Epigenetic Regulation of Macrophage Marker Expression Profiles in Kawasaki Disease

Identification of hub genes and pathogenesis in Kawasaki disease based on bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to explore new biomarkers of Kawasaki disease (KD) and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE68004 and GSE73461 were downloaded, and the differentially expressed genes (DGEs) were taken, along with DEGs enrichment analysis and protein interaction network. Finally, five algorithms in CytoHubba plug-in were applied to obtain hub genes.

RESULTS

In this study, 32 Co-DEGs were identified, and these genes mainly participated in neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil activation involved in immune response, and negative regulation of cytokine production involved in immune response; meanwhile, they were primarily enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, autophagy and apoptosis, ferroptosis, and other pathways. Combined with the results of PPI and CytoHubba, 13 key genes were selected as follows: S100A12, HK3, HP, MMP9, MCEMP1, PYGL, ARG1, HIST2H2AA, ANXA3, HIST2H2AC, HIST2H2AA3, GYG1, DYSF.

CONCLUSIONS

These 13 key genes may mediate the occurrence and development of KD through various processes such as immune regulation, inflammatory response, glucose metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis, which provide valuable references for the diagnosis and treatment of KD.

Identification of hub biomarkers and immune-related pathways participating in the progression of Kawasaki disease by integrated bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that commonly affects children and its etiology remains unknown. Growing evidence suggests that immune-mediated inflammation and immune cells in the peripheral blood play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of KD. The objective of this research was to find important biomarkers and immune-related mechanisms implicated in KD, along with their correlation with immune cells in the peripheral blood.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Gene microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was utilized in this study. Three datasets, namely GSE63881 (341 samples), GSE73463 (233 samples), and GSE73461 (279 samples), were obtained. To find intersecting genes, we employed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Subsequently, functional annotation, construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were performed to identify hub genes. The accuracy of these hub genes in identifying KD was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Furthermore, Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was employed to explore the composition of circulating immune cells within the assessed datasets and their relationship with the hub gene markers.

RESULTS

WGCNA yielded eight co-expression modules, with one hub module (MEblue module) exhibiting the strongest association with acute KD. 425 distinct genes were identified. Integrating WGCNA and DEGs yielded a total of 277 intersecting genes. By conducting LASSO analysis, five hub genes (S100A12, MMP9, TLR2, NLRC4 and ARG1) were identified as potential biomarkers for KD. The diagnostic value of these five hub genes was demonstrated through ROC curve analysis, indicating their high accuracy in diagnosing KD. Analysis of the circulating immune cell composition within the assessed datasets revealed a significant association between KD and various immune cell types, including activated dendritic cells, neutrophils, immature dendritic cells, macrophages, and activated CD8 T cells. Importantly, all five hub genes exhibited strong correlations with immune cells.

CONCLUSION

Activated dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages were closely associated with the pathogenesis of KD. Furthermore, the hub genes (S100A12, MMP9, TLR2, NLRC4, and ARG1) are likely to participate in the pathogenic mechanisms of KD through immune-related signaling pathways.

The impact of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids on macrophage activities in disease: Mechanisms and therapeutic potentials

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates by gut microbiota play a crucial role in regulating host physiology. Among them, acetate, propionate, and butyrate are key players in various biological processes. Recent research has revealed their significant functions in immune and inflammatory responses. For instance, butyrate reduces the development of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) generating cells while promoting the development of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Propionate inhibits the initiation of a Th2 immune response by dendritic cells (DCs). Notably, SCFAs have an inhibitory impact on the polarization of M2 macrophages, emphasizing their immunomodulatory properties and potential for therapeutics. In animal models of asthma, both butyrate and propionate suppress the M2 polarization pathway, thus reducing allergic airway inflammation. Moreover, dysbiosis of gut microbiota leading to altered SCFA production has been implicated in prostate cancer progression. SCFAs trigger autophagy in cancer cells and promote M2 polarization in macrophages, accelerating tumor advancement. Manipulating microbiota- producing SCFAs holds promise for cancer treatment. Additionally, SCFAs enhance the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) by blocking histone deacetylase, resulting in increased production of antibacterial effectors and improved macrophage-mediated elimination of microorganisms. This highlights the antimicrobial potential of SCFAs and their role in host defense mechanisms. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of the latest research on the functional aspects and underlying mechanisms of SCFAs in relation to macrophage activities in a wide range of diseases, including infectious diseases and cancers. By elucidating the intricate interplay between SCFAs and macrophage functions, this review aims to contribute to the understanding of their therapeutic potential and pave the way for future interventions targeting SCFAs in disease management.

Nanoparticle-enhanced proton beam immunoradiotherapy drives immune activation and durable tumor rejection

The combination of radiation therapy (RT) and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option in oncology. Historically, x-ray radiation (XRT) has been the most commonly used form of RT. However, proton beam therapy (PBT) is gaining recognition as a viable alternative, as it has been shown to produce similar outcomes to XRT while minimizing off-target effects. The effects of PBT on the antitumor immune response have only just begun to be described, and to our knowledge no studies to date have examined the effect of PBT as part of a combinatorial immunoradiotherapeutic strategy. Here, using a 2-tumor model of lung cancer in mice, we show that PBT in tandem with an anti-PD1 antibody substantially reduced growth in both irradiated and unirradiated tumors. This was accompanied by robust activation of the immune response, as evidenced by whole-tumor and single-cell RNA sequencing showing upregulation of a multitude of immune-related transcripts. This response was further significantly enhanced by the injection of the tumor to be irradiated with NBTXR3 nanoparticles. Tumors of mice treated with the triple combination exhibited increased infiltration and activation of cytotoxic immune cells. This triple combination eradicated both tumors in 37.5% of the treated mice and showed robust long-term immunity to cancer.

The reduced SCFA-producing gut microbes are involved in the inflammatory activation in Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute febrile systemic vasculitis in children, has become the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. Recently, the altered gut microbiota was found in KD patients during the acute phase. However, little is known about its characteristics and role in the pathogenesis of KD. In our study, an altered gut microbiota composition featured by the reduction in SCFAs-producing bacteria was demonstrated in the KD mouse model. Next, probiotic Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) and antibiotic cocktails were respectively employed to modulate gut microbiota. The use of C. butyricum significantly increased the abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria and attenuated the coronary lesions with reduced inflammatory markers IL-1β and IL-6, but antibiotics depleting gut bacteria oppositely deteriorated the inflammation response. The gut leakage induced by dysbiosis to deteriorate the host's inflammation was confirmed by the decreased intestinal barrier proteins Claudin-1, Jam-1, Occludin, and ZO-1, and increased plasma D-lactate level in KD mice. Mechanistically, SCFAs, the major beneficial metabolites of gut microbes to maintain the intestinal barrier integrity and inhibit inflammation, was also found decreased, especially butyrate, acetate and propionate, in KD mice by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, the reduced expression of SCFAs transporters, monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT-1) and sodium-dependent monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SMCT-1), was also shown in KD mice by western blot and RT-qPCR analyses. As expected, the decrease of fecal SCFAs production and barrier dysfunction were improved by oral C. butyricum treatment but was deteriorated by antibiotics. In vitro, butyrate, not acetate or propionate, increased the expression of phosphatase MKP-1 to dephosphorylate activated JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK against excessive inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages. It suggests a new insight into probiotics and their metabolites supplements to treat KD.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin: Mechanism of Action in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the mainstay of therapy for humoral immune deficiencies and numerous inflammatory disorders. Although the use of IVIG may be supplanted by several targeted therapies to cytokines, the ability of polyclonal normal IgG to act as an effector molecule as well as a regulatory molecule is a clear example of the polyfunctionality of IVIG. This article will address the mechanism of action of IVIG in a number of important conditions that are otherwise resistant to treatment. In this commentary, we will highlight mechanistic studies that shed light on the action of IVIG. This will be approached by identifying effects that are both common and disease-specific, targeting actions that have been demonstrated on cells and processes that represent both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Identification of key signaling pathways and hub genes related to immune infiltration in Kawasaki disease with resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis, that is, the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, with approximately 10%-20% of patients with KD suffering intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. Although the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear, recent studies have revealed that immune cell infiltration may associate with its occurrence. Methods: In this study, we downloaded the expression profiles from the GSE48498 and GSE16797 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus database, analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and intersected the DEGs with the immune-related genes downloaded from the ImmPort database to obtain differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIGs). Then CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the immune cell compositions, followed by the WGCNA analysis to identify the module genes associated with immune cell infiltration. Next, we took the intersection of the selected module genes and DEIGs, then performed GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Moreover, ROC curve validation, Spearman analysis with immune cells, TF, and miRNA regulation network, and potential drug prediction were implemented for the finally obtained hub genes. Results: The CIBERSORT algorithm showed that neutrophil expression was significantly higher in IVIG-resistant patients compared to IVIG-responsive patients. Next, we got differentially expressed neutrophil-related genes by intersecting DEIGs with neutrophil-related module genes obtained by WGCNA, for further analysis. Enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were associated with immune pathways, such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Then we combined the PPI network in the STRING database with the MCODE plugin in Cytoscape and identified 6 hub genes (TLR8, AQP9, CXCR1, FPR2, HCK, and IL1R2), which had good diagnostic performance in IVIG resistance according to ROC analysis. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis confirmed that these genes were closely related to neutrophils. Finally, TFs, miRNAs, and potential drugs targeting the hub genes were predicted, and TF-, miRNA-, and drug-gene networks were constructed. Conclusion: This study found that the 6 hub genes (TLR8, AQP9, CXCR1, FPR2, HCK, and IL1R2) were significantly associated with neutrophil cell infiltration, which played an important role in IVIG resistance. In a word, this work rendered potential diagnostic biomarkers and prospective therapeutic targets for IVIG-resistant patients.

Identifying differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in Kawasaki disease by bioinformatics analysis

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic immune vasculitis caused by infection, and its etiology and underlying mechanisms are not completely clear. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with diagnostic and treatment potential for KD using bioinformatics analysis. In this study, three KD datasets (GSE68004, GSE73461, GSE18606) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Identification of DEGs between normal and KD whole blood was performed using the GEO2R online tool. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was undertaken with Metascape. Analysis and visualization of protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) were carried out with STRING and Cytoscape. Lastly, miRNA-genes regulatory networks were built by Cytoscape to predict the underlying microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with DEGs. Overall, 269 DEGs were identified, including 230 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated genes. The enrichment functions and pathways of DEGs involve regulation of defense response, inflammatory response, response to bacterium, and T cell differentiation. KEGG analysis indicates that the genes were significantly enriched in Neutrophil extracellular trap formation, TNF signaling pathway, Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and Primary immunodeficiency. After combining the results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and CytoHubba, 9 hub genes were selected, including TLR8, ITGAX, HCK, LILRB2, IL1B, FCGR2A, S100A12, SPI1, and CD8A. Based on the DEGs-miRNAs network construction, 3 miRNAs including mir-126-3p, mir-375 and mir-146a-5p were determined to be potential key miRNAs. To summarize, a total of 269 DEGs, 9 hub genes and 3 miRNAs were identified, which could be considered as KD biomarkers. However, further studies are needed to clarify the biological roles of these genes in KD.

Expression of Eosinophilic Subtype Markers in Patients with Kawasaki Disease

PURPOSE

Eosinophils may rise to a higher level in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD) both before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. A substantial body of research was carried out on the association between KD and allergic diseases. Eosinophils play an important role in type 2 inflammation. Recent studies have shown that there are two distinct subtypes of eosinophils. In addition to their role in inflammation, lung-resident eosinophils (rEOS) also regulate homeostasis. Inflammatory eosinophils (iEOS) reflect type 2 inflammation in tissues. iEOS were considered the primary eosinophils in non-severe allergic asthma, while rEOS were thought to be the primary eosinophils in severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma. This case-control study aimed to investigate the marker expression of eosinophilic subtypes in KD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The marker expressions of eosinophilic subtypes in the leukocytes of patients with KD were evaluated by the recently established KDmarkers online tool, a web server including gene expression data. Finally, the results were validated with a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We analyzed the mRNA expression levels of SELL and IL10RA in leukocytes from KD patients and febrile children.

RESULTS

Included in our screening tools were transcriptome arrays, which provided clues showing the importance of rEOS, whose role was identified by three genes (lower IL10RA, higher SELL, and SERPINB1 than controls). In contrast, the iEOS representative gene CD101 was not elevated in KD. It was found that the gene IL10RA, a marker of inflammatory eosinophilic leukocytes, was more highly expressed in the leukocytes of KD patients (n = 43) than febrile controls (n = 32), especially those without coronary artery lesions (CAL) (n = 26). Before treatment, SELL expression was higher in leukocytes of CAL patients (CAL, 1.33 ± 0.18, n = 39; non-CAL, 0.87 ± 0.12, n = 55; p = 0.012). SELL was significantly higher after half a year compared to febrile controls.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that KD patients have increased SELL than febrile controls after 6 months of treatment. We present evidence here that dynamically different eosinophilic involvement exists between KD patients with and without CAL. The role of eosinophilic subtypes in KD patients warrants further investigation.

MS4A6A is a new prognostic biomarker produced by macrophages in glioma patients

MS4A6A has been recognized as being associated with aging and the onset of neurodegenerative disease. However, the mechanisms of MS4A6A in glioma biology and prognosis are ill-defined. Here, we show that MS4A6A is upregulated in glioma tissues, resulting in unfavorable clinical outcomes and poor responses to adjuvant chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that MS4A6A expression can act as a strong and independent predictor for glioma outcomes (CGGA1: HR: 1.765, p < 0.001; CGGA2: HR: 2.626, p < 0.001; TCGA: HR: 1.415, p < 0.001; Rembrandt: HR: 1.809, p < 0.001; Gravendeel: HR: 1.613, p < 0.001). A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network revealed that MS4A6A might be coexpressed with CD68, CD163, and macrophage-specific signatures. Enrichment analysis showed the innate immune response and inflammatory response to be markedly enriched in the high MS4A6A expression group. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed distinctive expression features for MS4A6A in macrophages in the glioma immune microenvironment (GIME). Immunofluorescence staining confirmed colocalization of CD68/MS4A6A and CD163/MS4A6A in macrophages. Correlation analysis revealed that MS4A6A expression is positively related to the tumor mutation burden (TMB) of glioma, displaying the high potential of applying MS4A6A to evaluate responsiveness to immunotherapy. Altogether, our research indicates that MS4A6A upregulation may be used as a promising and effective indicator for adjuvant therapy and prognosis assessment.

Advances in understanding Kawasaki disease-related immuno-inflammatory response and vascular endothelial dysfunction

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, which tends to involve coronary arteries and can lead to acquired heart disease in children. The immuno-inflammatory response and vascular endothelial dysfunction are important causes of coronary artery disease in patients with KD. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare inflammatory disease in children identified in recent years, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection; this disease overlaps with KD. This review examines research progress concerning the immuno-inflammatory response and vascular endothelial dysfunction associated with KD, as well as differences between KD and MIS-C.

TREM2 macrophages induced by human lipids drive inflammation in acne lesions

Acne affects 1 in 10 people globally, often resulting in disfigurement. The disease involves excess production of lipids, particularly squalene, increased growth of Cutibacterium acnes, and a host inflammatory response with foamy macrophages. By combining single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing as well as ultrahigh-resolution Seq-Scope analyses of early acne lesions on back skin, we identified TREM2 macrophages expressing lipid metabolism and proinflammatory gene programs in proximity to hair follicle epithelium expressing squalene epoxidase. We established that the addition of squalene induced differentiation of TREM2 macrophages in vitro, which were unable to kill C. acnes. The addition of squalene to macrophages inhibited induction of oxidative enzymes and scavenged oxygen free radicals, providing an explanation for the efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide in the clinical treatment of acne. The present work has elucidated the mechanisms by which TREM2 macrophages and unsaturated lipids, similar to their involvement in atherosclerosis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of acne.

Comprehensive Analysis of Expression and Prognostic Value of MS4As in Glioma

Glioma is the most common malignancy of the nervous system with high mortality rates. The MS4A family members have been reported as potential prognostic biomarkers in several cancers; however, the relationship between the MS4A family and glioma has not been clearly confirmed. In our study, we explored the prognostic value of MS4As as well as their potential pro-cancer mechanisms of glioma. Using bioinformatics analysis methods based on the data from public databases, we found that the expression of MS4A4A, MS4A4E, MS4A6A, MS4A7, TMEM176A, and TMEM176B was significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues compared with that of normal tissues. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models revealed that high levels of MS4As can be associated with a poorer prognosis; TMEM176A, TMEM176B, age, WHO grade, and IDH status were identified as independent prognostic factors. Enrichment analysis predicted that MS4As were related to tumor-related pathways and immune response, which might regulate the process of MS4As promoting tumorigenesis. Additionally, we analyzed the correlations of MS4A expression with immune cells and immune inhibitory molecules. Finally, data from the cell culture suggested that knockdown of the TMEM176B gene contributes to the decreased proliferation and migration of glioma cells. In conclusion, MS4A4A, MS4A4E, MS4A6A, MS4A7, TMEM176A, and TMEM176B may act as potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in glioma and play a role in forming the immune microenvironment in gliomas.

CD36 is Associated With the Development of Coronary Artery Lesions in Patients With Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an autoimmune-like vasculitis of childhood involving the coronary arteries. Macrophages require scavenger receptors such as CD36 to effectively clear cellular debris and induce self-tolerance. In this study, we hypothesized that CD36 plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of KD, by aiding in the clearance of plasma mitochondrial DNA, and by amplifying the immune response by activating the inflammasome pathway via AIM2. Fifty-two healthy controls, 52 febrile controls, and 102 KD patients were recruited for RT-PCR of target mRNA expression and plasma mitochondrial DNA. Blood samples were obtained 24 hours prior and 21 days after the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Patients with acute KD had higher plasma levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ND1, ND4, and COX1), and higher mRNA expressions of CD36 and AIM2 when compared to both healthy and febrile controls. A greater decrease in both CD36 and AIM2 mRNA expression after IVIG therapy was associated with the development of coronary artery lesions. Coronary artery lesions were associated with a larger decrease of CD36 expression following IVIG therapy, which may indicate that prolonged expression of the scavenger receptor may have a protective effect against the development of coronary artery lesions in KD.

KDmarkers: A biomarker database for investigating epigenetic methylation and gene expression levels in Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a form of acute systemic vasculitis that primarily affects children and has become the most common cause of acquired heart disease. While the etiopathogenesis of KD remains unknown, the diagnostic criteria of KD have been well established. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of KD is currently based on subjective clinical symptoms, and no molecular biomarker is yet available. We have previously performed and combined methylation array (Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) and transcriptome array (Affymetrix GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0) to identify genes that are differentially methylated/expressed in KD patients compared with control subjects. We have found that decreased methylation levels combined with elevated gene expression can indicate genes (e.g., toll-like receptors and CD177) involved in the disease mechanisms of KD. In this study, we constructed a database called KDmarkers to allow researchers to access these valuable potential KD biomarkers identified via methylation array and transcriptome array. KDmarkers provides three search modes. First, users can search genes differentially methylated and/or differentially expressed in KD patients compared with control subjects. Second, users can check the KD patient groups in which a given gene is differentially methylated and/or differentially expressed. Third, users can explore the DNA methylation levels and gene expression levels in all samples (KD patients and controls) for a particular gene of interest. We further demonstrated that the results in KDmarkers are strongly associated with KD immune responses. All analysis results can be downloaded for downstream experimental designs. KDmarkers is available online at https://cosbi.ee.ncku.edu.tw/KDmarkers/.

Characterizing cellular heterogeneity in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis by single-cell transcriptional analysis

Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) remains one of fatal interstitial pulmonary disease. Comprehensively dissecting the cellular heterogeneity of FHP paves the way for developing general gene therapeutic solutions for FHP. Here, utilizing an integrated strategy based on scRNA-seq, scTCR-seq, and bulk RNA-seq analysis of FHP profiles, we identified ten major cell types and 19 unique subtypes. FHP exhibited higher features of EMT and inflammation-promoting than normal control. In distinct subsets of lung macrophages in FHP, FN1^high, PLA2G7^high, and MS4A6A^high macrophages with predominant M2 phenotype exhibited higher activity of inflammatory responses and para-inflammation than other macrophages. KRT17^high basal-like epithelial cells were significantly increased in FHP, and showed higher ability to induce EMT. We identified roles for ACTA2^high, COL1A1^high, and PLA2G2A^high fibroblasts in FHP, which were significantly related to interstitial fibrosis. NK cells and KLRG1⁺ effector CD8⁺ T cells had greater activity in inflammation-promoting. Our results provide a comprehensive portrait of cellular heterogeneity in FHP, and highlight the indispensable role of cell subpopulations in shaping the complexity and heterogeneity of FHP. These subpopulations are potentially key players for FHP pathogenesis.

A novel bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan complex modulates the genes responsible for the development of chronic diseases in mice: A RNA sequence analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases are a major burden worldwide due to the lack of highly efficacious treatment modalities and the serious side effects associated with the available therapies.

PURPOSE/STUDY DESIGN

A novel self-emulsifying formulation of curcumin with fenugreek galactomannan hydrogel scaffold as a water-dispersible non-covalent curcumin-galactomannan molecular complex (curcumagalactomannosides, CGM) has shown better bioavailability than curcumin and can be used for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. However, the exact potential of this formulation has not been studied, which would pave the way for its use for the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases.

METHODS

The whole transcriptome analysis (RNAseq) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver tissues of mice treated with LPS to investigate the potential of CGM on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Expression analysis using DESeq2 package, GO, and pathway analysis of the differentially expressed transcripts was performed using UniProtKB and KEGG-KAAS server.

RESULTS

The results showed that 559 genes differentially expressed between the liver tissue of control mice and CGM treated mice (100 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days), with adjusted p-value below 0.05, of which 318 genes were significantly upregulated and 241 were downregulated. Further analysis showed that 33 genes which were upregulated (log2FC > 8) in the disease conditions were significantly downregulated, and 32 genes which were downregulated (log2FC < -8) in the disease conditions were significantly upregulated after the treatment with CGM.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study showed CGM has high potential in the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases.

The tetraspan MS4A family in homeostasis, immunity, and disease

The membrane-spanning 4A (MS4A) family includes 18 members with a tetraspan structure in humans. They are differentially and selectively expressed in immunocompetent cells, such as B cells (CD20/MS4A1) and macrophages (MS4A4A), and associate with, and modulate the signaling activity of, different classes of immunoreceptor, including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and Ig receptors. Evidence from preclinical models and genetic evidence from humans suggest that members of the MS4A family have key roles in different pathological settings, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegeneration. Therefore, MS4A family members might serve as candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets for various conditions.

Taraxacum mongolicum extract inhibited malignant phenotype of triple-negative breast cancer cells in tumor-associated macrophages microenvironment through suppressing IL-10 / STAT3 / PD-L1 signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and the worst prognosis breast cancer with limited treatment options. Taraxacum mongolicum (also called dandelion) is a traditional Chinese medicine has been used to treat mastitis, breast abscess, and hyperplasia of mammary glands since ancient times. In modern pharmacological research, dandelion has been proven with anti-breast cancer activities. We previously reported that dandelion extract could induce apoptosis in TNBC cells. However, its anti-tumor effects and mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment have not yet been elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in regulating the interaction between tumor cells and the immune system. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of dandelion extract on TNBC cells under the microenvironment of TAMs, as well as its influence on the polarization of M2 macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

M2 macrophages were induced by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), and verified by flow cytometry, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and ELISA. MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells were co-cultured with the supernatant of M2 macrophage which providing the TAMs microenvironment. The antitumor activity of dandelion extract in TNBC cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The invasive and migratory capacity of TNBC cells was measured by transwell assays. The expression of protein and gene was assessed by Western blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

TAMs microenvironment promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells. However, dandelion extract inhibited the malignant property of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells induced by TAMs. Both of TAMs and IL-10 caused STAT3 activation and PD-L1 higher expression, the immunosuppressive molecules in TNBC cells, and this effect can be attenuated by IL-10 neutralizing antibody. Dandelion extract exerted inhibition on STAT3 and PD-L1 in TNBC cells under TAMs microenvironment. Furthermore, in M2 macrophages, dandelion extract remarkably promoted the expression of M1-like marker TNF-α, IL-8, and iNOS, but reduced M2-like marker IL-10, CD206, Arginase-1, and TGF-β.

CONCLUSION

Dandelion extract inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells in TAMs microenvironment through suppressing IL-10/STAT3/PD-L1 immunosuppressive signaling pathway. Furthermore, dandelion extract promoted the polarization of macrophages from M2 to M1 phenotype. Thus, our results indicated that dandelion may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC by modulating tumor immune microenvironment.

Toll-like receptor 4 methylation grade is linked to depressive symptom severity

This study explores potential associations between the methylation of promoter-associated CpG sites of the toll-like receptor (TLR)-family, plasma levels of pro-inflammatory proteins and depressive symptoms in young female psychiatric patients. Ratings of depressive symptoms and blood samples were obtained from 92 young women seeking psychiatric care. Methylation of 32 promoter-associated CpG sites in TLR1 to TLR10 was analysed using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. Expression levels of 91 inflammatory proteins were determined by proximity extension assay. Statistical correlations between depressive state, TLR1-10 methylation and inflammatory proteins were investigated. Four additional cohorts were studied to evaluate the generalizability of the findings. In the discovery cohort, methylation grade of cg05429895 (TLR4) in blood was inversely correlated with depressive symptoms score in young adults. After correction for multiple testing, plasma levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β/CCL4) were associated with both TLR4 methylation and depressive symptom severity. A similar inverse association between TLR4 methylation in blood and affective symptoms score was also found in a cohort of 148 both males and females (<40 years of age) from the Danish Twin Registry. These findings were not, however, replicated in three other external cohorts; which differed from the first two cohorts by a higher age and mixed ethnicities, thus limiting the generalizability of our findings. However, TLR4 methylation inversely correlated with TLR4 mRNA expression in the Danish Twin Study indicating a functional significance of methylation at this particular CpG. Higher depression scores in young Scandinavian adults was associated with decreased methylation of TLR4 in blood.

Epigenetics in Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common febrile multisystemic inflammatory illness in children that preferentially affects coronary arteries. Children with KD who develop coronary artery aneurysms have a life-long risk of premature coronary artery disease. Hypothesis of inherent predisposition to KD is supported by epidemiological evidence that suggests increased risk of development of disease in certain ethnicities and in children with a previous history of KD in siblings or parents. However, occurrence of cases in clusters, seasonal variation, and very low risk of recurrence suggests an acquired trigger (such as infections) for the development of illness. Epigenetic mechanisms that modulate gene expression can plausibly explain the link between genetic and acquired predisposing factors in KD. Analysis of epigenetic factors can also be used to derive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognostication in KD. Moreover, epigenetic mechanisms can also help in pharmacogenomics with the development of targeted therapies. In this review, we analysed the available literature on epigenetic factors such as methylation, micro-RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs in KD and discuss how these mechanisms can help us better understand the disease pathogenesis and advance the development of new biomarkers in KD.

Kawasaki Disease and Allergic Diseases

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory disorder with an unknown etiology. It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease, which leads to coronary vasculitis among children. Studies of frequent manifestation of allergic diseases in children with KD have been the subject of mounting clinical interest. However, evidence supporting the association between KD and allergies has yet to be systematically reviewed. Methods: In this article, we reviewed current literature regarding the association between KD and allergic diseases. References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase through the end of August 2020. Results: The results of the analyses of immune repertoire, clinical, and epidemiological studies have indicated some of the characteristics of infectious disease for KD. Although some allergic disorders, such as asthma, may be exacerbated by viral infections, allergies are typically caused by an allergen that triggers an immune response, with the potential involvement of type 2 inflammation and immune disturbances leading to tissue remodeling in genetically susceptible hosts. The effect of intravenous immunoglobulin is multi-faceted and results in a decrease in activating Fc gamma receptor IIA and an increase in anti-inflammatory eosinophils. The findings from this review demonstrate that children who have suffered from KD are more likely to have allergic rhinitis than the general population and their siblings, a condition that lasts until the age of 17. When followed up as teenagers and adults, children with KD are more likely to develop urticaria. Conclusions: This review supports that allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, have been demonstrated to increase following KD. Therefore, the importance of allergic diseases in patients with KD should be emphasized in long-term care. Interventions that include strategies for managing allergies in children with KD would be beneficial.