School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
J Bioenerg Biomembr. 2021 Jun;53(3):275-284. doi: 10.1007/s10863-021-09873-9. Epub 2021 Mar 11.
We have previously reported that syringic acid (SA) extracted from D. aurantiacum var. denneanum (kerr) may be used to prevent diabetic cataract (DC). However, the underlying mechanisms through which SA prevents DC in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) remained unclear. In the present study, we employed single-molecule optics technologies, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and Raman spectroscopy, to monitor the effect of SA on HLECs biomechanics and organelle structure in real-time. TEM suggested that SA improved the ultrastructure of HLECs with regard to nuclear chromatin condensation and reducing mitochondrial swelling and degeneration, which may aid in the maintenance of HLECs integrity in the presence of glucose. AFM revealed a reduced surface roughness and stiffness following SA treatment, suggesting an improved viscoelasticity of HELCs. Raman spectrometry and LSCM further revealed that these changes were related to a modification of cell liquidity and cytoskeletal structure by SA. Taken together, these results provide insights into the effects of SA on the biomechanics of HLECs and further strengthen the evidence for its potential use as a novel therapeutic strategy for DC prevention.
我们之前曾报道过，从黄皮树变种（kerr）中提取的丁香酸（SA）可用于预防糖尿病性白内障（DC）。然而，SA 如何防止人晶状体上皮细胞（HLECs）发生 DC 的具体机制尚不清楚。在本研究中，我们采用了单分子光学技术，包括透射电子显微镜（TEM）、原子力显微镜（AFM）、激光共聚焦扫描显微镜（LSCM）和拉曼光谱，实时监测 SA 对 HLECs 生物力学和细胞器结构的影响。TEM 表明，SA 改善了 HLECs 的超微结构，表现为核染色质凝聚，减少了线粒体肿胀和变性，这有助于在葡萄糖存在的情况下维持 HLECs 的完整性。AFM 显示 SA 处理后表面粗糙度和硬度降低，表明 HELC 的粘弹性得到改善。拉曼光谱和 LSCM 进一步表明，这些变化与 SA 对细胞流动性和细胞骨架结构的修饰有关。综上所述，这些结果深入了解了 SA 对 HLECs 生物力学的影响，并进一步为其作为预防 DC 的新型治疗策略的潜力提供了证据。
