Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 as a drug target in asthma and rhinitis

Penicilazaphilone C alleviates allergic airway inflammation and improves the immune microenvironment by hindering the NLRP3 inflammasome

AIMS

Penicilazaphilone C (PAC) is hypothesized to potentially serve as a therapeutic treatment for allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing oxidative stress.

METHODS

An allergic asthma model was induced in female BALB/c mice of the OVA, OVA+PAC, OVA+PAC+LPS, and OVA+Dex groups by sensitizing and subsequently challenging them with OVA. The OVA+PAC and Normal+PAC groups were treated with PAC, while the OVA+PAC+LPS group also received LPS. The OVA+Dex group was given dexamethasone (Dex). Samples of serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue were collected for histological and cytological analysis.

RESULTS

Allergic mice treated with PAC or Dex showed inhibited inflammation and mucus production in the lungs. There was a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells in the BALF, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and BALF, and a reduction in the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, activated gasdermin D, MPO, Ly6G, and ICAM-1. Additionally, oxidative stress was reduced, as shown by a decrease in MDA and DCF, but an increase in SOD and GSH. Treatment with PAC also resulted in a decrease in pulmonary memory CD4+ T cells and an increase in regulatory T cells. However, the positive effects seen in the PAC-treated mice were reversed when the NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by LPS, almost returning to the levels of the Sham-treated mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

PAC acts in a similar way to anti-allergic inflammation as Dex, suggesting it may be a viable therapeutic option for managing allergic asthma inflammation.

Recent Advances in Radiotracers Targeting Novel Cancer-Specific Biomarkers in China: A Brief Overview

Radiopharmaceuticals play a critical role in nuclear medicine, providing novel tools for specifically delivering radioisotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. As the starting point for developing radiopharmaceuticals, cancer-specific biomarkers are important and receive worldwide attention. This field in China is currently experiencing a rapid expansion, with multiple radiotracers targeting novel targets being developed and translated into clinical studies. This review provides a brief overview of the exploration of novel imaging targets, preclinical evaluation of their targeting ligands, and translational research in China from 2020 to 2023, for detecting cancer, guiding targeted therapy, and visualizing the immune microenvironment. We believe that China will play an even more important role in the development of nuclear medicine in the world in the future.

Bioinformatics analysis revealed underlying molecular mechanisms associated with asthma severity and identified GABAergic related pathway as a potential therapy for Th2-high endotype asthma

Background

Asthma, a principally T helper 2 (Th2) cell mediated immunological disease, is categorized into Th2-high and Th2-low endotypes. The influence of these endotypes on clinical characteristics and treatment responsiveness in asthma is yet to be completely understood. This study delves into the underlying molecular mechanisms of Th2 endotypes on asthma.

Methods

Transcriptomics data of airway epithelial and corresponding clinical information were sourced from the GEO. The co-expression modules were established by WGCNA. Cytoscape was applied to construct PPI networks, and hub genes were determined via the Cytohubba plugin. Additionally, a functional enrichment analysis was conducted on the co-expressed genes from the relevant modules. The relative abundances levels of 22 different types of immune cells in asthma patients were evaluated by CIBERSORT algorithm.

Results

There were 471 genes in the pink module significantly correlated with Th2 endotype. Overall, 151 DEGs were identified in the various Th2 endotypes, and 66 were obtained through intersection with the pink module. In the PPI network, the ten most important genes that regulate Th2 endotypes were selected as hub genes. In Th2-high endotype asthma, the hub genes were significantly related to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathways, indicating that hub genes can mainly regulate Th2-high endotype asthma through GABAergic system.

Conclusions

The severity of asthma is influenced by different Th2 endotypes. GABAergic related hub genes may provide innovative insights for the treatment of Th2-high asthma.

Identification of toxicity-induced biomarkers in human non-immune airway cells exposed to respiratory sensitizers: A mechanistic approach

Occupational asthma covers a group of work-related diseases whose clinical manifestations include airway hyperresponsiveness and airflow limitation. Although the chemical respiratory allergy (CRA) induced by Low Molecular Weight (LMW) sensitizers is a major concern, especially in terms of the regulatory framework, to date there are no methods available for preclinically addressing this toxicological outcome, as its mechanistic background is not fully understood at molecular or cellular levels. This paper proposes a mechanistic study applying New Approach Methodologies (NAM) of the pro-inflammatory and functional effects triggered by LMW respiratory allergens in different respiratory tract cell lines, including bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B), lung fibroblast (MRC-5), and endothelial cells (EA.hy926), and an analysis of the capacity of such chemicals to interact with the mucin protein, to address certain toxicodynamic aspects of such compounds. The results showed that some of the sensitizers evaluated interact with mucin, the main protein mucus component, but the toxicant-mucin complex formation does not seem to be a common feature of different chemical classes of allergens. At a cellular level, sensitizers promoted an increase in IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1β production in the evaluated cell types. It also impaired the MUC1 expression by bronchial cells and activated endothelial cells, thereby increasing the ICAM-I surface expression. Taken together, our results showed that these aforementioned cell types participate in the CRA Adverse Outcome Pathway and must be considered when developing preclinical testing strategies, particularly investigating danger signal production after exposure to LMW sensitizers in different tissue compartments.

Curcumin-Loaded RH60/F127 Mixed Micelles: Characterization, Biopharmaceutical Characters and Anti-Inflammatory Modulation of Airway Inflammation

Curcumin's ability to impact chronic inflammatory conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and arthritis, has been widely researched; however, its poor bioavailability limits its clinical application. The present study is focused on the development of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanomicelles as a drug delivery system with anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin was loaded in PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil and puronic F127 mixed nanomicelles (Cur-RH60/F127-MMs). Cur-RH60/F127-MMs was prepared using the thin film dispersion method. The morphology and releasing characteristics of nanomicelles were evaluated. The uptake and permeability of Cur-RH60/F127-MMs were investigated using RAW264.7 and Caco-2 cells, and their bioavailability and in vivo/vitro anti-inflammatory activity were also evaluated. The results showed that Cur-RH60/F127-MMs have regular sphericity, possess an average diameter smaller than 20 nm, and high encapsulation efficiency for curcumin (89.43%). Cur-RH60/F127-MMs significantly increased the cumulative release of curcumin in vitro and uptake by cells (p < 0.01). The oral bioavailability of Cur-RH60/F127-MMs was much higher than that of curcumin-active pharmaceutical ingredients (Cur-API) (about 9.24-fold). The treatment of cell lines with Cur-RH60/F127-MMs exerted a significantly stronger anti-inflammatory effect compared to Cur-API. In addition, Cur-RH60/F127-MMs significantly reduced OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in an in vivo experimental asthma model. In conclusion, this study reveals the possibility of formulating a new drug delivery system for curcumin, in particular nanosized micellar aqueous dispersion, which could be considered a perspective platform for the application of curcumin in inflammatory diseases of the airways.

Early innate cell interactions with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in protection and pathology of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, claiming the lives of up to 1.5 million individuals annually. TB is caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which primarily infects innate immune cells in the lungs. These immune cells play a critical role in the host defense against Mtb infection, influencing the inflammatory environment in the lungs, and facilitating the development of adaptive immunity. However, Mtb exploits and manipulates innate immune cells, using them as favorable niche for replication. Unfortunately, our understanding of the early interactions between Mtb and innate effector cells remains limited. This review underscores the interactions between Mtb and various innate immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, NK cells, innate lymphocytes-iNKT and ILCs. In addition, the contribution of alveolar epithelial cell and endothelial cells that constitutes the mucosal barrier in TB immunity will be discussed. Gaining insights into the early cellular basis of immune reactions to Mtb infection is crucial for our understanding of Mtb resistance and disease tolerance mechanisms. We argue that a better understanding of the early host-pathogen interactions could inform on future vaccination approaches and devise intervention strategies.

In-silico identification and prioritization of therapeutic targets of asthma

Asthma is a "common chronic disorder that affects the lungs causing variable and recurring symptoms like repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and underlying inflammation. The interaction of these features of asthma determines the clinical manifestations and severity of asthma and the response to treatment" [cited from: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel 3 Report. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma 2007 (EPR-3). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7232/ (accessed on January 3, 2023)]. As per the WHO, 262 million people were affected by asthma in 2019 that leads to 455,000 deaths ( https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma ). In this current study, our aim was to evaluate thousands of scientific documents and asthma associated omics datasets to identify the most crucial therapeutic target for experimental validation. We leveraged the proprietary tool Ontosight® Discover to annotate asthma associated genes and proteins. Additionally, we also collected and evaluated asthma related patient datasets through bioinformatics and machine learning based approaches to identify most suitable targets. Identified targets were further evaluated based on the various biological parameters to scrutinize their candidature for the ideal therapeutic target. We identified 7237 molecular targets from published scientific documents, 2932 targets from genomic structured databases and 7690 dysregulated genes from the transcriptomics and 560 targets from genomics mutational analysis. In total, 18,419 targets from all the desperate sources were analyzed and evaluated though our approach to identify most promising targets in asthma. Our study revealed IL-13 as one of the most important targets for asthma with approved drugs on the market currently. TNF, VEGFA and IL-18 were the other top targets identified to be explored for therapeutic benefit in asthma but need further clinical testing. HMOX1, ITGAM, DDX58, SFTPD and ADAM17 were the top novel targets identified for asthma which needs to be validated experimentally.

ICAM-1 and VCAM-1: Gatekeepers in various inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders

Leukocyte migration from the vascular compartment is critical fornormal lymphocyte recirculation in specific tissues and immune response in inflammatory locations. Leukocyte recruitment, migration to inflammatory areas, and targeting in the extravascular space are caused by cellular stimulation and local expression of adhesion molecules. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) with a crucial role in mediating the strong adherence of leukocytes to endothelial cells in numerous acute as well as chronic diseases. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mediate inflammation and promote leukocyte migration during inflammation. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 have a large role in regulating homeostasis and in pathologic states such as cancer, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, obesity, kidney diseases, and much more. In inflammatory conditions and infectious disorders, leukocytes move and cling to the endothelium via multiple intracellular adhesive interactions. It is suggested that combining membrane-bound and soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 into a single unit functional system will further our understanding of their immunoregulatory role as well as their pathophysiological effects on disease. This review focuses on the pathophysiological roles of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in various inflammatory and other diseases as well as their emerging cardiovascular role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Curcumin nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion freeze-dried powder: Development, characterization, and suppression of airway inflammation

Curcumin, a diketone compound extracted from turmeric's rhizome, is an effective anti-inflammatory drug with multiple pharmacological activities. However, its low oral bioavailability due to its low water solubility and permeability severely limits its clinical applications. Therefore, to enhance the oral bioavailability of curcumin, further enhance its anti-inflammatory effects, and improve its potential in the treatment of airway inflammation, a curcumin nanocrystalline self-stabilizing Pickering emulsion (Cur-NSSPE) was prepared through high-pressure homogenization. Next, Cur-NSSPE was dried using a freeze-drying method to produce Cur-NSSPE-FDP. The prepared Cur-NSSPE and Cur-NSSPE-FDP were physically characterized. The release behavior and transmembrane transport capability of Cur-NSSPE-FDP in vitro were evaluated. Pharmacokinetic study was performed to evaluate its oral bioavailability. The anti-inflammatory effects of Cur-NSSPE-FDP in vivo and in vitro were investigated using RAW 264.7 macrophage inflammation model induced by LPS and IFN-γ and asthma model in BALB/c mice induced by OVA. The average particle size of Cur-NSSPE was (163.66 ± 6.78) nm, and the average drug content was (2.78 ± 0.01) mg/mL. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that the droplets were spherical in shape with a relatively uniform size, and the curcumin nanocrystals formed a spherical core-shell structure wrapped at the interface of the droplets. The scanning electron microscopy showed that Cur-NSSPE-FDP was a neatly arranged, having loose and porous network structure. Furthermore, it can significantly improve the cumulative release of curcumin in vitro and improve oral bioavailability in rats, increase the uptake of RAW264.7 and Caco-2 cells, promote the transport of curcumin across Caco-2 cells, significantly inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors NO, IL-6, TNF-a, MDA, IgE and ICAM-1, and improve the expression of IL-10 and SOD. These results indicated that the curcumin nanocrystalline self-stabilizing Pickering emulsion-freeze dried powder improved the oral bioavailability of curcumin and enhanced its therapeutic effect in airway inflammation.

Increased expression of cell adhesion molecules in myofasciitis

Background

Myofasciitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases pathologically characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration into the fascia. Endothelial activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory response. However, the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) in myofasciitis has not been investigated.

Methods

Data on clinical features, thigh magnetic resonance imaging, and muscle pathology were collected from five patients with myofasciitis. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot (WB) of the muscle biopsies from patients and healthy controls were performed.

Results

Increased levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2R, were detected in four patients. IHC staining and WB indicated significantly increased expression of cell adhesion molecules in blood vessels or inflammatory cells within the perimysium in muscle and fascia tissues of patients with myofasciitis compared to controls.

Conclusion

The up-regulation of CAMs in myofasciitis indicates endothelial activation, which may be potential therapy targets for the treatment of myofasciitis.

Recent Progress in the Hesperetin Delivery Regimes: Significance of Pleiotropic Actions and Synergistic Anticancer Efficacy

BACKGROUND

In the plant kingdom, flavonoids are widely distributed with multifunctional immunomodulatory actions. Hesperetin (HST) remains one of the well-studied compounds in this domain, initially perceived in citrus plants as an aglycone derivative of hesperidin (HDN).

OBSERVATIONS

Natural origin, low in vivo toxicity, and pleiotropic functional essence are the foremost fascinations for HST use as an anticancer drug. However, low aqueous solubility accompanied with a prompt degradation by intestinal and hepatocellular enzymes impairs HST physiological absorption.

MOTIVATION

Remedies attempted herein comprise the synthesis of derivatives and nanocarrier (NC)-mediated delivery. As the derivative synthesis aggravates the structural complexity, NC-driven HST delivery has emerged as a sustainable approach for its sustained release. Recent interest in HST has been due to its significant anticancer potential, characterized via inhibited cell division (proliferation), new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), forceful occupation of neighboring cell's space (invasion), migration to erstwhile physiological locations (metastasis) and apoptotic induction. The sensitization of chemotherapeutic drugs (CDs) by HST is driven via stoichiometrically regulated synergistic actions. Purpose and Conclusion: This article sheds light on HST structure-function correlation and pleiotropic anticancer mechanisms, in unaided and NC-administered delivery in singular and with CDs synergy. The discussion could streamline the HST usefulness and long-term anticancer efficacy.

Chloroquine Attenuates Asthma Development by Restoring Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Via the ROS-AKT Pathway

Switching of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell phenotype from differentiated-contractile to dedifferentiated-proliferative/synthetic state often occurs in asthmatic subjects with airway dysfunction. Evidence has been provided that chloroquine (an agonist of bitter taste receptors) presented benefits to ASM cell function implicated in asthma. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. House dust mite (HDM)-sensitized mice were administered with chloroquine or dexamethasone before challenge. BALF and lung tissue were obtained for cell counting, histological analysis or ELISA. Primary cultured ASM cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 or H₂O₂. Cells and supernatant were collected for the detection of ASM phenotype, ROS level, and proinflammatory cytokine production. In HDM-sensitized mice, chloroquine attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation and remodeling with an inhibition of immunoglobulin E, IL-4/-13, and TGF-β1 in BALF. ASM cell proliferation (PCNA), hypertrophy (α-SMA), and parasecretion (MMP-9 and MMP-13) were strongly suppressed by chloroquine, hinting the rebalance of the heterogeneous ASM populations in asthmatic airway. Our data in vitro indicated that chloroquine markedly restrained maladaptive alteration in ASM phenotype in concert with a remission of ROS. Using H₂O₂ and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), we found that the inhibition of oxidative stress level and ROS-AKT signal by chloroquine may serve as a potential mechanism that dedicates to the restoration of the phenotypic imbalance in ASM cells. Overall, the present findings suggested that chloroquine improves asthmatic airway function by controlling ASM cell phenotype shift, sketching a novel profile of chloroquine as a new therapeutic candidate for airway remodeling.

MiR-150-5p regulates the functions of type 2 innate lymphoid cells via the ICAM-1/p38 MAPK axis in allergic rhinitis

Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) exert an increasingly important influence on the pathological process of allergic rhinitis (AR), which is affected by microRNAs-mediated post-transcriptional regulation. This study aims to investigate the function of miR-150-5p in AR patients and the mouse model of AR. The mouse model of AR was established using the OVA challenge. The expressions of miR-150-5p, ICAM-1, p-p38 and p-GATA-3 were evaluated via RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. The level of ILC2s was examined with flow cytometry. Concentrations of OVA-specific IgE, IL-13 and IL-5 in serum were evaluated using ELISA. Histopathological examination was conducted through H&E staining. The interplay between ICAM-1 and miR-150-5p was determined through the DLR assay. The decreased miR-150-5p expression and increased ICAM-1, p-p38 and p-GATA-3 expressions and ILC2s levels were detected in AR patients and AR mice compared with controls. Treatment with miR-150-5p lentivirus alleviated AR symptoms (sneezing, rubbing, mucosa inflammation, serum type 2 cytokines and OVA-specific IgE) and lowered the ILC2s level in AR mice. MiR-150-5p was found to directly bind to 3'-UTR of ICAM-1 and downregulate ICAM-1 expression, thereby descending the level of p-p38, p-GATA-3 and suppressing ILC2s function to alleviate AR symptoms. Treatment with Lenti-ICAM-1 counteracted these protective effects of miR-150-5p. Upregulation of miR-150-5p repressed the ICAM-1/p38 axis which was vital to ILC2s development and function, thereby alleviating allergic symptoms of AR.

Inflammation in Asthma Pathogenesis: Role of T cells, Macrophages, Epithelial Cells and Type 2 Inflammation

Asthma is a chronic disease with abnormal inflammatory and immunological responses. The disease initiated by antigens in subjects with genetic susceptibility. However, environmental factors play a role in the initiation and exacerbation of asthma attack. Asthma is T helper 2 (Th2)-cell-mediated disease. Recent studies indicated that asthma is not a single disease entity, but it is with multiple phenotypes and endotypes. The pathophysiological changes in asthma included a series of subsequent continuous vicious circle of cellular activation contributed to induction of chemokines and cytokines that potentiate inflammation. The heterogeneity of asthma influenced the treatment response. The asthma pathogenesis driven by varied set of cells such as eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages, epithelial cells and T cells. In this review the role of T cells, macrophage, and epithelial cells are discussed.

The Protective Effects of Maresin 1 in the OVA-Induced Asthma Mouse Model

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that cannot be cured. Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a specific lipid synthesized by macrophages that exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory diseases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of MaR1 on allergic asthma using an ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced asthma model. Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated to control, OVA, and MaR1 + OVA groups. Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after the end of the last challenge, and serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue were collected for further analysis. Western blotting was used to measure the protein level of IκBα, the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and the expression of NF-κB downstream inflammatory cytokines. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCRs) were used to evaluate the expression levels of COX-2 and ICAM-1 in lung tissues. We found that high doses of MaR1 were most effective in preventing OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and excessive mucus production in lung tissue, reducing the number of inflammatory cells in the BALF and inhibiting the expression of serum or BALF-associated inflammatory factors. Furthermore, high-dose MaR1 treatment markedly suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, the degradation of IκBα, and the expression of inflammatory genes downstream of NF-κB, such as COX-2 and ICAM-1, in the OVA-induced asthma mouse model. Our findings indicate that MaR1 may play a critical role in OVA-induced asthma and may be therapeutically useful for the management of asthma.

ICAM-1 deletion delays the repair process in aging diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

The delayed repair process in the aging diabetic population is becoming an alarming public health concern. ICAM-1 plays an important role in orchestrating the repair process by mediating neutrophil recruitment and phagocytosis. However, little is known about the role of ICAM-1 in aging diabetic repair.

METHODS

By causing injury in aging diabetic mice with ICAM-1 deletion (AD-ICAM-1^-/-), we found that AD-ICAM-1^-/- mice exhibited a delayed repair process with incomplete re-epithelialization and reduced angiogenesis. Additionally, high-throughput Illumina sequencing was performed to evaluate the microbiota of such mice.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the microbiota of the AD-ICAM-1^-/- injury site differed taxonomically at both the phylum and genus levels. Neutrophil recruitment and phagocytic function were also reduced in the AD-ICAM-1^-/- group. Notably, major inflammatory biomarker expression was also detected in AD-ICAM-1^-/- injured tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study demonstrated that AD-ICAM-1^-/- mice exhibit delayed repair. In addition, neutrophil recruitment and phagocytic activity were impaired in the AD-ICAM-1^-/- group, which may have allowed microbes to colonize the injury site.

The Role of T Cells and Macrophages in Asthma Pathogenesis: A New Perspective on Mutual Crosstalk

Asthma is associated with innate and adaptive immunity mediated by immune cells. T cell or macrophage dysfunction plays a particularly significant role in asthma pathogenesis. Furthermore, crosstalk between them continuously transmits proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory signals, causing the immune cell activation or repression in the immune response. Consequently, the imbalanced immune microenvironment is the major cause of the exacerbation of asthma. Here, we discuss the role of T cells, macrophages, and their interactions in asthma pathogenesis.

Revealing the targets and mechanisms of vitamin A in the treatment of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an epidemic disease characterized by rapid infection and a high death toll. The clinical diagnosis of patients with COVID-19 has risen sharply, especially in Western countries. Globally, an effective treatment for COVID-19 is still limited. Vitamin A (VA) exhibits pharmacological activity in the management of pneumonia. Thus, we reason that VA may potentially serve as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 regimen. In this study, bioinformatics analysis and computation assays using a network pharmacology method were conducted to explore and uncover the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of VA for treating COVID-19. We identified candidate targets, pharmacological functions, and therapeutic pathways of VA against SARS-CoV-2. Bioinformatics findings indicate that the mechanisms of action of VA against SARS-CoV-2 include enrichment of immunoreaction, inhibition of inflammatory reaction, and biological processes related to reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, seven core targets of VA against COVID-19, including MAPK1, IL10, EGFR, ICAM1, MAPK14, CAT, and PRKCB were identified. With this bioinformatics-based report, we reveal, for the first time, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 functions and mechanisms of VA and suggest that VA may act as a potent treatment option for COVID-19, a deadly global epidemic.

Soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in lung cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many recent studies have investigated the prognostic, diagnostic, and progressive features of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in lung cancer patients, but the results remained inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the value of serum sICAM-1 in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic literature search in the Wanfang databases, china national knowledge infrastructure, Pubmed, and Embase was carried out update to June 15, 2019. The standard mean difference (SMD), hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were applied to investigate the effect sizes.

RESULTS

23 observational studies were included. According to our results, the serum sICAM-1 concentrations in patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than that in controls (healthy controls: SMD: 4.08, 95% CI: 3.14-5.02, P < 0.001; benign lung diseases controls : SMD: 1.48, 95% CI: 0.23-2.73,P = 0.02). Fortunately, a subgroup analysis was performed by language, treatment status, and lung cancer types, and the statistical results were similar. Serum sICAM-1 levels were markedly higher in stage III/IV than stage I/II (SMD: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.08-2.84, P < 0.001), Additionally, lung cancer patients with lymph node metastasis had a higher concentrations of serum sICAM-1(SMD: 1.83, 95% CI: 0.95-2.72, P < 0.001), as well as with distant metastasis (SMD: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.47-1.25, P < 0.001). Additionally, patients with higher sICAM-1 levels were related to a significantly poorer prognosis (progression free survival: HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.07-1.26, P < 0.001; overall survival: HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17-1.79, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that serum sICAM-1 levels may act as a potential marker for diagnosing lung cancer and predicting its staging, and were negatively correlated with prognosis of lung cancer.

miR-223: A Key Regulator in the Innate Immune Response in Asthma and COPD

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are chronic obstructive respiratory diseases characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation, and remodeling. Recent findings indicate the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of pathological processes involved in both diseases. MiRNAs have been implicated in a wide array of biological processes, such as inflammation, cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. MiR-223 is one of the miRNAs that is thought to play a role in obstructive lung disease as altered expression levels have been observed in both asthma and COPD. MiR-223 is a hematopoietic cell–derived miRNA that plays a role in regulation of monocyte-macrophage differentiation, neutrophil recruitment, and pro-inflammatory responses and that can be transferred to non-myeloid cells via extracellular vesicles or lipoproteins. In this translational review, we highlight the role of miR-223 in obstructive respiratory diseases, focusing on expression data in clinical samples of asthma and COPD, in vivo experiments in mouse models and in vitro functional studies. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the mechanisms by which miR-223 regulates gene expression. We specifically focus on immune cell development and activation and involvement in immune responses, which are important in asthma and COPD. Collectively, this review demonstrates the importance of miR-223 in obstructive respiratory diseases and explores its therapeutic potential in the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD.

The Impact of Spaceflight and Simulated Microgravity on Cell Adhesion

Microgravity induces a number of significant physiological changes in the cardiovascular, nervous, immune systems, as well as the bone tissue of astronauts. Changes in cell adhesion properties are one aspect affected during long-term spaceflights in mammalian cells. Cellular adhesion behaviors can be divided into cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. These behaviors trigger cell-cell recognition, conjugation, migration, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and signal transduction. Cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) is a general term for macromolecules that mediate the contact and binding between cells or between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this review, we summarize the four major classes of adhesion molecules that regulate cell adhesion, including integrins, immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF), cadherins, and selectin. Moreover, we discuss the effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on the adhesion of endothelial cells, immune cells, tumor cells, stem cells, osteoblasts, muscle cells, and other types of cells. Further studies on the effects of microgravity on cell adhesion and the corresponding physiological behaviors may help increase the safety and improve the health of astronauts in space.

Cell-surface molecule-mediated cell-cell interactions in the regulation of ILC2-driven allergic inflammation

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a subset of innate immune cells that do not express antigen receptors. ILC2-mediated type 2 responses, which are mainly characterized by the production of interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13, play key roles in inducing inflammation, protecting against infection, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Although recent years have largely enhanced our understanding of the transcriptional networks and soluble mediators that regulate ILC2 development or function, emerging evidence suggests that ILC2s express a variety of cell-surface molecules and interact with themselves or other immune cells. These cell-cell interactions are essential in the modulation of ILC2 number and their type 2 cytokine production during ILC2-driven allergic inflammation. In this review, we summarize the extensive array of cell-surface molecules on ILC2s that mediate cell-cell interactions and their role in regulating ILC2 generation or function in the context of ILC2-induced allergic inflammation.

New therapeutic targets for the prevention of infectious acute exacerbations of COPD: role of epithelial adhesion molecules and inflammatory pathways

Chronic respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with the major contributor, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accounting for approximately 3 million deaths annually. Frequent acute exacerbations (AEs) of COPD (AECOPD) drive clinical and functional decline in COPD and are associated with accelerated loss of lung function, increased mortality, decreased health-related quality of life and significant economic costs. Infections with a small subgroup of pathogens precipitate the majority of AEs and consequently constitute a significant comorbidity in COPD. However, current pharmacological interventions are ineffective in preventing infectious exacerbations and their treatment is compromised by the rapid development of antibiotic resistance. Thus, alternative preventative therapies need to be considered. Pathogen adherence to the pulmonary epithelium through host receptors is the prerequisite step for invasion and subsequent infection of surrounding structures. Thus, disruption of bacterial-host cell interactions with receptor antagonists or modulation of the ensuing inflammatory profile present attractive avenues for therapeutic development. This review explores key mediators of pathogen-host interactions that may offer new therapeutic targets with the potential to prevent viral/bacterial-mediated AECOPD. There are several conceptual and methodological hurdles hampering the development of new therapies that require further research and resolution.

Pelargonium sidoides radix extract EPs 7630 reduces rhinovirus infection through modulation of viral binding proteins on human bronchial epithelial cells

Bronchial epithelial cells are the first target cell for rhinovirus infection. The course of viral infections in patients with acute bronchitis, asthma and COPD can be improved by oral application of Pelargonium sidoides radix extract; however, the mechanism is not well understood. This study investigated the in vitro effect of Pelargonium sidoides radix extract (EPs 7630) on the expression of virus binding cell membrane and host defence supporting proteins on primary human bronchial epithelial cells (hBEC). Cells were isolated from patients with severe asthma (n = 6), moderate COPD (n = 6) and non-diseased controls (n = 6). Protein expression was determined by Western-blot and immunofluorescence. Rhinovirus infection was determined by immunofluorescence as well as by polymerase chain reaction. Cell survival was determined by manual cell count after live/death immunofluorescence staining. All parameters were determined over a period of 3 days. The results show that EPs 7630 concentration-dependently and significantly increased hBEC survival after rhinovirus infection. This effect was paralleled by decreased expression of the inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), its ligand ICOSL and cell surface calreticulin (C1qR). In contrast, EPs 7630 up-regulated the expression of the host defence supporting proteins β-defensin-1 and SOCS-1, both in rhinovirus infected and un-infected hBEC. The expression of other virus interacting cell membrane proteins such as MyD88, TRL2/4 or ICAM-1 was not altered by EPs 7630. The results indicate that EPs 7630 may reduce rhinovirus infection of human primary BEC by down-regulating cell membrane docking proteins and up-regulating host defence proteins.

The genetic effect of the ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) rs5498 polymorphism on the susceptibility towards multiple sclerosis

In the present study, we included currently published evidence to comprehensively evaluate the influence of the rs5498 polymorphism within the ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) gene on the genetic risk of multiple sclerosis. STATA 12.0 software was utilized to carry out the heterogeneity assessment, association test, and Begg's test as well as the Egger's tests and sensitivity analyses. A total of 11 high-quality case-control studies were selected from the initially retrieved 2209 articles. The lack of high heterogeneity led to the use of a fixed-effect model in all genetic models. The results of the association test showed a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis in the allelic G vs A (Passociation = 0.036, OR = 0.91) and dominant AG+GG vs AA (Passociation = 0.042, OR = 0.85) but not in other genetic models (all Passociation > 0.05). In addition, the negative results were observed in further subgroup analyses based on ethnicity or Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all genetic models. Data from Begg's and Egger's tests further excluded the presence of remarkable publication bias, while sensitivity analysis data supported stable outcomes. Thus, we conclude that ICAM1 rs5498 may not be related to the risk of multiple sclerosis in Caucasian or Asian populations, which still merits further research.

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, a traditional Chinese medicine, alleviated allergic airway hypersensitivity and inflammatory cell infiltration in a chronic asthma mouse model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Asia, Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (JGSQW) has been used for hundreds of years to treat asthma.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The traditional Chinese medicine JGSQW is composed of Rehmannia glutinosa, Dioscorea opposita, Cornus officinalis, Poria cocos, Paeonia suffruticosa, Alisma orientalis, Aconitum carmichaelii and Cinnamomum cassia. However, the immunological mechanism underlying the effect of JGSQW treatment on asthma remains unclear. This study examined whether JGSQW has the potential to reduce asthma symptoms in mice with chronic asthma induced by recurrent Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) stimulation, as well as its immunoregulatory mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The airways of BALB/c mice were stimulated with Der p (i.t.) once per week (50 μL, 1 mg/mL) for 6 consecutive weeks, and the mice were fed JGSQW (1 g/kg) 30 min prior to the Der p stimulation. Three days after the last stimulation, the mice were sacrificed to evaluate the airway remodelling, infiltration of inflammatory cells, lung histological features, and total IgE in the blood. Additionally, after A549 cells were treated with JGSQW, loganin, or paeoniflorin for 30 min, 10 ng/mL IL-1β was added to stimulate the A549 cells to evaluate the effect of the medicine on the ICAM-1 gene expression after IL-1β stimulation.

RESULTS

JGSQW significantly reduced the Der p-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells into airways and decreased the total IgE and Der p-specific IgG1 in serum. Collagen assays and histopathological examinations showed that JGSQW reduced lung airway remodelling. Additionally, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunohistochemical staining verified that JGSQW inhibited the NF-kB expression in airway epithelial cell nuclei. JGSQW, loganin, and paeoniflorin inhibited the ICAM-1 gene expression caused by the IL-1β stimulation of A549 cells, and loganin and paeoniflorin had the maximum inhibitory effect when mixed according to the combination of doses in JGSQW.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that in the chronic asthma mouse model, JGSQW inhibits the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airways and airway remodelling and exhibits specific immunoregulatory effects. JGSQW with certain doses of loganin and paeoniflorin inhibited ICAM-1 gene expression in epithelial cells.

Social Networking of Group Two Innate Lymphoid Cells in Allergy and Asthma

Allergic diseases including asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, and atopic dermatitis are common conditions worldwide. While type 2 immune responses induced by T-cells significantly cause allergic inflammation, the recently identified group two innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are emerging as critical players in the development of allergy. Upon allergen exposure, ILC2s are rapidly activated by cytokines released by epithelial cells. Activated ILC2s release various effector cytokines altogether contributing to the pathogenesis of allergy and can even cause inflammation in the absence of T-cells, as observed in asthma. Although the factors inducing ILC2 activation have been identified, evidence suggests that multiple factors can enhance or repress ILC2 proliferation, trafficking, or secretion of effector cytokines upon allergic inflammation. In this review, we discuss the recent findings that influence ILC2 activation and the resulting effects on the pathogenesis of allergy. A better understanding of how ILC2s are modulated will open the door to the development of new therapeutic strategies against allergic diseases.

ICAM-1 controls development and function of ILC2

ILC2s are key players in allergic airway inflammation. Lei et al. show that ICAM-1 controls ILC2 development and function through regulating ERK signaling pathway, suggesting targeting ICAM-1 as a potential strategy for ILC2-induced asthma.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are emerging as key players in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. The mechanisms regulating ILC2, however, are not fully understood. Here, we found that ICAM-1 is required for the development and function of ILC2. ICAM-1–deficient (ICAM-1^−/−) mice displayed significantly lower levels of ILC2s in the bone marrow and peripheral tissues than wild-type controls. CLP transfer and in vitro culture assays revealed that the regulation of ILC2 by ICAM-1 is cell intrinsic. Furthermore, ILC2s from ICAM-1^−/− mice were functionally impaired, as indicated by the diminished production of type-2 cytokines in response to IL-33 challenge. The reduction in lung ILC2s caused a clear remission of airway inflammation in ICAM-1^−/− mice after administration of papain or Alternaria alternata. We further demonstrate that ILC2 defects caused by ICAM-1 deficiency are due to ERK signaling-dependent down-regulation of GATA3 protein. Collectively, these observations identify ICAM-1 as a novel regulator of ILC2.

Broncho Vaxom (OM-85) modulates rhinovirus docking proteins on human airway epithelial cells via Erk1/2 mitogen activated protein kinase and cAMP

BACKGROUND

Bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) are primary target for Rhinovirus infection through attaching to cell membrane proteins. OM-85, a bacterial extract, improves recovery of asthma and COPD patients after viral infections, but only part of the mechanism was addressed, by focusing on defined immune cells.

OBJECTIVE

We therefore determined the effect of OM-85 on isolated primary human BEC of controls (n = 8), asthma patients (n = 10) and COPD patients (n = 9).

METHODS

BEC were treated with OM-85 alone (24 hours) or infected with Rhinovirus. BEC survival was monitored by manual cell counting and Rhinovirus replication by lytic activity. Immuno-blotting and ELISA were used to determine the expression of Rhinovirus interacting proteins: intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-2), complement component C1q receptor (C1q-R), inducible T-Cell co-stimulator (ICOS), its ligand ICOSL, and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88); as well as for signal transducers Erk1/2, p38, JNK mitogen activated protein kinases MAPK), and cAMP.

RESULTS

OM-85 significantly reduced Rhinovirus-induced BEC death and virus replication. OM-85 significantly increased the expression of virus interacting proteins C1q-R and β-defensin in all 3 probes and groups, which was prevented by either Erk1/2 MAPK or cAMP inhibition. In addition, OM-85 significantly reduced Rhinovirus induced expression of ICAM1 involving p38 MAPK. In BEC OM-85 had no significant effect on the expression of ICOS, ICOSL and MHC-2 membrane proteins nor on the adaptor protein MyD88.

CONCLUSION

The OM-85-induced increased of C1q-R and β-defensin, both important for antigen presentation and phagocytosis, supports its activity in host cell's defence against Rhinovirus infection.

Accelerated reactivity of blood granulocytes in patients with atopic bronchial asthma out of exacerbation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in bronchial asthma (BA) pathogenesis owing to accumulation of activated granulocytes in the lungs. But the ROS-producing activity of the cells is insufficiently understood in the blood of BA patients. This study analyzes the kinetics of phagocyte respiratory burst in the blood to improve the methods of BA patients monitoring. Patients with atopic BA out of exacerbation (n=60) and healthy controls (n=43) were recruited. The time-course of respiratory response to opsonized zymosan (OZ) was recorded in the whole blood using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL), and its activation kinetics (lag-time, rate, amplitude, ROS production) was calculated. The discriminative power of ROS generation kinetics was defined by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Standard physiological respiratory parameters of patients did not differ from the controls. More rapid response to OZ was recorded in BA patient samples versus the controls. The primed state of phagocytes in the blood of BA patients was corroborated by significant weakening formyl peptide priming effect. The adhesion of granulocytes to cultured human endothelial cells was two-fold higher in BA patients versus controls. ROC curve analysis exhibited good discriminative effectiveness of the CL kinetics to compare BA individuals with the controls. The highest power (86% sensitivity and 90% specificity) was achieved at a linear combination of the parameters. We assume that the assessment of phagocyte reactivity based on the analysis of the response kinetic profile is a good test for monitoring of the state in BA patients.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester alleviates asthma by regulating the airway microenvironment via the ROS-responsive MAPK/Akt pathway

In the pathophysiology of asthma, structural cell dysfunction and concomitant microenvironment changes in airways are crucial to pathological progression, which involves oxidative stress. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active anti-oxidative component obtained from propolis, and has been shown to have beneficial effects on several respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. However, the impact of CAPE on asthma is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the advantages of using CAPE to treat asthma and demonstrated the roles of CAPE in the regulation of airway microenvironments. In ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice, CAPE treatments notably reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, attenuated extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition and fibrosis. In addition, CAPE improved the airway microenvironment in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting OVA-induced increases in immunoglobulin E, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 and suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression as well as malondialdehyde production. To determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects, we used TNF-α-stimulated BECs and TGF-β1-challenged human ASMCs to explore the impacts of CAPE on pro-inflammatory proteins and ASMC proliferation. The results indicated that CAPE significantly limited the secretion of eotaxin-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and dramatically inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs. These effects were shown to be associated with decreased reactive oxidant species (ROS) levels. The phosphorylation of Akt and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) caused by increased ROS was significantly decreased by CAPE, which implied a contribution of ROS-MAPK/Akt signaling to the attenuation of asthma. Our findings indicated for the first time that CAPE alleviates airway inflammation and remodeling in chronic asthma by balancing the airway microenvironment, which highlights a novel profile of CAPE as a potent agent for asthma management.

Sanguinaria canadensis: Traditional Medicine, Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities and Current Uses

Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot, is a traditional medicine used by Native Americans to treat a diverse range of clinical conditions. The plants rhizome contains several alkaloids that individually target multiple molecular processes. These bioactive compounds, mechanistically correlate with the plant’s history of ethnobotanical use. Despite their identification over 50 years ago, the alkaloids of S. canadensis have not been developed into successful therapeutic agents. Instead, they have been associated with clinical toxicities ranging from mouthwash induced leukoplakia to cancer salve necrosis and treatment failure. This review explores the historical use of S. canadensis, the molecular actions of the benzophenanthridine and protopin alkaloids it contains, and explores natural alkaloid variation as a possible rationale for the inconsistent efficacy and toxicities encountered by S.canadensis therapies. Current veterinary and medicinal uses of the plant are studied with an assessment of obstacles to the pharmaceutical development of S. canadensis alkaloid based therapeutics.

Inducible RasGEF1B circular RNA is a positive regulator of ICAM-1 in the TLR4/LPS pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) constitute a large class of RNA species formed by the back-splicing of co-linear exons, often within protein-coding transcripts. Despite much progress in the field, it remains elusive whether the majority of circRNAs are merely aberrant splicing by-products with unknown functions, or their production is spatially and temporally regulated to carry out specific biological functions. To date, the majority of circRNAs have been cataloged in resting cells. Here, we identify an LPS-inducible circRNA: mcircRasGEF1B, which is predominantly localized in cytoplasm, shows cell-type specific expression, and has a human homolog with similar properties, hcircRasGEF1B. We show that knockdown of the expression of mcircRasGEF1B reduces LPS-induced ICAM-1 expression. Additionally, we demonstrate that mcircRasGEF1B regulates the stability of mature ICAM-1 mRNAs. These findings expand the inventory of functionally characterized circRNAs with a novel RNA species that may play a critical role in fine-tuning immune responses and protecting cells against microbial infection.

α1-Antitrypsin reduces rhinovirus infection in primary human airway epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections target airway epithelium and are the leading cause of acute exacerbations of COPD. Cigarette smoke (CS) increases the severity of viral infections, but there is no effective therapy for HRV infection. We determined whether α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) reduces HRV-16 infection in CS-exposed primary human airway epithelial cells. Brushed bronchial epithelial cells from normal subjects and patients diagnosed with COPD were cultured at air–liquid interface to induce mucociliary differentiation. These cells were treated with A1AT or bovine serum albumin for 2 hours and then exposed to air or whole cigarette smoke (WCS) with or without HRV-16 (5×10⁴ 50% Tissue Culture Infective Dose [TCID₅₀]/transwell) infection for 24 hours. WCS exposure significantly increased viral load by an average of fivefold and decreased the expression of antiviral genes interferon-λ1, OAS1, and MX1. When A1AT was added to WCS-exposed cells, viral load significantly decreased by an average of 29-fold. HRV-16 infection significantly increased HRV-16 receptor intercellular adhesion molecule-1 messenger RNA expression in air-exposed cells, which was decreased by A1AT. A1AT-mediated reduction of viral load was not accompanied by increased epithelial antiviral gene expression or by inhibiting the activity of 3C protease involved in viral replication or maturation. Our findings demonstrate that A1AT treatment prevents a WCS-induced increase in viral load and for the first time suggest a therapeutic effect of A1AT on HRV infection.

Morin Attenuates Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Inflammation by Modulating Oxidative Stress-Responsive MAPK Signaling

Asthma is one of the most common inflammatory diseases characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Morin, an active ingredient obtained from Moraceae plants, has been demonstrated to have promising anti-inflammatory activities in a range of disorders. However, its impacts on pulmonary diseases, particularly on asthma, have not been clarified. This study was designed to investigate whether morin alleviates airway inflammation in chronic asthma with an emphasis on oxidative stress modulation. In vivo, ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized mice were administered with morin or dexamethasone before challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained to perform cell counts, histological analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro, human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were challenged by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The supernatant was collected for the detection of the proinflammatory proteins, and the cells were collected for reactive oxygen species (ROS)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) evaluations. Severe inflammatory responses and remodeling were observed in the airways of the OVA-sensitized mice. Treatment with morin dramatically attenuated the extensive trafficking of inflammatory cells into the BALF and inhibited their infiltration around the respiratory tracts and vessels. Morin administration also significantly suppressed goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition/fibrosis and dose-dependently inhibited the OVA-induced increases in IgE, TNF-α, interleukin- (IL-) 4, IL-13, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and malondialdehyde. In human BECs challenged by TNF-α, the levels of proteins such as eotaxin-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, were consistently significantly decreased by morin. Western blotting and the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein assay revealed that the increases in intracellular ROS and MAPK phosphorylation were abolished by morin, implying that ROS/MAPK signaling contributes to the relief of airway inflammation. Our findings indicate for the first time that morin alleviates airway inflammation in chronic asthma, which probably occurs via the oxidative stress-responsive MAPK pathway, highlighting a novel profile of morin as a potent agent for asthma management.

Recent advances from studies on the role of structural proteins in enterovirus infection

Enteroviruses are a large group of small nonenveloped viruses that cause common and debilitating illnesses affecting humans and animals worldwide. The capsid composed by viral structural proteins packs the RNA genome. It is becoming apparent that structural proteins of enteroviruses play versatile roles in the virus–host interaction in the viral life cycle, more than just a shell. Furthermore, structural proteins to some extent may be associated with viral virulence and pathogenesis. Better understanding the roles of structural proteins in enterovirus infection may lead to the development of potential antiviral strategies. Here, we discuss recent advances from studies on the role of structural proteins in enterovirus infection and antiviral therapeutics targeted structural proteins.

The importance of bacterial and viral infections associated with adult asthma exacerbations in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Viral infection is one of the risk factors for asthma exacerbation. However, which pathogens are related to asthma exacerbation in adults remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The relation between various infections and adult asthma exacerbations was investigated in clinical practice.

METHODS

The study subjects included 50 adult inpatients due to asthma exacerbations and 20 stable outpatients for comparison. The pathogens from a nasopharyngeal swab were measured by multiplex PCR analysis.

RESULTS

Asthma exacerbations occurred after a common cold in 48 inpatients. The numbers of patients with viral, bacterial, or both infections were 16, 9, and 9, respectively. The dominant viruses were rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and metapneumovirus. The major bacteria were S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. Compared to pathogen-free patients, the patients with pathogens were older and non-atopic and had later onset of disease, lower FeNO levels, lower IgE titers, and a higher incidence of comorbid sinusitis, COPD, or pneumonia. Compared to stable outpatients, asthma exacerbation inpatients had a higher incidence of smoking and comorbid sinusitis, COPD, or pneumonia. Viruses were detected in 50% of stable outpatients, but a higher incidence of rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and metapneumovirus infections was observed in asthma exacerbation inpatients. H. influenzae was observed in stable asthmatic patients. Other bacteria, especially S. pneumoniae, were important in asthma exacerbation inpatients.

CONCLUSION

Viral or bacterial infections were observed in 70% of inpatients with an asthma exacerbation in clinical practice. Infection with S. pneumoniae was related to adult asthma exacerbation.