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Mayo KH. Heterologous Interactions with Galectins and Chemokines and Their Functional Consequences. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14083. [PMID: 37762385 PMCID: PMC10531749 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extra- and intra-cellular activity occurs under the direction of numerous inter-molecular interactions, and in any tissue or cell, molecules are densely packed, thus promoting those molecular interactions. Galectins and chemokines, the focus of this review, are small, protein effector molecules that mediate various cellular functions-in particular, cell adhesion and migration-as well as cell signaling/activation. In the past, researchers have reported that combinations of these (and other) effector molecules act separately, yet sometimes in concert, but nevertheless physically apart and via their individual cell receptors. This view that each effector molecule functions independently of the other limits our thinking about functional versatility and cooperation, and, in turn, ignores the prospect of physiologically important inter-molecular interactions, especially when both molecules are present or co-expressed in the same cellular environment. This review is focused on such protein-protein interactions with chemokines and galectins, the homo- and hetero-oligomeric structures that they can form, and the functional consequences of those paired interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota Health Sciences Center, 6-155 Jackson Hall, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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2
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Bouffette S, Botez I, De Ceuninck F. Targeting galectin-3 in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:519-531. [PMID: 37391294 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Galectin (Gal)-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin emerging as a key player in cardiac, hepatic, renal, and pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation, respiratory infections caused by COVID-19, and neuroinflammatory disorders. Here, we review recent information highlighting Gal-3 as a relevant therapeutic target in these specific disease conditions. While a causal link was difficult to establish until now, we discuss how recent strategic breakthroughs allowed us to identify new-generation Gal-3 inhibitors with improved potency, selectivity, and bioavailability, and report their usefulness as valuable tools for proof-of-concept studies in various preclinical models of the aforementioned diseases, with emphasis on those actually in clinical stages. We also address critical views and suggestions intended to expand the therapeutic opportunities provided by this complex target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Bouffette
- Servier, Neurology and Immuno-inflammation Therapeutic Area, Servier R&D Center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Orsay, France
| | - Iuliana Botez
- Servier, Drug Design Small Molecules Unit, Servier R&D Center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Frédéric De Ceuninck
- Servier, Neurology and Immuno-inflammation Therapeutic Area, Servier R&D Center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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3
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Kaffashi K, Dréau D, Nesmelova IV. Heterodimers Are an Integral Component of Chemokine Signaling Repertoire. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11639. [PMID: 37511398 PMCID: PMC10380872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a family of signaling proteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell communication, cell migration, and cell trafficking, particularly leukocytes, under both normal and pathological conditions. The oligomerization state of chemokines influences their biological activity. The heterooligomerization occurs when multiple chemokines spatially and temporally co-localize, and it can significantly affect cellular responses. Recently, obligate heterodimers have emerged as tools to investigate the activities and molecular mechanisms of chemokine heterodimers, providing valuable insights into their functional roles. This review focuses on the latest progress in understanding the roles of chemokine heterodimers and their contribution to the functioning of the chemokine network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kaffashi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
- Department of Physics and Optical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Didier Dréau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Irina V Nesmelova
- Department of Physics and Optical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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4
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Blanchet X, Weber C, von Hundelshausen P. Chemokine Heteromers and Their Impact on Cellular Function-A Conceptual Framework. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10925. [PMID: 37446102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines are proteins involved in numerous biological activities. Their essential role consists of the formation of gradient and (immune) cell recruitment. Chemokine biology and its related signaling system is more complex than simple ligand-receptor interactions. Beside interactions with their cognate and/or atypical chemokine receptors, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chemokines form complexes with themselves as homo-oligomers, heteromers and also with other soluble effector proteins, including the atypical chemokine MIF, carbohydrate-binding proteins (galectins), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or with chemokine-binding proteins such as evasins. Likewise, nucleic acids have been described as binding targets for the tetrameric form of CXCL4. The dynamic balance between monomeric and dimeric structures, as well as interactions with GAGs, modulate the concentrations of free chemokines available along with the nature of the gradient. Dimerization of chemokines changes the canonical monomeric fold into two main dimeric structures, namely CC- and CXC-type dimers. Recent studies highlighted that chemokine dimer formation is a frequent event that could occur under pathophysiological conditions. The structural changes dictated by chemokine dimerization confer additional biological activities, e.g., biased signaling. The present review will provide a short overview of the known functionality of chemokines together with the consequences of the interactions engaged by the chemokines with other proteins. Finally, we will present potential therapeutic tools targeting the chemokine multimeric structures that could modulate their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Blanchet
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philipp von Hundelshausen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
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5
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Günther J, Galuska SP. A brief history of galectin evolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147356. [PMID: 37457740 PMCID: PMC10343441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins found in vertebrates in great abundance and diversity in terms of both structure and ligand-binding properties as well as physiological function. Proteins with clear relationships to vertebrate galectins are already found in primitive Bilateria. The increasing amount of accessible well-annotated bilaterian genomes has allowed us to reveal, through synteny analyses, a new hypothesis about the phylogenetic history of the galectin family in this animal group. Thus, we can trace the genomic localization of the putative ancestral Bilateria galectin back to the scallops as a still very primitive slow-evolving bilaterian lineage. Intriguingly, our analyses show that the primordial galectin of the Deuterostomata most likely exhibited galectin-8-like characteristics. This basal standing galectin is characterized by a tandem-repeat type with two carbohydrate recognition domains as well as by a sialic acid binding property of the N-terminal domain, which is typical for galectin-8. With the help of synteny, the amplification of this potential primordial galectin to the broad galectin cosmos of modern jawed vertebrates can be reconstructed. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between the paralogs resulting from small-scale duplication and the ohnologues generated by whole-genome duplication. Our findings support a substantially new hypothesis about the origin of the various members of the galectin family in vertebrates. This allows us to reveal new theories on the kinship relationships of the galectins of Gnatostomata. In addition, we focus for the first time on the galectines of the Cyclostomata, which as a sister group of jawed vertebrates providing important insights into the evolutionary history of the entire subphylum. Our studies also highlight a previously neglected member of the galectin family, galectin-related protein 2. This protein appears to be a widespread ohnologue of the original tandem-repeat ancestor within Gnathostomata that has not been the focus of galectin research due to its nonclassical galactose binding sequence motif and the fact that it was lost during mammalian evolution.
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Zheng L, Xia J, Ge P, Meng Y, Li W, Li M, Wang M, Song C, Fan Y, Zhou Y. The interrelation of galectins and autophagy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110336. [PMID: 37262957 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a vital physiological process that maintains intracellular homeostasis by removing damaged organelles and senescent or misfolded molecules. However, excessive autophagy results in cell death and apoptosis, which will lead to a variety of diseases. Galectins are a type of animal lectin that binds to β-galactosides and can bind to the cell surface or extracellular matrix glycans, affecting a variety of immune processes in vivo and being linked to the development of many diseases. In many cases, galectins and autophagy both play important regulatory roles in the cellular life course, yet our understanding of the relationship between them is still incomplete. Galectins and autophagy may share common etiological cofactors for some diseases. Hence, we summarize the relationship between galectins and autophagy, aiming to draw attention to the existence of multiple associations between galectins and autophagy in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, which provide new ideas for etiological diagnosis, drug development, and therapeutic targets for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujuan Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Jing Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Pengyu Ge
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Yuhan Meng
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Weili Li
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Mingming Li
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Min Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Chengcheng Song
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Yuying Fan
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
| | - Yifa Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Changbai Mountain Natural Drugs, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
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7
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Gedaj A, Zukowska D, Porebska N, Pozniak M, Krzyscik M, Czyrek A, Krowarsch D, Zakrzewska M, Otlewski J, Opalinski L. Short report galectins use N-glycans of FGFs to capture growth factors at the cell surface and fine-tune their signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:122. [PMID: 37231412 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) constitute complex signaling hubs that are crucial for the development and homeostasis of the human body. Most of FGFs are released by cells using the conventional secretory pathway and are N-glycosylated, yet the role of FGFs glycosylation is largely unknown. Here, we identify N-glycans of FGFs as binding sites for a specific set of extracellular lectins, galectins - 1, -3, -7 and - 8. We demonstrate that galectins attract N-glycosylated FGF4 to the cell surface, forming a reservoir of the growth factor in the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we show that distinct galectins differentially modulate FGF4 signaling and FGF4-dependent cellular processes. Using engineered variants of galectins with altered valency we demonstrate that multivalency of galectins is critical for the adjustment of FGF4 activity. Summarizing, our data reveal a novel regulatory module within FGF signaling, in which the glyco-code in FGFs provides previously unanticipated information differentially deciphered by multivalent galectins, affecting signal transduction and cell physiology. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gedaj
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dominika Zukowska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Porebska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marta Pozniak
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Krzyscik
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Czyrek
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Krowarsch
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Zakrzewska
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Otlewski
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz Opalinski
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Department of Protein Engineering, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383, Wroclaw, Poland.
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8
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Weber C, Habenicht AJR, von Hundelshausen P. Novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis: inflammation and beyond. Eur Heart J 2023:7175015. [PMID: 37210082 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This review based on the ESC William Harvey Lecture in Basic Science 2022 highlights recent experimental and translational progress on the therapeutic targeting of the inflammatory components in atherosclerosis, introducing novel strategies to limit side effects and to increase efficacy. Since the validation of the inflammatory paradigm in CANTOS and COLCOT, efforts to control the residual risk conferred by inflammation have centred on the NLRP3 inflammasome-driven IL-1β-IL6 axis. Interference with the co-stimulatory dyad CD40L-CD40 and selective targeting of tumour necrosis factor-receptor associated factors (TRAFs), namely the TRAF6-CD40 interaction in macrophages by small molecule inhibitors, harbour intriguing options to reduce established atherosclerosis and plaque instability without immune side effects. The chemokine system crucial for shaping immune cell recruitment and homoeostasis can be fine-tuned and modulated by its heterodimer interactome. Structure-function analysis enabled the design of cyclic, helical, or linked peptides specifically targeting or mimicking these interactions to limit atherosclerosis or thrombosis by blunting myeloid recruitment, boosting regulatory T cells, inhibiting platelet activity, or specifically blocking the atypical chemokine MIF without notable side effects. Finally, adventitial neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces in advanced atherosclerosis show robust restructuring of innervation from perivascular ganglia and employ sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia to enter the central nervous system and to establish an atherosclerosis-brain circuit sensor, while sympathetic and vagal efferents project to the celiac ganglion to create an atherosclerosis-brain circuit effector. Disrupting this circuitry by surgical or chemical sympathectomy limited disease progression and enhanced plaque stability, opening exciting perspectives for selective and tailored intervention beyond anti-inflammatory strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas J R Habenicht
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Philipp von Hundelshausen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Pettenkoferstraße 9, 80336 München, Germany
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Xu H, Lin S, Zhou Z, Li D, Zhang X, Yu M, Zhao R, Wang Y, Qian J, Li X, Li B, Wei C, Chen K, Yoshimura T, Wang JM, Huang J. New genetic and epigenetic insights into the chemokine system: the latest discoveries aiding progression toward precision medicine. Cell Mol Immunol 2023:10.1038/s41423-023-01032-x. [PMID: 37198402 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01032-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past thirty years, the importance of chemokines and their seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been increasingly recognized. Chemokine interactions with receptors trigger signaling pathway activity to form a network fundamental to diverse immune processes, including host homeostasis and responses to disease. Genetic and nongenetic regulation of both the expression and structure of chemokines and receptors conveys chemokine functional heterogeneity. Imbalances and defects in the system contribute to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, including cancer, immune and inflammatory diseases, and metabolic and neurological disorders, which render the system a focus of studies aiming to discover therapies and important biomarkers. The integrated view of chemokine biology underpinning divergence and plasticity has provided insights into immune dysfunction in disease states, including, among others, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, by reporting the latest advances in chemokine biology and results from analyses of a plethora of sequencing-based datasets, we outline recent advances in the understanding of the genetic variations and nongenetic heterogeneity of chemokines and receptors and provide an updated view of their contribution to the pathophysiological network, focusing on chemokine-mediated inflammation and cancer. Clarification of the molecular basis of dynamic chemokine-receptor interactions will help advance the understanding of chemokine biology to achieve precision medicine application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanli Xu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shuye Lin
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Institute, 101149, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyun Zhou
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Duoduo Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiting Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Muhan Yu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ruoyi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yiheng Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Junru Qian
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Bohan Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chuhan Wei
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Keqiang Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Teizo Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ji Ming Wang
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jiaqiang Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China.
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Institute, 101149, Beijing, China.
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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Siebert HC, Eckert T, Bhunia A, Klatte N, Mohri M, Siebert S, Kozarova A, Hudson JW, Zhang R, Zhang N, Li L, Gousias K, Kanakis D, Yan M, Jiménez-Barbero J, Kožár T, Nifantiev NE, Vollmer C, Brandenburger T, Kindgen-Milles D, Haak T, Petridis AK. Blood pH Analysis in Combination with Molecular Medical Tools in Relation to COVID-19 Symptoms. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051421. [PMID: 37239092 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 provided the stage to accumulate an enormous biomedical data set and an opportunity as well as a challenge to test new concepts and strategies to combat the pandemic. New research and molecular medical protocols may be deployed in different scientific fields, e.g., glycobiology, nanopharmacology, or nanomedicine. We correlated clinical biomedical data derived from patients in intensive care units with structural biology and biophysical data from NMR and/or CAMM (computer-aided molecular modeling). Consequently, new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated. Specifically, we tested the suitability of incretin mimetics with one or two pH-sensitive amino acid residues as potential drugs to prevent or cure long-COVID symptoms. Blood pH values in correlation with temperature alterations in patient bodies were of clinical importance. The effects of biophysical parameters such as temperature and pH value variation in relation to physical-chemical membrane properties (e.g., glycosylation state, affinity of certain amino acid sequences to sialic acids as well as other carbohydrate residues and lipid structures) provided helpful hints in identifying a potential Achilles heel against long COVID. In silico CAMM methods and in vitro NMR experiments (including 31P NMR measurements) were applied to analyze the structural behavior of incretin mimetics and SARS-CoV fusion peptides interacting with dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. These supramolecular complexes were analyzed under physiological conditions by 1H and 31P NMR techniques. We were able to observe characteristic interaction states of incretin mimetics, SARS-CoV fusion peptides and DPC membranes. Novel interaction profiles (indicated, e.g., by 31P NMR signal splitting) were detected. Furthermore, we evaluated GM1 gangliosides and sialic acid-coated silica nanoparticles in complex with DPC micelles in order to create a simple virus host cell membrane model. This is a first step in exploring the structure-function relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and incretin mimetics with conserved pH-sensitive histidine residues in their carbohydrate recognition domains as found in galectins. The applied methods were effective in identifying peptide sequences as well as certain carbohydrate moieties with the potential to protect the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These clinically relevant observations on low blood pH values in fatal COVID-19 cases open routes for new therapeutic approaches, especially against long-COVID symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christian Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Eckert
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
- RISCC-Research Institute for Scientific Computing and Consulting, Ludwig-Schunk-Str. 15, 35452 Heuchelheim, Germany
- Institut für Veterinärphysiologie und Biochemie, Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Str. 100, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Anirban Bhunia
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Nele Klatte
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
| | - Marzieh Mohri
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna Kozarova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - John W Hudson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Ruiyan Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Lan Li
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Rüttenscheid, Alfried-Krupp-Straße 21, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Gousias
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinikum Lünen, St.-Marien-Hospital, Akad. Lehrkrankenhaus der Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 44534 Lünen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kanakis
- Institute of Pathology, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - Mingdi Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | | | - Tibor Kožár
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park, P. J. Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 04001 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Nikolay E Nifantiev
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Christian Vollmer
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Timo Brandenburger
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Detlef Kindgen-Milles
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Haak
- Diabetes Klinik Bad Mergentheim, Theodor-Klotzbücher-Str. 12, 97980 Bad Mergentheim, Germany
| | - Athanasios K Petridis
- Medical School, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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11
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Galectokines: The Promiscuous Relationship between Galectins and Cytokines. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091286. [PMID: 36139125 PMCID: PMC9496209 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins, a family of glycan-binding proteins, are well-known for their role in shaping the immune microenvironment. They can directly affect the activity and survival of different immune cell subtypes. Recent evidence suggests that galectins also indirectly affect the immune response by binding to members of another immunoregulatory protein family, i.e., cytokines. Such galectin-cytokine heterodimers, here referred to as galectokines, add a new layer of complexity to the regulation of immune homeostasis. Here, we summarize the current knowledge with regard to galectokine formation and function. We describe the known and potential mechanisms by which galectokines can help to shape the immune microenvironment. Finally, the outstanding questions and challenges for future research regarding the role of galectokines in immunomodulation are discussed.
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12
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Mansour AA, Raucci F, Sevim M, Saviano A, Begum J, Zhi Z, Pezhman L, Tull S, Maione F, Iqbal AJ. Galectin-9 supports primary T cell transendothelial migration in a glycan and integrin dependent manner. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113171. [PMID: 35643073 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immunity relies on the efficient recruitment of T cells from the blood into peripheral tissues. However, the current understanding of factor(s) coordinating these events is incomplete. Previous studies on galectin-9 (Gal-9), have proposed a functionally significant role for this lectin in mediating leukocyte adhesion and transmigration. However, very little is known about its function in T cell migration. Here, we have investigated the role of the Gal-9 on the migration behaviour of both human primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Our data indicate that Gal-9 supports both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell adhesion and transmigration in a glycan dependent manner, inducing L-selectin shedding and upregulation of LFA-1 and CXCR4 expression. Additionally, when immobilized, Gal-9 promoted capture and firm adhesion of T cells under flow, in a glycan and integrin-dependent manner. Using an in vivo model, dorsal air pouch, we found that Gal-9 deficient mice display impaired leukocyte trafficking, with a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines generated locally. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that Gal-9 inhibits the chemotactic function of CXCL12 through direct binding. In conclusion, our study characterises, for the first time, the capture, adhesion, and migration behaviour of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to immobilised /endothelial presented Gal-9, under static and physiological flow conditions. We also demonstrate the differential binding characteristics of Gal-9 to T cell subtypes, which could be of potential therapeutic significance, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory-based diseases, given Gal-9 ability to promote apoptosis in pathogenic T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Abo Mansour
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Federica Raucci
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mustafa Sevim
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Anella Saviano
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jenefa Begum
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zhaogong Zhi
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Laleh Pezhman
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Tull
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Maione
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Asif Jilani Iqbal
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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13
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Vlachou F, Varela A, Stathopoulou K, Ntatsoulis K, Synolaki E, Pratsinis H, Kletsas D, Sideras P, Davos CH, Capetanaki Y, Psarras S. Galectin-3 interferes with tissue repair and promotes cardiac dysfunction and comorbidities in a genetic heart failure model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:250. [PMID: 35441327 PMCID: PMC11072767 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04266-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Galectin-3, a biomarker for heart failure (HF), has been associated with myocardial fibrosis. However, its causal involvement in HF pathogenesis has been questioned in certain models of cardiac injury-induced HF. To address this, we used desmin-deficient mice (des-/-), a model of progressive HF characterized by cardiomyocyte death, spontaneous inflammatory responses sustaining fibrosis, and galectin-3 overexpression. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 led to improvement of cardiac function and adverse remodeling features including fibrosis. Over the course of development of des-/- cardiomyopathy, monitored for a period of 12 months, galectin-3 deficiency specifically ameliorated the decline in systolic function accompanying the acute inflammatory phase (4-week-old mice), whereas a more pronounced protective effect was observed in older mice, including the preservation of diastolic function. Interestingly, the cardiac repair activities during the early inflammatory phase were restored under galectin-3 deficiency by increasing the proliferation potential and decreasing apoptosis of fibroblasts, while galectin-3 absence modulated macrophage-fibroblast coupled functions and suppressed both pro-fibrotic activation of cardiac fibroblasts and pro-fibrotic gene expression in the des-/- heart. In addition, galectin-3 also affected the emphysema-like comorbid pathology observed in the des-/- mice, as its absence partially normalized lung compliance. Collectively galectin-3 was found to be causally involved in cardiac adverse remodeling, inflammation, and failure by affecting functions of cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages. In concordance with this role, the effectiveness of pharmacological inhibition in ameliorating cardiac pathology features establishes galectin-3 as a valid intervention target for HF, with additive benefits for treatment of associated comorbidities, such as pulmonary defects. Schematic illustrating top to bottom, the detrimental role of galectin-3 (Gal3) in heart failure progression: desmin deficiency-associated spontaneous myocardial inflammation accompanying cardiac cell death (reddish dashed border) is characterized by infiltration of macrophages (round cells) and up-regulation of Lgals3 (encoding secretable galectin-3, green) and detrimental macrophage-related genes (Ccr2 and Arg1). In this galectin-3-enriched milieu, the early up-regulation of profibrotic gene expression (Tgfb1, Acta2, Col1a1), in parallel to the suppression of proliferative activities and a potential of senescence induction by cardiac fibroblasts (spindle-like cells), collectively promote des-/- cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction establishing heart failure (left panel). Additionally, galectin-3+ macrophage-enrichment accompanies the development of emphysema-like lung comorbidities. In the absence of galectin-3 (right panel), the effect of macrophage-fibroblast dipole and associated events are modulated (grey color depicts reduced expression or activities) leading to attenuated cardiac pathology in the des-/-Lgals3-/- mice. Pulmonary comorbidities are also limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fani Vlachou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Varela
- Center of Clinical, Experimental and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Stathopoulou
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ntatsoulis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Synolaki
- Center of Clinical, Experimental and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Harris Pratsinis
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR Demokritos, 153 41, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Kletsas
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR Demokritos, 153 41, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Sideras
- Center of Clinical, Experimental and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos H Davos
- Center of Clinical, Experimental and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Yassemi Capetanaki
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Psarras
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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