Resolution of inflammation as a novel chemopreventive strategy

Cytokine concentration in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer

Introduction

The role of tumour secretory cytokines and peripheral circulatory cytokines in tumour progression has received increasing attention; however, the role of tumour-related inflammatory cytokines in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In this study, the concentrations of various cytokines in the peripheral blood of healthy controls and patients with CRC at different stages were compared.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 4 healthy participants and 22 colorectal cancer patients were examined. Luminex beads were used to evaluate concentration levels of 40 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples.

Results

In peripheral blood, compared with healthy controls and early stage (I + II) CRC patients, advanced CRC (III + IV) patients had increased concentrations of mononuclear/macrophage chemotactic-related proteins (CCL7, CCL8, CCL15, CCL2, and MIF), M2 polarization-related factors (IL-1β, IL-4), neutrophil chemotactic and N2 polarization-related cytokines (CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, IL-8), dendritic cells (DCs) chemotactic-related proteins (CCL19, CCL20, and CCL21), Natural killer (NK) cell related cytokines (CXCL9, CXCL10), Th2 cell-related cytokines (CCL1, CCL11, CCL26), CXCL12, IL-2, CCL25, and CCL27, and decreased IFN-γ and CX3CL1 concentrations. The differential upregulation of cytokines in peripheral blood was mainly concentrated in CRC patients with distant metastasis and was related to the size of the primary tumour; however, there was no significant correlation between cytokine levels in peripheral blood and the propensity and mechanism of lymph node metastasis.

Discussion

Different types of immune cells may share the same chemokine receptors and can co-localise in response to the same chemokines and exert synergistic pro-tumour or anti-tumour functions in the tumour microenvironment. Chemokines and cytokines affect tumour metastasis and prognosis and may be potential targets for treatment.

Ivermectin contributes to attenuating the severity of acute lung injury in mice

Ivermectin has been proposed as a potential anti-inflammatory drug in addition to its antiparasitic activity. Here we investigated the potential role of ivermectin in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or bleomycin (BLM)-induced mice models. Male C57BL/6 mice were given ivermectin orally every day for the remainder of the experiment at doses of 1 or 2 mg/kg after 24 h of LPS or BLM treatment. Ivermectin reversed severe lung injury caused by LPS or BLM challenge, including mortality, changes in diffuse ground-glass and consolidation shadows on lung CT imaging, lung histopathological scores, lung wet/dry ratio, and protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, ivermectin also reduced total lung BALF inflammatory cells, infiltrating neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels in mice treated with LPS or BLM. Finally, the mechanism study showed that LPS or BLM administration increased JNK, Erk1/2, and p38 MAPK phosphorylation while decreasing IκBα expression, an inhibitor of NF-κB. However, ivermectin increased IκBα expression but blocked elevated phosphorylated JNK and p38 MAPK, not Erk1/2, in both ALI mice. These findings suggested that ivermectin may alleviate ALI caused by LPS or BLM in mice, partly via lowering the inflammatory response, which is mediated at least by the inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signaling. Collectively, ivermectin might be used to treat acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Lipoxins and Resolvins in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Preliminary Report

Eicosanoids are bioactive lipids derived from arachidonic acid, which have emerged as key regulators of a wide variety of pathophysiological processes in recent times and are implicated as mediators of gastrointestinal cancer. In this study, we investigated the systemic levels of lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived lipoxin A4 and B4, together with resolvin D1 and D2 in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 68), as well as in healthy individuals (n = 32). Systemic concentrations of the aforementioned immunoresolvents were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, we observed that compared with concentrations in healthy individuals, the peripheral concentrations of the aforementioned eicosanoids were significantly elevated (2- to 10-fold) in patients with pancreatic cancer (in all cases p<0.00001). No significant association was observed between eicosanoid levels and the TNM clinical staging. Furthermore, we observed no significant differences in concentrations of the analyzed bioactive lipids between patients diagnosed with early-stage (TNM stage I-II) and more advanced disease (TNM stage III-IV). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of each aforementioned immunoresolvent showed area under the curve values ranging between 0.79 and 1.00. Sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values of the eicosanoids involved in the detection/differentiation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma ranged between 56.8% and 100%. In summary, our research is the first study that provides clinical evidence to support a systemic imbalance in LOX-derived lipoxins and resolvins as the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This phenomenon occurs regardless of the clinical TNM stage of the disease. Furthermore, our study is the first to preliminarily highlight the role of peripheral levels of immunoresolvents, particularly resolvin D1, as potential novel biomarkers of pancreatic cancer in humans.

Inhibitory Effect of Phellinus baumii Extract on CFA-Induced Inflammation in MH-S Cells through Nuclear Factor-κB and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways

Phellinus baumii is a mushroom utilized as a traditional medicine for a wide range of human ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and cancer, in Asia. The purpose of this study was to find out whether Phellinus baumii extract (PBE) could reduce inflammation caused by coal fly ash (CFA) in alveolar macrophages (MH-S). The anti-inflammatory effect of PBE was evaluated by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) concentration after the onset of CFA-stimulated inflammation in MH-S cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to examine inflammatory gene expression. Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) studies were used to investigate the inflammatory mechanism in MH-S cells. According to our results, the PBE suppressed CFA-induced NO generation in the MH-S cells dose-dependently. Furthermore, PBE inhibited the proinflammatory mediators and cytokines generated by exposure to CFA, including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Real-time PCR was also used to determine the inhibiting effect of the PBE on proinflammatory factors such as COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, Western blot was used to assess the effects of the PBE on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the CFA-stimulated MH-S cells. The suppressive effect of the PBE on phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB translocation was also investigated using IF analysis. This study showed that the PBE suppressed the CFA-induced inflammation in the MH-S cells by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, which suggests its potential usefulness in reducing lung inflammation.

Fab Fragment of Immunoglobulin Y Modulates NF-κB and MAPK Signaling through TLR4 and αVβ3 Integrin and Inhibits the Inflammatory Effect on R264.7 Macrophages

High-purity Fab fragment and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) were prepared to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 macrophage system. Compared with IgY, the Fab fragment possessed a greater potency in inhibiting the inflammation by nitric oxide (NO)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways. The Fab fragment attenuated the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) to 38.07 ± 1.86-48.39 ± 11.33 pg/mL (63.1-71.0% inhibition), 31.59 ± 3.91-38.08 ± 4.44 pg/mL (72.4-77.1% inhibition), and 20.62 ± 0.46-21.91 ± 0.65 pg/mL (50-53% inhibition), respectively. Additionally, the Fab fragment significantly inhibited the translocation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins, including ERK1/2 (41.5/33.2%), JNK1/2 (44.2/39.6%), and p38 (42.2%). The Fab fragment could be internalized into cells, and the pretreatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with the Fab fragment reduced the mRNA expression of the Toll-like receptor (TLR4, 32.7-44.4% inhibition) and αVβ3 integrin (76.1% inhibition). In conclusion, Fab fragments regulated the TLR4 and αVβ3 integrin-mediated inflammatory processes by blocking the NF-κB and MAPKs pathways in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage system.

Dietary Fatty Acids and Other Nutrients in Relation to Inflammation and Particularly to Oral Mucosa Inflammation. A Literature Review

Oral mucosa is site of inflammatory process development. When they are chronic, they provide a microenvironment based on cytokines and inflammatory mediators that contribute to cancer initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Certain dietary fatty acids (FAs) have immunomodulatory, inflammatory, and antiinflammatory effects. This review examined the literature on inflammation, mainly referred to the oral mucosa, and its association with dietary FAs and other nutrients. A Pubmed search of studies published in English until June 2018 was carried out. N-3 FAs have shown immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activity in certain human diseases. These FAs and their mediators may inhibit inflammation, angiogenesis, and cancer via multiple mechanisms. Studies on cellular models of murine and human intestinal mucosa indicate association between dietary n-3 FA intake and the inflammatory state of mucosa membranes. Nevertheless scarce information on the association between dietary FAs and oral inflammation could be found. Based on the evidence, we hypothesize that n-3 FAs reduce the oral mucosa inflammation thus decreasing the risk of developing precancerous lesions and cancer. Molecular and clinical studies referred to this topic should be carried out as a contribution to the oral cancer prevention.

Zileuton suppresses cholangiocarcinoma cell proliferation and migration through inhibition of the Akt signaling pathway

Background

Inflammatory lipid mediators play an important role in several cancer types. Leukotrienes (LTs), pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, are involved in chronic inflammation and cancer progression. They are derived from arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activity. On the other hand, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX-1) converts LTs into lipoxins (LXs), pro-resolving lipid mediators. LXs are involved in the attenuation of inflammation and cancer development.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the lipid mediator pathways, especially the LTs and LXs pathways, by studying 5-LOX and 15-LOX-1 expression in human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissue. We also investigated the efficiency of zileuton (5-LOX inhibitor) treatment and BML-111 (LXA4 analog) addition on CCA cell lines properties.

Patients and methods

The expression of 5-LOX and 15-LOX-1 in fifty human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissue was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. In addition, the effect of zileuton and BML-111 on CCA cell growth and migration was demonstrated using a cell viability assay and wound-healing assay, respectively. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism by which zileuton inhibits CCA cell migration was revealed using immunofluorescent staining and western blot analysis, respectively.

Results

We demonstrate that the upregulation of 5-LOX is significantly correlated with CCA recurrent status. A positive 15-LOX-1 signal was significantly associated with a longer survival time in CCA patients. We found that co-expression of 5-LOX and 15-LOX-1 resulted in a relatively good prognosis in CCA patients. In addition, zileuton could inhibit CCA cell migration as well as BML-111. Interestingly, zileuton treatment not only downregulated 5-LOX, but also upregulated 15-LOX-1, together with reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition to mesenchymal-epithelial transition phenotype as observed in EMT marker western blot.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that 5-LOX and 15-LOX-1 play a key role in CCA and may serve as targets for CCA therapy.

Bioactivity-based analysis and chemical characterization of anti-inflammatory compounds from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes using LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

Inflammation is not only a self-defense response of the innate immune system, but also the pathogenesis mechanism of multiple diseases such as arthritis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), an indigenous plant of India, has been used traditionally in Ayurveda and folk medicine. As part of our ongoing efforts to screen traditional medicinal plants exhibiting pharmacological potential and to characterize the compounds involved, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the MeOH extract of C. zedoaria rhizomes using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells and found that MeOH extract inhibited the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀: 23.44 ± 0.77 μg/mL). In our efforts to characterize the compounds responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects, bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract and chemical investigation of its active hexane-soluble fraction led to the successful isolation of five sesquiterpenes (1-5), the structures of which were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic analysis and LC/MS analysis. Among them, curcuzedoalide (5) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO synthesis (IC₅₀: 12.21 ± 1.67 μM) and also suppressed pre-inflammatory protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. Curcuzedoalide (5) was thus determined to be a contributor to the anti-inflammatory effect of C. zedoaria rhizomes and could be a potential candidate for therapeutic applications.

Mediation of antiinflammatory effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract from Korean Red Ginseng via retinoid X receptor α-peroxisome-proliferating receptor γ nuclear receptors

Background

Ginseng has a wide range of beneficial effects on health, such as the mitigation of minor and major inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. There are abundant data regarding the health-enhancing properties of whole ginseng extracts and single ginsenosides; however, no study to date has determined the receptors that mediate the effects of ginseng extracts. In this study, for the first time, we explored whether the antiinflammatory effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) are mediated by retinoid X receptor α–peroxisome-proliferating receptor γ (RXRα-PPARγ) heterodimer nuclear receptors.

Methods

Nitric oxide assay, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, nuclear hormone receptor–binding assay, and molecular docking analyses were used for this study.

Results

Rg3-RGE exerted antiinflammatory effects via nuclear receptor heterodimers between RXRα and PPARγ agonists and antagonists.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that Rg3-RGE can be considered a potent antiinflammatory agent, and these effects are likely mediated by the nuclear receptor RXRα-PPARγ heterodimer.

Circulating MIC-1/GDF15 is a complementary screening biomarker with CEA and correlates with liver metastasis and poor survival in colorectal cancer

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1/GDF15) has been characterized as a candidate biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC) recently. However, the role of serum MIC-1 in screening patients with early stage CRC and monitoring therapeutic response have not been well-established, particularly in the combination with CEA for the screening and the prejudgment of occurrence with liver metastasis. In this study, we performed a retrospective blinded evaluation of 987 serum samples from 473 individuals with CRC, 25 with adenomatous polyps, and 489 healthy individuals using ELISA or immunoassay. The sensitivity of serum MIC-1 was 43.8% and 38.5% for CRC diagnosis and early diagnosis, respectively, which were independent of and comparatively higher than for CEA (36.6% and 27.3%) at comparable specificity. Serum MIC-1 after surgery were significantly elevated at the time of tumor recurrence, and notable increase were observed in 100% patients with liver metastasis. Besides the TNM classification and differentiation grade, MIC-1 was an independent prognostic factor contributing to overall survival. We conclude that MIC-1 can act as a candidate complementary biomarker for screening early-stage CRC by combination with CEA, and furthermore, for the first time, identify a promising prognostic indicator for monitoring recurrence with liver metastasis, to support strategies towards personalized therapy.

Tacrolimus downregulates inflammation by regulating pro‑/anti‑inflammatory responses in LPS‑induced keratitis

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced keratitis is a progressive infectious ocular disease in which innate inflammatory responses often cause clinical tissue damage and vision loss. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of tacrolimus, an effective immunomodulator, on LPS-induced innate immune responses. The effects of tacrolimus on the apoptotic rate and viability of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and monocytes (THP-1 cells) were examined using flow cytometry and MTT assays. Subsequently, the role of tacrolimus on LPS-induced inflammation in HCECs, PMNs and THP-1 cells was evaluated by detecting the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and matrix metallopeptidase 9; anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β; and proangiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-α using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that tacrolimus had good biocompatibility with HCECs, while promoting apoptosis and decreasing the viability of PMNs and THP-1 cells. Furthermore, tacrolimus effectively reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced keratitis in vitro. Notably, tacrolimus decreased the levels of proangiogenic factors, which are highly increased following LPS stimulation. Conclusively, tacrolimus appears to be a safe and effective treatment to suppress neutrophil and monocyte activity, modulate the balance of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce the inflammatory response and angiogenic activity in LPS-induced bacterial keratitis.

Advances in Understanding of Penile Carcinogenesis: The Search for Actionable Targets

Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare malignancy with potentially devastating effects. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common variant with distinct precancerous lesions before development into invasive disease. Involvement of the inguinal lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor in PeCa, and once disease is present outside the groin, prognosis is poor. Metastatic PeCa is challenging to treat and often requires multidisciplinary approaches in management. Due to its rarity, molecular understanding of the disease continues to be limited with most studies based on small, single center series. Thus far, it appears PeCa has diverse mechanisms of carcinogenesis affecting similar molecular pathways. In this review, we evaluate the current landscape of the molecular carcinogenesis of PeCa and explore ongoing research on potential actionable targets of therapy. The emergence of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other immunotherapeutic strategies may improve outcomes for PeCa patients.

Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects of Fish Oil derived Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Colon Carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer related death in the world. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that there is an association between consumption of dietary fat and colon cancer risk. Not only the amount but also the type and the ratio of fatty acids comprising dietary fats consumed have been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of colon cancer. Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been known to inhibit development of colon cancer by downregulating the expression of genes involved in colon carcinogenesis and also by altering the membrane lipid composition. Data from laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical studies substantiate the beneficial role of n-3 PUFAs in preventing colitis and subsequent development of colon cancer. In addition, recent studies suggest that some n-3 PUFAs can be effective as an adjuvant with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural anticancer compounds in the management of colon cancer. In this review, we discuss chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of fish oil derived long chain n-3 PUFAs, particularly EPA and DHA, with focus on synergetic effects of which they exert when combined with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural compounds.

Resolution of Cochlear Inflammation: Novel Target for Preventing or Ameliorating Drug-, Noise- and Age-related Hearing Loss

A significant number of studies support the idea that inflammatory responses are intimately associated with drug-, noise- and age-related hearing loss (DRHL, NRHL and ARHL). Consequently, several clinical strategies aimed at reducing auditory dysfunction by preventing inflammation are currently under intense scrutiny. Inflammation, however, is a normal adaptive response aimed at restoring tissue functionality and homeostasis after infection, tissue injury and even stress under sterile conditions, and suppressing it could have unintended negative consequences. Therefore, an appropriate approach to prevent or ameliorate DRHL, NRHL and ARHL should involve improving the resolution of the inflammatory process in the cochlea rather than inhibiting this phenomenon. The resolution of inflammation is not a passive response but rather an active, highly controlled and coordinated process. Inflammation by itself produces specialized pro-resolving mediators with critical functions, including essential fatty acid derivatives (lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins), proteins and peptides such as annexin A1 and galectins, purines (adenosine), gaseous mediators (NO, H₂S and CO), as well as neuromodulators like acetylcholine and netrin-1. In this review article, we describe recent advances in the understanding of the resolution phase of inflammation and highlight therapeutic strategies that might be useful in preventing inflammation-induced cochlear damage. In particular, we emphasize beneficial approaches that have been tested in pre-clinical models of inflammatory responses induced by recognized ototoxic drugs such as cisplatin and aminoglycoside antibiotics. Since these studies suggest that improving the resolution process could be useful for the prevention of inflammation-associated diseases in humans, we discuss the potential application of similar strategies to prevent or mitigate DRHL, NRHL and ARHL.

Dendritic cells expressing immunoreceptor CD300f are critical for controlling chronic gut inflammation

Proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and excessive cell death, coupled with impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, have been implicated as causes of failure to resolve gut inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Here we have found that dendritic cells expressing the apoptotic cell-recognizing receptor CD300f play a crucial role in regulating gut inflammatory responses in a murine model of colonic inflammation. CD300f-deficient mice failed to resolve dextran sulfate sodium-induced colonic inflammation as a result of defects in dendritic cell function that were associated with abnormal accumulation of apoptotic cells in the gut. CD300f-deficient dendritic cells displayed hyperactive phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, which stimulated excessive TNF-α secretion predominantly from dendritic cells. This, in turn, induced secondary IFN-γ overproduction by colonic T cells, leading to prolonged gut inflammation. Our data highlight a previously unappreciated role for dendritic cells in controlling gut homeostasis and show that CD300f-dependent regulation of apoptotic cell uptake is essential for suppressing overactive dendritic cell-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby controlling the development of chronic gut inflammation.

The role of chronic inflammation in the development of gastrointestinal cancers: reviewing cancer prevention with natural anti-inflammatory intervention

Inflammatory mediators alter the local environment of tumors, known as the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, chronic inflammation induces DNA damage, but understanding this hazard may help in the search for new chemopreventive agents for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer which attenuate inflammation. In the clinic, GI cancer still remains a major cause of cancer-associated mortality, chemoprevention with anti-inflammatory agents is thought to be a realistic approach to reduce GI cancer. Proton pump inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha, anti-sense targeted smad7 and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been investigated for their potential to prevent inflammation-based GI cancer. Besides these, a wide variety of natural products have also shown potential for the prevention of GI cancer. In this review, the authors will provide insights to explain the mechanistic connection between inflammation and GI cancer, as well as describe a feasible cancer prevention strategy based on anti-inflammatory treatments.

Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Cyanidins in Black Raspberry as Candidates for Suppression of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Murine Macrophages

The extracts produced by multisolvent extraction and subfractionation with preparative liquid chromatography of black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miquel) cultivated in Gochang, South Korea, were tested for their anti-inflammatory effects. The metabolomic profiling and analysis by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OLPS-DA) suggested that cyanidin, cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R) were key components for the anti-inflammatory responses in the most active fraction BF3-1, where they were present at 0.44, 1.26, and 0.56 μg/mg of BF3-1, respectively. Both BF3-1 and mixture of these cyanidins at the same ratio reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced protein level of iNOS expression and suppressed mRNA and protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β through inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and STAT3 in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Overall, the results suggested that co-administration of cyanidin, C3G, and C3R is more effective than that of cyanidin alone and that the coexistence of these anthocyanin components in black raspberry plays a vital role in regulating LPS-induced inflammation even at submicromolar concentrations, making it possible to explain the health beneficial activity of its extracts.

The resolution code of acute inflammation: Novel pro-resolving lipid mediators in resolution

Studies into the mechanisms in resolution of self-limited inflammation and acute reperfusion injury have uncovered a new genus of pro-resolving lipid mediators coined specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) including lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins that are each temporally produced by resolving-exudates with distinct actions for return to homeostasis. SPM evoke potent anti-inflammatory and novel pro-resolving mechanisms as well as enhance microbial clearance. While born in inflammation-resolution, SPM are conserved structures with functions discovered in microbial defense, pain, organ protection and tissue regeneration, wound healing, cancer, reproduction, and neurobiology-cognition. This review covers these SPM mechanisms and other new omega-3 PUFA pathways that open their path for functions in resolution physiology.

Helicobacter pylori update: gastric cancer, reliable therapy, and possible benefits

Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to the development of diverse gastric and extragastric diseases. The infection is necessary but not sufficient for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. Its eradication would eliminate a major worldwide cause of cancer death, therefore there is much interest in identifying how, if, and when this can be accomplished. There are several mechanisms by which H pylori contributes to the development of gastric cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of many cancers associated with inflammation, which is induced by H pylori infection, yet the bacteria also cause genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to genetic instability in gastric epithelial cells. H pylori eradication reduces both. However, many factors must be considered in determining whether treating this bacterial infection will prevent cancer or only reduce its risk-these must be considered in designing reliable and effective eradication therapies. Furthermore, H pylori infection has been proposed to provide some benefits, such as reducing the risks of obesity or childhood asthma. When tested, these hypotheses have not been confirmed and are therefore most likely false.

Tacrolimus (FK506) suppresses TREM-1 expression at an early but not at a late stage in a murine model of fungal keratitis

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of tacrolimus(FK506), which is a novel macrolide immunosuppressant, in inhibiting triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) expression in a murine keratitis model induced by Aspergillus fumigatus.

METHOD

TREM-1 was detected in 11 fungus-infected human corneas by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into four groups, which received treatment with zymosan (100 µg/ml), zymosan (100 µg/ml) + mTREM-1/Fc protein (1 µg/ml), or zymosan (100 µg/ml) + FK506 (20 µM) or negative-control treatment. After this treatment, the expression of TREM-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was assayed using qRT-PCR and ELISA. The mouse model of fungal keratitis was created by intrastromal injection with Aspergillus fumigatus, and the mice were divided into 2 groups: group A received vehicle eye drops 4 times each day, and group B received 4 doses of FK506 eye drops each day. Corneal damage was evaluated by clinical scoring and histologic examination,and myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein levels were also detected by ELISA. The expression of TREM-1, IL-1β and TNFα was then determined at different time points using qRT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

TREM-1 expression dramatically increased in the human corneas with fungal keratitis. In contrast, FK506 reduced the expression of TREM-1, IL-1β and TNFα in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with zymosan. In the mouse model, at day 1 post-infection, the corneal score of the FK506-treated group was lower than that of the control, and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration was diminished. TREM-1, IL-1β and TNFα expression was significantly reduced at the same time point. However, the statistically significant differences in cytokine expression, clinical scores and infiltration disappeared at 5 days post-infection.

CONCLUSIONS

FK506 may inhibit the inflammation induced by fungi and alleviate the severity of corneal damage at an early stage of fungal keratitis by downregulating TREM-1 expression.

Ellagic acid identified through metabolomic analysis is an active metabolite in strawberry ('Seolhyang') regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation

This study employed the metabolomic approach to identify the key constituent exerting anti-inflammatory activity in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Among the six different fractions (SF1-SF6) of the strawberry 'Seolhyang', SF4 showed more significant inhibition on iNOS expression than SF3, and ellagic acid was determined as the most significant different component between SF4 and SF3 using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis. Ellagic acid (0.3 and 1.0 μM) and SF4 (100 μg/mL) were found to regulate the same inflammatory mediators, inhibitory κB (IκB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which led to the reduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and iNOS expressions. These results demonstrate that ellagic acid from strawberry 'Seolhyang' is the major component playing a crucial role in inflammation, suggesting the possible application of metabolomic analysis to determining the key ingredients having biological functions in the complicated food matrix.

Are the somatic mutation and tissue organization field theories of carcinogenesis incompatible?

Two drastically different approaches to understanding the forces driving carcinogenesis have crystallized through years of research. These are the somatic mutation theory (SMT) and the tissue organization field theory (TOFT). The essence of SMT is that cancer is derived from a single somatic cell that has successively accumulated multiple DNA mutations, and that those mutations occur on genes which control cell proliferation and cell cycle. Thus, according to SMT, neoplastic lesions are the results of DNA-level events. Conversely, according to TOFT, carcinogenesis is primarily a problem of tissue organization: carcinogenic agents destroy the normal tissue architecture thus disrupting cell-to-cell signaling and compromising genomic integrity. Hence, in TOFT the DNA mutations are the effect, and not the cause, of the tissue-level events. Cardinal importance of successful resolution of the TOFT versus SMT controversy dwells in the fact that, according to SMT, cancer is a unidirectional and mostly irreversible disease; whereas, according to TOFT, it is curable and reversible. In this paper, our goal is to outline a plausible scenario in which TOFT and SMT can be reconciled using the framework and concepts of the self-organized criticality (SOC), the principle proven to be extremely fruitful in a wide range of disciplines pertaining to natural phenomena, to biological communities, to large-scale social developments, to technological networks, and to many other subjects of research.

Molecular research in penile cancer-lessons learned from the past and bright horizons of the future?

Penile cancer is a rare tumor. There is a limited understanding of the biological mediators of prognostic and therapeutic importance in penile cancer. However, there exists some fundamental understanding of the major pathways involved in the development of penile pre-neoplastic lesions and neoplasms. The aim of the present review is to highlight our current state of molecular knowledge in penile cancer to foster the necessary tools for researchers to pave major advancements in our current treatment paradigms and cancer specific outcomes.

Lipoxin a4 preconditioning and postconditioning protect myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

This study aims to investigate the pre- and postconditioning effects of lipoxin A₄ (LXA₄) on myocardial damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Seventy-two rats were divided into 6 groups: sham groups (C₁ and C₂), I/R groups (I/R₁ and I/R₂), and I/R plus LXA₄ preconditioning and postconditioning groups (LX₁ and LX₂). The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were measured. The content and the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase as well as the superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. Along with the examination of myocardium ultrastructure and ventricular arrhythmia scores (VAS), connexin 43 (Cx43) expression were also detected. Lower levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cTnI, MDA content, and VAS and higher levels of IL-10, SOD activity, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase content and activity, and Cx43 expression appeared in LX groups than I/R groups. Besides, H&E staining, TEM examination as well as analysis of gene, and protein confirmed that LXA₄ preconditioning was more effective than postconditioning in preventing arrhythmogenesis via the upregulation of Cx43. That is, LXA₄ postconditioning had better protective effect on Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and myocardial ultrastructure.