1
|
Liu Y, Yang G, Huo S, Wu J, Ren P, Cao Y, Gao J, Tong L, Min D. Lutein suppresses ferroptosis of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells via positive regulation of IRF in cardiac hypertrophy. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 959:176081. [PMID: 37797674 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac microvascular dysfunction contributes to cardiac hypertrophy (CH) and can progress to heart failure. Lutein is a carotenoid with various pharmacological properties, such as anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Limited research has been conducted on the effects of lutein on pressure overload-induced CH. Studies have shown that CH is accompanied by ferroptosis in the cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of lutein on ferroptosis of CMECs in CH. The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor (IRF) is associated with immune system function, tumor suppression, and apoptosis. The results of this study suggested that pressure overload primarily inhibits IRF expression, resulting in endothelial ferroptosis. Administration of lutein increased the expression of IRF, providing protection to endothelial cells during pressure overload. IRF silencing downregulated solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, leading to the induction of ferroptosis in CMECs. Lutein supplementation suppressed endothelial ferroptosis by upregulating IRF. These data suggest that IRF may function as a transcription factor for SLC7A11 and that lutein represses ferroptosis in CMECs by upregulating IRF expression. Therefore, targeting IRF may be a promising therapeutic strategy for effective cardioprotection in patients with CH and heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Basic Nursing, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guanlin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Traditional Chinese Medicine Viscera-State Theory and Applications, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shiqiao Huo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabi Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yonggang Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jingquan Gao
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, China.
| | - Liquan Tong
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, China.
| | - Dongyu Min
- Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trirocco R, Pasqua M, Tramonti A, Grossi M, Colonna B, Paiardini A, Prosseda G. Fatty Acids Abolish Shigella Virulence by Inhibiting Its Master Regulator, VirF. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0077823. [PMID: 37140433 PMCID: PMC10269687 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00778-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenicity of Shigella, the intracellular pathogen responsible for human bacillary dysentery, depends on a coordinated and tightly regulated expression of its virulence determinants. This is the result of a cascade organization of its positive regulators, with VirF, a transcriptional activator belonging to the AraC-XylS family, in a pivotal position. VirF itself is submitted to several well-known regulations at the transcriptional level. In this work, we present evidence for a novel posttranslational regulatory mechanism of VirF mediated by the inhibitory interaction with specific fatty acids. By homology modeling and molecular docking analyses, we identify a jelly roll motif in the structure of ViF capable of interacting with medium-chain saturated and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. In vitro and in vivo assays show that capric, lauric, myristoleic, palmitoleic, and sapienic acids interact effectively with the VirF protein, abolishing its transcription-promoting activity. This silences the virulence system of Shigella, leading to a drastic reduction in its ability to invade epithelial cells and proliferate in their cytoplasm. IMPORTANCE In the absence of a valid vaccine, the main therapeutic approach currently used to treat shigellosis is based on the use of antibiotics. The emergence of antibiotic resistance jeopardizes the future effectiveness of this approach. The importance of the present work resides both in the identification of a new level of posttranslational regulation of the Shigella virulence system and in the characterization of a mechanism offering new opportunities for the design of antivirulence compounds, which may change the treatment paradigm of Shigella infections by limiting the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Trirocco
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pasqua
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Milena Grossi
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Colonna
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Prosseda
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhuang H, Li F, Xu Y, Pei R, Chen D, Liu X, Li S, Ye P, Yuan J, Lian J, Lu Y. Loss of IRF8 inhibits the growth of acute myeloid leukemia cells. Ann Hematol 2023; 102:1063-1072. [PMID: 36959484 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), as a member of the IRF family, is essential for myeloid cell differentiation. However, the precise role of IRF8 in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unknown. By using multivariate analysis, we discovered that high IRF8 expression was an independent poor predictor of overall survival (OS) in AML patients from our clinical follow-up study. The proliferation of three AML cell lines was significantly inhibited by shRNA-mediated knockdown of IRF8, owing to cell cycle S-phase arrest. Furthermore, we demonstrated that knocking down IRF8 could suppress the expression of CyclinA and CyclinB1, resulting in a shift in cell cycle distribution. Loss of IRF8 in AML cells decreased the expression of STAT3 and phosphor-STAT3 (pSTAT3), which are key factors in JAK/STAT signal pathway and are important for AML progression. Using a xenograft mouse model, we discovered the antiproliferative effect of losing IRF8 in vivo. In conclusion, this study found that IRF8 may play a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haihui Zhuang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Fenglin Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Yulian Xu
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renzhi Pei
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Xuhui Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Shuangyue Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Peipei Ye
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiaojiao Yuan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiaying Lian
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Ningbo University, Baizhang Road 251#, Ningbo, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dow GT, Young AM, Garcia GA. Elucidation of the DNA-Binding Activity of VirF from Shigella flexneri for the icsA and rnaG Promoters and Characterization of the N-Terminal Domain To Identify Residues Crucial for Dimerization. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0001523. [PMID: 36920216 PMCID: PMC10127635 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00015-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel approach to treat the highly virulent and infectious enteric pathogen Shigella flexneri, with the potential for reduced resistance development, is to target virulence pathways. One promising such target is the AraC-family transcription factor VirF, which activates downstream virulence factors. VirF harbors a conserved C-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD) and an N-terminal dimerization domain (NTD). Previously, we studied the wild type (WT) and seven alanine DBD mutants of VirF binding to the virB promoter (N. J. Ragazzone, G. T. Dow, and A. Garcia, J Bacteriol 204:e00143-22, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00143-22). Here, we report studies of VirF binding to the icsA and rnaG promoters. Gel shift assays (electrophoretic mobility shift assays [EMSAs]) of WT VirF binding to these promoters revealed multiple bands at higher apparent molecular weights, indicating the likelihood of VirF dimerization when bound to DNA. For three of the mutants, we observed consistent effects on binding to the three promoters. For the four other mutants, we observed differential effects on promoter binding. Results of a cell-based, LexA monohybrid β-galactosidase reporter assay [D. A. Daines, M. Granger-Schnarr, M. Dimitrova, and R. P. Silver, Methods Enzymol 358:153-161, 2002, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0076-6879(02)58087-3] indicated that WT VirF dimerizes in vivo and that alanine mutations to Y132, L137, and L147 significantly reduced dimerization. However, these mutations negatively impacted protein stability. We did purify enough of the Y132A mutant to determine that it binds in vitro to the virB and rnaG promoters, albeit with weaker affinities. Full-length VirF model structures, generated with I-TASSER, predict that these three amino acids are in a "dimerization" helix in the NTD, consistent with our results. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections continue to rise dramatically, and the lack of new approved antibiotics is not ameliorating this crisis. A promising route to reduce AMR is by targeting virulence. The Shigella flexneri virulence pathway is a valuable source for potential therapeutic targets useful to treat this infection. VirF, an AraC-family virulence transcription factor, is responsible for activating necessary downstream virulence genes that allow the bacteria to invade and spread within the human colon. Previous studies have identified how VirF interacts with the virB promoter and have even developed a lead DNA-binding inhibitor, but not much is known about VirF dimerization or binding to the icsA and rnaG promoters. Fully characterizing VirF can be a valuable resource for inhibitor discovery/design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garrett T. Dow
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna M. Young
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - George A. Garcia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Umar S, Palasiewicz K, Meyer A, Kumar P, Prabhakar BS, Volin MV, Rahat R, Al-Awqati M, Chang HJ, Zomorrodi RK, Rehman J, Shahrara S. Inhibition of IRAK4 dysregulates SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-induced macrophage inflammatory and glycolytic reprogramming. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:301. [PMID: 35588018 PMCID: PMC9118817 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04329-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Escalated innate immunity plays a critical role in SARS-CoV-2 pathology; however, the molecular mechanism is incompletely understood. Thus, we aim to characterize the molecular mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein advances human macrophage (Mϴ) inflammatory and glycolytic phenotypes and uncover novel therapeutic strategies. We found that human Mϴs exposed to Spike protein activate IRAK4 phosphorylation. Blockade of IRAK4 in Spike protein-stimulated Mϴs nullifies signaling of IRAK4, AKT, and baseline p38 without affecting ERK and NF-κB activation. Intriguingly, IRAK4 inhibitor (IRAK4i) rescues the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytotoxic effect in ACE2+HEK 293 cells. Moreover, the inflammatory reprogramming of Mϴs by Spike protein was blunted by IRAK4i through IRF5 and IRF7, along with the reduction of monokines, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, and CCL2. Notably, in Spike protein-stimulated Mϴs, suppression of the inflammatory markers by IRAK4i was coupled with the rebalancing of oxidative phosphorylation over metabolic activity. This metabolic adaptation promoted by IRAK4i in Spike protein-activated Mϴs was shown to be in part through constraining PFKBF3, HIF1α, cMYC, LDHA, lactate expression, and reversal of citrate and succinate buildup. IRAK4 knockdown could comparably impair Spike protein-enhanced inflammatory and metabolic imprints in human Mϴs as those treated with ACE2, TLR2, and TLR7 siRNA. Extending these results, in murine models, where human SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein was not recognized by mouse ACE2, TLRs were responsible for the inflammatory and glycolytic responses instigated by Spike protein and were dysregulated by IRAK4i therapy. In conclusion, IRAK4i may be a promising strategy for severe COVID-19 patients by counter-regulating ACE2 and TLR-mediated Mϴ hyperactivation. IRAK4i therapy counteracts Mϴ inflammatory and glycolytic reprogramming triggered by Spike protein. This study illustrates that SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates IRAK4 signaling via ACE2 as well as TLR2 and TLR7 sensing in human Mϴs. Remarkably, IRAK4i treatment can dysregulate both ACE-dependent and independent (via TLR sensing) SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-activated inflammatory and metabolic imprints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadiq Umar
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Karol Palasiewicz
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Anja Meyer
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Prabhakaran Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bellur S Prabhakar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael V Volin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Rani Rahat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Mina Al-Awqati
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Huan J Chang
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Ryan K Zomorrodi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jalees Rehman
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shiva Shahrara
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, CSB suite 1114, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|