Suppressive effects of leflunomide on leptin-induced TIMP-1 production involves on hepatic stellate cell proliferation and apoptosis

Knockdown of Fstl1 attenuates hepatic stellate cell activation through the TGF‑β1/Smad3 signaling pathway

Follistatin‑like 1 (Fstl1) is a secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the follistatin and SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) families and was identified to serve a critical role in lung fibrosis. However, the role of Fstl1 in liver fibrosis remains undefined. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Fstl1 in liver fibrosis. The results indicated that Fstl1 was highly expressed in human hepatic fibrosis tissues and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Furthermore, knockdown of Fstl1effectively suppressed HSC proliferation and the protein expression levels of α‑SMA and collagen I in transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1‑treated HSCs. Mechanistically, knockdown of Fstl1 remarkably decreased the phosphorylation level of Smad3 in TGF‑β1‑induced HSCs. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that Fstl1serves an important role in liver fibrosis and target deletion of Fstl1 attenuated HSCs activation through suppressing TGF‑β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Therefore, Fstl1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Adenosine augments IL-10-induced STAT3 signaling in M2c macrophages

The alternatively activated macrophage phenotype induced by IL-10 is called M2c. Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside that accumulates in the extracellular space in response to metabolic disturbances, hypoxia, inflammation, physical damage, or apoptosis. As adenosine is known to regulate classically activated M1 and IL4- and IL-13-activated M2a macrophages, the goal of the present study was to explore its effects on M2c macrophages. We found that adenosine augmented the IL-10-induced expression of TIMP-1 and arginase-1 by the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and by mouse BMDMs. The effects of AR stimulation on IL-10-induced TIMP-1 or arginase-1 expression were lacking in A2BAR KO macrophages. The role of A2BAR on TIMP-1 production of RAW 264.7 cells was confirmed with specific agonist BAY606583 and antagonist PSB0788. AR stimulation augmented IL-10-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in macrophages, and pharmacological inhibition or silencing of STAT3 using siRNA reduced the stimulatory effect of AR stimulation on TIMP-1 production. In contrast to its stimulatory effect on IL-10-induced STAT3 activation, adenosine inhibited IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and SAA3 expression. In conclusion, adenosine enhances IL-10-induced STAT3 signaling and M2c macrophage activation.

A novel STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 ameliorates antigen-induced bronchial hypercontractility in mice

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is one of the central mediators for development of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. The signal transducer and activation of transcription 6 (STAT6) is one of the major signal transducers activated by IL-13, and a possible involvement of IL-13/STAT6 pathway in the augmented bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contraction has been suggested. In the present study, the effect of a novel STAT6 inhibitor, AS1517499, on the development of antigen-induced BSM hyperresponsiveness was investigated. In cultured human BSM cells, IL-13 (100 ng/ml) caused a phosphorylation of STAT6 and an up-regulation of RhoA, a monomeric GTPase responsible for Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle contraction: both events were inhibited by co-incubation with AS1517499 (100 nM). In BALB/c mice that were actively sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin antigen, an increased IL-13 level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and a phosphorylation of STAT6 in bronchial tissues were observed after the last antigen challenge. These mice had an augmented BSM contractility to acetylcholine together with an up-regulation of RhoA in bronchial tissues. Intraperitoneal injections of AS1517499 (10 mg/kg) 1 hour before each ovalbumin exposure inhibited both the antigen-induced up-regulation of RhoA and BSM hyperresponsiveness, almost completely. A partial but significant inhibition of antigen-induced production of IL-13 was also found. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of STAT6 inhibitory agents, such as AS1517499, both on RhoA and IL-13 up-regulations might be useful for asthma treatment.

Vacinação contra febre amarela em pacientes com diagnósticos de doenças reumáticas, em uso de imunossupressores

A febre amarela é endêmica em alguns países. A vacina, único modo eficaz de proteção, é contra-indicada em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Nosso objetivo é relatar uma série de casos de pacientes reumatológicos, usuários de imunossupressores, vacinados contra a doença. Foi feito um estudo retrospectivo, por meio de questionário aplicado em pacientes reumatológicos medicados com imunossupressores, vacinados 60 dias antes da investigação. Foram avaliados 70 pacientes, com idade média de 46 anos, 90% mulheres, portadores de artrite reumatóide (54), lupus eritematoso sistêmico (11), espondiloartropatias (5) e esclerose sistêmica (2). Os esquemas terapêuticos incluíam metotrexato (42), corticoesteróides (22), sulfassalazina (26), leflunomida (18), ciclofosfamida (3) e imunobiológicos (9). Dezesseis (22,5%) pacientes relataram efeitos adversos menores. Dentre os 8 pacientes, em uso de imunobiológicos, apenas um apresentou efeito adverso, leve. Entre pacientes em uso de imunussopressores, reações adversas não foram mais freqüentes do que em imunocompetentes. Este é o primeiro estudo sobre o tema.

TIMP-1 binding to proMMP-9/CD44 complex localized at the cell surface promotes erythroid cell survival

Besides its ability to inhibit MMP activity, TIMP-1 exhibits other biological functions. We earlier reported that TIMP-1 induced UT-7 erythroid cell survival through activation of the JAK2/PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway and we now aim to determine whether the TIMP-1 anti-apoptotic effect requires MMP involvement. We first show that proMMP-9 was expressed in UT-7 cells and associated with the cell plasma membrane. Such proMMP-9 localization was crucial for TIMP-1 intracellular signalling since (i) TIMP-1 specifically bound to proMMP-9 and (ii) proMMP-9 silencing abrogated the TIMP-1 effect. We also demonstrated that TIMP-1 anti-apoptotic effect was independent on MMP inhibition since MMP-9 function blocking antibodies as well as a synthetic MMP inhibitor were unable to reproduce TIMP-1 effect. Nevertheless, these compounds prevented TIMP-1 binding to proMMP-9 and subsequently abolished TIMP-1-induced cell survival. We finally demonstrated that CD44 anchored proMMP-9 to the plasma membrane and enabled TIMP-1-mediated signal transduction. Therefore, our results indicate that the anti-apoptotic signalling of TIMP-1 depends on the formation of a ternary complex between TIMP-1, proMMP-9 and CD44 at the UT-7 erythroid cell surface.