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Wang P, Li W, Yang Y, Cheng N, Zhang Y, Zhang N, Yin Y, Tong L, Li Z, Luo J. A polypeptide inhibitor of calcineurin blocks the calcineurin-NFAT signalling pathway in vivo and in vitro. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 37:202-210. [PMID: 34894973 PMCID: PMC8667882 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1998024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) controls the immune response by regulating nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Inhibition of CN function is an effective treatment for immune diseases. The PVIVIT peptide is an artificial peptide based on the NFAT-PxIxIT motif, which exhibits stronger binding to CN. A bioactive peptide (named pep4) that inhibits the CN/NFAT interaction was designed. Pep4 contains a segment of A238L as the linker and the LxVP motif and PVIVIT motif as CN binding sites. Pep4 has strong binding capacity to CN and inhibits CN activity competitively. 11-arginine-modified pep4 (11 R-pep4) inhibits the nuclear translocation of NFAT and reduces the expression of IL-2. 11 R-pep4 improves the pathological characteristics of asthmatic mice to a certain extent. The above results indicated that pep4 is a high-affinity CN inhibitor. These findings will contribute to the discovery of new CN inhibitors and promising immunosuppressive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yumeng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxia Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimei Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology of Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Ali AS, Almalki AS, Alharthy BT. Effect of Kaempferol on Tacrolimus-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Calcineurin B1 Expression Level in Animal Model. J Exp Pharmacol 2020; 12:397-407. [PMID: 33149706 PMCID: PMC7604448 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s265359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The kidneys are considered one of the most susceptible organs for adverse drug effects, particularly in post-transplant conditions. Tacrolimus (FK506), a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant, is an essential component in the transplantation regimen. Despite that, nephrotoxicity is a severe drawback for its chronic utilization, where oxidative stress might be implicated. Kaempferol (KMF) is a natural flavonoid that has many adaptable biological activities, including antioxidant action. OBJECTIVE Exploring the KMF protective effect on FK506-induced nephrotoxicity and the underlying role of calcineurin B1. METHODS Twenty-four male albino-Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. The control group received solvents: propylene glycol, i.p. and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose, PO; FK506 group was injected with FK506 (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.), and FK506+KMF group was given FK506 (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) and KMF (10 mg/kg, PO). The treatment regimen for all groups was once daily for 30 days. ELISA technique applied for measuring FK506 trough level and nephrotoxicity biomarkers in serum (cystatin C and urea) on days 15 and 30, and in kidney tissue homogenate (MDA and calcineurin B1) on day 30. RESULTS In FK506-treated rats, the FK506 trough level was 7.84 ± 1.31 ug/l on day 15 and 9.54 ± 1.45 ug/l on day 30. FK506 use has significantly (P<0.01) increased biomarkers levels of cystatin C (325% and 477%), urea (177% and 245%), MDA (1253%), except calcineurin B1 that has decreased (97%). The KMF combination has resulted in a significant reduction in the FK506 trough level by day 30 (6.79 ± 1.35 ug/l, P<0.01). KMF has significantly ameliorated the levels of cystatin C (46% and 73%, P<0.001), urea (38% and 68%, P<0.001), MDA (75%, P<0.001), and calcineurin B1 (1833%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Oxidative stress and calcineurin B1 are contributing factors in FK506-induced nephrotoxicity. Hence, inhibition of calcineurin enzyme is not limited to the immune cells. KMF could be a novel nephroprotective antioxidant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Shaker Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Abdullah Saddah Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Department of Pharmacy, Ajyad Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Correspondence: Abdullah Saddah AlmalkiMakkah24268 – 9382, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel +966 126401000 - Ext 20151Fax +966 126400855 Email
| | - Basma Tarek Alharthy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Sugiyama T, Matsushima M, Ohdachi T, Hashimoto N, Hasegawa Y, Yokoi K, Kawabe T. Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 in suppression of T cell activation by quercetin. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:295-305. [PMID: 32397768 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1759623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM Acute rejection is still a major problem in transplantation and one of the most important causes of late graft loss. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are widely used for suppression of T cell function to avoid graft rejection, but long-term use of these compounds is associated with serious toxicities. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, has been demonstrated to exhibit cytoprotective effects through the induction of heme oxygenase (HO) -1, an enzyme involved in heme catabolism. We hypothesized that quercetin induces HO-1 in T cells and suppresses T cell function via HO-1. In the present study, we showed that quercetin suppressed the A23187-mediated expression of interleukin (IL) -2 in T cells. METHODS Mouse splenocytes, enriched T cells, and EL4 cells, a mouse T cell line, were treated with quercetin, and then stimulated with A23187, a calcium ionophore, concanavalin A, or anti-CD3ε and anti-CD28 antibodies. Cell proliferation, expression of IL-2, calcium mobilization, apoptosis, cell cycle, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were investigated. RESULTS Quercetin induced HO-1, and this induction of HO-1 was implicated in the suppression of IL-2 production. Furthermore, the induction of HO-1 by quercetin suppressed the influx of calcium ions, a known trigger of IL-2 production. Additionally, quercetin suppressed T cell proliferation through promotion of cell cycle arrest via HO-1 induction, but quercetin did not induce apoptosis. To investigate the role of the signal transduction pathway in quercetin's effect on cell proliferation, we evaluated the phosphorylation of ERK in T cells. Quercetin suppressed the A23187-mediated stimulation of ERK, an effect that was mediated through HO-1. These results suggested that HO-1 is involved in the suppressive effects of quercetin on T cell activation and proliferation. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the quercetin may be a promising candidate for inducing HO-1 in T cells, thereby facilitating immunosuppressive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoshi Sugiyama
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Miyoko Matsushima
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ohdachi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naozumi Hashimoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Hasegawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kohei Yokoi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kawabe
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Gang W, Yu-Zhu W, Yang Y, Feng S, Xing-Li F, Heng Z. The critical role of calcineurin/NFAT (C/N) pathways and effective antitumor prospect for colorectal cancers. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:19254-19273. [PMID: 31489709 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) like a nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and its controller calcineurin are highly expressed in primary intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) due to delamination, damage by tumor-associated flora and selective activation in the intestinal tract tumor are crucial in the progression and growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study sought to summarize the current findings concerning the dysregulated calcineurin/NFAT (C/N) signaling involved in CRC initiation and progression. These signalings include proliferation, T-cell functions, and glycolysis with high lactate production that remodels the acidosis, which genes in tumor cells provide an evolutionary advantage, or even increased their attack phenotype. Moreover, the relationship between C/N and gut microbiome in CRC, especially role of NFAT and toll-like receptor signaling in regulating intestinal microbiota are also discussed. Furthermore, this review will discuss the proteins and genes relating to C/N induced acidosis in CRC, which includes ASIC2 regulated C/N1 and TFs associated with the glycolytic by-product that affect T-cell functions and CRC cell growth. It is revealed that calcineurin or NFAT targeting to antitumor, selective calcineurin inhibition or targets in NFAT signaling may be useful for clinical treatment of CRC. This can further aid in the identification of specific targets via cancer patient-personalized approach. Future studies should be focused on targeting to C/N or TLR signaling by the combination of therapeutic agents to regulate T-cell functions and gut microbiome for activating potent anticancer property with the prospect of potentiating the antitumor therapy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Gang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eight People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wang Yu-Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shi Feng
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fu Xing-Li
- Department of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhang Heng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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5
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Song R, Li J, Zhang J, Wang L, Tong L, Wang P, Yang H, Wei Q, Cai H, Luo J. Peptides derived from transcription factor EB bind to calcineurin at a similar region as the NFAT-type motif. Biochimie 2017; 142:158-167. [PMID: 28890387 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) is involved in many physiological processes and interacts with multiple substrates. Most of the substrates contain similar motifs recognized by CN. Recent studies revealed a new CN substrate, transcription factor EB (TFEB), which is involved in autophagy. We showed that a 15-mer QSYLENPTSYHLQQS peptide from TFEB (TFEB-YLENP) bound to CN. When the TFEB-YLENP peptide was changed to YLAVP, its affinity for CN increased and it had stronger CN inhibitory activity. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the TFEB-YLENP peptide has the same docking sites in CN as the 15-mer DQYLAVPQHPYQWAK motif of the nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1-YLAVP). Moreover expression of the NFATc1-YLAVP peptide suppressed the TFEB activation in starved Hela cells. Our studies first identified a CN binding site in TFEB and compared the inhibitory capability of various peptides derived from CN substrates. The data uncovered a diversity in recognition sequences that underlies the CN signaling within the cell. Studies of CN-substrate interactions should lay the groundwork for developing selective CN peptide inhibitors that target CN-substrate interaction in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiwen Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qun Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Chen Y, Holstein DM, Aime S, Bollo M, Lechleiter JD. Calcineurin β protects brain after injury by activating the unfolded protein response. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 94:139-56. [PMID: 27334877 PMCID: PMC4983525 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ca2+-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin (CN) is thought to play a detrimental role in damaged neurons; however, its role in astrocytes is unclear. In cultured astrocytes, CNβ expression increased after treatment with a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin, and with oxygen and glucose deprivation, an in vitro model of ischemia. Similarly, CNβ was induced in astrocytes in vivo in two different mouse models of brain injury - photothrombotic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Immunoprecipitation and chemical activation dimerization methods pointed to physical interaction of CNβ with the unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK). In accordance, induction of CNβ resulted in oligomerization and activation of PERK. Strikingly, the presence of a phosphatase inhibitor did not interfere with CNβ-mediated activation of PERK, suggesting a hitherto undiscovered non-enzymatic role for CNβ. Importantly, the cytoprotective function of CNβ was PERK-dependent both in vitro and in vivo. Loss of CNβ in vivo resulted in a significant increase in cerebral damage, and correlated with a decrease in astrocyte size, PERK activity and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Taken together, these data reveal a critical role for the CNβ-PERK axis in not only prolonging astrocyte cell survival but also in modulating astrogliosis after brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Chen
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Deborah M Holstein
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sofia Aime
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M y M Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Mariana Bollo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica M y M Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - James D Lechleiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA; Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA.
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7
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Gao S, Li W, Lin G, Liu G, Deng W, Zhai C, Bian C, He G, Hu Z. Norisoboldine, an alkaloid from Radix linderae, inhibits NFAT activation and attenuates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced dermatitis in mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2016; 38:327-33. [PMID: 27315014 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2016.1202961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors, essential for T-cell activation. Norisoboldine (NOR), an isoquinoline alkaloid from Radix linderae, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE This study examines NOR's effect on NFAT activation and its therapeutic potential for atopic dermatitis (AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS The transcriptional activity of NFAT was examined with luciferase reporter assay, using K562-luc cells, stimulated with 20 ng/mL PMA plus 1 μM ionomycin. NFAT dephosphorylation was examined by immuno-blotting in K562-luc cells and Jurkat cells. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in Jurkat cells was examined by real-time PCR. A mouse model of dermatitis, induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was used to test NOR's therapeutic potential for AD. RESULTS NOR, dose-dependently, inhibited PMA and ionomycin-induced NFAT reporter gene expression in K562-luc cells in the range of 2-50 μM. NOR also inhibited PMA and ionomycin-induced NFAT dephosphorylation in K562-luc cells and Jurkat cells. Consequently, NOR suppressed PMA plus ionomycin-induced IL-2 expression in Jurkat cells. The administration of NOR (10 mg/kg, i.p.), alleviated DNCB-induced dermatitis in mice, by the reduction of ear swelling and attenuation of inflammatory infiltration into ear tissue. Moreover, mRNA levels of INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 in ears of NOR-treated mice were reduced by 78.4, 77.8, 72.3 and 73.9%, respectively, compared with untreated controls. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that NOR inhibits NFAT activation in T-cells and alleviates AD-like inflammatory reaction in a DNCB-induced dermatitis model, highlighting NOR as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Gao
- a Department of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Wencai Li
- a Department of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | - Guochao Lin
- a Department of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
| | | | - Wenjuan Deng
- b Infinitus (China) Company Ltd , Guangzhou , China
| | | | | | - Gaiying He
- c Shanghai LB Nature Co. Ltd , Shanghai , China
| | - Zhenlin Hu
- a Department of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , China
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Zhao X, Wang Q, Yang S, Chen C, Li X, Liu J, Zou Z, Cai D. Quercetin inhibits angiogenesis by targeting calcineurin in the xenograft model of human breast cancer. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 781:60-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.03.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Zhao Y, Zhang J, Shi X, Li J, Wang R, Song R, Wei Q, Cai H, Luo J. Quercetin targets the interaction of calcineurin with LxVP-type motifs in immunosuppression. Biochimie 2016; 127:50-8. [PMID: 27109380 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CN) is a unique calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-activated serine/threonine phosphatase. To perform its diverse biological functions, CN communicates with many substrates and other proteins. In the physiological activation of T cells, CN acts through transcriptional factors belonging to the NFAT family and other transcriptional effectors. The classic immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) can bind to cyclophilin (CyP) and compete with CN for the NFAT LxVP motif. CsA has debilitating side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hypertension and tremor. It is desirable to develop alternative immunosuppressive agents. To this end, we first tested the interactions between CN and the LxVP-type substrates, including endogenous regulators of calcineurin (RCAN1) and NFAT. Interestingly, we found that quercetin, the primary dietary flavonol, can inhibit the activity of CN and significantly disrupt the associations between CN and its LxVP-type substrates. We then validated the inhibitory effects of quercetin on the CN-NFAT interactions in cell-based assays. Further, quercetin also shows dose-dependent suppression of cytokine gene expression in mouse spleen cells. These data raise the possibility that the interactions of CN with its LxVP-type substrates are potential targets for immunosuppressive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yane Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Ruiwen Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Qun Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, Life Science Institute, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China.
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N-Farnesyloxy-norcantharimide inhibits progression of human leukemic Jurkat T cells through regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and interleukin-2 production. Anticancer Drugs 2015; 26:1034-42. [PMID: 26288134 PMCID: PMC4588604 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the anticancer effects of N-farnesyloxy-norcantharimide (NOC15), a newly synthesized norcantharidin (NCTD) analogue, on human leukemic Jurkat T cells and the signaling pathway underlying its effects. We found that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of NOC15 on Jurkat T cells is 1.4 μmol/l, which is 11.14-fold (=15.6÷1.4) smaller than the 15.6 μmol/l of NCTD on Jurkat T cells, whereas the IC50 of NOC15 on human normal lymphoblast (HNL) is 207.9 μmol/l, which is 8.17-fold (=1698.0÷207.8) smaller than the 1698.0 μmol/l of NCTD on HNL cells. These results indicated that NOC15 exerts a higher anticancer effect on Jurkat T cells and has higher toxicity toward HNL cells than NCTD. Thus, NOC15 is 1.36-fold (=11.14÷8.17) beneficial as an anticancer agent toward Jurkat T cells compared with NCTD. Moreover, NOC15 can increase the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase and reduce the cell viability of Jurkat T cells, stimulate p38 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway, and inhibit calcineurin expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. However, NOC15 exerted no effects on the Jun-N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signaling pathway, the production of IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α. We conclude that the anticancer activity of the newly synthesized NOC15 is 1.36-fold beneficial than NCTD as an anticancer agent and that NOC15 can increase the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase through the stimulation of p38 and ERK1/2 of the MAPK signaling pathway and the inhibition of calcineurin expression and IL-2 production. The NOC15 may have the potential of being developed into an anticancer agent in the future.
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Harrison CF, Chiriano G, Finsel I, Manske C, Hoffmann C, Steiner B, Kranjc A, Patthey-Vuadens O, Kicka S, Trofimov V, Ouertatani-Sakouhi H, Soldati T, Scapozza L, Hilbi H. Amoebae-Based Screening Reveals a Novel Family of Compounds Restricting Intracellular Legionella pneumophila. ACS Infect Dis 2015; 1:327-38. [PMID: 27622823 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.5b00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, Legionella pneumophila, grows in environmental amoebae and mammalian macrophages within a distinct compartment, the 'Legionella-containing vacuole' (LCV). Intracellular bacteria are protected from many antibiotics, and thus are notoriously difficult to eradicate. To identify novel compounds that restrict intracellular bacterial replication, we previously developed an assay based on a coculture of amoebae and GFP-producing L. pneumophila. This assay was used to screen a pathway-based, highly diverse chemical library, referred to as the Sinergia library. In this work, we chose to focus on a group of 11 hit compounds, the majority of which originated from the query molecule CN585, a compound that targets the protein phosphatase calcineurin. Further studies on 78 related compound variants revealed crucial structural attributes, namely a triple-ring scaffold with a central triazine moiety, substituted in positions 3 and 5 by two piperidine or pyrrolidine rings, and in position 1 by an amine group bearing a single aliphatic chain moiety. The most effective compound, ZINC00615682, inhibited intracellular replication of L. pneumophila with an IC50 of approximately 20 nM in Acanthamoeba castellanii and slightly less efficiently in Dictyostelium discoideum or macrophages. Pharmacological and genetic attempts to implicate calcineurin in the intracellular replication of L. pneumophila failed. Taken together, these results show that the amoebae-based screen and structure-activity relationship analysis is suitable for the identification of novel inhibitors of the intracellular replication of L. pneumophila. The most potent compound identified in this study targets (an) as yet unidentified host factor(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F. Harrison
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Department
of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Gianpaolo Chiriano
- School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Finsel
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Department
of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Manske
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Department
of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Hoffmann
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Department
of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Steiner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Department of Medicine, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 30/32, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Agata Kranjc
- School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ophelie Patthey-Vuadens
- School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Leonardo Scapozza
- School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Hilbi
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Department
of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Department of Medicine, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 30/32, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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So JS, Kim GC, Song M, Lee CG, Park E, Kim HJ, Kim YS, Jun CD, Im SH. 6-Methoxyflavone inhibits NFAT translocation into the nucleus and suppresses T cell activation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:2772-83. [PMID: 25114106 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
NFAT plays a crucial role in the immune system by regulating the transcription of inducible genes during immune responses. In T cells, NFAT proteins govern various cellular events related to T cell development, activation, tolerance induction, and differentiation. We previously reported the NFAT1-dependent enhancer activity of conserved noncoding sequence (CNS)-9, a distal cis-acting element, in the regulation of IL-10 transcription in T cells. In this study, we developed a T cell-based reporter system to identify compounds that modulate the regulatory activity of CNS-9. Among the identified candidates, 6-methoxyflavone (6-MF) significantly inhibited the enhancer activity of CNS-9, thereby reducing IL-10 expression in T cells without affecting cell viability. 6-MF also downregulated the transcription of NFAT1 target genes such as IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ. Treatment of 6-MF inhibited the translocation of NFAT1 into the nucleus, which consequently interrupted NFAT1 binding to the target loci, without affecting the expression or dephosphorylation of NFAT1. Treatment of 6-MF to CD4(+) T cells or B cells isolated from mice with atopic dermatitis significantly reduced disease-associated cytokine production, as well as the levels of IgE. In addition, oral administration of 6-MF to atopic dermatitis mice ameliorated disease symptoms by reducing serum IgE levels and infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusively, our results suggest that 6-MF can be a potential candidate for the development of an effective immunomodulator via the suppression of NFAT-mediated T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Seon So
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Gi-Cheon Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Song
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Choong-Gu Lee
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbee Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea; Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- National Cancer Center, Korea, Goyang 410-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sup Kim
- Division of Drug Discovery Research, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Chang-Duk Jun
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea; Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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13
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Abstract
Calcineurin (CN), a unique protein phosphatase, plays an important role in immune regulation. In this study we used CN as a target enzyme to investigate the immunosuppressive properties of a series of natural compounds from Garcinia mangostana L., and discovered an active compound, isogarcinol. Enzymatic assays showed that isogarcinol inhibited CN in a dose-dependent manner. At concentrations resulting in relatively low cytotoxicity isogarcinol significantly inhibited proliferation of murine spleen T-lymphocytes induced by concanavalin A (ConA) and the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). In addition, it performed much better in acute toxicity tests and via oral administration in mice than cyclosporin A (CsA), with few adverse reactions and low toxicity in experimental animals. Oral administration of isogarcinol in mice resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and prolonged graft survival in allogeneic skin transplantation. These findings suggest that isogarcinol could serve as a new oral immunomodulatory drug for preventing transplant rejection, and for long-term medication in autoimmune diseases.
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14
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Lei H, Luo J, Tong L, Peng LQ, Qi Y, Jia ZG, Wei Q. Quercetin binds to calcineurin at a similar region to cyclosporin A and tacrolimus. Food Chem 2011; 127:1169-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.01.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2010] [Revised: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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15
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Norcantharidin induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits progression of human leukemic Jurkat T cells through mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated regulation of interleukin-2 production. Toxicol In Vitro 2011; 25:206-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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