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Zuniga-Hertz JP, Chitteti R, Dispenza J, Cuomo R, Bonds JA, Kopp EL, Simpson S, Okerblom J, Maurya S, Rana BK, Miyonahara A, Niesman IR, Maree J, Belza G, Hamilton HD, Stanton C, Gonzalez DJ, Poirier MA, Moeller-Bertram T, Patel HH. Meditation-induced bloodborne factors as an adjuvant treatment to COVID-19 disease. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 32:100675. [PMID: 37600600 PMCID: PMC10432704 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Management of the pandemic has relied mainly on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, while alternative approaches such as meditation, shown to improve immunity, have been largely unexplored. Here, we probe the relationship between meditation and COVID-19 disease and directly test the impact of meditation on the induction of a blood environment that modulates viral infection. We found a significant inverse correlation between length of meditation practice and SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as accelerated resolution of symptomology of those infected. A meditation "dosing" effect was also observed. In cultured human lung cells, blood from experienced meditators induced factors that prevented entry of pseudotyped viruses for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein of both the wild-type Wuhan-1 virus and the Delta variant. We identified and validated SERPINA5, a serine protease inhibitor, as one possible protein factor in the blood of meditators that is necessary and sufficient for limiting pseudovirus entry into cells. In summary, we conclude that meditation can enhance resiliency to viral infection and may serve as a possible adjuvant therapy in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. Zuniga-Hertz
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ramamurthy Chitteti
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Raphael Cuomo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jacqueline A. Bonds
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elena L. Kopp
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sierra Simpson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jonathan Okerblom
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Svetlana Maurya
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Brinda K. Rana
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Atsushi Miyonahara
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ingrid R. Niesman
- San Diego State University, Electron Microscope Facility, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Jacqueline Maree
- VitaMed Research, 44630 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA, 92260, USA
| | - Gianna Belza
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | | | - David J. Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | | | - Hemal H. Patel
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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2
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Farhan S, Holtan SG. Graft-versus-host disease: teaching old drugs new tricks at less cost. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1225748. [PMID: 37600820 PMCID: PMC10435076 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Currently, more patients can receive SCT. This is attributed to the use of reduced intensity regimens and the use of different GVHD prophylaxis that breaks the barrier of human leukocyte antigen, allowing an increase in the donor pool. Once an area with relatively few clinical trial options, there has been an increase in interest in GVHD prophylaxis and treatment, which has led to many US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals. Although there is considerable excitement over novel therapies, many patients may not have access to them due to geographical or other resource constraints. In this review article, we summarize the latest evidence on how we can continue to repurpose drugs for GVHD prophylaxis and treatment. Drugs covered by our review include those that have been FDA approved for other uses for at least 15 years (since 2008); thus, they are likely to have generic equivalents available now or in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatha Farhan
- Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Shernan G. Holtan
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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3
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Al-Omari M, Al-Omari T, Batainah N, Al-Qauod K, Olejnicka B, Janciauskiene S. Beneficial effects of alpha-1 antitrypsin therapy in a mouse model of colitis-associated colon cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:722. [PMID: 37532996 PMCID: PMC10394932 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is widely accepted that chronic inflammatory bowel diseases significantly higher a risk for colorectal cancer development. Among different types of treatments for patients with colon cancer, novel protein-based therapeutic strategies are considered. AIM To explore the effect of human plasma alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein in the chemically induced mouse model of colorectal cancer. METHODS BALB/c mice with azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), we intraperitoneally treated with commercial preparation of human plasma AAT (4 mg per mouse). Effects of this therapy were evaluated histologically, and by immunohistochemical and gene expression assays. RESULTS When compared with non-treated controls, AOM/DSS mice receiving AAT therapy exhibited significantly longer colons, and less anal bleeding. Concurrently, AAT-treated mice had significantly fewer polyps, and lower numbers of large colon tumors. Immunohistochemical examinations of colon tissues showed significantly lower neutrophil counts, more granzyme B-positive but fewer MMP9 (gelatinase B)-positive cancer cells and lower numbers of apoptotic cells in mice receiving AAT therapy. The expression levels of IL4 were significantly higher while TNFA was slightly reduced in tumor tissues of AOM/DSS mice treated with AAT than in AOM/DSS mice. CONCLUSION Human AAT is an acute phase protein with a broad-protease inhibitory and immunomodulatory activities used as a therapeutic for emphysema patients with inherited AAT deficiency. Our results are consistent with previous findings and support an idea that AAT alone and/or in combination with available anti-cancer therapies may represent a new personalized approach for patients with colitis-induced colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Al-Omari
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, Irbid, 21163, Jordan.
| | - Tareq Al-Omari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nesreen Batainah
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Khaled Al-Qauod
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Beata Olejnicka
- Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases and BREATH German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabina Janciauskiene
- Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases and BREATH German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
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4
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Kuai X, Lv J, Zhang J, Xu M, Ji J. Serpin Family A Member 1 Is Prognostic and Involved in Immunological Regulation in Human Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11566. [PMID: 37511325 PMCID: PMC10380780 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpin family A member 1 (SERPINA1) encodes a protease inhibitor participating in many human diseases, but its value in immunoregulation and prognosis of human cancers remains unclear. In this study, through comprehensive analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, we found that SERPINA1 was dysregulated in many cancers compared with normal tissues. SERPINA1 expression was significantly associated with prognosis, immune subtype, molecular subtype, immune checkpoint (ICP) genes, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and the estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression data (ESTIMATE) score. There was a strong connection between SERPINA1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and SERPINA1 showed significant relation to gene markers of immune cells in digestive tumors. Fluorescence-based multiplex immunohistochemistry confirmed that SERPINA1 protein expression was related to clinicopathologic features and immune infiltrates in hepatic cancer. This study suggests that SERPINA can potentially serve as a novel biomarker for cancer prognosis and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwang Kuai
- Department of Pathology, Department of Clinical Biobank, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.K.); (J.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jiaying Lv
- Department of Pathology, Department of Clinical Biobank, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.K.); (J.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Junyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Department of Clinical Biobank, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.K.); (J.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Manyu Xu
- Department of Clinical Biobank, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China;
| | - Juling Ji
- Department of Pathology, Department of Clinical Biobank, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.K.); (J.L.); (J.Z.)
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5
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Martínez-Rojas MÁ, Sánchez-Navarro A, Mejia-Vilet JM, Pérez-Villalva R, Uribe N, Bobadilla NA. Urinary serpin-A3 is an early predictor of clinical response to therapy in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 323:F425-F434. [PMID: 35834275 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00099.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that urinary excretion of serpin-A3 (uSerpA3) is significantly elevated in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN). Here, we evaluated the course of uSerpA3 during the first year of treatment and its association with response to therapy in patients with proliferative LN. The observational longitudinal study included 60 Mexican adults with proliferative LN followed during the first year after LN flare. uSerpA3 was detected by Western blot analysis at flare and after 3, 6, and 12 mo. The response to therapy was determined 1 yr after the LN flare. We evaluated the correlation between uSerpA3 and histological parameters at LN flare. The temporal association between uSerpA3 and response to therapy was analyzed with linear mixed models. uSerpA3 prognostic performance for response was evaluated with receiver-operating characteristic curves. Among the 60 patients studied, 21 patients (35%) were class III and 39 patients (65%) were class IV. uSerpA3 was higher in class IV than in class III LN (6.98 vs. 2.89 dots per in./mg creatinine, P = 0.01). Furthermore, uSerpA3 correlated with the histological activity index (r = 0.29, P = 0.02). There was a significant association between the temporal course of uSerpA3 and response to therapy. Responders showed a significant drop in uSerpA3 at 6 mo compared with LN flare (P < 0.001), whereas nonresponders persisted with elevated uSerpA3. Moreover, uSerpA3 was significantly lower at flare in responders compared with nonresponders (2.69 vs. 6.98 dots per in./mg creatinine, P < 0.05). Furthermore, uSerpA3 was able to identify nonresponders since 3 mo after LN flare (area under the curve: 0.77). In conclusion, uSerpA3 is an early indicator of kidney inflammation and predictor of the clinical response to therapy in patients with proliferative LN.NEW & NOTEWORTHY LN requires aggressive immunosuppression to improve long-term outcomes. Current indicators of remission take several months to normalize, prolonging treatment regiments in some cases. Serpin-A3 is present in urine of patients with proliferative LN. We evaluated the excretion of serpin-A3 in serial samples of patients with proliferative LN during the first year after flare. We found that uSerpA3 correlates with kidney inflammation and its decline at early points predicts the response to therapy 1 yr after flare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Martínez-Rojas
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Navarro
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Manuel Mejia-Vilet
- Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosalba Pérez-Villalva
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Norma Uribe
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Norma A Bobadilla
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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6
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Janciauskiene S, Tumpara S, Schebb NH, Buettner FFR, Mainka M, Sivaraman K, Immenschuh S, Grau V, Welte T, Olejnicka B. Indirect effect of alpha-1-antitrypsin on endotoxin-induced IL-1β secretion from human PBMCs. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:995869. [PMID: 36249781 PMCID: PMC9564231 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.995869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) encoded by the SERPINA1 gene, is an acute phase glycoprotein that regulates inflammatory responses via both protease inhibitory and non-inhibitory activities. We previously reported that AAT controls ATP-induced IL-1β release from human mononuclear cells by stimulating the release of small bioactive molecules. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the identity of these putative effectors released from human PBMCs in response to AAT, which may inhibit the LPS-induced release of IL-1β. We pre-incubated human PBMCs alone or with different preparations of AAT (4 mg/ml) for 30 min at 37°C, 5% CO2, and collected cell supernatants filtered through centrifugal filters (cutoff 3 kDa) to eliminate AAT and other high molecular weight substances. Supernatants passed through the filters were used to culture PBMCs isolated from the autologous or a heterologous donors with or without adding LPS (1 μg/ml) for 6 h. Unexpectedly, supernatants from PBMCs pre-incubated with AAT (Zemaira®), but not with other AAT preparations tested or with oxidized AAT (Zemaira®), lowered the LPS-induced release of IL-1β by about 25%–60% without affecting IL1B mRNA. The reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry did not confirm the hypothesis that small pro-resolving lipid mediators released from PBMCs after exposure to AAT (Zemaira®) are responsible for lowering the LPS-induced IL-1β release. Distinctively from other AAT preparations, AAT (Zemaira®) and supernatants from PBMCs pre-treated with this protein contained high levels of total thiols. In line, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that AAT (Zemaira®) protein contains freer Cys232 than AAT (Prolastin®). Our data show that a free Cys232 in AAT is required for controlling LPS-induced IL-1β release from human PBMCs. Further studies characterizing AAT preparations used to treat patients with inherited AAT deficiency remains of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Janciauskiene
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Sabina Janciauskiene,
| | - Srinu Tumpara
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Nils Helge Schebb
- Chair of Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Falk F. R. Buettner
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malwina Mainka
- Chair of Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Kokilavani Sivaraman
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Immenschuh
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Veronika Grau
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Welte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Beata Olejnicka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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7
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Sun R, Xu Z, Zhu C, Chen T, Muñoz LE, Dai L, Zhao Y. Alpha-1 antitrypsin in autoimmune diseases: Roles and therapeutic prospects. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:109001. [PMID: 35803133 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protease inhibitor in the serum. Its primary function is to inhibit the activity of a series of proteases, including proteinase 3, neutrophil elastase, metalloproteases, and cysteine-aspartate proteases. In addition, A1AT also has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative stress, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial activities and plays essential roles in the regulation of tissue repair and lymphocyte differentiation and activation. The overactivation of the immune system characterizes the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. A1AT treatment shows beneficial effects on patients and animal models with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This review summarizes the functions and therapeutic prospects of A1AT in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenxi Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Luis E Muñoz
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lunzhi Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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8
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A Review of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Binding Partners for Immune Regulation and Potential Therapeutic Application. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052441. [PMID: 35269582 PMCID: PMC8910375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is the canonical serine protease inhibitor of neutrophil-derived proteases and can modulate innate immune mechanisms through its anti-inflammatory activities mediated by a broad spectrum of protein, cytokine, and cell surface interactions. AAT contains a reactive methionine residue that is critical for its protease-specific binding capacity, whereby AAT entraps the protease on cleavage of its reactive centre loop, neutralises its activity by key changes in its tertiary structure, and permits removal of the AAT-protease complex from the circulation. Recently, however, the immunomodulatory role of AAT has come increasingly to the fore with several prominent studies focused on lipid or protein-protein interactions that are predominantly mediated through electrostatic, glycan, or hydrophobic potential binding sites. The aim of this review was to investigate the spectrum of AAT molecular interactions, with newer studies supporting a potential therapeutic paradigm for AAT augmentation therapy in disorders in which a chronic immune response is strongly linked.
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9
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Liu LP, Gholam MF, Elshikha AS, Kawakibi T, Elmoujahid N, Moussa HH, Song S, Alli AA. Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Human Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Exhibit Low Blood Pressure and Altered Epithelial Transport Mechanisms in the Inactive and Active Cycles. Front Physiol 2021; 12:710313. [PMID: 34630137 PMCID: PMC8493122 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.710313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) is a versatile protease inhibitor, but little is known about its targets in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron and its role in electrolyte balance and blood pressure control. We analyzed urinary electrolytes, osmolality, and blood pressure from hAAT transgenic (hAAT-Tg) mice and C57B/6 wild-type control mice maintained on either a normal salt or high salt diet. Urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations as well as urinary osmolality were lower in hAAT-Tg mice maintained on a high salt diet during both the active and inactive cycles. hAAT-Tg mice showed a lower systolic blood pressure compared to C57B6 mice when maintained on a normal salt diet but this was not observed when they were maintained on a high salt diet. Cathepsin B protein activity was less in hAAT-Tg mice compared to wild-type controls. Protein expression of the alpha subunit of the sodium epithelial channel (ENaC) alpha was also reduced in the hAAT-Tg mice. Natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPRC) protein expression in membrane fractions of the kidney cortex was reduced while circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were greater in hAAT-Tg mice compared to wild-type controls. This study characterizes the electrolyte and blood pressure phenotype of hAAT-Tg mice during the inactive and active cycles and investigates the mechanism by which ENaC activation is inhibited in part by a mechanism involving decreased cathepsin B activity and increased ANP levels in the systemic circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Liu
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mohammed F Gholam
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ahmed Samir Elshikha
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Tamim Kawakibi
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nasseem Elmoujahid
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Hassan H Moussa
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sihong Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Abdel A Alli
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
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10
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Chen YH, Cheadle CE, Rice LV, Pfeffer PE, Dimeloe S, Gupta A, Bush A, Gooptu B, Hawrylowicz CM. The Induction of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin by Vitamin D in Human T Cells Is TGF-β Dependent: A Proposed Anti-inflammatory Role in Airway Disease. Front Nutr 2021; 8:667203. [PMID: 34458299 PMCID: PMC8397538 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.667203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D upregulates anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial pathways that promote respiratory health. Vitamin D synthesis is initiated following skin exposure to sunlight, however nutritional supplementation can be required to address deficiency, for example during the winter months or due to cultural constraints. We recently reported that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) treatment induced alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) expression in CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells, with evidence supporting an immunoregulatory role. Research Question: To understand the relationship between vitamin D, lung AAT levels and T lymphocytes further we investigated whether TGF-β is required as a co-factor for 1,25(OH)2D3-induced upregulation of AAT by vitamin D in CD8+ T cells in vitro and correlated circulating vitamin D levels with lung AAT levels in vivo. Results: 1,25(OH)2D3 in combination with TGF-β1 increased AAT expression by CD8+ T cells, as well as VDR and RXRα gene expression, which may partly explain the requirement for TGF-β. CD4+ T cells may also require autocrine stimulation with TGF-β as a co-factor since 1,25(OH)2D3 was associated with increased TGF-β bioactivity and neutralisation of TGF-β partially abrogated 1,25(OH)2D3-induced SERPINA1 gene expression. Neither CD4+ nor CD8+ T cells responded to the circulating vitamin D precursor, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 for induction of SERPINA1, suggesting that local generation of 1,25(OH)2D3 is required. Transcriptional gene profiling studies previously demonstrated that human bronchial epithelial cells rapidly increased TGF-β2 gene expression in response to 1,25(OH)2D3. Here, human epithelial cells responded to precursor 25(OH)D3 to increase bioactive TGF-β synthesis. CD8+ T cells responded comparably to TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 to increase 1,25(OH)2D3-induced AAT. However, CD8+ T cells from adults with AAT-deficiency, homozygous for the Z allele of SERPINA1, were unable to mount this response. AAT levels in the airways of children with asthma and controls correlated with circulating 25(OH)D3. Conclusions: Vitamin D increases AAT expression in human T cells and this response is impaired in T cells from individuals homozygous for the Z allele of SERPINA1 in a clinic population. Furthermore, a correlation between circulating vitamin D and airway AAT is reported. We propose that vitamin D-induced AAT contributes to local immunomodulation and airway health effects previously attributed to vitamin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Huai Chen
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte E Cheadle
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise V Rice
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul E Pfeffer
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Dimeloe
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Atul Gupta
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,National Heart and Lung Institute, Royal Brompton & Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Bush
- Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bibek Gooptu
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre-Respiratory and Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,London Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Service, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine M Hawrylowicz
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology (Formerly Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology), School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Kantaputra P, Chaowattanapanit S, Kiratikanon S, Chaiwarith R, Choonhakarn C, Intachai W, Quarto N, Tongsima S, Ketudat Cairns JR, Ngamphiw C, McGrath JA, Chuamanochan M. SERPINA1, generalized pustular psoriasis, and adult-onset immunodeficiency. J Dermatol 2021; 48:1597-1601. [PMID: 34390020 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome (AOID) with anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies is characterized by an AIDS-like illness with disruptive IFN-γ signaling. Patients generally present with recurrent and disseminated opportunistic infections along with neutrophilic dermatoses. Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #614204) is characterized by acute generalized erythema and scaling with numerous aseptic pustules. Mutations in SERPINA3 have been reported as predisposing risk factors for both AOID and GPP. Here, we report two unrelated patients, one with AOID and a pustular skin reaction and the other with GPP, who both carried the same heterozygous variant c.718G>A (p.Val240Met) in SERPINA1. Our observation of a shared mutation in SERPINA1 in AOID and GPP indicate possible pathobiological and disease mechanism similarities in these two disorders. Thus, variants in both SERPINA1, SERPINA3, and potentially other SERPIN family members may be associated with the etiology of GPP and AOID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piranit Kantaputra
- Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Salin Kiratikanon
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Romanee Chaiwarith
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chareon Choonhakarn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Worrachet Intachai
- Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Natalina Quarto
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sissades Tongsima
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - James R Ketudat Cairns
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand.,School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, and Center for Biomolecular Structure, Function and Application, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Chumpol Ngamphiw
- National Biobank of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - John A McGrath
- St John's Institute of Dermatology (Guy's Campus), King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mati Chuamanochan
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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12
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Takeda K, Kim SH, Joetham A, Petrache I, Gelfand EW. Therapeutic benefits of recombinant alpha1-antitrypsin IgG1 Fc-fusion protein in experimental emphysema. Respir Res 2021; 22:207. [PMID: 34271910 PMCID: PMC8283905 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01784-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a major serine protease inhibitor. AAT deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disorder characterized by early-onset severe emphysema. In well-selected AATD patients, therapy with plasma-derived AAT (pAAT), "augmentation therapy", provides modest clinical improvement but is perceived as cumbersome with weekly intravenous infusions. Using mouse models of emphysema, we compared the effects of a recombinant AAT-IgG1 Fc-fusion protein (AAT-Fc), which is expected to have a longer half-life following infusion, to those of pAAT. METHODS In an elastase model of emphysema, mice received a single intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) or human leucocyte elastase (hLE). AAT-Fc, pAAT, or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally 1 day prior to or 3 weeks following elastase instillation. Lung function and histology assessments were performed at 7 and 32 days after elastase instillation. In a cigarette smoke (CS) model of emphysema, mice were exposed to CS daily, 5 days a week, for 6 months and AAT-Fc, pAAT, or vehicle were administered every 10 days during the last 3 months of CS exposure. Assessments were performed 3 days after the last CS exposure. Immune responses to lung elastin peptide (EP) and the effects of AAT-Fc or pAAT treatment on dendritic cell (DC) function were determined ex vivo. RESULTS Both elastase instillation and CS exposure triggered emphysema-like alveolar enlargement, increased lung compliance, and increased markers of inflammation compared to controls. Administration of AAT-Fc either prior to or following elastase instillation or during CS exposure provided greater protection than pAAT against alveolar enlargement, lung dysfunction, and airway inflammation. When challenged ex vivo with EP, spleen mononuclear cells from elastase-exposed mice exhibited dose-dependent production of IFNγ and IL-17, suggesting immune reactivity. In co-culture experiments with splenic CD4+ T cells isolated from elastase-exposed mice, AAT-Fc treatment prior to EP-priming of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells inhibited the production of IFNγ and IL-17. CONCLUSIONS Compared to pAAT, AAT-Fc more effectively prevented or attenuated elastase- and CS-induced models of emphysema. These effects were associated with immunomodulatory effects on DC activity. AAT-Fc may provide a therapeutic option to individuals with AATD- and CS-induced emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuyuki Takeda
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.
- Kyoritsu-Onsen Hospital, 1-39-1 Hirano, Kawanishi, 666-0121, Japan.
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Anthony Joetham
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Irina Petrache
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Erwin W Gelfand
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
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13
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Yaron JR, Zhang L, Guo Q, Haydel SE, Lucas AR. Fibrinolytic Serine Proteases, Therapeutic Serpins and Inflammation: Fire Dancers and Firestorms. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:648947. [PMID: 33869309 PMCID: PMC8044766 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.648947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The making and breaking of clots orchestrated by the thrombotic and thrombolytic serine protease cascades are critical determinants of morbidity and mortality during infection and with vascular or tissue injury. Both the clot forming (thrombotic) and the clot dissolving (thrombolytic or fibrinolytic) cascades are composed of a highly sensitive and complex relationship of sequentially activated serine proteases and their regulatory inhibitors in the circulating blood. The proteases and inhibitors interact continuously throughout all branches of the cardiovascular system in the human body, representing one of the most abundant groups of proteins in the blood. There is an intricate interaction of the coagulation cascades with endothelial cell surface receptors lining the vascular tree, circulating immune cells, platelets and connective tissue encasing the arterial layers. Beyond their role in control of bleeding and clotting, the thrombotic and thrombolytic cascades initiate immune cell responses, representing a front line, "off-the-shelf" system for inducing inflammatory responses. These hemostatic pathways are one of the first response systems after injury with the fibrinolytic cascade being one of the earliest to evolve in primordial immune responses. An equally important contributor and parallel ancient component of these thrombotic and thrombolytic serine protease cascades are the serine protease inhibitors, termed serpins. Serpins are metastable suicide inhibitors with ubiquitous roles in coagulation and fibrinolysis as well as multiple central regulatory pathways throughout the body. Serpins are now known to also modulate the immune response, either via control of thrombotic and thrombolytic cascades or via direct effects on cellular phenotypes, among many other functions. Here we review the co-evolution of the thrombolytic cascade and the immune response in disease and in treatment. We will focus on the relevance of these recent advances in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a "respiratory" coronavirus that causes extensive cardiovascular pathogenesis, with microthrombi throughout the vascular tree, resulting in severe and potentially fatal coagulopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R. Yaron
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Qiuyun Guo
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Shelley E. Haydel
- Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Alexandra R. Lucas
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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14
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Sharma J, Collins TD, Roach T, Mishra S, Lam BK, Mohamed ZS, Veal AE, Polk TB, Jones A, Cornaby C, Haider MI, Zeumer-Spataro L, Johnson HM, Morel LM, Larkin J. Suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 mimetic peptides attenuate lymphocyte activation in the MRL/lpr mouse autoimmune model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6354. [PMID: 33737712 PMCID: PMC7973732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86017-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are driven largely by a pathogenic cytokine milieu produced by aberrantly activated lymphocytes. Many cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ), utilize the JAK/STAT pathway for signal propagation. Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-1 (SOCS1) is an inducible, intracellular protein that regulates IFN-γ signaling by dampening JAK/STAT signaling. Using Fas deficient, MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J (MRL/lpr) mice, which develop lupus-like disease spontaneously, we tested the hypothesis that a peptide mimic of the SOCS1 kinase inhibitory region (SOCS1-KIR) would inhibit lymphocyte activation and modulate lupus-associated pathologies. Consistent with in vitro studies, SOCS1-KIR intraperitoneal administration reduced the frequency, activation, and cytokine production of memory CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes within the peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph nodes. In addition, SOCS1-KIR administration reduced lymphadenopathy, severity of skin lesions, autoantibody production, and modestly reduced kidney pathology. On a cellular level, peritoneal SOCS1-KIR administration enhanced Foxp3 expression in total splenic and follicular regulatory T cells, reduced the effector memory/naïve T lymphocyte ratio for both CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and reduced the frequency of GL7+ germinal center enriched B cells. Together, these data show that SOCS1-KIR treatment reduced auto-reactive lymphocyte effector functions and suggest that therapeutic targeting of the SOCS1 pathway through peptide administration may have efficacy in mitigating autoimmune pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Sharma
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Teresa D Collins
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Tracoyia Roach
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Shiwangi Mishra
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Brandon K Lam
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Zaynab Sidi Mohamed
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Antia E Veal
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Timothy B Polk
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Amari Jones
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Caleb Cornaby
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Mohammed I Haider
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Leilani Zeumer-Spataro
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Howard M Johnson
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Laurence M Morel
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Joseph Larkin
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, University of Florida, Museum Road Building 981, PO Box 110700, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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15
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Differential signaling patterns of stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells under α1-antitrypsin-enriched conditions. Cell Immunol 2021; 361:104281. [PMID: 33453508 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) mature upon an inflammatory trigger. However, an inflammatory trigger can lead to a semi-mature phenotype, allowing DCs to evoke tolerance and expedite the resolution of inflammation. This duality likely involves context-dependent modulation of inflammatory signaling. Human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) promotes semimature DCs. We examined changes in a wide spectrum of signaling cascades in stimulated murine bone marrow-derived cells with hAAT. Upon stimulation by IL-1β+IFNγ, hAAT-treated cells depicted an attenuated calcium flux. Disrupting PKA or NF-κB pathways revoked only some hAAT-mediated outcomes. hAAT-treated cells exhibited a distict pattern of kinase phosphorylation. hAAT-mediated increase in Treg cells in-vitro required intact inflammatory signaling pathways. Taken together, hAAT appears to require a stimulated microenvironment to promote inflammatory resolution, setting it aside from classical anti-inflammatory agents. Further studies are required to identify the specific molecules targeted by hAAT that mediate these and other outcomes.
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16
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Lim JH, Oh EJ, Oh SH, Jung HY, Choi JY, Cho JH, Park SH, Kim YL, Kim CD. Renoprotective Effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin against Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228628. [PMID: 33207690 PMCID: PMC7696546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The protective effects of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in tacrolimus (TAC)-induced renal injury was evaluated in a rat model. The TAC group rats were subcutaneously injected with 2 mg/kg TAC every day for four weeks. The TAC with AAT group was cotreated with daily subcutaneous injections of TAC and intraperitoneal injections of AAT (80 mg/kg) for four weeks. The effects of AAT on TAC-induced renal injury were evaluated using serum biochemistry, histopathology, and Western blotting. The TAC injection significantly increased renal interstitial fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis as compared to the control treatment. The histopathological examination showed that cotreatment of TAC and AAT attenuated interstitial fibrosis (collagen, fibronectin, and α-SMA staining), and α-SMA expression in Western blotting was also decreased. Immunohistochemical staining for inflammation (osteopontin and ED-1 staining) revealed improved interstitial inflammation in the TAC with AAT group compared to that in the TAC group. The TAC treatment increased renal apoptosis compared to the control treatment, based on the results of increased immunohistochemical staining of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), increased caspase-3 activity, and lower Bcl-2 to Bad expression ratio. However, AAT cotreatment significantly changed these markers and consequently showed decreased apoptosis. AAT protects against TAC-induced renal injury via antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chan-Duck Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-200-5560; Fax: +82-53-426-2046
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17
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Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Ameliorates Pristane Induced Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Mice. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091341. [PMID: 31470606 PMCID: PMC6780888 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a fatal complication in patients with lupus. DAH can be induced in B6 mice by an intraperitoneal injection of pristane. Since human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hAAT) is an anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory protein, we investigated the protective effect of hAAT against pristane-induced DAH in B6 mice and hAAT transgenic (hAAT-Tg) mice. We first showed that hAAT Tg expression lowers TNF-α production in B cells, as well as CD4+ T cells in untreated mice. Conversely, the frequency of regulatory CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25-IL-10+ cells was significantly higher in hAAT-Tg than in B6 mice. This confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect of hAAT that was observed even at steady state. One week after a pristane injection, the frequency of peritoneal Ly6Chi inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils in hAAT-Tg mice was significantly lower than that in B6 mice. Importantly, pristane-induced DAH was completely prevented in hAAT-Tg mice and this was associated with a modulation of anti- to pro-inflammatory myeloid cell ratio/balance. We also showed that treatment with hAAT decreased the severity of DAH in B6 mice. These results showed for the first time that hAAT has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of DAH.
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18
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Ma H, Lu Y, Lowe K, van der Meijden-Erkelens L, Wasserfall C, Atkinson MA, Song S. Regulated hAAT Expression from a Novel rAAV Vector and Its Application in the Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091321. [PMID: 31466263 PMCID: PMC6780368 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We, and others, have previously achieved high and sustained levels of transgene expression from viral vectors, such as recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). However, regulatable transgene expression may be preferred in gene therapy for diseases, such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which the timing and dosing of the therapeutic gene product play critical roles. In the present study, we generated a positive feedback regulation system for human alpha 1 antitrypsin (hAAT) expression in the rAAV vector. We performed quantitative kinetics studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrating that this vector system can mediate high levels of inducible transgene expression. Transgene induction could be tailored to occur rapidly or gradually, depending on the dose of the inducing drug, doxycycline (Dox). Conversely, after withdrawal of Dox, the silencing of transgene expression occurred slowly over the course of several weeks. Importantly, rAAV delivery of inducible hAAT significantly prevented T1D development in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. These results indicate that this Dox-inducible vector system may facilitate the fine-tuning of transgene expression, particularly for hAAT treatment of human autoimmune diseases, including T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Yuanqing Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Keith Lowe
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | - Clive Wasserfall
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mark A Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sihong Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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19
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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Attenuates Acute Lung Allograft Injury in a Rat Lung Transplant Model. Transplant Direct 2019; 5:e458. [PMID: 31723592 PMCID: PMC6791593 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after lung transplantation triggers a cascade of inflammatory changes that can contribute to acute allograft injury. This influences both the short- and long-term survival of the lung allograft. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protease inhibitor with known anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory properties that mitigate tissue damage. This study explores the protective effects of AAT in the setting of IRI utilizing a rat lung transplant model. Methods Orthotopic left single lung transplantation was performed from Lewis to Sprague-Dawley rats; recipients did not receive systemic immunosuppression. Before transplantation, the donor lungs were primed with either albumin (control) or AAT. Starting the day of transplantation, recipient rats also received either albumin (control) or AAT with subsequent doses administered over the next 7 days. On the eighth postoperative day, lung allografts were recovered and analyzed. Results Degree of inflammatory infiltrate, as quantified by the allograft weight (g)/body weight (kg) ratio, was significantly reduced in the AAT-treated group compared with controls (3.5 vs 7.7, respectively, P < 0.05). Treatment with AAT also significantly decreased allograft necrosis in treated animals, as measured by a semiquantitative score that ranged from 0 to 4 (1.25 vs 4, P < 0.05). In addition, lymphocytes isolated from recipients treatment group showed significant proliferative inhibition via a mixed lymphocyte response assay in response to donor antigens. Conclusions AAT attenuates acute allograft injury and necrosis in a rat model of lung transplantation, suggesting that AAT may play a role in reducing IRI-induced inflammation.
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Elshikha AS, Yuan Y, Lu Y, Chen MJ, Abboud G, Akbar MA, Plate H, Wolney H, Hoffmann T, Tagari E, Zeumer L, Morel L, Song S. Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Gene Therapy Extends the Lifespan of Lupus-Prone Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 11:131-142. [PMID: 30547047 PMCID: PMC6258868 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by high levels of pathogenic autoantibodies and tissue damage. Multiple studies showed that dendritic cell (DC) activation plays a critical role in SLE pathogenesis. Human alpha 1 antitrypsin (hAAT) is a serine proteinase inhibitor with potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. In this study, we first examined the effects of hAAT on the functions of DCs from lupus-prone mice, and we showed that hAAT treatment efficiently inhibited CpG- (TLR9 agonist) induced activation of bone marrow-derived conventional and plasmacytoid DCs as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The hAAT treatment also attenuated DC help for B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin M (IgM) production. We next tested the protective effect of hAAT protein and gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 (rAAV8-CB-hAAT) in a spontaneous lupus mouse model, and we showed that both treatments decreased autoantibody levels. Importantly, rAAV8-CB-hAAT did not induce an immune response to its transgene product (hAAT), but it showed more pronounced therapeutic effects in reducing urine protein levels and extending the lifespan of these mice. These results indicate that AAT has therapeutic potential in the treatment of SLE in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Samir Elshikha
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Yuanqing Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mong-Jen Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Georges Abboud
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mohammad Ahsanul Akbar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Henrike Plate
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Hedwig Wolney
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tanja Hoffmann
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Eleni Tagari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Leilani Zeumer
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sihong Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Song S. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Therapy for Autoimmune Disorders. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES-JOURNAL OF THE COPD FOUNDATION 2018; 5:289-301. [PMID: 30723786 DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.5.4.2018.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are conditions caused by an over reactive immune system that attacks self-tissues and organs. Although the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease is complex and multi-factorial, inflammation is commonly involved. Therefore, anti-inflammatory therapies hold potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, long-term control of inflammation is challenging and most of the currently used drugs have side effects. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an anti-inflammatory protein with a well-known safety profile. The therapeutic potential of AAT has been tested in several autoimmune disease models. The first study using a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector showed that AAT gene transfer prevented the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. Subsequent studies showed that treatment with AAT protein prevented and reversed type 1 diabetes. The beneficial effects of AAT treatment have also been observed in other autoimmune disease models such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This paper reviews the therapeutic application of AAT and discusses possible mechanisms of action in various autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihong Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville
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22
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Baranovski BM, Schuster R, Nisim O, Brami I, Lior Y, Lewis EC. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Substitution for Extrapulmonary Conditions in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficient Patients. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES-JOURNAL OF THE COPD FOUNDATION 2018; 5:267-276. [PMID: 30723784 DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.5.4.2017.0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disorder which most commonly manifests as pulmonary emphysema. Accordingly, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) augmentation therapy aims to reduce the progression of emphysema, as achieved by life-long weekly slow-drip infusions of plasma-derived affinity-purified human AAT. However, not all AATD patients will receive this therapy, due to either lack of medical coverage or low patient compliance. To circumvent these limitations, attempts are being made to develop lung-directed therapies, including inhaled AAT and locally-delivered AAT gene therapy. Lung transplantation is also an ultimate therapy option. Although less common, AATD patients also present with disease manifestations that extend beyond the lung, including vasculitis, diabetes and panniculitis, and appear to experience longer and more frequent hospitalization times and more frequent pneumonia bouts. In the past decade, new mechanism-based clinical indications for AAT therapy have surfaced, depicting a safe, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and tissue-protective agent. Introduced to non-AATD individuals, AAT appears to provide relief from steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease, from bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis and from autoimmune diabetes; preclinical studies show benefit also in multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury and aberrant wound healing processes. While the current augmentation therapy is targeted towards treatment of emphysema, it is suggested that AATD patients may benefit from AAT augmentation therapy geared towards extrapulmonary pathologies as well. Thus, development of mechanism-based, context-specific AAT augmentation therapy protocols is encouraged. In the current review, we will discuss extrapulmonary manifestations of AATD and the potential of AAT augmentation therapy for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris M Baranovski
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ronen Schuster
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Omer Nisim
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ido Brami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yotam Lior
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eli C Lewis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Zhang Z, Li P, Lin D, Wang D, Zhang Y. Proteome analysis of the potential serum biomarkers for chronic benzene poisoning. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 60:157-164. [PMID: 29729575 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our study is to seek novel specific biomarkers which could provide clues to the mechanism of chronic benzene poisoning (CBP) and might also be used as specific markers for early detection and diagnosis. In this study, a comparative serological proteome analysis between normal controls and CBP patients at three different levels of poisoning were performed via a 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF-MS. As the result a total of 10 proteins were found significantly altered between the normal and the mild, moderate and severe poisoning. The identified differentially expressed proteins were classified according to their molecular functions, biological processes, and protein classes, and three important serum proteins among them, apolipoproteinA-1, alpha-1-antitrypsin and complement C3, were further confirmed by immune turbidimetric analysis for their significant up-regulation in the CBP patients. Our findings suggest that these differential proteins may help elucidate the mechanism of CBP and provide potential biomarkers for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, 518001, Guangdong, China
| | - Peimao Li
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, 518001, Guangdong, China
| | - Dafeng Lin
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, 518001, Guangdong, China
| | - Dianpeng Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, 518001, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanfang Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, 518001, Guangdong, China.
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Cabezas-Llobet N, Camprubí S, García B, Alberch J, Xifró X. Human alpha 1-antitrypsin protects neurons and glial cells against oxygen and glucose deprivation through inhibition of interleukins expression. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:1852-1861. [PMID: 29857082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Death due to cerebral stroke afflicts a large number of neuronal populations, including glial cells depending on the brain region affected. Drugs with a wide cellular range of protection are needed to develop effective therapies for stroke. Human alpha 1-antitrypsin (hAAT) is a serine proteinase inhibitor with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immunoregulatory activities. This study aimed to test whether hAAT can protect different kind of neurons and glial cells after the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). METHODS Addition of hAAT to mouse neuronal cortical, hippocampal and striatal cultures, as well as glial cultures, was performed 30 min after OGD induction and cell viability was assessed 24 h later. The expression of different apoptotic markers and several inflammatory parameters were assessed by immunoblotting and RT-PCR. RESULTS hAAT had a concentration-dependent survival effect in all neuronal cultures exposed to OGD, with a maximal effect at 1-2 mg/mL. The addition of hAAT at 1 mg/mL reduced the OGD-mediated necrotic and apoptotic death in all neuronal cultures. This neuroprotective activity of hAAT was associated with a decrease of cleaved caspase-3 and an increase of MAP2 levels. It was also associated with a reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines protein levels and expression, increase of IL-10 protein levels and decrease of nuclear localization of nuclear factor-kappaB. Similar to neurons, addition of hAAT protected astrocytes and oligodendrocytes against OGD-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS Human AAT protects neuronal and glial cells against OGD through interaction with cytokines. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Human AAT could be a good therapeutic neuroprotective candidate to treat ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Cabezas-Llobet
- New Therapeutic Targets Group (TargetsLab), Departament de Ciències Mèdiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Girona, E-17071 Girona, Spain
| | | | | | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), E-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Xavier Xifró
- New Therapeutic Targets Group (TargetsLab), Departament de Ciències Mèdiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Girona, E-17071 Girona, Spain; Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), E-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
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25
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Serrano I, Luque A, Aran JM. Exploring the Immunomodulatory Moonlighting Activities of Acute Phase Proteins for Tolerogenic Dendritic Cell Generation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:892. [PMID: 29760704 PMCID: PMC5936965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acute phase response is generated by an overwhelming immune-inflammatory process against infection or tissue damage, and represents the initial response of the organism in an attempt to return to homeostasis. It is mediated by acute phase proteins (APPs), an assortment of highly conserved plasma reactants of seemingly different functions that, however, share a common protective role from injury. Recent studies have suggested a crosstalk between several APPs and the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) in the resolution of inflammation, to restore tissue integrity and function. In fact, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs), an integral component of the MPS, play a fundamental role both in the regulation of antigen-specific adaptive responses and in the development of immunologic memory and tolerance, particularly in inflammatory settings. Due to their high plasticity, Mo-DCs can be modeled in vitro toward a tolerogenic phenotype for the treatment of aberrant immune-inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases and allotransplantation, with the phenotypic outcome of these cells depending on the immunomodulatory agent employed. Yet, recent immunotherapy trials have emphasized the drawbacks and challenges facing tolerogenic Mo-DC generation for clinical use, such as reduced therapeutic efficacy and limited in vivo stability of the tolerogenic activity. In this review, we will underline the potential relevance and advantages of APPs for tolerogenic DC production with respect to currently employed immunomodulatory/immunosuppressant compounds. A further understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying the moonlighting immunomodulatory activities exhibited by several APPs over DCs could lead to more efficacious, safe, and stable protocols for precision tolerogenic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Serrano
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Luque
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Aran
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Yuan Y, DiCiaccio B, Li Y, Elshikha AS, Titov D, Brenner B, Seifer L, Pan H, Karic N, Akbar MA, Lu Y, Song S, Zhou L. Anti-inflammaging effects of human alpha-1 antitrypsin. Aging Cell 2018; 17:e12694. [PMID: 29045001 PMCID: PMC5770780 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammaging plays an important role in most age-related diseases. However, the mechanism of inflammaging is largely unknown, and therapeutic control of inflammaging is challenging. Human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) has immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties as demonstrated in several disease models including type 1 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, and stroke. To test the potential anti-inflammaging effect of hAAT, we generated transgenic Drosophila lines expressing hAAT. Surprisingly, the lifespan of hAAT-expressing lines was significantly longer than that of genetically matched controls. To understand the mechanism underlying the anti-aging effect of hAAT, we monitored the expression of aging-associated genes and found that aging-induced expressions of Relish (NF-ĸB orthologue) and Diptericin were significantly lower in hAAT lines than in control lines. RNA-seq analysis revealed that innate immunity genes regulated by NF-kB were significantly and specifically inhibited in hAAT transgenic Drosophila lines. To confirm this anti-inflammaging effect in human cells, we treated X-ray-induced senescence cells with hAAT and showed that hAAT treatment significantly decreased the expression and maturation of IL-6 and IL-8, two major factors of senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Consistent with results from Drosophila,RNA-seq analysis also showed that hAAT treatment significantly inhibited inflammation related genes and pathways. Together, our results demonstrated that hAAT significantly inhibited inflammaging in both Drosophila and human cell models. As hAAT is a FDA-approved drug with a confirmed safety profile, this novel therapeutic potential may make hAAT a promising candidate to combat aging and aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yuan
- Department of PharmaceuticsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Benedetto DiCiaccio
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | | | - Denis Titov
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Brian Brenner
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Lee Seifer
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Hope Pan
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Nurdina Karic
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | | | - Yuanqing Lu
- Department of PharmaceuticsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Sihong Song
- Department of PharmaceuticsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
- University of Florida Genetics InstituteGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Molecular Genetics & MicrobiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
- University of Florida Genetics InstituteGainesvilleFLUSA
- UF Health Cancer CenterGainesvilleFLUSA
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Song S, Lu Y, Elshikha AS. In Vivo Analysis of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Functions in Autoimmune Disease Models. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1826:143-155. [PMID: 30194599 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8645-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is a circulating protein, a serpin, with multiple protective functions. Beside the well-known proteinase inhibitory function, which protects the lungs from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), many studies have shown that AAT inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and functions. These anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory properties have led to studies testing the therapeutic effect of AAT in autoimmune disease models. Initially, a study using recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector showed that AAT gene therapy prevented type 1 diabetes (T1D) development in a nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. Consequently, several studies confirmed that AAT therapy prevented and reversed T1D. AAT therapy has also been tested and has demonstrated protective effects in a collagen-induced arthritis model and a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mouse model. This chapter describes methods that evaluate AAT functions in autoimmune mouse models.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arthritis, Experimental/genetics
- Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Experimental/therapy
- Dependovirus
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy
- Disease Models, Animal
- Genetic Therapy
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/genetics
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/metabolism
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/pathology
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy
- Transduction, Genetic
- alpha 1-Antitrypsin/biosynthesis
- alpha 1-Antitrypsin/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihong Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Yuanqing Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ahmed S Elshikha
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Low Levels of IgG Recognizing the α-1-Antitrypsin Peptide and Its Association with Taiwanese Women with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122750. [PMID: 29258281 PMCID: PMC5751349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress and low level of α-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and evaluate the associated autoreactivity against unmodified and their 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified peptides with pSS. Two differentially expressed proteins, α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (A1AG1) and A1AT, exhibited 2-fold differences, and their HNE modifications were identified by depleted-albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum protein, in-solution digestion, in-gel digestion, and nano-liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS) from pSS patients and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, levels of proteins, confirmation of HNE modifications, HNE-protein adducts and autoreactivity against unmodified and their HNE-modified peptides were further validated. Levels of the HNE-protein adduct and A1AG1 were significantly higher in pSS patients than HCs, but levels of A1AT were significantly lower in pSS patients compared to HCs. Only the HNE modification of A1AT was confirmed. Our study suggests that elevated HNE-protein adduct, oxidative stress, level (odds ratio (OR) 4.877, p = 0.003), lowered A1AT level (OR 3.910, p = 0.010) and a decreased level of anti-A1AT50–63 IgG (OR 3.360, p = 0.010) showed an increased risk in pSS patients compared to HCs, respectively.
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Xiao ZX, Zheng X, Hu L, Wang J, Olsen N, Zheng SG. Immunosuppressive Effect of B7-H4 Pathway in a Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Model. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1765. [PMID: 29321778 PMCID: PMC5732181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-H4, one of the co-stimulatory molecules of the B7 family, has been shown to play an important role in negatively regulating the adaptive immune response by inhibiting the proliferation, activation, and cytokine production of T cells. In this study, we investigate the role of B7-H4 in development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated a murine model of SLE using transfer of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) that were incubated with activated syngeneic lymphocyte-derived DNA. The recipient mouse produced anti-ds-DNA antibodies as well as displayed splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy as shown by significantly increased weights, and the kidneys showed lupus-like pathological changes include urine protein and glomerulonephritis with hyperplasia in glomeruli and increased mesangial cells and vasculitis with perivascular cell infiltration, glomerular deposition of IgG and complement C3. We showed that B7-H4 deficiency in BMDCs could cause greater production of anti-ds-DNA antibodies in transferred mice, and the lymph tissue swelling and the kidney lesions were also exacerbated with B7-H4 deficiency. Treatment with a B7-H4 antagonist antibody also aggravated the lupus model. Conversely, B7-H4 Ig alleviated the lupus manifestations. Therefore, we conclude that B7-H4 is a negative check point for the development of SLE in this murine model. These results suggest that this approach may have a clinical potential in treating human SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Xiu Xiao
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Third Hospital at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Zheng
- Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Hu
- Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Julie Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Nancy Olsen
- Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Third Hospital at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Division of Rheumatology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University, Hershey, PA, United States
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iTRAQ-Based Proteomics of Chronic Renal Failure Rats after FuShengong Decoction Treatment Reveals Haptoglobin and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin as Potential Biomarkers. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:1480514. [PMID: 28536642 PMCID: PMC5425835 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1480514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background. Chronic renal failure (CRF) has become a global health problem and bears a huge economic burden. FuShengong Decoction (FSGD) as traditional Chinese medicine has multiple pharmacological effects. Objectives. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism and signaling pathway involved in the FSGD treatment of CRF and screen differentially expressed proteins in rats with CRF treated with FSGD. Methods. Thirty-three male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, CRF group, and FSGD group. Differentially expressed proteins were screened by iTRAQ coupled with nanoLC-MS/MS, and these identified proteins were later analyzed by GO, KEGG, and STRING. Additionally, haptoglobin (HP) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) were finally verified by ELISA, Western blot, and real time PCR. Results. A total of 417 proteins were identified. Nineteen differentially expressed proteins were identified in the FSGD group compared with the model group, of which 3 proteins were upregulated and 16 proteins were downregulated. Cluster analysis indicated that inflammatory response was associated with these proteins and complement and coagulation cascade pathways were predominantly involved. The validation methods further confirmed that the levels of HP and AAT were significantly increased. Conclusions. HP and AAT may be the important biomarkers in the pathogenesis of CRF and FSGD therapy.
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Li W, Wang Q, Li S, Jiang A, Sun W. Molecular cloning, genomic structure, polymorphism analysis and recombinant expression of a α1-antitrypsin like gene from swamp eel, Monopterus albus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 62:124-138. [PMID: 28108341 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is a highly polymorphic glycoprotein antiprotease, involved in the regulation of human immune response. Beyond some genomic characterization and a few protein characterizations, the function of teleost AAT remains uncertain. In this study we cloned an AAT-like gene from a swamp eel liver identifying four exons and three introns, and the full-length cDNA. The elucidated swamp eel AAT amino acid sequence showed high homology with known AATs from other teleosts. The swamp eel AAT was examined both in ten healthy tissues and in four bacterially-stimulated tissues resulting in up-regulation of swamp eel AAT at different times. Swamp eel AAT transcripts were ubiquitously but unevenly expressed in ten tissues. Further, the mature peptide sequence of swamp eel AAT was subcloned and transformed into E. coli with the recombinant proteins successfully inhibiting bovine trypsin activity. Analysis of recombinant AAT showed equimolar formation of irreversible complexes with proteinases, high stability at pH 7.0-10.0 and temperatures below 55 °C. Serum AAT protein level significantly increased in response to inflammation with AAT anti-sera, and, NF-κB, apolipoprotein A1 and transferrin gene expression were dramatically decreased over 72 h post recombinant AAT injection. Lastly, examination of swamp eel AAT allelic polymorphism identified all alleles in both healthy and diseased stock except allele*g, found only in diseased stock, but without statistical difference between the distribution frequency of allele*g in the two stocks. These results are crucial to our ongoing study of the role of teleost AAT in the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agriculture Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Jingzhou 434025, PR China; College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR China
| | - Quanhe Wang
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR China
| | - Shaobin Li
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR China
| | - Ao Jiang
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR China
| | - Wenxiu Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agriculture Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Jingzhou 434025, PR China; College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, PR China.
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Baranovski BM, Ozeri E, Shahaf G, Ochayon DE, Schuster R, Bahar N, Kalay N, Cal P, Mizrahi MI, Nisim O, Strauss P, Schenker E, Lewis EC. Exploration of α1-antitrypsin treatment protocol for islet transplantation: dosing plan and route of administration. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 359:482-490. [PMID: 27821710 PMCID: PMC5118642 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.236067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lifelong weekly infusions of human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) are currently administered as augmentation therapy for patients with genetic AAT deficiency (AATD). Several recent clinical trials attempt to extend hAAT therapy to conditions outside AATD, including type 1 diabetes. Because the endpoint for AATD is primarily the reduction of risk for pulmonary emphysema, the present study explores hAAT dose protocols and routes of administration in attempt to optimize hAAT therapy for islet-related injury. Islet-grafted mice were treated with hAAT (Glassia; intraperitoneally or subcutaneously) under an array of clinically relevant dosing plans. Serum hAAT and immunocyte cell membrane association were examined, as well as parameters of islet survival. Results indicate that dividing the commonly prescribed 60 mg/kg i.p. dose to three 20 mg/kg injections is superior in affording islet graft survival; in addition, a short dynamic descending dose protocol (240→120→60→60 mg/kg i.p.) is comparable in outcomes to indefinite 60 mg/kg injections. Although pharmacokinetics after intraperitoneal administration in mice resembles exogenous hAAT treatment in humans, subcutaneous administration better imitated the physiologic progressive rise of hAAT during acute phase responses; nonetheless, only the 60 mg/kg dose depicted an advantage using the subcutaneous route. Taken together, this study provides a platform for extrapolating an islet-relevant clinical protocol from animal models that use hAAT to protect islets. In addition, the study places emphasis on outcome-oriented analyses of drug efficacy, particularly important when considering that hAAT is presently at an era of drug-repurposing toward an extended list of clinical indications outside genetic AATD.
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