Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory process, in which the functional status of macrophages significantly influences its initiation, progression, and eventual outcomes. Tartrate-Resi Show more
Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory process, in which the functional status of macrophages significantly influences its initiation, progression, and eventual outcomes. Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase 5 (ACP5) has been shown to be highly expressed in various cancers and serves as a serum biomarker for extensive bone metastasis and poor prognosis. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in atherosclerosis remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that high-fat diet-fed Apoe Show less
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the primary, most abundant apolipoprotein of the CNS and plays an important role in brain metabolism and lipid homeostasis. In the CNS, ApoE is primarily secreted by astrocy Show more
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the primary, most abundant apolipoprotein of the CNS and plays an important role in brain metabolism and lipid homeostasis. In the CNS, ApoE is primarily secreted by astrocytes under homeostatic conditions and by microglia in certain disease-related conditions. APOE has three major alleles: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. APOE4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), and APOE2 results in decreased risk relative to APOE3. ApoE derived from astrocytes and microglia have been hypothesized to play different roles in the disease pathogenesis of AD. In this study, we profiled the lipidome and proteome of ApoE lipoproteins secreted by astrocytes or microglia and found that they differed according to the cellular source of ApoE and the ApoE isoform. Lipidomics revealed that microglia-derived ApoE lipoproteins were enriched in cholesteryl esters, whereas astrocyte ApoE lipoproteins were enriched in SM. Proteomics revealed that astrocyte ApoE lipoproteins were enriched in proteins involved in glucose metabolism and acute phase response. Microglia-secreted lipoproteins were enriched in proteins involved in complement activation, synapse pruning, proteolysis, and the innate immune response. Further comparison of ApoE lipoproteins from APOE4 microglia revealed that ApoE4 lipoproteins were enriched in complement component 1q and Lpl compared with ApoE2 and ApoE3 microglial lipoproteins, which were enriched in Ankk1 (ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1) and apolipoprotein C1. These results provide the molecular foundation for better understanding of how ApoE functions as an apolipoprotein with the lipoprotein cargo being dependent on the cellular source and ApoE isoform, ultimately contributing to CNS homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Show less
Carotid atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Maintaining plaque stability can prevent plaque rupture and thrombus formation, slow disease progr Show more
Carotid atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Maintaining plaque stability can prevent plaque rupture and thrombus formation, slow disease progression, and is critically important for preventing cerebrovascular events (such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and similar events). Mechanisms influencing plaque stability are still unclear. In this study, stable plaques (n = 5) and unstable plaques (n = 5) were collected from patients and analyzed using RNA-sequencing. 594 differently expressed genes were found by RNA-seq. Pathways enriched by KEGG analysis of differentially expressed genes included inflammation related pathway, cell adhesion related pathway and TGFβ signaling pathway. Especially, we found AMIGO1 was significantly upregulated in stable plaques. Functional assays including cell adhesion, and inflammation-related factor detection revealed that AMIGO1 significantly promotes endothelial cell adhesion while downregulating inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) production, thereby mitigating inflammatory responses. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments further found that AMIGO1 interacts with transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFRII), stabilizing TGFRII protein levels and subsequently activating the TGFβ signaling pathway. AMIGO1 overexpression with AAV9 virus tail vein injection markedly stabilized plaques in ApoE Show less
Yiming Li, Wenxin Zou, Yan Zhang+5 more · 2026 · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic disease characterized by lipid deposition in the vascular intima. As the pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, AS represents a major contributor to global mo Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic disease characterized by lipid deposition in the vascular intima. As the pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, AS represents a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While Gualou Huoxue Jiedu Decoction (GHJD) has been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of AS, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects and underlying mechanisms of GHJD. Apoe GHJD alleviated plaque formation, improved lipid metabolism, and suppressed inflammation in vivo. Multi-omics analysis revealed that DNA methylation of Mfap4 could be a pivotal target of GHJD efficacy. In vitro assays confirmed that GHJD suppressed Mfap4 transcription and translation, leading to downregulation of integrin receptor family expression and inhibition of VSMC phenotypic switching. GHJD exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects through epigenetic modulation of Mfap4 and downstream integrin/FAK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting VSMC phenotypic switching. These findings provide pharmacological evidence supporting GHJD as a potential therapy for AS and, for the first time, validate MFAP4 as a pharmacological target, offering new insights into AS prevention and treatment. Show less
Atherosclerosis is attributable to a series of diabetes-related complications. CAV1 (caveolin 1)-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle transcytosis across endothelial cells (ECs) is the init Show more
Atherosclerosis is attributable to a series of diabetes-related complications. CAV1 (caveolin 1)-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle transcytosis across endothelial cells (ECs) is the initial step of atherosclerosis. MAP1LC3/LC3-interacting regions in the intramembrane domain (IMD) of CAV1 were buried in the caveolae and were not accessible for LC3B interaction, protecting CAV1 from autophagic degradation. However, the CSD domain of CAV1, exposed in the cytosol, directly interacted with a CBM domain of LC3B and inhibited autophagy. Therefore, the peptide IMD-CBM was constructed to induce the selective autophagic degradation of CAV1 and suppress LDL transcytosis in diabetic atherosclerosis. EC-specific expression of IMD-CBM was achieved using adenovirus. IMD-CBM directly interacted with CAV1 and LC3B in ECs, leading to the selective autophagic degradation of CAV1, activation of autophagy, and subsequent inhibition of LDL transcytosis. IMD-CBM promoted the autophagic degradation of CAV1 and consequently reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques in Show less
Atherosclerotic plaques are the leading cause of cardiovascular events. Single-cell approaches have identified diverse human plaque cell phenotypes but their spatial distribution and interactions rema Show more
Atherosclerotic plaques are the leading cause of cardiovascular events. Single-cell approaches have identified diverse human plaque cell phenotypes but their spatial distribution and interactions remain unclear. Here, intercellular communication patterns in human plaque microenvironments were mapped to reveal novel targets to prevent atherosclerotic events. Spatial transcriptomics (Visium, 10x) from 13 carotid plaques, and single-cell transcriptomics (cells = 51 981) were used to analyse cell phenotypes, cell trajectories, and intercellular communications. Cells contributing to plaque stability were explored using deconvolution of plaque bulk RNA-seq data (n = 78), histology, and survival analyses. Key cells and pathways were validated in apolipoprotein E (Apoe)-/- mice and in vitro. Genome-wide association study enrichment analyses were conducted using summary statistics of atherosclerotic diseases. LINCS L1000 data were used to explore drug repurposing. A fibroblast-like vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype associated with extracellular matrix formation pathways (validated in Apoe-/- mice) emerged as a key regulator of intra-plaque ligand-receptor signalling, in particular in the cap region. A higher proportion of fibroblast-like VSMCs was found in asymptomatics, associated with stable plaque features and predicted a lower risk of future events. Genes specific to this VSMC phenotype were enriched in coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Finally, compounds, which could induce key marker genes were identified and validated in vitro. This study provides the first comprehensive spatial transcriptomics map of cell communication in human plaque microenvironments. A pivotal role of a fibroblast-like VSMC, orchestrating intraplaque cell signalling and contributing to plaque stability, was identified. Targeting these cells might present promising novel avenues for therapies. Show less
Atherosclerotic vascular diseases remain the leading cause of death despite the use of lipid-lowering drugs. The development of more efficacious therapies targeting endothelial inflammation and endoth Show more
Atherosclerotic vascular diseases remain the leading cause of death despite the use of lipid-lowering drugs. The development of more efficacious therapies targeting endothelial inflammation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an essential endeavor, aiming for better treatment outcomes. The increased mutation frequency of the The results of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, immunostaining, RNA sequencing, and Western blot in mouse and human arteries with atherosclerotic plaques identified TBK1 as one of the key mediators of EndMT and atherogenesis. Its role was then investigated in endothelium-specific TBK1 knockdown An increased expression of TBK1 was observed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis in the aortas of The interaction between activated TBK1 and PAK1IP1 inhibits the binding of PAK1IP1 to PAK1, which, in turn, increases the phosphorylation of PAK1 and ERK1/2 in endothelial cells. This process drives EndMT. Endothelium-specific TBK1 knockdown or GSK8612 treatment inhibits EndMT and plaque formation. Safe TBK1 inhibitors could be developed into effective agents for the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Show less
This review overviewed the recent paradigm shifts in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), emphasizing the 2024 Alzheimer's Association (AA) revised criteria, advances in cerebrosp Show more
This review overviewed the recent paradigm shifts in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), emphasizing the 2024 Alzheimer's Association (AA) revised criteria, advances in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based biomarkers (BBMs), and practical considerations for anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody therapy. We conducted a narrative appraisal of consensus frameworks (2018 National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association [NIA-AA] amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration [AT(N)] and the 2024 AA criteria), clinical practice guidance from AA released in 2025, regulatory status of CSF and BBMs. Intended-use settings (triage vs. confirmatory) of BBMs and implementation of anti-amyloid anti-body treatments (lecanemab or donanemab) in real-world practice in Korea were also reviewed. The 2024 AA criteria define AD biologically and designate A and T as core biomarkers; Core 1 biomarkers can establish AD irrespective of symptoms, whereas Core 2 biomarkers refine staging. A two-cutoff BBM strategy (positive/intermediate/negative) reduces misclassification and guides confirmatory CSF/positron emission tomography (PET) or retesting. BBMs now approach CSF/PET accuracy for amyloid detection, enable triage and, in selected settings, confirmation, and show utility for monitoring treatment response. Integration of clinical stages (1-6) with biological stages (A-D) clarifies syndrome-pathology discordance. Special scenarios-maintenance after induction, APOE ε4 homozygotes, Down syndrome, and serious mental illness-require individualized risk-benefit assessment. In South Korea, constrained access to tau PET and some BBMs necessitates Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision-anchored evaluation with selective biomarker testing. Biomarker-oriented diagnosis and anti-amyloid therapies are reshaping AD care. Priorities include rigorous validation of BBMs across populations, equitable access to core biomarkers, safety strategies, and real-world evidence to implement maintenance and special-population care pathways. Show less
Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a natural compound found in a variety of Chinese herbal medicines and plant foods, has been documented to inhibit atherosclerosis partially by reducing inflammation burden i Show more
Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a natural compound found in a variety of Chinese herbal medicines and plant foods, has been documented to inhibit atherosclerosis partially by reducing inflammation burden in arterial endothelial cells. Interestingly, in vitro studies showed that PCA at physiologically reachable concentrations does not affect inflammation burden in TNF-α-stimulated aortic endothelial cells, whereas it increases the content of exosomal miR-10b secreted by macrophages that have engulfed apoptotic cells (efferocytic macrophages). This study was aimed at investigating whether the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of PCA in arterial endothelial cells was due to the uptake of efferocytic macrophage exosomal miR-10b. A transwell co-culture system of aortic endothelial cells with efferocytic macrophages was used to evaluate the effect of PCA on NF-κB-mediated inflammation in aortic endothelial cells. An inhibitor of exosome secretion, GW4869, was applied to confirm the role of exosomes played in the anti-inflammatory effect of PCA. The aortic endothelial cells were administrated with exosomes isolated from PCA-treated efferocytic macrophages or miR-10b mimic or antagomir to ascertain the role of miR-10b in downregulating inflammation effect of PCA. Bioinformatics analyses, loss-of- and gain-of-function assays and luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to identify targeting relationship between miR-10b and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7)/β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP). Besides, Apoe PCA at physiologically reachable concentrations inhibited NF-κB-mediated inflammation in TNF-α-stimulated aortic endothelial cells co-cultured with efferocytic macrophages, in which treatment of GW4869 reversed this effect. Exosomes isolated from PCA-treated efferocytic macrophages inhibited inflammation and increased miR-10b levels in aortic endothelial cells. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-10b post-transcriptionally repressed MAP3K7 and β-TrCP, both of which promote NF-κB activation. Knockdown of Map3k7 and Btrc with siRNA in aortic endothelial cells abolished the inhibitory effects of exosomes isolated from PCA-treated efferocytic macrophages on NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Consistently, oral administration of PCA increased miR-10b level and inhibited Map3k7 and Btrc mRNA expression as well as inflammation in aortic endothelial cells in Apoe Our current findings suggest that PCA could transfer exosomal miR-10b from efferocytic macrophages to endothelial cells and thus inhibit NF-κB-mediated inflammation in arterial endothelial cells through repressing MAP3K7 and β-TrCP, two new targets of miR-10b. Show less
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) remain a major global cause of morbidity, yet the causal role of circulating plasma proteins in RTI susceptibility is unclear. We aimed to systematically identify p Show more
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) remain a major global cause of morbidity, yet the causal role of circulating plasma proteins in RTI susceptibility is unclear. We aimed to systematically identify plasma proteins that causally influence the risk of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTIs, LRTIs) using a proteome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) framework. We performed two-sample MR analyses using genetic instruments for 2923 plasma proteins from 54,219 UK Biobank participants and outcome data from the FinnGen consortium (97,696 URTI and 28,542 LRTI cases). Colocalization analyses were conducted to confirm shared genetic architecture. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses were used to elucidate potential biological pathways. We identified 11 plasma proteins with significant causal associations with RTI risk. Four proteins (FKBP1B, GFRA1, UBE2L6, and CSF3) showed consistent effects for both URTI and LRTI, with moderate-to-strong colocalization evidence for UBE2L6 and GFRA1. The remaining seven proteins demonstrated infection-specific associations: YAP1 and MST1 (URTIs), and APOE, IL1RL1, and FKBPL (LRTIs). PPI and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses highlighted tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as a central hub, with cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and leukocyte-mediated immunity as dominant pathways. This proteome-wide MR and colocalization study identifies novel plasma proteins and immune pathways implicated in RTI susceptibility, providing insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for infection prevention and management. Further validation in diverse populations and tissue-specific proteomic studies is warranted. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaques that form complex microenvironments in the brain. However, the molecular composition of these plaques and their temporal regulation are not Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaques that form complex microenvironments in the brain. However, the molecular composition of these plaques and their temporal regulation are not well defined. Here, we developed a sensitive workflow for quantitative proteomic profiling of single plaques using refined laser capture microdissection and data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (LCM-DIA-MS). From >200 plaques and control regions in AD mouse models (5xFAD and APP-KI) and human brains, we quantified >7,000 proteins, revealing stage-dependent, cell-type-related remodeling of the amyloid proteome (amyloidome). Temporal profiling uncovered early immune and lysosomal activation followed by engagement of RNA processing and synaptic pathways. Cross-model and cross-species analyses determined a conserved amyloidome including APOE, MDK, PTN, and HTRA1, validated by co-localization in imaging analysis. Network analysis highlighted modules in lipid transport, vesicle organization, and autophagy. These findings establish amyloid plaques as conserved, dynamic multicellular hubs that link amyloid accumulation to downstream cellular events. Show less
We tested whether inflammation indexed by soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1) is related to cognitive decline. We examined serum sTNFR1 with cognition in the Health and Retirement Study Show more
We tested whether inflammation indexed by soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1) is related to cognitive decline. We examined serum sTNFR1 with cognition in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sTNFR1 with tau pathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based atrophy in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Finally, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess associations between genetically proxied sTNFR1 and regional brain volumes. Data were from HRS (2016-2020; N = 6028) and ADNI (N = 287). In HRS, serum sTNFR1 was log-transformed (quartiles); in ADNI, CSF sTNFR1 was analyzed. Global cognition included word recall, serial 7 s, and counting backwards. In ADNI, cognition was measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB); CSF total tau/phosphorylated tau and longitudinal MRI regional volumes were analyzed. Associations were estimated with linear and linear mixed-effects models adjusted for demographic, clinical, and genetic covariates including apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4). Incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia was modeled with cause-specific Cox and Fine-Gray models. Incremental prediction used optimism-corrected change in area under the curve (AUC; ΔAUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI)/integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration, and decision curve analysis. MR used genome-wide association study (GWAS) statistics to test effects of genetically proxied sTNFR1 on MRI-derived regional volumes. In HRS (follow-up 4 years), higher serum sTNFR1 was associated with lower baseline cognition and faster decline in global cognition (β = - 0.16/year). Higher sTNFR1 predicted MCI/dementia (Cox HR ≈ 1.17; Fine-Gray sHR ≈ 1.14); among cognitively normal individuals, risk was elevated (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03-1.63). Adding sTNFR1 to 2- and 4-year prediction models conferred small discrimination gains after internal validation (ΔAUC ≤ 0.003) and minimal or inconsistent net clinical benefit. In ADNI, higher CSF sTNFR1 was associated with greater CSF total tau and phosphorylated tau, and predicted accelerated caudate atrophy. Exploratory MR suggested a nominal association with reduced right inferior temporal volume, limited by instruments. sTNFR1 is associated with cognitive decline and tau-related selective neurodegeneration, but provides limited incremental predictive value beyond established risk factors; external validation and replication are warranted. Show less
Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Despite overlapping remodeling features, their disti Show more
Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Despite overlapping remodeling features, their distinct mechanisms and therapeutic responses remain unclear. This study integrated genetic, imaging, and proteomic data to identify key mediators underlying β1-adrenergic receptor blockers (β1-blockers)-related therapeutic heterogeneity between HHD and HCM. Genetic instruments for β1-blockers were derived from two genome-wide association studies and integrated with cardiac magnetic resonance radiomic traits and plasma proteomic data from the UK Biobank, along with disease outcomes from FinnGen. A refined two-stage network Mendelian randomization framework with pleiotropy-robust estimators identified mediators of treatment response. To further elucidate their biological and clinical significance, additional analyses were performed, including drug-target profiling, molecular docking, adverse events (AEs) assessment, and drug prediction. We identified three types of imaging features and ten mediator proteins that contributed to therapeutic responses in HHD and HCM. These mediators were categorized as either mediating (aligned with therapeutic outcomes) or suppressing (opposing therapeutic outcomes). Left ventricular regional radial strain acted as a suppressing factor in HHD but a mediating factor in HCM, whereas end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes consistently showed suppressing effects in both. Regional myocardial wall thickness also exerted a suppressing role in HCM. Among protein mediators, APOE, CGREF1, ITGA5, LSP1, NOS3, and NPPB were linked to HHD, whereas DUSP13, ITGA11, NID1, and SERPINA4 were related to HCM. Specifically, APOE, ITGA5, NOS3, NPPB, DUSP13, and ITGA11 acted as mediating factors, while CGREF1, LSP1, NID1, and SERPINA4 served as suppressing ones. These findings remained robust after pleiotropy adjustment and other genetic analyses. Molecular docking revealed interactions between ADRB1, the β1-blockers target, and downstream proteins, while drug prediction identified eight potential compounds linked to these mediators. Additionally, AE analyses indicated that some targets, such as DUSP13, could both mitigate and aggravate common AEs while contributing to cardiac therapy. This integrative multi-omics analysis revealed distinct imaging and proteomic mechanisms of genetically proxied β1-blockers in HHD and HCM, providing genetic evidence for differential therapeutic responses and highlighting molecular targets for precision cardiovascular therapy. Show less
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have prolonged cancer survival but exacerbated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This research aims to interrogate the underlying mechanism of ICIs-re Show more
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have prolonged cancer survival but exacerbated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This research aims to interrogate the underlying mechanism of ICIs-related atherosclerotic progression and the potential protective effect of Red Yeast Rice (RYR) on it. A tumor-bearing atherosclerotic (TB-AS) mouse model was established by subcutaneously injecting MC38 cells in male ApoE Show less
Structural MRI analysis for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is limited by balancing group-level comparability in standard space with anatomical fidelity in native space. We therefore propose a multi-space, h Show more
Structural MRI analysis for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is limited by balancing group-level comparability in standard space with anatomical fidelity in native space. We therefore propose a multi-space, hybrid-feature framework, integrating radiomics and network metrics from both spaces to classify AD and predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression. An integrated dual-space analytical framework was applied to T1-weighted MRI data. Models were developed on 1,477 participants from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and externally tested on an independent cohort of 1,349 participants from National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). The framework extracts parallel radiomic and graph-based network features from both Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) standard space and native space. These features were used to build machine learning models for three-class diagnosis (NC vs. MCI vs. AD) and 6-year prognostic prediction of MCI-to-AD conversion. For each task, the models using standard-space, native-space, and combined-space features were systematically compared. Model interpretation was performed using Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), and the features were validated against established AD biomarkers. The combined-space model demonstrated superior performance in both diagnostic classification (Macro-Averaged AUC: 0.96 in ADNI cohort, 0.94 in NACC cohort) and prognostic prediction of MCI-to-AD conversion (C-index: 0.83; HRs: 7.60, 95%CIs: 4.57-12.64). The extracted features in the ADNI cohort demonstrated significant correlations with APOE ε4 genotype, cognitive scores, and CSF biomarkers. Integrating multi-scale features from both standard and native spaces enhances AD diagnosis and prognosis accuracy more effectively than conventional single-space analysis. Show less
Chaonan Fan, Zhihong Song, Kechun Li+10 more · 2026 · Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) in children is a critical condition characterized by rapid progression, high mortality rates and potentially cytokine storm imvolvement. Early-stage ANE lacks di Show more
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) in children is a critical condition characterized by rapid progression, high mortality rates and potentially cytokine storm imvolvement. Early-stage ANE lacks distinctive clinical features, and its initial symptoms resemble those of febrile seizures (FS) despite differing outcomes. In this study, we utilized FS as a control to identify plasma biomarkers associated with the cytokine storm in ANE through plasma proteomic analysis. We identified 398 differentially expressed proteins in ANE patients, including 345 upregulated and 53 downregulated proteins, which were enriched in biological pathways such as antigen processing and presentation, cell chemotaxis, immune responses, metabolism, and cell matrix adhesion. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we further identified protein modules and hub proteins related to the cytokine storm and ultimately selected eight key proteins (APOE, GAPDH, TPI1, SPP1, ENO1, COL1A1, LUM, and A2M) as immunopathogenic biomarkers. These findings were validated in an independent cohort using targeted quantitative proteomics, with ROC analysis demonstrating their diagnostic potential. This study provides a foundation for early ANE diagnosis and highlights promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Show less
Growing evidence supports that epigenetic dysregulation through histone deacetylases (HDACs) plays a critical role in synaptic dysfunction and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and that HDACs h Show more
Growing evidence supports that epigenetic dysregulation through histone deacetylases (HDACs) plays a critical role in synaptic dysfunction and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and that HDACs have been highlighted as an attractive class of targets for AD therapy. Moreover, restoring Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is greatly suppressed in AD brains, is a promising therapeutic strategy. CI-994 is an orally active class I HDAC inhibitor that has undergone several phase II/III clinical trials on cancer treatment. Importantly, CI-994 can cross the blood–brain barrier and is a cognitive enhancer. Wnt activity was initially examined by Wnt reporter activity assay in Wnt3A-expression HEK293 cells, and profiling HDAC inhibition was performed against 10 individual HDACs. Activities of CI-994 on class I HDACs and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were further tested in HEK293 cells, LRP6-expressing HT1080 cells and neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. The therapeutic effects of CI-994 were examined in patient-specific iPSC-derived neurons and cerebral organoids carrying We herein report that CI-994 is not only a potent class I HDAC inhibitor but also an activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mechanistically, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by CI-994 is associated with stabilizing Wnt co-receptor LRP6 protein and modulating HDAC activity. Importantly, CI-994 significantly increases histone acetylation, activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and decreases tau phosphorylation in patient-specific iPSC-derived cerebral organoids carrying Our findings suggest that CI-994 can be repurposed as a novel therapeutic agent for AD therapy. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-026-01982-0. Show less
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with extrapulmonary comorbidities, most notably cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the mechanisms linking COPD to CVD, particularl Show more
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with extrapulmonary comorbidities, most notably cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the mechanisms linking COPD to CVD, particularly atherosclerotic CVD, remain poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as key mediators of inter-organ communication, may participate in this pathological connection. This study aims to determine whether EVs derived from airway epithelial cells (AECs) of individuals with COPD contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. EVs were isolated from primary airway epithelial cells of COPD patients and matched controls. Their effects on endothelial cell function were assessed in vitro by evaluating inflammation, apoptosis, and monocyte adhesion. ApoE-/- mice were intravenously injected with these EVs to examine their impact on atherosclerotic lesion development. Differentially expressed microRNAs were identified, and the regulatory relationship between miR-141-3p and PDCD4 was validated through molecular assays. Additionally, miR-141-3p supplementation was performed to determine its therapeutic potential in mitigating endothelial injury and atherosclerosis. COPD AECs-derived EVs markedly increased endothelial inflammation, apoptosis, and monocyte adhesion compared with control EVs. In ApoE-/- mice, COPD-derived EVs accelerated the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Mechanistic analyses revealed that miR-141-3p was significantly downregulated in COPD EVs and directly targeted the 3' untranslated region of PDCD4 to regulate its transcription, leading to dysregulation of PDCD4/NF-κB signaling in endothelial cells. Restoration of miR-141-3p levels in COPD-derived EVs alleviated endothelial injury and reduced atherosclerotic lesion progression both in vitro and in vivo. This study identifies a previously unrecognized mechanism by which COPD AECs-derived EVs may promote atherosclerotic CVD via miR-141-3p-mediated regulation of PDCD4 and subsequent activation of NF-κB signaling. These findings highlight miR-141-3p as a promising therapeutic target to reduce vascular complications in COPD. Show less
Understanding the genetic foundations of dementia is critical to unraveling its complex molecular basis. Given that a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia often results from interpl Show more
Understanding the genetic foundations of dementia is critical to unraveling its complex molecular basis. Given that a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia often results from interplay between multiple underlying neuropathologic co-morbidities, previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of clinically diagnosed AD are restricted in their ability to translate genetic associations to potential targeted therapeutics. The current study seeks to address these limitations by presenting the largest GWAS to date (n=12,509) of neuropathologic hallmarks of AD and AD related dementias (ADRDs). We further performed a candidate-variant analysis using loci previously identified in GWAS of clinically diagnosed AD dementia and Parkinson's disease (PD). Finally, we conducted heritability and genetic correlation analyses using linkage disequilibrium (LD) score regression. We found broad genome-wide significant associations with Clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is commonly associated with its hallmark pathologic changes plus neuropathologic features of prevalent co-morbid diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, Lewy body disease, and more recently discovered abnormalities in protein called TDP-43 (collectively, AD related dementias; ADRD). As a result, previous studies that associated clinical diagnosis of AD with specific genes may not tell us the whole story. For this study, we gathered autopsy and genetic data to identify relationships between genes and dementia-associated brain changes. We found some relationships between these diseases and genes that had been previously identified as contributing to clinical dementia, as well as some new relationships that had been previously unknown. We also found that some genes that had previously been identified in relation to AD were associated with different dementia-associated brain lesions. Finally, we found that the various brain lesions differ in the proportion that can be attributed to genetic vs. environmental differences. These results support that the pathway to a diagnosis of dementia can be caused by multiple factors and are an important step in beginning to identify individually based dementia treatments. Show less
The gradual decline of endothelial function and the intensification of inflammatory responses form the basis for the occurrence and development of age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis (AS). Mi Show more
The gradual decline of endothelial function and the intensification of inflammatory responses form the basis for the occurrence and development of age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis (AS). Mitochondrial dysfunction-manifested by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, and impaired mitophagic flux-and sterile inflammation are hallmarks of aged vasculature. We investigated whether bolstering mitochondrial quality control via the novel cell-penetrating antioxidant PEP-1-Catalase (CAT) could mitigate these key features of vascular aging. To model age-associated vascular pathology, ApoE⁻/⁻ mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with PEP-1-CAT. Endothelial cell function, plaque burden, and inflammation were analyzed. In vitro, human endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to inflammatory stress and treated with PEP-1-CAT, with or without modulators of mitophagy. We assessed mitochondrial ROS, membrane potential, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, and the PINK1-Parkin pathway. PEP-1-CAT treatment significantly ameliorated atherogenesis and improved features of plaque stability in mice. It suppressed vascular oxidative stress, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced mitophagic flux, and inhibited NLRP3-driven inflammation. In endothelial cells, PEP-1-CAT attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction. Crucially, it activated the PINK1-Parkin pathway to promote mitophagy, which was essential for its anti-inflammatory effects, as mitophagy inhibition abrogated the suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our findings demonstrate that targeting mitochondrial health with PEP-1-CAT alleviates hallmarks of atherosclerotic vascular pathology, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, by enhancing mitophagy. This strategy of restoring mitochondrial quality control presents a promising therapeutic approach to delay atherosclerotic vascular pathology. Show less
This study aimed to identify risk factors and develop statistical models to predict cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Associations between demographic, cognition, cardiovascular, and AD-related neuro Show more
This study aimed to identify risk factors and develop statistical models to predict cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Associations between demographic, cognition, cardiovascular, and AD-related neuropathology and CAA were analyzed using data from three longitudinal cohorts of aging and dementia. Logistic regression with LASSO was used for feature selection. Predictive performance was assessed using ROC-AUC and decision curve analysis (DCA). Predictor importance was quantified using Shapley Variable Importance Cloud (ShapleyVIC), which provides a robust estimate of individual feature contribution in prediction. Stratified analyses showed that the strength of association between episodic memory or tau pathology and CAA was greater in males, while the amyloid pathology-CAA association was stronger in females. Among APOE ε4 carriers, the amyloid/tau pathology-CAA associations were pronounced. Episodic memory and amyloid/tau pathology were identified as key factors in our predictive model. DCA demonstrated the model’s clinical utility, and SHAP values confirmed the importance of individual features. We identified sex- and APOE-specific risk factors for CAA and developed models to support CAA risk stratification. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-025-01948-8. Show less
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), caused by the FMR1 premutation allele, is associated with brain degeneration, yet the mechanisms behind this neurodegeneration still need to be elu Show more
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), caused by the FMR1 premutation allele, is associated with brain degeneration, yet the mechanisms behind this neurodegeneration still need to be elucidated. Apoε polymorphism has been widely implicated in brain aging in cognitively healthy individuals and brain deterioration in Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to examine the interaction of Apoε genotypes, FXTAS clinical symptoms, FMR1 molecular measures, and age, towards brain pathophysiology and cognitive functions. This longitudinal study includes MRI data collected from 205 male premutation carriers with and without FXTAS clinical symptoms and compared to 86 healthy male controls aged 40-85 years. The investigation includes FXTAS-related brain volumes, IQ, self-control behaviors, FMR1 molecular measures, and Apoε genotypes. In carriers with FXTAS, the presence of the Apoε2 allele showed a possible association with more favorable neuroimaging markers, such as reduced white matter hyperintensities, and lower incidence of the middle cerebellar peduncle sign, patterns that were not observed in carriers without FXTAS. Specifically, the presence of Apoε2 allele exhibited a potential protective effect on brain degeneration, and cognitive functions among FXTAS patients; on the contrary, the Apoε4 allele was associated with a worsening of brain volume and brain degeneration in carriers with no FXTAS symptoms. The identification of Apoε genotypes in FMR1 premutation carriers before any clinical symptoms of FXTAS are observed may improve symptomatic management leading to better outcomes for these individuals. Show less
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition with limited pharmacological therapies. The pathological progression of AAA is closely attributed to the phenotypic switching of vascula Show more
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition with limited pharmacological therapies. The pathological progression of AAA is closely attributed to the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). NFS1 is the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of iron-sulfur proteins, and the roles of NFS1 in AAA initiation and development have not been explored. Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion-induced AAA animal model with Apoe Show less
Yubo Wang, Stuart A Lipton · 2026 · Journal of neurochemistry · Blackwell Publishing · added 2026-04-24
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease/Lewy body dementia (PD/LBD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) are driven by complex Show more
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease/Lewy body dementia (PD/LBD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) are driven by complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors. While genome wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered a number of risk gene variants (e.g., APOE, SNCA [encoding α-synuclein], and protein disulfide isomerase [PDI]), these genetic factors alone cannot fully explain disease onset or progression. Emerging evidence suggests that post-translational modifications of proteins, particularly S-nitrosylation (SNO), act as a critical link between environmental stress and neurodegenerative pathology. Here, we review data showing that while physiological protein SNO regulates diverse neuronal processes, aberrant SNO, occurring very commonly in the diseased brain, can disrupt protein function in ways that mimic the deleterious effects of rare genetic mutations. We advance the concept of "mutational mimicry," whereby aberrant SNO of key neuronal or glial proteins reproduces the functional consequences of known specific genetic mutations, ultimately converging on common pathways of synaptic dysfunction emanating from mitochondrial and metabolic impairment, proteostasis, neuroinflammation, and so on. Supporting this framework, proteomic analyses show significant overlap between abnormally S-nitrosylated proteins in diseased brains and known genetic risk factors in AD and PD/LBD as well as in ALS. By linking redox biology to human genetics, this review highlights how environmental factors can phenocopy or enhance genetic susceptibilities. Understanding this convergence not only provides novel insight into disease mechanisms but also suggests new therapeutic targets to intervene in these convergent pathways with the goal of halting neurodegenerative processes. Show less
Diabetic atherosclerosis (DA), characterized by disordered glucose and lipid metabolism, represents a significant metabolic vascular complication. Tangzhiqing (TZQ) has traditionally been used to trea Show more
Diabetic atherosclerosis (DA), characterized by disordered glucose and lipid metabolism, represents a significant metabolic vascular complication. Tangzhiqing (TZQ) has traditionally been used to treat diabetes and its complications. However, its material basis and mechanism for DA remain require further investigation. This research aimed to systematically elucidate the pharmacological material basis and underlying mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine TZQ in diabetic atherosclerosis model mice. This study established UPLC-MS/MS and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS methods to detect composition and content of TZQ in vivo and in vitro, with pharmacokinetic analysis determining plasma concentration changes of representative components. DA model was induced by western diet and streptozotocin injection in ApoE 118 compounds were identified from TZQ. It contains categories such as organic acids, quinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Among them, 39 compounds were absorbed into bloodstream. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that 18 compounds were effectively absorbed into plasma with appropriate bioavailability. Pharmacodynamic results demonstrated that TZQ significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and aortic pathology in DA mice. Metabolomics and network pharmacology suggested the anti-DA effects were associated with bile acid metabolism. Targeted analysis confirmed TZQ restored high-fat-diet-induced bile acid metabolic imbalance. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed TZQ modulated gut microbiota dysbiosis, specifically regulating bile acid metabolism-related genera (e.g., Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus). The WB results showed that TZQ enhanced the expression of FXR, SHP and CYP7A1 in liver. Molecular docking proved that the bioactive compounds of TZQ exhibits favorable affinity for both FXR and CYP7A1. The study provided a comprehensive detection of in vitro and in vivo constituents and pharmacokinetic profile of TZQ, establishing a foundation for further exploration of its pharmacologically active components. TZQ alleviated DA by regulating the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. These results created a new perspective for the management of DA. Show less
We recently showed that METRNL (Meteorin-like) protects against atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism for METRNL in atherosclerosis is largely unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the relative i Show more
We recently showed that METRNL (Meteorin-like) protects against atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism for METRNL in atherosclerosis is largely unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the relative importance of endothelial METRNL in atherosclerosis by comparing the effects of whole-body METRNL deficiency to endothelial-specific deficiency, and to show the subcellular distribution of endothelial METRNL and its role in mitochondrial homeostasis against atherosclerosis. Our study demonstrated that a deficiency in either endothelial or global METRNL exacerbated atherosclerosis to a similar degree in both spontaneous (age-related) and high fat diet-induced atherosclerosis, suggesting that endothelial METRNL is pivotal in the progression of atherosclerosis due to METRNL deficiency. Endothelial METRNL was diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm with subcellular localization to mitochondria, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus (especially enriched in mitochondria and nucleus). In both an in vivo apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE Show less
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibit remarkable plasticity, undergoing extensive phenotypic switching to generate a highly heterogeneous population within atherosclerotic plaques. While recent studies h Show more
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibit remarkable plasticity, undergoing extensive phenotypic switching to generate a highly heterogeneous population within atherosclerotic plaques. While recent studies have highlighted the contribution of SMC-derived macrophage-like cells to plaque inflammation, the specific molecular drivers governing the transition to these pathogenic states remain poorly understood. Here, we re-analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from lineage-traced mice to dissect SMC heterogeneity during atherogenesis. Trajectory analysis revealed that SMCs transdifferentiate into a distinct pro-inflammatory macrophage-like subpopulation (macrophage 4) via an intermediate "stem-endothelial-monocyte" cell state. Integrated gene regulatory network inference and Clinically, IRF7 expression was significantly upregulated in unstable and advanced human atherosclerotic plaques, correlating strongly with inflammatory macrophage burden. These findings identify IRF7 as a critical checkpoint in maladaptive SMC phenotype switching. We demonstrate that IRF7 drives the transdifferentiation of SMCs into a pro-inflammatory macrophage-like state, thereby fueling plaque instability. Consequently, therapeutic strategies capable of inhibiting IRF7-mediated SMC plasticity may prove effective in stabilizing vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Show less
Extracorporeal cardiac shock wave (ECSW) therapy enhances the function of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), but whether it can serve as a preconditioning strategy to enhance myocardial infarct Show more
Extracorporeal cardiac shock wave (ECSW) therapy enhances the function of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), but whether it can serve as a preconditioning strategy to enhance myocardial infarction (MI) therapy remains unclear. This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of intravenously delivered ECSW-preconditioned ECFCs (SW-ECFCs) in a rat MI model. ECFCs were isolated from the bone marrow of ApoE Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT pathway in SW-ECFCs. Functionally, ECSW enhanced ECFCs migration, tube formation, proliferation, and VEGF-A secretion, while reducing apoptosis; these effects were largely abolished by PI3K inhibition. In vivo, serum levels of CK, CK-MB, and LDH were significantly elevated in all MI groups compared to the Sham group (P < 0.01), indicating comparable initial injury. However, no significant differences were observed among treatment groups (P > 0.05). SW-ECFCs transplantation significantly improved cardiac function, reduced infarct size, fibrosis, and apoptosis, and enhanced angiogenesis (P < 0.05). These benefits were associated with increased levels of p-AKT, p-eNOS, and BCL-2 protein as well as nitric oxide content, while suppressing the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (P < 0.05). Crucially, all these therapeutic benefits were largely abolished by PI3K inhibition. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that preconditioning ECFCs with ECSW significantly enhances their therapeutic efficacy for myocardial infarction, improving both cardiac function and structural repair. These benefits are mediated primarily through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which augments cell homing, paracrine activity, and survival, thereby providing a novel and promising strategy for cardiac regeneration. Show less
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) involves pathological mineralization, but the roles of chemokine signaling and ferroptosis remain unclear. This study investigated the regulatory function of C-C m Show more
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) involves pathological mineralization, but the roles of chemokine signaling and ferroptosis remain unclear. This study investigated the regulatory function of C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in CAVD progression via the chemokine pathway and ferroptosis. Bioinformatics analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis were performed to identify hub genes and potential cell types. Human aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) were treated with osteogenic medium (OM) to induce calcification. Apoe CCL5 was identified as a key hub gene in CAVD. Knockdown of CCL5 significantly attenuated OM-induced VICs calcification, osteogenic differentiation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis. Similar protective effects were observed in vivo, with reduced valve thickening and calcification in Apoe CCL5 promoted CAVD progression by activating the chemokine signaling pathway to induce ferroptosis. Targeting CCL5 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for CAVD. Show less