1
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Cannon AS, Holloman BL, Wilson K, Miranda K, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, a potent ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, attenuates concanavalin-induced hepatitis by limiting T-cell activation and infiltration of proinflammatory CD11b+ Kupffer cells. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:1070-1083. [PMID: 38366630 PMCID: PMC11135611 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae018] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
FICZ (6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole) is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist that has a poorly understood function in the regulation of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by FICZ in a murine model of autoimmune hepatitis induced by concanavalin A. High-throughput sequencing techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing were used to explore the mechanisms through which FICZ induces its effects. FICZ treatment attenuated concanavalin A-induced hepatitis, evidenced by decreased T-cell infiltration, decreased circulating alanine transaminase levels, and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines. Concanavalin A revealed an increase in natural killer T cells, T cells, and mature B cells upon concanavalin A injection while FICZ treatment reversed the presence of these subsets. Surprisingly, concanavalin A depleted a subset of CD55+ B cells, while FICZ partially protected this subset. The immune cells showed significant dysregulation in the gene expression profiles, including diverse expression of migratory markers such as CCL4, CCL5, and CXCL2 and critical regulatory markers such as Junb. Assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing showed more accessible chromatin in the CD3e promoter in the concanavalin A-only group as compared to the naive and concanavalin A-exposed, FICZ-treated group. While there was overall more accessible chromatin of the Adgre1 (F4/80) promoter in the FICZ-treated group, we observed less open chromatin in the Itgam (CD11b) promoter in Kupffer cells, supporting the ability of FICZ to reduce the infiltration of proinflammatory cytokine producing CD11b+ Kupffer cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by FICZ suppresses liver injury through the limitation of CD3+ T-cell activation and CD11b+ Kupffer cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkeiver S Cannon
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Bryan L Holloman
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Kiesha Wilson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Kathryn Miranda
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
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2
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Varsha KK, Yang X, Cannon AS, Zhong Y, Nagarkatti M, Nagarkatti P. Identification of miRNAs that target Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis during macrophage activation syndrome. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1355315. [PMID: 38558807 PMCID: PMC10981272 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile arthritis, accompanied by cytokine storm and hemophagocytosis. In addition, COVID-19-related hyperinflammation shares clinical features of MAS. Mechanisms that activate macrophages in MAS remain unclear. Here, we identify the role of miRNA in increased phagocytosis and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production by macrophages in a murine model of MAS. MAS significantly increased F4/80+ macrophages and phagocytosis in the mouse liver. Gene expression profile revealed the induction of Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis (FGRP) and IL-12 production in the liver. Phagocytosis pathways such as High-affinity IgE receptor is known as Fc epsilon RI -signaling and pattern recognition receptors involved in the recognition of bacteria and viruses and phagosome formation were also significantly upregulated. In MAS, miR-136-5p and miR-501-3p targeted and caused increased expression of Fcgr3, Fcgr4, and Fcgr1 genes in FGRP pathway and consequent increase in phagocytosis by macrophages, whereas miR-129-1-3p and miR-150-3p targeted and induced Il-12. Transcriptome analysis of patients with MAS revealed the upregulation of FGRP and FCGR gene expression. A target analysis of gene expression data from a patient with MAS discovered that miR-136-5p targets FCGR2A and FCGR3A/3B, the human orthologs of mouse Fcgr3 and Fcgr4, and miR-501-3p targets FCGR1A, the human ortholog of mouse Fcgr1. Together, we demonstrate the novel role of miRNAs during MAS pathogenesis, thereby suggesting miRNA mimic-based therapy to control the hyperactivation of macrophages in patients with MAS as well as use overexpression of FCGR genes as a marker for MAS classification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
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Doghish AS, Elazazy O, Mohamed HH, Mansour RM, Ghanem A, Faraag AHI, Elballal MS, Elrebehy MA, Elesawy AE, Abdel Mageed SS, Mohammed OA, Nassar YA, Abulsoud AI, Raouf AA, Abdel-Reheim MA, Rashad AA, Elawady AS, Elsisi AM, Alsalme A, Ali MA. The role of miRNAs in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic resistance. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154880. [PMID: 37832353 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained increased attention from researchers around the globe. Although it is twenty nucleotides long, it can modulate several gene targets simultaneously. Their mal expression is a signature of various pathologies, and they provide the foundation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of each pathology. Among the debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders with a growing prevalence globally is the multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, the diagnosis of MS is challenging due to the lack of disease-specific biomarkers, and the diagnosis mainly depends on ruling out other disabilities. MS could adversely affect patients' lives through its progression, and only symptomatic treatments are available as therapeutic options, but an exact cure is yet unavailable. Consequently, this review hopes to further the study of the biological features of miRNAs in MS and explore their potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt.
| | - Ola Elazazy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Hend H Mohamed
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Reda M Mansour
- Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt; Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Aml Ghanem
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H I Faraag
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed E Elesawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yara A Nassar
- Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Amr Raouf
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62521, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed A Rashad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Alaa S Elawady
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Mohammed Elsisi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Al-Arish, Egypt
| | - Ali Alsalme
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 1145, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
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Hammoudeh N, Soukkarieh C, Murphy DJ, Hanano A. Female-to-male differential transcription patterns of miRNA-mRNA networks in the livers of dioxin-exposed mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2310-2331. [PMID: 37318321 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in regulating the expression of liver mRNAs in response to xenobiotic-exposure, but their roles concerning dioxins such as TCDD (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) are less clear. This report concerns the potential implication of liver (class I) and circulating (class II) miRNAs in hepatotoxicity of female and male mice after acute exposure to TCDD. The data show that, of a total of 38 types of miRNAs, the expression of eight miRNAs were upregulated in both female and male mice exposed to TCDD. Inversely, the expression of nine miRNAs were significantly downregulated in both animal genders. Moreover, certain miRNAs were preferentially induced in either females or males. The potential downstream regulatory effects of miRNAs on their target genes was evaluated by determining the expression of three group of genes that are potentially involved in cancer biogenesis, other diseases and in hepatotoxicity. It was found that certain cancer-related genes were more highly expressed females rather than males after exposure to TCDD. Furthermore, a paradoxical female-to-male transcriptional pattern was found for several disease-related and hepatotoxicity-related genes. These results suggest the possibility of developing of new miRNA-specific interfering molecules to address their dysfunctions as caused by TCDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hammoudeh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria
| | - Chadi Soukkarieh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria
| | - Denis J Murphy
- School of Applied Sciences, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, UK
| | - Abdulsamie Hanano
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Damascus, Syria
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Cheng J, Wang S, Lv SQ, Song Y, Guo NH. Resveratrol inhibits AhR/Notch axis and reverses Th17/Treg imbalance in purpura by activating Foxp3. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:381-391. [PMID: 37397914 PMCID: PMC10311159 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Resveratrol has been reported to reverse the imbalance of T helper 17/regulatory T (Th17/Treg) by inhibiting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway to treat immune thrombocytopenia. However, the regulation mechanism of the Notch signaling pathway by resveratrol has not been reported in purpura. This study is aimed to explore the mechanism of resveratrol ultrafine nanoemulsion (Res-mNE) in immune thrombocytopenia. Methods The immune thrombocytopenia mouse model was constructed to explore the effect of RES-mNE on immune thrombocytopenia. Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) T cells were isolated and treated with different medications. CD4+ T cells were induced to differentiate into Th17 cells and Treg cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells. The secretion was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels. Results Th17 cells, IL-17A and IL-22 increased in the immune thrombocytopenia mouse model, and the Treg cells and IL-10 decreased. Res-mNE promoted Treg cell differentiation and IL-10 secretion in CD4+ T cells while inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A and IL-22 levels. The AhR activator 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reversed the effect of Res-mNE. Notch inhibitors reduced the ratio of Th17/Treg differentiation. Res-mNE activated the expression of Foxp3 by mediating AhR/Notch signaling to reverse the imbalance of Th17/Treg differentiation in immune thrombocytopenia. Conclusion Taken together, our findings demonstrated that RES-mNE inhibited the AhR/Notch axis and reversed Th17/Treg imbalance by activating Foxp3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1, Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Shangfang Road, Nanchang 330008, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Qin Lv
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1, Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Song
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1, Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Ning-Hong Guo
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1, Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
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6
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Hanieh H, Bani Ismail M, Alfwuaires MA, Ibrahim HIM, Farhan M. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as an Anticancer Target: An Overview of Ten Years Odyssey. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28103978. [PMID: 37241719 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28103978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/per-Arnt-sim (PAS) superfamily, is traditionally known to mediate xenobiotic metabolism. It is activated by structurally diverse agonistic ligands and regulates complicated transcriptional processes through its canonical and non-canonical pathways in normal and malignant cells. Different classes of AhR ligands have been evaluated as anticancer agents in different cancer cells and exhibit efficiency, which has thrust AhR into the limelight as a promising molecular target. There is strong evidence demonstrating the anticancer potential of exogenous AhR agonists including synthetic, pharmaceutical, and natural compounds. In contrast, several reports have indicated inhibition of AhR activity by antagonistic ligands as a potential therapeutic strategy. Interestingly, similar AhR ligands exert variable anticancer or cancer-promoting potential in a cell- and tissue-specific mode of action. Recently, ligand-mediated modulation of AhR signaling pathways and the associated tumor microenvironment is emerging as a potential approach for developing cancer immunotherapeutic drugs. This article reviews advances of AhR in cancer research covering publication from 2012 to early 2023. It summarizes the therapeutic potential of various AhR ligands with an emphasis on exogenous ligands. It also sheds light on recent immunotherapeutic strategies involving AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Hanieh
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Bani Ismail
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Manal A Alfwuaires
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hairul-Islam M Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahdi Farhan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- Department of Drug Development, UniTechPharma, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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Zhao Y, Li R. HMGB1 is a promising therapeutic target for asthma. Cytokine 2023; 165:156171. [PMID: 36924610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone deoxyribonucleic acid-binding nuclear protein. In physiological state it is involved in gene transctioripn regulation and cell replication, differentiation and maturation. HMGB1 is actively secreted into the extracellular space in the form of intracellular vesicles, upon stimulation of inflammation and infection, by monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and other immune cells, and can also be passively released by necrotic or injured cells. After binding with the corresponding receptors, HMGB1 can activate the downstream substrate and trigger a series of biological effects. HMGB1 was mainly dependent on toll-like re ceptors (TLR) 2 and 4, and receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) to trigger intracellular signal transduction, and mediate innate and adoptive immune responses. Besides these, studies have reported the participation of TLR3, TLR9, T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM) 3, CD24, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in Th2 inflammatory response, eosinophilic airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness, mediated by HMGB1 in asthma. Both clinical and experimental studies suggested that HMGB1 was involved in the pathogenesis of asthma probably by regulating the downstream signaling pathways via corresponding receptors. This article reviews the role of HMGB1 in pathogenesis of asthma, and provides a new theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Hubei Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases; Wuhan Research Center for Communicable Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Joint Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Health, Wuhan Institute of Virology and Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430023, PR China; The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
| | - Ruiting Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, PR China.
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8
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Lai W, Huang Z, Li S, Li XG, Luo D. Kynurenine pathway metabolites modulated the comorbidity of IBD and depressive symptoms through the immune response. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109840. [PMID: 36827928 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is defined as chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, more than 20% of people with IBD experience depressive symptoms. Understanding the immunological mechanism of chronic intestinal inflammation on cognitive behavior has become a key research focus. Previous studies have shown that a dysregulated immune response contributes to chronic inflammation and depressive symptoms. The tolerant phenotype exhibited by immune cells regulates the course of chronic inflammation in distinct ways. In addition, neuroglia, such as microglia and astrocytes specific to the brain, are also influenced by deregulated inflammation to mediate the development of depressive symptoms. The kynurenine pathway (KP), a significant tryptophan metabolic pathway, transforms tryptophan into a series of KP metabolites that modulate chronic inflammation and depressive symptoms. In particular, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a rate-limiting enzyme in the KP, is activated by chronic inflammation and leads to the production of kynurenine. In addition, disruption of the brain-gut axis induced by IBD allows kynurenine to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and form a series of neuroactive kynurenine metabolites in glial cells. Among them, quinolinic acid continuously accumulates in the brain, indicating depression. Thus, KP metabolites are critical for driving the comorbidity of IBD and depressive symptoms. In this review, the pathological mechanism of KP metabolite-mediated chronic intestinal inflammation and depressive symptoms by regulating the immune response is summarized according to the latest reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Lai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ziheng Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Sheng Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xiang-Guang Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Ding Luo
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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Selvam P, Cheng CM, Dahms HU, Ponnusamy VK, Sun YY. AhR Mediated Activation of Pro-Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Modulate the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110642. [PMID: 36355934 PMCID: PMC9696907 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease caused by progressive deterioration of lung tissue, is generated by several factors including genetic and environmental ones. In response to long-term exposure to environmental stimuli, aberrant tissue repair and epithelial cell-to- mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) trigger the subsequent progression of pulmonary fibrotic diseases. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by ligands providing lung dysfunction when activated by environmental toxins, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our previous study demonstrated that AhR mediates α-SMA expression by directly binding to the α-SMA (fibroblast differentiation marker) promoter, suggesting the role of AhR in mediating fibrogenic progression. Here we follow the hypothesis that macrophage infiltrated microenvironments may trigger inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. We studied the expression of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells by AhR activation through an ELISA assay. To investigate molecular events, migration, western blotting and zymography assays were carried out. We found that AhR agonists such as TCDD, IP and FICZ, promote the migration and induce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2. These cytokines arbitrate EMT marker expression such as E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin in pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of proteins of MMPs in mouse macrophages was determined by zymography, showing the caseinolytic activity of MMP-1 and the gelatinolytic action of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, the present study showed that AhR activated macrophages create an inflammatory microenvironment which favours the fibrotic progression of pulmonary epithelial cells. Such production of inflammatory factors was accomplished by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, thereby creating a microenvironment which enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to fibrosis of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padhmavathi Selvam
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Hans-Uwe Dahms
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yo Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
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10
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Wang W, Xiang T, Yang Y, Wang Z, Xie J. E3 ubiquitin ligases STUB1/CHIP contributes to the Th17/Treg imbalance via the ubiquitination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 209:280-290. [PMID: 35943876 PMCID: PMC9521662 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
STIP1-homologous U-Box containing protein 1 (STUB1) is involved in the development of immune pathologies and the regulation of T cell. However, the potential role of STUB1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in the regulation of T cells, remains elusive. Here we show that STUB1 promotes the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells through non-degradative ubiquitination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Using Western blot and flow cytometry analysis, we observe that the level of STUB1 was increased in RA patients compared with healthy controls. In particular, the expression of STUB1 protein was different in Th17 cells and Treg cells of RA patients. We also demonstrated that STUB1 facilitates Th17/Treg imbalance by up- or downregulating the expression of STUB1. In a subsequent series of in vitro experiments, we revealed that STUB1 promoted the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells through non-degradative ubiquitination of AHR. Both knockdown of the AHR expression by siRNA and assays of CYP1A1 enzymatic activity by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) supported this conclusion. Furthermore, we explored the ubiquitination sites of AHR responsible for STUB1-mediated ubiquitination and revealed that STUB1 promotes ubiquitination of AHR via K63 chains. Together, STUB1 may induce the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells via ubiquitination of AHR and serve as a potential therapeutic target for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Xiang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yachen Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zitao Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianmin Xie
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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11
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Zeng C, Cheng TT, Ma X, Liu Y, Hua J, Chen X, Wang SY, Xu YJ. The absence of AhR in CD4 + T cells in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease may be related to insufficient CTCF expression. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:109. [PMID: 36056390 PMCID: PMC9440523 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Accumulating evidence suggests that imbalanced Treg/Th17 ratio accelerates the progression of aGVHD. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor activated through cognate ligand binding. Current evidence supports that AhR plays a critical regulatory role in the differentiation of Treg and Th17 cells. However, the relationship between AhR and aGVHD remains unclear. RESULTS Our results showed that AhR expression was downregulated significantly in CD4+ T cells from patients with aGVHD compared with the non-aGVHD group. We also discovered that after activating AhR deficient CD4+ T cells, the expression levels of the activation markers-CD40L, CD134 and CD137 and cell proliferation activity were significantly higher than those of AhR-expressing CD4+ T cells. Restoring the expression of AhR in aGVHD CD4+ T cells resulted in significantly increased percentage of Tregs and associated gene transcripts, including Foxp3, IL-10 and CD39. In contrast, Th17 cell amounts and the transcription of related genes, including RORγt, IL-17A and IL-17F, were significantly reduced. We confirmed that CTCF recruited EP300 and TET2 to bind to the AhR promoter region and promoted AhR expression by mediating histone H3K9/K14 hyperacetylation and DNA demethylation in this region. The low expression of CTCF caused histone hypoacetylation and DNA hypermethylation of the AhR promoter, resulting in insufficient expression in aGVHD CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS CTCF is an important inducer of AhR transcription. Insufficient expression of CTCF leads to excessive AhR downregulation, resulting in substantial CD4+ T cell activation and Th17/Treg ratio increase, thereby mediating the occurrence of aGVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Zeng
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Ting-Ting Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Ma
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Hua
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Shi-Yu Wang
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Ya-Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China. .,Hunan Hematology Oncology Clinical Medical Research Center, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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12
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Gao L, Luo D, Wu D, Sun Q, Liu Y, Wen D, Jia L. Effects of mammalian target of rapamycin and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediating autophagy signaling on the balance of Th17/Treg cells during perinatal bisphenol A exposure in female offspring mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2022; 37:1781-1789. [PMID: 35357751 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA)'s immunotoxic properties have received increasing interest, which can lead to immune dysfunction and related disease development. However, the mechanism is not completely clear. A growing body of evidence suggests that autophagy has important roles in innate immunity, inflammatory response, and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and autophagy in Treg/Th17 imbalance induced by perinatal BPA exposure. Our results showed that the number of Th17 cells in the spleen of offspring female mice significantly increased, while the number of Treg cells decreased significantly, which was consistent with the expression levels of up-regulation of RORγt protein and a down-regulation Foxp3 protein. The levels of mTOR, p-mTOR, P62, and AhR protein expression increased, and LC3 protein decreased in spleen. However, in the thymus, we found that RORγt and Foxp3 proteins changed most significantly in the low-dose BPA group, and the same as p-mTOR and P62 protein levels. We conjectured that the potential mechanism of the imbalance of Th17/Treg upon perinatal exposure to BPA was probably associated with autophagy dysfunction. Proper autophagy plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the thymic and spleen immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gao
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- School of Public Health, Jinzhou medical university, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Health Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Deliang Wen
- School of Public Health, Jinzhou medical university, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lihong Jia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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13
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Cannon AS, Holloman BL, Wilson K, Miranda K, Dopkins N, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M. AhR Activation Leads to Attenuation of Murine Autoimmune Hepatitis: Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Unique Immune Cell Phenotypes and Gene Expression Changes in the Liver. Front Immunol 2022; 13:899609. [PMID: 35720411 PMCID: PMC9204231 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.899609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitously expressed ligand-activated transcription factor. While initially identified as an environmental sensor, this receptor has been shown more recently to regulate a variety of immune functions. AhR ligands vary in structure and source from environmental chemicals such as 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and indoles found in cruciferous vegetables to endogenous ligands derived from tryptophan metabolism. In the current study, we used TCDD, a high affinity AhR ligand to study the impact of AhR activation in the murine model of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Primarily, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology to study the nature of changes occurring in the immune cells in the liver at the cellular and molecular level. We found that AhR activation attenuated concanavalin A (ConA)-induced AIH by limiting chemotaxis of pro-inflammatory immune cell subsets, promoting anti-inflammatory cytokine production, and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. scRNA-seq analysis showed some unusual events upon ConA injection such as increased presence of mature B cells, natural killer (NK) T cells, CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, Kupffer cells, memory CD8+ T cells, and activated T cells while TCDD treatment led to the reversal of most of these events. Additionally, the immune cells showed significant alterations in the gene expression profiles. Specifically, we observed downregulation of inflammation-associated genes including Ptma, Hspe1, and CD52 in TCDD-treated AIH mice as well as alterations in the expression of migratory markers such as CXCR2. Together, the current study characterizes the nature of inflammatory changes occurring in the liver during AIH, and sheds light on how AhR activation during AIH attenuates liver inflammation by inducing phenotypic and genotypic changes in immune cells found in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
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14
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Rannug A. 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, a Potent Ligand for the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Produced Both Endogenously and by Microorganisms, can Either Promote or Restrain Inflammatory Responses. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:775010. [PMID: 35295226 PMCID: PMC8915874 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.775010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) binds major physiological modifiers of the immune system. The endogenous 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), which binds with higher affinity than any other compound yet tested, including TCDD, plays a well-documented role in maintaining the homeostasis of the intestines and skin. The effects of transient activation of AHR by FICZ differ from those associated with continuous stimulation and, depending on the dose, include either differentiation into T helper 17 cells that express proinflammatory cytokines or into regulatory T cells or macrophages with anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, in experimental models of human diseases high doses stimulate the production of immunosuppressive cytokines and suppress pathogenic autoimmunity. In our earlier studies we characterized the formation of FICZ from tryptophan via the precursor molecules indole-3-pyruvate and indole-3-acetaldehyde. In the gut formation of these precursor molecules is catalyzed by microbial aromatic-amino-acid transaminase ArAT. Interestingly, tryptophan can also be converted into indole-3-pyruvate by the amino-acid catabolizing enzyme interleukin-4 induced gene 1 (IL4I1), which is secreted by host immune cells. By thus generating derivatives of tryptophan that activate AHR, IL4I1 may have a role to play in anti-inflammatory responses, as well as in a tumor escape mechanism that reduces survival in cancer patients. The realization that FICZ can be produced from tryptophan by sunlight, by enzymes expressed in our cells (IL4I1), and by microorganisms as well makes it highly likely that this compound is ubiquitous in humans. A diurnal oscillation in the level of FICZ that depends on the production by the fluctuating number of microbes might influence not only intestinal and dermal immunity locally, but also systemic immunity.
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15
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Cannon AS, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. Targeting AhR as a Novel Therapeutic Modality against Inflammatory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:288. [PMID: 35008717 PMCID: PMC8745713 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) was excluded from consideration as a therapeutic approach due to the potential toxic effects of AhR ligands and the induction of the cytochrome P450 enzyme, Cyp1a1, following AhR activation. However, it is now understood that AhR activation not only serves as an environmental sensor that regulates the effects of environmental toxins, but also as a key immunomodulator where ligands induce a variety of cellular and epigenetic mechanisms to attenuate inflammation. Thus, the emergence of further in-depth research into diverse groups of compounds capable of activating this receptor has prompted reconsideration of its use therapeutically. The aim of this review is to summarize the body of research surrounding AhR and its role in regulating inflammation. Specifically, evidence supporting the potential of targeting this receptor to modulate the immune response in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases will be highlighted. Additionally, the opportunities and challenges of developing AhR-based therapies to suppress inflammation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (A.S.C.); (P.S.N.)
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16
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Sultan M, Wilson K, Abdulla OA, Busbee PB, Hall A, Carter T, Singh N, Chatterjee S, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M. Endocannabinoid Anandamide Attenuates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome through Modulation of Microbiome in the Gut-Lung Axis. Cells 2021; 10:3305. [PMID: 34943813 PMCID: PMC8699344 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious lung condition characterized by severe hypoxemia leading to limitations of oxygen needed for lung function. In this study, we investigated the effect of anandamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid, on Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-mediated ARDS in female mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing data showed that the lung epithelial cells from AEA-treated mice showed increased levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and tight junction proteins. MiSeq sequencing data on 16S RNA and LEfSe analysis demonstrated that SEB caused significant alterations in the microbiota, with increases in pathogenic bacteria in both the lungs and the gut, while treatment with AEA reversed this effect and induced beneficial bacteria. AEA treatment suppressed inflammation both in the lungs as well as gut-associated mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). AEA triggered several bacterial species that produced increased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate. Furthermore, administration of butyrate alone could attenuate SEB-mediated ARDS. Taken together, our data indicate that AEA treatment attenuates SEB-mediated ARDS by suppressing inflammation and preventing dysbiosis, both in the lungs and the gut, through the induction of AMPs, tight junction proteins, and SCFAs that stabilize the gut-lung microbial axis driving immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthanna Sultan
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Kiesha Wilson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Osama A. Abdulla
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Philip Brandon Busbee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Alina Hall
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Taylor Carter
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Narendra Singh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Saurabh Chatterjee
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA; (M.S.); (K.W.); (O.A.A.); (P.B.B.); (A.H.); (T.C.); (N.S.); (P.N.)
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17
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Disner GR, Lopes-Ferreira M, Lima C. Where the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Meets the microRNAs: Literature Review of the Last 10 Years. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:725044. [PMID: 34746229 PMCID: PMC8566438 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.725044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an environmentally responsive ligand-activated transcription factor, identified in the ‘70s for its toxic responses to halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as dioxin. Recently, AhR has been recognized as engaged in multiple physiological processes in health and diseases, particularly in the immune system, inflammatory response, tumorigenesis, and cellular differentiation by epigenetic mechanisms involving miRNAs. However, there is still scarce information about AhR-dependent miRNA regulation and miRNA-mediated epigenetic control in pathologies and therapies. In this review, we explore the mutual regulation of AhR and miRNA over the last decade of studies since many miRNAs have dioxin response elements (DRE) in their 3’ UTR, as well as AhR might contain binding sites of miRNAs. TCDD is the most used ligand to investigate the impact of AhR activation, and the immune system is one of the most sensitive of its targets. An association between TCDD-activated AhR and epigenetic mechanisms like post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs, DNA methylation, or histone modification has already been confirmed. Besides, several studies have shown that AhR-induced miR-212/132 cluster suppresses cancers, attenuates autoimmune diseases, and has an anti-inflammatory role in different immune responses by regulating cytokine levels and immune cells. Together the ever-expanding new AhR roles and the miRNA therapeutics are a prominent segment among biopharmaceuticals. Additionally, AhR-activated miRNAs can serve as valuable biomarkers of diseases, notably cancer progression or suppression and chemical exposure. Once AhR-dependent gene expression may hinge on the ligand, cell type, and context singularity, the reviewed outcomes might help contextualize state of the art and support new trends and emerging opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geonildo Rodrigo Disner
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICS/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Lopes-Ferreira
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICS/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Lima
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICS/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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HMGB1 Knockout Decreases Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Virion Production in iSLK BAC16 Cells by Attenuating Viral Gene Expression. J Virol 2021; 95:e0079921. [PMID: 34105998 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00799-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple host proteins affect the gene expression of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) during latent and lytic replication. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) serves as a highly conserved chromosomal protein inside the cell and a prototypical damage-associated molecular pattern molecule outside the cell. HMGB1 has been shown to play a pathogenic role in viral infectious diseases and to regulate the lytic replication of KSHV. However, its functional effects on the KSHV life cycle in KSHV-infected cells have not been fully elucidated. Here, we explored the role of intracellular and extracellular HMGB1 in KSHV virion production by employing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HMGB1 knockout in the KSHV-producing iSLK BAC16 cell line. Intracellular HMGB1 formed complexes with various proteins, and the abundance of HMGB1-interacting proteins changed during latent and lytic replication. Moreover, extracellular HMGB1 was found to enhance lytic replication by phosphorylating JNK. Of note, the expression of viral genes was attenuated during lytic replication in HMGB1 knockout iSLK BAC16 cells, with significantly decreased production of infectious virions compared to that of wild-type cells. Collectively, our results demonstrate that HMGB1 is an important cellular cofactor that affects the generation of infectious KSHV progeny during lytic replication. IMPORTANCE The high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein has many intra- and extracellular biological functions with an intricate role in various diseases. In certain viral infections, HMGB1 affects the viral life cycle and pathogenesis. In this study, we explored the effects of HMGB1 knockout on the production of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). HMGB1 knockout decreased virion production in KSHV-producing cells by decreasing the expression of viral genes. The processes by which HMGB1 affects KSHV production may occur inside or outside infected cells. For instance, several cellular and viral proteins interacted with intracellular HMGB1 in a nucleosomal complex, whereas extracellular HMGB1 induced JNK phosphorylation, thereby enhancing lytic replication. Our results suggest that both intracellular and extracellular HMGB1 are necessary for efficient KSHV replication. Thus, HMGB1 may represent an effective therapeutic target for the regulation of KSHV production.
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19
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Abdulla OA, Neamah W, Sultan M, Alghetaa HK, Singh N, Busbee PB, Nagarkatti M, Nagarkatti P. The Ability of AhR Ligands to Attenuate Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Reaction Is Associated With Alterations in the Gut Microbiota. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684727. [PMID: 34267755 PMCID: PMC8277436 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates T cell function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AhR ligands, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), on gut-associated microbiota and T cell responses during delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) in a mouse model. Mice with DTH showed significant changes in gut microbiota including an increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreased Firmicutes at the phylum level. Also, there was a decrease in Clostridium cluster XIV and IV, which promote anti-inflammatory responses, and an increase in Prevotella copri that facilitates pro-inflammatory responses. Interestingly, treatment of mice with TCDD attenuated the DTH response, induced Tregs, suppressed Th17 cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and reversed the gut microbiota composition toward normalcy. In contrast, FICZ exacerbated the DTH response, induced heightened Th17 cells, and failed to cause a major shift in gut microbiota. Furthermore, TCDD but not FICZ caused an increase in the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), n-butyric acid, and acetic acid. Administration of sodium butyrate into mice with DTH suppressed the response, increased Tregs, and reduced Th17 cells IL17. Butyrate also caused an increase in the abundance of Clostridium and a decrease in Prevotella. Lastly, TCDD, as well as butyrate but not FICZ, were able to inhibit proinflammatory Histone deacetylases (HDACs) class I and II. Together, our data suggest that AhR ligands, such as TCDD that suppress DTH response, may mediate this effect by reversing the gut dysbiosis induced during this inflammatory response, while FICZ may fail to suppress the DTH response because of its inability to overturn the dysbiosis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/agonists
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Butyric Acid/pharmacology
- Carbazoles/toxicity
- Cytokines/genetics
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/genetics
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/immunology
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/metabolism
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/prevention & control
- Ligands
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/agonists
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Th17 Cells/drug effects
- Th17 Cells/immunology
- Th17 Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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20
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Zhang MF, Yang P, Shen MY, Wang X, Gao NX, Zhou XP, Zhou LL, Lu Y. MicroRNA-26b-5p alleviates murine collagen-induced arthritis by modulating Th17 cell plasticity. Cell Immunol 2021; 365:104382. [PMID: 34049010 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, and the abnormal differentiation of IL-17-producing T helper (Th17) cells is an important factor in the pathogenesis. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) act as key regulators of Th17 cells. However, the effects of miRNAs on Th17 cell differentiation and plasticity in RA are not clear. In this study, not only low miR-26b-5p expression and high IL-17A level were observed in the peripheral blood of RA patients, but also the negative correlation between miR-26b-5p and IL-17A was explored. The changes in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were consistent with those in RA patients. The results of in vitro experiments showed that miR-26b-5p mainly inhibited the initial differentiation of Th17 cells but did not impact the differentiation of induced-Treg into Th17-like cells. Meanwhile, miR-26b-5p mimics treatment alleviated inflammatory responses and reduced Th17 proportion in CIA mice. These results indicated that miR-26b-5p could alleviate the development of mice CIA by inhibiting the excessive Th17 cells, and that miR-26b-5p could modulate the plasticity of Th17 cell differentiation in RA, mainly block the initial differentiation. This may provide a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Fei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Pei Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Mei-Yu Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xiang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Nai-Xin Gao
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, NO.155 Hanzhong Road, 210029, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China; The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xue-Ping Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Ling-Ling Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO.138 Xianlin Road, 210023 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, NO.155 Hanzhong Road, 210029, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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