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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Mov10 mitigates hematopoietic stem cell exhaustion under stress by modulating the Camp-mediated inflammatory pathway.

The integrity of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function is crucial for robust hematopoietic regeneration following stress. Inflammatory responses are pivotal drivers of HSC stress response, yet the precise modulation of inflammatory pathways remains incompletely defined. In this study, we identify the RNA helicase Mov10 as a negative regulator of stress-induced inflammatory pathways in HSC. Our study indicates that Mov10, which is critically required for HSC maintenance, is highly expressed in HSC, and its loss adversely affects HSC fitness and survival during hematopoietic stress induced by bone marrow transplantation and irradiation (IR). Mechanistically, Mov10 mitigates excessive inflammatory activation to sustain HSC functional integrity during hematopoietic stress, primarily by enhancing the translation of CAMP, which inhibits the interaction between TNF-α and its receptor TNFR1 and suppresses NF-κB activation. Overall, our results imply that Mov10 plays a critical role in averting functional failure of hematopoiesis under stress, presenting viable paths for the therapeutic intervention of relevant diseases.

Camp↗
PubMed2026

The phytosterol 24(S)-saringosterol alters lipid homeostasis and inflammatory pathways in a cell-specific manner.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation and disrupted cholesterol metabolism in microglia are key contributors to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Liver X receptors (LXRα/β) regulate lipid metabolism and inflammation. Synthetic pan-LXR agonists, such as T0901317 and GW3965, exert neuroprotective effects by modulating lipid metabolism, making them promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, their clinical use is limited by hepatic side effects, including hypertriglyceridemia and steatosis. PURPOSE: To overcome these limitations, we investigated 24(S)-saringosterol, a phytosterol from Sargassum fusiforme, and its potential dissociating effect as a LXR agonist on myeloid cells vs hepatocytes. METHOD: Using primary cultures of myeloid cells (microglia, bone marrow-derived macrophages) and hepatocytes, we performed transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses to assess the impact of 24(S)-saringosterol on lipid metabolism and inflammatory pathways. RESULTS: 24(S)-saringosterol strongly activated LXR-regulated genes, upregulating cholesterol efflux transporter Abca1 in a dose-dependent manner. In myeloid cells, it reduced the expression of interferon-β pathway genes and promoted cholesterol efflux, mirroring GW3965's anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, 24(S)-saringosterol downregulated cholesterol biosynthesis (Dhcr24) and influx (Ldlr) via Srebp2 in both cell types, contrasting with GW3965, which increased lipid synthesis genes via Srebp1. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest 24(S)-saringosterol acts as a selective LXR agonist in a cell-specific manner, retaining beneficial effects while minimizing hepatic risks. This compound represents a promising candidate for AD and other metabolic or inflammatory disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Carrot Juice Intake Modulates Oncogenic and Inflammatory Pathways in Advanced Colorectal Adenomas: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Carrots are a rich dietary source of carotenoids and polyacetylenes, bioactive compounds with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in experimental models. Epidemiological evidence suggests that carrot consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer; however, clinical data linking carrot intake to molecular changes in premalignant colorectal tissue remain limited. In this pilot intervention study, 20 patients with advanced colorectal adenomas were enrolled. Fifteen participants consumed carrot juice daily for 21 days, while five served as untreated controls. Paired adenoma biopsies were collected before and after the intervention and were analyzed using gene expression microarrays to assess transcriptional responses. Carrot juice intake was well tolerated, with adherence exceeding 95% and no reported adverse events. Transcriptomic analysis revealed modulation of key pathways implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis, including downregulation of the WNT, PI3K-AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as cyclooxygenase-2-related inflammatory pathways and cytokine signaling. These changes were consistent with reduced oncogenic signaling and attenuation of inflammatory activity within adenoma tissue. In summary, short-term carrot juice consumption was associated with coordinated suppression of molecular pathways involved in colorectal adenoma progression. These findings provide preliminary clinical evidence that a whole-food dietary intervention may influence early carcinogenic processes and support the need for larger controlled studies evaluating clinical outcomes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2025

The cytokine CSBF inhibits the IL-17A and TNF-α inflammatory pathways via SUSD2-ACT1 in keratinocytes and alleviates IMQ-induced psoriasis.

Overactivation of inflammatory signaling in keratinocytes is critical for psoriatic skin inflammation, but its regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the cytokine CSBF inhibits both individual and synergistic proinflammatory signaling induced by IL-17A and TNF-α (IL-17A/TNF-α) in keratinocytes, playing a protective role in psoriatic inflammation. The expression of CSBF was increased in the skin lesions and serum of psoriatic patients, and IL-17A/TNF-α enhanced its production. Csbf deletion exacerbated IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation and led to hyperactivation of IL-17A/TNF-α signaling in keratinocytes. The CSBF protein significantly ameliorated psoriatic manifestations and suppressed IL-17A/TNF-α signaling through the receptor SUSD2. Mechanistically, CSBF-SUSD2 competed with TRAF6 and TNFR1 for interaction with ACT1, inhibiting the IL-17A/TNF-α signaling pathway. Overall, the anti-inflammatory cytokine CSBF has the potential to be a therapeutic option for psoriasis by targeting keratinocytes.

Psoriasis↗
PubMed2026

TNFα-dependent modulation of WT1-MMP9 regulatory axis links developmental and inflammatory pathways in glaucoma.

Glaucomas are heterogeneous optic neuropathies associated with extracellular matrix dysregulation, abnormal ocular morphogenesis, and inflammatory signaling. Targeted deep sequencing of 586 primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) cases and 1,757 controls identified rare pathogenic variants in multiple genes, including WT1 and MMP9. Notably, WT1 variants clustered within the nuclear export sequence. Further, functional analyses showed that combined wt1-pax6 suppression in zebrafish disrupted ocular morphogenesis, highlighting developmental interdependence. In human trabecular meshwork cells, WT1 acted as a transcriptional repressor of MMP9, while TNF-α signaling triggered nitric oxide-dependent nuclear export of WT1, resulting in delayed MMP9 upregulation. This effect was reversible by inhibiting nuclear export or nitric oxide synthase. A patient-derived mutation in the nuclear-export region of WT1, disrupted this regulatory switch, causing abnormal MMP9 expression. These findings position WT1 as an important regulator linking developmental and inflammatory mechanisms in glaucoma pathogenesis.

anterior segment dysgenesis↗
PubMed2025

Genetic evidence for repurposing GLP-1 receptor agonists in chronic kidney disease and IgA nephropathy: Metabolic and anti-inflammatory pathways beyond glycaemic control.

AIMS: Despite observational links between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and kidney benefits, causal mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to dissect genetic causality and mediation pathways underlying the effects of GLP-1RAs on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related renal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using large-scale Genome - Wide Association Study (GWAS) data, we applied two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) to estimate the causal effects of GLP-1RAs on CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and subtypes (IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome and chronic glomerulonephritis), with sensitivity analyses. The glycaemic markers (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] and blood glucose), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) served as positive controls. Mediation MR assessed body mass index (BMI), lipids, glycaemic markers and inflammatory proteins. Data were sourced from MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit Open Genome - Wide Association Studies OpenGWAS, FinnGen, GWAS Catalogue and cohort-specific studies. RESULTS: Positive control analyses revealed that genetically predicted GLP-1R activation was associated with reduced levels of HbA1c (p = 4.93E-15) and blood glucose (p = 9.73E-5), as well as a decreased risk of T2DM (p = 2.45E-4) and DN (p = 6.35E-4), fully validating the reliability of the genetic instruments. Genetic proxies for GLP-1R activation lowered risks of CKD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, p = 9.22E-9), immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) (OR = 0.70, p = 2.11E-3) and kidney function preservation (β = 0.01, p = 9.11E-3), but showed null effects on other CKD subtypes. Mediation analyses indicated that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) suppression mediated 26.57% of the effect on eGFR and 13.50% of CKD protection, whereas metabolic traits (BMI: 2.08% for CKD, 5.51% for eGFR; high-density lipoprotein: 0.79% for CKD, 2.34% for eGFR; HbA1c: 8.25% for eGFR) partially explained the benefits on CKD and eGFR. Only BMI exhibited a mediation effect on IgAN. Sensitivity analyses confirmed minimal pleiotropy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides robust genetic evidence for repurposing GLP-1RAs in CKD and IgAN through anti-inflammatory (FGF23) and metabolic pathways, extending their utility beyond glucose control. While European ancestry data limit generalisability, our framework prioritises FGF23 and metabolic modulation as key targets for clinical trials in renal protection.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Inflammatory pathways and immune dysregulation in pediatric postoperative septic shock: A study integrating transcriptomics, machine learning and molecular docking.

This study elucidates the molecular and immune regulatory mechanisms of pediatric postoperative septic shock. Transcriptomic data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the limma package, and gene co-expression modules were constructed using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. Functional enrichment was performed via gene set enrichment analysis, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. Immune cell infiltration was assessed using ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT. Mendelian randomization was applied to explore causal relationships between gene expression and septic shock. Feature genes were selected using machine learning algorithms, and a diagnostic nomogram model was constructed. Finally, molecular docking analysis was performed to screen and evaluate the binding affinity of traditional Chinese medicine monomers to core target proteins. A total of 1331 differentially expressed genes were identified, and the turquoise module was strongly correlated with septic shock. Enrichment analysis revealed significant activation of IL-6/JAK/STAT3, TNF-α/NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Immune infiltration analysis indicated suppressed immune scores and imbalances in neutrophils, macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Mendelian randomization confirmed causal associations for 6 genes, including PIM3. The predictive model based on feature genes demonstrated high diagnostic performance. Molecular docking suggested that quercetin and astramembrannin I could stably bind PIM3. This study systematically identified core genes, dysregulated immune pathways, and candidate small-molecule interventions in pediatric septic shock, providing novel insights for early diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

The Vascular Genome as a Therapeutic Target: A Systematic Review of CRISPR-based Gene Editing In Vascular Disease.

Despite advances in therapy, arterial, venous, and pulmonary vascular diseases remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Persistent endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and maladaptive vascular remodeling continue to drive disease progression and residual risk. CRISPR/Cas9 technology offers a unique opportunity to modify the molecular pathways underlying vascular pathophysiology directly. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines guided the systematic review. The databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched from their inception until September 2025 for experimental and/or clinical studies evaluating the application of CRISPR/Cas9 on vascular disease. Included were in vitro studies, animal model studies, and early-phase human studies aimed at targeting the endothelial cell regulatory pathways, inflammatory pathways, metabolic remodeling processes, and hereditary causes of vasculopathy. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. CRISPR technologies targeting PCSK9, NOS3, HIF1A, NLRP3, METTL4, BMPR2, and ACTA2 were identified to enhance repair mechanisms in endothelial cells, regulate inflammation, modulate lipid metabolism, and remodel the vascular system. The human studies demonstrated sustained gene silencing effects following a single dose of CRISPR-induced in vivo editing. The use of CRISPR technology to edit cell genomes offers potential to alter disease progression in vascular medicine, with a growing body of translational evidence supporting the feasibility and durability of the approach.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Transcriptomic Insights into Acupuncture Mechanisms in Protecting Ovarian Function in Mice with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of acupuncture on ovarian function in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) via transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: Twenty female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups: control, model, acupuncture, and non-meridian/non-acupoint (NOMA). POI was induced in the model, acupuncture, and non-meridian/non-acupoint groups via cyclophosphamide injection. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), bilateral Guilai (ST 29), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 3 weeks. After the intervention, ovarian tissue weight and ovarian coefficient were calculated, serum levels of key reproductive hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and anti-M&#xfc;llerian hormone (AMH) were detected, and ovarian histopathological changes were observed to evaluate ovarian function. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to explore key functional terms and signaling pathways. Western blot was finally applied to validate the expression of core proteins related to mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory pathways. RESULTS: The model group showed reduced ovarian weight and elevated FSH levels. The acupuncture group exhibited significantly higher ovarian weight and coefficient, lower FSH levels, and increased E2 and AMH levels compared to the model group (all P<0.01). Transcriptomic analysis revealed 4,021 DEGs between groups. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that these DEGs were mainly involved in oocyte development, steroid hormone synthesis, and pathways related to mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammatory signaling. Western blot analysis showed that acupuncture partially restored mitochondrial function markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV and NADH dehydrogenase 1 beta subcomplex subunit 8 and reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (glucose-regulated protein 78 and Calnexin, P<0.01). It also downregulated pro-inflammatory proteins (IL-17R, IL-17A, NF-&#x3ba;B p65, p-NF-&#x3ba;B p65, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2) and upregulated proteins related to metabolic homeostasis (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &#x3b3;, receptor-interacting protein 140, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, and sirtuin 1, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture effectively alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced POI in mice, improves ovarian function and follicular quality by regulating cellular functions and inflammatory pathways, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach for POI.

acupuncture↗
PubMed1976

The alternate complement pathway in inflammatory bowel disease. Quantitation of the C3 proactivator (factor B) protein.

A component of the complement system's alternate pathway was investigated in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The mean C3PA (Factor B) titer in normals was 74 +/- 15%; in ulcerative colitis, 92 +/- 18%; and in Crohn's disease, 119+/- 24%. Significance was at the P less than 0.001 level when the mean values for the ulcerative colitis and the Crohn's disease groups were compared to normal subjects. Titers did not change significantly with exacerbation or amelioration of the diseases or when patient groups were analyzed according to the mode of treatment received.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed2026

Multiomic Integration Reveals Novel miRNA-mRNA-Protein Expression Profile in the Aged Female Retina.

PURPOSE: Aging is a leading risk factor for retinal degeneration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate posttranscriptional gene suppressors and influence inflammation and oxidative stress, two processes disrupted during retinal aging. This study aimed to identify age-related miRNA-mRNA-protein associations between young and older retinas and uncover dysregulated pathways that may contribute to retinal degeneration. METHODS: Retinal function was assessed using electroretinography (ERG), and microgliosis was quantified by microglial immunohistochemistry (IHC). A multiomics approach was used to examine molecular changes in older (30-month-old) female C57BL/6J mouse retinas and compared with young female (3-month-old) controls. Illumina sequencing profiled short miRNAs (20 bp) and bulk mRNAs (150 bp), while total proteomics via mass spectrometry assessed protein expression. Bioinformatic analyses included targetome analysis (miRNet), pathway enrichment (Gene Ontology), and clustering to identify age-associated molecular targets and pathways. RESULTS: Retinas from older mice displayed neuronal dysfunction and increased microgliosis. Sequencing revealed significant dysregulation of miRNAs linked to immune and inflammatory pathways, supported by enrichment of their predicted mRNA targets. In the older mice, mRNA expression showed broad inflammatory activation, though only 14% of dysregulated mRNAs overlapped with predicted miRNA targets. Proteomic profiling revealed a disconnect between RNA and protein expression, yet all omics layers showed enrichment in inflammatory pathways. Integrated analysis identified associations involving several gene regulatory networks in the older retina. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that at an advanced age, miRNA expression and their predicted downstream regulatory networks are dysregulated, highlighting potential molecular mechanisms underlying age-related retinal degeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of resiniferatoxin pretreatment on the inflammatory response to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate in mouse strains with different susceptibilities to phorbol ester tumor promotion.

All tumor-promoting phorbol esters induce inflammation in mouse skin. The correlation between promoting and inflammatory activities is only partial, however, indicating that only some events in inflammation may be closely coupled to the process of tumor promotion. Resiniferatoxin (RTX), an extremely inflammatory phorbol-related diterpene, acts as an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin to stimulate and then to block the neurogenic inflammatory pathway. In CD-1 mice, we have used pretreatment with RTX to show that the erythema and edema responses to phorbol and 12-deoxyphorbol esters in significant part involve this neurogenic inflammatory pathway. We report here that mouse strains with differing sensitivities to phorbol-ester-induced promotion displayed marked differences in the effect of pretreating with RTX on the edema response following phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) application. In the highly promotion-sensitive SENCAR mouse, RTX pretreatment had little inhibitory effect; the edema response to PMA was similar with or without RTX pretreatment 6 h before PMA application. On the other hand, in C57BL/6J mice, which are resistant to promotion by phorbol esters under the usual protocols, the edema response to PMA was totally eliminated by RTX pretreatment during the first 8 h after PMA administration. DBA/2J mice, which are similar to CD-1 mice in their susceptibility to PMA promotion, responded similarly to CD-1: the edema response was blocked partially by RTX pretreatment during the early phase (up to 8 h) of inflammation. Our results suggest that the RTX-resistant component of PMA-induced edema may correlate better with the sensitivity to promoting action than does the overall inflammatory response.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Impact of Maternal Aspirin Therapy on Neonatal Epigenetic Patterns.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose aspirin (LDA) is an intervention recommended to prevent the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in high-risk pregnancies. Maternal conditions such as HDP have been associated with cord blood epigenetic changes including those related to cardiovascular processes; however, it is unclear whether maternal aspirin therapy may impact neonatal epigenetics in otherwise healthy high-risk pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if maternal LDA exposure in utero leads to altered DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood cells in term neonates compared with controls not exposed to aspirin, and to identify if these methylation changes alter key pathways in the development of chronic disease. METHODS: Umbilical cord blood was collected from 10 neonates without LDA exposure and 13 neonates with LDA exposure in utero. Patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, COVID-19, and chorioamnionitis were excluded. Genomic DNA was isolated from umbilical cord blood cells and genome-wide DNA methylation was performed using Illumina Methylation EPIC assay. RESULTS: A total of 155 differentially methylated loci (81 genes were hypermethylated and 74 were hypomethylated) were identified in LDA-exposed neonatal umbilical cord blood compared with the control group. Important canonical pathways identified by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were related to Th1 and Th2 signaling and classical (M1) macrophage activation. The genes affected by LDA exposure were associated with cardiac and renal systems. CONCLUSION: LDA exposure led to differential DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood. The differentially methylated genes were related to inflammatory pathways as well as cardiac and renal toxicity pathways. LDA exposure in utero may promote altered health programming in the neonate in areas impacting cardiovascular health. KEY POINTS: &#xb7; Maternal aspirin exposure is associated with differential DNA methylation in cord blood.. &#xb7; Cord blood epigenetic changes associated with maternal aspirin relate to anti-inflammatory pathways.. &#xb7; Research on potential protective impact of maternal aspirin on neonatal epigenetics is warranted..

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Human junctional epithelium as a pathway for inflammatory exudation.

Photographic montages of transmission electron micrographs of the dentogingival region have made it possible to assess the morphologic alterations that occur in the junctional and the oral sulcular epithelium as a result of mild gingival inflammation. Enlargements of the intracellular spaces in the junctional epithelium varied in size and shape from isolated alveolate enlargements, often containing isolated granulocytes, to channel-like pathways oriented in an apico-coronal direction and frequently filled with rows of granulocytes. In contrast to artifactitious spaces, these enlarged intercellular spaces failed to reveal the presence of ruptured intercellular bridges and contained well preserved undistorted granulocytes with round profiles. Moderately electron dense material within the enlarged intercellular spaces probably represented proteins from the fluid exudate, precipitated by the fixation process. The rate of normal junctional epithelial turnover appeared to be insufficient to compensate for the above morphological alterations brought about by the inflammatory process. Mononuclear cells, mostly lymphocytes, were preferentially located in the connective tissue side of the junctional epithelium. Their low numbers in the gingival sulcus suggest that they are passively carried into the sulcus as a result of normal turnover of the junctional epithelium, whereas granulocytes, which account for the majority of leucocytes in the sulcus, actively migrate through the junctional epithelium.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1979

Pathways of inflammatory cellular exudate through radicular cyst epithelium: a light and scanning electron microscope study.

A feature of radicular cyst histology is the observation that polymorphonuclear leucocytes infiltrate the epithelium whereas chronic inflammatory cells do not and accumulate in the subepithelial connective tissue. Material for the study of this phenomenon consisted of radicular cysts fixed in formol saline. Observation under the SEM indicated that the lumenal surface of the radicular cyst is characterized by numerous interepithelial spaces through which polymorphonuclear cells reach the cyst cavity. The cells on the lumenal surface are associated with interepithelial spaces. Observations of the cut surface indicate that channels occur between epithelial cells through which the polymorphonuclear leucocytes migrate. The channels may also be a pathway for exudates from capillaries to reach the cyst cavity and provide a means for radicular cyst enlargement. Erosions of epithelial cells and features of necrosis of superficial cells were observed. Thus it appears that polymorphonuclear leucocytes migrate through definite channels between epithelial cells in the radicular cyst lining, the chemotactic stimulus being degeneration and breakdown of the superficial epithelial cells.

Epithelium↗
PubMed2026

Exploring the Mechanism of Zhigancao Decoction in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure via Modulation of Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: Zhigancao decoction has shown therapeutic potential in the management of chronic heart failure (CHF); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its pharmacological effects remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate its potential mechanisms, with a particular focus on oxidative stress-related pathways. METHODS: The chemical profile of Zhigancao decoction was characterized by LC-MS/MS, and putative targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the STRING database and Cytoscape software, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Differentially expressed genes from two GEO datasets (GSE9128 and GSE84796) were integrated with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes to identify candidate targets. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were subsequently performed to investigate compound-target interactions. RESULTS: A total of 66 chemical constituents and 818 putative targets were characterized and collected, respectively. Among these targets, MMP9 emerged as a central candidate associated with the therapeutic effects of Zhigancao decoction. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses demonstrated that the core targets were significantly enriched in oxidative stress-related pathways, inflammatory signaling cascades, and cell fate regulatory pathways. Computational deconvolution of bulk transcriptomic data suggested marked alterations in the estimated immune cell composition of the CHF microenvironment. Network pharmacology analysis further indicated that multiple chemical constituents of Zhigancao decoction converge on MMP9 and its associated pathways. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated favorable binding affinities between 10 representative compounds and MMP9, with binding energies below -7.0&#x2009;kcal/mol. CONCLUSIONS: In silico predictions suggest that Zhigancao decoction may exert potential therapeutic effects against CHF through computationally predicted targeting of MMP9 and associated oxidative stress- and immune-related pathways. These computational findings provide a theoretical foundation for future experimental investigations into the mechanisms of Zhigancao decoction in CHF, though clinical application would require confirmation through rigorous in&#xa0;vivo and clinical studies.

Oxidative Stress↗
PubMed2025

Sex differences in cerebrospinal fluid proteomics of patients with restless legs syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The pathobiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) remains poorly understood, complicating effective treatment. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to identify a cerebrospinal fluid proteomic signature of RLS and to explore sex-specific differences in cerebrospinal fluid proteomics. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from 22 untreated RLS patients and 18 controls, matched for age, body mass index, and sex. Proteomic analysis was conducted using the SOMAscan platform, assessing over 7000 peptides. RESULTS: Eight proteins were differentially abundant between patients and controls, with CRP and JAML increased, and TAPBPL and IL1RL1 decreased. Pathway analysis highlighted significant involvement in immune response, coagulation, and cytoskeletal regulation. Analyses were then carried out using sex stratification, comparing men and women separately. Sex-specific analyses revealed more pronounced proteomic alterations in males (68 differentially abundant proteins vs. control males) than in females (17 proteins). Gene enrichment analysis revealed that men with RLS had more involvement in gene regulation and epigenetic factors than control males and women with restless legs syndrome had greater involvement in systemic inflammatory and vascular processes than control females. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a cerebrospinal fluid proteomic signature in RLS, implicating immune and inflammatory pathways in the disease's pathophysiology. Significant sex differences in protein level suggest potential sex-specific mechanisms in RLS, warranting further investigation. These findings contribute to the current understanding of RLS and could inform future therapeutic strategies.

Humans↗