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Gong Q, Lv X, Liao C, Liang A, Luo C, Wu J, Zhou Y, Huang Y, Tong Z. Single-cell RNA sequencing combined with proteomics of infected macrophages reveals prothymosin-α as a target for treatment of apical periodontitis. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00031-6. [PMID: 38237771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) is a common infectious disease of the oral cavity. Immune responses and osteoclastogenesis of monocytes/macrophages play a crucial role in CAP progression, and this study want to clarify role of monocytes/macrophages in CAP, which will contribute to treatment of CAP. OBJECTIVES We aim to explore the heterogeneity of monocyte populations in periapical lesion of CAP tissues and healthy control (HC) periodontal tissues by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), search novel targets for alleviating CAP, and further validate it by proteomics and in vitro and in vivo evaluations. METHODS ScRNA-seq was used to analyze the heterogeneity of monocyte populations in CAP, and proteomics of THP-1-derived macrophages with porphyromonas gingivalis infection were intersected with the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of macrophages between CAP and HC tissues. The upregulated PTMA (prothymosin-α) were validated by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated the effect of thymosin α1 (an amino-terminal proteolytic cleavage product of PTMA protein) on inflammatory factors and osteoclast differentiation of macrophages infected by P. gingivalis. Furthermore, we constructed mouse and rat mandibular bone lesions caused by apical periodontitis, and estimated treatment of systemic and topical administration of PTMA for CAP. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software (v9.2) RESULTS: Monocytes were divided into seven sub-clusters comprising monocyte-macrophage-osteoclast (MMO) differentiation in CAP. 14 up-regulated and 21 down-regulated genes and proteins were intersected between the DEGs of scRNA-seq data and proteomics, including the high expression of PTMA. Thymosin α1 may decrease several inflammatory cytokine expressions and osteoclastogenesis of THP-1-derived macrophages. Both systemic administration in mice and topical administration in the pulp chamber of rats alleviated periapical lesions. CONCLUSIONS PTMA upregulation in CAP moderates the inflammatory response and prevents the osteoclastogenesis of macrophages, which provides a basis for targeted therapeutic strategies for CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimei Gong
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaomin Lv
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chenxi Liao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ailin Liang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanling Zhou
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yihua Huang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhongchun Tong
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Tao N, Xu X, Ying Y, Hu S, Sun Q, Lv G, Gao J. Thymosin α1 and Its Role in Viral Infectious Diseases: The Mechanism and Clinical Application. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083539. [PMID: 37110771 PMCID: PMC10144173 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymosin α1 (Tα1) is an immunostimulatory peptide that is commonly used as an immune enhancer in viral infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Tα1 can influence the functions of immune cells, such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, by interacting with various Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Generally, Tα1 can bind to TLR3/4/9 and activate downstream IRF3 and NF-κB signal pathways, thus promoting the proliferation and activation of target immune cells. Moreover, TLR2 and TLR7 are also associated with Tα1. TLR2/NF-κB, TLR2/p38MAPK, or TLR7/MyD88 signaling pathways are activated by Tα1 to promote the production of various cytokines, thereby enhancing the innate and adaptive immune responses. At present, there are many reports on the clinical application and pharmacological research of Tα1, but there is no systematic review to analyze its exact clinical efficacy in these viral infectious diseases via its modulation of immune function. This review offers an overview and discussion of the characteristics of Tα1, its immunomodulatory properties, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects, and its clinical applications in antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Tao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xie Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yuyuan Ying
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Shiyu Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Qingru Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Guiyuan Lv
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jianli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
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Li ZW, Sun B, Gong T, Guo S, Zhang J, Wang J, Sugawara A, Jiang M, Yan J, Gurary A, Zheng X, Gao B, Xiao SY, Chen W, Ma C, Farrar C, Zhu C, Chan OTM, Xin C, Winnicki A, Winnicki J, Tang M, Park R, Winnicki M, Diener K, Wang Z, Liu Q, Chu CH, Arter ZL, Yue P, Alpert L, Hui GS, Fei P, Turkson J, Yang W, Wu G, Tao A, Ramos JW, Moisyadi S, Holcombe RF, Jia W, Birnbaumer L, Zhou X, Chu WM. GNAI1 and GNAI3 Reduce Colitis-Associated Tumorigenesis in Mice by Blocking IL6 Signaling and Down-regulating Expression of GNAI2. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:2297-2312. [PMID: 30836096 PMCID: PMC6628260 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor contribute to the development of colitis-associated cancer (CAC). We investigated these signaling pathways and the involvement of G protein subunit alpha i1 (GNAI1), GNAI2, and GNAI3 in the development of CAC in mice and humans. METHODS B6;129 wild-type (control) or mice with disruption of Gnai1, Gnai2, and/or Gnai3 or conditional disruption of Gnai2 in CD11c+ or epithelial cells were given dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis followed by azoxymethane (AOM) to induce carcinogenesis; some mice were given an antibody against IL6. Feces were collected from mice, and the compositions of microbiomes were analyzed by polymerase chain reactions. Dendritic cells (DCs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) isolated from spleen and colon tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry. We performed immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses of colon tumor tissues, MDSCs, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts to study the expression levels of GNAI1, GNAI2, and GNAI3 and the interactions of GNAI1 and GNAI3 with proteins in the IL6 signaling pathway. We analyzed the expression of Gnai2 messenger RNA by CD11c+ cells in the colonic lamina propria by PrimeFlow, expression of IL6 in DCs by flow cytometry, and secretion of cytokines in sera and colon tissues by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We obtained colon tumor and matched nontumor tissues from 83 patients with colorectal cancer having surgery in China and 35 patients with CAC in the United States. Mouse and human colon tissues were analyzed by histology, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, and/or RNA-sequencing analyses. RESULTS GNAI1 and GNAI3 (GNAI1;3) double-knockout (DKO) mice developed more severe colitis after administration of DSS and significantly more colonic tumors than control mice after administration of AOM plus DSS. Development of increased tumors in DKO mice was not associated with changes in fecal microbiomes but was associated with activation of nuclear factor (NF) κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3; increased levels of GNAI2, nitric oxide synthase 2, and IL6; increased numbers of CD4+ DCs and MDSCs; and decreased numbers of CD8+ DCs. IL6 was mainly produced by CD4+/CD11b+, but not CD8+, DCs in DKO mice. Injection of DKO mice with a blocking antibody against IL6 reduced the expansion of MDSCs and the number of tumors that developed after CAC induction. Incubation of MDSCs or mouse embryonic fibroblasts with IL6 induced activation of either NF-κB by a JAK2-TRAF6-TAK1-CHUK/IKKB signaling pathway or STAT3 by JAK2. This activation resulted in expression of GNAI2, IL6 signal transducer (IL6ST, also called GP130) and nitric oxide synthase 2, and expansion of MDSCs; the expression levels of these proteins and expansion of MDSCs were further increased by the absence of GNAI1;3 in cells and mice. Conditional disruption of Gnai2 in CD11c+ cells of DKO mice prevented activation of NF-κB and STAT3 and changes in numbers of DCs and MDSCs. Colon tumor tissues from patients with CAC had reduced levels of GNAI1 and GNAI3 and increased levels of GNAI2 compared with normal tissues. Further analysis of a public human colorectal tumor DNA microarray database (GSE39582) showed that low Gani1 and Gnai3 messenger RNA expression and high Gnai2 messenger RNA expression were significantly associated with decreased relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS GNAI1;3 suppresses DSS-plus-AOM-induced colon tumor development in mice, whereas expression of GNAI2 in CD11c+ cells and IL6 in CD4+/CD11b+ DCs appears to promote these effects. Strategies to induce GNAI1;3, or block GNAI2 and IL6, might be developed for the prevention or therapy of CAC in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Li
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Beicheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Gong
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Sheng Guo
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Endocrine, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junlong Wang
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Atsushi Sugawara
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Meisheng Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Junjun Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Alexandra Gurary
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Xin Zheng
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Bifeng Gao
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Shu-Yuan Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Wenlian Chen
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Chi Ma
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Christine Farrar
- The Microscopy, Imaging, and Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Chenjun Zhu
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Owen T M Chan
- Pathology Core, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Can Xin
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Andrew Winnicki
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - John Winnicki
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Mingxin Tang
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Ryan Park
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Mary Winnicki
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Katrina Diener
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Zhanwei Wang
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Qicai Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Cardiology and Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Catherine H Chu
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Zhaohui L Arter
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Peibin Yue
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Lindsay Alpert
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - George S Hui
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Peiwen Fei
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - James Turkson
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Wentian Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Guangyu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Ailin Tao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Joe W Ramos
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Stefan Moisyadi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Randall F Holcombe
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Wei Jia
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Lutz Birnbaumer
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Xiqiao Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wen-Ming Chu
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; The Second Affiliated Hospital, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Yuan C, Zheng Y, Zhang B, Shao L, Liu Y, Tian T, Gu X, Li X, Fan K. Thymosin α1 promotes the activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in a Lewis lung cancer model by upregulating Arginase 1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 464:249-55. [PMID: 26111447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.06.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin α1 (Tα1) has been tested for cancer therapy for several years, in most cases, the anti-tumor effect of Tα1 was limited, especially when Tα1 was used as a single agent. The role of Tα1 in cancer treatment and the regulatory mechanisms by which Ta1 takes effects are not yet completely understood. Using a Lewis lung caner model, here we report that Tα1 used alone elevated CD8(+) T cells, but failed to inhibit tumor growth. Furthermore, immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) showed heightened Arginase 1 production in response to Tα1 treatment, which led to stronger suppression of anti-tumor immunity. In addition, the upregulation of ARG1 was dependent on TLRs/MyD88 signaling, blocking MyD88 signaling abrogated the enhanced ARG1 expression and restored the anti-tumor efficacy of Tα1. This study provides the first demonstration that Tα1 treatment activates but not expands MDSCs via MyD88 signaling, which indicates better immunotherapeutic strategy of Tα1 against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yuan
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China; International Joint Cancer Institute, The Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiang Yin Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Yisheng Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Fuzong Clinical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, PR China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China; International Joint Cancer Institute, The Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiang Yin Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - LiJuan Shao
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China
| | - Tian Tian
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China
| | - XiaoBin Gu
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China
| | - Xiangnan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China.
| | - KeXing Fan
- Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Chinese PLA Medical School, 28 FuXing Road, Beijing 100853, PR China; International Joint Cancer Institute, The Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiang Yin Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China.
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Garaci E, Pica F, Matteucci C, Gaziano R, D’Agostini C, Miele MT, Camerini R, Palamara AT, Favalli C, Mastino A, Serafino A, Sinibaldi Vallebona P. Historical review on thymosin α1 in oncology: preclinical and clinical experiences. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15 Suppl 1:S31-9. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1017466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Tan DY, Shi HY, Li CP, Zhong XL, Kang M. Effect of nuclear factor-κB and angiotensin II receptor type 1 on the pathogenesis of rat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:5877-5883. [PMID: 26019451 PMCID: PMC4438021 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i19.5877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Revised: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the roles of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
METHODS: Forty-two healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (normal diet), the model group, and the intervention group (10 wk of a high-fat diet feeding, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of PDTC); 6 rats in each group were sacrificed at 6, 10, and 14 wk. After sacrifice, liver tissue was taken, paraffin sections of liver tissue specimens were prepared, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed, and pathological changes in liver tissue (i.e., liver fibrosis) were observed by light microscopy. NF-κB expression in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of AT1R in the liver tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data are expressed as mean ± SD. A two-sample t test was used to compare the control group and the model group at different time points, paired t tests were used to compare the differences between the intervention group and the model group, and analysis of variance was used to compare the model group with the control group. Homogeneity of variance was analyzed with single factor analysis of variance. H variance analysis was used to compare the variance. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The NAFLD model was successful after 6 wk and 10 wk. Liver fibrosis was found in four rats in the model group, but in only one rat in the intervention group at 14 wk. Liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis were gradually increased throughout the model. In the intervention group, the body mass, rat liver index, serum lipid, and transaminase levels were not increased compared to the model group. In the model group, the degree of liver steatosis was increased at 6, 10, and 14 wk, and was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). In the model group, different degrees of liver cell necrosis were visible and small leaves, punctated inflammation, focal necrosis, and obvious ballooning degeneration were observed. Partial necrosis and confluent necrosis were observed. In the model group, liver inflammatory activity scores at 6, 10, and 14 wk were higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). Active inflammation in liver tissue in the intervention group was lower than in the model group (P < 0.05). HE staining showed liver fibrosis only at 14 wk in 4/6 rats in the model group and in 1/6 rats in the intervention group. NF-κB positive cells were stained yellow or ensemble yellow, and NF-κB was localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. The model group showed NF-κB activation at 6, 10, and 14 wk in liver cells; at the same time points, there were statistically significant differences in the control group (P < 0.01). Over time, NF-κB expression increased; this was statistically lower (P < 0.05) at 14 weeks in the intervention group compared to the model group, but significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the control group; RT-PCR showed that AT1R mRNA expression increased gradually in the model group; at 14 wk, the expression was significantly different compared with expression at 10 weeks as well as at 6 weeks (P < 0.05). In the model group, AT1R mRNA expression was significantly higher than at the same time point in the control group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: With increasing severity of NAFLD, NF-κB activity is enhanced, and the inhibition of NF-κB activity may reduce AT1R mRNA expression in NAFLD.
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Ni C, Wu P, Wu X, Zhang T, Liu Y, Wang Z, Zhang S, Qiu F, Huang J. Thymosin alpha1 enhanced cytotoxicity of iNKT cells against colon cancer via upregulating CD1d expression. Cancer Lett 2015; 356:579-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Li J, Cheng Y, Zhang X, Zheng L, Han Z, Li P, Xiao Y, Zhang Q, Wang F. The in vivo immunomodulatory and synergistic anti-tumor activity of thymosin α1-thymopentin fusion peptide and its binding to TLR2. Cancer Lett 2013; 337:237-47. [PMID: 23684552 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/04/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the immunomodulatory and synergistic anti-tumor activity of thymosin α1-thymopentin fusion peptide (Tα1-TP5) was investigated in vivo. In addition, the potential receptor of Tα1-TP5 was investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding studies. It was found that Tα1-TP5 (305 μg/kg) alleviated immunosuppression induced by hydrocortisone (HC). Tα1-TP5 (305 μg/kg) combined with cyclophosphamide (CY) had a better tumor growth inhibitory effect than CY alone. Furthermore, Tα1-TP5 had a higher affinity (KD=6.84 μmol/L) to toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) than Tα1 (K(D)=35.4 μmol/L), but its affinity was not significantly different from that of TP5. The results of our present work indicate that Tα1-TP5 can possibly be developed as a new immunomodulatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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Shao C, Tian G, Huang Y, Liang W, Zheng H, Wei J, Wei C, Yang C, Wang H, Zeng W. Thymosin alpha-1-transformed Bifidobacterium promotes T cell proliferation and maturation in mice by oral administration. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 15:646-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Revised: 12/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Garaci E, Pica F, Serafino A, Balestrieri E, Matteucci C, Moroni G, Sorrentino R, Zonfrillo M, Pierimarchi P, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Thymosin α1 and cancer: action on immune effector and tumor target cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1269:26-33. [PMID: 23045967 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06697.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Since it was first identified, thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) has been characterized to have pleiotropic effects on several pathological conditions, in particular as a modulator of immune response and inflammation. Several properties exerted by Tα1 may be attributable to a direct action on lymphoid cells. Tα1 has been shown to exert an immune modulatory activity on both T cell and natural killer cell maturation and to have an effect on functions of mature lymphocytes, including stimulating cytokine production and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic responses. In previous studies we have shown that Tα1 increases the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I surface molecules in murine and human tumor cell lines and in primary cultures of human macrophages. In the present paper, we describe preliminary data indicating that Tα1 is also capable of increasing the expression of tumor antigens in both experimental and human tumor cell lines. This effect, which is exerted at the level of the target tumor cells, represents an additional factor increasing the antitumor activity of Tα1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Garaci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Decreasing the configurational entropy and the hydrophobicity of EBV-derived peptide 11389 increased its antigenicity, immunogenicity and its ability of inducing IL-6. Amino Acids 2011; 42:2165-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0954-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Li J, Liu CH, Wang FS. Thymosin alpha 1: biological activities, applications and genetic engineering production. Peptides 2010; 31:2151-8. [PMID: 20699109 PMCID: PMC7115394 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1), a 28-amino acid peptide, was first described and characterized from calf thymuses in 1977. This peptide can enhance T-cell, dendritic cell (DC) and antibody responses, modulate cytokines and chemokines production and block steroid-induced apoptosis of thymocytes. Due to its pleiotropic biological activities, Tα1 has gained increasing interest in recent years and has been used for the treatment of various diseases in clinic. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for the production of this peptide. So far, Tα1 used in clinic is synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis. Here, we summarize the genetic engineering methods to produce Tα1 using prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression systems. The effectiveness of these biological products in increasing the secretion of cytokines and in promoting lymphocyte proliferation were investigated in vitro studies. This opens the possibility for biotechnological production of Tα1 for the research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chun Hui Liu
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Feng Shan Wang
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Corresponding author at: Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. Tel.: +86 531 88382589; fax: +86 531 88382548.
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Milet J, Nuel G, Watier L, Courtin D, Slaoui Y, Senghor P, Migot-Nabias F, Gaye O, Garcia A. Genome wide linkage study, using a 250K SNP map, of Plasmodium falciparum infection and mild malaria attack in a Senegalese population. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11616. [PMID: 20657648 PMCID: PMC2904701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple factors are involved in the variability of host's response to P. falciparum infection, like the intensity and seasonality of malaria transmission, the virulence of parasite and host characteristics like age or genetic make-up. Although admitted nowadays, the involvement of host genetic factors remains unclear. Discordant results exist, even concerning the best-known malaria resistance genes that determine the structure or function of red blood cells. Here we report on a genome-wide linkage and association study for P. falciparum infection intensity and mild malaria attack among a Senegalese population of children and young adults from 2 to 18 years old. A high density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genome scan (Affimetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 250K-nsp) was performed for 626 individuals: i.e. 249 parents and 377 children out of the 504 ones included in the follow-up. The population belongs to a unique ethnic group and was closely followed-up during 3 years. Genome-wide linkage analyses were performed on four clinical and parasitological phenotypes and association analyses using the family based association tests (FBAT) method were carried out in regions previously linked to malaria phenotypes in literature and in the regions for which we identified a linkage peak. Analyses revealed three strongly suggestive evidences for linkage: between mild malaria attack and both the 6p25.1 and the 12q22 regions (empirical p-value = 5×10−5 and 9×10−5 respectively), and between the 20p11q11 region and the prevalence of parasite density in asymptomatic children (empirical p-value = 1.5×10−4). Family based association analysis pointed out one significant association between the intensity of plasmodial infection and a polymorphism located in ARHGAP26 gene in the 5q31–q33 region (p-value = 3.7×10−5). This study identified three candidate regions, two of them containing genes that could point out new pathways implicated in the response to malaria infection. Furthermore, we detected one gene associated with malaria infection in the 5q31–q33 region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Milet
- UMR 216 - Mère et Enfant face aux infections tropicales, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Gregory Nuel
- UMR CNRS 8145 - Mathématiques Appliquées Paris 5 (MAP5), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Watier
- U 657, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Garches, France
| | - David Courtin
- UMR 216 - Mère et Enfant face aux infections tropicales, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Yousri Slaoui
- UMR CNRS 8145 - Mathématiques Appliquées Paris 5 (MAP5), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Paul Senghor
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, Département de Biologie et d'Explorations fonctionnelles, Faculté de Médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Florence Migot-Nabias
- UMR 216 - Mère et Enfant face aux infections tropicales, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Oumar Gaye
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie, Département de Biologie et d'Explorations fonctionnelles, Faculté de Médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - André Garcia
- UMR 216 - Mère et Enfant face aux infections tropicales, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Paris, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Matteucci C, Minutolo A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Palamara AT, Rasi G, Mastino A, Garaci E. Transcription profile of human lymphocytes following in vitro treatment with thymosin alpha-1. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010; 1194:6-19. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05484.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Proteomic analysis of Pichindé virus infection identifies differential expression of prothymosin-alpha. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20706531 PMCID: PMC2896915 DOI: 10.1155/2010/956823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The arenaviruses include a number of important pathogens including Lassa virus and Junin virus. Presently, the only treatment is supportive care and the antiviral Ribavirin. In the event of an epidemic, patient triage may be required to more effectively manage resources; the development of prognostic biomarker signatures, correlating with disease severity, would allow rational triage. Using a pair of arenaviruses, which cause mild or severe disease, we analyzed extracts from infected cells using SELDI mass spectrometry to characterize potential biomarker profiles. EDGE analysis was used to analyze longitudinal expression differences. Extracts from infected guinea pigs revealed protein peaks which could discriminate between mild or severe infection, and between times post-infection. Tandem mass-spectrometry identified several peaks, including the transcriptional regulator prothymosin-alpha. Further investigation revealed differences in secretion of this peptide. These data show proof of concept that proteomic profiling of host markers could be used as prognostic markers of infectious disease.
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Goldstein AL, Goldstein AL. From lab to bedside: emerging clinical applications of thymosin α1. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2009; 9:593-608. [DOI: 10.1517/14712590902911412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Allan L Goldstein
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2300 I St., N.W., Room 438, Washington, DC, USA ;
| | - Adam L Goldstein
- Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er-Sheva, Israel
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