Given the important role of angiogenesis in liver pathology, the current study investigated the role of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), a regulator of developmental angiogenesis, in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Quantitative RT-PCRs and a transcription factor analysis of angiogenesis-associated differentially expressed genes in liver tissues of healthy controls, patients with steatosis and NASH, indicated a potential role of RUNX1 in NASH. The gene expression of RUNX1 was correlated with histopathological attributes of patients. The protein expression of RUNX1 in liver was studied by immunohistochemistry. To explore the underlying mechanisms, in vitro studies using RUNX1 siRNA and overexpression plasmids were performed in endothelial cells (ECs). RUNX1 expression was significantly correlated with inflammation, fibrosis and NASH activity score in NASH patients. Its expression was conspicuous in liver non-parenchymal cells. In vitro, factors from steatotic hepatocytes and/or VEGF or TGF-β significantly induced the expression of RUNX1 in ECs. RUNX1 regulated the expression of angiogenic and adhesion molecules in ECs, including CCL2, PECAM1 and VCAM1, which was shown by silencing or over-expression of RUNX1. Furthermore, RUNX1 increased the angiogenic activity of ECs. This study reports that steatosis-induced RUNX1 augmented the expression of adhesion and angiogenic molecules and properties in ECs and may be involved in enhancing inflammation and disease severity in NASH.

Background: Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX1) regulates inflammation in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: We performed in vivo targeted silencing of the RUNX1 gene in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) by using vegfr3 antibody tagged immunonano-lipocarriers encapsulated RUNX1 siRNA (RUNX1 siRNA) in murine models of methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH. MCD mice given nanolipocarriers-encapsulated negative siRNA were vehicle, and mice with standard diet were controls. Results: Liver RUNX1 expression was increased in the LSECs of MCD mice in comparison to controls. RUNX1 protein expression was decreased by 40% in CD31-positive LSECs of RUNX1 siRNA mice in comparison to vehicle, resulting in the downregulation of adhesion molecules, ICAM1 expression, and VCAM1 expression in LSECs. There was a marked decrease in infiltrated T cells and myeloid cells along with reduced inflammatory cytokines in the liver of RUNX1 siRNA mice as compared to that observed in the vehicle. Conclusions: In vivo LSEC-specific silencing of RUNX1 using immunonano-lipocarriers encapsulated siRNA effectively reduces its expression of adhesion molecules, infiltrate on of immune cells in liver, and inflammation in NASH.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil infiltration exacerbates brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Integrin α9, expressed on neutrophils, facilitates their adhesion and transendothelial migration, leading to aggravated inflammatory responses and neuronal apoptosis. Insufficient clearance of apoptotic neurons by microglia and infiltrating blood-derived macrophages (defective efferocytosis) contributes to persistent inflammation and poor SAH recovery. This study investigated the role of neutrophil integrin α9 in neuronal apoptosis, microglia/macrophage efferocytosis, and SAH outcomes. METHODS: Neutrophil-specific α9 ^–/– ( α9 ^fl/fl Mrp8Cre ^–/+ ) and littermate control ( α9 ^fl/fl Mrp8Cre ^–/– ) mice were subjected to the endovascular perforation model to induce SAH. Sensorimotor and cognitive function were assessed for up to 4 weeks post-SAH using neurological severity score, corner and cylinder tests, Y-maze, and novel object recognition. In vitro and in vivo functional assays were conducted to assess the effect of integrin α9–dependent neutrophil transendothelial migration on efferocytosis of apoptotic neurons. Neutrophil infiltration, cerebral inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-9 were quantified 24 hours post-SAH. RESULTS: Mice subjected to SAH exhibited increased integrin α9 levels on infiltrated neutrophils compared with sham surgery controls. Neutrophil-specific α9 ^–/– mice demonstrated improved long-term sensorimotor and cognitive recovery, reduced neutrophil infiltration, and decreased MMP-9 expression and neuronal apoptosis. Importantly, neutrophil-specific α9 ^–/– mice exhibited reduced brain neutrophil elastase levels and enhanced efferocytosis. Mechanistic studies have revealed that the reduced transendothelial migration of α9 ^–/– neutrophils directly contributed to the enhanced microglia/macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic neurons. Pharmacological targeting of integrin α9 with macitentan significantly improved SAH outcomes by reducing neutrophil infiltration and enhancing efferocytosis. Comparable SAH outcomes in both macitentan-treated controls and neutrophil-specific α9 ^–/– mice suggested that the therapeutic effects of macitentan were mediated by inhibition of neutrophil integrin α9. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a novel role for neutrophil integrin α9 in sensorimotor function and cognitive recovery after SAH, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for SAH.

Neutrophil-mediated persistent inflammation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis) are critical in the pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Identifying the mechanisms controlling these proinflammatory and prothrombotic functions is critical for designing and developing new therapeutics for DVT. However, how neutrophils acquire these phenotypes during the early stages of DVT remains poorly understood. Here, multiomic analyses (RNA sequencing, proteomics, and flow cytometry) of bone-marrow neutrophils 3 hours after DVT, revealed consistent overexpression of CD14. Concurrently, mice with DVT exhibited significantly elevated plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and neutrophil hyperactivation. Mechanistic studies using a geometric deep learning model (DeepPBS) and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that elevated G-CSF drives CD14 overexpression by upregulating the transcription factor C/EBPα (leucine zipper CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α). Importantly, neutrophil-specific CD14 knockdown using a novel lentiviral short hairpin RNA approach significantly improved DVT outcomes by lowering thrombus burden, thrombosis incidence, and intrathrombus neutrophil and citrullinated histone H3 accumulation. Studies in G-CSF stimulated primary human neutrophils revealed that CD14 inhibition reduces markers of inflammation and NETosis (activated gasdermin D, citrullinated histone H3, and S100A8/A9), while increasing apoptosis, thus demonstrating translational relevance. Collectively, our study uncovers an essential role of neutrophil CD14 in DVT pathogenesis and establishes it as a promising therapeutic target for DVT.

Alzheimer';s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by a decline in cognitive function and memory loss, primarily resulting from cholinergic dysfunction, the accumulation of amyloid plaques, the formation of tau tangles, and the progressive degeneration of neurons. While existing treatments offer limited symptomatic relief, they do not effectively halt or reverse the underlying progression of the disease, presenting a major global challenge in Alzheimer's research. Developing therapeutic strategies for AD remains complex, largely due to the inability of current medications to significantly slow neurodegeneration. Traditional drug discovery processes are often lengthy, costly, and inefficient, further complicating the search for effective treatments. To overcome these obstacles, researchers have turned to a combination of computational approaches alongside conventional drug design techniques. These integrated methodologies help accelerate the discovery process by significantly reducing both time and costs. This review delves into the underlying physiological and pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer';s disease, while identifying potential drug targets such as acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, β-Secretase (BACE-1), A2A adenosine receptor, Dickkopf-1 protein, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, monoamine oxidase-B, NMDA receptor, Wnt inhibitory factor, cyclindependent kinase-5, glutaminyl cyclase, and cathepsin-B. Furthermore, the review examines various computer-aided drug design (CADD) methodologies, including structure-based and ligandbased approaches, virtual screening, pharmacophore modeling, molecular modelling, and simulation techniques. These computational strategies are playing an increasingly important role in Alzheimer's research, particularly in drug discovery. By investigating promising drug candidates and lead molecules that target key proteins involved in Alzheimer's pathogenesis, the review highlights their binding modes with these targets and assesses the chemical properties essential for the development of effective clinical candidates. The aim is to provide researchers with critical insights and tools to design novel compounds with the necessary chemical and physical characteristics required for the successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease.