Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 20 Expression through TNF Receptor 1-Dependent Activation of EGFR/p38 MAPK and JNK1/2/FoxO1 or the NF-κB Pathway in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts

Adjuvant Effects of a CC Chemokine for Enhancing the Efficacy of an Inactivated Streptococcus agalactiae Vaccine in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In this study, the ability of a CC chemokine (On-CC1) adjuvant to enhance the efficacy of a formalin-killed Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine (WC) in inducing immune responses against S. agalactiae in Nile tilapia was investigated through immune-related gene expression analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), transcriptome sequencing, and challenge tests. Significantly higher S. agalactiae-specific IgM levels were detected in fish in the WC+CC group than in the WC alone or control groups at 8 days postvaccination (dpv). The WC vaccine group exhibited increased specific IgM levels at 15 dpv, comparable to those of the WC+CC group, with sustained higher levels observed in the latter group at 29 dpv and after challenge with S. agalactiae for 14 days. Immune-related gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of all target genes in the control group compared to those in the vaccinated groups, with notable differences between the WC and WC+CC groups at various time intervals. Additionally, transcriptome analysis revealed differential gene expression profiles between the vaccinated (24 and 96 hpv) and control groups, with notable upregulation of immune-related genes in the vaccinated fish. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis revealed significant upregulation of immunoglobulin and other immune-related genes in the control group compared to those in the vaccinated groups (24 and 96 hpv), with distinct patterns observed between the WC and WC+CC vaccine groups. Finally, challenge with a virulent strain of S. agalactiae resulted in significantly higher survival rates for fish in the WC and WC+CC groups compared to fish in the control group, with a notable increase in survival observed in fish in the WC+CC group.

Cardioprotection by the adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688 in a preclinical mouse model of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

AIMS

Adiponectin has been shown to mediate cardioprotective effects and levels are typically reduced in patients with cardiometabolic disease. Hence, there has been intense interest in developing adiponectin-based therapeutics. The aim of this translational research study was to examine the functional significance of targeting adiponectin signaling with the adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688 in a mouse model of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling leading to cardioprotection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Wild-type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce left ventricular pressure overload (PO), or sham surgery, with or without daily subcutaneous ALY688-SR administration. Temporal analysis of cardiac function was conducted via weekly echocardiography for 5 weeks and we observed that ALY688 attenuated the PO-induced dysfunction. ALY688 also reduced cardiac hypertrophic remodeling, assessed via LV mass, heart weight to body weight ratio, cardiomyocyte cross sectional area, ANP and BNP levels. ALY688 also attenuated PO-induced changes in myosin light and heavy chain expression. Collagen content and myofibroblast profile indicated that fibrosis was attenuated by ALY688 with TIMP1 and scleraxis/periostin identified as potential mechanistic contributors. ALY688 reduced PO-induced elevation in circulating cytokines including IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17, and the chemoattractants MCP-1, MIP-1β, MIP-1alpha and MIP-3α. Assessment of myocardial transcript levels indicated that ALY688 suppressed PO-induced elevations in IL-6, TLR-4 and IL-1β, collectively indicating anti-inflammatory effects. Targeted metabolomic profiling indicated that ALY688 increased fatty acid mobilization and oxidation, increased betaine and putrescine plus decreased sphingomyelin and lysophospholipids, a profile indicative of improved insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the adiponectin mimetic peptide ALY688 reduced PO-induced fibrosis, hypertrophy, inflammation and metabolic dysfunction and represents a promising therapeutic approach for treating HFrEF in a clinical setting.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphism affects the pattern of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in Kuwaiti Arab children

OBJECTIVES

TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in many inflammatory diseases, but its association with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is poorly understood. This study looked for an association of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with INS, as well as its effect on steroid responsiveness among Kuwaiti Arab children.

METHODS

Genotypes of the TNF-a gene polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 151 INS Kuwaiti Arab patients and 64 age and sex-matched controls. Clinical data of all subjects were reviewed.

RESULTS

The heterozygous AG genotype was detected in 8.6% of INS patients compared 23.4% of the controls (p < 0.01). Comparing steroid responsiveness, AA genotype was significantly more common in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) cases than steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) patients (p = 0.001). However, AG genotype was significantly more common in SRNS patients compared to the SSNS cases (p = 0.001). No difference was found between these two subgroups in the GG genotype frequency.

CONCLUSION

AG genotype of TNF-a gene polymorphisms may be considered a suitable marker for INS disease among Kuwaiti children. Both AA and AG genotypes may be useful in predicting steroid responsiveness among these cases of Arab ethnicity. The findings might open the era for the use of genetic markers in the early treatment of NS.

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Investigation of Cardioprotective Effects of Myricetin after 1-Week High-Intensity Exercise

Cardiovascular adverse effects caused by high-intensity exercise (HIE) have become a public health problem of widespread concern. The therapeutic effect and metabolic regulation mechanism of myricetin, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic effects, have rarely been studied. In this study, we established mice models of different doses of myricetin intervention with 1 week of HIE after intervention. Cardiac function tests, serology, and pathological examinations were used to evaluate the protective effect of myricetin on the myocardium. The possible therapeutic targets of myricetin were obtained using an integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology and verified using molecular docking and RT-qPCR experiments. Different concentrations of myricetin improved cardiac function, significantly reduced the levels of myocardial injury markers, alleviated myocardial ultrastructural damage, reduced the area of ischemia/hypoxia, and increased the content of CX43. We obtained the potential targets and regulated metabolic network of myricetin by combined network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis and validated them by molecular docking and RT-PCR. In conclusion, our findings suggest that myricetin exerts anti-cardiac injury effects of HIE through the downregulation of PTGS2 and MAOB and the upregulation of MAP2K1 and EGFR while regulating the complicated myocardial metabolic network.