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Ghaderi DD, Aronson MR, Mehta A, Friedman RM, McDaid KS, Giordano T, Jacobs IN, Gottardi R. Azithromycin Prevents Subglottic Stenosis in Mice. Laryngoscope 2024. [PMID: 39276033 DOI: 10.1002/lary.31754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pediatric subglottic stenosis (SGS) is characterized by subglottic narrowing which occurs when pathological fibroblasts deposit extracellular matrix that reduces airway patency. Recent clinical observations have suggested that azithromycin may have favorable impacts on SGS reduction while treating airway infections; furthermore, our recent work in mice demonstrated that the airway microbiome influences SGS. In this work, we characterize the protective effect of azithromycin as an immunomodulatory and antibacterial therapeutic against subglottic stenosis. METHODS Immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects of azithromycin were assessed on TGF-β1-stimulated airway fibroblasts at 10 μg/mL for 5 days. Changes in gene expression were quantified by RT-qPCR and myofibroblast differentiation by α-SMA immunostaining. Murine airways were pretreated (2-weeks) with intranasal azithromycin before SGS injury by a twisted wire brush. Disease severity and immune response were characterized by histology and immunostaining for immune cells. RESULTS In vitro, azithromycin treatment of TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblasts exhibited strong reductions in extracellular matrix (COL1A1, LOX) and myofibroblast-related gene expression (ACTA2). Notably, there was a significant reduction in pro-fibrotic expression, which was observed with 10 μg/mL azithromycin. Immunostaining of fibroblasts for α-SMA revealed strong reductions in the number of positive-staining cells and the intensity of each positive cell. In vivo, azithromycin exhibited a significant decrease in lamina propria thickness indicative of reduced stenosis with associated changes in T-cell infiltration. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we show azithromycin prevents pro-fibrotic gene expression and myofibroblast differentiation and can help protect mice from developing SGS. This introduces azithromycin as a potential treatment for SGS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Ghaderi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew R Aronson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amrita Mehta
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ryan M Friedman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kendra S McDaid
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Terri Giordano
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ian N Jacobs
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Riccardo Gottardi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo, Italy
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2
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Ansari AW, Jayakumar MN, Ahmad F, Venkatachalam T, Salameh L, Unnikannan H, Raheed T, Mohammed AK, Mahboub B, Al-Ramadi BK, Hamid Q, Steinhoff M, Hamoudi R. Azithromycin targets the CD27 pathway to modulate CD27hi T-lymphocyte expansion and type-1 effector phenotype. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1447625. [PMID: 39211048 PMCID: PMC11357905 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1447625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrolide antibiotic azithromycin is widely used in clinical practice to treat respiratory tract infections and inflammatory diseases. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Given the involvement of the CD27 pathway in the pathophysiology of various T-lymphocyte-mediated inflammatory, autoimmune, and lymphoproliferative diseases, we examined the impact of AZM on CD27 regulation and potential consequences on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell phenotypes. Using cellular immunology approaches on healthy donors' peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we demonstrate AZM-mediated downregulation of surface CD27 expression as well as its extracellular release as soluble CD27. Notably, AZM-exposed CD27high (hi) cells were defective in their ability to expand compared to CD27intermediate (Int) and CD27low (lo) subsets. The defective CD27hi subset expansion was found to be associated with impaired cell proliferation and cell division. At the molecular level, the CD27hi subset exhibited lower mTOR activity than other subsets. Functionally, AZM treatment resulted in marked depletion of helper CD4+ (Th1) and cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocyte (Tc1)-associated CXCR3+CD27hi effector cells and inhibition of inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ production. These findings provide mechanistic insights on immunomodulatory features of AZM on T-lymphocyte by altering the CD27 pathway. From a clinical perspective, this study also sheds light on potential clinical benefits observed in patients on prophylactic AZM regimens against various respiratory diseases and opens avenues for future adjunct therapy against Th1- and Tc1-dominated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wahid Ansari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Dermatology Institute, Interim Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manju Nidagodu Jayakumar
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Dermatology Institute, Interim Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Thenmozhi Venkatachalam
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laila Salameh
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hema Unnikannan
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Thesni Raheed
- Dermatology Institute, Interim Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdul Khader Mohammed
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassam Mahboub
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel K. Al-Ramadi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Qutayba Hamid
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Dermatology Institute, Interim Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Biomedically Informed Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (BIMAI-Lab), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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3
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Ahangari F, Soudi S, Ghaffari Khaligh S, Mirsanei Z, Soufihasanabad S, Ebadi Asl P, Mahmoud Hashemi S. Combinational therapy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles and azithromycin improves clinical and histopathological recovery in CLP sepsis model. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112732. [PMID: 39053229 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis is a syndrome that occurs following an infection and marked by severe inflammatory responses, and if not treated in time, it can lead to multi-organ failure syndrome and death. This study examines the effects of a novel combination therapy using azithromycin and mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis. METHODS Human Wharton's jelly-mesenchymal stem cells were cultured, characterized, and used to extract EVs. The CLP sepsis model was induced in mice, followed by treatments: saline, AZM, EVs, and combination therapy (A+E). Clinical sepsis scores were recorded 24 h post-treatment. Serum, peritoneal fluid, and organ tissues (kidney, liver, lung) were collected and analyzed for biochemical parameters (AST ALT, and creatinine), inflammatory markers, bacterial load, and histopathological changes. RESULTS The A+E combined treatment improved the clinical scores of septic mice. The administration of A+E reduced bacterial loads in the peritoneum of septic mice, contributing to effective control of infection. Inflammatory markers of neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and TNF-α serum levels were significantly lower in the combinational therapy group, indicating significant anti-inflammatory effect of this combination. Additionally, combination of AZM and EVs alleviated organ damage mainly within liver, kidneys and lungs. Based on histopathological assessments and biochemical parameters, there was diminished tissue damage as well as reduced inflammation, which is correlated with improved functions of these vital organs. CONCLUSION The combined use of azithromycin and EVs offers a promising therapeutic approach for sepsis by effectively controlling infection and modulating the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ahangari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Soudi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Mirsanei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Soufihasanabad
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pedram Ebadi Asl
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhang C, Ma J, Liu C, Yan X. The protective effect of karanjin against sepsis-induced acute lung injury in mice is involved in the suppression of the TLR4 pathway. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 104:e14579. [PMID: 39013775 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14579] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe complication of sepsis. Karanjin, a natural flavonoid compound, has been proved to have anti-inflammatory function, but its role in sepsis-stimulated ALI is uncertain. Herein, the effect of karanjin on sepsis-stimulated ALI was investigated. We built a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ALI. The histopathological morphology of lung tissues was scrutinized by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The lung injury score and lung wet/dry weight ratio were detected. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were scrutinized by commercial kits. Murine alveolar lung epithelial (MLE-12) cells were treated with LPS to mimic a cellular model of ALI. The cell viability was scrutinized by the CCK-8 assay. The contents of proinflammatory cytokines were scrutinized by qRT-PCR and ELISA. The TLR4 and MyD88 contents were scrutinized by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Results showed that karanjin alleviated LPS-stimulated ALI in mice by inhibiting lung tissue lesions, edema, and oxidative stress. Moreover, karanjin inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammation and TLR4 pathway activation in mice. However, treatment with GSK1795091, an agonist of TLR4, attenuated the effects of karanjin on LPS-induced ALI. Furthermore, karanjin repressed LPS-stimulated inflammatory response and TLR4 pathway activation in MLE-12 cells. Overexpression of TLR4 attenuated karanjin effects on LPS-stimulated inflammatory responses in MLE-12 cells. In conclusion, karanjin repressed sepsis-stimulated ALI in mice by suppressing the TLR4 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujie Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, The Affliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Juncong Ma
- Department of Emergency, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Huai'an, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Emergency, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, The Affliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Xianliang Yan
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Esmaeili-Khoshmardan M, Dabiri H, Rafiee M, Eslami A, Yazdanbakhsh A, Amereh F, Jahangiri-Rad M, Hashemi A. Dynamics of antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility profile in full-scale hospital wastewater treatment plants. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 90:103-123. [PMID: 39007309 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance has become a matter of great concern, with many bacteria now resist multiple antibiotics. This study depicts the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance patterns in five full-scale hospital wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Samples of raw influent wastewater, as well as pre- and post-disinfected effluents, were monitored for targeted ARB and resistance genes in September 2022 and February 2023. Shifts in resistance profiles of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii antimicrobial-resistant indicators in the treated effluent compared to that in the raw wastewater were also worked out. Ceftazidime (6.78 × 105 CFU/mL) and cefotaxime (6.14 × 105 CFU/mL) resistant species showed the highest concentrations followed by ciprofloxacin (6.29 × 104 CFU/mL), and gentamicin (4.88 × 104 CFU/mL), in raw influent respectively. WWTP-D employing a combination of biological treatment and coagulation/clarification for wastewater decontamination showed promising results for reducing ARB emissions from wastewater. Relationships between treated effluent quality parameters and ARB loadings showed that high BOD5 and nitrate levels were possibly contributing to the persistence and/or selection of ARBs in WWTPs. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility tests of targeted species revealed dynamic shifts in resistance profiles through treatment processes, highlighting the potential for ARB and ARGs in hospital wastewater to persist or amplify during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Esmaeili-Khoshmardan
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Dabiri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafiee
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Akbar Eslami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Amereh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Jahangiri-Rad
- Water Purification Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Hashemi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Arıkan S, Guven S, Sehitoglu MH, Elmas S. The possible effect of topically applied azithromycin and moxifloxacin on the alleviation of uveitis. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:4451-4460. [PMID: 37642800 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-023-02845-5] [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: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the inhibitory effect of topically administered azithromycin (AZM), and moxifloxacin (MXF) against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). METHODS Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 equal groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were determined as sham, control group for topical AZM application and control group for topical MXF application, respectively. Sterile saline, topical AZM 1.5%, and topical MXF 0.5% were instilled 5 times daily for totally 6 days on both eyes of the rats in Group 4, Group 5, and Group 6, before and after inducing EIU by intravitreal injections of lipopolysaccharide, respectively. At 24 h after intravitreal injections, aqueous humor was collected from both eyes of each rat for the assessment of TNF-α concentration. Also, density of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in ciliary body, and the number of cells infiltrating the posterior segment of EIU rat eyes was assessed in one eye of each rat. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical AZM in comparison with those pretreated with sterile saline (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs. 72 ± 12.6 in Group 5, p = 0.006). There was also a marked decrease in mean aqueous humor concentration of TNF-α in EIU rats pretreated with topical MXF (139 ± 38.6 in Group 4 vs.86.1 ± 35.5 in Group 6, p = 0.025). Also, evident suppressions were determined in mean density of NF-κB, and in mean number of cells in EIU rats pretreated either with topical AZM, or topical MXF. CONCLUSIONS Topically applied AZM or MXF may be beneficial in the suppression of TNF-α production in aqueous humor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Arıkan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Muhsin Yazıcıoglu Aveniu, Seker Street, No:77, Kocasinan, 38038, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Soner Guven
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital, Muhsin Yazıcıoglu Aveniu, Seker Street, No:77, Kocasinan, 38038, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Muserref Hilal Sehitoglu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Canakkale, Turkey
| | - Sait Elmas
- Experimental Research Application and Research Center, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
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7
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Yadav S, Dalai P, Gowda S, Nivsarkar M, Agrawal-Rajput R. Azithromycin alters Colony Stimulating Factor-1R (CSF-1R) expression and functional output of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages: A novel report. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110688. [PMID: 37499396 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110688] [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: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic treatment may lead to side effects that require mechanistic explanation. We investigated the effect of azithromycin (AZM) treatment on bone marrow-derived macrophage (Mφ) generation, their functional output, and the subsequent effect on bacterial clearance in a mouse model of S. flexneri infection. To our fascination, AZM increased PU.1, C/EBPβ, CSF-1R/pCSF-1R expressions leading to M2-skewed in vitro BMDM generation. Altered Mφ-functions like- phagocytosis, oxidative stress generation, inflammasome-activation, cytokine release, and phenotype (pro-inflammatory-M1, anti-inflammatory-M2) even in the presence of infection were observed with AZM treatment. AZM increased CD206, egr2, arg1 (M2-marker) expression and activity while reducing CD68, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) expression, and activity (M1-marker) in Mφs during infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-12, IL-1β) were reduced and anti-inflammatory IL-10 release was augmented by AZM-treated-iMφs (aiMφs) along with decreased asc, nlrp3, aim2, nlrp1a, caspase1 expressions, and caspase3 activity signifying that aMφs/aiMφs were primed towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Interestingly, CSF-1R blockade increased NO, IL-12, TNF-α, IL-1β, decreased TGF-β release, and CD206 expression in aiMφs. T-cell co-stimulatory molecule cd40, cd86, and cd80 expressions were decreased in ai/aM1-Mφs and co-cultured CD8+, CD4+ T-cells had decreased proliferation, t-bet, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-2 but increased foxp3, TGF-β, IL-4 which were rescued with CSF-1R blockade. Thus AZM affected Mφ-functions and subsequent T-cell responses independent of its antibacterial actions. This was validated in the balb/c model of S. flexneri infection. We conclude that AZM skewed BMDM generation to anti-inflammatory M2-like via increased CSF-1R expression. This warrants further investigation of AZM-induced altered-Mφ-generation during intracellular infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Yadav
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Parmeswar Dalai
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Sharath Gowda
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India
| | | | - Reena Agrawal-Rajput
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, India.
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8
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Elkholy SE, Maher SA, Abd El-Hamid NR, Elsayed HA, Hassan WA, Abdelmaogood AKK, Hussein SM, Jaremko M, Alshawwa SZ, Alharbi HM, Imbaby S. The immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and azithromycin in dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via TLR4-NF-κB and p38-MAPK pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115005. [PMID: 37327586 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic autoimmune disease of the gut with a relapsing and remitting nature, considers a major health-care problem. DSS is a well-studied pharmacologically-induced model for UC. Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and its close association with p-38-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (p-38 MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has important regulatory roles in inflammation and developing UC. Probiotics are gaining popularity for their potential in UC therapy. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory role of azithromycin in UC remains a knowledge need. In the present rats-established UC, the therapeutic roles of oral probiotics (60 billion probiotic bacteria per kg per day) and azithromycin (40 mg per kg per day) regimens were evaluated by measuring changes in disease activity index, macroscopic damage index, oxidative stress markers, TLR4, p-38 MAPK, NF-κB signaling pathway in addition to their molecular downstream; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)1β, IL6, IL10 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). After individual and combination therapy with probiotics and azithromycin regimens, the histological architecture of the UC improved with restoration of intestinal tissue normal architecture. These findings were consistent with the histopathological score of colon tissues. Each separate regimen lowered the remarkable TLR4, p-38 MAPK, iNOS, NF-κB as well as TNFα, IL1β, IL6 and MDA expressions and elevated the low IL10, glutathione and superoxide dismutase expressions in UC tissues. The combination regimen possesses the most synergistic beneficial effects in UC that, following thorough research, should be incorporated into the therapeutic approach in UC to boost the patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shereen E Elkholy
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Shymaa Ahmad Maher
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (CEMCM), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Noura R Abd El-Hamid
- Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (CEMCM), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; Genetics unit, Histology and cell biology department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Heba A Elsayed
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Wael Abdou Hassan
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Alrajhi University, Al Bukayriyah 52726, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asmaa K K Abdelmaogood
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Samar M Hussein
- Physiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative and Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar Zuhair Alshawwa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan M Alharbi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar Imbaby
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
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9
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Acharya Y, Taneja KK, Haldar J. Dual functional therapeutics: mitigating bacterial infection and associated inflammation. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1410-1428. [PMID: 37593575 PMCID: PMC10429821 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00166k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance, coupled with the occurrence of persistent systemic infections, has already complicated clinical therapy efforts. Moreover, infections are also accompanied by strong inflammatory responses, generated by the host's innate and adaptive immune systems. The closely intertwined relationship between bacterial infection and inflammation has multiple implications on the ability of antibacterial therapeutics to tackle infection and inflammation. Particularly, uncontrolled inflammatory responses to infection can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening physiological condition. In this review, we discuss dual-functional antibacterial therapeutics that have potential to be developed for treating inflammation associated with bacterial infections. Immense research is underway that aims to develop new therapeutic agents that, when administered, regulate the excess inflammatory response, i.e. they have immunomodulatory properties along with the desired antibacterial activity. The classes of antibiotics that have immunomodulatory function in addition to antibacterial activity have been reviewed. Host defense peptides and their synthetic mimics are amongst the most sought-after solutions to develop such dual-functional therapeutics. This review also highlights the important classes of peptidomimetics that exhibit both antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Acharya
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Kashish Kumar Taneja
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Jayanta Haldar
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
- School of Advanced Materials, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
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10
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Vaz ES, Vassiliades SV, Giarolla J, Polli MC, Parise-Filho R. Drug repositioning in the COVID-19 pandemic: fundamentals, synthetic routes, and overview of clinical studies. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 79:723-751. [PMID: 37081137 PMCID: PMC10118228 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-023-03486-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Drug repositioning is a strategy to identify a new therapeutic indication for molecules that have been approved for other conditions, aiming to speed up the traditional drug development process and reduce its costs. The high prevalence and incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) underline the importance of searching for a safe and effective treatment for the disease, and drug repositioning is the most rational strategy to achieve this goal in a short period of time. Another advantage of repositioning is the fact that these compounds already have established synthetic routes, which facilitates their production at the industrial level. However, the hope for treatment cannot allow the indiscriminate use of medicines without a scientific basis. RESULTS The main small molecules in clinical trials being studied to be potentially repositioned to treat COVID-19 are chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, favipiravir, colchicine, remdesivir, dexamethasone, nitazoxanide, azithromycin, camostat, methylprednisolone, and baricitinib. In the context of clinical tests, in general, they were carried out under the supervision of large consortiums with a methodology based on and recognized in the scientific community, factors that ensure the reliability of the data collected. From the synthetic perspective, compounds with less structural complexity have more simplified synthetic routes. Stereochemical complexity still represents the major challenge in the preparation of dexamethasone, ivermectin, and azithromycin, for instance. CONCLUSION Remdesivir and baricitinib were approved for the treatment of hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone should be used with caution. Hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, ivermectin, and azithromycin are ineffective for the treatment of the disease, and the other compounds presented uncertain results. Preclinical and clinical studies should not be analyzed alone, and their methodology's accuracy should also be considered. Regulatory agencies are responsible for analyzing the efficacy and safety of a treatment and must be respected as the competent authorities for this decision, avoiding the indiscriminate use of medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Souza Vaz
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, 580, Bldg 13, SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Valeria Vassiliades
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, 580, Bldg 13, SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jeanine Giarolla
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, 580, Bldg 13, SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle Carneiro Polli
- Pharmacy Course, São Francisco University (USF), Waldemar César da Silveira St, 105, SP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Roberto Parise-Filho
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, 580, Bldg 13, SP, São Paulo, Brazil.
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11
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Yan Y, Wu L, Li X, Zhao L, Xu Y. Immunomodulatory role of azithromycin: Potential applications to radiation-induced lung injury. Front Oncol 2023; 13:966060. [PMID: 36969016 PMCID: PMC10030824 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.966060] [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: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) including radiation-induced pneumonitis and radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis is a side effect of radiotherapy for thoracic tumors. Azithromycin is a macrolide with immunomodulatory properties and anti-inflammatory effects. The immunopathology of RILI that results from irradiation is robust pro-inflammatory responses with high levels of chemokine and cytokine expression. In some patients, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis results usually due to an overactive immune response. Growing clinical studies recently proposed that the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of azithromycin may benefit patients with acute lung injury. It has been shown potential benefits for patients with RILI in preclinical studies. Azithromycin has a variety of immunomodulatory effect to improve the process of disease, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production participating in the regulatory function of macrophages, changes in autophagy, and inhibition of neutrophil influx. We review the published evidence of mechanisms of azithromycin, and focus on the potential effect of azithromycin on the immune response to RILI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Leilei Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuefei Li
- Department of Lung Cancer and Immunology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Xu, ; Xuefei Li, ; Lan Zhao,
| | - Lan Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Xu, ; Xuefei Li, ; Lan Zhao,
| | - Yaping Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Xu, ; Xuefei Li, ; Lan Zhao,
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12
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Azithromycin Mitigates Cisplatin-Induced Lung Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Necroptosis by Upregulating SIRT1, PPARγ, and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010052. [PMID: 36678549 PMCID: PMC9861532 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the adverse effects of the antineoplastic agent cisplatin (CIS). Oxidative stress, inflammation, and necroptosis are linked to the emergence of lung injury in various disorders. This study evaluated the effect of the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin (AZM) on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and necroptosis in the lungs of CIS-administered rats, pinpointing the involvement of PPARγ, SIRT1, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. The rats received AZM for 10 days and a single dose of CIS on the 7th day. CIS provoked bronchial and alveolar injury along with increased levels of ROS, MDA, NO, MPO, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and decreased levels of GSH, SOD, GST, and IL-10, denoting oxidative and inflammatory responses. The necroptosis-related proteins RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and caspase-8 were upregulated in CIS-treated rats. AZM effectively prevented lung tissue injury, ameliorated oxidative stress and NF-κB p65 and pro-inflammatory markers levels, boosted antioxidants and IL-10, and downregulated necroptosis-related proteins in CIS-administered rats. AZM decreased the concentration of Ang II and increased those of Ang (1-7), cytoglobin, PPARγ, SIRT1, Nrf2, and HO-1 in the lungs of CIS-treated rats. In conclusion, AZM attenuated the lung injury provoked by CIS in rats through the suppression of inflammation, oxidative stress, and necroptosis. The protective effect of AZM was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, cytoglobin, PPARγ, and SIRT1.
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13
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Shukla AK, Misra S. Antimicrobials in COVID-19: strategies for treating a COVID-19 pandemic. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2022:jbcpp-2022-0061. [PMID: 35503307 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious global challenge, with the world engulfed in fighting second, third and fourth waves of the disease, which is reaching scary proportions in terms of cases and mortality in countries like India. Despite the urgent need of proven management protocols, there is still confusion about the best practices for treating COVID-19 with different pharmaceutical interventions. Antimicrobials are empirically used in COVID-19 patients. During the initial phase of this pandemic, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, azithromycin and doxycycline were widely suggested for possible prophylaxis or treatment for COVID-19 in outpatient as well as hospitalized settings. Various national and international guidelines recommended its use. However, cumulative evidence from subsequent clinical trials has revealed no significant clinical benefits in any setting, with the risk of adverse effects being high particularly in combination with azithromycin. Yet, there is continued use of antimicrobials particularly in outpatient settings which should be avoided because there is no justifiable rationale for doing so. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was one of the top problems for global public health before the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began. AMR, which is already a difficult problem, must now be handled in the context of a changing healthcare sector.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saurav Misra
- Department of Pharmacology, Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, Karnal, India
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14
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Venditto VJ, Feola DJ. Delivering macrolide antibiotics to heal a broken heart - And other inflammatory conditions. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114252. [PMID: 35367307 PMCID: PMC9063468 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Drug carriers to deliver macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, show promise as antibacterial agents. Macrolide drug carriers have largely focused on improving the drug stability and pharmacokinetics, while reducing adverse reactions and improving antibacterial activity. Recently, macrolides have shown promise in treating inflammatory conditions by promoting a reparative effect and limiting detrimental pro-inflammatory responses, which shifts the immunologic setpoint from suppression to balance. While macrolide drug carriers have only recently been investigated for their ability to modulate immune responses, the previous strategies that deliver macrolides for antibacterial therapy provide a roadmap for repurposing the macrolide drug carriers for therapeutic interventions targeting inflammatory conditions. This review describes the antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity of macrolides, while assessing the past in vivo evaluation of drug carriers used to deliver macrolides with the intention of presenting a case for increased effort to translate macrolide drug carriers into the clinic.
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15
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Morales-Paredes CA, Rodríguez-Díaz JM, Boluda-Botella N. Pharmaceutical compounds used in the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of their presence in water and treatment techniques for their elimination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 814:152691. [PMID: 34974020 PMCID: PMC8717703 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, high consumption of antivirals, antibiotics, antiparasitics, antiprotozoals, and glucocorticoids used in the treatment of this virus has been reported. Conventional treatment systems fail to efficiently remove these contaminants from water, becoming an emerging concern from the environmental field. Therefore, the objective of the present work is to address the current state of the literature on the presence and removal processes of these drugs from water bodies. It was found that the concentration of most of the drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 increased during the pandemic in water bodies. Before the pandemic, Azithromycin concentrations in surface waters were reported to be in the order of 4.3 ng L-1, and during the pandemic, they increased up to 935 ng L-1. Laboratory scale studies conclude that adsorption and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can be effective in the removal of these drugs. Up to more than 80% removal of Azithromycin, Chloroquine, Ivermectin, and Dexamethasone in aqueous solutions have been reported using these processes. Pilot-scale tests achieved 100% removal of Azithromycin from hospital wastewater by adsorption with powdered activated carbon. At full scale, treatment plants supplemented with ozonation and artificial wetlands removed all Favipiravir and Azithromycin, respectively. It should be noted that hybrid technologies can improve removal rates, process kinetics, and treatment cost. Consequently, the development of new materials that can act synergistically in technically and economically sustainable treatments is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Augusto Morales-Paredes
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain; Editorial Universitaria, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Manta 130802, Ecuador.
| | - Joan Manuel Rodríguez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Análisis Químicos y Biotecnológicos, Instituto de Investigación, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo 130104, Ecuador; Departamento de Procesos Químicos, Facultad de Ciencias Matemáticas, Físicas y Químicas, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo 130104, Ecuador
| | - Nuria Boluda-Botella
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain; Instituto Universitario del Agua y las Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain
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16
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Sauer A, Peukert K, Putensen C, Bode C. Antibiotics as immunomodulators: a potential pharmacologic approach for ARDS treatment. Eur Respir Rev 2021; 30:210093. [PMID: 34615700 PMCID: PMC9489085 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0093-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
First described in the mid-1960s, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening form of respiratory failure with an overall mortality rate of approximately 40%. Despite significant advances in the understanding and treatment of ARDS, no substantive pharmacologic therapy has proven to be beneficial, and current management continues to be primarily supportive. Beyond their antibacterial activity, several antibiotics such as macrolides and tetracyclines exert pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects that might be able to rectify the dysregulated inflammatory response present in patients with ARDS. This review aims to provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies that describe the immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics in ARDS. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of their immunomodulatory properties will be discussed. Further studies are necessary to investigate their full therapeutic potential and to identify ARDS phenotypes which are most likely to benefit from their immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sauer
- Dept of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Konrad Peukert
- Dept of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Putensen
- Dept of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Bode
- Dept of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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17
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Rashad A, Nafady A, Hassan MH, Mansour H, Taya U, Bazeed SES, Aref ZF, Sayed MAA, Nafady-Hego H, Abdelmaksoud AA. Therapeutic efficacy of macrolides in management of patients with mild COVID-19. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16361. [PMID: 34381155 PMCID: PMC8357809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence on the efficacy of adding macrolides (azithromycin or clarithromycin) to the treatment regimen for COVID-19 is limited. We testify whether adding azithromycin or clarithromycin to a standard of care regimen was superior to standard of supportive care alone in patients with mild COVID-19.This randomized trial included three groups of patients with COVID-19. The azithromycin group included, 107 patients who received azithromycin 500 mg/24 h for 7 days, the clarithromycin group included 99 patients who received clarithromycin 500 /12 h for 7 days, and the control group included 99 patients who received standard care only. All three groups received only symptomatic treatment for control of fever and cough .Clinical and biochemical evaluations of the study participants including assessment of the symptoms duration, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, D-dimer, complete blood count (CBC), in addition to non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT), were performed. The overall results revealed significant early improvement of symptoms (fever, dyspnea and cough) in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group, also there was significant early conversion of SARS-CoV-2 PCR to negative in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group (p < 0.05 for all).There was no significant difference in time to improvement of fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, gastrointestinal tract "GIT" symptoms and time to PCR negative conversion between patients treated with azithromycin compared to patients treated with clarithromycin (p > 0.05 for all). Follow up chest CT done after 2 weeks of start of treatment showed significant improvement in patients treated with either azithromycin or clarithromycin compared to control group (p < 0.05 for all).Adding Clarithromycin or azithromycin to the therapeutic protocols for COVID-19 could be beneficial for early control of fever and early PCR negative conversion in Mild COVID-19.Trial registration: (NCT04622891) www.ClinicalTrials.gov retrospectively registered (November 10, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Rashad
- Department of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley-University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Nafady
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Mohammed H Hassan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt.
| | - Haggagy Mansour
- Department of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley-University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Usama Taya
- ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Shamardan Ezzeldin S Bazeed
- Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Zaki F Aref
- ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | | | - Hanaa Nafady-Hego
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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18
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Welcome MO, Mastorakis NE. Neuropathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019: neuroinflammation and blood brain barrier disruption are critical pathophysiological processes that contribute to the clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inflammopharmacology 2021; 29:939-963. [PMID: 33822324 PMCID: PMC8021940 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00806-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) first discovered in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 has infected several millions of people, resulting in a huge socioeconomic cost and over 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Though the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, data have consistently shown that SARS-CoV-2 mainly affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence has implicated the central nervous system in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unfortunately, however, the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 induced impairment of the central nervous system are not completely known. Here, we review the literature on possible neuropathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 induced cerebral damage. The results suggest that downregulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with increased activity of the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and cathepsin L in SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion may result in upregulation of proinflammatory mediators and reactive species that trigger neuroinflammatory response and blood brain barrier disruption. Furthermore, dysregulation of hormone and neurotransmitter signalling may constitute a fundamental mechanism involved in the neuropathogenic sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The viral RNA or antigenic peptides also activate or interact with molecular signalling pathways mediated by pattern recognition receptors (e.g., toll-like receptors), nuclear factor kappa B, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, complement cascades, and cell suicide molecules. Potential molecular targets and therapeutics of SARS-CoV-2 induced neurologic damage are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menizibeya O Welcome
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Plot 681 Cadastral Zone, C-00 Research and Institution Area, Jabi Airport Road Bypass, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Nikos E Mastorakis
- Technical University of Sofia, Klement Ohridksi 8, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria
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19
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Mohamadi Yarijani Z, Najafi H. Kidney injury in COVID-19 patients, drug development and their renal complications: Review study. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:111966. [PMID: 34333286 PMCID: PMC8313500 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, the world was encountered a new disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although SARS-CoV-2 initially causes lung damage, it also affects many other organs, including the kidneys, and on average, 5–23% of people with COVID-19 develop the symptoms of acute kidney injury (AKI), including elevated blood creatinine and urea, hematuria, proteinuria, and histopathological damages. The exact mechanism is unknown, but the researchers believe that SARS-CoV-2 directly and indirectly affects the kidneys. The direct pathway is by binding the virus to ACE2 receptor in the kidney, damage to cells, the renin-angiotensin system disturbances, activating coagulation pathways, and damaging the renal vascular endothelium. The initial evidence from studying the kidney tissue in postmortem patients is more in favor of the direct pathway. The indirect pathway is created by increased cytokines and cytokine storm, sepsis, circulatory disturbances, hypoxemia, as well as using the nephrotoxic drugs. Using renal tissue biopsy and autopsy in the patients with COVID-19, recent studies found evidence for a predominant indirect pathway in AKI induction by SARS-CoV-2. Besides, some studies showed that the degree of acute tubular injury (ATI) in autopsies from COVID-19 victims is milder compared to AKI degree. We review the mechanism of AKI induction and the renal side effects of the most common drugs used to treat COVID-19 after the overview of the latest findings on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Mohamadi Yarijani
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Houshang Najafi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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20
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Khezri MR, Zolbanin NM, Ghasemnejad-Berenji M, Jafari R. Azithromycin: Immunomodulatory and antiviral properties for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 905:174191. [PMID: 34015317 PMCID: PMC8127529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Azithromycin, a member of the macrolide family of antibiotics, is commonly used to treat respiratory bacterial infections. Nevertheless, multiple pharmacological effects of the drug have been revealed in several investigations. Conceivably, the immunomodulatory properties of azithromycin are among its critical features, leading to its application in treating inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, azithromycin may directly inhibit viral load as well as its replication, or it could demonstrate indirect inhibitory impacts that might be associated with the expression of antiviral genes. Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an extra urgent issue affecting the entire world, and it is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is associated with hyper inflammation due to cytokine release, is among the leading causes of death in COVID-19 patients with critical conditions. The present paper aims to review the immunomodulatory and antiviral properties of azithromycin as well as its potential clinical applications in the management of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naime Majidi Zolbanin
- Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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21
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Mirtaleb MS, Mirtaleb AH, Nosrati H, Heshmatnia J, Falak R, Zolfaghari Emameh R. Potential therapeutic agents to COVID-19: An update review on antiviral therapy, immunotherapy, and cell therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111518. [PMID: 33774315 PMCID: PMC7962551 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2020 and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) was later announced as pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, several studies have been conducted on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 by potential vaccines and drugs. Although, the governments and global population have been attracted by some vaccine production projects, the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antiviral drugs would be an urge necessity in parallel with the efficient preventive vaccines. Various nonspecific drugs produced previously against other bacterial, viral, and parasite infections were recently evaluated for treating patients with COVID-19. In addition to therapeutic properties of these anti-COVID-19 compounds, some adverse effects were observed in different human organs as well. Not only several attentions were paid to antiviral therapy and treatment of COVID-19, but also nanomedicine, immunotherapy, and cell therapy were conducted against this viral infection. In this review study, we planned to introduce the present and potential future treatment strategies against COVID-19 and define the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Sadat Mirtaleb
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 14965/161 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Mirtaleb
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Nosrati
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jalal Heshmatnia
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Falak
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Zolfaghari Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 14965/161 Tehran, Iran.
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22
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Venditto VJ, Haydar D, Abdel-Latif A, Gensel JC, Anstead MI, Pitts MG, Creameans J, Kopper TJ, Peng C, Feola DJ. Immunomodulatory Effects of Azithromycin Revisited: Potential Applications to COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:574425. [PMID: 33643308 PMCID: PMC7906979 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.574425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid advancement of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an accelerated pursuit to identify effective therapeutics. Stages of the disease course have been defined by viral burden, lung pathology, and progression through phases of the immune response. Immunological factors including inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine storm have been associated with severe disease and death. Many immunomodulatory therapies for COVID-19 are currently being investigated, and preliminary results support the premise of targeting the immune response. However, because suppressing immune mechanisms could also impact the clearance of the virus in the early stages of infection, therapeutic success is likely to depend on timing with respect to the disease course. Azithromycin is an immunomodulatory drug that has been shown to have antiviral effects and potential benefit in patients with COVID-19. Multiple immunomodulatory effects have been defined for azithromycin which could provide efficacy during the late stages of the disease, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibition of neutrophil influx, induction of regulatory functions of macrophages, and alterations in autophagy. Here we review the published evidence of these mechanisms along with the current clinical use of azithromycin as an immunomodulatory therapeutic. We then discuss the potential impact of azithromycin on the immune response to COVID-19, as well as caution against immunosuppressive and off-target effects including cardiotoxicity in these patients. While azithromycin has the potential to contribute efficacy, its impact on the COVID-19 immune response requires additional characterization so as to better define its role in individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent J. Venditto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Dalia Haydar
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ahmed Abdel-Latif
- Gill Heart Institute and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - John C. Gensel
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Michael I. Anstead
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Michelle G. Pitts
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jarrod Creameans
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Timothy J. Kopper
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Chi Peng
- Gill Heart Institute and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - David J. Feola
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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23
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Morris G, Bortolasci CC, Puri BK, Olive L, Marx W, O'Neil A, Athan E, Carvalho A, Maes M, Walder K, Berk M. Preventing the development of severe COVID-19 by modifying immunothrombosis. Life Sci 2021; 264:118617. [PMID: 33096114 PMCID: PMC7574725 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with significant morbidity and high levels of mortality. This paper describes the processes involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 from the initial infection and subsequent destruction of type II alveolar epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 and culminating in the development of ARDS. MAIN BODY The activation of alveolar cells and alveolar macrophages leads to the release of large quantities of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and their translocation into the pulmonary vasculature. The presence of these inflammatory mediators in the vascular compartment leads to the activation of vascular endothelial cells platelets and neutrophils and the subsequent formation of platelet neutrophil complexes. These complexes in concert with activated endothelial cells interact to create a state of immunothrombosis. The consequence of immunothrombosis include hypercoagulation, accelerating inflammation, fibrin deposition, migration of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) producing neutrophils into the alveolar apace, activation of the NLRP3 inflammazome, increased alveolar macrophage destruction and massive tissue damage by pyroptosis and necroptosis Therapeutic combinations aimed at ameliorating immunothrombosis and preventing the development of severe COVID-19 are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Chiara C Bortolasci
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia
| | | | - Lisa Olive
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Marx
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eugene Athan
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andre Carvalho
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, King Chulalongkorn University Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Ken Walder
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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24
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Gyselinck I, Janssens W, Verhamme P, Vos R. Rationale for azithromycin in COVID-19: an overview of existing evidence. BMJ Open Respir Res 2021; 8:e000806. [PMID: 33441373 PMCID: PMC7811960 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Azithromycin has rapidly been adopted as a repurposed drug for the treatment of COVID-19, despite the lack of high-quality evidence. In this review, we critically appraise the current pharmacological, preclinical and clinical data of azithromycin for treating COVID-19. Interest in azithromycin has been fuelled by favourable treatment outcomes in other viral pneumonias, a documented antiviral effect on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and uncontrolled case series early in the pandemic. Its antiviral effects presumably result from interfering with receptor mediated binding, viral lysosomal escape, intracellular cell-signalling pathways and enhancing type I and III interferon expression. Its immunomodulatory effects may mitigate excessive inflammation and benefit tissue repair. Currently, in vivo reports on azithromycin in COVID-19 are conflicting and do not endorse its widespread use outside of clinical trials. They are, however, mostly retrospective and therefore inherently biased. The effect size of azithromycin may depend on when it is started. Also, extended follow-up is needed to assess benefits in the recovery phase. Safety data warrant monitoring of drug-drug interactions and subsequent cardiac adverse events, especially with hydroxychloroquine. More prospective data of large randomised controlled studies are expected and much-needed. Uniform reporting of results should be strongly encouraged to facilitate data pooling with the many ongoing initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwein Gyselinck
- Respiratory Diseases, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Department CHROMETA - Research group BREATHE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Wim Janssens
- Respiratory Diseases, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Department CHROMETA - Research group BREATHE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Peter Verhamme
- Cardiovascular Diseases, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Robin Vos
- Respiratory Diseases, KU Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Department CHROMETA - Research group BREATHE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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25
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Morris G, Athan E, Walder K, Bortolasci CC, O'Neil A, Marx W, Berk M, Carvalho AF, Maes M, Puri BK. Can endolysosomal deacidification and inhibition of autophagy prevent severe COVID-19? Life Sci 2020; 262:118541. [PMID: 33035581 PMCID: PMC7537668 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The possibility is examined that immunomodulatory pharmacotherapy may be clinically useful in managing the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), known to result from infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. The dominant route of cell entry of the coronavirus is via phagocytosis, with ensconcement in endosomes thereafter proceeding via the endosomal pathway, involving transfer from early (EEs) to late endosomes (LEs) and ultimately into lysosomes via endolysosomal fusion. EE to LE transportation is a rate-limiting step for coronaviruses. Hence inhibition or dysregulation of endosomal trafficking could potentially inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. Furthermore, the acidic luminal pH of the endolysosomal system is critical for the activity of numerous pH-sensitive hydrolytic enzymes. Golgi sub-compartments and Golgi-derived secretory vesicles also depend on being mildly acidic for optimal function and structure. Activation of endosomal toll-like receptors by viral RNA can upregulate inflammatory mediators and contribute to a systemic inflammatory cytokine storm, associated with a worsened clinical outcome in COVID-19. Such endosomal toll-like receptors could be inhibited by the use of pharmacological agents which increase endosomal pH, thereby reducing the activity of acid-dependent endosomal proteases required for their activity and/or assembly, leading to suppression of antigen-presenting cell activity, decreased autoantibody secretion, decreased nuclear factor-kappa B activity and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production. It is also noteworthy that SARS-CoV-2 inhibits autophagy, predisposing infected cells to apoptosis. It is therefore also suggested that further pharmacological inhibition of autophagy might encourage the apoptotic clearance of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eugene Athan
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Disease, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chiara C Bortolasci
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wolf Marx
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, the Department of Psychiatry, the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - André F Carvalho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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26
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Morris G, Bortolasci CC, Puri BK, Olive L, Marx W, O'Neil A, Athan E, Carvalho AF, Maes M, Walder K, Berk M. The pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2: A suggested model and therapeutic approach. Life Sci 2020; 258:118166. [PMID: 32739471 PMCID: PMC7392886 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a model is proposed of the pathophysiological processes of COVID-19 starting from the infection of human type II alveolar epithelial cells (pneumocytes) by SARS-CoV-2 and culminating in the development of ARDS. The innate immune response to infection of type II alveolar epithelial cells leads both to their death by apoptosis and pyroptosis and to alveolar macrophage activation. Activated macrophages secrete proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and tend to polarise into the inflammatory M1 phenotype. These changes are associated with activation of vascular endothelial cells and thence the recruitment of highly toxic neutrophils and inflammatory activated platelets into the alveolar space. Activated vascular endothelial cells become a source of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contribute to the development of coagulopathy, systemic sepsis, a cytokine storm and ARDS. Pulmonary activated platelets are also an important source of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS, as well as exacerbating pulmonary neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses and contributing to systemic sepsis by binding to neutrophils to form platelet-neutrophil complexes (PNCs). PNC formation increases neutrophil recruitment, activation priming and extraversion of these immune cells into inflamed pulmonary tissue, thereby contributing to ARDS. Sequestered PNCs cause the development of a procoagulant and proinflammatory environment. The contribution to ARDS of increased extracellular histone levels, circulating mitochondrial DNA, the chromatin protein HMGB1, decreased neutrophil apoptosis, impaired macrophage efferocytosis, the cytokine storm, the toll-like receptor radical cycle, pyroptosis, necroinflammation, lymphopenia and a high Th17 to regulatory T lymphocyte ratio are detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Chiara C. Bortolasci
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Deakin University, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia,Corresponding author at: IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3218, Australia
| | | | - Lisa Olive
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Marx
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eugene Athan
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andre F. Carvalho
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, King Chulalongkorn University Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Ken Walder
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Deakin University, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia,Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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27
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Reijnders TDY, Saris A, Schultz MJ, van der Poll T. Immunomodulation by macrolides: therapeutic potential for critical care. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2020; 8:619-630. [PMID: 32526189 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(20)30080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Critical illness is associated with immune dysregulation, characterised by concurrent hyperinflammation and immune suppression. Hyperinflammation can result in collateral tissue damage and organ failure, whereas immune suppression has been implicated in susceptibility to secondary infections and reactivation of latent viruses. Macrolides are a class of bacteriostatic antibiotics that are used in the intensive care unit to control infections or to alleviate gastrointestinal dysmotility. Yet macrolides also have potent and wide-ranging immunomodulatory properties, which might have the potential to correct immune dysregulation in patients who are critically ill without affecting crucial antimicrobial defences. In this Review, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies that point to the beneficial effects of macrolides in acute diseases relevant to critical care, and we discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of their immunomodulatory effects. Further studies are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of macrolides in critical illness, to identify subgroups of patients who might benefit from treatment, and to develop novel non-antibiotic macrolide derivatives with improved immunomodulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom D Y Reijnders
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anno Saris
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marcus J Schultz
- Department of Intensive Care, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom van der Poll
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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28
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Ravanetti F, Ragionieri L, Ciccimarra R, Ruscitti F, Pompilio D, Gazza F, Villetti G, Cacchioli A, Stellari FF. Modeling pulmonary fibrosis through bleomycin delivered by osmotic minipump: a new histomorphometric method of evaluation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 318:L376-L385. [PMID: 31851533 PMCID: PMC7052681 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00311.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The systemic delivery of bleomycin (BLM) to mice through subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps may be used to experimentally mimic the typical features of systemic sclerosis and related interstitial lung diseases. The published studies on this model principally have focused on induced dermal modifications, probably because lung lesions are typically mild, subpleurally localized, and difficult to analyze. The use of high BLM doses to increase their severity has been proposed but is ethically questionable because of the compromising of animal welfare. We propose a tailored histomorphometric method suitable to detect and quantify this type of mild lung lesions. Using a two-step automated image analysis, a peripheral region of interest with a depth of 250 µm from the pleural edge was defined on whole slide images, and the fibrotic foci were histomorphometrically characterized. The effects of different BLM doses on lung alterations were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice and 60 U/kg resulted in a fair compromise between fibrotic lesions and animal welfare. This dose was also tested in time course experiments. The analysis revealed a peak of histological fibrotic-like alterations, cytokine expression, metalloprotease, and macrophagic activation between the 21st and 28th day after pump implant. The induced dermal fibrosis was characterized by the progressive loss of the white dermal adipose layer, an increase in dermal thickness, dermal hyperplasia, and more compacted collagen fibers. Despite the trend toward spontaneous resolution, our model allowed a double organ readout of the BLM effect and the identification of a therapeutic window for testing pharmacological compounds without using life-threatening doses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luisa Ragionieri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Pompilio
- Corporate Preclinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Gazza
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Corporate Preclinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | | | - Fabio F Stellari
- Corporate Preclinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
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29
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Stellari FF, Sala A, Ruscitti F, Buccellati C, Allen A, Risé P, Civelli M, Villetti G. CHF6001 Inhibits NF-κB Activation and Neutrophilic Recruitment in LPS-Induced Lung Inflammation in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1337. [PMID: 31798449 PMCID: PMC6863066 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) are potent anti-inflammatory agents, inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators through the elevation of intracellular cAMP concentrations. We studied the activity of a novel PDE4 inhibitor, CHF6001, both in vitro in human cells and in vivo, using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in mice lung inflammation. Mice transiently transfected with the luciferase gene under the control of an NF-κB responsive element (NF-κB-luc) have been used to assess the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of CHF6001 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation. BLI as well as inflammatory cells and the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were monitored in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) while testing in vitro its ability to affect the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), measured by LC/MS/MS, by LPS/LPS/N-formyl--methionyl--leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-activated human blood. CHF6001 inhibited the production of LTB4 in LPS/fMLP-activated human blood at sub-nanomolar concentrations. LPS-induced an increase of BLI signal in NF-κB-luc mice, and CHF6001 administered by dry powder inhalation decreased in parallel luciferase signal, cell airway infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in BALF. The results obtained provide in vitro and in vivo evidence of the anti-inflammatory activity of the potent PDE4 inhibitor CHF6001, showing that with a topical administration that closely mimics inhalation in humans, it efficiently disrupts the NF-κB activation associated with LPS challenge, an effect that may be relevant for the prevention of exacerbation episodes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio F Stellari
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy
| | - Angelo Sala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Drug Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,IBIM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy
| | - Carola Buccellati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Drug Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrew Allen
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Risé
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Drug Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Civelli
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy
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30
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Liu W, Xi G, Yang X, Hao X, Wang M, Feng Y, Chen H, Shi C. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) grafted hyaluronic acid-based electrospun fibrous hemostatic fragments as a sustainable anti-infection and immunoregulation material. J Mater Chem B 2019; 7:4997-5010. [PMID: 31411610 DOI: 10.1039/c9tb00659a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymers are promising synthetic materials in the biomedical field. However, in wound management, their hydrophobic properties limit their further application because of their poor adhesion to the surface of moist wounds. Furthermore, the lack of hemostatic materials with sustainable anti-infection and immunoregulation functions remains a highly significant clinical problem, as commercially available hemostatic products, such as Arista™, Celox™ and QuikClot™, do not have sufficient infection prevention and immunoregulation properties. Herein, we employ electrospinning, ammonia dissociation and surface grafting techniques to develop a series of PLGA-based hemostatic materials, including a PLGA electrospun fibrous membrane, PLGA-NH2 fibrous particles and PLGA-hyaluronic acid fibrous fragments (PLGA-HA FFs). Notably, we load azithromycin on the PLGA-HA FFs to endow them with anti-infection and immunoregulation properties. The hemostatic mechanism analysis demonstrates that the PLGA-HA FFs show superior hemostasis performance compared to traditional gauzes. The results show that the PLGA-HA FFs can act as a versatile platform with high encapsulation of azithromycin (83.03% ± 2.81%) and rapid hemostasis (28 ± 2 s) as well as prominent cytocompatibility towards L929 cells, RAW 264.7 cells and red blood cells. We believe that the current research proposes a possible strategy to synthesize materials that achieve not only safe and effective hemostasis, but also have anti-infection and immunoregulation properties for the development of further hemostatic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China.
| | - Guanghui Xi
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China.
| | - Xiao Yang
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China. and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Xiao Hao
- Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, China
| | - Mingshan Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yakai Feng
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China. and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Hao Chen
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China.
| | - Changcan Shi
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. and Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China and Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325011, China.
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Ramadhani AM, Derrick T, Macleod D, Massae P, Malisa A, Mbuya K, Mtuy T, Makupa W, Roberts CH, Bailey RL, Mabey DCW, Holland MJ, Burton MJ. Ocular immune responses, Chlamydia trachomatis infection and clinical signs of trachoma before and after azithromycin mass drug administration in a treatment naïve trachoma-endemic Tanzanian community. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007559. [PMID: 31306419 PMCID: PMC6658141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, remains the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Persistence and progression of the resulting clinical disease appears to be an immunologically mediated process. Azithromycin, which is distributed at the community level for trachoma control, has immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the impact of one round of oral azithromycin on conjunctival immune responses, C. trachomatis infection and clinical signs three- and six- months post treatment relative to three pre-treatment time-points. METHODOLOGY A cohort of children aged 6 to 10 years were recruited from a trachoma endemic region of northern Tanzania and were visited five times in a 12-month period. They were examined for clinical signs of trachoma and conjunctival swabs were collected for laboratory analysis. C. trachomatis infection was detected and the expression of 46 host genes was quantified using quantitative PCR. All community members were offered azithromycin treatment immediately after the six-month timepoint according to international guidelines. FINDINGS The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection and inflammatory disease signs were significantly reduced three- and six- months post-mass drug administration (MDA). C. trachomatis infection was strongly associated with clinical signs at all five time-points. A profound anti-inflammatory effect on conjunctival gene expression was observed 3 months post-MDA, however, gene expression had largely returned to pre-treatment levels of variation by 6 months. This effect was less marked, but still observed, after adjusting for C. trachomatis infection and when the analysis was restricted to individuals who were free from both infection and clinical disease at all five time-points. Interestingly, a modest effect was also observed in individuals who did not receive treatment. CONCLUSION Conjunctival inflammation is the major clinical risk factor for progressive scarring trachoma, therefore, the reduction in inflammation associated with azithromycin treatment may be beneficial in limiting the development of potentially blinding disease sequelae. Future work should seek to determine whether this effect is mediated directly through inhibition of pro-inflammatory intracellular signalling molecules, through reductions in concurrent, sub-clinical infections, and/or through reduction of infection exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athumani M. Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aiweda Malisa
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Kelvin Mbuya
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Chrissy H. Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. W. Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Haydar D, Cory TJ, Birket SE, Murphy BS, Pennypacker KR, Sinai AP, Feola DJ. Azithromycin Polarizes Macrophages to an M2 Phenotype via Inhibition of the STAT1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:1021-1030. [PMID: 31263039 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Azithromycin is effective at controlling exaggerated inflammation and slowing the long-term decline of lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis. We previously demonstrated that the drug shifts macrophage polarization toward an alternative, anti-inflammatory phenotype. In this study we investigated the immunomodulatory mechanism of azithromycin through its alteration of signaling via the NF-κB and STAT1 pathways. J774 murine macrophages were plated, polarized (with IFN-γ, IL-4/-13, or with azithromycin plus IFN-γ) and stimulated with LPS. The effect of azithromycin on NF-κB and STAT1 signaling mediators was assessed by Western blot, homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay, nuclear translocation assay, and immunofluorescence. The drug's effect on gene and protein expression of arginase was evaluated as a marker of alternative macrophage activation. Azithromycin blocked NF-κB activation by decreasing p65 nuclear translocation, although blunting the degradation of IκBα was due, at least in part, to a decrease in IKKβ kinase activity. A direct correlation was observed between increasing azithromycin concentrations and increased IKKβ protein expression. Moreover, incubation with the IKKβ inhibitor IKK16 decreased arginase expression and activity in azithromycin-treated cells but not in cells treated with IL-4 and IL-13. Importantly, azithromycin treatment also decreased STAT1 phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, an effect that was reversed with IKK16 treatment. We conclude that azithromycin anti-inflammatory mechanisms involve inhibition of the STAT1 and NF-κB signaling pathways through the drug's effect on p65 nuclear translocation and IKKβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Haydar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Theodore J Cory
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163
| | - Susan E Birket
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | | | - Keith R Pennypacker
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536; and
| | - Anthony P Sinai
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - David J Feola
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY 40536;
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Lendermon EA, Coon TA, Bednash JS, Weathington NM, McDyer JF, Mallampalli RK. Azithromycin decreases NALP3 mRNA stability in monocytes to limit inflammasome-dependent inflammation. Respir Res 2017; 18:131. [PMID: 28659178 PMCID: PMC5490165 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-017-0608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azithromycin, an antibiotic used for multiple infectious disorders, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, but the molecular basis for this activity is not well characterized. Azithromycin inhibits IL-1β-mediated inflammation that is dependent, in part, on inflammasome activity. Here, we investigated the effects of azithromycin on the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NALP3) protein, which is the sensing component of the NALP3 inflammasome, in human monocytes. METHODS THP-1 cells were treated with azithromycin alone, LPS alone, or both. NALP3 and IL-1β protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. NLRP3 gene (encoding NALP3) transcript levels were determined by quantitative qPCR. In order to measure NLRP3 transcript decay, actinomycin D was used to impair gene transcription. THP-1 Lucia cells which contain an NF-κB responsive luciferase element were used to assess NF-κB activity in response to azithromycin, LPS, and azithromycin/LPS by measuring luminescence. To confirm azithromycin's effects on NLRP3 mRNA and promoter activity conclusively, HEK cells were lipofected with luciferase reporter constructs harboring either the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the NLRP3 gene which included the promoter, the 3' UTR of the gene, or an empty plasmid prior to treatment with azithromycin and/or LPS, and luminescence was measured. RESULTS Azithromycin decreased IL-1β levels and reduced NALP3 protein levels in LPS-stimulated THP-1 monocytes through a mechanism involving decreased mRNA stability of the NALP3 - coding NLRP3 gene transcript as well as by decreasing NF-κB activity. Azithromycin accelerated NLRP3 transcript decay confirmed by mRNA stability and 3'UTR luciferase reporter assays, and yet the antibiotic had no effect on NLRP3 promoter activity in cells containing a 5' UTR reporter. CONCLUSIONS These studies provide a unique mechanism whereby azithromycin exerts immunomodulatory actions in monocytes by destabilizing mRNA levels for a key inflammasome component, NALP3, leading to decreased IL-1β-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lendermon
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Tiffany A Coon
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Joseph S Bednash
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nathaniel M Weathington
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John F McDyer
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Rama K Mallampalli
- Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, NW 628, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Medical Specialty Service Line, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Cramer CL, Patterson A, Alchakaki A, Soubani AO. Immunomodulatory indications of azithromycin in respiratory disease: a concise review for the clinician. Postgrad Med 2017; 129:493-499. [PMID: 28116959 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2017.1285677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Azithromycin has a well-characterized bacteriostatic activity. However, it also has a robust immunomodulatory effect that has proven beneficial in a variety of chronic illnesses. This effect results in decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the acute phase and promotes resolution of chronic inflammation in the later phases. Specifically, azithromycin has direct activity on airway epithelial cells to maintain their function and reduce mucus secretion. These characteristics have resulted in the use of azithromycin in the management of a variety of chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and asthma. In this review, we present the evidence supporting the role of azithromycin in these conditions with an emphasis on the clinical aspects for the practicing physician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassondra L Cramer
- a Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Allie Patterson
- a Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Abdulrazak Alchakaki
- a Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Ayman O Soubani
- a Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
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Lin SJ, Kuo ML, Hsiao HS, Lee PT. Azithromycin modulates immune response of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and CD4 + T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 40:318-326. [PMID: 27664570 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Azithromycin (AZM) is a macrolide antibiotic that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity aside from its antimicrobial effect, a feature that may ameliorate certain inflammatory disorders and prevent graft-versus-host disease in patients receiving stem cell transplantation. In the present study, we investigated the ability of AZM to influence the function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4+ T cells. We found that AZM down-regulated CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DCs and suppressed interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in these cells. In addition, AZM increased endocytosis and/or expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, and TLR9 in DCs and suppressed anti-CD3/CD28-induced CD4+ T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production, an effect that was synergistic with dexamethasone. Finally, AZM suppressed DC-induced allogeneic T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Our study demonstrates that AZM modulates DC and CD4+ T cell function and may be of therapeutic benefit in various inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syh-Jae Lin
- Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Ling Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Shan Hsiao
- Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Tzu Lee
- Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
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Stellari F, Bergamini G, Ruscitti F, Sandri A, Ravanetti F, Donofrio G, Boschi F, Villetti G, Sorio C, Assael BM, Melotti P, Lleo MM. In vivo monitoring of lung inflammation in CFTR-deficient mice. J Transl Med 2016; 14:226. [PMID: 27468800 PMCID: PMC4964274 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0976-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Experimentally, lung inflammation in laboratory animals is usually detected by the presence of inflammatory markers, such as immune cells and cytokines, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of sacrificed animals. This method, although extensively used, is time, money and animal life consuming, especially when applied to genetically modified animals. Thus a new and more convenient approach, based on in vivo imaging analysis, has been set up to evaluate the inflammatory response in the lung of CFTR-deficient (CF) mice, a murine model of cystic fibrosis. Methods Wild type (WT) and CF mice were stimulated with P. aeruginosa LPS, TNF-alpha and culture supernatant derived from P. aeruginosa (strain VR1). Lung inflammation was detected by measuring bioluminescence in vivo in mice transiently transgenized with a luciferase reporter gene under the control of a bovine IL-8 gene promoter. Results Differences in bioluminescence (BLI) signal were revealed by comparing the two types of mice after intratracheal challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli. BLI increased at 4 h after stimulation with TNF-alpha and at 24 h after administration of LPS and VR1 supernatant in CF mice with respect to untreated animals. The BLI signal was significantly more intense and lasted for longer times in CF animals when compared to WT mice. Analysis of BALF markers: leukocytes, cytokines and histology revealed no significant differences between CF and WT mice. Conclusions In vivo gene delivery technology and non-invasive bioluminescent imaging has been successfully adapted to CFTR-deficient mice. Activation of bIL-8 transgene promoter can be monitored by non-invasive BLI imaging in the lung of the same animal and compared longitudinally in both CF or WT mice, after challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli. The combination of these technologies and the use of CF mice offer the unique opportunity of evaluating the impact of therapies aimed to control inflammation in a CF background. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0976-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Angela Sandri
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica e Salute Pubblica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Ravanetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Dipartimento di Informatica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudio Sorio
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Barouk M Assael
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Melotti
- Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria M Lleo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica e Salute Pubblica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
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Stellari F, Sala A, Ruscitti F, Carnini C, Mirandola P, Vitale M, Civelli M, Villetti G. Monitoring inflammation and airway remodeling by fluorescence molecular tomography in a chronic asthma model. J Transl Med 2015; 13:336. [PMID: 26496719 PMCID: PMC4619338 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0696-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a multifactorial disease for which a variety of mouse models have been developed. A major drawback of these models is represented by the transient nature of the airway pathology peaking 24-72 h after challenge and resolving in 1-2 weeks. We characterized the temporal evolution of pulmonary inflammation and tissue remodeling in a recently described mouse model of chronic asthma (8 week treatment with 3 allergens: Dust mite, Ragweed, and Aspergillus; DRA). METHODS We studied the DRA model taking advantage of fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) imaging using near-infrared probes to non-invasively evaluate lung inflammation and airway remodeling. At 4, 6, 8 or 11 weeks, cathepsin- and metalloproteinase-dependent fluorescence was evaluated in vivo. A subgroup of animals, after 4 weeks of DRA, was treated with Budesonide (100 µg/kg intranasally) daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS Cathepsin-dependent fluorescence in DRA-sensitized mice resulted significantly increased at 6 and 8 weeks, and was markedly inhibited by budesonide. This fluorescent signal well correlated with ex vivo analysis such as bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils and pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration. Metalloproteinase-dependent fluorescence was significantly increased at 8 and 11 weeks, nicely correlated with collagen deposition, as evaluated histologically by Masson's Trichrome staining, and airway epithelium hypertrophy, and was only partly inhibited by budesonide. CONCLUSIONS FMT proved suitable for longitudinal studies to evaluate asthma progression, showing that cathepsin activity could be used to monitor inflammatory cell infiltration while metalloproteinase activity parallels airway remodeling, allowing the determination of steroid treatment efficacy in a chronic asthma model in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelo Sala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,IBIM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Prisco Mirandola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Marco Vitale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Stellari F, Bergamini G, Sandri A, Donofrio G, Sorio C, Ruscitti F, Villetti G, Assael BM, Melotti P, Lleo MM. In vivo imaging of the lung inflammatory response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its modulation by azithromycin. J Transl Med 2015; 13:251. [PMID: 26239109 PMCID: PMC4522964 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0615-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic inflammation of the airways is a central component in lung diseases and is frequently associated with bacterial infections. Monitoring the pro-inflammatory capability of bacterial virulence factors in vivo is challenging and usually requires invasive methods. Methods Lung inflammation was induced using the culture supernatants from two Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains, VR1 and VR2, isolated from patients affected by cystic fibrosis and showing different phenotypes in terms of motility, colony characteristics and biofilm production as well as pyoverdine and pyocyanine release. More interesting, the strains differ also for the presence in supernatants of metalloproteases, a family of virulence factors with known pro-inflammatory activity. We have evaluated the benefit of using a mouse model, transiently expressing the luciferase reporter gene under the control of an heterologous IL-8 bovine promoter, to detect and monitoring lung inflammation. Results In vivo imaging indicated that VR1 strain, releasing in its culture supernatant metalloproteases and other virulence factors, induced lung inflammation while the VR2 strain presented with a severely reduced pro-inflammatory activity. The bioluminescence signal was detectable from 4 to 48 h after supernatant instillation. The animal model was also used to test the anti-inflammatory activity of azithromycin (AZM), an antibiotic with demonstrated inhibitory effect on the synthesis of bacterial exoproducts. The inflammation signal in mice was in fact significantly reduced when bacteria grew in the presence of a sub-lethal dose of AZM causing inhibition of the synthesis of metalloproteases and other bacterial elements. The in vivo data were further supported by quantification of immune cells and cytokine expression in mouse broncho-alveolar lavage samples. Conclusions This experimental animal model is based on the transient transduction of the bovine IL-8 promoter, a gene representing a major player during inflammation, essential for leukocytes recruitment to the inflamed tissue. It appears to be an appropriate molecular read-out for monitoring the activation of inflammatory pathways caused by bacterial virulence factors. The data presented indicate that the model is suitable to functionally monitor in real time the lung inflammatory response facilitating the identification of bacterial factors with pro-inflammatory activity and the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of old and new molecules for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Stellari
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. Parma, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Bergamini
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Diagnostica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Angela Sandri
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Diagnostica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Claudio Sorio
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Diagnostica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ruscitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Gino Villetti
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. Parma, Largo Belloli, 11/A, 43122, Parma, Italy.
| | - Barouk M Assael
- Centro Regionale Fibrosi Cistica, AOUI Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Paola Melotti
- Centro Regionale Fibrosi Cistica, AOUI Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Maria M Lleo
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Diagnostica, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Kitsiouli E, Antoniou G, Gotzou H, Karagiannopoulos M, Basagiannis D, Christoforidis S, Nakos G, Lekka ME. Effect of azithromycin on the LPS-induced production and secretion of phospholipase A2 in lung cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1852:1288-97. [PMID: 25791017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Azithromycin is a member of macrolides, utilized in the treatment of infections. Independently, these antibiotics also possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Phospholipase A2 isotypes, which are implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory lung disorders, are produced by alveolar macrophages and other lung cells during inflammatory response and can promote lung injury by destructing lung surfactant. The aim of the study was to investigate whether in lung cells azithromycin can inhibit secretory and cytosolic phospholipases A2, (sPLA2) and (cPLA2), respectively, which are induced by an inflammatory trigger. In this respect, we studied the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated production or secretion of sPLA2 and cPLA2 from A549 cells, a cancer bronchial epithelial cell line, and alveolar macrophages, isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ARDS and control patients without cardiopulmonary disease or sepsis. Pre-treatment of cells with azithromycin caused a dose-dependent decrease in the LPS-induced sPLA2-IIA levels in A549 cells. This inhibition was rather due to reduced PLA2G2A mRNA expression and secretion of sPLA2-IIA protein levels, as observed by western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence by confocal microscopy, respectively, than to the inhibition of the enzymic activity per se. On the contrary, azithromycin had no effect on the LPS-induced production or secretion of sPLA2-IIA from alveolar macrophages. The levels of LPS-induced c-PLA2 were not significantly affected by azithromycin in either cell type. We conclude that azithromycin exerts anti-inflammatory properties on lung epithelial cells through the inhibition of both the expression and secretion of LPS-induced sPLA2-IIA, while it does not affect alveolar macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kitsiouli
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, School of Science, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgia Antoniou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, School of Science, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Helen Gotzou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, School of Science, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Dimitris Basagiannis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Foundation for Research and Technology, Ioannina, Greece; Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Savvas Christoforidis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Foundation for Research and Technology, Ioannina, Greece; Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Nakos
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Marilena E Lekka
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, School of Science, University of Ioannina, Greece.
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