Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is an acute cerebrovascular condition marked by high prevalence, high disability and high mortality rates. Previous studies have indicated that BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) promotes ferroptosis in IS. However, the research on its specific molecular mechanism remains at an early stage.
Methods: To mimic the cell models of IS, SK-N-SH cells were induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Protein levels were tested by Western blot. CCK-8, TUNEL, flow cytometry, and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay were employed to monitor viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. Additionally, Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using relevant kits. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) and RIP assays were used to analyze the methylation modification and the binding interactions between molecules. BACH1 mRNA level was examined by qRT-PCR. Finally, an animal model of IS was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to further validate the in-vitro findings.
Results: Silencing BACH1 alleviated injury in OGD/R-induced SK-N-SH cells. METTL14 and IGF2BP1 cooperatively enhanced BACH1 expression via an m6A-dependent mechanism. Overexpression of BACH1 reversed the protective effects of METTL14 silencing. Moreover, METTL14 inhibited the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway by stabilizing BACH1. BACH1 downregulation attenuated IS progression in vivo.
Conclusion: The METTL14/IGF2BP1 complex stabilizes BACH1 mRNA through m6A modification. This leads to suppression of the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway, promotion of ferroptosis, and ultimately exacerbation of IS.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterised by amyloid-β pathology, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Few pharmacological interventions are available, offering only symptomatic relief, and approval for a number of anti-amyloid biologics is limited, with concerns about safety, cost and efficacy. Here we investigated the effects of 8-10 weeks treatment with liraglutide, NAcGIP[Lys(37)PAL] and Xenin-25[Lys(13)PAL], long-lasting analogues of gut hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and xenin-25, respectively, in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Cognitive function was measured in novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks and amyloid burden, gliosis, synapse density and neurogenesis were assessed in brains of APP/PS1 and wild-type mice. AD-associated gene expression analysis was performed to identify potential pathways targeted by treatment. Liraglutide and NAcGIP[Lys(37)PAL] improved cognitive performance in APP/PS1 mice and, along with Xenin-25[Lys(13)PAL], reduced amyloid-β burden in the brain. Liraglutide ameliorated gliosis and all three treatments restored synaptophysin levels. Additionally, Xenin-25[Lys(13)PAL] increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Numerous AD-associated genes were altered in the brain following treatments. Notably, Serpina3c was upregulated in brains of APP/PS1 mice treated with liraglutide, NAcGIP[Lys(37)PAL] and Xenin-25[Lys(13)PAL], while Map2, Adam9, Lrp8, Casp3, Abca1 and App were downregulated. These results underscore the neuroprotective effects of liraglutide and suggest that NAcGIP[Lys(37)PAL] and Xenin-25[Lys(13)PAL] possess neuroprotective properties. Further investigation of the precise nature of these effects may support development of multi-target therapeutics based on combinations of gut hormone analogues.

