Upregulation of chemokine CXCL10 enhances chronic pulmonary inflammation in tree shrew collagen-induced arthritis

Study of tree shrew biology and models: A booming and prosperous field for biomedical research

The tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri) has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates (NHPs) in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates. In recent years, significant advances have facilitated tree shrew studies, including the determination of the tree shrew genome, genetic manipulation using spermatogonial stem cells, viral vector-mediated gene delivery, and mapping of the tree shrew brain atlas. However, the limited availability of tree shrews globally remains a substantial challenge in the field. Additionally, determining the key questions best answered using tree shrews constitutes another difficulty. Tree shrew models have historically been used to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, myopia, and psychosocial stress-induced depression, with more recent studies focusing on developing animal models for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite these efforts, the impact of tree shrew models has not yet matched that of rodent or NHP models in biomedical research. This review summarizes the prominent advancements in tree shrew research and reflects on the key biological questions addressed using this model. We emphasize that intensive dedication and robust international collaboration are essential for achieving breakthroughs in tree shrew studies. The use of tree shrews as a unique resource is expected to gain considerable attention with the application of advanced techniques and the development of viable animal models, meeting the increasing demands of life science and biomedical research.

Serum ITIH5 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma often remains undetected until advanced stages due to the lack of reliable diagnostic markers. Our goal was to identify a unique secretory protein for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis and differentiation from other malignancies, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver conditions. We conducted bulk RNA-seq analysis to identify genes specifically upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma but not in most other cancers, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver diseases focusing on exocrine protein-encoding genes. Single-cell RNA sequencing examined subcellular distribution. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays assessed tissue and serum expression. Diagnostic performance was evaluated via receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family member five (ITIH5), a gene encoding an extracellular protein, is notably upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma. This elevation is not observed in most other cancer types, benign hepatobiliary diseases, or chronic liver disorders. It is specifically expressed by malignant cholangiocytes. ITIH5 expression in cholangiocarcinoma tissues exceeded that in nontumorous bile duct, hepatocellular carcinoma, and nontumorous hepatic tissues. Serum ITIH5 levels were elevated in cholangiocarcinoma compared with controls (hepatocellular carcinoma, benign diseases, chronic hepatitis B, and healthy individuals). ITIH5 yielded areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) from 0.839 to 0.851 distinguishing cholangiocarcinoma from controls. Combining ITIH5 with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) enhanced CA19-9's diagnostic effectiveness. In conclusion, serum ITIH5 may serve as a novel noninvasive cholangiocarcinoma diagnostic marker.

Tree shrews as a new animal model for systemic sclerosis research

Objective

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by immune dysregulation and fibrosis for which there is no effective treatment. Animal models are crucial for advancing SSc research. Tree shrews are genetically, anatomically, and immunologically closer to humans than rodents. Thus, the tree shrew model provides a unique opportunity for translational research in SSc.

Methods

In this study, a SSc tree shrew model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of different doses of bleomycin (BLM) for 21 days. We assessed the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in the skin and internal organs, and antibodies in serum. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and a series of bioinformatics analyses were performed to analyze the transcriptome changes, hub genes and immune infiltration in the skin tissues of BLM induced SSc tree shrew models. Multiple sequence alignment was utilized to analyze the conservation of selected target genes across multiple species.

Results

Subcutaneous injection of BLM successfully induced a SSc model in tree shrew. This model exhibited inflammation and fibrosis in skin and lung, and some developed esophageal fibrosis and secrum autoantibodies including antinuclear antibodies and anti-scleroderma-70 antibody. Using RNA sequencing, we compiled skin transcriptome profiles in SSc tree shrew models. 90 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which were mainly enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway, tyrosine metabolic pathway, p53 signaling pathway, ECM receptor interaction and glutathione metabolism, all of which are closely associated with SSc. Immune infiltration analysis identified 20 different types of immune cells infiltrating the skin of the BLM-induced SSc tree shrew models and correlations between those immune cells. By constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, we identified 10 hub genes that were significantly highly expressed in the skin of the SSc models compared to controls. Furthermore, these genes were confirmed to be highly conserved in tree shrews, humans and mice.

Conclusion

This study for the first time comfirmed that tree shrew model of SSc can be used as a novel and promising experimental animal model to study the pathogenesis and translational research in SSc.

CXCL10 as a biomarker of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary involvement is a frequent and serious rheumatoid arthritis (RA) manifestation that affects 60%-80% of patients. CXCL10 is an inflammatory chemokine that regulates different biological responses, such as chemotaxis, angiogenesis, and inflammation.

AIM

This study aimed to identify the role of CXCL10 as a peripheral blood marker of RA-ILD and its correlation with disease activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 73 patients with RA (33 with ILD and 40 without ILD). Pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography were performed. Blood samples were taken for complete blood count and blood chemistry analysis, and human interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) level. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 22) was used for all statistical calculations.

RESULTS

The serum CXCL10 level and patient age (r=.393, p=.024), disease duration (r=.756, p<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=.516, p=.002), C-reactive protein (r=.539, p=.001), and rheumatoid factor (r=.663, p<.001) revealed a significant positive correlation. Furthermore, the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=-.418, p=.015) revealed a significant negative correlation. Patients with RA-ILD show significantly higher CXCL10 than those without ILD (p<.001).

CONCLUSION

CXCL10 is a useful RA disease activity biomarker and is an RA-ILD-sensitive biomarker, also CXCL10 is a significant predictor for development of RA-ILD.

CXCL10 deficiency limits macrophage infiltration, preserves lung matrix, and enables lung growth in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Preterm infants with oxygen supplementation are at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a neonatal chronic lung disease. Inflammation with macrophage activation is central to the pathogenesis of BPD. CXCL10, a chemotactic and pro-inflammatory chemokine, is elevated in the lungs of infants evolving BPD and in hyperoxia-based BPD in mice. Here, we tested if CXCL10 deficiency preserves lung growth after neonatal hyperoxia by preventing macrophage activation. To this end, we exposed Cxcl10 knockout (Cxcl10-/-) and wild-type mice to an experimental model of hyperoxia (85% O2)-induced neonatal lung injury and subsequent regeneration. In addition, cultured primary human macrophages and murine macrophages (J744A.1) were treated with CXCL10 and/or CXCR3 antagonist. Our transcriptomic analysis identified CXCL10 as a central hub in the inflammatory network of neonatal mouse lungs after hyperoxia. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis revealed that Cxcl10-/- mice are in part protected from reduced alveolar. These findings were related to the preserved spatial distribution of elastic fibers, reduced collagen deposition, and protection from macrophage recruitment/infiltration to the lungs in Cxcl10-/- mice during acute injury and regeneration. Complimentary, studies with cultured human and murine macrophages showed that hyperoxia induces Cxcl10 expression that in turn triggers M1-like activation and migration of macrophages through CXCR3. Finally, we demonstrated a temporal increase of macrophage-related CXCL10 in the lungs of infants with BPD. In conclusion, our data demonstrate macrophage-derived CXCL10 in experimental and clinical BPD that drives macrophage chemotaxis through CXCR3, causing pro-fibrotic lung remodeling and arrest of alveolarization. Thus, targeting the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis could offer a new therapeutic avenue for BPD.

COL5A2 is a prognostic-related biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in gastric cancer based on transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing

BACKGROUND

There is still a therapeutic challenge in treating gastric cancer (GC) due to its high incidence and poor prognosis. Collagen type V alpha 2 (COL5A2) is increased in various cancers, yet it remains unclear how it contributes to the prognosis and immunity of GC.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to download transcriptome profiling (TCGA-STAD; GSE84437), single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data (GSE167297) and clinical information. COL5A2 expression and its relationship with clinicopathological factors were analyzed. We conducted survival analysis and Cox regression analysis to evaluate the prognosis and independent factors of GC. Co-expressed analysis was also performed. To identify the underlying mechanism, we conducted analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functional enrichment. The correlations between COL5A2 expression and immune cell infiltration levels and immune infiltrate gene marker sets were further explored. Additionally, we analyzed the association of COL5A2 expression with immunological checkpoint molecules. Furthermore, the relationship between COL5A2 expression and immunotherapy sensitivity was also investigated.

RESULTS

COL5A2 expression was elevated in GC. More than this, the scRNA-seq analysis revealed that COL5A2 expression had a spatial gradient. The upregulated COL5A2 was associated with worse overall survival. A significant correlation was found between COL5A2 overexpression and age, T classification and clinical stage in GC. COL5A2 was found to be an independent factor for the unfortunate outcome in Cox regression analysis. The co-expressed genes of COL5A2 were associated with tumor stage or poor survival. Enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly associated with extracellular matrix (ECM)-related processes, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. GSEA analyses revealed that COL5A2 was associated with tumor progression-related pathways. Meanwhile, COL5A2 expression was correlated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Moreover, immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis and PRJEB25780 cohorts showed that patients with low COL5A2 expression were highly sensitive to immunotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

COL5A2 might act as a prognostic biomarker of GC prognosis and immune infiltration and may provide a therapeutic intervention strategy.

Single-cell RNA-Seq reveals changes in immune landscape in post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, affecting over 300 million people world-wide. Accumulating evidence attests to the important roles of the immune system in OA pathogenesis. Understanding the role of various immune cells in joint degeneration or joint repair after injury is vital for improving therapeutic strategies for treating OA. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) develops in ~50% of individuals who have experienced an articular trauma like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Here, using the high resolution of single-cell RNA sequencing, we delineated the temporal dynamics of immune cell accumulation in the mouse knee joint after ACL rupture. Our study identified multiple immune cell types in the joint including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, B cells, T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells. Monocytes and macrophage populations showed the most dramatic changes after injury. Further characterization of monocytes and macrophages reveled 9 major subtypes with unique transcriptomics signatures, including a tissue resident Lyve1hiFolr2hi macrophage population and Trem2hiFcrls+ recruited macrophages, both showing enrichment for phagocytic genes and growth factors such as Igf1, Pdgfa and Pdgfc. We also identified several genes induced or repressed after ACL injury in a cell type-specific manner. This study provides new insight into PTOA-associated changes in the immune microenvironment and highlights macrophage subtypes that may play a role in joint repair after injury.

The Protective Effect of the Soluble Egg Antigen of Schistosoma japonicum in A Mouse Skin Transplantation Model

Background

Organ transplantation is currently an effective method for treating organ failure. Long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs has huge side effects, which severely restricts the long-term survival of patients. Schistosoma can affect the host’s immune system by synthesizing, secreting, or excreting a variety of immunomodulatory molecules, but its role in transplantation was not well defined. In order to explore whether Schistosoma-related products can suppress rejection and induce long-term survival of the transplant, we used soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma japonicum in mouse skin transplantation models.

Materials and methods

Each mouse was intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg of SEA three times a week for four consecutive weeks before allogenic skin transplant. Skin transplants were performed on day 0 to observe graft survival. Pathological examination of skin grafts was conducted 7 days post transplantation. The skin grafts were subjected to mRNA sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted and the expression of hub genes was verified by qPCR. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the immune status and validate the results from bioinformatic analysis.

Results

The mean survival time (MST) of mouse skin grafts in the SEA-treated group was 11.67 ± 0.69 days, while that of the control group was 8.00 ± 0.36 days. Pathological analysis showed that Sj SEA treatment led to reduced inflammatory infiltration within skin grafts 7 days after allogenic skin transplantation. Bioinformatics analysis identified 86 DEGs between the Sj SEA treatment group and the control group, including 39 upregulated genes and 47 downregulated genes. Further analysis revealed that Sj SEA mediated regulation on cellular response to interferon-γ, activation of IL-17 signaling and chemokine signaling pathways, as well as cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction. Flow cytometry analysis showed that SEA treatment led to higher percentages of CD4⁺IL-4⁺ T cells and CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells and decreased CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ T cells in skin transplantation.

Conclusion

Sj SEA treatment suppressed rejection and prolonged skin graft survival by regulating immune responses. Sj SEA treatment might be a potential new therapeutic strategy to facilitate anti-rejection therapy and even to induce tolerance.

Recent Advances in Basic and Clinical Aspects of Rheumatoid Arthritis-associated Interstitial Lung Diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints and systemic organs, such as the skin, eyes, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. In particular, among various pulmonary involvements, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is closely related to the selection of anti-rheumatic drugs and the long-term prognosis of patients with RA. Although the exact pathogenesis of RA-ILD is not well defined, several mechanistic pathways, similar to those of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, have been elucidated recently. Conversely, RA-related autoantibodies, including anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, are detectable in circulation and in the lungs, even in the absence of articular symptoms. RA-ILD can also predate years before the occurrence of joint symptoms. This evidence supports the fact that local dysregulated mucosal immunity in the lung causes systemic autoimmunity, resulting in clinically evident polyarthritis of RA. Because the early diagnosis of RA-ILD is important, imaging tests, such as computed tomography and pulmonary function tests, are being used for early diagnosis, but there is no clear guideline for the early diagnosis of RA-ILD and selection of optimal disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the treatment of patients with RA with ILD. In addition, the efficacy of nintedanib, a new anti-fibrotic agent, for RA-ILD treatment, has been investigated recently. This review collectively discusses the basic and clinical aspects, such as pathogenesis, animal models, diagnosis, and treatment, of RA-ILD.

Novel associations between cytokines and pulmonary involvement in juvenile dermatomyositis - a cross-sectional study of long-term disease

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between cytokines and pulmonary involvement in patients with medium- to long-term JDM.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 58 patients examined median (range) 16.8 (6.6-27.0) years after symptom onset were stratified in inactive (JDM-inactive) and active (JDM-active) disease (updated PRINTO criteria); 56 age/sex matched controls were included. Twenty-nine cytokines (in serum) were analysed (Luminex technology/ELISA). Pulmonary function test included forced vital capacity, total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide reported as % of predicted and low forced vital capacity/TLC/diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. In patients, the presence of clinical pulmonary damage was assessed and high resolution computed tomography scans were scored for interstitial lung disease, chest wall calcinosis and airways disease.

RESULTS

Median age of patients was 21 (7-55) years, 59% were female and 36% inactive. In JDM-active and all patients, higher MCP-1, IP-10 and eotaxin correlated with high-resolution computed tomography findings (rs 0.34-0.61; P < 0.05). MCP-1 and eotaxin correlated with pulmonary damage in JDM-active and all patients (rs 0.41-0.49; P < 0.01). Higher TGF-β1 and PDGF (growth factors) were associated with lower lung volumes (forced vital capacity/TLC measures) in all patients; PDGF in JDM-active and TGF-β1 in JDM-inactive patients. IP-10 correlated with TLC% in JDM-active patients. No associations between cytokines and pulmonary function test were found in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In JDM, we found a novel association (not previously described in myositis) between eotaxin and pulmonary involvement; we have previously shown an association between eotaxin and cardiac dysfunction. The associations between IP-10/growth factors/MCP-1 and pulmonary involvement are novel in JDM and were mostly seen in JDM-active patients.

M-134, a novel HDAC6-selective inhibitor, markedly improved arthritic severity in a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis when combined with tofacitinib

BACKGROUND

Although tofacitinib has shown highly significant efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there are still a considerable number of patients that are non-responders owing to its limited effectiveness and various adverse effects. Thus, alternative options with better efficacy and lower toxicity are desired. Here, M-134, a recently developed HDAC6 inhibitor, was examined for its therapeutic potential when combined with tofacitinib in a rat model of RA.

METHODS

The single or combined administration of M-134 and tofacitinib was examined in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) or collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rodent models. To evaluate the therapeutic and adverse effects, the following factors were observed: macroscopic or microscopic scoring of all four paws; the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and IP-10 in the joints and that of various cytokines and chemokines in the plasma; the weight of the thymus and the liver; and changes in hematological enzymes.

RESULTS

Combination treatment showed strong synergistic effects as measured by the clinical score and histological changes, without adverse effects such as weight loss in the thymus and increased liver enzymes (ALT and AST). Additionally, it also reduced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and IP-10 expression in the joints, and M-134 increased the efficacy of tofacitinib by regulating various cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α, in the serum of AIA rats. Differences in the cytokine expression for each drug were found in the CIA model.

CONCLUSIONS

M-134 and tofacitinib combination therapy is a potential option for the treatment of RA through the regulation of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules.

Beyond the genome: challenges and potential for epigenetics-driven therapeutic approaches in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease of the cardiopulmonary system caused by the narrowing of the pulmonary arteries, leading to increased vascular resistance and pressure. This leads to right ventricle remodeling, dysfunction, and eventually, death. While conventional therapies have largely focused on targeting vasodilation, other pathological features of PAH including aberrant inflammation, mitochondrial dynamics, cell proliferation, and migration have not been well explored. Thus, despite some recent improvements in PAH treatment, the life expectancy and quality of life for patients with PAH remains poor. Showing many similarities to cancers, PAH is characterized by increased pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation, decreased apoptotic signaling pathways, and changes in metabolism. The recent successes of therapies targeting epigenetic modifiers for the treatment of cancer has prompted epigenetic research in PAH, revealing many new potential therapeutic targets. In this minireview we discuss the emergence of epigenetic dysregulation in PAH and highlight epigenetic-targeting compounds that may be effective for the treatment of PAH.

Pulmonary Neutrophilic Inflammation and Noncommunicable Diseases: Pathophysiology, Redox Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutics

Significance: Pulmonary neurophilic inflammation (PNI) is the homing and activation of neutrophil with damage to the microvasculature. This process is involved in pulmonary damage in patients exposed to airborne pollutants (exogenous stressors) and also to systemic inflammation/oxidative stress (endogenous stressors) associated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Recent Advances: PNI is an important trigger of the early onset and progression of NCD in susceptible patients exposed to airborne pollutants. Irritation of the lung microvasculature by exogenous and endogenous stressors causes PNI. Circulating endogenous stressors in NCD can cause PNI. Critical Issues: Air pollution-triggered PNI causes increased circulating endogenous stressors that can trigger NCD in susceptible patients. Systemic inflammation/oxidative stress associated with NCD can cause PNI. Inflammation/end-oxidation products of macromolecules are also potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NCD-triggered PNI- and PNI-triggered NCD. Future Directions: Understanding the molecular mechanism of PNI triggered by exogenous or endogenous stressors will help explain the early onset of NCD in susceptible patients exposed to air pollution. It can also help undercover biomarkers and mechanism-based therapeutic targets in air pollutant-triggered PNI, PNI-triggered NCD, and NCD-triggered PNI.

CXC Chemokine Receptors in the Tumor Microenvironment and an Update of Antagonist Development

Chemokine receptors, a diverse group within the seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, are frequently overexpressed in malignant tumors. Ligand binding activates multiple downstream signal transduction cascades that drive tumor growth and metastasis, resulting in poor clinical outcome. These receptors are thus considered promising targets for anti-tumor therapy. This article reviews recent studies on the expression and function of CXC chemokine receptors in various tumor microenvironments and recent developments in cancer therapy using CXC chemokine receptor antagonists.

RNA-seq transcriptome profiling of porcine lung from two pig breeds in response to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection

Background

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) is the main pathogen causing respiratory disease in the swine industry. Mhp infection rates differ across pig breeds, with Chinese native pig breeds that exhibit high fecundity (e.g., Jiangquhai, Meishan, Erhualian) more sensitive than Duroc, Landrace, and other imported pig breeds. However, the genetic basis of the immune response to Mhp infection in different pig breeds is largely unknown.

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the relative Mhp susceptibility of the Chinese native Jiangquhai breed compared to the Duroc breed, and identify molecular mechanisms of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using an RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) approach.

Methods

Jiangquhai and Duroc pigs were artificially infected with the same Mhp dose. The entire experiment lasted 28 days. Daily weight gain, Mhp-specific antibody levels, and lung lesion scores were measured to evaluate the Mhp infection susceptibility of different breeds. Experimental pigs were slaughtered on the 28th day. Lung tissues were collected for total RNA extraction. RNA-seq was performed to identify DEGs, which were enriched by gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia annotation of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. DEGs were validated with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

Infection with the same Mhp dose produced a more serious condition in Jiangquhai pigs than in Duroc pigs. Jiangquhai pigs showed poorer growth, higher Mhp antibody levels, and more serious lung lesions compared with Duroc pigs. RNA-seq identified 2,250 and 3,526 DEGs in lung tissue from Jiangquhai and Duroc pigs, respectively. The two breeds shared 1,669 DEGs, which were involved in immune-relevant pathways including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway. Compared to Jiangquhai pigs, more chemokines, interferon response factors, and interleukins were specifically activated in Duroc pigs; CXCL10, CCL4, IL6 and IFNG genes were significantly up-regulated, which may help Duroc pigs enhance immune response and reduce Mhp susceptibility.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated differential immune-related DEGs in lung tissue from the two breeds, and revealed an important role of genetics in the immune response to Mhp infection. The biological functions of these important DEGs should be further confirmed and maybe applied as molecular markers that improve pig health.

Chemokines: A Potential Therapeutic Target to Suppress Autoimmune Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Chemokines are a family of low molecular weight proteins that induce chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, which mainly depends on the recognition of a chemo-attractant gradient and interaction with the substratum. In Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), abundant chemokines are expressed in synovial tissue, cause inflammatory cells migration into the inflamed joint that necessitates the formation of new blood vessels i.e. angiogenesis. Over the decades, studies showed that continuous inflammation may lead to the loss of tissue architecture and function, causing severe disability and cartilage destruction. In spite of the advancement of modern drug therapy, thousands of arthritic patients suffer mortality and morbidity globally. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of RA.

METHODS

This review is carried out throughout a non-systematic search of the accessible literature, will provide an overview of the current information of chemokine in RA and also exploring the future perspective of the vital role of targeting chemokine in RA treatment.

RESULTS

Since, chemokines are associated with inflammatory cells/leucocyte migration at the site of inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases and hence, blockade or interference with chemokines activity showing a potential approach for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents. Currently, results obtained from both preclinical and clinical studies showed significant improvement in arthritis.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the role of chemokines and their receptors in the pathogenesis of RA and also indicates possible interactions of chemokines/receptors with various synthetic and natural compounds that may be used as a potential therapeutic target in the future for the treatment of RA.

Pulmonary fibroblasts-secreted CXCL10 polarizes alveolar macrophages under pro-inflammatory stimuli

BACKGROUND

During acute lung injury, lung fibroblasts produce chemokines that assist the activation and migration of resident macrophages. The interactions between pulmonary fibroblasts and alveolar macrophages demonstrate the early event in the recruitment of immune cells, and the production of chemokines appear to be central mediators of the initiation and progression of inflammatory responses. In this study, the aim was to investigate the signaling pathway leading to CXCL10 secretion and the effects of CXCL10 released by activated fibroblasts on regulating macrophage polarization in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment.

METHODS

The expression of chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, and CXCL12, and the phosphorylation of signaling molecules STAT3, FAK, GSK3αβ and PKCδ were investigated by real time-PCR, ELISA, or Western blot on TNFα- or IL-1β-activated MRC-5 pulmonary fibroblasts. By collecting conditioned medium from TNFα-activated fibroblasts, the expression of iNOS and arginase I on MH-S alveolar macrophages were examined by real-time PCR. Surface markers CD86 and CD206 expressions on alveolar macrophages were also evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that CXCL10 production was significantly elevated on MRC-5 fibroblasts under TNFα- or IL-1β treatment. In addition, we revealed that TNFα and IL-1β initiated phosphorylation of STAT3, FAK, GSK3αβ and PKCδ signaling cascade, leading to the elevation of CXCL10 expression. Moreover, conditioned medium collected from TNFα-activated MRC-5 fibroblasts increased iNOS and CD86 expressions and decreased arginase I and CD206 expressions on MH-S alveolar macrophages, and neutralization of CXCL10 abolished these observed phenomena.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that CXCL10 is crucial in activated fibroblasts-promoted M1 phenotype polarization of alveolar macrophages. In this regard, targeting fibroblasts-released CXCL10 may be promising as anti-inflammatory therapy against acute lung injury.

COL12A1, a novel potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in gastric cancer

Dysregulation of collagen type XII α1 chain (COL12A1) has been found in several cancer types and could be involved in tumor progression. However, its clinical significance in gastric cancer (GC) remains under exploration. Online databases (Gene Expression Omnibus and UALCAN), reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were utilized in the present study to evaluate the expression of COL12A1 in GC tissues and cell lines. It was found that COL12A1 expression was notably upregulated in GC. Clinicopathological analysis showed that elevated COL12A1 expression was positively correlated with tumor invasiveness, metastasis and advanced clinical stage. The prognostic analysis suggested that high COL12A1 expression contributed to poor overall survival. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that COL12A1 overexpression was a powerful independent prognostic indicator in patients with GC (hazard ratio, 1.896; 95% CI, 1.267–2.837; P=0.002). The results highlighted the importance of COL12A1 in GC and suggested its potential role as a candidate for clinical outcome prediction and targeted therapy in patients with GC.

Bioinformatics Analysis and Identification of Genes and Molecular Pathways Involved in Synovial Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a high prevalence in the elderly population. The genes and pathways in the inflamed synovium in patients with RA are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to the progression of synovial inflammation in RA using bioinformatics analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Gene expression profiles of datasets GSE55235 and GSE55457 were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. DEGs were identified using Morpheus software, and co-expressed DEGs were identified with Venn diagrams. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were assembled with Cytoscape software and separated into subnetworks using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) algorithm. The functions of the top module were assessed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. RESULTS DEGs that were upregulated were significantly enhanced in protein binding, the cell cytosol, organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulation of RNA transcription, and cell adhesion. DEGs that were downregulated were associated with control of the immune response, B-cell and T-cell receptor signaling pathway regulation. KEGG pathway analysis showed that upregulated DEGs enhanced pathways associated with the cell adherens junction, osteoclast differentiation, and hereditary cardiomyopathies. Downregulated DEGs were enriched in primary immunodeficiency, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and hematopoietic cell lineages. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this bioinformatics network analysis study identified molecular mechanisms and the key hub genes that may contribute to synovial inflammation in patients with RA.

An lncRNA‑miRNA‑mRNA ceRNA network for adipocyte differentiation from human adipose‑derived stem cells

Human adipose tissue‑derived stromal stem cells (HASCs) represent a promising regenerative resource for breast reconstruction and augmentation. However, the mechanisms involved in inducing its adipogenic differentiation remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to comprehensively investigate the expression changes in mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non‑coding (lnc)RNAs during the adipogenic differentiation of HASCs, and screen crucial lncRNA‑miRNA‑mRNA interaction axes using microarray datasets GSE57593, GSE25715 and GSE61302 collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Following pretreatment, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), miRNAs (DE‑miRNAs) or lncRNAs (DE‑lncRNAs) between undifferentiated and differentiated HASCs were identified using the Linear Models for Microarray data method. A protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the DEGs based on protein databases, followed by module analysis. The 'lncRNA‑miRNA‑mRNA' competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed based on the interactions between miRNAs and mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs predicted by the miRWalk and lnCeDB databases. The underlying functions of mRNAs were predicted using the clusterProfiler package. In the present study, 905 DEGs, 36 DE‑miRNAs and 577 DE‑lncRNAs were screened between undifferentiated HASCs and differentiated adipocyte cells. PPI network analysis demonstrated that LEP may be a hub gene, which was also enriched in significant module 5. LEP was predicted to be involved in the Janus kinase‑signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway, and the regulation of inflammatory response. The upregulation of LEP was regulated by downregulated hsa‑miRNA (miR)‑130b‑5p and hsa‑miR‑23a‑5p (or hsa‑miR‑302d‑3p). These miRNAs also respectively interacted with RP11‑552F3.9 (or RP11‑15A1.7), ultimately forming the ceRNA axes. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the RP11‑552F3.9 (RP11‑15A1.7)‑hsa‑miR‑130b‑5p/hsa‑miR‑23a‑5p (hsa‑miR‑302d‑3p)‑LEP interaction axes may be crucial for inducing the adipogenic differentiation of HASCs via involvement in inflammation.