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Li WX, Dai SX, Wang Q, Guo YC, Hong Y, Zheng JJ, Liu JQ, Liu D, Li GH, Huang JF. Integrated analysis of ischemic stroke datasets revealed sex and age difference in anti-stroke targets. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2470. [PMID: 27672514 PMCID: PMC5028792 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a common neurological disorder and the burden in the world is growing. This study aims to explore the effect of sex and age difference on ischemic stroke using integrated microarray datasets. The results showed a dramatic difference in whole gene expression profiles and influenced pathways between males and females, and also in the old and young individuals. Furthermore, compared with old males, old female patients showed more serious biological function damage. However, females showed less affected pathways than males in young subjects. Functional interaction networks showed these differential expression genes were mostly related to immune and inflammation-related functions. In addition, we found ARG1 and MMP9 were up-regulated in total and all subgroups. Importantly, IL1A, ILAB, IL6 and TNF and other anti-stroke target genes were up-regulated in males. However, these anti-stroke target genes showed low expression in females. This study found huge sex and age differences in ischemic stroke especially the opposite expression of anti-stroke target genes. Future studies are needed to uncover these pathological mechanisms, and to take appropriate pre-prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xing Li
- Institute of Health Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shao-Xing Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi-Cheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi Hong
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jun-Juan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jia-Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Dahai Liu
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Gong-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing-Fei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Models and Drug Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Natural Products and Biological Drugs of Yunnan, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Zhou YQ, Liu Z, Liu ZH, Chen SP, Li M, Shahveranov A, Ye DW, Tian YK. Interleukin-6: an emerging regulator of pathological pain. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:141. [PMID: 27267059 PMCID: PMC4897919 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0607-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-6 is an inflammatory cytokine with wide-ranging biological effects. It has been widely demonstrated that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development of pathological pain. Recently, various pathological pain models have shown elevated expression levels of interleukin-6 and its receptor in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Additionally, the administration of interleukin-6 could cause mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and an intrathecal injection of anti-interleukin-6 neutralizing antibody alleviated these pain-related behaviors. These studies indicated a pivotal role of interleukin-6 in pathological pain. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the roles and mechanisms of interleukin-6 in mediating pathological pain associated with bone cancer, peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, complete Freund’s adjuvant injection, and carrageenan injection. Understanding and regulating interleukin-6 could be an interesting lead to novel therapeutic strategies for pathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Heng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shu-Ping Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Allahverdi Shahveranov
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Da-Wei Ye
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yu-Ke Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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3
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Görtz D, Braun GS, Maruta Y, Djudjaj S, van Roeyen CR, Martin IV, Küster A, Schmitz-Van de Leur H, Scheller J, Ostendorf T, Floege J, Müller-Newen G. Anti-interleukin-6 therapy through application of a monogenic protein inhibitor via gene delivery. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14685. [PMID: 26423228 PMCID: PMC4589789 DOI: 10.1038/srep14685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-cytokine therapies have substantially improved the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Cytokine-targeting drugs are usually biologics such as antibodies or other engineered proteins. Production of biologics, however, is complex and intricate and therefore expensive which might limit therapeutic application. To overcome this limitation we developed a strategy that involves the design of an optimized, monogenic cytokine inhibitor and the protein producing capacity of the host. Here, we engineered and characterized a receptor fusion protein, mIL-6-RFP-Fc, for the inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a well-established target in anti-cytokine therapy. Upon application in mice mIL-6-RFP-Fc inhibited IL-6-induced activation of the transcription factor STAT3 and ERK1/2 kinases in liver and kidney. mIL-6-RFP-Fc is encoded by a single gene and therefore most relevant for gene transfer approaches. Gene transfer through hydrodynamic plasmid delivery in mice resulted in hepatic production and secretion of mIL-6-RFP-Fc into the blood in considerable amounts, blocked hepatic acute phase protein synthesis and improved kidney function in an ischemia and reperfusion injury model. Our study establishes receptor fusion proteins as promising agents in anti-cytokine therapies through gene therapeutic approaches for future targeted and cost-effective treatments. The strategy described here is applicable for many cytokines involved in inflammatory and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Görtz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gerald S Braun
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yuichi Maruta
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Ina V Martin
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Küster
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Scheller
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tammo Ostendorf
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Müller-Newen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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4
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Abstract
Interleukin (IL-)23 is a central cytokine controlling TH17 development. Overshooting IL-23 signaling contribute to autoimmune diseases. Moreover, GWAS studies have identified several SNPs within the IL-23 receptor, which are associated with autoimmune diseases. IL-23 is a member of the IL-12-type cytokine family and consists of IL-23p19 and p40. Within the IL-12 family, IL-12 and IL-23 share the p40 cytokine subunit and the IL-12Rβ1 as one chain of the receptor complex. For signaling, IL-23 triggers heterodimerization of IL-12Rβ1 and the IL-23R. Subsequently, signal transduction pathways including JAK/STAT, MAPK and PI3K are activated. Most studies have investigated the biological relevance of IL-23 in the development of TH17 cells and autoimmunity, whereas less is known about the molecular context of IL-23 biology. Therefore, we focused on IL-23 receptor complex assembly, signal transduction and functional relevance of IL-23R SNPs in the context of IL-23-inhibitory principles.
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Alghasham A, Rasheed Z. Therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis: Progress and promises. Autoimmunity 2014; 47:77-94. [PMID: 24437572 DOI: 10.3109/08916934.2013.873413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent therapeutic advancements in understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have highlighted the strategies that aim to inhibit the harmful effects of up-regulated cytokines or other inflammatory mediators and to inhibit their associated signaling events. The utility of cytokine as therapeutic targets in RA has been unequivocally demonstrated by the success of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockade in clinical practice. Partial and non-responses to TNF-α blocking agents, however, together with the increasing clinical drive to remission induction, requires that further therapeutic targets be identified. Numerous proinflammatory mediators with their associated cell signaling events have now been demonstrated in RA, including interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-12 superfamilies. Continued efforts are ongoing to target IL-6, IL-15 and IL-17 in clinical trials with promising data emerging. In the present review, we focus on IL-7, IL-18, IL-32 and IL-10 family of cytokines (IL-19, IL-20 and IL-22) as they are implicated in contributing to the pathogenesis of RA, which could be targeted and offer new therapeutic options for RA therapy. Recent evidences also suggest that multiligand receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), several adipokines and various components of immune system play a critical role in the pathophysiology of RA; therefore we have also highlighted them as therapeutic targets for RA therapy. Components of subcellular pathways, involve in nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway have also been discussed and offer several novel potential therapeutic opportunities for RA.
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Schroeder A, Herrmann A, Cherryholmes G, Kowolik C, Buettner R, Pal S, Yu H, Müller-Newen G, Jove R. Loss of androgen receptor expression promotes a stem-like cell phenotype in prostate cancer through STAT3 signaling. Cancer Res 2013; 74:1227-37. [PMID: 24177177 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is important for prostate cancer progression. However, androgen-deprivation and/or AR targeting-based therapies often lead to resistance. Here, we demonstrate that loss of AR expression results in STAT3 activation in prostate cancer cells. AR downregulation further leads to development of prostate cancer stem-like cells (CSC), which requires STAT3. In human prostate tumor tissues, elevated cancer stem-like cell markers coincide with those cells exhibiting high STAT3 activity and low AR expression. AR downregulation-induced STAT3 activation is mediated through increased interleukin (IL)-6 expression. Treating mice with soluble IL-6 receptor fusion protein or silencing STAT3 in tumor cells significantly reduced prostate tumor growth and CSCs. Together, these findings indicate an opposing role of AR and STAT3 in prostate CSC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schroeder
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Molecular Medicine, Cancer Immunotherapy and Tumor Immunology, and Medical Oncology, Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California; and Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Subramaniam A, Shanmugam MK, Perumal E, Li F, Nachiyappan A, Dai X, Swamy SN, Ahn KS, Kumar AP, Tan BKH, Hui KM, Sethi G. Potential role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signaling pathway in inflammation, survival, proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2012; 1835:46-60. [PMID: 23103770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, and is also the fourth most common cancer worldwide with around 700,000 new cases each year. Currently, first line chemotherapeutic drugs used for HCC include fluorouracil, cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel and mitomycin, but most of these are non-selective cytotoxic molecules with significant side effects. Sorafenib is the only approved targeted therapy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for HCC treatment, but patients suffer from various kinds of adverse effects, including hypertension. The signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription 3 (STAT3) protein, one of the members of STATs transcription factor family, has been implicated in signal transduction by different cytokines, growth factors and oncogenes. In normal cells, STAT3 activation is tightly controlled to prevent dysregulated gene transcription, whereas constitutively activated STAT3 plays an important role in tumorigenesis through the upregulation of genes involved in anti-apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. Thus, pharmacologically safe and effective agents that can block STAT3 activation have the potential both for the prevention and treatment of HCC. In the present review, we discuss the possible role of STAT3 signaling cascade and its interacting partners in the initiation of HCC and also analyze the role of various STAT3 regulated genes in HCC progression, inflammation, survival, invasion and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruljothi Subramaniam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597
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8
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Schwache D, Müller-Newen G. Receptor fusion proteins for the inhibition of cytokines. Eur J Cell Biol 2012; 91:428-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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9
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Mohr A, Chatain N, Domoszlai T, Rinis N, Sommerauer M, Vogt M, Müller-Newen G. Dynamics and non-canonical aspects of JAK/STAT signalling. Eur J Cell Biol 2011; 91:524-32. [PMID: 22018664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway directly links ligand-binding to a membrane-bound receptor with the activation of a transcription factor. This signalling module enables the cell to rapidly initiate a transcriptional response to external stimulation. The main components of this evolutionary conserved module are cytokines that specifically bind to cytokine receptors leading to the activation of receptor-associated Janus tyrosine kinases (JAKs). The receptor-bound JAKs activate STAT transcription factors through phosphorylation of a single tyrosine residue. Activated STAT dimers translocate into the nucleus to induce target gene expression. In this article we will review current opinions on the molecular mechanism and on intracellular dynamics of JAK/STAT signalling with a special focus on the cytokine receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and STAT3. In particular we will concentrate on non-canonical aspects of Jak/STAT signalling including preassembled receptor complexes, preformed STAT dimers, STAT trafficking and non-canonical functions of STATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mohr
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Brolund L, Küster A, Korr S, Vogt M, Müller-Newen G. A receptor fusion protein for the inhibition of murine oncostatin M. BMC Biotechnol 2011; 11:3. [PMID: 21223559 PMCID: PMC3040522 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-11-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most cytokines signal through heteromeric receptor complexes consisting of two or more different receptor subunits. Fusion proteins of the extracellular parts of receptor subunits turned out to be promising cytokine inhibitors useful in anti-cytokine therapy and cytokine research. Results We constructed receptor fusion proteins (RFP) consisting of the ligand binding domains of the murine oncostatin M (mOSM) receptor subunits mOSMR and mgp130 connected by a flexible linker as potential mOSM inhibitors. mgp130 is a shared cytokine receptor that is also used by other cytokines such as IL-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In this study we compare four types of mOSM-RFPs that contain either domains D1-D3 or domains D2-D3 of mgp130 and are arranged in two ways. Domain D1 of mgp130 turned out to be dispensable for mOSM-binding. However, the arrangement of the two receptor subunits is essential for the inhibitory activity. We found mOSM induced STAT3 phosphorylation to be suppressed only when the mOSMR fragment was fused in front of the mgp130 fragment. Conclusions mOSM-RFP consisting of D1-D4 of mOSMR and D2-D3 of mgp130 is a highly potent and specific inhibitor of mOSM. Since mOSM-RFP is encoded by a single gene it offers numerous possibilities for specific cytokine inhibition in gene delivery approaches based on viral vectors, transgenic animals and finally gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liv Brolund
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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11
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Wittig I, Schägger H. Native electrophoretic techniques to identify proteinâprotein interactions. Proteomics 2009; 9:5214-23. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200900151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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12
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Wiesinger MY, Haan S, Wüller S, Kauffmann ME, Recker T, Küster A, Heinrich PC, Müller-Newen G. Development of an IL-6 Inhibitor Based on the Functional Analysis of Murine IL-6Rα1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 16:783-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2009.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2008] [Revised: 05/28/2009] [Accepted: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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13
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Wittig I, Schägger H. Features and applications of blue-native and clear-native electrophoresis. Proteomics 2008; 8:3974-90. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Metz S, Naeth G, Heinrich PC, Müller-Newen G. Novel inhibitors for murine and human leukemia inhibitory factor based on fused soluble receptors. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:5985-95. [PMID: 18174171 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m706610200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion proteins of the extracellular parts of cytokine receptors, also known as cytokine traps, turned out to be promising cytokine inhibitors useful in anti-cytokine therapies. Here we present newly designed cytokine traps for murine and human leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) as prototypes for inhibitors targeting cytokines that signal through a heterodimer of two signaling receptors of the glycoprotein 130 (gp130) family. LIF signals through a receptor heterodimer of LIF receptor (LIFR) and gp130 and induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 leading to target gene expression. The analysis of various receptor fusion and deletion constructs revealed that a truncated form of the murine LIF receptor consisting of the first five extracellular domains was a potent inhibitor for human LIF. For the efficient inhibition of murine LIF, the cytokine-binding module of murine gp130 had to be fused to the first five domains of murine LIFR generating mLIF-RFP (murine LIFR fusion protein). The tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and subsequent gene induction induced by human or murine LIF are completely blocked by the respective inhibitor. Furthermore, both inhibitors are specific and do not alter the bioactivities of the closely related cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and oncostatin M. The gained knowledge on the construction of LIF inhibitors can be transferred to the design of inhibitors for related cytokines such as IL-31, IL-27, and oncostatin M for the treatment of inflammatory and malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Metz
- Institut für Biochemie, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen, Germany
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Abstract
Biliary cancer comprise carcinoma of the gallbladder as well as the intrahepatic, hilar and extrahepatic bile ducts. Furthermore, many different etiologies and risk factors are contributing to the inhomogeneity of this disease. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when potentially curative resection is not feasible. Due to the lack of randomised Phase III studies, there is no standard regimen for chemotherapy in biliary cancer. Recent investigations into the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in biliary carcinogenesis and tumour growth have contributed greatly to our understanding of biliary cancer. Through a better understanding of these mechanisms, improved and more specific diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive strategies may be developed. Although fluoropyrimidines and gemcitabine remain the backbone of routine chemotherapy in advanced disease, new agents such as epidermal growth factor receptor blockers and angiogenesis inhibitors may hold promise for improving the outcome for patients with biliary cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Eckel
- Technical University of Munich, Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The utility of cytokines as therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis has been unequivocally demonstrated by the success of tumour necrosis factor blockade in clinical practice. Partial and non-responses to tumour necrosis factor blocking agents, however, together with the increasing clinical drive to remission induction, requires that further therapeutic targets be identified. RECENT FINDINGS Numerous cytokine activities with pathogenetic potential have now been demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis synovial membrane, including members of the IL-1 superfamily and the IL-12 superfamily. Continued efforts are ongoing to target IL-6 and IL-15 in clinical trials with promising data emerging. There is particular interest in the biology of IL-17 and of the recently described IL-32 as critical effector mediators. SUMMARY Novel cytokine activities are emerging on an ongoing basis. There remain difficulties in ascribing the optimal regulatory hierarchy for given moieties on the basis of existing preclinical model systems. This in turn poses novel challenges in determining which cytokines represent the best therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren L Asquith
- Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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