA suspension, and ROS suspension, respectively by gavage every day. After 6 weeks of treatment, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of their urine, blood, and kidneys were collected. The effects of TFA and ROS on various indicators related to urine and blood biochemistry, renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), as well as the activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP) signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were investigated. The results indicated that hypertrophy of renal tubular epithelial cells, renal tubular hyperplasia and occlusion, as well as interstitial extracellular matrix and collagen deposition occurred in the DT model rats. Moreover, significant changes were found in the expression degree and the protein expression level of renal tubular injury markers. In addition, there was an abnormal increase in tubular urine proteins. After TFA or ROS treatment, urine protein, the characteristics of renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and ERS, as well as the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were improved to varying degrees. Therein, TFA was superior to ROS in affecting the pathological changes in renal tubule/interstitium. In short, with the DT model rats, this study demonstrated that TFA could attenuate DT by multiple targets through inhibiting renal tubular ERS-induced cell apoptosis in vivo, and its effect and mechanism were related to suppressing the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney. These findings provided preliminary pharmacological evidence for the application of TFA in the clinical treatment of DT.

Exploring the Protective Effect and Mechanism of Serum Containing Zhige Oral Solution Ameliorate Ethanol-Induced BRL-3A Damage Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP Pathway / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective To explore the protective effect and mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)signaling pathway PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP on BRL-3A cell injury by serum containing Zhige oral solution.Methods ①Preparation of drug-containing serum:SD male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:Zhige oral solution group,Metadoxine group and normal group,and were gavaged with Zhige oral solution,Metadoxine and saline respectively,and the drug-containing serum was prepared by blood sampling from the abdominal aorta for 5 consecutive days of intervention.②Normal BRL-3A cells were cultured,and the cell survival rate of each group was determined by CCK-8 after 24h of cell intervention with different concentrations of ethanol(1.0%,1.5%,2.0%,2.5%,3.0%,5.0%,7.0%,10.0%).③Cultured normal BRL-3A cells were divided into normal group,model group,metadoxine group,and Zhige oral solution low,medium and high dose group(later referred to as low dose group,medium dose group and high dose group),After 24 h,the levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the supernatant of each group were measured,and the survival rate of BRL-3A cells was measured by CCK-8.The expression levels of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway-related mRNA and protein in each group were measured by Real-time PCR and Western blot.Results ①After 24 h of cell intervention with the same concentration of ethanol(1.0%,1.5%,2.0%,2.5%,3.0%,5.0%,7.0%,10.0%),the cell survival rate gradually decreased with the increase of ethanol concentration,and when the ethanol concentration was 5%,the cell survival rate decreased significantly(P<0.05),so the ethanol concentrations of 1.0%,1.5%,2.0%,2.5%,3.0%,5.0%were chosen for the subsequent experiments.②Compared with the normal group,the GGT and LDH contents in the supernatant of the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and the expression of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway-related factors mRNA and protein were significantly higher(P<0.05),showing a significant state of liver injury.③Compared with the model group,the Zhige oral solution group and the metadoxine group showed different degrees of reduction in the above indexes,with the most significant effect in the Zhige oral solution high-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion Serum containing Zhige oral solution ameliorated ethanol-induced hepatocyte injury in BRL-3A rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.

Non-canonical STING-PERK pathway dependent epigenetic regulation of vascular endothelial dysfunction via integrating IRF3 and NF-κB in inflammatory response

Inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction is the major initiating factor in atherosclerosis, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was significantly activated in both human and mice atherosclerotic arteries. Typically, STING activation leads to the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65, thereby facilitating IFN signals and inflammation. In contrast, our study reveals the activated non-canonical STING-PERK pathway increases scaffold protein bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) expression, which encourages the formation of super-enhancers on the proximal promoter regions of the proinflammatory cytokines, thereby enabling the transactivation of these cytokines by integrating activated IRF3 and NF-κB via a condensation process. Endothelium-specific STING and BRD4 deficiency significantly decreased the plaque area and inflammation. Mechanistically, this pathway is triggered by leaked mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), formed by voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) oligomer interaction with oxidized mtDNA upon cholesterol oxidation stimulation. Especially, compared to macrophages, endothelial STING activation plays a more pronounced role in atherosclerosis. We propose a non-canonical STING-PERK pathway-dependent epigenetic paradigm in atherosclerosis that integrates IRF3, NF-κB and BRD4 in inflammatory responses, which provides emerging therapeutic modalities for vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Augmented reality in interventional radiology education: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Augmented reality (AR) involves digitally overlapping virtual objects onto physical objects in real space so that individuals can interact with both at the same time. AR in medical education seeks to reduce surgical complications through high-quality education. There is uncertainty in the use of AR as a learning tool for interventional radiology procedures. OBJECTIVE: To compare AR with other learning methods in interventional radiology. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review of comparative studies on teaching techniques. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Tripdatabase, ERIC, CINAHL, SciELO and LILACS electronic databases for studies comparing AR simulation with other teaching methods in interventional radiology. This systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA and the BEME Collaboration. Eligible studies were evaluated using the quality indicators provided in the BEME Collaboration Guide no. 11, and the Kirkpatrick model. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials were included in this review. The level of educational evidence found among all the papers was 2B, according to the Kirkpatrick model. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was applied to assess the risk of bias for individual studies and across studies. Three studies showed an improvement in teaching of the proposed procedure through AR; one study showed that the participants took longer to perform the procedure through AR. CONCLUSION: AR, as a complementary teaching tool, can provide learners with additional skills, but there is still a lack of studies with a higher evidence level according to the Kirkpatrick model. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/ACZBM in the Open Science Framework database.

Catalpol improves non-alcoholic fatty liver and lipid-lowering mechanism through endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate effect and underlying lipid-lowering mechanisms of catalpol in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods:In vivo model of NAFLD was established with high-fat diet-fed ICR mice for 8 weeks. Low(50 mg/kg), medium(150 mg/kg), and high(300 mg/kg) doses of catalpol were administered, and the body weight, liver weight, hepatic index, and biochemical parameters of the mice were analyzed. Free fatty acid-induced LO2 in human hepatocytes to establish NAFLD cell model. Quantitative realtime PCR reaction to detect fatty acid synthesis-related gene levels. Western blotting assay was adopted to analyze proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-mediated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α) signaling pathway. Results:Compared with model mice, body weight [(39.43±1.84)g, (34.01±1.83)g, (32.28±1.11)g vs(42.17±1.37)g, all P<0.001], liver weight [(1.03±0.06)g, (0.79±0.05)g, (0.64±0.04)g vs(1.30±0.13)g, P<0.01 or P<0.001], and liver index [(2.60±0.09)%, (2.32±0.09)%, (1.99±0.11)% vs(3.07±0.30)%, P<0.05 or P<0.001] were reduced in low, medium, and high doses of catapol model. Medium and high doses of catalpol diminished total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase( P<0.01 or P<0.001), increased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol( P<0.01 or P<0.001). In the cell model, elevated levels of both fatty acid synthesis genes and PERK-eIF2α pathway proteins were attenuated by catalase, and this attenuation was reversed by signaling pathway agonists. Conclusion:The Chinese herb catalpol may play a role in improving NALFD by regulating the ERS-mediated PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway.

DHM improves cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats by inhibiting hippocampal endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effeet of dihydro- myricetin ( DHM ) on cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM) rats and its mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group ( n = 56) : normal diet and citrate buffer solution (30 mg • kg 1 ) ; T2DM model group (n =60) : high glucose, fat and low dose STZ ( 30 mg • kg 1 ) ( Four unsuccessful rats were eliminated ).Then rats in the above two groups were treated with or without DHM (250 mg • kg 1 • d intragastric).After 12 weeks, eight rats in each group were randomly selected to perform Morris water maze and Y maze test to observe the effect of DHM on cognitive function of rats.The remaining rats in each group were injected ERS antagonist tauroursodeoxycholic acid ( TUDCA ) 10 jxg • d 1 or ERS activator tunicamycin (TUN) 10 jxL, respectively.After the behavioral analysis, the hippocampal tissues of rats were taken out.The expressions of EH stress related proteins GRP78 and P- PERK were detected by Western blot.Results Both DHM and TUDCA could improve cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats.On the contrary, TIJN reduced the effect of DHM on cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats.TUDCA decreased the expression of GRP78 and p- PERK proteins in T2DM rats, while TUN increased the expression of GRP78 and p-PERK proteins in T2DM rats treated by DHM.Conclusion DHM improves cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Effects of daphresin on synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis based on PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of DAP on human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts(RA-FLS)and its relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.Methods RA-FLS cells were cultured and identified by immunofluorescence assay for Vimentin and CD68.CCK-8 detected(0,5,10,20,30,40,50,60,70)mg·L-1 DAP on the proliferation activity of RA-FLS cells.According to the proliferation activity,the experiment was divided into blank group(Blank),low dose group(L-DAP),medium dose group(M-DAP),high dose group(H-DAP)and high dose+specific inhibitor 4-PBA group(H-DAP+4-PBA).The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The invasion and migration of cells were detected by Transwell and scratches assays,and the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins GRP78,PERK,P-PERK,ATF4,CHOP,Caspase-12,C-Caspase-12 and Bcl-2 were assessed by Western blot.Results CCK-8 results showed that compared with 0 mg·L-1 DAP group,the proliferation activity of each group in 20-70 mg·L-1 DAP group was significantly different(P<0.05),and the proliferation rate corresponding to 0,20,40 and 60 mg·L-1 DAP group was significantly different(P<0.05).This concentration was used as the basis for blank,low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups and high-dose+4-PBA experimental grouping.DAP could inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α from RA-FLS cells in concentration,reduce the invasion ability of cells,promote apoptosis,upregulate the expression of PERK,P-PERK,ATF4,GRP78,CHOP,Caspase-12, C-caspase-12 proteins and decrease the expression level of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.Another set of experiments demonstrated that high dose DAP+4-PBA could up-regulate the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α,as well as the invasion of cells,and inhibit the expression of apoptosis and ERs-related proteins.Conclusions Daphresin regulates the secretion of inflammatory factors by activating the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway,inhibits the proliferation and invasion of RA-FLS cells,and induces apoptosis,which is expected to be a potential therapeutic pathway for RA.

Mechanisms of Gancao Xiexin Decoction on protecting intestinal epithelial cell barrier under stress state by regulating PERK-elF2α-CHOP signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the protective effect of Gancao Xiexin Decoction (GXD) on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) under endoplasmic reticulum stress from the perspective of PERK-elF2α-CH0P signaling pathway. Methods Caco-2 cells were cultured and divided into normal control group (NC), model control group(MC), low-dose GXD group(GXD-L), mediumdose GXD group (GXD-M) and high-dose GXD group (GXD-H). Models of the stress epithelial cells were induced by tunicamycin(Tm), and GXD groups were treated with GXD contained serum at the same time. The cell survival rate was assessed by CCK-8 method, the cell apoptotic rate and cell cycle distribution were determined by flow cytometry, and the cell barrier permeability was determined by TEER and FITC-dextran method; the expression levels of core proteins of PERK-elF2α-CH0P signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with MC group, GXD intervention could improve cell survival rate(P < 0. 05), reduce their apoptotic rate(P <0. 01), relieve cell cycle arrest(P < 0. 01), improve cell barrier permeability by increasing cell TEER value (P < 0. 01) and decreasing FITC-dextran concentration (P < 0.05), and the levels of p-PERK, p-elF2α, ATF4 and CHOP in GXD-M and GXD-H groups all visibly descended (P < 0. 01). Conclusions GXD can reduce the excessive apoptosis of IECs and protect intestinal epithelial cell barrier homeostasis by inhibiting the signal transduction of PERK-elF2α-CH0P apoptotic pathway.

Effects of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos on Behavior and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress PERK/ATF4/CHOP Pathway in Depression Model Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen （ZSS） and Albiziae Flos （AF） on behavior and endoplasmic reticulum stress endoplasmic reticulum stress protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activated transcription factor 4 （ATF4）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein （CHOP） pathway in depression model rats， and to explore its antidepressant mechanism. Method:The male SD rats were divided into normal group， model group， ZSS-AF high dose， middle dose and low dose groups （16， 8， 4 g·kg^-1） and Venlafaxine group （0.008 g·kg^-1）， <italic>n</italic>=15 in each group. Except the normal group， the depression model was established in the rats of other 5 groups by the method of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） combined with isolated feeding. The normal group and model group were given with distilled water by gavage when modeling， while other groups received corresponding drug by intragastric administration for 21 days. Behavior changes of rats in each group were observed by the open field test and sugar water consumption test on 1^thand 21^thday of the experiment. The protein expressions of PERK， CHOP， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein （Bax） and cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases-3（Caspase-3） were detected by Western blot（WB）， the ultrastructural changes of the hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscope， the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was observed by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL） method. Result:Compared with the normal group， the scores of open field test and sugar water consumption rate in model group rats decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the scores of open field test and water consumption rate increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group. Transmission electron microscope showed that the changes of neuronal damage in hippocampal were revealed in the model group， whereas those neuronal damages were relieved in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group. TUNEL method showed that the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampal increased in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， but decreased in ZSS-AFgroups and Venlafaxine group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. WB results showed that as compared with the normal group， protein expressions of PERK， CHOP， Bax and Caspase-3 were up-regulated significantly in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas those were down-regulated in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The antidepressant effect of ZSS-AF herbal pair may be correlated with the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/ATF4/-CHOP pathway.

Protective effect of ethyl acetate extract from Bidens bipinnata on hepatocyte damage induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国中药杂志

To explore the protective effect and mechanism of ethyl acetate extract from Bidens bipinnata on hepatocyte damage induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress. Tunicamycin was used to establish the damage model in L02 cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) colorimetric assay was used to investigate the survival rate of ethyl acetate extract from B. bipinnata in L02 cells injury induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress; the protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecule glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78), PKR-like ER kinase(PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor-2(eIF2α), activating transcription factor 4(ATF4), C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP), B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bal-2 associated X apoptosis regulator(Bax) were examined by Wes-tern blot. The expressions of the above proteins were also detected after endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor(4-phenyl butyric acid) and CHOP shRNA-mediated knockdowns were added. The expressions of GRP78, PERK, CHOP in L02 cells were observed by immunofluorescence method. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract from B. bipinnata could significantly increase the survival rate of L02 cell injury caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress in a dose and time-dependent manner(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression levels of GRP78, PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP and Bax in the drug treatment groups were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while Bcl-2 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). After endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor and CHOP shRNA-mediated knockdowns were added, the expression levels of GRP78, PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, Bax in the drug treatment groups were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01), whereas Bcl-2 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results showed that the expressions of GRP78, PERK, CHOP were consistent with the Western blot method. In conclusion, ethyl acetate extract from B. bipinnata has a significant protective effect on the damage of L02 cells caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the down-regulation of apoptosis in cells through the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.

Spinal protein kinase A and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling are involved in the antinociceptive effect of phytohormone abscisic acid in rats / A proteína quinase A da medula espinhal e a sinalização da quinase fosforilada regulada por sinal extracelular estão envolvidas no efeito antinociceptivo do ácido fito-hormônio abscísico em ratos

Abstract Objective: The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) as a signaling molecule exists in various types of organisms from early multicellular to animal cells and tissues. It has been demonstrated that ABA has an antinociceptive effect in rodents. The present study was designed to assess the possible role of PKA and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) on the antinociceptive effects of intrathecal (i.t.) ABA in male Wistar rats. Methods: The animals were cannulated intrathecally and divided into different experimental groups (n=6‒7): Control (no surgery), vehicle (received ABA vehicle), ABA-treated groups (received ABA in doses of 10 or 20 µg/rat), ABA plus H.89 (PKA inhibitor)-treated group which received the inhibitor 15 min prior to the ABA injection. Tail-flick and hot-plate tests were used as acute nociceptive stimulators to assess ABA analgesic effects. p-ERK was evaluated in the dorsal portion of the spinal cord using immunoblotting. Results: Data showed that a microinjection of ABA (10 and 20 µg/rat, i.t.) significantly increased the nociceptive threshold in tail flick and hot plate tests. The application of PKA inhibitor (H.89, 100 nM/rat) significantly inhibited ABA-induced analgesic effects. Expression of p-ERK was significantly decreased in ABA-injected animals, which were not observed in the ABA+H.89-treated group. Conclusions: Overall, i.t. administration of ABA (10 µg/rat) induced analgesia and p-ERK down-expression likely by involving the PKA-dependent mechanism.

Resumo Objetivo: O ácido fito-hormônio abscísico (ABA) existe como molécula sinalizadora em vários tipos de organismos, de multicelulares a células e tecidos animais. Foi demonstrado que o ABA tem efeito antinociceptivo em roedores. O presente estudo foi desenhado para avaliar o possível papel da PKA e da ERK fosforilada (p-ERK) nos efeitos antinociceptivos do ABA intratecal (i.t.) em ratos Wistar machos. Métodos: Os animais foram canulados por via i.t. e divididos em diferentes grupos experimentais (n=6‒7): controle (sem cirurgia), veículo (veículo ABA recebido), grupos tratados com ABA (recebeu ABA em doses de 10 ou 20 µg/rato), grupo tratado com ABA mais H.89 (inibidor de PKA) que recebeu o inibidor 15 minutos antes da injeção de ABA. Os testes de movimento da cauda e placa quente foram utilizados como estimuladores nociceptivos agudos para avaliar os efeitos analgésicos da ABA. A p-ERK foi avaliada na porção dorsal da medula espinhal por imunotransferência. Resultados: A microinjeção de ABA (10 e 20 µg/rato, i.t.) aumentou significativamente o limiar nociceptivo nos testes de movimento da cauda e placa quente. A aplicação de inibidor de PKA (H.89, 100 nM/rato) inibiu significativamente os efeitos analgésicos induzidos por ABA. A expressão de p-ERK diminuiu significativamente em animais injetados com ABA que não foram observados no grupo tratado com ABA+H.89. Conclusões: No geral, a administração i.t. de ABA (10 µg/rato) induziu a analgesia e expressão negativa de p-ERK provavelmente envolvendo mecanismo dependente de PKA.

Effect of nickel sulfate on cell survival rate and related apoptotic proteins in human normal hepatocytes / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nickel sulfate on cell survival rate and apoptosis of normal human liver L02 cells. METHODS: i) L02 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into 9 groups, each with 6 wells. L02 cells in each group were treated with 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 μmol/L nickel sulfate. The survival rate of L02 cells was determined by CCK-8 assay after cells were treated for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The nickel sulfate exposure dose and exposure time for subsequent experiments were selected based on the results of CCK-8 assay. ii) L02 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group, 100 and 300 μmol/L dose groups, and were exposed to 0, 100 and 300 μmol/L nickel sulfate for 12 hours, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the relative protein expression of B cell lymphoma/leukemia 2(BCL-2), Bcl-2 related protein X(BAX), caspase-3, phosphorylated RNA-dependent protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(p-PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(p-eIF2α), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP) and glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78). RESULTS: i) After treatment with nickel sulfate, the survival rate of cells decreased with the increase of dose and the prolongation of exposure time(all P values were <0.01). According to the half inhibitory concentration of nickel sulfate on L02 cells, the nickel sulfate exposure time in subsequent experiments was selected as 12 hours, and the exposure concentration was 100 and 300 μmol/L. ii) Compared with the control group, the relative expression of BCL-2 protein in L02 cells in the 100 and 300 μmol/L dose groups decreased(all P values were <0.05), while the relative protein expression of BAX, caspase-3 protein and ratio BAX/BCL-2 increased(all P values were <0.05). Compared with 100 μmol/L dose group, the relative expression of BCL-2 protein in L02 cells of 300 μmol/L dose group decreased(P<0.05), while the relative expression of BAX and caspase-3 protein and the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 increased(all P values were <0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, CHOP and GRP78 protein in L02 cells were increased in 100 and 300 μmol/L dose groups(all P values were P<0.05). Compared with 100 μmol/L dose group, the relative expression levels of p-eIF2α, CHOP and GRP78 protein in 300 μmol/L dose group were increased(all P values were<0.05).CONCLUSION: Nickel sulfate can regulate the expression of apoptosis related proteins and PERK signaling pathway related proteins in L02 cells, aggravate apoptosis of L02 cells and decrease the cell survival rate.

Effect of periapical inflammation on calcium binding proteins and ERK in the trigeminal nucleus / Efecto de la inflamación periapical sobre las proteínas fijadoras de calcio y ERK en el núcleo trigeminal

Peripheral inflammation induces plastic changes in neurons and glia which are regulated by free calcium and calcium binding proteins (CaBP). One of the mechanisms associated with the regulation of intracellular calcium is linked to ERK (Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase) and its phosphorylated condition (pERK). ERK phosphorylation is important for intracellular signal transduction and participates in regulating neuroplasticity and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study is to analyse the expression of two CaBPs and pERK in astrocytes and neurons in rat trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) after experimental periapical inflammation on the left mandibular first molar. At seven days post-treatment, the periapical inflammatory stimulus induces an increase in pERK expression both in S100b positive astrocytes and Calbindin D28k positive neurons, in the ipsilateral Vc with respect to the contralateral side and control group. pERK was observed coexpressing with S100b in astrocytes and in fusiform Calbindin D28k neurons in lamina I. These results could indicate that neural plasticity and pain sensitization could be maintained by ERK activation in projection neurons at 7 days after the periapical inflammation.

La inflamación periférica induce cambios plásticos en las neuronas y en la glía, los cuales están regulados por el calcio libre y las proteínas fijadoras calcio (CaBP). Uno de los mecanismos asociados con la regulación del calcio intrace-lular está vinculado con la fosforilación de la pro teína quinasa ERK. Asimismo, ERK fosforilado es importante para la trans-ducción de señales intracelulares y participa en la regulación de la neuroplasticidad y las respuestas inflamatorias. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la expresión de dos CaBPs y pERK en astrocitos y neuronas del subnúcleo caudal del trigémino (Vc) después de una inflamación periapical experimental en el primer molar inferior izquierdo en ratas. A los siete días posteriores al tratamiento, el estímulo inflamatorio periapical induce un aumento en la expresión de pERK, en el número de astrocitos positivos para la proteína marcadora astroglial S100b y en neuronas positivas para Calbindina D28k, en el Vc ipsilateral respecto del lado contralateral y el grupo de control. Además, se observó coexpresión de pERK tanto en astrocitos S100b positivos, como en neuronas fusiformes Calbindin D28k positivas, de la lámina I. Estas observaciones podrían indicar que la neuroplasticidad y la sensibilización al dolor podrían mantenerse mediante la activación de ERK en las neuronas de proyección a los 7 días de la inflamación periapical.