Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Qiuyuan Yang, Yue Wu, Wei Liu, Xiaojuan Ou, Wei Zhang, Jianning Wang, Yanzhong Chang, Fudi Wang, Ming Gao, Sijin Liu
Summary: Our study explores the role of iron in liver lipid metabolism and finds that iron overload can disrupt the normal distribution of lipids within the liver, particularly in the periportal zone. Through gene expression analysis in both the pericentral and periportal zones, we identify pyruvate carboxylase (PC) as a key regulator in iron overload-induced lipid accumulation. We also reveal that the activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) is essential for Pc gene expression in response to iron overload.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew L. Cangelosi, Anna M. Puszynska, Justin M. Roberts, Andrea Armani, Thao P. Nguyen, Jessica B. Spinelli, Tenzin Kunchok, Brianna Wang, Sze Ham Chan, Caroline A. Lewis, William C. Comb, George W. Bell, Aharon Helman, David M. Sabatini
Summary: This study reveals that Sestrin proteins play a crucial role in leucine sensing in mammals, showing their function in inhibiting mTORC1 activity, regulating white adipose tissue and muscle loss, and inducing FGF21 production in the liver. Moreover, it uncovers the zonated expression of Sestrin in the liver lobule, highlighting the spatial organization of nutrient sensing by the mTORC1 pathway.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vladimir Despic, Samie R. R. Jaffrey
Summary: The mRNA cap structure is a major site of dynamic mRNA methylation, with Cap1 and Cap2 forms depending on the presence of 2'-O-methylation on the first transcribed nucleotide or both the first and second transcribed nucleotides, respectively. The identity and function of Cap2-containing mRNAs are currently unclear.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Peng Yi, Xiongfeng Xu, Jiawei Yao, Bo Qiu
Summary: Transcriptional changes in cartilage can lead to degradation and play a role in osteoarthritis development. Epigenetic regulation and distribution of methylated sites in transcriptional units are important factors in understanding the function of DNA methylation in OA.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shota Katayama, Masao Andou
Summary: By using ssDNA knock-in, targeted DNA methylation was achieved through the replacement of an unmethylated promoter with a methylated ssDNA promoter, offering a promising framework for artificial epigenetic modifications.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenxue Li, Mingxue Tan, Huiqi Wang, Ziwei Wang, Yaqin Pang, Rongfang Yang, Shiyuan Zhong, Xinhong Pan, Shen Chen, Qing Wang, Daochuan Li, Yongmei Xiao, Wen Chen, Liping Chen
Summary: This study investigates the role of m6A methylation in the development of liver disease caused by long-term exposure to cadmium. The findings suggest that METTL3 plays a crucial role in cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity, and its overexpression attenuates liver injury in mice. Transcriptome analysis reveals the dysregulation of metabolic pathways, signaling pathways, and circadian rhythm as potential mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced liver toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Patricia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Mathilde Cheray, Jens Fullgrabe, Maria Salli, Pinelopi Engskog-Vlachos, Lily Keane, Virginia Cunha, Agata Lupa, Wenbo Li, Qi Ma, Kristian Dreij, Michael G. Rosenfeld, Bertrand Joseph
Summary: Autophagy is a catabolic pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis and can be stimulated under cellular stress. The persistent downregulation of MAP1LC3 expression upon autophagy induction indicates an epigenetic memory of autophagy, offering insights into its long-term effects.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Junhua Kong, Virginie Garcia, Enric Zehraoui, Linda Stammitti, Ghislaine Hilbert, Christel Renaud, Stephane Maury, Alain Delaunay, Stephanie Cluzet, Fatma Lecourieux, David Lecourieux, Emeline Teyssier, Philippe Gallusci
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between DNA methylation and anthocyanin accumulation in grapevine using the hypomethylating drug zebularine. The findings suggest that UFGT expression may be regulated through DNA methylation in Gamay Teinturier, impacting anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pei Huang, Huan Huang, Xueqiang Lin, Pan Liu, Lun Zhao, Wen-Feng Nie, Jian-Kang Zhu, Zhaobo Lang
Summary: Research indicates that FVE plays a key role in DNA methylation at thousands of RdDM target regions and reduces the accumulation of 24-nucleotide siRNA. By physically interacting, FVE may function together with the downstream factor RDM15 in the RdDM pathway.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Taihua Yang, Marion Poenisch, Rajendra Khanal, Qingluan Hu, Zhen Dai, Ruomeng Li, Guangqi Song, Qinggong Yuan, Qunyan Yao, Xizhong Shen, Richard Taubert, Bastian Engel, Elmar Jaeckel, Arndt Vogel, Christine S. Falk, Axel Schambach, Daniela Gerovska, Marcos J. Arauzo-Bravo, Florian W. R. Vondran, Tobias Cantz, Nigel Horscroft, Asha Balakrishnan, Frederic Chevessier, Michael Ott, Amar Deep Sharma
Summary: This study demonstrates the therapeutic utility of HNF4A mRNA delivery for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in mouse models, showing restoration of hepatocyte functions and inhibition of fibrogenesis. The research reveals that HNF4A directly targets PON1, contributing to the attenuation of liver fibrosis through modulation of liver macrophages and hepatic stellate cells.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Flasz, Amrendra K. Ajay, Monika Tarnawska, Agnieszka Babczynska, Lukasz Majchrzycki, Andrzej Kedziorski, Lukasz Napora-Rutkowski, Ewa Swierczek, Maria Augustyniak
Summary: The use of nanoparticles like graphene oxide (GO) in nanocomposite industries is increasing rapidly. Concerns have been raised regarding GO entering the environment and becoming nanopollutants. Exposure to environmental pollutants at low concentrations may have long-lasting effects on subsequent generations, especially on DNA stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Giovanni Scala, Antonio Federico, Dario Greco
Summary: This study presents a novel computational strategy based on short DNA motif discovery to explore sequence patterns related to aberrant CpG methylation events and provides a user-friendly application, CpGmotifs, for identifying and characterizing DNA patterns associated with CpG methylation in the human genome. The tool supports the functional interpretation of deregulated methylation events by predicting transcription factors binding sites encompassing the identified motifs.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Diljeet Gill, Aled Parry, Fatima Santos, Hanneke Okkenhaug, Christopher D. Todd, Irene Hernando-Herraez, Thomas M. Stubbs, Ines Milagre, Wolf Reik
Summary: Ageing is a gradual decline in organismal fitness that is associated with reduced cellular function and altered gene expression. Recent research has shown that the epigenome can be rejuvenated during somatic cell reprogramming, suggesting that full reprogramming may not be necessary to reverse ageing. In this study, the researchers developed a method called maturation phase transient reprogramming (MPTR), which selectively expresses reprogramming factors until a rejuvenation point and then withdraws them. They found that this method rejuvenated multiple cellular attributes, including the transcriptome and epigenome, to a larger extent than previous protocols. Overall, this work demonstrates the possibility of separating rejuvenation from complete pluripotency reprogramming and may facilitate the discovery of anti-ageing genes and therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Migle Tomkuvien, Markus Meier, Diana Ikasalaite, Julia Wildenauer, Visvaldas Kairys, Saulius Klimasauskas, Laura Manelyt
Summary: Methylation of cytosine is an important epigenetic mark that can alter DNA and chromatin structure. This study investigates how larger chemical variations in DNA affect chromatin structure and nucleosome formation.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiang Zhang, Huilong Yin, Xiaofang Zhang, Xunliang Jiang, Yongkang Liu, Haolin Zhang, Yingran Peng, Da Li, Yanping Yu, Jinbao Zhang, Shuli Cheng, Angang Yang, Rui Zhang
Summary: The synthesis and storage of glycogen play a critical role in the liver. The m6A modification in mRNA gradually increases during the growth of mice in liver, and METTL3 and IGF2BP2 play crucial roles in this process. This study reveals the importance of m6A-mediated regulation of glycogen synthesis in maintaining liver function.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiulong Li, Chunying Chen, Tian Xia
Summary: This article reviews the diverse interactions of nanomaterials (NMs) with the liver, specifically focusing on major liver cell types including Kupffer cells (KCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and hepatocytes as well as the detailed molecular mechanisms involved. The authors also discuss how the knowledge gained on nano-liver interactions can facilitate the development of safer nanoproducts and nanomedicine.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Cao, Xiang Wang, Jiulong Li, Ming Yan, Chong Hyun Chang, Joshua Kim, Jinhong Jiang, Yu-Pei Liao, Shannon Tseng, Sydney Kusumoputro, Candice Lau, Marissa Huang, Pengli Han, Pengju Lu, Tian Xia
Summary: This study demonstrates that PM2.5 can induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to fibrosis in the lungs. This research contributes to a better understanding of the impact of PM2.5 on human health.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Qi, Yucai Chen, Tian Xia, Iseult Lynch, Sijin Liu
Summary: Ambient fine particles, as a major air pollutant, have generated significant concerns regarding public health. Recent studies have made progress in understanding their biological effects and mechanisms. However, challenges remain in investigating exposure pathways, translocation in the human body, and the correlation between environmental exposure concentration and internal fate of particles. Furthermore, more research is needed on particle biotransformation and differentiation from biological macromolecules. This review highlights the current knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions to support fundamental studies and policy making.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhimin Fan, Huachao Zhao, Kaifeng Wang, Wei Ran, Jie-Fang Sun, Jingfu Liu, Rui Liu
Summary: Electrochemical reduction (ER) is a promising method for pollutant removal, but its application is limited by slow reaction kinetics and side reactions. In this study, the role of interfacial hydrophilicity in determining ER performance was investigated. It was found that a hydrophobic Pd/C electrocatalyst hindered the diffusion of water and pollutants, leading to decreased mass transfer and decontamination efficiency. However, this dilemma could be overcome by increasing hydrophilicity with hydrophilic polymers, resulting in a significant improvement in the activity and efficiency of the electrocatalyst.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Liao, Yudong Liu, Jiarong Zheng, Xinyuan Zhao, Li Cui, Shen Hu, Tian Xia, Shanshan Si
Summary: With the rapid development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in biomedical applications, evaluating their biocompatibility and cytotoxicity has become crucial. Recent studies have shown that inflammasome activation, particularly the NLRP3 inflammasome's interaction with ENMs, plays a significant role in inducing inflammatory responses. Understanding the pathways linking ENMs to NLRP3 inflammasome activation is essential for safer nanomaterial designs and mitigating ENM-induced adverse health effects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Xu, Xiang Wang, Yu-Pei Liao, Lijia Luo, Tian Xia, Andre E. Nel
Summary: Researchers have developed a liver-targeting lipid nanoparticle platform to deliver mRNA-encoded peanut allergen epitopes to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), inducing regulatory T-cells (Tregs) that alleviate peanut allergen anaphylaxis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zongshan Zhao, Yanhen Wu, Wei Ran, Huachao Zhao, Xiaotian Yu, Jie-fang Sun, Guangzhi He, Jingfu Liu, Rui Liu, Guibin Jiang
Summary: In this study, AuFe3@Pd/gamma-Fe2O3 nanosheets were developed as an in situ regenerable and highly active hydrogenation catalyst. The Pd monolayer sites could be fully regenerated under ambient conditions, initiated by center dot OH radicals from gamma-Fe2O3 nanosheets. The nanosheets exhibited high activity in hydrogenating the carbon-halogen bond and withstand ten rounds of regeneration.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hai -Yuan Chi, Xiao-Xia Zhou, Min-Rong Wu, Wan-yu Shan, Jing-fu Liu, Jin-quan Wan, Bing Yan, Rui Liu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of constructing a magnetic mesoporous SiO2 shell on the surface of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). The results show that this structure can regulate the electron transfer pattern, avoid the formation of iron oxide layers, and improve the efficiency of active hydrogen production.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyu Zhao, Wei Ran, Zixuan Wang, Jiefang Sun, Rui Liu, Jingfu Liu
Summary: This article investigated the structural transformation of Pd shells on Au nanocubes in different electrolytes at various electrochemical windows. It was found that Pd sites are stable under basic and neutral conditions but experience severe structure evolution under acidic conditions. Pd atoms react with H+ under acidic conditions to form Pd ions, which are easily coreduced with Au ions into surface alloys.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaotian Hua, Wenxuan Wang, Wei Ran, Guangzhi He, Jingfu Liu, Rui Liu
Summary: Metal nitrides, especially TiN, can effectively modulate the electronic states of Pd sites and enhance their catalytic performance in hydrodechlorination reactions, making them promising supports for highly efficient Pd catalysts.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiao Xu, Tian Xia
Summary: The success of mRNA vaccines has accelerated the development of mRNA therapy. Site-specific LNPs have been developed to deliver mRNA to specific cells and organs, improving therapy efficiency and reducing off-target effects.
ACS NANOSCIENCE AU
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiulong Li, Yu Xiao, Yumo Zhang, Silu Li, Minzhi Zhao, Tian Xia, Huan Meng
Summary: Researchers have developed a nano-enabled approach using resolvins and their precursors to effectively treat pulmonary fibrosis in mouse and rat models. They have also created an inhalable nanoparticle called fish-oilsome (FOS) that encapsulates fish oil and enhances drug permeability. Inhalation of FOS has shown improvements in inflammation status, histological characteristics, and pulmonary function in fibrotic lungs, supported by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huachao Zhao, Wei Ran, Guangzhi He, Hongxin Wei, Jiefang Sun, Xiaoxia Zhou, Shiwei Li, Jingfu Liu, Bing Yan, Rui Liu, Guibin Jiang
Summary: Bond length is an important structural parameter that can affect the activity of catalysts. In core-shell gold-palladium (Au@Pd) nanocatalysts, elongated Pd-Pd bonds resulting from lattice mismatches between Au and Pd are found to exhibit distinct catalytic activity. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of chemisorbed 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (2,6-DMPI) were used to investigate the elongated Pd-Pd bonds on Au@Pd. The study revealed that strained sites with elongated Pd bonds are more than 100 times more active in a catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zelin Wu, Zhaokun Xiong, Wen Liu, Rui Liu, Xuezhen Feng, Bingkun Huang, Xinhao Wang, Yixuan Gao, Hong Chen, Gang Yao, Bo Lai
Summary: Accurate control of catalytic activity and mechanism, as well as understanding the correlation between structure, activity, and selectivity in Fenton-like chemistry, is crucial for designing efficient catalysts for sustainable water decontamination. In this study, size-dependent catalysts with single cobalt atoms, atomic clusters, and nanoparticles were prepared to investigate the change in catalytic activity and mechanism in peroxymonosulfate-based Fenton-like chemistry. The results showed that the catalytic activity and durability varied with the size of the metal active centers, and the contributions of radical and nonradical mechanisms were modulated by reducing the metal size. Density functional theory calculations revealed the evolution of catalytic mechanisms in size-dependent systems at different Gibbs free energies for reactive oxygen species generation. The findings of this study provide an in-depth understanding of the effects of metal size in Fenton-like chemistry and can guide the design of intelligent catalysts for specific water purification applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenpeng Huang, Jihang Yu, Wenbo Li, Xuan Tang, Yanglong Guo, Yun Guo, Li Wang, Sheng Dai, Rui Liu, Wangcheng Zhan
Summary: This study focuses on the surface structure of PtFe nanoparticles on PtFe/CeO2-x catalysts and its impact on the activity and water resistance for propane oxidation. The PtFe/CeO2-O catalyst exhibited superior performance due to the cooperation among metallic Pt sites, active oxygen species, and FeOx nanoclusters. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for the development of efficient bimetallic catalysts to eliminate volatile organic compound pollutants.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
(2024)