Cromolyn sodium reduces LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the EMT process enhanced by MC-derived IL-13.

Background: Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection. When this inflammatory response spreads to the lungs, it can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) or more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pulmonary fibrosis is a potential complication of these conditions, and the early occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a higher mortality rate.

Management of Chronic Heart Failure in Dialysis Patients: A Challenging but Rewarding Path.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common complication and cause of death in dialysis patients. Although several clinical guidelines and expert consensus on heart failure (HF) in the general population have been issued in China and abroad, due to abnormal renal function or even no residual renal function (RRF) in dialysis patients, the high number of chronic complications, as well as the specificity, variability, and limitations of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments, there are significant differences between dialysis patients and the general population in terms of the treatment and management of HF. The current studies are not relevant to all dialysis-combined HF populations, and there is an urgent need for high-quality studies on managing HF in dialysis patients to guide and standardize treatment.

Propionic acid ameliorates cognitive function through immunomodulatory effects on Th17 cells in perioperative neurocognitive disorders.

Background: Elderly patients undergoing surgery are prone to cognitive decline known as perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND). Several studies have shown that the microglial activation and the decrease of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in gut induced by surgery may be related to the pathogenesis of PND. The purpose of this study was to determine whether microglia and short-chain fatty acids were involved in cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell lines HMSCASTi001-A from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a 35-year-old healthy male.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from a 35-year-old healthy male were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSCs maintained a normal karyotype, expressed various pluripotency stem cell markers, and showed potential of differentiating into three germ layers. This iPSCs could be differentiated into multiple cell subtypes for drug discovery and investigation of mechanisms.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell lines HMSCASTi002-A from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a 38-year-old healthy female individual.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a 38-year-old healthy female were isolated and reprogrammed into the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The established iPSC line expressed various pluripotency stem cell markers and potential of differentiating into three germ layers, meanwhile maintained normal karyotype.

Lipocalin-2 inhibits pancreatic cancer stemness via the AKT/c-Jun pathway.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in cancer recurrence and metastasis owing to their self-renewal properties and drug-resistance capacity. Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) of the lipocalin superfamily is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, reports on the involvement of Lcn2 in the regulation of pancreatic CSC properties are scant.

Increased Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Hippocampus in Rats With Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy.

Background: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) has been identified as a frequent complication of sepsis, featured by an aberrant level of cognitive and affective functions. The present study is designed to explore the changes in functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus in rats with SAE utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the SAE and control groups.

Interleukin-6-white matter network differences explained the susceptibility to depression after stressful life events.

Background: Stressful life events (SLEs) are well-established proximal predictors of the onset of depression. However, the fundamental causes of interindividual differences in depression outcomes are poorly understood. This study addressed this depression susceptibility mechanism using a well-powered sample of adults living in China.

Neuron secrete exosomes containing miR-9-5p to promote polarization of M1 microglia in depression.

Background: Neuroinflammation is an important component mechanism in the development of depression. Exosomal transfer of MDD-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) from neurons to microglia might exacerbate neuronal cell inflammatory injury.

Results: By sequence identification, we found significantly higher miR-9-5p expression levels in serum exosomes from MDD patients than healthy control (HC) subjects.

Lipocalin2 promotes cell proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer through activation of the ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Lipocalin2 (Lcn2) has been shown to be a vital regulator of tumorigenesis in a variety of different cancers. However, its expression patterns and possible roles in ovarian cancer remain obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Lcn2 in ovarian cancer cells and to determine any potential association between Lcn2 and ovarian tumor development and cancer progression.

Inhibiting effect of MicroRNA-3619-5p/PSMD10 axis on liver cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro.

Aims: Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide owing to its delayed diagnosis and absence of efficient treatment at advanced TNM stages. Increasing evidence demonstrated that microRNAs are implicated in tumorgenesis and cancer development by regulating cancer-related proteins. This study aimed to explore the effect of miR-3619-5p on cell growth in liver cancer.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits angiotensin II-induced NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS via the Src/STAT3 signalling pathway.

We had previously demonstrated that the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) suppresses the oxidative stress and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by vascular injury. A recent study also indicated that CGRP protects against the onset and development of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension, vascular hypertrophy and oxidative stress. However, the mechanism behind the effects of CGRP on Ang II-induced oxidative stress is unclear.

Endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide suppresses ischemic brain injuries and progression of cognitive decline.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid peptide and produced by alternative splicing of the transcript of the calcitonin/CGRP gene. Originally identified as a strong vasodilatory and hypotensive peptide, CGRP is now known to be a pleiotropic molecule distributed in various organs, including the brain.

Method: In this study, we used CGRP knockout mice (CGRP-/-) to examine the actions of endogenous CGRP during cerebral ischemia.

Vasoprotective Activities of the Adrenomedullin-RAMP2 System in Endothelial Cells.

Neointimal hyperplasia is the primary lesion underlying atherosclerosis and restenosis after coronary intervention. We previously described the essential angiogenic function of the adrenomedullin (AM)-receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) 2 system. In the present study, we assessed the vasoprotective actions of the endogenous AM-RAMP2 system using a wire-induced vascular injury model.

Endogenous Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis in Male Mice.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a bioactive peptide produced by alternative splicing of the primary transcript of the calcitonin/CGRP gene. CGRP is largely distributed in the cardiovascular and nervous systems, where it acts as a regulatory factor. CGRP is also expressed in organs and tissues involved in metabolic regulation, including white adipose tissue (WAT), where its function is largely unknown.

Adrenomedullin Suppresses Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Vascular Hyperpermeability and Inflammation in Retinopathy.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is caused by blood-retinal barrier breakdown associated with retinal vascular hyperpermeability and inflammation, and it is the major cause of visual dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy. Adrenomedullin (ADM) is an endogenous peptide first identified as a strong vasodilator. ADM is expressed in the eyes and is up-regulated in various eye diseases, although the pathophysiological significance is largely unknown.

The endothelial adrenomedullin-RAMP2 system regulates vascular integrity and suppresses tumour metastasis.

Aims: Controlling vascular integrity is expected to be a novel therapeutic target of cancers as well as cardiovascular diseases. Adrenomedullin (AM) and its receptor-modulating protein, RAMP2, have been identified as essential mediators of cardiovascular homeostasis. In this study, we used inducible vascular endothelial cell-specific RAMP2 knockout (DI-E-RAMP2(-/-)) mice to clarify the contribution made by the endogenous AM-RAMP2 system to angiogenesis and metastasis.

Pathophysiological function of endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide in ocular vascular diseases.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; official name CALCA) has a variety of functions and exhibits both angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. We previously reported the angiogenic effects of the CGRP family peptide adrenomedullin in oxygen-induced retinopathy; however, the effects of CGRP on ocular angiogenesis remain unknown. Herein, we used CGRP knockout (CGRP(-/-)) mice to investigate the roles of CGRP in ocular vascular disease.

Functional differentiation of RAMP2 and RAMP3 in their regulation of the vascular system.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a vasoactive peptide that possesses various bioactivities. AM receptors are dimers consisting of CLR with one of two accessory proteins, RAMP2 or RAMP3. The functional difference between CLR/RAMP2 and CLR/RAMP3 and the relationship between the two receptors remain unclear.

Pathophysiological roles of adrenomedullin-RAMP2 system in acute and chronic cerebral ischemia.

The accessory protein RAMP2 is a component of the CLR/RAMP2 dimeric adrenomedullin (AM) receptor and is the primary determinant of the vascular functionality of AM. RAMP2 is highly expressed in the brain; however, its function there remains unclear. We therefore used heterozygous RAMP2 knockout (RAMP2+/-) mice, in which RAMP2 expression was reduced by half, to examine the actions of the endogenous AM-RAMP2 system in cerebral ischemia.

Generation of protective immune responses against coxsackievirus B3 challenge by DNA prime-protein boost vaccination.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) causes viral myocarditis and can ultimately result in dilated cardiomyopathy. However, there is no vaccine available for clinical use. In this study, we assessed the protection provided by three immunization strategies against CVB3 infection.

[Construction of the recombinant adenovirus expressing the CVB3 sVP1-C3d3 protein and study on its immunological effects in mice].

Aim: To construct recombinant adenovirus Ad/C3d3-sVP1 and investigate the immune effects against coxsackievirus infection in mouse.

Methods: The recombinant adenovirus Ad/sVP1-C3d3 was constructed and packaged. BALB/c mouse were divided into four groups: Ad/sVP1-C3d3 group, Ad/VP1 group, Ad group and PBS group.

A preliminary study on the activation and antigen presentation of hepatitis B virus core protein virus-like particle-pulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.

Hepatitis B virus core protein virus-like particles (HBc-VLPs) act as a strong immunogen and are suitable for uptake by dendritic cells (DCs), in which they directly promote DC maturation and migration. To illustrate the utility of global proteomic analysis techniques in elucidating the molecular events that are altered in HBc-VLP-pulsed bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) and to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of capture and processing of HBc-VLP-pulsed BMDCs, an antigen (Ag) delivery system based on HBc-VLP-pulsed BMDCs was developed. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses were utilized to analyze the differential protein expression patterns between HBc-VLP-pulsed and untreated BMDCs.

Preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody with high affinity for soluble Abeta oligomers.

Amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) has been causally implicated in the neurodegenerative processes that accompany Alzheimer's disease. Soluble oligomers of the Abeta(1-42) fragment are thought to be significantly more neurotoxic than higher molecular weight aggregates. We report the isolation and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against soluble Abeta(1-42) oligomers.