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Amino Acid Substitutions at P1 Position Change the Inhibitory Activity and Specificity of Protease Inhibitors BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 from Bombyx mori. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052073. [PMID: 36903318 PMCID: PMC10004685 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
It was found that silkworm serine protease inhibitors BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 were very different from typical TIL-type protease inhibitors in sequence, structure, and activity. BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 with unique structure and activity may be good models for studying the relationship between the structure and function of small-molecule TIL-type protease inhibitors. In this study, site-directed saturation mutagenesis at the P1 position was conducted to investigate the effect of P1 sites on the inhibitory activity and specificity of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39. In-gel activity staining and protease inhibition experiments confirmed that BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 could strongly inhibit elastase activity. Almost all mutant proteins of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 retained the inhibitory activities against subtilisin and elastase, but the replacement of P1 residues greatly affected their intrinsic inhibitory activities. Overall, the substitution of Gly54 in BmSPI38 and Ala56 in BmSPI39 with Gln, Ser, or Thr was able to significantly enhance their inhibitory activities against subtilisin and elastase. However, replacing P1 residues in BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 with Ile, Trp, Pro, or Val could seriously weaken their inhibitory activity against subtilisin and elastase. The replacement of P1 residues with Arg or Lys not only reduced the intrinsic activities of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39, but also resulted in the acquisition of stronger trypsin inhibitory activities and weaker chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. The activity staining results showed that BmSPI38(G54K), BmSPI39(A56R), and BmSPI39(A56K) had extremely high acid-base and thermal stability. In conclusion, this study not only confirmed that BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 had strong elastase inhibitory activity, but also confirmed that P1 residue replacement could change their activity and inhibitory specificity. This not only provides a new perspective and idea for the exploitation and utilization of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 in biomedicine and pest control, but also provides a basis or reference for the activity and specificity modification of TIL-type protease inhibitors.
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Galimberti S, Baldini C, Baratè C, Ricci F, Balducci S, Grassi S, Ferro F, Buda G, Benedetti E, Fazzi R, Baglietto L, Lucenteforte E, Di Paolo A, Petrini M. The CoV-2 outbreak: how hematologists could help to fight Covid-19. Pharmacol Res 2020; 157:104866. [PMID: 32387301 PMCID: PMC7202852 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a medical emergency, with 20 % of patients presenting with severe clinical manifestations. From the pathogenetic point of view, COVID-19 mimics two other well-known diseases characterized by cytokine storm and hyper-activation of the immune response, with consequent organ damage: acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Hematologists are confident with these situations requiring a prompt therapeutic approach for switching off the uncontrolled cytokine release; here, we discuss pros and cons of drugs that are already employed in hematology in the light of their possible application in COVID-19. The most promising drugs might be: Ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, with a rapid and powerful anti-cytokine effect, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with their good anti-inflammatory properties, and perhaps the anti-Cd26 antibody Begelomab. We also present immunological data from gene expression experiments where TKIs resulted effective anti-inflammatory and pro-immune drugs. A possible combined treatment algorithm for COVID-19 is here proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Galimberti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Chiara Baldini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Federica Ricci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Balducci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Susanna Grassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Buda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Baglietto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonello Di Paolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Petrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Chen C, Cui S, Li W, Jin H, Fan J, Sun Y, Cui Z. Ingenuity pathway analysis of human facet joint tissues: Insight into facet joint osteoarthritis. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:2997-3008. [PMID: 32256786 PMCID: PMC7086291 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder with high prevalence in the elderly. FJOA causes lower back pain and lower extremity pain, and thus severely impacts the quality of life of affected patients. Emerging studies have focused on the histomorphological and histomorphometric changes in FJOA. However, the dynamic genetic changes in FJOA have remained to be clearly determined. In the present study, previously obtained RNA deep sequencing data were subjected to an ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and canonical signaling pathways of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in FJOA were studied. The top 25 enriched canonical signaling pathways were identified and canonical signaling pathways with high absolute values of z-scores, specifically leukocyte extravasation signaling, Tec kinase signaling and osteoarthritis pathway, were investigated in detail. DEGs were further categorized by disease, biological function and toxicity (tox) function. The genetic networks between DEGs as well as hub genes in these functional networks were also investigated. It was demonstrated that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, elastase, neutrophil expressed, growth factor independent 1 transcriptional repressor, Spi-1 proto-oncogene, CCAAT enhancer binding protein epsilon, GATA binding protein 1, TAL bHLH transcription factor 1, erythroid differentiation factor, minichromosome maintenance complex component 4, BTG anti-proliferation factor 2, BRCA1 DNA repair-associated, cyclin D1, chromatin assembly factor 1 subunit A, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 and tumor protein p63 were hub genes in the top 5 IPA networks (with a score >30). The present study provides insight into the pathological processes of FJOA from a genetic perspective and may thus benefit the clinical treatment of FJOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shengyu Cui
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Weidong Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Huricha Jin
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jianbo Fan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Yuyu Sun
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Zhiming Cui
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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Polli A, Van Oosterwijck J, Meeus M, Lambrecht L, Nijs J, Ickmans K. Exercise-induce hyperalgesia, complement system and elastase activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a secondary analysis of experimental comparative studies. Scand J Pain 2019; 19:183-192. [PMID: 30325737 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2018-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims The interaction between the immune system and pain has been thoroughly explored in the recent decades. The release of inflammatory mediators from immune cells has the capability of activating neurons and glial cells, in turn sensitizing the nervous system. Both immune system alterations and pain modulation dysfunctions have been shown in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) following exercise. However, no studies tried to explore whether these two phenomena are linked and can explain exercise-induced symptoms worsening in people with ME/CFS. We hypothesized that exercise-induced changes in descending pain modulation is associated to changes in immune system functions. We used complement system product C4a and elastase activity as indicators of immune system activity. Methods The study design was a secondary analysis of controlled experimental studies. Twenty-two patients with ME/CFS and 22 healthy sedentary controls were enrolled. In experiment 1, subjects performed an aerobic submaximal exercise test; in experiment 2 they underwent a self-paced exercise test. One week of rest period were set between the two exercise tests. Before and after each experiment, subjects underwent clinical assessment, pain thresholds (PPTs) measurement, and blood sampling. Immune system function was assessed measuring complement system C4a products and elastase activity. Results Changes in elastase activity were not associated to changes in PPTs. Associations were observed in the ME/CFS group between changes in PPTs and C4a products, following both types of exercise. After submaximal exercise, the change in C4a products was associated with the change in PPT at the thumb in patients (r=0.669, p=0.001). Similarly, after self-paced exercise the change in C4a products was associated witht the change in PPT at the calf in patients (r=0.429, p=0.047). No such correlations were found in healthy controls. Regression analysis showed that C4a changes after the submaximal exercise significantly predicted the change in PPTs (R2=0.236; p=0.02). Conclusions Moderate associations between exercise-induced changes in PPTs and immune system activity were found only in ME/CFS. The change in the complement system following submaximal exercise might be able to explain part of the change in patient's pain thresholds, providing evidence for a potential link between immune system alteration and dysfunctional endogenous pain modulation. These results have to be taken with caution, as only one out of three measures of PPTs was found associated with C4a changes. We cannot reject the hypothesis that C4a might therefore be a confounding factor, and changes during exercise might be mediated by other mechanism. Implications Immune system changes following exercise might contribute to exercise-induced symptoms worsening in patients with ME/CFS. However, the role of the complement system is questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium, Phone/Fax: +32 (0) 2 477 45 29
| | - Jessica Van Oosterwijck
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mira Meeus
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Lambrecht
- Private Practice for Internal Medicine, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kelly Ickmans
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium
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Interleukin-1 Beta-A Friend or Foe in Malignancies? Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082155. [PMID: 30042333 PMCID: PMC6121377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is induced by inflammatory signals in a broad number of immune cell types. IL-1β (and IL-18) are the only cytokines which are processed by caspase-1 after inflammasome-mediated activation. This review aims to summarize current knowledge about parameters of regulation of IL-1β expression and its multi-facetted role in pathophysiological conditions. IL-1 signaling activates innate immune cells including antigen presenting cells, and drives polarization of CD4+ T cells towards T helper type (Th) 1 and Th17 cells. Therefore, IL-1β has been attributed a largely beneficial role in resolving acute inflammations, and by initiating adaptive anti-tumor responses. However, IL-1β generated in the course of chronic inflammation supports tumor development. Furthermore, IL-1β generated within the tumor microenvironment predominantly by tumor-infiltrating macrophages promotes tumor growth and metastasis via different mechanisms. These include the expression of IL-1 targets which promote neoangiogenesis and of soluble mediators in cancer-associated fibroblasts that evoke antiapoptotic signaling in tumor cells. Moreover, IL-1 promotes the propagation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Using genetic mouse models as well as agents for pharmacological inhibition of IL-1 signaling therapeutically applied for treatment of IL-1 associated autoimmune diseases indicate that IL-1β is a driver of tumor induction and development.
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Cathepsin G and Its Role in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases. Arch Rheumatol 2018; 33:498-504. [PMID: 30874236 DOI: 10.5606/archrheumatol.2018.6595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathepsin G belongs to the neutrophil serine proteases family, known for its function in killing pathogens. Studies over the past several years indicate that cathepsin G has important effects on inflammation and immune reaction, and may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases. In this article, we discuss the roles of cathepsin G in inflammation, immune reaction, and autoimmune diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing important information about cathepsin G in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and suggesting that cathepsin G may be a new biomarker or treatment target.
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Olewicz-Gawlik A, Trzybulska D, Graniczna K, Kuznar-Kaminska B, Katulska K, Batura-Gabryel H, Frydrychowicz M, Danczak-Pazdrowska A, Mozer-Lisewska I. Serum alarm antiproteases in systemic sclerosis patients. Hum Immunol 2017; 78:559-564. [PMID: 28606626 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Alarm antiproteases, i.e. secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor ad elafin, are key mediators in innate immune response and integrate innate and adaptive immunity systems. The aim of the study was to assess clinical significance of serum levels of alarm antiproteases, elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Twenty-eight patients with SSc, 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 22 healthy controls were recruited. Serum elafin and SLPI levels were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients with SSc had significantly increased serum levels of SLPI in comparison with the RA patients and the healthy controls (p<0.01), and the RA patients presented significantly higher serum levels of elafin in comparison with the controls (p=0.003). In the SSc subgroup serum SLPI level negatively correlated with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (r=-0.41, p=0.03) and total lung capacity (r=-0.42, p=0.03). Both alarm antiproteases, elafin and SLPI could be potentially implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc and SLPI may be considered a candidate for serum biomarker of lung involvement in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Olewicz-Gawlik
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285 Poznan, Poland; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 39, 60-356 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Dorota Trzybulska
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 39, 60-356 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Graniczna
- Regional Centre of Blood Donation and Blood Treatment, Marcelińska 44, 60-354 Poznan, Poland
| | - Barbara Kuznar-Kaminska
- Department of Pulmonology, Allergology and Respiratory Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 84, 60-569 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Katulska
- Department of General Radiology and Neuroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Halina Batura-Gabryel
- Department of Pulmonology, Allergology and Respiratory Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 84, 60-569 Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Frydrychowicz
- Department of Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Iwona Mozer-Lisewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285 Poznan, Poland
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