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Yu R, Gao D, Bao J, Sun R, Cui M, Mao Y, Li K, Hu E, Zhai Y, Liu Y, Gao Y, Xiao T, Zhou H, Yang C, Xu J. Exogenous Thymosin Beta 4 Suppresses IPF-Lung Cancer in Mice: Possibly Associated with Its Inhibitory Effect on the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043818. [PMID: 36835236 PMCID: PMC9965428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. At present, the mortality rate of the deadly disease is still very high, while the existing treatments only delay the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients. Lung cancer (LC) is the most fatal disease in the world. In recent years, IPF has been considered to be an independent risk factor for the development of LC. The incidence of lung cancer is increased in the patients with IPF and the mortality is also significantly increased in the patients inflicted with the two diseases. In this study, we evaluated an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis complicated with LC by implanting LC cells orthotopically into the lungs of mice several days after bleomycin induction of the pulmonary fibrosis in the same mice. In vivo studies with the model showed that exogenous recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (exo-rhTβ4) alleviated the impairment of lung function and severity of damage of the alveolar structure by the pulmonary fibrosis and inhibited the proliferation of LC tumor growth. In addition, in vitro studies showed that exo-rhTβ4 inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 and Mlg cells. Furthermore, our results also showed that rhTβ4 could effectively inhibit the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and this might exert an anti-IPF-LC effect. The establishment of the IPF-LC animal model will be helpful for the development of drugs for the treatment of IPF-LC. Exogenous rhTβ4 can be potentially used for the treatment of IPF and LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Dandi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Jiali Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Ronghao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Mengqi Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Yunyun Mao
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Kai Li
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Enbo Hu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yanfang Zhai
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yuemei Gao
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Honggang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin 300353, China
- Correspondence: (C.Y.); (J.X.)
| | - Junjie Xu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
- Correspondence: (C.Y.); (J.X.)
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Zhai Y, Zheng X, Mao Y, Li K, Liu Y, Gao Y, Zhao M, Yang R, Yu R, Chen W. Recombinant Human Thymosin β4 (rhTβ4) Modulates the Anti-Inflammatory Responses to Alleviate Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)-Induced Dry Eye Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105458. [PMID: 35628276 PMCID: PMC9141377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular disorder that interferes with daily living and reduces quality of life. However, there is no most ideal therapeutic treatment to address all the deleterious defects of DED. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of recombinant human thymosin β4 (rhTβ4) to promote healing in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced mice DED model and the anti-inflammatory effects involved in that process. Eye drops consisting of 0.05% and 0.1% rhTβ4 were used for treatment of DED. Tear volume and corneal staining scores were measured after 7 days. Periodic acid-Schiff staining for gobleT cells in conjunctiva, immunohistochemical staining for CD4+ T cells, TUNEL assay for apoptotic positive cells in cornea and conjunctiva, qRT-PCR and ELISA assays for multiple cytokines were performed. All clinical parameters showed improvement in both the 0.05% and 0.1% rhTβ4 groups. Specifically, topical application of rhTβ4 significantly increased conjunctival gobleT cells and reduced apoptotic cells in conjunctiva. Mechanically, the rhTβ4 groups showed significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and CD4+ T cells in conjunctiva by blocking NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) activation, suggesting that 0.05–0.1% rhTβ4 eye drops may be used as a potential therapeutic treatment for DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Zhai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Xiaoxiang Zheng
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361104, China;
| | - Yunyun Mao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Kai Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Yuemei Gao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Mengsu Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Rui Yang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
| | - Rui Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
- Correspondence: (R.Y.); (W.C.)
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.M.); (K.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.G.); (M.Z.); (R.Y.)
- Correspondence: (R.Y.); (W.C.)
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Chen X, Zhang C, Tian L, Wu L, Jie Y, Wang N, Liu R, Wang L. In situ metabolic profile and spatial distribution of ocular tissues: New insights into dry eye disease. Ocul Surf 2022; 24:51-63. [PMID: 34990847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic multifactorial disorder affecting millions of people, yet the pathogenesis mechanisms still remain unclear. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a novel in situ visualization approach combined high-throughput mass spectrometry and molecular imaging. We aimed to explore the in situ ocular metabolic changes via MALDI-MSI to accelerate the recognition of DED pathogenesis. METHODS Experimental dry eye was established in Wistar rats by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine. The induction of DED was assessed by tear film breakup time, sodium fluorescein, histopathological staining and cell apoptosis. MALDI-MSI was applied to explore in situ ocular metabolomic in DED rats, and histopathological staining from same sections were used for side-by-side comparison with MALDI to annotate different tissue structures in the eye. RESULTS Considering the complexity of ocular tissue, we visualized the metabolites in specific ocular regions (central cornea, peripheral cornea, fornix conjunctiva, eyelid conjunctiva and aqueous humor), and identified metabolites related to DED, with information of relative abundance and spatial signatures. In addition, integrative pathway analysis illustrated that, several metabolic pathways such as glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid phenylalanine, and metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine were significantly altered in certain regions in the dry eye tissue. Moreover, we discussed how the metabolic pathways with spatiotemporal signatures might be involved in the DED process. CONCLUSIONS Our data exploit the advantages of in situ analysis of MALDI-MSI to accurately analyze the region-specific metabolic behaviors in DED, and provide new clues to uncover DED pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoniao Chen
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Senior Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Chuyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Jie
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Senior Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Yu R, Lin Q, Zhai Y, Mao Y, Li K, Gao Y, Liu Y, Fu L, Fang T, Zhao M, Guan L, Hou L, Xu J, Chen W. Recombinant human thymosin beta-4 (rhTβ4) improved scalp condition and microbiome homeostasis in seborrheic dermatitis. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:2152-2163. [PMID: 34318587 PMCID: PMC8449661 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a recurrent common inflammatory skin disease that affects all ethnic groups in all regions worldwide. However, no specific treatment or preventive measure is yet available. Identifying effective treatments with acceptable safety and tolerability is desirable. In this study, scalp microbiota alterations were measured in SD, showing significantly greater abundance of Malassezia and Staphylococcus and diminished fungal and bacterial diversity compared with healthy controls. We investigated the benefit of a 4‐week treatment with 0.5 mg ml‐1 recombinant human thymosin β4 (rhTβ4) gel or 2% ketoconazole lotion on the scalp condition of 71 patients with SD compared with 21 healthy individuals. Clinical assessment (Adherent Scalp Flaking Score, and the Maximum Erythema Area) and physiological conditions (transepidermal water loss, hydration, and sebum secretion) were evaluated. The rhTβ4 treatment provided significantly greater efficacy than ketoconazole and a sustained effect in the treatment of scalp SD. More importantly, rhTβ4 dramatically improved the microbiome homeostasis and prompted a shift of scalp microflora towards healthy composition, helping symptoms and ameliorating physiological conditions more effectively and durably than ketoconazole. Our research demonstrated the scalp microbe dysbiosis of SD and highlighted rhTβ4 as a promising therapeutic strategy in the prevention and treatment of SD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Qingbin Lin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfang Zhai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yunyun Mao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuemei Gao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Fu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Mengsu Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Guan
- Guangzhou Landproof testing technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Hou
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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Recombinant Human Thymosin Beta-4 Protects against Mouse Coronavirus Infection. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:9979032. [PMID: 33967626 PMCID: PMC8081638 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9979032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped and harbor an unusually large (30-32 kb) positive-strand linear RNA genome. Highly pathogenic coronaviruses cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) (MERS-CoV) in humans. The coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infects mice and serves as an ideal model of viral pathogenesis, mainly because experiments can be conducted using animal-biosafety level-2 (A-BSL2) containment. Human thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), a 43-residue peptide with an acetylated N-terminus, is widely expressed in human tissues. Tβ4 regulates actin polymerization and functions as an anti-inflammatory molecule and an antioxidant as well as a promoter of wound healing and angiogenesis. These activities led us to test whether Tβ4 serves to treat coronavirus infections of humans. To test this possibility, here, we established a BALB/c mouse model of coronavirus infection using mouse CoV MHV-A59 to evaluate the potential protective effect of recombinant human Tβ4 (rhTβ4). Such a system can be employed under A-BSL2 containment instead of A-BSL3 that is required to study coronaviruses infectious for humans. We found that rhTβ4 significantly increased the survival rate of mice infected with MHV-A59 through inhibiting virus replication, balancing the host's immune response, alleviating pathological damage, and promoting repair of the liver. These results will serve as the basis for further application of rhTβ4 to the treatment of human CoV diseases such as COVID-19.
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