Upstream regulators of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and their role in diseases

Exploration of the mechanism of Qinglongyi-Buguzhi drug pair in treating vitiligo based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Qinglongyi-Buguzhi herbal pair (QB) is one of commonly used herbal combinations for treating vitiligo in traditional Chinese medicine, consisting of the exocarp of the immature fruit of Juglans regia L. or Juglans mandshurica Maxim., and dried, mature fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. However, the active components and potential mechanisms of QB in the treatment of vitiligo are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects and mechanisms of QB on vitiligo treatment through integration of network pharmacology and empirical examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The active components and targets of QB as well as the targets linked to vitiligo were obtained from network databases. Visualization networks were constructed with Cytoscape 3.9.1. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted to investigate the possible mechanism. Molecular docking was employed to evaluate the binding affinities between the primary active ingredients of QB and essential targets of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. In vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out to confirm the results of network pharmacology.

RESULTS

We evaluated 44 active compounds and 602 genes from QB, and 107 of these genes linked to vitiligo. GO analysis suggested QB might lessen vitiligo by regulating oxidative stress. KEGG pathway analysis indicated the PI3K/Akt pathway may be crucial for treating vitiligo. Molecular docking results demonstrated the key active ingredients of QB had good binding activity with the major targets in the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. In vivo, QB significantly ameliorated vitiligo model mouse's skin pathologies by reducing ROS, elevating CAT and SOD levels. Western blot showed that QB increased the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt and the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the skin. In vitro, QB reversed H2O2-induced oxidative injury of melanocytes, enhanced cell survival rate, reduced ROS level, upregulated SOD and CAT activities, and raised the content of melanin. Moreover, QB upregulated the expression levels of Akt, Nrf2, HO-1 mRNA, Akt phosphorylation, HO-1, and nuclear Nrf2 proteins, and also encouraged the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. However, LY294002 treatment significantly reversed the regulatory effect of QB on oxidative damage of melanocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the therapeutic effect of QB on vitiligo was achieved through multiple components, targets and pathways. Experimental investigation demonstrated that QB could improve vitiligo via reducing oxidative stress, which was probably accomplished by activating the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Targeting hematological malignancies with isoxazole derivatives

Compounds with a heterocyclic isoxazole ring are well known for their diverse biologic activities encompassing antimicrobial, antipsychotic, immunosuppressive, antidiabetic and anticancer effects. Recent studies on hematological malignancies have also shown that some of the isoxazole-derived compounds feature encouraging cancer selectivity, low toxicity to normal cells and ability to overcome cancer drug resistance of conventional treatments. These characteristics are particularly promising because patients with hematological malignancies face poor clinical outcomes caused by cancer drug resistance or relapse of the disease. This review summarizes the knowledge on isoxazole-derived compounds toward hematological malignancies and provides clues on their mechanism(s) of action (apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, ROS production) and putative pharmacological targets (c-Myc, BET, ATR, FLT3, HSP90, CARM1, tubulin, PD-1/PD-L1, HDACs) wherever known.

Identification and validation of immune-related genes in osteoarthritic synovial fibroblasts

Objective

OA was generally considered as a non-inflammatory disease dominated by articular cartilage degeneration. However, the role of synovitis in OA pathogenesis has received increasing attention. Recent studies support that OA patients have a pro-inflammatory/catabolic synovial environment similar to RA patients, promoting the occurrence and development of OA. Therefore, we investigated the co-immune-related genes and pathways of OA and RA to explore whether part of the pathogenesis of RA synovitis can be used to explain OA synovitis.

Methods

Data of GSE29746 and GSE12021 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Compared with control group, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of OA and RA groups were screened separately by R software, Venny website was used to screen co-DEGs. Metascape was used to screen the common enriched terms and pathways between OA and RA. STRING website and Cytoscape software were used to map protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and screen co-hub genes. GSE29746 was selected as the test dataset, and GSE12021 as the validation dataset for validate the co-hub genes. The results were validated by western blotting (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of clinical synovial samples.

Results

We identified 573 OA-related DEGs, 148 RA-related DEGs, and 52 co-DEGs, revealing 14 common enriched terms, most of which were related to immune inflammation. IL7R was the only upregulated co-hub gene between OA and RA in the PPI network, consistent with the validation dataset. IL7R was highly expressed in clinical osteoarthritic synovial samples (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that IL7R is a critical co-DEG in OA and RA and confirmed the involvement of immune inflammation in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, it confirms the role of IL7R in synovial inflammation in RA and OA synovitis and provides evidence for further investigation of OA immune inflammation.

Natural flavonoids as potential therapeutics in the management of Alzheimer's disease: a review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder which is associated with the accumulation of proteotoxic Aβ peptides, and pathologically characterized by the deposition of Aβ-enriched plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Given the social and economic burden caused by the rising frequency of AD, there is an urgent need for the development of appropriate therapeutics. Natural compounds are gaining popularity as alternatives to synthetic drugs due to their neuroprotective properties and higher biocompatibility. While natural compound's therapeutic effects for AD have been recently investigated in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, only few have developed to clinical trials. The present review aims to provide a brief overview of the therapeutic effects, new insights, and upcoming perspectives of the preclinical and clinical trials of flavonoids for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Rosa laevigata Michx. Polysaccharide Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Mice through Inhibiting Ferroptosis and PI3K/AKT Pathway-Mediated Apoptosis and Modulating Tryptophan Metabolism

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a metabolic disease wherein chronic hyperglycemia triggers various renal cell dysfunctions, eventually leading to progressive kidney failure. Rosa laevigata Michx. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Many studies have confirmed its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and renoprotective effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of Rosa laevigata Michx. polysaccharide (RLP) in DN remain unclear. In this study, a DN mouse model was established to investigate the therapeutic effect of RLP on DN mice. Then, nontargeted metabolomics was used to analyze the potential mechanism of RLP in the treatment of DN. Finally, the effects of RLP on ferroptosis and the PI3K/AKT pathway were investigated. The results demonstrated that RLP effectively alleviated renal injury and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney. In addition, nontargeted metabolomic analysis indicated that RLP could modulate riboflavin metabolism and tryptophan metabolism in DN mice. Notably, ferroptosis and PI3K/AKT pathway-mediated apoptosis in the kidney were also ameliorated following RLP treatment. In conclusion, this study confirmed that RLP had a significant therapeutic effect on DN mice. Furthermore, RLP treatment modulated tryptophan metabolism and inhibited ferroptosis and PI3K/AKT pathway-mediated apoptosis in the kidney.

The Exosome-Mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Neurological Diseases

As major public health concerns associated with a rapidly growing aging population, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and neurological diseases are important causes of disability and mortality. Neurological diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the main players of NDDs and have critical roles in neurodegenerative processes. During the aforementioned inflammatory/apoptotic/oxidative stress procedures, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role. Considering the functional and structural aspects of the blood-brain barrier, drug delivery to the central nervous system is relatively challenging. Exosomes are nanoscale membrane-bound carriers that can be secreted by cells and carry several cargoes, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. Exosomes significantly take part in the intercellular communications due to their specific features including low immunogenicity, flexibility, and great tissue/cell penetration capabilities. Due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, these nano-sized structures have been introduced as proper vehicles for central nervous system drug delivery by multiple studies. In the present systematic review, we highlight the potential therapeutic effects of exosomes in the context of NDDs and neurological diseases by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Nootkatone alleviates rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease symptoms through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Nootkatone (NKT) has been shown to have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects and in this study, we systematically studied the efficacy and mechanism of action of NKT in rotenone (ROT)-induced PD rats. Firstly, through behavioral experiments and brain tissue staining, we found that NKT alleviated behavioral dysfunction and protected dopaminergic neurons associated with ROT-induced PD rats. Next, target prediction, protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway enrichment analyses were used to obtain potential targets, specific biological processes, and molecular mechanisms of NKT for the potential treatment of PD. Furthermore, we also applied molecular docking to predict the binding capacity of NKT and related targets. Additionally, in vivo experiments confirmed that NKT could inhibit the expression of Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, reducing neuroinflammation, and ultimately ameliorating ROT-induced PD symptoms. Taken together, the results of the study provide a clear explanation for the remission of PD symptoms by NKT, suggesting that it may be a promising candidate for the treatment of PD.

Targeting PI3K by Natural Products: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder. In general, a child with ADHD has significant attention problems with difficulty concentrating on a subject and is generally associated with impulsivity and excessive activity. The etiology of ADHD in most patients is unknown, although it is considered to be a multifactorial disease caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Diverse factors, such as the existence of mental, nutritional, or general health problems during childhood, as well as smoking and alcohol drinking during pregnancy, are related to an increased risk of ADHD. Behavioral and psychological characteristics of ADHD include anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, language disorders, and learning disabilities. These symptoms affect individuals, families, and communities, negatively altering educational and social results, strained parent-child relationships, and increased use of health services. ADHD may be associated with deficits in inhibitory frontostriatal noradrenergic neurons on lower striatal structures that are predominantly driven by dopaminergic neurons. Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a conserved family of lipid kinases that control a number of cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, insulin metabolism, and apoptosis. Since PI3K plays an important role in controlling the noradrenergic neuron, it opens up new insights into research on ADHD and other developmental brain diseases. This review presents evidence for the potential usefulness of PI3K and its modulators as a potential treatment for ADHD.

Glytabastan B, a coumestan isolated from Glycine tabacina, alleviated synovial inflammation, osteoclastogenesis and collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways

The roots of Glycine tabacina are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and joint infection in folk medicine. Glytabastan B (GlyB), a newly reported coumestan isolated from this species, was found to significantly attenuate IL-1β-induced inflammation in SW982 human synovial cells at 3 and 6 μM, as evidenced by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). GlyB also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, decreased the expression of osteoclastogenic markers (NFATc1, CTSK, MMP-9) and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Further, GlyB administration (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) significantly inhibited inflammation, osteoclast formation and disease progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Integration of network pharmacology, quantitative phosphoproteomic and experimental pharmacology results revealed that these beneficial actions were closely associated with the blockade of GlyB on the activation of MAPK, PI3K/AKT and their downstream signals including NF-κB and GSK3β/NFATc1. Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, cellular thermal shift (CETSA) assay and molecular docking analysis confirmed that there were direct interactions between GlyB and its target proteins ERK2, JNK1 and class Ⅰ PI3K catalytic subunit p110 (α, β, δ and γ), which significantly contributed to the inhibition of activation of MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest GlyB is a promising multiple-target candidate for the development of agents for the prevention and treatment of RA.

Screening for Active Compounds Targeting Human Natural Killer Cell Activation Identifying Daphnetin as an Enhancer for IFN-γ Production and Direct Cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cells are a potent weapon against tumor and viral infection. Finding active compounds with the capacity of enhancing NK cell effector functions will be effective to develop new anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we initially screened 287 commercially available active compounds by co-culturing with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We found that five compounds, namely, Daphnetin, MK-8617, LW6, JIB-04, and IOX1, increased the IFN-γ⁺ NK cell ratio in the presence of IL-12. Further studies using purified human primary NK cells revealed that Daphnetin directly promoted NK cell IFN-γ production in the presence of IL-12 but not IL-15, while the other four compounds acted on NK cells indirectly. Daphnetin also improved the direct cytotoxicity of NK cells against tumor cells in the presence of IL-12. Through RNA-sequencing, we found that PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling acted as a central pathway in Daphnetin-mediated NK cell activation in the presence of IL-12. This was further confirmed by the finding that both inhibitors of PI3K-Akt and its main downstream signaling mTOR, LY294002, and rapamycin, respectively, can reverse the increase of IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity in NK cells promoted by Daphnetin. Collectively, we identify a natural product, Daphnetin, with the capacity of promoting human NK cell activation via PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling in the presence of IL-12. Our current study opens up a new potential application for Daphnetin as a complementary immunomodulator for cancer treatments.

The Importance of Being PI3K in the RAS Signaling Network

Ras proteins are essential mediators of a multitude of cellular processes, and its deregulation is frequently associated with cancer appearance, progression, and metastasis. Ras-driven cancers are usually aggressive and difficult to treat. Although the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first Ras G12C inhibitor is an important milestone, only a small percentage of patients will benefit from it. A better understanding of the context in which Ras operates in different tumor types and the outcomes mediated by each effector pathway may help to identify additional strategies and targets to treat Ras-driven tumors. Evidence emerging in recent years suggests that both oncogenic Ras signaling in tumor cells and non-oncogenic Ras signaling in stromal cells play an essential role in cancer. PI3K is one of the main Ras effectors, regulating important cellular processes such as cell viability or resistance to therapy or angiogenesis upon oncogenic Ras activation. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the understanding of Ras-dependent activation of PI3K both in physiological conditions and cancer, with a focus on how this signaling pathway contributes to the formation of a tumor stroma that promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and spread.

The risk of leukemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the risk of leukemia was still controversial. This study aimed to assess the risk of leukemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed up to December 2019. Random effects model analysis was used to pool standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 15 relevant studies that met the criteria were included. Compared with the general population, patients with RA showed an increased risk of leukemia (SIR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.34-1.70). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with an I² of 55.5%. In subgroup analysis, the source of heterogeneity may be due to differences in sample size. Publication bias was not found in the Begg funnel plot and the Egger test.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that the risk of leukemia in RA was increased compared with the general population. Key points • This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of leukemia in RA. • Our study suggested that the risk of leukemia in RA was increased compared with the general population. • This study indicated that the risk of leukemia in RA was higher in non-Asian populations.

Kunxian Capsule for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inhibition of Inflammatory Network and Reducing Adverse Reactions Through Drug Matching

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f and Tripterygium hypoglaucum (H.Lév.) Hutch is effective herbs to prevent aggravation of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, both of them show severe side effects in the reproductive system and other systems. Kunxian Capsule (KX), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) patent prescription, comprised of 4 herbs, including H.Lév. Hutch, is reported to be an available prescription in treating RA with fewer side effects as compares to Tripterygium tablets. To reveal the pharmacological mechanism of KX in RA treatment and side effect alleviation, we collected related information of KX from open-access databases and performed various analyses. 1354 targets were identified in KX. These targets were enriched in the calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, forming biological functions, such as cofactor binding, coenzyme binding, etc. These pathways or functions mostly affect cell cycle, differentiation, and maturation of Th17 cells, macrophage, and synovial fibroblast. These targets also act on the IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway, which is related to inflammation response inhibition. Next, a disease network was constructed, which indicated IMPDH2, MTHFD1 are the key genes answering for the side effects of H.Lév. Hutch. The side effect–related genes lead to the negative regulation of nucleic acid, which could be restored by the rest 3 herbs through some positive amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, KX is a relatively safe alternative approach in RA intervention.