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Soo CI, Poon KV, Ayub A, You HW, Tan CX, Loh KJJ, Eng CCH, Sia LC, Wong CK. High-dose pulse methylprednisolone vs. dexamethasone standard therapy for severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia: Efficacy assessment in a retrospective single-centre experience from Malaysia. Med J Malaysia 2024; 79:15-20. [PMID: 38287752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of dexamethasone (DXM) has been associated with decreased mortality in the patients with hypoxemia during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, while the outcomes with methylprednisolone (MTP) have been mixed. This real-life study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19 who were treated with high doses of MTP. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study enrolled hospitalised patients between May 2021 and August 2021, aged 18 years and above, with severe respiratory failure defined by a ratio of oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen (SF ratio) of less than 235. The treatment protocol involved administering high-dose MTP for 3 days, followed by DXM, and the outcomes were compared with those of patients who received DXM alone (total treatment duration of 10 days for both groups). RESULTS A total of 99 patients were enrolled, with 79 (79.8%) receiving pulse MTP therapy and 20 (20.2%) being treated with DXM only. The SF ratio significantly improved from a mean of 144.49 (±45.16) at baseline to 208 (±85.19) at 72 hours (p < 0.05), with a mean difference of 63.51 (p < 0.001) in patients who received ≤750 mg of MTP. Additionally, in patients who received >750 mg of MTP, the SF ratio improved from a baseline mean of 130.39 (±34.53) to 208.44 (±86.61) at 72 hours (p < 0.05), with a mean difference of 78.05 (p = 0.001). In contrast, patients who received DXM only demonstrated an SF ratio of 132.85 (±44.1) at baseline, which changed minimally to 133.35 (±44.4) at 72 hours (p = 0.33), with a mean difference of 0.50 (p = 0.972). The incidence of nosocomial infection was higher in the MTP group compared with the DXM group (40.5% vs. 35%, p = 0.653), with a relative risk of 1.16 (95% CI: 0.60-2.23). CONCLUSION MTP did not demonstrate a significant reduction in intubation or intensive care unit admissions. Although a high dose of MTP improved gas exchange in patients with severe and critical COVID-19, it did not provide an overall mortality benefit compared to standard treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Soo
- University Malaya Medical Center, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - K V Poon
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - A Ayub
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - H W You
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - C X Tan
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - K J J Loh
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - C C H Eng
- University Malaya Medical Center, Department of Pharmacy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - L C Sia
- University Malaya Medical Center, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - C K Wong
- University Malaya Medical Center, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ling L, Lai CK, Lui G, Yeung ACM, Chan HC, Cheuk CHS, Cheung AN, Chang L, Chiu LCS, Zhang J, Wong WT, Hui DSC, Wong CK, Chan PKS, Chen Z. Characterization of upper airway microbiome across severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization and treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1205401. [PMID: 37469595 PMCID: PMC10352853 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1205401] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies on upper respiratory tract microbiome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) without potential confounders such as antimicrobial therapy are limited. The objective of this study is to assess for longitudinal changes in the upper respiratory microbiome, its association with disease severity, and potential confounders in adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Serial nasopharyngeal and throat swabs (NPSTSs) were taken for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from adults hospitalized for COVID-19. Alpha and beta diversity was assessed between different groups. Principal coordinate analysis was used to assess beta diversity between groups. Linear discriminant analysis was used to identify discriminative bacterial taxa in NPSTS taken early during hospitalization on need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A total of 314 NPSTS samples from 197 subjects (asymptomatic = 14, mild/moderate = 106, and severe/critical = 51 patients with COVID-19; non-COVID-19 mechanically ventilated ICU patients = 11; and healthy volunteers = 15) were sequenced. Among all covariates, antibiotic treatment had the largest effect on upper airway microbiota. When samples taken after antibiotics were excluded, alpha diversity (Shannon, Simpson, richness, and evenness) was similar across severity of COVID-19, whereas beta diversity (weighted GUniFrac and Bray-Curtis distance) remained different. Thirteen bacterial genera from NPSTS taken within the first week of hospitalization were associated with a need for ICU admission (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99). Longitudinal analysis showed that the upper respiratory microbiota alpha and beta diversity was unchanged during hospitalization in the absence of antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lowell Ling
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Christopher K.C. Lai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Apple Chung Man Yeung
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hiu Ching Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung Hon Shawn Cheuk
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Adonia Nicole Cheung
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lok Ching Chang
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lok Ching Sandra Chiu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jack Zhenhe Zhang
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Tat Wong
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David S. C. Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul K. S. Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zigui Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Yang H, Yue GGL, Yuen KK, Gao S, Leung PC, Wong CK, Lau CBS. Mechanistic insights into the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of Patrinia villosa aqueous extract in colon cancer via modulation of TGF-β R1-smad2/3-E-cadherin and FAK-RhoA-cofilin pathways. Phytomedicine 2023; 117:154900. [PMID: 37269754 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patrinia villosa, a traditional medicinal herb commonly used for treating intestinal-related diseases, has been commonly prescribed by Chinese medicine practitioners as a key component herb to treat colon cancer, although its anti-tumor effect and mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of Patrinia villosa aqueous extract (PVW), and its underlying mechanisms. METHOD The chemical profile of PVW was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method. Cell-based functional assays MTT, BrdU, scratch, and transwell were conducted to evaluate the effects of PVW on human colon cancer HCT116 and murine colon26-luc cells, assessing cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, motility, and migration, respectively. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of PVW on the expression of key intracellular signaling proteins. In vivo studies were conducted using zebrafish embryos and tumor-bearing mice to evaluate the anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-metastatic effects of PVW in colon cancer. RESULTS Five chemical markers were identified and quantified in PVW. PVW exhibited significant cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative activity, as well as inhibitory effects on cell motility and migration in both HCT116 and colon 26-luc cancer cells via modulating protein expressions of TGF-β R1, smad2/3, snail, E-cadherin, FAK, RhoA, and cofilin. PVW (0.01-0.1 mg/ml) could significantly decrease the length of subintestinal vessels of zebrafish embryos through decreasing mRNA expressions of FLT1, FLT4, KDRL, VEGFaa, VEGFc, and Tie1. PVW (> 0.05 mg/ml) also significantly suppressed colon cancer cells migration in the zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, oral administration of PVW (1.6 g/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth by decreasing the expressions of tumor activation marker Ki-67 and CD 31 in tumor tissues of HCT116 tumor-bearing mice. PVW could also significantly inhibit lung metastasis in colon 26-luc tumor-bearing mice by modulating their tumor microenvironment, including immune cells populations (T cells and MDSCs), levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ), as well as increasing the relative abundance of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION This study revealed for the first time the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of PVW through regulation of TGF-β-smad2/3-E-cadherin, and FAK-cofilin pathways in colon cancer. These findings provide scientific evidence to support the clinical use of P. villosa in patients with colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihai Yang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Gar-Lee Yue
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka-Ki Yuen
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Si Gao
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Bik-San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Lui G, Leung HS, Lee J, Wong CK, Li X, Ho M, Wong V, Li T, Ho T, Chan YY, Lee SS, Lee APW, Wong KT, Zee B. An efficient approach to estimate the risk of coronary artery disease for people living with HIV using machine-learning-based retinal image analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281701. [PMID: 36827291 PMCID: PMC9955663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV (PLWH) have increased risks of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Current HIV clinical management guidelines recommend regular cardiovascular risk screening, but the risk equation models are not specific for PLWH. Better tools are needed to assess cardiovascular risk among PLWH accurately. METHODS We performed a prospective study to determine the performance of automatic retinal image analysis in assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) in PLWH. We enrolled PLWH with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor. All participants had computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram and digital fundus photographs. The primary outcome was coronary atherosclerosis; secondary outcomes included obstructive CAD. In addition, we compared the performances of three models (traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone; retinal characteristics alone; and both traditional and retinal characteristics) by comparing the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS Among the 115 participants included in the analyses, with a mean age of 54 years, 89% were male, 95% had undetectable HIV RNA, 45% had hypertension, 40% had diabetes, 45% had dyslipidemia, and 55% had obesity, 71 (61.7%) had coronary atherosclerosis, and 23 (20.0%) had obstructive CAD. The machine-learning models, including retinal characteristics with and without traditional cardiovascular risk factors, had AUC of 0.987 and 0.979, respectively and had significantly better performance than the model including traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone (AUC 0.746) in assessing coronary artery disease atherosclerosis. The sensitivity and specificity for risk of coronary atherosclerosis in the combined model were 93.0% and 93.2%, respectively. For the assessment of obstructive CAD, models using retinal characteristics alone (AUC 0.986) or in combination with traditional risk factors (AUC 0.991) performed significantly better than traditional risk factors alone (AUC 0.777). The sensitivity and specificity for risk of obstructive CAD in the combined model were 95.7% and 97.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION In this cohort of Asian PLWH at risk of cardiovascular diseases, retinal characteristics, either alone or combined with traditional risk factors, had superior performance in assessing coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive CAD. SUMMARY People living with HIV in an Asian cohort with risk factors for cardiovascular disease had a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). A machine-learning-based retinal image analysis could increase the accuracy in assessing the risk of coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ho Sang Leung
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jack Lee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Xinxin Li
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Mary Ho
- Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Vivian Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Timothy Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Tracy Ho
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yin Yan Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Shui Shan Lee
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Alex PW Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
- Laboratory of Cardiac Imaging and 3D Printing, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ka Tak Wong
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Benny Zee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
- * E-mail:
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Zamboni F, Wong CK, Collins MN. Hyaluronic acid association with bacterial, fungal and viral infections: Can hyaluronic acid be used as an antimicrobial polymer for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications? Bioact Mater 2023; 19:458-473. [PMID: 35574061 PMCID: PMC9079116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationships between hyaluronic acid (HA) and pathological microorganisms incite new understandings on microbial infection, tissue penetration, disease progression and lastly, potential treatments. These understandings are important for the advancement of next generation antimicrobial therapeutical strategies for the control of healthcare-associated infections. Herein, this review will focus on the interplay between HA, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review will also comprehensively detail and discuss the antimicrobial activity displayed by various HA molecular weights for a variety of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, including microbiology, pharmaceutics, and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Zamboni
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Maurice N. Collins
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland
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Wong CK, Cho LY, Lau WL, Cheung IYY, Yu CHT, Law IC, Leung WC. Candida glabrata fungal ball cystitis is a rare complication of conservative treatment of placenta accreta: a case report. Hong Kong Med J 2022; 28:324-327. [PMID: 35989434 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj219449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C K Wong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - L Y Cho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - W L Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - I Y Y Cheung
- Department of Pathology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - C H T Yu
- Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - I C Law
- Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - W C Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
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Zeng W, Hu M, Lee HK, Wat E, Lau CBS, Ho CS, Wong CK, Tomlinson B. Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Green Tea Extract on Simvastatin Pharmacokinetics and Influence of the SLCO1B1 521T > C Polymorphism. Front Nutr 2022; 9:868126. [PMID: 35685887 PMCID: PMC9171976 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.868126] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Green tea and soy products are extensively consumed by many people and they may influence the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters to result in drug interactions. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of green tea and soy isoflavone extracts on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in healthy subjects and to clarify the role of polymorphisms in the SLCO1B1 drug transporter in this effect. Methods This was an open-label, three-phase randomized crossover pharmacokinetic study. A single dose of simvastatin 20 mg was taken on three occasions (without herbs, with green tea, and with soy isoflavones) by healthy male Chinese subjects. The green tea and soy isoflavone extracts were given at a dose containing EGCG 800 mg once daily or soy isoflavones about 80 mg once daily for 14 days before simvastatin dosing with at least 4-weeks washout period between phases. Results All the 18 subjects completed the study. Intake of soy isoflavones was associated with reduced systemic exposure to simvastatin acid [geometric mean (% coefficient of variation) AUC0-24h from 16.1 (44.2) h⋅μg/L to 12.1 (54.6) h⋅μg/L, P < 0.05) but not the lactone. Further analysis showed that the interaction between simvastatin and the soy isoflavones only resulted in a significant reduction of AUC in subjects with the SLCO1B1 521TT genotype and not in those with the 521C variant allele. There was no overall effect of the green tea extract on simvastatin pharmacokinetics but the group with the SLCO1B1 521TT genotype showed reduced AUC values for simvastatin acid. Conclusion This study showed repeated administration of soy isoflavones reduced the systemic bioavailability of simvastatin in healthy volunteers that was dependent on the SLCO1B1 genotype which suggested that soy isoflavones-simvastatin interaction is impacted by genotype-related function of this liver uptake transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zeng
- The Second People's Hospital of Longgang District, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Hu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hon Kit Lee
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elaine Wat
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung Shun Ho
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brian Tomlinson
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
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Ding W, Lau SL, Wang CC, Zhang T, Getsko O, Lee NMW, Chim SSC, Wong CK, Leung TY. Dynamic changes in maternal immune biomarkers during labor in nulliparous vs multiparous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 227:627.e1-627.e23. [PMID: 35609644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunomodulation is observed in human parturition. However, data from longitudinal studies for the prelabor phase and the active phase of labor are lacking, and no study had compared the immune responses during labor between nulliparous and multiparous women. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the temporal changes of immune biomarkers in maternal blood from the prelabor phase to the latent and active phases of labor and to compare the dynamic changes between nulliparous and multiparous women. STUDY DESIGN A prospective case-control study was conducted on women who had induction of labor at term followed by vaginal delivery. Maternal blood was serially collected at 3 consecutive time points: (1) before the onset of labor, (2) during the latent phase of labor, and (3) during the active phase of labor. Peripheral immune cells were measured by 4-color flow cytometry, and the plasma concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were measured by cytometric bead arrays. A longitudinal comparison was made to assess the dynamic changes in inflammatory parameters over 3 time points in nulliparous and multiparous women, respectively, and a cross-sectional comparison was made between nulliparous and multiparous women. RESULTS A total of 40 women, including 20 nulliparous and 20 multiparous, were included in the study. Prelabor circulating levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, monokine induced by gamma interferon, and interferon gamma-induced protein-10 were higher in multiparous women than in nulliparous women. In the latent phase of labor, the innate immune system in both groups responded with increases in neutrophils and interleukin 6, and the nulliparous women showed a more pronounced response. During the active phase of labor, such innate immune response continued with both groups, with additional increases in natural killer cells, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin 8, and interleukin 10. Conversely, the adaptive immune system in nulliparous women showed a reduction in both cytotoxic and helper T cells, whereas the adaptive immune system in multiparous women only had a reduction in helper T cells, showing a smaller reduction. CONCLUSION Innate and adaptive immune responses partake in immunomodulation during human parturition. Nulliparous and multiparous women showed different responses in their blood levels of immune cells and biomarkers during the different phases of labor.
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Zhang L, Xu Z, Mak JWY, Chow KM, Lui G, Li TCM, Wong CK, Chan PKS, Ching JYL, Fujiwara Y, Chan FKL, Ng SC. Gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula (SIM01) as a novel adjuvant therapy for COVID-19: An open-label pilot study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:823-831. [PMID: 35170078 PMCID: PMC9115073 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Gut dysbiosis is associated with immune dysfunction and severity of COVID-19. Whether targeting dysbiosis will improve outcomes of COVID-19 is unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of a novel gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula (SIM01) as an adjuvant therapy on immunological responses and changes in gut microbiota of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS This was an open-label, proof-of-concept study. Consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to an infectious disease referral center in Hong Kong were given a novel formula of Bifidobacteria strains, galactooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharide, and resistant dextrin (SIM01). The latter was derived from metagenomic databases of COVID-19 patients and healthy population. COVID-19 patients who were admitted under another independent infectious disease team during the same period without receiving SIM01 acted as controls. All patients received standard treatments for COVID-19 according to the hospital protocol. We assessed antibody response, plasma proinflammatory markers, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load, and fecal microbiota profile from admission up to week 5. RESULTS Twenty-five consecutive COVID-19 patients received SIM01 for 28 days; 30 patients who did not receive the formula acted as controls. Significantly more patients receiving SIM01 than controls developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody (88% vs 63.3%; P = 0.037) by Day 16. One (4%) and 8 patients (26.7%) in the SIM01 and control group, respectively, failed to develop positive IgG antibody upon discharge. At week 5, plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and IL-1RA reduced significantly in the SIM01 but not in the control group. There was a significant negative correlation of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and SIM01 intervention. Metagenomic analysis showed that bacterial species in SIM01 formula were found in greater abundance leading to enrichment of commensal bacteria and suppression of opportunistic pathogens in COVID-19 patients by week 4 and week 5. CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-concept study suggested that the use of a novel gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula, SIM01, hastened antibody formation against SARS-CoV-2, reduced nasopharyngeal viral load, reduced pro-inflammatory immune markers, and restored gut dysbiosis in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Microbiota I‐Center (MagIC)The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Zhilu Xu
- Microbiota I‐Center (MagIC)The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Joyce W Y Mak
- Microbiota I‐Center (MagIC)The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Kai Ming Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Grace Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Timothy C M Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Paul K S Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Jessica Y L Ching
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Yasuhiro Fujiwara
- Department of GastroenterologyOsaka City University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Francis K L Chan
- Microbiota I‐Center (MagIC)The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Siew C Ng
- Microbiota I‐Center (MagIC)The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
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10
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Zeng W, Hu M, Lee HK, Wat E, Lau CBS, Ho CS, Wong CK, Tomlinson B. Effect of Green Tea Extract and Soy Isoflavones on the Pharmacokinetics of Rosuvastatin in Healthy Volunteers. Front Nutr 2022; 9:850318. [PMID: 35399656 PMCID: PMC8987933 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.850318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Green tea and soy products are extensively consumed in daily life. Research has shown that green tea catechins and soy isoflavones may influence the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. We examined whether regular consumption of green tea extract or soy isoflavones affected the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of rosuvastatin in healthy subjects and whether any interactions were influenced by the polymorphism in the drug transporter ABCG2. Study Design This was an open-label, three-phase randomized crossover study with single doses of rosuvastatin. Methods Healthy Chinese male subjects were given a single dose of rosuvastatin 10 mg on 3 occasions: 1. without herbs; 2. with green tea extract; 3. with soy isoflavone extract. The green tea and soy isoflavone extract were given at a dose containing EGCG 800 mg once daily or soy isoflavones−80 mg once daily for 14 days before statin dosing and at the same time as the statin dosing with at least 4-weeks washout period between phases. Results Twenty healthy male subjects completed the study and the intake of green tea extract significantly reduced the systemic exposure to rosuvastatin by about 20% reducing AUC0−24h from [geometric mean (% coefficient of variation)] 108.7 (28.9) h·μg/L to 74.1 (35.3) h·μg/L and Cmax from 13.1 (32.2) μg/L to 7.9 (38.3) μg/L (P < 0.001 for both), without affecting the elimination half-life. The ABCG2 421C>A polymorphism had a significant effect on rosuvastatin exposure but no impact on the interaction with green tea. Soy isoflavones had no significant effect on rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. Conclusion This study showed that repeated administration of green tea extract significantly reduced the systemic exposure of rosuvastatin in healthy volunteers. These effects might be predicted to either reduce or increase the lipid-lowering effect of rosuvastatin depending on the mechanism of the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zeng
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Hu
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hon Kit Lee
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elaine Wat
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung Shun Ho
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brian Tomlinson
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
- *Correspondence: Brian Tomlinson ; orcid.org/0000-0001-6717-5444
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Zhang F, Wan Y, Zuo T, Yeoh YK, Liu Q, Zhang L, Zhan H, Lu W, Xu W, Lui GC, Li AY, Cheung CP, Wong CK, Chan PK, Chan FK, Ng SC. Prolonged Impairment of Short-Chain Fatty Acid and L-Isoleucine Biosynthesis in Gut Microbiome in Patients With COVID-19. Gastroenterology 2022; 162:548-561.e4. [PMID: 34687739 PMCID: PMC8529231 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with altered gut microbiota composition. Phylogenetic groups of gut bacteria involved in the metabolism of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were depleted in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We aimed to characterize a functional profile of the gut microbiome in patients with COVID-19 before and after disease resolution. METHODS We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples from 66 antibiotics-naïve patients with COVID-19 and 70 non-COVID-19 controls. Serial fecal samples were collected (at up to 6 times points) during hospitalization and beyond 1 month after discharge. We assessed gut microbial pathways in association with disease severity and blood inflammatory markers. We also determined changes of microbial functions in fecal samples before and after disease resolution and validated these functions using targeted analysis of fecal metabolites. RESULTS Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients with COVID-19 with severe/critical illness showed significant alterations in gut microbiome functionality (P < .001), characterized by impaired capacity of gut microbiome for SCFA and L-isoleucine biosynthesis and enhanced capacity for urea production. Impaired SCFA and L-isoleucine biosynthesis in gut microbiome persisted beyond 30 days after recovery in patients with COVID-19. Targeted analysis of fecal metabolites showed significantly lower fecal concentrations of SCFAs and L-isoleucine in patients with COVID-19 before and after disease resolution. Lack of SCFA and L-isoleucine biosynthesis significantly correlated with disease severity and increased plasma concentrations of CXCL-10, NT- proB-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Gut microbiome of patients with COVID-19 displayed impaired capacity for SCFA and L-isoleucine biosynthesis that persisted even after disease resolution. These 2 microbial functions correlated with host immune response underscoring the importance of gut microbial functions in SARS-CoV-2 infection pathogenesis and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Zhang
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yating Wan
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Zuo
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun Kit Yeoh
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and Peter Hung Pain Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui Zhan
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenqi Lu
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenye Xu
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Grace C.Y. Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amy Y.L. Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Pan Cheung
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul K.S. Chan
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Francis K.L. Chan
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siew C. Ng
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,State Key Laboratory for Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Shatin, Hong Kong, China,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Siew C. Ng, PhD, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 9/F, Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
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12
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Ling J, Chan BCL, Tsang MSM, Gao X, Leung PC, Lam CWK, Hu JM, Wong CK. Current Advances in Mechanisms and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease: Toward Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:815075. [PMID: 35111787 PMCID: PMC8801439 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.815075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry eye is currently one of the most common ocular surface disease. It can lead to ocular discomfort and even cause visual impairment, which greatly affects the work and quality of life of patients. With the increasing incidence of dry eye disease (DED) in recent years, the disease is receiving more and more attention, and has become one of the hot research fields in ophthalmology research. Recently, with the in-depth research on the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of DED, it has been shown that defects in immune regulation is one of the main pathological mechanisms of DED. Since the non-specific and specific immune response of the ocular surface are jointly regulated, a variety of immune cells and inflammatory factors are involved in the development of DED. The conventional treatment of DED is the application of artificial tears for lubricating the ocular surface. However, for moderate-to-severe DED, treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is necessary. In this review, the immunomodulatory mechanisms of DED and the latest research progress of its related treatments including Chinese medicine will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Ling
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ben Chung-Lap Chan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xun Gao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Wai-Kei Lam
- Faculty of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Jiang-Miao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- *Correspondence: Chun Kwok Wong
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13
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Ling L, Chen Z, Lui G, Wong CK, Wong WT, Ng RWY, Tso EYK, Fung KSC, Chan V, Yeung ACM, Hui DSC, Chan PKS. Longitudinal Cytokine Profile in Patients With Mild to Critical COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:763292. [PMID: 34938289 PMCID: PMC8685399 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.763292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytokine release syndrome has been proposed as the driver of inflammation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, studies on longitudinal cytokine profiles in patients across the whole severity spectrum of COVID-19 are lacking. In this prospective observational study on adult COVID-19 patients admitted to two Hong Kong public hospitals, cytokine profiling was performed on blood samples taken during early phase (within 7 days of symptom onset) and late phase (8 to 12 days of symptom onset). The primary objective was to evaluate the difference in early and late cytokine profiles among patient groups with different disease severity. The secondary objective was to assess the associations between cytokines and clinical endpoints in critically ill patients. A total of 40 adult patients (mild = 8, moderate = 15, severe/critical = 17) hospitalized with COVID-19 were included in this study. We found 22 cytokines which were correlated with disease severity, as proinflammatory Th1-related cytokines (interleukin (IL)-18, interferon-induced protein-10 (IP-10), monokine-induced by gamma interferon (MIG), and IL-10) and ARDS-associated cytokines (IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and IL-8) were progressively elevated with increasing disease severity. Furthermore, 11 cytokines were consistently different in both early and late phases, including seven (growth-regulated oncogene-alpha (GRO-α), IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IP-10, and MIG) that increased and four (FGF-2, IL-5, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and MIP-1α) that decreased from mild to severe/critical patients. IL-8, followed by IP-10 and MDC were the best performing early biomarkers to predict disease severity. Among critically ill patients, MCP-1 predicted the duration of mechanical ventilation, highest norepinephrine dose administered, and length of intensive care stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lowell Ling
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zigui Chen
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai Tat Wong
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rita W Y Ng
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eugene Y K Tso
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kitty S C Fung
- Department of Pathology, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Veronica Chan
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Apple C M Yeung
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David S C Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul K S Chan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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14
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Yang H, Yue GGL, Leung PC, Wong CK, Lau CBS. A review on the molecular mechanisms, the therapeutic treatment including the potential of herbs and natural products, and target prediction of obesity-associated colorectal cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106031. [PMID: 34896542 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Obesity has been proven to be closely related to colorectal carcinogenesis. This review summarized the potential underlying mechanisms linking obesity to CRC in different aspects, including energy metabolism, inflammation, activities of adipokines and hormones. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic targets of obesity-associated CRC were predicted using network-based target analysis, with total predicted pathways not only containing previously reported pathways, but also putative signaling pathways pending for investigation. In addition, the current conventional therapeutic treatment options, plus the potential use of herbs and natural products in the management of obesity-associated CRC were also discussed. Taken together, the aim of this review article is to provide strong theoretical basis for future drug development, particularly herbs and natural products, in obesity-associated CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihai Yang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Gar Lee Yue
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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Lui G, Wong CK, Chan M, Chong KC, Wong R, Chu I, Zhang M, Li T, Hui D, Lee N, Chan P. Host inflammatory response is the major marker of severe respiratory syncytial virus infection in older adults. J Infect 2021; 83:686-692. [PMID: 34614399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aim to study the viral kinetics and host inflammatory response of RSV infection in older adults, and their correlation with disease severity. METHODS We performed a prospective observational study in adults with RSV infection. We serially collected nasal-throat swabs for quantification of RSV-A and RSV-B viral load, and peripheral blood samples for measurement of cytokine/chemokine concentrations. The study endpoints were (i) requiring supplemental oxygen therapy, and (ii) non-invasive ventilation, intensive care, or died within 30 days of admission. We performed multivariable logistic regression models to identify independent variables for severe disease. RESULTS We enrolled 71 hospitalized patients and 10 outpatients treated for RSV infection (median age 75 years, 51% male, and 74% with comorbidities). Among hospitalized patients, 61% required supplemental oxygen therapy, and 18% had severe disease requiring non-invasive ventilation or intensive care, or died within 30 days. Inflammatory cytokine/chemokines IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL9/MIG and CXCL10/IP-10 increased significantly during the acute phase of illness. IL-6 concentration was independently associated with severe disease after adjusting for confounding factors. RSV viral load was not associated with disease severity throughout the course of illness. CONCLUSION Host inflammatory response is a major marker of severe disease in older adults with RSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - M Chan
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - K C Chong
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Health System and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - R Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - I Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - M Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - T Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Dsc Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - N Lee
- Institute for Pandemics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Pks Chan
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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16
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Yeoh YK, Zuo T, Lui GCY, Zhang F, Liu Q, Li AYL, Chung ACK, Cheung CP, Tso EYK, Fung KSC, Chan V, Ling L, Joynt G, Hui DSC, Chow KM, Ng SSS, Li TCM, Ng RWY, Yip TCF, Wong GLH, Chan FKL, Wong CK, Chan PKS, Ng SC. Gut microbiota composition reflects disease severity and dysfunctional immune responses in patients with COVID-19. Gut 2021; 70:698-706. [PMID: 33431578 PMCID: PMC7804842 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 678] [Impact Index Per Article: 226.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, there is mounting evidence suggesting that the GI tract is involved in this disease. We investigated whether the gut microbiome is linked to disease severity in patients with COVID-19, and whether perturbations in microbiome composition, if any, resolve with clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. METHODS In this two-hospital cohort study, we obtained blood, stool and patient records from 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serial stool samples were collected from 27 of the 100 patients up to 30 days after clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Gut microbiome compositions were characterised by shotgun sequencing total DNA extracted from stools. Concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and blood markers were measured from plasma. RESULTS Gut microbiome composition was significantly altered in patients with COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 individuals irrespective of whether patients had received medication (p<0.01). Several gut commensals with known immunomodulatory potential such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale and bifidobacteria were underrepresented in patients and remained low in samples collected up to 30 days after disease resolution. Moreover, this perturbed composition exhibited stratification with disease severity concordant with elevated concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and blood markers such as C reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase. CONCLUSION Associations between gut microbiota composition, levels of cytokines and inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 suggest that the gut microbiome is involved in the magnitude of COVID-19 severity possibly via modulating host immune responses. Furthermore, the gut microbiota dysbiosis after disease resolution could contribute to persistent symptoms, highlighting a need to understand how gut microorganisms are involved in inflammation and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Kit Yeoh
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Tao Zuo
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Chung-Yan Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Fen Zhang
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Qin Liu
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Amy YL Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Arthur CK Chung
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Pan Cheung
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Eugene YK Tso
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Kitty SC Fung
- Department of Pathology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Veronica Chan
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Lowell Ling
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Gavin Joynt
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - David Shu-Cheong Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Kai Ming Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Susanna So Shan Ng
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Timothy Chun-Man Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Rita WY Ng
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Terry CF Yip
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Francis KL Chan
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Paul KS Chan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Siew C Ng
- Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong .,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory for digestive disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Mao D, Cao H, Shi M, Wang CC, Kwong J, Li JJX, Hou Y, Ming X, Lee HM, Tian XY, Wong CK, Chow E, Kong APS, Lui VWY, Chan PKS, Chan JCN. Increased co-expression of PSMA2 and GLP-1 receptor in cervical cancer models in type 2 diabetes attenuated by Exendin-4: A translational case-control study. EBioMedicine 2021; 65:103242. [PMID: 33684886 PMCID: PMC7938253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of many types of cancer. Dysregulation of proteasome-related protein degradation leads to tumorigenesis, while Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, possesses anti-cancer effects. METHODS We explored the co-expression of proteasome alpha 2 subunit (PSMA2) and GLP-1R in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and human cervical cancer specimens, supplemented by in vivo and in vitro studies using multiple cervical cancer cell lines. FINDINGS PSMA2 expression was increased in 12 cancer types in TCGA database and cervical cancer specimens from patients with T2D (T2D vs non-T2D: 3.22 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.38, 5.05) vs 1.00 (0.66, 1.34) fold change, P = 0.01). psma2-shRNA decreased cell proliferation in vitro, and tumour volume and Ki67 expression in vivo. Exendin-4 decreased psma2 expression, tumour volume and Ki67 expression in vivo. There was no change in GLP-1R expression in 12 cancer types in TCGA database. However, GLP-1R expression (T2D vs non-T2D: 5.49 (3.0, 8.1) vs 1.00 (0.5, 1.5) fold change, P < 0.001) was increased and positively correlated with PSMA2 expression in T2D-related (r = 0.68) but not in non-T2D-related cervical cancer specimens. This correlation was corroborated by in vitro experiments where silencing glp-1r decreased psma2 expression. Exendin-4 attenuated phospho-p65 and -IκB expression in the NF-κB pathway. INTERPRETATION PSMA2 and GLP-1R expression in T2D-related cervical cancer specimens was increased and positively correlated, suggesting hyperglycaemia might promote cancer growth by increasing PSMA2 expression which could be attenuated by Exendin-4. FUNDING This project was supported by Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, Direct Grant, Diabetes Research and Education Fund from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Mao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huanyi Cao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mai Shi
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joseph Kwong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joshua Jing Xi Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yong Hou
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xing Ming
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Heung Man Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elaine Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alice Pik Shan Kong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul Kay Sheung Chan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Juliana Chung Ngor Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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18
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Tsang MSM, Hou T, Chan BCL, Wong CK. Immunological Roles of NLR in Allergic Diseases and Its Underlying Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1507. [PMID: 33546184 PMCID: PMC7913164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding on the immunological roles of pathogen recognition in innate immunity has vastly increased over the past 20 years. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLR) are cytosolic pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that are responsible for sensing microbial motifs and endogenous damage signals in mammalian cytosol for immune surveillance and host defense. The accumulating discoveries on these NLR sensors in allergic diseases suggest that the pathogenesis of allergic diseases may not be confined to the adaptive immune response. Therapy targeting NLR in murine models also shields light on its potential in the treatment of allergies in man. In this review, we herein summarize the recent understanding of the role of NLR sensors and their molecular mechanisms involved in allergic inflammation, including atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.S.-M.T.); (T.H.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Tianheng Hou
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.S.-M.T.); (T.H.)
| | - Ben Chung-Lap Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.S.-M.T.); (T.H.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Cai Z, Zhang S, Wu P, Ren Q, Wei P, Hong M, Feng Y, Wong CK, Tang H, Zeng H. A novel potential target of IL-35-regulated JAK/STAT signaling pathway in lupus nephritis. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e309. [PMID: 33634995 PMCID: PMC7851357 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we have investigated the potential regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 to relieve lupus nephritis (LN) through regulating Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway in mesangial cells. RESULTS Among 105 significant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) patients with LN and healthy controls, LAIR1, PDGFRβ, VTN, EPHB4, and EPHA4 were downregulated in JSLE-LN. They consist of an interactive network with PTPN11 and FN1, which involved in IL-35-related JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Besides, urinary LAIR1 was significantly correlated with JSLE-LN clinical parameters such as SLEDAI-2K, %CD19+ B, and %CD3+ T cells. Through bioinformatics analysis of co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry results, including GO, KEGG, and STRING, five genes interacted with Lair1 were upregulated by IL-35, but only Myh10 was downregulated. Therefore, we presumed an interactive network among these DEPs, JAK/STAT, and IL-35. Moreover, the downregulated phosphorylated (p)-STAT3, p-p38 MAPK, and p-ERK, and the upregulated p-JAK2/p-STAT1/4 in IL-35 overexpressed mesangial cells, and RNA-sequencing results validated the potential regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 in alleviating JSLE-LN disease. Moreover, the relieved histopathological features of nephritis including urine protein and leukocyte scores, a decreased %CD90+ αSMA+ mesangial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the inactivated JAK/STAT signals and the significant upregulated Tregs in spleen, thymus and peripheral blood were validated in Tregs and IL-35 overexpression plasmid-treated lupus mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study provided a reference proteomic map of urinary biomarkers for JSLE-LN and elucidated evidence that IL-35 may regulate the interactive network of LAIR1-PTPN11-JAK-STAT-FN1 to affect JAK/STAT and MAPK signaling pathways to alleviate inflammation in JSLE-LN. This finding may provide a further prospective mechanism for JSLE-LN clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Cai
- The Joint Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institute of PediatricsGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal University, Guangzhou, ChinaInstitute Pasteur of ShanghaiChinese Academy of ScienceShanghaiChina
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Department of Chemical PathologyPrince of Wales HospitalThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal PlantsThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Jinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qi Ren
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ping Wei
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ming Hong
- Institute of Advanced Diagnostic and Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan People's HospitalGuangzhou University & Zhongshan People's Hospital Joint Biomedical Institute2 Sunwen East RoadZhongshanChina
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of TraumatologyNingxia Hui Autonomous RegionGeneral Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuanChina
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical PathologyPrince of Wales HospitalThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal PlantsThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Hong Tang
- Institute Pasteur of ShanghaiChinese Academy of ScienceShanghaiChina
| | - Huasong Zeng
- Department of AllergyImmunology and RheumatologyGuangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Meidcal UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Zhao Y, Zhang T, Guo X, Wong CK, Chen X, Chan YL, Wang CC, Laird S, Li TC. Successful implantation is associated with a transient increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile followed by a switch to anti-inflammatory cytokine profile prior to confirmation of pregnancy. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:1044-1053. [PMID: 33272613 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the changing peripheral levels of inflammation-related cytokine profile during a 9-day period after blastocyst transfer between women who did and did not conceive. DESIGN Prospective, observational, and longitudinal study. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENT(S) Forty-seven women with infertility who were undergoing single day-5 blastocyst transfer were recruited. INTERVENTION(S) This prospective observational and longitudinal study on 47 women with infertility was performed in an in vitro fertilization unit from December 2018 to August 2019. The amounts of a range of cytokines was measured on serial blood samples obtained during a 9-day period after blastocyst transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Serial blood samples were obtained on the day of embryo transfer, and 3, 6, and 9 days afterward for measurement of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-18, and IL-22 using cytometric bead arrays; transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULT(S) The cytokine profile was similar between the women who conceived and those who did not on the day of blastocyst transfer. In women who conceived, IFN-γ and IL-17 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) exhibited a transient and significant increase on day 3 after blastocyst transfer, which decreased to the baseline levels by day 6. Meanwhile, IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) was increased significantly on days 6 and 9, and TGF-β1 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) was increased significantly on day 9 after blastocyst transfer. In women who did not conceive, there was a more pronounced increase in IFN-γ and IL-17 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) on day 3, which was sustained on days 6 and 9 without a switch to an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile. CONCLUSION(S) Among women who conceived after blastocyst embryo transfer, there was a transient and modest increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile (IFN-γ and IL-17) 3 days after blastocyst transfer, which was followed by a switch to anti-inflammatory cytokine profile (increase IL-10 and TGF-β1) by 6 days after blastocyst transfer and the latter increase was sustained 9 days after blastocyst transfer, when pregnancy was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xi Guo
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiu Leung Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Reproduction and Development Laboratory, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Chinese University of Hong Kong -Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Susan Laird
- Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Tin Chiu Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Chinese University of Hong Kong -Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Chu M, Wu P, Hong M, Zeng H, Wong CK, Feng Y, Cai Z, Lu WW. Lingzhi and San-Miao-San with hyaluronic acid gel mitigate cartilage degeneration in anterior cruciate ligament transection induced osteoarthritis. J Orthop Translat 2020; 26:132-140. [PMID: 33437632 PMCID: PMC7773973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the mitigate efficacy of Chinese medicine Lingzhi (LZ) and San-Miao-San (SMS) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA)-gel in attenuating cartilage degeneration in traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The standardized surgery of anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was made from the medial compartment of right hind limbs of 8-week-old female SD rats and resulted in a traumatic OA. Rats (n = 5/group) were treated once intra-articular injection of 50 μl HA-gel, 50 μl HA-gel+50 μg LZ-SMS, 50 μl of saline+50 μg LZ-SMS and null (ACLT group) respectively, except sham group. Limbs were harvested for μCT scan and histopathological staining 3-month post-treatment. Inflammatory cytokines from plasma and synovial fluid were detected using Immunology Multiplex Assay kit. The putative targets of active compounds in LZ-SMS and known therapeutic targets for OA were combined to construct protein–protein interaction network. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was adopted to predict the potential targets and signaling pathway of LZ-SMS in OA through the tool of DAVID Bioinformatics. Results In vivo, HA-gel + LZ-SMS treatment resulted in a higher volume ratio of hyaline cartilage (HC)/calcified cartilage (CC) and HC/Sum (total volume of cartilage), compared to ACLT and HA-gel groups. In addition, histological results showed the elevated cartilage matrix, chondrogenic and osteoblastic signals in HA-gel + LZ-SMS treatment. Treatment also significantly altered subchondral bone (SCB) structure including an increase in BV/TV, Tb.Th, BMD, Conn.Dn, Tb.N, and DA, as well as a significant decrease in Tb.Sp and Po(tot), which implied a protective effect on maintaining the stabilization of tibial SCB microstructure. Furthermore, there was also a down-regulated inflammatory cytokines and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in HA+LZ-SMS group. Finally, 64 shared targets from 37 active compounds in LZ-SMS related to the core genes for the development of OA. LZ-SMS has a putative role in regulating inflammatory circumstance through influencing the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion Our study elucidated a protective effect of HA-gel + LZ-SMS in mitigating cartilage degradation and putative interaction with targets and signaling pathway for the development of traumatic OA. The translational potential of this article Our results provide a biological rationale for the use of LZ-SMS as a potential candidate for OA treatment.
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Key Words
- 3D, Three-dimensional
- AC, Articular cartilage
- ACLT, Anterior cruciate ligament transection
- Acan, Aggrecan
- Articular cartilage
- BMD, Bone mineral density
- BV/TV, Bone volume fraction
- CC, Calcified cartilage
- Conn.Dn, Connectivity density
- DA, Degree of anisotropy
- DL, Drug-likeness
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- FDR, False discovery rate
- GO, Gene ontology
- HA, Hyaluronic acid
- HC, Hyaline cartilage
- Hyaluronic acid gel
- KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
- LZ-SMS, Lingzhi-San-Miao-San
- Lingzhi and San-Miao-San
- MZ, Middle zone area of articular cartilage
- NC, Negative control
- OA, Osteoarthritis
- OB, Oral bioavailability
- OMIM, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
- Osteoarthritis
- PPI, Protein–protein interaction
- Po(tot), Total porosity
- ROI, Region of Interest
- SC, Superficial cartilage
- SCB, Subchondral bone
- SZ, Superficial zone of articular cartilage
- Subchondral trabecular bone
- Sum, Whole cartilage
- TCM, Traditional Chinese medicine
- TCMSP, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database
- Tb.N, Trabecular number
- Tb.Pf, Trabecular bone pattern factor
- Tb.Sp, Trabecular separation
- Tb.Th, Trabecular thickness
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Chu
- Faulty of Medical Technology, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Hong
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huasong Zeng
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Traumatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhe Cai
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.,The Joint Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,The Joint Center for Infection and Immunity, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - William Weijia Lu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, China
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22
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Mao D, Tian XY, Mao D, Hung SW, Wang CC, Lau CBS, Lee HM, Wong CK, Chow E, Ming X, Cao H, Ma RC, Chan PKS, Kong APS, Li JJX, Rutter GA, Tam WH, Chan JCN. A polysaccharide extract from the medicinal plant Maidong inhibits the IKK-NF-κB pathway and IL-1β-induced islet inflammation and increases insulin secretion. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12573-12587. [PMID: 32605924 PMCID: PMC7476719 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The herb dwarf lilyturf tuber (Maidong, Ophiopogonis Radix) is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine to manage diabetes and its complications. However, the role of Maidong polysaccharide extract (MPE) in pancreatic β-cell function is unclear. Here, we investigated whether MPE protects β-cell function and studied the underlying mechanisms. We treated db/db and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice with 800 or 400 mg/kg MPE or water for 4 weeks, followed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Pancreas and blood were collected for molecular analyses, and clonal MIN6 β-cells and primary islets from HFD-induced obese mice and normal chow diet-fed mice were used in additional analyses. In vivo, MPE both increased insulin secretion and reduced blood glucose in the db/db mice but increased only insulin secretion in the HFD-induced obese mice. MPE substantially increased the β-cell area in both models (3-fold and 2-fold, p < 0.01, for db/db and HFD mice, respectively). We observed reduced nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB in islets of MPE-treated db/db mice, coinciding with enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). In vitro, MPE potentiated GSIS and decreased interleukin 1β (IL-1β) secretion in MIN6 β-cells. Incubation of MIN6 cells with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon-γ, and IL-1β amplified IL-1β secretion and inhibited GSIS. These effects were partially reversed with MPE or the IκB kinase β inhibitor PS1145, coinciding with reduced activation of p65 and p-IκB in the NF-κB pathway. We conclude that MPE may have potential for therapeutic development for β-cell protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Mao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Di Mao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sze Wan Hung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Heung Man Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Elaine Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xing Ming
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huanyi Cao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ronald C. Ma
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul K. S. Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alice P. S. Kong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joshua J. X. Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guy A. Rutter
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nan Yang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Wing Hung Tam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Juliana C. N. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China,For correspondence: Juliana C. N. Chan,
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23
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Tsang MSM, Wong CK. Functional interaction between sensory neurons and mast cells in the early stage of house dust mite-induced type 2 inflammation and itch: a novel therapeutic target of allergic disease. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:899-900. [PMID: 32699349 PMCID: PMC7608109 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0508-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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24
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Kan LLY, Liu D, Chan BCL, Tsang MSM, Hou T, Leung PC, Lam CWK, Wong CK. The flavonoids of Sophora flavescens exerts anti-inflammatory activity via promoting autophagy of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-stimulated macrophages. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:1615-1629. [PMID: 32794339 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3ma0720-682rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), a highly infectious air-borne disease, has remained a global health problem. Conventional treatment and preventions such as antibiotics and Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine can be unreliable. In view of the increasing prevalence of anti-TB drug resistance, adjunctive therapy may be necessary to shorten the recovery time. We have previously shown that flavonoids in the medicinal herb Sophora flavescens exhibit anti-inflammatory and bactericidal activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular and cellular characteristics of flavonoids of S. flavescens (FSF) in BCG-stimulated macrophages for assessing their roles in anti-inflammation and autophagy. Mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cell line and primary mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated in vitro with heat-inactivated BCG and treated with FSF, with or without autophagy inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 (BafA1). Gene expression was analyzed using quantitative PCR, and cytokine/chemokine release was analyzed by Milliplex assay and ELISA. Autophagy-related proteins were quantified by Western blot and flow cytometry, and autophagolysosomes were detected using fluorescence microscopy. In both MH-S cell line and mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated by heat-inactivated BCG, FSF was found to up-regulate autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and protein 62 (p62), and suppress the induced proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, CCL5, and IL-6. FSF actively modulates immune processes through suppressing BCG-mediated inflammation by promoting autophagy in MH-S cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages. We suggest that FSF may be useful as an adjunctive therapeutic agent for TB infection by modulating cell survival through autophagy and reducing inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Ling-Yu Kan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dehua Liu
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ben Chung-Lap Chan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tianheng Hou
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Wai-Kei Lam
- Faculty of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.,Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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25
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Tsang MSM, Sun X, Wong CK. The Role of New IL-1 Family Members (IL-36 and IL-38) in Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic Asthma, and Allergic Rhinitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2020; 20:40. [PMID: 32533268 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-020-00937-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Since the discovery of its very first member in 1974, the IL-1 family has expanded into a group of 11 potent molecules which are essential in both innate and acquired immunity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-36α, IL-36β, and IL-36γ and their receptor antagonists IL-36Ra and IL-38, which belong to the IL-36 subfamily, are some of the most recently identified members. Recent studies show that these members possess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities and may take part in the pathogenesis of allergy. In this review, the involvement and importance of these newly described IL-1 family members in the most common allergic diseases, i.e., atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis, will be discussed. RECENT FINDINGS Dysregulation of IL-36 and IL-38 was observed in the skin and respiratory tract of AD, allergic rhinitis, and allergic asthma individuals. Although the upregulation in IL-36α and IL-36γ observed in the lesional skin of AD patients was unexpectedly small, IL-36 may play an important role in AD pathogenesis especially upon Staphylococcus aureus colonization. While IL-36γ regulates eosinophils to induce an inflammatory response in allergic rhinitis, IL-36α was found to regulate Th17 immunity. IL-36 receptor antagonists, IL-36Ra and IL-38, however, both show promising anti-inflammatory activities against allergic asthma. Of note, IL-38 in allergic asthmatic children is significantly lower than their healthy counterparts, while the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-38 in allergic asthma exacerbation upon viral-like infection were demonstrated in in vitro, HDM-induced, and humanized mice models. Dysregulated expression of IL-36 and IL-38 observed in allergic patients and mice models revealed that they may have essential roles in the pathogenesis in AD, allergic rhinitis, and allergic asthma, especially during the host defense against pathogens at inflammatory sites. Their receptor antagonists, IL-36Ra and IL-38, could also be promising biologics in the control of allergy. Since allergic diseases are phenotypically complex, contradictory data obtained in different studies may be explained if further stratification of disease endotypes is explored. Genetically modified mice model and investigation in anti-IL-36 treatment may be useful to characterize the therapeutic potential of these cytokines in the regulation of allergy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Sin-Man Tsang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. .,Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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26
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Li J, Li X, Liang C, Ling L, Chen Z, Wong CK, Waldmann H, Lui KO. Coreceptor blockade targeting CD4 and CD8 allows acceptance of allogeneic human pluripotent stem cell grafts in humanized mice. Biomaterials 2020; 248:120013. [PMID: 32278152 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that short-term coreceptor blockade with non-lytic monoclonal antibodies enables the long-term survival of fully allogeneic embryonic stem cell (ESC) transplants in mice. Here, we describe the use of Hu-PBL humanized mice to determine whether short-term coreceptor blockade with humanized anti-human CD4 and CD8 antibodies can achieve the same outcome towards human ESC derivatives. While control Hu-PBL mice rejected allogeneic hESC-derived transplants within weeks, mice treated with coreceptor blocking antibodies held their grafts for 7 weeks, the duration of the study. Rejection in the control mice was associated with demonstrable infiltrates of human CD45 white blood cells, predominantly of CD8 T-cells, whereas anti-CD4, but not anti-CD8 antibody treated mice showed remarkably reduced lymphocyte infiltration and prolonged allograft survival, indicating that the CD4+ T-cells were crucial to the rejection process. Our results give support to the principle that short-term blockade of T-cell co-receptors can achieve long-term acceptance of regenerative cell transplants in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatao Li
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xisheng Li
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cai Liang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lijun Ling
- AIDS Institute and Department of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiwei Chen
- AIDS Institute and Department of Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Herman Waldmann
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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27
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Wong CK, Md Fuzi NH, Baherin MF, Lee HG. A case of co-infection: First reported case of severe plasmodium knowlesi malaria and dengue co-infection in Sabah, Malaysia. Med J Malaysia 2020; 75:171-172. [PMID: 32281602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report a rare case of severe Plasmodium knowlesi malaria and dengue co-infection in a 36-year-old lady with hyperparasitaemia, metabolic acidosis, haemolysis and acute kidney injury. She was in shock requiring inotropic support and elective intubation. She had pericardial tamponade which necessitate pericardiocentesis to allow for haemodynamic stability during haemodialysis. She underwent haemodialysis, was ventilated for six days and stayed in hospital for 29 days. She was discharged home well with almost complete renal recovery. Physicians must have a high degree of suspicion for dengue co-infection in malaria patients with plasma leakage such as pericardial effusion to allow for prompt management.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Wong
- Lahad Datu Hospital, Department of Medicine, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - N H Md Fuzi
- Lahad Datu Hospital, Department of Medicine, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - M F Baherin
- Lahad Datu Hospital, Emergency Department, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - H G Lee
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Unit, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
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Siu WS, Shum WT, Cheng W, Wong CW, Shiu HT, Ko CH, Leung PC, Lam CWK, Wong CK. Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine DAEP relieves the osteoarthritic knee pain in rats. Chin Med 2019; 14:55. [PMID: 31827595 PMCID: PMC6902578 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0278-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The potential adverse effects of conventional oral pharmacotherapy of osteoarthritis (OA) restrict their long-term use. Topical application of a Chinese herbal paste for relieving OA knee pain can be effective and safe. However, evidence-based scientific research is insufficient to support its application worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of a topical Chinese herbal paste on relieving OA knee pain and its underlying mechanism. Methods An OA rat model was developed by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) followed by treadmill running. A herbal paste including Dipsaci Radix, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Eucommiae Cortex and Psoraleae Fructus, named as DAEP, was applied topically on the knee joint of the rats (DAEP). The rats without DAEP treatment served as Control. Rats with surgery but without ACLT, treadmill running and DAEP treatment acted as Sham. The morphologic change of the knee joint was observed radiographically. Nociception from the knee of the rats was assessed using Incapacitent test and CatWalk gait system. The therapeutic mechanism was investigated by analyzing the gene and protein expression of inflammatory markers via qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Results Radiographic images showed less destruction at the posterior tibial plateau of the DAEP group compared with the Control after 2 weeks of treatment. The static weight ratio and the gait parameters of the Control were reduced significantly via Incapacitance test and CatWalk gait analysis, respectively. DAEP treatment increased the Print Area and Maximum Intensity significantly compared with the Control. DAEP significantly suppressed the upregulation of gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Conclusions DAEP exhibited its effect via the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκB kinase αβ (p-IKKαβ) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. This study provides scientific evidence to support the clinical application of the Chinese herbal paste on reliving OA pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Sum Siu
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai Ting Shum
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wen Cheng
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Wai Wong
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hoi Ting Shiu
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Hay Ko
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Christopher Wai Kei Lam
- Faculty of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- 1Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,2State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT Hong Kong SAR, China.,5Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Lau JSK, Wong JCY, Ng RYT, Pang VKY, Wong CK. Malignant otitis externa complicated by multiple cervical-petrous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms: a case report. Hong Kong Med J 2019; 25:152-155. [PMID: 30971505 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj165016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J S K Lau
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.,Accident and Emergency Department, Ruttonjee Hospital, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
| | - J C Y Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - R Y T Ng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - V K Y Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
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Tang MHY, Ching CK, Poon S, Chan SSS, Ng WY, Lam M, Wong CK, Pao R, Lau A, Mak TWL. Evaluation of three rapid oral fluid test devices on the screening of multiple drugs of abuse including ketamine. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 286:113-120. [PMID: 29574346 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rapid oral fluid testing (ROFT) devices have been extensively evaluated for their ability to detect common drugs of abuse; however, the performance of such devices on simultaneous screening for ketamine has been scarcely investigated. The present study evaluated three ROFT devices (DrugWipe® 6S, Ora-Check® and SalivaScreen®) on the detection of ketamine, opiates, methamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and MDMA. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS) assay was firstly established and validated for confirmation analysis of the six types of drugs and/or their metabolites. In the field test, the three ROFT devices were tested on subjects recruited from substance abuse clinics/rehabilitation centre. Oral fluid was also collected using Quantisal® for confirmation analysis. A total of 549 samples were collected in the study. LCMS analysis on 491 samples revealed the following drugs: codeine (55%), morphine (49%), heroin (40%), methamphetamine (35%), THC (8%), ketamine (4%) and cocaine (2%). No MDMA-positive cases were observed. Results showed that the overall specificity and accuracy were satisfactory and met the DRUID standard of >80% for all 3 devices. Ora-Check® had poor sensitivities (ketamine 36%, methamphetamine 63%, opiates 53%, cocaine 60%, THC 0%). DrugWipe® 6S showed good sensitivities in the methamphetamine (83%) and opiates (93%) tests but performed relatively poorly for ketamine (41%), cocaine (43%) and THC (22%). SalivaScreen® also demonstrated good sensitivities in the methamphetamine (83%) and opiates (100%) tests, and had the highest sensitivity for ketamine (76%) and cocaine (71%); however, it failed to detect any of the 28 THC-positive cases. The test completion rate (proportion of tests completed with quality control passed) were: 52% (Ora-Check®), 78% (SalivaScreen®) and 99% (DrugWipe® 6S).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C K Ching
- Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Simon Poon
- Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Suzanne S S Chan
- Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Hong Kong, China.
| | - W Y Ng
- Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Hong Kong, China.
| | - M Lam
- Department of General Adult Psychiatry, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ronnie Pao
- Substance Abuse Assessment Unit, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Angus Lau
- The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Tony W L Mak
- Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Hong Kong, China.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In a series of bench and clinical trials, our group has determined the immunologic effects and clinical efficacy of a concoction of five herbal ingredients (PentaHerbs Formula, PHF) in treating children with atopic eczema (AE). This study investigates the antimicrobial effects that may be induced with PHF treatment. METHODS We investigated the effects of PHF on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Staphylococcus aureus and various bacteria that are commonly present on the skin of patients with AE. RESULTS Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicllin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC BAA-43, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6380, and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 were tested. PHF was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Methicllin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC BAA-43. MIC and MBC were 1 and 25 mg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION PHF was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Methicllin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC BAA-43t. PHF may be developed into a Staphylococcus aureus targeting topical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam Lun Hon
- a Department of Paediatrics , The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital , Shatin , Hong Kong.,d Institute of Chinese Medicine , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Margaret Ip
- b Department of Microbiology , The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital , Shatin , Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- c Department of Chemical Pathology , The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital , Shatin , Hong Kong.,d Institute of Chinese Medicine , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.,e Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Ben Chung Lap Chan
- d Institute of Chinese Medicine , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.,e Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- d Institute of Chinese Medicine , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.,e Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - Ting Fan Leung
- a Department of Paediatrics , The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital , Shatin , Hong Kong
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Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of cancers. In this connection, we previously demonstrated the promoting effect of diabetes on HPV-associated carcinogenesis using a xenograft model in db/db diabetic mice. The underlying mechanism of this observation might be partly contributed by dysregulated immune response in diabetes. In this study, we hypothesized that the impaired anti-tumor immune response in diabetic status could be modulated by exendin-4, a glucagon-like protein receptor agonist which exhibits anti-diabetic effects. We inoculated 10-week old db/db mice with 2 × 107 CUP-1 cells (Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-16 E7 transfected continuous cell line) subcutaneously underneath the scruff, and treated mice with high (30 nmol/kg) or low (10 nmol/kg) dose of exendin-4 for 13 days. Compared with control groups, exendin-4 suppressed subcutaneous tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by increased interferon (IFN)-γ secreting CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)/Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio as well as Th1 proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2. Collectively, these findings suggested an anti-tumor effect of exendin-4 in diabetic conditions, which might be resulted from direct immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan He
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Priscilla T Y Law
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.,Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Juliana C N Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.,Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Paul K S Chan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.
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Hon KL, Tsang KYC, Kung JSC, Leung TF, Lam CWK, Wong CK. Clinical Signs, Staphylococcus and Atopic Eczema-Related Seromarkers. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020291. [PMID: 28216598 PMCID: PMC6155888 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) is a distressing disease associated with pruritus, sleep disturbance, impaired quality of life and Staphylococcus aureus isolation. The pathophysiology of AD is complex and various seromarkers of immunity are involved. We investigated if anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin IgE (anti-SE), selected seromarkers of T regulatory (Treg), T helper (Th) and antigen-presenting cells (APC) are associated with clinical signs of disease severity and quality of life. Disease severity was assessed with the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and quality of life with the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) in AD patients ≤18 years old. Concentrations of anti-staphylococcus enterotoxin A and B immunoglobulin E (anti-SEA and anti-SEB), selected Treg/Th/APC chemokines, skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured in these patients. Forty patients with AD [median (interquartile range) age of 13.1 (7.9) years) were recruited. Backward stepwise linear regression (controlling for age, personal allergic rhinitis and asthma, and other blood markers) showed the serum anti-SEB level was positively associated with S. aureus and S. epidermidis isolations, objective SCORAD, clinical signs and CDLQI. TNF-α (a Th1 cytokine) was positively associated with objective SCORAD (B = 4.935, p = 0.010), TGF-β (a Treg cytokine) negatively with disease extent (B = -0.015, p = 0.001), IL-18 (an APC cytokine) positively with disease extent (B = 0.438, p = 0.001) and with TEWL (B = 0.040, p = 0.010), and IL-23 (an APC cytokine) negatively with disease extent (B = -2.812, p = 0.006) and positively with pruritus (B = 0.387, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Blood levels of anti-SEB, Th1, Treg and APC cytokines are correlated with various clinical signs of AD. AD is a systemic immunologic disease involving Staphylococcus aureus, cellular, humoral, cytokine and chemokine pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam Lun Hon
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kathy Yin Ching Tsang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jeng Sum C Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ting Fan Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Christopher W K Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China.
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Han YMY, Cheung WKY, Wong CK, Sze SL, Cheng TWS, Yeung MK, Chan AS. Distinct Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Immunol 2017; 8:11. [PMID: 28167942 PMCID: PMC5253384 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that immunological factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, this research has been conducted almost exclusively in Western contexts, and only a handful of studies on immune measures have been conducted in Asian populations, such as Chinese populations. The present study examined whether immunological abnormalities are associated with cognitive deficits and problem behaviors in Chinese children with ASD and whether these children show different immunological profiles. Thirteen typically developing (TD) children and 22 children with ASD, aged 6–17 years, participated voluntarily in the study. Executive functions and short-term memory were measured using neuropsychological tests, and behavioral measures were assessed using parent ratings. The children were also assessed on immunological measures, specifically, the levels of cytokines and chemokines in the blood serum. Children with ASD showed greater deficits in cognitive functions, as well as altered levels of immunological measures, including CCL2, CCL5, and CXCL9 levels, compared to TD children, and the cognitive functions and associated behavioral deficits of children with ASD were significantly associated with different immunological measures. The children were further sub-classified into ASD with only autistic features (ASD-only) or ASD comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ASD + ADHD). The comorbidity results showed that there were no differences between the two groups of ASD children in any of the cognitive or behavioral measures. However, the results pertaining to immunological measures showed that the children with ASD-only and ASD + ADHD exhibited distinct cytokine and chemokine profiles and that abnormal immunologic function was associated with cognitive functions and inattention/hyperactivity symptoms. These results support the notion that altered immune functions may play a role in the selective cognitive and behavioral symptoms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong , China
| | - Winnie K Y Cheung
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China
| | - Sophia L Sze
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Chanwuyi Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Timmy W S Cheng
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China
| | - Michael K Yeung
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China
| | - Agnes S Chan
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Chanwuyi Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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35
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Lui G, Wong CK, Ip M, Chu YJ, Yung IMH, Cheung CSK, Zheng L, Lam JSY, Wong KT, Sin WWY, Choi KW, Lee N. HMGB1/RAGE Signaling and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Responses in Non-HIV Adults with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159132. [PMID: 27434276 PMCID: PMC4951129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to study the pathogenic roles of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) / Receptor-for-Advanced-Glycation-End-products (RAGE) signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS A prospective study was conducted among non-HIV adults newly-diagnosed with active PTB at two acute-care hospitals (n = 80); age-and-sex matched asymptomatic individuals (tested for latent TB) were used for comparison (n = 45). Plasma concentrations of 8 cytokines/chemokines, HMGB1, soluble-RAGE, and transmembrane-RAGE expressed on monocytes/dendritic cells, were measured. Gene expression (mRNA) of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 was quantified. Patients' PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant-HMGB1 and MTB-antigen (lipoarabinomannan) for cytokine induction ex vivo. RESULTS In active PTB, plasma IL-8/CXCL8 [median(IQR), 6.0(3.6-15.1) vs 3.6(3.6-3.6) pg/ml, P<0.001] and IL-6 were elevated, which significantly correlated with mycobacterial load, extent of lung consolidation (rs +0.509, P<0.001), severity-score (rs +0.317, P = 0.004), and fever and hospitalization durations (rs +0.407, P<0.001). IL-18 and sTNFR1 also increased. Plasma IL-8/CXCL8 (adjusted OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.02-1.23 per unit increase, P = 0.021) and HMGB1 (adjusted OR 1.42 per unit increase, 95%CI 1.08-1.87, P = 0.012) concentrations were independent predictors for respiratory failure, as well as for ICU admission/death. Gene expression of HMGB1, RAGE, and inflammasome-NALP3 were upregulated (1.2-2.8 fold). Transmembrane-RAGE was increased, whereas the decoy soluble-RAGE was significantly depleted. RAGE and HMGB1 gene expressions positively correlated with cytokine levels (IL-8/CXCL8, IL-6, sTNFR1) and clinico-/radiographical severity (e.g. extent of consolidation rs +0.240, P = 0.034). Ex vivo, recombinant-HMGB1 potentiated cytokine release (e.g. TNF-α) when combined with lipoarabinomannan. CONCLUSION In patients with active PTB, HMGB1/RAGE signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines may play important roles in pathogenesis and disease manifestations. Our clinico-immunological data can provide basis for the development of new strategies for disease monitoring, management and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Margaret Ip
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yi Jun Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Irene M. H. Yung
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Lin Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Judy S. Y. Lam
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka Tak Wong
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Winnie W. Y. Sin
- Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kin Wing Choi
- Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nelson Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Stanley Ho Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail:
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Ng C, Hon KL, Kung JSC, Pong NH, Leung TF, Wong CK. Hyper IgE in Childhood Eczema and Risk of Asthma in Chinese Children. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21060753. [PMID: 27294900 PMCID: PMC6274365 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21060753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic eczema is a common childhood disease associated with high IgE and eosinophilia. We characterized the clinical features associated with hyper-IgE (defined as IgE > 2000 IU/L) in eczema. METHODS Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS), family and personal history of atopy, skin prick test (SPT) for common food and aeroallergens, highest serum IgE ever and eosinophil counts were evaluated in 330 children eczema patients. Childhood-NESS (NESS performed at <10 years of age) and adolescent-NESS (NESS performed at >10 years of age) were further analyzed. RESULTS IgE correlated with NESS (spearman coefficient 0.35, p < 0.001) and eosinophil percentage (spearman coefficient 0.56, p = 0.001). Compared with IgE ≤ 2000IU/L (n = 167), patients with hyper-IgE (n = 163) were associated with male gender (p = 0.002); paternal atopy (p = 0.026); personal history of atopic rhinitis (p = 0.016); asthma (p < 0.001); dietary avoidance (p < 0.001); use of wet wrap (p < 0.001); traditional Chinese medicine use (TCM, p < 0.001); immunomodulant use (azathioprine or cyclosporine, p < 0.001); skin prick sensitization by dust mites (p < 0.001), cats (p = 0.012), dogs (p = 0.018), food (p = 0.002); eosinophilia (p < 0.001); more severe disease during childhood (p < 0.0001) and during adolescence (p < 0.0001), but not onset age of eczema or maternal atopy. Logistic regression showed that hyper-IgE was associated with personal history of asthma (exp(B) = 5.12, p = 0.002) and eczema severity during childhood and adolescence (p < 0.001). For patients <10 years of age, dust mite sensitization (p = 0.008) was associated with hyper-IgE. For patients >10years of age, food allergen sensitization was associated with hyper-IgE (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Hyper-IgE is independently associated with asthma, more severe atopy and more severe eczema during childhood and adolescence. IgE > 2000 IU/L may be a tool to aid prognostication of this chronic relapsing dermatologic disease and its progression to asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantel Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kam Lun Hon
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jeng Sum Charmaine Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Nga Hin Pong
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ting-Fan Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Cai Z, Wong CK, Dong J, Jiao D, Chu M, Leung PC, Lau CBS, Lau CP, Tam LS, Lam CWK. Anti-inflammatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) and San-Miao-San supplements in MRL/lpr mice for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Chin Med 2016; 11:23. [PMID: 27134645 PMCID: PMC4851790 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-016-0093-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi; LZ) and San-Miao-San (SMS) are Chinese medicines (CMs) used to treat inflammatory ailments and numbing syndrome/arthralgia syndrome (Bi Zheng), respectively. Given that the main symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include inflammation of the joints, joint pain, edema and palpitations of the heart because of problems associated with Bi Zheng, it was envisaged that LZ and SMS could be used as potential treatments for this autoimmune disease. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of a combination formulation containing LZ and SMS (LZ-SMS) in SLE mice. METHODS Female adult Balb/c mice of 20-24 weeks of age were used as normal mice (n = 10), whereas female MRL/lpr mice of 12-24 weeks of age were divided into three groups (n = 10 in each group), including mild, moderate and severe SLE mice groups. The clinical characteristics of the SLE and Babl/c mice (i.e., body weight, joint thickness, lupus flare, proteinuria, leukocyturia and lymphadenopathy) were assessed. The plasma concentrations of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-double stranded DNA antibody (anti-ds-DNA) were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas the concentration of several key cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2, IL-27, IL-12P70, IL-17A and IL-21) were analyzed by a Luminex multiplex assay. The gene expression profiles for differentiation of the T helper (Th) lymphocytes in splenic CD4(+) Th cells were assessed by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells and CD19(+)CD5(+)CD1d(+)IL-10(+) regulatory B (Breg) cells (IL-10(+) Bregs). RESULTS Concentrations of anti-ds-DNA in the plasma samples collected from the LZ-SMS-treated (500 mg/kg/day oral administration for 7 days followed with 50 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal administration for 7 days), moderate and severe SLE mice decreased significantly compared with the PBS treated mice (P < 0.05). The gene expression levels of the induced regulatory T (iTreg) and natural Treg (nTreg) cells were significantly higher than those of the Th17, Th1 and "conventional Th cells vs. Treg cells" regulated genes following the LZ-SMS treatment (P < 0.05). The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells collected from the splenic, thymic and peripheral blood cells, as well as the percentages of IL-10(+) Bregs collected from the splenic and thymic cells increased significantly in the LZ-SMS-treated SLE mice (P < 0.05) compared with the untreated PBS group. The ratio of the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells to the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(-) effector T cells collected from the splenic, thymic and peripheral blood cells in LZ-SMS-treated moderate and severe SLE mice increased significantly compared with the untreated PBS group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a comparison with the PBS treatment group revealed significant decreases in the concentrations of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-21, IL-10 and IL-17A (P < 0.05), as well as significant increases in the concentrations of IL-2 and IL-12P70 in the LZ-SMS treated SLE mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION LZ-SMS treatment led to significant increases in the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg and IL-10(+) Breg cells, together with a reduction in the plasma concentrations of several inflammatory cytokines and the down-regulated expression of the corresponding cytokine related genes in SLE mice. The clinical characteristics of the LZ-SMS-treated SLE mice also improved significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Cai
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Delong Jiao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Man Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching Po Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lai Shan Tam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Wai Kei Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
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Chu M, Wong CK, Cai Z, Dong J, Jiao D, Kam NW, Lam CWK, Tam LS. Elevated Expression and Pro-Inflammatory Activity of IL-36 in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Molecules 2015; 20:19588-604. [PMID: 26516833 PMCID: PMC6332178 DOI: 10.3390/molecules201019588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the expression and proinflammatory activity of interleukin (IL)-36 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The expression level of IL-36, its putative receptors and the frequency of CD19+CD24highCD27+ regulatory B (Breg) lymphocytes of peripheral blood from 43 SLE patients and 16 normal control (NC) subjects were studied using ELISA and flow cytometry. Plasma cytokines/chemokines and ex vivo productions of cytokine/chemokine from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with recombinant IL-36 were determined by Luminex multiplex assay. Plasma concentrations of IL-36α, IL-36γ and the proportions of circulating IL-36R-positive CD19+ B lymphocytes in total B lymphocytes and PBMC were significantly increased in active SLE patients compared with NC (all p < 0.05). Plasma IL-36α and IL-36γ correlated positively with SLE disease activity and elevated plasma IL-10 concentration (all p < 0.05). The frequencies of circulating Breg lymphocytes in total B lymphocytes and PBMC were significantly decreased in both inactive and active SLE patients compared with NC (all p < 0.01). The frequency of Breg lymphocytes in total B lymphocytes correlated negatively with the proportion of IL-36R-positive B lymphocytes (p < 0.05). IL-36α exerted substantial proinflammatory effect in PBMC from SLE patients by inducing the production of IL-6 and CXCL8. Upon stimulation with IL-36α and IL-36γ, ex vivo productions of IL-6 and CXCL8 were significantly increased in SLE patients compared with NC (all p < 0.05). This cross-sectional study demonstrated that over expression of circulating IL-36α may exert a proinflammatory effect as observed in human SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhe Cai
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
| | - Jie Dong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
| | - Delong Jiao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
| | - Ngar Woon Kam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Christopher Wai Kei Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Lai Shan Tam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
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Cai Z, Wong CK, Dong J, Chu M, Jiao D, Kam NW, Lam CWK, Tam LS. Remission of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity with regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 in Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mice. Clin Exp Immunol 2015; 181:253-66. [PMID: 25845911 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological mechanisms mediated by regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 are unclear in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the frequency of CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T (Treg ) and IL-10(+) regulatory B (Breg ) cells and related immunoregulatory mechanisms in a female Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mouse model of spontaneous lupus-like disease, with or without IL-35 treatment. A remission of histopathology characteristics of lupus flare and nephritis was observed in the MRL/lpr mice upon IL-35 treatment. Accordingly, IL-35 and IL-35 receptor subunits (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) and cytokines of MRL/lpr and BALB/c mice (normal controls) were measured. The increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased proinflammatory cytokines were possibly associated with the restoration of Treg and Breg frequency in MRL/lpr mice with IL-35 treatment, compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment. mRNA expressions of Treg -related FoxP3, IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and soluble IL-35 receptor subunit (gp130 and IL12Rβ2) in splenic cells were up-regulated significantly in IL-35-treated mice. Compared with the PBS treatment group, IL-35-treated MRL/lpr mice showed an up-regulation of Treg -related genes and the activation of IL-35-related intracellular Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signal pathways, thereby indicating the immunoregulatory role of IL-35 in SLE. These in vivo findings may provide a biochemical basis for further investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 for the treatment of autoimmune-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Cai
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - J Dong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - M Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - D Jiao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - N W Kam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - C W K Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - L S Tam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Chan BCL, Li LF, Hu SQ, Wat E, Wong ECW, Zhang VX, Lau CBS, Wong CK, Hon KLE, Hui PCL, Leung PC. Gallic Acid Is the Major Active Component of Cortex Moutan in Inhibiting Immune Maturation of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells. Molecules 2015; 20:16388-403. [PMID: 26378505 PMCID: PMC6331828 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200916388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widely prevalent and chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Penta Herbs Formula (PHF) is efficacious in improving the quality of life and reducing topical corticosteroid used in children with AD and one of the active herbs it contains is Cortex Moutan. Recent studies showed that altered functions of dendritic cells (DC) were observed in atopic individuals, suggesting that DC might play a major role in the generation and maintenance of inflammation by their production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hence, the aims of the present study were to identify the major active component(s) of Cortex Moutan, which might inhibit DC functions and to investigate their possible interactions with conventional corticosteroid on inhibiting the development of DC from monocytes. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) culture model coupled with the high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) analyses were used. Gallic acid was the major active component from Cortex Moutan which could dose dependently inhibit interleukin (IL)-12 p40 and the functional cluster of differentiation (CD) surface markers CD40, CD80, CD83 and CD86 expression from cytokine cocktail-activated moDC. Gallic acid could also lower the concentration of hydrocortisone required to inhibit the activation of DC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Chung Lap Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Long Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Shui Qing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Elaine Wat
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Eric Chun Wai Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Vanilla Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kam Lun Ellis Hon
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Patrick Chi Leung Hui
- Institute of Textiles and Clothing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Cai Z, Wong CK, Kam NW, Dong J, Jiao D, Chu M, Lam CWK, Tam LS. Aberrant expression of regulatory cytokine IL-35 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2015; 24:1257-66. [PMID: 25966926 DOI: 10.1177/0961203315585815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study characterizes an IL-35-mediated regulatory role in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Plasma of SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) was analyzed for the concentrations of IL-35 and soluble gp130 by using ELISA. mRNA expression of IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and its receptor (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the number of CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg cells and the expression of IL-35 receptor on the CD4+ helper (Th) cells and CD19+ B cells. Plasma collected from SLE patients and HCs was assayed for cytokine and chemokine expression by Luminex multiplex assay. Results Plasma IL-35 and soluble gp130 levels positively correlated with each other and were significantly higher in patients with severe SLE compared with HCs. Significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines CCL2, CXCL8, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10 and IL-17A were observed in plasma of SLE patients than HCs. mRNA levels of IL-35 and its receptor were significantly positively correlated in PBMCs from SLE patients and their levels were higher in SLE than HCs. The increase significantly correlated with changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (all p < 0.05). In addition, the number of Treg cells in severe and moderate SLE patients were both significantly lower than HCs, where the ratio of CD4+CD25−effector T cell %/CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg % was found to be significantly higher in severe SLE patients. Furthermore, the expression of gp130 on CD4+ Th cells and percentage of Tregs were positively correlated with each other, and both were negatively correlated with SLEDAI. Conclusion Our findings indicate that high level of plasma IL-35 in active SLE patients expressed with low level of IL-35 receptor (gp130) on CD4+ Th cells. These data raise the possibility that the level of IL-35 expression in SLE patients is not sufficient to induce the production of CD4+CD25highCD127−Tregs, and subsequently suppress the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines upon inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Cai
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - N W Kam
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - J Dong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - D Jiao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - M Chu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - C W K Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - L S Tam
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
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42
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Cheung PF, Yip CW, Ng LW, Wong CK, Cheung TT, Lo CM, Fan ST, Cheung ST. Restoration of natural killer activity in hepatocellular carcinoma by treatment with antibody against granulin-epithelin precursor. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1016706. [PMID: 26140244 PMCID: PMC4485783 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1016706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment of natural killer (NK) cell activity is an important mechanism of tumor immunoevasion. We have previously shown that expression of granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells rendered the cells resistant to NK cell immunosurveillance. Here, we examined whether targeting GEP could rescue NK activity in HCC patients. The current study demonstrated that quantities and activities of NK cells were significantly lower in HCC patients compared with healthy individuals, and were negatively correlated with GEP levels in HCC cells. NK cells demonstrated enhanced expression of the stimulatory receptors natural-killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) and CD69, increased secretion of IFN-γ and perforin, and cytotoxicity against HCC cells upon GEP suppression. Opposite phenotypes of NK cells were observed when GEP was overexpressed in HCC cells. Importantly, GEP blockage by monoclonal antibody A23 restored NK activity in HCC patients and sensitized HCC cells to NK cytotoxicity. Furthermore, A23 induced NK-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against HCC. In summary, the activity of NK cells in HCC was impaired by GEP expression, which could be rescued by GEP antibody. This study provides new insight for treatments targeting GEP to boost NK activity in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis Fy Cheung
- Department of Surgery ; Center for Cancer Research; The University of Hong Kong ; Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Wai Yip
- Department of Surgery ; Center for Cancer Research; The University of Hong Kong ; Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Prince of Wales Hospital ; Hong Kong, China
| | - Tan To Cheung
- Department of Surgery ; Department of Surgery; Queen Mary Hospital ; Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung Mau Lo
- Department of Surgery ; Department of Surgery; Queen Mary Hospital ; Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheung Tat Fan
- Department of Surgery ; Department of Surgery; Queen Mary Hospital ; Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu Tim Cheung
- Department of Surgery ; Center for Cancer Research; The University of Hong Kong ; Hong Kong, China
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Zhu Y, Li AM, Au CT, Kong APS, Zhang J, Wong CK, Chan JCN, Wing YK. Association between sleep architecture and glucose tolerance in children and adolescents. J Diabetes 2015; 7:10-5. [PMID: 25695111 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short sleep duration is a contributing factor for decreased insulin sensitivity and hyperglycemia. Sleep architecture represents a cyclical pattern of sleep that shifts between sleep Stages N1, N2, N3 (slow wave sleep) and Stage R (rapid eye movement sleep). The aim of the present study was to examine the association between sleep architecture and glucose and insulin metabolism in both normal weight and overweight/obese children and adolescents. METHODS A total of 118 subjects participated in the study. Subjects under-went overnight polysomnography (PSG) when the percentage of total sleep time (% TST) spent at each sleep stage was recorded and an oral glucose tolerance test together was performed the next morning. We assessed glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell function using 2-h glucose levels, the Matsuda index (IS(OGTT)), and insulin secretion-sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2), respectively. RESULTS After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index z-score, pubertal status, and obstructive apnea hypopnea index, Stage N3 (% TST) was positively associated with IS(OGTT), whereas Stage N1 (%TST) exerted an opposite effect on IS(OGTT). Higher sleep efficiency and longer TST were independently associated with lower 2-h glucose levels, higher ISSI-2 and/or higher IS(OGTT). CONCLUSIONS Stage N3, sleep efficiency and TST were protective factors in maintaining glucose and insulin homeostasis; however, Stage N1 functioned in the opposite direction.
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44
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Liang W, Yew DT, Hon KL, Wong CK, Kwok TCY, Leung PC. Indispensable value of clinical trials in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine: 12 years' experience at CUHK and future perspectives. Am J Chin Med 2014; 42:587-604. [PMID: 24871653 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x14500384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has seen a wealth of information reporting the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines. While a lot more studies were done using in vitro and in vivo research platforms, much fewer investigations were conducted according to evidence-based requirements in clinical settings. The Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has had the opportunity to collaborate with clinicians over the years to initiate and conduct dozens of clinical trials investigating and verifying the therapeutic values of Chinese herbs in selected disease conditions. Of the many disorders, we chose to focus on those that are known for their difficulties achieving perfect results with conventional treatment methods. Examples include non-healing ulcers, allergic conditions, degenerative diseases and cancer. Protective effects of the herbs in such chronic diseases as coronary artery disease and osteoporosis were also part of our focus. Even in healthy individuals and those recovering from chemotherapy, Chinese herbs could help with the immune system and were studied in our clinical trials as well. This paper aims to highlight the important findings from these clinical studies while at the same time, stressing the indispensable value of clinical trials in modernizing the use of Chinese herbs in present-day medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willmann Liang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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45
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Lui G, Ma RC, Chook P, Wong CK, Chan M, Lee SS, Leung PC, Wong KH, Chan K, Lee N. 1599HIV and Progression of Atherosclerosis in Chinese. Open Forum Infect Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofu052.1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lui
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ronald C Ma
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ping Chook
- School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Michael Chan
- Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shui Shan Lee
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-Hing Wong
- Department of Health, Special Preventive Programme, Hong Kong
| | - Kenny Chan
- Department of Health, Special Preventive Programme, Hong Kong
| | - Nelson Lee
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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46
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Lui G, Wong CK, Ip M, Chu YJ, Yung IMH, Cheung CSK, Lee N. 1356HMGB-1/RAGE Signaling and Cytokine Activation in Adults Hospitalized for Active Tuberculosis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofu052.902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lui
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Margaret Ip
- Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Y J Chu
- Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Irene MH Yung
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Nelson Lee
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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47
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Cheung PFY, Yip CW, Wong NCL, Fong DYT, Ng LWC, Wan AMY, Wong CK, Cheung TT, Ng IOL, Poon RTP, Fan ST, Cheung ST. Granulin-epithelin precursor renders hepatocellular carcinoma cells resistant to natural killer cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:1209-19. [PMID: 25315249 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunoevasion is an emerging hallmark of cancer. Impairment of natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity is a mechanism to evade host immunosurveillance. Granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) is a hepatic oncofetal protein regulating growth, invasion, and chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined the role of GEP in conferring HCC cells the ability to evade NK cytotoxicity. In HCC cell lines, GEP overexpression reduced, whereas GEP suppression enhanced sensitivity to NK cytotoxicity. GEP downregulated surface expression of MHC class I chain-related molecule A (MICA), ligand for NK stimulatory receptor NK group 2 member D (NKG2D), and upregulated human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E), ligand for NK inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. Functionally, GEP augmented production of soluble MICA, which suppressed NK activation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 activity was involved partly in the GEP-regulated MICA shedding from HCC cells. In primary HCCs (n = 80), elevated GEP (P < 0.001), MICA (P < 0.001), and HLA-E (P = 0.089) expression was observed when compared with those in nontumor (n = 80) and normal livers (n = 10). Serum GEP (P = 0.010) and MICA (P < 0.001) levels were higher in patients with HCC (n = 80) than in healthy individuals (n = 30). High serum GEP and/or MICA levels were associated with poor recurrence-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.042). Importantly, GEP blockade by mAbs sensitized HCC cells to NK cytotoxicity through MICA. In summary, GEP rendered HCC cells resistant to NK cytotoxicity by modulating MICA expression, which could be reversed by GEP blockade using antibody. Serum GEP and MICA levels are prognostic factors and can be used to stratify patients for targeted therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/drug effects
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism
- Humans
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism
- Mice
- Progranulins
- HLA-E Antigens
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis F Y Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Wai Yip
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nicholas C L Wong
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daniel Y T Fong
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Linda W C Ng
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Angus M Y Wan
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kwok Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tan To Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Irene O L Ng
- Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ronnie T P Poon
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheung Tat Fan
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu Tim Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Center for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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48
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Lee NLS, Wong CK, Hui DSC, Chan PKS. Role of toll-like receptors in naturally occurring influenza virus infection. Hong Kong Med J 2014; 20 Suppl 6:11-15. [PMID: 25482964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N L S Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, & Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - C K Wong
- Department of chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - D S C Hui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, & Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - P K S Chan
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, & Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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49
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Yu SL, Wong CK, Szeto CC, Li EK, Cai Z, Tam LS. Members of the receptor for advanced glycation end products axis as potential therapeutic targets in patients with lupus nephritis. Lupus 2014; 24:675-86. [PMID: 25411258 DOI: 10.1177/0961203314559631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The relationship of inflammation and the expression of full-length receptor for advanced glycation end products (flRAGE) on monocytes, plasma levels of RAGE ligand high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), soluble RAGE (sRAGE) and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) was assessed to elucidate the effect of HMGB1/DNA/RAGE-mediated innate inflammatory responses in patients with lupus nephritis. Cell surface expression of flRAGE was elevated on the monocytes of lupus patients, correlated with plasma HMGB1 levels. Plasma sRAGE level negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index. Plasma esRAGE level was significantly lower in SLE patients with flare while esRAGE/sRAGE ratio negatively correlated with complement C3 level. HMGB1 alone could moderately induce ex vivo IL-6 production from monocytes, resulting in activation of intracellular p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, toll-like receptor-9 ligand together with HMGB1 exhibited a synergistic effect on IL-6 and IL-12p70 secretions and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Therefore, over-expression of flRAGE in lupus may lead to the amplification of RAGE ligands-mediated inflammatory responses through the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Plasma sRAGE may serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity and a future therapeutic target in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Yu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University (GZMU), Guangdong, China
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Institute of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - C C Szeto
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - E K Li
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Z Cai
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - L S Tam
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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50
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Benzi R, Ching ESC, Wong CK. Polymer-induced change in scaling behavior in two-dimensional homogeneous turbulent thermal convection. Phys Rev E 2014; 89:053001. [PMID: 25353874 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.89.053001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We study the effects of polymers in two-dimensional turbulent thermal convection using a shell model. In the absence of polymers, the inverse energy cascade in two dimensions leads to the observed Bolgiano-Obukhov scaling. When polymers are added, energy is extracted from the flow by the polymers, and as a result, the thermal balance between buoyancy and inertia in Bolgiano-Obukhov scaling is destroyed around the scales at which polymers interact strongly with the flow. This results in an increase in the Bolgiano scale and leads to a change in the scaling behavior of the velocity and temperature fluctuations for scales below the modified Bolgiano scale. We make theoretical estimates of the dependence of the mean rate of energy extracted by the polymers and the mean energy dissipation rate on the polymer relaxation time. Our theoretical analysis further leads to the prediction that the heat transport is not altered much by the polymers in two dimensions. We show that our theoretical estimates and prediction are in good agreement with the numerical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benzi
- Dipartimento di Fisica and INFN, Università "Tor Vergata," Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Emily S C Ching
- Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - C K Wong
- Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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