Journal: Military Medical Research

Article Title: USP18 exacerbates myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting Parkin mitophagy through the deubiquitinase PTEN-L

doi: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100004

Figure Lengend Snippet: USP18 aggravates cardiac I/R injury through regulation of mitochondria and inhibition of mitophagy. a Electron microscopy image showing mitophagy in USP18-cKO mouse hearts ( n= 5). Scale bar=3 μm. White arrowheads indicate sites of mitophagy. b Protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, ubiquitinated proteins (Ub), P62, and LC3II in mitochondria from heart tissue in USP18-cKO and WT mice 24 h after I/R injury ( n =4). c Electron microscopy image showing mitophagy in USP18-overexpres (OV) mouse hearts ( n =5). Scale bar=3 μm. White arrowheads indicate sites of mitophagy. d Protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, Ub, P62, and LC3II proteins in mitochondria from the heart tissue of USP18-OV mice 24 h after I/R injury ( n =4). Color shift in mitophagy dye (red) and lysosomal dye (green) in NRVMs showing mitophagy in NRVMs with USP18 siRNA transfection ( e ) or Ad-USP18 infection ( f ) and the quantitative mitophagy index in each group ( n= 5). Scale bar=9 μm. Protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, Ub, P62, and LC3II in mitochondria from NRVMs transfected with USP18 siRNA ( g ) or infected with Ad-USP18 ( h ). ⁎⁎ P <0.01, ⁎⁎⁎ P <0.001 ⁎⁎⁎⁎ P <0.0001. USP18. Ubiquitin-specific protease 18; I/R. Ischemia/reperfusion; WT. Wild-type; KO. Knockout; P62. Sequestosome 1; LC3. Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; VDAC. Voltage-dependent anion channel.

Article Snippet: To block mitophagy, the selective dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) inhibitor Mdivi-1 was used (50 μmol/L, MedChemExpress, USA).

Techniques: Inhibition, Electron Microscopy, Transfection, Infection, Ubiquitin Proteomics, Knock-Out

Journal: Pharmaceutical Science Advances

Article Title: Unleashing the power of DNA-encoded libraries for challenging targets in drug discovery

doi: 10.1016/j.pscia.2026.100115

Figure Lengend Snippet: Ligands targeting the GTPase KRAS G12C .

Article Snippet: In February 2025, Amgen reported a KRAS G12C covalent inhibitor.

Techniques:

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: SASP and NRF2 expression in periodontal tissues from young and aged individuals with or without periodontitis. Periodontal tissues and PDLSCs were collected from young (≤25 years), middle-aged (35-45 years), and aged (≥60 years) individuals, with or without periodontitis. (A) Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure. (B, C) SA-β-gal (B) and P21 (C) staining in periodontal tissues of young (Young), young individuals with periodontitis (Young + PD), aged individuals (Aged), and aged individuals with periodontitis (Aged + PD). (D) RT-qPCR analysis of mRNA expression levels of IL1β , TNFα , IL6 , IL8 , MMP3 , and MMP13 in periodontal tissues. (E) IF staining for NFR2 in periodontal tissues. (F) Western blot analysis of NRF2 expression in PDLSCs collected from young (Young), middle-aged (Middle), and aged (Aged) individuals. (G) NRF2 expression levels in PDLSCs at different passages (Passage 3, 9, and 12) with or without LPS (10 μg/ml) treatment. ns, not significant; PD, periodontitis; IF, Immunofluorescence. Data are presented as means ± SEM, with n = 3-5 for each subgroup. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Expressing, Staining, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Immunofluorescence

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: Overexpression of Nrf2 suppresses SASP in senescent PDLSCs. PDLSCs were transduced with adenovirus carrying Nrf2 (Adv- NRF2 ) or control virus (Adv- GFP ), followed by treatment with LPS (10 μg/ml) with or without D-gal (30 mg/ml). (A) Representative images of SA-β-gal staining, followed by quantification. (B) Western blot analysis of P16 and P21 protein levels. (C) mRNA expression levels of IL1β , TNFα , IL6 , IL8 , TNFα , MMP3 , and MMP13 in PDLSCs. (D, E) ALP (D) and ARS (E) staining of PDLSCs. (F) Western blot analysis and quantification of COL-1α1, RUNX2, OPN, and ALP protein expression levels in PDLSCs after 7 days of osteogenic induction. ns, not significant. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 3 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Over Expression, Transduction, Control, Virus, Staining, Western Blot, Expressing

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: Nrf2 knockout aggravates SASP and alveolar bone resorption. (A) Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure. (B, C) IF staining of SA-β-gal (B) and P21 (C) in periodontal tissues from WT and Nrf2 −/− mice, settled with a periodontitis model and D-gal induced aged mouse model. (D) Relative mRNA level of Il1β in mice periodontal tissue. (E) Micro-CT reconstructions, followed by 3D and 2D views of maxillary molars and evaluation of the distance from the CEJ to the ABC. (F, G) Mice periodontal tissue sections prepared for H&E staining (F) and Masson's trichrome staining (G). ns, not significant. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 5 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Knock-Out, Staining, Micro-CT

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: NRF2 restores UPR function through upregulating IRE1α. (A, B) PDLSCs were transduced with an adenovirus vector or loaded with NRF2 (Adv- GFP / NRF2 ), followed by administrated with LPS and/or D-gal. Western blot for UPR markers (A) in PDLSCs. IF staining for IRE1α in PDLSCs (B). (C, D) PDLSCs were administered with NRF2 inhibitor (ML385), followed by treatment with LPS and/or D-gal. Protein levels of UPR markers (C). IF staining for IRE1α (D). (E) IF staining of IRE1α in WT and Nrf2 −/− mice, settled with the periodontitis model and D-gal induced aged mouse model. (F) Prediction of NRF2's binding motifs on the promoters of UPR markers in the JASPAR database ( https://jaspar.elixir.no/ ). (G) Prediction of the relationship between NRF2 and IRE1α mRNA expression in the GEPIA database ( http://gepia.cancer-pku.cn/ ). (H) CUT-RUN-qPCR assay and agarose gel electrophoresis for the binding of NRF2 to IRE1α promoter in PDLSCs. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 3 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Transduction, Plasmid Preparation, Western Blot, Staining, Binding Assay, Expressing, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: Metformin suppresses SASP and upregulates NRF2 and UPR markers expression in senescent PDLSCs. (A) P16 and P21 expression in PDLSCs treated with metformin combined with LPS and D-gal. (B) SA-β-gal staining of PDLSCs. (C) mRNA expression level in PDLSCs. (D) Western blot for NRF2 and UPR markers in PDLSCs treated with metformin combined with LPS and D-gal. (E, F) IF staining for IRE1α (E) and NRF2 (F) in PDLSCs. (G, H) ALP (G) and ARS (H) staining of PDLSCs followed by osteogenic induction for 7 and 21 days, respectively. (I) Protein expression levels of osteogenic markers in PDLSCs were followed by 7 days of osteogenic induction. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 3 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Expressing, Staining, Western Blot

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: Metformin suppresses SASP and UPR via NRF2. (A) Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure. PDLSCs were pretreated with D-gal and LPS, followed by administration with metformin and/or NRF2 inhibitor (ML385). (B) Representative images of SA-β-gal staining for PDLSCs. (C) Protein expression level of P21 and P16. (D) Relative mRNA expression of IL1β , IL6 , IL8 , TNFα , MMP3 , and MMP13 in PDLSCs. (E) Western blot analysis of UPR markers expression levels in PDLSCs. (F) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of ER morphology in PDLSCs. ns, not significant. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 3 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Staining, Expressing, Western Blot, Transmission Assay, Electron Microscopy

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: TAM-GM@Met suppresses SASP and upregulates NRF2 and UPR markers expression in senescent PDLSCs. (A) Schematic diagram of the co-culture of hydrogels with PDLSCs. (B) Western blot for P16 and P21 protein expression in PDLSCs treated with composite hydrogels combined with LPS and D-gal pre-treated with D-gal and LPS. (C) SA-β-gal staining of PDLSCs. (D) SASP mRNA expression level in PDLSCs. (E, F) ALP (E) and ARS (F) staining of PDLSCs followed by osteogenic induction for 7 and 21 days, respectively. (G) Protein expression levels of osteogenic markers in PDLSCs followed by 7 days of osteogenic induction. (H) Western blot for NRF2 and UPR markers in PDLSCs treated with metformin combined with LPS and D-gal. ns, not significant. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 3 per subgroup). ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: Expressing, Co-Culture Assay, Western Blot, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Metformin alleviates aging-associated periodontitis via NRF2-mediated restoration of the IRE1α dependent unfolded protein response

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.060

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo therapeutic effect of the TAM-GM@Met on mice with an aging-associated periodontitis model. (A) Schematic illustration of the therapeutic process on the D-gal induced aging mice periodontitis model. (B) Micro-CT reconstructions and buccal-palatal sectional views of maxillary molars and evaluation of the distance from the CEJ to the ABC. (C, D) Mice periodontal tissue sections prepared for H&E staining (C) and Masson's trichrome staining (D). (E) Schematic of TAM-GM@Met preparation. TAM hydrogel incorporates galactose-coated MPDA nanoparticles (GM) to target senescent cells for metformin delivery. Metformin activates NRF2, leading to transcriptional upregulation of IRE1α, restoration of the UPR, and suppression of SASP in PDLSCs. ns, not significant; TAM, tannic acid and Ag-MOFs based hydrogel; MPDA, mesoporous polydopamine; UPR, unfolded protein response. Data are presented as means ± SEM (n = 5 per subgroup). ∗∗∗P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: To assess the role of NRF2, PDLSCs were pretreated with ML385 ( HY100523 , MCE), an NRF2 inhibitor, for 24 h. For NRF2 overexpression, PDLSCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding NRF2 (Adv- NRF2 ; titer: 7.11 × 10 10 ) or a control vector (Adv- GFP ; titer: 8.0 × 10 10 ) (OBiO Inc., Shanghai, China) for 24 h. To knock down IRE1α, PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA targeting IRE1α (sense: 5′-GUUUGAUCCCGGACUCAAATT-3′; antisense: 5′-UUUGAGUCCGGGAUCAAAC TT-3′) or a scrambled control siRNA.

Techniques: In Vivo, Micro-CT, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Mechanically sensitized hydrogel microspheres trigger membrane receptor switch for cartilage repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.017

Figure Lengend Snippet: Mechanism of integrin receptor activation induced by membrane receptor switch. A) Schematic representation of Calpain protein activity verified using fluorophores. B) The effectiveness of the fluorescence method was verified based on different groups. C) Calpain protein activity in MSCs subjected to different treatments. D) The expression of CDK5 and p-Talin head detected by Western blot analysis. E) Quantitative analysis of the Western blot results for the CDK5 and p-Talin head protein. F) The expression of p-Talin head and p-Talin detected by Western blot analysis. G) Quantitative analysis of the Western blot results for the p-Talin head protein. H) Quantitative analysis of the Western blot results for the p-Talin protein. I) Schematic diagram of Talin head and integrin β interaction verified by SPR technique. J) The association-dissociation curves of Talin head and integrin β1. K) Integrin β1 activation was verified by flow cytometry. L) Quantitative analysis of fluorescence intensity by flow cytometry. M) The expression of FAK and p-FAK detected by Western blot analysis. N) The quantification of FAK phosphorylation levels. O) Mechanism of integrin receptor activation induced by membrane receptor switch. (∗ symbol represents comparison with HAMA group, # symbol represents comparison with OBNC group). (ns: non-significant, ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: TRPC1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Pico145, CAS No. 1628287-16-0), TRPM7 inhibitor (1.0 μM, VPC4, CAS No. 945604-76-2), TRPV2 inhibitor (5.0 μM, compound IV2-1, CAS No. 2242724-49-6), TRPM4 inhibitor (1.5 μM, CBA, CAS No. 351424-20-9), PIEZO1 inhibitor (2.5 μM, GsMTx4, CAS No. 1209500-46-8), integrin αvβ5 inhibitor (8.0 nM, Compound 12, CAS No.: 2615912-33-7), integrin αvβ1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Compound C8, CAS No. 1689540-62-2), integrin α5β1 inhibitor (10 μM, ATN-161, 904763-27-5), and CDK5 inhibitor (5 nM, CDK5-IN-1, 2,639,540-19-3) were purchased from MCE Biotechnology Co., LTD. After the MSCs were treated, the cRGD solution was added at a concentration of 1:200 and incubated in the dark for 15 min, and the results were observed by fluorescence microscopy.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Membrane, Activity Assay, Fluorescence, Expressing, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry, Phospho-proteomics, Comparison

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Mechanically sensitized hydrogel microspheres trigger membrane receptor switch for cartilage repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.017

Figure Lengend Snippet: OBNC microspheres activate integrin receptors and mechanosensitive calcium channels. A) Mechanistic diagram of integrin activation verified using fluorophores. B-C) Fluorescence microscopy images of MSCs loaded on HAMA or OBNC hydrogel. D) Fluorescence intensity of single cell in each group was quantified. E) Fluorescence microscopy of MSCs loaded on OBNC hydrogel after different treatments. F) Fluorescence intensity in the whole field of view for each group. G) Fluorescence intensity in the single cell for each group. H) Schematic representation of patch clamp experiments. I) Electrical signals generated by MSCs in response to mechanical stimulation. J) Statistical analysis of poking currents (n = 6). K) The concentration of calcium ions in stem cells of different groups as detected by flow cytometry (siRNA1: targeting the TRPM4 gene, siRNA2: targeting the PIEZO1 gene). L) Quantitative analysis of flow cytometric results (∗ symbol represents comparison with HAMA group, # symbol represents comparison with OBNC group). (ns: non-significant, ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: TRPC1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Pico145, CAS No. 1628287-16-0), TRPM7 inhibitor (1.0 μM, VPC4, CAS No. 945604-76-2), TRPV2 inhibitor (5.0 μM, compound IV2-1, CAS No. 2242724-49-6), TRPM4 inhibitor (1.5 μM, CBA, CAS No. 351424-20-9), PIEZO1 inhibitor (2.5 μM, GsMTx4, CAS No. 1209500-46-8), integrin αvβ5 inhibitor (8.0 nM, Compound 12, CAS No.: 2615912-33-7), integrin αvβ1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Compound C8, CAS No. 1689540-62-2), integrin α5β1 inhibitor (10 μM, ATN-161, 904763-27-5), and CDK5 inhibitor (5 nM, CDK5-IN-1, 2,639,540-19-3) were purchased from MCE Biotechnology Co., LTD. After the MSCs were treated, the cRGD solution was added at a concentration of 1:200 and incubated in the dark for 15 min, and the results were observed by fluorescence microscopy.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Single Cell, Patch Clamp, Generated, Concentration Assay, Flow Cytometry, Comparison

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Melatonin-incorporated brain extracellular matrix hydrogel enhances NSCs mitochondrial metabolism to promote neuroregeneration via the AMPK-PGC-1α-NRF1/TFAM axis after spinal cord injury

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.04.006

Figure Lengend Snippet: Melatonin activates AMPK signaling and enhances mitochondrial function in vitro. (A) GO enrichment bar plot of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Control and Melatonin-treated NSCs. (B) KEGG pathway enrichment bar plot of DEGs between Control and Melatonin groups. (C) Heatmap of selected DEGs associated with neuronal differentiation and mitochondrial function. DEGs were defined as transcripts with FDR <0.05. (D) Representative Western blots showing phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK, Thr172) and phosphorylated ACC (p-ACC, Ser79) in Control, Melatonin, Inhibitor, and Melatonin + Inhibitor groups. (E) Densitometric analysis of p-AMPK/total AMPK and p-ACC/GAPDH ratios. (F) RT-qPCR analysis of Ppargc1a and Tfam expression, normalized to GAPDH and presented as fold change relative to the Control group. (G) Representative Western blots of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes I-V. (H) Densitometric quantification of OXPHOS complexes I-V, normalized to GAPDH (or the corresponding loading control). (I) Representative JC-1 fluorescence images indicating mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). (J) Quantification of the red/green JC-1 fluorescence ratio from (I). (K) Schematic representation of the proposed melatonin-AMPK-ACC-PGC-1α-NRF1/TFAM signaling axis driving mitochondrial biogenesis in NSCs. All quantitative data (E, F, H, J) are presented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was assessed using one-way ANOVA followed by Holm–Sidak's multiple comparisons test. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. K created with BioRender.com .

Article Snippet: For AMPK inhibition experiments, BAY-3827 (HY-112083, MedChemExpress, USA), a selective AMPK inhibitor, was used at a final concentration of 2 μM for 24 h. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the JC-1 Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay Kit (C2003S, Beyotime Biotechnology, China).

Techniques: In Vitro, Control, Western Blot, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Phospho-proteomics, Fluorescence, Membrane

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Melatonin-incorporated brain extracellular matrix hydrogel enhances NSCs mitochondrial metabolism to promote neuroregeneration via the AMPK-PGC-1α-NRF1/TFAM axis after spinal cord injury

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.04.006

Figure Lengend Snippet: Molecular validation of neural repair and mechanism activation in spinal cord tissue. Western blot and qPCR analyses of spinal cord tissue lysates from Sham, SCI, BEM, NSCs@BEM, and NSCs@MT/BEM groups. (A) Representative Western blots for the neuronal marker TUJ1 and the glial scar marker GFAP. (B) Representative Western blots for phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), phosphorylated ACC (p-ACC), and their respective total proteins. (C) Representative Western blots for the five oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex subunits. (D) Densitometric quantification of TUJ1 and GFAP protein levels. (E) Densitometric quantification of the p-AMPK/total AMPK and p-ACC/total ACC ratios. (F) Densitometric quantification of OXPHOS complex protein levels. (G) Relative mRNA expression of neural markers (TUJ1, GFAP, Olig2) and key mitochondrial biogenesis regulators (Ppargc1a, Tfam) determined by qPCR. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA with Holm–Sidak's multiple comparisons test. (∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001).

Article Snippet: For AMPK inhibition experiments, BAY-3827 (HY-112083, MedChemExpress, USA), a selective AMPK inhibitor, was used at a final concentration of 2 μM for 24 h. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the JC-1 Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay Kit (C2003S, Beyotime Biotechnology, China).

Techniques: Biomarker Discovery, Activation Assay, Western Blot, Marker, Phospho-proteomics, Expressing

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Mechanically sensitized hydrogel microspheres trigger membrane receptor switch for cartilage repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.017

Figure Lengend Snippet: Integrin receptor activation induced by membrane receptor switch. A) The fluorescence microscopy of MSCs loaded on HAMA or OBNC hydrogel after different treatments. B) Relative fluorescence intensity in the whole field of view for each group. C) Relative fluorescence intensity per cell for each group (∗ symbol represents comparison with HAMA group, # symbol represents comparison with OBNC group). D) Flow cytometry was used to detect integrin αvβ1 and α5β1 positive cells. E) Relative fluorescence intensity of each group. F) Flow cytometry was used to detect 12G10 positive cells and within integrin αvβ1 and α5β1 positive cells. G) Relative fluorescence intensity of each group, and relative proportions of 12G10 to integrins αvβ1 and α5β1. (ns: non-significant, ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: TRPC1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Pico145, CAS No. 1628287-16-0), TRPM7 inhibitor (1.0 μM, VPC4, CAS No. 945604-76-2), TRPV2 inhibitor (5.0 μM, compound IV2-1, CAS No. 2242724-49-6), TRPM4 inhibitor (1.5 μM, CBA, CAS No. 351424-20-9), PIEZO1 inhibitor (2.5 μM, GsMTx4, CAS No. 1209500-46-8), integrin αvβ5 inhibitor (8.0 nM, Compound 12, CAS No.: 2615912-33-7), integrin αvβ1 inhibitor (0.3 nM, Compound C8, CAS No. 1689540-62-2), integrin α5β1 inhibitor (10 μM, ATN-161, 904763-27-5), and CDK5 inhibitor (5 nM, CDK5-IN-1, 2,639,540-19-3) were purchased from MCE Biotechnology Co., LTD. After the MSCs were treated, the cRGD solution was added at a concentration of 1:200 and incubated in the dark for 15 min, and the results were observed by fluorescence microscopy.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Membrane, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Comparison, Flow Cytometry