Pumping a Ring-Sliding Molecular Motion by a Light-Powered Molecular Motor.

Designing artificial molecular machines to execute complex mechanical tasks, like coupling rotation and translation to accomplish transmission of motion, continues to provide important challenges. Herein, we demonstrated a novel molecular machine comprising a second-generation light-driven molecular motor and a bistable [1]rotaxane unit. The molecular motor can rotate successfully even in an interlocked [1]rotaxane system through a photoinduced cis-to -trans isomerization and a thermal helix inversion, resulting in concomitant transitional motion of the [1]rotaxane. The transmission process was elucidated via 1H NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and 2D ROESY NMR spectroscopies, UV-visible absorption spectrum, and density functional theory calculations. This is the first demonstration of a molecular motor to rotate against the appreciably noncovalent interactions between dibenzo-24-crown-8 and N-methyltriazolium moieties comprising the rotaxane unit, showing operational capabilities of molecular motors to perform more complex tasks.

Branched polyethylenimine improves hydrogen photoproduction from a CdSe quantum dot/[FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic system in neutral aqueous solutions.

Nature uses hydrogenase enzyme to catalyze proton reduction at pH 7 with overpotentials and catalytic efficiencies that rival platinum electrodes. Over the past several years, [FeFe]-hydrogenase ([FeFe]-H2 ase) mimics have been demonstrated to be effective catalysts for light-driven H2 evolution. However, it remains a significant challenge to realize H2 production by such an artificial photosynthetic system in neutral aqueous solution. Herein, we report a new system for photocatalytic H2 evolution working in a broad pH range, especially under neutral conditions. This unique system is consisted of branched polyethylenimine (PEI)-grafted [FeFe]-H2 ase mimic (PEI-g-Fe2 S2 ), MPA-CdSe quantum dots (MPA=mercaptopropionic acid), and ascorbic acid (H2 A) in water. Due to the secondary coordination sphere of PEI, which has high buffering capacity and stabilizing ability, the system is able to produce H2 under visible-light irradiation with turnover number of 10 600 based on the Fe2 S2 active site in PEI-g-Fe2 S2 . The stability and activity are much better than that of the same system under acidic or basic conditions and they are, to the best of our knowledge, the highest known to date for photocatalytic H2 evolution from a [FeFe]-H2 ase mimic in neutral aqueous solution.

[Chemical constituents in whole herb of Bidens pilosa var. radiata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Bidens pilosa var. radiata. METHODS: The constituents were separated and purified with silica gel column, and identified by physicochemical properties and spectral methods. RESULTS: Ten compounds were separated and identified as friedelin (1), n-tridecane (2), friedelinol (3), beta-sitosterol (4), 21 a-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one (5), stigmasterol (6), lupeol (7), stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), eleosanole acid (9), friedelin-3beta-ol-27-oic acid (10). CONCLUSION: Ten compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

HMGB1 upregulates NF-kB by inhibiting IKB-α and associates with diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of blindness in adults and investigating new therapeutic targets for DR is necessary. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and its mechanism in diabetic retinopathy (DR) were investigated. MAIN METHODS: Human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) were uesd for chip-seq. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, HMGB1 group, diabetes mellitus (DM) combined with HMGB1 siRNA group, and DM group. Next, eyeballs were removed and retinas were detached for western blot. The DM model of cell was built by increasing the glucose concentration in cell culture medium. The regulation of HMGB1 was achieved by short hairpin (sh)-HMGB1 transfection, then, the transfected cells were harvested for luciferase assay, western blot and qRT-PCR analyses as well as proliferation and apoptosis detection. KEY FINDINGS: Chip-seq and luciferase assay showed the possible transcription factor functions of HMGB1 and IKB-α was one of the HMGB1 binding sites. In vivo and in vitro results indicated high expression of HMGB1 and NF-kB and low expression of IKB-α in DR and the expression of IKB-α and NF-kB was regulated by HMGB1. Moreover, cell assays showed that HMGB1 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. SIGNIFICANCE: The results from the present study showed that HMGB1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of DR as a transcription factor through NF-kB pathway. Therefore, blockade of HMGB1 may be a new method for the treatment of DR.

Photo-Powered Collapse of Supramolecular Polymers Based on an Overcrowded Alkene Switch.

A supramolecular polymer was constructed from a light-driven overcrowded alkene switch modified with two alkylated gallic acid amide pendants (MSP-1). Upon UV irradiation, stable MSP-1 isomerized into unstable MSP-2, which induced the effective collapse of well-defined cross-linked supramolecular polymers, and the reassembly can be realized by aging at low temperature.

Controlling interfacial interactions of supramolecular assemblies by light-responsive overcrowded alkenes.

A light-responsive supramolecular polymer was constructed by an AB-type monomer containing a light-responsive overcrowded alkene. The primary assemblies of the supramolecular polymer can further undertake secondary self-assembly by interfacial host-guest connections, which can be manipulated by light stimuli to convert into discrete primary assemblies.

AMPKα inactivation destabilizes atherosclerotic plaque in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice through AP-2α/miRNA-124 axis.

Diabetes mellitus is one of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. Whether and how diabetes promotes the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaque is not fully understood. Here, we show that streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes reduced collagen synthesis, leading to the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaque induced by collar placement around carotid in apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe-/-) mice. These detrimental effects of hyperglycemia on plaque stability were reversed by metformin in vivo without altering the levels of blood glucose and lipids. Mechanistically, we found that high glucose reduced the phosphorylated level of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα) and the transcriptional activity of activator protein 2 alpha (AP-2α), increased the expression of miR-124 expression, and downregulated prolyl-4-hydroxylase alpha 1 (P4Hα1) protein expression and collagen biosynthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Importantly, these in vitro effects produced by high glucose were abolished by AMPKα pharmacological activation or adenovirus-mediated AMPKα overexpression. Further, adenovirus-mediated AMPKα gain of function remitted the process of diabetes-induced plaque destabilization in Apoe-/- mice injected with streptozotocin. Administration of metformin enhanced pAP-2α level, reduced miR-124 expression, and increased P4Hα1 and collagens in carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic Apoe-/- mice. We conclude that streptozotocin-induced toxic diabetes promotes the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques based on the vulnerability index in Apoe-/- mice, which is related to the inactivation of AMPKα/AP-2α/miRNA-124/P4Hα1 axis. Clinically, targeting AMPKα/AP-2α/miRNA-124/P4Hα1 signaling should be considered to increase the plaque stability in patients with atherosclerosis. KEY MESSAGES: Hyperglycemia reduced collagen synthesis, leading to the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaque induced by collar placement around carotid in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. Hyperglycemia destabilizes atherosclerotic plaque in vivo through an AMPKα/AP-2α/miRNA-124/P4Hα1-dependent collagen synthesis. Metformin functions as a stabilizer of atherosclerotic plaque to reduce acute coronary accent.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 overexpression protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by multiple mechanisms in rats.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered a potential therapeutic target of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to explore the effects of ACE2 overexpression on doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Rats were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. The rats of treatment group were injected intraperitoneally with 6 doses of doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg) within a period of two weeks. Two weeks after the initial injection of doxorubicin, these rats were randomly divided into Mock, Ad-EGFP, Ad-ACE2, and Cilazapril groups. The rats of Ad-EGFP and Ad-ACE2 groups received intramyocardial injection of Ad-EGFP and Ad-ACE2, respectively. The rats of Cilazapril group received cilazapril (10 mg/kg/day) via intragastric intubation. Apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiac function, the extent of myocardial fibrosis, and levels of ACE2, ACE, angiotensin II (AngII), and angiotensin (1-7) were evaluated. Four weeks after ACE2 gene transfer, the Ad-ACE2 group showed not only reduced apoptosis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, left ventricular (LV) volume, extent of myocardial fibrosis and mortality of rats, but also increased LV ejection fraction and ACE2 expression level compared with the Mock and Ad-EGFP groups. ACE2 overexpression was superior to cilazapril in improving doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. The putative mechanisms may involve activation of the AMPK and PI3K-AKT pathways, inhibition of the ERK pathway, decrease of TGF-ß1 expression, and interactions of shifting RAS components, such as decreased myocardium AngII levels, increased myocardium Ang (1-7) levels, and reduced ACE expression. Thus, ACE2 may be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent and treat doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.

Pravastatin activates activator protein 2 alpha to augment the angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms.

We have previously reported that activation of AMP-activated kinase alpha 2 (AMPKα2) by nicotine or angiotensin II (AngII) instigates formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in Apoe-/- mice. Statins, used to treat hyperlipidemia widely, activate AMPK in vascular cells. We sought to examine the effects of pravastatin on AAA formation and uncover the molecular mechanism. The AAA model was induced by AngII and evaluated by incidence, elastin degradation, and maximal abdominal aortic diameter in Apoe-/- mice. The phosphorylated levels of AMPKα2 and activator protein 2 alpha (AP-2α) were examined in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) or in mice. We observed that pravastatin (50 mg/kg/day, 8 weeks) remarkably increased the AngII-induced AAA incidence in mice. In VSMCs, pravastatin increased the levels of pAMPK, pAP-2α, and MMP2 in both basal and AngII-stressed conditions, which were abolished by tempol and compound C. Pravastatin-upregulated MMP2 was abrogated by AMPKα2 or AP-2α siRNA. Lentivirus-mediated gene silence of AMPKα2 or AP-2α abolished pravastatin-worsened AAA formations in AngII-infused Apoe-/- mice. Clinical investigations demonstrated that both AMPKα2 and AP-2α phosphorylations were increased in AAA patients or human subjects taking pravastatin. In conclusion, pravastatin promotes AAA formation through AMPKα2-dependent AP-2α activations.

Lovastatin upregulates microRNA-29b to reduce oxidative stress in rats with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

AIMS: Proteasome-linked oxidative stress is believed to cause endothelial dysfunction, an early event in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Statin, as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, prevents endothelial dysfunction in CVD. However, the molecular mechanism of statin-mediated normalization of endothelial function is not completely elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lovastatin time/dose-dependently increased miR-29b expression and decreased proteasome activity in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Anti-miR-29b or overexpression of PA200 abolished lovastatin-induced inhibition of proteasome activity in HUVECs. In contrast, pre-miR-29b or PA200 siRNA mimics these effects of lovastatin on proteasome activity. Lovastatin inhibited oxidative stress induced by multiple oxidants including ox-LDL, H2O2, TNFα, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), and high glucose (HG), which were reversed by inhibition of miR-29b in HUVECs. Ex vivo analysis indicated that lovastatin normalized the acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and the redox status in isolated rat aortic arteries exposure to multiple cardiovascular risk factors. In vivo analysis revealed that administration of lovastatin remarkably suppressed oxidative stress and prevented endothelial dysfunction in rats with hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia, as well as increased miR-29b expressions, reduced PA200 protein levels, and suppression of proteasome activity in aortic tissues. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of miR-29b expression is a common mechanism contributing to endothelial dysfunction induced by multiple cardiovascular risk factors through PA200-dependent proteasome-mediated oxidative stress, which is prevented by lovastatin.

Tryptase and Protease-Activated Receptor 2 Expression Levels in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies have revealed that mast cells (MCs) may activate the protease-activated receptors and release of neuropeptides involved in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The levels of proteaseactivated receptor 2 (PAR-2) and tryptase can contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of IBS. METHODS: Colonoscopic biopsies were performed of 38 subjects (20 with IBSdiarrhea [IBS-D], eight with IBS-constipation [IBS-C], and 10 healthy volunteers). The mRNA and protein levels of tryptase and PAR-2 were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. The levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were measured by immunohistochemistry, and MCs were counted by toluidine blue staining. RESULTS: Significant increases in the mRNA expression of tryptase (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and PAR-2 (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) and in the tryptase protein level (p<0.05, IBS-D, IBS-C vs control) were detected in IBS. Elevations of MCs, CGRP, VIP and SP (p<0.05, IBS-D vs control) were observed for IBS-D only. CONCLUSIONS: Tryptase levels may upregulate the function of PAR- 2, resulting in the release of neuropeptide and they were correlated with clinical symptoms associated with IBS.

Amphiphilic polymeric micelles as microreactors: improving the photocatalytic hydrogen production of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic in water.

An amphiphilic polymeric micelle is utilized as a microreactor to load a hydrophobic [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic in water. The local concentration enhancement and strong interaction between the mimic and the photosensitizer as well as the water-mediated fast proton migration caused by the microreactor improve photocatalytic hydrogen production remarkably in water.

Activation of activator protein 2 alpha by aspirin alleviates atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability in vivo.

AIMS: Aspirin has been used for the secondary prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease for several decades. We investigated the roles of transcriptional factor activator protein 2α (AP-2α) in the beneficial effects of aspirin in the growth and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: In mice deficient of apolipoprotein E (Apoe-/-), aspirin (20, 50 mg/kg/day) suppressed the progression of atherosclerosis in aortic roots and increased the plaque stability in carotid atherosclerotic plaques induced by collar-placement. In vivo lentivirus-mediated RNA interference of AP-2α reversed the inhibitory effects of aspirin on atherosclerosis in Apoe-/- mice. Mechanically, aspirin increased AP-2α phosphorylation and its activity, upregulated IkBα mRNA and protein levels, and reduced oxidative stress in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, deficiency of AP-2α completely abolished aspirin-induced upregulation of IkBα levels and inhibition of oxidative stress in Apoe-/- mice. Clinically, conventional doses of aspirin increased AP-2α phosphorylation and IkBα protein expression in humans subjects. CONCLUSION: Aspirin activates AP-2α to upregulate IkBα gene expression, resulting in attenuations of plaque development and instability in atherosclerosis.

How cell number and cellular properties of blood-banked red blood cells of different cell ages decline during storage.

AIMS: Numerous studies have suggested that transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) stored over a long period of time may induce harmful effects due to storage-induced lesions. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this damage have not been identified. Furthermore, it is unclear why and how up to 30% of long-stored RBCs disappear from the circulation within 24 hours after transfusion. The aim of this study was to determine how the cell number of RBCs of different ages changes during storage and how these cells undergo cumulative structural and functional changes with storage time. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used Percoll centrifugation to fractionate the RBCs in blood bank stored RBC units into different aged sub-populations and then measured the number of intact cells in each sub-population as well the cells' biomechanical and biochemical parameters as functions of the storage period. We found that the RBC units stored for ≤ 14 days could be separated into four fractions: the top or young cell fraction, two middle fractions, and the lower or old fraction. However, after 14 days of storage, the cell number and cellular properties declined rapidly whereby the units stored for 21 days only exhibited the three lower fractions and not the young fraction. The cell number within a unit stored for 21 days decreased by 23% compared to a fresh unit and the cells that were lost had hemolyzed into harmful membrane fragments, microparticles, and free hemoglobin. All remaining cells exhibited cellular properties similar to those of senescent cells. CONCLUSION: In RBC units stored for greater than 14 days, there were fewer intact cells with no healthy cells present, as well as harmful membrane fragments, microparticles, and free hemoglobin. Therefore, transfusion of these stored units would not likely help patients and may induce a series of clinical problems.