Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: 3-HPA inhibits the secretion of inflammatory factors and glycolysis in macrophages (A and B) Schematic diagram of THP-1 cell (A) and BMDMs (B) activation into pro-inflammatory macrophages. Created with BioRender.com. (C) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in THP-1 cell supernatants were quantified by ELISA after 24 h treatment with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (D) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with different concentrations of 3-HPA (0, 0.625, 1.25, 5 mM) followed by LPS stimulation. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗p < 0.001. (E) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in BMDM cell supernatants were quantified by ELISA after 24 h treatment with LPS (100 ng/mL) or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (F) Bubble plot of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for differentially expressed genes between LPS (100 ng/mL) and LPS+3-HPA (5 mM) treated in THP-1 cells. The size of each bubble represents the number of differentially expressed genes, and the color indicates the enrichment factor. (G and H) Pyruvate and lactate levels in THP-1 cells (G) and BMDMs (H) treated with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). (I) Immunoblots of protein expression levels of HK, GAPDH, PKM, and LDHA in THP-1 cells treated with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM), and quantitative results of GAPDH. (J) The mRNA levels of GAPDH in THP-1 cells treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). (K) GAPDH activity assay in THP-1 cells and BMDMs treated with PBS, LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data in (G–K) are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human IL-6 Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1110602.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Activity Assay

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: 3-HPA enhances the metabolite content of the TCA cycle and mitochondrial oxidation (A) Schematic diagram of THP-1 with 2-DG treatment. Created with BioRender.com. (B) Concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with LPS, LPS+3-HPA, LPS+2-DG, or LPS+3-HPA+2-DG. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (C) Schematic diagram of THP-1 with high glucose treatment. Created with BioRender.com. (D) Concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with LPS+3-HPA, LPS+3-HPA+glucose. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using unpaired Student’s t test with ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (E) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of metabolic pathways in BMDM cells treated with LPS or LPS+3-HPA. (F) Relative abundance of metabolite (ornithine, citrulline, L-malate, succinic acid, trans-aconitic acid, cis-aconitic acid) in BMDM cells treated with LPS or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using unpaired Student’s t test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01. (G) Correlation network of metabolites and genes in the metabolic pathway. Nodes represent metabolites (blue squares) and genes (colored circles). Gray edges indicate pairwise correlations between metabolites and genes. The colors similarly represent expression levels, with red typically indicating higher expression and blue indicating lower expression compared to the mean. (H) Schematic diagram of arginine metabolism and the TCA cycle. (I) Heatmap of mitochondrial oxidation-related gene expression associated with differentially expressed metabolites. Red indicates relatively high gene expression, while blue indicates relatively low gene expression within each row. (J) Schematic diagram of the catalytic function of the GAPDH enzyme. (K) Concentrations of the NAD + /NADH ratio in THP-1 cells and BMDM cells treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001; (L) ATP concentrations in THP-1 cells and BMDMs treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗ p < 0.05; ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (M) Representative images and mitochondrial analysis of BMDM cells treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Scale bars, 1 μm (upper) and 0.25 μm (lower). For mitochondrial number, n = 8–12 ( n = 12 for PBS, n = 8 for LPS, n = 9 for LPS+3-HPA group).

Article Snippet: Human IL-6 Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1110602.

Techniques: Expressing, Gene Expression

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: GAPDH carboxyethylation inhibited macrophage glycolysis and the release of inflammatory factors (A) Schematic workflow illustrating the strategy of silencing endogenous GAPDH via 3′UTR-targeting siRNA and overexpressing exogenous GAPDH. (B) Immunoblot and quantitative analysis of GAPDH protein in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR-targeting siRNAs (siGAPDH 1, siGAPDH 2) or siRNA NC. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗∗p < 0.01. (C) Relative mRNA expression of GAPDH in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR-targeting siRNAs (siGAPDH 1, siGAPDH 2) or siRNA NC. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (D) Immunoblot analysis of FLAG-tagged exogenous GAPDH(E) and GAPDH in 293 T cells. Knockdown of endogenous GAPDH with siRNA followed by the overexpression of GAPDH (E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ns, not significant. (E) Relative mRNA expression of GAPDH in 293 T cells knockdowned endogenous GAPDH (siGAPDH) and overexpressed GAPDH (C) and GAPDH (E), respectively. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (F) GAPDH activity assay in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C), GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (G) Concentrations of lactate and pyruvate in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C), GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (H) Relative mRNA expression of IL-6 , TNF-α , and IL-1β in THP-1 cells which transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C) or GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (I) The concentration of TNF-α in THP-1 cells that overexpressed GAPDH(C) or GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human IL-6 Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1110602.

Techniques: Western Blot, Transfection, Expressing, Knockdown, Over Expression, Activity Assay, Concentration Assay

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: TGF-β1-induced differentiation enhances chemotherapy response in metastatic colorectal cancer organoids

doi: 10.64898/2026.06.04.730067

Figure Lengend Snippet: Cytokine modulation of differentiation. A scRNAseq analysis at 11 dps showing that CRC0322, CRC0327, and CRC1502 cells exhibit IL6R expression. B ELISA measuring the concentration of IL-6 sR, IL-6 and TGF-β1 in the conditioned media of CRC organoids over time. Curves show the average of 2 independent experiments. C-E Flow cytometry analysis of CRC0322 (C), CRC0327 (D), and CRC1502 (E) of organoids after 3 days of incubation with either IL-6 (50 ng/ml) or TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml). Histograms show the mean + SD of the percentage of GABRA2 positive cells for 4-7 independent experiments. Statistical significances were analyzed by one-sample t-tests of the log 2 fold change relative to the Control, with p-values corrected by Bonferroni adjustment. dps: days-post-seeding. *** p <0.001.

Article Snippet: For cytokine treatments, organoids were cultured for 11 days, after which human IL-6 (50 ng/mL; #130-093-931, Miltenyi Biotec) or human TGF-beta 1 Recombinant Protein (5 ng/mL; #100-21-10UG, PeproTech®) was added for 3 days prior to collection.

Techniques: Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Concentration Assay, Flow Cytometry, Incubation, Control

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: TGF-β1-induced differentiation enhances chemotherapy response in metastatic colorectal cancer organoids

doi: 10.64898/2026.06.04.730067

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effect of IL-6 and TGF-β1 on CRC organoids and response to chemotherapy. A smFISH of LGR5, KRT20 and Ki67 in CRC0322 after 3 days with IL-6 (50 ng/ml) or TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml). Scale bars = 20 μm. B Histogram shows the percentage of positive LGR5, KRT20 and Ki67 cells. C Scatter plots show percentage of positive cells per organoid (each dot represents an organoid). The median of (LGR5+;KRT20+) cells in organoids were (41.7;37.5)% CONTROL, (38.7;40.5)% IL-6, (10.7;72.3)% TGF-β1 (CONTROL vs IL-6 p -value = 0.7279, CONTROL vs TGF-β1 p -value = 0.0001, PERMANOVA test). D, F Volcano plots of bulk RNA-seq of CRC0322 after 3 days with IL-6 (D) or TGF-β1 (F). E, G Scatter plots show upregulated and downregulated genes (p<0.05, |log 2 FC|>1; color scale) for IL-6 (E) or TGF-β1 (G) treated organoids and log 2 FC in the scRNAseq 11 dps sample within cells classified as Stem or Differentiated versus all other cells. Genes belonging to either module are circled. H Scheme of the organoid-initiation assay. I Histogram shows the mean + SD of number of live cells relative to control (CTL) after IL-6 or TGF-β1 treatment of CRC0322 from 3 independent experiments pooled together (ANOVA followed by Dunett’s test versus CTL). J Images of organoids after replating 1000 live cells from previously treated organoids (scale bar = 2000 μm). Histogram shows the mean + SD of the number of organoids relative to the CTL from 3 independent experiments pooled together (ANOVA followed by Dunett’s test versus CTL). K, L Representative MTS viability assay of CRC0322 (K) and CRC 1502 (L) after 7 days with oxaliplatin plus IL-6 or TGF-β1 (replicates=6) (Brown-Forsythe ANOVA followed by Dunett’s T3 test (CRC0322); ANOVA followed by Dunett’s test (CRC1502) of oxaliplatin treated conditions versus oxalipatin CTL). Values were normalized to the untreated CTL. Experiments were repeated 3 times, obtaining similar results. Fluorescent images: LGR5 (cyan), Ki67 (magenta), KRT20 (yellow), and DAPI (gray). dps: days-post-seeding; ns: not significant; FC: Fold change. **p<0.01; ****p<0.0001.

Article Snippet: For cytokine treatments, organoids were cultured for 11 days, after which human IL-6 (50 ng/mL; #130-093-931, Miltenyi Biotec) or human TGF-beta 1 Recombinant Protein (5 ng/mL; #100-21-10UG, PeproTech®) was added for 3 days prior to collection.

Techniques: Control, RNA Sequencing, Viability Assay

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: H1N1 infection affects cell viability, inflammatory cytokine secretion and interactions between HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) CCK-8 assay revealed that HBEpiC viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner following H1N1 infection. (B) ELISA revealed that the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in HBEpiCs decreased with increasing H1N1 infection. (C) CCK-8 assay indicated that supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures reduced the viability of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. (D) ELISA results suggested that the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8) in THP-1 cells were decreased following exposure to supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures. (E) Cell adhesion assay revealed that the number of THP-1 cells adhering to HBEpiCs increased with increasing H1N1 concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) Transwell assay suggested that H1N1 infection enhanced the migration capacity of THP-1 cells, with increased migration observed at higher virus concentrations (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control; MOI, multiplicity of infection.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Infection, CCK-8 Assay, Concentration Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Cell Adhesion Assay, Transwell Assay, Migration, Virus, Standard Deviation, Control

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: TP modulates the inflammatory response and immune cell activity in H1N1-infected HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) No significant changes were observed in HBEpiCs treated with various concentrations of TP (5, 10 and 20 nM) following H1N1 infection compared with the control. (B) After TP treatment, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 in HBEpiCs were markedly lower than those in the untreated group. (C) The viability of THP-1 cells pretreated with H1N1-infected HBEpiC culture supernatant decreased after TP treatment. (D) The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in THP-1 cells were markedly lower after TP treatment. (E) The adhesion of THP-1 cells to HBEpiCs induced by H1N1 infection decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing TP concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) The migration capacity of THP-1 cells was markedly reduced when the supernatant from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures was treated with TP (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. TP, triptolide; H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Infection, Control, Concentration Assay, Migration, Standard Deviation