Low serum level of 25-OH vitamin D relates to Th17 and treg changes in colorectal cancer patients

Clinical assessment of TGFB1 and HP Relative Gene Expression in the Peripheral Blood of Prostate Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the relative gene expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFB1) and haptoglobin (HP) in the peripheral blood of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and evaluate their diagnostic ability.

METHODS

A total of 125 participants were enrolled in the present study. Among them, 75 PCa patients, 25 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, and 25 healthy volunteers served as the control group. The relative TGFB1 and HP gene expression level was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Further, free and total PSA levels were determined using electrochemiluminescence assays.

RESULTS

TGFB1 was significantly over-expressed, whereas HP was significantly downregulated in the peripheral blood of PCa patients compared to BPH and control groups (p-value ranges from 0.034 to <0.001). Moreover, the high expression level of TGFB1 was associated with an increased risk of PCa development with OR=1.412 (95%CI: 1.081-1.869, p= 0.012). TGFB1 and HP relative expression levels had lower diagnostic performance to differentiate PCa from normal and BPH individuals compared to PSA, however, the combination of the tested parameters improved the diagnostic efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

TGFB1 and HP relative expression have moderate diagnostic efficacy in discriminating patients with PCa from BPH and healthy subjects. Furthermore, over-expression of TGFB1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of PCa.

Vitamin D improves autoimmune diseases by inhibiting Wnt signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the development of the Wnt signaling pathway in vitamin D (VitD) to improve systemic lupus erythematosus in mice to breakthrough clinical treatment approaches.

METHODS

Body weight changes were recorded during rearing. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-snRNP were detected in the mouse serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis of Th1 and Th2 immune cells in mice was detected using flow cytometry. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of T-bet, GATA3, and Wnt3a mRNA in the spleens of each group. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of Wnt1, p-β-catenin, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinsase3β (GSK-3β), Wnt3a, c-myc, and cyclin D1 protein in mice spleens. β-catenin in mice spleen was visualized using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

VitD did not substantial reduce the body weight of MRL/LPR mice, whereas the inhibitor did. VitD notably decreased the concentrations of ANA, anti-double-stranded DNA, and anti-snRNP in the serum of MRL/LPR mice and alleviated apoptosis of Th1 and Th2 cells. VitD markedly increased the expression of T-bet and GATA mRNA in the spleen of MRL/LPR mice and consequently increased the levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin. Western blot analysis revealed that the levels of GSK-3β, p-β-catenin, Wnt1, Wnt3a, c-myc, and cyclin D1 could be reduced by VitD, compared with MRL/LPR. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of β-catenin was the most pronounced in the spleen of MRL/LPR mice, and the expression level of β-catenin decreased substantially after VitD intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

VitD can further inhibit the nuclear translocation of β-catenin by downregulating the expression of Wnt ligands (Wnt1 and Wnt3a), which reduces the expression of the downstream target gene cyclin D1. Systemic lupus erythematosus in mice was improved by inhibiting the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

Modulation of the vitamin D receptor by traditional Chinese medicines and bioactive compounds: potential therapeutic applications in VDR-dependent diseases

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a crucial nuclear receptor that plays a vital role in various physiological functions. To a larger extent, the genomic effects of VDR maintain general wellbeing, and its modulation holds implications for multiple diseases. Current evidence regarding using vitamin D or its synthetic analogs to treat non-communicable diseases is insufficient, though observational studies suggest potential benefits. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and bioactive compounds derived from natural sources have garnered increasing attention. Interestingly, TCM formulae and TCM-derived bioactive compounds have shown promise in modulating VDR activities. This review explores the intriguing potential of TCM and bioactive compounds in modulating VDR activity. We first emphasize the latest information on the genetic expression, function, and structure of VDR, providing a comprehensive understanding of this crucial receptor. Following this, we review several TCM formulae and herbs known to influence VDR alongside the mechanisms underpinning their action. Similarly, we also discuss TCM-based bioactive compounds that target VDR, offering insights into their roles and modes of action.

The changes of Treg and Th17 cells relate to serum 25(OH)D in patients with initial-onset childhood systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Improving the balance between Treg and Th17 cells can be a promising new therapeutic target in SLE patients. Vitamin D has a significant impact on the immune inflammatory process and the immune cells involved in this process. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Th17, Treg, cytokines, and serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in patients with initial-onset childhood SLE.

Methods

A total of 82 children aged <18 years with initial-onset SLE were included, as well as 60 healthy subjects during the same period at the Pediatrics Department of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The chemiluminescence method was performed to detect serum 25(OH)D levels. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate Treg and Th17 cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to evaluate plasma interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17, IL-10, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations.

Result

The serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with initial-onset childhood SLE were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls. The proportion of lupus nephritis (LN) was higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group (71.4%) compared with the vitamin D sufficiency group (30.3%) (p < 0.05). The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group (median = 14) than that in the vitamin D sufficiency group (median = 9) (p < 0.05).The 25(OH)D level was positively correlated with the Treg ratio (r = 0.337, p = 0.002), and it was negatively correlated with the Th17 cell ratio (r = -0.370, p = 0.001). The serum 25(OH)D level had a negative correlation with IL-23 (r = -0.589, p < 0.001), IL-17(r = -0.351, p = 0.001), TNF-α (r = -0.283, p = 0.01), IL-6 (r = -0.392, p < 0.001), and IL-10 (r = -0.313, p = 0.004) levels.

Conclusion

The serum 25(OH)D levels decreased in patients with initial-onset childhood SLE. There was a negative correlation between the serum 25(OH)D levels and SLEDAI. The serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with initial-onset childhood SLE were negatively correlated with the Th17 ratio and related cytokines, while positively correlated with the Treg ratio.

Potential tactics with vitamin D and certain phytochemicals for enhancing the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint blockade therapies

Immunotherapy strategies targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) are revolutionizing oncology. However, its effectiveness is limited in part due to the loss of effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Interestingly, supplementation of vitamin D could abolish the repressive effect of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CD8⁺ T cells, which might prevent the lymphocytopenia. In addition, vitamin D signaling could contribute to the differentiation of T-regulatory (Treg) cells associated with the expression of Treg markers such as forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and CTLA-4. Furthermore, vitamin D may be associated with the stimulation of innate immunity. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and estrogen receptor (ESR) signaling, and even the signaling from phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway could have inhibitory roles in carcinogenesis possibly via the modulation of immune checkpoint molecules. In some cases, certain small molecules including vitamin D could be a novel therapeutic modality with a promising potential for the better performance of immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapies.

Vitamin D and Omega-3 (Fatty Acid) Supplementation in Pregnancy for the Primary Prevention of Food Allergy in Children-Literature Review

During the last decades the prevalence of food allergy (FA), an adverse immune response to a specific food antigen, has risen, with negative effects on the quality of life (QoL) of many children and their families. The pathogenesis of FA is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. SPINK5, STAT6, HLA and FOXP3 are some of the genes that are reported to be implicated in FA development. Regarding environmental factors, particular interest has been focused on modification of the dietary habits of pregnant women for the primary prevention of FA. Specifically, Vitamin D and omega-3 (Ω-3) fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy may influence the development of FA in the offspring. Vitamin D is a hormone with various actions, including mediation of the immune system, reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines and promoting tolerance. Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy suppresses T-regulatory cells in the fetus, and Vitamin D supplementation might protect against FA development. Dietary Ω-3 fatty acids are found mainly in fish and vegetable oils. They are beneficial for human health, playing a role in the immune system as anti-inflammatory agents, and providing cell membrane stabilization with inhibition of antigen presentation. It is documented that maternal supplementation with Ω-3 during pregnancy may protect from allergic sensitization in the children. The aim of this literature review was to explore the potential preventive role of maternal supplementation during pregnancy with Vitamin D and Ω-3 in the development of FA in the offspring. With the prevalence of FA rising, all the possible protective mechanisms and measures for FA prevention need to be explored, starting with those that can be modified.