1
|
Xu Y, Li Y. Association between lipid-lowering drugs and allergic diseases: A Mendelian randomization study. World Allergy Organ J 2024; 17:100899. [PMID: 38623319 PMCID: PMC11017355 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2024.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several observational studies suggest a possible link between lipid-lowering drugs and allergic diseases. However, inferring causality from these studies can be challenging due to issues such as bias, reverse causation, and residual confounding. To investigate the potential causal effect of lipid-lowering drugs, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, on allergic diseases (allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic urticaria), we performed a Mendelian randomization (MR)-based study. Methods We employed MR and summary-data-based MR (SMR), analyzing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from people of European descent. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were employed as instrumental variables. We selected 2 types of genetic measures to represent the impact of lipid-lowering drugs, including genetic variants near or within drug target genes correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and expression quantitative trait loci of drug target genes. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW)-MR approach was the primary utilized MR method, while sensitivity analyses were used to test the robustness of the results. We used SMR analysis as a supplementary analytical method, applying the heterogeneity in dependent instruments (HEIDI) test to assess if the observed correlation between gene expression and outcome was due to a linkage situation. Results The IVW-MR analysis revealed significant evidence for an association between PCSK9-mediated LDL-C reduction and a decrease in the risk of allergic asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.56; P < 0.01). Likewise, SMR analysis discovered an augmented expression of PCSK9 being linked with a heightened susceptibility to allergic asthma (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03-1.43; P = 0.02). No consistent evidence was found for other associations in either analysis. Conclusion Our findings support a potential causal relationship between PCSK9 activity and an increased risk of allergic asthma. Thus, PCSK9 inhibitors, which reduce PCSK9 activity, might be considered a priority in future clinical trials investigating drugs for allergic asthma prevention or treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinsong Xu
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Ya'an Polytechnic College, Ya'an, 625000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuanzhi Li
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Shenzhen TCM Anorectal Hospital (Futian), Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Afliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao J, Zhang X, Li Y, Yu J, Chen Z, Niu Y, Ran S, Wang S, Ye W, Luo Z, Li X, Hao Y, Zong J, Xia C, Xia J, Wu J. Interorgan communication with the liver: novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1314123. [PMID: 38155961 PMCID: PMC10754533 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1314123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a multifunctional organ that plays crucial roles in numerous physiological processes, such as production of bile and proteins for blood plasma, regulation of blood levels of amino acids, processing of hemoglobin, clearance of metabolic waste, maintenance of glucose, etc. Therefore, the liver is essential for the homeostasis of organisms. With the development of research on the liver, there is growing concern about its effect on immune cells of innate and adaptive immunity. For example, the liver regulates the proliferation, differentiation, and effector functions of immune cells through various secreted proteins (also known as "hepatokines"). As a result, the liver is identified as an important regulator of the immune system. Furthermore, many diseases resulting from immune disorders are thought to be related to the dysfunction of the liver, including systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and heart failure. Thus, the liver plays a role in remote immune regulation and is intricately linked with systemic immunity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the liver remote regulation of the body's innate and adaptive immunity regarding to main areas: immune-related molecules secreted by the liver and the liver-resident cells. Additionally, we assessed the influence of the liver on various facets of systemic immune-related diseases, offering insights into the clinical application of target therapies for liver immune regulation, as well as future developmental trends.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiulu Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jizhang Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhang Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuqing Niu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuan Ran
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weicong Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zilong Luo
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaohan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanglin Hao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Zong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengkun Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yu M, Tang W, Liang W, Xie B, Gao R, Ding P, Gu X, Wang M, Wen S, Sun P. PCSK9 inhibition ameliorates experimental autoimmune myocarditis by reducing Th17 cell differentiation through LDLR/STAT-3/ROR-γt pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110962. [PMID: 37776771 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was characterized as a protein regulating circulating cholesterol metabolism; however, recent studies demonstrated a role for PCSK9 in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases unrelated to cholesterol alterations. The implication of PCSK9 in myocarditis is unclear and we aim at investigating the roles and mechanisms of PCSK9 in myocarditis. Male BALB/c mice received subcutaneous immunization with MyHC-α peptide on days 0 and 7 to establish the experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model. PCSK9 inhibitor, evolocumab, was administered subcutaneously once a week starting on day 0 and all mice were euthanized on day 21. Our results showed that PCSK9 inhibition ameliorated the cardiac inflammation of EAM mice. PCSK9 inhibition reduced both the levels of cardiac and peripheral blood PCSK9. We found that CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and cardiomyocytes in the heart of EAM mice could express PCSK9. PCSK9 inhibition decreased the differentiation of cardiac Th17 cells by lowering ROR-γt levels but had no effects on Th1, Th2, and Treg cell differentiation. In vitro experiments of CD4+ T cells, we found that PCSK9 directly promoted Th17 cell differentiation through LDLR/STAT3/ROR-γt pathway. Collectively, we demonstrated that PCSK9 inhibition ameliorated the severity of EAM mice by reducing Th17 cell differentiation. PCSK9 is a promising target for treating myocarditis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wenjing Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Baikang Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ran Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Peiwu Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoying Gu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Immunological Diagnosis and Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shuang Wen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China.
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China.
| |
Collapse
|