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Seo SH, Lee JE, Ham DW, Shin EH. Toxoplasma gondii IST suppresses inflammatory and apoptotic responses by inhibiting STAT1-mediated signaling in IFN-γ/TNF-α-stimulated hepatocytes. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2024; 62:30-41. [PMID: 38443768 PMCID: PMC10915271 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii, inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (IST) is an inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) transcriptional activity that binds to STAT1 and regulates the expression of inflammatory molecules in host cells. A sterile inflammatory liver injury in pathological acute liver failures occurs when excessive innate immune function, such as the massive release of IFN-γ and TNF-α, is activated without infection. In relation to inflammatory liver injury, we hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (TgIST) can inhibit the inflammatory response induced by activating the STAT1/IRF-1 mechanism in liver inflammation. This study used IFN-γ and TNF-α as inflammatory inducers at the cellular level of murine hepatocytes (Hepa-1c1c7) to determine whether TgIST inhibits the STAT1/IRF-1 axis. In stable cells transfected with TgIST, STAT1 expression decreased with a decrease in interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 levels. Furthermore, STAT1 inhibition of TgIST resulted in lower levels of NF-κB and COX2, as well as significantly lower levels of class II transactivator (CIITA), iNOS, and chemokines (CLXCL9/10/11). TgIST also significantly reduced the expression of hepatocyte proapoptotic markers (Caspase3/8/9, P53, and BAX), which are linked to sterile inflammatory liver injury. TgIST also reduced the expression of adhesion (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and infiltration markers of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) induced by hepatocyte and tissue damage. TgIST restored the cell apoptosis induced by IFN-γ/TNF-α stimulation. These results suggest that TgIST can inhibit STAT1-mediated inflammatory and apoptotic responses in hepatocytes stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwan Seo
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080,
Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080,
Korea
| | - Do-Won Ham
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080,
Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Shin
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080,
Korea
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Medical Science, Seongnam 13620,
Korea
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Zhu Y, Luo J, Yang Y. Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis to Identify a Novel Four-Gene Prognostic Model of Breast Cancer and Reveal Its Association with Immune Infiltration. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:1-14. [PMID: 38305332 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023050829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) impact immune signaling in cancer and related genes have shown prognostic value in breast cancer (BRCA). However, the crosstalk between LLPS and immune infiltration in BRCA remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel prognostic model of BRCA related to LLPS and immune infiltration. BRCA-related, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)-related genes, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using public databases. Mutation and drug sensitivity analyses were performed using Gene Set Cancer Analysis database. Univariate cox regression and LASSO Cox regression were used for the construction and verification of prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate overall survival (OS). Gene set variation analysis was conducted to analyze key pathways. CIBERSORT was used to assess immune infiltration and its correlation with prognostic genes was determined through Pearson analysis. A total of 6056 BRCA-associated genes, 3775 LLPS-associated genes, and 4049 DEGs, resulting in 314 overlapping genes. Twenty-eight prognostic genes were screened, and some of them were mutational and related to drug sensitivity Subsequently, a prognostic model comprising L1CAM, EVL, FABP7, and CST1 was built. Patients in high-risk group had shorter OS than those in low-risk group. The infiltrating levels of CD8+ T cells, macrophages M0, macrophages M2, dendritic cells activated, and mast cells resting was altered in high-risk group of breast cancer patients compared to low-risk group. L1CAM, EVL, FABP7, and CST1 were related to these infiltrating immune cells. L1CAM, EVL, FABP7, and CST1 were potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhua Zhu
- Department of Thyroid Mammary Surgery, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Junjie Luo
- Department of Thyroid Mammary Surgery, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Yifei Yang
- Department of Thyroid Mammary Surgery, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 311100, China
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Yadav P, Singh SK, Rajput S, Allawadhi P, Khurana A, Weiskirchen R, Navik U. Therapeutic potential of stem cells in regeneration of liver in chronic liver diseases: Current perspectives and future challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108563. [PMID: 38013053 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of extracellular matrix and hyperplasia of connective tissue characterizes chronic liver disease called hepatic fibrosis. Progression of hepatic fibrosis may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. At this stage, only liver transplantation is a viable option. However, the number of possible liver donors is less than the number of patients needing transplantation. Consequently, alternative cell therapies based on non-stem cells (e.g., fibroblasts, chondrocytes, keratinocytes, and hepatocytes) therapy may be able to postpone hepatic disease, but they are often ineffective. Thus, novel stem cell-based therapeutics might be potentially important cutting-edge approaches for treating liver diseases and reducing patient' suffering. Several signaling pathways provide targets for stem cell interventions. These include pathways such as TGF-β, STAT3/BCL-2, NADPH oxidase, Raf/MEK/ERK, Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stimulate interleukin (IL)-10, which inhibits T-cells and converts M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages, producing an anti-inflammatory environment. Furthermore, it inhibits the action of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and reduces the activity of TNF-α and interferon cytokines by enhancing IL-4 synthesis. Consequently, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities of MSCs make them an attractive therapeutic approach. Importantly, MSCs can inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells, causing their apoptosis and subsequent promotion of hepatocyte proliferation, thereby replacing dead hepatocytes and reducing liver fibrosis. This review discusses the multidimensional therapeutic role of stem cells as cell-based therapeutics in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sumeet Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sonu Rajput
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Pharmacy, Vaish Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (VIPER), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (Pt. B. D. S. UHS), Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Amit Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Umashanker Navik
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Cui Z, Wei H, Goding C, Cui R. Stem cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and regulation. Life Sci 2023; 334:122240. [PMID: 37925141 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
As a population of homogeneous cells with both self-renewal and differentiation potential, stem cell pools are highly compartmentalized and contain distinct subsets that exhibit stable but limited heterogeneity during homeostasis. However, their striking plasticity is showcased under natural or artificial stress, such as injury, transplantation, cancer, and aging, leading to changes in their phenotype, constitution, metabolism, and function. The complex and diverse network of cell-extrinsic niches and signaling pathways, together with cell-intrinsic genetic and epigenetic regulators, tightly regulate both the heterogeneity during homeostasis and the plasticity under perturbation. Manipulating these factors offers better control of stem cell behavior and a potential revolution in the current state of regenerative medicine. However, disruptions of normal regulation by genetic mutation or excessive plasticity acquisition may contribute to the formation of tumors. By harnessing innovative techniques that enhance our understanding of stem cell heterogeneity and employing novel approaches to maximize the utilization of stem cell plasticity, stem cell therapy holds immense promise for revolutionizing the future of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Cui
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Hope Wei
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Colin Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX37DQ, UK
| | - Rutao Cui
- Skin Disease Research Institute, The 2nd Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Li ZC, Xu FF, Fu JT, Ouyang SX, Cao Q, Yan YY, Li DJ, Shen FM, Ni M. Sting mutation attenuates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury by limiting NLRP3 activation. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111133. [PMID: 38149573 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol; APAP), a widely used effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, leads to acute liver injury at overdose worldwide. Evidence showed that the severity of liver injury associated with the subsequent involvement of inflammatory mediators and immune cells. The innate immune stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) pathway was critical in modulating inflammation. Here, we show that STING was activated and inflammation was enhanced in the liver in APAP-overdosed C57BL/6J mice, and Sting mutation (Stinggt/gt) mice exhibited less liver damage. Multiplexing flow cytometry displayed that Sting mutation changed hepatic recruitment and replacement of macrophages/monocytes in APAP-overdosed mice, which was inclined to anti-inflammation. In addition, Sting mutation limited NLRP3 activation in the liver in APAP-overdosed mice, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Finally, MCC950, a potent and selective NLRP3 inhibitor, significantly ameliorated APAP-induced liver injury and inflammation. Besides, pretreatment of MCC950 in C57 mice resulted in changes of immune cells infiltration in the liver similar to Stinggt/gt mice. Our study revealed that STING played a crucial role in APAP-induced acute liver injury, possibly by maintaining liver immune cells homeostasis and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that inhibiting STING-NLRP3 pathway might be a potential therapeutic strategy for acute liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Chen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Fang Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang-Tao Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen-Xi Ouyang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ying Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong-Jie Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fu-Ming Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Min Ni
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang Z, Zhan F. Type 2 Cystatins and Their Roles in the Regulation of Human Immune Response and Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5363. [PMID: 38001623 PMCID: PMC10670837 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystatins are a family of intracellular and extracellular protease inhibitors that inhibit cysteine cathepsins-a group of lysosomal cysteine proteases that participate in multiple biological processes, including protein degradation and post-translational cleavage. Cysteine cathepsins are associated with the development of autoimmune diseases, tumor progression, and metastasis. Cystatins are categorized into three subfamilies: type 1, type 2, and type 3. The type 2 cystatin subfamily is the largest, containing 10 members, and consists entirely of small secreted proteins. Although type 2 cystatins have many shared biological roles, each member differs in structure, post-translational modifications (e.g., glycosylation), and expression in different cell types. These distinctions allow the type 2 cystatins to have unique biological functions and properties. This review provides an overview of type 2 cystatins, including their biological similarities and differences, their regulatory effect on human immune responses, and their roles in tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
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