Galectin-9 regulates follicular helper T cells to inhibit humoral autoimmunity-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Immune cells crosstalk Pathways, and metabolic alterations in Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) presents a challenging progression characterized by lung tissue scarring and abnormal extracellular matrix deposition. This review examines the influence of immune responses, emphasizing their complex role in initiating and perpetuating fibrosis. It highlights how metabolic pathways modulate immune cell function during IPF. Immune cell modulation holds promise in managing pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and monitoring mast cell levels offer insights into PF progression. Low-dose IL-2 therapy and regulation of fibroblast recruitment present potential therapeutic avenues, while the role of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in allergic lung inflammation sheds light on disease mechanisms. The review focuses on metabolic reprogramming's role in shaping immune cell function during IPF progression. While some immune cells use glycolysis for pro-inflammatory responses, others favor fatty acid oxidation for regulatory functions. Targeting specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) presents significant potential for managing fibrotic disorders. Additionally, it highlights the pivotal role of amino acid metabolism in synthesizing serine and glycine as crucial regulators of collagen production and exploring the interconnectedness of lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and adipokines in driving fibrotic processes. Moreover, the review discusses the impact of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes on lung fibrosis. Advocating for a holistic approach, it emphasizes the importance of considering this interplay between immune cell function and metabolic pathways in developing effective and personalized treatments for IPF.

Prediction of herbal medicines based on immune cell infiltration and immune- and ferroptosis-related gene expression levels to treat valvular atrial fibrillation

Inflammatory immune response is apparently one of the determinants of progressive exacerbation of valvular atrial fibrillation(VAF). Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent modality of regulated cell death, is involved in the immune regulation of cardiovascular disease. However, the relevant regulatory mechanisms of immune infiltration and ferroptosis in VAF have been less studied. In the current study, a highly efficient system for screening immunity- and ferroptosis-related biomarkers and immunomodulatory ability of herbal ingredients has been developed with the integration of intelligent data acquisition, data mining, network pharmacology, and computer-assisted target fishing. VAF patients showed higher infiltration of neutrophils and resting stage dendritic cells, while VSR patients showed higher infiltration of follicular helper T cells. In addition, six (e.g., PCSK2) and 47 (e.g., TGFBR1) ImmDEGs and one (SLC38A1) and four (TGFBR1, HMGB1, CAV1, and CD44) FerDEGs were highly expressed in patients with valvular sinus rhythm (VSR) and VAF, respectively. We further identified a core subnetwork containing 34 hub genes, which were intersected with ImmDEGs and FerDEGs to obtain the key gene TGFBR1. Based on TGFBR1, 14 herbs (e.g., Fructus zizyphi jujubae, Semen Juglandis, and Polygonum cuspidatum) and six herbal ingredients (curcumin, curcumine, D-glucose, hexose, oleovitamin A, and resveratrol) were predicted. Finally, TGFBR1 was found to dock well with curcumin and resveratrol, and it was further verified that curcumin and resveratrol could significantly reduce myocardial fibrosis. We believe that herbs rich in curcumin and resveratrol such as Rhizoma curcumae longae and Curcuma kwangsiensis, mitigate myocardial fibrosis to improve VAF by modulating the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway. This strategy provides a prospective approach systemically characterizing phenotype-target-herbs relationships based on the tissue-specific biological functions in VAF and brings us new insights into the searching lead compounds from Chinese herbs.

Gene polymorphisms of LGALS2, LGALS3 and LGALS9 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complicated rheumatic autoimmune disease. Lectin, galactoside-binding soluble, 2 (LGALS2), LGALS3 and LGALS9, three members of the galectin family, play potential roles in autoimmune diseases, including RA. However, association of genetic polymorphisms of LGALS2, LGALS3 and LGALS9 with RA risk in a Southern Chinese Han population has not been elucidated. A case-control study was conducted herein, including 500 RA patients and 650 healthy individuals of Southern Chinese Han origin. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including rs7291467 for the LGALS2 gene, rs4644, rs4652, rs1009977, rs2274273 and rs17128183 for the LGALS3 gene, and rs4795835, rs3763959, rs4239242, rs3751093, rs732222 and rs4794976 for the LGALS9 gene, were genotyped. Polymorphisms were genotyped using the KASP method. Frequencies of rs1009977 genotype TG and rs3751093 genotype GA of LGALS3 gene were significantly different between RA patients and healthy controls (P = 0.049, P = 0.033). Allele T and genotypes TT and TT + TG of rs4794976 for LGALS9 gene were significantly correlated with RA risk (P = 0.017, P = 0.012, P = 0.041). Subgroup analysis revealed that rs1009977, rs2274273 and rs17128183 polymorphisms of LGALS3 gene and rs4795835 polymorphism of LGALS9 gene were correlated with several RA clinical manifestations (all P < 0.05). In addition, haplotype GCGTT showed an increased risk for RA (OR = 1.216, 95% CI: 1.028-1.438, P = 0.023), whereas haplotype GCGTG showed a reduced risk for RA susceptibility (OR = 0.779, 95% CI: 0.625-0.971, P = 0.026). In conclusion, LGALS3 and LGALS9 gene polymorphisms may associate with RA predisposition in a Southern Chinese Han population.