Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）, an pathologies characterized by fatty accumulation in escalating health problem worldwide, covers a spectrum of hepatocytes in early stages, with potential progression to li...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）, an pathologies characterized by fatty accumulation in escalating health problem worldwide, covers a spectrum of hepatocytes in early stages, with potential progression to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and failure. A close, yet poorly understood link exists between NAFLD and dyslipidemia, a constellation of abnormalities in plasma lipoproteins including triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins are a group of primarily liver-derived proteins found in serum lipoproteins; they not only play an extracellular role in lipid transport between vital organs through circulation, but also play an important intracellu- lar role in hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion. The liver functions as the central hub for lipoprotein metab- olism, as it dictates lipoprotein production and to a significant extent modulates lipoprotein clearance. Lipoprotein metabolism is an integral component of hepatocellular lipid homeostasis and is implicated in the pathogenesis, potential diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD.展开更多
Postprandial glucose level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease that exerts effects greater than glucose levels at fasting state, whereas increase in serum triglyceride level, under both fasting an...Postprandial glucose level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease that exerts effects greater than glucose levels at fasting state, whereas increase in serum triglyceride level, under both fasting and postprandial conditions, contributes to the development of arteriosclerosis. Insulin resistance is a prevailing cause of abnormalities in postabsorptive excursion of blood glucose and postprandial lipid profile. Excess fat deposition renders a vicious cycle of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia in the postprandial state, and both of which are contributors to atherosclerotic change of vessels especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several therapeutic approaches for ameliorating each of these abnormalities have been attempted, including various antidiabetic agents or new compounds targeting lipid metabolism.展开更多
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT） and mesenchymal-epithelial transition（MET） are essential for embryonic development and also important in cancer progression. In a conventional model, epithelial-like cancer c...Epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT） and mesenchymal-epithelial transition（MET） are essential for embryonic development and also important in cancer progression. In a conventional model, epithelial-like cancer cells transit to mesenchymal-like tumor cells with great motility via EMT transcription factors; these mesenchymallike cells migrate through the circulation system, relocate to a suitable site and then convert back to an epithelial-like phenotype to regenerate the tumor. However, recent findings challenge this conventional model and support the existence of a stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal（E/M） tumor population. Hybrid E/M tumor cells exhibit both epithelial and mesenchymal properties, possess great metastatic and tumorigenic capacity and are associated with poorer patient prognosis. The hybrid E/M model and associated regulatory networks represent a conceptual change regarding tumor metastasis and organ colonization. It may lead to the development of novel treatment strategies to ultimately stop cancer progression and improve disease-free survival.展开更多
We present an algorithm for the stochastic simulation of gene expression and heterogeneous population dynamics.The algorithm combines an exact method to simulate molecular-level fluctuations in single cells and a cons...We present an algorithm for the stochastic simulation of gene expression and heterogeneous population dynamics.The algorithm combines an exact method to simulate molecular-level fluctuations in single cells and a constant-number Monte Carlo method to simulate time-dependent statistical characteristics of growing cell populations.To benchmark performance,we compare simulation results with steadystate and time-dependent analytical solutions for several scenarios,including steadystate and time-dependent gene expression,and the effects on population heterogeneity of cell growth,division,and DNA replication.This comparison demonstrates that the algorithm provides an efficient and accurate approach to simulate how complex biological features influence gene expression.We also use the algorithm to model gene expression dynamics within"bet-hedging"cell populations during their adaption to environmental stress.These simulations indicate that the algorithm provides a framework suitable for simulating and analyzing realistic models of heterogeneous population dynamics combining molecular-level stochastic reaction kinetics,relevant physiological details and phenotypic variability.展开更多
We present an accelerated method for stochastically simulating the dynamics of heterogeneous cell populations.The algorithm combines a Monte Carlo approach for simulating the biochemical kinetics in single cells with ...We present an accelerated method for stochastically simulating the dynamics of heterogeneous cell populations.The algorithm combines a Monte Carlo approach for simulating the biochemical kinetics in single cells with a constant-number Monte Carlo method for simulating the reproductive fitness and the statistical characteristics of growing cell populations.To benchmark accuracy and performance,we compare simulation results with those generated from a previously validated population dynamics algorithm.The comparison demonstrates that the accelerated method accurately simulates population dynamics with significant reductions in runtime under commonly invoked steady-state and symmetric cell division assumptions.Considering the increasing complexity of cell population models,the method is an important addition to the arsenal of existing algorithms for simulating cellular and population dynamics that enables efficient,coarse-grained exploration of parameter space.展开更多
Interactions are the essence of all biomolecules because they cannot fulfill their roles without interacting with other molecules. Hence, mapping the interactions of biomolecules can be useful for understanding their ...Interactions are the essence of all biomolecules because they cannot fulfill their roles without interacting with other molecules. Hence, mapping the interactions of biomolecules can be useful for understanding their roles and functions. Furthermore, the development of molecular based systems biology requires an understanding of the biomolecular interactions. In recent years, the mapping of protein-protein interactions in different species has been reported, but few reports have focused on the large-scale mapping of protein-protein interactions in human. Here, we review the developments in protein interaction mapping and we discuss issues and strategies for the mapping of the human protein interactome.展开更多
Our recent studies with cultured retinal pigment epithelium cells suggested that overexpression of interleukin 17 receptor C（IL-17RC）,a phenomenon observed in peripheral blood and chorioretinal tissues with age-rela...Our recent studies with cultured retinal pigment epithelium cells suggested that overexpression of interleukin 17 receptor C（IL-17RC）,a phenomenon observed in peripheral blood and chorioretinal tissues with age-related macular degeneration（AMD）,was associated with altered activation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）,Akt,and glycogen synthase kinase 3（GSK3）.We wondered whether or not altered PI3 K,Akt,and GSK3 activities could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMC） obtained from AMD patients.In the patients＇ PBMC,absent or reduced serine-phosphorylation of GSK3α or GSK3β was observed,which was accompanied with increased phosphorylation of GSK3 substrates（e.g.CCAAT enhancer binding protein a,insulin receptor substrate 1,and TAU）,indicative of enhanced GSK3 activation.In addition,decreased protein mass of PI3K85α and tyrosinephosphorylation of PI3K50α was present in PBMC of the AMD patients,suggesting impaired PI3 K activation.Moreover,abnormally lowered molecular weight forms of Akt and GSK3 were detected in PBMC of the AMD patients.These data demonstrate that despite the presence of high levels of IL-17 RC,Wnt-3a and vascular endothelial growth factor,the PI3K/Akt/GSK3 signaling pathway is insensitive to these stimuli in PBMC of the AMD patients.Thus,measurement of PI3K/Akt/GSK3 expression and activity in PBMC may serve as a surrogate biomarker for AMD.展开更多
The SMYD(SET and MYND domain)family of lysine methyltransferases(KMTs)plays pivotal roles in various cellular processes,including gene expression regulation and DNA damage response.Initially identified as genuine hist...The SMYD(SET and MYND domain)family of lysine methyltransferases(KMTs)plays pivotal roles in various cellular processes,including gene expression regulation and DNA damage response.Initially identified as genuine histone methyltransferases,specific members of this family have recently been shown to methylate non-histone proteins such as p53,VEGFR,and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor(pRb).To gain further functional insights into this family of KMTs,we generated the protein interaction network for three different human SMYD proteins(SMYD2,SMYD3,and SMYD5).Characterization of each SMYD protein network revealed that they associate with both shared and unique sets of proteins.Among those,we found that HSP90 and several of its co-chaperones interact specifically with the tetratrico peptide repeat(TPR)-containing SMYD2 and SMYD3.Moreover,using proteomic and biochemical techniques,we provide evidence that SMYD2 methylates K209 and K615 on HSP90 nucleotide-binding and dimerization domains,respectively.In addition,we found that each methylation site displays unique reactivity in regard to the presence of HSP90 co-chaperones,pH,and demethylation by the lysine amine oxidase LSD1,suggesting that alternative mechanisms control HSP90 methylation by SMYD2.Altogether,this study highlights the ability of SMYD proteins to form unique protein complexes that may underlie their various biological functions and the SMYD2-mediated methylation of the key molecular chaperone HSP90.展开更多
This study aimed to examine whether expression of human hepatic lipase（hHL） exerted an intracellular effect on hepatic production of apolipoprotein（apo） A-I.The levels of secreted and cell-associated apoA-I were c...This study aimed to examine whether expression of human hepatic lipase（hHL） exerted an intracellular effect on hepatic production of apolipoprotein（apo） A-I.The levels of secreted and cell-associated apoA-I were contrasted between primary hepatocytes isolated from Lipc-nuW and C57BL/6 mice,and between Lipc-nuW hepatocytes transfected with either hHL-encoding or control adenovirus.An HSPG-binding deficient hHL protein（hHLmt） was used to determine the impact of cell surface binding on HL action.Accumulation of apoA-I in conditioned media of primary hepatocytes isolated from Lipc-nuW mice was increased as compared to that from C57BL/6 mice.Metabolic labeling experiments showed that secretion of ＇＇S-apoA-I from Lipc-nuW cells was significantly higher than that from C57BL/6 cells.Expression of hHL in Lipc-nuW hepatocytes,through adenovirus-mediated gene transfer,resulted in decreased synthesis and secretion of ＇S-apoA-I,but not S-apoE,as compared with cells transfected with control adenovirus.Expression of HSPG-binding deficient hHLmt in Lipc-nuW cells also exerted an inhibitory effect on apoA-I production,even though hHLmt displayed impaired exit from the endoplasmic reticulum as compared with hHL.Subcellular fractionation revealed that expression of hHL or hHLmt led to increased microsome-association of apoA-I relative to non-transfected control.Expression of hHL negatively impacts hepatic production of apoA-I.展开更多
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from isolated hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from isolated hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. One of the key challenges in NAFLD is identifying which patients will progress. Epidemiological and genetic studies indicate a strong pattern of heritability that may explain some of the variability in NAFLD phenotype and risk of progression. To date, at least three common genetic variants in the PNPLA3, TM6 SF2, and GCKR genes have been robustly linked to NAFLD in the population. The function of these genes revealed novel pathways implicated in both the development and progression of NAFLD. In addition,candidate genes previously implicated in NAFLD pathogenesis have also been identified as determinants or modulators of NAFLD phenotype including genes involved in hepatocellular lipid handling, insulin resistance,inflammation, and fibrogenesis. This article will review the current understanding of the genetics underpinning the development of hepatic steatosis and the progression of NASH. These newly acquired insights may transform our strategy to risk-stratify patients with NAFLD and to identify new potential therapeutic targets.展开更多
Objective: Qianggan(QG) extract is a patented traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for the clinical treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). However, its mechanism remains unclear. Methods: T...Objective: Qianggan(QG) extract is a patented traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for the clinical treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). However, its mechanism remains unclear. Methods: The efficacy of QG was evaluated in mice with methionine-and-choline-deficient diet-induced NASH by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels and by H and E staining of liver sections. Microarray and bioinformatics analyses were performed to obtain hepatic micro RNA(mi RNA) and m RNA expression profiles and to mine potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, representative mi RNA and m RNA expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(q RT-PCR). Results: QG extract significantly improved NASH. Twelve differentially expressed mi RNAs and 1124 differentially changed m RNAs were identified as potential targets of QG extract. Integrated analysis detected 976 mi RNA–m RNA regulatory pairs, and networks including 11 mi RNAs and 427 m RNAs were constructed by Cytoscape. Hub nodes including mi R-7050-5p, mi R-212-3p, Bcl2l11, and Kras were filtered out. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that 427 m RNAs were enriched in pathways including apoptotic process, immune response, Fox O signaling pathway, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We also constructed a protein–protein interaction network with 254 nodes, and identified hub genes including Kras, Fasl, and Ncam1. Finally, the results of q RT-PCR were in good accordance with microarray data. Conclusion: This study identified important hub mi RNAs and m RNAs involved in the mechanism of QG extract and which might provide potential therapeutic targets for patients with NASH.展开更多
In this issue of Journal of Biomedical Research,3review articles are published that cover a broad range of topics addressing current understanding on regulation of nutrient metabolism through protein phosphatases,home...In this issue of Journal of Biomedical Research,3review articles are published that cover a broad range of topics addressing current understanding on regulation of nutrient metabolism through protein phosphatases,homeostatic regulation of cellular lipid droplets by small GTPases,and mechanisms by which hepatic assembly and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are regulated.展开更多
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）, an pathologies characterized by fatty accumulation in escalating health problem worldwide, covers a spectrum of hepatocytes in early stages, with potential progression to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and failure. A close, yet poorly understood link exists between NAFLD and dyslipidemia, a constellation of abnormalities in plasma lipoproteins including triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins are a group of primarily liver-derived proteins found in serum lipoproteins; they not only play an extracellular role in lipid transport between vital organs through circulation, but also play an important intracellu- lar role in hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion. The liver functions as the central hub for lipoprotein metab- olism, as it dictates lipoprotein production and to a significant extent modulates lipoprotein clearance. Lipoprotein metabolism is an integral component of hepatocellular lipid homeostasis and is implicated in the pathogenesis, potential diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD.
文摘Postprandial glucose level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease that exerts effects greater than glucose levels at fasting state, whereas increase in serum triglyceride level, under both fasting and postprandial conditions, contributes to the development of arteriosclerosis. Insulin resistance is a prevailing cause of abnormalities in postabsorptive excursion of blood glucose and postprandial lipid profile. Excess fat deposition renders a vicious cycle of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia in the postprandial state, and both of which are contributors to atherosclerotic change of vessels especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several therapeutic approaches for ameliorating each of these abnormalities have been attempted, including various antidiabetic agents or new compounds targeting lipid metabolism.
基金supported by operating grants from Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario Regionthe Canadian Institutes of Health Research MOP111224 to LW
文摘Epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT） and mesenchymal-epithelial transition（MET） are essential for embryonic development and also important in cancer progression. In a conventional model, epithelial-like cancer cells transit to mesenchymal-like tumor cells with great motility via EMT transcription factors; these mesenchymallike cells migrate through the circulation system, relocate to a suitable site and then convert back to an epithelial-like phenotype to regenerate the tumor. However, recent findings challenge this conventional model and support the existence of a stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal（E/M） tumor population. Hybrid E/M tumor cells exhibit both epithelial and mesenchymal properties, possess great metastatic and tumorigenic capacity and are associated with poorer patient prognosis. The hybrid E/M model and associated regulatory networks represent a conceptual change regarding tumor metastasis and organ colonization. It may lead to the development of novel treatment strategies to ultimately stop cancer progression and improve disease-free survival.
基金the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)the Canadian Institutes of Health Research(CIHR)+1 种基金the Academy of Finland(Application Number 129657,Finnish Programme for Centres of Excellence in Research 2006-2011,and 124615)the Tampere Graduate School in Information Science and Engineering(TISE).
文摘We present an algorithm for the stochastic simulation of gene expression and heterogeneous population dynamics.The algorithm combines an exact method to simulate molecular-level fluctuations in single cells and a constant-number Monte Carlo method to simulate time-dependent statistical characteristics of growing cell populations.To benchmark performance,we compare simulation results with steadystate and time-dependent analytical solutions for several scenarios,including steadystate and time-dependent gene expression,and the effects on population heterogeneity of cell growth,division,and DNA replication.This comparison demonstrates that the algorithm provides an efficient and accurate approach to simulate how complex biological features influence gene expression.We also use the algorithm to model gene expression dynamics within"bet-hedging"cell populations during their adaption to environmental stress.These simulations indicate that the algorithm provides a framework suitable for simulating and analyzing realistic models of heterogeneous population dynamics combining molecular-level stochastic reaction kinetics,relevant physiological details and phenotypic variability.
基金supported financially by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC).
文摘We present an accelerated method for stochastically simulating the dynamics of heterogeneous cell populations.The algorithm combines a Monte Carlo approach for simulating the biochemical kinetics in single cells with a constant-number Monte Carlo method for simulating the reproductive fitness and the statistical characteristics of growing cell populations.To benchmark accuracy and performance,we compare simulation results with those generated from a previously validated population dynamics algorithm.The comparison demonstrates that the accelerated method accurately simulates population dynamics with significant reductions in runtime under commonly invoked steady-state and symmetric cell division assumptions.Considering the increasing complexity of cell population models,the method is an important addition to the arsenal of existing algorithms for simulating cellular and population dynamics that enables efficient,coarse-grained exploration of parameter space.
文摘Interactions are the essence of all biomolecules because they cannot fulfill their roles without interacting with other molecules. Hence, mapping the interactions of biomolecules can be useful for understanding their roles and functions. Furthermore, the development of molecular based systems biology requires an understanding of the biomolecular interactions. In recent years, the mapping of protein-protein interactions in different species has been reported, but few reports have focused on the large-scale mapping of protein-protein interactions in human. Here, we review the developments in protein interaction mapping and we discuss issues and strategies for the mapping of the human protein interactome.
基金supported by intramural research funding of National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine(now is National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health),NIH,the US Department of Health and Human Services(to X.L.)and an operating grant(MOP 123279)from Canadian Institutes for Health Research(to Z.Y.)
文摘Our recent studies with cultured retinal pigment epithelium cells suggested that overexpression of interleukin 17 receptor C（IL-17RC）,a phenomenon observed in peripheral blood and chorioretinal tissues with age-related macular degeneration（AMD）,was associated with altered activation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）,Akt,and glycogen synthase kinase 3（GSK3）.We wondered whether or not altered PI3 K,Akt,and GSK3 activities could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMC） obtained from AMD patients.In the patients＇ PBMC,absent or reduced serine-phosphorylation of GSK3α or GSK3β was observed,which was accompanied with increased phosphorylation of GSK3 substrates（e.g.CCAAT enhancer binding protein a,insulin receptor substrate 1,and TAU）,indicative of enhanced GSK3 activation.In addition,decreased protein mass of PI3K85α and tyrosinephosphorylation of PI3K50α was present in PBMC of the AMD patients,suggesting impaired PI3 K activation.Moreover,abnormally lowered molecular weight forms of Akt and GSK3 were detected in PBMC of the AMD patients.These data demonstrate that despite the presence of high levels of IL-17 RC,Wnt-3a and vascular endothelial growth factor,the PI3K/Akt/GSK3 signaling pathway is insensitive to these stimuli in PBMC of the AMD patients.Thus,measurement of PI3K/Akt/GSK3 expression and activity in PBMC may serve as a surrogate biomarker for AMD.
基金supported by a Canadian Institutes for Health Research grant (GMX-209406 to J.-F.C.and D.F.).
文摘The SMYD(SET and MYND domain)family of lysine methyltransferases(KMTs)plays pivotal roles in various cellular processes,including gene expression regulation and DNA damage response.Initially identified as genuine histone methyltransferases,specific members of this family have recently been shown to methylate non-histone proteins such as p53,VEGFR,and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor(pRb).To gain further functional insights into this family of KMTs,we generated the protein interaction network for three different human SMYD proteins(SMYD2,SMYD3,and SMYD5).Characterization of each SMYD protein network revealed that they associate with both shared and unique sets of proteins.Among those,we found that HSP90 and several of its co-chaperones interact specifically with the tetratrico peptide repeat(TPR)-containing SMYD2 and SMYD3.Moreover,using proteomic and biochemical techniques,we provide evidence that SMYD2 methylates K209 and K615 on HSP90 nucleotide-binding and dimerization domains,respectively.In addition,we found that each methylation site displays unique reactivity in regard to the presence of HSP90 co-chaperones,pH,and demethylation by the lysine amine oxidase LSD1,suggesting that alternative mechanisms control HSP90 methylation by SMYD2.Altogether,this study highlights the ability of SMYD proteins to form unique protein complexes that may underlie their various biological functions and the SMYD2-mediated methylation of the key molecular chaperone HSP90.
基金supported by a grant-in-aid (#T6903) from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
文摘This study aimed to examine whether expression of human hepatic lipase（hHL） exerted an intracellular effect on hepatic production of apolipoprotein（apo） A-I.The levels of secreted and cell-associated apoA-I were contrasted between primary hepatocytes isolated from Lipc-nuW and C57BL/6 mice,and between Lipc-nuW hepatocytes transfected with either hHL-encoding or control adenovirus.An HSPG-binding deficient hHL protein（hHLmt） was used to determine the impact of cell surface binding on HL action.Accumulation of apoA-I in conditioned media of primary hepatocytes isolated from Lipc-nuW mice was increased as compared to that from C57BL/6 mice.Metabolic labeling experiments showed that secretion of ＇＇S-apoA-I from Lipc-nuW cells was significantly higher than that from C57BL/6 cells.Expression of hHL in Lipc-nuW hepatocytes,through adenovirus-mediated gene transfer,resulted in decreased synthesis and secretion of ＇S-apoA-I,but not S-apoE,as compared with cells transfected with control adenovirus.Expression of HSPG-binding deficient hHLmt in Lipc-nuW cells also exerted an inhibitory effect on apoA-I production,even though hHLmt displayed impaired exit from the endoplasmic reticulum as compared with hHL.Subcellular fractionation revealed that expression of hHL or hHLmt led to increased microsome-association of apoA-I relative to non-transfected control.Expression of hHL negatively impacts hepatic production of apoA-I.
基金supported by an Alan Hofmann Clinical and Translational Research Award from AASLD
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from isolated hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. One of the key challenges in NAFLD is identifying which patients will progress. Epidemiological and genetic studies indicate a strong pattern of heritability that may explain some of the variability in NAFLD phenotype and risk of progression. To date, at least three common genetic variants in the PNPLA3, TM6 SF2, and GCKR genes have been robustly linked to NAFLD in the population. The function of these genes revealed novel pathways implicated in both the development and progression of NAFLD. In addition,candidate genes previously implicated in NAFLD pathogenesis have also been identified as determinants or modulators of NAFLD phenotype including genes involved in hepatocellular lipid handling, insulin resistance,inflammation, and fibrogenesis. This article will review the current understanding of the genetics underpinning the development of hepatic steatosis and the progression of NASH. These newly acquired insights may transform our strategy to risk-stratify patients with NAFLD and to identify new potential therapeutic targets.
基金supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Major Project (No.2017ZX09301-068)National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81620108030)the Shanghai innovation project of TCM (No.ZYKC201601005)。
文摘Objective: Qianggan(QG) extract is a patented traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for the clinical treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). However, its mechanism remains unclear. Methods: The efficacy of QG was evaluated in mice with methionine-and-choline-deficient diet-induced NASH by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels and by H and E staining of liver sections. Microarray and bioinformatics analyses were performed to obtain hepatic micro RNA(mi RNA) and m RNA expression profiles and to mine potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, representative mi RNA and m RNA expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(q RT-PCR). Results: QG extract significantly improved NASH. Twelve differentially expressed mi RNAs and 1124 differentially changed m RNAs were identified as potential targets of QG extract. Integrated analysis detected 976 mi RNA–m RNA regulatory pairs, and networks including 11 mi RNAs and 427 m RNAs were constructed by Cytoscape. Hub nodes including mi R-7050-5p, mi R-212-3p, Bcl2l11, and Kras were filtered out. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that 427 m RNAs were enriched in pathways including apoptotic process, immune response, Fox O signaling pathway, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We also constructed a protein–protein interaction network with 254 nodes, and identified hub genes including Kras, Fasl, and Ncam1. Finally, the results of q RT-PCR were in good accordance with microarray data. Conclusion: This study identified important hub mi RNAs and m RNAs involved in the mechanism of QG extract and which might provide potential therapeutic targets for patients with NASH.
文摘In this issue of Journal of Biomedical Research,3review articles are published that cover a broad range of topics addressing current understanding on regulation of nutrient metabolism through protein phosphatases,homeostatic regulation of cellular lipid droplets by small GTPases,and mechanisms by which hepatic assembly and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are regulated.
