Correlation and cluster analysis of immunomodulatory drugs based on cytokine profiles

Transcriptomic and multi-cytokines profile analysis revealed new insights into the integrating mechanisms of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on male reproductive damage amelioration

Ulcerative colitis is a public health issue with a rising worldwide incidence. It has been found that current medications for treating UC may cause varying degrees of damage to male fertility. Our previous study demonstrated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) treatment could effectively restore reproductive damage in a mouse model of DSS induced colitis. However, the underlying mechanism of C3G alleviates UC induced male reproductive disorders remain scarce. The aim of this study is to discover the molecular mechanisms of C3G on the amelioration of UC stimulated reproductive disorders. The targeted genes toward UC-induced reproductive injury upon C3G treatments were explored by transcriptomic analysis. Hematological analysis, histopathological examination, and real time transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis were applied for conjoined identification. Results showed that C3G may effectively target for reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in testis through cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. Transcriptome sequencing found that a series of genetic pathways involved in the protective effects of C3G on male reproduction were identified by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Further results presented that C3G could effectively restore mRNA expression levels of Ly6a and Col1a1, closely linked with UC induced male reproductive damage pathways. Sufficient results implied that Ly6a and Col1a1 may be treated as the promising therapeutic targets for the mechanism of C3G in treating UC induced reproductive impairment. C3G administration might be an effective dietary supplementation strategy for male reproduction improvement.

Mechanism of tacrolimus in the treatment of lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder, with more than half of the patients developing lupus nephritis (LN), which significantly contributes to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The treatment of lupus nephritis has always been challenging. Tacrolimus (TAC), an effective immunosuppressant, has been increasingly used in the treatment of LN in recent years. This review aims to explore the mechanisms of action of tacrolimus in treating LN. Firstly, we briefly introduce the pharmacological properties of tacrolimus, including its role as a calcineurin (CaN) inhibitor, exerting immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting T cell activation and cytokine production. Subsequently, we focus on various other immunomodulatory mechanisms of tacrolimus in LN therapy, including its effects on T cells, B cells, and immune cells in kidney. Particularly, we emphasize tacrolimus' regulatory effect on inflammatory mediators and its importance in modulating the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance. Additionally, we review its effects on actin cytoskeleton, angiotensin II (Ang II)-specific vascular contraction, and P-glycoprotein activity, summarizing its impacts on non-immune mechanisms. Finally, we summarize the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in clinical studies and trials. Although some studies have shown significant efficacy of tacrolimus in treating LN, its safety remains a challenge. We outline the potential adverse reactions of long-term tacrolimus use and provide suggestions on effectively monitoring and managing these adverse reactions in clinical practice. In general, tacrolimus, as a novel immunosuppressant, holds promising prospects for treating LN. Of course, further research is needed to better understand its therapeutic mechanisms and ensure its safety and efficacy in clinical practice.

Elucidating the anti-inflammatory activity of platycodins in lung inflammation through pulmonary distribution dynamics and grey relational analysis of cytokines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Platycodonis Radix (PR) is a traditional herbal remedy used to prevent and treat lung inflammation, and platycodins are speculated to be the major active constituents. However, concrete experimental verification for this assertion remains absent thus far.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to compare the pulmonary distribution dynamics of five platycodins and analyze their effects on cytokines. Through the grey relational analysis (GRA) between pulmonary active components and cytokines, the study ascertains platycodins as the potential effective component against lung inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat lung inflammation model was created using lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Pulmonary distribution dynamics were analyzed via LC-MS/MS. Cytokine changes and distribution patterns in lung tissues were studied by multi-factor reagent kit. GRA was applied to determine correlations between pulmonary components and cytokines. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties of platycodins were further studied using LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells in vitro.

RESULTS

The results showed that five platycodins (Platycodin D, Platycodin D3, Deapio Platycodin D, 3-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl Platycodigenin, and Platycodigenin) featured fast absorption rate, short time to peak, and slow metabolism rate. The pulmonary distribution dynamics were significantly affected within 2 h after LPS modeling. At the same time, PR altered the relationships among different cytokines induced by LPS stimulation, particularly inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ. The GRA results indicated good correlation between the pulmonary distribution dynamics of the five platycodins components and the changing patterns of cytokine levels, with Platycodin D3 contributing the most. Additionally, Platycodin D3 exhibited a protective role against LPS-induced inflammation by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-8, and ROS, as well as increasing the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediator IL-10.

CONCLUSIONS

Platycodins are the main anti-inflammatory agents in PR and there is a good correlation with cytokines. This contributes to the anti-pneumonia effect of PR.

Declining neutrophil production despite increasing G-CSF levels is associated with chronic inflammation in elderly rhesus macaques

Aging is characterized by a loss of bone marrow hematopoietic tissue, systemic chronic inflammation, and higher susceptibility to infectious and noninfectious diseases. We previously reported the tightly regulated kinetics and massive daily production of neutrophils during homeostasis in adult rhesus macaques aged 3 to 19 yr (equivalent to approximately 10 to 70 yr of age in humans). In the current study, we observed an earlier release of recently dividing neutrophils from bone marrow and greater in-group variability of neutrophil kinetics based on in vivo BrdU labeling in a group of older rhesus macaques of 20-26 yr of age. Comparing neutrophil numbers and circulating cytokine levels in rhesus macaques spanning 2 to 26 yr of age, we found a negative correlation between age and blood neutrophil counts and a positive correlation between age and plasma G-CSF levels. Hierarchic clustering analysis also identified strong associations between G-CSF with the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and MIP-1α. Furthermore, neutrophils from older macaques expressed less myeloperoxidase and comprised higher frequencies of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) compared to the young adult macaques. In summary, we observed an earlier release from bone marrow and a reduced production of neutrophils despite the increased levels of plasma G-CSF, especially in the elderly rhesus macaques. This lower neutrophil production capacity associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines as well as an earlier release of less mature neutrophils and PMN-MDSCs may contribute to the chronic inflammation and greater susceptibility to infectious and noninfectious diseases during aging.

Cytokine Modulation in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Revision of the Most Recent Studies

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor and the second cause for cancer-related death in women worldwide, although combined treatments are well-established interventions. Several effects seem to be responsible for poor outcomes in advanced or triple-negative BC patients. Focusing on the interaction of ionizing radiation with tumor and normal tissues, the role of cytokine modulation as a surrogate of immunomodulation must still be explored. In this work, we carried out an overview of studies published in the last five years involving the cytokine profile in BC patients undergoing radiotherapy. The goal of this review was to evaluate the profile and modulation of major cytokines and interleukins as potential biomarkers of survival, treatment response, and toxicity in BC patient undergoing radiotherapy. Out of 47 retrieved papers selected using PubMed search, 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Different studies reported that the modulation of specific cytokines was time- and treatment-dependent. Radiotherapy (RT) induces the modulation of inflammatory cytokines up to 6 months for most of the analyzed cytokines, which in some cases can persist up to several years post-treatment. The role of specific cytokines as prognostic and predictive of radiotherapy outcome is critically discussed.

Constructing the Immune Signature of Schizophrenia for Clinical Use and Research; An Integrative Review Translating Descriptives Into Diagnostics

Schizophrenia is considered a syndrome comprised by several disease phenotypes, covering a range of underlying pathologies. One of these disease mechanisms seems to involve immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation. While the current dopamine receptor-blocking antipsychotic drugs decrease psychotic symptoms and prevent relapse in the majority of patients with schizophrenia, there is a huge need to explore new treatment options that target other pathophysiological pathways. Such studies should aim at identifying robust biomarkers in order to diagnose and monitor the immune biophenotype in schizophrenia and develop better selection procedures for clinical trials with anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drugs. In this focused review, we describe available methods to assess inflammatory status and immune disturbances in vivo. We also outline findings of immune disturbances and signs of inflammation at cellular, protein, and brain imaging levels in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, we summarize the results from studies with anti-inflammatory or other immune-modulating drugs, highlighting how such studies have dealt with participant selection. Finally, we propose a strategy to construct an immune signature that may be helpful in selecting and monitoring participants in studies with immune modulating drugs and also applicable in regular clinical work.