Duvelisib attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that seriously threatens the health of patients. The pathogenesis of IPF is still unclear, and there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. Myofibroblasts are the main effector cells of IPF, leading to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and promoting the progression of fibrosis. Inhibiting the excessive activation and relieving autophagy blockage of myofibroblasts is the key to treat IPF. PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway plays a key regulatory role in promoting fibroblast activation and autophagy inhibition in lung fibrosis. Duvelisib is a PI3K inhibitor that can simultaneously inhibit the activities of PI3K-δ and PI3K-γ, and is mainly used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma tumour (SLL). In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Duvelisib on pulmonary fibrosis. We used a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis to evaluate the effects of Duvelisib on pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and further explored the potential pharmacological mechanisms of Duvelisib in lung fibroblasts in vitro. The in vivo experiments showed that Duvelisib significantly alleviated bleomycin-induced collagen deposition and improved pulmonary function. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments showed that Duvelisib dose-dependently suppressed lung fibroblast activation and improved autophagy inhibition by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and mTOR. Our results indicate that Duvelisib can alleviate the severity of pulmonary fibrosis and provide potential drugs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.     

Rare earth cerium oxide nanoparticles attenuated liver fibrosis in bile duct ligation mice model

Liver fibrosis is one of the major liver complications which eventually progresses to liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Cerium oxide nanoparticles, also known as nanoceria (NC) are nanoparticles with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, we evaluated the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of nanoceria (NC) against bile duct ligation (BDL) induced liver injury. NC were administered i.p. for 12 days (0.5 and 2 mg/kg) to C57BL/6J mice. The biochemical markers of liver injury, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Fibrosis assessment and mechanistic studies were conducted to assess the hepatoprotective effects of NC. Administration of NC proved to significantly ameliorate liver injury as evident by reduction in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels in the treated animals. NC treatment significantly reduced the hydroxyproline levels and expression of fibrotic markers. In summary, our findings establish the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of NC against BDL induced liver injury and liver fibrosis. These protective effects were majorly ascribed to their potential ROS inhibition and antioxidant activities through catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic properties and auto-regenerating capabilities.     

TBC1D25 alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by inhibiting abnormal lipid accumulation and inflammation

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a strong stimulant of cardiovascular diseases, affecting one-quarter of the world's population. TBC1 domain family member 25 (TBC1D25) regulates the development of myocardial hypertrophy and cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury; however, its effect on NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has not been reported. In this study, we demonstrated that TBC1D25 expression is upregulated in NASH. TBC1D25 deficiency aggravated hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in NASH. In vitro tests revealed that TBC1D25 overexpression restrained NASH responses. Subsequent mechanistic validation experiments demonstrated that TBC1D25 interfered with NASH progression by inhibiting abnormal lipid accumulation and inflammation. TBC1D25 deficiency significantly promoted NASH occurrence and development. Therefore, TBC1D25 may potentially be used as a clinical therapeutic target for NASH treatment.     

Current status and prospects of basic research and clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and clinically devastating disease that causes respiratory failure. Morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units are stubbornly high, and various complications severely affect the quality of life of survivors. The pathophysiology of ARDS includes increased alveolar–capillary membrane permeability, an influx of protein-rich pulmonary edema fluid, and surfactant dysfunction leading to severe hypoxemia. At present, the main treatment for ARDS is mechanical treatment combined with diuretics to reduce pulmonary edema, which primarily improves symptoms, but the prognosis of patients with ARDS is still very poor. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal cells that possess the capacity to self-renew and also exhibit multilineage differentiation. MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues, such as the umbilical cord, endometrial polyps, menstrual blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissues. Studies have confirmed the critical healing and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Recently, the potential of stem cells in treating ARDS has been explored via basic research and clinical trials. The efficacy of MSCs has been shown in a variety of in vivo models of ARDS, reducing bacterial pneumonia and ischemia-reperfusion injury while promoting the repair of ventilator-induced lung injury. This article reviews the current basic research findings and clinical applications of MSCs in the treatment of ARDS in order to emphasize the clinical prospects of MSCs.     

探究壮方柔肝化纤颗粒对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织病理影响机制

摘要 目的：探究壮方柔肝化纤颗粒对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织病理影响机制。方法：选取80只雄性Wistar大鼠随机将其平均分成正常对照组、病理模型组、柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组,每组各16只。四氯化碳复合因素造模,观察记录大鼠肝脏形态,采用HE染色、Masson染色观察大鼠肝组织和胶原纤维变化,检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）指标数值,分析大鼠肝组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、羟脯氨酸（HYP）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）与丙二醛（MDA）的含量。结果：柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组大鼠肝细胞变性、坏死及纤维化组织增生程度均较病理模型组明显减轻。柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组血清ALT、AST指标数值与肝组织中HYP、MDA指标水平较病理模型组呈现剂量依赖性降低（P＜0.001）,而柔肝化纤颗粒高剂量组GSH-Px、SOD的指标含量显著高于病理模型组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。结论：柔肝化纤颗粒可有效改善肝纤维化大鼠的肝细胞损害情况,减轻其肝组织炎症程度,对肝纤维化大鼠有一定的保肝护肝与抗肝纤维化作用,其机制可能与提高GSH-Px与SOD的水平、降低HYP与MDA的含量、降低氧化应激水平、调节脂质代谢、减少机体胶原蛋白合成等相关。     

A comparative study of the effects of iloprost and PGE1 on pulmonary arterial pressure and edema formation in the isolated perfused rat lung model

Isolated lungs from male Wistar rats (250–350 g) were perfused at a constant flow rate (10 ml/min, non -recirculating) with Krebs-Ringerbicarbonate buffer containing 4.5 % bovine serum albumin, and were ventilated at a positive pressure (60 breaths/min). Pulmonary arterial pressure and lung weight (as a measure of edema formation) were recorded continuously. After an equilibration period of 20 minutes the various test compounds were added to the perfusion fluid and experimental recording was continued for another 60 minutes.The effects of the stable PGI₂-mimetic, iloprost, of PGE₁, and of the biologically active PGE₁-metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-PGE,, were evaluated in this model (n=6). Iloprost showed slight, but not significant vasodilation; however, lung weight remained unchanged. PGE₁ and 13,14-dihydro-PGE₁ also caused slight vasodilation, but in contrast to iloprost these compounds induced distinct pulmonary edema. The lung weight gain was discernible at concentrations of 2.8 × 10^-6 mol/1 (significant at 2.8 × 10^-5 mol/l; p 0.05) and was accompanied by increases in the wet-weight to dry-weight ratios. These findings were duplicated in a second set of experiments (n = 6) from which the same results were obtained.The results indicate that at high concentrations PGE, (and 13,14-dihydro-PGE₁), but not iloprost, can induce pulmonary edema in rats probably by increasing the permeability of the pulmonary vasculature.     

Secretion of unprocessed human surfactant protein B in milk of transgenic mice

Because of the apparent clinical importance of human pulmonary surfactant B (SP-B), the expression of SP-B was directed to the mammary gland of transgenic mice using previously characterized rat whey acidic protein (WAP) regulatory sequences. rWAP/SP-B mRNA was expressed specifically in the mammary gland, and ranged from 1 to 5% of the endogenous WAP mRNA levels. SP-B was detected immunologically in both tissue and milk. The transgene product had an apparent molecular weight of 40--45 kDa, corresponding to the predicted size of the SP-B proprotein. Incubation of an SP-B-enriched fraction of milk with cathepsin D in vitro produced 20--25 kDa species, consistent with cleavage of the amino terminal domain by cathepsin D. This was confirmed using antibodies specific to the carboxy-terminal domain of SP-B. However, the appearance of only the SP-B proprotein in milk suggests that cathepsin D is not involved in the in vivo processing of SP-B. The SP-B proprotein can be expressed in milk of transgenic mice without any observed effects on mammary gland morphology or lactation     

缺氧促进热休克蛋白70在肺动脉平滑肌细胞中的表达

缺氧性肺动脉高压中肺动脉结构重组,中膜平滑肌细胞增殖并迁移,但机制不明。本研究观察缺氧对肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣ）细胞周期、ＤＮＡ合成及细胞增殖的影响,并通过观察缺氧对ＰＡＳＭＣ热休克蛋白７０（ＨＳＰ７０）表达的影响,初步探讨缺氧的作用是如何介导的。结果表明缺氧可直接或协同内皮质－１促进ＰＡＳＭＣ ＤＮＡ合成及细胞增殖,并可增加ＨＳＰ７０在ＰＡＳＭＣ中的表达。     

内皮素－1对缺氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖作用

内皮素（ＥＴ）是至今所发现的最强的内源性血管收缩肽,近年来发现ＥＴ－１能促进血管平滑肌细胞增殖。本研究表明ＥＴ－１对缺氧培养的肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣ）有剂量依赖的增殖作用,缺氧可促进ＰＡＳＭＣ的ＤＮＡ合成且增加ＥＴ－１的丝裂原作用。ＥＴ－１的丝裂原作用主要由其Ａ型受体（ＥＴＲ＿Ａ）所介导,ＥＴＲ＿Ａ的特异拮抗剂ＢＱ１２３可显著抑制缺氧以及缺氧与ＥＴ－１协同所产生的增殖作用,而且发现ＥＴＲ＿Ａ在缺氧培养的ＰＡＳＭＣ中的表达显著高于常氧对照组ＰＡＳＭＣ。本研究表明ＥＴ－１参与了缺氧性肺动脉结构重组,而缺氧可增强ＰＡＳＭＣ对ＥＴ－１的增殖反应性。