Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shagufta Rehman Alam, Horst Wallrabe, Kathryn G. Christopher, Karsten H. Siller, Ammasi Periasamy
Summary: Mitochondria, as the central organelles in cellular bio-energetics, play key roles in energy metabolism and cell fate decisions. FLIM can track metabolic changes by following the intrinsic co-enzymes NAD(P)H and FAD. Increasing laser power levels can affect mitochondrial activity and induce changes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rhys Richard Mould, Stanley W. Botchway, James R. C. Parkinson, Elizabeth Louise Thomas, Geoffrey W. Guy, Jimmy D. Bell, Alistair V. W. Nunn
Summary: CBD, as part of the plant's defense system, has medicinal properties that impact animals' anti-cancer abilities, immune system, and epilepsy. Studies show that CBD can alter mitochondrial function and morphology, leading to oxidative stress.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Feng Xiang, Jia Yu, Danling Jiang, Weiwang Hu, Rongli Zhang, Chenming Huang, Yufeng Gao, Aiping Zheng, Ting-Ming Wu, Tzu-ming Liu, Wei Zheng, Xi Li, Hui Li
Summary: In this study, a multidimensional, slicing-free, and label-free histopathological evaluation method based on multispectral multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (MM-FLIM) is proposed for precise identification and grading of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The findings demonstrate the viability of using MM-FLIM and the derived indicators for histopathological evaluation of ESCC, potentially enabling noninvasive, label-free, and multidimensional histological detection and grading in the future.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Lemire, Oana-Maria Thoma, Lucas Kreiss, Simon Voelkl, Oliver Friedrich, Markus F. Neurath, Sebastian Schuermann, Maximilian J. Waldner
Summary: The activity of immune cells is a major factor in the progression of inflammatory bowel diseases. This study aims to understand the autofluorescence changes depending on the type and activation state of immune cells. The results show that innate immune cells have significantly increased autofluorescence signals compared to adaptive immune cells. In vitro stimulation also increases autofluorescence signals in adaptive immune cells and macrophages. Cell death leads to a significant decrease in NADH autofluorescence, while FAD signals remain unaffected. These findings demonstrate the value of autofluorescence as a tool to characterize immune cells in different functional states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Monika Malak, Jeemol James, Julie Grantham, Marica B. Ericson
Summary: Multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy is a useful method for studying tissue metabolism, but the complexity of tissue fluorescence can complicate data interpretation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brian S. Mantilla, Lisvane Paes-Vieira, Felipe de Almeida Dias, Simone G. Calderano, Maria Carolina Elias, Daniela Cosentino-Gomes, Pedro L. Oliveira, Jose Roberto Meyer-Fernandes, Ariel M. Silber
Summary: The pathogenic protist Trypanosoma cruzi utilizes kissing bugs as invertebrate hosts to vectorize infection among mammals. Through the proline-glutamate oxidation pathway, mitochondrial enzymes play a crucial role in differentiation and energy production in the parasite. Overexpression of these enzymes leads to increased mitochondrial functions and different oxygen signaling, influencing parasitic differentiation efficiency in the invertebrate host.
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tiffanie Bouchendhomme, Meline Soret, Anne Devin, Philippe Pasdois, Thierry Grard, Philippe Lencel
Summary: By investigating the properties of mitochondria, we were able to differentiate between fresh and frozen-thawed fish fillets based on the permeability of their membranes.
Article
Cell Biology
Patrizia Bottoni, Alessandro Pontoglio, Salvatore Scara, Luisa Pieroni, Andrea Urbani, Roberto Scatena
Summary: Mitochondrial bioenergetics play an important role in pathophysiology, especially as unintended targets of different drugs. PPAR ligands, a class of drugs that activate Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors, were found to inhibit NADH coenzyme Q reductase and induce complex mitochondrial oxidative metabolism damage. This damage affects not only ATP synthesis but also respiratory control ratio, spare respiratory capacity, coupling efficiency, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial structural damage.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yunfu Shen, Kaiqiang Guo, Aijun Ma, Zhe Huang, Jingjing Du, Junhe Chen, Qianyu Lin, Chengming Wei, Zi Wang, Fuming Zhang, Juan Zhang, Wanjun Lin, Na Feng, Wenzhe Ma
Summary: In this study, a dual in vitro mitochondrial toxicity approach was established to systematically evaluate the mitochondrial toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine injections. Potential toxic ingredients in the injections were identified through molecular docking analysis and experimental validation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nawar Sakr, Olga Glazova, Liudmila Shevkova, Nikita Onyanov, Samira Kaziakhmedova, Alena Shilova, Maria V. Vorontsova, Pavel Volchkov
Summary: Tissue autofluorescence in fixed tissue sections is a major issue in fluorescence microscopy. The intense intrinsic fluorescence emitted by the adrenal cortex interferes with fluorescent labels, resulting in poor-quality images. Various tissue treatment methods were evaluated for reducing autofluorescence, and TrueBlack (TM) Lipofuscin Autofluorescence Quencher and MaxBlock (TM) Autofluorescence Reducing Reagent Kit were found to be the most effective, reducing autofluorescence intensity by 89-93% and 90-95%, respectively. These treatments preserved specific fluorescence signals and tissue integrity, allowing reliable detection of fluorescent labels in the adrenal cortex tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shelby N. Bess, Matthew J. Igoe, Abby C. Denison, Timothy J. Muldoon
Summary: The study found that macrophages exhibit similar trends in oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate, and autofluorescence imaging was able to show metabolic changes within different macrophage populations, validating its reliability in tracking immune cell metabolism.
CANCER & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Petra Cermakova, Anna Madarova, Peter Barath, Jana Bellova, Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Anton Horvath
Summary: The study revealed the activity of NADH dehydrogenase in various monoxenous trypanosomatid species, and identified 24-32 subunits of complex I through mass spectrometry. Additionally, proteins of mitochondrial DNA origin were recognized for the first time in this study.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiyu He, Jianfeng Jin, Pengfei Li, Huihui Zhu, Zhanqi Wang, Wei Fan, Jian Li Yang
Summary: The study identified and characterized the SlFDH gene in tomato and found that it plays a role in aluminum tolerance. The expression of SlFDH was induced by aluminum stress but not by other metals. CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutants lacking the SlFDH gene were more sensitive to aluminum stress and formate. The transcription factor SlSTOP1 was found to positively regulate SlFDH expression by directly binding to its promoter.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Rita Inguscio, Elisa Dalla Pozza, Ilaria Dando, Federico Boschi, Gabriele Tabaracci, Osvaldo Angelini, Pietro Maria Picotti, Manuela Malatesta, Barbara Cisterna
Summary: Low doses of gaseous ozone (O-3) induce mild oxidative stress that activates the antioxidant cell response through the Nrf2 pathway, leading to beneficial effects without damaging the cells. Mitochondria, being sensitive to oxidative stress, are a target of O-3. This in vitro study demonstrates that low O-3 doses finely regulate mitochondrial features, with a concentration of 10 μg maintaining normal levels of Nrf2, promoting mitochondrial size and cristae extension, reducing ROS, and preventing cell death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Irene Georgakoudi, Kyle P. Quinn
Summary: In the past fifty years, the autofluorescence of NADH and FAD has been studied in various cell types and diseases. With the advancement of nonlinear optical microscopy in biomedical research, NADH and FAD imaging provides a noninvasive method to monitor cell and tissue status and understand dynamic changes in metabolism. Different tools and methods have been developed to measure the properties of NADH and FAD autofluorescence, but further work is needed to fully understand metabolism. This article discusses the current understanding of our optical sensitivity to metabolic pathways and the challenges in the field.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yong He, Robim M. Rodrigues, Xiaolin Wang, Wonhyo Seo, Jing Ma, Seonghwan Hwang, Yaojie Fu, Eszter Trojnar, Csaba Matyas, Suxian Zhao, Ruixue Ren, Dechun Feng, Pal Pacher, George Kunos, Bin Gao
Summary: This study reveals that the elevation of miR-223 in hepatocytes is due to preferential uptake of miR-223-enriched EVs released from neutrophils and other cells, mediated by LDLR and APOE expression. The internalized EV-derived miR-223 acts to inhibit hepatic inflammatory and fibrogenic gene expression, thereby limiting the progression of NASH.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yong He, Dechun Feng, Seonghwan Hwang, Bryan Mackowiak, Xiaolin Wang, Xiaogang Xiang, Robim M. Rodrigues, Yaojie Fu, Jing Ma, Tianyi Ren, Yeni Ait-Ahmed, Mingjiang Xu, Suthat Liangpunsakul, Bin Gao
Summary: IL-20 selectively inhibits hepatic IL-6 production rather than exerting IL-10-like broad anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike IL-22, IL-20 aggravates acute hepatitis and bacterial infection. Thus, anti-IL-20 therapy could be a promising option to control acute hepatitis and bacterial infection.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Matthias Rombaut, Joost Boeckmans, Robim M. Rodrigues, Leo A. van Grunsven, Tamara Vanhaecke, Joery De Kock
Summary: The unmet need for functional primary human hepatocytes has led to the discovery that somatic cells can be directly converted into induced hepatocytes, bypassing the need for an intermediate stem cell state. However, understanding and controlling the processes that give rise to functional induced hepatocytes remains challenging.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Toxicology
Joost Boeckmans, Matthias Rombaut, Thomas Demuyser, Baptist Declerck, Denis Pierard, Vera Rogiers, Joery De Kock, Luc Waumans, Koen Magerman, Reinoud Cartuyvels, Jean-Luc Rummens, Robim M. Rodrigues, Tamara Vanhaecke
Summary: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease affecting about a quarter of the global population. Various factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, drug intake, gender, and infections can accelerate disease progression. Infections can exacerbate pre-existing MAFLD, leading to more severe stages, and the synergistic effects of infections with other factors are emphasized in disease progression.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Robim M. Rodrigues, Yong He, Seonghwan Hwang, Adeline Bertola, Bryan Mackowiak, Yeni Ait Ahmed, Wonhyo Seo, Jing Ma, Xiaolin Wang, Seol Hee Park, Yukun Guan, Yaojie Fu, Tamara Vanhaecke, Dechun Feng, Bin Gao
Summary: This study found that E-selectin induces neutrophil recruitment in adipose tissue, promoting inflammation and lipolysis, thereby exacerbating the progression from steatosis to NASH.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Gatzios, Matthias Rombaut, Karolien Buyl, Joery De Kock, Robim M. Rodrigues, Vera Rogiers, Tamara Vanhaecke, Joost Boeckmans
Summary: The underlying mechanisms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are highly heterogeneous, leading to the proposal of redefining it as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Patient stratification could accelerate the development of anti-MAFLD drugs, and human-based in vitro models that accurately reflect distinct MAFLD subgroups should be adopted. The current general approach to in vitro NAFLD models is no longer applicable, and considerations for translational in vitro experiments in the MAFLD era are outlined in this review article.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Longshan Ji, Qian Li, Yong He, Xin Zhang, Zhenhua Zhou, Yating Gao, Miao Fang, Zhuo Yu, Robim M. Rodrigues, Yueqiu Gao, Man Li
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disease characterized by excessive accumulation of liver fat and metabolic stress-induced liver injury. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of NAFLD. Various TCM formulas, including Potentilla discolor Bunge (PDB), have been reported to improve NAFLD by exhibiting anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and lipid metabolism-improving effects.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Joost Boeckmans, Alexandra Gatzios, Anja Heymans, Matthias Rombaut, Vera Rogiers, Joery De Kock, Tamara Vanhaecke, Robim M. Rodrigues
Summary: This study characterized the transcriptome of various in vitro models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and investigated the effects of the potential anti-NASH compound elafibranor on these models. The study found common anti-inflammatory responses in both elafibranor-treated in vitro models and clinical datasets of NAFLD patients after bariatric surgery. However, there were discordant modulations of key factors in lipid metabolism, suggesting the need for further investigation of elafibranor as a potential NASH therapy.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Joost Boeckmans, Alexandra Gatzios, Joern M. Schattenberg, Ger H. Koek, Robim M. Rodrigues, Tamara Vanhaecke
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the PNPLA3 gene mutation on the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), finding that carrying the PNPLA3 148M allele may not benefit from omega-3 carboxylic acids to reduce liver fat, while lifestyle changes are more effective for these patients.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Liu Yang, Yawen Hao, Joost Boeckmans, Robim M. Rodrigues, Yong He
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global cause of chronic liver disease. Despite extensive research and clinical trials, there are no FDA-approved treatments for severe forms of NAFLD due to its complex etiology and pathogenesis. Inflammation and the role of immune cells and extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from inflammatory cells and hepatocytes are key factors in NAFLD progression. This review focuses on the involvement of immune cells, microRNA-enriched EVs, and potential drug targets in the treatment of NAFLD.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Toxicology
Joost Boeckmans, Alexandra Gatzios, Joern M. Schattenberg, Robim M. Rodrigues, Vera Rogiers, Tamara Vanhaecke
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Edyta Wieczorek, Anna Wolniakowska, Joanna Roszak, Robim M. Rodrigues, Tamara Vanhaecke, Edyta Reszka
Summary: Bladder cancer (BCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) are significant health problems in men, and understanding the genetic susceptibility and occupational exposure is crucial for prevention and early detection. This review article identified relevant studies on genetic risk factors and occupational exposure, finding the involvement of genes related to detoxification processes, oxidative stress, DNA repair capacity, tumor suppression, and the vitamin D pathway. While the role of genetic factors in occupational exposure is not conclusive, further research is needed to validate these findings and assess their significance in the workplace.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karolien Buyl, Martine Vrints, Ruani Fernando, Terry Desmae, Thomas Van Eeckhoutte, Mia Jans, Jan Van Der Schueren, Joost Boeckmans, Robim M. Rodrigues, Veerle De Boe, Vera Rogiers, Joery De Kock, Filip Beirinckx, Tamara Vanhaecke
Summary: This study introduces a novel in vitro human liver cell model for studying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. The model accurately simulates the insulin-driven pathway of fatty acid synthesis and allows for high-throughput screening of potential therapeutic drugs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaolin Wang, Seung-Jin Kim, Yukun Guan, Richard Parker, Robim M. Rodrigues, Dechun Feng, Shelly C. Lu, Bin Gao
Summary: This study reveals the important role of PHB1 in the development and progression of NAFLD. Adipocyte-specific deletion of PHB1 results in increased severity of liver steatosis without obesity, accompanied by reduced adipose tissue inflammation. Liver inflammation and fibrosis in these mice are similar to those in obese NAFLD, partly due to reduced total adipose tissue inflammation and hepatic interferon pathway.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaojie Fu, Shanshan Liu, Robim M. Rodrigues, Ying Han, Cao Guo, Zhanwei Zhu, Yong He, Bryan Mackowiak, Dechun Feng, Bin Gao, Shan Zeng, Hong Shen
Summary: This study explored the role of VIP/VIPR1 signaling in controlling hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). VIPR1 expression was found to be downregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with advanced clinical stages, tumor growth, recurrence, and poor outcomes. Activation of VIPR1 by VIP inhibited HCC growth and metastasis by regulating arginine biosynthesis. Mechanistically, VIP treatment restored ASS1 expression and suppressed CAD phosphorylation in an mTOR/p70S6K signaling dependent manner. Restoring VIPR1 and using VIPR1 agonists may be a promising approach in HCC treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)