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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Eucalyptol mitigates isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in rats via activation of p38 MAPK/JNK signaling, suppression of ER stress, and modulation of apoptotic pathway.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury (MI), a subset of cardiovascular diseases, remains a leading cause of deaths globally, driven by pathological inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Despite advances in interventional cardiology, high relapse rates and therapeutic limitations underscore the urgent need for novel pharmacological agents. Phytochemicals, with their multi-target approach and favorable safety profiles, offer promising alternatives for mitigating ischemic injury. METHODS: The cardioprotective effects of 1,8-cineole, a monoterpene derived from Eucalyptus species, was investigated in a rat model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. Serum levels of cardiac enzymes (creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) were quantified. Preliminary histopathological analysis was performed to assess the extent of myocardial damage. Key molecular mechanisms were evaluated via western blotting and immunohistochemistry, examining pathways related to inflammation (NF-κB), apoptosis (Bcl-2/Bax, caspase-3), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (GRP78, CHOP, PERK-eIF2α), and antioxidant defense (GSH, SOD, CAT). RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that 1,8-cineole significantly reduced the levels of serum cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, LDH), and histopathological damage. Mechanistically, 1,8-cineole also suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, it attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2/Bax expression and inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Additionally, 1,8-cineole alleviated ER stress by downregulating GRP78, CHOP, and PERK-eIF2α signaling. Importantly, we identified enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and subsequent upregulation of antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, CAT) as key contributors to its cytoprotective effects. CONCLUSIONS: 1,8-Cineole exhibits potent cardio-protection in experimental myocardial injury by targetinginflammation, apoptosis, ER stress, and oxidative stress through modulation of p38 MAPK/JNK, suppression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and apoptotic markers (Bax, p53). Its natural origin, bioavailability, and multi-mechanistic effectiveness make it a promising candidate for translational development as an adjunct therapy for myocardial injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

DDX3X acts as a selective dual switch regulator of mRNA translation in acute ER stress.

Regulation of eukaryotic mRNA translation initiation greatly impacts gene expression and is critical for cellular stress response. DDX3X is a ubiquitous DEAD-box RNA helicase whose precise role in scanning and translation regulation in non-stressed and stressed cells remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that DDX3X associates with thousands of mRNAs as part of the eIF4F-mediated 48S scanning complex and exerts dual regulatory effects, promoting or repressing translation of select mRNAs under basal conditions and reversing this regulation during acute endoplasmic reticulum stress. Initiation profiling reveals mechanistically distinct modes of DDX3X action linked to its binding patterns across the 5' UTR and coding sequence. We further uncover that mRNAs selectively regulated by DDX3X exhibit specific patterns of cytidine N4-acetylation near start codons, with shared de-repression observed upon NAT10 knockdown. Together, our findings reveal DDX3X as a context-sensitive regulator that has a possible functional connection with epitranscriptomic features in translation control.

DEAD-box RNA Helicases↗

PubMed2026

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Signature Based on Transcription Factors Associated with Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) plays a crucial role in influencing the malignant behaviors of various tumors. Targeting the expression or degradation of transcription factors (TFs) offers a promising avenue for cancer treatment. However, a detailed understanding of how ER stress affects TF function and their interactions remains limited. This study aims to develop a prognostic model and identify TFs associated with ER stress in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: We obtained gene expression profiles and corresponding clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To develop a prognostic signature, we performed several analyses, including unsupervised clustering, enrichment analysis, immune infiltration assessment, as well as univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Four transcription factors-STAT1, IRF6, NRF1, and RXRA-were incorporated into a risk model, which was subsequently validated using the GSE dataset. Additionally, we examined IRF6 through quantitative PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry in vitro using pancreatic cancer cell lines and a tissue microarray. RESULTS: The high-risk group identified by the model exhibited significant associations with immune cell infiltration and poorer survival outcomes, though there was no significant correlation with tumor purity (p = 0.19). Furthermore, IRF6 downregulation in vitro was found to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis. IRF6 depletion also increased the expression of key molecules involved in ER stress at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked differences in IRF6 expression between tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues (59.29±29.88 vs. 95.22±40.80, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the constructed risk model can effectively predict prognosis in PDAC patients. Transcription factors related to ER stress, such as IRF6, show promise as both prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for PDAC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Glucosamine links hyperglycemia to mTORC1 activation and glucose toxicity in diabetes.

Hyperglycemia is a principal driver of β cell failure and multiple-organ complications in diabetes. Chronic exposure to hyperglycemia overstimulates mTORC1, disrupting glucose metabolism and promoting ER stress, oxidative stress, and inflammation; however, the upstream metabolic signal(s) linking glucose to mTORC1 activation remains unclear. Here, we identified glucosamine as a key metabolite connecting elevated glucose to mTORC1 signaling in pancreatic islets and kidney, both major targets of hyperglycemic damage. Using 13C6-glucose metabolic labeling in diabetic rodents treated with or without the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin or insulin, combined with targeted metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis, we found that tissue glucose concentrations strongly correlated with glucosamine. A similar correlation with plasma glucose was conserved in humans with or without type 2 diabetes, and inversely associated with β cell function. In vitro, low-dose glucosamine stimulated mTORC1 in islets and kidney proximal tubule cells in an O-GlcNAcylation-dependent manner. Broad phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics analyses in β cells showed that glucosamine activated mTORC1-regulating pathways, induced oxidative stress, ER stress, and dedifferentiation. Genetic inhibition of β cell mTORC1 via heterozygous Raptor knockout, as well as pharmacologic inhibition of the glucosamine/mTORC1 axis through SGLT2 inhibition, alleviated β cell stress, improved glycemic control, and restored β cell function. These findings identified the glucosamine/mTORC1 pathway as an important mediator of β cell and kidney dysfunction in diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Establishment of a prognostic model based on ER stress-related cell death genes and proposing a novel combination therapy in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy, presenting significant challenges in accurately predicting patient prognosis. Dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and resistance to programmed cell death (PCD) are hallmarks of AML cells. However, the prognostic significance of the interplay between ER stress and cell death pathways in AML remains largely unexplored. METHODS: We analyzed RNA sequencing and clinical data from 887 AML patients across 4 cohorts to develop an ER stress-related cell death index (ERCDI) using 10 machine-learning algorithms with 117 unique combinations. Survival and time-dependent Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the model's efficacy. Clinical characteristics, the tumor immune microenvironment, and drug sensitivity differences between the high- and low-risk groups were also analyzed. The CMap database was used to identify potential therapeutic drugs. In vitro and in vivo experiments, including CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, Transwell assays, and xenograft mouse models, were conducted to evaluate the effects of the target genes and candidate drugs. RESULTS: The ERCDI demonstrated strong prognostic and predictive performance for prognosis in AML patients. Furthermore, the ERCDI effectively predicted immunotherapy and chemotherapy outcomes and was associated with the immune features of the different risk groups. DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 protein (DDIT4), a key gene associated with ERCDI, is related to poor prognosis in AML patients with high expression. Additionally, the knockdown of DDIT4 significantly inhibited AML cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and promoted cell cycle arrest. Chaetocin was subsequently identified as a candidate compound for AML treatment. Subsequent experiments suggested that combining chaetocin and venetoclax is a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for AML. CONCLUSION: The ERCDI provides personalized risk assessment and treatment recommendations for individual AML patients. The combined use of chaetocin and venetoclax can potentially be repurposed for AML therapy.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Convergent activation of the integrated stress response and ER-mitochondria uncoupling in VAPB-associated ALS.

Vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein-B (VAPB) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-bound protein. The P56S mutation in VAPB causes a dominant, familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the mechanism by which this mutation leads to motor neuron (MN) degeneration remains unclear. Utilizing inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs expressing either wild-type (WT) or P56S VAPB, we demonstrate that the mutant protein reduces neuronal firing and disrupts ER-mitochondria-associated membranes (ER MAMs), with a time-dependent decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), hallmarks of MN pathology. These findings were validated in patient-derived iPSC-MNs. Additionally, VAPB P56S MNs show increased susceptibility to ER stress, elevated expression of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) regulator ATF4 under stress, and reduced global protein synthesis. Notably, pharmacological ISR inhibition using ISRIB rescued ALS-associated phenotypes in both VAPB P56S and patient-derived iPSC-MNs. We present the first evidence that the VAPB P56S mutation activates ISR signaling via mitochondrial dysfunction in human MNs. These findings support ISR modulation as a strategy for ALS intervention and highlight the need for patient stratification in clinical trials.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

PubMed2026

Hypertensive mt. tRNAIle4263A>G mutation orchestrates vascular senescence and apoptosis by activation of mitochondria-ER interplay.

The pathogenic mechanism underlying diseases caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation, including hypertension, persists as an unresolved global challenge. Although mutation-induced mitochondrial defects have been well characterized, how these mito-perturbations are converted into critical intermediary signaling cascades and contribute to diseases remain unknown. Here, using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived vascular organoids (VOs) and vascular cells, the hypertensive mt. tRNAIle4263A > G mutation was identified to induce vascular senescence, apoptosis and vascular-specific dysfunction through mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) interaction. For the first time, this study mapped the transcriptional reprogramming landscape of human VOs carrying this mutation. Through systematic screening and functional validation, ER stress was screened out, together with downstream mitochondria-associated ER membranes-mitochondrial Ca2+ overload resulting in vascular abnormality. Pathological reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, driven by tRNAIle destabilization and bioenergetic failure, acts as the primary instigator of maladaptive ER stress activation in this cascade. Pharmacological targeting of this axis-using mito-Tempol (a mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger), Tauro Ursodeoxycholic Acid (an ER stress inhibitor), or RU265 (a highly-selective mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor)-rescues vascular abnormality. This study highlights mt. tRNAIle4263A > G mutation orchestrates vascular pathology through ROS induced activation of inter-organelle communication, resolving a long-standing knowledge gap between mtDNA mutations and diseases and establishing therapeutic nexuses for mtDNA mutation-related cardiovascular diseases.

Hypertension↗

PubMed2026

Integrative transcriptomic, spatial and functional-genomic analysis identifies a UFMylation-related vascular-stromal program and prioritizes WWTR1 in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) contains spatially organized stress-adaptive and vascular niches. Because transcript abundance does not measure UFM1 conjugation, we asked whether a UFMylation-related transcriptional axis identifies a reproducible tissue program and alters candidate prioritization. In 518 unique primary TCGA-GBM tumors profiled on the Affymetrix HT Human Genome U133A array, weighted gene co-expression network analysis of 8,000 variable genes yielded 12 modules. The 278-gene green module ranked first across nine prespecified traits (mean |r|=0.637). Direct overlap comprised 1/3 measurable UFMylation-core, 5/19 ER-stress/UPR, and 2/15 proteostasis genes; after excluding overlapping genes, correlations with the green eigengene remained significant (r = 0.373, 0.831, 0.639, and 0.699 for UFMylation-core, ER-stress/UPR, proteostasis, and composite scores, respectively). The green score was associated with overall survival per standard-deviation increase (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.28), although clinical adjustment attenuated the estimate. In a 10-sample single-cell dataset, sample-level scores were higher in pericytes and endothelial cells than in malignant cells. Donor-aware IvyGAP analysis supported regional organization, whereas one Visium section showed stronger concordance with ER-stress/UPR and mesenchymal scores than with the UFMylation-core score. CellChat indicated pathway-selective rather than global remodeling of inferred vascular communication. Layer ablation moved WWTR1 from rank 48 using WGCNA alone to rank 4 overall and rank 1 among non-common-essential genes after cross-platform integration. These findings define an ER-stress/mesenchymal-weighted, UFMylation-related vascular-stromal transcriptional association and nominate WWTR1 for experimental testing.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Tazarotene-Induced Gene 2 Promotes Melanoma Cell Death via the Activation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

BACKGROUND: Tazarotene-induced gene 2 (TIG2), also known as retinoic acid receptor responder 2 (RARRES2), encodes the secreted protein TIG2, also known as chemerin, which is involved in immune regulation and metabolism. However, its role in melanoma remains unclear. METHODS: TIG2 expression was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, OncoDB, and melanoma tissue cDNA arrays. To evaluate its effects on cell viability and death, TIG2 was overexpressed in A2058 and A375 melanoma cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), qPCR, and Western blotting were performed to identify TIG2-regulated genes and signaling pathways. The involvement of chemokines and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was further examined using the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL 10)/CXCL11 and the ER stress inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). RESULTS: TIG2 expression was reduced in melanoma and other skin cancers. TIG2 overexpression significantly reduced cell viability and induced cell death. RNA-seq analysis showed that TIG2 downregulated CXCL10, CXCL11, and CCL2 while upregulating ER stress-related genes such as HERPUD1 and DDIT3. Exogenous CXCL10 or CXCL11 did not reverse TIG2-mediated effects, whereas TUDCA partially restored cell viability and reduced cell death. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TIG2 suppresses melanoma cell growth by activating ER stress and modulating immune-related chemokines, highlighting its potential therapeutic relevance.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress↗

PubMed2026

Integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal coordinated gill responses to heat stress in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca).

Climate change-driven warming of aquatic environments has made thermal stress an increasingly important factor influencing fish physiological homeostasis. Given their central roles in respiration and osmoregulation, gills are particularly responsive to variations in ambient temperature. Histological examination, physiological measurements, and transcriptome profiling were integrated to investigate the mechanisms associated with heat stress-induced gill injury in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Histological analysis revealed that exposure to 29 °C directly caused structural damage to the gills of pikeperch. Oxidative status was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). MDA accumulation was significantly enhanced under heat stress, while antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) displayed a transient increase followed by a subsequent decline. Transcriptome profiling showed marked enrichment of the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway after heat stress, suggesting activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pikeperch gills. With increasing stress duration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) appeared unable to re-establish ER homeostasis, shifting ire1 and atf6 toward a pro-apoptotic state. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis further highlighted hub genes potentially involved in heat stress-induced ER stress and apoptosis. TUNEL staining and western blotting collectively confirmed that heat stress triggered apoptosis in pikeperch gill tissue. Overall, this study provides new insights into the physiological and molecular responses of pikeperch gills to heat stress and enhances our understanding of thermal stress adaptation in cold-water aquaculture species under climate change.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Matrine alleviates coronary microvascular dysfunction in ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease mice induced by advanced glycation end products inhibition of the reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of matrine on coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in a mouse model of ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), with a focus on the underlying mechanisms, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)/ nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling pathway. METHODS: An INOCA model was established in mice, and CMD was induced by peritoneal injections of AGEs. Matrine was administered daily via intraperitoneal injections. Coronary microcirculation was evaluated using coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were isolated for assessment of apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and microthrombosis. Markers of ER stress and the PERK/NFAT pathway were examined through immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and enzymatic assays. The effect of matrine were further evaluated in CMECs treated with AGEs and the PERK agonist. RESULTS: Matrine treatment significantly improved CFVR and reduced CMD in AGEs-exposed INOCA mice. In CMECs, matrine attenuated AGEs-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and microthrombosis. It also suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, ER stress markers, and PERK/NFAT signaling. Matrine's effects were concentration-dependent and partially reversed by the PERK agonist, confirming its action through the ER stress pathway. No significant toxicities were observed with matrine administration. CONCLUSION: Matrine attenuates AGEs-induced CMD in INOCA by suppressing the ROS-mediated ER stress PERK/NFAT signaling pathway in CMECs. This study highlights matrine's potential as a therapeutic agent for CMD in diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Inhibition of EED enhances osteogenic differentiation and bone formation: a potential therapeutic strategy for osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders primarily caused by dominant mutations in COL1A1 or COL1A2 that impair type I procollagen folding and secretion. Misfolded collagen accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), triggering ER stress and osteoblast dysfunction, and bone fragility. Current pharmacologic therapy focuses on inhibiting bone resorption but has limited efficacy and does not address the underlying biology of the disease. The epigenetic regulator polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2) has emerged as an important regulator of bone formation. Genetic and pharmacologic disruption of PRC2 enhanced osteogenic differentiation in WT cells. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of the PRC2 through targeting its essential component embryonic ectoderm development (EED) enhances osteogenic differentiation, improves bone architecture in male Col1a2 +/G610C OI mouse models, modulates the integrated stress response (ISR), and improves ER morphology in OI cells. These findings identify EED inhibition as a novel epigenetic strategy to restore collagen homeostasis and improve skeletal integrity in OI.

ER stress↗

PubMed2026

Proteome analyses reveal endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced changes in protein abundance associated with Ube2j2 deficiency in human cell culture.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) helps reinstate cellular proteostasis upon an accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in part through ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Ube2j2 is an ER-localized E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that participates in ERAD. We used mass spectrometry analysis of cultured U2OS cells to investigate how the loss of Ube2j2 affects the cellular proteome in response to tunicamycin-induced ER stress. We constructed a network of twelve statistically distinct modules of protein abundance profiles across conditions. We describe the gene ontology annotations for each module along with the "hub gene" proteins whose abundance levels most closely adhere to each module's protein abundance profile. Our analysis identifies known Ube2j2-associated pathways (eg the UPR and ERAD) and cellular functions that were previously unassociated with Ube2j2 (eg RNA metabolism, ER-Golgi transport, and cell-cycle progression). These data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD076153 and provide avenues for further investigation into the cellular functions of Ube2j2 under basal and ER-stressed conditions.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

MLL1 downregulation drives hair cell ferroptosis via mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanisms through PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-Chop and PI3K/Akt-Lrp1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by irreversible hair cell (HC) degeneration. Ferroptosis, which is marked by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and elevated levels of lipid peroxidation products, has been shown to contribute to drug-mediated auditory impairment. This study aimed to elucidate the role of mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) in HC survival in the auditory system. METHODS: The HEI-OC1 auditory cell line and postnatal cochlear explants were evaluated using MM-102, a specific MLL1 histone methyltransferase inhibitor. Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence were used to elucidate the role of MLL1 in regulating ferroptosis in HC injury. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyze the molecular mechanisms of MLL1 intervention in HC injury from an epigenetic perspective. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that immunofluorescence staining revealed a crucial role of MM-102 in promoting intracellular accumulation of lipid peroxides and ferrous ions. Subsequent analysis showed MLL1 downregulation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, with transmission electron microscopy imaging confirming ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and ER. Mechanistic investigations identified the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-Chop signaling axis as the regulatory pathway, evidenced by Western blotting quantification of phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK), ATF4, and Chop levels. RNA-seq analysis revealed 741 differentially expressed genes (335 upregulated and 406 downregulated). Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis specifically highlighted significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt-Lrp1 pathway, with corresponding activation patterns of phospho (p)-Akt and Lrp1 confirmed through Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MLL1 downregulation initiates ferroptosis in cochlear HCs. This process is intrinsically associated with the activation of mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress. The study highlights the importance of MLL1 in HC survival, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating hearing loss.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress↗

PubMed2026

Schisantherin B mitigates cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by modulating the CNPY2-PERK/CHOP signaling axis.

Irreversible cisplatin-induced hearing loss (CIHL) is a refractory chemotherapy-related adverse effect with limited clinical treatments. Schisantherin B (STB), a lignan isolated from Schisandra chinensis, is widely recognized for its neuroprotective properties, while its role in auditory injury remains unclear. Herein, we found that STB alleviated cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in House Ear Institute Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells and guinea pig models, protecting cochlear hair cells, synaptic ribbons and spiral ganglion neurons, and partially restoring auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds. Furthermore, combined drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, we confirmed STB directly binds to the canopy FGF signaling regulator 2 (CNPY2), a key initiator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Notably, consistent dual in vitro and in vivo validation confirmed that STB exerts no regulatory effect on CNPY2 protein abundance, yet suppressed the downstream Protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase / C/EBP homologous protein (PERK/CHOP) signaling cascade and ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, molecular docking and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) validated the physical binding of STB to CNPY2 and the endogenous interaction between CNPY2 and PERK. Additionally, CNPY2 overexpression and shRNA knockdown further verified this functional relationship. Integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses showed STB partially reversed cisplatin-triggered inflammation and excessive ER stress. Collectively, our results suggest STB may serve as a potential otoprotective agent. The CNPY2-PERK/CHOP axis is closely linked to cisplatin-induced cochlear damage and offers a feasible target for intervention against CIHL. Abbreviations: CIHL, cisplatin-induced hearing loss; STB, Schisantherin B; HEI-OC1, house ear institute organ of corti 1; ABR, auditory brainstem response; DARTS, drug affinity responsive target stability; CETSA, cellular thermal shift assay; SPR, surface plasmon resonance; CNPY2, canopy FGF signaling regulator 2; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; PERK, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase; CHOP, C/EBP homologous protein; co-IP, co-immunoprecipitation; STA, Schisantherin A; STC, Schisantherin C; dB SPL, decibels sound pressure level; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; dB SPL, decibels sound pressure level; SGN, spiral ganglion neuron; IHCs, inner hair cells; OHCs, outer hair cells; CCK-8, Cell Counting Kit-8; OD, optical density; ODb, blank sample, ODc, control sample; NC, negative control; PVDF, polyvinylidene difluoride; RT, room temperature; LC-MS/MS, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; MS, mass spectrometry; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; KDs, equilibrium dissociation constants; SP, standard precision; SEM, standard error of the mean; HSD, honestly significant difference; Ctrl, control group; CV, cell viability; Kd, dissociation rate constant; Ka, association rate constant; STS, sodium thiosulfate; UPR, unfolded protein response; BLB, blood-labyrinth barrier.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2026

Endothelial PERK restricts lymphoid regeneration by reducing DLL4-NOTCH3 signaling at the Pre-B niche.

Delayed immune recovery after hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is associated with a poor clinical outcome. We study the role of unfolded protein response (ER stress) in hematopoietic regeneration within the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. We reveal that BM endothelium PERK activation is a prominent feature of patients with leukemia and is a hallmark response in mice following ionizing irradiation. Ablating endothelial Perk boosts NOTCH ligand DLL4 expression and promotes DLL4-dependent early HSC and B progenitor regeneration. Single-cell analysis reveals that endothelial DLL4 activates NOTCH3 expressed by mesenchymal stroma cells, and that the PERK-DLL4 axis coordinates the regulation of lymphoid commitment. NOTCH3 is critical for the upregulation of IL7 following irradiation and the expansion of lymphoid progenitors. These findings not only unveil an ER stress-controlled vascular-stroma signaling mechanism in regenerative hematopoiesis but also highlight PERK blockade as a promising strategy to improve immune recovery after myeloablative transplantation.

CP: cell biology↗

PubMed2025

Liver cancer-specific prognostic model developed using endoplasmic reticulum stress-related LncRNAs and LINC01011 as a potential therapeutic target.

Liver cancer is a serious malignancy worldwide, and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in its prognosis.It remains unclear how lncRNAs related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) influence liver cancer prognosis. Here, we analyzed RNA and clinical data from the Cancer Genome Atlas and sourced ERS-related genes from the Molecular Signatures Database. Co-expression analysis identified ERS-related lncRNAs, and Cox regression analysis as well as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression highlighted three lncRNAs for a prognostic model. Based on median risk scores, we classified patients into two risk groups. The high-risk group displayed poor prognosis, and this finding was validated in the test set. According to consistency clustering, the patients were assigned to two clusters, and tumor microenvironment scores were computed. Patients with a high mutation burden had worse outcomes. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis indicated more immune cells and mutations in checkpoint molecules among high-risk individuals. Drug sensitivity varied between the risk groups. LINC01011 was selected for functional assays. Colony formation assay and CCK-8 assay revealed that silencing LINC01011 suppressed liver cancer cell proliferation. Transwell and scratch assays indicated that silencing LINC01011 inhibited liver cancer cell migration. Western blotting assay revealed that inhibiting LINC01011 induced apoptosis and simultaneously inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These findings confirm the validity of the prognostic model and indicate that LINC01011 could serve as a potential research target.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparative evaluation of chitosan-based and star polycation nanocarriers for enhanced RNAi efficacy targeting CmFibL in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis.

BACKGROUND: The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, causes substantial rice yield losses through larval leaf-rolling behavior. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a sustainable alternative, but its application in Lepidoptera is hindered by dsRNA degradation and poor cellular uptake. This study developed nanocarrier-mediated dsRNA delivery to overcome these limitations. RESULTS: Three nanocarriers - chitosan (CS), chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP), and star polycation (SPc) - were compared for enhancing RNAi efficiency targeting the C. medinalis fibroin light chain gene (CmFibL). CS-TPP and SPc achieved 61% and 55% silencing efficiency, respectively, representing 2.7-fold improvement over naked dsRNA (23%). All nanocarriers protected dsRNA from RNase A (30 min) and midgut fluid (6 h) degradation. CmFibL knockdown caused severe silk defects, prolonged pupal duration by 23%, reduced pupal weight by 33%, and decreased leaf-rolling damage by 31% in glasshouse cage trials. Transcriptomics revealed down-regulation of amino acid metabolism and activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and immune responses. No off-target effects were detected in human genome, nor in any predators or parasitoids sharing the same ecological niche. CONCLUSION: CS-TPP and SPc nanocarriers effectively enhance RNAi efficiency in a Lepidopteran pest. Targeting CmFibL disrupts silk-mediated feeding shelters with minimal ecological risk, providing a practical framework for field application of RNAi-based biopesticides against leaf-rolling rice pests. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗