Cepharanthine Inhibits IFN-γ-Induced CXCL10 by Suppressing the JAK2/STAT1 Signal Pathway in Human Salivary Gland Ductal Cells

Role of JAK-STAT signaling pathway in pathogenesis and treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome

ABSTRACT

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease with high prevalence and possible poor prognosis. Though the pathogenesis of pSS has not been fully elucidated, B cell hyperactivity is considered as one of the fundamental abnormalities in pSS patients. It has long been identified that Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway contributes to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recently, increasing numbers of studies have provided evidence that JAK-STAT pathway also has an important role in the pathogenesis of pSS via direct or indirect activation of B cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, and STAT5 activated by various cytokines and ribonucleic acid contribute to pSS development, respectively or synergically. These results reveal the potential application of Janus kinase inhibitors for treatment of pSS, which may fundamentally improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with pSS.

Pharmacological Activity of Cepharanthine

Cepharanthine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloid isolated from the plant Stephania Cephalantha Hayata, is the only bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid approved for human use and has been used in the clinic for more than 70 years. Cepharanthine has a variety of medicinal properties, including signaling pathway inhibitory activities, immunomodulatory activities, and antiviral activities. Recently, cepharanthine has been confirmed to greatly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we aimed to describe the pharmacological properties and mechanisms of cepharanthine, mainly including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogen activities, inhibition of bone resorption, treatment of alopecia, treatment of snake bite, and other activities. At the same time, we analyzed and summarized the potential antiviral mechanism of cepharanthine and concluded that one of the most important anti-viral mechanisms of cepharanthine may be the stability of plasma membrane fluidity. Additionally, we explained its safety and bioavailability, which provides evidence for cepharanthine as a potential drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Finally, we further discuss the potential new clinical applications of cepharanthine and provide direction for its future development.

Transcriptional expression of CXCL10 and STAT1 in lupus nephritis and the intervention effect of triptolide

OBJECTIVE

This study screened out the key genes associated with the occurrence and development of lupus nephritis (LN) using bioinformatics methods, and then explored the expression of key genes in LN and the inhibitory effect of triptolide.

METHODS

The GEO2R online tool in the GEO database was used to perform differential analysis of gene expression in LN tissues and normal kidney tissues. The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), STRING, and Cytoscape software were used to build a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) to screen out the Hub gene. Mouse glomerular mesangial cells (MMC) were randomly divided into a control group, an interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulation group, and a triptolide intervention group. The relative expression of CXCL10 mRNA in each group was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). CXCL10 secretion was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot was used to detect the expression of the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway-related proteins STAT1 and p-STAT1 in each group.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics showed that there were 22 DEGs expression differences in the GEO database. The GO enrichment analysis showed that biological process (BP) such as the type I interferon signaling pathway, innate immune response, IFN-γ-mediated signaling pathway, virus defense response, and immune response were significantly regulated by DEGs. Through the combination of String database analysis and cytoscape software, it was found that STAT1 and CXCL10 are closely related to LN. Experimental results showed that IFN-γ induces the expression of CXCL10 mRNA and protein by activating the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway, while triptolide inhibits the expression of CXCL10 mRNA and protein by inhibiting the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

STAT1 and CXCL10 are the key genes in the occurrence and development of LN. IFN-γ induces the expression of CXCL10 by activating the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway, while triptolide inhibits the expression of CXCL10 by blocking the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway. Inhibition of the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway and CXCL10 expression is expected to become a potential target for the treatment of LN. Key Points • Bioinformatics showed that there were 22 DEGs expression differences in the GEO database. • Through the combination of String database analysis and Cytoscape software, it was found that STAT1 and CXCL10 are closely related to LN. • Experimental results showed that IFN-γ induces the expression of CXCL10 mRNA and protein by activating the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway, while triptolide inhibits the expression of CXCL10 mRNA and protein by inhibiting the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway.

Effect of Cepharanthine on the Stemness of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has poor survival prognosis and few clinical treatment options. We urgently need to explore new therapeutic drugs in clinical practice. Cepharanthine (CEP) has been shown to have anticancer effects in several tumors, but the mechanism of CEP in treating LUSC has not been reported.

Methods

SwissTargetPrediction, PharmMapper, and GeneCards were used to identify targets of CEP and LUSC. Further topological analysis was used to obtain hub genes via Cytoscape. Molecular docking was carried out to verify the combination of CEP with hub targets. Based on bioinformatics, we first analyzed the expression and survival of hub targets in LUSC and further analyzed the correlation between hub targets and cancer stemness, immune cell infiltration, and tumor mutation burden (TMB).

Results

A total of 41 targets were identified. Further topological analysis identified 6 hub genes: AURKA, CCNA2, CCNE1, CDK1, CHEK1, and PLK1. Molecular docking analysis showed that CEP had stable binding to all these 6 target proteins. In-depth bioinformatics analysis of these 6 targets showed that high expression of these targets were positively correlated with cancer stemness index and negatively correlated with tumor infiltrating immune cells. In immune subtype analysis, the expressions of these targets were significantly decreased in inflammatory tumors. In addition, we also found that the expressions of these targets were positively correlated with TMB.

Conclusion

Based on multidisciplinary analysis, we preliminarily identified potential targets of CEP for LUSC treatment and suggested that CEP may play a role in regulating LUSC stemness.

Potential Mechanisms of White Peony against Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Multiple system and organ damage occurs with the continuous progression of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and the lack of specific drugs against this disease is a huge challenge. White peony (WP), a widely used traditional Chinese herb, has been confirmed to have a therapeutic value in pSS. However, the specific mechanisms of WP in the treatment of pSS are unknown.

Methods

The active ingredients and their targets in WP were searched on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and disease-related targets were collected from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The overlapping targets were acquired by taking the intersection. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was structured using the STRING database. A disease-drug-ingredient-target (D-D-I-T) network was built using Cytoscape software. By filtering twice, core targets were acquired. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were accompanied by R packages. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the abovementioned results.

Results

In total, we screened 88 WP-related targets, 1480 pSS-related targets, and 32 overlapping targets. D-D-I-T Network analysis displayed six main active ingredients of WP, which played a significant therapeutic role in pSS. Further topological analysis selected seven core target genes, including IL-6, TNF, PPARγ, AKT1, CASP3, NOS3, and JUN. GO and KEGG analysis were used to elucidate pharmacological mechanisms, mainly acting in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Molecular docking proved that paeoniflorin bound well with core targets.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that IL-6, TNF, AKT1, CASP3, NOS3, and JUN may be pathogenic target genes, and PPARγ may be a protective target gene. The main active ingredients of WP mainly played a therapeutic role via the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. These findings provide a fundamental and theoretical basis for the clinical application of WP.

Alkaloids in genus stephania (Menispermaceae): A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Approximately 60 species of the genus Stephania (Menispermaceae) are distributed worldwide. Among these, 39 species are located in South and Southwest China; in particular, these plants are rich in alkaloids and were used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) against numerous ailments.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

The purpose of this study was to provide organized information on the ethnopharmacological uses as well as the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluation of the alkaloids derived from plant species included in the genus Stephania. In addition, we aimed to provide comprehensive basic knowledge on the medicinal properties of these plants and establish meaningful guidelines for further research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information related to the Stephania genus was collected from scientific databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, and China Academic Journals (CNKI), within the last 20 years on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plants in genus Stephania. Furthermore, information was obtained from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Flora of China.

RESULTS

Plant species belonging to the genus Stephania have been mentioned as traditional remedies and various alkaloidal compounds have been identified and isolated, including aporphine, proaporphine, morphinane, hasubanane, protoberberine, benzylisoquinoline, and bisbenzylisoquinoline and among others. The isolated alkaloidal compounds reportedly exhibited promising pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anti-multidrug resistance, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The genus Stephania is widely used in TCM. The ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the Stephania sp. Described in this review demonstrated that these plants contain numerous alkaloids and active constituents and display myriad pharmacological activities. Typically, research on the plants' pharmacological activity focuses on parts of the plants and the associated compounds. However, many Stephania species have rarely been studied, and the ethnomedicinal potential of those discovered has not been scientifically evaluated and needs to be further elucidated. Furthermore, quality control and toxicology studies are warranted in the future.

Large Screening Identifies ACE2 Positively Correlates With NF-κB Signaling Activity and Targeting NF-κB Signaling Drugs Suppress ACE2 Levels

Coronaviruses SARS-CoV-2 infected more than 156 million people and caused over 3 million death in the whole world, therefore a better understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanism and the searching for more effective treatments were urgently needed. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we found that ACE2 was an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) in human cell lines. By performing an ISG library screening, we found that ACE2 levels were positively regulated by multiple ISGs. Interestingly, ACE2 levels were highly correlated with ISGs-induced NF-κB activities, but not IFNβ levels. Furthermore, using an approved clinical durgs library, we found two clinical drugs, Cepharanthine and Glucosamine, significantly inhibited ACE2 level, IFNβ level, and NF-κB signaling downstream TNFα and IL6 levels. Our finding suggested the possible inhibitory effects of Cepharanthine and Glucosamine during SARS-CoV-2 infection and the subsequent inflammatory cytokine storm.

Increased expression of IFN-γ in preeclampsia impairs human trophoblast invasion via a SOCS1/JAK/STAT1 feedback loop

The weakening of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion results in shallow placenta implantation. In HTR8/SVneo cells, IFN-γ can activate STAT1 and reduce cell invasion, and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) is an important negative regulatory protein in the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT activator pathway and has a negative feedback function on JAK/STAT1. The aim of the present study was to elucidate how SOCS1 feedback regulates JAK/STAT1 and affects EVT cell invasion, which in turn affects the development of preeclampsia (PE). MTT and Annexin V/phosphatidylserine (PS) assays were performed to evaluate the viability and apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells treated with IFN-γ, respectively. Wound healing and invasion assays were also conducted to measure the migratory and invasive abilities of IFN-γ-treated HTR8/SVneo cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. Small interfering RNA knockdown of SOCS1 was used to verify the role of feedback regulation in the IFN-γ-activated JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway. IFN-γ can inhibit HTR8/SVneo migration and invasion, and promote apoptosis by increasing the expression of phosphorylated (p)-JAK, p-STAT1 and caspase3, and reducing the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor A and Ezrin. Furthermore, SOCS1 may negatively regulate JAK/STAT1 and affect HTR-8/SVneo invasiveness. Evaluation of clinical samples demonstrated that the expression levels of SOCS1 and IFN-γ were higher in patients with PE compared with the healthy group. Collectively, the present results indicated that IFN-γ reduced the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells by activating JAK/STAT1, concurrently leading to an increase in SOCS1, which negatively regulates JAK/STAT1 and eliminates the pro-inflammatory effects of IFN-γ, thus forming a feedback loop.

DNA barcodes for the identification of Stephania (Menispermaceae) species

Stephania is a medicinal plants-rich genus of Menispermaceae. However, the identification of morphologically-similar species in Stephania is difficult using the currently reported methods. The indiscriminate overexploitation of Stephania plants has resulted in clinical misuse and endangerment of many species, which necessitates the development of an efficient and reliable method for species authentication. Therefore, six candidate DNA barcode sequences (ITS, ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, and trnL-F) were tested for their capacity to identify Stephania species. The barcodes were analyzed either as a single region or in combination by tree-based [neighbor-joining (NJ) and Bayesian inference (BI)], distance-based (PWG-distance), and sequence similarity-based (TaxonDNA) methods. Amplification and sequencing success rates were 100% for all six candidate barcodes. A comparison of six barcode regions showed that ITS exhibited the highest number of variable and informative sites (182/179), followed by psbA-trnH (173/162). DNA barcoding gap assessment showed that interspecific distances of the six barcodes were greater than intraspecific distances. The identification results showed that species discrimination rates of combination barcodes were higher than those of single-region barcodes. Based on best match and best close match methods, the ITS+psbA-trnH combination exhibited the highest discrimination power (93.93%). Further, all Stephania species could be resolved in the phylogenetic trees based on ITS+psbA-trnH (NJ, BI). This study demonstrates that DNA barcoding is an efficient method to identify Stephania species and recommends that the ITS+psbA-trnH combination is the best DNA barcode for the identification of Stephania species.

A critical review: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (Fen Fang Ji)

ABSTRACT

Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (S. tetrandra) is distributed widely in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. The root of this plant is known in Chinese as "Fen Fang Ji". It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat arthralgia caused by rheumatism, wet beriberi, dysuria, eczema and inflamed sores. Although promising reports have been published on the various chemical constituents and activities of S. tetrandra, no review comprehensively summarizes its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Therefore, the review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of S. tetrandra in China, and meaningful guidelines for future investigations.

The role of heparin/heparan sulphate in the IFN-γ-led Arena

IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine. It is often involved in a variety of physiological processes by binding to the cell surface transmembrane receptor (IFN-γR) to initiate a series of signalling pathways that transmit external signals from cell surface receptors to the cell nucleus. Heparan sulphate (HS), a highly sulphated linear polysaccharide, is ubiquitous on the mammalian cell surface and extracellular matrix. Electrostatic interactions can be generated between the highly sulphated HS region and specific basic amino acid residues in the IFN-γ structure, thereby detaining IFN-γ on the cell surface, and the concentration of IFN-γ on the cell surface is thus, changed. IFN-γ retained on the cell surface will optimize the binding of IFN-γ to the transmembrane receptor resulting in high efficiency signalling. Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan with a structure similar to HS. The structural similarity provides a basis for modelling exogenous heparin dependence for interference with IFN-γ function. This model can be summarized as follows: First, the competitive binding effect; heparin bound to cytokines by competing with membrane-associated HS, causes a decrease in cytokine concentration on the cell surface. Second, the principle of priority occupancy; heparin can occupy the receptor binding site on cytokines, partially preventing the IFN-γ-IFN-γR interaction. These two models interfere with IFN-γ signal transmission. To decipher the mechanism by which heparin influences IFN-γ activity, studies of the structure-activity relationship are in progress. This paper summarizes research progress on the IFN-γ signalling pathway, heparin interference with IFN-γ activity and the structure-activity relationship between heparin and IFN-γ.

Downregulation of MYO1C mediated by cepharanthine inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion through blockade of the F-actin network

Background

MYO1C, an actin-based motor protein, is involved in the late stages of autophagosome maturation and fusion with the lysosome. The molecular mechanism by which MYO1C regulates autophagosome-lysosome fusion remains largely unclear.

Methods

Western blotting was used to determine the expression of autophagy-related proteins. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the ultrastructural changes. An immunoprecipitation assay was utilized to detect protein-protein interactions. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to detect autophagosome-lysosome fusion and colocalization of autophagy-related molecules. An overexpression plasmid or siRNA against MYO1C were sequentially introduced into human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

Results

We show here that cepharanthine (CEP), a novel autophagy inhibitor, inhibited autophagy/mitophagy through blockage of autophagosome-lysosome fusion in human breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, we found for the first time that MYO1C was downregulated by CEP treatment. Furthermore, the interaction/colocalization of MYO1C and F-actin with either LC3 or LAMP1 was inhibited by CEP treatment. Knockdown of MYO1C further decreased the interaction/colocalization of MYO1C and F-actin with either LC3 or LAMP1 inhibited by CEP treatment, leading to blockade of autophagosome-lysosome fusion. In contrast, overexpression of MYO1C significantly restored the interaction/colocalization of MYO1C and F-actin with either LC3 or LAMP1 inhibited by CEP treatment.

Conclusion

These findings highlight a key role of MYO1C in the regulation of autophagosome-lysosome fusion through F-actin remodeling. Our findings also suggest that CEP could potentially be further developed as a novel autophagy/mitophagy inhibitor, and a combination of CEP with classic chemotherapeutic drugs could become a promising treatment for breast cancer.

Cepharanthine: An update of its mode of action, pharmacological properties and medical applications

BACKGROUND

Cepharanthine (CEP) is a drug used in Japan since the 1950s to treat a number of acute and chronic diseases, including treatment of leukopenia, snake bites, xerostomia and alopecia. It is the only approved drug for Human use in the large class of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. This natural product, mainly isolated from the plant Stephania cephalantha Hayata, exhibits multiple pharmacological properties including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-parasitic properties.

PURPOSE

The mechanism of action of CEP is multifactorial. The drug exerts membrane effects (modulation of efflux pumps, membrane rigidification) as well as different intracellular and nuclear effects. CEP interferes with several metabolic axes, primarily with the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and NFκB signaling pathways. In particular, the anti-inflammatory effects of CEP rely on AMPK activation and NFκB inhibition.

CONCLUSION

In this review, the historical discovery and development of CEP are retraced, and the key mediators involved in its mode of action are presented. The past, present, and future of CEP are recapitulated. This review also suggests new opportunities to extend the clinical applications of this well-tolerated old Japanese drug.