Journal: Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology

Article Title: Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Senescence Induced by 1‐Aminopyrene Activates Fibroblast via BRD4 Driven Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype Signaling

doi: 10.1002/jbt.71124

Figure Lengend Snippet: 1 ‐ AP induces tubular epithelial senescence and promotes paracrine fibroblast activation via a SASP‐mediated mechanism. (A) Representative images and quantification of SA‐β‐gal positive RTECs following exposure to 1‐AP after 72 h. Scale bars, 5 µm. (B) DAPI‐stained nuclei (blue) and quantification showing a significant reduction in cell number following exposure to 1‐AP after 72 h. Scale bars, 2 µm. (C) Representative images and quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of Ki67 in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment after 72 h. Scale bars, 5 µm. (D) RT‐qPCR analysis of p16, p21, and p53 mRNA expression showing upregulation of senescence‐associated cell cycle regulators in RTECs following exposure to 1‐AP after 48 h. (E) Representative images and quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of p21 in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment after 72 h. Scale bars, 5 µm. (F) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, TGF‐β1, and CXCL1) in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment after 48 h. (G) Schematic illustration of the experimental design showing 1‐AP induced senescence in RTECs and paracrine activation of renal fibroblasts via conditioned media may leads to TIF or renal fibrosis. (H) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of fibrotic markers ( α‐SMA, POSTN, Col1a2, TIMP1 , and CTGF ) in NRK52F renal fibroblasts exposed to conditioned media from 1‐AP‐treated TECs for 48 h. (I–K) Representative images and quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of α‐SMA (I), POSTN (J), and COL1A1 (K) in NRK52F fibroblasts, demonstrating significant fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix induction following exposure to TEC‐derived conditioned media after 48 h. Scale bars, 20 µm. Data are presented as mean ± SD, n = 3. Statistical analysis was performed using two‐tailed unpaired Student's t‐test. Exact p ‐values are indicated in the graphs; ns, not significant. DAPI used as nuclear counterstain.

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies for AhR antibody (182705‐10 G, Meck), Phospho‐Histone H2A.X (Ser139) Antibody (20E3, cell signaling), BRD4 antibody (ER1901‐02, Thermo‐Fischer), Ki‐67 antibody (27309‐1‐AP, proteintech), p21 (2947, cell signaling), α‐SMA antibody (14395‐1‐AP, proteintech), periostin (19899‐1‐AP, proteintech), COL1A1 antibody (55131‐1‐AP, proteintech), Histone H3K9/14ac (Acetyl H3K9/14) Antibody (A‐4021‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K27me3 (H3K27 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4039‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K9me3 (H3K9 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4036‐025, epigentek), IL‐6 (21865‐1‐AP, proteintech), TGF‐beta1 (21898‐1‐AP, proteintech) and Secondary antibody anti‐Mouse Alexa‐Fluro 555 ( A31570 , Thermo‐Fischer) and anti‐Rabbit Alexa‐Fluro 488 (A11008, Thermo‐Fischer), TUNEL Assay Kit (25879, cell signaling) and Senescence β‐Galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) Staining Kit (9860, cell signaling) were purchased.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Analysis, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Derivative Assay, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology

Article Title: Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Senescence Induced by 1‐Aminopyrene Activates Fibroblast via BRD4 Driven Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype Signaling

doi: 10.1002/jbt.71124

Figure Lengend Snippet: AhR signaling is activated in RTECs by 1‐AP but is insufficient for SASP‐mediated fibroblast activation. (A) Representative images and quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of AHR expression in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment ± AhR inhibitor (10 μM) after 48 h. Scale bars, 20 µm. (B) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of AhR target genes ( CYP1A1, CYP1A2 ) and senescence markers ( p16, p21, p53 ) following 1‐AP treatment ± AhR inhibitor after 48 h. (C) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of SASP genes ( IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, TGF‐β1, CXCL1 ) following 1‐AP treatment ± AhR inhibitor after 48 h. Conditioned media (CM) transfer from NRK‐52E/RTECs treated with 1‐AP ± AhR inhibitor to NRK‐52F fibroblasts after 48 h showing (D) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix genes ( α‐SMA, POSTN, Col1a2, TIMP‐1, CTGF ), (E–G) Quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of α‐SMA, POSTN and COL1A1 in NRK52F fibroblasts. Data are presented as mean ± SD, n = 3. Statistical analysis was performed using two‐tailed unpaired Student's t‐test. Exact p ‐values are indicated in the graphs; ns, not significant. DAPI used as nuclear counterstain.

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies for AhR antibody (182705‐10 G, Meck), Phospho‐Histone H2A.X (Ser139) Antibody (20E3, cell signaling), BRD4 antibody (ER1901‐02, Thermo‐Fischer), Ki‐67 antibody (27309‐1‐AP, proteintech), p21 (2947, cell signaling), α‐SMA antibody (14395‐1‐AP, proteintech), periostin (19899‐1‐AP, proteintech), COL1A1 antibody (55131‐1‐AP, proteintech), Histone H3K9/14ac (Acetyl H3K9/14) Antibody (A‐4021‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K27me3 (H3K27 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4039‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K9me3 (H3K9 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4036‐025, epigentek), IL‐6 (21865‐1‐AP, proteintech), TGF‐beta1 (21898‐1‐AP, proteintech) and Secondary antibody anti‐Mouse Alexa‐Fluro 555 ( A31570 , Thermo‐Fischer) and anti‐Rabbit Alexa‐Fluro 488 (A11008, Thermo‐Fischer), TUNEL Assay Kit (25879, cell signaling) and Senescence β‐Galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) Staining Kit (9860, cell signaling) were purchased.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Analysis, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology

Article Title: Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Senescence Induced by 1‐Aminopyrene Activates Fibroblast via BRD4 Driven Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype Signaling

doi: 10.1002/jbt.71124

Figure Lengend Snippet: BRD4 recruitment in RTECs sustains SASP transcription and paracrine fibroblast activation. (A) Representative images and quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of BRD4 expression in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment ± JQ1 (0.5 μM) after 48 h. Scale bars, 20 µm. (B) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of senescence regulators ( p16, p21, p53 ) and SASP genes ( IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, TGF‐β1, CXCL1 ) in RTECs following 1‐AP treatment ± JQ1 after 48 h. Conditioned media (CM) transfer from NRK‐52E/RTECs treated with 1‐AP ± JQ1 to NRK‐52F fibroblasts after 48 h showing (C) Heatmap for RT‐qPCR analysis of fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix genes ( α‐SMA, POSTN, Col1a2, TIMP‐1, CTGF ), (D–F) Quantification of immunofluorescence analysis of α‐SMA, POSTN and COL1A1 in NRK52F fibroblasts. Data are presented as mean ± SD, n = 3. Statistical analysis was performed using two‐tailed unpaired Student's t‐test. Exact p ‐values are indicated in the graphs; ns, not significant. DAPI used as nuclear counterstain.

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies for AhR antibody (182705‐10 G, Meck), Phospho‐Histone H2A.X (Ser139) Antibody (20E3, cell signaling), BRD4 antibody (ER1901‐02, Thermo‐Fischer), Ki‐67 antibody (27309‐1‐AP, proteintech), p21 (2947, cell signaling), α‐SMA antibody (14395‐1‐AP, proteintech), periostin (19899‐1‐AP, proteintech), COL1A1 antibody (55131‐1‐AP, proteintech), Histone H3K9/14ac (Acetyl H3K9/14) Antibody (A‐4021‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K27me3 (H3K27 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4039‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K9me3 (H3K9 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4036‐025, epigentek), IL‐6 (21865‐1‐AP, proteintech), TGF‐beta1 (21898‐1‐AP, proteintech) and Secondary antibody anti‐Mouse Alexa‐Fluro 555 ( A31570 , Thermo‐Fischer) and anti‐Rabbit Alexa‐Fluro 488 (A11008, Thermo‐Fischer), TUNEL Assay Kit (25879, cell signaling) and Senescence β‐Galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) Staining Kit (9860, cell signaling) were purchased.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Analysis, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology

Article Title: Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Senescence Induced by 1‐Aminopyrene Activates Fibroblast via BRD4 Driven Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype Signaling

doi: 10.1002/jbt.71124

Figure Lengend Snippet: BRD4 inhibition suppresses SASP and senescence while promoting apoptosis in 1‐AP exposed RTECs. (A) Representative images showing intracellular ROS (DCFDA; scale bar, 5 µm), DNA damage (alkaline comet assay; % DNA in tail), γ‐H2AX immunofluorescence (scale bar, 20 µm), SA‐β‐gal staining (scale bar, 5 µm), IL‐6 and TGF‐β1 immunofluorescence (scale bar, 20 µm), TUNEL staining, and p21 immunofluorescence (scale bar, 5 µm) in RTECs treated with DMSO, 1 µM 1‐AP, 1 µM 1‐AP + AhR inhibitor (10 µM), or 1 µM 1‐AP + JQ1 (0.5 µM) for 48 h. (B) Quantification of DCFDA fluorescence; (C) % DNA in tail from the alkaline comet assay; (D) γ‐H2AX‐positive cells; (E) SA‐β‐gal‐positive senescent cells; (F–G, I) quantification of IL‐6, TGF‐β1, and p21 immunofluorescence, respectively; (H) quantification of TUNEL‐positive cells; and (J, K) ELISA‐based quantification of IL‐6 and TGF‐β1 in conditioned media collected from RTECs following treatment for 48 h. All treatments were compared with the vehicle control (DMSO). Data are presented as mean ± SD, n = 3. Statistical analysis was performed using a two‐tailed unpaired Student's t ‐test. Exact p ‐values are indicated in the graphs; ns, not significant. DAPI was used as a nuclear counterstain. RFI, relative fluorescence intensity.

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies for AhR antibody (182705‐10 G, Meck), Phospho‐Histone H2A.X (Ser139) Antibody (20E3, cell signaling), BRD4 antibody (ER1901‐02, Thermo‐Fischer), Ki‐67 antibody (27309‐1‐AP, proteintech), p21 (2947, cell signaling), α‐SMA antibody (14395‐1‐AP, proteintech), periostin (19899‐1‐AP, proteintech), COL1A1 antibody (55131‐1‐AP, proteintech), Histone H3K9/14ac (Acetyl H3K9/14) Antibody (A‐4021‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K27me3 (H3K27 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4039‐025, epigentek), Histone H3K9me3 (H3K9 Trimethyl) Antibody (A‐4036‐025, epigentek), IL‐6 (21865‐1‐AP, proteintech), TGF‐beta1 (21898‐1‐AP, proteintech) and Secondary antibody anti‐Mouse Alexa‐Fluro 555 ( A31570 , Thermo‐Fischer) and anti‐Rabbit Alexa‐Fluro 488 (A11008, Thermo‐Fischer), TUNEL Assay Kit (25879, cell signaling) and Senescence β‐Galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) Staining Kit (9860, cell signaling) were purchased.

Techniques: Inhibition, Alkaline Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis, Immunofluorescence, Staining, TUNEL Assay, Fluorescence, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Control, Analysis, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Toll-like receptor 9-overexpressing red blood cell biomimetic microbubbles adsorb cell-free DNA to relieve steatotic liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103558

Figure Lengend Snippet: cfDNA promotes the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype by activating the TLR9-MyD88 and cGAS-STING pathways (A- D) CpG DNA treatment increased the protein levels of IL-1α, TNF-α, and IL-6. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 1 μg mL -1 CpG DNA for 24 h and then subjected to western blotting (A). IL-1α (B), TNF-α (C), and IL-6 (D) levels were normalized to the β-actin level in each sample, and the normalized values were used for statistical analysis, n = 4. (E-F) CpG DNA treatment significantly enhanced CD86 expression in macrophages. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 1 μg mL -1 CpG DNA for 24 h, then immunostained with an anti-CD86 antibody (green) and DAPI (blue, nuclei), and imaged by fluorescence microscopy. Representative images (E) and quantitative fluorescence graph (F) are shown, n = 6. Scale bar: 50 μm. (G-J) CpG DNA treatment significantly upregulated the expression of key proteins associated with the TLR9-MyD88 and cGAS-STING pathways. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 1 μg mL -1 CpG DNA for 24 h and then subjected to western blotting, n = 8/4(G, I). STING, cGAS, TLR9, and MyD88 levels were normalized to the β-actin level in each sample. p-NF-κB, p-IκB, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3 levels were normalized to their respective total protein levels (NF-κB, IκB, TBK1, and IRF3) in each sample. These normalized values were then used for statistical analysis, n = 8/4(H, J). For (B-D, F, H, J), error bars represent mean ± standard deviation. P values were calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (B-D, F, H, J). *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.(For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies used included: rabbit polyclonal antibodies against TLR9 (A14642, Abclonal), NF-κB (A2547, Abclonal), MyD88 (A0980, Abclonal), cGAS (A8335, Abclonal), IL-1α (A2170, Abclonal), TNF-α (A0277, Abclonal), IL-6 (A0286, Abclonal), CD206 (A8301, Abclonal), CD86 (A16805, Abclonal), CD47 (A1838, Abclonal), and ATP1A (A0643, Abclonal); rabbit monoclonal antibodies against STING (13647, CST, Beverly, MA, USA), p-NF-κB (3033, CST), p-TBK1 (5483, CST), TBK1 (ab40676, Abcam), p-IκB (2859, CST), IκB (4812, CST), p-IRF3 (4947, CST), and β-actin (AC026, Abclonal).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Standard Deviation

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Toll-like receptor 9-overexpressing red blood cell biomimetic microbubbles adsorb cell-free DNA to relieve steatotic liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103558

Figure Lengend Snippet: RBC-MBs promotes the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype by inhibiting the TLR9-MyD88 and cGAS-STING pathways (A-F) RBC-MB treatment significantly attenuated CpG DNA-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (A-B), key proteins in the TLR9-MyD88 (C-D) and cGAS-STING (E-F) pathways. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 1 μg mL -1 CpG DNA for 24 h, followed by incubation with 0.5 mL RBC-MBs (concentration: 1 × 10 8 particles mL -1 ) for 24 h, and then subjected to western blot analysis (A, C, E). IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-6, TLR9, MyD88, STING, and cGAS levels were normalized to the β-actin level in each sample. p-NF-κB, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3 levels were normalized to their respective total protein levels (NF-κB, TBK1, and IRF3) in each sample. These normalized values were then used for statistical analysis (B, D, F), n = 6. (G) RBC-MB treatment significantly attenuated CpG DNA-induced upregulation of CD86 in macrophages. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 1 μg mL -1 CpG DNA for 24 h, followed by incubation with 0.5 mL RBC-MBs (concentration: 1 × 10 8 particles mL -1 ) for 24 h, then immunostained with an anti-CD86 antibody (green) and DAPI (blue, nuclei), and imaged by fluorescence microscopy. Representative images (left panel) and quantitative fluorescence graph (right panel) are shown. Scale bar: 50 μm, n = 6. (H-J) RBC-MB treatment significantly inhibited hepatic IRI-induced polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype (H) and activation of the TLR9-MyD88 and cGAS-STING pathways (I-J). MASLD rats underwent 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h post-reperfusion, the rats were treated with either Con-MBs or RBC-MBs. Primary macrophages were isolated from rat livers, then co-stained with CD68 and CD163 followed by flow cytometric analysis (H), n = 3/4, or subjected to western blotting (I-J). CD206, iNOS, TLR9, MyD88, STING, and cGAS levels were normalized to the β-actin level in each sample, and these normalized values were used for statistical analysis (J), n = 3. For (B, D, F, G right panel , H right panel , J), error bars represent mean ± standard deviation. P values were calculated using the unpaired Student's t-test (B, D, F, G right panel ) or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (H right panel , J). *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.(For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: Primary antibodies used included: rabbit polyclonal antibodies against TLR9 (A14642, Abclonal), NF-κB (A2547, Abclonal), MyD88 (A0980, Abclonal), cGAS (A8335, Abclonal), IL-1α (A2170, Abclonal), TNF-α (A0277, Abclonal), IL-6 (A0286, Abclonal), CD206 (A8301, Abclonal), CD86 (A16805, Abclonal), CD47 (A1838, Abclonal), and ATP1A (A0643, Abclonal); rabbit monoclonal antibodies against STING (13647, CST, Beverly, MA, USA), p-NF-κB (3033, CST), p-TBK1 (5483, CST), TBK1 (ab40676, Abcam), p-IκB (2859, CST), IκB (4812, CST), p-IRF3 (4947, CST), and β-actin (AC026, Abclonal).

Techniques: Incubation, Concentration Assay, Western Blot, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Activation Assay, Isolation, Staining, Standard Deviation