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Ballard DJ, Peng HY, Das JK, Kumar A, Wang L, Ren Y, Xiong X, Ren X, Yang JM, Song J. Insights Into the Pathologic Roles and Regulation of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor-2 Kinase. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:727863. [PMID: 34532346 PMCID: PMC8438118 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.727863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor-2 Kinase (eEF2K) acts as a negative regulator of protein synthesis, translation, and cell growth. As a structurally unique member of the alpha-kinase family, eEF2K is essential to cell survival under stressful conditions, as it contributes to both cell viability and proliferation. Known as the modulator of the global rate of protein translation, eEF2K inhibits eEF2 (eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2) and decreases translation elongation when active. eEF2K is regulated by various mechanisms, including phosphorylation through residues and autophosphorylation. Specifically, this protein kinase is downregulated through the phosphorylation of multiple sites via mTOR signaling and upregulated via the AMPK pathway. eEF2K plays important roles in numerous biological systems, including neurology, cardiology, myology, and immunology. This review provides further insights into the current roles of eEF2K and its potential to be explored as a therapeutic target for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darby J. Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Xingcong Ren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States
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Zhang S, Gang X, Yang S, Cui M, Sun L, Li Z, Wang G. The Alterations in and the Role of the Th17/Treg Balance in Metabolic Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:678355. [PMID: 34322117 PMCID: PMC8311559 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.678355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation plays an important role in the development of metabolic diseases. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. The proinflammatory environment maintained by the innate immunity, including macrophages and related cytokines, can be influenced by adaptive immunity. The function of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells in this process has attracted attention. The Th17/Treg balance is regulated by inflammatory cytokines and various metabolic factors, including those associated with cellular energy metabolism. The possible underlying mechanisms include metabolism-related signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation. Several studies conducted on human and animal models have shown marked differences in and the important roles of Th17/Treg in chronic inflammation associated with obesity and metabolic diseases. Moreover, Th17/Treg seems to be a bridge linking the gut microbiota to host metabolic disorders. In this review, we have provided an overview of the alterations in and the functions of the Th17/Treg balance in metabolic diseases and its role in regulating immune response-related glucose and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaokun Gang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mengzhao Cui
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guixia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Gokina NI, Fairchild RI, Prakash K, DeLance NM, Bonney EA. Deficiency in CD4 T Cells Leads to Enhanced Postpartum Internal Carotid Artery Vasoconstriction in Mice: The Role of Nitric Oxide. Front Physiol 2021; 12:686429. [PMID: 34220551 PMCID: PMC8242360 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.686429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of postpartum (PP) stroke is increased in complicated pregnancies. Deficiency in CD4 T cell subsets is associated with preeclampsia and may contribute to PP vascular disease, including internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and stroke. We hypothesized that CD4 T cell deficiency in pregnancy would result in ICA dysregulation, including enhanced ICA vasoconstriction. We characterized the function, mechanical behavior, and structure of ICAs from C57BL/6 (WT) and CD4 deficient (CD4KO) mice, and assessed the role of NO in the control of ICA function at pre-conception and PP. WT and CD4KO mice were housed under pathogen-free conditions, mated to same-strain males, and allowed to litter or left virgin. At 3 days or 4 weeks PP, mice were euthanized. The responses to phenylephrine (PE), high K+ and acetylcholine (ACh) were assessed in pressurized ICAs before and after NOS inhibition. Passive lumen diameters were measured at 3–140 mmHg. eNOS and iNOS expression as well as the presence of T cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Constriction of WT ICAs to PE was not modified PP. In contrast, responses to PE were significantly increased in ICAs from PP as compared to virgin CD4KO mice. Constriction to high K+ was not enhanced PP. ICAs from WT and CD4KO mice were equally sensitive to ACh with a significant rightward shift of dose-response curves after L-NNA treatment. NOS inhibition enhanced PE constriction of ICAs from WT virgin and PP mice. Although a similar effect was detected in ICAs of virgin CD4KO mice, no such changes were observed in vessels from PP CD4KO mice. Passive arterial distensibility at physiological levels of pressure was not modified at PP. ICA diameters were significantly increased in PP with no change in vascular wall thickness. Comparison of eNOS expression in virgin, 3 days and 4 weeks PP revealed a reduced expression in ICA from CD4 KO vs. WT PP vessels which reached significance at 4 weeks PP. iNos expression was similar and decreased over the PP period in vessels from WT and CD4KO mice. Dysregulation of the CD4 T cell population in pregnancy may make ICA vulnerable to vasospasm due to decreased NO-dependent control of ICA constriction. This may lead to cerebral hypoperfusion and increase the risk of maternal PP stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Gokina
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Rebecca I Fairchild
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Kirtika Prakash
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Nicole M DeLance
- Microscopy Imaging Center, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
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