Vascular remodeling refers to the alternations of function and structure in vasculature. A complex autocrine/paracrine set of cellular interaction is involved in vascular remodeling. Exosome, a newly identified natural nanocarrier and intercellular messenger, plays a pivotal role in regulating cell-to-cell communication. Exosome emerges as an important mediator in the process of vascular remodeling, showing the most prognostic and therapeutic potent in vascular diseases. Benefiting from exosomal trafficking, the vasculature can not only maintain its function and structure in physiological condition, but also adapt itself in pathological status. In this review, we will represent the roles of exosomes in angiogenesis, endothelial function and cardiac regeneration. In addition, greatly depending on the pathophysiological status of donor cells and peripheral micro-circumstance, the exosomal content could alter, which makes exosomes exhibit pleiotropic effects in vascular diseases. Hence, the diverse effects of exosomes in vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, neointima formation and vascular repair, primary hypertension, pulmonary artery hypertension, and aortic aneurysm will be discussed. Finally, the translational appliances targeting exosomes will be concluded by providing updated applications of engineered exosomes in clinic.
Background: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising modality for cancer treatment which requires the synergistic effect of ultrasound and tumor-localized sonosensitizers. Sonodynamic efficacy can be improved through a better understanding of the accumulation and subcellular location of sonosensitizers. Here, a comparison of the accumulation, sublocation, and sonodynamic effect of hematoporphyrin (Hp) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) was studied in L1210 cells. Methods: The kinetics of intracellular Hp and PpIX accumulation were detected using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The subcellular distributions of Hp and PpIX were monitored by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The cytotoxic effects of Hp-mediated SDT (Hp-SDT) and PpIX-mediated SDT (PpIX-SDT) were evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The accumulation of Hp and PpIX presented different kinetic changes depending on the time, and was also concentration- and temperature-dependent. The intracellular PpIX content was much higher than that of Hp under the same conditions; however, there were no obvious differences in terms of their subcellular locations, and both of them mainly accumulated on the mitochondria and the plasma membrane in L1210 cells. PpIX exhibited more potential cytotoxicity than did Hp when they were irradiated with ultrasound under the same experimental conditions. Conclusion: Our results indicate that there were significant differences regarding the intracellular accumulation features between Hp and PpIX. PpIX-SDT produced a more serious cytotoxic effect than did Hp-SDT, which may be due to the higher PpIX uptake in L1210 cells compared to that of Hp at the same concentrations. Additionally, the absorption of Hp and PpIX in L1210 cells might be energy dependent.
Backgroud: To examine the effects of short-wavelength blue light (SWBL) on cultured human lens epithelial cells (hLECs). The nosogenesis of cataracts after SWBL exposure was discussed. Methods: HLE-B3 hLECs were divided into 3 groups randomly: A: normal control group, which consisted of hLECs cultured in the dark; B: the caspase-1 inhibitor group; and C: the SWBL exposure group. After the SWBL (2500 lux) irradiation (for 8, 16, 24, and 32 h), the caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression levels in HLE-B3 hLECs were examined using ELISA, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting analyses. Double-positive staining of HLE-B3 hLECs for activated and inhibited caspase-1 was used to confirm pyroptosis in hLECs by flow cytometry. Results: SWBL can cause cell death in HLE-B3 hLECs, but a caspase-1 inhibitor suppressed cell death. The flow cytometry results also confirmed the does-dependent of short-wavelength blue light irradiation on pyroptotic death of hLECs. Caspase-1 and GSDMD expression levels of all hLECs groups changed with short-wavelength blue light exposure times (8, 16, 24, and 32 h) and were higher in groups B and C than group A. The immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the expression of GSDMD-N was higher in the cell membrane in both the B and C groups than in the A group.Conclusion: The data indicate that SWBL induces pyroptotic programmed cell death by activation of the GSDMD signalling axis in HLE-B3 hLECs. These results provide new insights into the exploitation of new candidates for the prevention of cataracts.
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