Dual immuno-renal targeting of 7-benzylidenenaltrexone alleviates lupus nephritis via FcγRIIB and HO-1

FcγRIIB modulates splenic germinal center response against immune subversion during acute influenza A virus infection

BACKGROUND

B cells are essential for providing humoral protection against acute influenza A virus (IAV) infection. FcγRIIB, a regulator of antibody (Ab) production, influences immune responses during pathogen infections, but its specific impact on humoral protection and B cell-mediated responses against IAV remains unclear.

METHODS

To investigate FcγRIIB's role in host defense and B cell function during acute IAV infection, we generated mice with systemic FcγRIIB deficiency, functional impairment, and B cell-specific FcγRIIB deletion. We infected these mice with PR8 (H1N1) or Hkx31 (H3N2) IAVs and evaluated body weight preservation, survival rates, Ab production, viral neutralization, Ab affinity maturation, and germinal center B cell development.

RESULTS

Mice lacking FcγRIIB or with impaired function showed improved protection, preserved body weight, and increased survival rates during IAV infection. Notably, mice with haploinsufficient FcγRIIB function displayed protective effects. Selective deficiency of FcγRIIB in B cells led to enhanced Ab production, resulting in elevated IAV-specific Abs in the serum with superior viral neutralizing potency. However, the impact on the affinity maturation index of virus-specific Abs was modest. Accordingly, FcγRIIB-deficient B cells maintained normal germinal center B cell development during IAV infection, whereas wild-type mice exhibited delayed differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Our research underscores the pivotal role of FcγRIIB in host defense and B cell-mediated immunity during acute IAV infection. Additionally, our discoveries hold implications for antiviral treatments, particularly during the initial stages of IAV infection, aimed at enhancing the host's humoral immune response.

Nrf2/HO-1 as a therapeutic target in renal fibrosis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and affects between 10 and 14 % of the world's population. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2040, the disease will be fifth in prevalence. End-stage CKD is characterized by renal fibrosis, which can eventually lead to kidney failure and death. Renal fibrosis develops due to multiple injuries and involves oxidative stress and inflammation. In the human body, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an important role in the expression of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective genes, which prevents oxidative stress and inflammation damage. Heme oxygenase (HO-1) is an inducible homolog influenced by heme products and after exposure to cellular stress inducers such as oxidants, inflammatory chemokines/cytokines, and tissue damage as an outcome or downstream of Nrf2 activation. HO-1 is known for its antioxidative properties, which play an important role in regulating oxidative stress. In renal diseases-induced tissue fibrosis and xenobiotics-induced renal fibrosis, Nrf2/HO-1 has been targeted with promising results. This review summarizes these studies and highlights the interesting bioactive compounds that may assist in attenuating renal fibrosis mediated by HO-1 activation. In conclusion, Nrf2/HO-1 signal activation could have a renoprotective effect strategy against CKD caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, and consequent renal fibrosis.

Identification of potent target and its mechanism of action of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in the treatment of lupus nephritis

AIM

The Chinese anti-rheumatic herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) has been widely shown to be effective in treating lupus nephritis (LN), but the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to combine mRNA expression profile analysis and network pharmacology analysis to screen the pathogenic genes and pathways involved in LN and to explore the potential targets of TWHF in the treatment of LN.

METHODS

The mRNA expression profiles of LN patients were used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to predict associated pathogenic pathways and networks via the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis database. Through molecular docking, we predicted the mechanism by which TWHF interacts with candidate targets.

RESULTS

A total of 351 DEGs were screened from the glomeruli of LN patients and were mainly concentrated in the role of pattern recognition receptors in the recognition of bacteria and viruses and interferon signaling pathways. A total of 130 DEGs were screened from the tubulointerstitium of LN patients, which were concentrated in the interferon signaling pathway. TWHF might be effective in treating LN by hydrogen bonding to regulate the functions of 24 DEGs (including HMOX1, ALB, and CASP1), which are mainly concentrated in the B-cell signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The mRNA expression profile of renal tissue from LN patients revealed a large number of DEGs. TWHF has been shown to interact with the DEGs (including HMOX1, ALB and CASP1) through hydrogen bonding to treat LN.

Endogenous Opiates and Behavior: 2018

This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).