Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, soluble IL-2Rα and the multiple sclerosis-associated IL2RA SNP rs2104286 in healthy subjects and multiple sclerosis patients

Exploring the prognostic implications of cuproptosis-associated alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma via in vitro experiments

This study investigated the impact of novel copper ionophores on the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The differential expression of 10 cuproptosis and 40 TME-pathway-related genes were measured in 531 tumor samples and 71 adjacent kidney samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A risk score model was constructed with LASSO cox to predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients. Forest plot and function enrichment were used to study the biological function of the key genes in depth. The study found that the risk score model accurately predicted the prognosis of ccRCC patients. Patients with high scores had higher immune responses with a higher proportion of anti-tumor lymphocytes and a lower proportion of immunosuppressive M2-like macrophages. However, the high-score group also exhibited a higher proportion of T follicular helper cells and regulatory T cells. These results suggest that cuproptosis-based therapy may be worth further investigation for the treatment of ccRCC and TME. Subsequently, by using RNAi, we established the stable depletion models of FDX1 and PDHB in ccRCC cell lines 786-O and ACHN. Through CCK8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, we observed that the knockdown of FDX1 and PDHB could significantly reduce the capabilities of proliferation and migration in ccRCC cells. In conclusion, this study illuminates the potential effectiveness of copper ionophores in the treatment of ccRCC, with higher risk scores correlating with better TME immune responses. It sets the stage for future cuproptosis-based therapy research in ccRCC and other cancers, focusing on copper's role in TME.

The Role of Selected Interleukins in the Development and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis-A Systematic Review

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration. Given that multiple sclerosis remains an incurable disease, the management of MS predominantly focuses on reducing relapses and decelerating the progression of both physical and cognitive decline. The continuous autoimmune process modulated by cytokines seems to be a vital contributing factor to the development and relapse of multiple sclerosis. This review sought to summarize the role of selected interleukins in the pathogenesis and advancement of MS. Patients with MS in the active disease phase seem to exhibit an increased serum level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22 and IL-33 compared to healthy controls and patients in remission, while IL-10 appears to have a beneficial impact in preventing the progression of the disease. Despite being usually associated with proinflammatory activity, several studies have additionally recognized a neuroprotective role of IL-13, IL-22 and IL-33. Moreover, selected gene polymorphisms of IL-2R, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13 and IL-22 were identified as a possible risk factor related to MS development. Treatment strategies of multiple sclerosis that either target or utilize these cytokines seem rather promising, but more comprehensive research is necessary to gain a clearer understanding of how these cytokines precisely affect MS development and progression.

Analysis of herpesvirus infection and genome single nucleotide polymorphism risk factors in multiple sclerosis, Volga federal district, Russia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disease where herpesvirus infection and genetic predisposition are identified as the most consistent risk factors. Serum and blood samples were collected from 151 MS and 70 controls and used to analyze circulating antibodies for, and DNA of, Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV6), and varicella zoster virus (VZV). The frequency of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MS and controls were studied. Herpesvirus DNA in blood samples were analyzed using qPCR. Anti-herpesvirus antibodies were detected by ELISA. SNPs were analyzed by the allele-specific PCR. For statistical analysis, Fisher exact test, odds ratio and Kruskall-Wallis test were used; p<0.05 values were considered as significant. We have found an association between circulating anti-HHV6 antibodies and MS diagnosis. We also confirmed higher frequency of A and C alleles in rs2300747 and rs12044852 of CD58 gene and G allele in rs929230 of CD6 gene in MS as compared to controls. Fatigue symptom was linked to AC and AA genotype in rs12044852 of CD58 gene. An interesting observation was finding higher frequency of GG genotype in rs12722489 of IL2RA and T allele in rs1535045 of CD40 genes in patient having anti-HHV6 antibodies. A link was found between having anti-VZV antibodies in MS and CC genotype in rs1883832 of CD40 gene.

Lipoxins reduce obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation in 3D-cultured human adipocytes and explant cultures

Adipose tissue inflammation drives obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases. Enhancing endogenous resolution mechanisms through administration of lipoxin A4, a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator, was shown to reduce adipose inflammation and subsequently protects against obesity-induced systemic disease in mice. Here, we demonstrate that lipoxins reduce inflammation in 3D-cultured human adipocytes and adipose tissue explants from obese patients. Approximately 50% of patients responded particularly well to lipoxins by reducing inflammatory cytokines and promoting an anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype. Responding patients were characterized by elevated systemic levels of C-reactive protein, which causes inflammation in cultured human adipocytes. Responders appeared more prone to producing anti-inflammatory oxylipins and displayed elevated prostaglandin D2 levels, which has been interlinked with transcription of lipoxin-generating enzymes. Using explant cultures, this study provides the first proof-of-concept evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of lipoxins in reducing human adipose tissue inflammation. Our data further indicate that lipoxin treatment may require a tailored personalized-medicine approach.