Publications by authors named "Rong Yu Liu"
Background: Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not only a response to pathophysiological events, but also plays a causative role in neurodegeneration. Cytoplasmic cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS) is considered to be a stimulant for immune responses to diseases; however, it remains unknown whether CARS is involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
Methods: Postmortem human temporal cortical tissues at different Braak stages and AD patient-derived serum samples were used to investigate the changes of CARS levels in AD by immunocytochemical staining, real-time PCR, western blotting and ELISA.
Article Synopsis
- Phosphorylation of ERK is crucial for long-term synaptic plasticity, but its persistence and dynamics are not well understood.
- Researchers tested ERK activation through three different stimulation protocols that induce long-term synaptic facilitation, finding varying patterns of ERK activation over time.
- The study suggests that complex interactions among growth factors and kinase pathways contribute to the sustained activation of ERK, which is important for maintaining long-term synaptic changes and memory processes in vertebrates.
Article Synopsis
- A study combined experimental and computational approaches to investigate whether single or dual-drug treatments can improve long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) deficits in a model of Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS), which was created by inhibiting a specific kinase.
- Co-administering activators for two kinases (ERK and PKA) not only enhanced RSK phosphorylation but also led to significant improvements in LTF, demonstrating a synergistic effect compared to individual treatments.
- The study findings indicate that the combination of computational models and empirical research may help identify effective drug combinations for disorders like CLS that impact synaptic plasticity and learning.
Article Synopsis
- Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) is an allergic condition resulting from repeated inhalation of specific antigens, often related to occupational exposure, requiring thorough assessment and allergen avoidance for management.
- A 35-year-old female, who worked unprotected for 15 years in a halogen dish manufacturing environment, presented with persistent cough and breathing difficulties, leading to a diagnosis of FHP.
- Investigations revealed lung damage characterized by interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis, suggesting that the spices used in her workplace may have triggered her condition.
Article Synopsis
- Multiple kinases, including p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), impact the transcription factor CREB, which is crucial for long-term synaptic plasticity and memory.
- The study used Aplysia to show that inhibiting RSK reduces CREB1 phosphorylation and disrupts long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) and neuronal excitability (LTEE).
- RSK knockdown in Aplysia sensory neurons also impairs LTF, suggesting a model for studying synaptic plasticity disorders like Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, but these impairments can be improved through a specific training protocol.
Article Synopsis
- Exposure to particulate matter (PM) worsens allergic airway diseases by increasing inflammation and symptoms, but the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood.* -
- The study used mouse models to show that PM exposure leads to inflammatory responses involving TLR2 and the NLRP3 inflammasome, particularly in allergic mice, resulting in elevated inflammatory cytokines.* -
- Inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic approach to reduce allergic airway inflammation triggered by PM exposure.*
Article Synopsis
- Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major cause of cancer deaths, and this study aims to create a prognostic signature combining protein-coding genes (PCGs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) for better patient outcomes.
- Researchers analyzed expression data from LUAD using datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus and performed survival analyses to develop a predictive model.
- The model identified three PCGs and one lncRNA that effectively stratified patients into low- and high-risk groups, proving to be a strong predictor of survival and disease progression, independent of traditional clinical assessments.
Melatonin is one of the main hormones that regulate biological rhythms and have immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation functions. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of melatonin on the autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammatory reaction of macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) stimulated by nanosilica.
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- The study discusses acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP), a condition described in 2002, with no established standard treatment, and highlights the controversies surrounding the use of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs due to side effects in older patients.
- An 81-year-old female patient with persistent cough and breathlessness was diagnosed with AFOP after ineffective treatment with antibiotics and antifungals, leading to a lung biopsy that confirmed the disease.
- The patient was effectively treated with steroid monotherapy, achieving complete remission without significant complications, suggesting that steroids could be a reliable treatment option for AFOP in older adults.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the effectiveness of two cytokines, sVEGFR-1 and endostatin, as potential biomarkers for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in lung cancer patients.
- By analyzing pleural fluid from 80 patients (44 with MPE and 36 with benign pleural effusions), researchers found that levels of both cytokines were significantly higher in MPE cases.
- The combined detection of sVEGFR-1 and endostatin showed improved diagnostic sensitivity (72.73%) and specificity (83.33%), suggesting that they could serve as valuable tools for MPE diagnosis.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the protective effects of salvianolic acid B against lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats.
- Rats were treated with salvianolic acid B before and after LPS exposure, showing improved lung condition and reduced tissue damage.
- The treatment also decreased harmful biochemical changes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting that salvianolic acid B may help protect against acute lung injury.
Article Synopsis
- Neuroscience research aims to develop treatment strategies that boost memory, focusing on the activation of key biochemical pathways like PKA and ERK for long-term memory formation.* -
- A prior computational model predicted that a specific training method could enhance long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) by optimizing PKA and ERK activity.* -
- The study found that using a combination of ERK and PKA activators significantly improved LTF, especially when paired with an enhanced training protocol, suggesting that targeted pharmacological approaches can further improve memory.*
Article Synopsis
- * Experimental methods included various assays and techniques to measure cell viability, autophagy changes, and the expression of key proteins linked to apoptosis.
- * Results indicated that gemcitabine triggers autophagy which reduces the drug's effectiveness, and inhibiting autophagy increased cell death, suggesting combining gemcitabine with autophagic inhibitors could improve treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Article Synopsis
- Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths globally, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) making up over 80% of these fatalities.
- Research has identified miR-541-3p as a tumor-suppressor microRNA that is significantly decreased in NSCLC tissues and plasma, correlating with worse TNM stages and lower survival rates post-surgery.
- Overexpressing miR-541-3p can hinder the growth and spread of NSCLC cells, and its target, TGIF2, counteracts these effects, suggesting that miR-541-3p could serve as both a prognostic marker and a potential target for new treatments in NSCLC.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates how TLR9, activated by bacterial DNA with CpG motifs, enhances phagocytosis and autophagy in macrophages when exposed to Staphylococcus aureus.
- Researchers found that pretreatment with CpG-ODN significantly increased these immune responses, but the effects were absent in TLR9-deficient macrophages, highlighting the receptor's crucial role.
- The signaling pathways involved were identified as JNK and P38, indicating that targeting these pathways could be potential strategies for enhancing the immune response against bacterial infections.
Article Synopsis
- Activation of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), preventing excessive inflammation by serving as a negative feedback mechanism.
- In RAW264.7 macrophages, LTA triggers TLR2 signaling, which concurrently activates MerTK and the pathways of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and SOCS3, highlighting a time-dependent relationship.
- Blocking MerTK significantly enhances LTA-induced inflammation by increasing the activation of IκB-α and NF-κBp65, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, while inhibiting the PI3K/A
Article Synopsis
- Toll-like receptors, especially TLR9, are crucial in the development of asthma and allergic airway diseases, with this study focusing on TLR9's role in airway inflammation.
- The research found that TLR9 expression increased with allergic reactions, and lacking TLR9 reduced inflammation markers, such as specific IgE levels and cytokine production in mice.
- Additionally, the study revealed that the JNK signaling pathway influences TLR9 expression and allergic inflammation, primarily by affecting melatonin production, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for asthma treatment.
Article Synopsis
- Lung impairment is linked to higher morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), making it crucial to understand the risk factors affecting lung function.
- The study involved 101 CAPD patients, 30 chronic kidney disease patients, and 30 healthy controls, assessing pulmonary function through spirometry and the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and dialysis adequacy.
- Results showed that lower lung function measurements in CAPD patients correlated with higher CRP levels and lower albumin, indicating that inflammation and inadequate dialysis can negatively impact lung health in these patients.
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition).
Daniel J Klionsky Kotb Abdelmohsen Akihisa Abe Md Joynal Abedin Hagai Abeliovich Bo Liu Chong Liu Chun-Feng Liu Fei Liu Hung-Jen Liu Jianxun Liu Jing-Jing Liu Jing-Lan Liu Ke Liu Leyuan Liu Liang Liu Quentin Liu Rong-Yu Liu Shiming Liu Shuwen Liu Wei Liu Xian-De Liu Xiangguo Liu Xiao-Hong Liu Xinfeng Liu Xu Liu Xueqin Liu Yang Liu Yule Liu Zexian Liu Zhe Liu Juan P Liuzzi Liu Yang
Autophagy
October 2016
Hypoxia which commonly exists in solid tumors, leads to cancer cells chemoresistance via provoking adaptive responses including autophagy. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the role of autophagy and hypoxia as well as the underlying mechanism in the cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells. Our study demonstrated that hypoxia significantly protected A549 and SPC-A1 cells from cisplatin-induced cell death in a Hif-1α- and Hif-2α-dependent manner.
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- Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is hard to diagnose due to its need for histopathology and tissue culture, and it progresses rapidly, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.
- It is a leading cause of serious fungal infections in China, particularly among those with conditions like neutrophil deficiency, leukemia, and chronic diseases requiring corticosteroids.
- A unique case study presented a patient with agranulocytosis caused by methimazole, who developed IPA alongside unusual swelling in the face, treated successfully with voriconazole, showing significant recovery after 11 months.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the effects of the JNK inhibitor SP600125 on airway inflammation in a mouse model of acute asthma.
- Treatment with SP600125 significantly reduced inflammatory cell presence, decreased levels of specific antibodies and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alleviated mucus secretion.
- The results suggest that SP600125 aids in resolving allergic airway inflammation by targeting the JNK-TLR9 pathway, indicating its potential as a new treatment approach for allergic asthma.
Article Synopsis
- - Memory loss often stems from problems with how genes are activated, specifically involving the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and its cofactor, CBP, which are crucial for memory and synaptic plasticity.
- - Researchers used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down CBP in neurons, finding that this led to reduced long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF), but computer simulations predicted effective training protocols to counteract this issue.
- - The study also looked at restoring LTF when CREB1 was knocked down, finding that simulations suggested specific protocols which partly worked, and the effectiveness was increased with a drug called rolipram that inhibits cAMP phosphodiesterase.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the effects of repeated inhalation of sevoflurane (SVF) on allergic airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, specifically those sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA).
- Results show that SVF treatment significantly reduces various types of inflammatory cells, levels of specific cytokines, and serum IgE related to allergic reactions in the mice.
- Ultimately, the findings suggest that repeated SVF inhalation can help alleviate allergic airway inflammation by improving the immune response and reducing mucus production in these mice.
Article Synopsis
- Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug that primarily works by inhibiting topoisomerase II and generating free radicals, but it also affects memory-related signaling pathways in neurons by inhibiting dual-specificity phosphatases.* -
- The study investigated DOX's effects on rat and Aplysia neurons, finding that it increased levels of activated ERK and p38 MAPK, which are important for learning and memory.* -
- DOX treatment blocked long-term synaptic facilitation and enhanced long-term depression, potentially impacting long-term memory formation through the p38 MAPK pathway; however, this blockade could be reversed with a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK.*