Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Qiaofeng Qian, Yang Li, Jiajun Fu, Dewen Leng, Zhe Dong, Jiajun Shi, Hongjie Shi, Dengwei Cao, Xu Cheng, Yufeng Hu, Qiujie Luo, Manli Hu, Yong Ran, Hao Tang, Hui Liu, Jinping Liu
Summary: SWAP70 is a protective molecule that can suppress the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting hepatic steatosis and inflammation.
Review
Cell Biology
Weijun Wang, Wenkang Gao, Qingjing Zhu, Afnan Alasbahi, Ekihiro Seki, Ling Yang
Summary: Chronic insult and persistent injury can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, as well as metabolic disorders. Identifying key molecules linking inflammation and carcinogenesis may offer new therapeutic targets for liver diseases. Advances in gene engineering have allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the transformation from inflammation and metabolic disorders to carcinogenesis, with TAK1 playing a crucial role in these processes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chengyi Dai, Wu Luo, Yanghao Chen, Siyuan Shen, Zhe Wang, Ruijie Chen, Jun Wang, Nipon Chattipakorn, Weijian Huang, Guang Liang
Summary: This study found that Tab protects the heart from Ang II-induced injuries by targeting TAK1 and inhibiting TAK1-mediated inflammatory cascade and response. The protective effects of Tab were observed in both mouse models and in vitro experiments, showing reduced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. These findings suggest that Tab may be a potential therapeutic candidate for hypertensive heart failure.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yanghao Chen, Wante Lin, Pan Chen, Bozhi Ye, Wu Luo, Xu Wang, Weijian Huang, Gaojun Wu, Guang Liang
Summary: This study found that the natural alkaloid tabersonine (Tab) has anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of obesity-induced cardiomyopathy (OIC). The study also revealed that Tab blocks the inflammatory pathway by inhibiting TAK1 phosphorylation, preventing myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenyang Wang, Min Mu, Yuanjie Zou, Bing Li, Hangbing Cao, Dong Hu, Xinrong Tao
Summary: This study evaluated the progression of lung inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) using confocal Raman spectroscopy. Significant differences in Raman bands were observed among the different groups, particularly at 1,248, 1,448, 1,572, and 746 cm(-1).
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiang-Hui Wang, Fan-Li Lin, Jinying Chen, Linxin Zhu, Yu-Fan Chuang, Leilei Tu, Chenkai Ma, Damien Ling, Alex W. Hewitt, Ching-Li Tseng, Manisha H. Shah, Bang V. Bui, Peter van Wijngaarden, Gregory J. Dusting, Peng-Yuan Wang, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: TAK1 plays a regulatory role in inflammatory stimuli-induced endothelial activation and angiogenesis. Inhibition of TAK1 by 5Z-7-oxozeaenol attenuates aberrant retinal angiogenesis in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. These findings suggest that targeting TAK1 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal neovascular pathologies.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yan-Ran Xu, Cao-Qi Lei
Summary: TAK1, a member of the MAPKKK family, functions by assembling with TAB1, TAB2, and TAB3 and can be activated by various stimuli. Post-translational modifications play important roles in controlling the activity, stability, and assembly of the TAK1-TABs complex.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hao Qian, Zhengri Lu, Chunshu Hao, Yuanyuan Zhao, Xiangwei Bo, Ya Hu, Yao Zhang, Yuyu Yao, Genshan Ma, Lijuan Chen
Summary: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a dangerous cardiovascular event with no effective treatment for cardiac fibrosis, a common feature of remodeling after injury. TRIM44, an E3 ligase, has been shown to promote tumor cell proliferation and migration, but its role in cardiac fibrosis is unknown. In this study, the role of TRIM44 in cardiac fibrosis was investigated using stimulation by TGF-β1 and MI-induced fibrosis models. The results showed that TRIM44 knockdown inhibited cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of MI, while TRIM44 overexpression enhanced fibrosis. Mechanistically, TRIM44 maintained TAK1 stability by inhibiting degradation, increasing phosphorylated TAK1 expression, activating MAPKs, and promoting fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 phosphorylation reversed the fibrogenic effects of TRIM44 overexpression. These findings suggest that TRIM44 may be a potential therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michael Trauner, Claudia Daniela Fuchs
Summary: Cholestatic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have shared pathophysiological mechanisms that can be targeted for intervention through novel therapeutic concepts. Nuclear receptors play a crucial role in the treatment of these diseases, with high affinity therapeutic ligands being developed for specific or multiple isoforms. In addition, other therapeutic approaches targeting inflammation and fibrosis directly are also available. Combination strategies that target metabolic disturbances, inflammation, and fibrosis may be necessary for successful treatment of these complex disorders.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Dengqiu Xu, Sijia Li, Lu Wang, Jingwei Jiang, Lei Zhao, Xiaofei Huang, Zeren Sun, Chunjie Li, Lixin Sun, Xihua Li, Zhenzhou Jiang, Luyong Zhang
Summary: This study found that TAK1 activation worsens fibrosis and muscle degeneration, while TAK1 inhibition can improve muscle quality and function, providing a potential new therapeutic approach for DMD.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pranav Maddali, Anthony Ambesi, Paula. J. McKeown-Longo
Summary: Changes in fibronectin matrix contribute to dysregulated wound healing and tissue inflammation. Fibronectin's EDA and partially unfolded FnIII-1c domains act as DAMPs to induce inflammatory cytokines. TAK1 and MAPK play crucial roles in the expression of fibronectin DAMP-induced inflammatory genes in fibroblast cell lines.
Review
Respiratory System
Alicia Martinez-Lopez, Sergio Candel, Sylwia D. Tyrkalska
Summary: Silicosis, a long-standing occupational lung disease, has been studied using various animal models. This review introduces the advantages of the zebrafish model, such as easy maintenance and high transparency, which make it a promising complement to other models. The use of zebrafish in studying silicosis and its similarities to other animal models and human patients are discussed, along with the current state of inflammatory and fibrotic zebrafish models for silicosis research.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Song, Mengtong Xu, Tiantian Wang, Jiarui Hao, Wenjing Li, Xiaoting Lu, Linping Wang, Huifang Zhang, Xiaomei Kong, Xinri Zhang
Summary: Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a fatal occupational disease caused by inhalation of coal dust particles, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Exosomal miRNAs have been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, but their involvement in CWP is still in the preliminary stage. This study analyzed the expression of exosomal miRNAs in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rats with coal dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis and investigated their biological functions. The results showed that coal dust particles altered the expression of exosomal miRNAs in rats. Four differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were identified and their temporal changes were verified in animal models. Furthermore, a potential target gene, Smad7, was studied and its contribution to coal dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis was suggested. This study confirms the role of exosomal miRNAs in CWP and provides new insights into its pathogenesis.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kengo Maeda, Jun Nakayama, Shinsuke Taki, Hideki Sanjo
Summary: This study reveals a previously underappreciated role of TAK1 in regulating macrophage death induced by Fas, shedding light on the potential perturbation of immune homeostasis caused by aberrant cell death.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dilaware Khan, Peter Bedner, Julia Mueller, Fabienne Luelsberg, Lukas Henning, Marco Prinz, Christian Steinhaeuser, Sajjad Muhammad
Summary: Inflammation promotes epileptogenesis, and TAK1 plays a central role in neuroinflammation. The activation of TAK1 in microglia contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic epilepsy, and its deletion in microglia reduces reactive microgliosis and epileptic activity.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fangfei Li, Xiaoqiu Wu, Xuekun Fu, Jin Liu, Wangze Song, Gary Guishan Xiao, Aiping Lu, Ge Zhang
Summary: This study revealed that PARP inhibitors have inhibitory effect on orthotopic osteosarcoma tumors, but they exacerbate pulmonary metastasis. Ezrin protein, which plays a crucial role in tumor metastasis, was found to interact with PARP1. Additionally, phosphorylation of ezrin was significantly increased during PARP inhibition, and it was found to have nuclear speckle localization and a function in mRNA export. Knockdown or inhibition of ezrin phosphorylation could partially reverse PARPi-induced metastasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hui Zhao, Qi Wang, Liqiu Hu, Shaojun Xing, Hui Gong, Zhe Liu, Panpan Qin, Jie Xu, Jihui Du, Wen Ai, Songlin Peng, Yifan Li
Summary: This study investigates the immediate and dynamic effects of estrogen deficiency on the gut microbiota and its potential impact on estrogen deficiency-related diseases. The results show that estrogen deficiency leads to alterations in the gut microbiota, which may be related to obesity and inflammation, potentially resulting in immune and metabolic disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yuantong Liu, Tianjian Zhou, Qinghe Wang, Runhan Fu, Zengfu Zhang, Nandi Chen, Zhizhong Li, Guoyong Gao, Songlin Peng, Dazhi Yang
Summary: This study elucidates the roles and mechanisms of ALKBH5-mediated m(6)A demethylation in the control of muscle mass during denervation and the activation of FoxO3 signaling by targeting HDAC4. These results suggest that ALKBH5 is a potential therapeutic target for neurogenic muscle atrophy.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng-Hu Hu, Bing-Dong Sui, Jin Liu, Lei Dang, Ji Chen, Chen-Xi Zheng, Songtao Shi, Na Zhao, Min-Yan Dang, Xiao-Ning He, Li-Qiang Zhang, Ping-Ping Gao, Nan Chen, Hui-Juan Kuang, Kai Chen, Xiao-Lin Xu, Xiao-Rui Yu, Ge Zhang, Yan Jin
Summary: Sympathetic neurostimulation through beta(1/2)-adrenergic receptor signaling triggers the transcription of miR-21 in osteoblasts, which is then transferred to osteoclast progenitors via exosomes to dictate osteoclastogenesis. Pharmacological inhibition of exosome release can suppress this miR-21 transfer and ameliorate bone loss under stress-induced depression conditions.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hewen Jiang, Zongkang Zhang, Yuanyuan Yu, Hang Yin Chu, Sifan Yu, Shanshan Yao, Ge Zhang, Bao-Ting Zhang
Summary: This article reviews the currently available or under study DKK1 inhibitors and discusses future research prospects.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Xiao Xiao, Gaoyang Chen, Song Wang, Junliang Liu, Erhu Lin, Ke Chen, Yucheng Xiang, Ke Zhan, Congcong Liu, Zhengbin Yuan, Minjie Yang, Shuyuan Zhong, Wanxin Zhen, Dazhi Yang, Songlin Peng
Summary: The efficacy of hybrid surgery and traditional surgery was compared in patients with multi-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis. It was found that the hybrid surgery preserved more motion range and had no early complications in a one-year follow-up.
FRONTIERS IN SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Bingdong Sui, Jin Liu, Chenxi Zheng, Lei Dang, Ji Chen, Yuan Cao, Kaichao Zhang, Lu Liu, Minyan Dang, Liqiang Zhang, Nan Chen, Tao He, Kun Xuan, Fang Jin, Ge Zhang, Yan Jin, Chenghu Hu
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of sympathetic cues in regulating bone homeostasis and neurostress-induced bone loss. The research focuses on the impact of sympatho-adrenergic activation on osteoclastogenesis and identifies miR-21 as a key regulator in this process. Targeted inhibition of miR-21 or suppression of osteoclastogenesis using drugs can protect bone against stress-induced osteopenias.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuanyuan Yu, Luyao Wang, Shuaijian Ni, Dijie Li, Jin Liu, Hang Yin Chu, Ning Zhang, Meiheng Sun, Nanxi Li, Qing Ren, Zhenjian Zhuo, Chuanxin Zhong, Duoli Xie, Yongshu Li, Zong-Kang Zhang, Huarui Zhang, Mei Li, Zhenlin Zhang, Lin Chen, Xiaohua Pan, Weibo Xia, Shu Zhang, Aiping Lu, Bao-Ting Zhang, Ge Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that sclerostin has different mechanisms in protecting the cardiovascular system and inhibiting bone formation. By targeting sclerostin loop3, a drug can promote bone formation without affecting the cardiovascular system.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lihui Chen, Gao Gao, Li Shen, Hua Yue, Ge Zhang, Zhenlin Zhang
Summary: Sclerostin, a secreted inhibitor of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, is mainly produced by osteocytes and plays an important role in bone remodeling. This study investigated the association between serum sclerostin levels and bone turnover marker in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), and Paget's disease of bone (PDB). The results suggest that sclerostin may serve as a biomarker for OI, XLH, and PDB.
Article
Oncology
Junjie Lu, Bo Shuai, Zhexing Shou, Weina Guo, Cong Zhou, Xiaohu Ouyang, Haifeng Zhou, Junyi Li, Jing Cui, Feng Jiang, Kim Yun Jin, Alexey Sarapultsev, Fangfei Li, Ge Zhang, Shanshan Luo, Desheng Hu
Summary: Taraxasterol (TAX) has been found to inhibit the growth and migration of lung cancer cells, induce cancer cell apoptosis, and modulate the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that TAX could be a potential natural drug for lung cancer therapy.
Article
Cell Biology
Lijun Zhang, Liqun Xu, Xiaoyan Zhang, Ke Wang, Yingjun Tan, Gaozhi Li, Yixuan Wang, Tong Xue, Quan Sun, Xinsheng Cao, Ge Zhang, Zebing Hu, Shu Zhang, Fei Shi
Summary: This study reveals for the first time the role of the Atf7ip/Setdb1/Macrod2 axis in osteoblast proliferation under mechanical unloading, providing a potential protective strategy against unloading-induced bone loss.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Teng Tu, Maonan Pang, Dike Jiang, You Zhou, Xulong Wu, Xueping Yao, Yan Luo, Zexiao Yang, Meishen Ren, Aiping Lu, Ge Zhang, Yuanyuan Yu, Yin Wang
Summary: It is important for scientists to be able to communicate their work in a simple and concise manner, especially in an open-access online journal. The simple summary should contain a clear statement of the problem addressed, the aims and objectives, pertinent results, conclusions from the study, and their societal value. It should be written for a general audience, without technical terms or abbreviations. Submissions without a simple summary will be rejected.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Hau-Yee Kong, Aston Jiaxi Wu, Olivia Ka-Yi Ho, Maggie Ming-Ki Leung, Alexis Shiying Huang, Yuanyuan Yu, Ge Zhang, Aiping Lyu, Min Li, King-Ho Cheung
Summary: Neuroinflammation is a precursor to neurodegenerative diseases, and targeting it with aptamers offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This review summarizes the use of aptamers for diagnosing and treating inflammatory biomolecules and cells associated with neurodegenerative diseases. It also discusses the potential of short nucleotides for targeted brain delivery and the challenges of using aptamers as therapeutic agents. Overall, this review assesses the potential of aptamers as a pioneering approach for CNS target delivery and the treatment of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Luyao Wang, Yuanyuan Yu, Shuaijian Ni, Dijie Li, Jin Liu, Duoli Xie, Hang Yin Chu, Qing Ren, Chuanxin Zhong, Ning Zhang, Nanxi Li, Meiheng Sun, Zong-Kang Zhang, Zhenjian Zhuo, Huarui Zhang, Shu Zhang, Mei Li, Weibo Xia, Zhenlin Zhang, Lin Chen, Peng Shang, Xiaohua Pan, Aiping Lu, Bao-Ting Zhang, Ge Zhang
Summary: The sclerostin loop3-specific aptamer Apc001PE has been shown to promote bone formation without increasing cardiovascular risk in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) mice, as granted orphan drug designation by US-FDA in 2019.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Gaoyang Chen, Canling Long, Shang Wang, Zhenmin Wang, Xin Chen, Wanze Tang, Xiaoqin He, Zhiteng Bao, Baoyu Tan, Jin Zhao, Yongheng Xie, Zhizhong Li, Dazhi Yang, Guozhi Xiao, Songlin Peng
Summary: This study reveals that circStag1 plays a pivotal role in promoting bone tissue regeneration via the HuR/Wnt signaling pathway, which may provide new strategies to prevent bone metabolic disorders such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.
