Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.How...Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.However,relatively few studies have explored the impact of post-translational modifications(PTM)on OC progression,which is essential for uncovering new therapeutic targets.This study aimed to systematically identify the key PTM types involved in OCprogression,and to explore and evaluate their translational potential as therapeutic targets.Methods:First,we utilized multiple general PTM antibodies to compare gross PTM levels between normal ovarian and OC tissues from clinical females.After identifying lactylation as the PTM with the most significant differences,we selected representative samples for label-free mass spectrometry to identify specific lactylation sites.Next,we transfected A2780(OC)cells with either wild-type(WT)or mutant(K192A[Q])poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1(PARP1)conjugated to enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)with a StrepⅡpeptide tag and assessed various cellular indexes related to cell proliferation(clonogenicity assay),migration(scratch wound healing assay),and reactive oxygen species levels.Results:Pan-lactylation was significantly upregulated in clinical OC samples,with PARP1 lactylation at K192 being one of the most common modifications.The growth and migration of A2780 cells were markedly suppressed by overexpressing PARP1-WT but not mutant PARP1.Overexpressing PARP1 significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2(ERK1/2).Conclusion:This study uncovered a novel PTM of PARP1 in OC,lactylation,and demonstrated that lactylation at K192 is crucial in regulating OC cell growth and migration via the ERK1/2 pathway.Further investigations are required to elucidate the broader functional implications of PARP1 lactylation and its therapeutic potential.展开更多
Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were ra...Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomized equally into control group and heat stress group.After exposure to 32℃for 2 weeks in the latter group,the rats were examined for histopathological changes and Bmal1 expression in the thoracic aorta using HE staining and immunohistochemistry.In the cell experiments,cultured rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells(RTAECs)were incubated at 40℃for 12 h with or without prior transfection with a Bmal1-specific small interfering RNA(si-Bmal1)or a negative sequence.In both rat thoracic aorta and RTAECs,the expressions of Bmal1,the cell cycle proteins CDK1,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin B1,and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis in rat thoracic aorta,and the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in RTAECs were analyzed with flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control rats,the rats exposed to heat stress showed significantly increased blood pressures and lowered heart rate with elastic fiber disruption and increased expressions of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 in the thoracic aorta(P<0.05).In cultured RTAECs,heat stress caused significant increase of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein expression levels,which were obviously lowered in cells with prior si-Bmal1 transfection.Bmal1 knockdown also inhibited heat stress-induced increase of apoptosis in RTAECs as evidenced by decreased expression of Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2.Conclusion Heat stress upregulates Bmal1 expression and causes alterations in expressions of cyclins to trigger apoptosis of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells,which can be partly alleviated by suppressing Bmal1 expression.展开更多
AIM:Regulatory T cells(Tregs)are a specialized subset of CD4^(+)T cells primarily involved in im⁃munosuppressive functions.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)serves as a metabolic sensor that governs the differen⁃tiati...AIM:Regulatory T cells(Tregs)are a specialized subset of CD4^(+)T cells primarily involved in im⁃munosuppressive functions.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)serves as a metabolic sensor that governs the differen⁃tiation,maturation,and immune functions of Tregs through metabolic reprogramming.However,the impact of AMPKα1(the catalytic subunit of AMPK)knockout specifically in Tregs on the host's immune microenvironment remains largely un⁃explored.METHODS:Histological changes in immune organs were assessed using HE staining.The types of immune cells and their relative population percentages in immune organs and blood were quantified through flow cytometry in both AMPKα1flox/flox(AMPKα1^(fl/fl))mice and Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice(AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice).RESULTS:Compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice,the percentage of eosinophils in the bone marrow of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice was significant⁃ly reduced.Additionally,while the thymus of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice exhibited normal structure,both its size and the ratio of thymus weight to body weight were significantly decreased.The knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs led to a notable reduction in the total percentage of immature double-negative(DN)cells.Consequently,the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells derived from these DN cells also decreased,even though the percentages of DN1 and DN4 cells were higher in the thymus of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.Importantly,the proportion of Siglec-F+CD11b^(+)eosinophils in the thymus was significantly lower in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice.Knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells in peripheral blood,alongside a decrease in the proportion of mature CD8^(+)T cells.Similarly,the proportion of CD4^(+)T cells in the spleen of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice was elevated compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.In contrast,the proportion of neutrophils significantly decreased,while mononuclear cell proportions increased in the spleen of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice.In lymph nodes,the medullary boundaries in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice were blurred,and the lymphoid follicles were missing,a feature not observed in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.Furthermore,the knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs reduced the CD3^(+)T cell population,particularly the CD8^(+)T cell population,in lymph nodes.Although the mature Treg cell population was significantly lower in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice,the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells was markedly in⁃creased.In contrast,there was no statistically significant difference in granulocyte populations between AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)and AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.CONCLUSION:The populations of mature Tregs,CD8^(+)T cells and eosinophils in various im⁃mune organs were significantly altered in mice with Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout,suggesting a potential remodeling of the host immune microenvironment in response to inflammatory stimuli.展开更多
Objective To investigate whether 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside(TSG)ameliorated polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)-like characteristics by inhibiting inflammation.Methods PCOS models were established ...Objective To investigate whether 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside(TSG)ameliorated polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)-like characteristics by inhibiting inflammation.Methods PCOS models were established by injecting subcutaneously with dehydroepiandrosterone into female Sprague-Dawley rats,followed by receiving intraperitoneal injection of TSG.The granular cells(GCs)KGN were transfected with small interfering RNAs(si-NC and si-CYP19A1).The cells were preincubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and then treated with or without TSG.The estrous cycle was monitored using vaginal exfoliated cells.The morphology of ovarian follicles was analyzed by H&E staining.ELISA was used to analyze estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),IL-6,TNF-α,AGEs,CRP and Omentin-1 levels in serum.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze PCNA and CYP19A1 expressions in the GCs of ovaries.Tunel staining was executed to detect the apoptosis of GCs.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot were implemented to measure the expression of CYP19A1 in the ovaries and transfected cells.qPCR was used to analyze the expression of IL-6 and TNF-αin the transfected cells treated with LPS and TSG.Results The estrous cycles were restored in TSG group.Compared with model group,the sinus follicles were reduced and corpus luteums were increased in TSG group.TSG group showed increased E2,and decreased T and LH,compared with model group.Pro-inflammatory factors(IL-6,TNF-α,CRP and AGEs)were decreased,and anti-inflammatory factor(Omentin-1)was increased in TSG group compared with those in model group.TSG could partially inhibit decrease of PNCA-positive GCs and increase of Tunel-positive GCs caused by PCOS.The CYP19A1 expression of GCs in TSG group was upregulated compared with model group.The expressions of IL-6 and TNFαin si-CYP19A1 cells were increased compared with si-NC cells.Compared with cells(si-NC and si-CYP19A1)treated without LPS,the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-αcells were increased,and the expression of CYP19A1 was downregulated in LPS-preincubated cells.Compared with cells treated with LPS,the expression of IL-6 and TNF-αwere decreased,and the expression of CYP19A1 was increased in cells treated with LPS and TSG.Compared with si-NC cells treated with LPS and TSG,the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-αcells were increased in the si-CYP19A1 cells treated with LPS and TSG.Conclusion TSG could alleviate PCOS-like characteristics by increasing the expression of CYP19A1 in GCs to inhibit inflammatory response.展开更多
文摘Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.However,relatively few studies have explored the impact of post-translational modifications(PTM)on OC progression,which is essential for uncovering new therapeutic targets.This study aimed to systematically identify the key PTM types involved in OCprogression,and to explore and evaluate their translational potential as therapeutic targets.Methods:First,we utilized multiple general PTM antibodies to compare gross PTM levels between normal ovarian and OC tissues from clinical females.After identifying lactylation as the PTM with the most significant differences,we selected representative samples for label-free mass spectrometry to identify specific lactylation sites.Next,we transfected A2780(OC)cells with either wild-type(WT)or mutant(K192A[Q])poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1(PARP1)conjugated to enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)with a StrepⅡpeptide tag and assessed various cellular indexes related to cell proliferation(clonogenicity assay),migration(scratch wound healing assay),and reactive oxygen species levels.Results:Pan-lactylation was significantly upregulated in clinical OC samples,with PARP1 lactylation at K192 being one of the most common modifications.The growth and migration of A2780 cells were markedly suppressed by overexpressing PARP1-WT but not mutant PARP1.Overexpressing PARP1 significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2(ERK1/2).Conclusion:This study uncovered a novel PTM of PARP1 in OC,lactylation,and demonstrated that lactylation at K192 is crucial in regulating OC cell growth and migration via the ERK1/2 pathway.Further investigations are required to elucidate the broader functional implications of PARP1 lactylation and its therapeutic potential.
文摘Objective To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomized equally into control group and heat stress group.After exposure to 32℃for 2 weeks in the latter group,the rats were examined for histopathological changes and Bmal1 expression in the thoracic aorta using HE staining and immunohistochemistry.In the cell experiments,cultured rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells(RTAECs)were incubated at 40℃for 12 h with or without prior transfection with a Bmal1-specific small interfering RNA(si-Bmal1)or a negative sequence.In both rat thoracic aorta and RTAECs,the expressions of Bmal1,the cell cycle proteins CDK1,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin B1,and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting.TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis in rat thoracic aorta,and the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in RTAECs were analyzed with flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control rats,the rats exposed to heat stress showed significantly increased blood pressures and lowered heart rate with elastic fiber disruption and increased expressions of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 in the thoracic aorta(P<0.05).In cultured RTAECs,heat stress caused significant increase of Bmal1,cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein expression levels,which were obviously lowered in cells with prior si-Bmal1 transfection.Bmal1 knockdown also inhibited heat stress-induced increase of apoptosis in RTAECs as evidenced by decreased expression of Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2.Conclusion Heat stress upregulates Bmal1 expression and causes alterations in expressions of cyclins to trigger apoptosis of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells,which can be partly alleviated by suppressing Bmal1 expression.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81800423)the Guangdong Medical Science and Technology Research project(No.B2022102)。
文摘AIM:Regulatory T cells(Tregs)are a specialized subset of CD4^(+)T cells primarily involved in im⁃munosuppressive functions.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)serves as a metabolic sensor that governs the differen⁃tiation,maturation,and immune functions of Tregs through metabolic reprogramming.However,the impact of AMPKα1(the catalytic subunit of AMPK)knockout specifically in Tregs on the host's immune microenvironment remains largely un⁃explored.METHODS:Histological changes in immune organs were assessed using HE staining.The types of immune cells and their relative population percentages in immune organs and blood were quantified through flow cytometry in both AMPKα1flox/flox(AMPKα1^(fl/fl))mice and Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice(AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice).RESULTS:Compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice,the percentage of eosinophils in the bone marrow of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice was significant⁃ly reduced.Additionally,while the thymus of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice exhibited normal structure,both its size and the ratio of thymus weight to body weight were significantly decreased.The knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs led to a notable reduction in the total percentage of immature double-negative(DN)cells.Consequently,the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells derived from these DN cells also decreased,even though the percentages of DN1 and DN4 cells were higher in the thymus of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.Importantly,the proportion of Siglec-F+CD11b^(+)eosinophils in the thymus was significantly lower in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice.Knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells in peripheral blood,alongside a decrease in the proportion of mature CD8^(+)T cells.Similarly,the proportion of CD4^(+)T cells in the spleen of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice was elevated compared to AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.In contrast,the proportion of neutrophils significantly decreased,while mononuclear cell proportions increased in the spleen of AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice.In lymph nodes,the medullary boundaries in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice were blurred,and the lymphoid follicles were missing,a feature not observed in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.Furthermore,the knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs reduced the CD3^(+)T cell population,particularly the CD8^(+)T cell population,in lymph nodes.Although the mature Treg cell population was significantly lower in AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)mice,the percentage of CD4^(+)T cells was markedly in⁃creased.In contrast,there was no statistically significant difference in granulocyte populations between AMPKα1^(fl/fl)Foxp3^(cre)and AMPKα1^(fl/fl)mice.CONCLUSION:The populations of mature Tregs,CD8^(+)T cells and eosinophils in various im⁃mune organs were significantly altered in mice with Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout,suggesting a potential remodeling of the host immune microenvironment in response to inflammatory stimuli.
文摘Objective To investigate whether 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside(TSG)ameliorated polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)-like characteristics by inhibiting inflammation.Methods PCOS models were established by injecting subcutaneously with dehydroepiandrosterone into female Sprague-Dawley rats,followed by receiving intraperitoneal injection of TSG.The granular cells(GCs)KGN were transfected with small interfering RNAs(si-NC and si-CYP19A1).The cells were preincubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and then treated with or without TSG.The estrous cycle was monitored using vaginal exfoliated cells.The morphology of ovarian follicles was analyzed by H&E staining.ELISA was used to analyze estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),IL-6,TNF-α,AGEs,CRP and Omentin-1 levels in serum.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze PCNA and CYP19A1 expressions in the GCs of ovaries.Tunel staining was executed to detect the apoptosis of GCs.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and Western blot were implemented to measure the expression of CYP19A1 in the ovaries and transfected cells.qPCR was used to analyze the expression of IL-6 and TNF-αin the transfected cells treated with LPS and TSG.Results The estrous cycles were restored in TSG group.Compared with model group,the sinus follicles were reduced and corpus luteums were increased in TSG group.TSG group showed increased E2,and decreased T and LH,compared with model group.Pro-inflammatory factors(IL-6,TNF-α,CRP and AGEs)were decreased,and anti-inflammatory factor(Omentin-1)was increased in TSG group compared with those in model group.TSG could partially inhibit decrease of PNCA-positive GCs and increase of Tunel-positive GCs caused by PCOS.The CYP19A1 expression of GCs in TSG group was upregulated compared with model group.The expressions of IL-6 and TNFαin si-CYP19A1 cells were increased compared with si-NC cells.Compared with cells(si-NC and si-CYP19A1)treated without LPS,the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-αcells were increased,and the expression of CYP19A1 was downregulated in LPS-preincubated cells.Compared with cells treated with LPS,the expression of IL-6 and TNF-αwere decreased,and the expression of CYP19A1 was increased in cells treated with LPS and TSG.Compared with si-NC cells treated with LPS and TSG,the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-αcells were increased in the si-CYP19A1 cells treated with LPS and TSG.Conclusion TSG could alleviate PCOS-like characteristics by increasing the expression of CYP19A1 in GCs to inhibit inflammatory response.
