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Peng HY, Wang L, Das JK, Kumar A, Ballard DJ, Ren Y, Xiong X, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. Control of CD4 + T cells to restrain inflammatory diseases via eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37875468 PMCID: PMC10598003 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells, particularly IL-17-secreting helper CD4+ T cells, play a central role in the inflammatory processes underlying autoimmune disorders. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) is pivotal in CD8+ T cells and has important implications in vascular dysfunction and inflammation-related diseases such as hypertension. However, its specific immunological role in CD4+ T cell activities and related inflammatory diseases remains elusive. Our investigation has uncovered that the deficiency of eEF2K disrupts the survival and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, impairs their ability to secrete cytokines. Notably, this dysregulation leads to heightened production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, fosters a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells is linked to increased metabolic activity and mitochondrial bioenergetics. We have shown that eEF2K regulates mitochondrial function and CD4+ T cell activity through the upregulation of the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Crucially, the deficiency of eEF2K exacerbates the severity of inflammation-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis. Strikingly, the use of C188-9, a small molecule targeting STAT3, mitigates colitis in a murine immunodeficiency model receiving eEF2K knockout (KO) CD4+ T cells. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of eEF2K in controlling the function and metabolism of CD4+ T cells and its indispensable involvement in inflammation-related diseases. Manipulating eEF2K represents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Darby J Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77845, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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Ma MW, Wang J, Zhang Q, Wang R, Dhandapani KM, Vadlamudi RK, Brann DW. NADPH oxidase in brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. Mol Neurodegener 2017; 12:7. [PMID: 28095923 PMCID: PMC5240251 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-017-0150-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a common denominator in the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as in ischemic and traumatic brain injury. The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to its high metabolic demand. However, therapies attempting to scavenge free radicals have shown little success. By shifting the focus to inhibit the generation of damaging free radicals, recent studies have identified NADPH oxidase as a major contributor to disease pathology. NADPH oxidase has the primary function to generate free radicals. In particular, there is growing evidence that the isoforms NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4 can be upregulated by a variety of neurodegenerative factors. The majority of recent studies have shown that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase enzymes are neuroprotective and able to reduce detrimental aspects of pathology following ischemic and traumatic brain injury, as well as in chronic neurodegenerative disorders. This review aims to summarize evidence supporting the role of NADPH oxidase in the pathology of these neurological disorders, explores pharmacological strategies of targeting this major oxidative stress pathway, and outlines obstacles that need to be overcome for successful translation of these therapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry W Ma
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Ruimin Wang
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Krishnan M Dhandapani
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Darrell W Brann
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, One Freedom Way, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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Hultqvist M, Olofsson P, Wallner FK, Holmdahl R. Pharmacological Potential of NOX2 Agonists in Inflammatory Conditions. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 23:446-59. [PMID: 24359237 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE New insights into the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) show that activators of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) complex have the potential to be therapeutic in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. It is, however, essential to elucidate the consequence of targeting the NOX2 complex, as it might lead to different outcomes depending on disease context and specificity, dose, and timing of ROS production. RECENT ADVANCES Increasing evidence is suggesting that the role of the NOX2 complex is far more complex than previously anticipated. In addition to the well-described antimicrobial response, ROS also have immune and inflammatory regulatory effects. Compounds increasing NOX2-dependent ROS production have been shown to be effective both in preventing and in treating inflammatory manifestations in animal models of autoimmune diseases. Altogether, these results suggest the possibility of activating the NOX2 complex for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases while restoring and maintaining a balanced ROS regulation. CRITICAL ISSUES The complexity of the NOX system and the derived ROS is important and must be considered when designing the programs for the development of NOX2-activating drugs, as well as for validation of selected hits, to successfully identify substances effective in treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. In addition, it is important to consider the complex downstream immunological effects and safety for drugs that increase the production of ROS. FUTURE DIRECTIONS There is a strong potential for the development of ROS-inducing drugs, targeting the NOX2 complex, which are effective and safe, for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune disorders. In such drug development, one must carefully investigate the pharmaceutical properties, including both efficacy and safety of the drugs. In addition, the immunological pathways of this new treatment strategy need careful examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rikard Holmdahl
- 2 Division of Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
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