Volume 399, Issue 11

Occupational and environmental exposures to industrial chemicals are known to cause hepatotoxicity and liver injury, in humans and in animal models. Historically, research has focused on severe acute liver injury (e.g. fulminant liver failure) or endstage diseases (e.g. cirrhosis and HCC). However, it has become recently recognized that toxicants can cause more subtle changes to the liver. For example, toxicant-associated steatohepatitis, characterized by hepatic steatosis, and inflammation, was recently recognized in an occupational cohort exposed to vinyl chloride. At high occupational levels, toxicants are sufficient to cause liver damage and disease even in healthy subjects with no comorbidities for liver injury. However, it is still largely unknown how exposure to toxicants initiate and possibly more importantly exacerbate liver disease, when combined with other factors, such as underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by poor diet and/or obesity. With better understanding of the mechanism(s) and risk factors that mediate the initiation and progression of toxicant-induced liver disease, rational targeted therapy can be developed to better predict risk, as well as to treat or prevent this disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize established and proposed mechanisms of volatile organic compound-induced liver injury and to highlight key signaling events known or hypothesized to mediate these effects.

NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is the largest and most complicated enzyme complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It is the entry site into the respiratory chain for most of the reducing equivalents generated during metabolism, coupling electron transfer from NADH to quinone to proton translocation, which in turn drives ATP synthesis. Dysfunction of complex I is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and it is proposed to be involved in aging. Complex I has one non-covalently bound FMN, eight to 10 iron-sulfur clusters, and protein-associated quinone molecules as electron transport components. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has previously been the most informative technique, especially in membrane in situ analysis. The structure of complex 1 has now been resolved from a number of species, but the mechanisms by which electron transfer is coupled to transmembrane proton pumping remains unresolved. Ubiquinone-10, the terminal electron acceptor of complex I, is detectable by EPR in its one electron reduced, semiquinone (SQ) state. In the aerobic steady state of respiration the semi-ubiquinone anion has been observed and studied in detail. Two distinct protein-associated fast and slow relaxing, SQ signals have been resolved which were designated SQ Nf and SQ Ns . This review covers a five decade personal journey through the field leading to a focus on the unresolved questions of the role of the SQ radicals and their possible part in proton pumping.

Modifications in cellular RNAs have emerged as key regulators of all aspects of gene expression, including pre-mRNA splicing. During spliceosome assembly and function, the small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) form numerous dynamic RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions, which are required for spliceosome assembly, correct positioning of the spliceosome on substrate pre-mRNAs and catalysis. The human snRNAs contain several base methylations as well as a myriad of pseudouridines and 2′- O -methylated nucleotides, which are largely introduced by small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins (scaRNPs). Modified nucleotides typically cluster in functionally important regions of the snRNAs, suggesting that their presence could optimise the interactions of snRNAs with each other or with pre-mRNAs, or may affect the binding of spliceosomal proteins. snRNA modifications appear to play important roles in snRNP biogenesis and spliceosome assembly, and have also been proposed to influence the efficiency and fidelity of pre-mRNA splicing. Interestingly, alterations in the modification status of snRNAs have recently been observed in different cellular conditions, implying that some snRNA modifications are dynamic and raising the possibility that these modifications may fine-tune the spliceosome for particular functions. Here, we review the current knowledge on the snRNA modification machinery and discuss the timing, functions and dynamics of modifications in snRNAs.

While antibiotics remain as a major therapy against life threatening pathogenic infections, they often lead to side effects like rashes, gastrointestinal and central nervous system reactions to serious allergies or organ damage. These adverse effects alongside the emergence of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria and the decline in the development of new antibiotics, have posed a serious impediment for effective antibiotic therapy. A paradigm shift in attitudes has led us to think about the possibility of controlling infections with the indigenous antimicrobial peptides synthesized by human beings. It has been observed that few transcription factors can stimulate more than three dozen defense peptides in the human system. Hence, during the infection stage, if we can induce these common factors, most of the infections could be healed from inside without the administration of any antibiotics. The efficiency of such peptides is being proven in clinical tests leading to the development of drugs.

The paxillin and M2 macrophage are all involved in cell proliferation and tumor progression, and this study aims to explore the interaction between them in colon cancer and the role of paxillin in cancer progression. Expression of mRNAs and proteins was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, separately. Endogenous expression of genes was modulated by recombinant plasmids and cell transfection. The levels of cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cell viability, invasion and migration were detected using the MTT assay, the transwell assay and the wound-healing cell migration assay, respectively. A nude mouse model for human colon cancer was constructed for tumor orthotopic expression. Paxillin was up-regulated in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Paxillin was up-regulated in process of M2 macrophage polarization. M2 macrophage polarization was inhibited with paxillin suppressed. Down-regulated paxillin inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in colon cancer through suppressing M2 macrophage polarization. PI3k/Akt inhibitor repressed M2 macrophage polarization through down-regulating paxillin. PI3k/Akt inhibitor inhibited the function of the macrophage in promoting cell proliferation and invasion of colon cancer through down-regulating paxillin. Down-regulated paxillin in macrophages inhibited tumor growth of colon cancer. With the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibited, down-regulated paxillin suppressed colon cancer cell proliferation and invasion by inhibiting the M2 macrophage polarization, thereby restraining the tumor progression.

This study aimed to explore a role of p21Waf1 in γH2AX foci formation and DNA repair as assessed by a Host-Cell Reactivation Assay in wild-type (p21Waf +/+ ) and p21Waf1-deficient E1A+Ras-transformed cells. p21Waf1 +/+ cells have low γH2AX background compared to p21Waf1 −/− cells. The treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) sodium butyrate (NaBut) causes to accumulation of γH2AX in p21Waf +/+ cells with little effect in p21Waf −/− cells. Moreover, NaBut inhibits DNA repair in wt cells but not in p21Waf1 −/− cells. This could be explained by the weakening of GADD45 and PCNA proteins binding in NaBut-treated p21Waf1-expressing cells but not in p21Waf1 −/− cells. We suggest that in wt-ERas cells NaBut activates both p21Waf1 expression and a release of p21Waf1 from the complexes with E1A that leads to suppression of DNA repair and promotes γH2AX persistency. The absence of p21Waf1 is by itself considered by the cell as stressful factor with formation of γH2AX. But the lack of p21Waf1 interferes with an inhibitory effect of NaBut to inhibit DNA repair and thereby to stop concomitant accumulation of harmful mutations. We conclude that p21Waf1 is directly involved in control of genome integrity and DNA repair acting through modulation of the components of the DNA repair machinery.

Down-regulation of the meningioma-associated protein ( MAC30 ) gene has been found in many solid cancers. This study was carried out to determine the roles and the mechanisms of MAC30 in breast cancer. We used our own data and a public database to analyze the MAC30 mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer tissues. In addition, we established MAC30 knockdown breast cancer cells using MAC30 siRNA. The roles of MAC30 were detected by using the Soft agar assay, Annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining and the Transwell assay. Western blotting was used to analyze the potential mechanism(s) of MAC30 in these cells. We found that MAC30 mRNA and protein were higher in the cancer tissues compared to the matched normal tissues. MAC30 expression was associated with tumor size, tumor differentiation and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Overall survival rate of the patients with low MAC30 expression was obviously higher than the ones with high expression. The apoptotic ratio was lower in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 cells with MAC30 expression. By Western blot analysis, we found that increased levels of phosphorylated YAP1, MST1 and LATS1 after MAC30 siRNA transfection in these two cells. In summary, we demonstrate that MAC30 knockdown is involved in the activation of the Hippo signaling pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergo osteogenic differentiation during bone defect healing. However, the role of JAK2/STAT3 in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and bone defect healing is still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of AG490, a JAK2-specific inhibitor, on MSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation as well as in bone defect healing. We used AG490 to inhibit the JAK2/STAT3 signaling in a mice bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) culture. AG490 inhibited BMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation markers, i.e. Col1α , Alp and Ocn expression in mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of JAK2 reduced ALP activity and matrix mineralization in BMSCs culture. Inhibition of JAK2 reduced phosphorylation of STAT3, AKT, P38, and JNK phosphorylation. Immunohistochemistry showed high numbers of pJAK2, pSTAT3 and ALP positive cells and AG490 reduced this effect in vivo . Histology and μ-computed tomography (CT) data showed that AG490 treatment inhibits bone regeneration and bone defect healing. Our results clearly showed the inhibitory effect of AG490 on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, bone regeneration and bone defect healing. Moreover, AG490 inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3, P38, JNK and AKT. This suggests the possible role of JAK2/STAT3 signaling in hypoxia-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and bone defect healing.

Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic inflammatory condition. Interleukin (IL)-37 is a member of the IL-1 family and an anti-inflammatory cytokine. This study aimed to evaluate the possible role of IL-37 in the EMs pathogenesis. We investigated the in vivo effect of IL-37 on EMs by injection with recombinant human IL-37 (rhIL-37) into EMs mice. Furthermore, we evaluated the in vitro effects of IL-37 on proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasiveness of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and explored whether Wnt/β-catenin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were involved in this process. In cultured ESCs, IL-37 overexpression significantly suppressed both protein and mRNA expression of the inflammation-associated cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). Furthermore, IL-37 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCs proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. In contrast, knockdown of IL-37 exerted the opposite effects. Importantly, the IL-37-mediated action in ESCs was through inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin, p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-related kinases MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase MAPK pathways. Moreover, EMs mice treated with rhIL-37 showed the decreased endometriotic-like lesion size and lesion weight, lower expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-I) and MMP-2/9 activity in peritoneal fluid compared with the wide type (WT) EMs mice. These findings suggest that IL-37 suppresses cell proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of human ESCs through multiple signaling pathways, thereby affecting the occurrence and development of EMs.

Resveratrol (RSV) attenuates early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study aimed to investigate whether the effects of RSV on SAH-induced EBI were mediated via the AMPK/SIRT1/autophagy pathway. A SAH rat model was established and oxyhemoglobin (Oxyhb)-induced primary cortical neurons were prepared to mimic SAH in vitro . The results showed that RSV significantly reduced microglia activation and the release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the alleviation of neurological behavior impairment, brain edema and neural apoptosis at 24 h post-SAH. However, RSV failed to ameliorate neurological deficits, brain edema and neural apoptosis when SAH injury lasted for 72 h. Additionally, at 24 h post-SAH, RSV-administered rats showed a significant increase in the LC3-II/I ratio and the phosphorylation state of AMPK and SIRT1 protein expression in brain tissues. Further in vitro studies revealed that RSV notably reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and neural apoptosis in neurons at 24 post-Oxyhb, which was abolished by 3MA (an autophagy inhibitor) and Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). Moreover, Compound C decreased LC3-II/I ratio and inhibited SIRT1 protein expression, whereas 3MA had no significant effects on AMPK/SIRT1-related proteins. In conclusion, the AMPK/SIRT1/autophagy pathway plays an important role in the alleviation of SAH-induced EBI by RSV.