Deoxynivalenol induces ectodomain shedding of TNF receptor 1 and thereby inhibits the TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling pathway

Porphyrin derivatives inhibit tumor necrosis factor α-induced gene expression and reduce the expression and increase the cross-linked forms of cellular components of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway

The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is activated by proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Screening of NPDepo chemical libraries identified porphyrin derivatives as anti-inflammatory compounds that strongly inhibited the up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression induced by TNF-α, interleukin-1α, the TLR3 ligand, and TLR4 ligand in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In the present study, the mechanisms of action of porphyrin derivatives were further elucidated using human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Porphyrin derivatives, i.e., dimethyl-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl-3,8-di(1-methoxyethyl)-21H,23H-porphine-13,17-dipropionate (1) and pheophorbide a (2), inhibited TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and decreased the TNF-α-induced transcription of ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin genes. 1 and 2 reduced the expression of the NF-κB subunit RelA protein for 1 h, which was not rescued by the inhibition of proteasome- and lysosome-dependent protein degradation. In addition, 1 and 2 decreased the expression of multiple components of the TNF receptor 1 complex, and this was accompanied by the appearance of their cross-linked forms. As common components of the NF-κB signaling pathway, 1 and 2 also cross-linked the α, β, and γ subunits of the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase complex and the NF-κB subunits RelA and p50. Cellular protein synthesis was prevented by 2, but not by 1. Therefore, the present results indicate that porphyrin derivative 1 reduced the expression and increased the cross-linked forms of cellular components required for the NF-κB signaling pathway without affecting global protein synthesis.

Amiodarone inhibits the Toll-like receptor 3-mediated nuclear factor κB signaling pathway by blocking organelle acidification

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists or pro-inflammatory cytokines converge to activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which provokes inflammatory responses. In the present study, we identified amiodarone hydrochloride as a selective inhibitor of the TLR3-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway by screening the RIKEN NPDepo Chemical Library. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), amiodarone selectively inhibited the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), but not tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1α, or lipopolysaccharide. In response to a Poly(I:C) stimulation, amiodarone at 20 μM reduced the up-regulation of mRNA expression encoding ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin. The nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit RelA was inhibited by amiodarone at 15-20 μM in Poly(I:C)-stimulated HUVEC. Amiodarone diminished the fluorescent dots of LysoTracker® Red DND-99 scattered over the cytoplasm of HUVEC. Therefore, the present study revealed that amiodarone selectively inhibited the TLR3-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway by blocking the acidification of intracellular organelles.

Mycotoxins in food and feed: toxicity, preventive challenges, and advanced detection techniques for associated diseases

Mycotoxins are produced primarily as secondary fungal metabolites. Mycotoxins are toxic in nature and naturally produced by various species of fungi, which usually contaminate food and feed ingredients. The growth of these harmful fungi depends on several environmental factors, such as pH, humidity, and temperature; therefore, the mycotoxin distribution also varies among global geographical areas. Various rules and regulations regarding mycotoxins are imposed by the government bodies of each country, which are responsible for addressing global food and health security concerns. Despite this legislation, the incidence of mycotoxin contamination is continuously increasing. In this review, we discuss the geographical regulatory guidelines and recommendations that are implemented around the world to control mycotoxin contamination of food and feed products. Researchers and inventors from various parts of the world have reported several innovations for controlling mycotoxin-associated health consequences. Unfortunately, most of these techniques are restricted to laboratory scales and cannot reach users. Consequently, to date, no single device has been commercialized that can detect all mycotoxins that are naturally available in the environment. Therefore, in this study, we describe severe health hazards that are associated with mycotoxin exposure, their molecular signaling pathways and processes of toxicity, and their genotoxic and cytotoxic effects toward humans and animals. We also discuss recent developments in the construction of a sensitive and specific device that effectively implements mycotoxin identification and detection methods. In addition, our study comprehensively examines the recent advancements in the field for mitigating the health consequences and links them with the molecular and signaling pathways that are activated upon mycotoxin exposure.

The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor in Manipulating the Immunological Response of Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an intricate system within solid neoplasms. In this review, we aim to provide an updated insight into the TME with a focus on the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on its various components and the use of TNF-α to improve the efficiency of drug delivery. The TME comprises the supporting structure of the tumor, such as its extracellular matrix and vasculature. In addition to cancer cells and cancer stem cells, the TME contains various other cell types, including pericytes, tumor-associated fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells. These cells produce signaling molecules such as growth factors, cytokines, hormones, and extracellular matrix proteins. This review summarizes the intricate balance between pro-oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions that various non-tumor cells within the TME exert. We focused on the interaction between tumor cells and immune cells in the TME that plays an essential role in regulating the immune response, tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The multifunctional cytokine, TNF-α, plays essential roles in diverse cellular events within the TME. The uses of TNF-α in cancer treatment and to facilitate cancer drug delivery are discussed. The effects of TNF-α on tumor neovasculature and tumor interstitial fluid pressure that improve treatment efficacy are summarized.

α-Conidendrin inhibits the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells

α-Conidendrin is a lignan isolated from Taxus wallichiana and other species. In the present study, we demonstrated that α-conidendrin inhibited the cell-surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at an IC₅₀ value of 40-60 μM in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. α-Conidendrin decreased ICAM-1 protein and mRNA expression levels at concentrations of 40-100 μM in TNF-α-stimulated A549 cells. The TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and cyclooxygenase-2 was also reduced by α-conidendrin. In the TNF-α-induced nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, α-conidendrin did not influence the translocation of the NF-κB subunit RelA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus at concentrations up to 100 μM. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that α-conidendrin at 100 μM reduced the binding of RelA to the ICAM-1 promoter in response to a stimulation with TNF-α. Collectively, these results indicated that α-conidendrin interfered with the DNA binding of RelA to the ICAM-1 promoter, thereby reducing ICAM-1 transcription.

Deoxynivalenol enhances IL-1ß expression in BV2 microglial cells through activation of the NF-?B pathway and the ASC/NLRP3 inflammasome

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common fungal toxins that contaminate food grains and cereal-derived products. However, it is unknown whether DON stimulates IL-1β expression through the activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway and the ACS/NLRP3 inflammasome. In this study, we found that high concentrations of DON (above 800 nM) decreased relative cell viability; however, no significant population of apoptotic sub-G1 cells was observed. DON also upregulated IL-1β expression from between 0.5 h and 6 h after treatment, and enhanced the nuclear localization of the NF-κB subunits, p50 and p65. NF-κB inhibitors, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and PS1145, significantly suppressed the DON-induced IL-1β expression, which indicated that DON increased IL-1β expression through the activation of NF-κB. In addition, marked secretion of IL-1β protein occurred in the presence of DON at 24 h, and a caspase-1 inhibitor suppressed DON-mediated IL-1β secretion, which suggested that caspase-1 induced the cleavage of pro-IL-1β to lead the secretion of its active form. Thus, components of the inflammasome, such as ASC and NLRP3, significantly increased by DON treatment; in addition, the knockdown of ASC and NLRP3 markedly downregulated DON-induced IL-1β secretion, but not IL-1β gene expression, which indicated that DON promoted IL-1β secretion through the ASC/NLRP3 inflammasome. Collectively, the data suggested that DON induced IL-1β expression in BV2 microglial cells through the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the subsequent upregulation of the ASC/NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, DON may induce inflammatory diseases or disorders by activating IL-1β expression.

Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpene Lactones Inhibit Nuclear Translocation of the Nuclear Factor κB Subunit RelB in Response to a Lymphotoxin β Stimulation

The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) regulates various biological processes, including inflammatory responses. We previously reported that eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones inhibited multiple steps in the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway induced by tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1α. In contrast, the biological activities of eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones on the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway remain unclear. In the present study, we found that (11S)-2α-bromo-3-oxoeudesmano-12,6α-lactone, designated santonin-related compound 2 (SRC2), inhibited NF-κB luciferase reporter activity induced by lymphotoxin β (LTβ) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Although SRC2 did not prevent the processing of the NF-κB subunit p100 induced by LTβ, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of RelB and p52 in response to the LTβ stimulation. In contrast to (-)-dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, SRC2 inhibited the LTβ-induced nuclear translocation of the RelB (C144S) mutant in a manner similar to wild-type RelB. While eudesmane derivatives possessing an α-bromoketone moiety or α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties inhibited LTβ-induced NF-κB luciferase reporter activity, eudesmane derivatives possessing an α-bromoketone moiety exhibited stronger inhibitory activity on the LTβ-induced nuclear translocation of RelB than those possessing a single α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. The results of the present study revealed that SRC2 inhibits the nuclear translocation of RelB in the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway induced by LTβ.

Quinacrine Inhibits ICAM-1 Transcription by Blocking DNA Binding of the NF-κB Subunit p65 and Sensitizes Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells to TNF-α and the Fas Ligand

Quinacrine has been used for therapeutic drugs in some clinical settings. In the present study, we demonstrated that quinacrine decreased the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-1 (IL-1) α in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Quinacrine inhibited ICAM-1 mRNA expression and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-responsive luciferase reporter activity following a treatment with TNF-α and IL-1α. In the NF-κB signaling pathway, quinacrine did not markedly affect the TNF-α-induced degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB or the TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit, p65, at Ser-536 and its subsequent translocation to the nucleus. In contrast, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that quinacrine prevented the binding of p65 to the ICAM-1 promoter following TNF-α stimulation. Moreover, TNF-α and the Fas ligand effectively reduced the viability of A549 cells in the presence of quinacrine only. Quinacrine down-regulated the constitutive and TNF-α-induced expression of c-FLIP and Mcl-1 in A549 cells. These results revealed that quinacrine inhibits ICAM-1 transcription by blocking the DNA binding of p65 and sensitizes A549 cells to TNF-α and the Fas ligand.

Trichothecenes: immunomodulatory effects, mechanisms, and anti-cancer potential

Paradoxically, trichothecenes have both immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory effects. The underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. Early studies show that dose, exposure timing, and the time at which immune function is assessed influence whether trichothecenes act in an immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory fashion. Recent studies suggest that the immunomodulatory function of trichothecenes is also actively shaped by competing cell-survival and death-signaling pathways. Autophagy may also promote trichothecene immunosuppression, although the mechanism may be complicated. Moreover, trichothecenes may generate an "immune evasion" milieu that allows pathogens to escape host and vaccine immune defenses. Some trichothecenes, especially macrocyclic trichothecenes, also potently kill cancer cells. T-2 toxin conjugated with anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies significantly suppresses the growth of thymoma EL-4 cells and colon cancer cells. The type B trichothecene diacetoxyscirpenol specifically inhibits the tumor-promoting factor HIF-1 in cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. Trichothecin markedly inhibits the growth of multiple cancer cells with constitutively activated NF-κB. The type D macrocyclic toxin Verrucarin A is also a promising therapeutic candidate for leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The anti-cancer activities of trichothecenes have not been comprehensively summarized. Here, we first summarize the data on the immunomodulatory effects of trichothecenes and discuss recent studies that shed light on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. These mechanisms include autophagy and major signaling pathways and their crosstalk. Second, the anti-cancer potential of trichothecenes and the underlying mechanisms will be discussed. We hope that this review will show how trichothecene bioactivities can be exploited to generate therapies against pathogens and cancer.

Allantopyrone A interferes with multiple components of the TNF receptor 1 complex and blocks RIP1 modifications in the TNF-α-induced signaling pathway

Allantopyrone A is a fungal metabolite that uniquely possesses two α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties. We recently reported that allantopyrone A inhibited the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. In the present study, the mechanism by which allantopyrone A inhibits the TNF-α-induced signaling pathway was investigated in more detail. Allantopyrone A blocked extensive modifications to receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) in the TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1) complex. Allantopyrone A augmented the high-MW bands of TNF-R1, TNF receptor-associated factor 2, RIP1, the NF-κB subunit RelA and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase β in A549 cells, suggesting that it binds to and promotes the crosslinking of these proteins. The extracellular cysteine-rich domains of TNF-R1 were crosslinked by allantopyrone A more preferentially than its intracellular portion. The present results demonstrate that allantopyrone A interferes with multiple components of the TNF-R1 complex and blocks RIP1 modifications in the TNF-α-induced NF-κB signaling pathway.

Lung inflammation caused by inhaled toxicants: a review

Exposure of the lungs to airborne toxicants from different sources in the environment may lead to acute and chronic pulmonary or even systemic inflammation. Cigarette smoke is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, although wood smoke in urban areas of underdeveloped countries is now recognized as a leading cause of respiratory disease. Mycotoxins from fungal spores pose an occupational risk for respiratory illness and also present a health hazard to those living in damp buildings. Microscopic airborne particulates of asbestos and silica (from building materials) and those of heavy metals (from paint) are additional sources of indoor air pollution that contributes to respiratory illness and is known to cause respiratory illness in experimental animals. Ricin in aerosolized form is a potential bioweapon that is extremely toxic yet relatively easy to produce. Although the aforementioned agents belong to different classes of toxic chemicals, their pathogenicity is similar. They induce the recruitment and activation of macrophages, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, inhibition of protein synthesis, and production of interleukin-1 beta. Targeting either macrophages (using nanoparticles) or the production of interleukin-1 beta (using inhibitors against protein kinases, NOD-like receptor protein-3, or P2X7) may potentially be employed to treat these types of lung inflammation without affecting the natural immune response to bacterial infections.

Cardenolide aglycones inhibit tumor necrosis factor α-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 at the translation step by blocking Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase

Cardiac glycosides, which are inhibitors of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, are classified into cardenolides and bufadienolides. We have recently shown that two cardenolide glycosides, ouabain and odoroside A, inhibit Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, thereby preventing nuclear factor κB-inducible protein expression by blocking Na(+)-dependent amino acid transport. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of cardenolide aglycones in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced gene expression. Ouabagenin, digitoxigenin, and digoxigenin were found to inhibit the TNF-α-induced cell-surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Those cardenolide aglycones did not inhibit the TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 mRNA, but strongly inhibited the TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 as translation product. The inhibition of the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression by ouabagenin, digitoxigenin, and digoxigenin was significantly reversed by the ectopic expression of ouabain-resistant rat Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase α1 isoform. Moreover, knockdown of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase α1 isoform augmented the inhibition of the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression by ouabagenin or ouabain. These results clearly indicate that cardenolide aglycones inhibit the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression at the translation step by blocking Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase.

A novel Peptide-binding motifs inference approach to understand deoxynivalenol molecular toxicity

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a type B trichothecene mycotoxin that is commonly detected in cereals and grains world-wide. The low-tolerated levels of this mycotoxin, especially in mono-gastric animals, reflect its bio-potency. The toxicity of DON is conventionally attributed to its ability to inhibit ribosomal protein biosynthesis, but recent advances in molecular tools have elucidated novel mechanisms that further explain DON’s toxicological profile, complementing the diverse symptoms associated with its exposure. This article summarizes the recent findings related to novel mechanisms of DON toxicity as well as how structural modifications to DON alter its potency. In addition, it explores feasible ways of expanding our understating of DON-cellular targets and their roles in DON toxicity, clearance, and detoxification through the utilization of computational biology approaches.

Allantopyrone A, an α-pyrone metabolite from an endophytic fungus, inhibits the tumor necrosis factor α-induced nuclear factor κB signaling pathway

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induces the activation of transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which upregulates a variety of genes, including the gene encoding intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Allantopyrone A, a recently identified α-pyrone metabolite from an endophytic fungus, was found to inhibit the TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Allantopyrone A also inhibited the TNF-α-induced luciferase expression of an NF-κB-responsive reporter. In the NF-κB signaling pathway, allantopyrone A inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits as well as the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) α proteins. By contrast, allantopyrone A did not directly affect the catalytic activity of active IκB kinase β. These findings indicate that allantopyrone A inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway at a step upstream of IκBα phosphorylation.

Crebanine, an aporphine alkaloid, sensitizes TNF-α-induced apoptosis and suppressed invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 by blocking NF-κB-regulated gene products

Crebanine is an alkaloid known to exhibit anticancer, but its mechanism is not well understood. Besides, the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor has been correlated with inflammation, carcinogenesis, tumor cell survival, invasion, and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of crebanine on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB activation and the expression of NF-κB-regulated gene products. We found that crebanine reduced the cell proliferation of lung, ovarian, and breast cancer cells. Crebanine also potentiated TNF-α-induced apoptosis which correlated with the suppression of the gene products linked to cell survival, B cell lymphoma-extra large, and proliferation, cyclin D1. In addition, crebanine affected TNF-α-induced activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, indicating that the apoptotic effects of TNF-α were enhanced by crebanine. Moreover, crebanine reduced TNF-α-induced A549 cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, crebanine suppressed the TNF-α-mediated expression of proteins that involved cancer cell invasion (matrix metalloproteinase 9 urokinase-type plasminogen activator, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and angiogenesis (COX-2 and VEGF), all of which are known to be regulated by NF-κB. We also demonstrated that TNF-α induced NF-κB DNA-binding activity, which was inhibited by crebanine. Moreover, crebanine suppressed the TNF-α-induced degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (IκBa), which led to reduced NF-κB translocation to the nucleus. Taken together, our results demonstrated that crebanine reduced TNF-α-induced cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and survival by suppressing NF-κB activity and expression profile of its downstream genes.

Ribosomal alteration-derived signals for cytokine induction in mucosal and systemic inflammation: noncanonical pathways by ribosomal inactivation

Ribosomal inactivation damages 28S ribosomal RNA by interfering with its functioning during gene translation, leading to stress responses linked to a variety of inflammatory disease processes. Although the primary effect of ribosomal inactivation in cells is the functional inhibition of global protein synthesis, early responsive gene products including proinflammatory cytokines are exclusively induced by toxic stress in highly dividing tissues such as lymphoid tissue and epithelia. In the present study, ribosomal inactivation-related modulation of cytokine production was reviewed in leukocyte and epithelial pathogenesis models to characterize mechanistic evidence of ribosome-derived cytokine induction and its implications for potent therapeutic targets of mucosal and systemic inflammatory illness, particularly those triggered by organellar dysfunctions.