The role of inflammatory cytokines in endothelial dysfunction

Air pollution-linked epigenetic modifications in placental DNA: Prognostic potential for identifying future foetal anomalies

Prenatal exposure to air pollution is a significant risk factor for the mother and the developing foetus. The accumulation of pollutants in the placenta can cause a self-cascade loop of pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and DNA double-strand breaks. Previous research has shown that airborne particulate matter can damage the epigenome and disturb mitochondrial machinery, ultimately impairing placental function. Mitochondria are essential for preserving cellular homeostasis, energy metabolism, redox equilibrium, and epigenetic reprogramming. As these organelles are subtle targets of environmental exposures, any disruption in the signaling pathways can result in epigenomic instability, which can impact gene expression and mitochondrial function. This, in turn, can lead to changes in DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and aberrant expression of microRNAs in proliferating trophoblast cells. The placenta has two distinct layers, cytotrophoblasts, and syncytiotrophoblasts, each with its mitochondria, which play important roles in preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and overall health. Foetal nucleic acids enter maternal circulation during placental development because of necrotic, apoptotic, and inflammatory mechanisms. These nucleic acids reflect normal or abnormal ongoing cellular changes during prenatal foetal development. Detecting cell-free DNA in the bloodstream can be a biomarker for predicting negative pregnancy-related outcomes and recognizing abnormalities in foetal growth. Hence, a thorough understanding of how air pollution induces epigenetic variations within the placenta could offer crucial insights into underlying mechanisms and prolonged repercussions on foetal development and susceptibility in later stages of life.

Exploring the impact of recent COVID-19 infection on perfusion and functional parameters derived from gated myocardial perfusion imaging in patients undergoing evaluation for coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to evaluate how recent COVID-19 infection affects myocardial perfusion and functional parameters derived from gated myocardial perfusion imaging in patients undergoing evaluation for coronary artery disease. The goal is to enhance our understanding of COVID-19's influence on the cardiovascular system.

METHOD

Conducted at Farshchian Heart Hospital from 2022 to 2023, this case-control study enrolled patients suspected of coronary artery disease, stratified into two groups: those with confirmed COVID-19 infection within the past 6 months (study group) and those without prior COVID-19 infection (control group). Employing a 2-day protocol, stress testing and gated SPECT MPI were performed. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Student's t test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULT

Among the 86 patients included, 43 were in each group. Significantly higher summed stress core and summed difference score values were observed in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, the study group exhibited significantly altered global left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume (p < 0.05). Non-perfusion findings, including transient ischemic dilation and transient right ventricular visualization, were more prevalent in the study group.

CONCLUSION

Recent COVID-19 infection is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion and altered functional parameters as detected by MPI. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between COVID-19 and cardiovascular health, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive evaluation and management strategies to address cardiac complications in affected individuals. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize patient care in the context of COVID-19-associated cardiovascular manifestations.

Evaluation of anti-sickling effects of two varieties of Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth on sickle cell beta thalassemia

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Globally, the prevalence of sickle cell disease is on the rise, with developing countries experiencing particularly alarming mortality rate compared to developed nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) have acknowledged sickle cell disease as a significant global public health concern. Unfortunately, a cure for this condition is yet to be discovered, and existing allopathic treatments, while offering relief, come with serious side effects. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of medicinal plants for treating sickle cell disease due to their content of secondary metabolites that may impact the disease's mechanisms. Cajanus cajan, a crucial grain legume in rain-fed agriculture in semi-arid tropics, has been traditionally used in folk medicine to manage various illnesses and is suggested to possess anti-sickling properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study investigated two varieties of C. cajan for their effectiveness in treating sickle cell beta thalassemia, a variant of sickle cell disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was divided into four groups consisting of the untreated group (group 1), group treated with standard drug (group 2), group treated with white C. cajan (group 3) and group treated with brown C. cajan (group 4). The effects of the two variety of C. cajan were measured by polymerization test, reversibility test, osmotic fragility test, deoxygenation and beta globin synthesis test.

RESULT

The results revealed that both varieties of C. cajan demonstrated a reduction in polymerization rates, reversed sickled red blood cells, increased the oxygen affinity of Hb-S/β, elevated the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio, and maintained the membrane stability of red blood cells. Notably, the white variety exhibited superior anti-sickling properties compared to the brown variety.

CONCLUSION

This suggests that this significant leguminous crop could be utilized for the treatment and management of sickling disorders, particularly in low-income countries where conventional treatments may be financially inaccessible to patients.

The multifaceted role of the stroma in the healthy prostate and prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is an age-related disease and represents, after lung cancer, the second cause of cancer death in males worldwide. Mortality is due to the metastatic disease, which mainly involves the bones, lungs, and liver. In the last 20 years, the incidence of metastatic PC has increased in Western Countries, and a further increase is expected in the near future, due to the population ageing. Current treatment options, including state of the art cancer immunotherapy, need to be more effective to achieve long-term disease control. The most significant anatomical barrier to overcome to improve the effectiveness of current and newly designed drug strategies consists of the prostatic stroma, in particular the fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix, which are the most abundant components of both the normal and tumor prostatic microenvironment. By weaving a complex communication network with the glandular epithelium, the immune cells, the microbiota, the endothelium, and the nerves, in the healthy prostatic microenvironment, the fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix support organ development and homeostasis. However, during inflammation, ageing and prostate tumorigenesis, they undergo dramatic phenotypic and genotypic changes, which impact on tumor growth and progression and on the development of therapy resistance. Here, we focus on the characteristics and functions of the prostate associated fibroblasts and of the extracellular matrix in health and cancer. We emphasize their roles in shaping tumor behavior and the feasibility of manipulating and/or targeting these stromal components to overcome the limitations of current treatments and to improve precision medicine's chances of success.

The synergistic effect of triglyceride-glucose index and HbA1c on blood pressure control in patients with hypertension: a retrospective cohort study

Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG index) and HbA1c are metabolic risk factors associated with insulin resistance (IR), which have been confirmed to be independently correlated with the incidence of hypertension. However, there is limited research specifically focusing on the interaction between these two metabolic risk factors in hypertensive populations. Currently, it remains unclear how the metabolic indicators TyG index and HbA1c affect BP control in individuals with hypertension. This study aims to investigate the value and interaction of TyG index and HbA1c in blood pressure (BP) control among hypertensive patients. The results are conducive to enhancing the effectiveness of clinical BP control for individuals with hypertension. This cohort study included 99,336 adults diagnosed with hypertension. Participants were grouped according to the median of TyG index and HbA1c. The main endpoint is inadequate BP control. Multivariable-adjusted risk ratios and multivariable Cox regression analysis were used to represent the relationship between BP control levels and metabolic risk factors. Finally, we evaluated the interaction between TyG index and HbA1c in the population with inadequate BP control. This study confirmed that TyG index and HbA1c, as metabolic risk factors, are independently associated with poor BP control (P < 0.05). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, it was found that TyG index and HbA1c were significantly associated with poor BP control. In the male elderly population, HbA1c was significantly associated with poor BP control (P = 0.029).

Increased vascular deposition of oxidized LDL in untreated juvenile dermatomyositis

BACKGROUND

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a systemic vasculopathy associated with metabolic derangements and possible increased risk for premature atherosclerosis. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the endothelium is an early step in atherosclerotic plaque formation. It is not known if oxidized LDL is altered in children with untreated JDM. The deposition of oxidized LDL in the vasculature of muscle biopsies (MBx) from patients with untreated JDM and pediatric controls was assessed.

FINDINGS

Frozen tissue sections of MRI-directed MBx from 20 female children with untreated JDM and 5 female controls were stained with DAPI and fluorescently labeled antibodies against von Willebrand factor (vWF) and LDL oxidized by copper (oxLDL). Blood vessels were identified by positive vWF staining, and total fluorescence of oxLDL within the vessel walls was measured. Children with untreated JDM had increased deposition of oxLDL in the walls of muscle vasculature compared to healthy children (difference in means ± SEM = 19.86 ± 8.195, p = 0.03). Within the JDM cohort, there was a trend towards increased oxLDL deposition with longer duration of untreated disease (r = 0.43, p = 0.06). There was no significant correlation found between oxLDL deposition and markers of acute JDM disease activity including disease activity scores or muscle enzymes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found increased deposition of oxLDL within blood vessels of children with untreated JDM supporting the concern that these children are at increased risk for premature atherosclerosis from chronic exposure to vascular oxLDL. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment initiation to ameliorate cardiovascular damage.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are the game-changers in childhood obesity-associated metabolic disorders (diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases)

Childhood obesity is a chronic inflammatory epidemic that affects children worldwide. Obesity affects approximately 1 in 5 children worldwide. Obesity in children can worsen weight gain and raise the risk of obesity-related comorbidities like diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It can also negatively impact the quality of life for these children. Obesity disrupts immune system function, influencing cytokine (interleukins) balance and expression levels, adipokines, and innate and adaptive immune cells. The altered expression of immune system mediators, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-18 (IL-18), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and others, caused inflammation, progression, and the development of pediatric obesity and linked illnesses such as diabetes and NAFLD. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), have been shown to have anti-diabetes and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) anti-diabetic and pro-NAFLFD properties, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been shown to have a dual role in managing diabetes and anti-NAFLD. In light of the substantial increase in childhood obesity-associated disorders such as diabetes and NAFLD and the absence of an effective pharmaceutical intervention to inhibit immune modulation factors, it is critical to consider the alteration of immune system components as a preventive and therapeutic approach. Thus, the current review focuses on the most recent information regarding the influence of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins) and their molecular mechanisms on pediatric obesity-associated disorders (diabetes and NAFLD). Furthermore, we discussed the current therapeutic clinical trials in childhood obesity-associated diseases, diabetes, and NAFLD.

INFLA score: a novel inflammatory marker for assessing cardiometabolic disease risk in obese individuals

BACKGROUND

The low-grade inflammation score (INFLA-score) is a composite index that assesses chronic inflammatory status using multiple inflammatory markers. However, its correlation with cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) in obese populations remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 79,160 participants with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from the UK Biobank. The INFLA-score was calculated based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, platelet count and granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio. We employed Kaplan-Meier survival curves, multivariable Cox regression, restricted cubic splines and accelerated time-to-failure models to analyse the association between the INFLA-score and CMDs risk, including coronary heart disease (CAD), stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 161.41 months, we recorded 14,903 CMDs events, comprising 7184 CAD cases, 1914 strokes and 7924 T2DM cases. Cox regression analysis revealed that each unit increase in the INFLA-score corresponded to a 1.5%, 1.1%, 1.2% and 2.4% increase CMDs risk (HR: 1.015, 95% CI 1.013-1.018), CAD risk (HR: 1.011, 95% CI 1.007-1.015), stroke risk (HR: 1.012, 95% CI 1.004-1.020) and T2DM risk (HR: 1.024, 95% CI 1.020-1.028), respectively. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear relationship between cumulative INFLA-score and CMDs risk (P = 0.044). Subgroup analysis revealed interactions between sex, age, history of lipid-lowering drug use, and INFLA-score regarding CMDs risk. Sensitivity analysis corroborated the main findings.

CONCLUSION

Our findings strongly support the close association between INFLA-score and CMDs risk, particularly notable in women, those aged < 55, and individuals with a history of lipid-lowering drug use. These findings offer new insights into the role of inflammation in obesity-related CMDs, suggesting potential applications for prevention and identification of high-risk populations.

Impact of Periodontitis on Endothelial Risk Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress Improvement in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease that affects the periodontium and overall oral health and is primarily caused by a dysbiotic gingival biofilm, which includes, among others, Gram-negative bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Tannerella forsythensis that colonize gingival tissues and that can lead, if not properly treated, to periodontal tissue destruction and tooth loss. In the last few decades, several large-scale epidemiological studies have evidenced that mild and severe forms of periodontitis are strictly bilaterally associated with several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), stroke, and endothelial dysfunction. Specifically, it is hypothesized that patients with severe periodontitis would have compromised endothelial function, a crucial step in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and several CVD forms. In this regard, it was postulated that periodontal treatment would ameliorate endothelial dysfunction, hence bolstering the notion that therapeutic approaches targeted at diminishing cardiovascular risk factors and different forms of periodontal treatment could improve several CVD biomarker outcomes in the short- and long-term in CVD patients. The aim of this review is to update and analyze the link between periodontitis and CVD, focusing on the inflammatory nature of periodontitis and its correlation with CVD, the effects of periodontal therapy on endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and the impact of such therapy on CVD biomarkers and outcomes. The article also discusses future research directions in this field.

Endothelial dysfunction and persistent inflammation in severe post-COVID-19 patients: implications for gas exchange

BACKGROUND

Understanding the enduring respiratory consequences of severe COVID-19 is crucial for comprehensive patient care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of post-COVID conditions on respiratory sequelae of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODS

We examined 88 survivors of COVID-19-associated severe ARDS six months post-intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Assessments included clinical and functional evaluation as well as plasma biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and viral response. Additionally, an in vitro model using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) explored the direct impact of post-COVID plasma on endothelial function.

RESULTS

Post-COVID patients with impaired gas exchange demonstrated persistent endothelial inflammation marked by elevated ICAM-1, IL-8, CCL-2, and ET-1 plasma levels. Concurrently, systemic inflammation, evidenced by NLRP3 overexpression and elevated levels of IL-6, sCD40-L, and C-reactive protein, was associated with endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and increased in post-COVID patients with impaired gas exchange. T-cell activation, reflected in CD69 expression, and persistently elevated levels of interferon-β (IFN-β) further contributed to sustained inflammation. The in vitro model confirmed that patient plasma, with altered levels of sCD40-L and IFN-β proteins, has the capacity to alter endothelial function.

CONCLUSIONS

Six months post-ICU discharge, survivors of COVID-19-associated ARDS exhibited sustained elevation in endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, correlating with the severity of impaired gas exchange. NLRP3 inflammasome activity and persistent T-cell activation indicate on going inflammation contributing to persistent endothelial dysfunction, potentially intensified by sustained viral immune response.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction and inflammation: Insights from the Coronary Microvascular Disease Registry

BACKGROUND

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is associated with various inflammatory conditions that worsen endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CMD and inflammation using common inflammatory markers derived from complete blood count (CBC) analysis.

METHODS

Information was gathered from the Coronary Microvascular Disease Registry to examine the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio (EMR), and monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) in a cohort of patients with angina who showed non-obstructive coronary arteries and underwent invasive physiological assessments for CMD.

RESULTS

Of the 171 patients studied, 126 were CMD-negative and 45 were CMD-positive, constituting two groups of interest. The average age of all patients was 61.7 ± 11.1 years, and 63.7 % were female. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, or potential anti-inflammatory medications. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in NLR (2.54 ± 3.71 vs. 2.52 ± 2.28, p = 0.97), EMR (0.3 ± 0.21 vs. 0.34 ± 0.29, p = 0.31), or MHR (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.01 ± 0.01, p = 0.54) between CMD-positive and CMD-negative patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings did not show a noteworthy connection between CMD and inflammation, as suggested by various simple CBC-based biomarkers.

Molecular Insights into the Relationship Between Platelet Activation and Endothelial Dysfunction: Molecular Approaches and Clinical Practice

Platelets are one of the coagulation cells. When platelet activation occurs, many mediators are released and affect endothelial cells (ECs) and lead to endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Platelet are of important factors in ED. The release of mediators by platelets causes the stimulation of inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, which ultimately result in ED.On the other hand, platelet activation in CVD patients can be associated with a bad prognosis. Platelet activation can increase the level of markers such as p-selectin in the serum. Also, in this study, we have discussed the role of platelet as a diagnostic factor, as well as its use as a treatment option. In addition, we discussed some of the molecular pathways that are used to target platelet activation.

Role of cytokines in immunomodulation during malaria clearance

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, demanding a deeper understanding of host immune responses for effective clearance of the parasitic infection. Cytokines, as crucial mediators of the immune system, orchestrate a complex interplay during the various stages of malaria infection. Throughout the course of the disease, an intricate balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines dictate the immune response's outcome, influencing parasitic clearance and disease severity. During the initial stages, interleukins such as interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) play pivotal roles in activating innate immune cells, initiating the anti-parasitic response. Simultaneously, regulatory cytokines like interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) modulate this immune activation, preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage. As the infection progresses, a delicate shift occurs, characterized by a transition to adaptive immunity, guided by cytokines like interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13), promoting antibody production and T-cell responses. Notably, the resolution of malaria infection crucially relies on a fine-tuned balance of cytokine networks. Dysregulation or imbalances in these mediators often result in immune hyperactivation, contributing to severe manifestations and prolonged infection. Understanding the multi-faceted roles of cytokines in malaria clearance offers promising avenues for therapeutic interventions. Targeting cytokine pathways to restore immune equilibrium or bolster protective responses could potentially enhance treatment strategies and vaccine development. In conclusion, the pivotal role of cytokines in immunomodulation during malaria clearance underscores their significance as potential targets for therapeutic interventions, offering promising prospects in the global fight against this infectious disease.

A review of air pollution as a driver of cardiovascular disease risk across the diabetes spectrum

The prevalence of diabetes is estimated to reach almost 630 million cases worldwide by the year 2045; of current and projected cases, over 90% are type 2 diabetes. Air pollution exposure has been implicated in the onset and progression of diabetes. Increased exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) is associated with increases in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) across the glycemic spectrum, including normoglycemia, prediabetes, and all forms of diabetes. Air pollution exposure is a driver of cardiovascular disease onset and exacerbation and can increase cardiovascular risk among those with diabetes. In this review, we summarize the literature describing the relationships between air pollution exposure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting how airborne pollutants can disrupt glucose homeostasis. We discuss how air pollution and diabetes, via shared mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction, drive increased cardiovascular disease risk. We identify portable air cleaners as potentially useful tools to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes due to air pollution exposure across the diabetes spectrum, while emphasizing the need for further study in this particular population. Given the enormity of the health and financial impacts of air pollution exposure on patients with diabetes, a greater understanding of the interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in this population is needed.

The gut microbiome as a modulator of arterial function and age-related arterial dysfunction

The arterial system is integral to the proper function of all other organs and tissues. Arterial function is impaired with aging, and arterial dysfunction contributes to the development of numerous age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The gut microbiome has emerged as an important regulator of both normal host physiological function and impairments in function with aging. The purpose of this review is to summarize more recently published literature demonstrating the role of the gut microbiome in supporting normal arterial development and function and in modulating arterial dysfunction with aging in the absence of overt disease. The gut microbiome can be altered due to a variety of exposures, including physiological aging processes. We explore mechanisms by which the gut microbiome may contribute to age-related arterial dysfunction, with a focus on changes in various gut microbiome-related compounds in circulation. In addition, we discuss how modulating circulating levels of these compounds may be a viable therapeutic approach for improving artery function with aging. Finally, we identify and discuss various experimental considerations and research gaps/areas of future research.

Serum from Stroke Patients with High-Grade Carotid Stenosis Promotes Cyclooxygenase-Dependent Endothelial Dysfunction in Non-ischemic Mice Carotid Arteries

Atherosclerosis is responsible for 20% of ischemic strokes, and severe carotid stenosis is associated with a higher incidence of first-ever and recurrent strokes. The release of pro-inflammatory mediators into the blood in severe atherosclerosis may aggravate endothelial dysfunction after stroke contributing to impair disease outcomes. We hypothesize that environments of severe carotid atherosclerotic disease worsen endothelial dysfunction in stroke linked to enhanced risk of further cerebrovascular events. We mounted nonischemic common carotid arteries from 2- to 4-month-old male Oncins France 1 mice in tissue baths for isometric contraction force measurements and exposed them to serum from men with a recent ischemic stroke and different degrees of carotid stenosis: low- or moderate-grade stenosis (LMGS; < 70%) and high-grade stenosis (HGS; ≥ 70%). The results show that serum from stroke patients induced an impairment of acetylcholine relaxations in mice carotid arteries indicative of endothelium dysfunction. This effect was more pronounced after incubation with serum from patients with a recurrent stroke or vascular death within 1 year of follow-up. When patients were stratified according to the degree of stenosis, serum from HGS patients induced more pronounced carotid artery endothelial dysfunction, an effect that was associated with enhanced circulating levels of IL-1β. Mechanistically, endothelial dysfunction was prevented by both nonselective and selective COX blockade. Altogether, the present findings add knowledge on the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the increased risk of stroke in atherosclerosis and suggest that targeting COX in the carotid artery wall may represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy for secondary stroke prevention.

In silico simulation of hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercetin, and quercitrin as potential antivirals against the pNP868R protein of African swine fever virus

Background and Aim

African swine fever (ASF) causes disease in pigs with up to 100% mortality rates. There is no effective vaccine to protect against it. This study aimed to perform in silico docking of ASF virus (ASFV) pNP868R protein with potential flavonoid ligands to identify ligands that interfere with mRNA cap formation.

Materials and Methods

The ASFV pNP868R protein was tested with hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercetin, and quercitrin in this in silico simulation. ASFV pNP868R protein was extracted from the Research Collaboration for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) database with PDB ID 7D8U (https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7D8U). Standard ligands were separated from proteins using UCSF Chimera 1.13. The standard ligand was redocked to protein using AutoDockTools 1.5.6 with the AutoDock4 method for validation. In the docking process, the grid box size was 40 × 40 × 40 Å3 with x, y, and z coordinates of 16.433, -43.826, and -9.496, respectively. The molecular docking process of the proposed ligand-protein complex can proceed if the standard ligand position is not significantly different from its original position in the viral protein's pocket. The root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), and radius of gyration (RoG) of the hyperoside with the lowest energy binding need to be analyzed with molecular dynamics using Groningen machine for chemical simulation 5.1.1.

Results

Molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed that hyperoside had the most stable and compact binding to the pNP868R protein. Hyperoside binds to the protein at the minimum energy of -9.07 KJ/mol. The RMSD, RMSF, and RoG values of 0.281 nm, 0.2 nm, and 2.175 nm, respectively, indicate the stability and compactness of this binding.

Conclusion

Hyperoside is the most likely antiviral candidate to bind to the pNP868R protein in silico. Therefore, it is necessary to test whether this flavonoid can inhibit mRNA capping in vitro and elicit the host immune response against uncapped viral mRNA.

Mass spectrometry-based methods for investigating the dynamics and organization of the surfaceome: exploring potential clinical implications

INTRODUCTION

Cell-surface proteins are extremely important for many cellular events, such as regulating cell-cell communication and cell-matrix interactions. Aberrant alterations in surface protein expression, modification (especially glycosylation), and interactions are directly related to human diseases. Systematic investigation of surface proteins advances our understanding of protein functions, cellular activities, and disease mechanisms, which will lead to identifying surface proteins as disease biomarkers and drug targets.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we summarize mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics methods for global analysis of cell-surface proteins. Then, investigations of the dynamics of surface proteins are discussed. Furthermore, we summarize the studies for the surfaceome interaction networks. Additionally, biological applications of MS-based surfaceome analysis are included, particularly highlighting the significance in biomarker identification, drug development, and immunotherapies.

EXPERT OPINION

Modern MS-based proteomics provides an opportunity to systematically characterize proteins. However, due to the complexity of cell-surface proteins, the labor-intensive workflow, and the limit of clinical samples, comprehensive characterization of the surfaceome remains extraordinarily challenging, especially in clinical studies. Developing and optimizing surfaceome enrichment methods and utilizing automated sample preparation workflow can expand the applications of surfaceome analysis and deepen our understanding of the functions of cell-surface proteins.

Current Perspectives: Obesity and Neurodegeneration - Links and Risks

Obesity is increasing in prevalence across all age groups. Long-term obesity can lead to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases through its effects on adipose, skeletal muscle, and liver tissue. Pathological mechanisms associated with obesity include immune response and inflammation as well as oxidative stress and consequent endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent evidence links obesity to diminished brain health and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Both AD and PD are associated with insulin resistance, an underlying syndrome of obesity. Despite these links, causative mechanism(s) resulting in neurodegenerative disease remain unclear. This review discusses relationships between obesity, AD, and PD, including clinical and preclinical findings. The review then briefly explores nonpharmacological directions for intervention.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertensive Heart Disease: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutics

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway that lead to intermittent hypoxemia, negative intrathoracic pressure, hypercapnia, and sleep disturbances. While OSA is recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it's relationship with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) remains underappreciated. HHD is a condition characterized by the pathological hypertrophy of the left ventricle, a consequence of elevated arterial hypertension. Interestingly, both OSA and HHD share similar underlying mechanisms including hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which ultimately contribute to the progression of HHD. This review aims to shed light on the potential role of OSA in HHD pathogenesis, summarizing current OSA treatment options. It is hoped that this review will encourage a renewed clinical focus on HHD and underscore the need for further OSA research, particularly in the context of screening and treating HHD patients.

Endothelial activation and damage as a common pathological substrate in different pathologies and cell therapy complications

The endothelium is a biologically active interface with multiple functions, some of them common throughout the vascular tree, and others that depend on its anatomical location. Endothelial cells are continually exposed to cellular and humoral factors, and to all those elements (biological, chemical, or hemodynamic) that circulate in blood at a certain time. It can adapt to different stimuli but this capability may be lost if the stimuli are strong enough and/or persistent in time. If the endothelium loses its adaptability it may become dysfunctional, becoming a potential real danger to the host. Endothelial dysfunction is present in multiple clinical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, major depression, pregnancy-related complications, septic syndromes, COVID-19, and thrombotic microangiopathies, among other pathologies, but also in association with cell therapies, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T cells. In these diverse conditions, evidence suggests that the presence and severity of endothelial dysfunction correlate with the severity of the associated disease. More importantly, endothelial dysfunction has a strong diagnostic and prognostic value for the development of critical complications that, although may differ according to the underlying disease, have a vascular background in common. Our multidisciplinary team of women has devoted many years to exploring the role of the endothelium in association with the mentioned diseases and conditions. Our research group has characterized some of the mechanisms and also proposed biomarkers of endothelial damage. A better knowledge would provide therapeutic strategies either to prevent or to treat endothelial dysfunction.

Cardiac Abnormalities in Patients With Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Since the identification of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in 2010, there has been an increase in reported cases in China and other Asian countries. Cardiac abnormalities are highly prevalent in SFTS patients. We searched 5 Chinese and international databases for published SFTS articles and extracted patient characteristics, cardiac complications, electrocardiography findings, and imaging findings. Twenty-seven studies were identified, covering 1938 patients and 621 cardiac abnormalities. Arrhythmia was the most prevalent, reported in 24 studies and 525 cases, with a prevalence of 27.09%. The 2 major types of arrhythmias were bradycardia and atrial fibrillation. Heart failure was the second most prevalent abnormality, with 77 cases. Changes in the ST segment and T wave were the most common. Valve regurgitation, reduced ejection fraction, and pericardial effusion were also documented. We recommend that physicians pay close attention to newly onset arrhythmia and structural heart disease in SFTS patients.

Erectile Dysfunction Is Associated with Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and analyze the cardiac structure and function in men with ED assessed with echocardiography.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library on June 2, 2022, and included studies evaluating cardiac structure and function using echocardiography in men with ED compared with controls without ED. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used for assessing the quality of studies. We analyzed the mean differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the ratio of early transmitral filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e'), ratio of the early to late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), and left ventricular mass index (LVMi) in a random-effect model computed using means and standard deviations. The review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42022337183). We received no funding.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

We included ten studies with 763 men diagnosed with ED (mean age: 55.6 yr) and 358 control men (mean age: 54.4 yr). E/e' was significantly worse in men with ED than in controls (mean absolute difference = 1.17, 95% confidence interval or CI [0.68, 1.65], p < 0.005). No significant differences were observed in LVEF, E/A, IVRT, or LVMi (-0.06, 95% CI [-1.06, 0.95], p = 0.91; -0.06, 95% CI [-0.24, 0.13], p = 0.55; 11.76, 95% CI [-0.88, 24.39], p = 0.07; and 4.37, 95% CI [-2.91, 11.65], respectively). The studies exhibited heterogeneity regarding study populations, reported echocardiography data, and variations in adjustments for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, as assessed by E/e', was more frequent in men with ED than in matched controls without ED. The results imply that echocardiography may be useful in the cardiovascular evaluation of men with ED to help identify myocardial impairment.

PATIENT SUMMARY

This study reviewed for the first time previous research on cardiac structure and function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), as assessed by echocardiography. We found that men with ED, compared with men without ED, had a higher ratio of early transmitral filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity , indicating a potentially higher rate of impaired diastolic function-a potential early indicator of heart disease. Identification of early signs of heart problems in men with ED may help initiate necessary lifestyle modifications or preventative therapies before the development of heart disease. However, more research is required to determine the clinical utility of using echocardiography as a risk assessment method.

Matrix stiffness regulates neovascular homeostasis through autophagy in nude mice

One of the major obstacles to the effective application of vascularized fruit is an insufficient understanding of the relationship between the microenvironment and neovascular homeostasis. The role of extracellular matrix stiffness in regulating the structural and functional stability of neovascularization has not yet been elucidated. This study explored the effects of matrix stiffness on neovascular homeostasis in nude mice. Dextran hydrogels with three different stiffnesses were separately combined with mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and subcutaneously implanted into the backs of nude mice. After 14 days, neovascular homeostasis indicators in the different groups were measured. Cell autophagy levels were evaluated, and inhibitor assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. New blood vessels were generated in the three stiffnesses of the EPC-loaded dextran hydrogels 14 days after implantation. The newly formed vessels tended to have better structural stability in softer hydrogels. Endothelial function markers, such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase and E-selectin, were downregulated as the matrix stiffness increased. Furthermore, we found that cell autophagy levels decreased in stiffer matrices, and autophagy inhibition attenuated neovascular homeostasis. A soft matrix is conducive to maintaining neovascular homeostasis through autophagy in nude mice.

Enhanced Angiogenesis in HUVECs Preconditioned with Media from Adipocytes Differentiated from Lipedema Adipose Stem Cells In Vitro

Lipedema is a connective tissue disorder characterized by increased dilated blood vessels (angiogenesis), inflammation, and fibrosis of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. This project aims to gain insights into the angiogenic processes in lipedema using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as an in vitro model. HUVECs were cultured in conditioned media (CM) collected from healthy (non-lipedema, AQH) and lipedema adipocytes (AQL). The impacts on the expression levels of multiple endothelial and angiogenic markers [CD31, von Willebrand Factor (vWF), angiopoietin 2 (ANG2), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), NOTCH and its ligands] in HUVECs were investigated. The data demonstrate an increased expression of CD31 and ANG2 at both the gene and protein levels in HUVECs treated with AQL CM in 2D monolayer and 3D cultures compared to untreated cells. Furthermore, the expression of the vWF, NOTCH 4, and DELTA-4 genes decreased. In contrast, increased VEGF, MMP9, and HGF gene expression was detected in HUVECs treated with AQL CM cultured in a 2D monolayer. In addition, the results of a tube formation assay indicate that the number of formed tubes increased in lipedema-treated HUVECs cultured in a 2D monolayer. Together, the data indicate that lipedema adipocyte-CM promotes angiogenesis through paracrine-driven mechanisms.

Comparison of platelet-and endothelial-associated biomarkers of disease activity in people hospitalized with Covid-19 with and without HIV co-infection

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 elicits a hyper-inflammatory response that contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. In the case of HIV infection, despite effective anti-retroviral therapy, people living with HIV (PLWH) experience chronic systemic immune activation, which renders them particularly vulnerable to the life-threatening pulmonary, cardiovascular and other complications of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. The focus of the study was a comparison of the concentrations of systemic indicators o\f innate immune dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive patients (n=174) admitted with COVID-19, 37 of whom were co-infected with HIV.

Methods

Participants were recruited from May 2020 to November 2021. Biomarkers included platelet-associated cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, RANTES, PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and TNF-α) and endothelial associated markers (IL-1β, IL-1Ra, ICAM-1 and VEGF).

Results

PLWH were significantly younger (p=0.002) and more likely to be female (p=0.001); median CD4+ T-cell count was 256 (IQR 115 -388) cells/μL and the median HIV viral load (VL) was 20 (IQR 20 -12,980) copies/mL. Fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) was high in both groups, but higher in patients without HIV infection (p=0.0165), reflecting a greater need for oxygen supplementation. With the exception of PDGF-BB, the levels of all the biomarkers of innate immune activation were increased in SARS-CoV-2/HIV-co-infected and SARS-CoV-2/HIV-uninfected sub-groups relative to those of a control group of healthy participants. The magnitudes of the increases in the levels of these biomarkers were comparable between the SARS-CoV-2 -infected sub-groups, the one exception being RANTES, which was significantly higher in the sub-group without HIV. After adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes in the multivariable model, only the association between HIV status and VEGF was statistically significant (p=0.034). VEGF was significantly higher in PLWH with a CD4+ T-cell count >200 cells/μL (p=0.040) and those with a suppressed VL (p=0.0077).

Discussion

These findings suggest that HIV co-infection is not associated with increased intensity of the systemic innate inflammatory response during SARS-CoV-2 co-infection, which may underpin the equivalent durations of hospital stay, outcome and mortality rates in the SARS-CoV-2/HIV-infected and -uninfected sub-groups investigated in the current study. The apparent association of increased levels of plasma VEGF with SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection does, however, merit further investigation.

The therapeutic potential of sphingolipids for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of CVD. Despite considerable progress in understanding the underlying mechanisms and various treatment options available, significant gaps in therapy necessitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Sphingolipids are a family of lipids that have gained attention in recent years as important players in CVDs and the inflammatory processes that underlie their development. As preclinical studies have shown that targeting sphingolipids can modulate inflammation and ameliorate CVDs, targeting sphingolipids has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This review discusses the current understanding of sphingolipids' involvement in inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, the existing therapeutic approaches and gaps in therapy, and explores the potential of sphingolipids-based drugs as a future avenue for CVD treatment.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Venous Thromboembolism: Unraveling the Emerging Association

Oxidative stress has emerged as a significant contributor to skeletal muscle atrophy, influencing cellular processes that underlie muscle wasting. This review article delves into the intricate interplay between oxidative stress and muscle atrophy, shedding light on its mechanisms and implications. We begin by outlining the fundamental concepts of oxidative stress, delineating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), their sources, and the ensuing oxidative damage to cellular components. Subsequently, we delve into skeletal muscle atrophy, elucidating its diverse forms, molecular pathways, key signaling cascades, and the role of inflammation in exacerbating muscle wasting. Bridging these concepts, we explore the connections between oxidative stress and muscle atrophy, unveiling how oxidative stress impacts muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, perturbs cellular signaling pathways, and contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction. The review underscores the complexity of quantifying and interpreting oxidative stress markers, highlighting the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of oxidative stress and the presence of basal ROS levels. Addressing the specificity of oxidative stress markers, we emphasize the importance of selecting markers pertinent to muscle tissue and considering systemic influences. Standardization of experimental protocols emerges as a critical need to ensure consistency and reproducibility across studies. Looking ahead, we discuss the implications of oxidative stress in diverse scenarios, encompassing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), muscle wasting in chronic diseases like cancer cachexia, and disuse-induced muscle atrophy. Additionally, we delve into potential therapeutic strategies, including antioxidant supplementation, exercise, pharmacological interventions, nutritional approaches, and lifestyle modifications, as avenues to mitigate oxidative stress-driven muscle atrophy. The review concludes by outlining promising future directions in this field, calling for deeper exploration of specific oxidative stress markers, understanding the temporal dynamics of oxidative stress, validation through translational studies in humans, and the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. By advancing our understanding of the intricate relationship between oxidative stress and skeletal muscle atrophy, this review contributes to paving the way for innovative strategies to address muscle wasting and improve muscle health.

Anti-Cancer Prodrug Cyclophosphamide Exerts Thrombogenic Effects on Human Venous Endothelial Cells Independent of CYP450 Activation-Relevance to Thrombosis

Cancer patients are at a very high risk of serious thrombotic events, often fatal. The causes discussed include the detachment of thrombogenic particles from tumor cells or the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Cytostatic agents can either act directly on their targets or, in the case of a prodrug approach, require metabolization for their action. Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a widely used cytostatic drug that requires prodrug activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) in the liver. We hypothesize that CPA could induce thrombosis in one of the following ways: (1) damage to endothelial cells (EC) after intra-endothelial metabolization; or (2) direct damage to EC without prior metabolization. In order to investigate this hypothesis, endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with CPA in clinically relevant concentrations for up to 8 days. HUVECs were chosen as a model representing the first place of action after intravenous CPA administration. No expression of CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 was found in HUVEC, but a weak expression of CYP2C18 was observed. CPA treatment of HUVEC induced DNA damage and a reduced formation of an EC monolayer and caused an increased release of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane (TXA) associated with a shift of the PGI2/TXA balance to a prothrombotic state. In an in vivo scenario, such processes would promote the risk of thrombus formation.

Comparative Roles of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, 1L-22, IL-33, and IL-37 in Various Cardiovascular Diseases With Potential Insights for Targeted Immunotherapy

In recent years, the study of interleukins (ILs), crucial cytokines involved in immune response and inflammation, has garnered significant attention within the sphere of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The research has provided insights into the involvement of ILs in diverse CVDs, including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and heart failure (HF). ILs have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for drug interventions through their involvement in disease development and progression. This comprehensive review provides a detailed overview of ILs, elucidating their functions within the immune system and offering insights into their specific contributions to various CVDs. Moreover, the article delves into the examination of current and potential drug therapies that selectively target ILs in the management of CVDs, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages associated with these therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to investigate the involvement of ILs in CVDs. The relevant articles were searched on PubMed, PubMed Central, Medline, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases. The search encompassed articles published from these databases' inception until July 12, 2023. We first examine generalized aspects of ILs, particularly CVDs. Then, we shift focus towards examining the direct impact of ILs on cardiac cells and tissue; on the immune system and inflammation; endothelial cells and vascular function; and finally, their interactions with other signaling pathways and molecules. Then, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of various ILs. Sequentially, we delve into a comprehensive analysis of the individualized role of each distinct IL in diverse CVDs, examining their specific contributions. Finally, we explore the potential for targeted drug therapy to modulate IL activity, aiming to enhance outcomes for patients burdened with CVD. The objective is the identification of gaps in current knowledge and highlight areas that require further investigation within the context of cardiovascular medicine. Through deepening our comprehension of the intricate involvement of ILs in CVDs and harnessing their potential for targeted drug therapy, novel treatment strategies can be devised, leading to improved patient outcomes in cardiovascular medicine.

Exercise and vascular function in sedentary lifestyles in humans

People with sedentary lifestyles engage in minimal or no physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle promotes dysregulation of cellular redox balance, diminishes mitochondrial function, and increases NADPH oxidase activity. These changes collectively increase cellular oxidative stress, which alters endothelial function by oxidizing LDL-C, reducing NO production, and causing eNOS uncoupling. Reduced levels of nitric oxide (NO) leads to vasoconstriction, vascular remodeling, and vascular inflammation. Exercise modulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to modify NRF2-KEAP signaling, leading to the activation of NRF2 to alleviate oxidative stress. While regular moderate exercise activates NRF2 through ROS production, high-intensity intermittent exercise stimulates NRF2 activation to a greater degree by reducing KEAP levels, which can be more beneficial for sedentary individuals. We review the damaging effects of a sedentary lifestyle on the vascular system and the health benefits of regular and intermittent exercise.

Biomarkers and the outcomes of ischemic stroke

Biomarkers are measurable substances that could be used as objective indicators for disease diagnosis, responses to treatments, and outcomes predictions. In this review, we summarized the data on a number of important biomarkers including glutamate, S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein, receptor for advanced glycation end-products, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, von willebrand factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, activated protein C, copeptin, neuron-specific enolase, tau protein, gamma aminobutyric acid, blood glucose, endothelial progenitor cells, and circulating CD34-positive cells that could be potentially used to indicate the disease burden and/or predict clinical outcome of ischemic stroke. We examined the relationship between specific biomarkers and disease burden and outcomes and discussed the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship. The clinical significance and implications of these biomarkers were also discussed.

Melatonin and TGF-β-Mediated Release of Extracellular Vesicles

The immune system, unlike other systems, must be flexible and able to "adapt" to fully cope with lurking dangers. The transition from intracorporeal balance to homeostasis disruption is associated with activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, which causes modulation of the immunology response. Chemotactic cytokines, signaling molecules, and extracellular vesicles act as critical mediators of inflammation and participate in intercellular communication, conditioning the immune system's proper response. Among the well-known cytokines allowing for the development and proper functioning of the immune system by mediating cell survival and cell-death-inducing signaling, the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) are noteworthy. The high bloodstream concentration of those pleiotropic cytokines can be characterized by anti- and pro-inflammatory activity, considering the powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress capabilities of TGF-β known from the literature. Together with the chemokines, the immune system response is also influenced by biologically active chemicals, such as melatonin. The enhanced cellular communication shows the relationship between the TGF-β signaling pathway and the extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted under the influence of melatonin. This review outlines the findings on melatonin activity on TGF-β-dependent inflammatory response regulation in cell-to-cell communication leading to secretion of the different EV populations.

Characterization of the endotheliopathy, innate-immune activation and hemostatic imbalance underlying CAR-T cell toxicities: laboratory tools for an early and differential diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell-based immunotherapy constitutes a revolutionary advance for treatment of relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies. Nevertheless, cytokine release and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndromes are life-threatening toxicities in which the endothelium could be a pathophysiological substrate. Furthermore, differential diagnosis from sepsis, highly incident in these patients, is challenging. Suitable laboratory tools could be determinant for their appropriate management.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients treated with CAR-T cell immunotherapy for hematological malignancies (n=46 with CD19-positive diseases, n=16 with multiple myeloma) were included. Plasma samples were obtained: before CAR-T cell infusion (baseline); after 24-48 hours; at suspicion of any toxicity onset and 24-48 hours after immunomodulatory treatment. Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNFRI), thrombomodulin (TM), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 factor (ST2), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2)), innate immunity activation (neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), soluble C5b-9 (sC5b-9)) and hemostasis/fibrinolysis (von Willebrand Factor antigen (VWF:Ag), ADAMTS-13 (A13), α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen (PAI-1 Ag)) were measured and compared with those in cohorts of patients with sepsis and healthy donors.

RESULTS

Patients who developed CAR-T cell toxicities presented increased levels of sVCAM-1, sTNFRI and ST2 at the clinical onset versus postinfusion values. Twenty-four hours after infusion, ST2 levels were good predictors of any CAR-T cell toxicity, and combination of ST2, Ang-2 and NETs differentiated patients requiring intensive care unit admission from those with milder clinical presentations. Association of Ang-2, NETs, sC5b-9, VWF:Ag and PAI-1 Ag showed excellent discrimination between severe CAR-T cell toxicities and sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides relevant contributions to the current knowledge of the CAR-T cell toxicities pathophysiology. Markers of endotheliopathy, innate immunity activation and hemostatic imbalance appear as potential laboratory tools for their prediction, severity and differential diagnosis.

HPLC Analysis of Polyphenols Derived from Hungarian Aszú from Tokaj Wine Region and Its Effect on Inflammation in an In Vitro Model System of Endothelial Cells

Many studies have been published in recent years regarding the fact that moderate wine consumption, as a part of a balanced diet can have a beneficial effect on human health. The biologically active components of wine continue to be the subject of intense research today. In this study, the bioactive molecules of Hungarian aszú from the Tokaj wine region were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigated in an in vitro model system of endothelial cells induced by bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide. The HPLC measurements were performed on a reversed phased column with gradient elution. The non-cytotoxic concentration of the active substance was determined based on 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-, apoptosis, and necrosis assays. The antioxidant effect of the extract was determined by evaluating its ability to eliminate ROS. The expressions of the interleukin-(IL)1α, IL1-β, IL-6, and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at the mRNA level were evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We found that the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced increases in the expressions of the investigated cytokines were significantly suppressed by Hungarian aszú extract, excluding IL-6. In our experimental setup, our treatment had a positive effect on the eNOS expression, which was impaired as a result of the inflammatory manipulation. In our experimental model, the Hungarian aszú extract decreased the LPS-induced increases in the expression of the investigated cytokines and eNOS at the mRNA level, which presumably had a positive effect on the endothelial dysfunction caused by inflammation due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, this research contributes to a more thorough understanding of the bioactive molecules of aszú from the Tokaj wine region.

Modulation of Endothelial Function by TMAO, a Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolite

Endothelial function is essential in the maintenance of systemic homeostasis, whose modulation strictly depends on the proper activity of tissue-specific angiocrine factors on the physiopathological mechanisms acting at both single and multi-organ levels. Several angiocrine factors take part in the vascular function itself by modulating vascular tone, inflammatory response, and thrombotic state. Recent evidence has outlined a strong relationship between endothelial factors and gut microbiota-derived molecules. In particular, the direct involvement of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the development of endothelial dysfunction and its derived pathological outcomes, such as atherosclerosis, has come to light. Indeed, the role of TMAO in the modulation of factors strictly related to the development of endothelial dysfunction, such as nitric oxide, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and selectins), and IL-6, has been widely accepted. The aim of this review is to present the latest studies that describe a direct role of TMAO in the modulation of angiocrine factors primarily involved in the development of vascular pathologies.

Serratiopeptidase Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Vascular Inflammation by Inhibiting the Expression of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has potent pro-inflammatory properties and acts on many cell types including vascular endothelial cells. The secretion of the cytokines MCP-1 (CCL2), interleukins, and the elevation of oxidative stress by LPS-activated vascular endothelial cells contribute substantially to the pathogenesis of vascular inflammation. However, the mechanism involving LPS-induced MCP-1, interleukins, and oxidative stress together is not well demonstrated. Serratiopeptidase (SRP) has been widely used for its anti-inflammatory effects. In this research study, our intention is to establish a potential drug candidate for vascular inflammation in cardiovascular disorder conditions. We used BALB/c mice because this is the most successful model of vascular inflammation, suggested and validated by previous research findings. Our present investigation examined the involvement of SRP in vascular inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in a BALB/c mice model. We analyzed the inflammation and changes in the aorta by H&E staining. SOD, MDA, and GPx levels were determined as per the instructions of the kit protocols. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukins, whereas immunohistochemistry was carried out for the evaluation of MCP-1 expression. SRP treatment significantly suppressed vascular inflammation in BALB/c mice. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that SRP significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in aortic tissue. Furthermore, it also inhibited LPS-induced oxidative stress in the aortas of mice, whereas the expression and activity of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) decreased after SRP treatment. In conclusion, SRP has the ability to reduce LPS-induced vascular inflammation and damage by modulating MCP-1.

The Role of NLRP3, a Star of Excellence in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is the most widely investigated inflammasome member whose overactivation can be a driver of several carcinomas. It is activated in response to different signals and plays an important role in metabolic disorders and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. NLRP3 belongs to the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) family, expressed in numerous immune cells, and it plays its primary function in myeloid cells. NLRP3 has a crucial role in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), considered to be the diseases best studied in the inflammasome context. The investigation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex is a new horizon to explore, and inhibiting IL-1β or NLRP3 could be a helpful cancer-related therapeutic strategy to improve the existing protocols.

Hypotheses on Atherogenesis Triggering: Does the Infectious Nature of Atherosclerosis Development Have a Substruction?

Since the end of the 20th century, it has been clear that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. However, the main triggering mechanism of the inflammatory process in the vascular walls is still unclear. To date, many different hypotheses have been put forward to explain the causes of atherogenesis, and all of them are supported by strong evidence. Among the main causes of atherosclerosis, which underlies these hypotheses, the following can be mentioned: lipoprotein modification, oxidative transformation, shear stress, endothelial dysfunction, free radicals' action, homocysteinemia, diabetes mellitus, and decreased nitric oxide level. One of the latest hypotheses concerns the infectious nature of atherogenesis. The currently available data indicate that pathogen-associated molecular patterns from bacteria or viruses may be an etiological factor in atherosclerosis. This paper is devoted to the analysis of existing hypotheses for atherogenesis triggering, and special attention is paid to the contribution of bacterial and viral infections to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

A Hidden Organism, Chlamydia in the Age of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. It is still the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Inflammation in the vessels plays the most important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Many studies have been emphasized that Chlamydia pneumoniae triggers inflammation in the vessels and associated with atherosclerosis. It is stated that most of the chlamydial infections are asymptomatic and around 40% of adult individuals are infected. Chlamydia has different subgroups. It was thought to be a virus due to its intracellular pathogenicity, but it was included in the bacteria genus because it contains DNA and RNA chromosomes and has enzymatic activity. Chlamidya can easily be transmitted through the respiratory tract and sexual transmission. Seroepidemiological and pathological studies of atherosclerotic plaques showed the presence of Chlamydia in the plaque. This section will provide relationship between Chlamydia and atherosclerosis on the recent researces and current information will be discussed.

Gene Expression Study of Host and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Interactions in the Manifestation of Acute Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) could induce type IV hypersensitivity. The chemotaxis of the leukocytes toward the site of infection and producing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key factors in the immune pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). Mononuclear cells were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens, and the target from genomic DNA was used for qPCR TB diagnosis and cDNA for specific RT-qPCR gene expression. The subjects were then classified into TB⁺ and TB^- groups, and the expression levels of CFP-10, ESAT-6, CCR1, CCR12 and MMP3,9 were evaluated. The mean level of CCR1 expression in TB⁺ and TB^- patients' BAL was 1.71 ± 0.78 and 0.5 ± 0.22, respectively, which was statistically different (p = 0.01). The CCR2 level, in TB⁺ (2.07 ± 1.4), was higher than in TB^- patients (1.42 ± 0.89, p = 0.01). The MMP9 expression in TB⁺ was 2.56 ± 0.68, also higher than in TB^- patients (1.13 ± 0.35), while MMP3 was lower in TB⁺ (0.22 ± 0.09) than in TB^- (0.64 ± 0.230, p = 0.05). The CCR2/CCR1 and MMP3/MMP9 balance in TB⁺ were reduced, compared to the TB^-. The CFP-10 and ESAT-6 were highly expressed in TB⁺ patients. The CFP-10 expression had a strong negative correlation with albumin (r =  - 0.93, p = 0.001), and a negative correlation with neutrophil (r =  - 0.444, p = 0.1 with 90% CI). The MMP-9 expression showed a positive correlation with WBC count (r = 0.61, p = 0.02), in TB⁺, and had a negative correlation with BMI (r = 0.59, p = 0.02) in TB^-. The M.tb CFP-10 might be implicated in lowering CCR2 and MMP3 expression in favour of M.tb dissemination. Moreover, the balance of CCR2/CCR1 and MMP3/MMP9 can be used as prognostic factors in the severity of TB.

Association of hemoglobin A1c with the incidence of hypertension: A large prospective study

Background

Although hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is closely related to diabetes, its relationship with the incidence of hypertension is still unknown, so we aimed to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and the incidence of hypertension in the general population.

Method

In this large prospective cohort study with a median follow-up of 2 years, we included 4,074 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Multivariate COX regression, subgroup analysis, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and incidental hypertension.

Results

Compared with participants without incident hypertension, participants with incident hypertension had higher levels of HbA1c (P < 0.05). In univariate COX regression analysis, HbA1c was associated with the risk of hypertension (HR: 1.161, 95% CI: 1.105-1.221, P < 0.001). In multivariate COX regression analysis adjusted for confounding variables, HbA1c was still closely related to the risk of hypertension (HR: 1.102, 95% CI: 1.006-1.206, P = 0.037). And subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between HbA1c and hypertension remained significant in female, lower than high school and non-obese subgroups (P < 0.05). ROC curve also showed that HbA1c could predict the risk of hypertension (AUC = 0.583, 95% CI: 0.568-0.598, P < 0.001). Further RCS analysis showed that HbA1c was positively correlated with the risk of hypertension (P for nonlinearity = 0.642).

Conclusion

HbA1c was linearly and positively associated with the incidence of hypertension.

Oxidative stress and related metabolic alterations are induced in ex situ perfusion of donated hearts regardless of the ventricular load or leukocyte depletion

We sought to determine the role of donor blood circulating leukocytes in mediating oxidative stress and inflammation during normothermic ex situ heart perfusion (ESHP). Normothermic ESHP allows preservation of donated heart in a perfused, dynamic state, preventing ischemia. However, the cardiac function declines during ESHP, limiting the potential of this method for improvement of the outcomes of transplantation and expanding the donor pool. Extracorporeal circulation-related oxidative stress plays a critical role in the functional decline of the donor heart. Hearts from domestic pigs were perfused in working mode (WM, whole blood-based or leukocyte-depleted blood-based perfusate) or nonworking mode. Markers of oxidative stress and responsive glucose anabolic pathways were induced in the myocardium regardless of left ventricular load. Myocardial function during ESHP as well as cardioprotective mechanisms were preserved better in WM. Leukocyte-depleted perfusate did not attenuate tissue oxidative stress or perfusate proinflammatory cytokines and did not improve functional preservation. Although ESHP is associated with ongoing oxidative stress and metabolic alteration in the myocardium, preserved cardioprotective mechanisms in WM may exert beneficial effects. Leukocyte depletion of the perfusate may not attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress effectively or improve the functional preservation of the heart during ESHP.

Comparison of clinical characteristics of first-episode thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and TTP-like syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in a level I hematology center in China

Comparing the characteristics of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and TTP-like syndrome patients at admission will allow early differentiation of TTP from TTP-like syndrome and help tailor initial treatment. The medical records of 78 patients with suspected TTP in the Emergency Department of Peking University People's Hospital in the past 5 years were retrospectively analyzed and divided into TTP and TTP-like syndrome groups based on ADAMTS13 activity and ADAMTS13 antibody titer. There were 25 and 53 patients in the TTP group and the TTP-like syndrome group, respectively. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.025) was tremendously higher, and albumin (P = 0.002) was lower in the TTP-like syndrome group, indicating a more severe inflammation. Compared with the TTP-like syndrome group, the TTP group had an approximately two-fold to three-fold higher prevalence of central nervous system dysfunction (P < 0.001). Also, hemolysis was more substantial in the TTP group as evidenced by higher schistocytes (P < 0.001), reticulocyte (P < 0.001), total bilirubin (P = 0.002), indirect bilirubin (P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.007) and cell-free hemoglobin (P < 0.001), simultaneously lower platelet (P < 0.001), haptoglobin (P = 0.044), and ADAMTS13 activity (P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the TTP group significantly predicted poor prognosis (log-rank test: X² = 5.368, P = 0.021). TTP and TTP-like syndrome are two kinds of distinct phenotypes with different hemolysis statuses and illustrated differentiated inflammatory reactions, target organ damage (TOD), and the clinical outcome.

An update on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

INTRODUCTION

Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency defines thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). ADAMTS13 is responsible for VWF cleavage. In the absence of this enzyme, widespread thrombi formation occurs, causing microangiopathic anemia and thrombocytopenia and leading to ischemic organ injury. Understanding ADAMTS13 function is crucial to diagnose and manage TTP, both in the immune and hereditary forms.

AREAS COVERED

The role of ADAMTS13 in coagulation homeostasis and the consequences of its deficiency are detailed. Other factors that modulate the consequences of ADAMTS13 deficiency are explained, such as complement system activation, genetic predisposition, or the presence of an inflammatory status. Clinical suspicion of TTP is crucial to start prompt treatment and avoid mortality and sequelae. Available techniques to diagnose this deficiency and detect autoantibodies or gene mutations are presented, as they have become faster and more available in recent years.

EXPERT OPINION

A better knowledge of TTP pathophysiology is leading to an improvement in diagnosis and follow-up, as well as a customized treatment in patients with TTP. This scenario is necessary to define the role of new targeted therapies already available or coming soon and the need to better diagnose and monitor at the molecular level the evolution of the disease.

A New Target in Inflammatory Diseases: Lycopene

Inflammation is a response to various injuries, illnesses, and severe trauma. The primary function of inflammation is to combat pathogens, eliminate them from the body, and initiate wound healing. However, inflammation also contributes to numerous diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma. As the importance of nutrition in maintaining human health has become increasingly recognized, the consumption of natural antioxidants has gained popularity, especially in developed countries. A growing body of research has shown that consuming foods rich in lycopene can protect individuals from a range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. As a result, lycopene is gaining recognition as a potential protective antioxidant in the fields of medicine and pharmacology. This review aims to highlight the effects of lycopene on inflammatory diseases and provide a foundational understanding for researchers interested in further research on lycopene.

The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, in which the immune system has a prominent role in its development and progression. Inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction results in an increased permeability to lipoproteins and their subendothelial accumulation, leukocyte recruitment, and platelets activation. Recruited monocytes differentiate into macrophages which develop pro- or anti-inflammatory properties according to their microenvironment. Atheroma progression or healing is determined by the balance between these functional phenotypes. Macrophages and smooth muscle cells secrete inflammatory cytokines including interleukins IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-6. Within the arterial wall, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol undergoes an oxidation. Additionally, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and remnant lipoproteins exert pro-inflammatory effects. Macrophages catabolize the oxidized lipoproteins and coalesce into a lipid-rich necrotic core, encapsulated by a collagen fibrous cap, leading to the formation of fibro-atheroma. In the conditions of chronic inflammation, macrophages exert a catabolic effect on the fibrous cap, resulting in a thin-cap fibro-atheroma which makes the plaque vulnerable. However, their morphology may change over time, shifting from high-risk lesions to more stable calcified plaques. In addition to conventional cardiovascular risk factors, an exposure to acute and chronic psychological stress may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease through inflammation mediated by an increased sympathetic output which results in the release of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation is also the link between ageing and cardiovascular disease through increased clones of leukocytes in peripheral blood. Anti-inflammatory interventions specifically blocking the cytokine pathways reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, although they increase the risk of infections.

Anti-galectin-3 antibodies induce skin vascular inflammation via promoting local production of IL-1β in systemic lupus erythematosus

Vascular inflammation could occur in all organs and tissues in patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), of which skin is the most frequent one. Our previous research identified anti-galectin-3 (Gal3) antibodies (Abs) as an important mediator of lupus cutaneous vasculopathy. Herein, we showed that anti-Gal3 Abs dysregulated the function of vascular endothelial cells with higher transcript levels of IL-1β and increased expression of mature IL-1β. The enhanced production of IL-1β secreted by endothelial cells was dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome. Intradermal injection of anti-Gal3 Abs in mice induced local inflammation with perivascular infiltration of T cells and neutrophils, which was inhibited by IL-1β blockade. Induction of anti-Gal3 Abs in circulation by immunization of Gal3 antigen not only led to histopathologic changes in the skin, including focal keratinocytes vacuolization and thickening of blood vessels, but also a systemic autoimmune phenotype that involves autoantibody production and kidney damage. Intriguingly, local overexpression of IL-1β was primarily associated with skin lesions but not with other internal organs in mice. Finally, we showed that the serum levels of IL-1β were comparable between SLE patients and healthy donors. Whilst the expression of IL-1β was enriched in local area with perivascular inflammation in lupus skin lesion compared to healthy normal skin. The results strongly suggest that IL-1β plays an important role in mediating anti-Gal3 Ab-induced skin vascular inflammation and raised the prospect for using IL-1β blocking therapies to treat lupus cutaneous damage.

Skin pigmentation is negatively associated with circulating vitamin D concentration and cutaneous microvascular endothelial function

Darkly pigmented individuals are at the greatest risk of hypovitaminosis D, which may result in microvascular endothelial dysfunction via reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and/or increased oxidative stress and inflammation. We investigated the associations among skin pigmentation (M-index; skin reflectance spectrophotometry), serum vitamin D concentration [25(OH)D], circulating inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations, and the NO contribution to local heating-induced cutaneous vasodilation (%NO-mediated vasodilation) in a diversely pigmented cohort of young adults. An intradermal microdialysis fiber was placed in the forearms of 33 healthy adults (14 men/19 women; 18-27 yr; M-index, 30-81 AU) for local delivery of pharmacological agents. Lactated Ringer's solution was perfused through the fiber during local heating-induced (39°C) cutaneous vasodilation. After attaining stable elevated blood flow, 15 mM NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; NO synthase inhibiter) was infused to quantify %NO-mediated vasodilation. Red cell flux was measured (laser-Doppler flowmetry; LDF) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC = LDF/MAP) was normalized to maximal (%CVCmax; 28 mM sodium nitroprusside + 43°C). Serum [25(OH)D] and circulating cytokines were analyzed by ELISA and multiplex assay, respectively. M-index was negatively associated with [25(OH)D] (r = -0.57, P < 0.0001) and %NO-mediated vasodilation (r = -0.42, P = 0.02). Serum[25(OH)D] was positively related to %NO (r = 0.41, P = 0.02). Controlling for [25(OH)D] weakened the association between M-index and %NO-mediated dilation (P = 0.16, r = -0.26). There was a negative curvilinear relation between [25(OH)D] and circulating IL-6 (r = -0.56, P < 0.001), but not TNF-α or IL-10 (P ≥ 0.14). IL-6 was not associated with %NO-mediated vasodilation (P = 0.44). These data suggest that vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency may contribute to reduced microvascular endothelial function in healthy, darkly pigmented young adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Endothelial dysfunction, an antecedent to hypertension and overt CVD, is commonly observed in otherwise healthy Black adults, although the underlying causes remain unclear. We show that reduced vitamin D availability with increasing degrees of skin pigmentation is associated with reduced microvascular endothelial function, independent of race or ethnicity, in healthy young adults. Greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in more darkly pigmented individuals may predispose them to increased risk of endothelial dysfunction.