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Prothymosin α Plays Role as a Brain Guardian through Ecto-F 1 ATPase-P2Y 12 Complex and TLR4/MD2. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030496. [PMID: 36766838 PMCID: PMC9914670 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) was discovered to be a necrosis inhibitor from the conditioned medium of a primary culture of rat cortical neurons under starved conditions. This protein carries out a neuronal cell-death-mode switch from necrosis to apoptosis, which is, in turn, suppressed by a variety of neurotrophic factors (NTFs). This type of NTF-assisted survival action of ProTα is reproduced in cerebral and retinal ischemia-reperfusion models. Further studies that used a retinal ischemia-reperfusion model revealed that ProTα protects retinal cells via ecto-F1 ATPase coupled with the Gi-coupled P2Y12 receptor and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD2 coupled with a Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF). In cerebral ischemia-reperfusion models, ProTα has additional survival mechanisms via an inhibition of matrix metalloproteases in microglia and vascular endothelial cells. Heterozygous or conditional ProTα knockout mice show phenotypes of anxiety, memory learning impairment, and a loss of neurogenesis. There are many reports that ProTα has multiple intracellular functions for cell survival and proliferation through a variety of protein-protein interactions. Overall, it is suggested that ProTα plays a key role as a brain guardian against ischemia stress through a cell-death-mode switch assisted by NTFs and a role of neurogenesis.
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Immunogenic Cell Death, DAMPs and Prothymosin α as a Putative Anticancer Immune Response Biomarker. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091415. [PMID: 35563721 PMCID: PMC9102069 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The new and increasingly studied concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD) revealed a previously unknown perspective of the various regulated cell death (RCD) modalities, elucidating their immunogenic properties and rendering obsolete the notion that immune stimulation is solely the outcome of necrosis. A distinct characteristic of ICD is the release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by dying and/or dead cells. Thus, several members of the DAMP family, such as the well-characterized heat shock proteins (HSPs) HSP70 and HSP90, the high-mobility group box 1 protein and calreticulin, and the thymic polypeptide prothymosin α (proTα) and its immunoreactive fragment proTα(100–109), are being studied as potential diagnostic tools and/or possible therapeutic agents. Here, we present the basic aspects and mechanisms of both ICD and other immunogenic RCD forms; denote the role of DAMPs in ICD; and further exploit the relevance of human proTα and proTα(100–109) in ICD, highlighting their possible clinical applications. Furthermore, we present the preliminary results of our in vitro studies, which show a direct correlation between the concentration of proTα/proTα(100–109) and the levels of cancer cell apoptosis, induced by anticancer agents and γ-radiation.
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Al-Suhaimi EA, Aljafary MA, Alkhulaifi FM, Aldossary HA, Alshammari T, AL-Qaaneh A, Aldahhan R, Alkhalifah Z, Gaymalov ZZ, Shehzad A, Homeida AM. Thymus Gland: A Double Edge Sword for Coronaviruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101119. [PMID: 34696231 PMCID: PMC8539924 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the main lymphoid organ that regulates the immune and endocrine systems by controlling thymic cell proliferation and differentiation. The gland is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for generating mature T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells, contributing to cellular immunity. Regarding humoral immunity, the thymic plasma cells almost exclusively secrete IgG1 and IgG3, the two main complement-fixing effector IgG subclasses. Deformity in the thymus can lead to inflammatory diseases. Hassall’s corpuscles’ epithelial lining produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which induces differentiation of CDs thymocytes into regulatory T cells within the thymus medulla. Thymic B lymphocytes produce immunoglobulins and immunoregulating hormones, including thymosin. Modulation in T cell and naive T cells decrement due to thymus deformity induce alteration in the secretion of various inflammatory factors, resulting in multiple diseases. Influenza virus activates thymic CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and a large amount of IFNγ. IFNs limit virus spread, enhance macrophages’ phagocytosis, and promote the natural killer cell restriction activity against infected cells. Th2 lymphocytes-produced cytokine IL-4 can bind to antiviral INFγ, decreasing the cell susceptibility and downregulating viral receptors. COVID-19 epitopes (S, M, and N proteins) with ≥90% identity to the SARS-CoV sequence have been predicted. These epitopes trigger immunity for antibodies production. Boosting the immune system by improving thymus function can be a therapeutic strategy for preventing virus-related diseases. This review aims to summarize the endocrine-immunoregulatory functions of the thymus and the underlying mechanisms in the prevention of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtesam A. Al-Suhaimi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-133-332-444
| | - Meneerah A. Aljafary
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Fadwa M. Alkhulaifi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Hanan A. Aldossary
- Epidemic Diseases Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; or
| | - Thamer Alshammari
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
| | - Ayman AL-Qaaneh
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Services Division, Pharmacy Services Department, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Razan Aldahhan
- Stem Cell Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Zahra Alkhalifah
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
| | - Zagit Z. Gaymalov
- Earlystage OÜ, Lasnamäe Linnaosa, Sepapaja tn 6, Harju Maakond, 15551 Tallinn, Estonia;
| | - Adeeb Shehzad
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdelgadir M. Homeida
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
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Jin L, Zhu LY, Pan YL, Fu HQ, Zhang J. Prothymosin α promotes colorectal carcinoma chemoresistance through inducing lipid droplet accumulation. Mitochondrion 2021; 59:123-134. [PMID: 33872798 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects millions of people worldwide. Chemoresistance seriously impairs the therapeutic effects. Lipid droplets (LDs) abnormally accumulate in CRC supported chemoresistance. Exploring the mechanism of LD-induced chemoresistance is extremely important for improving prognosis of CRC patients. The expression of PTMA was increased in both CRC tissues and cells, which was positively correlated with LD production. PTMA facilitated chemoresistance to gemcitabine by inducing LD production in CRC cells. PTMA enhanced LD biogenesis and chemoresistance to gemcitabine by promoting SREBP-1-mediated lipogenesis and STAT3 activation in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Jin
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Li-Yong Zhu
- Gastrointestinal Surgery Department II, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yu-Liang Pan
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hui-Qun Fu
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
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Karachaliou CE, Kalbacher H, Voelter W, Tsitsilonis OE, Livaniou E. In Vitro Immunodetection of Prothymosin Alpha in Normal and Pathological Conditions. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4840-4854. [PMID: 31389310 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190807145212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) is a highly acidic polypeptide, ubiquitously expressed in almost all mammalian cells and tissues and consisting of 109 amino acids in humans. ProTα is known to act both, intracellularly, as an anti-apoptotic and proliferation mediator, and extracellularly, as a biologic response modifier mediating immune responses similar to molecules termed as "alarmins". Antibodies and immunochemical techniques for ProTα have played a leading role in the investigation of the biological role of ProTα, several aspects of which still remain unknown and contributed to unraveling the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the polypeptide. This review deals with the so far reported antibodies along with the related immunodetection methodology for ProTα (immunoassays as well as immunohistochemical, immunocytological, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation techniques) and its application to biological samples of interest (tissue extracts and sections, cells, cell lysates and cell culture supernatants, body fluids), in health and disease states. In this context, literature information is critically discussed, and some concluding remarks are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula-Evangelia Karachaliou
- Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", 15310 Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Hubert Kalbacher
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Voelter
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ourania E Tsitsilonis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", 15310 Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
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Lunin S, Khrenov M, Glushkova O, Parfenyuk S, Novoselova T, Novoselova E. Precursors of thymic peptides as stress sensors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1461-1475. [PMID: 32700610 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1800636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A large volume of data indicates that the known thymic hormones, thymulin, thymopoietin, thymosin-α, thymosin-β, and thymic humoral factor-y2, exhibit different spectra of activities. Although large in volume, available data are rather fragmented, resulting in a lack of understanding of the role played by thymic hormones in immune homeostasis. AREA COVERED Existing data compartmentalizes the effect of thymic peptides into 2 categories: influence on immune cells and interconnection with neuroendocrine systems. The current study draws attention to a third aspect of the thymic peptide effect that has not been clarified yet, wherein ubiquitous and highly abundant intranuclear precursors of so called 'thymic peptides' play a fundamental role in all somatic cells. EXPERT OPINION Our analysis indicated that, under certain stress-related conditions, these precursors are cleaved to form immunologically active peptides that rapidly leave the nucleus and intracellular spaces, to send 'distress signals' to the immune system, thereby acting as stress sensors. We propose that these peptides may form a link between somatic cells and immune as well as neuroendocrine systems. This model may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying immune homeostasis, leading thereby to the development of new therapeutic regimes utilizing the characteristics of thymic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Lunin
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Maxim Khrenov
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Olga Glushkova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Svetlana Parfenyuk
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Tatyana Novoselova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - E Novoselova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
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Birmpilis AI, Karachaliou CE, Samara P, Ioannou K, Selemenakis P, Kostopoulos IV, Kavrochorianou N, Kalbacher H, Livaniou E, Haralambous S, Kotsinas A, Farzaneh F, Trougakos IP, Voelter W, Dimopoulos MA, Bamias A, Tsitsilonis O. Antitumor Reactive T-Cell Responses Are Enhanced In Vivo by DAMP Prothymosin Alpha and Its C-Terminal Decapeptide. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111764. [PMID: 31717548 PMCID: PMC6896021 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prothymosin α (proTα) and its C-terminal decapeptide proTα(100-109) were shown to pleiotropically enhance innate and adaptive immune responses. Their activities have been broadly studied in vitro, focusing primarily on the restoration of the deficient immunoreactivity of cancer patients' leukocytes. Previously, we showed that proTα and proTα(100-109) act as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), ligate Toll-like receptor-4, signal through TRIF- and MyD88-dependent pathways, promote the maturation of dendritic cells and elicit T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune responses in vitro, leading to the optimal priming of tumor antigen-reactive T-cell functions. Herein, we assessed their activity in a preclinical melanoma model. Immunocompetent mice bearing B16.F1 tumors were treated with two cycles of proTα or proTα(100-109) together with a B16.F1-derived peptide vaccine. Coadministration of proTα or proTα(100-109) and the peptide vaccine suppressed melanoma-cell proliferation, as evidenced by reduced tumor-growth rates. Higher melanoma infiltration by CD3+ T cells was observed, whereas ex vivo analysis of mouse total spleen cells verified the in vivo induction of melanoma-reactive cytotoxic responses. Additionally, increased levels of proinflammatory and Th1-type cytokines were detected in mouse serum. We propose that, in the presence of tumor antigens, DAMPs proTα and proTα(100-109) induce Th1-biased immune responses in vivo. Their adjuvant ability to orchestrate antitumor immunoreactivities can eventually be exploited therapeutically in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios I. Birmpilis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
| | - Chrysoula-Evangelia Karachaliou
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, NCSR “Demokritos”, Agia Paraskevi, 15310 Athens, Greece; (C.-E.K.); (E.L.)
| | - Pinelopi Samara
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
| | - Kyriaki Ioannou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
- King’s College London, Rayne Institute, 123 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU London, UK;
| | - Platon Selemenakis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Ioannis V. Kostopoulos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
| | - Nadia Kavrochorianou
- Inflammation Research Group, Transgenic Technology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (S.H.)
| | - Hubert Kalbacher
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen. Germany; (H.K.); (W.V.)
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, NCSR “Demokritos”, Agia Paraskevi, 15310 Athens, Greece; (C.-E.K.); (E.L.)
| | - Sylva Haralambous
- Inflammation Research Group, Transgenic Technology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece; (N.K.); (S.H.)
| | - Athanasios Kotsinas
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- King’s College London, Rayne Institute, 123 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU London, UK;
| | - Ioannis P. Trougakos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
| | - Wolfgang Voelter
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen. Germany; (H.K.); (W.V.)
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece; (M.-A.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Aristotelis Bamias
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece; (M.-A.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Ourania Tsitsilonis
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (A.I.B.); (P.S.); (K.I.); (I.V.K.); (I.P.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-727-4215; Fax: +30-210-727-4635
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Halder SK, Matsunaga H, Ueda H. Prothymosin alpha and its mimetic hexapeptide improve delayed tissue plasminogen activator-induced brain damage following cerebral ischemia. J Neurochem 2019; 153:772-789. [PMID: 31454420 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration beyond 4.5 h of stroke symptoms is beneficial for patients but has an increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Thus, increasing the therapeutic window of tPA is important for stroke recovery. We previously showed that prothymosin alpha (ProTα) or its mimetic hexapeptide (P6Q) has anti-ischemic activity. Here, we examined the beneficial effects of ProTα or P6Q against delayed tPA-induced brain damage following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or photochemically induced thrombosis in mice. Brain hemorrhage was observed by tPA administration during reperfusion at 4.5 and 6 h after MCAO. Co-administration of ProTα with tPA at 4.5 h inhibited hemorrhage and motor dysfunction 2-4 days, but not 7 days after MCAO. ProTα administration at 2 and 4.5 h after MCAO significantly inhibited tPA (4.5 h)-induced motor dysfunction and death more than 7 days. Administration of tPA caused the loss of tight junction proteins, zona occulden-1 and occludin, and up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9, in a ProTα-reversible manner. P6Q administration abolished tPA (4.5 h)-induced hemorrhage and reversed tPA (6 h)-induced vascular damage and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 up-regulation. Twice administrations of P6Q at 2 h alone and 6 h with tPA significantly improved motor dysfunction more than 7 days. In photochemically induced thrombosis ischemia, similar vascular leakage and neuronal damage (infarction and motor dysfunction) by late tPA (4.5 or 6 h) were also inhibited by P6Q. Thus, these studies suggest that co-administration with ProTα or P6Q would be beneficial to inhibit delayed tPA-induced hemorrhagic mechanisms in acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebok Kumar Halder
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hayato Matsunaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Kijogi CM, Khayeka-Wandabwa C, Sasaki K, Tanaka Y, Kurosu H, Matsunaga H, Ueda H. Subcellular dissemination of prothymosin alpha at normal physiology: immunohistochemical vis-a-vis western blotting perspective. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 16:2. [PMID: 26932824 PMCID: PMC4774093 DOI: 10.1186/s12899-016-0021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cell type, cell status and specific localization of Prothymosin α (PTMA) within cells seemingly determine its function. PTMA undergoes 2 types of protease proteolytic modifications that are useful in elucidating its interactions with other molecules; a factor that typifies its roles. Preferably a nuclear protein, PTMA has been shown to function in the cytoplasm and extracellularly with much evidence leaning on pathognomonic status. As such, determination of its cellular distribution under normal physiological context while utilizing varied techniques is key to illuminating prospective validation of its distinct functions in different tissues. Differential distribution insights at normal physiology would also portent better basis for further clarification of its interactions and proteolytic modifications under pathological conditions like numerous cancer, ischemic stroke and immunomodulation. We therefore raised an antibody against the C terminal of PTMA to use in tandem with available antibody against the N terminal in a murine model to explicate the differences in its distribution in brain cell types and major peripheral organs through western blotting and immunohistochemical approaches. RESULTS The newly generated antibody was applied against the N-terminal antibody to distinguish truncated versions of PTMA or deduce possible masking of the protein by other interacting molecules. Western blot analysis indicated presence of a truncated form of the protein only in the thymus, while immunohistochemical analysis showed that in brain hippocampus the full-length PTMA was stained prominently in the nucleus whereas in the stomach full-length PTMA staining was not observed in the nucleus but in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION Truncated PTMA could not be detected by western blotting when both antibodies were applied in all tissues examined except the thymus. However, immunohistochemistry revealed differential staining by these antibodies suggesting possible masking of epitopes by interacting molecules. The differential localization patterns observed in the context of nucleic versus cytoplasmic presence as well as punctate versus diffuse pattern in tissues and cell types, warrant further investigations as to the forms of PTMA interacting partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mwendwa Kijogi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. .,Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases-KEMRI (ITROMID-KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Christopher Khayeka-Wandabwa
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), P. O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. .,Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases-KEMRI (ITROMID-KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Keita Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Kurosu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Hayato Matsunaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
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Ueda H, Halder SK, Matsunaga H, Sasaki K, Maeda S. Neuroprotective impact of prothymosin alpha-derived hexapeptide against retinal ischemia-reperfusion. Neuroscience 2016; 318:206-18. [PMID: 26779836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) has robustness roles against brain and retinal ischemia or serum-starvation stress. In the ProTα sequence, the active core 30-amino acid peptide/P30 (a.a.49-78) is necessary for the original neuroprotective actions against ischemia. Moreover, the 9-amino acid peptide sequence/P9 (a.a.52-60) in P30 still shows neuroprotective activity against brain and retinal ischemia, though P9 is less potent than P30. As the previous structure-activity relationship study for ProTα may not be enough, the possibility still exists that any sequence smaller than P9 retains potent neuroprotective activity. When different P9- and P30-related peptides were intravitreally injected 24h after retinal ischemia in mice, the 6-amino acid peptide/P6 (NEVDEE, a.a.51-56) showed potent protective effects against ischemia-induced retinal functional deficits, which are equipotent to the level of P30 peptide in electroretinography (ERG) and histological damage in Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. Further studies using ERG and HE staining suggested that intravitreal or intravenous (i.v.) injection with modified P6 peptide/P6Q (NEVDQE) potently inhibited retinal ischemia-induced functional and histological damage. In an immunohistochemical analysis, the ischemia-induced loss of retinal ganglion, bipolar, amacrine and photoreceptor cells were inhibited by a systemic administration with P6Q peptide 24h after the ischemic stress. In addition, systemic post-treatment with P6Q peptide significantly inhibited retinal ischemia-induced microglia and astrocyte activation in terms of increased ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) intensity, respectively, as well as their morphological changes, increased number and migration. Thus, this study demonstrates the therapeutic significance of modified P6 peptide P6Q (NEVDQE) derived from 6-amino acid peptide (P6) in ProTα against ischemic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ueda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - S K Halder
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - H Matsunaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - K Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - S Maeda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
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Wang LC, Wu CL, Cheng YY, Tsai KJ. Deletion of Nuclear Localizing Signal Attenuates Proinflammatory Activity of Prothymosin-Alpha and Enhances Its Neuroprotective Effect on Transient Ischemic Stroke. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:582-593. [PMID: 26746667 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Post-ischemic inflammation plays an important role in the progression of ischemia/reperfusion injuries. Prothymosin-α (ProT) can protect cells from necrotic death following ischemia; however, its immunostimulatory actions may counteract the neuroprotective effect. We proposed that ProTΔNLS, synthesized by deleting its nuclear localizing signal (NLS) at the C-terminal of ProT, can attenuate the immunostimulatory activity and has more salient neuroprotective effect. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of ProT and ProTΔNLS in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model of rats. Rats that had sustained 90 min of tMCAO were treated with GST-vehicle, ProT, or ProTΔNLS. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by infarction volume assay and behavioral assessment. Changes to inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Activated matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) levels were evaluated by gelatin zymography. Microglial activation was identified by double-immunostaining for Iba-1 and CD68. Our results showed that while both ProT and ProTΔNLS reduce infarction volume and improve functional outcome, ProTΔNLS provides the best therapeutic outcome. ProT increases TNF-α but decreases IL-10 secretion after ischemic injury, reflecting its pro-inflammatory activity. ProTΔNLS suppresses expression of TNF-α, MPO, and activity of MMPs in ischemic brain tissue. It also suppresses activation of microglia in penumbral cortex. These data demonstrate the immunesuppressive activities of ProTΔNLS. In conclusion, ProT has pro-inflammatory effect that may counteract its neuroprotective effect. Deletion of NLS from ProT may attenuate post-ischemic inflammation and enhance the neuroprotective effects of ProT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Chao Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Liang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yun Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. .,Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Prothymosin Alpha and Immune Responses: Are We Close to Potential Clinical Applications? VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 102:179-207. [PMID: 27450735 PMCID: PMC7126549 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The thymus gland produces soluble molecules, which mediate significant immune functions. The first biologically active thymic extract was thymosin fraction V, the fractionation of which led to the isolation of a series of immunoactive polypeptides, including prothymosin alpha (proTα). ProTα displays a dual role, intracellularly as a survival and proliferation mediator and extracellularly as a biological response modifier. Accordingly, inside the cell, proTα is implicated in crucial intracellular circuits and may serve as a surrogate tumor biomarker, but when found outside the cell, it could be used as a therapeutic agent for treating immune system deficiencies. In fact, proTα possesses pleiotropic adjuvant activity and a series of immunomodulatory effects (eg, anticancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, cardioprotective). Moreover, several reports suggest that the variable activity of proTα might be exerted through different parts of the molecule. We first reported that the main immunoactive region of proTα is the carboxy-terminal decapeptide proTα(100-109). In conjunction with data from others, we also revealed that proTα and proTα(100-109) signal through Toll-like receptor 4. Although their precise molecular mechanism of action is yet not fully elucidated, proTα and proTα(100-109) are viewed as candidate adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we present a historical overview on the discovery and isolation of thymosins with emphasis on proTα and data on some immune-related new activities of the polypeptide and smaller immunostimulatory peptides thereof. Finally, we propose a compiled scenario on proTα's mode of action, which could eventually contribute to its clinical application.
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14
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Zhang BC, Sun L. Tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) prothymosin alpha: Cytokine-like activities associated with the intact protein and the C-terminal region that lead to antiviral immunity via Myd88-dependent and -independent pathways respectively. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 53:96-104. [PMID: 26162512 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) is a small protein that in mammals is known to participate in diverse biological processes including immunomodulation. In teleost, the immunological function of ProTα is unknown. In the current study, we investigated the expression and function of the ProTα (named CsProTα) from the teleost fish tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). We found that CsProTα expression was abundant in immune relevant tissues and upregulated by megalocytivirus infection. Immunoblot detected secretion of CsProTα by peripheral blood leukocytes. Recombinant CsProTα (rCsProTα) as well as the C-terminal 11-residue (Ct11) were able to bind head kidney monocytes (HKM) and induce immune gene expression; however, the induction patterns caused by rCsProTα and Ct11 differed considerably. When introduced in vivo, rCsProTα and Ct11 significantly reduced megalocytivirus infection in fish tissues, whereas rCsProTα antibody significantly promoted viral replication. Blocking of Myd88 activity abolished the virus-inhibitory effect of rCsProTα but not Ct11. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that both the intact protein and the C-terminal segment of a teleost ProTα can act like cytokines and induce antiviral immunity via, however, distinct signaling pathways that differ in the requirement of Myd88.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-cun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Li Sun
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
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Noel S, Martina MN, Bandapalle S, Racusen LC, Potteti HR, Hamad ARA, Reddy SP, Rabb H. T Lymphocyte-Specific Activation of Nrf2 Protects from AKI. J Am Soc Nephrol 2015; 26:2989-3000. [PMID: 26293820 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes are established mediators of ischemia reperfusion (IR)-induced AKI, but traditional immune principles do not explain their mechanism of early action in the absence of alloantigen. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that is crucial for cytoprotective gene expression and is generally thought to have a key role in dampening IR-induced AKI through protective effects on epithelial cells. We proposed an alternative hypothesis that augmentation of Nrf2 in T cells is essential to mitigate oxidative stress during IR-induced AKI. We therefore generated mice with genetically amplified levels of Nrf2 specifically in T cells and examined the effect on antioxidant gene expression, T cell activation, cytokine production, and IR-induced AKI. T cell-specific augmentation of Nrf2 significantly increased baseline antioxidant gene expression. These mice had a high frequency of intrarenal CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells and decreased frequencies of CD11b(+)CD11c(+) and F4/80(+) cells. Intracellular levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 were significantly lower in CD4(+) T cells with high Nrf2 expression. Mice with increased T cell expression of Nrf2 were significantly protected from functional and histologic consequences of AKI. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of high-Nrf2 T cells protected wild-type mice from IR injury and significantly improved their survival. These data demonstrate that T cell-specific activation of Nrf2 protects from IR-induced AKI, revealing a novel mechanism of tissue protection during acute injury responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Noel
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine and
| | - Maria N Martina
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | | | - Lorraine C Racusen
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | - Haranatha R Potteti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Abdel R A Hamad
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | - Sekhar P Reddy
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hamid Rabb
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine and
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Karachaliou CE, Liolios C, Triantis C, Zikos C, Samara P, Tsitsilonis OE, Kalbacher H, Voelter W, Papadopoulos M, Pirmettis I, Livaniou E. Specific in vitro binding of a new (99m)Tc-radiolabeled derivative of the C-terminal decapeptide of prothymosin alpha on human neutrophils. Int J Pharm 2015; 486:1-12. [PMID: 25796124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) is a conserved mammalian polypeptide with intracellular functions associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis and an extracellular role associated with immunopotentiation. The N-terminal fragment [1-28], which is identical with the immunostimulating peptide thymosin α1 (Tα1), was earlier considered as the immunoactive region of the polypeptide; however, recent data suggest that ProTα may exert a discrete immunomodulating action through its central or C-terminal region, via targeting Toll-like receptor- 4 (TLR4). In this work, a derivative of the C-terminal fragment ProTα[100-109] (ProTα-D1) that can be radiolabeled with (99m)Tc was developed. The biological activity of the non-radioactive (185/187)rhenium-complex of this derivative ([(185/187)Re]ProTα-D1, structurally similar with [(99m)Tc]ProTα-D1) was verified through suitable in vitro bioassays on human neutrophils. Subsequent cell-binding studies revealed specific, time-dependent and saturable binding of [(99m)Tc]ProTα-D1 on neutrophils, which was inhibited by intact ProTα and ProTα[100-109], as well as by a "prototype" TLR4-ligand (lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli). Overall, our results support the existence of ProTα-binding sites on human neutrophils, recognizing [(99m)Tc]ProTα-D1, which might involve TLR4. [(99m)Tc]ProTα-D1 may be a useful tool for conducting further in vitro and in vivo studies, aiming to elucidate the extracellular mode of action of ProTα and, eventually, develop ProTα-based immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula-Evangelia Karachaliou
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Christos Liolios
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Charalampos Triantis
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Christos Zikos
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Pinelopi Samara
- Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece
| | | | - Hubert Kalbacher
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Voelter
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72076, Germany
| | - Minas Papadopoulos
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Ioannis Pirmettis
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRaSTES), National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens 15310, Greece.
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Omotuyi O, Matsunaga H, Ueda H. Evidence for ProTα-TLR4/MD-2 binding: molecular dynamics and gravimetric assay studies. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15 Suppl 1:S223-9. [PMID: 25604147 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1005597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During preconditioning, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) selectively activates TLR4/MD-2/Toll/IL-1 receptor-domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF) pathway instead of pro-inflammatory myeloid differentiation protein-88 (MyD88)/MyD88-adaptor-like protein (MAL) pathway. Extracellular prothymosin alpha (ProTα) is also known to selectively activate the TLR4/MD2/TRIF-IRF3 pathway in certain diseased conditions. In the current study, biophysical evidence for ProTα/TLR4/MD-2 complex formation and its interaction dynamics have been studied. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Gravimetric assay was used to investigate ProTα/TLR4/MD-2 complex formation while molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to study its interaction dynamics. RESULTS Through electrostatic interaction, full-length ProTα (F-ProTα) C-terminal peptide (aa 91 - 111) superficially interacts with similar TLR4/MD-2 (KD = 273.36 nm vs 16.07 μg/ml [LPS]) conformation with LPS at an overlapping three-dimensional space while F-ProTα is hinged to the TLR4 scaffold by one-amino acid shift-Mosoian domain (aa-51 - 90). Comparatively, F-ProTα better stabilizes MD-2 metastable states transition and mediates higher TLR4/MD-2 interaction than LPS. CONCLUSIONS ProTα via its C-terminal peptide (aa 91 - 111) exhibits in vitro biophysical contact with TLR4/MD-2 complex conformation recognized by LPS at overlapping LPS-binding positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaposi Omotuyi
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation , 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521 , Japan +81 95 819 2421; +81 95 819 2420;
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Tsai YS, Jou YC, Tung CL, Lin CT, Shen CH, Chen SY, Tsai HT, Lai CL, Wu CL, Tzai TS. Loss of nuclear prothymosin-α expression is associated with disease progression in human superficial bladder cancer. Virchows Arch 2014; 464:717-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s00428-014-1578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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19
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Baxevanis CN, Voutsas IF, Tsitsilonis OE. Toll-like receptor agonists: current status and future perspective on their utility as adjuvants in improving anticancer vaccination strategies. Immunotherapy 2013; 5:497-511. [PMID: 23638745 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists possess remarkable properties, particularly with regard to dendritic cell activation, promoting Th1-type cytokine production and optimizing cytotoxic T-cell responses. Preclinical and clinical studies conducted to date show that TLR agonists can improve currently applied anticancer vaccination protocols. Although these have resulted in the US FDA approval of three TLR agonists for use in humans, their abundant application encounters limitations, principally due to dose-limiting toxicity evoking from systemic cytokine production. Here, using selected examples of clinical studies, we provide a concise review regarding the knowledge acquired thus far on the adjuvant use of TLR agonists as cancer vaccine components. We also provide evidence on the exploitation of a novel TLR agonist, prothymosin-α, which enhances the efficacy of tumor-reactive effectors without causing severe adverse effects.
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Ioannou K, Derhovanessian E, Tsakiri E, Samara P, Kalbacher H, Voelter W, Trougakos IP, Pawelec G, Tsitsilonis OE. Prothymosin α and a prothymosin α-derived peptide enhance T(H)1-type immune responses against defined HER-2/neu epitopes. BMC Immunol 2013; 14:43. [PMID: 24053720 PMCID: PMC3852324 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-14-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Active cancer immunotherapies are beginning to yield clinical benefit, especially those using peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs). Different adjuvants, including Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, commonly co-administered to cancer patients as part of a DC-based vaccine, are being widely tested in the clinical setting. However, endogenous DCs in tumor-bearing individuals are often dysfunctional, suggesting that ex vivo educated DCs might be superior inducers of anti-tumor immune responses. We have previously shown that prothymosin alpha (proTα) and its immunoreactive decapeptide proTα(100–109) induce the maturation of human DCs in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate whether proTα- or proTα(100–109)-matured DCs are functionally competent and to provide preliminary evidence for the mode of action of these agents. Results Monocyte-derived DCs matured in vitro with proTα or proTα(100–109) express co-stimulatory molecules and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. ProTα- and proTα(100–109)-matured DCs pulsed with HER-2/neu peptides induce TH1-type immune responses, prime autologous naïve CD8-positive (+) T cells to lyse targets expressing the HER-2/neu epitopes and to express a polyfunctional profile, and stimulate CD4+ T cell proliferation in an HER-2/neu peptide-dependent manner. DC maturation induced by proTα and proTα(100–109) is likely mediated via TLR-4, as shown by assessing TLR-4 surface expression and the levels of the intracellular adaptor molecules TIRAP, MyD88 and TRIF. Conclusions Our results suggest that proTα and proTα(100–109) induce both the maturation and the T cell stimulatory capacity of DCs. Although further studies are needed, evidence for a possible proTα and proTα(100–109) interaction with TLR-4 is provided. The initial hypothesis that proTα and the proTα-derived immunoactive decapeptide act as “alarmins”, provides a rationale for their eventual use as adjuvants in DC-based anti-cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Ioannou
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece.
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Development of an ELISA for the quantification of the C-terminal decapeptide prothymosin α(100-109) in sera of mice infected with bacteria. J Immunol Methods 2013; 395:54-62. [PMID: 23831611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis is characterized by a series of discrete biochemical events, among which is the truncation of the nuclear polypeptide prothymosin alpha (proTα) by activated caspase-3. This early apoptotic event results in the generation of a carboxy-terminal fragment of proTα, the immunoactive decapeptide proTα(100-109). We hypothesized that the detection of increased levels of proTα(100-109) in serum can be directly correlated with the induction of massive cell apoptosis, resulting from a severe bacterial infection. Thus, using high-affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies (Abs), raised in rabbits and a prototype antibody-capture system, we developed a highly sensitive and specific competitive ELISA for proTα(100-109). The sensitivity of the ELISA (0.1ng/mL to 10μg/mL) is acceptable for the quantification of the decapeptide in serum samples. To assess our initial hypothesis, we determined the concentration of proTα(100-109) in the sera of mice infected with the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes over the course of the infection. We show that serum concentration of proTα(100-109) was marginal to undetectable before infection, increased over time and peaked at 72h postinfection. In silico analysis suggests that the Abs generated are unlikely to cross-react with any other unrelated mouse or bacterial protein. Further validation of our ELISA using serum samples from humans, infected with bacteria, may provide a useful tool to differentiate the causative agent of a potentially lethal septic infection.
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Halder SK, Sugimoto J, Matsunaga H, Ueda H. Therapeutic benefits of 9-amino acid peptide derived from prothymosin alpha against ischemic damages. Peptides 2013; 43:68-75. [PMID: 23499560 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2013.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prothymosin alpha (ProTα), a nuclear protein, plays multiple functions including cell survival. Most recently, we demonstrated that the active 30-amino acid peptide sequence/P30 (amino acids 49-78) in ProTα retains its substantial activity in neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo as well as in the inhibition of cerebral blood vessel damages by the ischemic stress in retina and brain. But, it has remained to identify the minimum peptide sequence in ProTα that retains neuroprotective activity. The present study using the experiments of alanine scanning suggested that any amino acid in 9-amino acid peptide sequence/P9 (amino acids 52-60) of P30 peptide is necessary for its survival activity of cultured rat cortical neurons against the ischemic stress. In the retinal ischemia-perfusion model, intravitreous injection of P9 24h after ischemia significantly inhibited the cellular and functional damages at day 7. On the other hand, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and electroretinogram assessment showed that systemic delivery with P9 1h after the cerebral ischemia (1h tMCAO) significantly blocks the ischemia-induced brain damages. In addition, systemic P9 delivery markedly inhibited the cerebral ischemia (tMCAO)-induced disruption of blood vessels in brain. Taken together, the present study provides a therapeutic importance of 9-amino acid peptide sequence against ischemic damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebok Kumar Halder
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
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Voutsas IF, Pistamaltzian N, Tsiatas ML, Skopeliti M, Katsila T, Mavrothalassiti I, Spyrou S, Dimopoulos MA, Tsitsilonis OE, Bamias A. Ovarian malignant ascites-derived lymphocytes stimulated with prothymosin α or its immunoactive decapeptide lyse autologous tumour cells in vitro and retard tumour growth in SCID mice. Eur J Cancer 2013; 49:1706-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Revised: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Halder SK, Matsunaga H, Yamaguchi H, Ueda H. Novel neuroprotective action of prothymosin alpha-derived peptide against retinal and brain ischemic damages. J Neurochem 2013; 125:713-23. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebok Kumar Halder
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Nagasaki Japan
| | - Hayato Matsunaga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Nagasaki Japan
| | - Haruka Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Nagasaki Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Nagasaki Japan
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The C-terminal decapeptide of prothymosin α is responsible for its stimulatory effect on the functions of human neutrophils in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Ioannou K, Samara P, Livaniou E, Derhovanessian E, Tsitsilonis OE. Prothymosin alpha: a ubiquitous polypeptide with potential use in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:599-614. [PMID: 22366887 PMCID: PMC11029552 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1222-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a central lymphoid organ with crucial role in generating T cells and maintaining homeostasis of the immune system. More than 30 peptides, initially referred to as "thymic hormones," are produced by this gland. Although the majority of them have not been proven to be thymus-specific, thymic peptides comprise an effective group of regulators, mediating important immune functions. Thymosin fraction five (TFV) was the first thymic extract shown to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation. Subsequent fractionation of TFV led to the isolation and characterization of a series of immunoactive peptides/polypeptides, members of the thymosin family. Extensive research on prothymosin α (proTα) and thymosin α1 (Tα1) showed that they are of clinical significance and potential medical use. They may serve as molecular markers for cancer prognosis and/or as therapeutic agents for treating immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases and malignancies. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying their effect are yet not fully elucidated, proTα and Tα1 could be considered as candidates for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we will focus in principle on the eventual clinical utility of proTα, both as a tumor biomarker and in triggering anticancer immune responses. Considering the experience acquired via the use of Tα1 to treat cancer patients, we will also discuss potential approaches for the future introduction of proTα into the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Ioannou
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Pinelopi Samara
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- Immunopeptide Chemistry Lab, Institute of Radioisotopes and Radiodiagnostic Products, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patriarchou Gregoriou and Neapoleos, Aghia Paraskevi, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Evelyna Derhovanessian
- Tübingen Ageing and Tumour Immunology Group, Center for Medical Research, University of Tübingen Medical School, Waldhörnlestr. 22, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
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Stępkowski TM, Kruszewski MK. Molecular cross-talk between the NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway, autophagy, and apoptosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2011; 50:1186-95. [PMID: 21295136 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress, perturbations in the cellular thiol level and redox balance, affects many cellular functions, including signaling pathways. This, in turn, may cause the induction of autophagy or apoptosis. The NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway is the main pathway responsible for cell defense against oxidative stress and maintaining the cellular redox balance at physiological levels. The relation between NRF2/KEAP1 signaling and regulation of apoptosis and autophagy is not well understood. In this hypothesis article we discuss how KEAP1 protein and its direct interactants (such as PGAM5, prothymosin α, FAC1 (BPTF), and p62) provide a molecular foundation for a possible cross-talk between NRF2/KEAP1, apoptosis, and autophagy pathways. We present a hypothesis for how NRF2/KEAP1 may interfere with the cellular apoptosis-regulatory machinery through activation of the ASK1 kinase by a KEAP1 binding partner-PGAM5. Based on very recent experimental evidence, new hypotheses for a cross-talk between NF-κB and the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in the context of autophagy-related "molecular hub" protein p62 are also presented. The roles of KEAP1 molecular binding partners in apoptosis regulation during carcinogenesis and in neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M Stępkowski
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Center for Radiobiology and Biological Dosimetry, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland.
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Data on the Interaction Between Prothymosin α and TLR4 May Help to the Design of New Antiviral Compounds. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2011; 56:e110-1. [DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31820a4aa7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Quantification of the preexisting CD4 T-cell repertoire specific for human erythropoietin reveals its immunogenicity potential. Blood 2010; 116:4542-5. [PMID: 20702780 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-04-280875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia is a rare but serious event resulting from the induction of neutralizing erythropoietin (Epo)-specific antibodies provoked by treatment with recombinant Epo. Because of the crucial role of CD4 T cells in humoral response, we have quantified the number of Epo-specific CD4 T cells in the blood of normal donors by in vitro stimulation. An important repertoire of preexisting Epo-specific T cells was observed in almost half of the donors, comparable with that of non-self-proteins. This observation suggests that, at the steady state, endogenous Epo weakly contributes to tolerance induction and may be ignored by the immune system. As a result, circulating Epo-specific CD4 T cells could be prone to be activated by altered batches of Epo, providing them with costimulatory signals. Our data also highlight the relevance of T-cell assays performed with normal donors to evaluate the potential immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins.
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Gelman JS, Fricker LD. Hemopressin and other bioactive peptides from cytosolic proteins: are these non-classical neuropeptides? AAPS JOURNAL 2010; 12:279-89. [PMID: 20383670 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-010-9186-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Peptides perform many roles in cell-cell signaling; examples include neuropeptides, hormones, and growth factors. Although the vast majority of known neuropeptides are produced in the secretory pathway, a number of bioactive peptides are derived from cytosolic proteins. For example, the hemopressins are a family of peptides derived from alpha and beta hemoglobin which bind to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, functioning as agonists or antagonists/inverse agonists depending on the size of the peptide. However, the finding that peptides derived from cytosolic proteins can affect receptors does not prove that these peptides are true endogenous signaling molecules. In order for the hemopressins and other peptides derived from cytosolic proteins to be considered neuropeptide-like signaling molecules, they must be synthesized in brain, they must be secreted in levels sufficient to produce effects, and either their synthesis or secretion should be regulated. If these criteria are met, we propose the name "non-classical neuropeptide" for this category of cytosolic bioactive peptide. This would be analogous to the non-classical neurotransmitters, such as nitric oxide and anandamide, which are not stored in secretory vesicles and released upon stimulation but are synthesized upon stimulation and constitutively released. We review some examples of cytosolic peptides from various protein precursors, describe potential mechanisms of their biosynthesis and secretion, and discuss the possibility that these peptides are signaling molecules in the brain, focusing on the criteria that these peptides would have to fill in order to be considered non-classical neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Gelman
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Ferrara D, Izzo G, Pariante P, Donizetti A, d'Istria M, Aniello F, Minucci S. Expression of prothymosin alpha in meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells during the first wave of rat spermatogenesis. J Cell Physiol 2010; 224:362-8. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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