Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 (CCL2) and its receptor (CCR2) are elevated in chronic heart failure facilitating lung monocyte infiltration and differentiation which may contribute to lung fibrosis

Lan-Qin oral liquid alleviates influenza A virus-induced acute lung injury by regulating monocyte-derived macrophages and TLR4-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signal pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lan-Qin oral liquid (LQ), a combined traditional Chinese medicine preparation originated from Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction recorded in classical book of "The Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies", possesses remarkable efficacy in treating influenza. However, its pharmacological mechanism against influenza is still unclear, restricting its clinical applications.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work aimed to explore the effects and mechanism of LQ against influenza virus-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (PR8)-induced ALI mouse model was used to investigate the effects of LQ. The survival rate, lung index, lung pathological changes, cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and monocyte levels in the blood, spleen, and BALF were detected and analyzed. Meanwhile, alveolar macrophages (AMs) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in BALF were also detected by flow cytometry. An AMs-eliminated coupled PR8 infection model was established by using clodronate liposomes (CL) and utilized to evaluate the effects of LQ. The potential anti-ALI mechanism of LQ was explored by in vivo chemical profiling and network pharmacology. Furthermore, western blotting was used to verify the mechanism of action of LQ against influenza.

RESULTS

LQ (66 g crude drug/kg/day) treatment significantly improved the survival rate and lifespan of PR8 infected mice and reduced lung index, lung pathological damage, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and MCP-1) in BALF and viral titers in the lung. Meanwhile, LQ treatment significantly reduced monocytes in blood and lung. Subsequent results indicate that MDMs levels were significantly reduced while there was no appreciable impact on AM levels after LQ treatment. In addition, chemical profiling indicated that a total of 241 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized in LQ, and 99 prototypes were presented in the host circle system. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that TNF, IL-6, AKT1, etc. Might be the core targets of LQ in treating ALI, involving in PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, etc. Further, it was found that LQ exerts its anti-PR8-induced ALI effects by reducing MDMs and regulating the TLR4-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LQ could treat PR8-induced ALI by reducing MDMs and regulating the TLR4-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the chemical information of LQ in vitro and in vivo was also supplied for further pharmacological substance exploration.

The role of oxidative stress-related genes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age-related interstitial lung disease of unknown cause. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is implicated in IPF pathogenesis and prognosis but needs further study. We used transcriptome sequencing data (GSE70866) and oxidative stress-related genes from GeneCards. A prognostic risk model for IPF patients was constructed using LASSO. Functional and pathway differences were analyzed between risk score groups, along with comparisons of immune cells and functions. An IPF rat model with vitamin D3 (VD3) intervention was also established. Finally, we used IL-4 to induce M2 macrophages to explore the mechanism of action of CCL2. We identified 483 DEGs and 50 oxidative stress-related DEGs (OSDEGs). Single-factor COX regression identified 34 prognostic OSDEGs, and LASSO identified an 8-gene signature for the risk model. The high-risk group had more CD8 + T cells, macrophages, APC costimulation, and cytokine-cytokine receptor activity. CCL2 was significantly correlated with macrophages in IPF. VD3 inhibited the TGF-β signaling pathway and reduced macrophage M2 infiltration in the rat model. In the IL-4 induced M2 macrophage model, we found that M2 macrophages produced more CCL2, and the production of CCL2 was significantly reduced after VD3 intervention. We established prognostic markers of eight oxidative stress-related genes. The risk score effectively predicts adverse outcomes in IPF. VD3 may alleviate IPF by reducing macrophage infiltration and inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Mechanisms underlying the involvement of peritoneal macrophages in the pathogenesis and novel therapeutic strategies for dialysis-induced peritoneal fibrosis

Long-term exposure of the peritoneum to peritoneal dialysate results in pathophysiological changes in the anatomical organization of the peritoneum and progressive development of peritoneal fibrosis. This leads to a decline in peritoneal function and ultrafiltration failure, ultimately necessitating the discontinuation of peritoneal dialysis, severely limiting the potential for long-term maintenance. Additionally, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, a serious consequence of peritoneal fibrosis, resulting in patients discontinuing PD and significant mortality. The causes and mechanisms underlying peritoneal fibrosis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis remain unknown, with no definitive treatment available. However, abnormal activation of the immune system appears to be involved in altering the structure of the peritoneum and promoting fibrotic changes. Macrophage infiltration and polarization are key contributors to pathological injury within the peritoneum, showing a strong correlation with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of mesothelial cells and driving the process of fibrosis. This article discusses the role and mechanisms underlying macrophage activation-induced peritoneal fibrosis resulting from PD by analyzing relevant literature from the past decade and provides an overview of recent therapeutic approaches targeting macrophages to treat this condition.

The Chemokine System as a Key Regulator of Pulmonary Fibrosis: Converging Pathways in Human Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and the Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis Model in Mice

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and lethal interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown origin, characterized by limited treatment efficacy and a fibroproliferative nature. It is marked by excessive extracellular matrix deposition in the pulmonary parenchyma, leading to progressive lung volume decline and impaired gas exchange. The chemokine system, a network of proteins involved in cellular communication with diverse biological functions, plays a crucial role in various respiratory diseases. Chemokine receptors trigger the activation, proliferation, and migration of lung-resident cells, including pneumocytes, endothelial cells, alveolar macrophages, and fibroblasts. Around 50 chemokines can potentially interact with 20 receptors, expressed by both leukocytes and non-leukocytes such as tissue parenchyma cells, contributing to processes such as leukocyte mobilization from the bone marrow, recirculation through lymphoid organs, and tissue influx during inflammation or immune response. This narrative review explores the complexity of the chemokine system in the context of IPF and the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mouse model. The goal is to identify specific chemokines and receptors as potential therapeutic targets. Recent progress in understanding the role of the chemokine system during IPF, using experimental models and molecular diagnosis, underscores the complex nature of this system in the context of the disease. Despite advances in experimental models and molecular diagnostics, discovering an effective therapy for IPF remains a significant challenge in both medicine and pharmacology. This work delves into microarray results from lung samples of IPF patients and murine samples at different stages of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. By discussing common pathways identified in both IPF and the experimental model, we aim to shed light on potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Dysregulation caused by abnormal chemokine levels observed in IPF lungs may activate multiple targets, suggesting that chemokine signaling plays a central role in maintaining or perpetuating lung fibrogenesis. The highlighted chemokine axes (CCL8-CCR2, CCL19/CCL21-CCR7, CXCL9-CXCR3, CCL3/CCL4/CCL5-CCR5, and CCL20-CCR6) present promising opportunities for advancing IPF treatment research and uncovering new pharmacological targets within the chemokine system.

Pathophysiology of Angiotensin II-Mediated Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy, and Failure: A Perspective from Macrophages

Heart failure is a complex syndrome characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and diastolic/systolic dysfunction. These changes share many pathological features with significant inflammatory responses in the myocardium. Among the various regulatory systems that impact on these heterogeneous pathological processes, angiotensin II (Ang II)-activated macrophages play a pivotal role in the induction of subcellular defects and cardiac adverse remodeling during the progression of heart failure. Ang II stimulates macrophages via its AT1 receptor to release oxygen-free radicals, cytokines, chemokines, and other inflammatory mediators in the myocardium, and upregulates the expression of integrin adhesion molecules on both monocytes and endothelial cells, leading to monocyte-endothelial cell-cell interactions. The transendothelial migration of monocyte-derived macrophages exerts significant biological effects on the proliferation of fibroblasts, deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, induction of perivascular/interstitial fibrosis, and development of hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Inhibition of macrophage activation using Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist or depletion of macrophages from the peripheral circulation has shown significant inhibitory effects on Ang II-induced vascular and myocardial injury. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding in Ang II-induced maladaptive cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, particularly focusing on molecular signaling pathways involved in macrophages-mediated hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and failure. In addition, the challenges remained in translating these findings to the treatment of heart failure patients are also addressed.

Current targeting strategies and advanced nanoplatforms for atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and it is closely related to many cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, myocardial infraction and angina. Although traditional surgical and pharmacological interventions can effectively retard or slow down the progression of atherosclerosis, it is very difficult to prevent or even reverse this disease. In recent years, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, various nanoagents have been designed and applied to different diseases including atherosclerosis. The unique atherosclerotic microenvironment with signature biological components allows nanoplatforms to distinguish atherosclerotic lesions from normal tissue and to approach plaques specifically. Based on the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation, this review summarises the nanodrug delivery strategies for atherosclerotic therapy, trying to provide help for researchers to understand the existing atherosclerosis management approaches as well as challenges and to reasonably design anti-atherosclerotic nanoplatforms.

Relative Values of Hematological Indices for Prognosis of Heart Failure: A Mini-Review

Owing to the augmented perception of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology, management of the affected patients has been improved dramatically; as with the identification of the inflammatory background of HF, new avenues of HF prognosis research have been opened up. In this regard, relative values of hematologic indices were demonstrated by a growing body of evidence to successfully predict HF outcomes. Cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and easy obtainability of these relative values make them a precious option for the determination of HF prognosis; particularly in low-income developing countries. In this short review, we aimed to present the current literature on the predictability of these hematologic parameters for HF outcomes.

Study on Potential Differentially Expressed Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Bioinformatics and Next-Generation Sequencing Data Analysis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with reduced quality of life and earlier mortality, but its pathogenesis and key genes are still unclear. In this investigation, bioinformatics was used to deeply analyze the pathogenesis of IPF and related key genes, so as to investigate the potential molecular pathogenesis of IPF and provide guidance for clinical treatment. Next-generation sequencing dataset GSE213001 was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IPF and normal control group. The DEGs between IPF and normal control group were screened with the DESeq2 package of R language. The Gene Ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed. Using the g:Profiler, the function and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the Integrated Interactions Database (IID) database. Cytoscape with Network Analyzer was used to identify the hub genes. miRNet and NetworkAnalyst databaseswereused to construct the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs), transcription factors (TFs), and small drug molecules. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to validate the hub genes. A total of 958 DEGs were screened out in this study, including 479 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated genes. Most of the DEGs were significantly enriched in response to stimulus, GPCR ligand binding, microtubule-based process, and defective GALNT3 causes HFTC. In combination with the results of the PPI network, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, hub genes including LRRK2, BMI1, EBP, MNDA, KBTBD7, KRT15, OTX1, TEKT4, SPAG8, and EFHC2 were selected. Cyclothiazide and rotigotinethe are predicted small drug molecules for IPF treatment. Our findings will contribute to identification of potential biomarkers and novel strategies for the treatment of IPF, and provide a novel strategy for clinical therapy.

Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

This study aimed to identify inflammatory factors and soluble cytokines that act as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We performed a nested prospective observational case-control study of patients with RA-ILD matched by sex, age, and time since the diagnosis of RA. All participants underwent pulmonary function testing and high-resolution computed tomography. ILD was defined according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society; the progression of lung disease was defined as the worsening of FVC > 10% or DLCO > 15%. Inflammation-related variables included the inflammatory activity measured using the DAS28-ESR and a multiplex cytokine assay. Two Cox regression models were run to identify factors associated with ILD and the progression of ILD. The study population comprised 70 patients: 35 patients with RA-ILD (cases) and 35 RA patients without ILD (controls). A greater percentage of cases had higher DAS28-ESR (p = 0.032) and HAQ values (p = 0.003). The variables associated with RA-ILD in the Cox regression analysis were disease activity (DAS28) (HR [95% CI], 2.47 [1.17-5.22]; p = 0.017) and high levels of ACPA (HR [95% CI], 2.90 [1.24-6.78]; p = 0.014), IL-18 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.06 [1.00-1.12]; p = 0.044), MCP-1/CCL2 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.03 [1.00-1.06]; p = 0.049), and SDF-1 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.00 [1.00-1.00]; p = 0.010). The only variable associated with the progression of ILD was IL-18 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.25 [1.07-1.46]; p = 0.004). Our data support that the inflammatory activity was higher in patients with RA-ILD than RA patients without ILD. Some cytokines were associated with both diagnosis and poorer prognosis in patients with RA-ILD.