Browsing by Author "Gao, Hui"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    MicroRNA410 Inhibits Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling via Regulation of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase
    (Springer Nature, 2019-07-09) Gao, Hui; Chen, Jiwang; Chen, Tianji; Wang, Yifang; Song, Yang; Dong, Yangbasai; Zhao, Shuangping; Machado, Roberto F.; Department of Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) upregulation in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAECs) is associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) progression and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The underlying mechanisms regulating NAMPT expression are still not clear. In this study, we aimed to study the regulation of NAMPT expression by microRNA410 (miR410) in hPAECs and explore the role of miR410 in the pathogenesis of experimental pulmonary hypertension. We show that miR410 targets the 3' UTR of NAMPT and that, concomitant with NAMPT upregulation, miR410 is downregulated in lungs of mice exposed to hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Our results also demonstrate that miR410 directly inhibits NAMPT expression. Overexpression of miR410 in hPAECs inhibits basal and VEGF-induced proliferation, migration and promotes apoptosis of hPAECs, while miR410 inhibition via antagomirs has the opposite effect. Finally, administration of miR410 mimics in vivo attenuated induction of NAMPT in PAECs and prevented the development of HPH in mice. Our results highlight the role of miR410 in the regulation of NAMPT expression in hPAECs and show that miR410 plays a potential role in PAH pathobiology by targeting a modulator of pulmonary vascular remodeling.
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    Mitochondrial quality control in alcohol-associated liver disease
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2024-10-24) Thoudam, Themis; Gao, Hui; Jiang, Yanchao; Huda, Nazmul; Yang, Zhihong; Ma, Jing; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a significant global health concern with limited therapeutic options. Understanding the key factors contributing to ALD pathogenesis is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Central to ALD pathogenesis is the intricate interplay between alcohol metabolism and cellular processes, particularly involving mitochondria. Mitochondria are essential organelles in the liver, critical for energy production and metabolic functions. However, they are particularly vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage due to their involvement in alcohol metabolism. Alcohol disrupts mitochondrial function, impairing ATP production and triggering oxidative stress, which leads to cellular damage and inflammation. Mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, including biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy, are crucial for maintaining optimal mitochondrial function. Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts mitochondrial quality control checkpoints, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction that impairs fatty acid oxidation and contributes to hepatic steatosis in ALD. Moreover, alcohol promotes the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and the release of proinflammatory components, exacerbating liver damage and inflammation. Preserving mitochondrial health presents a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate ALD progression. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of alcohol on mitochondrial function and quality control mechanisms, highlighting their role in ALD pathogenesis. Understanding these mechanisms may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for ALD.
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    Vibrio vulnificus induces mTOR activation and inflammatory responses in macrophages
    (PLOS, 2017-07-18) Xie, Dan-Li; Zheng, Meng-Meng; Zheng, Yi; Gao, Hui; Zhang, Jie; Zhang, Ting; Guo, Jian-Chun; Yang, X. Frank; Zhong, Xiao-Ping; Lou, Yong-Liang; Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
    Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus), a Gram-negative marine bacterium, can cause life-threatening primary septicemia, especially in patients with liver diseases. How V. vulnificus affects the liver and how it acts on macrophages are not well understood. In this report, we demonstrated that V. vulnificus infection causes a strong inflammatory response, marked expansion of liver-resident macrophages, and liver damage in mice. We demonstrated further that V. vulnificus activates mTOR in macrophages and inhibition of mTOR differentially regulates V. vulnificus induced inflammatory responses, suggesting the possibility of targeting mTOR as a strategy to modulate V. vulnificus induced inflammatory responses.