Topoisomerase 2 inhibitor etoposide promotes interleukin-10 production in LPS-induced macrophages via upregulating transcription factor Maf and activating PI3K/Akt pathway

Targeting TOP2B as a vulnerability in aging and aging-related diseases

The ongoing trend of rapid aging of the global population has unavoidably resulted in an increase in aging-related diseases. There is an immense amount of interest in the scientific community for the identification of molecular targets that may effectively mitigate the process of aging and aging-related diseases. The enzyme Topoisomerase IIβ (TOP2B) plays a crucial role in resolving the topological challenges that occur during DNA-related processes. It is believed that the disruption of TOP2B function contributes to the aging of cells and tissues, as well as the development of age-related diseases. Consequently, targeting TOP2B appears to be a promising approach for interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of aging. This review focuses on recent advancements in the understanding of the role of TOP2B in the processing of aging and aging-related disorders, thus providing a novel avenue for the development of anti-aging strategies.

Podophyllotoxin: Recent Advances in the Development of Hybridization Strategies to Enhance Its Antitumoral Profile

Podophyllotoxin is a naturally occurring cyclolignan isolated from rhizomes of Podophyllum sp. In the clinic, it is used mainly as an antiviral; however, its antitumor activity is even more interesting. While podophyllotoxin possesses severe side effects that limit its development as an anticancer agent, nevertheless, it has become a good lead compound for the synthesis of derivatives with fewer side effects and better selectivity. Several examples, such as etoposide, highlight the potential of this natural product for chemomodulation in the search for new antitumor agents. This review focuses on the recent chemical modifications (2017-mid-2023) of the podophyllotoxin skeleton performed mainly at the C-ring (but also at the lactone D-ring and at the trimethoxyphenyl E-ring) together with their biological properties. Special emphasis is placed on hybrids or conjugates with other natural products (either primary or secondary metabolites) and other molecules (heterocycles, benzoheterocycles, synthetic drugs, and other moieties) that contribute to improved podophyllotoxin bioactivity. In fact, hybridization has been a good strategy to design podophyllotoxin derivatives with enhanced bioactivity. The way in which the two components are joined (directly or through spacers) was also considered for the organization of this review. This comprehensive perspective is presented with the aim of guiding the medicinal chemistry community in the design of new podophyllotoxin-based drugs with improved anticancer properties.

Phosphatidylserine promotes immunotherapy for airway allergy

Type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1 cells) play an important role in the maintenance of the immune homeostasis in the body. The induction of Tr1 cell is to be further investigated. The interaction of phosphatidylserine (PS) with TIM3 has immune regulation functions. The objective of this study is to elucidate the role of PS-TIM3 signals in inducing Tr1 cells. In this study, mice were treated using PS or specific immunotherapy by nasal instillation. A murine model of allergic rhinitis was developed using ovalbumin as a specific antigen. We found that PS-containing nasal instillation induced Tr1 cells in the airway tissues. PS promoted gene activities associated with IL-10 through activation of TIM3 in CD4+ T cells. TIM3 mediated the effects of PS on inducing Tr1 cells, in which the TIM3- PI3K-AKT pathway played a critical role. PS boosted allergen-specific immunotherapy by inducing specific antigen Tr1 cell generation. Concomitant administration of PS and SIT resulted in better therapeutic effects on AR. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that PS can promote the specific immunotherapy for AR through inducing antigen specific Tr1 cells in the airway tissues.

Preparation of nano-sized multi-vesicular vesicles (MVVs) and its application in co-delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin

Multi-vesicular vesicles (MVVs) offer structural advantages in terms of drug encapsulation and physiological stability. In this study, we address the challenge of preparing small-sized MVVs for drug delivery. The nano-sized MVVs (∼120 nm) loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and curcumin (CUR) (DOX/CUR@MVVs) were successfully prepared using a glass bead combined with a thin film dispersion method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the independent non-homocentric vesicle structures of DOX/CUR@MVVs with homogeneous particle sizes. The experimental results showed high encapsulation rates of DOX and CUR in DOX/CUR@MVVs, reaching 82.5 ± 0.75 % and 85.9 ± 0.69 %, respectively. Moreover, the MVVs exhibited good biosafety and sustained release properties. Notably, the bioavailability of DOX and CUR in DOX/CUR@MVVs was enhanced compared to free DOX and CUR, with increases of 4.2 and 2.1 times, respectively. And the half-life of DOX and CUR was extended by 10 times in DOX/CUR@MVVs. In vivo antitumor experiments demonstrated that nano-sized DOX/CUR@MVVs significantly improved the antitumor activity while reducing the toxic side effects of DOX. Overall, the successful preparation of nano-sized DOX/CUR@MVVs and their potent and low-toxic antitumor effects provide a critical experimental reference for the combined antitumor therapy of MVVs and liposomes.

Cancer immunotherapy focusing on the role of interleukins: A comprehensive and updated study

Cytokines bind to specific receptors on target cells to activate intracellular signaling pathways that control diverse cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and death. They are essential for the growth, activation, and operation of immune cells and the control of immunological reactions to pathogens, cancer cells, and other dangers. Based on their structural and functional properties, cytokines can be roughly categorized into different families, such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, interleukins, interferons, and chemokines. Leukocytes produce interleukins, a class of cytokines that have essential functions in coordinating and communicating with immune cells. Cancer, inflammation, and autoimmunity are immune-related disorders brought on by dysregulation of cytokine production or signaling. Understanding cytokines' biology to create novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic methods for various immune-related illnesses is crucial. Different immune cells, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, and other cells in the body, including epithelial cells and fibroblasts, generate and secrete interleukins. The present study's main aim is to fully understand interleukins' roles in cancer development and identify new therapeutic targets and strategies for cancer treatment.

Etoposide: A rider on the cytokine storm

For more than 40 years, the epipodophyllotoxin drug etoposide is prescribed to treat cancer. This semi-synthetic compound remains extensively used to treat advanced small-cell lung cancer and in various chemotherapy regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation, and other anticancer protocols. Etoposide is a potent topoisomerase II poison, causing double-stranded DNA breaks which lead to cell death if they are not repaired. It is also a genotoxic compound, responsible for severe side effects and secondary leukemia occasionally. Beyond its well-recognized function as an inducer of cancer cell death (a "killer on the road"), etoposide is also useful to treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases associated with a cytokine storm syndrome. The drug is essential to the treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and the macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), in combination with a corticosteroid and other drugs. The use of etoposide to treat HLH, either familial or secondary to a viral or parasitic infection, or treatment-induced HLH and MAS is reviewed here. Etoposide dampens inflammation in HLH patients via an inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, IFN-γ and TNF-α, and reduction of the secretion of the alarmin HMGB1. The modulation of cytokines production by etoposide contributes to deactivate T cells and to dampen the immune stimulation associated to the cytokine storm. This review discussed the clinical benefits and mechanism of action of etoposide (a "rider on the storm") in the context of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, notably life-threatening HLH and MAS. The question arises as to whether the two faces of etoposide action can apply to other topoisomerase II inhibitors.

Investigation into the anti-airway inflammatory role of the PI3Kγ inhibitor JN-PK1: An in vitro and in vivo study

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) has been proven to be a potential target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the airway; however, there are few reports of selective PI3Kγ inhibitors being used in the field of airway inflammation thus far. Herein, a study employing in vitro and in vivo methodologies was carried out to assess the anti-airway inflammatory effects of JN-PK1, a selective PI3Kγ inhibitor. In RAW264.7 macrophages, JN-PK1 inhibited PI3Kγ-dependent, cellular C5a-induced AKT Ser473 phosphorylation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and had no significant effect on cell viability.Furthermore, JN-PK1 significantly suppressed LPS-induced, proinflammatory cytokine expression and nitric oxide production through inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. Then, a murine asthma model was established to evaluate the anti-airway inflammation effect of JN-PK1. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to develop an inflammatory response, fibrosis formation, and other airway changes similar to the symptomatology of asthma in humans. Oral administration of JN-PK1 remarkably attenuated OVA-induced asthma in association with the inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway. That is to say, the oral administration significantly inhibited increases in inflammatory cell counts and reduced T-helper type 2 cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Pulmonary histological studies showed that oral administration of JN-PK1 not only reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells but also retarded airway inflammation and fibration. Taken together, JN-PK1 could be developed as a promising candidate for inflammation therapy, and our findings support some potential for therapeutic inhibition of PI3Kγ to treat inflammatory airway diseases.

Integrated Single Cell and Bulk RNA-Seq Analysis Revealed Immunomodulatory Effects of Ulinastatin in Sepsis: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit, which is caused by unregulated inflammatory response leading to organ injuries. Ulinastatin (UTI), an immunomodulatory agent, is widely used in clinical practice and is associated with improved outcomes in sepsis. But its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Our study integrated bulk and single cell RNA-seq data to systematically explore the potential mechanisms of the effects of UTI in sepsis. After adjusting for potential confounders in the negative binomial regression model, there were more genes being downregulated than being upregulated in the UTI group. These down-regulated genes were enriched in the neutrophil involved immunity such as neutrophil activation and degranulation, indicating the immunomodulatory effects of UTI is mediated via regulation of neutrophil activity. By deconvoluting the bulk RNA-seq samples to obtain fractions of cell types, the Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were significantly expanded in the UTI treated samples. Further cell-cell communication analysis revealed some signaling pathways such as ANEEXIN, GRN and RESISTIN that might be involved in the immunomodulatory effects of UTI. The study provides a comprehensive reference map of transcriptional states of sepsis treated with UTI, as well as a general framework for studying UTI-related mechanisms.