Altered AKT1 and MAPK1 gene expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and correlation with T-helper-transcription factors in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Exacerbating effects of circadian rhythm disruption on the systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) has been associated with inflammation and immune disorders, but its role in SLE progression is unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of circadian rhythms on immune function and inflammation and their contribution to SLE progression to lupus nephritis (LN).

METHODS

This study retrospectively analysed the clinical characteristics and transcriptional profiles of 373 samples using bioinformatics and machine-learning methods. A flare risk score (FRS) was established to predict overall disease progression for patients with lupus. Mendelian randomisation was used to analyse the causal relationship between CRD and SLE progression.

RESULTS

Abnormalities in the circadian pathway were detected in patients with SLE, and lower enrichment levels suggested a disease state (normalised enrichment score=0.6714, p=0.0062). The disruption of circadian rhythms was found to be closely linked to lupus flares, with the FRS showing a strong ability to predict disease progression (area under the curve (AUC) of 5-year prediction: 0.76). The accuracy of disease prediction was improved by using a prognostic nomogram based on FRS (AUC=0.77). Additionally, Mendelian randomisation analysis revealed an inverse causal relationship between CRD and SLE (OR 0.6284 (95% CI 0.3630 to 1.0881), p=0.0485) and a positive causal relationship with glomerular disorders (OR 0.0337 (95% CI 1.634e-3 to 6.934e-1), p=0.0280).

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals that genetic characteristics arising from CRD can serve as biomarkers for predicting the exacerbation of SLE. This highlights the crucial impact of CRD on the progression of lupus.

Anti-colorectal cancer of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. and targets prediction via network pharmacology and molecular docking study

BACKGROUND

Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. (AGS), a Chinese folk medicine widely grows in the south of China and several studies reported that AGS could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer cell lines. However, little is known about its anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) efficiency.

METHODS

In the present study, a combination of MTT assay, network pharmacological analysis, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation study was used to investigate the active ingredients, and targets of AGS against CRC, as well as the potential mechanism.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that three kinds of fractions from AGS, including the n-butanol extract (NBAGS), ethyl acetate fraction (EAAGS), and petroleum ether fraction (PEAGS) significantly inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells, with the IC₅₀ values of 197.24, 264.85, 15.45 µg/mL on HCT116 cells, and 523.6, 323.59, 150.31 µg/mL on SW620 cells, respectively. Eleven active ingredients, including, 11-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-protocatechuoylbergenin, 11-O-syringylbergenin, ardisiacrispin B, bergenin, epicatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid, quercetin, stigmasterol, stigmasterol-3-o-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified. A total of 173 targets related to the bioactive components and 21,572 targets related to CRC were picked out through database searching. Based on the crossover targets of AGS and CRC, a protein-protein interaction network was built up by the String database, from which it was concluded that the core targets would be SRC, MAPK1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, MAPK8. Besides, GO analysis showed that the numbers of biological process, cellular component, and molecular function of AGS against CRC were 1079, 44, and 132, respectively, and KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that 96 signaling pathways in all would probably be involved in AGS against CRC, among which MAPK signaling pathway, lipid, and atherosclerosis, proteoglycans in cancer, prostate cancer, adherens junction would probably be the major pathways. The docking study verified that AGS had multiple ingredients and multiple targets against CRC. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis showed that the binding would be stable via forming hydrogen bonds.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that AGS had good anti-CRC potency with the characteristics of multi-ingredients, -targets, and -signaling pathways.

Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Techniques

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism and simulated validation of Zhi Bai Di Huang Pill (ZBDHP) for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods: The active ingredients of ZBDHP were obtained through the TCMSP database and the Canonical SMILES of the active ingredients were queried through Pubchem. The targets of the active ingredients were predicted in the SwissTarget database based on the SMILES. The SLE-related disease targets were obtained through the GeneCards, OMIM and DisGenets databases, and the intersection targets of ZBDHP and SLE were obtained using the Venny 2.1.0 online platform. Intersection targets build a visual protein interaction network (PPI) through the STRING database, and the core targets were identified by network topology analysis. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the intersecting targets were performed using the DAVID database. Finally, the molecular docking of the first four active ingredients and the first four core target genes were verified by Pubchem, the PDB database and CB-Dock online molecular docking technology. Results: ZBDHP screened 91 potential active ingredients and 816 potential targets. Among them, 141 genes were intersected by ZBDHP and SLE. The network topology analysis showed that the main active ingredients were Hydroxygenkwanin, Alisol B, asperglaucide, Cerevisterol, etc., and the key target genes were TNF, AKT1, EGFR, STAT3, etc. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that common targets interfere with biological processes or molecular functions such as signal transduction protein phosphorylation, inflammatory response, transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity, etc., through multiple signaling pathways, such as pathways in cancer, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis, hepatitis B, etc. Molecular docking results showed that the active components of ZBDHP have good binding activity to the core targets of SLE. Conclusions: This study reveals that the ZBDHP treatment of SLE is a complex mechanistic process with multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways, and it may play a therapeutic role in SLE by inhibiting the production, proliferation and apoptosis of inflammatory factors. In conclusion, the present study provides a theoretical basis for further research on ZBDHP.

Investigating the molecular mechanism of iguratimod act on SLE using network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis

Objective: Iguratimod (IGU) is a novel small disease-modifying compound widely used in Asia for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. IGU is a methane sulfonanilide. We applied network pharmacology to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of IGU act on SLE.

Methods: We used PharmMapper, UniProt, and OMIM databases to screen the potential targets of IGU, and the SLE-related disease targets were predicted. Hub target genes among the intersections of the potential targets (IGU) and related genes (SLE) were validated using the PPI network generated by the String database. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were carried out using the David online platform. Finally, the molecular docking of hub targets and their corresponding compounds were completed through AutoDock Vina and PyMOL software for visualization.

Result: A total of 292 potential targets of IGU, 6501 related disease targets of SLE, and 114 cross targets were screened from the aforementioned database. Network topology analysis identified 10 hub targets, such as CASP3, AKT1, EGFR, MMP9, and IGF1. GO enrichment analysis mainly focuses on the negative regulation of the apoptotic process and signal transduction. KEGG enrichment analysis illustrated that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and FoxO signaling pathway might play a significant role in the pharmacological mechanisms of IGU act on SLE. Molecular docking confirmed that the IGU ligand had strong binding activity to the hub targets.

Conclusion: This study based on network pharmacology and molecular docking validation preliminarily revealed the protein targets affected by IGU acting on SLE through, and explored potential therapeutic mechanism role of IGU in SLE treatment by multi pathways.

Potential Mechanisms of White Peony against Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Multiple system and organ damage occurs with the continuous progression of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and the lack of specific drugs against this disease is a huge challenge. White peony (WP), a widely used traditional Chinese herb, has been confirmed to have a therapeutic value in pSS. However, the specific mechanisms of WP in the treatment of pSS are unknown.

Methods

The active ingredients and their targets in WP were searched on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and disease-related targets were collected from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The overlapping targets were acquired by taking the intersection. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was structured using the STRING database. A disease-drug-ingredient-target (D-D-I-T) network was built using Cytoscape software. By filtering twice, core targets were acquired. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were accompanied by R packages. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the abovementioned results.

Results

In total, we screened 88 WP-related targets, 1480 pSS-related targets, and 32 overlapping targets. D-D-I-T Network analysis displayed six main active ingredients of WP, which played a significant therapeutic role in pSS. Further topological analysis selected seven core target genes, including IL-6, TNF, PPARγ, AKT1, CASP3, NOS3, and JUN. GO and KEGG analysis were used to elucidate pharmacological mechanisms, mainly acting in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Molecular docking proved that paeoniflorin bound well with core targets.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that IL-6, TNF, AKT1, CASP3, NOS3, and JUN may be pathogenic target genes, and PPARγ may be a protective target gene. The main active ingredients of WP mainly played a therapeutic role via the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. These findings provide a fundamental and theoretical basis for the clinical application of WP.

Th17 and Th1 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus with focus on lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by T cells imbalance. Indeed, a correlation between levels of Th17 cells and disease activity has been reported. Our work aimed to study the functional association of subpopulations of Th cells and SLE with (lupus nephritis, LN) or without (lupus erythematosus, LE) renal involvement in Tunisian patients through the detection of intracellular cytokines and surface marker expression. The IL23R and RORC mRNA expression levels were evaluated. The level of Th17 and Th1 cells was higher in LE and LN patients compared to healthy controls (HC) (p = 0.007 and p = 0.018, respectively), while Th1/17 cells were increased only in LN patients compared to HC (p = 0.011). However, no significant difference was described in the mRNA expression levels of RORC and IL-23R between SLE and HC. Our findings suggest that the Th1/Th17 differentiation mechanisms are altered in SLE and that this imbalance should have an important influence on the development and severity of the disease.

Targets of Tripterygium glycosides in systemic lupus erythematosus treatment: A network-pharmacology study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of Tripterygium glycosides (TGs) in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through network-pharmacology approach.

METHODS

The protein targets of TGs' three active ingredients (triptolide, tripterine, and wilforlide) and SLE were identified by database search. Then, the intersection of the two groups was studied. The drug-target network between the active ingredients of TGs and the overlapping genes was constructed, visualized, and analyzed with Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were performed to analyze these genes. Finally, we validated our predictions of the potential targets through docking study.

RESULTS

A total of 55 overlapping genes were discovered. Results suggested that the TGs' mechanism in SLE treatment was associated with heat shock protein family A member 5, heat shock protein family A member 8, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1, and so forth with their related 4042 gene network, which regulated ribosome, spliceosome, viral carcinogenesis, Epstein-Barr virus infection signaling, and so forth. Molecular-docking analysis proved that hydrogen bonding was the main form of interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research provided the protein targets affected by TGs in SLE treatment. The key targets (CASP3, MAPK1, HIF1A, and so forth) involving 4042 proteins became the multitarget mechanism of TGs in SLE treatment.

Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction for the Treatment of SLE Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis

Objective

To elucidate the main mechanism of Xijiao Dihuang decoction (XJDHT) for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, ETCM, and TCMID databases and literature search were used to screen the potential active compounds of XJDHT, and TCMSP and SwissProt databases were searched to predict the targets of the compounds. The targets of SLE were obtained from Genegards, OMIM, and DisGeNET databases, and Venn online platform was used to obtain the intersection targets of XJDHT and SLE. Afterwards, the PPI network was constructed by using the STRING database, and the core targets were identified by network topology analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed through R software, and molecular docking of the top three core targets and their corresponding compounds were accomplished by Autodock Vina and Pymol softwares.

Results

There were 30 potential active ingredients, 289 potential targets, and 129 intersection targets screened from the above databases. Network topology analysis identified 23 core targets, such as AKT1, TNF, IL6, IL1B, and INS. GO enrichment analysis obtained 2555 terms and mainly clustering on the react to lipopolysaccharide, membrane raft, and ubiquitin-like protein ligase binding. KEGG enrichment analysis obtained 187 signaling pathways, mainly concentrating on the lipid and atherosclerosis, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking verified that the active compounds of XJDHT have the strong binding activity to the core targets.

Conclusion

This study preliminarily uncovers the mechanism of XJDHT acting on SLE through a “multicompound, multitarget, and multipathway” manner. XJDHT may achieve the treatment of SLE by inhibiting the proinflammatory factors, inflammatory signal cvtokines, proliferation, injury, and apoptosis processes. In summary, the present study would provide a promising theoretical basis for further clinical and experimental studies.

Circadian clock genes as promising therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases

Circadian rhythm is a natural, endogenous process whose physiological functions are controlled by a set of clock genes. Disturbance of the clock genes have detrimental effects on both innate and adaptive immunity, which significantly enhance pro-inflammatory responses and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases via strictly controlling the individual cellular components of the immune system that initiate and perpetuate the inflammation pathways. Autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA), often exhibit substantial circadian oscillations, and circadian rhythm is involved in the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases. Mounting evidence indicate that the synthetic ligands of circadian clock genes have the property of reducing the susceptibility and clinical severity of subjects. This review supplies an overview of the roles of circadian clock genes in the pathology of autoimmune diseases, including BMAL1, CLOCK, PER, CRY, REV-ERBα, and ROR. Furthermore, summarized some circadian clock genes as candidate genes for autoimmune diseases and current advancement on therapy of autoimmune diseases with synthetic ligands of circadian clock genes. The existing body of knowledge demonstrates that circadian clock genes are inextricably linked to autoimmune diseases. Future research should pay attention to improve the quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases and reduce the effects of drug preparation on the normal circadian rhythms.

miR-183-5p Is a Potential Molecular Marker of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective

To investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and identify the valuable miRNA biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring SLE.

Methods

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to assess miRNA amounts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from four SLE cases and four healthy controls. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was carried out for validating candidate miRNAs in 32 SLE cases and 32 healthy controls. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was completed to evaluate diagnostic performance. Finally, the associations of candidate miRNAs with various characteristics of SLE were analyzed.

Results

A total of 157 miRNAs were upregulated, and 110 miRNAs were downregulated in PBMCs from SLE cases in comparison to healthy controls, of which the increase of miR-183-5p and decrease of miR-374b-3p were validated by qPCR and both showed good diagnostic performance for SLE diagnosis. Besides, miR-183-5p expression levels displayed a positive association with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and anti-dsDNA antibody amounts.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that miR-183-5p is a promising biomarker of SLE.

Sustained high expression of multiple APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases in systemic lupus erythematosus

APOBEC3 (A3) enzymes are best known for their role as antiviral restriction factors and as mutagens in cancer. Although four of them, A3A, A3B, A3F and A3G, are induced by type-1-interferon (IFN-I), their role in inflammatory conditions is unknown. We thus investigated the expression of A3, and particularly A3A and A3B because of their ability to edit cellular DNA, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by high IFN-α serum levels. In a cohort of 57 SLE patients, A3A and A3B, but also A3C and A3G, were upregulated ~ 10 to 15-fold (> 1000-fold for A3B) compared to healthy controls, particularly in patients with flares and elevated serum IFN-α levels. Hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive treatment did not reverse A3 levels. The A3AΔ3B polymorphism, which potentiates A3A, was detected in 14.9% of patients and in 10% of controls, and was associated with higher A3A mRNA expression. A3A and A3B mRNA levels, but not A3C or A3G, were correlated positively with dsDNA breaks and negatively with lymphopenia. Exposure of SLE PBMCs to IFN-α in culture induced massive and sustained A3A levels by 4 h and led to massive cell death. Furthermore, the rs2853669 A > G polymorphism in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, which disrupts an Ets-TCF-binding site and influences certain cancers, was highly prevalent in SLE patients, possibly contributing to lymphopenia. Taken together, these findings suggest that high baseline A3A and A3B levels may contribute to cell frailty, lymphopenia and to the generation of neoantigens in SLE patients. Targeting A3 expression could be a strategy to reverse cell death and the generation of neoantigens.

The study of METTL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

This study was aimed to explore the mRNA expression of m6A “writers” (METTL3, MTEEL14, and WTAP), “erasers” (FTO and ALKBH5), and “readers” (YTHDF2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and investigate the relation between their expressions with clinical features.

Methods

In all, 54 SLE patients and 42 healthy controls (HC) were included in the current study. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to investigate the mRNA expression of m6A “writers,” “erasers,” and “readers” in PBMCs from SLE patients and HC.

Results

Decreased mRNA expression of MTEEL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 was observed in SLE patients compared with those in HC (p < .001). The decreased mRNA expression of METTL14 was associated with white blood cell count (WBC) and monocyte count (M), this decreased mRNA expression of ALKBH5 was associated with C‐reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil percentage (N%), lymphocyte percentage (L%), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), complement 3 (C3), and fever, and the decreased mRNA expression of YTHDF2 was associated with L%, NLR, C3, and fever. In addition, there was a positive correlation between mRNA expression of METTL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 in PBMCs from SLE patients. Importantly, logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased mRNA expression of YTHDF2 was a risk factor for SLE.

Conclusion

Taken all together, our findings suggested decreased YTHDF2 that was associated with disease activity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE, METTL14 and ALKBH5 may be concomitantly decreased.

Downregulation of miR-633 activated AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting AKT1 in lupus CD4+ T cells

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that the AKT/mTOR pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through activating T cells, and there are few studies looking into the role of microRNA (miRNAs) in the mechanism. We first found that miR-633 expression in CD4+T cells of SLE patients was significantly reduced.

Objective

To investigate the role of miR-633 in the AKT/mTOR pathway in lupus CD4+T cells.

Methods

Samples of 17 SLE cases and 16 healthy controls were collected to detect the expression of miR-633, AKT1, mTOR mRNA and proteins by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western-blot, respectively. To determine whether AKT1 is a direct target of miR-633, a luciferase assay was performed. In vitro, AKT1 siRNA, miR-633 mimics/inhibitors or negative controls were transfected to Jurkat cells, human primary CD4+T cells and lupus CD4+T cells. RNA and proteins were extracted after 48 h, and levels of AKT/mTOR pathway markers and downstream multiple cytokines were detected by qPCR or Western-blot.

Results

In SLE patients, the miR-633 levels in CD4+T cells were significantly decreased and negatively correlated with SLEDAI. AKT1, mTOR mRNA and proteins were all up-regulated. The degree of downregulation of miR-633 was correlated negatively with AKT1 mRNA. The luciferase assay proved that AKT1 is a direct target of miR-633. In Jurkat and lupus CD4+T cells, overexpression of miR-633 could result in lower levels of AKT1 and mTOR. Inhibition of miR-633 expression in primary CD4+T cells caused reverse effects, and protein levels of p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-S6RP increased. Moreover, among various cytokines, the expression of IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ mRNA was raised.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that miR-633 deletion can activate the AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting AKT1 to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.

The Role of CD38 on the Function of Regulatory B Cells in a Murine Model of Lupus

Previous work from our group has shown that Cd38^-/- mice develop a milder pristane-induced lupus disease than WT or Art2^-/- counterparts, demonstrating a new role for CD38 in promoting aberrant inflammation and lupus-like autoimmunity via a Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2)-dependent apoptosis-driven mechanism. In this study we asked whether CD38 may play a role in the expression and function of regulatory B cells (IL-10-producing B cells or B10 cells). In pristane-treated mice the frequency of spleen CD19⁺CD1d^hiCD5⁺ B cells, which are highly enriched in B10 cells, was significantly increased in Cd38^-/- splenocytes compared to WT, while the frequency of peritoneal plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are major type I Interferon (IFN) producers, was greatly diminished. The low proportion of pDCs correlated with lower amounts of IFN-α in the peritoneal lavage fluids of the Cd38^-/- mice than of WT and Art2^-/- mice. Functional ex vivo assays showed increased frequencies of IL-10-producing B cells in Cd38^-/- splenocytes than in WT upon stimulation with an agonist anti-CD40 mAb. Overall these results strongly suggest that Cd38^-/- mice are better suited than WT mice to generate and expand regulatory B10 cells following the appropriate stimulation.

Expression of Foxp3 in renal tissue of patients with HBV-associated glomerulonephritis and their clinical and pathological characteristics

Our study retrospectively investigated the expression of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) in renal tissue and clinical features of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN). A total of 58 patients with HBV-GN were assigned to group A; 45 serum and renal tissue HBsAg-negative patients with nephritis were group B; 24 serum HBsAg-positive and renal tissue HBsAg-negative patients with slightly increased serum creatinine without nephritis were group C. Clinical manifestations, laboratory indices and renal biopsies were recorded. Expression of Foxp3, CD4 and CD25 in renal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. In group A, 74.1% were serum HBeAg-negative, with serum complement C3 level of 0.99±0.27 g/l, and deposition rates of renal complement C3 and C1q in renal tissue of 34.9 and 16.3% respectively; 25.9% were serum HBeAg-positive, with serum complement C3 level of 0.19±0.17 g/l, and deposition rates of renal complement C3 and C1q in renal tissue of 80 and 46.7%, respectively. A significant difference was found in C3 and C1q between HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive group (P<0.05). Increased urinary protein and decreased serum albumin were found in patients in group A with moderate levels of HBV DNA compared with patients with low levels of HBV DNA in the same group over 24 h (P<0.05). The numbers of Foxp3⁺ lymphocytes, CD4⁺ T cells and CD25⁺ T cells in the tubulointerstitium of patients in groups A and B were 3.41±1.16 vs. 3.52±1.27, 2.78±0.15 vs. 3.12±0.17 and 2.90±0.20 vs. 3.09±0.18, respectively. The clinical manifestation of HBV-GN is nephrotic syndrome, and HBV DNA is correlated with urinary protein and serum albumin levels. Activation of C3 and C1q may be related to the pathogenesis of HBV-GN in serum HBeAg-positive patients. Downregulation of Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells is related to the development and progression of HBV-GN.

Interaction between ANXA1 and GATA-3 in Immunosuppression of CD4+ T Cells

Decreased Th1/Th2 ratio is one of the major characteristics of immunosuppression in sepsis. Both membrane adhesive protein Annexin-A1 (ANXA1) and transcription factor GATA-3 have been reported to play important roles in T cell differentiation. However, the relationship between ANXA1 and GATA-3 in Th1/Th2 shift is unknown. Our study investigated the interaction effects of ANXA1 and GATA-3 to influence T cell differentiation in CD4+ T cells. We found that GATA-3 and ANXA1 were coexpressed on Th0/Th1/Th2 cytoplasm and nuclear. Overexpressed ANXA1 significantly increased the expression of IFNγ and reduced IL-4 expression in T cells, while ANXA1-silenced T cells exhibited decreased production of IFNγ and increased production of IL-4. Knockdown of ANXA1 promoted higher expression level of GATA-3 and low level of T-box transcription factor (T-bet/Tbx21). Further study demonstrated that ANXA1 regulated GATA-3 expression through the formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) downstream signaling pathways ERK and PKB/Akt. These results suggested that ANXA1 modulates GATA-3/T-bet expression induced Th0/Th1 differentiation. Moreover, we found that GATA-3 inhibited ANXA1 expression by binding to its promoter for the first time. It is proposed that the interactions between ANXA1 and GATA-3 may provide clues to understand the immunosuppression and have potential as new therapeutic targets in immunotherapy after sepsis.

Contribution and underlying mechanisms of CXCR4 overexpression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Aberrant expression of CXCR4 has been indicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the mechanism of CXCR4 dysregulation in SLE is unclear. This study is aimed to explore the clinical significance and possible mechanisms of abnormal CXCR4 expression on B cells from patients with untreated SLE. Expression of CXCR4 on peripheral B cells was determined by flow cytometry and western blotting. Freshly isolated B cells were cultured with exogenous interleukin 21(IL-21) in the presence or absence of CD40 ligand (CD40L) plus anti-IgM antibody (aIgM), and changes in CXCR4 expression were detected. Involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Janus kinase/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways was assessed by adding blocking agents Ly294002 and AG490. Since CD63 is reported to mediate endosomal recruitment of CXCR4 and BCL6 is capable of silencing CD63 gene transcription, we also measured BCL6 and CD63 gene transcription with real-time PCR. It was shown that CXCR4 expression on B cells was significantly upregulated in SLE patients, especially in those with lupus nephritis, and was positively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index scores and negatively with the serum complement 3 levels (P<0.05). Downregulation of CXCR4 by IL-21 was intact. In contrast, a similar effect of aIgM plus CD40L in downregulating CXCR4 expression was defective in SLE patients but was restored by co-stimulation with IL-21 in vitro. Both Ly294002 and AG490 promoted downregulation of surface CXCR4 expression on B cells from SLE patients (P=0.078 and P=0.064). Furthermore, B cells from SLE patients exhibited diminished CD63 mRNA and enhanced BCL6 mRNA expression (both P<0.05). To sum up, CXCR4 was overexpressed on SLE B cells, positively correlating with disease activity and kidney involvement. Overactivation of the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT pathways as well as defective CD63 synthesis may contribute to CXCR4 dysregulation in SLE.

Expression of Inflammatory and Cell Death Program Genes and Comet DNA Damage Assay Induced by Escherichia coli in Layer Hens

Modern methods of industrial poultry and egg production systems involve stressful practices that stimulate Escherichia coli (E. coli) activity causing endotoxic shock. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell death program genes and DNA damage induced by E. coli in the brain and liver tissues of laying hens. A total of two hundred and ten H&N brown layer hens with 20 week age, were used in this research. First, preliminary experiments were designed (60 hens in total) to establish the optimal exposure dose of E. coli and to determine the nearest time of notable response to be used in the remainder studies of this research. At 35-wk of age, 150 hens were randomly assigned into 2 groups with 3 replicates of 25 birds each; the first group was injected in the brachial wing vein with 10⁷E. coli colony/hen, while the second group was injected with saline and served as a control. The body temperature and plasma corticosterone concentration were measured 3 hr after injection. Specimens of liver and brain were obtained from each group and the gene expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, interlukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Bax, and caspase-3 genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. DNA damage in the brain and liver tissues were also measured by comet assay. Hens treated with E. coli showed significant (P<0.05) increase of body temperature and plasma corticosterone (42.6°C and 14.5 ng/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (41.1°C and 5.5 ng/ml, respectively). Additional remarkable over-inflammation gene expression of p38, IL-1β and TNF-α.genes were also detected in the brain (2.2-fold, 2.0-fold and 3.3-fold, respectively) and the liver (2.1-fold, 1.9-fold and 3.0-fold, respectively) tissues of the infected chickens. It is also important to note that hens injected with E. coli showed an increase in DNA damage in the brain and liver cells (P<0.05). These results were synchronized with activating cell death program since our data showed significant high expression of Bax gene by 2.8- and 2.7-fold and caspase-3 gene by 2.5- and 2.7-fold in the brain and liver tissues of infected chickens, respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, the current study indicates that E. coli injection induces inflammatory physiological response and triggers cell death program in the brain and liver. Our results provide more understanding to endotoxic shock by E. coli in chickens at cellular level. Further studies are required to confirm if such responses are destructive or protective to set the means through which a chicken mounts a successful defense against avian pathogenic E. coli.

Parallel Aspects of the Microenvironment in Cancer and Autoimmune Disease

Cancer and autoimmune diseases are fundamentally different pathological conditions. In cancer, the immune response is suppressed and unable to eradicate the transformed self-cells, while in autoimmune diseases it is hyperactivated against a self-antigen, leading to tissue injury. Yet, mechanistically, similarities in the triggering of the immune responses can be observed. In this review, we highlight some parallel aspects of the microenvironment in cancer and autoimmune diseases, especially hypoxia, and the role of macrophages, neutrophils, and their interaction. Macrophages, owing to their plastic mode of activation, can generate a pro- or antitumoral microenvironment. Similarly, in autoimmune diseases, macrophages tip the Th1/Th2 balance via various effector cytokines. The contribution of neutrophils, an additional plastic innate immune cell population, to the microenvironment and disease progression is recently gaining more prominence in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, as they can secrete cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as acquire an enhanced ability to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that are now considered important initiators of autoimmune diseases. Understanding the contribution of macrophages and neutrophils to the cancerous or autoimmune microenvironment, as well as the role their interaction and cooperation play, may help identify new targets and improve therapeutic strategies.

Down-regulation of expression of retinoid acid-related orphan receptor C (RORC) in systemic lupus erythematosus

CONTEXT

Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C (RORC), the key factor orchestrating the transcription of genes encoding interleukin 17, plays a critical role in the regulation of inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of RORC in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE especially in relation to disease activity and clinical and biochemical findings.

METHODS

The study included 24 patients with SLE and a control group of 18 healthy gender- and age-matched individuals. Evaluation of the level of expression of RORC mRNA was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The results showed that patients with SLE had lower RORC gene expression levels compared with healthy subjects that were not correlated with disease activity. The down-regulation of RORC was significantly lower in patients with lupus nephritis in remission than active lupus nephritis and nonrenal patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that RORC plays a significant role in the dysregulated immune response associated with SLE. Deciphering the intricate regulatory network and the target genes of RORC will help unravel new specific treatments for SLE.

Effect of Th17 and Treg axis disorder on outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension in connective tissue diseases

This prospective cohort study is to verify the hypothesis that the balance of Th17 and Treg cells frequencies in the peripheral circulation is disturbed in patients with varying degrees of connective tissue diseases-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-aPAH) and to prove the influence of Th17/Treg imbalance on prognosis. We detected the frequencies and absolute counts of Th17 and Treg cells and related serum cytokines secretion and expressions of key transcription factors in 117 patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD), 53 patients with CTD-aPAH, and 48 healthy volunteers. Moreover, the median value according to levels of Th17/Treg ratios in patients with CTD-aPAH was chosen as basis of group division for survival analysis. CTD-aPAH patients revealed significant increase in peripheral Th17 cells, Th17-related cytokines, and ROR γt mRNA levels. They also presented a significant decrease in Treg cells, Treg-related cytokines, and Foxp3 mRNA levels as compared with CTD patients and healthy controls. More importantly, the Th17/Treg ratio was significantly related to the severity and prognosis of CTD-aPAH. This study indicated that the Th17/Treg axis disorder plays a critical role in CTD-aPAH. Furthermore, the dynamic balance between Th17 and Treg cells was likely to influence prognosis of patients with CTD-aPAH.

Suppression of gelatinase activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by verapamil

OBJECTIVE

Gelatinases are a large group of proteolytic enzymes that belong to the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are a broad family of peptidases, which proteolyse the extracellular matrix and have an important role in inflammation. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker extensively used in the treatment of numerous cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia and hypertension. The anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects of verapamil have also been shown. In this study, the effect of verapamil on gelatinase activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been assessed in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, PBMCs from healthy adult volunteers were isolated by ficoll-hypaque-gradient centrifugation. The cells were then cultured in complete RPMI-1640 medium and after that incubated with different concentrations of verapamil (0-200 μM) in the presence or absence of phytoheamagglutinin (PHA) (10 μg/ml) for 48 hours. The gelatinase A (MMP-2)/gelatinase B (MMP-9) activity in cell-conditioned media was then evaluated by gelatin zymography. Statistical comparisons between groups were made by analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Verapamil significantly decreased the MMP-2/MMP-9 activity in human PBMCs after 48 hours incubation time compared with untreated control cells. The association was dose-dependent.

CONCLUSION

In this study verapamil exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on gelatinase A and gelatinase B activity in human PBMCs. It seems that the anti-inflammatory properties of verapamil may be in part due to its inhibitory effects on gelatinase activity. Regarding the beneficial effects of MMPs- inhibitors in the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases, the positive effect of verapamil on such diseases may be in part due to its anti-MMP activity. Verapamil with its inhibitory effects on gelatinases activity may be a useful MMP-inhibitor. Given the beneficial effect of MMP-inhibitors in some cancerous, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, it seems likely that verapamil could also be used to treat these diseases.