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Esquivel N, García Y, Menéndez R, García TE, Morales AR, Rodríguez C. Potential anti neuro-inflammatory effect of BioCen-128 in animal models of dementia. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:369-376. [PMID: 35971614 PMCID: PMC9434568 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background BioCen‐128 is a new active pharmaceutical ingredient composed of a specific bovine thymic fraction of a polypeptide nature. Positive results of similar thymus extracts have been shown to be effective in delaying the processes associated with aging, immunosenescence and Alzheimer's disease (AD), where the inflammation plays an important role. Because of the anti‐inflammatory potential of BioCen‐128, the aim of this study was to evaluate the granuloma model induced by a cotton wool implantation and the model induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of streptozotocin (STZ). Method The experiment was carried out using male OF‐1cenp mice weighing 20 ± 2 g. Results Mice administered BioCen‐128 in via the IP route at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of corporal weigh showed a decrease in the wet and dry weights of the granuloma, providing evidence of a systemic anti‐inflammatory effect. In the ICV model of STZ, the administration of BioCen‐128 improved cognitive function. Conclusion These responses suggested an anti‐neuroinflammatory effect explainable by the action of thymosin β4 and thymosin alfa proteins. The results suggested that BioCen‐128 could be used in the prevention and treatment of some diseases, for example AD, where neuroinflammation is one of the biological events that take place.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yenela García
- National Center for Bioproducts (BIOCEN), Bejucal, Cuba
| | | | | | - Ana R Morales
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Havana, Cuba
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Lunin S, Khrenov M, Glushkova O, Parfenyuk S, Novoselova T, Novoselova E. Precursors of thymic peptides as stress sensors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1461-1475. [PMID: 32700610 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1800636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A large volume of data indicates that the known thymic hormones, thymulin, thymopoietin, thymosin-α, thymosin-β, and thymic humoral factor-y2, exhibit different spectra of activities. Although large in volume, available data are rather fragmented, resulting in a lack of understanding of the role played by thymic hormones in immune homeostasis. AREA COVERED Existing data compartmentalizes the effect of thymic peptides into 2 categories: influence on immune cells and interconnection with neuroendocrine systems. The current study draws attention to a third aspect of the thymic peptide effect that has not been clarified yet, wherein ubiquitous and highly abundant intranuclear precursors of so called 'thymic peptides' play a fundamental role in all somatic cells. EXPERT OPINION Our analysis indicated that, under certain stress-related conditions, these precursors are cleaved to form immunologically active peptides that rapidly leave the nucleus and intracellular spaces, to send 'distress signals' to the immune system, thereby acting as stress sensors. We propose that these peptides may form a link between somatic cells and immune as well as neuroendocrine systems. This model may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying immune homeostasis, leading thereby to the development of new therapeutic regimes utilizing the characteristics of thymic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Lunin
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Maxim Khrenov
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Olga Glushkova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Svetlana Parfenyuk
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - Tatyana Novoselova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
| | - E Novoselova
- Laboratory of Reception Mechanisms, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PSCBR RAS , Pushchino, Russia
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Nasseri B, Zaringhalam J, Daniali S, Manaheji H, Abbasnejad Z, Nazemian V. Thymulin treatment attenuates inflammatory pain by modulating spinal cellular and molecular signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 70:225-234. [PMID: 30851702 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thymulin is a peptide hormone which is mainly produced by thymic epithelial cells and it has immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of different doses and various timings of thymulin intraperitoneal administration on spinal microglial activity and intracellular pathways in an inflammatory rat model of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Thymulin treatment was implemented following CFA-induced inflammation for 21 days. After conducting behavioral tests (edema and hyperalgesia), the cellular and molecular aspects were examined to detect the thymulin effect on inflammatory factors and microglial activity. We demonstrated that thymulin treatment notably reduced thermal hyperalgesia and paw edema induced by CFA. Furthermore, molecular investigations showed that thymulin reduced CFA-induced activation of microglia cells, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and the production of spinal pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) during the study. Our results suggest that thymulin treatment attenuates CFA-induced inflammation. This effect may be mediated by inhibition of spinal microglia and production of central inflammatory mediators which seems to be associated with the ability of thymulin to reduce p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These data provide evidence of the anti-hyperalgesic effect of thymulin on inflammatory pain and characterize some of the underlying spinal mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Nasseri
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurophysiology Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Zaringhalam
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Samira Daniali
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Manaheji
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Abbasnejad
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vida Nazemian
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurophysiology Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Tan Q, Chen B, Wang Q, Xu W, Wang Y, Lin Z, Luo F, Huang S, Zhu Y, Su N, Jin M, Li C, Kuang L, Qi H, Ni Z, Wang Z, Luo X, Jiang W, Chen H, Chen S, Li F, Zhang B, Huang J, Zhang R, Jin K, Xu X, Deng C, Du X, Xie Y, Chen L. A novel FGFR1-binding peptide attenuates the degeneration of articular cartilage in adult mice. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2018; 26:1733-1743. [PMID: 30201491 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2018.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously reported that genetic ablation of (Fibroblast Growth Factors Receptors) FGFR1 in knee cartilage attenuates the degeneration of articular cartilage in adult mice, which suggests that FGFR1 is a potential targeting molecule for osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we identified R1-P1, an inhibitory peptide for FGFR1 and investigated its effect on the pathogenesis of OA in mice induced by destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM). DESIGN Binding ability between R1-P1 and FGFR1 protein was evaluated by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and molecular docking. Alterations in cartilage were evaluated histologically. The expression levels of molecules associated with articular cartilage homeostasis and FGFR1 signaling were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The chondrocyte apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS R1-P1 had highly binding affinities to human FGFR1 protein, and efficiently inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway in mouse primary chondrocytes. In addition, R1-P1 attenuated the IL-1β induced significant loss of proteoglycan in full-thickness cartilage tissue from human femur head. Moreover, this peptide can significantly restore the IL-1β mediated loss of proteoglycan and type II collagen (Col II) and attenuate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) in mouse primary chondrocytes. Finally, intra-articular injection of R1-P1 remarkably attenuated the loss of proteoglycan and the destruction of articular cartilage and decreased the expressions of extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading enzymes and apoptosis in articular chondrocytes of mice underwent DMM surgery. CONCLUSIONS R1-P1, a novel inhibitory peptide for FGFR1, attenuates the degeneration of articular cartilage in adult mice, which is a potential leading molecule for the treatment of OA.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Experimental/prevention & control
- Cartilage, Articular/drug effects
- Cartilage, Articular/metabolism
- Cartilage, Articular/pathology
- Cells, Cultured
- Chondrocytes/drug effects
- Chondrocytes/pathology
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods
- Extracellular Matrix/drug effects
- Extracellular Matrix/pathology
- Humans
- MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Oligopeptides/pharmacology
- Oligopeptides/therapeutic use
- Osteoarthritis/metabolism
- Osteoarthritis/pathology
- Osteoarthritis/prevention & control
- Proteoglycans/metabolism
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism
- Tissue Culture Techniques
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Tan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - B Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Q Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - W Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Y Wang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing Institute of Technology, Chongqing 400050, China
| | - Z Lin
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing Institute of Technology, Chongqing 400050, China
| | - F Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - S Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Y Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - N Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - M Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - C Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - L Kuang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - H Qi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Z Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Z Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - X Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - W Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - H Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - S Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - F Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - B Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - J Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - R Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - K Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - X Xu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 00853, China
| | - C Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 00853, China
| | - X Du
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - Y Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
| | - L Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Laboratory for the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Injuries, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
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Safieh-Garabedian B, Nomikos M, Saadé N. Targeting inflammatory components in neuropathic pain: The analgesic effect of thymulin related peptide. Neurosci Lett 2018; 702:61-65. [PMID: 30503917 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is considered to be pathological in nature and has been shown to involve, at least partially, dysregulated inflammatory processes. It is a severe chronic disease that can develop following lesions to the central nervous system or to peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerve damage can be caused by either diseases such as diabetes, or by trauma. A common underlying mechanism of neuropathic pain is the presence of inflammation at the site of the damaged or affected nerve(s). This inflammatory response, especially when unresolved, initiates and maintains a cascade of events resulting in the activation of innate immune cells at the site of tissue injury. The release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, neurotrophic factors, and chemokines initiates local actions and can result in a more generalized immune response. The resultant neuroinflammatory environment can cause activation of glial cells, which can release, in an uncontrolled manner, more of these mediators and exasperate the situation, thus having a prominent role in nociception. The neuropathic pain pathophysiology is complex and includes peripheral and central neuronal alterations as well as neuro-immune interactions, which become more prominent during inflammatory reactions. This report focuses on how targeting inflammatory mediators may result in novel therapeutic approaches to neuropathic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michail Nomikos
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nayef Saadé
- Department of Cell Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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6
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Tan Q, Wang Z, Wang Q, Wang Y, Huang Z, Su N, Jin M, Kuang L, Qi H, Ni Z, Li C, Zhu Y, Jiang W, Chen H, Deng C, Du X, Xie Y, Chen L. A novel FGFR1-binding peptide exhibits anti-tumor effect on lung cancer by inhibiting proliferation and angiogenesis. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:1389-1398. [PMID: 30123084 PMCID: PMC6097486 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.24739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that overactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is an important characteristic found in most non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples. Here, we identified a FGFR1 inhibitory peptide R1-P2 and investigated its effects on the lung cancer cells growth and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that R1-P2 bound to human FGFR1 protein, and efficiently blocked the binding of FGF2 to FGFR1 in A549 and NCI-H460 cells. Moreover, this peptide significantly decreased the proliferation, migration and invasion, but promoted the apoptosis in both cell lines. In addition, R1-P2 treatment effectively inhibited the tumor growth and neovascularization in nude mice with xenografted A549 cells, and R1-P2 also significantly inhibited the FGF2-induced angiogenesis in tube formation experiment and CAM model. We further demonstrated that R1-P2 suppressed lung tumor growth through anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative activity. Our data may provide a novle leading molecule with potential application in the treatment of FGFR1 activation related lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyan Tan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zuqiang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanqiang Wang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing Institute of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhifeng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nan Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Kuang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huabing Qi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenhong Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Can Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wanling Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hangang Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuxia Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xiaolan Du
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangli Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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7
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Lunin SM, Khrenov MO, Glushkova OV, Vinogradova EV, Yashin VA, Fesenko EE, Novoselova EG. Extrathymic production of thymulin induced by oxidative stress, heat shock, apoptosis, or necrosis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2017; 30:58-69. [PMID: 28281875 PMCID: PMC5806779 DOI: 10.1177/0394632017694625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic peptides are immune regulators produced mainly in the thymus. However, thymic peptides such as thymosin-α and thymopoietin have precursors widely expressed outside the thymus, localized in cell nuclei, and involved in vital nuclear functions. In stress-related conditions, they can relocalize. We hypothesized that another thymic peptide, thymulin, could be similarly produced by non-thymic cells during stress and have a precursor therein. Non-thymic cells, including macrophages and fibroblasts, were exposed to oxidative stress, heat, apoptosis, or necrosis. Extracellular thymulin was identified in media of both cell types 2 h after exposure to stress or lethal signals. Therefore, thymulin is released by non-thymic cells. To examine possible thymulin precursors in non-thymic cells, macrophage lysates were analyzed by western blotting. Bands stained with anti-thymulin antibody were detected in two locations, approximately 60 kDa and 10 kDa, which may be a possible precursor and intermediate. All of the exposures except for heat were effective for induction of the 10 kDa protein. BLAST search using thymulin sequence identified SPATS2L, an intranucleolar stress-response protein with molecular weight of 62 kDa, containing thymulin-like sequence. Comparisons of blots stained with anti-thymulin and anti-SPATS2L antibodies indicate that SPATS2L may be a possible candidate for the precursor of thymulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Lunin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia
| | - Maxim O Khrenov
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia
| | | | | | - Valery A Yashin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia
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Nagarajan K, Kumar V, Grover P, Ghai R, Rai PK, Alam S, Bajaj U. Anti-nociceptive effect of some synthesized smaller chain tripeptides and tetrapeptides in mice. Med Chem Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-016-1695-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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9
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Tavares C. Alternative methods of pain management for the older adult population: Review of topical pain medications. Ment Health Clin 2015. [DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2015.05.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe older adult population is one of the fastest growing age groups in the United States. As this population continues to expand, determining the safest way to provide pain management has become increasingly important. More than 50% of community-dwelling older adults experience pain on a daily basis, and up to 83% of those in assisted living facilities experience persistent pain. Pain is exceedingly challenging to treat safely and effectively in the elderly because of the physiologic changes that occur as people age. In addition, many nonnarcotic medications with analgesic properties are listed in both the 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults and the Pharmacy Quality Alliance high-risk medications lists. An approach to the growing challenge of managing pain in the elderly that is gaining popularity among community-dwelling patients is the use of topical pain medications. The goal of this article is to review some of the available literature regarding the use of various topical analgesics alone or in combination, and to discuss their known or theoretical mechanisms of peripheral pain modulation. Commercially available or compounded topical pain medications may be used to replace or augment doses of oral medications in an effort to decrease the risk of adverse drug events for older adult patients. When prescribing topical pain medications physicians should consider the nature of the pain targeted, the type of analgesia expected from each ingredient, the potential for systemic absorption, and related side effects.
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Anti-inflammatory effects of IKK inhibitor XII, thymulin, and fat-soluble antioxidants in LPS-treated mice. Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:724838. [PMID: 25045213 PMCID: PMC4089567 DOI: 10.1155/2014/724838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of several agents applied in vivo, namely, a synthetic inhibitor of the NF-κB cascade, fat-soluble antioxidants, and the thymic peptide thymulin. Cytokine response in LPS-treated mice was analysed in tandem with the following parameters: the synthesis of inducible forms of the heat shock proteins HSP72 and HSP90α; activity of the NF-κB and SAPK/JNK signalling pathways; and TLR4 expression. Inflammation-bearing Balb/c male mice were pretreated with an inhibitor of IKK-α/β kinases (IKK Inhibitor XII); with thymulin; with dietary coenzyme Q9, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene; or with combinations of the inhibitor and peptide or antioxidants. Comparable anti-inflammatory effects were observed in inflammation-bearing mice treated separately with thymulin or with dietary antioxidants administered daily for two weeks before LPS treatment. When LPS-injected mice were treated with the inhibitor and antioxidants together, neither plasma cytokines, signal proteins, nor heat shock proteins recovered more efficiently than when mice were treated with these agents separately. In contrast to antioxidant diet, the thymulin was shown to increase the effect of IKK Inhibitor XII in preventing IKK activation in LPS-treated mice.
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Safieh-Garabedian B, Oz M, Bey RM, Shamaa F, Ashoor A, El-Agnaf OM, Saadé NE. Involvement of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the anti-inflammatory action of the thymulin-related peptide (PAT). Neuroscience 2013; 250:455-66. [PMID: 23880090 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Peptide analog of thymulin (PAT) has been shown to have anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of inflammation. Recent reports suggest that the peripheral cholinergic system has an anti-inflammatory role mediated by α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR). Our aim is to investigate whether the action of PAT is mediated, via the cholinergic pathway. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory action of PAT was assessed in rat models of inflammatory nociceptive hyperactivity (carrageenan and endotoxin) and in a mice air-pouch model for localized inflammation, respectively; the possible attenuation of PAT's effects by pretreatment with the α7-nAchR specific antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA) was also investigated. In another series of experiments, using two electrode recordings, the effect of PAT on the α7-nAChRs, expressed in Xenopus Oocytes, was also determined. KEY RESULTS Administration of PAT reversed inflammatory nociceptive hyperactivity and cold and tactile hyperactivity in rats. This effect was partially or totally prevented by MLA, as assessed by different behavioral pain tests. Treatment with PAT also reduced the alteration of cytokines and NGF levels by carrageenan injection in the mouse air pouch model; this effect was partially antagonized by MLA. Electrophysiological recording demonstrated that PAT significantly potentiated the α7-nAchR expressed in Xenopus Oocytes. These effects were not observed when a control peptide, with a reverse sequence (rPAT), was utilized. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The behavioral and electrophysiological observations described in this report demonstrate that PAT mediates, at least partially, its anti-inflammatory action by potentiating the α7-nAChR. These results indicate that PAT has a potential for new therapeutic applications as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Safieh-Garabedian
- Department of Natural Sciences and Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and serotonin-1A receptor agonists on morphine-induced ventilatory depression and antinociception in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 703:33-41. [PMID: 23438874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ventilatory depression is a serious side-effect of opioid analgesics. Naloxone, an antagonist of opioid receptors, eliminates not only ventilatory depression but also analgesic effect of opioids. Pharmacological dissociation of adverse reactions from the main action is important clinically and basically. Cholinergic and serotonergic mechanisms are suggested to counteract the opioid-induced ventilatory disturbances, but their influence on analgesia is still controversial. The present study evaluated the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonists on morphine (1.0mg/kg, i.v.)-induced ventilatory depression and analgesia in rats. In anesthetized animals, spontaneous ventilation and hind leg withdrawal reflexes against nociceptive thermal stimuli were measured simultaneously. Physostigmine (0.1 and 0.2mg/kg, i.v.) and donepezil (0.5 and 1.0mg/kg, i.v.) relieved the morphine-induced ventilatory depression and enhanced its antinociception. On the other hand, (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 0.03 and 0.1mg/kg, i.v.) and buspirone (0.1 and 0.3mg/kg, i.v.) did not influence antinociception of morphine while they restored the decreased ventilation. In unanesthetized animals, hypercapnic ventilatory response was measured by using whole-body plethysmography. Physostigmine (0.3mg/kg, i.p.), donepezil (1.0mg/kg, i.p.), 8-OH-DPAT (0.3mg/kg, i.p.) and buspirone (3.0mg/kg, i.p.) all recovered the morphine (10mg/kg, i.p.)-induced depression of hypercapnic ventilatory response. The present study suggests that activation of cholinergic or serotonergic (5-HT1A) mechanisms may be a useful therapeutic approach for morphine-induced ventilatory depression without loss of its analgesic action.
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Safieh-Garabedian B, Mayasi Y, Saadé NE. Targeting neuroinflammation for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative pathologies: a role for the peptide analogue of thymulin (PAT). Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16:1065-73. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2012.714773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Lunin SM, Glushkova OV, Khrenov MO, Parfenyuk SB, Novoselova TV, Fesenko EE, Novoselova EG. Thymus peptides regulate activity of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells: inhibitory analysis and a role of signal cascades. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2011; 15:1337-46. [PMID: 22148922 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2011.641952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to reveal T-lymphocyte-independent mechanisms of thymic peptide-mediated immunomodulation. METHODS The effects of two thymic peptides- thymulin and thymopentin were studied in cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages (lipopolysaccharide-stimulated or unstimulated) by measuring cytokine production and signal protein levels. RESULTS Both peptides increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion by unstimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and these effects were blocked by the NF-κB cascade inhibitor, stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/JNK cascade inhibitor and, to a lesser extent, Toll-like 4 receptor activity inhibitor. In macrophages stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide, peptides alone did not affect cytokine secretion, but significantly enhanced effects of each of the inhibitors. Thymopentin increased activation of both NF-κB and SAPK/JNK cascades in unstimulated macrophages, while thymulin significantly decreased activation of the SAPK/JNK but not NF-κB cascade in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Thymulin and thymopentin increased production of the heat shock protein HSP72 both in LPS-stimulated and unstimulated cells. CONCLUSIONS Thymulin and thymopentin are effective anti-inflammatory modulators with direct actions on innate immune cells; the effects involve multiple signal cascades, including NF-κB and SAPK/JNK pathways. Since signaling cascades are now considered to be targets for new therapies, thymic peptides may be prospective modulators of signaling cascades, acting alone or in combination with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Lunin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Institutskaya Street, Russia.
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Safieh-Garabedian B, Jabbur SJ, Dardenne M, Saadé NE. Thymulin related peptide attenuates inflammation in the brain induced by intracerebroventricular endotoxin injection. Neuropharmacology 2011; 60:496-504. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 09/28/2010] [Accepted: 11/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Reggiani PC, Poch B, Cónsole GM, Rimoldi OJ, Schwerdt JI, Tüngler V, Garcia-Bravo MM, Dardenne M, Goya RG. Thymulin-based gene therapy and pituitary function in animal models of aging. Neuroimmunomodulation 2011; 18:350-6. [PMID: 21952687 PMCID: PMC3221262 DOI: 10.1159/000329495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymulin is a thymic hormone exclusively produced by the thymic epithelial cells. After its discovery and initial characterization in the 1970s, it was demonstrated that thymulin production and secretion is strongly influenced by the neuroendocrine system. Conversely, a growing core of information, to be reviewed here, points to thymulin as a hypophysiotropic peptide. Additionally, thymulin was shown to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in the brain. In recent years, a synthetic DNA sequence coding for a biologically active analog of thymulin, metFTS, was constructed and cloned in different adenoviral vectors. These include bidirectional regulatable Tet-Off vector systems that simultaneously express metFTS and green fluorescent protein and that can be downregulated reversibly by the addition of the antibiotic doxycycline. A number of recent studies suggest that thymulin gene therapy may be a suitable therapeutic strategy to prevent some of the endocrine and reproductive alterations that typically appear in congenitally athymic (nude) mice, taken as a suitable model of neuroendocrine and reproductive aging. The present article briefly reviews the literature on the physiology of the thymulin-pituitary axis as well as on the new molecular tools available to exploit the therapeutic potential of thymulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C. Reggiani
- Institute for Biochemical Research, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Brenda Poch
- Institute for Biochemical Research, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Gloria M. Cónsole
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Omar J. Rimoldi
- Institute for Biochemical Research, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Jose I. Schwerdt
- Institute for Biochemical Research, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Victoria Tüngler
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Mireille Dardenne
- CNRS UMR 8147, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France
| | - Rodolfo G. Goya
- Institute for Biochemical Research, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Histology B-CICPBA, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- *Rodolfo G. Goya, INIBIOLP, Faculty of Medicine, UNLP, CC 455, La Plata 1900 (Argentina), Tel. +54 221 425 6735, E-Mail
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Lunin SM, Novoselova EG. Thymus hormones as prospective anti-inflammatory agents. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2010; 14:775-86. [PMID: 20536297 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2010.499127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Inflammatory diseases are characterized by severe immune imbalances, leading to excessive or inappropriate release of mediators, which, in turn, result in massive damage to organs and systems. Effective means to control inappropriate immune reactions are often life-critical needs. Available data on the role of thymus-derived hormones in inflammation show their great potential. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW The review aims to systematize information for the last two decades on immune system regulation by thymic peptide hormones, with a primary focus on the role of these hormones in the systemic inflammatory response and inflammatory diseases. Anti-inflammatory potential of three thymic hormones - thymulin, thymosin-alpha, and thymopoietin - is discussed, reviewing recently published clinical and experimental studies. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN Our analysis revealed the regulation of inflammatory processes via thymic hormones that could be prospective for therapeutic application. This regulation may be mediated through thymic hormone effects on peripheral immune cell activities and bidirectional coupling between thymic hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In view of the role of thymic hormones in immune and neuroendocrine systems, they could be suitable as therapeutic agents for inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Lunin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia.
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Santos M, Henriques-Coelho T, Leite-Moreira A. Immunomodulatory role of thymulin in lung diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2010; 14:131-41. [DOI: 10.1517/14728220903512991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Haddad JJ. Thymulin and zinc (Zn2+)-mediated inhibition of endotoxin-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and activation in the alveolar epithelium: unraveling the molecular immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory effect of thymulin/Zn2+ in vitro. Mol Immunol 2009; 47:205-14. [PMID: 19850345 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2009] [Revised: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The immunomodulatory potential of thymulin and zinc (Zn(2+)) in the perinatal alveolar epithelium is not well characterized. In an in vitro model of fetal alveolar type II epithelial cells (FATEII), we have investigated the exhibition of an anti-inflammatory activity of this peptide hormone. Thymulin selectively ameliorated, in a dose-dependent manner, the endotoxin (ET/LPS [lipopolysaccharide])-induced release of IL-1beta, but not IL-6 or TNF-alpha. Furthermore, Zn(2+), an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, which is required for the biological activity of thymulin, independently reduced the secretion of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and, to a lesser extent, at a supraphysiologic dose (1 mM), IL-6. The underlying cellular and molecular pathways associated with the anti-inflammatory effect of thymulin and Zn(2+) in the alveolar epithelium are not well established. Further in this study, the role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the anti-inflammatory effect of thymulin was investigated, in addition to unraveling the possible involvement of the NF-kappaB pathway. Interestingly, thymulin upregulated, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, the release of the nucleotide cAMP. To understand whether the inhibitory effect of thymulin on cytokine release is cAMP-dependent, Forskolin, a labdane diterpene known to elevate intracellular cAMP, was shown to reduce the secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but not IL-6, an effect mimicked by dibutyryl-cAMP (dbcAMP), an analog of cAMP. Alveolar epithelial cells treated with thymulin markedly showed a downregulation of the nuclear translocation of RelA (p65), the major transactivating member of the NF-kappaB family, in addition to NF-kappaB(1) (p50) and c-Rel (p75), an effect mildly substantiated with Zn(2+). Furthermore, thymulin/Zn(2+) reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB (RelA/p65). These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of thymulin, which is mediated by cAMP, is NF-kappaB-dependent and involves the downregulation of the release of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1beta, an effect synergistically amplified, at least in part, by Zn(2+). The molecular regulation of thymulin via a NF-kappaB-dependent pathway is critical to understanding the anti-inflammatory alleviating role of this nonapeptide in regulating proinflammatory signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Haddad
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling Research Group, Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Science and Technology, Aschrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
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20
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Reggiani PC, Morel GR, Cónsole GM, Barbeito CG, Rodriguez SS, Brown OA, Bellini MJ, Pléau JM, Dardenne M, Goya RG. The thymus-neuroendocrine axis: physiology, molecular biology, and therapeutic potential of the thymic peptide thymulin. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1153:98-106. [PMID: 19236333 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03964.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thymulin is a thymic hormone exclusively produced by the thymic epithelial cells. It consists of a nonapeptide component coupled to the ion zinc, which confers biological activity to the molecule. After its discovery in the early 1970s, thymulin was characterized as a thymic hormone involved in several aspects of intrathymic and extrathymic T cell differentiation. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that thymulin production and secretion is strongly influenced by the neuroendocrine system. Conversely, a growing core of information, to be reviewed here, points to thymulin as a hypophysotropic peptide. In recent years, interest has arisen in the potential use of thymulin as a therapeutic agent. Thymulin was shown to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in the brain. Furthermore, an adenoviral vector harboring a synthetic gene for thymulin, stereotaxically injected in the rat brain, achieved a much longer expression than the adenovirally mediated expression in the brain of other genes, thus suggesting that an anti-inflammatory activity of thymulin prevents the immune system from destroying virus-transduced brain cells. Other studies suggest that thymulin gene therapy may also be a suitable therapeutic strategy to prevent some of the endocrine and metabolic alterations that typically appear in thymus-deficient animal models. The present article briefly reviews the literature on the physiology, molecular biology, and therapeutic potential of thymulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C Reggiani
- Institute for Biochemical Research, Faculty of Medicine, CONICET, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
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Lunin SM, Khrenov MO, Novoselova TV, Parfenyuk SB, Novoselova EG. Thymulin, a thymic peptide, prevents the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and heat shock protein Hsp70 in inflammation-bearing mice. Immunol Invest 2009; 37:858-70. [PMID: 18991101 DOI: 10.1080/08820130802447629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of synthetic analogue of peptide hormone thymulin, which is normally produced by thymic epithelial cells, on immune cells activity and blood cytokine profile had been studied in male NMRI mice with acute inflammation induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria (LPS, 250 microg/100 g of body weight). Inflammation induced by LPS resulted in accumulation of several plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha, interferon-gamma, and also IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokine. Thymulin previously injected in dose of 15 microg/100 g body weight, prevented the accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines in plasma. Thymulin also prevented LPS-induced up-regulation of production of several cytokines by spleen lymphocytes and peritoneal macrophages. Added in vitro, thymulin decreased the peak of TNF-alpha production in macrophages cultivated with LPS. In addition, thymulin lowered the peak of Hsp70 production induced by LPS treatment. The results indicate that thymulin having significant anti-inflammatory effect may be promising in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Lunin
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Science, Pushchino Scientific Center, Moscow Region, Russia
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Goya RG, Reggiani PC, Vesenbeckh SM, Pléau JM, Sosa YE, Cónsole GM, Schade R, Henklein P, Dardenne M. Thymulin gene therapy prevents the reduction in circulating gonadotropins induced by thymulin deficiency in mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2007; 293:E182-7. [PMID: 17389714 PMCID: PMC2656608 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00085.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Integrity of the thymus during perinatal life is necessary for a proper maturation of the pituitary-gonadal axis in mice and other mammalian species. Thus congenitally athymic (nude) female mice show significantly reduced levels of circulating gonadotropins, a fact that seems to be causally related to a number of reproductive derangements described in these mutants. Interestingly, a number of in vitro studies suggest that the thymic peptide thymulin may be involved in thymus-pituitary communication. To determine the consequences of low serum thymulin in otherwise normal animals, we induced short (8 days)- and long (33 days)-term thymulin deficiency in C57BL/6 mice by neonatally injecting (intraperitoneally) an anti-thymulin serum and assessed their circulating gonadotropin levels at puberty and thereafter. Control mice received an irrelevant antiserum. Gonadotropins were measured by radioimmunoassay and thymulin by bioassay. Both long- and short-term serum thymulin immunoneutralization resulted in a significant reduction in the serum levels of gonadotropins at 33 and 45 days of age. Subsequently, we injected (intramuscularly) an adenoviral vector harboring a synthetic DNA sequence (5'-ATGCAAGCCAAATCTCAAGGTGGATCCAACTAGTAG-3') encoding a biologically active analog of thymulin, methionine-FTS, in newborn nude mice (which are thymulin deficient) and measured circulating gonadotropin levels when the animals reached 52 days of age. It was observed that neonatal thymulin gene therapy in the athymic mice restored their serum thymulin levels and prevented the reduction in circulating gonadotropin levels that typically emerges in these mutants after puberty. Our results indicate that thymulin plays a relevant physiological role in the thymus-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Goya
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquimicas de La Plata-Histology B-Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
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Abstract
The neurotrophin family of neurotrophic factors are well-known for their effects on neuronal survival and growth. Over the past decade, considerable evidence has accumulated from both humans and animals that one neurotrophin, nerve growth factor (NGF), is a peripheral pain mediator, particularly in inflammatory pain states. NGF is upregulated in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, and NGF-neutralizing molecules are effective analgesic agents in many models of persistent pain. Such molecules are now being evaluated in clinical trials. NGF regulates the expression of a second neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in nociceptors. BDNF is released when nociceptors are activated, and it acts as a central modulator of pain. The chapter reviews the evidence for these roles (and briefly the effects of other neurotrophins), the range of conditions under which they act, and their mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Pezet
- The London Pain Consortium, King's College London, The Wolfson Center for Age-Related Diseases, SE1 1UL London, United Kingdom.
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Yang L, Hu Y, Li X, Zhao J, Hou Y. Prolactin modulates the functions of murine spleen CD11c-positive dendritic cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2006; 6:1478-86. [PMID: 16846842 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2006.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2006] [Revised: 04/15/2006] [Accepted: 05/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL), an anterior pituitary polypeptide hormone, has been shown to have a role in the immunomodulation. Some reports have shown the importance of PRL in activating lymphocytes and macrophages. To further investigate the effect of PRL on the immune system in vitro, murine spleen CD11c-positive dendritic cells (SDCs) were treated with various concentrations of PRL for 24 h, then their viability, phenotype, nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-kappaBp65), endocytosis, stimulatory capacity, and cytokine expression were analyzed. The results showed that PRL increased the viability and stimulatory capacity of SDCs, up-regulated the expressions of MHC-11 and CD40 while decreased the level of CD54 on SDCs. Furthermore, PRL decreased the level of NF-kappaBp65 and the endocytosis of SDCs. In addition, PRL increased the expressions of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-alpha in SDCs. These data suggested that PRL might regulate the physiological and pathological immune responses by changing the viability, phenotype, NF-kappaBp65, endocytosis, stimulatory capacity, and cytokine expression of SDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsong Yang
- Immunology and Reproductive Biology Lab, Medical School and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, PR China
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Morel GR, Brown OA, Reggiani PC, Hereñú CB, Portiansky EL, Zuccolilli GO, Pléau JM, Dardenne M, Goya RG. Peripheral and mesencephalic transfer of a synthetic gene for the thymic peptide thymulin. Brain Res Bull 2006; 69:647-51. [PMID: 16716832 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2006] [Revised: 03/09/2006] [Accepted: 03/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Thymulin is a thymic peptide with antiinflammatory activity in the brain. We constructed a recombinant adenoviral vector, RAd-FTS, expressing a synthetic DNA sequence encoding met-FTS, a biologically active analog of thymulin and used it for peripheral and central gene transfer in rats. Thymulin concentration in serum and brain tissue was determined by bioassay. Reporter gene expression in the substantia nigra (SN) was quantitated by enzymohistochemistry or fluorescence microscopy using an appropriate image analysis software. A single intramuscular injection (10(8) plaque forming units (pfu)/animal) of RAd-FTS in thymectomized rats (nondetectable serum thymulin) induced supraphysiologic serum thymulin levels for at least 110 days (123+/-22 fg/ml versus 598+/-144 fg/ml in intact and vector-injected rats, respectively). Stereotaxic intranigral injection of RAd-FTS induced steady expression levels of met-FTS for at least 90 days, whereas expression of adenovirally transferred reporter genes coding for green fluorescent protein fused to HSV thymidine kinase (GFP-TK)(fus) or E.coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), declined drastically within a month (% transgene expression in the SN on post-injection day 30 relative to day 2 was: 18, <1 and 125%, for beta-gal, (GFP-TK)(fus) and met-FTS, respectively). We conclude that RAd-FTS constitutes a suitable biotechnological tool for the assessment of peripheral and central thymulin gene therapy in animal models of nigral dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by pro-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo R Morel
- Institute for Biochemical Research-Histology B (INIBIOLP), Faculty of Medicine, UNLP, CC 455, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
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Reggiani PC, Hereñú CB, Rimoldi OJ, Brown OA, Pléau JM, Dardenne M, Goya RG. Gene therapy for long-term restoration of circulating thymulin in thymectomized mice and rats. Gene Ther 2006; 13:1214-21. [PMID: 16617301 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Thymulin is a thymic peptide possessing hypophysiotropic activity and antiinflammatory effects in the brain. We constructed a synthetic DNA sequence encoding met-FTS, a biologically active analog of thymulin, and subsequently cloned it into different expression vectors. A sequence optimized for expression of met-FTS in rodents, 5'-ATGCAGGCCAAGTCGCAGGGGGGGTCGAACTAGTAG-3', was cloned in the mammalian expression vectors pCDNA3.1(+) and phMGFP (which expresses the Monster Green Fluorescent Protein), thus obtaining pcDNA3.1-metFTS and p-metFTS-hMGFP, which express met-FTS and the fluorescent fusion protein metFTS-hMGFP, respectively. The synthetic sequence was also used to construct the adenoviral vector RAd-metFTS, which expresses met-FTS. Transfection of HEK293 and BHK cells with pcDNA3.1-metFTS (experimental groups) or pcDNA3.1 (control), led to high levels of thymulin bioactivity (>600 versus <0.1 pg/ml in experimental and control supernatants, respectively). Transfection of HEK293 and BHK cells with pmetFTS-hMGFP revealed a cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution of the fluorescent fusion protein. A single intramuscular (i.m.) injection (10(7) plaque forming units (PFU)/mouse or 10(8) PFU/rat) of RAd-metFTS in thymectomized animals (nondetectable serum thymulin) restored serum thymulin levels for at least 110 and 130 days post-injection in mice and rats, respectively. We conclude that RAd-metFTS constitutes a suitable biotechnological tool for the implementation of thymulin gene therapy in animal models of chronic brain inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Reggiani
- Institute for Biochemical Research-Histology B, Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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Saadé NE, Atweh SF, Jabbur SJ, Dardenne M, Bach JF, Safieth-Garabedian B. A thymulin analogue peptide with powerful inhibitory effects on pain of neurogenic origin. Neuroscience 2003; 119:155-65. [PMID: 12763077 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00072-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The effects of a synthetic peptide analog of thymulin (PAT) were tested on nociceptive behavior in two animal models for peripheral mononeuropathy and in another two models for capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia. Treatment with PAT (0.25-25 microg/rat, i.p.) produced significant reduction of the mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia in rats subjected to either chronic constriction injury (CCI) or spared nerve injury (SNI) models for mononeuropathy. Cold allodynia was moderately reduced in the CCI model. The inhibition of neuropathic manifestations peaked at 1-2 h post-treatment and disappeared in 3-4 h. Daily treatment with PAT, however, produced progressive attenuation of all neuropathic manifestations in the SNI model. On the other hand, pretreatment with similar doses of PAT produced dose-dependent reduction of the hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar injection of capsaicin (10 microg in 50 microl). The highest dose of PAT (50 microg) produced significant reduction of abdominal aversive behavior induced by i.p injection of capsaicin (20 microg in 100 microl). Compared with the effects of treatment with morphine or meloxicam (injected at single doses known to produce analgesia), PAT exerted equal or stronger inhibitory effects on neuropathic manifestations. The reported results suggest a possible direct action of PAT on afferent nerve fibers but its mechanisms remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Saadé
- Department of Human Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.
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Abstract
It has been proposed that there may be similarities in the mechanisms contributing toward hyperalgesia/allodynia observed in various clinical pain syndromes and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in asthma. Both features are characterized by an increase in responsivity to various stimuli. In the case of pain, these include increase in responsiveness to mechanical and thermal stimuli whilst asthmatics bronchoconstrict in response to substances that are otherwise innocuous. A variety of mediators can induce hyperalgesia and pain when injected into the skin and these same mediators are also released during an inflammatory insult in the airways and in many cases can induce hyperresponsiveness experimentally. In this review, a comparison of the pharmacological modulation of afferent activity in hyperalgesia and in BHR will be made to ascertain whether any commonality exists between the treatment of these two disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Spina
- Pharmcology and Therapeutics Division, The Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, 5th Floor Hodgkin Building, GKT School of Medicine, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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Haddad JJ, Saadé NE, Safieh-Garabedian B. Cytokines and neuro-immune-endocrine interactions: a role for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal revolving axis. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 133:1-19. [PMID: 12446003 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines, peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as their receptors/ligands, are endogenous to the brain, endocrine and immune systems. These shared ligands and receptors are used as a common chemical language for communication within and between the immune and neuroendocrine systems. Such communication suggests an immunoregulatory role for the brain and a sensory function for the immune system. Interplay between the immune, nervous and endocrine systems is most commonly associated with the pronounced effects of stress on immunity. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the key player in stress responses; it is well established that both external and internal stressors activate the HPA axis. Cytokines are chemical messengers that stimulate the HPA axis when the body is under stress or experiencing an infection. This review discusses current knowledge of cytokine signaling pathways in neuro-immune-endocrine interactions as viewed through the triplet HPA axis. In addition, we elaborate on HPA/cytokine interactions in oxidative stress within the context of nuclear factor-kappaB transcriptional regulation and the role of oxidative markers and related gaseous transmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Haddad
- Severinghaus-Radiometer Research Laboratories, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California at San Francisco, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94143-0542, USA.
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