Hepatocyte GPCR signaling regulates IRF3 to control hepatic stellate cell transdifferentiation.

Background: Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF3) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the innate immune response by recognizing and responding to foreign antigens. Recently, its roles in sterile conditions are being studied, as in metabolic and fibrotic diseases. However, the search on the upstream regulator for efficient pharmacological targeting is yet to be fully explored.

Mitochondrial stress activates YAP/TAZ through RhoA oxidation to promote liver injury.

Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1; also known as TAZ) are the main effectors of the Hippo pathway and their dysregulation contributes to diseases in tissues including the liver. Although mitochondria are capable of transmitting signals to change transcriptomic landscape of diseased hepatocytes, such retrograde signaling and the related nuclear machinery are largely unknown. Here, we show that increased YAP activity is associated with mitochondrial stress during liver injury; and this is required for secondary inflammation, promoting hepatocyte death.

Identification of the primary ciliary proteins IFT38 and IFT144 to enhance serum-mediated YAP activation and cell proliferation.

Primary cilia are essential cellular antennae that transmit external signals into intracellular responses. These sensory organelles perform crucial tasks in triggering intracellular signaling pathways, including those initiated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Given the involvement of GPCRs in serum-induced signaling, we investigated the contribution of ciliary proteins in mitogen perception and cell proliferation.

Identification of Small GTPases That Phosphorylate IRF3 through TBK1 Activation Using an Active Mutant Library Screen.

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) integrates both immunological and non-immunological inputs to control cell survival and death. Small GTPases are versatile functional switches that lie on the very upstream in signal transduction pathways, of which duration of activation is very transient. The large number of homologous proteins and the requirement for site-directed mutagenesis have hindered attempts to investigate the link between small GTPases and IRF3.

Eckol Inhibits Particulate Matter 2.5-Induced Skin Keratinocyte Damage via MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Toxicity of particulate matter (PM) towards the epidermis has been well established in many epidemiological studies. It is manifested in cancer, aging, and skin damage. In this study, we aimed to show the mechanism underlying the protective effects of eckol, a phlorotannin isolated from brown seaweed, on human HaCaT keratinocytes against PM-induced cell damage.

Luteolin promotes apoptotic cell death via upregulation of Nrf2 expression by DNA demethylase and the interaction of Nrf2 with p53 in human colon cancer cells.

Luteolin, a dietary flavone, modulates various signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism that underlies the apoptotic effects of luteolin mediated by DNA demethylation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) promoter and the interaction of Nrf2 and p53, a tumor suppressor, in human colon cancer cells. Luteolin increased the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and antioxidant enzymes.

Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol Attenuates Fine Particulate Matter-Induced Subcellular Skin Dysfunction.

The skin, the largest organ in humans, is exposed to major sources of outdoor air pollution, such as fine particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM). Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC), a marine-based compound, possesses multiple activities including antioxidant effects.

Effect of Fermented Fish Oil on Fine Particulate Matter-Induced Skin Aging.

Skin is exposed to various harmful environmental factors such as air pollution, which includes different types of particulate matter (PM). Atmospheric PM has harmful effects on humans through increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have been reported to promote skin aging via the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which in turn can cause the degradation of collagen. In this study, we investigated the effect of fermented fish oil (FFO) derived from mackerel on fine PM (particles with a diameter < 2.

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects High Glucose-Damaged Neuronal Cells against Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress is considered a major contributor in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy and in diabetes complications, such as nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic neuropathy, which is the most frequent complications of diabetes, affect sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves. This study aimed to investigate whether 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) protects SH-SY5Y neuronal cells against high glucose-induced toxicity.

Purpurogallin Protects Keratinocytes from Damage and Apoptosis Induced by Ultraviolet B Radiation and Particulate Matter 2.5.

Purpurogallin, a natural phenol obtained from oak nutgalls, has been shown to possess antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, in addition to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation that induces cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, particulate matter 2.5 (PM) was shown to trigger excessive production of reactive oxygen species.

Mackerel-Derived Fermented Fish Oil Promotes Hair Growth by Anagen-Stimulating Pathways.

Hair growth is regulated by the interaction between dermal papilla cells (DPC) and other cells inside the hair follicle. Here, we show the effect and action mechanism of mackerel-derived fermented fish oil (FFO) extract and its component docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the control of hair growth. The hair growth effect of FFO extract was evaluated by the culture method of vibrissa follicles and in vivo dotmatrix planimetry method.

Shikonin Exerts Cytotoxic Effects in Human Colon Cancers by Inducing Apoptotic Cell Death via the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria-Mediated Pathways.

The apoptotic effects of shikonin (5,8-dihydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-enyl]naphthalene-1,4-dione) on the human colon cancer cell line SNU-407 were investigated in this study. Shikonin showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against SNU-407 cells, with an estimated IC₅₀ value of 3 µM after 48 h of treatment. Shikonin induced apoptosis, as evidenced by apoptotic body formation, sub-G₁ phase cells, and DNA fragmentation.

Shikonin induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cells.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy often results in the development of chemoresistance when used to treat ovarian cancer, which is difficult to overcome. The present study investigated the cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of shikonin, a naphthoquinone compound, on cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer A2780 cells (A2780-CR). Shikonin had a potent dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on A2780-CR cells, with 9 µM shikonin treatment reducing A2780-CR cell viability by 50%, validate using an MTT assay.

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde Enhances the Level of Reduced Glutathione via the Nrf2-Mediated Pathway in Human Keratinocytes.

A natural bromophenol found in seaweeds, 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB), has been shown to possess antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which BDB protects skin cells subjected to oxidative stress. The effect of BDB on the protein and mRNA levels of glutathione-related enzymes and the cell survival of human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) was investigated.

The Red Algae Compound 3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde Protects Human Keratinocytes on Oxidative Stress-Related Molecules and Pathways Activated by UVB Irradiation.

Skin exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS cause aging of the skin via basement membrane/extracellular matrix degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We recently demonstrated that 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB), a natural compound of red algae, had a photo-protective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes.

Luteolin induces apoptotic cell death via antioxidant activity in human colon cancer cells.

The present study determined whether luteolin induces HT-29 colon cancer cell death through an antioxidant effect such as the activation of antioxidant enzymes. Luteolin decreased cell viability in human colon cancer cells (HT-29), whereas it had no effect on normal colon cells (FHC). Luteolin induced apoptosis by activating the mitochondria-mediated caspase pathway in HT-29 cells.

A Benzylideneacetophenone Derivative Induces Apoptosis of Radiation-Resistant Human Breast Cancer Cells via Oxidative Stress.

Benzylideneacetophenone derivative (1E)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) hept-1-en-3-one (JC3) elicited cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cells-radiation resistant cells (MDA-MB 231-RR), in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC value of 6 µM JC3. JC3-mediated apoptosis was confirmed by increase in sub-G1 cell population. JC3 disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced expression of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein, whereas it increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein, leading to the cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase.

Photoprotective effect of Undaria crenata against ultraviolet B-induced damage to keratinocytes.

Chronic exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in the induction of skin cancer. The brown alga Undaria crenata is a potential source of antioxidant and anti-apoptotic compounds due to its capacity to produce protective compounds against environmental factors, including UV radiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the photoprotective properties of an U.

An ethanol extract derived from Bonnemaisonia hamifera scavenges ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced reactive oxygen species and attenuates UVB-induced cell damage in human keratinocytes.

The present study investigated the photoprotective properties of an ethanol extract derived from the red alga Bonnemaisonia hamifera against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced cell damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes. The Bonnemaisonia hamifera ethanol extract (BHE) scavenged the superoxide anion generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and the hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO₄ + H₂O₂), both of which were detected by using electron spin resonance spectrometry. In addition, BHE exhibited scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were induced by either hydrogen peroxide or UVB radiation.

Chondracanthus tenellus (Harvey) hommersand extract protects the human keratinocyte cell line by blocking free radicals and UVB radiation-induced cell damage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of the ethanol extract of the red algae Chondracanthus tenellus (Harvey) Hommersand (CTE) on cultured human keratinocyte cell line. The cellular protection conferred by CTE was evidenced by the ability of the extract to absorb ultraviolet B (UVB; 280-320 nm) and to scavenge the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, as well as intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced by either hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or UVB radiation. In addition, both superoxide anion generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO(4) + H(2)O(2)) were scavenged by CTE, as confirmed using electron spin resonance spectrometry.

Photo-protection by 3-bromo-4, 5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde against ultraviolet B-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes.

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation leads to epidermal damage and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin cells, including keratinocytes. Therefore, the photo-protective effect of 3-bromo-4, 5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) against UVB was assessed in human HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation in vitro. BDB restored cell viability, which decreased upon exposure to UVB radiation.

Transcatheter closure of a residual shunt after surgical repair of traumatic ventricular septal defect.

We report a patient with a significant residual left-to-right shunt who underwent surgical repair for traumatic VSD. This 13-year-old boy was stabbed with a pair of scissors through his heart. After initial life-saving surgery with lacerated left ventricular wall repair and VSD closure, residual VSD was noted.