Artesunate induces HO-1-mediated cell cycle arrest and senescence to protect against ocular fibrosis.

Recent research found artesunate could inhibit ocular fibrosis; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully known. Since the ocular fibroblast is the main effector cell in fibrosis, we hypothesized that artesunate may exert its protective effects by inhibiting the fibroblasts proliferation. TGF-β1-induced ocular fibroblasts and glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS)-treated rabbits were used as ocular fibrotic models.

MicroRNA-9 facilitates hypoxia-induced injury and apoptosis in H9c2 cells via targeting CDK8.

Hypoxia plays an important role in many heart diseases. MicroRNA-9 (miR-9) has been reported to be involved in hypoxia-induced cell proliferation, injury and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. However, the underlying mechanism still remains poorly understood.