Interleukin-28B dampens protease-induced lung inflammation via IL-25 and TSLP inhibition in epithelial cells

The Pre-/Post-Transplant Hepatitis C Antibody Associated with the IL-28B RS8099917 TT Genotype and miRNA-122 Expression May Protect Acute Cellular Rejection After LDLT

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the IL-28B SNP rs8099917 genotype, miRNA-122 expression, and the immune mechanism of ACR after LT using anti-HCV antibody calibration. A total of 45 patients with HCV received LT. IL-28B SNP rs8099917 genotyping was used to divide patients into TT and GT groups. The relative expression levels of miRNA-122 were calculated by quantitative PCR. Anti-HCV titers before and after LT were tracked to observe the relationship with ACR. The ACR rates were 27.6% for genotype TT and 62.5% for genotype GT, indicating a significantly higher rate in the GT group compared to the TT group (p = 0.024). In the rs8099917 genotype, TT was significantly associated with higher serum miRNA-122 levels than GT (p < 0.001). The TT group had significantly better outcomes than the GT group (p = 0.005). The Mann-Whitney U test showed significant differences in pre-LT and post-LT anti-HCV titers between the IL-28B genotypes (TT and GT) (p values of 0.006 and 0.027, respectively). These results suggested that the IL-28B rs8099917 genotype TT may play a significant role in modulating immune responses, both in terms of anti-HCV titers and the risk of ACR, possibly mediated through miRNA-122 levels.

Airway inflammation in a novel mouse model of asthma-COPD overlap induced by co-exposure to papain and tobacco smoke

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are respiratory diseases associated with airway inflammation, which is the main pathogenesis. Although their causes and characteristics differ, in some cases, asthma and COPD may coexist in the same patient in a condition called asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). The prognosis of ACO is more unfavourable than those of asthma or COPD alone, without any treatment strategies demonstrating efficacy. Owing to its intricate spectrum of features, the detailed pathogenesis of how ACO exacerbates respiratory features remains unclear. In this study, we exposed papain-induced asthma model mice to tobacco smoke to establish an ACO mouse model, in which features of airway inflammation observed in both asthma and COPD were incorporated. This model exhibited distinctive mixed and corticosteroid-resistant airway inflammation and emphysematous changes that are characteristic of ACO. The novel mouse model established here is expected to significantly contribute to elucidating the mechanisms of the broad pathologies of ACO and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

The impact of sensory neuropathy and inflammation on epithelial wound healing in diabetic corneas

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes, with several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, some of which are still uncertain. The cornea is an avascular tissue and sensitive to hyperglycemia, resulting in several diabetic corneal complications including delayed epithelial wound healing, recurrent erosions, neuropathy, loss of sensitivity, and tear film changes. The manifestation of DPN in the cornea is referred to as diabetic neurotrophic keratopathy (DNK). Recent studies have revealed that disturbed epithelial-neural-immune cell interactions are a major cause of DNK. The epithelium is supplied by a dense network of sensory nerve endings and dendritic cell processes, and it secretes growth/neurotrophic factors and cytokines to nourish these neighboring cells. In turn, sensory nerve endings release neuropeptides to suppress inflammation and promote epithelial wound healing, while resident immune cells provide neurotrophic and growth factors to support neuronal and epithelial cells, respectively. Diabetes greatly perturbs these interdependencies, resulting in suppressed epithelial proliferation, sensory neuropathy, and a decreased density of dendritic cells. Clinically, this results in a markedly delayed wound healing and impaired sensory nerve regeneration in response to insult and injury. Current treatments for DPN and DNK largely focus on managing the severe complications of the disease. Cell-based therapies hold promise for providing more effective treatment for diabetic keratopathy and corneal ulcers.

Polysaccharides from Platycodonis Radix ameliorated respiratory syncytial virus-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation through activation of miR-181a-mediated Hippo and SIRT1 pathways

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in young children, but there are few safe and effective treatments for this disease. Platycodonis Radix is widely used as an antitussive and expectorant drug for preventing various diseases in lower respiratory tract, in which the polysaccharides are one of the main bioactivity constituents. In this study, the protective effects of the P. Radix polysaccharides (PRP) against RSV-induced bronchiolitis in juvenile mice and RSV-induced apoptosis of epithelial HEp-2 cells were investigated. The results showed that PRP obviously decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and TSLP in lung tissues, and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of RSV-infected mice. Furthermore, it reduced the apoptosis of RSV-infected HEp-2 cells and remarkably inhibited the mRNA expressions of RSV L gene, which indicated that PRP affected transcription and replication of RSV in host cells. Compared with that in RSV-infected group, miR-181a-5p in the PRP-treated group presented the highest relative abundance and its expression was violently reduced by approximately 30%. Mechanistically, PRP had the similar effects as miR-181a-5p antagomir on RSV-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HEp-2 cells via upregulating BCL2, MLL3 and SIRT1, which could be reversed by miR-181a-5p mimic. Therefore, it demonstrated that PRP not only protected against RSV-induced lung inflammation in mice but also inhibited apoptosis of RSV-infected HEp-2 cells via suppressing miR-181a-5p and transcriptionally activating Hippo and SIRT1 pathways.