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He Z, Uto T, Tanigawa S, Sakao K, Kumamoto T, Xie K, Pan X, Wu S, Yang Y, Komatsu M, Hou DX. Fisetin is a selective adenosine triphosphate-competitive inhibitor for mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 to inhibit lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation. Biofactors 2024. [PMID: 39087587 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), a member of the MAP kinase kinase family, directly phosphorylates and activates the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK), in response to proinflammatory cytokines and cellular stresses. Regulation of the MKK4 activity is considered to be a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of inflammation. The aim of this study was to identify whether fisetin, a potential anti-inflammatory compound, targets MKK4-JNK cascade to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response. RAW264 macrophage pretreated with fisetin following LPS stimulation was used as a cell model to investigate the transactivation and expression of related-inflammatory genes by transient transfection assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cellular signaling as well as binding of related-signal proteins by Western blot, pull-down assay and kinase assay, and molecular modeling. The transactivation and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion induced by LPS were inhibited by fisetin in a dose-dependent manner. Signaling transduction analysis demonstrated that fisetin selectively inhibited MKK4-JNK1/2 signaling to suppress the phosphorylation of transcription factor AP-1 without affecting the NF-κB and Jak2-Stat3 signaling as well as the phosphorylation of Src, Syk, and TAK1. Furthermore, in vitro and ex vivo pull-down assay using cell lysate or purified protein demonstrated that fisetin could bind directly to MKK4. Molecular modeling using the Molecular Operating Environment™ software indicated that fisetin docked into the ATP-binding pocket of MKK4 with a binding energy of -71.75 kcal/mol and formed a 1.70 Å hydrogen bound with Asp247 residue of MKK4. The IC50 of fisetin against MKK4 was estimated as 2.899 μM in the kinase assay, and the ATP-competitive effect was confirmed by ATP titration. Taken together, our data revealed that fisetin is a potent selective ATP-competitive MKK4 inhibitor to suppress MKK4-JNK1/2-AP-1 cascade for inhibiting LPS-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu He
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takuhiro Uto
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Tanigawa
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kozue Sakao
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takuma Kumamoto
- Department of Brain & Neurosciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kun Xie
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- Hunan Collaborative Innovation Center for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuchi Pan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shusong Wu
- Hunan Collaborative Innovation Center for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yili Yang
- China Regional Research Centre, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Taizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Masaharu Komatsu
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - De-Xing Hou
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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2
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Liu R, Wang J, Liu Y, Gao Y, Yang R. Regulation of gut microbiota on immune cell ferroptosis: A novel insight for immunotherapy against tumor. Cancer Lett 2024; 598:217115. [PMID: 39025428 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Gut microbiota contributes to the homeostasis of immune system and is related to various diseases such as tumorigenesis. Ferroptosis, a new type of cell death, is also involved in the disease pathogenesis. Recent studies have found the correlations of gut microbiota mediated ferroptosis and immune cell death. Gut microbiota derived immunosuppressive metabolites, which can promote differentiation and function of immune cells, tend to inhibit ferroptosis through their receptors, whereas inflammatory metabolites from gut microbiota also affect the differentiation and function of immune cells and their ferroptosis. Thus, it is possible for gut microbiota to regulate immune cell ferroptosis. Indeed, gut microbiota metabolite receptor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) can affect ferroptosis of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, leading to disease pathogenesis. Since immune cell ferroptosis in tumor microenvironment (TME) affects the occurrence and development of tumor, the modulation of gut microbiota in these cell ferroptosis might influence on the tumorigenesis, and also immunotherapy against tumors. Here we will summarize the recent advance of ferroptosis mediated by gut microbiota metabolites, which potentially acts as regulator(s) on immune cells in TME for therapy against tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Liu
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Juanjuan Wang
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yunhuan Gao
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Rongcun Yang
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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Gao Y, Liu KY, Xiao W, Xie X, Liang Q, Tu Z, Yang L, Yu H, Guo H, Huang S, Han X, Fu J, Zhou Y. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor confers protection against macrophage pyroptosis and intestinal inflammation through regulating polyamine biosynthesis. Theranostics 2024; 14:4218-4239. [PMID: 39113799 PMCID: PMC11303072 DOI: 10.7150/thno.95749] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) functions in the regulation of intestinal inflammation, but knowledge of the underlying mechanisms in innate immune cells is limited. Here, we investigated the role of AhR in modulating the functions of macrophages in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Methods: The cellular composition of intestinal lamina propria CD45+ leukocytes in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model was determined by single-cell RNA sequencing. Macrophage pyroptosis was quantified by analysis of lactate dehydrogenase release, propidium iodide staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and flow cytometry. Differentially expressed genes were confirmed by RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining. Results: AhR deficiency mediated dynamic remodeling of the cellular composition of intestinal lamina propria (LP) CD45+ immune cells in a colitis model, with a significant increase in monocyte-macrophage lineage. Mice with AhR deficiency in myeloid cells developed more severe dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis, with concomitant increased macrophage pyroptosis. Dietary supplementation with an AhR pre-ligand, indole-3-carbinol, conferred protection against colitis while protection failed in mice lacking AhR in myeloid cells. Mechanistically, AhR signaling inhibited macrophage pyroptosis by promoting ornithine decarboxylase 1 (Odc1) transcription, to enhance polyamine biosynthesis. The increased polyamine, particularly spermine, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and subsequent pyroptosis by suppressing K+ efflux. AHR expression was positively correlated with ODC1 in intestinal mucosal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis. Conclusions: These findings suggest a functional role for the AhR/ODC1/polyamine axis in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, providing potential targets for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Gao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kwei-Yan Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan
| | - Wenfeng Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueru Xie
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuyan Liang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zikun Tu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongmiao Yu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Saihua Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinrong Fu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Zeng X, Feng M, Lu J, Wang R, Deng L, Yang Y, Luo L. Beyond transcription, aryl hydrocarbon receptor plays a protective role in periodontitis by interacting with CaMKII. J Periodontol 2024. [PMID: 38967396 DOI: 10.1002/jper.24-0021] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been studied as an intracellular pattern recognition receptor that can identify bacterial pigments. To identify a potential therapeutic target for periodontitis, we investigated the expression of AhR in periodontitis and its role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. METHODS First, we analyzed AhR expression in a single-cell dataset from human periodontal tissue. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to verify the AhR level. Later, we determined the phenotypes of ligature-induced periodontitis in myeloid-specific AhR-deficient mice (Lyz2-Cre+/- AhRfx/fx), after which RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the impacts of AhR on periodontitis and its mechanism. Finally, we determined the therapeutic effect of AhR agonist 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) administration on murine periodontitis and verified the effects of FICZ on macrophage polarization in vitro. RESULTS AhR expression was enhanced in macrophages from periodontitis patients. Deletion of AhR from macrophages aggravated ligature-induced periodontitis and promoted the inflammatory response. Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation was accelerated in AhR-deficient macrophages. Inhibiting CaMKII phosphorylation ameliorated periodontitis in Lyz2-Cre+/- AhRfx/fx mice. FICZ treatment blocked alveolar bone loss and relieved periodontal inflammation. FICZ diminished M1 macrophage polarization and promoted M2 macrophage polarization upon M1 macrophage induction. CONCLUSION AhR played a protective role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis by orchestrating macrophage polarization via interacting with the CaMKII signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwen Zeng
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Meiting Feng
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiawei Lu
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiling Wang
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Deng
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School of Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, China
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Fan X, Li K, Qin X, Li Z, Du Y. Structural Characterization and Screening for Anti-inflammatory Activity of Polysaccharides with Different Molecular Weights from Astragali Radix. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202400262. [PMID: 38705857 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400262] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Astragali Radix polysaccharides (APSs) exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity, which is mainly related to immune regulation. At present, most available studies focus on total APSs or a certain component of APSs. However, systematic structural study and screening for the anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides with different molecular weights (MW) have yet to be conducted. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were used as a model to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of APSs and its fractions. The results revealed that fraction APS-I had better anti-inflammatory effects than APS-II. After APS-I was hydrolyzed by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the resulting degradation products oligosaccharides were fully methylated. These derivatized oligosaccharides were further analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS and UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS. The results showed that APS-I was a hetero-polysaccharide with a molecular weight of about 2.0×106 Da, mainly consisting of glucose (46.8 %) and galactose (34.4 %). The degree of polymerization of Astragali Radix oligosaccharides (APOS) was 2-16. APOS were identified as 1,4-glucooligosaccharides and 1,4-galactooligosaccharides. The findings of this study lay the foundation for further elucidation of structure-function relationships of APSs and provide guidance for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Fan
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Glycoconjugates of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Ke Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuguang Du
- Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Malany K, Li X, Vogel CFA, Ehrlich AK. Mechanisms underlying aryl hydrocarbon receptor-driven divergent macrophage function. Toxicol Sci 2024; 200:1-10. [PMID: 38603630 PMCID: PMC11199922 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae050] [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] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play an essential role in the innate immune system by differentiating into functionally diverse subsets in order to fight infection, repair damaged tissues, and regulate inappropriate immune responses. This functional diversity stems from their ability to adapt and respond to signals in the environment, which is in part mediated through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-signaling. AHR, an environmental sensor, can be activated by various ligands, ranging from environmental contaminants to microbially derived tryptophan metabolites. This review discusses what is currently known about how AHR-signaling influences macrophage differentiation, polarization, and function. By discussing studies that are both consistent and divergent, our goal is to highlight the need for future research on the mechanisms by which AHR acts as an immunological switch in macrophages. Ultimately, understanding the contexts in which AHR-signaling promotes and/or inhibits differentiation, proinflammatory functions, and immunoregulatory functions, will help uncover functional predictions of immunotoxicity following exposure to environmental chemicals as well as better design AHR-targeted immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan Malany
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Xiaohan Li
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Allison K Ehrlich
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Grishanova AY, Perepechaeva ML. Kynurenic Acid/AhR Signaling at the Junction of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6933. [PMID: 39000041 PMCID: PMC11240928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136933] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Persistent systemic chronic inflammatory conditions are linked with many pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), a leading cause of death across the globe. Among various risk factors, one of the new possible contributors to CVDs is the metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan. Proinflammatory signals promote tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine (KYN) pathway (KP), thereby resulting in the biosynthesis of several immunomodulatory metabolites whose biological effects are associated with the development of symptoms and progression of various inflammatory diseases. Some participants in the KP are agonists of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a central player in a signaling pathway that, along with a regulatory influence on the metabolism of environmental xenobiotics, performs a key immunomodulatory function by triggering various cellular mechanisms with the participation of endogenous ligands to alleviate inflammation. An AhR ligand with moderate affinity is the central metabolite of the KP: KYN; one of the subsequent metabolites of KYN-kynurenic acid (KYNA)-is a more potent ligand of AhR. Understanding the role of AhR pathway-related metabolites of the KP that regulate inflammatory factors in cells of the cardiovascular system is interesting and important for achieving effective treatment of CVDs. The purpose of this review was to summarize the results of studies about the participation of the KP metabolite-KYNA-and of the AhR signaling pathway in the regulation of inflammation in pathological conditions of the heart and blood vessels and about the possible interaction of KYNA with AhR signaling in some CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria L. Perepechaeva
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630060, Russia;
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Jonić N, Koprivica I, Chatzigiannis CM, Tsiailanis AD, Kyrkou SG, Tzakos EP, Pavić A, Dimitrijević M, Jovanović A, Jovanović MB, Marinho S, Castro-Almeida I, Otašević V, Moura-Alves P, Tzakos AG, Stojanović I. Development of FluoAHRL: A Novel Synthetic Fluorescent Compound That Activates AHR and Potentiates Anti-Inflammatory T Regulatory Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:2988. [PMID: 38998940 PMCID: PMC11243367 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29132988] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) ligands, upon binding, induce distinct gene expression profiles orchestrated by the AHR, leading to a spectrum of pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we designed, synthesized and evaluated three indole-containing potential AHR ligands (FluoAHRL: AGT-4, AGT-5 and AGT-6). All synthesized compounds were shown to emit fluorescence in the near-infrared. Their AHR agonist activity was first predicted using in silico docking studies, and then confirmed using AHR luciferase reporter cell lines. FluoAHRLs were tested in vitro using mouse peritoneal macrophages and T lymphocytes to assess their immunomodulatory properties. We then focused on AGT-5, as it illustrated the predominant anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, AGT-5 demonstrated the ability to foster anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg) while suppressing pro-inflammatory T helper (Th)17 cells in vitro. AGT-5 actively induced Treg differentiation from naïve CD4+ cells, and promoted Treg proliferation, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) expression and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. The increase in IL-10 correlated with an upregulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) expression. Importantly, the Treg-inducing effect of AGT-5 was also observed in human tonsil cells in vitro. AGT-5 showed no toxicity when applied to zebrafish embryos and was therefore considered safe for animal studies. Following oral administration to C57BL/6 mice, AGT-5 significantly upregulated Treg while downregulating pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Due to its fluorescent properties, AGT-5 could be visualized both in vitro (during uptake by macrophages) and ex vivo (within the lamina propria of the small intestine). These findings make AGT-5 a promising candidate for further exploration in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Jonić
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.J.); (I.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Ivan Koprivica
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.J.); (I.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Christos M. Chatzigiannis
- Section of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (C.M.C.); (A.D.T.); (S.G.K.)
| | - Antonis D. Tsiailanis
- Section of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (C.M.C.); (A.D.T.); (S.G.K.)
| | - Stavroula G. Kyrkou
- Section of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (C.M.C.); (A.D.T.); (S.G.K.)
| | | | - Aleksandar Pavić
- Laboratory for Microbial Molecular Genetics and Ecology, Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Mirjana Dimitrijević
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.J.); (I.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Andjelina Jovanović
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center “Zemun”, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.J.); (M.B.J.)
| | - Milan B. Jovanović
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center “Zemun”, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.J.); (M.B.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sérgio Marinho
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.); (I.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Castro-Almeida
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.); (I.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vesna Otašević
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Pedro Moura-Alves
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.); (I.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreas G. Tzakos
- Section of Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (C.M.C.); (A.D.T.); (S.G.K.)
- Institute of Materials Science and Computing, University Research Center of Ioannina (URCI), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ivana Stojanović
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (N.J.); (I.K.); (M.D.)
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9
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Liao Z, Zeng X, Guo X, Shi Q, Tang Z, Li P, Chen C, Chen M, Chen J, Xu J, Cai Y. Targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor with FICZ regulates IL-2 and immune infiltration to alleviate Hashimoto's thyroiditis in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 973:176588. [PMID: 38621508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most frequent autoimmune disorder. Growing work points to the involvement of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, in the regulation of immune homeostasis. However, the roles of AhR and its ligands in HT remains unclear. In this study, we leveraged public human database analyses to postulate that the AhR expression was predominantly in thyroid follicular cells, correlating significantly with the thyroid infiltration levels of multiple immune cells in HT patients. Using a thyroglobulin-induced HT mouse model and in vitro thyroid follicular epithelial cell cultures, we found a significant downregulation of AhR expression in thyrocytes both in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, activating AhR by FICZ, a natural AhR ligand, mitigated inflammation and apoptosis in thyrocytes in vitro and conferred protection against HT in mice. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of thyroid tissues indicated that AhR activation moderated HT-associated immune or inflammatory signatures. Further, immunoinfiltration analysis indicated that AhR activation regulated immune cell infiltration in the thyroid of HT mice, such as suppressing cytotoxic CD8+ T cell infiltration and promoting anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization. Concomitantly, the expression levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a lymphokine that downregulates immune responses, were typically decreased in HT but restored upon AhR activation. In silico validation substantiated the binding interaction between AhR and IL-2. In conclusion, targeting the AhR with FICZ regulates IL-2 and immune infiltration to alleviate experimental HT, shedding new light on the therapeutic intervention of this prevalent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzheng Liao
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhong Zeng
- Department of Endocrinology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyun Tang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiyun Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxia Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianrong Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixiong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaojun Cai
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Chen K, Luo L, Tu G, Yang J, Pu W, Zhu J, Xue W, Zhang R. Computer-aided discovery of novel aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands to regulate CYP1A1 expression in inflammatory macrophages. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14572. [PMID: 38923686 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14572] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The environmental factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a key protein connecting the external environmental signals (e.g., environmental endocrine disruptor TCDD) to internal cellular processes, is involved in the activation of peripheral macrophages and inflammatory response in human body. Thus, there is widespread interest in finding compounds to anti-inflammatory response in macrophages by targeting human AhR. Here, ensemble docking based-virtual screening was first used to screen a library (~200,000 compounds) against human AhR ligand binding domain (LBD) and 25 compounds were identified as potential inhibitors. Then, 9 out of the 25 ligands were found to down-regulate the mRNA expression of CYP1A1 (a downstream gene of AhR signaling) in AhR overexpressing macrophages. The most potent compound AE-411/41415610 was selected for further study and found to reduce both mRNA and protein expressions level of CYP1A1 in mouse peritoneal macrophage. Moreover, protein chip signal pathway analysis indicated that AE-411/41415610 play a role in regulating JAK-STAT and AKT-mTOR pathways. In sum, the discovered hits with novel scaffolds provided a starting point for future design of more effective AhR-targeted lead compounds to regulate CYP1A1 expression of inflammatory peritoneal macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerui Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Luo
- The First Research Department, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gao Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingyi Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wang Pu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junyu Zhu
- The First Research Department, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Soltani-Asl M, Azimnasab-Sorkhabi P, Yoshinaga TT, de Oliveira Massoco C, Kfoury JR. The combination of IDO and AHR blockers reduces the migration and clonogenicity of breast cancer cells. Immunol Res 2024; 72:430-437. [PMID: 38153625 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09450-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme causes immunosuppressive consequences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the TME is under discussion. The current study evaluated the role of the IDO and AHR blockers on cell migration, clonogenic, and IDO expression of murine breast cancer cells. The cell migration and clonogenic abilities of breast cancer cells are evaluated by wound‑healing assay (cell migration assay) and Colony formation assay (clonogenic assay). Also, flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the IDO-positive breast cancer cells. The results showed that treating cells with a combination of IDO and AHR blockers dramatically reduced breast cancer cells' migration and clonogenic capacities. Treating cells with only AHR blockade suppressed the clonogenic rate. Since both IDO and AHR are involved in their complex molecular networks, blocking both IDO and AHR might cause alterations in their molecular networks resulting in diminishing the migration and clonogenic abilities of breast cancer cells. However, further investigations are required to confirm our findings within in vivo models as a novel therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Soltani-Asl
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Parviz Azimnasab-Sorkhabi
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tulio Teruo Yoshinaga
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina de Oliveira Massoco
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose Roberto Kfoury
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Peyvandi S, Lan Q, Chabloz A, Prével F, La Torre YH, Ives A, Tacchini-Cottier F. The β-Carboline Harmine Has a Protective Immunomodulatory Role in Nonhealing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:862-873.e4. [PMID: 37852357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.09.280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis affects 1 million people worldwide annually. Although conventional treatments primarily target the parasite, there is growing interest in host immune modulation. In this study, we investigated the impact of synthetic β-carboline harmine (ACB1801), previously shown to be immunoregulatory in cancer, on the pathology caused by a drug-resistant Leishmania major strain causing persistent cutaneous lesions. Exposure to ACB1801 in vitro had a modest impact on parasite burden within host macrophages. Moreover, it significantly increased major histocompatibility complex II and costimulatory molecule expression on infected dendritic cells, suggesting an enhanced immune response. In vivo, ACB1801 monotherapy led to a substantial reduction in lesion development and parasite burden in infected C57BL/6 mice, comparable with efficacy of amphotericin B. Transcriptomics analysis further supported ACB1801 immunomodulatory effects, revealing an enrichment of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and major histocompatibility complex II antigen presentation signatures in the draining lymph nodes of treated mice. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed an increased frequency (1.5×) of protective CD4+IFN-γ+TNF-α+ T cells and a decreased frequency (2×) in suppressive IL-10+FoxP3- T cells at the site of infection and in draining lymph nodes. In addition, ACB1801 downregulated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, known to enhance immunosuppressive cytokines. Thus, these results suggest a potential use for ACB1801 alone or in combination therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Peyvandi
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Qiang Lan
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Florence Prével
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Yazmin Hauyon La Torre
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Fabienne Tacchini-Cottier
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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13
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Chen ML, Jiang HY, Zeng J, Huang L, Lv CZ. Caffeic acid attenuates tissue damage and inflammatory response in Klebsiella pneumonia by modulating AhR-Src-STAT3-IL-10 signaling pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:2254-2264. [PMID: 38148636 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
CA is a plant derivative with antibacterial and antiviral pharmacological effects, however, the therapeutic effect of CA on Klebsiella pneumonia and its mechanism study is still unclear. A rat KP model was established in vitro, a pneumonia cell model was established in vivo, the histopathological changes in the lungs were observed by HE staining after CA treatment, the expression of relevant inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA, the changes in the expression of proteins related to the AhR-Src-STAT3-IL-10 signaling pathway were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence in the lungs, and the interactions between the proteins were verified by COIP relationship. The results showed that CA was able to attenuate the injury and inflammatory response of lung tissues, and molecular docking showed that there were binding sites between CA and AhR, and COIP demonstrated that AhR interacted with both STAT3 and Ser. In addition, CA was able to up-regulate the expression levels of pathway-related proteins of AhR, IL-10, p-Src, and p-STAT3, and AhR knockdown was able to reduce LPS-induced inflammatory responses and up-regulate pathway-related proteins, whereas CA treatment of AhR-knockdown-treated A549 cells did not show any statistically significant difference compared with the AhR knockdown group, demonstrating that CA exerts its pharmacological effects. These findings elucidated the mechanism of CA in the treatment of KP and demonstrated that CA is a potential therapeutic agent for KP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ling Chen
- Emergency and Trauma College, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU013), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Hui-Yu Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Emergency Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Center for Pharmacovigilance of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical Products Administration, Haikou, China
| | - Chuan-Zhu Lv
- Emergency and Trauma College, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU013), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Emergency Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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14
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Laabi S, LeMmon C, Vogel C, Chacon M, Jimenez VM. Deciphering psilocybin: Cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory effects, and mechanistic insights. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111753. [PMID: 38401463 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
A decade of clinical research has indicated psilocybin's effectiveness in treating various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and substance abuse. The correlation between increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, along with the known anti-inflammatory potential of some psychedelics, suggests an immunomodulatory role for psilocybin. This study aims to understand the mechanism of action of psilocybin by investigating the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of psilocybin and psilocin on both resting and LPS-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The study evaluated the cytotoxicity of psilocybin and psilocin using an LDH assay across various doses and assessed their impact on cytokine production in RAW 264.7 cells, measuring cytokine expression via ELISA. Different doses, including those above and below the LC50, were used in both pre-treatment and post-treatment approaches. The LDH assay revealed that psilocybin is almost twice as cytotoxic as psilocin, with an LC50 of 12 ng/ml and 28 ng/ml, respectively. In resting macrophages, both psilocybin and psilocin triggered significant release of TNF- α after 4 h, with the lowest doses inducing higher levels of the cytokine than the highest doses. IL-10 expression in resting cells was only triggered by the highest dose of psilocin in the 4-hour incubation group. In LPS-stimulated cells, psilocin reduced TNF- α levels more than psilocybin in pre-treatment and post-treatment, with no significant effects on IL-10 in pre-treatment. Psilocin, but not psilocybin, induced a significant increase of IL-10 in post-treatment, leading to the conclusion that psilocin, but not psilocybin, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on classically activated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Laabi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Claire LeMmon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Callie Vogel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Mariana Chacon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Victor M Jimenez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States; Department of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10920 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095, United States.
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15
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Ulrich C, Fiedler R, Herberger E, Canim Z, Markau S, Girndt M. Hypervolemia in Dialysis Patients Impairs STAT3 Signaling and Upregulates miR-142-3p: Effects on IL-10 and IL-6. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3719. [PMID: 38612530 PMCID: PMC11011804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Fluid overload in hemodialysis patients (HD) has been proven to be associated with inflammation. Elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) appear to be inadequately counterbalanced by the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). We initiated a cross-sectional study enrolling 40 HD patients who were categorized by a bioimpedance measurement in normovolemic (N; 23) and hypervolemic (H; 17) groups to test whether IL-10- and IL-6-related signal transduction pathways (signal transducer of transcript 3: STAT3) and/or a post-transcriptional regulating mechanism (miR-142) are impaired by hypervolemia. IL-10/IL-6 transcript and protein production by PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were determined. Phospho-flow cytometry was used to detect the phosphorylated forms of STAT3 (pY705 and pS727). miR-142-3p/5p levels were detected by qPCR. Hypervolemic patients were older, more frequently had diabetes, and showed higher CRP levels. IL-10 transcripts were elevated in H patients but not IL-10 protein levels. In spite of the elevated mRNA expression of the suppressor of cytokine expression 3 (SOCS3), IL-6 mRNA and protein expression were increased in immune cells of H patients. The percentage of cells staining positive for STAT3 (pY705) were comparable in both groups; in STAT3 (pS727), however, the signal needed for full transactivation was decreased in H patients. miR-142-3p, a proven target of IL-10 and IL-6, was significantly elevated in H patients. Insufficient phosphorylation of STAT3 may impair inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine signaling. How far degradative mechanisms induced by elevated miR-142-3p levels contribute to an inefficient anti-inflammatory IL-10 signaling remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Ulrich
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Roman Fiedler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
- KfH Nierenzentrum, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Eva Herberger
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Zeynep Canim
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Silke Markau
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (R.F.); (S.M.); (M.G.)
- KfH Nierenzentrum, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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16
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Crump LS, Floyd JL, Kuo LW, Post MD, Bickerdike M, O'Neill K, Sompel K, Jordan KR, Corr BR, Marjon N, Woodruff ER, Richer JK, Bitler BG. Targeting Tryptophan Catabolism in Ovarian Cancer to Attenuate Macrophage Infiltration and PD-L1 Expression. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:822-833. [PMID: 38451784 PMCID: PMC10946310 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the fallopian tube, ovary, and peritoneum is the most common type of ovarian cancer and is predicted to be immunogenic because the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes conveys a better prognosis. However, the efficacy of immunotherapies has been limited because of the immune-suppressed tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor metabolism and immune-suppressive metabolites directly affect immune cell function through the depletion of nutrients and activation of immune-suppressive transcriptional programs. Tryptophan (TRP) catabolism is a contributor to HGSC disease progression. Two structurally distinct rate-limiting TRP catabolizing enzymes, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO2), evolved separately to catabolize TRP. IDO1/TDO2 are aberrantly expressed in carcinomas and metabolize TRP into the immune-suppressive metabolite kynurenine (KYN), which can engage the aryl hydrocarbon receptor to drive immunosuppressive transcriptional programs. To date, IDO inhibitors tested in clinical trials have had limited efficacy, but those inhibitors did not target TDO2, and we find that HGSC cell lines and clinical outcomes are more dependent on TDO2 than IDO1. To identify inflammatory HGSC cancers with poor prognosis, we stratified patient ascites samples by IL6 status, which correlates with poor prognosis. Metabolomics revealed that IL6-high patient samples had enriched KYN. TDO2 knockdown significantly inhibited HGSC growth and TRP catabolism. The orally available dual IDO1/TDO2 inhibitor, AT-0174, significantly inhibited tumor progression, reduced tumor-associated macrophages, and reduced expression of immune-suppressive proteins on immune and tumor cells. These studies demonstrate the importance of TDO2 and the therapeutic potential of AT-0174 to overcome an immune-suppressed TME. SIGNIFICANCE Developing strategies to improve response to chemotherapy is essential to extending disease-free intervals for patients with HGSC of the fallopian tube, ovary, and peritoneum. In this article, we demonstrate that targeting TRP catabolism, particularly with dual inhibition of TDO2 and IDO1, attenuates the immune-suppressive microenvironment and, when combined with chemotherapy, extends survival compared with chemotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey S. Crump
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jessica L. Floyd
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Li-Wei Kuo
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Miriam D. Post
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mike Bickerdike
- Antido Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia
- BioTarget Consulting, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kathleen O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kayla Sompel
- Division of Reproductive Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kimberly R. Jordan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Bradley R. Corr
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nicole Marjon
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Elizabeth R. Woodruff
- Division of Reproductive Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jennifer K. Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Benjamin G. Bitler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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17
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Healey AM, Fenner KN, O'Dell CT, Lawrence BP. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation alters immune cell populations in the lung and bone marrow during coronavirus infection. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L313-L329. [PMID: 38290163 PMCID: PMC11281796 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00236.2023] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral infections are one of the major causes of illness and death worldwide. Symptoms associated with respiratory infections can range from mild to severe, and there is limited understanding of why there is large variation in severity. Environmental exposures are a potential causative factor. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an environment-sensing molecule expressed in all immune cells. Although there is considerable evidence that AHR signaling influences immune responses to other immune challenges, including respiratory pathogens, less is known about the impact of AHR signaling on immune responses during coronavirus (CoV) infection. In this study, we report that AHR activation significantly altered immune cells in the lungs and bone marrow of mice infected with a mouse CoV. AHR activation transiently reduced the frequency of multiple cells in the mononuclear phagocyte system, including monocytes, interstitial macrophages, and dendritic cells in the lung. In the bone marrow, AHR activation altered myelopoiesis, as evidenced by a reduction in granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells and an increased frequency of myeloid-biased progenitor cells. Moreover, AHR activation significantly affected multiple stages of the megakaryocyte lineage. Overall, these findings indicate that AHR activation modulates multiple aspects of the immune response to a CoV infection. Given the significant burden of respiratory viruses on human health, understanding how environmental exposures shape immune responses to infection advances our knowledge of factors that contribute to variability in disease severity and provides insight into novel approaches to prevent or treat disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study reveals a multifaceted role for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling in the immune response to coronavirus (CoV) infection. Sustained AHR activation during in vivo mouse CoV infection altered the frequency of mature immune cells in the lung and modulated emergency hematopoiesis, specifically myelopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, in bone marrow. This provides new insight into immunoregulation by the AHR and extends our understanding of how environmental exposures can impact host responses to respiratory viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Healey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Kristina N Fenner
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Colleen T O'Dell
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States
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Robak O, Kastner MT, Voill-Glaninger A, Viveiros A, Steininger C. The Distinct Regulation of the Vitamin D and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors in COVID-19. Nutrients 2024; 16:598. [PMID: 38474725 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050598] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 affects several immune pathways, including the vitamin D (VDR) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathways (AhR). The aim of the study was the evaluation of the VDR and AhR pathways in the blood of COVID-19 patients with regard to the severity of disease. (2) Methods: Observational, single-center, case-control design. A total of 240 samples were selected for exploration. Patients who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 but suffered from other respiratory infections (ORIs) served as a control group. (3) Results: VDR-specific mRNA in the blood of patients with mild symptoms (131.2 ± 198.6) was significantly upregulated relative to the VDR expression of the ORI group (23.24 ± 42.60; p < 0.0001); however, VDR expression of critically ill patients showed an impaired upregulation (54.73 ± 68.34; p < 0.001). CYP27B1 expression was not significantly regulated during SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was a downregulation of VDR and CYP27B1 compared to survivors. There was no significant difference in 25(OH)-vitamin D3 levels between critically ill patients with regard to survival (24.3 ± 9.4 vs. 27.1 ± 11.3; p = 0.433). (4) Conclusion: The VDR and AhR pathways are distinctively regulated in patients suffering from COVID-19 depending on the severity of disease. A combination treatment of antiviral drugs and vitamin D substitution should be evaluated for potentially improved prognosis in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Robak
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie-Theres Kastner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - André Viveiros
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Klinik Landstraße, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Steininger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Karl-Landsteiner Institute for Microbiome Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Yang X, Bao Z, Lei X, Wang X, Zhao S, Du F, Liu X, Dong W. Omeprazole activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor to reduce hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from premature infants. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2272577. [PMID: 37884440 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2272577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of premature infants, to demonstrate the protective role of AhR against hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress in premature infants and to provide a rational basis for the use of omeprazole (OM) as a new treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS From January 2021 to June 2021, 1-3 ml of discarded peripheral blood was collected from premature infants of gestational age less than 32 weeks who were not taking inhaled oxygen and were admitted to the Department of Neonatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University. Using a random number table, the PBMCs were randomly assigned to each of the following groups: the control group, air + OM group, hyperoxia group, and hyperoxia + OM group. After 48 h of in vitro modeling and culture, PBMCs and the culture medium of each group were collected. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to examine ROS levels in PBMCs. A full-spectrum spectrophotometer was used to examine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the culture medium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) levels in culture medium. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to examine the intracellular localization of AhR. Western blotting was used to examine the expression level of AhR in PBMCs. RESULTS Compared with those in the control group, the levels of ROS, MDA, and MCP-1 and the cytoplasm-nuclear translocation rate of AhR in the air + OM group did not change significantly (p > 0.05), but the expression level of AhR increased significantly (p < 0.05). The levels of ROS, MDA, and MCP-1 and the cytoplasm-nuclear translocation rate of AhR significantly increased in the hyperoxia group (p < 0.05), and the expression level of AhR was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the hyperoxia group, the levels of ROS, MDA, and MCP-1 in the hyperoxia + OM group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and the cytoplasm-nuclear translocation rate of AhR and the expression level of AhR were significantly increased (p < 0.05), but did not reach the level of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION OM can activate AhR to inhibit hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress in the PBMCs from premature infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhengrong Bao
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Lei
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Fengling Du
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Xingling Liu
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenbin Dong
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Perinatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Clinical Research Centre for Birth Defects, Luzhou, China
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20
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Zhang S, Hu D, Zhuo Y, Cui L, Li D, Zhang L, Yang L, Wang X. Protective effect of liriodendrin on IgG immune complex-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting SRC/STAT3/MAPK signaling pathway: a network pharmacology research. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:3269-3283. [PMID: 37243760 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02534-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the protective effects of liriodendrin against IgG immune complex (IgG-IC)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. This study employed a mouse and cell model of IgG-IC-induced acute lung injury. Lung tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe pathological alterations and arterial blood gas analysis was tested. Inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were measured using ELISA. The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was assessed via RT-qPCR. Molecular docking and enrichment analysis were combined to identify the most potential signaling pathways modulated by liriodendrin, which were then verified using western blot analysis in IgG-IC-induced ALI models. We identified 253 shared targets between liriodendrin and IgG-IC-induced acute lung injury from the database. Through network pharmacology, enrichment analysis, and molecular docking, SRC was determined to be the most closely associated target of liriodendrin in IgG-IC-induced ALI. Pretreatment with liriodendrin notably reduced the increased cytokine secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue demonstrated a protective effect of liriodendrin on IgG-IC-induced acute lung injury in mice. Arterial blood gas analysis showed liriodendrin ameliorated acidosis and hypoxemia efficiently. Further studies revealed that liriodendrin pretreatment substantially attenuated the elevated phosphorylation levels of SRC's downstream components (JNK, P38, and STAT3), suggesting that liriodendrin may protect against IgG-IC-induced ALI via the SRC/STAT3/MAPK pathway. Our findings indicate that liriodendrin protects against IgG-IC-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the SRC/STAT3/MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that liriodendrin may serve as a potential treatment for acute lung injury caused by IgG-IC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Zhang
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongsheng Hu
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuzhen Zhuo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lingzhi Cui
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dihua Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lanqiu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Ximo Wang
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Integrative Medicine for Acute Abdominal Diseases, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
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Shun K, Ying-Li S, Zhi-Juan L, Jian-Liang L, Feng X, Lu-Jiao D, Peng Y, Jiang S, Zhi-Jing X. Stimulation of lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa following H9N2 IAV infection exacerbates inflammatory responses of alveolar macrophages and decreases virus replication. Microb Pathog 2023; 182:106254. [PMID: 37481007 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
H9N2 IAV infection contributed to P. aeruginosa coinfection, causing severe hemorrhagic pneumonia in mink. In this study, the in vitro alveolar macrophage models were developed to investigate the innate immune responses to P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation following H9N2 IAV infection, using MH-S cells. The cytokine levels, apoptosis levels and the viral nucleic acid levels were detected and analyzed. As a result, the levels of IFN-α, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in MH-S cells with P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation following H9N2 IAV infection were significantly higher than those in MH-S cells with single H9N2 IAV infection and single LPS stimulation (P < 0.05), exacerbating inflammatory responses. LPS stimulation aggravated the apoptosis of MH-S cells with H9N2 IAV infection. Interestingly, LPS stimulation influences H9N2 IAV replication and indirectly reduced H9N2 IAV replications in in vitro AMs. It implied that LPS should play an important role in the pathogenesis of H9N2 IAV and P. aeruginosa coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Shun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Sun Ying-Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Li Zhi-Juan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Li Jian-Liang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Dong Lu-Jiao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Yuan Peng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Shijin Jiang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Xie Zhi-Jing
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271018, China.
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Chong ZX, Yong CY, Ong AHK, Yeap SK, Ho WY. Deciphering the roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in regulating carcinogenesis. Toxicology 2023; 495:153596. [PMID: 37480978 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent receptor that belongs to the superfamily of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. The activation of the canonical AHR signaling pathway is known to induce the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes, facilitating the detoxification metabolism in the human body. Additionally, AHR could interact with various signaling pathways such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor ekappa B (NF-κβ), estrogen receptor (ER), and androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways. Over the past 30 years, several studies have reported that various chemical, physical, or biological agents, such as tobacco, hydrocarbon compounds, industrial and agricultural chemical wastes, drugs, UV, viruses, and other toxins, could affect AHR expression or activity, promoting cancer development. Thus, it is valuable to overview how these factors regulate AHR-mediated carcinogenesis. Current findings have reported that many compounds could act as AHR ligands to drive the expressions of AHR-target genes, such as CYP1A1, CYP1B1, MMPs, and AXL, and other targets that exert a pro-proliferation or anti-apoptotic effect, like XIAP. Furthermore, some other physical and chemical agents, such as UV and 3-methylcholanthrene, could promote AHR signaling activities, increasing the signaling activities of a few oncogenic pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathways. Understanding how various factors regulate AHR-mediated carcinogenesis processes helps clinicians and scientists plan personalized therapeutic strategies to improve anti-cancer treatment efficacy. As many studies that have reported the roles of AHR in regulating carcinogenesis are preclinical or observational clinical studies that did not explore the detailed mechanisms of how different chemical, physical, or biological agents promote AHR-mediated carcinogenesis processes, future studies should focus on conducting large-scale and functional studies to unravel the underlying mechanism of how AHR interacts with different factors in regulating carcinogenesis processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xiong Chong
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chean Yeah Yong
- China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alan Han Kiat Ong
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Swee Keong Yeap
- China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Wan Yong Ho
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Tsai ML, Hsu SH, Wang LT, Liao WT, Lin YC, Kuo CH, Hsu YL, Feng MC, Kuo FC, Hung CH. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate mediates IL-33 production via aryl hydrocarbon receptor and is associated with childhood allergy development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1193647. [PMID: 37545493 PMCID: PMC10401841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1193647] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies assess cord blood biomarkers to predict prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the development of allergic diseases later in childhood. IL-33 has been indicated to play an important role in allergic diseases. We evaluated the association of prenatal DEHP exposure and IL-33 in cord blood on the development of allergic diseases. We also investigated the mechanism of DEHP in human lung epithelial cells and asthma animal models. Methods 66 pregnant women were recruited, and their children followed when they were aged 3 years. Maternal urinary DEHP metabolites were determined using liquid chromatography-electrospray-ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The effect of DEHP on IL-33 production was investigated in human lung epithelial cells and club cell-specific aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) deficiency mice. ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively, measured the IL-33 cytokine concentration and mRNA expression. Results The concentrations of maternal urinary DEHP metabolites and serum IL-33 in cord blood with childhood allergy were significantly higher than those in the non-childhood allergy group. DEHP and MEHP could induce IL-33 production and reverse by AhR antagonist and flavonoids in vitro. Enhanced ovalbumin-induced IL-4 and IL-33 production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by DEHP exposure and suppressed in club cell-specific AhR null mice. Kaempferol has significantly reversed the DEHP effect in the asthma animal model. Conclusions Cord blood IL-33 level was correlated to childhood allergy and associated with maternal DEHP exposure. IL-33 might be a potential target to assess the development of DEHP-related childhood allergic disease. Flavonoids might be the natural antidotes for DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Lan Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Liao
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Hung Kuo
- Ta-Kuo Clinic, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ling Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chu Feng
- Department of Superintendent, High Commissioner, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chen Kuo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsing Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Ballesteros J, Rivas D, Duque G. The Role of the Kynurenine Pathway in the Pathophysiology of Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Osteoporosis. Nutrients 2023; 15:3132. [PMID: 37513550 PMCID: PMC10383689 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan is an essential nutrient required to generate vitamin B3 (niacin), which is mainly involved in energy metabolism and DNA production. Alterations in tryptophan metabolism could have significant effects on aging and musculoskeletal health. The kynurenine pathway, essential in tryptophan catabolism, is modulated by inflammatory factors that are increased in older persons, a process known as inflammaging. Osteoporosis, sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, and frailty have also been linked with chronically increased levels of inflammatory factors. Due to the disruption of the kynurenine pathway by chronic inflammation and/or changes in the gut microbiota, serum levels of toxic metabolites are increased and are associated with the pathophysiology of those conditions. In contrast, anabolic products of this pathway, such as picolinic acid, have demonstrated a positive effect on skeletal muscle and bone. In addition, physical activity can modulate this pathway by promoting the secretion of anabolic kynurenines. According to the evidence collected, kynurenines could have a promising role as biomarkers for osteoporosis sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, and frailty in older persons. In addition, some of these metabolites could become important targets for developing new pharmacological treatments for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ballesteros
- Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Daniel Rivas
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Gustavo Duque
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Dr. Joseph Kaufmann Chair in Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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25
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Li S. Modulation of immunity by tryptophan microbial metabolites. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1209613. [PMID: 37521424 PMCID: PMC10382180 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1209613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that can be metabolized via endogenous and exogenous pathways, including the Kynurenine Pathway, the 5-Hydroxyindole Pathway (also the Serotonin pathway), and the Microbial pathway. Of these, the Microbial Trp metabolic pathways in the gut have recently been extensively studied for their production of bioactive molecules. The gut microbiota plays an important role in host metabolism and immunity, and microbial Trp metabolites can influence the development and progression of various diseases, including inflammatory, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer, by mediating the body's immunity. This review briefly outlines the crosstalk between gut microorganisms and Trp metabolism in the body, starting from the three metabolic pathways of Trp. The mechanisms by which microbial Trp metabolites act on organism immunity are summarized, and the potential implications for disease prevention and treatment are highlighted.
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Schmidt JR, Haupt J, Riemschneider S, Kämpf C, Löffler D, Blumert C, Reiche K, Koehl U, Kalkhof S, Lehmann J. Transcriptomic signatures reveal a shift towards an anti-inflammatory gene expression profile but also the induction of type I and type II interferon signaling networks through aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in murine macrophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1156493. [PMID: 37287978 PMCID: PMC10242070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1156493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates a broad range of target genes involved in the xenobiotic response, cell cycle control and circadian rhythm. AhR is constitutively expressed in macrophages (Mϕ), acting as key regulator of cytokine production. While proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, are suppressed through AhR activation, anti-inflammatory IL-10 is induced. However, the underlying mechanisms of those effects and the importance of the specific ligand structure are not yet completely understood. Methods Therefore, we have compared the global gene expression pattern in activated murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) subsequently to exposure with either benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) or indole-3-carbinol (I3C), representing high-affinity vs. low-affinity AhR ligands, respectively, by means of mRNA sequencing. AhR dependency of observed effects was proved using BMMs from AhR-knockout (Ahr-/-) mice. Results and discussion In total, more than 1,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) could be mapped, covering a plethora of AhR-modulated effects on basal cellular processes, i.e., transcription and translation, but also immune functions, i.e., antigen presentation, cytokine production, and phagocytosis. Among DEGs were genes that are already known to be regulated by AhR, i.e., Irf1, Ido2, and Cd84. However, we identified DEGs not yet described to be AhR-regulated in Mϕ so far, i.e., Slpi, Il12rb1, and Il21r. All six genes likely contribute to shifting the Mϕ phenotype from proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory. The majority of DEGs induced through BaP were not affected through I3C exposure, probably due to higher AhR affinity of BaP in comparison to I3C. Mapping of known aryl hydrocarbon response element (AHRE) sequence motifs in identified DEGs revealed more than 200 genes not possessing any AHRE, and therefore being not eligible for canonical regulation. Bioinformatic approaches modeled a central role of type I and type II interferons in the regulation of those genes. Additionally, RT-qPCR and ELISA confirmed a AhR-dependent expressional induction and AhR-dependent secretion of IFN-γ in response to BaP exposure, suggesting an auto- or paracrine activation pathway of Mϕ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes R. Schmidt
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janine Haupt
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sina Riemschneider
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Kämpf
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis Löffler
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Conny Blumert
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristin Reiche
- Department of Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Kalkhof
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Applied Sciences, Institute for Bioanalysis, Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Coburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Lehmann
- Department of Preclinical Development and Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Leipzig, Germany
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Huang W, Rui K, Wang X, Peng N, Zhou W, Shi X, Lu L, Hu D, Tian J. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in immune regulation and autoimmune pathogenesis. J Autoimmun 2023; 138:103049. [PMID: 37229809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
As a ligand-activated transcription factor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is activated by structurally diverse ligands derived from the environment, diet, microorganisms, and metabolic activity. Recent studies have demonstrated that AhR plays a key role in modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Moreover, AhR regulates innate immune and lymphoid cell differentiation and function, which is involved in autoimmune pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanism of activation of AhR and its mediated functional regulation in various innate immune and lymphoid cell populations, as well as the immune-regulatory effect of AhR in the development of autoimmune diseases. In addition, we highlight the identification of AhR agonists and antagonists that may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ke Rui
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Na Peng
- Department of Rheumatology and Nephrology, The Second People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaofei Shi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital and School of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Liwei Lu
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, China
| | - Dajun Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Nephrology, The Second People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
| | - Jie Tian
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
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Mishra M, Yadav M, Kumar S, Kumar R, Sen P. TIM-3 increases the abundance of type-2 dendritic cells during Leishmania donovani infection by enhancing IL-10 production via STAT3. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:331. [PMID: 37202419 PMCID: PMC10195822 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05848-3] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The outcome of the disease visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania donovani (LD), largely relies on the relative dominance of host-protective type-1 T helper (Th1) cell response versus disease-promoting type-2 T helper (Th2) cell response. The Th1 and Th2 responses, in turn, are believed to be elicited by type-1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) and type-2 conventional DCs (cDC2), respectively. However, it is still unknown which DC subtype (cDC1 or cDC2) predominates during chronic LD infection and the molecular mechanism governing such occurrence. Here we report that in chronically infected mice, the splenic cDC1-cDC2 balance shifted toward the cDC2 subtype and that the receptor T cell immunoglobulin and mucin protein-3 (TIM-3) expressed by DCs played a key role in mediating this effect. Transfer of TIM-3-silenced DCs in fact prevented the predominance of the cDC2 subtype in mice with chronic LD infection. We also found that LD actually upregulated TIM-3 expression on DCs by triggering a TIM-3-mediated signaling pathway STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)→interleukin (IL)-10→c-Src→transcription factors Ets1, Ets2, USF1, and USF2. Notably, TIM-3 promoted STAT3 activation via a non-receptor tyrosine kinase Btk. Adoptive transfer experiments further demonstrated a critical role for STAT3-driven TIM-3 upregulation on DCs in increasing cDC2 abundance in chronically infected mice, which ultimately aided disease pathogenesis by augmenting Th2 responses. These findings document a new immunoregulatory mechanism contributing to disease pathology during LD infection and define TIM-3 as a key mediator of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Mishra
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manisha Yadav
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Pradip Sen
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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Chen Y, Wang Y, Fu Y, Yin Y, Xu K. Modulating AHR function offers exciting therapeutic potential in gut immunity and inflammation. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:85. [PMID: 37179416 PMCID: PMC10182712 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01046-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a classical exogenous synthetic ligand of AHR that has significant immunotoxic effects. Activation of AHR has beneficial effects on intestinal immune responses, but inactivation or overactivation of AHR can lead to intestinal immune dysregulation and even intestinal diseases. Sustained potent activation of AHR by TCDD results in impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier. However, currently, AHR research has been more focused on elucidating physiologic AHR function than on dioxin toxicity. The appropriate level of AHR activation plays a role in maintaining gut health and protecting against intestinal inflammation. Therefore, AHR offers a crucial target to modulate intestinal immunity and inflammation. Herein, we summarize our current understanding of the relationship between AHR and intestinal immunity, the ways in which AHR affects intestinal immunity and inflammation, the effects of AHR activity on intestinal immunity and inflammation, and the effect of dietary habits on intestinal health through AHR. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic role of AHR in maintaining gut homeostasis and relieving inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yadong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Yawei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China.
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30
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Sonnenburg A, Stahlmann R, Kreutz R, Peiser M. A new cell line based coculture system for skin sensitisation testing in one single assay using T cells, aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout, and co-inhibitory blockage. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1677-1689. [PMID: 37147507 PMCID: PMC10182954 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03506-3] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Established in vitro assays for regulatory testing of skin sensitisation partly suffer from only moderate sensitivity, specificity, and predictivity when testing specific groups of chemicals. This may be due to limited biomarker response in vitro in cell types that interact as crucial players of in vivo skin sensitisation pathogenesis. Here, we propose a molecular approach to overcome this limitation. In our model, we apply genome editing and blocking of immunoregulatory molecules to increase the range of biomarker modulation by sensitising chemicals. To this end, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) knockout was done by CRISPR/Cas9 technology in THP-1 cells and combined with Programmed Cell Death-Ligand (PD-L)1 blockade. AhR-knockout THP-1 in coculture with HaCaT keratinocytes showed increased CD54 expression compared to wild type cells after stimulation with 10 µmol/L dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) that was further enhanced by anti-PD-L1. After stimulation of AhR-knockout THP-1 with 200 µmol/L mercaptobenzothiazol or 10 µmol/L DNCB, cocultivated Jurkat T cells significantly increased expression of T cell receptor-associated CD3. No such increase was detected after prior treatment of THP-1 with 150 µmol/L of irritant sodium lauryl sulphate. Additionally, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines MIP-3α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 were found in supernatants of enhanced loose-fit co-culture based sensitisation assay (eLCSA) after substance treatment. Hence, eLCSA allowed to discriminate between sensitisers and non-sensitisers. Thus, inhibition of immunoinhibitory pathway signalling by combining AhR knockout and PD-L1 antibody blockage into an assay involving main acting cell types in skin sensitisation may increase sensitivity and specificity of such assays and allow potency derivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sonnenburg
- Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Department Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ralf Stahlmann
- Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhold Kreutz
- Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Peiser
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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31
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Alvik K, Shao P, Hutin D, Baglole C, Grant DM, Matthews J. Increased sensitivity to chemically induced colitis in mice harboring a DNA-binding deficient aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Toxicol Sci 2023; 191:321-331. [PMID: 36519841 PMCID: PMC9936212 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor best known for mediating toxic responses of environmental pollutants, also integrates metabolic signals to promote anti-inflammatory responses, intestinal homeostasis, and maintain barrier integrity. AHR regulates its target genes through direct DNA-binding to aryl hydrocarbon response elements (AHREs) but also through tethering to other transcription factors in a DNA-binding independent manner. However, it is not known if AHR's anti-inflammatory role in the gut requires its ability to bind to AHREs. To test this, we determined the sensitivity of Ahrdbd/dbd mice, a genetically modified mouse line that express an AHR protein incapable of binding to AHREs, to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Ahrdbd/dbd mice exhibited more severe symptoms of intestinal inflammation than Ahr+/+ mice. None of the Ahrdbd/dbd mice survived after the 5-day DSS followed by 7-day washout period. By day 6, the Ahrdbd/dbd mice had severe body weight loss, shortening of the colon, higher disease index scores, enlarged spleens, and increased expression of several inflammation genes, including interleukin 1b (Il-1b), Il-6, Il-17, C-x-c motif chemokine ligand 1 (Cxcl1), Cxcl2, Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (Ptgs2), and lipocalin-2. Our findings show that AHR's DNA-binding domain and ability to bind to AHREs are required to reduce inflammation, maintain a healthy intestinal environment, and protect against DSS-induced colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Alvik
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peng Shao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S1A8, Canada
| | - David Hutin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Carolyn Baglole
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H4A3J1, Canada.,Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal H4A3J1, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal H3G1Y6, Canada
| | - Denis M Grant
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Jason Matthews
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S1A8, Canada
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Sondermann NC, Faßbender S, Hartung F, Hätälä AM, Rolfes KM, Vogel CFA, Haarmann-Stemmann T. Functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) beyond the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 208:115371. [PMID: 36528068 PMCID: PMC9884176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor regulating adaptive and maladaptive responses toward exogenous and endogenous signals. Research from various biomedical disciplines has provided compelling evidence that the AHR is critically involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and disorders, including autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, endocrine disruption, premature aging and cancer. Accordingly, AHR is considered an attractive target for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic measures. However, the ligand-based targeting of AHR is considerably complicated by the fact that the receptor does not always follow the beaten track, i.e. the canonical AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Instead, AHR might team up with other transcription factors and signaling molecules to shape gene expression patterns and associated physiological or pathophysiological functions in a ligand-, cell- and micromilieu-dependent manner. Herein, we provide an overview about some of the most important non-canonical functions of AHR, including crosstalk with major signaling pathways involved in controlling cell fate and function, immune responses, adaptation to low oxygen levels and oxidative stress, ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Further research on these diverse and exciting yet often ambivalent facets of AHR biology is urgently needed in order to exploit the full potential of AHR modulation for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Sondermann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Faßbender
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frederick Hartung
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna M Hätälä
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina M Rolfes
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Riaz F, Pan F, Wei P. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: The master regulator of immune responses in allergic diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057555. [PMID: 36601108 PMCID: PMC9806217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a widely studied ligand-activated cytosolic transcriptional factor that has been associated with the initiation and progression of various diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic syndromes, and allergies. Generally, AhR responds and binds to environmental toxins/ligands, dietary ligands, and allergens to regulate toxicological, biological, cellular responses. In a canonical signaling manner, activation of AhR is responsible for the increase in cytochrome P450 enzymes which help individuals to degrade and metabolize these environmental toxins and ligands. However, canonical signaling cannot be applied to all the effects mediated by AhR. Recent findings indicate that activation of AhR signaling also interacts with some non-canonical factors like Kruppel-like-factor-6 (KLF6) or estrogen-receptor-alpha (Erα) to affect the expression of downstream genes. Meanwhile, enormous research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of AhR signaling on innate and adaptive immunity. It has been shown that AhR exerts numerous effects on mast cells, B cells, macrophages, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), Th1/Th2 cell balance, Th17, and regulatory T cells, thus, playing a significant role in allergens-induced diseases. This review discussed how AhR mediates immune responses in allergic diseases. Meanwhile, we believe that understanding the role of AhR in immune responses will enhance our knowledge of AhR-mediated immune regulation in allergic diseases. Also, it will help researchers to understand the role of AhR in regulating immune responses in autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic syndromes, and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farooq Riaz
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Pan
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Ping Wei, ; Fan Pan,
| | - Ping Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, China,*Correspondence: Ping Wei, ; Fan Pan,
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Wu Y, Liu Y, Wang X, Liu H, Wu G, Yang L, Guan L, Huang Q, Zeng X, Yang P. Substance P promotes immunotherapy efficacy for airway allergy. World Allergy Organ J 2022; 16:100730. [PMID: 36601262 PMCID: PMC9791926 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has been employed in the treatment of allergic diseases for many years. However, the effectiveness of AIT requires improvement. Substance P (SP) can interact with immune cells, modulate immune cell activity, and regulate immune reaction. The purpose of this study is to use SP as an immune regulator to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of AIT. Methods An established mouse model of the airway allergy disorder (AAD) was employed with ovalbumin as a specific antigen. The AAD response was evaluated through established procedures. AAD mice were treated with AIT employing SP as an immune regulator. Dendritic cells were isolated from the airway tissues by magnetic cell sorting, and were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Results We observed that after sensitization with ovalbumin, mice exhibited AAD-like symptoms, serum specific IgE, and Th2 polarization. The presence of SP in the course of sensitization prevented the development of AAD. Treating mice with SP by nasal instillations induced IL-10, but not TGF-β, in dendritic cells of the airway tissues. The most differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the dendritic cells were those related to the IL-10 expression, including Il10, Tac1r, and Mtor. The gene ontology analysis showed that these DEGs mainly mapped to the tachykinin-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. The addition of SP substantially enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of AIT for AAD by inducing antigen specific type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1 cells). Conclusion Acting as an immune regulator, SP promotes the therapeutic efficacy for AAD by inducing antigen specific Tr1 cells in the airway tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Wu
- Department of Allergy, Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT & Shenzhen ENT Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China,Institute of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Shenzhen University Division, Shenzhen, China,Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen, China,Guangdong Provincial Center for Standardized Allergen Engineering, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China,Institute of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Shenzhen University Division, Shenzhen, China,Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen, China,Guangdong Provincial Center for Standardized Allergen Engineering, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gaohui Wu
- Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liteng Yang
- Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Guan
- Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qinmiao Huang
- Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China,Corresponding author.
| | - Xianhai Zeng
- Department of Allergy, Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT & Shenzhen ENT Institute, Shenzhen, China,Corresponding author. Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang E.N.T Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Pingchang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China,Institute of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Shenzhen University Division, Shenzhen, China,Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen, China,Guangdong Provincial Center for Standardized Allergen Engineering, Shenzhen, China,Corresponding author. Room A7-509, 1066 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Zhu H, Tong S, Yan C, Zhou A, Wang M, Li C. Triptolide attenuates LPS-induced activation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by inducing M1-to-M2 repolarization via the mTOR/STAT3 signaling. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2022; 44:894-901. [PMID: 35793125 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2022.2093738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of gastrointestinal tract, which can develop into colorectal cancer. Triptolide (TP) is a predominant bioactive ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.F., and has been proven to have the therapeutic potential for various human diseases. OBJECTIVE In our study, we examined the function of TP in the progression of IBD. METHODS 3-(4,5)dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide assay was used to evaluate the viability of RAW264.7 cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to detect the relative gene expression. Western blot was used to detect the relative protein expression. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to examine the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6. RESULT Our research demonstrated that TP restrained lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused activation of RAW264.7 cells, as evidenced by the reduction of PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6, and increase of IL-10. TP treatment also restrained M1-type macrophage polarization and facilitated M2-type macrophage polarization of RAW 264.7 cells in the presence of LPS. Moreover, TP mitigated LPS-induced activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in RAW264.7 cells. Further, activation of the mTOR/STAT3 signaling by MHY1485 attenuated the effect of TP in regulation of macrophage polarization in RAW264.7 cells in the presence of LPS. CONCLUSION Overall, our results indicated that TP attenuated LPS-induced activation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by inducing M1-to-M2 repolarization via repression of the mTOR/STAT3 signaling. Therefore, TP might be an effective agent for IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Zhu
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi Traditionnal Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Shaopeng Tong
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi YEBO Proctology Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Congrong Yan
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi Traditionnal Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Acheng Zhou
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi Traditionnal Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Minying Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi Traditionnal Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Chunwei Li
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Wuxi Traditionnal Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
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An overview of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in the Last two decades (2002–2022): A medicinal chemistry perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Huang ZB, Hu Z, Lu CX, Luo SD, Chen Y, Zhou ZP, Hu JJ, Zhang FL, Deng F, Liu KX. Gut microbiota-derived indole 3-propionic acid partially activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor to promote macrophage phagocytosis and attenuate septic injury. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1015386. [PMID: 36299625 PMCID: PMC9589056 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1015386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is associated with a high risk of death, and the crosstalk between gut microbiota and sepsis is gradually revealed. Indole 3-propionic acid (IPA) is a gut microbiota-derived metabolite that exerts immune regulation and organ protective effects. However, the role of IPA in sepsis is not clear. In this study, the role of IPA in sepsis-related survival, clinical scores, bacterial burden, and organ injury was assessed in a murine model of cecal ligation and puncture-induced polymicrobial sepsis. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) highly specific inhibitor (CH223191) was used to observe the role of AhR in the protection of IPA against sepsis. The effects of IPA on bacterial phagocytosis by macrophages were investigated in vivo and vitro. The levels of IPA in feces were measured and analyzed in human sepsis patients and patient controls. First, we found that gut microbiota-derived IPA was associated with the survival of septic mice. Then, in animal model, IPA administration protected against sepsis-related mortality and alleviated sepsis-induced bacterial burden and organ injury, which was blunted by AhR inhibitor. Next, in vivo and vitro, IPA enhanced the macrophage phagocytosis through AhR. Depletion of macrophages reversed the protective effects of IPA on sepsis. Finally, on the day of ICU admission (day 0), septic patients had significantly lower IPA level in feces than patient controls. Also, septic patients with bacteremia had significantly lower IPA levels in feces compared with those with non-bacteremia. Furthermore, in septic patients, reduced IPA was associated with worse clinical outcomes, and IPA in feces had similar prediction ability of 28-day mortality with SOFA score, and increased the predictive ability of SOFA score. These findings indicate that gut microbiota-derived IPA can protect against sepsis through host control of infection by promoting macrophages phagocytosis and suggest that IPA may be a new strategy for sepsis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Bin Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Xin Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuzhou Second Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Si-Dan Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Juan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang-Ling Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ke-Xuan Liu, ; Fan Deng,
| | - Ke-Xuan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ke-Xuan Liu, ; Fan Deng,
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Germolec DR, Lebrec H, Anderson SE, Burleson GR, Cardenas A, Corsini E, Elmore SE, Kaplan BL, Lawrence BP, Lehmann GM, Maier CC, McHale CM, Myers LP, Pallardy M, Rooney AA, Zeise L, Zhang L, Smith MT. Consensus on the Key Characteristics of Immunotoxic Agents as a Basis for Hazard Identification. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:105001. [PMID: 36201310 PMCID: PMC9536493 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key characteristics (KCs), properties of agents or exposures that confer potential hazard, have been developed for carcinogens and other toxicant classes. KCs have been used in the systematic assessment of hazards and to identify assay and data gaps that limit screening and risk assessment. Many of the mechanisms through which pharmaceuticals and occupational or environmental agents modulate immune function are well recognized. Thus KCs could be identified for immunoactive substances and applied to improve hazard assessment of immunodulatory agents. OBJECTIVES The goal was to generate a consensus-based synthesis of scientific evidence describing the KCs of agents known to cause immunotoxicity and potential applications, such as assays to measure the KCs. METHODS A committee of 18 experts with diverse specialties identified 10 KCs of immunotoxic agents, namely, 1) covalently binds to proteins to form novel antigens, 2) affects antigen processing and presentation, 3) alters immune cell signaling, 4) alters immune cell proliferation, 5) modifies cellular differentiation, 6) alters immune cell-cell communication, 7) alters effector function of specific cell types, 8) alters immune cell trafficking, 9) alters cell death processes, and 10) breaks down immune tolerance. The group considered how these KCs could influence immune processes and contribute to hypersensitivity, inappropriate enhancement, immunosuppression, or autoimmunity. DISCUSSION KCs can be used to improve efforts to identify agents that cause immunotoxicity via one or more mechanisms, to develop better testing and biomarker approaches to evaluate immunotoxicity, and to enable a more comprehensive and mechanistic understanding of adverse effects of exposures on the immune system. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10800.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dori R. Germolec
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Herve Lebrec
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stacey E. Anderson
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Gary R. Burleson
- Burleson Research Technologies, Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Emanuela Corsini
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah E. Elmore
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Barbara L.F. Kaplan
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - B. Paige Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Geniece M. Lehmann
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Curtis C. Maier
- In Vitro In Vivo Translation, Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cliona M. McHale
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - L. Peyton Myers
- Division of Pharm/Tox, Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Marc Pallardy
- Inserm, Inflammation microbiome immunosurveillance, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Andrew A. Rooney
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Luoping Zhang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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Gold A, Zhu J. Not just a gut feeling: a deep exploration of functional bacterial metabolites that can modulate host health. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2125734. [PMID: 36127825 PMCID: PMC9519022 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2125734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have been known to reside in the human gut for roughly two centuries, but their modulatory effects on host health status are still not fully characterized. The gut microbiota is known to interact with dietary components and nutrients, producing functional metabolites that may alter host metabolic processes. The majority of thoroughly researched and understood gut microbial metabolites fall into two categories: short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bacterial derivatives of dietary tryptophan. Despite the heavy emphasis on these metabolites, other metabolites stemming from microbial origin have significant impacts on host health and disease states. In this narrative review, we summarize eight recent studies elucidating novel bacterial metabolites, detailing the process by which these metabolites are identified, their actions within specific categories of human health, and how diet may impact production of these metabolites. With similar future mechanistic research, a more complete picture of bacterial impact on host metabolism may be constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gold
- Human Nutrition Program & James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jiangjiang Zhu
- Human Nutrition Program & James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,CONTACT Jiangjiang Zhu Human Nutrition Program & James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210, USA
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Tryptamine, a Microbial Metabolite in Fermented Rice Bran Suppressed Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in a Murine Macrophage Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911209. [PMID: 36232510 PMCID: PMC9570467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911209] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fermentation is thought to alter the composition and bioavailability of bioactive compounds in rice bran. However, how this process affects the anti-inflammatory effects of rice bran and the bioactive compounds that might participate in this function is yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to isolate bioactive compounds in fermented rice bran that play a key role in its anti-inflammatory function. The fermented rice bran was fractionated using a succession of solvent and solid-phase extractions. The fermented rice bran fractions were then applied to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity. The hot water fractions (FRBA), 50% ethanol fractions (FRBB), and n-hexane fractions (FRBC) were all shown to be able to suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Subsequent fractions from the hot water fraction (FRBF and FRBE) were also able to reduce the inflammatory response of these cells to LPS. Further investigation revealed that tryptamine, a bacterial metabolite of tryptophan, was abundantly present in these extracts. These results indicate that tryptamine may play an important role in the anti-inflammatory effects of fermented rice bran. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of FRBE and tryptamine may depend on the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
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Salminen A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) reveals evidence of antagonistic pleiotropy in the regulation of the aging process. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:489. [PMID: 35987825 PMCID: PMC9392714 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04520-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis is a well-known evolutionary theory to explain the aging process. It proposes that while a particular gene may possess beneficial effects during development, it can exert deleterious properties in the aging process. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has a significant role during embryogenesis, but later in life, it promotes several age-related degenerative processes. For instance, AhR factor (i) controls the pluripotency of stem cells and the stemness of cancer stem cells, (ii) it enhances the differentiation of embryonal stem cells, especially AhR signaling modulates the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells, (iii) it also stimulates the differentiation of immunosuppressive Tregs, Bregs, and M2 macrophages, and finally, (iv) AhR signaling participates in the differentiation of many peripheral tissues. On the other hand, AhR signaling is involved in many processes promoting cellular senescence and pathological processes, e.g., osteoporosis, vascular dysfunction, and the age-related remodeling of the immune system. Moreover, it inhibits autophagy and aggravates extracellular matrix degeneration. AhR signaling also stimulates oxidative stress, promotes excessive sphingolipid synthesis, and disturbs energy metabolism by catabolizing NAD+ degradation. The antagonistic pleiotropy of AhR signaling is based on the complex and diverse connections with major signaling pathways in a context-dependent manner. The major regulatory steps include, (i) a specific ligand-dependent activation, (ii) modulation of both genetic and non-genetic responses, (iii) a competition and crosstalk with several transcription factors, such as ARNT, HIF-1α, E2F1, and NF-κB, and (iv) the epigenetic regulation of target genes with binding partners. Thus, not only mTOR signaling but also the AhR factor demonstrates antagonistic pleiotropy in the regulation of the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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Salminen A. Mutual antagonism between aryl hydrocarbon receptor and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (AhR/HIF-1α) signaling: Impact on the aging process. Cell Signal 2022; 99:110445. [PMID: 35988806 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The ambient oxygen level, many environmental toxins, and the rays of ultraviolet light (UV) provide a significant risk for the maintenance of organismal homeostasis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) represent a complex sensor system not only for environmental toxins and UV radiation but also for many endogenous ligands, e.g., L-tryptophan metabolites. The AhR signaling system is evolutionarily conserved and AhR homologs existed as many as 600 million years ago. The ancient atmosphere demanded the evolution of an oxygen-sensing system, i.e., hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) and their prolyl hydroxylase regulators (PHD). Given that both signaling systems have important roles in embryogenesis, it seems that they have been involved in the evolution of multicellular organisms. The evolutionary origin of the aging process is unknown although it is most likely associated with the evolution of multicellularity. Intriguingly, there is compelling evidence that while HIF-1α signaling extends the lifespan, that of AhR promotes many age-related degenerative processes, e.g., it increases oxidative stress, inhibits autophagy, promotes cellular senescence, and aggravates extracellular matrix degeneration. In contrast, HIF-1α signaling stimulates autophagy, inhibits cellular senescence, and enhances cell proliferation. Interestingly, there is a clear antagonism between the AhR and HIF-1α signaling pathways. For instance, (i) AhR and HIF-1α factors heterodimerize with the same factor, ARNT/HIF-1β, leading to their competition for DNA-binding, (ii) AhR and HIF-1α signaling exert antagonistic effects on autophagy, and (iii) co-chaperone p23 exhibits specific functions in the signaling of AhR and HIF-1α factors. One might speculate that it is the competition between the AhR and HIF-1α signaling pathways that is a driving force in the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Zhu Y, Zhang X, Xie S, Bao W, Chen J, Wu Q, Lai X, Liu L, Xiong S, Peng Y. Oxidative Phosphorylation Regulates Interleukin-10 Production in Regulatory B Cells via the Extracellular Signal-related Kinase Pathway. Immunol Suppl 2022; 167:576-589. [PMID: 35899990 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are immune cells that constrain autoimmune response and restrict inflammation via their expression of interleukin (IL)-10. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Breg differentiation and IL-10 secretion remain unclear. Previous data suggest that cellular metabolism determines both the fate and function of these cells. Here, we suggest an essential role for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the regulation of IL-10 in these Bregs. We found that IL-10+ B cells from IL-10-green fluorescent protein-expressing mice had higher oxygen consumption rate than IL-10- B cells. In addition, inhibition of OXPHOS decreased the expression of IL-10 in B cells. Further, suppression of OXPHOS diminished the expression of surface markers for Bregs and impaired their therapeutic effects in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Mechanistically, mitochondrial OXPHOS was found to regulate the transcription factor HIF-1α through the extracellular signal-related kinase pathway. Taken together, this study reveals a strong correlation between mitochondrial OXPHOS and Breg phenotype/function, indicating OXPHOS as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases driven by Breg dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Zhu
- The Biotherapy Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shujuan Xie
- The Biotherapy Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijia Bao
- Department of Rheumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen U niversity, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingrou Chen
- The Biotherapy Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qili Wu
- Medical Research Center of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, 106 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Lai
- Department of Oncology Medicine, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longshan Liu
- Organ Transplant Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiqiu Xiong
- Cell Biology group, National Measurement Lab, LGC. Fordham, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Yanwen Peng
- The Biotherapy Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Su X, Gao Y, Yang R. Gut Microbiota-Derived Tryptophan Metabolites Maintain Gut and Systemic Homeostasis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152296. [PMID: 35892593 PMCID: PMC9330295 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid from dietary proteins. It can be metabolized into different metabolites in both the gut microbiota and tissue cells. Tryptophan metabolites such as indole-3-lactate (ILA), indole-3-acrylate (IAC), indole-3-propionate (IPA), indole-3-aldehyde (IAID), indoleacetic acid (IAA), indole-3-acetaldehyde and Kyn can be produced by intestinal microorganisms through direct Trp transformation and also, partly, the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. These metabolites play a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of the gut and systematic immunity and also potentially affect the occurrence and development of diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, tumors, obesity and metabolic syndrome, diseases in the nervous system, infectious diseases, vascular inflammation and cardiovascular diseases and hepatic fibrosis. They can not only promote the differentiation and function of anti-inflammatory macrophages, Treg cells, CD4+CD8αα+ regulatory cells, IL-10+ and/or IL-35+B regulatory cells but also IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells 3 (ILC3), which are involved in maintaining the gut mucosal homeostasis. These findings have important consequences in the immunotherapy against tumor and other immune-associated diseases. We will summarize here the recent advances in understanding the generation and regulation of tryptophan metabolites in the gut microbiota, the role of gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolites in different immune cells, the occurrence and development of diseases and immunotherapy against immune-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Su
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.S.); (Y.G.)
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yunhuan Gao
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.S.); (Y.G.)
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Rongcun Yang
- Translational Medicine Institute, Affiliated Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.S.); (Y.G.)
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Correspondence:
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Ma RJ, Ma C, Hu K, Zhao MM, Zhang N, Sun ZG. Molecular mechanism, regulation, and therapeutic targeting of the STAT3 signaling pathway in esophageal cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:105. [PMID: 35856449 PMCID: PMC9339493 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh most common cancer globally, and the overall 5-year survival rate is only 20%. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is aberrantly activated in EC, and its activation is associated with a poor prognosis. STAT3 can be activated by canonical pathways such as the JAK/STAT3 pathway as well as non-canonical pathways including the Wnt/STAT3 and COX2/PGE2/STAT3 pathways. Activated STAT3, present as phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), can be transported into the nucleus to regulate downstream genes, including VEGF, cyclin D1, Bcl-xL, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), to promote cancer cell proliferation and induce resistance to therapy. Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play a vital role in regulating the STAT3 signaling pathway in EC. Several miRNAs promote or suppress the function of STAT3 in EC, while lncRNAs and circRNAs primarily promote the effects of STAT3 and the progression of cancer. Additionally, various drugs and natural compounds can target STAT3 to suppress the malignant behavior of EC cells, providing novel insights into potential EC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Jie Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Kang Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhao
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Breast Disease Center, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Gang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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Teixeira LD, Harrison NA, da Silva DR, Mathews CE, Gonzalez CF, Lorca GL. Nanovesicles From Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 Reduce Apoptosis in Human Beta Cells by Promoting AHR Translocation and IL10 Secretion. Front Immunol 2022; 13:899413. [PMID: 35757772 PMCID: PMC9221839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.899413] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
L. johnsonii N6.2 releases nano-sized vesicles (NVs) with distinct protein and lipid contents. We hypothesized that these NVs play a central role in the delivery of bioactive molecules that may act as mechanistic effectors in immune modulation. In this report, we observed that addition of NVs to the human pancreatic cell line βlox5 reduced cytokine-induced apoptosis. Through RNAseq analyses, increased expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, AHRR, and TIPARP genes in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathways were found to be significantly induced in presence of NVs. AHR nuclear translocation was confirmed by confocal microscopy. The role of NVs on beta cell function was further evaluated using primary human pancreatic islets. It was found that NVs significantly increased insulin secretion in presence of high glucose concentrations. These increases positively correlated with increased GLUT6 and SREBF1 mRNA and coincided with reduced oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, incubation of NVs with THP-1 macrophages promoted the M2 tolerogenic phenotype through STAT3 activation, expression of AHR-dependent genes and secretion of IL10. Altogether, our findings indicate that bacterial NVs have the potential to modulate glucose homeostasis in the host by directly affecting insulin secretion by islets and through the induction of a tolerogenic immune phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro D Teixeira
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Genetics Institute, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Natalie A Harrison
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Genetics Institute, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Danilo R da Silva
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Genetics Institute, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Clayton E Mathews
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Claudio F Gonzalez
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Genetics Institute, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Graciela L Lorca
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Genetics Institute, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Ma X, Jin H, Chu X, Dai W, Tang W, Zhu J, Wang F, Yang X, Li W, Liu G, Yang X, Liang H. The Host CYP1A1-Microbiota Metabolic Axis Promotes Gut Barrier Disruption in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Abdominal Sepsis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:802409. [PMID: 35572636 PMCID: PMC9093654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Host-microbiota crosstalk has been implicated in multiple host metabolic pathway axes that regulate intestinal barrier function. Although constitutive cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) expression perturbs the microbiome-derived autoregulatory loop following enteric infection, little is known about the role of host CYP1A1 in modulating gut microbiome-mediated signaling during methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced abdominal sepsis and its effects on intestinal barrier integrity. Methods Abdominal sepsis was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of MRSA in mice. The effect of CYP1A1 deficiency on gut barrier integrity was investigated using RNA sequencing, microbiome analyses, and targeted metabolomics. The microbiota-produced metabolites were validated in patients with sepsis and persistent MRSA infection. Results Mice lacking CYP1A1 exhibited an altered gut microbiome, a reduced metabolic shift from lysine to cadaverine in the caecal contents and antimicrobial molecule production (Retnlb, Gbp7, and Gbp3), and they were protected against gut barrier disruption when subjected to MRSA challenge. These beneficial effects were validated in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) knockout (KO) mice by cohousing with CYP1A1 KO mice and abrogated after supplementation with cadaverine or Enterococcus faecalis, the primary microbiota genus for cadaverine synthesis. Antibiotic-driven gut dysbacteriosis impaired the survival benefit and disrupted the intestinal barrier integrity in CYP1A1 KO mice after MRSA infection. Furthermore, increased cadaverine levels in feces and serum were detected in critically ill patients with gut leakiness during persistent MRSA infection, whereas cadaverine was not detected in healthy controls. Additionally, microbiota-derived cadaverine induced enterocyte junction disruption by activating the histamine H4 receptor/nuclear factor-κB/myosin light-chain kinase signaling pathway. Conclusion This study revealed the unexpected function of host CYP1A1 in microbiota-mediated cadaverine metabolism, with crucial consequences for dysbacteriosis following MRSA-induced abdominal sepsis, indicating that inhibiting CYP1A1 or blocking cadaverine-histamine H4 receptor signaling could be a potential therapeutic target against abdominal sepsis. Clinical Trial Registration [http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx], identifier [ChiCTR1800018646].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huaijian Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weihong Dai
- Trauma Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Wanqi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injuries, Medical Center of Trauma and War Injuries, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huaping Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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48
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Xiang K, Shen P, Gao Z, Liu Z, Hu X, Liu B, Fu Y. Formononetin Protects LPS-Induced Mastitis Through Suppressing Inflammation and Enhancing Blood-Milk Barrier Integrity via AhR-Induced Src Inactivation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:814319. [PMID: 35185907 PMCID: PMC8850474 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.814319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Formononetin (FOR), a natural flavonoid derived from Radix Astragali, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. However, its protective mechanism against mastitis is still unknown. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays an important role in inflammation, especially mastitis. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is involved in inflammatory regulation and defense against diseases. We investigated the protective effect of FOR on LPS-induced mastitis in mice and the effect of Ahr and NF-κB signaling pathways on the development of mastitis. In this study, mastitis model was induced by LPS injection through the nipple duct. Protective effect of FOR on LPS-induced mastitis was assessed by FOR pretreatment. The protective mechanism of FOR against mastitis was further investigated using LPS stimulation on mouse mammary epithelial cells EpH4-Ev. The results showed that LPS-induced mammary histological injury was inhibited by FOR. FOR significantly inhibited LPS-induced MPO activity. FOR administration enhanced the integrity of blood-milk barrier. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that FOR inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway activation and the production of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1ß. Moreover, FOR increased the expression of tight junction protein and enhanced blood-milk barrier integrity. LPS activated AhR and Src expression. But FOR induced significant increase in AhR inhibited Src phosphorylation to exert anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, AhR antagonist CH223191 reversed the inhibition of FOR on Src expression. And the inhibition of FOR on NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine production were reversed by AhR antagonist CH223191. In conclusion, FOR had protective effects against LPS-induced mastitis via suppressing inflammation and enhancing blood-milk barrier integrity via AhR-induced Src inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihe Xiang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Eastern Liaoning University, Dandong, China
| | - Peng Shen
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziyang Gao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuoyu Liu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Cardiovascular Disease Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yunhe Fu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Zhang W, Xie HQ, Li Y, Zhou M, Zhou Z, Wang R, Hahn ME, Zhao B. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: A predominant mediator for the toxicity of emerging dioxin-like compounds. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 426:128084. [PMID: 34952507 PMCID: PMC9039345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-Sim (bHLH-PAS) family of transcription factors and has broad biological functions. Early after the identification of the AHR, most studies focused on its roles in regulating the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and mediating the toxicity of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Currently, more diverse functions of AHR have been identified, indicating that AHR is not just a dioxin receptor. Dioxins and DLCs occur ubiquitously and have diverse health/ecological risks. Additional research is required to identify both shared and compound-specific mechanisms, especially for emerging DLCs such as polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs), polychlorinated diphenyl sulfides (PCDPSs), and others, of which only a few investigations have been performed at present. Many of the toxic effects of emerging DLCs were observed to be predominantly mediated by the AHR because of their structural similarity as dioxins, and the in vitro TCDD-relative potencies of certain emerging DLC congeners are comparable to or even greater than the WHO-TEFs of OctaCDD, OctaCDF, and most coplanar PCBs. Due to the close relationship between AHR biology and environmental science, this review begins by providing novel insights into AHR signaling (canonical and non-canonical), AHR's biochemical properties (AHR structure, AHR-ligand interaction, AHR-DNA binding), and the variations during AHR transactivation. Then, AHR ligand classification and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed, especially the shared and compound-specific, AHR-mediated effects and mechanisms of emerging DLCs. Accordingly, a series of in vivo and in vitro toxicity evaluation methods based on the AHR signaling pathway are reviewed. In light of current advances, future research on traditional and emerging DLCs will enhance our understanding of their mechanisms, toxicity, potency, and ecological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingxi Zhou
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Dioxin Pollution Control, National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Renjun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong 273165, China
| | - Mark E Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Boston University Superfund Research Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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50
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Hammond CL, Roztocil E, Gupta V, Feldon SE, Woeller CF. More than Meets the Eye: The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor is an Environmental Sensor, Physiological Regulator and a Therapeutic Target in Ocular Disease. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:791082. [PMID: 35295218 PMCID: PMC8915869 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.791082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor originally identified as an environmental sensor of xenobiotic chemicals. However, studies have revealed that the AHR regulates crucial aspects of cell growth and metabolism, development and the immune system. The importance of the AHR and AHR signaling in eye development, toxicology and disease is now being uncovered. The AHR is expressed in many ocular tissues including the retina, choroid, cornea and the orbit. A significant role for the AHR in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), autoimmune uveitis, and other ocular diseases has been identified. Ligands for the AHR are structurally diverse organic molecules from exogenous and endogenous sources. Natural AHR ligands include metabolites of tryptophan and byproducts of the microbiome. Xenobiotic AHR ligands include persistent environmental pollutants such as dioxins, benzo (a) pyrene [B (a) P] and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Pharmaceutical agents including the proton pump inhibitors, esomeprazole and lansoprazole, and the immunosuppressive drug, leflunomide, activate the AHR. In this review, we highlight the role of the AHR in the eye and discuss how AHR signaling is involved in responding to endogenous and environmental stimuli. We also present the emerging concept that the AHR is a promising therapeutic target for eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Collynn F. Woeller
- Flaum Eye Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Collynn F. Woeller,
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