VEGFA and TGF‐β are known major angiogenic and fibrogenic factors. Galectin‐1, encoded by lectin, galactoside‐binding, soluble (LGALS)1, has attracted growing attention for its facilitatory role in angiogenesis and fibrosis through its modification of VEGFA and TGF‐β receptor signaling pathways. We reveal galectin‐1 involvement in the mouse model of laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and subretinal fibrosis, both of which represent the pathogenesis of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Neither deletion nor overexpression of Lgals1 affected physiologic retinal development or visual function. Galectin‐1/Lgals1 was upregulated by CNV induction, whereas deletion of Lgals1 suppressed CNV together with downstream molecules of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)2. Loss of Lgals1 also attenuated subretinal fibrosis, expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including Snai1, and phosphorylation of SMAD family member 2. Supporting these in vivo findings, silencing of LGALS1 in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced EMT‐related molecules and cell motilities. Conversely, overexpression of Lgals1 enhanced CNV and subretinal fibrosis. Specimens from patients with AMD demonstrated colocalization of galectin‐1 with VEGFR2 in neovascular endothelial cells and with phosphorylated SMAD2 in RPE cells. These results suggested a biologic significance of galectin‐1 as a key promotor for both angiogenesis and fibrosis in eyes with AMD.—Wu, D., Kanda, A., Liu, Y., Kase, S., Noda, K., Ishida, S. Galectin‐1 promotes choroidal neovascularization and subretinal fibrosis mediated via epithelialmesenchymal transition. FASEB J. 33, 2498–2513 (2019). http://www.fasebj.org

Transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) mainly regulates cellular antioxidant response, redox homeostasis and metabolic balance. Our previous study illustrated the translational significance of NRF2-mediated transcriptional repression, and the transcription of FOCAD gene might be negatively regulated by NRF2. However, the detailed mechanism and the related significance remain unclear. In this study, we mainly explored the effect of NRF2-FOCAD signaling pathway on ferroptosis regulation in human non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) model. Our results confirmed the negative regulation relationship between NRF2 and FOCAD, which was dependent on NRF2-Replication Protein A1 (RPA1)-Antioxidant Response Elements (ARE) complex. In addition, FOCAD promoted the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which further enhanced the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cysteine deprivation-induced ferroptosis via promoting the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the activity of Complex I in mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). However, FOCAD didn't affect GPX4 inhibition-induced ferroptosis. Moreover, the treatment with the combination of NRF2 inhibitor (brusatol) and erastin showed better therapeutic action against NSCLC in vitro and in vivo than single treatment, and the improved therapeutic function partially depended on the activation of FOCAD-FAK signal. Taken together, our study indicates the close association of NRF2-FOCAD-FAK signaling pathway with cysteine deprivation-induced ferroptosis, and elucidates a novel insight into the ferroptosis-based therapeutic approach for the patients with NSCLC.

Bleomycins (BLMs) are widely used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of a variety of cancers. The clinical application of BLMs is featured by the occurrence of sometimes fatal side effects, such as renal and lung toxicity, and the potential dose-limiting side effect of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a sensitive method to quantitatively determine the BLM content in both pharmaceutical analysis and clinical samples, to make full use of therapeutic efficacy and to weaken its toxicity. Here, we proposed a simple, rapid, and convenient electrochemical assay for trace BLM detection. A reported DNA motif, as substrate for BLMs, is prepared to self-assemble onto the gold electrode to fabricate an electrochemical DNA (E-DNA) sensor, with a terminus tethered on the electrode surface and the other terminus labeled with ferrocenyl moiety as a signal reporter to form a stem-loop structure, giving an arise of remarkable faradaic current. In the presence of Fe(II)·BLM, the E-DNA sensor undergoes the irreversible cleavage event, which can be transduced into a significant decrease in current peak. This proposed sensor reveals an impressive sensitivity as low as 100 pM BLMs and exhibits a good performance as well as in serum sample. Considering the high sensitivity and specificity of this proposed sensor, as well as the cost-effective and simple-to-implement features of the electrochemical technique, we believe that this method shows distinct advantages over conventional methods and it is a promising alternative for the determination of trace amounts of BLMs in clinical samples.

Background/Aims: Dexmedetomidine (Dex), a specific agonist of α2-adrenoceptor, has been reported to have extensive pharmacological effects. In this study, we focused on the protective effect of Dex on hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury and further explored its possible molecular mechanisms. Methods: The model of hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury was established by continuous inhalation of oxygen (FiO2= 0.90) for 7 d in neonatal rats in vivo. The in vitro experiments were carried out in LPS/ATP or hyperoxia-treated RAW264.7 cells. ELISA, western blot, TUNEL staining, and immunohistochemistry staining assays were performed and the commercial kits were used to assess the beneficial effect of Dex on hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury. Results: According to our results, Dex treatment attenuated hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury via decreasing the lung wet/dry(W/D) weight ratio and mitigating pathomorphologic changes. Moreover, the oxidative stress injury, inflammatory reaction, and apoptosis in lung epithelial cells were inhibited by Dex treatment. In addition, the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was restrained by Dex both in lung tissue in vivo and RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that Dex may ameliorate hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury, which suggests a potential clinical application of Dex in long-term supplemental oxygen therapy.

Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a member of the KLF family of transcription factors, has been considered as a crucial tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using affinity purifications and mass spectrometry, we identified FBXO22, Cullin1 and SKP1 as interacting proteins of KLF4. We demonstrate that F-box only protein 22 (FBXO22) interacts with and thereby destabilizes KLF4 via polyubiquitination. As a result, FBXO22 could promote HCC cells proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. However, KLF4 deficiency largely blocked the proliferative roles of FBXO22. Importantly, FBXO22 expression was markedly increased in human HCC tissues, which was correlated with down-regulation of KLF4. Therefore, our results suggest that FBXO22 might be a major regulator of HCC development through direct degradation of KLF4.

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Complex molecular interactions dictate the developmental steps that lead to a mature and functional cornea and lens. Peters anomaly is one subtype of anterior segment dysgenesis especially due to abnormal development of the cornea and lens. MSX2 was recently implicated as a potential gene that is critical for anterior segment development. However, the role of MSX2 within the complex mechanisms of eye development remains elusive. Our present study observed the morphologic changes in conventional Msx2 knockout (KO) mice and found phenotypes consistent with Peters anomaly and microphthalmia seen in humans. The role of Msx2 in cornea and lens development was further investigated using IHC, in situ hybridization, and quantification of proliferative and apoptotic lens cells. Loss of Msx2 down-regulated FoxE3 expression and up-regulated Prox1 and crystallin expression in the lens. The FoxE3 and Prox1 malfunction and precocious Prox1 and crystallin expression contribute to a disturbed lens cell cycle in lens vesicles and eventually to cornea-lentoid adhesions and microphthalmia in Msx2 KO mice. The observed changes in the expression of FoxE3 suggest that Msx2 is an important contributor in controlling transcription of target genes critical for early eye development. These results provide the first direct genetic evidence of the involvement of MSX2 in Peters anomaly and the distinct function of MSX2 in regulating the growth and development of lens vesicles.