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Ren W, Sun Y, Zhao L, Shi X. NLRP3 inflammasome and its role in autoimmune diseases: A promising therapeutic target. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116679. [PMID: 38701567 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a protein complex that regulates innate immune responses by activating caspase-1 and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Numerous studies have highlighted its crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid diseases, and other autoimmune diseases. Therefore, investigating the underlying mechanisms of NLRP3 in disease and targeted drug therapies holds clinical significance. This review summarizes the structure, assembly, and activation mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome, focusing on its role and involvement in various autoimmune diseases. This review also identifies studies where the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the disease mechanism within the same disease appears contradictory, as well as differences in NLRP3-related gene polymorphisms among different ethnic groups. Additionally, the latest therapeutic advances in targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for autoimmune diseases are outlined, and novel clinical perspectives are discussed. Conclusively, this review provides a consolidated source of information on the NLRP3 inflammasome and may guide future research efforts that have the potential to positively impact patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Ren
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoguang Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
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Zhu J, Wei J, Lin Y, Tang Y, Su Z, Li L, Liu B, Cai X. Inhibition of IL-17 signaling in macrophages underlies the anti-arthritic effects of halofuginone hydrobromide: Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:105. [PMID: 38413973 PMCID: PMC10900594 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04397-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent autoimmune disease marked by chronic synovitis as well as cartilage and bone destruction. Halofuginone hydrobromide (HF), a bioactive compound derived from the Chinese herbal plant Dichroa febrifuga Lour., has demonstrated substantial anti-arthritic effects in RA. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-RA effects of HF remain unclear. METHODS This study employed a combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to investigate potential targets of HF in RA. RESULTS Network pharmacology analyses identified 109 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) resulting from HF treatment in RA. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses unveiled a robust association between these DEGs and the IL-17 signaling pathway. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed 10 core DEGs, that is, EGFR, MMP9, TLR4, ESR1, MMP2, PPARG, MAPK1, JAK2, STAT1, and MAPK8. Among them, MMP9 displayed the greatest binding energy for HF. In an in vitro assay, HF significantly inhibited the activity of inflammatory macrophages, and regulated the IL-17 signaling pathway by decreasing the levels of IL-17 C, p-NF-κB, and MMP9. CONCLUSION In summary, these findings suggest that HF has the potential to inhibit the activation of inflammatory macrophages through its regulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway, underscoring its potential in the suppression of immune-mediated inflammation in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China
| | - Jiaming Wei
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China
| | - Ye Lin
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tang
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China
- College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Zhaoli Su
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China
- The Central Research Laboratory, Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, China
- Guangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive and Therapeutic Research in Prevalent Diseases in West Guangxi, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, China
| | - Liqing Li
- The Central Research Laboratory, Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College, Zhuzhou, China.
- Guangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive and Therapeutic Research in Prevalent Diseases in West Guangxi, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China.
| | - Xiong Cai
- Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, School of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China.
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Wang X, Sun B, Wang Y, Gao P, Song J, Chang W, Xiao Z, Xi Y, Li Z, An F, Yan C. Research progress of targeted therapy regulating Th17/Treg balance in bone immune diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1333993. [PMID: 38352872 PMCID: PMC10861655 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1333993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) are common bone-immune diseases. The imbalance between helper (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) produced during differentiation of CD4+ T cells plays a key regulatory role in bone remodelling disorders in RA and PMOP. However, the specific regulatory mechanism of this imbalance in bone remodelling in RA and PMOP has not been clarified. Identifying the regulatory mechanism underlying the Th17/Treg imbalance in RA and PMOP during bone remodelling represents a key factor in the research and development of new drugs for bone immune diseases. In this review, the potential roles of Th17, Treg, and Th17/Treg imbalance in regulating bone remodelling in RA and PMOP have been summarised, and the potential mechanisms by which probiotics, traditional Chinese medicine compounds, and monomers maintain bone remodelling by regulating the Th17/Treg balance are expounded. The maintenance of Th17/Treg balance could be considered as an therapeutic alternative for the treatment of RA and PMOP. This study also summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of conventional treatments and the quality of life and rehabilitation of patients with RA and PMOP. The findings presented her will provide a better understanding of the close relationship between bone immunity and bone remodelling in chronic bone diseases and new ideas for future research, prevention, and treatment of bone immune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaxia Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bai Sun
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Peng Gao
- School of Basic Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jiayi Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Weirong Chang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhipan Xiao
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yongbin Xi
- Orthopaedics Department, The No.2 People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhonghong Li
- Pathological Research Centre, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fangyu An
- Teaching Experiment Training Centre, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chunlu Yan
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Assefi M, Lewandrowski KU, Lorio M, Fiorelli RKA, Landgraeber S, Sharafshah A. Network-Based In Silico Analysis of New Combinations of Modern Drug Targets with Methotrexate for Response-Based Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1550. [PMID: 38003865 PMCID: PMC10672378 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methotrexate (MTX), sulfonamides, hydroxychloroquine, and leflunomide have consistently resulted in remission with relatively mild to moderate adverse effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Modern medications outperform traditional treatments in that they target the pathological processes that underlie the development of RA. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors accomplished a systematic review of the clinical efficacy of RA drugs, including the biologics such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha inhibitors (TNF-α i) like Etanercept, Infliximab, Golimumab, and Adalimumab, kinase inhibitors (JAK inhibitors including Baricitinib and Tofacitanib), SyK inhibitors like Fos-tamatinib, MAPK inhibitors such as Talmapimod, T-cell inhibitors (Abatacept), IL6 blockers (Tocilizumab), and B cells depleters (Rituximab). These drugs have been found to increase remission rates when combined with MTX. A bioinformatics-based network was designed applying STRING-MODEL and the DrugBank database for the aforementioned drugs and MTX and, finally, employed for this systematic review. RESULTS Current research demonstrates that non-TNF-α inhibitor biologicals are particularly helpful in treating patients who did not respond well to conventional medications and TNF-α inhibitors. Despite being effective, these innovative drugs have a higher chance of producing hazardous side effects. The in silico investigations suggested an uncovered molecular interaction in combining MTX with other biological drugs. The STRING-MODEL showed that DHFR, TYMS, and ATIC, as the receptors of MTX, interact with each other but are not connected to the major interacted receptors. CONCLUSIONS New game-changing drugs including Mavrilimumab, Iguratimod, Upadacitinib, Fenebrutinib, and nanoparticles may be crucial in controlling symptoms in poorly managed RA patients. Emerging therapeutic targets like Toll-like 4 receptors, NLRP3 inflammasome complexes, and mesenchymal stem cells can further transform RA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Assefi
- Marie Curie Science Research Center, Greensboro, NC 27407, USA;
| | - Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski
- Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona, 4787 E Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA;
- Department of Orthopaedics, Fundación Universitaria Sanitas, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Department of Orthopedics, Hospital Universitário Gaffre e Guinle, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, RJ, Brazil
| | - Morgan Lorio
- Advanced Orthopaedics, 499 E. Central Pkwy, Ste. 130, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, USA;
| | - Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli
- Department of General and Specialized Surgery, Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro 22290-240, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Stefan Landgraeber
- Klinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie Gebäude 37, EG, Zimmer 56, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Alireza Sharafshah
- Marie Curie Science Research Center, Greensboro, NC 27407, USA;
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht P.O. Box 4144654839, Iran
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