Thymic stromal lymphopoietin downregulates NME1 expression and promotes invasion in human trophoblasts via the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway

Development of an inhaled anti-TSLP therapy for asthma

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cell-derived cytokine, acts as a key mediator in airway inflammation and modulates the function of multiple cell types, including dendritic cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells. TSLP plays a role in asthma pathogenesis as an upstream cytokine, and data suggest that TSLP blockade with the anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, tezepelumab, could be efficacious in a broad asthma population. Currently approved asthma biologic therapies target allergic or eosinophilic disease and require phenotyping; therefore, an unmet need exists for a therapy that can address Type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low inflammation in asthma. All currently approved biologic treatments are delivered intravenously or subcutaneously; an inhaled therapy route that allows direct targeting of the lung with reduced systemic impact may offer advantages. Currently in development, ecleralimab (CSJ117) represents the first inhaled anti-TSLP antibody fragment that binds soluble TSLP and prevents TSLP receptor activation, thereby inhibiting further inflammatory signalling cascades. This anti-TSLP antibody fragment is being developed for patients with severe uncontrolled asthma despite standard of care inhaled therapy. A Phase IIa proof of concept study, using allergen bronchoprovocation as a model for asthma exacerbations, found that ecleralimab was well-tolerated and reduced allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in adult patients with mild asthma. These results suggest ecleralimab may be a promising, new therapeutic class for asthma treatment.

IGFBP7 enhances trophoblast invasion via IGF-1R/c-Jun signaling in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion

In brief

Insufficient trophoblast invasion at the maternal-fetal interface contributes to abortion-prone pregnancy. Our study shows that decreased levels of IGFBP7 in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) trophoblast cells inhibit MMP2 and Slug expression as well as trophoblast invasion, suggesting that IGFBP7 should be considered a potential therapeutic protein target in URSA.

Abstract

Insufficient trophoblast invasion at the maternal-fetal interface contributes to abortion-prone pregnancy. Cyclosporine A (CsA) can exert therapeutic effects on URSA by promoting trophoblast invasion. A previous study showed decreased expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in the sera of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. However, the role of IGFBP7 in URSA remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether IGFBP7 modulates trophoblast invasion in URSA and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that IGFBP7 was expressed at lower levels in villous specimens from URSA patients. Manipulating IGFBP7 expression significantly affected the MMP2 and Slug expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells as well as trophoblast invasion in vitro. Inactivation of IGF-1R by IGFBP7 was observed, and IGF-1R inhibition increased the IGFBP7-induced MMP2 and Slug expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, the level of c-Jun was significantly upregulated in the URSA group. Silencing IGFBP7 increased the binding of downstream c-Jun to the MMP2 and Slug promoter regions in HTR-8/SVneo cells, thus suppressing transcription. In addition, increased expression of IGFBP7 in HTR-8/SVneo cells was observed upon CsA treatment. Knockdown of IGFBP7 inhibited the CsA-enhanced MMP2 and Slug expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Our results suggest that in normal pregnancy, IGFBP7 induces MMP2 and Slug expression via the IGF-1R-mediated c-Jun signaling pathway, thereby promoting trophoblast invasion. IGFBP7 depletion in URSA inhibits MMP2 and Slug expression as well as trophoblast invasion. Moreover, IGFBP7 participates in CsA-induced trophoblast invasion, suggesting that IGFBP7 is a potential therapeutic target for URSA.

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting Tumor Immunity

As the leading cause of cancer-related death, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) threatens human health and limited treatments are available to cure the disease efficiently and effectively. The particularly immunotolerant environment of the liver lowers the efficacy of current therapies in patients with advanced HCC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gathering increasing interest due to the immunoregulatory properties of certain compounds. In advanced HCC, TCM can restore immunosurveillance to promote antitumor effects in several ways, including the upregulation of immunostimulatory factors and the downregulation of immunosuppressive factors. The characteristic multitarget regulation of TCM compounds may provide new insights regarding effective HCC immunotherapies. Here, we review the immunoregulatory potency of TCMs for treating HCC and explain how individual TCM drugs and complex formulas remodel the immune environment in various cell- and cytokine-dependent manners.

Yu Ping Feng San Exert Anti-Angiogenesis Effects through the Inhibition of TSLP-STAT3 Signaling Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Clinically, Yu ping feng san (YPFS) has been extensively used as a medication for treating immune deficiency, and YPFS is combined with chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Previous research has shown that YPFS has a therapeutic effect on HCC by improving the immunosuppressive state of the liver cancer microenvironment. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of YPFS on angiogenesis of HCC.

Methods

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to certify the composition of YPFS. An orthotopic transplanted model of murine HCC was entrenched. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the changes of the microvessel density (MVD). The MTT assay was used to detect the cell viability. ELISA was performed to analyze the expression of related factors. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression. Tube formation assay was used to analyze the anti-angiogenic efficiency.

Results

YPFS significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight, thus exerted the growth inhibitory effect. The level of MVD and VEGF was obviously decreased in YPFS-treated HCC-bearing mice, and the YPFS treatment also reduced the VEGF level in Hepa1-6 cells. Further study revealed that the expression of TSLP/TSLPR and p-STAT3/STAT3 was decreased by YPFS. The level of MVD and VEGF and the expression of TSLP/TSLPR and p-STAT3/STAT3 in tumor tissue and Hepa1-6 cells were suppressed by incubation with the anti-TSLP antibody, whereas treatment with the anti-TSLP antibody in YPFS-treated cells did not cause further significant inhibition compared with the cells treated only with YPFS. More importantly, YPFS inhibited proliferation, expression of p-STAT3/STAT3, and tube formation of HUVECs induced by TSLP.

Conclusions

These results indicated that YPFS attenuated the activation of the TSLP-STAT3 signaling pathway by inhibiting the immune-related factor-TSLP, thereby inhibiting the formation of hepatic microvessels and exerting an anti-HCC effect.

RGS19 upregulates Nm23-H1/2 metastasis suppressors by transcriptional activation via the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway

The Nm23 metastasis suppressor family is involved in physiological and pathological processes including tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although the inverse correlation of Nm23 level with tumor metastasis potential has been widely observed, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of Nm23 remain poorly understood. Our previous studies have revealed that Nm23-H1/2 isoforms are upregulated by RGS19, a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein which accelerates the termination of G_i signals. Here, we examined the ability of RGS19 to stimulate transcriptional regulation of Nm23 by screening a panel of luciferase reporter genes. Transient and stable overexpression of RGS19 upregulated the Nm23-H1/2 protein levels and activated several transcription factors including CREB, AP-1 and SRE in HEK293 cells. Interestingly, agents that increase the intracellular cAMP level and the phosphorylation of CREB (e.g., adrenergic receptor agonist, forskolin, and cAMP analogues) upregulated the expression of Nm23-H1/2 in HEK293 cells and several cancer cell lines including A549, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-435s cells. Conversely, inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) by H-89 suppressed the phosphorylation of CREB and reduced the expression of Nm23-H1/2. Furthermore, activation of PKA attenuated cancer cell migration in wound healing and transwell assays. Collectively, these results revealed a PKA-dependent mechanism for controlling Nm23-H1/2 expression.

Pathophysiology of ischemic placental disease

The pregnancy disorders associated with placental ischemia share many similar pathological and pathophysiological features and are associated with the failure to deliver adequate nutrients and oxygen to the placenta. The origins of this deficiency are a subject of intense study. In this article, I review the genesis and consequences of this pathology addressing the similarities and the differences with the different disorders and addressing current gaps in our knowledge.

TSLP signaling pathway map: a platform for analysis of TSLP-mediated signaling

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a four-helix bundle cytokine that plays a critical role in the regulation of immune responses and in the differentiation of hematopoietic cells. TSLP signals through a heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of an interleukin-7 receptor α chain and a unique TSLP receptor (TSLPR) [also known as cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2)]. Cellular targets of TSLP include dendritic cells, B cells, mast cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The TSLP/TSLPR axis can activate multiple signaling transduction pathways including the JAK/STAT pathway and the PI-3 kinase pathway. Aberrant TSLP/TSLPR signaling has been associated with a variety of human diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis, nasal polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic eosophagitis and, most recently, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A centralized resource of the TSLP signaling pathway cataloging signaling events is not yet available. In this study, we present a literature-annotated resource of reactions in the TSLP signaling pathway. This pathway map is publicly available through NetPath (http://www.netpath.org/), an open access signal transduction pathway resource developed previously by our group. This map includes 236 molecules and 252 reactions that are involved in TSLP/TSLPR signaling pathway. We expect that the TSLP signaling pathway map will provide a rich resource to study the biology of this important cytokine as well as to identify novel therapeutic targets for diseases associated with dysregulated TSLP/TSLPR signaling.

Database URL: http://www.netpath.org/pathways?path_id=NetPath_24

Cervical carcinoma cells stimulate the angiogenesis through TSLP promoting growth and activation of vascular endothelial cells

PROBLEM

To explore whether cervical carcinomas cells-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) modulates the biologic behavior of vascular endothelial cells and herein participates in the angiogenesis in the cervical cancer pathogenesis.

METHOD OF STUDY

We analyzed expression of TSLP and its receptor (TSLPR) in cervical cancer cells by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and flow cytometry, respectively. We further investigated the effects of TSLP on the proliferation, apoptosis, activation, and angiogenesis in vitro of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

RESULTS

It has been found that the cervical cancer cells translate TSLP and endothelial cells express TSLPR in cervical cancer tissues. Both HeLa and CaSki cells secret TSLP in a time-dependent manner, and the ratio of TSLPR-positive HUVECs is about 30%. It has been showed that recombinant human TSLP (rhTSLP) can significantly increase Ki67 and CD62E expression in HUVECs and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels from HeLa and CaSki cells; on the contrary, anti-human TSLP or TSLPR neutralizing antibody down-regulates the expression of Ki67, angiogenesis-relative molecules CD62E, and CD105 in HUVECs cocultured with HeLa or CasKi cells and inhibits IL-6 secretion from HeLa and CaSki cells. Moreover, both rhTSLP and endogenous TSLP from HeLa or CaSki cells obviously stimulate the proliferation, activation, and angiogenesis, but not influence the apoptosis of HUVECs in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that TSLP secreted by cervical carcinomas cells is involved in the angiogenesis of cervical cancer in a paracrine manner.