Article
Cell Biology
Shan Song, Chonglin Shi, Yawei Bian, Zhaohua Yang, Lin Mu, Haijiang Wu, Huijun Duan, Yonghong Shi
Summary: The study found that Sestrin2 is low-expressed in diabetic kidney disease and can alleviate podocyte injury by modulating the activity of TSP-1/TGF-beta 1/Smad3 pathway.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Zihao Wei, Ying Wang, Jiakuan Peng, Honglin Li, Junjie Gu, Ning Ji, Taiwei Li, Xikun Zhou, Xin Zeng, Jing Li, Qianming Chen
Summary: In this study, circRFWD3 was found to be significantly upregulated in HNSCC tissues and cell lines, and it was associated with the aggressiveness of HNSCC cells and lymph node metastasis. Mechanistically, it acts as a miRNAs sponge for miR-27a/27b, leading to the upregulation of PPAR gamma, and then promotes HNSCC metastasis via the NF-kappa B/MMP13 pathway. The study suggests that circRFWD3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paria Bayati, Mahsa Kalantari, Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan, Hadi Poormoghim, Nazanin Mojtabavi
Summary: Systemic sclerosis is a rheumatoid disease characterized by skin tightening or organ dysfunction. MiR-27a, a microRNA associated with fibrosis and cancer, was found to be down-regulated in the blood of SSc patients. It targets factors contributing to SSc and may have potential therapeutic and diagnostic value.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yinhui Wang, Kun Yu, Chengcheng Zhao, Ling Zhou, Jia Cheng, Dao Wen Wang, Chunxia Zhao
Summary: The study revealed that Follistatin plays a cardioprotective role in attenuating diabetic cardiomyopathy by reducing cardiac fibrosis and reactive oxygen species production, and enhancing matrix metallopeptidase 9 activities.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia-ling Ji, Hui-min Shi, Zuo-lin Li, Ran Jin, Gao-ting Qu, Hui Zheng, E. Wang, Yun-yang Qiao, Xing-yue Li, Ling Ding, Da-fa Ding, Liu-cheng Ding, Wei-hua Gan, Bin Wang, Ai-qing Zhang
Summary: This study developed miR-23a/27a/26a cluster-loaded exosomes (Exos) engineered with RVG peptide as a novel therapeutic strategy for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The engineered Exos efficiently delivered miR-23a/27a/26a cluster to the injured kidney, inhibiting target genes and ameliorating tubular injury and TIF. This study provides a promising approach for the treatment of DN by manipulating the miR-23a/27a/26a cluster.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ji-chao Wu, Xiao-jie Wang, Jing-han Zhu, Xue-ying Huang, Min Liu, Zhe Qiao, Yan Zhang, Yu Sun, Zi-ying Wang, Peng Zhan, Tao Zhang, Hui-li Hu, Hong Liu, Wei Tang, Fan Yi
Summary: This study found that GPR97 is significantly upregulated in hypertensive nephropathy and is involved in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. GPR97(-/-) mice showed elevated blood pressure but reduced renal injury and fibrosis. Knockdown of GPR97 in cells inhibited TGF-beta signaling by disrupting RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal reorganization and clathrin-mediated endocytosis of TGF-beta receptors.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shu Yang, Guangyan Yang, Xinyu Wang, Jiaqing Xiang, Lin Kang, Zhen Liang
Summary: This study demonstrates the anti-fibrotic role of SIRT2 in renal tubules and hepatocytes. SIRT2 inhibits fibrotic gene expression by reducing the activation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway. It interacts with and deacetylates SMAD2 and SMAD3 to promote their degradation and decrease the activation of SMAD3.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sang Hyun Song, Dawool Han, Kyeonghui Park, Jo Eun Um, Seonghun Kim, Minhee Ku, Jaemoon Yang, Tae-Hyun Yoo, Jong In Yook, Nam Hee Kim, Hyun Sil Kim
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes. The newly discovered cell death mechanism called ferroptosis, induced by TGF-beta, is involved in kidney damage in diabetic nephropathy. BMP7, a known antagonist of TGF-beta, can inhibit TGF-beta-induced fibrosis and play a role in the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in diabetic animal models.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Weifeng Wu, Yifan Wang, Haidi Li, Haiyong Chen, Jiangang Shen
Summary: The study demonstrated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) could effectively improve renal function and alleviate glomerulosclerosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. The underlying mechanism may involve the inhibition of TGF-beta 1/Smad3 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Liu Yang-Yang, Li Lin, Ji Bei, Hao Shi-Long, Kuang Xiao-Feng, Cao Xin-Yun, Yuan Jia-Yu, Jiang Zhen-Zhou, Qian Si-Tong, Wei Chu-Jing, Xu Jing, Yin Xiao-Xing, Lu Qian, Yang Ting-Ting
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Jujuboside A (Ju A) on tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) mice and explore its anti-fibrosis mechanism. The results showed that Ju A not only lowered blood glucose levels and improved hyperlipidemia and renal function, but also attenuated TIF progression through blocking the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs). Mechanism studies revealed that Ju A down-regulated the protein expression and nuclear translocation of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and reduced the levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in the renal cortex. In vitro studies further demonstrated that Ju A restored the up-regulated YY1/TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway in high glucose (HG) cultured cells. These findings indicate that Ju A can ameliorate TIF in diabetic nephropathy by down-regulating the YY1/TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Qiuer Liang, Tianhao Liu, Tingting Guo, Wencong Tao, Xudong Chen, Weihao Chen, Liguo Chen, Ya Xiao
Summary: The study showed that inhibiting ATF4 can improve renal damage and fibrosis in DN mice, as well as restore autophagy. In cell experiments, inhibition of ATF4 can increase autophagosome numbers, improve autophagic flux, and decrease Collagen type 4 (Col-IV) levels.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhanchi Xu, Meng Zhang, Yu Wang, Rui Chen, Shiyue Xu, Xiaohong Sun, Yan Yang, Zeyuan Lin, Shaogui Wang, Heqing Huang
Summary: Gentiopicroside (GPS) alleviates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in diabetes by inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating protein expressions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li Wang, Hong-Lian Wang, Tong-Tong Liu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This review discusses the diverse roles and signaling mechanisms of TGF-beta in diabetic nephropathy, focusing on latent versus active TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta receptors, and downstream Smad signaling molecules. The regulatory mechanisms of TGF-beta/Smad signaling in the development of DN, including Smad-dependent non-coding RNAs, are also dissected. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies for DN targeting TGF-beta signaling with various approaches are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lina Dong, Lei Yu, Jin Zhong
Summary: This study investigates the role of histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) in exacerbating renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The results demonstrate that knockdown of LSD1 can alleviate STZ-induced renal injury and decrease serum biochemical markers associated with DN. Moreover, knockdown of LSD1 suppresses renal fibrosis, while overexpression of LSD1 induces renal fibrosis. Mechanistically, LSD1 knockdown deactivates the TGF-beta 1/Smad3 pathway and promotes SIRT3 expression. In conclusion, LSD1 deficiency mitigates renal injury in DN and overexpression of LSD1 induces renal fibrosis through decreasing SIRT3 expression and activating the TGF-beta 1/Smad3 pathway.
DIABETOLOGY & METABOLIC SYNDROME
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuemei Shen, Jia Tang, Yongzhen Huang, Xianyong Lan, Chuzhao Lei, Hong Chen
Summary: This study investigates the effects of circRNF111 on adipogenesis in bovine preadipocytes and demonstrates that circRNF111 functions as a sponge for miR-27a-3p, thereby promoting adipogenesis.