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Wu S, Guo P, Zhou Q, Yang X, Dai J. M1 Macrophage-Targeted Curcumin Nanocrystals with l-Arginine-Modified for Acute Lung Injury by Inhalation. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:2492-2505. [PMID: 38772450 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.05.011] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ALI/ARDS) with clinical manifestations of respiratory distress and hypoxemia remains a significant cause of respiratory failure, boasting a persistently high incidence and mortality rate. Given the central role of M1 macrophages in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI), this study utilized the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin as a model drug. l-arginine (L-Arg) was employed as a targeting ligand, and chitosan was initially modified with l-arginine. Subsequently, it was utilized as a surface modifier to prepare inhalable nano-crystals loaded with curcumin (Arg-CS-Cur), aiming for specific targeting of pulmonary M1 macrophages. Compared with unmodified chitosan-curcumin nanocrystals (CS-Cur), Arg-CS-Cur exhibited higher uptake in vitro by M1 macrophages, as evidenced by flow cytometry showing the highest fluorescence intensity in the Arg-CS-Cur group (P < 0.01). In vivo accumulation was greater in inflamed lung tissues, as indicated by small animal imaging demonstrating higher lung fluorescence intensity in the DiR-Arg-CS-Cur group compared to the DiR-CS-Cur group in the rat ALI model (P < 0.05), peaking at 12 h. Moreover, Arg-CS-Cur demonstrated enhanced therapeutic effects in both LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and ALI rat models. Specifically, treatment with Arg-CS-Cur significantly suppressed NO release and levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells (p < 0.01), while in ALI rat models, expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in lung tissues were significantly lower than those in the model group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, lung tissue damage was significantly reduced, with histological scores significantly lower than those in the CS-Cur group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings underscore the targeting potential of l-arginine-modified nanocrystals, which effectively enhance curcumin concentration in inflammatory environments by selectively targeting M1 macrophages. This study thus introduces novel perspectives and theoretical support for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for acute inflammatory lung diseases, including ALI/ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyue Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yang Guang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Pengchuan Guo
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yang Guang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Qiren Zhou
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yang Guang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Xiaowen Yang
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yang Guang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Jundong Dai
- Department of Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yang Guang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China.
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Alqathama A. Natural products as promising modulators of breast cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1410300. [PMID: 39050852 PMCID: PMC11266008 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1410300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women and is considered a major global health challenge worldwide due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Treatment strategies for BC is wide-ranging and include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted hormonal therapy and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy has gained popularity recently and is often integrated as a component of personalized cancer care because it aims to strengthen the immune system and enable it to recognize and eradicate transformed cells. It has fewer side-effects and lower toxicity than other treatment strategies, such as chemotherapy. Many natural products are being investigated for a wide range of therapeutic pharmacological properties, such as immune system modulation and activity against infection, auto-immune disease, and cancer. This review presents an overview of the major immune response-related pathways in BC, followed by detailed explanation of how natural compounds can act as immunomodulatory agents against biomolecular targets. Research has been carried out on many forms of natural products, including extracts, isolated entities, synthetic derivatives, nanoparticles, and combinations of natural compounds. Findings have shown significant regulatory effects on immune cells and immune cytokines that lead to immunogenic cancer cell death, as well as upregulation of macrophages and CD+8 T cells, and increased natural killer cell and dendritic cell activity. Natural products have also been found to inhibit some immuno-suppressive cells such as Treg and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and to decrease immunosuppressive factors such as TGF-β and IL-10. Also, some natural compounds have been found to target and hinder immune checkpoints such as PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aljawharah Alqathama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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Ren Y, Wang M, Yuan H, Wang Z, Yu L. A novel insight into cancer therapy: Lipid metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 135:112319. [PMID: 38801810 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) can limit the effectiveness and often leads to significant side effects of conventional cancer therapies. Consequently, there is a growing interest in identifying novel targets to enhance the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy. More research indicates that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), originating from peripheral blood monocytes generated from bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells, play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are closely associated with resistance to traditional cancer therapies. Lipid metabolism alterations have been widely recognized as having a significant impact on tumors and their immune microenvironment. Lipids, lipid derivatives, and key substances in their metabolic pathways can influence the carcinogenesis and progression of cancer cells by modulating the phenotype, function, and activity of TAMs. Therefore, this review focuses on the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in cancer cells and their immune microenvironment, in which the TAMs are especially concentrated. Such changes impact TAMs activation and polarization, thereby affecting the tumor cell response to treatment. Furthermore, the article explores the potential of targeting the lipid metabolism of TAMs as a supplementary approach to conventional cancer therapies. It reviews and evaluates current strategies for enhancing efficacy through TAMs' lipid metabolism and proposes new lipid metabolism targets as potential synergistic options for chemo-radiotherapy and immunotherapy. These efforts aim to stimulate further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvxiao Ren
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanghang Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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Yin H, Liu R, Bie L. Gastrodin ameliorates neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease mice by inhibiting NF-κB signaling activation via PPARγ stimulation. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8657-8666. [PMID: 38752930 PMCID: PMC11164526 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205831] [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: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
AIM We investigated the effects and targets of gastrodin (GAS) for improving cognitive ability in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS The targets and mechanisms of GAS were analyzed by network pharmacology. Morris water and eight-arm radial mazes were used to detect the behaviors of 7-months-old APP/PS1 mice. The levels of IBA-1 and PPARγ were examined by histochemical staining, nerve cells were detected by Nissl staining, inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA, and protein expressions were monitored by Western blotting. The neurobehavioral effects of GAS on mice were detected after siRNA silencing of PPARγ. Microglia were cultured in vitro and Aβ1-42 was used to simulate the pathology of AD. After treatment with GAS, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and proteins were assayed. RESULTS Network pharmacological analysis revealed that PPARγ was the action target of GAS. By stimulating PPARγ, GAS inhibited NF-κB signaling activation and decreased neuroinflammation and microglial activation, thereby ameliorating the cognitive ability of AD mice. After silencing PPARγ, GAS could not further improve such cognitive ability. Cellular-level results demonstrated that GAS inhibited microglial injury, reduced tissue inflammation, and activated PPARγ. CONCLUSIONS GAS can regulate microglia-mediated inflammatory response by stimulating PPARγ and inhibiting NF-κB activation, representing a mechanism whereby it improves the cognitive behavior of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyuan Yin
- Department of Neurovascular Surgery, Bethune First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Renjie Liu
- Department of Neurovascular Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Li Bie
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
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Wang J, Zhu N, Su X, Gao Y, Yang R. Novel tumor-associated macrophage populations and subpopulations by single cell RNA sequencing. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1264774. [PMID: 38347955 PMCID: PMC10859433 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are present in almost all solid tumor tissues. 16They play critical roles in immune regulation, tumor angiogenesis, tumor stem cell activation, tumor invasion and metastasis, and resistance to therapy. However, it is unclear how TAMs perform these functions. With the application of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), it has become possible to identify TAM subpopulations associated with distinct functions. In this review, we discuss four novel TAM subpopulations in distinct solid tumors based on core gene signatures by scRNA-seq, including FCN1 +, SPP1 +, C1Q + and CCL18 + TAMs. Functional enrichment and gene expression in scRNA-seq data from different solid tumor tissues found that FCN1 + TAMs may induce inflammation; SPP1 + TAMs are potentially involved in metastasis, angiogenesis, and cancer cell stem cell activation, whereas C1Q + TAMs participate in immune regulation and suppression; And CCL18 + cells are terminal immunosuppressive macrophages that not only have a stronger immunosuppressive function but also enhance tumor metastasis. SPP1 + and C1Q + TAM subpopulations can be further divided into distinct populations with different functions. Meanwhile, we will also present emerging evidence highlighting the separating macrophage subpopulations associated with distinct functions. However, there exist the potential disconnects between cell types and subpopulations identified by scRNA-seq and their actual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Wang
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningning Zhu
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaomin Su
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunhuan Gao
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rongcun Yang
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Xiong SY, Wen HZ, Dai LM, Lou YX, Wang ZQ, Yi YL, Yan XJ, Wu YR, Sun W, Chen PH, Yang SZ, Qi XW, Zhang Y, Wu GY. A brain-tumor neural circuit controls breast cancer progression in mice. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167725. [PMID: 37847562 PMCID: PMC10721160 DOI: 10.1172/jci167725] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor burden, considered a common chronic stressor, can cause widespread anxiety. Evidence suggests that cancer-induced anxiety can promote tumor progression, but the underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. Here, we used neuroscience and cancer tools to investigate how the brain contributes to tumor progression via nerve-tumor crosstalk in a mouse model of breast cancer. We show that tumor-bearing mice exhibited significant anxiety-like behaviors and that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the central medial amygdala (CeM) were activated. Moreover, we detected newly formed sympathetic nerves in tumors, which established a polysynaptic connection to the brain. Pharmacogenetic or optogenetic inhibition of CeMCRH neurons and the CeMCRH→lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) circuit significantly alleviated anxiety-like behaviors and slowed tumor growth. Conversely, artificial activation of CeMCRH neurons and the CeMCRH→LPGi circuit increased anxiety and tumor growth. Importantly, we found alprazolam, an antianxiety drug, to be a promising agent for slowing tumor progression. Furthermore, we show that manipulation of the CeMCRH→LPGi circuit directly regulated the activity of the intratumoral sympathetic nerves and peripheral nerve-derived norepinephrine, which affected tumor progression by modulating antitumor immunity. Together, these findings reveal a brain-tumor neural circuit that contributes to breast cancer progression and provide therapeutic insights for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yi Xiong
- Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital
| | - Hui-Zhong Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Li-Meng Dai
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Yun-Xiao Lou
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Zhao-Qun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Yi-Lun Yi
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Xiao-Jing Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Ya-Ran Wu
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, and
| | - Wei Sun
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng-Hui Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Si-Zhe Yang
- Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital
| | - Xiao-Wei Qi
- Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital
| | - Yi Zhang
- Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital
| | - Guang-Yan Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
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Zhao X, Sun Z, Xu B, Duan W, Chang L, Lai K, Ye Z. Degenerated nucleus pulposus cells derived exosome carrying miR-27a-3p aggravates intervertebral disc degeneration by inducing M1 polarization of macrophages. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:317. [PMID: 37667246 PMCID: PMC10478255 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major contributor to spinal disorders. Previous studies have indicated that the infiltration of immunocytes, specifically macrophages, plays a crucial role in the advancement of IVDD. Exosomes (exo) are believed to play a significant role in intercellular communication. This study aims to investigate the role of exosomes derived from degenerated nucleus pulposus (dNPc) in the process of macrophages M1 polarization. METHODS Nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue and nucleus pulposus cells (NPc) were collected from patients with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and idiopathic scoliosis. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to determine the number of M1 macrophages in NP tissue. Subsequently, exosomes derived from degenerated NP cells (dNPc-exo) and non-degenerated NP cells (nNPc-exo) were collected and co-cultured with M0 macrophages, which were induced from THP-1 cells. The M1 phenotype was assessed using western blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, and qRT-PCR. RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted to examine the expression levels of microRNAs in the dNPc-exo and nNPc-exo groups, and qRT-PCR was performed to investigate the effect pf different microRNA to induce macrophage polarization. Furthermore, western blot and qRT-PCR were employed to demonstrate the regulatory effect of microRNAs carried by dNPc-exo on downstream target signaling pathways in macrophages. Finally, an animal model of IVDD was utilized to investigate the impact of dNPc-exo on inducing M1 polarization of macrophages and its role in the IVDD process. RESULTS In this study, we observed an increase in the number of M1 macrophages as the intervertebral disc (IVD) degraded. Additionally, we discovered that dNPc releases exosomes (dNPc-exo) could promote the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. Notably, through RNA-sequencing analysis of dNPc-exo and nNPc-exo groups, we identified miR-27a-3p as a highly expressed miRNA in the dNPc-exo group, which significantly influences the induction of M1 polarization of macrophages. And then, we discovered that dNPc-exo has the ability to transport miR-27a-3p and target the PPARγ/NFκB/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby influencing the M1 polarization of macrophages. We conducted experiments using rat model of IVDD and observed that the exosomes carrying miR-27a-3p actually induced the M1 polarization of macrophages and exacerbated the degradation of IVD. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our findings highlight the significant role of dNPc-exo in IVDD process and provide a basis for further investigation into the mechanism of IVDD and the potential of exosome-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Western Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Sun
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Western Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Benchi Xu
- Xi'an Medical University, 710021, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Duan
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Western Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Le Chang
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Western Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Kangwei Lai
- Xi'an Medical University, 710021, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengxu Ye
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Western Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
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