1
|
Chen J, Liu Y, Yin N, Zhao M, Sun X, Zhang Y, Wang Z. Geniposide alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice via inhibition of angiogenesis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 132:111923. [PMID: 38565041 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of geniposide (GEN) on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice. Firstly, visual changes of psoriatic skin lesions were observed and the severity was recorded using psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score. Histological changes were assessed by HE staining for epidermal thickness and Masson's staining for collagen fibers. Then, photographs of microvascular inside the skin were taken for macroscopic observation, and microscopic changes associated with angiogenesis were evaluated. Furthermore, expression of angiogenic factors were analyzed by ELISA, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, separately. Lastly, the expression of VEGFR signaling-related proteins was detected by WB. Compared with control, IMQ drove a significant increment of epidermal thicknesses with higher PASI scores and more dermal collagen deposition. IMQ treatment led to abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, increased microvascular inside skin, growing production of angiogenesis-related factors, up-regulated expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, and enhanced phosphorylation of p38. However, GEN significantly ameliorated the psoriatic skin lesions, the epidermal thickness, the formation of collagen fibers, and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation. Importantly, GEN inhibited angiogenesis, the production of angiogenic factors (VEGF-A, Ang-2, TNF-α, and IL-17A), and the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. Simultaneously, GEN curbed the expression of VEGFR1, VEGFR2, p38, and P-p38 proteins involved in VEGFR signaling. Of note, the suppressive effect of GEN was reversed in the HUVECs with over-expressed VEGFR1 or VEGFR2 related to the cells without transfection. These findings suggest that VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 participate in the anti-angiogenesis of GEN in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Nina Yin
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Xuan Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mao Y, Ge H, Chen W, Wang Y, Liu H, Li Z, Bai Y, Wang D, Yu Y, Zhen Q, Li B, Sun L. RasGRP1 influences imiquimod-induced psoriatic inflammation via T-cell activation in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110590. [PMID: 37429143 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signal transduction pathway has been shown to be a potential target for the treatment of psoriasis. Ras guanyl-releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1), a downstream target gene of VEGF, regulates the development, homeostasis, and differentiation of T cells, but the contribution of RasGRP1 to psoriasis is limited. In this manuscript, we aimed to investigate the role of RasGRP1 in psoriasis. The RNA-Seq transcriptome sequencing data from the mouse model of psoriasis treated with IMQ (imiquimod) were analyzed. The effect of RasGRP1 was investigated through in vivo injection of activators or small molecular inhibitors, as well as adeno-associated virus injections. Gene knockout and NB-UVB (narrow-band ultraviolet B) treatments were utilized to interfere with the psoriatic mouse model. By transfection of lentivirus in vitro, the effect of RasGRP1 gene function on the secretion of psoriasis-related cytokines by T cells was confirmed. We showed that cutaneous VEGF and RasGRP1 were strongly activated in human psoriatic lesions and the skin of mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. RasGRP1 deficiency and overexpression influence IMQ-induced psoriasis-like manifestations and skin inflammation in mice. VEGF, secreted mainly by epidermal cells, mediates psoriatic inflammation through the RasGRP1-AKT-NF-κB pathway. RasGRP1 is required for psoriasis development mediated by VEGF. These results confirmed the role of RasGRP1 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and provided potential targets for clinical psoriasis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Mao
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Huiyao Ge
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - YiRui Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanming Bai
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Daiyue Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yafen Yu
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Qi Zhen
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute of Dermatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Bao Li
- Integrated Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Liangdan Sun
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Health Science Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan 063000, China; Inflammation and Immune Diseases Laboratory of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li X, Ma X, Miao Y, Zhang J, Xi B, Li W, Zhang Q, Chen L, Yang Y, Li H, Wei L, Zhou H, Yang C. Duvelisib attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:422-434. [PMID: 36651446 PMCID: PMC9889612 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that seriously threatens the health of patients. The pathogenesis of IPF is still unclear, and there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. Myofibroblasts are the main effector cells of IPF, leading to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and promoting the progression of fibrosis. Inhibiting the excessive activation and relieving autophagy blockage of myofibroblasts is the key to treat IPF. PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway plays a key regulatory role in promoting fibroblast activation and autophagy inhibition in lung fibrosis. Duvelisib is a PI3K inhibitor that can simultaneously inhibit the activities of PI3K-δ and PI3K-γ, and is mainly used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma tumour (SLL). In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Duvelisib on pulmonary fibrosis. We used a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis to evaluate the effects of Duvelisib on pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and further explored the potential pharmacological mechanisms of Duvelisib in lung fibroblasts in vitro. The in vivo experiments showed that Duvelisib significantly alleviated bleomycin-induced collagen deposition and improved pulmonary function. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments showed that Duvelisib dose-dependently suppressed lung fibroblast activation and improved autophagy inhibition by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and mTOR. Our results indicate that Duvelisib can alleviate the severity of pulmonary fibrosis and provide potential drugs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Xiaoyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yang Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Buri Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Wenqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Qianyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineTianjin Beichen HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Luqing Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineTianjin Beichen HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Honggang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchNankai UniversityTianjinChina,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug ResearchTianjin International Joint Academy of BiomedicineTianjinChina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Adel M, Abouzid KAM. New fluorinated diarylureas linked to pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold as VEGFR-2 inhibitors: Molecular docking and biological evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:106006. [PMID: 35820328 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine linked to diarylureas were previously discovered by our group as sorafenib fused congeners, which were endowed with more potent activity as inhibitors to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2) than sorafenib. Based on these results and on the observation that the fluorinated regorafenib displayed higher VEGFR2 inhibitory activity relative to sorafenib. Therefore, in this study, we sought to develop more potent pyrrolopyrimidine surrogates through introduction of fluorine atom at the phenyl moiety near to the urea moiety mimicking regorafenib. We hypothesized that this would improve the compounds potency. Surprisingly, Compound9epossessed better VEGFR2 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 52.4 nM) compared to standard drug sorafenib, whereas compounds (9b,d and f) showed moderate inhibitory activity. The newly synthesized compounds were tested on 60 human cancer cell lines. Field alignment and a molecular docking study of these compounds into the inactive conformation of VEGFR2 was performed, and theoretical ADME properties were determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Adel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, P.O. Box 11566, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Khaled A M Abouzid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, P.O. Box 11566, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kataria J, Kerr J, Lourenssen SR, Blennerhassett MG. Nintedanib regulates intestinal smooth muscle hyperplasia and phenotype in vitro and in TNBS colitis in vivo. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10275. [PMID: 35715562 PMCID: PMC9206006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14491-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation of the human intestine in Crohn’s disease (CD) causes bowel wall thickening, which typically progresses to stricturing and a recurrent need for surgery. Current therapies have limited success and CD remains idiopathic and incurable. Recent evidence shows a key role of intestinal smooth muscle cell (ISMC) hyperplasia in stricturing, which is not targeted by current anti-inflammatory therapeutics. However, progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, resembling CD in pathophysiology, is controlled by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors nintedanib (NIN) or pirfenidone, and we investigated these drugs for their effect on ISMC. In a culture model of rat ISMC, NIN inhibited serum- and PDGF-BB-stimulated growth and cell migration, and promoted the differentiated phenotype, while increasing secreted collagen. NIN did not affect signaling through PDGF-Rβ or NFκB but did inhibit cytokine-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNFα, supporting a transcriptional level of control. In TNBS-induced colitis in mice, which resembles CD, NIN decreased ISMC hyperplasia as well as expression of TNFα and IL-1β, without effect in control animals. NIN also inhibited growth of human ISMC in response to human serum or PDGF-BB, which further establishes a broad range of actions of NIN that support further trial in human IBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay Kataria
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, GIDRU Wing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Jack Kerr
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, GIDRU Wing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Sandra R Lourenssen
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, GIDRU Wing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Michael G Blennerhassett
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, GIDRU Wing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang C, Qu L. The anti-fibrotic agent nintedanib protects chondrocytes against tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ)-induced extracellular matrix degradation. Bioengineered 2022; 13:5318-5329. [PMID: 35164664 PMCID: PMC8973871 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2036899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal system characterized by damaged articular cartilage. Nintedanib is an oral triple kinase inhibitor with anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we hypothesized that nintedanib might exert a protective effect in chondrocytes and it could be meaningful to repurpose the drug for osteoarthritis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of nintedanib on TNF-α-induced cellular injury in CHON-001 chondrocytes. The results show that nintedanib ameliorated TNF-α-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced glutathione (GSH) decrease. Nintedanib reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in TNF-α-induced CHON-001 chondrocytes. Nintedanib restored TNF-α caused decreased expression levels of Col II and sry-type high-mobility-group box-9 (SOX-9) in CHON-001 chondrocytes. Moreover, nintedanib ameliorated the TNF-α-caused impairment of protein kinase A/cAMP-response element-binding protein (PKA/CREB) signaling pathway as revealed by the decreased PKA RI expression and increased p-CREB in CHON-001 cells. Inhibition of PKA by H89 abolished the effects of nintedanib on SOX-9 and Col II expression. Taken together, nintedanib presented protective effects on TNF-α-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and ECM damage in CHON-001 chondrocytes. Mechanically, the effect of nintedanib is associated with the PKA/CREB pathway. These data imply that the anti-fibrotic agent nintedanib may have a potential therapeutic application for osteoarthritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuankun Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
| | - Lizhe Qu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|