Protective effects of ginsenoside F2 on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2) serves as the principal intestinal metabolite resulting from the oral intake of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius, exhibiting antioxidative, hypolipidemic, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, its effect on myocardial infarction (MI) is still unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effect and the underlying mechanisms of GF2 against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI. METHODS: ISO-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes and MI rat models were utilized as in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate the impact of anti-MI of GF2. The underlying mechanisms were investigated using a variety of methodologies, including electrocardiography, Western blot analysis, histopathological examination, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA techniques. RESULTS: In vivo experiments, our results indicated that GF2 significantly ameliorated ISO-induced electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities, myocardial fiber necrosis, rupture, fibrosis of myocardial tissues, and suppressed cardiac enzyme activities. Meanwhile, GF2 notably raised the activity of antioxidant enzymes like CAT, GSH, and SOD. Furthermore, it downregulated Keap1 expression level while upregulating NQO1, Nrf2, and HO-1 expression levels. Additionally, GF2 suppressed the expression of the cleaved caspase-3 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax while promoting the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt. TUNEL fluorescence results also demonstrated that GF2 effectively inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, consistent with the results of animal experiments, GF2 considerably attenuated ROS generation, changed apoptosis and mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative stress in ISO-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes through activating Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: Taken together, GF2 ameliorated MI by preventing cardiocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction via modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, showing potential as a treatment strategy for treating MI.

Recombinant L. lactis vaccine LL-plSAM-WAE targeting four virulence factors provides mucosal immunity against H. pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic gastric disease. An efficient oral vaccine would be mucosa-targeted and offer defense against colonization of invasive infection in the digestive system. Proteolytic enzymes and acidic environment in the gastrointestinal tract (GT) can, however, reduce the effectiveness of oral vaccinations. For the creation of an edible vaccine, L. lactis has been proposed as a means of delivering vaccine antigens. RESULTS: We developed a plSAM (pNZ8148-SAM) that expresses a multiepitope vaccine antigen SAM-WAE containing Urease, HpaA, HSP60, and NAP extracellularly (named LL-plSAM-WAE) to increase the efficacy of oral vaccinations. We then investigated the immunogenicity of LL-plSAM-WAE in Balb/c mice. Mice that received LL-plSAM-WAE or SAM-WAE with adjuvant showed increased levels of antibodies against H. pylori, including IgG and sIgA, and resulted in significant reductions in H. pylori colonization. Furthermore, we show that SAM-WAE and LL-plSAM-WAE improved the capacity to target the vaccine to M cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that recombinant L. lactis could be a promising oral mucosa vaccination for preventing H. pylori infection.

An M cell-targeting recombinant L. lactis vaccine against four H. pylori adhesins.

The acidic environment and enzyme degradation lead to oral vaccines often having little immune effect. Therefore, it is an attractive strategy to study an effective and safe oral vaccine delivery system that can promote gastrointestinal mucosal immune responses and inhibit antigen degradation. Moreover, the antigens uptake by microfold cells (M cells) is the determining step in initiating efficient immune responses. Therefore, M cell-targeting is one promising approach for enhancing oral vaccine potency. In the present study, an M cell-targeting L. lactis surface display system (plSAM) was built to favor the multivalent epitope vaccine antigen (FAdE) to achieve effective gastrointestinal mucosal immunity against Helicobacter pylori. Therefore, a recombinant Lactococcus lactic acid vaccine (LL-plSAM-FAdE) was successfully prepared, and its immunological properties and protective efficacy were analyzed. The results showed that LL-plSAM-FAdE can secretively express the recombinant proteins SAM-FAdE and display the SAM-FAdE on the bacterial cell surface. More importantly, LL-plSAM-FAdE effectively promoted the phagocytosis and transport of vaccine antigen by M cells in the gastrointestinal tract of mice, and simulated high levels of cellular and humoral immune responses against four key H. pylori adhesins (Urease, CagL, HpaA, and Lpp20) in the gastrointestinal tract, thus enabling effective prevention of H. pylori infection and to some extent eliminating H. pylori already present in the gastrointestinal tract. KEY POINTS: • M-cell-targeting L. lactis surface display system LL- plSAM was designed • This system displays H. pylori vaccine-promoted phagocytosis and transport of M cell • A promising vaccine candidate for controlling H. pylori infection was verified.

Microcapsules of mesoporous silica and cyclodextrin modified loaded with nonanal and decanal for effective control of Sitotroga cerealella in grain storage environments.

BACKGROUND: The Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella, is a destructive pest of maize, wheat, and rice, causing economic losses and threatening food security. This study aimed to develop and characterize microcapsules of mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSN) and cyclodextrin-modified mesoporous silica nanospheres (CDMSN) containing two aldehydes, nonanal and decanal, found in plant essential oils, to assess their attractiveness to S. cerealella populations. RESULTS: Microcapsules with 2:1 ratio of nonanal and decanal exhibited an average encapsulation efficiency of 39.82% for MSN loaded with nonanal and decanal (MSN-ND) and 46.10% for CDMSN loaded with nonanal and decanal (CDMSN-ND). They have an elliptical shape with particle sizes of 115 nm for MSN and 175 nm for CDMSN. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed in vitro release of nonanal in MSN at 96.24% and decanal at 96.42% by the 36th day. CDMSN showed releases of 93.83% for nonanal and 93.74% for decanal by the 50th day. CDMSN-ND attracted adult S. cerealella for 43 days, while MSN-ND remained effective for 29 days. In mass trapping assays in simulated grain warehouse, both MSN-ND and CDMSN-ND trapped over 50% of the adult population within 7 days, significantly reducing grain infestation rates below 10% by inhibiting F1 adult emergence. At temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 35 °C, both microcapsules exhibited significant and effective attraction rates for S. cerealella. Stored wheat seeds treated with CDMSN and CDMSN-ND over 1 year showed no significant differences in key germination parameters. CONCLUSION: Microencapsulated nonanal and decanal offer a promising, sustainable approach for controlling S. cerealella infestation in stored grains, contributing to global food security. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Expression and purification of epitope vaccine against four virulence proteins from Helicobacter pylori and construction of label-free electrochemical immunosensor.

The epitope vaccine against four virulence proteins (FVpE) from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was expressed and purified. Western blot and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were used to identify and investigate the immunoreactivity of FVpE protein. The immune-sensing platform based on titanium carbide/colloidal gold nanoparticles@carbon nanofiber/ionic liquid composites electrode was constructed for immobilizing FVpE. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes. The relevant influenced factors were optimized including pH value, antigen concentration, and incubating time. The prepared H. pylori label-free electrochemical immunosensor was used for antibody detection using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear ranges of H. pylori antibodies, including anti-H. pylori, cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), vacuolating cytotoxin-associated gene A (VacA), and urease A (UreA), were all 0.1-5 ng mL-1, except urease B (UreB, 0.1-4.5 ng mL-1). The selectivity study showed that other antibodies had little influence on the detection of H. pylori antibodies. The immunosensor could be used to detect serum samples, and the recoveries were in the range of 68.5%-100.5%.

Integrated evolutionary pattern analyses reveal multiple origins of steroidal saponins in plants.

Steroidal saponins are a class of specialized metabolites essential for plant's response to biotic and abiotic stresses. They are also important raw materials for the industrial production of steroid drugs. Steroidal saponins are present in some monocots, such as Dioscorea and Paris, but their distribution, origin, and evolution in plants remain poorly understood. By reconstructing the evolutionary history of the steroidal saponin-associated module (SSAM) in plants, we reveal that the steroidal saponin pathway has its origin in Asparagus and Dioscorea. Through evaluating the distribution and evolutionary pattern of steroidal saponins in angiosperms, we further show that steroidal saponins originated multiple times in angiosperms, and exist in early diverged lineages of certain monocot lineages including Asparagales, Dioscoreales, and Liliales. In these lineages, steroidal saponins are synthesized through the high copy and/or high expression mechanisms of key genes in SSAM. Together with shifts in gene evolutionary rates and amino acid usage, these molecular mechanisms shape the current distribution and diversity of steroidal saponins in plants. Consequently, our results provide new insights into the distribution, diversity and evolutionary history of steroidal saponins in plants, and enhance our understanding of plants' resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Additionally, fundamental understanding of the steroidal saponin biosynthesis will facilitate their industrial production and pharmacological applications.

DNA methylation pattern and mRNA expression of OPN promoter in sika deer antler tip tissues.

In order to explore the biological role of OPN gene during the growth of sika deer antler, the dermis, mesenchyme, precartilage and cartilage tissues of sika deer antler tip at the early period of the antler with a saddle-like appearance (30 days), the rapid growth period of the antler with two branches (60 days), and the final period of the antler with three branches (90 days) were analyzed. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to explore the DNA promoter methylation and mRNA expression of OPN in sika deer antler from the perspective of space and time. The test results showed that: 1) The methylation rates of OPN promoter at the early, middle and late periods of dermis tissue were (40.48 ± 0.82)%, (40.00 ± 1.43)%, and (39.05 ± 0.82)%; The methylation rates in mesenchyme tissue were (37.62 ± 0.82)%, (34.76 ± 2.18)%, and (38.57 ± 1.43)%; The methylation rates in precartilage tissue were (36.67 ± 0.28)%, (29.52 ± 1.65)%, (28.10 ± 2.18)%; The methylation rates in cartilage tissue were (31.90 ± 1.65)%, (26.67 ± 1.65)%, (24.29 ± 1.43)%. 2) There are 7 CpG sites in the OPN promoter region, and the 3 CpG sites of -367 bp, -245 bp and -31 bp are all methylated to different level. 3) The methylation level of OPN in the dermis, mesenchyme, precartilage and cartilage tissues decreased in sequence at the same growth period. At the middle and late periods, the methylation level of the promoter region of the precartilage tissue was significantly different from that of the dermis and mesenchyme tissues (P < 0.05); At different growth periods, the methylation level of the promoter region of cartilage tissue was extremely significantly different from that of dermis and mesenchyme tissues (P < 0.01); In the same tissue, the methylation level of the promoter region at the middle period was down-regulated compared with the early period, and the methylation level of the promoter region at the early period and the middle period was extremely significantly different in the precartilage and cartilage (P < 0.01). 4) OPN mRNA is highly expressed in precartilage and cartilage tissues. 5) The methylation level of OPN promoter was negatively correlated with mRNA expression level. In summary, it is speculated that the OPN gene, which may be regulated by the DNA methylation level of the promoter, promotes the growth and development of deer antler mainly by regulating the growth of precartilage and cartilage tissues.

Red-to-blue colorimetric probe based on biomass carbon dots for smartphone-integrated optosensing of Cu(II) and L-cysteine.

We constructed a smartphone-integrated optosensor with inexpensive, reversible, environmental friendly, and rapid adsorption to detect Cu(II) and L-cysteine (L-Cys). The key part of this study was to prepare a red-to-blue colorimetric probe from herbaceous andrographis paniculata using one-pot polymerization at room temperature. When Cu(II) existed, the red fluorescence on the surface of the core-shell probe was quenched, while the blue fluorescence of the core did not respond, because the colorimetric probe interacted with the Cu(II) on the surface of red CDs. After L-Cys added, it interacted with the Cu(II) to strip it from the surface of red CDs, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence response. Under optimal conditions, the detection limits of this method for Cu(II) and L-Cys were 71 nM and 12 nM, respectively. Further, the red-to-blue colorimetric probe was integrated into smartphone with a software application to convert fluorescent color images into specific red (R), green (G), and blue (B) values. The spiked recovery of Cu(II) and L-Cys in lake water was verified the feasibility of the developed optosensors with a recovery of 98.2-101.6 % and 103.3-121.6 %. This method for detecting Cu(II) and L-Cys can not only recognize metal ions from actual samples, but also effectively protect CDs from quenching and restore fluorescence.

Energy-efficient Preparation of Amino and Sulfhydryl Functionalized Biomass Carbon Dots via a Reverse Microemulsion for Specific Recognition of Fe3+ and L-cysteine.

Amino- and sulfhydryl- functionalized biomass carbon dots (BCDs) were prepared by one-pot reverse microemulsion for specific recognition of ferric ions (Fe3+) and L-cysteine (L-Cys). Green grapefruit peel was used as the carbon source while aminosilane and mercaptosilane were used as N- and S-supplier. Following the adsorption of Fe3+ on the surfaces of BCDs-NH2 and BCDs-SH, the fluorescence responses was quenched step by step, while adding L-Cys to the BCDs-NH2/Fe3+ system restored the fluorescence. The BCDs-NH2 and BCDs-SH system exhibited extremely low limits of detection for Fe3+ of 3.2 and 3.0 nM, respectively, within a wide linear ranges of 0.006-200 µM and 0.004-200 µM, respectively. The BCDs-NH2/Fe3+ systems were used as an optosensor for L-Cys in the concentration ranges of 0.08-30 and 30-1000 µM with a detection limit of 65 nM. Developed BCDs-NH2 and BCDs-SH were able to respond to Fe3+ in water samples with satisfactory recoveries of 100.1%-103.1% and 94.6%-108.5%, respectively, and the BCDs-NH2/Fe3+ system was also able to respond to BCDs-NH2/Fe3+ in actual lake water samples with recoveries from 87.3% to 98.8%. Meanwhile, The BCDs-NH2 exhibited good photoluminescence and stability, and the with a fluorescence quantum yield was as high as 25%. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using such materials to remove hazardous ions from water and employing the resulting complexes for optosensing in a sustainable manner.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key genes for polyphyllin difference in five Paris species.

Paris species accumulate a large amount of steroidal saponins, which have numerous pharmacological activities and have become an essential component in many patented drugs. However, only two among all Paris species. Paris are identified as official sources due to high level of bioactive compounds. To clarify the composition of steroidal saponins and the molecular basis behind the differences between species, we investigated transcriptome and metabolic profiles of leaves and rhizomes in Paris polyphylla var. chinensis (PPC), Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPY), Paris polyphylla var. stenophylla (PPS), Paris fargesii (PF), and Paris mairei (PM). Phytochemical results displayed that the accumulation of steroidal saponins was tissue- and species-specific. PF and PPS contained more steroidal saponins in leaves than rhizomes, while PPY accumulated more steroidal saponins in rhizomes than leaves. PPC and PM contained similar amounts of steroidal saponins in leaves and rhizomes. Transcriptome analysis illustrated that most differentially expressed genes related to the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins were abundantly expressed in rhizomes than leaves. Meanwhile, more biosynthetic genes had significant correlations with steroidal saponins in rhizomes than in leaves. The result of CCA indicated that ACAT, DXS, DWF1, and CYP90 constrained 97.35% of the variance in bioactive compounds in leaves, whereas CYP72, UGT73, ACAT, and GPPS constrained 98.61% of the variance in phytochemicals in rhizomes. This study provided critical information for enhancing the production of steroidal saponins by biotechnological approaches and methodologies.

Oral Immunization With a M Cell-Targeting Recombinant L. Lactis Vaccine LL-plSAM-FVpE Stimulate Protective Immunity Against H. Pylori in Mice.

There are many virulence factors of H. pylori that contribute in diverse ways to gastric disease. Therefore, designing multivalent epitope vaccines against many key virulence factors virulence factors of H. pylori is a promising strategy to control H. pylori infection. In previous studies, we constructed a multivalent epitope vaccine FVpE against four key virulence factors of H. pylori (Urease, CagA, VacA, and NAP), and oral immunization with the FVpE vaccine plus a polysaccharide adjuvant (PA) containing lycium barbarum polysaccharide and chitosan could provide protection against H. pylori infection in the Mongolian gerbil model. Oral vaccines have many advantages over injected vaccines, such as improved safety and compliance, and easier manufacturing and administration. However, the harsh gastrointestinal (GI) environment, such as gastric acid and proteolytic enzymes, limits the development of oral vaccines to some extent. Oral vaccines need a gastrointestinal delivery system with high safety, low price and promoting vaccine antigen to stimulate immune response in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Lactic acid bacteria are gastrointestinal probiotics that have unique advantages as a delivery system for oral vaccines. In this study, a M cell-targeting surface display system for L. lactis named plSAM was designed to help vaccine antigens to stimulate effective immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract, and a M cell-targeting recombinant L. lactis vaccine LL-plSAM-FVpE was constructed by using the surface display system plSAM. recombinant L. lactis vaccine LL-plSAM-FVpE could secretively express the SAM-FVpE protein and display it on the bacterial surface. Moreover, experimental results confirmed that LL-plSAM-FVpE had an enhanced M cell-targeting property. In addition, LL-plSAM-FVpE had excellent M cell-targeting property to promote the phagocytosis and transport of the antigen SAM-FVpE by gastrointestinal M cells. More importantly, oral immunization of LL-plSAM-FVpE or SAM-FVpE plus PA can stimulate IgG and sIgA antibodies and CD4+ T cell immune responses against four virulence factors of H. pylori (Urease, CagA, VacA, and NAP), thus providing protective immunity against H. pylori infection in mice. The M cell-targeting recombinant L. lactis vaccine against various key H. pylori virulence factors could be a promising vaccine candidate for controlling H. pylori infection.

Carbon Quantum Dots from Pomelo Peel as Fluorescence Probes for "Turn-Off-On" High-Sensitivity Detection of Fe3+ and L-Cysteine.

This study designed a "turn-off-on" fluorescence analysis method based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to detect metal ions and amino acids in real sample systems. CQDs were derived from green pomelo peel via a one-step hydrothermal process. The co-doped CQDs with N and S atoms imparted excellent optical properties (quantum yield = 17.31%). The prepared CQDs could be used as fluorescent "turn-off" probes to detect Fe3+ with a limit of detection of 0.086 µM, a linear detection range of 0.1-160 µM, and recovery of 83.47-106.53% in water samples. The quenched CQD fluorescence could be turned on after adding L-cysteine (L-Cys), which allowed detection of L-Cys with a detection limit of 0.34 µM and linear range of 0.4-85 µM. Recovery of L-Cys in amino acid beverage was 87.08-122.74%. Visual paper-based testing strips and cellulose/CQDs composite hydrogels could be also used to detect Fe3+ and L-Cys.

Effect of exogenous jasmonic acid on physiology and steroidal saponin accumulation in Dioscorea zingiberensis.

Dioscorea zingiberensis is a valuable medicinal herb rich in steroidal saponins. To reveal the role of jasmonic acid (JA) on physiology and steroidal saponins accumulation, D. zingiberensis were treated with different concentrations of JA. The antioxidant capacity, photosynthetic parameters, fatty acids and metabolites related to steroidal saponins biosynthesis (phytosterols, diosgenin and steroidal saponins) were examined under JA treatment. The results demonstrated that JA treatment caused a great reduction in MDA, stomatal width, photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic pigment, induced a considerable increase in proline, soluble sugar, soluble protein and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD and SOD), and leaded to a significant up-regulation in the expression of genes related to antioxidant system and chlorophyll degradation. Specialized metabolites displayed various changes under different concentrations of JA. The majority of fatty acids exhibited negative responses to JA treatment in leaf and rhizome. In leaf, JA treatment enhanced the accumulation of phytosterols and diosgenin, but decreased the accumulation of steroidal saponins. However, steroidal saponins were mainly accumulated in rhizome and were highly increased by JA treatment. Redundancy analysis illustrated that fatty acids were strongly associated with metabolites related to steroidal saponins. Among all fatty acids, C16:0, C18:1, C18:3, C22:0 and C24:0 contributed most to the variation in metabolites related to steroidal saponin biosynthesis. Overall, JA treatment leaded to an increase in steroidal saponins, but an inhibition of plant growth. Thus, the negative effects of JA application on plant physiology should be carefully assessed before being utilized to increase the production of steroidal saponins in D. zingiberensis.

Ameliorative Effects of Malonyl Ginsenoside from Panax ginseng on Glucose-Lipid Metabolism and Insulin Resistance via IRS1/PI3K/Akt and AMPK Signaling Pathways in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Our previous study has revealed that malonyl-ginsenosides from Panax ginseng (PG-MGR) play a crucial role in the treatment of T2DM. However, its potential mechanism was still unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic mechanisms of action of PG-MGR in high fat diet-fed (HFD) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and determined the main constituents of PG-MGR responsible for its anti-diabetic effects. Our results showed that 16 malonyl ginsenosides were identified in PG-MGR by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. PG-MGR treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and improved insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. Simultaneously, PG-MGR treatment improved liver injury by decreasing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) expression. Furthermore, Western blot analysis demonstrated that the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ACC/ACC and GLUT4 in liver and skeletal muscle were significantly up-regulated after PG-MGR treatment, and the protein expression levels of p-IRS-1/IRS-1, Fas and SREBP-1c were significantly reduced. These findings revealed that PG-MGR has the potential to improve glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT and AMPK signal pathways.

LncRNA SENCR promotes cell proliferation and progression in non-small-cell lung cancer cells via sponging miR-1-3p.

ABBREVIATION: NSCLC: Non-small cell lung cancer.

Tailoring Heterogeneous Catalysts at the Atomic Level: In Memoriam, Prof. Chia-Kuang (Frank) Tsung.

Professor Chia-Kuang (Frank) Tsung made his scientific impact primarily through the atomic-level design of nanoscale materials for application in heterogeneous catalysis. He approached this challenge from two directions: above and below the material surface. Below the surface, Prof. Tsung synthesized finely controlled nanoparticles, primarily of noble metals and metal oxides, tailoring their composition and surface structure for efficient catalysis. Above the surface, he was among the first to leverage the tunability and stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to improve heterogeneous, molecular, and biocatalysts. This article, written by his former students, seeks first to commemorate Prof. Tsung's scientific accomplishments in three parts: (1) rationally designing nanocrystal surfaces to promote catalytic activity; (2) encapsulating nanocrystals in MOFs to improve catalyst selectivity; and (3) tuning the host-guest interaction between MOFs and guest molecules to inhibit catalyst degradation. The subsequent discussion focuses on building on the foundation laid by Prof. Tsung and on his considerable influence on his former group members and collaborators, both inside and outside of the lab.

Creating an Aligned Interface between Nanoparticles and MOFs by Concurrent Replacement of Capping Agents.

Applying metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on the surface of other materials to form multifunctional materials has recently attracted great attention; however, directing the MOF overgrowth is challenging due to the orders of magnitude differences in structural dimensions. In this work, we developed a universal strategy to mediate MOF growth on the surface of metal nanoparticles (NPs), by taking advantage of the dynamic nature of weakly adsorbed capping agents. During this colloidal process, the capping agents gradually dissociate from the metal surface, replaced in situ by the MOF. The MOF grows to generate a well-defined NP-MOF interface without a trapped capping agent, resulting in a uniform core-shell structure of one NP encapsulated in one single-crystalline MOF nanocrystal with specific facet alignment. The concept was demonstrated by coating ZIF-8 and UiO-66-type MOFs on shaped metal NPs capped by cetyltrimethylammonium surfactants, and the formation of the well-defined NP-MOF interface was monitored by spectroscopies. The defined interface outperforms ill-defined ones generated via conventional methods, displaying a high selectivity to unsaturated alcohols for the hydrogenation of an α,ß-unsaturated aldehyde. This strategy opens a new route to create aligned interfaces between materials with vastly different structural dimensions.

Hsa_circ_0010235 functions as an oncogenic drive in non-small cell lung cancer by modulating miR-433-3p/TIPRL axis.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a threat to human health. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proved to function in NSCLC development. In this study, the role of circRNA hsa_circ_0010235 in NSCLC progression and the possible molecular mechanism were explored. METHODS: Expression of hsa_circ_0010235, miRNA (miR)-433-3p and TOR signaling pathway regulator-like (TIPRL) was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell viability and clonogenicity were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to monitor cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Western blot assay was employed to evaluate the protein levels of TIPRL, light chain 3 (LC3)-II/I and p62. Cell metastasis was assessed by Transwell and wound healing assays. The targeted relationship between miR-433-3p and hsa_circ_0010235 or TIPRL was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Furthermore, the role of hsa_circ_0010235 in vivo was investigated by xenograft assay. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0010235 and TIPRL were highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells, while miR-433-3p was downregulated. Depletion of hsa_circ_0010235 or gain of miR-433-3p repressed proliferation and autophagy but promoted apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Hsa_circ_0010235 sponged miR-433-3p to upregulate TIPRL expression, so as to affect NSCLC development. Hsa_circ_0010235 knockdown also blocked tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: Hsa_circ_0010235 knockdown suppressed NSCLC progression by regulating miR-433-3p/TIPRL axis, affording a novel mechanism of NSCLC progression.

Piperlongumine inhibits the growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the miR-34b-3p/TGFBR1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer is a common type of lung cancer. Piperlongumine (PL), which is extracted from the roots of piperaceae plant, long pepper, and peppercorn, is an alkaloid amide that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. However, whether it affects lung cancer cells remains unclear. METHODS: We assessed the effects of PL on the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 and H1299 NSCLC cell lines. RESULTS: PL was mildly toxic to normal human bronchial epithelial cells and significantly suppressed growth and facilitated apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. It also upregulated microRNA (miR)-34b-3p and downregulated the transforming growth factor beta type I receptor (TGFBR1). The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that TGFBR1 is a target gene of miR-34b-3p. Silencing of miR-34b-3p or overexpression of TGFBR1 partially attenuated the effects of PL on A549 and H1299 cells. CONCLUSIONS: PL inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells by upregulating miR-34b-3p and modulating TGFBR1 signaling pathway.