SCF promotes the production of IL-13 via the MEK-ERK-CREB signaling pathway in mast cells

Exploring plant polyphenols as anti-allergic functional products to manage the growing incidence of food allergy

The active substances derived from plants have received increasing attention owing to their wide range of pharmacological applications, including anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-viral, and anti-oxidative activities. The allergy epidemic is a growing global public health problem that threatens human health and safety. Polyphenols from plants have significant anti-allergic effects and are an important source of anti-allergic drug research and development. Here, we describe recent advances in the anti-allergic efficacy of plant polyphenols, including their comprehensive effects on cellular or animal models. The current issues and directions for future development in this field are discussed to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of these active substances as anti-allergic products.

Effects of Smoking on Inflammatory-Related Cytokine Levels in Human Serum

Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and several cancers resulting from tobacco smoking, are initially characterized by chronic systemic inflammation. Cytokine imbalances can result in inflammation, making it important to understand the pathological mechanisms behind cytokine production. In this study, we collected blood samples from 78 healthy male volunteers, including non-smokers (n = 30), current smokers (n = 30), and ex-smokers (n = 18), and utilized the liquid suspension chip technique to investigate and compare the expression levels of 17 cytokines and chemokines in the human serum of these volunteers. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of CXCL9/MIG and sIL-6R significantly increased after smoking, and continued to increase after quitting smoking. The expression levels of TARC, ITAC, and sVEGFR-3 increased after smoking but decreased after quitting smoking; the expression level of SAA significantly decreased after smoking and showed an upward trend after quitting smoking. Seven cytokines (IL-1β, BCA-1, TNF-α, CRP, ENA-78, MDC, and TNFRII) did not vary between the three groups, while four cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and SCF) were not detected in any serum sample. In conclusion, this study assessed the physiological production of cytokines and chemokines, highlighting the differences in each due to smoking status. Our results could help evaluate the early development of smoking-related chronic diseases and cancers.

Novel Bacterial Production of Two Different Bioactive Forms of Human Stem-Cell Factor

Human stem-cell factor (hSCF) stimulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells by binding to the c-Kit receptor. Various applications of hSCF require the efficient and reliable production of hSCF. hSCF exists in three forms: as two membrane-spanning proteins hSCF248 and hSCF229 and truncated soluble N-terminal protein hSCF164. hSCF164 is known to be insoluble when expressed in Escherichia coli cytoplasm, requiring a complex refolding procedure. The activity of hSCF248 has never been studied. Here, we investigated novel production methods for recombinant hSCF164 and hSCF248 without the refolding process. To increase the solubility of hSCF164, maltose-binding protein (MBP) and protein disulfide isomerase b’a’ domain (PDIb’a’) tags were attached to the N-terminus of hSCF164. These fusion proteins were overexpressed in soluble form in the Origami 2(DE3) E. coli strain. These solubilization effects were enhanced at a low temperature. His-hSCF248, the poly-His tagged form of hSCF248, was expressed in a highly soluble form without a solubilization tag protein, which was unexpected because His-hSCF248 contains a transmembrane domain. hSCF164 was purified using affinity and ion-exchange chromatography, and His-hSCF248 was purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified proteins stimulated the proliferation of TF-1 cells. Interestingly, the EC₅₀ value of His-hSCF248 was 1 pg/mL, 100-fold lower than 9 ng/mL hSCF164. Additionally, His-hSCF248 decreased the doubling time, increased the proportion of S and G2/M stages in the cell cycle, and increased the c-Myc expression at a 1000-fold lower concentration than hSCF164. In conclusion, His-hSCF248 was expressed in a soluble form in E. coli and had stronger activity than hSCF164. The molecular chaperone, MBP, enabled the soluble overexpression of hSCF164.

[Expression of CREB in children with recurrent wheezing and its effect on ORMDL3 gene expression]

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression level of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in children with recurrent wheezing under three years of age and its effect on the expression of the serum orosomucoid 1-like protein 3 (ORMDL3) gene.

METHODS

Thirty-six children with recurrent wheezing under three years of age who visited the hospital from June 2017 to June 2019 were selected as the recurrent wheezing group. Twenty-four healthy children from physical examination were selected as the control group. The CREB expression level in peripheral blood was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were cultured, and dual-luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate the effects of overexpression and siRNA interference of CREB on the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene in the BEAS-2B cells.

RESULTS

The expression level of CREB in the recurrent wheezing group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). In BEAS-2B cells, overexpression of CREB significantly up-regulated the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene (P<0.05), while siRNA interference of CREB significantly reduced the promoter activity and mRNA expression of the ORMDL3 gene (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of CREB is increased in children with recurrent wheezing, and CREB may be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheezing by regulating expression of the ORMDL3 gene.