Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: NRF2 controls a diverse network of antiviral effectors with p62 acting as a central restriction factor effective across virus families

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104135

Figure Lengend Snippet: NRF2 restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication (A-B) SARS-CoV-2 permissive 786-O cell clone deficient in NRF2 (NRF2-KO) and control cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 at MOI 0.01 for 24 h. Cell lysates were then prepared for qPCR for viral RNA or for immunoblotting against viral protein NC, NRF2, and loading control VCL (Vinculin). (C–D) SARS-CoV-2 permissive 786-O cells were used for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated elimination of NRF2. Cells were then infected with SARS-CoV-2 at MOI 0.01 for 24 h before cell lysates were prepared for qPCR and cell supernatants harvested for TCID50 analysis. (E–F) SARS-CoV-2 permissive Huh-7 cells were treated with dCas9 alone or dCas9 along with sgRNAs targeting the promoter region of NRF2 or IRF1. Cells were then infected with SARS-CoV-2 at MOI 0.01 for 24 h before cell lysates were prepared for immunoblotting and cell supernatants harvested for TCID50. (G) Graphic representation of CRISPRa for NRF2-driven genes. (H–J) CRISPRa was used to induce endogenous expression of indicated NRF2-driven genes in SARS-CoV-2 permissive Huh-7 cells. Cells were then infected with SARS-CoV-2 at MOI 0.01 for 8 h before lysates were collected for qPCR or immunoblotting. (H) Displays immunoblots for viral protein NC and loading control VCL. (I) Displays expression levels of NC normalized to VCL expression levels for each tested gene based on densitometric quantification of immunoblots. (J) Displays mean SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels by qPCR normalized to beta actin expression levels for each gene tested from two independent experiments. (K) TCID50 was established from cell supernatants harvested from Huh-7 cells where indicated genes were induced by CRISPRa before infection with SARS-CoV-2 at MOI 0.02 for 8 h. (A–F) Are representative of two independent experiments. Each data point represents one biological replicate with bars indicating mean ± s.e.m. (H–I) represents data from one experiment. (K) Each data point indicates mean of three biological replicates. Bars indicate mean ± s.e.m. of two or three independent experiments. p-values were established using Graphpad Prism 10 using the Student's t -test with “∗” indicating p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: 786-O NRF2-KO and control cells were purchased from ATCC.

Techniques: Control, Infection, Western Blot, CRISPR, 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: 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: A multimodal ROS logic-gated therapeutic platform disrupts the vicious cycle of senescence to promote aged bone defect repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.002

Figure Lengend Snippet: Transcriptomic and molecular analysis of the potential pathways involved in MMBOx-mediated BMSCs rejuvenation. (A) Circular heatmap showing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with cell senescence, inflammation, and osteogenesis in senescent BMSCs treated with MMBOx@GPP compared to GPP. (B) Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs. (C) Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs. (D) Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) plots of the glutathione metabolic process (ES: enrichment score; NES: normalized enrichment score; FDR: false discovery rate). (E) Heatmap of DEGs enriched in aging-related GO terms. (F) Western blot analysis of Keap1, Nrf2, Nqo1, Gclc, and GAPDH protein expression in BMSCs. (G) Quantitative analysis of protein band intensities ( n = 3). (H) Representative flow cytometry plots of ThiolTracker™ fluorescence staining indicating intracellular glutathione levels. (I) Quantification of intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio in BMSCs ( n = 3). (J) Schematic diagram illustrating the proposed mechanism by which MMBOx attenuates BMSCs senescence via Nrf2 pathway activation and glutathione metabolism enhancement. Data are expressed as mean ± SD; ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: Western blotting was employed to evaluate protein expression of key targets, including Keap1 (Affinity, AF5266; 1:1000), Nrf2 (Proteintech, 16396-1-AP; 1:1000), Nqo1 (Abcam, ab80588; 1:10,000), Gclc (Proteintech, 12601-1-AP; 1:25000) and GAPDH (Proteintech, 60004-1-Ig; 1:50,000).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescence, Staining, Activation Assay

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A multimodal ROS logic-gated therapeutic platform disrupts the vicious cycle of senescence to promote aged bone defect repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.002

Figure Lengend Snippet: Transcriptomic and molecular analysis of the potential pathways involved in MMBOx-mediated BMSCs rejuvenation. (A) Circular heatmap showing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with cell senescence, inflammation, and osteogenesis in senescent BMSCs treated with MMBOx@GPP compared to GPP. (B) Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs. (C) Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs. (D) Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) plots of the glutathione metabolic process (ES: enrichment score; NES: normalized enrichment score; FDR: false discovery rate). (E) Heatmap of DEGs enriched in aging-related GO terms. (F) Western blot analysis of Keap1, Nrf2, Nqo1, Gclc, and GAPDH protein expression in BMSCs. (G) Quantitative analysis of protein band intensities ( n = 3). (H) Representative flow cytometry plots of ThiolTracker™ fluorescence staining indicating intracellular glutathione levels. (I) Quantification of intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio in BMSCs ( n = 3). (J) Schematic diagram illustrating the proposed mechanism by which MMBOx attenuates BMSCs senescence via Nrf2 pathway activation and glutathione metabolism enhancement. Data are expressed as mean ± SD; ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: Western blotting was employed to evaluate protein expression of key targets, including Keap1 (Affinity, AF5266; 1:1000), Nrf2 (Proteintech, 16396-1-AP; 1:1000), Nqo1 (Abcam, ab80588; 1:10,000), Gclc (Proteintech, 12601-1-AP; 1:25000) and GAPDH (Proteintech, 60004-1-Ig; 1:50,000).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescence, Staining, Activation Assay