ITGB4 deficiency in bronchial epithelial cells directs airway inflammation and bipolar disorder-related behavior

TFAP2A-activated ITGB4 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression and inhibits CD4+/CD8+ T-cell infiltrations by targeting NF-κB signaling pathway

Background

Immune-associated genes play vital roles in the tumorigenesis, progression and immunotherapy responses of malignant tumors. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the role and mechanism of novel immune-associated gene integrin β4 (ITGB4) in the progression and immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

There were 770 immune-associated genes curated from NanoString PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel. Differentially expressed immune-related genes were initially screened using transcriptome data from 57 paired LUAD samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 15 paired LUAD samples in GSE31210, and were further validated in 19 paired LUAD samples from our institution. Log-rank test was adopted to identify LUAD prognosis associated genes. Among the identified differentially expressed genes, ITGB4 was ultimately chosen for further analysis. Subsequently, the functionality and mechanisms of ITGB4 were investigated in two LUAD cell lines, A549 and PC9, which exhibited relatively high expression levels of ITGB4. Following this, the impact of ITGB4 on the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD in vivo was evaluated using nude mice. Additionally, its effect on T cell infiltration was studied using immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice.

Results

ITGB4 was found to be significantly up-regulated in LUAD and associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Functionally, ITGB4 could promote LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Consistently, in vivo experiments demonstrated that ITGB4 knockdown suppressed LUAD tumor growth and metastasis. Additionally, ITGB4 could suppress CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltrations in LUAD cells. Mechanistically, ITGB4 could activate the NF-κB signaling pathway by interacting with IκBα. Furthermore, TFAP2A could directly bind to the ITGB4 promoter and transcriptionally activate ITGB4 in LUAD cells. In addition, laminin-5, a ligand of ITGB4, was found to promote LUAD progression by activating the ITGB4 signaling.

Conclusions

ITGB4 was transcriptionally activated by TFAP2A, and could promote LUAD progression and inhibit CD4+/CD8+ T-cell infiltrations by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. ITGB4 may serve as a potential immunotherapeutic target of LUAD.

SPIN: sex-specific and pathway-based interpretable neural network for sexual dimorphism analysis

Sexual dimorphism in prevalence, severity and genetic susceptibility exists for most common diseases. However, most genetic and clinical outcome studies are designed in sex-combined framework considering sex as a covariate. Few sex-specific studies have analyzed males and females separately, which failed to identify gene-by-sex interaction. Here, we propose a novel unified biologically interpretable deep learning-based framework (named SPIN) for sexual dimorphism analysis. We demonstrate that SPIN significantly improved the C-index up to 23.6% in TCGA cancer datasets, and it was further validated using asthma datasets. In addition, SPIN identifies sex-specific and -shared risk loci that are often missed in previous sex-combined/-separate analysis. We also show that SPIN is interpretable for explaining how biological pathways contribute to sexual dimorphism and improve risk prediction in an individual level, which can result in the development of precision medicine tailored to a specific individual's characteristics.

Neonatal IL-4 Over-Exposure is Accompanied by Macrophage Accumulation in Dura Mater After Instant Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Response in CSF

Multiple studies have shown that clinical events resulting into neonatal IL-4 over-exposure, such as asthma in early life and food allergy, were associated with brain damage and that the neuroinflammation induced by them might lead to cognitive impairments, anxiety-/depressive-like behaviors. IL-4 is the most major elevated cytokine in periphery when these clinical events occur and peripheral IL-4 level positively correlates with the severity of those events. Our previous studies have verified that neonatal IL-4 over-exposure induced a delayed neuroinflammatory damage in rodents, which might have adverse implications for brain development and cognition. Neuroinflammation in brain parenchyma is often accompanied by changes in CSF cytokines levels. However, whether the cytokines levels in CSF change after neonatal IL-4 over-exposure is unknown. Here, we found a delayed pro-inflammatory cytokines response (higher IL-6, IL-1β and, TNF levels) in both hippocampus and CSF after an instant anti-inflammatory cytokine response in IL-4 over-exposed rats. Moreover, the pro-inflammatory cytokines response appeared earlier in CSF than in hippocampus. The level of each of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in CSF positively correlated with that in hippocampus at the age of postnatal day 42. More microglia numbers/activation and higher M-CSF level in the hippocampus in IL-4 over-exposed rats were also observed. Furthermore, there were more macrophages with inflammatory activation in dural mater of IL-4 over-exposed rats. In sum, neonatal IL-4 over-exposure in rats induces delayed inflammation in CSF, suggesting CSF examination may serve as a potential method in predicting delayed neuroinflammation in brain following neonatal IL-4 over-exposure.

Ephrin B3 exacerbates colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer

Ephrin B3, a member of Eph/ephrin family, contributes to embryogenesis and carcinogenesis, but few studies have suggested whether this ligand has regulatory effect on colitis. This study was to determine whether ephrin B3 played a role in colitis and colonic carcinogenesis. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated carcinogenesis model was established in Efnb3-deficient (Efnb3-/-) mice. Label-free quantitative proteomics were performed to identify the Efnb3-regulated proteins. Our results showed that Efnb3 knock out reduced the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis, such as disease activity index (DAI), inflammatory factors release, and dysfunction of the intestinal barrier. Quantitative proteomics revealed that Efnb3 regulated 95 proteins which clustered in the platelet degranulation, response to elevated platelet cytosolic Ca2+, MAPK signaling for integrins such as ITGB4. Furthermore, ephrin B3 inactived ITGB4/AKT signal pathway and then promoted epithelial barrier dysfunction. Simultaneously, ephrin B3 promoted Gremlin-1/NF-κB signal pathway and thereby increased inflammatory factors release. In addition, the higher level of Efnb3 in colon cancer patients is correlated with worse survival. Efnb3-/- mice exhibited susceptibility to AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer. Our finding discovered that Efnb3 played an important role in the development of colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Efnb3 deficiency improved the intestinal barrier by ITGB4 and suppressed inflammation via Gremlin-1/NF-κB signal pathway, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Enpp1 deficiency caused chondrocyte apoptosis by inhibiting AMPK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND

The deficiency of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (Enpp1) causes the phenotype similar to knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the molecular mechanism is poorly understood.

METHOD

The global deletion of Enpp1 (Enpp1^-/-) mice was created to analyze the role of Enpp1 in the progress of knee OA. The apoptosis, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation ability of chondrocytes from wild-type (WT) and Enpp1^-/- joints were compared. According to the results of high-throughput quantitative molecular measurements, the proteins of chondrocytes from WT and Enpp1^-/- mice were used to explore the mechanism of Enpp1 deficiency-associated knee OA.

RESULT

In Enpp1^-/- knee joints, we found significant chondrocyte apoptosis and proteomic results showed that abnormal expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway may contribute to this phenotype. In primary chondrocyte cultures in vitro, Enpp1 deletion dramatically enhancing chondrocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile, we found Enpp1 deletion inhibits the phosphorylation of AMPK (P-AMPK). We also found that decreased level of P-AMPK and chondrocyte apoptosis, which are caused by Enpp1 deficiency, can be reversed by Acadesine (AICAR), the activator of AMPK.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, Enpp1 deficiency plays an essential role in knee OA by regulating AMPK signaling pathway.

SPTBN2 regulates endometroid ovarian cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration via ITGB4‑mediated focal adhesion and ECM receptor signalling pathway

Ovarian cancer is as a major contributor to gynaecologic death globally. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of spectrin β non-erythrocytic 2 gene (SPTBN2) in endometroid ovarian cancer and its mechanism of action. According to the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database, SPTBN2 expression is elevated in ovarian cancer tissues and higher SPTBN2 expression indicated a worse prognosis. The present study assessed SPTBN2 mRNA and protein expression levels by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed with Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. SPTBN2 expression was notably enhanced in ovarian cancer cell lines, especially in A2780 cells compared with HOSEPiC cells (P<0.001). Following transfection with small interfering (si)RNA targeting SPTBN2, the viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of A2780 cells were decreased compared with those of A2780 cells transfected with siRNA-NC (P<0.001). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis database revealed that SPTBN2 was primarily enriched in 'focal adhesion' and 'extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction', whereas SPTBN2 was significantly associated with integrin β4 (ITGB4) in the GEPIA database. In addition, rescue experiments were performed to determine the mechanism of SPTBN2 in endometroid ovarian cancer. ITGB4 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of the SPTBN2 knockdown on viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of A2780 cells (P<0.05). The impacts of SPTBN2 on the expression of focal adhesion and downstream ECM receptor signalling-related proteins, including Src and p-FAK/FAK, were significantly reversed by ITGB4 overexpression (P<0.01). Collectively, SPTBN2 may regulate endometroid ovarian cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration through the ITGB4-mediated focal adhesion and ECM receptor signalling pathway.

T cells: an emerging cast of roles in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a distinctly heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder with a high individual and social burden. Immune pathway dysregulation is an important pathophysiological feature of BD. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of BD. Therefore, greater insight into T lymphocytes' functioning in patients with BD is essential. In this narrative review, we describe the presence of an imbalance in the ratio and altered function of T lymphocyte subsets in BD patients, mainly in T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 cells and regulatory T cells, and alterations in hormones, intracellular signaling, and microbiomes may be potential causes. Abnormal T cell presence explains the elevated rates of comorbid inflammatory illnesses in the BD population. We also update the findings on T cell-targeting drugs as potentially immunomodulatory therapeutic agents for BD disease in addition to classical mood stabilizers (lithium, valproic acid). In conclusion, an imbalance in T lymphocyte subpopulation ratios and altered function may be involved in the development of BD, and maintaining T cell immune homeostasis may provide an overall therapeutic benefit.

From the immune system to mood disorders especially induced by Toxoplasma gondii: CD4+ T cell as a bridge

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a ubiquitous and obligatory intracellular protozoa, not only alters peripheral immune status, but crosses the blood-brain barrier to trigger brain parenchymal injury and central neuroinflammation to establish latent cerebral infection in humans and other vertebrates. Recent findings underscore the strong correlation between alterations in the peripheral and central immune environment and mood disorders. Th17 and Th1 cells are important pro-inflammatory cells that can drive the pathology of mood disorders by promoting neuroinflammation. As opposed to Th17 and Th1, regulatory T cells have inhibitory inflammatory and neuroprotective functions that can ameliorate mood disorders. T. gondii induces neuroinflammation, which can be mediated by CD4+ T cells (such as Tregs, Th17, Th1, and Th2). Though the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorder have been currently studied, emerging evidence points to unique role of CD4+ T cells in mood disorder, especially those caused by T. gondii infection. In this review, we explore some recent studies that extend our understanding of the relationship between mood disorders and T. gondii.

Regulation of Expression of Extracellular Matrix Proteins by Differential Target Multiplexed Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) and Traditional Low-Rate SCS in a Rat Nerve Injury Model

There is limited research on the association between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and chronic neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, we aimed to assess changes in expression levels and the phosphorylation of ECM-related proteins due to the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain. Secondly, two modalities of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) were compared for their ability to reverse the changes induced by the pain model back toward normal, non-injury levels. We identified 186 proteins as ECM-related and as having significant changes in protein expression among at least one of the four experimental groups. Of the two SCS treatments, the differential target multiplexed programming (DTMP) approach reversed expression levels of 83% of proteins affected by the pain model back to levels seen in uninjured animals, whereas a low-rate (LR-SCS) approach reversed 67%. There were 93 ECM-related proteins identified in the phosphoproteomic dataset, having a combined 883 phosphorylated isoforms. DTMP back-regulated 76% of phosphoproteins affected by the pain model back toward levels found in uninjured animals, whereas LR-SCS back-regulated 58%. This study expands our knowledge of ECM-related proteins responding to a neuropathic pain model as well as providing a better perspective on the mechanism of action of SCS therapy.

Tumor cell integrin β4 and tumor stroma E-/P-selectin cooperatively regulate tumor growth in vivo

BACKGROUND

The immunological composition of the tumor microenvironment has a decisive influence on the biological course of cancer and is therefore of profound clinical relevance. In this study, we analyzed the cooperative effects of integrin β4 (ITGB4) on tumor cells and E-/P-selectin on endothelial cells within the tumor stroma for regulating tumor growth by shaping the local and systemic immune environment.

METHODS

We used several preclinical mouse models for different solid human cancer types (xenograft and syngeneic) to explore the role of ITGB4 (shRNA-mediated knockdown in tumor cells) and E-/P-selectins (knockout in mice) for tumor growth; effects on apoptosis, proliferation and intratumoral signaling pathways were determined by histological and biochemical methods and 3D in vitro experiments; changes in the intratumoral and systemic immune cell composition were determined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry; chemokine levels and their attracting potential were measured by ELISA and 3D invasion assays.

RESULTS

We observed a very robust synergism between ITGB4 and E-/P-selectin for the regulation of tumor growth, accompanied by an increased recruitment of CD11b⁺ Gr-1^Hi cells with low granularity (i.e., myeloid-derived suppressor cells, MDSCs) specifically into ITGB4-depleted tumors. ITGB4-depleted tumors undergo apoptosis and actively attract MDSCs, well-known to promote tumor growth in several cancers, via increased secretion of different chemokines. MDSC trafficking into tumors crucially depends on E-/P-selectin expression. Analyses of clinical samples confirmed an inverse relationship between ITGB4 expression in tumors and number of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a distinct vulnerability of ITGB4^Lo tumors for MDSC-directed immunotherapies.

Low-grade inflammation as mediator between diet and behavioral disinhibition: A UK Biobank study

BACKGROUND

Dietary patterns have been associated with variations in behavior. However, evidence has been limited and mixed, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Extend a previous study reporting significant associations between food patterns and behavioral disinhibition and explore whether low-grade inflammation is linked to behaviors and mediates the association between diet and behavioral disinhibition.

DESIGN

Among participants of the UK Biobank (UKB) we extracted a single behavioral disinhibition principal component using the UKB touchscreen questionnaire, Mental Health Questionnaire (MHQ), and registered diagnoses. We identified four dietary patterns (prudent diet, elimination of wheat/dairy/eggs, meat-based diet, full-cream dairy consumption) by using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Immune biomarkers and an aggregated inflammation score (INFLA-score) were used to characterize low-grade inflammation. Associations between dietary patterns and immune biomarkers, between immune biomarkers and disinhibition were assessed, with adjustment for demographics, lifestyle factors, and somatic health conditions. Next, mediation analyses were run to examine whether the association between dietary patterns and disinhibition was partially explained by inflammatory levels. We also conducted subgroup analyses to explore whether associations and the mediation effect differed by sex, age, ethnicity/race, body-mass-index (BMI), and socioeconomic status (SES).

RESULTS

The prudent diet was negatively, and the meat-based diet was positively associated with several pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Most immune biomarkers were positively associated with disinhibition (numbers of lymphocytes (β_standardized = 0.082, p < 0.001), monocytes (β_standardized = 0.043, p < 0.001), neutrophils (β_standardized = 0.071, p < 0.001), platelets (β_standardized = 0.022, p < 0.001), leukocytes (β_standardized = 0.093, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (β_standardized = 0.051, p < 0.001), and for INFLA-score (β_standardized = 0.074, p < 0.001). In the mediation model, the INFLA-score mediated the association between prudent diet and meat-based diet and disinhibition score, with a significant indirect effect of low-grade inflammation for the prudent diet-disinhibition association (β_standardized = -0.007, p < 0.001) and for meat-disinhibition association (β_standardized = 0.001, p < 0.001)). Although all effects were small, covariates and interaction term adjustments did not attenuate the effects, and neither did most subgroup-only analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The prudent diet was associated with a lower disinhibition score and this effect was partially mediated by the lower inflammation. Reversely, the meat-based diet was linked to more inflammation, which was associated with more disinhibition. Our findings suggest mediating effects of immune function in the relationship between diet and behavioral disinhibition. However further alternative designs such as interventional trials are needed to establish causal effects.

Increased exploration and hyperlocomotion in a cigarette smoke and LPS-induced murine model of COPD: linking pulmonary and systemic inflammation with the brain

Brain-related comorbidities are frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are related to increased disease progression and mortality. To date, it is unclear which mechanisms are involved in the development of brain-related problems in COPD. In this study, a cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure murine model was used to induce COPD-like features and assess the impact on brain and behavior. Mice were daily exposed to cigarette smoke for 72 days, except for days 42, 52, and 62, on which mice were intratracheally exposed to the bacterial trigger LPS. Emphysema and pulmonary inflammation as well as behavior and brain pathology were assessed. Cigarette smoke-exposed mice showed increased alveolar enlargement and numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. Cigarette smoke exposure resulted in lower body weight, which was accompanied by lower serum leptin levels, more time spent in the inner zone of the open field, and decreased claudin-5 and occludin protein expression levels in brain microvessels. Combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure resulted in increased locomotion and elevated microglial activation in the hippocampus of the brain. These novel findings show that systemic inflammation observed after combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure in this COPD model is associated with increased exploratory behavior. Findings suggest that neuroinflammation is present in the brain area involved in cognitive functioning and that blood-brain barrier integrity is compromised. These findings can contribute to our knowledge about possible processes involved in brain-related comorbidities in COPD, which is valuable for optimizing and developing therapy strategies.

ITGB4 Deficiency in Airway Epithelium Aggravates RSV Infection and Increases HDM Sensitivity

Background

The heterogeneity of RSV-infected pathology phenotype in early life is strongly associate with increased susceptibility of asthma in later life. However, the inner mechanism of this heterogeneity is still obscure. ITGB4 is a down-regulated adhesion molecular in the airway epithelia of asthma patients which may participate in the regulation of RSV infection related intracellular pathways.

Object

This study was designed to observe the involvement of ITGB4 in the process of RSV infection and the effect of ITGB4 deficiency on anti-RSV responses of airway epithelia.

Results

RSV infection caused a transient decrease of ITGB4 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, ITGB4 deficiency induced not only exacerbated RSV infection, but also enhanced HDM sensitivity in later life. Moreover, IFN III (IFN-λ) was significantly suppressed during RSV infection in ITGB4 deficient airway epithelial cells. Furthermore, the suppression of IFN-λ were regulated by IRF-1 through the phosphorylation of EGFR in airway epithelial cells after RSV infection.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the involvement of ITGB4 deficiency in the development of enhance RSV infection in early life and the increased HDM sensitivity in later life by down-regulation of IFN-λ through EGFR/IRF-1 pathway in airway epithelial cells.

Transcriptome Profiling of the Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex in Suicide Victims

The default mode network (DMN) plays an outstanding role in psychiatric disorders. Still, gene expressional changes in its major component, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), have not been characterized. We used RNA sequencing in postmortem DMPFC samples to investigate suicide victims compared to control subjects. 1400 genes differed using log2FC > ±1 and adjusted p-value < 0.05 criteria between groups. Genes associated with depressive disorder, schizophrenia and impaired cognition were strongly overexpressed in top differentially expressed genes. Protein−protein interaction and co-expressional networks coupled with gene set enrichment analysis revealed that pathways related to cytokine receptor signaling were enriched in downregulated, while glutamatergic synaptic signaling upregulated genes in suicidal individuals. A validated differentially expressed gene, which is known to be associated with mGluR5, was the N-terminal EF-hand calcium-binding protein 2 (NECAB2). In situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry proved that NECAB2 is expressed in two different types of inhibitory neurons located in layers II-IV and VI, respectively. Our results imply extensive gene expressional alterations in the DMPFC related to suicidal behavior. Some of these genes may contribute to the altered mental state and behavior of suicide victims.

Asthma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Emerging links, potential models and mechanisms

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent, debilitating mental health condition. A better understanding of contributory neurobiological mechanisms will lead to effective treatments, improving quality of life for patients. Given that not all trauma-exposed individuals develop PTSD, identification of pre-trauma susceptibility factors that can modulate posttraumatic outcomes is important. Recent clinical evidence supports a strong link between inflammatory conditions and PTSD. A particularly strong association has been reported between asthma and PTSD prevalence and severity. Unlike many other PTSD-comorbid inflammatory conditions, asthma often develops in children, sensitizing them to subsequent posttraumatic pathology throughout their lifetime. Currently, there is a significant need to understand the neurobiology, shared mechanisms, and inflammatory mediators that may contribute to comorbid asthma and PTSD. Here, we provide a translational perspective of asthma and PTSD risk and comorbidity, focusing on clinical associations, relevant rodent paradigms and potential mechanisms that may translate asthma-associated inflammation to PTSD development.

High-fat diet promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through enlarged growth of opportunistic pathogens and the intervention of saturated hydrogen

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effects and mechanism of high-fat diet on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of respiratory tract and the intervention of saturated hydrogen on it.

METHODS

80 five-week-old C57BL6/J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group, H₂ group, high-fat (HF) group and HF+H₂ group, making 20 mice in each group. The weights of the mice were measured on weekly basis. Six mice from each group were executed at every second week. Blood samples were collected for lipid testing. Lung tissues were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, HE staining, immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the mice in the HF group showed increased inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased expression of e-cadherin (E-cad) and increased expression of Twist. There were significant differences in the composition of bacteria in the lung, and the expression of isocitrate lyase (ICL) genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, which were significantly associated with asthma were seen with a significant increasing trend. After the treatment of saturated hydrogen, the changes in lung microbial population, lung tissue infiltration of inflammatory cells and the transformation of epithelial stroma caused by high-fat diet were moderately alleviated.

CONCLUSION

High-fat diet can promote inflammation and EMT in the lung by enlarging the growth of glyoxylic acid cycle-dependent bacteria, and the pathological process are partly alleviated by saturated hydrogen.

Memory Function, Neurological, and Immunological Biomarkers in Allergic Asthmatic Mice Intratracheally Exposed to Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a major constituent of plastic products, including epoxy resin containers, mobile phones, dental sealants, as well as electronic and medical equipment. BPA is recognized as an endocrine system-disrupting chemical which has toxic effects on the brain and reproductive system. However, little is known about the effects of co-exposure of BPA with allergens on the memory function and neurological as well as immunological biomarker levels. In this study, we examined the effects of intratracheal instillation of BPA on the memory function and neuroimmune biomarker levels using a mouse model of allergic asthma. Male C3H/HeJ Jcl mice were given three doses of BPA (0.0625 pmol, 1.25 pmol, and 25 pmol BPA/animal) intratracheally once a week, and ovalbumin (OVA) intratracheally every other week from 5 to 11 weeks old. At 11 weeks of age, a novel object recognition test was conducted after the final administration of OVA, and the hippocampi and hypothalami of the animals were collected after 24 h. The expression levels of the memory function-related genes N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, inflammatory cytokines, microglia markers, estrogen receptor-alpha, and oxytocin receptor were examined by real-time RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and immunohistochemical methods. Impairment of the novel object recognition ability was observed in the high-dose BPA-exposed mice with allergic asthma. In addition, the allergic asthmatic mice also showed downregulation of neurological biomarkers, such as NMDA receptor subunit NR2B in the hippocampus but no significant effect on immunological biomarkers in the hypothalamus. These findings suggest that exposure to high-dose BPA triggered impairment of memory function in the allergic asthmatic mice. This is the first study to show that, in the presence of allergens, exposure to high-dose BPA may affect memory by modulating the memory function-related genes in the hippocampus.

Coadministration of lithium and celecoxib attenuates the behavioral alterations and inflammatory processes induced by amphetamine in an animal model of mania

The present study evaluated the effects of the coadministration of lithium (Li) and Cel on inflammatory parameters in an animal model of mania induced by dextroamphetamine (D-amph). It was used Wistar rats 60 days old (250-350 g). The animals (n = 10 per group) received D-amph (2 mg/kg) or saline solution of NaCl 0.9% (Sal) intraperitoneally once a day for 14 days. From day eight until 14, the animals from the D-amph and Sal groups received Li (24 mg/kg), Cel (20 mg/kg), Li + Cel or water via gavage. Behavioral analyses were performed using the open-field test. The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α were evaluated. The administration of D-amph induced hyperactivity in the rats, as well increased the IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α levels in the serum, frontal cortex, and striatum of rats compared to those of the controls, and treatment with Li plus Cel reversed these alterations. In general, the administration of Li or Cel per se did not have effects on the behavioral and biochemical parameters. However, the treatment with Cel per se decreased only the IL-10 levels in the serum of animals. Besides, the treatment with Li or Cel decreased the IL-4 levels in the serum and reversed the effects of D-amph on this parameter in the frontal cortex. The treatment with Li reversed the effects of D-amph on the TNF-α levels in all tissues evaluated, and the administration of Cel reversed this alteration only in the striatum. It can be observed that treatment with Li plus Cel was more effective against damages caused by D-amph when compared to the administration of both treatments per se, suggesting that the coadministration can be more effective to treat BD rather than Li or Cel itself. The treatment with Li plus Cel was effective against the inflammation induced by D-amph.

Unraveling the ECM-Immune Cell Crosstalk in Skin Diseases

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of proteins and proteoglycans secreted by keratinocytes, fibroblasts and immune cells. The function of the skin ECM has expanded from being a scaffold that provides structural integrity, to a more dynamic entity that is constantly remodeled to maintain tissue homeostasis. The ECM functions as ligands for cell surface receptors such as integrins, dystroglycans, and toll-like receptors (TLRs) and regulate cellular signaling and immune cell dynamics. The ECM also acts as a sink for growth factors and cytokines, providing critical cues during epithelial morphogenesis. Dysregulation in the organization and deposition of ECMs lead to a plethora of pathophysiological conditions that are exacerbated by aberrant ECM-immune cell interactions. In this review, we focus on the interplay between ECM and immune cells in the context of skin diseases and also discuss state of the art therapies that target the key molecular players involved.