The hormetic and hermetic role of IL-6

A 3D-printed acinar-mimetic silk fibroin-collagen-astragalus polysaccharide scaffold for tissue reconstruction and functional repair of damaged parotid glands

Salivary glands are the principal organs responsible for secreting saliva in the oral cavity. Tumors, trauma, inflammation, and other factors can cause functional or structural damage to the glands, leading to reduced saliva secretion. In this study, we innovatively prepared a acinar-mimetic silk fibroin-collagen-astragalus polysaccharide (SCA) scaffold using low-temperature three-dimensional (3D) printing and freeze-drying techniques. We evaluated the material properties and cell compatibility of the scaffold in vitro and implanted it into the damaged parotid glands (PG) of rats to assess its efficacy in tissue reconstruction and functional repair. The results demonstrated that the SCA scaffold featured a porous structure resembling natural acini, providing an environment conducive to cell growth and orderly aggregation. It exhibited excellent porosity, water absorption, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility, fulfilling the requirements for tissue engineering scaffolds. In vitro, the scaffold facilitated adhesion, proliferation, orderly polarization, and spherical aggregation of PG cells. In vivo, the SCA scaffold effectively recruited GECs locally, forming gland-like acinar structures that matured gradually, promoting the regeneration of damaged PGs. The SCA scaffold developed in this study supports tissue reconstruction and functional repair of damaged PGs, making it a promising implant material for salivary gland regeneration.

Effects of Adverse Life History on Oxidative Stress and Cytokine Concentration in Domestic Dogs

Early-life stress has been well studied in humans and laboratory animals; however, the impacts of similar adversity on the welfare of domestic dogs has recently begun to be addressed. For example, associations between processes linked to mitochondrial function, such as oxidative stress (OS) and proinflammatory immune systems, have been under-researched. Yet, mitochondria are targets and mediators of stress pathologies. This study investigates the impact of early-life stress on OS and proinflammatory immune responses in shelter dogs compared to client-owned dogs. We measured OS markers, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid oxidative damage, catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, as well as inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Shelter dogs exhibited significantly higher lipid oxidative damage (p = 0.0265), lower CAT activity (p = 0.002), higher SOD concentration (p < 0.001), and increased IL-1β levels (p = 0.027) compared to client-owned dogs. Compared to client-owned dogs, shelter dogs showed increased OS and inflammation, suggesting higher susceptibility to zoonotic and chronic diseases.

Mechanisms Underlying the Therapeutic Effects of JianPiYiFei II Granules in Treating COPD Based on GEO Datasets, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

BACKGROUND

JianPiYiFei (JPYF) II granules are a Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the main components and underlying mechanisms of JPYF II granules are not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of JPYF II granules in the treatment of COPD using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation techniques.

METHODS

The active compounds and corresponding protein targets of the JPYF II granules were found using the TCMSP, ETCM, and Uniport databases, and a compound-target network was constructed using Cytoscape3.9.1. The COPD targets were searched for in GEO datasets and the OMIM and GeneCards databases. The intersection between the effective compound-related targets and disease-related targets was obtained, PPI networks were constructed, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Then, molecular docking analysis verified the results obtained using network pharmacology. Finally, the protein-compound complexes obtained from the molecular docking analysis were simulated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

RESULTS

The network pharmacological results showed that quercetin, kaempferol, and stigmasterol are the main active compounds in JPYF II granules, and AKT1, IL-6, and TNF are key target proteins. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is a potential pathway through which the JPYF II granules affect COPD. The results of the molecular docking analysis suggested that quercetin, kaempferol, and stigmasterol have a good binding affinity with AKT1, IL-6, and TNF. The MD simulation results showed that TNF has a good binding affinity with the compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified the effective compounds, targets, and related underlying molecular mechanisms of JPYF II granules in the treatment of COPD through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and MD simulation techniques, which provides a reference for subsequent research on the treatment of COPD.

Effects of chitosan guanidine on blood glucose regulation and gut microbiota in T2DM

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents approximately 90 % of all DM cases and is primarily caused by an imbalance in blood glucose homeostasis due to inadequate insulin secretion or insulin resistance. This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of chitosan guanidine (CSG) on a T2DM mouse model. The findings reveal that CSG significantly enhances oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity (ITT), reduces fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and suppresses the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in T2DM mice. These changes improve insulin resistance and diminish inflammation. Additionally, CSG markedly ameliorates lipid metabolism disorders, lowers total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and inhibits hepatic fat accumulation. 16S rRNA and Spearman correlation analyses indicate that CSG promotes the relative abundance of probiotic genera such as Bacteroidota, Patescibacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. These bacteria are positively correlated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels. Conversely, CSG reduces the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Ralstonia, leading to an improved intestinal microbial community composition in T2DM mice and alleviating T2DM symptoms. These results suggest that CSG holds significant potential as a non-insulin therapeutic agent for diabetes management.

Circulating CXCL9, monocyte percentage, albumin, and C-reactive protein as a potential, non-invasive, molecular signature of carotid artery disease in 65+ patients with multimorbidity: a pilot study in Age.It

Background

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the prevention of upcoming vascular and cerebral events is necessary in patients with high-grade stenosis (≥70%). In the framework of the Italian National project Age.It, a pilot study was proposed aiming at the discovery of a molecular signature with predictive potential of carotid stenosis comparing 65+ asymptomatic and symptomatic inpatients.

Methods

A total of 42 inpatients have been enrolled, including 26 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 74 ± 6 years. Sixteen symptomatic and 26 asymptomatic inpatients with ≥70% carotid stenosis underwent CEA, according to the recommendations of the European Society for Vascular Surgery and the Society for Vascular Surgeons. Plaque biopsies and peripheral blood samples from the same individuals were obtained. Hematobiochemical analyses were conducted on all inpatients, and plasma cytokines/molecules, such as microRNAs (miRs), IL-6, sIL-6Ralpha, sgp130, myostatin (GDF8), follistatin, activin A, CXCL9, FGF21, and fibronectin, were measured using the ELISA standard technique. MiR profiles were obtained in the discovery phase including four symptomatic and four asymptomatic inpatients (both plasma and plaque samples), testing 734 miRs. MiRs emerging from the profiling comparison were validated through RT-qPCR analysis in the total cohort.

Results and conclusion

The two groups of inpatients differ in the expression levels of blood c-miRs-126-5p and -1271-5p (but not in their plaques), which are more expressed in symptomatic subjects. Three cytokines were significant between the two groups: IL-6, GDF8, and CXCL9. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with a machine learning-based approach, the most significant blood molecular signature encompasses albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), the percentage of monocytes, and CXCL9, allowing for the distinction of the two groups (AUC = 0.83, 95% c.i. [0.85, 0.81], p = 0.0028). The potential of the molecular signature will be tested in a second cohort of monitored patients, allowing the application of a predictive model and the final evaluation of cost/benefit for an assessable screening test.

Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 on admission correlate with complications in elderly patients with hip fracture

OBJECTIVES

Ageing may cause a progressive pro-inflammatory environment and alter functionality of different immune-cell populations. The aim of the present study is to examine the influence of certain serum immunological parameters on hospitalization stay and complications in patients who have suffered a hip fracture.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective study was carried out with 87 patients (63 women) presenting with either trochanteric femoral fracture or Garden IV displaced subcapital fracture. The average age was 84.43 ± 9, ranging from 65 to 104 years old. Data regarding different comorbidities were recorded at the time of arrival. The morning after patient's admission peripheral blood samples were obtained and a series of immunological parameters were determined: leukocyte formula, platelets count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IL-6 and IL-10 levels, T-lymphocytes count, number of cells/mm3 and percentages of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD3-/CD16/56+ (NK cells), and CD3-/CD19+ (B cells).

RESULTS

IL-6 serum levels presented a positive and significant correlation with higher levels of CRP (p < 0.001), IL-10 (p = 0.002), and higher percentages of NK CD56+ cells (p = 0.046). IL-6 serum levels at hospitalization presented a positive and significant correlation with a longer hospitalization stay (p = 0.037). Hospitalization increased by 0.231 days for every 1 pg/mL above the IL-6 mean value (40.43 pg/mL). Lower serum IL-10 levels on admission were associated with the appearance of symptomatic urinary tract infection during hospitalization (p = 0.032). Higher number of CD19+ cells/mm3 presented a significant relationship with pneumonia (p = 0.018) and symptomatic urinary tract infection (p = 0.0019).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 serum levels on admission showed a positive and significant correlation with a longer hospitalization stay in elderly patients presenting with hip fracture. Lower levels of IL-10 in peripheral blood on admission were associated with symptomatic urinary tract infections. A higher number of CD19+ cells/mm³ was significantly associated with pneumonia and symptomatic urinary tract infection. These immunological variables on admission may serve as risk indicators of complications during hospitalization.

The double-edged effects of IL-6 in liver regeneration, aging, inflammation, and diseases

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine and exerts its complex biological functions mainly through three different signal modes, called cis-, trans-, and cluster signaling. When IL-6 binds to its membrane or soluble receptors, the co-receptor gp130 is activated to initiate downstream signaling and induce the expression of target genes. In the liver, IL-6 can perform its anti-inflammatory activities to promote hepatocyte reprogramming and liver regeneration. On the contrary, IL-6 also exerts the pro-inflammatory functions to induce liver aging, fibrosis, steatosis, and carcinogenesis. However, understanding the roles and underlying mechanisms of IL-6 in liver physiological and pathological processes is still an ongoing process. So far, therapeutic agents against IL‑6, IL‑6 receptor (IL‑6R), IL-6-sIL-6R complex, or IL-6 downstream signal transducers have been developed, and determined to be effective in the intervention of inflammatory diseases and cancers. In this review, we summarized and highlighted the understanding of the double-edged effects of IL-6 in liver homeostasis, aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases, for better shifting the "negative" functions of IL-6 to the "beneficial" actions, and further discussed the potential therapeutic effects of targeting IL-6 signaling in the clinics.

Roles of mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 in the pathogenesis of brain injury after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

Secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the main cause of poor prognosis in ICH patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain less known. The involvement of Piezo1 in brain injury after ICH was studied in a mouse model of ICH. ICH was established by injecting autologous arterial blood into the basal ganglia in mice. After vehicle, Piezo1 blocker, GsMTx4, Piezo1 activator, Yoda-1, or together with mannitol (tail vein injection) was injected into the left lateral ventricle of mouse brain, Piezo1 level and the roles of Piezo1 in neuronal injury, brain edema, and neurological dysfunctions after ICH were determined by the various indicated methods. Piezo1 protein level in neurons was significantly upregulated 24 h after ICH in vivo (human and mice). Piezo1 protein level was also dramatically upregulated in HT22 cells (a murine neuron cell line) cultured in vitro 24 h after hemin treatment as an in vitro ICH model. GsMTx4 treatment or together with mannitol significantly downregulated Piezo1 and AQP4 levels, markedly increased Bcl2 level, maintained more neurons alive, considerably restored brain blood flow, remarkably relieved brain edema, substantially decreased serum IL-6 level, and almost fully reversed the neurological dysfunctions at ICH 24 h group mice. In contrast, Yoda-1 treatment achieved the opposite effects. In conclusion, Piezo1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of brain injury after ICH and may be a target for clinical treatment of ICH.

Aspirin eugenol ester affects ileal barrier function, inflammatory response and microbiota in broilers under lipopolysaccharide-induced immune stress conditions

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) on ileal immune function in broilers under lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune stress.

Methods

Two hundred and forty one-day-old male Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into four groups (saline, LPS, saline + AEE and LPS + AEE) with six replicates of ten broilers each. The saline group and LPS group were fed the normal diet, while the other two groups received normal diet plus 0.1 g/kg AEE. Broilers in the LPS and LPS + AEE groups were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg B.W LPS in saline for seven consecutive days beginning at 14 days of age, while broilers in the saline and saline + AEE groups were injected with saline only.

Results

The results showed that AEE improved the ileal morphology and increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of immune-stressed broilers. LPS-induced immune stress significantly reduced the expression of the genes for the tight junction proteins occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1 and claudin-2, in the ileum, while AEE significantly up-regulated the expression of these genes. Compared with the saline group, the LPS-treated chickens showed significantly increased mRNA expression of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthesase-1 (mPGES-1) in the ileum, while they were significantly decreased by AEE supplementation. In addition, analysis of the ileal bacterial composition showed that compared with saline and LPS + AEE groups, the proportion of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in the LPS group was lower, while the proportion of Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella was higher. Similarly, Line Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis showed that compared with the LPS group, Brevibacillus was dominant in the saline group, while the LPS + AEE group was rich in Rhizobium, Lachnoclostridium, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Negativibacillus, Oscillospiraceae, and Flavonifractor.

Conclusion

These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 0.1 g/kg AEE could protect the intestinal health by improving the intestinal villus morphology, enhancing the expression of tight junction genes and alleviating inflammation to resist the immune stress caused by LPS stimulation in broilers, and the mechanism may involve COX-2-related signal transduction and improved intestinal microbiota composition.

Interleukin-6 promotes visceral adipose tissue accumulation during aging via inhibiting fat lipolysis

BACKGROUND

Age-related visceral obesity could contribute to the development of cardiometabolic complications. The pathogenesis of visceral fat mass accumulation during the aging process remains complex and largely unknown. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has emerged as one of the prominent inflammaging markers which are elevated in circulation during aging. However, the precise role of IL-6 in regulating age-related visceral adipose tissue accumulation remains uncertain.

RESULTS

A cross-sectional study including 77 older adults (≥65 years of age) was initially conducted. There was a significant positive association between serum IL-6 levels and visceral fat mass. We subsequently validated a modest but significant elevation in serum IL-6 levels in aged mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that compared to wildtype control, IL-6 deficiency (IL-6 KO) significantly attenuated the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue during aging. Further metabolic characterization suggested that IL-6 deficiency resulted in improved lipid metabolism parameters and energy expenditure in aged mice. Moreover, histological examinations of adipose depots revealed that the absence of IL-6 ameliorated adipocyte hypertrophy in visceral adipose tissue of aged mice. Mechanically, the ablation of IL-6 could promote the PKA-mediated lipolysis and consequently mitigate lipid accumulation in adipose tissue in aged mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings identify a detrimental role of IL-6 during the aging process by promoting visceral adipose tissue accumulation through inhibition of lipolysis. Therefore, strategies aimed at preventing or reducing IL-6 levels may potentially ameliorate age-related obesity and improve metabolism during aging.

The Impact of Exercise on Interleukin-6 to Counteract Immunosenescence: Methodological Quality and Overview of Systematic Reviews

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the methodological quality of published systematic reviews on randomized and non-randomized clinical trials to synthesize evidence on the association between IL-6, immunosenescence, and aerobic and/or resistance exercise.

METHOD

The Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Systematic Reviews (PRIO-harms) guideline was used, with registration number CRD42022346142-PROSPERO. Relevant databases such as Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using English Medical Subject Headings terms. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews analyzing aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, or a combination of both and assessing IL-6 as a biomarker of cellular immunosenescence in humans. The Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) was employed.

RESULTS

Out of 742 identified articles, 18 were eligible, and 13 were selected for analysis. Sample sizes ranged from 249 to 1421 participants, mostly female, with ages ranging from 17 to 95 years. Aerobic exercise was the most studied type (46.15%), followed by combined exercise (38.46%) and resistance exercise (15.38%). Aerobic exercise showed a statistically significant reduction in IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. Among the 13 reviews analyzed using AMSTAR-2, 8 were rated as critically low quality, and 5 were classified as low quality.

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise has anti-inflammatory properties and the potential to modulate IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α levels in immunosenescence. However, the limited methodological quality of the analyzed systematic reviews highlights the urgent need for robust, high-quality studies to improve access to information and facilitate evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

Heparin-Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Suppress Lithium Chloride/Pilocarpine-Induced Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rats through Attenuation of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

The development of antiepileptic drugs is still a long process. In this study, heparin-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (UFH-SPIONs) were prepared, and their antiepileptic effect and underlying mechanism were investigated. UFH-SPIONs are stable, homogeneous nanosystems with antioxidant enzyme activity that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enriched in hippocampal epileptogenic foci. The pretreatment with UFH-SPIONs effectively prolonged the onset of seizures and reduced seizure severity after lithium/pilocarpine (LP)-induced seizures in rats. The pretreatment with UFH-SPIONs significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory factors in hippocampal tissues, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. LP-induced oxidative stress in hippocampal tissues was in turn reduced upon pretreatment with UFH-SPIONs, as evidenced by an increase in the levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA). Moreover, the LP-induced upregulation of apoptotic cells was decreased upon pretreatment with UFH-SPIONs. Together, these observations suggest that the pretreatment with UFH-SPIONs ameliorates LP-induced seizures and downregulates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which exerts neuronal protection during epilepsy.

Targeting interleukin-6 as a treatment approach for peritoneal carcinomatosis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a complex manifestation of abdominal cancers, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Recent work identifying high concentrations of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6-Rα) in the peritoneal cavity of patients with PC has highlighted this pathway as an emerging potential therapeutic target. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the potential role of IL-6 in the development and progression of PC. We discuss mechansims by which the IL-6 pathway may contribute to peritoneal tumor dissemination, mesothelial adhesion and invasion, stromal invasion and proliferation, and immune response modulation. Finally, we review the prospects for targeting the IL-6 pathway in the treatment of PC, focusing on common sites of origin, including ovarian, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal and appendiceal cancer, and mesothelioma.

Exploring the Potential of Micro-Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis

Periodontitis, characterized by the progressive destruction of dental support tissues due to altered immune responses, poses a significant concern for public health. This condition involves intricate interactions between the immune response and oral microbiome, where innate and adaptive immune responses, with their diverse cell populations and inflammatory mediators, play crucial roles in this immunopathology. Indeed, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and immune cells perform key functions in tissue remodeling. Focusing on periodontal therapies, our attention turns to micro-immunotherapy (MI), employing low doses (LDs) and ultra-low doses (ULDs) of immunological signaling molecules like cytokines, growth factors, and hormones. Existing studies across various fields lay the groundwork for the application of MI in periodontitis, highlighting its anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential in soft tissue models based on in vitro research. In summary, this review underscores the versatility and potential of MI in managing periodontal health, urging further investigations to solidify its clinical integration. MI supports an innovative approach by modulating immune responses at low doses to address periodontitis.

Causal associations between circulating inflammatory cytokines and blinding eye diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Previous studies have explored the associations between circulating inflammatory cytokines and blinding eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. However, the causality of these associations remains controversial. This study employs a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal relationships between 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines and these blinding eye diseases.

Methods

Summary data for glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were publicly available. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the main analysis method. Additionally, various sensitivity tests, including MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weight mode, Cochran's Q test, MR pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier test, and leave-one-out test, were conducted to evaluate sensitivity and stability of results.

Results

The IVW analysis identified six circulating inflammatory cytokines causally associated with the risk of blinding eye diseases: Monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG) for glaucoma, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, IL-10, and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGFbb) for cataract, and MIG and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for macular degeneration. However, it is noteworthy that none of these associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.0004). Reverse MR analyses indicated that cataract may lead to a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels (OR: 3.326 × 10-04, 95% CI: 5.198 × 10-07 - 2.129 × 10-01, p = 0.0151).

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential roles of specific inflammatory cytokines in the development of glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. Moreover, it suggests that VEGF is likely to be involved in cataract development downstream. These findings offer insights for early prevention and novel therapeutic strategies for these blinding eye diseases.

The dichotomic role of single cytokines: Fine-tuning immune responses

Cytokines are known for their pleiotropic effects. They can be classified by their function as pro-inflammatory, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL) 1 and IL-12, or anti-inflammatory, like IL-10, IL-35 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Though this type of classification is an important simplification for the understanding of the general cytokine's role, it can be misleading. Here, we discuss recent studies that show a dichotomic role of the so-called pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, highlighting that their function can be dependent on the microenvironment and their concentrations. Furthermore, we discuss how the back-and-forth interplay between cytokines and immunometabolism can influence the dichotomic role of inflammatory responses as an important target to complement cytokine-based therapies.

Combination of the biomarkers for aging and cancer? - Challenges and current status

The proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer has been shown to rise with the increasing aging global population. Advanced age is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in older adults. As individuals experience varying health statuses, particularly with age, it poses a challenge for medical professionals in the cancer field to obtain standardized treatment outcomes. Hence, relying solely on chronological age and disease-related parameters is inadequate for clinical decision-making for elderly patients. With functional, multimorbidity-related, and psychosocial changes that occur with aging, oncologic diseases may develop and be treated differently from younger patients, leading to unique challenges in treatment efficacy and tolerance. To overcome this challenge, personalized therapy using biomarkers has emerged as a promising solution. Various categories of biomarkers, including inflammatory, hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and DNA modification-related indicators, may display features related to both cancer and aging, aiding in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer in old age. Furthermore, physical functional measurements as non-molecular phenotypic biomarkers are being investigated for their potential complementary role in structured multidomain strategies to combat age-related diseases such as cancer. This review provides insight into the current developments, recent discoveries, and significant challenges in cancer and aging biomarkers, with a specific focus on their application in advanced age.

Augmenting Immunotherapy via Bioinspired MOF-Based ROS Homeostasis Disruptor with Nanozyme-Cascade Reaction

Despite its remarkable clinical breakthroughs, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy remains limited by the insufficient immune response in the "cold" tumor. Nanozyme-based antitumor catalysis is associated with precise immune activation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, a cascade-augmented nanoimmunomodulator (CMZM) with multienzyme-like activities, which includes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione oxidase (GSHOx), that dissociates under an acidic and abundant GSH TME, is proposed for multimodal imaging-guided chemodynamic therapy (CDT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT) enhanced immunotherapy. Vigorous multienzyme-like activities can not only produce O2 to alleviate hypoxia and promote the polarization of M2 to M1 macrophages, but also generate ROS (•OH and 1 O2 ) and deplete GSH in the TME to expose necrotic cell fragments and reverse immunosuppressive TME by eliciting the maturation of dendritic cells and infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in tumors. Therefore, inhibitory effects on both primary and distant tumors are achieved through synergy with an α-PD-L1 blocking antibody. This cascade multienzyme-based nanoplatform provides a smart strategy for highly efficient ICB immunotherapy against "cold" tumors by revising immunosuppressive TME.

Modelling three-dimensional cancer-associated cachexia and therapy: The molecular basis and therapeutic potential of interleukin-6 transignalling blockade

BACKGROUND

Causes and mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia are not fully understood, and currently, no therapeutic approaches are available to completely reverse the cachectic phenotype. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been extensively described as a key factor in skeletal muscle physiopathology, exerting opposite roles through different signalling pathways.

METHODS

We employed a three-dimensional ex vivo muscle engineered tissue (X-MET) to model cancer-associated cachexia and to study the effectiveness of selective inhibition of IL-6 transignalling in counteracting the cachectic phenotype. Conditioned medium (CM) derived from C26 adenocarcinoma cells was used as a source of soluble factors contributing to the establishment of cancer cachexia in the X-MET model. A dose of 1.2 ng/mL of glycoprotein-130 fused chimaera (gp130Fc) was added to cachectic culture medium to neutralize IL-6 transignalling.

RESULTS

C26-conditioned medium induced a cachectic-like phenotype in the X-MET, leading to a decline of muscle mass (-60%; P < 0.001), a reduction in myosin expression (-92.4%; P < 0.005) and a reduction of the contraction frequency spectrum (-94%). C26-conditioned medium contains elevated amounts of IL-6 (8.61 ± 4.09 pg/mL) and IL6R (56.85 ± 10.96 pg/mL). These released factors activated the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling in the C26_CM X-MET system (phosphorylated STAT3/TOTAL +54.6%; P < 0.005), which in turn promote an enhancement of Il-6 (+69.2%; P < 0.05) and Il6r (+43%; P < 0.05) gene expression, suggesting the induction of a feed-forward loop. The selective neutralization of IL-6 transignalling, by gp130Fc, in C26_CM X-MET prevented the hyperactivation of STAT3 (-55.8%; P < 0.005), countered the reduction of cross-sectional area (+28.2%; P < 0.05) and reduced the expression of proteolytic factors including muscle ring finger-1 (-88%; P < 0.005) and ATROGIN1 (-92%; P < 0.05), thus preserving the robustness and increasing the contractile force (+20%) of the three-dimensional muscle system. Interestingly, the selective inhibition of IL-6 transignalling modulated gene regulatory networks involved in myogenesis and apoptosis, normalizing the expression of pro-apoptotic miRNAs, including miR-31 (-53.2%; P < 0.05) and miR-34c (-65%; P < 0.005), and resulting in the reduction of apoptotic pathways highlighted by the sensible reduction of cleaved caspase 3 (-92.5%; P < 0.005) in gp130Fc-treated C26_CM X-MET.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 transignalling appeared as a promising target to counter cancer cachexia-related alterations. The X-MET model has proven to be a reliable drug-screening tool to identify novel therapeutic approaches and to test them in preclinical studies, significantly reducing the use of animal models.

Biomarkers of aging in frailty and age-associated disorders: State of the art and future perspective

According to the Geroscience concept that organismal aging and age-associated diseases share the same basic molecular mechanisms, the identification of biomarkers of age that can efficiently classify people as biologically older (or younger) than their chronological (i.e. calendar) age is becoming of paramount importance. These people will be in fact at higher (or lower) risk for many different age-associated diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer, etc. In turn, patients suffering from these diseases are biologically older than healthy age-matched individuals. Many biomarkers that correlate with age have been described so far. The aim of the present review is to discuss the usefulness of some of these biomarkers (especially soluble, circulating ones) in order to identify frail patients, possibly before the appearance of clinical symptoms, as well as patients at risk for age-associated diseases. An overview of selected biomarkers will be discussed in this regard, in particular we will focus on biomarkers related to metabolic stress response, inflammation, and cell death (in particular in neurodegeneration), all phenomena connected to inflammaging (chronic, low-grade, age-associated inflammation). In the second part of the review, next-generation markers such as extracellular vesicles and their cargos, epigenetic markers and gut microbiota composition, will be discussed. Since recent progresses in omics techniques have allowed an exponential increase in the production of laboratory data also in the field of biomarkers of age, making it difficult to extract biological meaning from the huge mass of available data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches will be discussed as an increasingly important strategy for extracting knowledge from raw data and providing practitioners with actionable information to treat patients.

Effects of Dietary Betaine on the Laying Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Uterus and Ovary Function of Laying Hens at the Late Stage of Production

Betaine has been found to alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. However, whether dietary betaine can protect late-laying hens against these adverse effects is unknown. Here, 270 65-week-old Jinghong-1 laying hens were randomly divided into the Control, 0.1% Betaine, and 0.5% Betaine groups and fed a basal diet, 0.1%, and 0.5% betaine supplemented diet, respectively. The trial lasted for seven weeks. Birds that consumed 0.5% betaine laid more eggs with thicker eggshells. Accordingly, uterine reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents were increased. The uterine calcium ion content and the mRNA expression of ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, and carbonic anhydrase two were increased. Moreover, ovarian IL-1β, Caspase-1, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 mRNA expressions were decreased; luteinising hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA expressions were increased. Furthermore, dietary betaine decreased the ovaries' mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT)1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. The methylation level at the promoter region of ovarian LHR decreased. These results indicated that dietary betaine consumption with a concentration of 0.5% could increase the laying rate and the eggshell thickness during the late-laying period. The underlying mechanism may include antioxidative, anti-apoptosis, and hormone-sensitivity-enhancing properties.

The role of inflammatory factors and T-cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparin treatment on them

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of serum inflammatory factors and T-cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparib on inflammatory factor and T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In this study, 100 patients diagnosed as recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in our hospital and 100 patients without recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in the same period were selected. According to the treatment plan, the recurrent patients were divided into conventional therapy group (Paclitaxel and Carboplatin) and combined therapy group (Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and olaparib). The levels of serum inflammatory factors were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets in each group were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with nonrecurrent patients, recurrent patients have higher serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels (p < .05), and lower interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. After adjusting for confounding factors, the results showed that the serum IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels were influencing factors of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. The area under the receiver operating curve and the sensitivity of serum TNF-α in predicting ovarian cancer recurrence were higher than those of IL-6 and IFN-γ. After secondary chemotherapy and/or olaparib maintenance treatment, the IL-6 (p < .001) and TNF-α (p < .001) levels in combined therapy group were lower than those in the conventional therapy, whereas the IFN-γ level (p < .001), the CD4+ T-cell proportion (p = .0069) and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p = .0201) were higher than those in the conventional therapy.

CONCLUSION

The serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were closely related to the recurrence of ovarian cancer. Olaparib maintenance treatment can significantly decrease the IL-6 and TNF-α level, and increase IFN-γ level and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The benefits of rehabilitation exercise in improving chronic traumatic encephalopathy: recent advances and future perspectives

Traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) is used to describe the clinical manifestations of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, effective treatment and prevention strategies are lacking. Increasing evidence has shown that rehabilitation training could prevent cognitive decline, enhance brain plasticity, and effectively improve neurological function in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the mechanisms involved in the effects of rehabilitation exercise therapy on the prognosis of CTE are worth exploring. The aim of this article is to review the pathogenesis of CTE and provide a potential clinical intervention strategy for CTE.

Inflammation-Involved Proteins in Blood Serum of Cataract Patients-A Preliminary Study

Approximately 50% of all global blindness is caused by cataract in adults aged ≥50 years. The mechanisms of the disease are most arguably related to a redox imbalance and inflammation; therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the processes associated with inflammation in cataract patients. Twenty-four patients aged 22-60 years (62.5% females) participated in the study, with 33 controls aged 28-60 years (66.7% females). Venous blood serum of the subjects was examined for alpha 1-antitrypsin, as well as selected lysosomal enzymes and adipokines. The activities of lysosomal enzymes, as well as the activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin and the concentrations of c-reactive protein and leptin, were similar in the patients versus the controls. The concentrations of interleukin 6 and resistin were lower, in turn, whereas omentin-1 and adiponectin were higher. Moreover, the study revealed the existence of many linear relationships between the parameters, including multiple linear regression, especially gender-wise. No systemic inflammation was probably noted in the cataract patients tested; nevertheless, the deregulation of adiponectin, omentin-1 and resistin secretion was observed.

The present roles and future perspectives of Interleukin-6 in biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a highly malignant tumor that originates from bile duct epithelium and is categorized into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) and gallbladder cancer (GBC) according to the anatomic location. Inflammatory cytokines generated by chronic infection led to an inflammatory microenvironment which influences the carcinogenesis of BTC. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine secreted by kupffer cells, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer cells, plays a central role in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis in BTC. Besides, IL-6 serves as a clinical biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring for BTC. Moreover, preclinical evidence indicates that IL-6 antibodies could sensitize tumor immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by altering the number of infiltrating immune cells and regulating the expression of immune checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, IL-6 has been shown to induce programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through the mTOR pathway in iCCA. However, the evidence is insufficient to conclude that IL-6 antibodies could boost the immune responses and potentially overcome the resistance to ICIs for BTC. Here, we systematically review the central role of IL-6 in BTC and summarize the potential mechanisms underlying the improved efficacy of treatments combining IL-6 antibodies with ICIs in tumors. Given this, a future direction is proposed for BTC to increase ICIs sensitivity by blocking IL-6 pathways.

The Impact of Hormesis, Neuronal Stress Response, and Reproduction, upon Clinical Aging: A Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION

The primary objective of researchers in the biology of aging is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the aging process while developing practical solutions that can enhance the quality of life for older individuals. This involves a continuous effort to bridge the gap between fundamental biological research and its real-world applications.

PURPOSE

In this narrative review, we attempt to link research findings concerning the hormetic relationship between neurons and germ cells, and translate these findings into clinically relevant concepts.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search using PubMed, Embase, PLOS, Digital Commons Network, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2023, analyzing studies dealing with the relationship between hormetic, cognitive, and reproductive aspects of human aging.

RESULTS

The process of hormesis serves as a bridge between the biology of neuron-germ cell interactions on one hand, and the clinical relevance of these interactions on the other. Details concerning these processes are discussed here, emphasizing new research which strengthens the overall concept.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presents a scientifically and clinically relevant argument, claiming that maintaining a cognitively active lifestyle may decrease age-related degeneration, and improve overall health in aging. This is a totally novel approach which reflects current developments in several relevant aspects of our biology, technology, and society.

Role of interleukins in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy with strong heterogeneity. Immune disorders are a feature of various malignancies, including AML. Interleukins (ILs) and other cytokines participate in a series of biological processes of immune disorders in the microenvironment, and serve as a bridge for communication between various cellular components in the immune system. The role of ILs in AML is complex and pleiotropic. It can not only play an anti-AML role by enhancing anti-leukemia immunity and directly inducing AML cell apoptosis, but also promote the growth, proliferation and drug resistance of AML. These properties of ILs can be used to explore their potential efficacy in disease monitoring, prognosis assessment, and development of new treatment strategies for AML. This review aims to clarify some of the complex roles of ILs in AML and their clinical applications.

Rejuvenating muscle stem cells with the glutathione system

Aging results from the combination of complex processes still largely undefined. In this issue, Benjamin et al. use multiomic analysis to reveal a causative role of altered glutathione (GSH) synthesis and metabolism in age-dependent muscle stem cell (MuSC) dysfunction, casting light on novel mechanisms regulating stem cell function and on therapeutic approaches to improve defective regeneration in the aged muscle.

Nano-Immunomodulation: A New Strategy for Skeletal Muscle Diseases and Aging?

The skeletal muscle has a very remarkable ability to regenerate upon injury under physiological conditions; however, this regenerative capacity is strongly diminished in physio-pathological conditions, such as those present in diseased or aged muscles. Many muscular dystrophies (MDs) are characterized by aberrant inflammation due to the deregulation of both the lymphoid and myeloid cell populations and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pathological inflammation is also observed in old muscles due to a systemic change in the immune system, known as "inflammaging". Immunomodulation represents, therefore, a promising therapeutic opportunity for different skeletal muscle conditions. However, the use of immunomodulatory drugs in the clinics presents several caveats, including their low stability in vivo, the need for high doses to obtain therapeutically relevant effects, and the presence of strong side effects. Within this context, the emerging field of nanomedicine provides the powerful tools needed to control the immune response. Nano-scale materials are currently being explored as biocarriers to release immunomodulatory agents in the damaged tissues, allowing therapeutic doses with limited off-target effects. In addition, the intrinsic immunomodulatory properties of some nanomaterials offer further opportunities for intervention that still need to be systematically explored. Here we exhaustively review the state-of-the-art regarding the use of nano-sized materials to modulate the aberrant immune response that characterizes some physio-pathological muscle conditions, such as MDs or sarcopenia (the age-dependent loss of muscle mass). Based on our learnings from cancer and immune tolerance induction, we also discuss further opportunities, challenges, and limitations of the emerging field of nano-immunomodulation.

Conjugated Linoleic Acids Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Cultured Endothelial Cells

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers may have a role in preventing atherosclerosis through the modulation of inflammation, particularly of the endothelium. However, whether low concentrations of CLAs are able to affect basal unstimulated endothelial cell (EC) responses is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two CLAs (cis-9, trans-11 (CLA9,11) and trans-10, cis-12 (CLA10,12)) on the basal inflammatory responses by ECs. EA.hy926 cells (HUVEC lineage) were cultured under standard conditions and exposed to individual CLAs for 48 h. Both CLAs were incorporated into ECs in a dose-dependent manner. CLA9,11 (1 μM) significantly decreased concentrations of MCP-1 (p < 0.05), IL-6 (p < 0.05), IL-8 (p < 0.01) and RANTES (p < 0.05) in the culture medium. CLA10,12 (10 μM) decreased the concentrations of MCP-1 (p < 0.05) and RANTES (p < 0.05) but increased the concentration of IL-6 (p < 0.001). At 10 μM both CLAs increased the relative expression of the NFκβ subunit 1 gene (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), while decreasing the relative expression of PPARα (p < 0.0001), COX-2 (p < 0.0001) and IL-6 (p < 0.0001) genes. CLA10,12 increased the relative expression of the gene encoding IκK-β at 10 μM compared with CLA9,11 (p < 0.05) and increased the relative expression of the gene encoding IκBα at 1 and 10 μM compared with linoleic acid (both p < 0.05). Neither CLA affected the adhesion of monocytes to ECs. These results suggest that low concentrations of both CLA9,11 and CLA10,12 have modest anti-inflammatory effects in ECs. Thus, CLAs may influence endothelial function and the risk of vascular disease. Nevertheless, at these low CLA concentrations some pro-inflammatory genes are upregulated while others are downregulated, suggesting complex effects of CLAs on inflammatory pathways.

Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis and Prognosis: A TRACK-TBI Pilot Study

The relationship between systemic inflammation and secondary injury in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is complex. We investigated associations between inflammatory markers and clinical confirmation of TBI diagnosis and prognosis. The prospective TRACK-TBI Pilot (Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot) study enrolled TBI patients triaged to head computed tomography (CT) and received blood draw within 24 h of injury. Healthy controls (HCs) and orthopedic controls (OCs) were included. Thirty-one inflammatory markers were analyzed from plasma. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate discriminatory ability. AUC >0.7 was considered acceptable. Criteria included: TBI diagnosis (vs. OC/HC); moderate/severe vs. mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale; GCS); radiographic TBI (CT positive vs. CT negative); 3- and 6-month Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) dichotomized to death/greater relative disability versus less relative disability (GOSE 1-4/5-8); and incomplete versus full recovery (GOSE <8/ = 8). One-hundred sixty TBI subjects, 28 OCs, and 18 HCs were included. Markers discriminating TBI/OC: HMGB-1 (AUC = 0.835), IL-1b (0.795), IL-16 (0.784), IL-7 (0.742), and TARC (0.731). Markers discriminating GCS 3-12/13-15: IL-6 (AUC = 0.747), CRP (0.726), IL-15 (0.720), and SAA (0.716). Markers discriminating CT positive/CT negative: SAA (AUC = 0.767), IL-6 (0.757), CRP (0.733), and IL-15 (0.724). At 3 months, IL-15 (AUC = 0.738) and IL-2 (0.705) discriminated GOSE 5-8/1-4. At 6 months, IL-15 discriminated GOSE 1-4/5-8 (AUC = 0.704) and GOSE <8/ = 8 (0.711); SAA discriminated GOSE 1-4/5-8 (0.704). We identified a profile of acute circulating inflammatory proteins with potential relevance for TBI diagnosis, severity differentiation, and prognosis. IL-15 and serum amyloid A are priority markers with acceptable discrimination across multiple diagnostic and outcome categories. Validation in larger prospective cohorts is needed. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: NCT01565551.

Trends in Gliosis in Obesity, and the Role of Antioxidants as a Therapeutic Alternative

Obesity remains a global health problem. Chronic low-grade inflammation in this pathology has been related to comorbidities such as cognitive alterations that, in the long term, can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation or gliosis in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been related to the effect of adipokines, high lipid levels and glucose, which increase the production of free radicals. Cerebral gliosis can be a risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases, and antioxidants could be an alternative for the prevention and treatment of neural comorbidities in obese patients.

AIM

Identify the immunological and oxidative stress mechanisms that produce gliosis in patients with obesity and propose antioxidants as an alternative to reducing neuroinflammation.

METHOD

Advanced searches were performed in scientific databases: PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and the Science Citation index for research on the physiopathology of gliosis in obese patients and for the possible role of antioxidants in its management.

CONCLUSION

Patients with obesity can develop neuroinflammation, conditioned by various adipokines, excess lipids and glucose, which results in an increase in free radicals that must be neutralized with antioxidants to reduce gliosis and the risk of long-term neurodegeneration.