The chemokine superfamily revisited

Heterogeneous expression of the atypical chemokine receptor ACKR3 in glioblastoma patient-derived tissue samples and cell cultures

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive glial tumor of the adult brain, associated with invariably fatal outcome, and a deeper understanding of the underlying malignant mechanisms is necessary to address the current therapeutic failure. We previously demonstrated the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in GBM cell migration and resistance to ionizing radiation. The atypical chemokine receptor ACKR3, responsible for CXCL12 scavenging, was previously suggested as additional important player in the context of GBM. Following validation of the detection tools, we observed that ACKR3 is expressed within GBM patient tumor tissue, distributed in diverse cell types. In contrast to CXCR4, ACKR3 expression in patient-derived stem-like cells (GSCs) remains however low, while ACKR3 gene expression by tumor cells appears to be modulated by the in-vivo environment. Using overexpression models, we also showed that in vitro ACKR3 had no significant direct effect on cell proliferation or invasion. Altogether, these results suggest that in vitro ACKR3 plays a minor role in malignant GBM cell biology and that its expression is possibly regulated by in-vivo influences. The subtle and multifaceted functions ACKR3 could exert in GBM should therefore only be tackled within a comprehensive tumor microenvironment considering tumoral but also non-tumoral cells.

Percutaneous Delivery of Hederacoside C-Loaded Nanoliposome Gel Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation through the CCL17/Treg Axis

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, and inflammatory skin disease. Topical agents, which can avoid the adverse effects of systemic treatment, are the first-choice therapy for patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Hederacoside C (HSC) with anti-inflammatory properties has been used to treat some inflammatory diseases. We speculated that HSC might also be effective for psoriasis treatment. However, topical application of HSC for psoriasis treatment is challenging because of its low water solubility and poor skin permeability. Therefore, it is important to effectively deliver HSC percutaneously using certain biomaterials. Here we constructed a hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-coated liposome gel formulation for the loading and percutaneously delivering of HSC, referred to as HSC-Lipo@gel. The characterization, stability, release properties, and mechanical or transdermal features of the HSC-Lipo@gel were evaluated. Its therapeutic potential was also demonstrated using mouse models of IMQ-induced psoriasis. We found that HSC-Lipo@gel effectively improved the skin permeability of HSC with the property of good stability and sustained release. Importantly, HSC-Lipo@gel showed higher efficacy than HSC@gel without liposomes in alleviating psoriatic skin lesions. It attenuated epidermal hyperplasia and suppressed expression of IL-17A, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 in lesional skin. Interestingly, HSC-Lipo@gel reduced the expression of CC chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17), but not CCL22, in the skin. Especially, HSC-Lipo@gel inhibited CCL17 expression by skin dendritic cells while increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in both skin and draining lymph nodes of psoriatic mice. Administration of CCL17 resulted in severe skin lesions and reduced CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs in psoriatic mice previously treated with HSC-Lipo@gel. Finally, HSC or HSC-Lipo also suppressed the CCL17 production by dendritic cells in vitro. Therefore, HSC-Lipo@gel alleviated psoriasiform skin inflammation by increasing cutaneous Tregs via downregulation of the expression of CCL17, but not CCL22. Thus, HSC-Lipo@gel may be a stable, highly permeable, and effective system for topical treatment of psoriasis.

Pharmacokinetic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells in translational challenges

Over the past two decades, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy has made substantial strides, transitioning from experimental clinical applications to commercial products. MSC therapies hold considerable promise for treating refractory and critical conditions such as acute graft-versus-host disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Despite recent successes in clinical and commercial applications, MSC therapy still faces challenges when used as a commercial product. Current detection methods have limitations, leaving the dynamic biodistribution, persistence in injured tissues, and ultimate fate of MSCs in patients unclear. Clarifying the relationship between the pharmacokinetic characteristics of MSCs and their therapeutic effects is crucial for patient stratification and the formulation of precise therapeutic regimens. Moreover, the development of advanced imaging and tracking technologies is essential to address these clinical challenges. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the kinetic properties, key regulatory molecules, different fates, and detection methods relevant to MSCs and discusses concerns in evaluating MSC druggability from the perspective of integrating pharmacokinetics and efficacy. A better understanding of these challenges could improve MSC clinical efficacy and speed up the introduction of MSC therapy products to the market.

Integrating chemokines and machine learning algorithms for diagnosis and bleeding assessment in primary immune thrombocytopenia: A prospective cohort study

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder, and chemokines have been shown to be dysregulated in autoimmune disorders. We conducted a prospective analysis to identify potential chemokines that could enhance the diagnostic accuracy and bleeding evaluation in ITP patients. In the discovery cohort, a Luminex-based assay was employed to quantify concentrations of plasma multiple chemokines. These levels were subjected to comparative analysis using a cohort of 60 ITP patients and 17 patients with thrombocytopenia other than ITP (non-ITP). Additionally, comparative evaluation was conducted between a subgroup of 12 ITP patients characterised by bleeding episodes (ITP-B, as defined by an ITP-2016 bleeding grade ≥2) and 33 ITP patients without bleeding episodes (ITP-NB, as defined by an ITP-2016 bleeding grade ≤1). Machine learning algorithms further identified CCL20, interleukin-2, CCL26, CCL25, and CXCL1 as promising indicators for accurate diagnosis of ITP and CCL21, CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL8, CCL3, and CCL15 as biomarkers for assessing bleeding risk in ITP patients. The results were confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in a validation cohort (43 ITP patients and 19 non-ITP patients). Overall, the findings suggest that specific chemokines show promise as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and bleeding evaluation in ITP patients.

Secretome and immune cell attraction analysis of head and neck cancers

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are approved for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) but the response rate is only 13-18%. For an effective antitumor immune response, trafficking of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential. We aimed to better understand immune cell migration as well as the involved chemokines in HNSCC. A transwell assay was used to study immune cell migration toward TME-conditioned medium. While T cell migration was not observed, conventional dendritic cell (cDC) migration was induced by TME-conditioned media. cDC migration correlated with various proteins in the TME secretome. CCL8, CXCL5, CCL13 and CCL7 were tested in validation experiments and addition of these chemokines induced cDC migration. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we observed expression of CCL8, CXCL5, CCL13 and CCL7 in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Depleting fibroblasts led to reduced cDC migration. Thus CAFs, while often seen as suppressors of antitumor immunity, play a role in attracting cDCs toward the head and neck cancer TME, which might be crucial for effective antitumor immunity and response to therapies. Indeed, we found RNA expression signatures of the indicated chemokines, cDC and CAF subpopulations, to be significantly higher in baseline tumor specimen of patients with a major pathological response to pre-surgical anti-PD-1 treatment compared to non-responding patients.

Allosteric modulation of the CXCR4:CXCL12 axis by targeting receptor nanoclustering via the TMV-TMVI domain

CXCR4 is a ubiquitously expressed chemokine receptor that regulates leukocyte trafficking and arrest in both homeostatic and pathological states. It also participates in organogenesis, HIV-1 infection, and tumor development. Despite the potential therapeutic benefit of CXCR4 antagonists, only one, plerixafor (AMD3100), which blocks the ligand-binding site, has reached the clinic. Recent advances in imaging and biophysical techniques have provided a richer understanding of the membrane organization and dynamics of this receptor. Activation of CXCR4 by CXCL12 reduces the number of CXCR4 monomers/dimers at the cell membrane and increases the formation of large nanoclusters, which are largely immobile and are required for correct cell orientation to chemoattractant gradients. Mechanistically, CXCR4 activation involves a structural motif defined by residues in TMV and TMVI. Using this structural motif as a template, we performed in silico molecular modeling followed by in vitro screening of a small compound library to identify negative allosteric modulators of CXCR4 that do not affect CXCL12 binding. We identified AGR1.137, a small molecule that abolishes CXCL12-mediated receptor nanoclustering and dynamics and blocks the ability of cells to sense CXCL12 gradients both in vitro and in vivo while preserving ligand binding and receptor internalization.

HCC-1 Accelerates Atherosclerosis by Inducing Endothelial Cell and Macrophage Pyroptosis and Serves as an Early Diagnostic Biomarker

BACKGROUND

HCC-1 (hemofiltrate CC chemokine-1), a CC-type chemokine, exerts function to change intracellular calcium concentration, induce leukocyte, and manipulate enzyme release especially in monocytes. It has been reported that HCC-1 can predict the persistent acute kidney injury or suppress hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating cell cycle and promoting apoptosis; however, the effect of HCC-1 on atherosclerosis is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to clarify the function and mechanism of HCC-1 in atherosclerosis and whether it could serve as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

HCC-1 expression in serum, atherosclerotic plaques, and normal arterial tissue from patients with atherosclerosis and control group was assessed by ELISA, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscope, and bioinformatic analysis. The atherosclerotic model of HCC-1 overexpressing and control mice was generated by tail vein injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9-HCC-1 on an ApoE-/- background. Cell adhesion, polarization, and pyroptosis were evaluated in vitro. The relationship between HCC-1 concentration in serum and atherosclerosis was analyzed in patients with atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

HCC-1 expression was positively correlated with the occurrence and stable-unstable switch of atherosclerosis under bioinformatic analysis, which is further supported by the results of increased HCC-1 expression in atherosclerosis patients both in serum and atherosclerotic plaque. adeno-associated virus serotype 9-HCC-1 mice had higher levels of inflammatory factors, increased macrophage accumulation and pyroptotic rate in plaque, and decreased atherosclerotic plaque stability. In vitro, HCC-1 promoted monocyte adhesion and M1 polarization and induced inflammation and pyroptosis both in endothelial cells and macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

HCC-1 expression was increased in patients with atherosclerosis, and HCC-1 overexpression accelerated atherosclerotic burden via an enhancement in monocyte recruitment, M1 polarization, and pyroptosis both in endothelial cells and macrophages. Our findings suggested that HCC-1 may serve as an early biomarker for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, with the capacity to reflect the degree of stenosis.

CXCL5 Promotes the Malignant Phenotype of Pancreatic Cancer and Is Associated With Immune Infiltration

Background

The significance of CXCL5 in pancreatic cancer is unclear, although it has been implicated in the malignant process of many different types of cancer. Research on the impact of CXCL5 on immune cell infiltration and the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer is needed. This study aimed to examine the connection between CXCL5 expression and immune cell infiltration and the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Tissue samples and clinical information were collected from 90 patients with pancreatic cancer. Tumour tissues and adjacent tissues were made into a tissue microarray and stained for immunohistochemistry analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to measure the expression level of CXCL5. CXCL5-overexpressing/CXCL5-knockdown cell lines were constructed via transfection for cytological experiments. CCK-8, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, cell invasion, and cell colony formation assays were used to detect the effect of CXCL5 on the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, a mouse model of pancreatic cancer was constructed for in vivo verification.

Results

Compared with control cells, pancreatic cancer cells overexpressing CXCL5 exhibited increased proliferation, migration, and invasion but decreased apoptosis. Conversely, knockdown of CXCL5 did not enhance the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant negative correlation between CXCL5 levels and the CD8 IRS. However, there was a significant positive correlation between FOXP3 IRS and CXCL5 levels.

Conclusions

CXCL5 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and promotes the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells. CXCL5 is associated with immunosuppressive FOXP3 + T-cell infiltration, which facilitates the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment (with low CD8 + T-cell infiltration).

Novel Small-Molecule Atypical Chemokine Receptor 3 Agonists: Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation for Antiplatelet Therapy

ACKR3, an atypical chemokine receptor, has been associated with prothrombotic events and the development of cardiovascular events. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated a series of novel small molecule ACKR3 agonists. Extensive structure-activity relationship studies resulted in several promising agonists with potencies ranging from the low micromolar to nanomolar range, for example, 23 (EC50 = 111 nM, Emax = 95%) and 27 (EC50 = 69 nM, Emax = 82%) in the β-arrestin-recruitment assay. These compounds are selective for ACKR3 versus ACKR2, CXCR3, and CXCR4. Several agonists were subjected to investigations of their P-selectin expression reduction in the flow cytometry experiments. In particular, compounds 23 and 27 showed the highest potency for platelet aggregation inhibition, up to 80% and 97%, respectively. The most promising compounds, especially 27, exhibited good solubility, metabolic stability, and no cytotoxicity, suggesting a potential tool compound for the treatment of platelet-mediated thrombosis.

Associations between SII, SIRI, and cardiovascular disease in obese individuals: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis

Background

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) are comprehensive markers of inflammatory status. However, the correlation between SII and SIRI and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in populations with obesity remains unknown.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018. SII and SIRI were calculated using the following equations: SII = (platelet count × neutrophil count)/lymphocyte count. SIRI = (neutrophil count × monocyte count)/lymphocyte count. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between SII and SIRI and baseline variables. Logistic regression models and generalized additive model (GAM) with a spline smoothing function were used to evaluate the association between SIRI and CVD prevalence. Nomogram and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were used to assess the value of the risk prediction model.

Results

A total of 17,261 participants with obesity and SII and SIRI publicly available data were used for this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SIRI, rather than SII, was an independent risk factor for CVD prevalence. For every standard deviation increase in SIRI, there was a 13%, 15%, and 28% increase in the odds ratios of CVD prevalence (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22, P = 0.01), coronary heart disease (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.26, P = 0.002), and congestive heart failure (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.16-1.41, P < 0.001). ROC results demonstrated that SIRI had a certain accuracy in predicting CVD prevalence (AUC = 0.604), especially when combined with other variables used in the nomogram (AUC = 0.828). The smooth curve fitting regression analysis demonstrated a significant linear association between the risk of SIRI and the odds ratio of CVD prevalence (P for nonlinear = 0.275).

Conclusions

SIRI is a relatively stable indicator of inflammation and is independently associated with the prevalence of CVD. It may serve as a novel inflammatory indicator to estimate CVD prevalence in populations with obesity.

CCR5 antagonist maraviroc alleviates doxorubicin-induced neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral deficiency by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling in a breast cancer mouse model

The chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin (DOX) is known to cause chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI). Maraviroc, a potent C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonist, shows neuroprotective properties, while its role in CICI remains unclear. This study determined the therapeutic potential of maraviroc on CICI. Adult C57BL/6J mice with implanted breast cancer cells received four weekly intraperitoneal injections of saline (Control group), 5 mg/kg DOX (DOX group), 10 mg/kg maraviroc (MVC group), or 5 mg/kg DOX with 10 mg/kg maraviroc (DOX + MVC group). The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was used for neurobehavioural test. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the expressions of inflammatory markers, apoptosis-related proteins, and synaptic-related proteins. The volume and weight of tumor were also evaluated after treatments. DOX treatment significantly increased chemokines (CCL3, CCL4) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) in tumor-bearing mice hippocampus. While maraviroc administration reduced hippocampal proinflammatory factors compared to the DOX group. Furthermore, it also lowered apoptosis markers, restored synaptic proteins levels, and inhibited the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Accordingly, maraviroc treatment significantly improved DOX-induced neurobehavioural impairments as evidenced by an increased number of platform crossings and percentage of target quadrant time in the MWM test. Additionally, when combined with DOX, maraviroc had additional inhibitory effects on tumor growth. These findings suggest that maraviroc can mitigate DOX-induced CICI by suppressing elevated proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, potentially offering an anti-tumor benefit. This research presents a promising therapeutic approach for DOX-induced CICI, enhancing the safety and efficacy of cancer treatments.

Surface Markers and Chemokines/Cytokines of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Osteosarcoma and Other Carcinoma Microenviornments-Contradictions and Comparisons

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Prognosis is improving with advances in multidisciplinary treatment strategies, but the development of new anticancer agents has not, and improvement in prognosis for patients with pulmonary metastases has stalled. In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has gained attention as a therapeutic target for cancer. The immune component of OS TME consists mainly of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). They exhibit remarkable plasticity, and their phenotype is influenced by the TME. In general, surface markers such as CD68 and CD80 show anti-tumor effects, while CD163 and CD204 show tumor-promoting effects. Surface markers have potential value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The cytokines and chemokines produced by TAMs promote tumor growth and metastasis. However, the role of TAMs in OS remains unclear to date. In this review, we describe the role of TAMs in OS by focusing on TAM surface markers and the TAM-produced cytokines and chemokines in the TME, and by comparing their behaviors in other carcinomas. We found contrary results from different studies. These findings highlight the urgency for further research in this field to improve the stalled OS prognosis percentages.

Inflammatory Role of CCR1 in the Central Nervous System

BACKGROUND

Chemokine ligands and their corresponding receptors are essential for regulating inflammatory responses. Chemokine receptors can stimulate immune activation or inhibit/promote signaling pathways by binding to specific chemokine ligands. Among these receptors, CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) is extensively studied as a G protein-linked receptor target, predominantly expressed in various leukocytes, and is considered a promising target for anti-inflammatory therapy. Furthermore, CCR1 is essential for monocyte extravasation and transportation in inflammatory conditions. Its involvement in inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke, has been extensively studied along with its ligands. Animal models have demonstrated the beneficial effects resulting from inhibiting CCR1 or its ligands.

SUMMARY

This review demonstrates the significance of CCR1 in CNS inflammatory diseases, the molecules implicated in the inflammatory pathway, and potential drugs or molecules for treating CNS diseases. This evidence may offer new targets or strategies for treating inflammatory CNS diseases.

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in the progression, metastasis, and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: from bench to bedside

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with high incidence, recurrence, and metastasis rates. The emergence of immunotherapy has improved the treatment of advanced HCC, but problems such as drug resistance and immune-related adverse events still exist in clinical practice. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC restricts the efficacy of immunotherapy and is essential for HCC progression and metastasis. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms behind immunosuppressive TME to develop and apply immunotherapy. This review systematically summarizes the pathogenesis of HCC, the formation of the highly heterogeneous TME, and the mechanisms by which the immunosuppressive TME accelerates HCC progression and metastasis. We also review the status of HCC immunotherapy and further discuss the existing challenges and potential therapeutic strategies targeting immunosuppressive TME. We hope to inspire optimizing and innovating immunotherapeutic strategies by comprehensively understanding the structure and function of immunosuppressive TME in HCC.

Single-cell atlas of the small intestine throughout the human lifespan demonstrates unique features of fetal immune cells

Proper development of mucosal immunity is critical for human health. Over the past decade, it has become evident that in humans, this process begins in utero. However, there are limited data on the unique features and functions of fetal mucosal immune cells. To address this gap, we integrated several single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing datasets of the human small intestine (SI) to create an SI transcriptional atlas throughout the human life span, ranging from the first trimester to adulthood, with a focus on immune cells. Fetal SI displayed a complex immune landscape comprising innate and adaptive immune cells that exhibited distinct transcriptional programs from postnatal samples, especially compared with pediatric and adult samples. We identified shifts in myeloid populations across gestation and progression of memory T-cell states throughout the human lifespan. In particular, there was a marked shift of memory T cells from those with stem-like properties in the fetal samples to fully differentiated cells with a high expression of activation and effector function genes in adult samples, with neonatal samples containing both features. Finally, we demonstrate that the SI developmental atlas can be used to elucidate improper trajectories linked to mucosal diseases by implicating developmental abnormalities underlying necrotizing enterocolitis, a severe intestinal complication of prematurity. Collectively, our data provide valuable resources and important insights into intestinal immunity that will facilitate regenerative medicine and disease understanding.

Overexpression of COX7A1 Promotes the Resistance of Gastric Cancer to Oxaliplatin and Weakens the Efficacy of Immunotherapy

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common clinical malignant tumors worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. Presently, the overall response rate to immunotherapy is low, and current methods for predicting the prognosis of GC are not optimal. Therefore, novel biomarkers with accuracy, efficiency, stability, performance ratio, and wide clinical application are needed. Based on public data sets, the chemotherapy cohort and immunotherapy cohort from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, a series of bioinformatics analyses, such as differential expression analysis, survival analysis, drug sensitivity prediction, enrichment analysis, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion analysis, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, stemness index calculation, and immune cell infiltration analysis, were performed for screening and preliminary exploration. Immunohistochemical staining and in vitro experiments were performed for further verification. Overexpression of COX7A1 promoted the resistance of GC cells to Oxaliplatin. COX7A1 may induce immune escape by regulating the number of fibroblasts and their cellular communication with immune cells. In summary, measuring the expression levels of COX7A1 in the clinic may be useful in predicting the prognosis of GC patients, the degree of chemotherapy resistance, and the efficacy of immunotherapy.

G protein-coupled receptor-mediated signaling of immunomodulation in tumor progression

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential contributors to tumor growth and metastasis due to their roles in immune cell regulation. Therefore, GPCRs are potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the roles of GPCRs and their signaling pathways in tumor progression from an immunocellular perspective. Additionally, we focus on the roles of GPCRs in regulating immune checkpoint proteins involved in immune evasion. Finally, we review the progress of clinical trials of GPCR-targeted drugs for cancer treatment, which may be combined with immunotherapy to improve treatment efficacy. This expanded understanding of the role of GPCRs may shed light on the mechanisms underlying tumor progression and provide a novel perspective on cancer immunotherapy.

Bioinformatics analysis reveals CCR7 as a potential biomarker for predicting CKD progression

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) inevitably progresses to end-stage renal disease if intervention does not occur timely. However, there are limitations in predicting the progression of CKD by solely relying on changes in renal function. A biomarker with high sensitivity and specificity that can predict CKD progression early is required. We used the online Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE45980 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with progressive and stable CKD. We then performed functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction network analysis on DEGs and identified key genes. Finally, the expression patterns of key genes were verified using the GSE60860 dataset, and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to clarify their predictive ability of progressive CKD. Ultimately, we verified the expression profiles of these hub genes in an in vitro renal interstitial fibrosis model by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Differential expression analysis identified 50 upregulated genes and 47 downregulated genes. The results of the functional enrichment analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in immune response, inflammatory response, and NF-κB signaling pathways, whereas downregulated DEGs were mainly related to angiogenesis and the extracellular environment. Protein-protein interaction network and key gene analysis identified CCR7 as the most important gene. CCR7 mainly plays a role in immune response, and its only receptors, CCL19 and CCL21, have also been identified as DEGs. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of CCR7, CCL19, and CCL21 found that CCR7 and CCL19 present good disease prediction ability. CCR7 may be a stable biomarker for predicting CKD progression, and the CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 axis may be a therapeutic target for end-stage renal disease. However, further experiments are needed to explore the relationship between these genes and CKD.

INFLA score: a novel inflammatory marker for assessing cardiometabolic disease risk in obese individuals

BACKGROUND

The low-grade inflammation score (INFLA-score) is a composite index that assesses chronic inflammatory status using multiple inflammatory markers. However, its correlation with cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) in obese populations remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 79,160 participants with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) from the UK Biobank. The INFLA-score was calculated based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, platelet count and granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio. We employed Kaplan-Meier survival curves, multivariable Cox regression, restricted cubic splines and accelerated time-to-failure models to analyse the association between the INFLA-score and CMDs risk, including coronary heart disease (CAD), stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 161.41 months, we recorded 14,903 CMDs events, comprising 7184 CAD cases, 1914 strokes and 7924 T2DM cases. Cox regression analysis revealed that each unit increase in the INFLA-score corresponded to a 1.5%, 1.1%, 1.2% and 2.4% increase CMDs risk (HR: 1.015, 95% CI 1.013-1.018), CAD risk (HR: 1.011, 95% CI 1.007-1.015), stroke risk (HR: 1.012, 95% CI 1.004-1.020) and T2DM risk (HR: 1.024, 95% CI 1.020-1.028), respectively. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear relationship between cumulative INFLA-score and CMDs risk (P = 0.044). Subgroup analysis revealed interactions between sex, age, history of lipid-lowering drug use, and INFLA-score regarding CMDs risk. Sensitivity analysis corroborated the main findings.

CONCLUSION

Our findings strongly support the close association between INFLA-score and CMDs risk, particularly notable in women, those aged < 55, and individuals with a history of lipid-lowering drug use. These findings offer new insights into the role of inflammation in obesity-related CMDs, suggesting potential applications for prevention and identification of high-risk populations.

A New Application for Cenicriviroc, a Dual CCR2/CCR5 Antagonist, in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy in a Mouse Model

The ligands of chemokine receptors 2 and 5 (CCR2 and CCR5, respectively) are associated with the pathomechanism of neuropathic pain development, but their role in painful diabetic neuropathy remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the function of these factors in the hypersensitivity accompanying diabetes. Additionally, we analyzed the analgesic effect of cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual CCR2/CCR5 antagonist, and its influence on the effectiveness of morphine. An increasing number of experimental studies have shown that targeting more than one molecular target is advantageous compared with the coadministration of individual pharmacophores in terms of their analgesic effect. The advantage of using bifunctional compounds is that they gain simultaneous access to two receptors at the same dose, positively affecting their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and consequently leading to improved analgesia. Experiments were performed on male and female Swiss albino mice with a streptozotocin (STZ, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) model of diabetic neuropathy. We found that the blood glucose level increased, and the mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity developed on the 7th day after STZ administration. In male mice, we observed increased mRNA levels of Ccl2, Ccl5, and Ccl7, while in female mice, we observed additional increases in Ccl8 and Ccl12 levels. We have demonstrated for the first time that a single administration of cenicriviroc relieves pain to a similar extent in male and female mice. Moreover, repeated coadministration of cenicriviroc with morphine delays the development of opioid tolerance, while the best and longest-lasting analgesic effect is achieved by repeated administration of cenicriviroc alone, which reduces pain hypersensitivity in STZ-exposed mice, and unlike morphine, no tolerance to the analgesic effects of CVC is observed until Day 15 of treatment. Based on these results, we suggest that targeting CCR2 and CCR5 with CVC is a potent therapeutic option for novel pain treatments in diabetic neuropathy patients.

The Chemokine CCL2 Promotes Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in Hippocampal Neurons via GluA1 Subunit Trafficking

The CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, also known as MCP-1) and its cognate receptor CCR2 have well-characterized roles in chemotaxis. CCL2 has been previously shown to promote excitatory synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying this process remains largely unclear. In cultured hippocampal neurons, CCL2 application rapidly upregulated surface expression of GluA1, in a CCR2-dependent manner, assayed using SEP-GluA1 live imaging, surface GluA1 antibody staining, and electrophysiology. Using pharmacology and reporter assays, we further showed that CCL2 upregulated surface GluA1 expression primarily via Gαq- and CaMKII-dependent signaling. Consistently, using i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide to induce neuroinflammation, we found upregulated phosphorylation of S831 and S845 sites on AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 in the hippocampus, an effect blocked in Ccr2-/- mice. Together, these results provide a mechanism through which CCL2, and other secreted molecules that signal through G-protein coupled receptors, can directly regulate synaptic transmission.

Causal association between circulating inflammatory markers and sciatica development: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

This research explores the causal association between circulating inflammatory markers and the development of sciatica, a common and debilitating condition. While previous studies have indicated that inflammation may be a factor in sciatica, but a thorough genetic investigation to determine a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been carried out. Gaining insight into these interactions may uncover novel treatment targets.

Methods

We utilized data from the OpenGWAS database, incorporating a large European cohort of 484,598 individuals, including 4,549 sciatica patients. Our study focused on 91 distinct circulating inflammatory markers. Genetic variations were employed as instrumental variables (IVs) for these markers. The analysis was conducted using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary method, supplemented by weighted median-based estimation. Validation of the findings was conducted by sensitivity studies, utilizing the R software for statistical computations.

Results

The analysis revealed that 52 out of the 91 inflammatory markers studied showed a significant causal association with the risk of developing sciatica. Key markers like CCL2, monocyte chemotactic protein-4, and protein S100-A12 demonstrated a positive correlation. In addition, there was no heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy in these results. Interestingly, a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis also indicated potential causative effects of sciatica on certain inflammatory markers, notably Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligands.

Discussion

The study provides robust evidence linking specific circulating inflammatory markers with the risk of sciatica, highlighting the role of inflammation in its pathogenesis. These findings could inform future research into targeted treatments and enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying sciatica.

Spotlight on pro-inflammatory chemokines: regulators of cellular communication in cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment is a decline in people's ability to think, learn, and remember, and so forth. Cognitive impairment is a global health challenge that affects the quality of life of thousands of people. The condition covers a wide range from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia, which includes Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), among others. While the etiology of cognitive impairment is diverse, the role of chemokines is increasingly evident, especially in the presence of chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Although inflammatory chemokines have been linked to cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment is usually multifactorial. Researchers are exploring the role of chemokines and other inflammatory mediators in cognitive dysfunction and trying to develop therapeutic strategies to mitigate their effects. The pathogenesis of cognitive disorders is very complex, their underlying causative mechanisms have not been clarified, and their treatment is always one of the challenges in the field of medicine. Therefore, exploring its pathogenesis and treatment has important socioeconomic value. Chemokines are a growing family of structurally and functionally related small (8-10 kDa) proteins, and there is growing evidence that pro-inflammatory chemokines are associated with many neurobiological processes that may be relevant to neurological disorders beyond their classical chemotactic function and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of cognitive disorders. In this paper, we review the roles and regulatory mechanisms of pro-inflammatory chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL11, CCL20, and CXCL8) in cognitive impairment. We also discuss the intrinsic relationship between the two, hoping to provide some valuable references for the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Chemokine receptor PET imaging: Bridging molecular insights with clinical applications

Chemokine receptors are important components of cellular signaling and play a critical role in directing leukocytes during inflammatory reactions. Their importance extends to numerous pathological processes, including tumor differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and associations with multiple inflammatory disorders. The necessity to monitor the in vivo interactions of cellular chemokine receptors has been driven the recent development of novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents. This imaging modality provides non-invasive localization and quantitation of these receptors that cannot be provided through blood or tissue-based assays. Herein, we provide a review of PET imaging of the chemokine receptors that have been imaged to date, namely CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR2, CCR5, and CMKLR1. The quantification of these receptors can aid in understanding various diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The development of specific radiotracers targeting these receptors will be discussed, including promising results for disease diagnosis and management. However, challenges persist in fully translating these imaging advancements into practical therapeutic applications. Given the success of CXCR4 PET imaging to date, future research should focus on clinical translation of these approaches to understand their role in the management of a wide variety of diseases.

Dual fluorescence reporter mice for Ccl3 transcription, translation, and intercellular communication

Chemokines guide immune cells during their response against pathogens and tumors. Various techniques exist to determine chemokine production, but none to identify cells that directly sense chemokines in vivo. We have generated CCL3-EASER (ErAse, SEnd, Receive) mice that simultaneously report for Ccl3 transcription and translation, allow identifying Ccl3-sensing cells, and permit inducible deletion of Ccl3-producing cells. We infected these mice with murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV), where Ccl3 and NK cells are critical defense mediators. We found that NK cells transcribed Ccl3 already in homeostasis, but Ccl3 translation required type I interferon signaling in infected organs during early infection. NK cells were both the principal Ccl3 producers and sensors of Ccl3, indicating auto/paracrine communication that amplified NK cell response, and this was essential for the early defense against mCMV. CCL3-EASER mice represent the prototype of a new class of dual fluorescence reporter mice for analyzing cellular communication via chemokines, which may be applied also to other chemokines and disease models.

Aqueous Macrophages Contribute to Conserved CCL2 and CXCL10 Gradients in Uveitis

Purpose

Uveitis is a heterogenous group of inflammatory eye disease for which current cytokine-targeted immune therapies are effective for only a subset of patients. We hypothesized that despite pathophysiologic nuances that differentiate individual disease states, all forms of eye inflammation might share common mechanisms for immune cell recruitment. Identifying these mechanisms is critical for developing novel, broadly acting therapeutic strategies.

Design

Experimental study.

Subjects

Biospecimens from patients with active or inactive uveitis and healthy controls.

Methods

Protein concentration and single cell gene expression were assessed in aqueous fluid biopsies and plasma samples from deidentified patients with uveitis or healthy controls.

Main Outcome Measures

The concentration of 31 inflammatory proteins was measured in all aqueous samples, as well as plasma samples from patients with active uveitis. Chemokine and cytokine ligand and receptor expression were assessed in individual cell types from aqueous biopsies obtained from patients with active uveitis.

Results

We identified 6 chemokines that were both elevated in active uveitis compared with controls and enriched in aqueous compared with plasma during active uveitis (C-C motif chemokine ligand [CCL]2, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL]10, CXCL9, CXCL8, CCL3, and CCL14), forming potential gradients for migration of immune cells from the blood to the eye. Of these, CCL2 and CXCL10 were consistently enriched in the aqueous of all patients in our cohort, as well as in a larger cohort of patients from a previously published study. These data suggest that CCL2 and CXCL10 are key mediators in immune cell migration to the eye during uveitis. Next, single cell RNA sequencing suggested that macrophages contribute to aqueous enrichment of CCL2 and CXCL10 during human uveitis. Finally, using chemokine ligand and receptor expression mapping, we identified a broad signaling network for macrophage-derived CCL2 and CXCL10 in human uveitis.

Conclusions

These data suggest that ocular macrophages may play a central role, via CCL2 and CXCL10 production, in recruiting inflammatory cells to the eye in patients with uveitis.

Financial Disclosures

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

A narrative review of chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 and their role in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of acute respiratory failure characterised by extensive inflammatory injury to the alveolocapillary barrier leading to alveolar oedema, impaired gas exchange and, ultimately, hypoxaemia necessitating the use of supplemental oxygen combined with some degree of positive airway pressure. Although much heterogeneity exists regarding the aetiology, localisation and endotypic characterisation of ARDS, what remains largely undisputed is the role of the innate immune system, and in particular of neutrophils, in precipitating and propagating lung injury. Activated neutrophils, recruited to the lung through chemokine gradients, promote injury by releasing oxidants, proteases and neutrophil extracellular traps, which ultimately cause platelet aggregation, microvascular thrombosis and cellular death. Among various neutrophilic chemoattractants, interleukin-8/C-X-C motif ligand 8 and related chemokines, collectively called ELR+ chemokines, acting on neutrophils through the G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2, are pivotal in orchestrating the neutrophil activation status and chemotaxis in the inflamed lung. This allows efficient elimination of infectious agents while at the same time minimising collateral damage to host tissue. Therefore, understanding how CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors are regulated is important if we hope to effectively target them for therapeutic use in ARDS. In the following narrative review, we provide an overview of the role of ELR+ chemokines in acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS, we summarise the relevant regulatory pathways of their cognisant receptors CXCR1/2 and highlight current preclinical and clinical evidence on the therapeutic role of CXCR1 and CXCR2 inhibition in animal models of ALI, as well as in ARDS patients.

Selenomethionine Inhibited HADV-Induced Apoptosis Mediated by ROS through the JAK-STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Adenovirus (HAdV) can cause severe respiratory infections in children and immunocompromised patients. There is a lack of specific therapeutic drugs for HAdV infection, and the study of anti-adenoviral drugs has far-reaching clinical implications. Elemental selenium can play a specific role as an antioxidant in the human immune cycle by non-specifically binding to the amino acid methionine in body proteins. Methods: The antiviral mechanism of selenomethionine was explored by measuring cell membrane status, intracellular DNA status, cytokine secretion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ROS production. Conclusions: Selenomethionine improved the regulation of ROS-mediated apoptosis by modulating the expression of Jak1/2, STAT3, and BCL-XL, which led to the inhibition of apoptosis. It is anticipated that selenomethionine will offer a new anti-adenoviral therapeutic alternative.

Chemokine expression profile of an innate granuloma

Granulomas are defined by the presence of organized layers of immune cells that include macrophages. Granulomas are often characterized as a way for the immune system to contain an infection and prevent its dissemination. We recently established a mouse infection model where Chromobacterium violaceum induces the innate immune system to form granulomas in the liver. This response successfully eradicates the bacteria and returns the liver to homeostasis. Here, we sought to characterize the chemokines involved in directing immune cells to form the distinct layers of a granuloma. We use spatial transcriptomics to investigate the spatial and temporal expression of all CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors within this granuloma response. The expression profiles change dynamically over space and time as the granuloma matures and then resolves. To investigate the importance of monocyte-derived macrophages in this immune response, we studied the role of CCR2 during C. violaceum infection. Ccr2 -/- mice had negligible numbers of macrophages, but large numbers of neutrophils, in the C. violaceum-infected lesions. In addition, lesions had abnormal architecture resulting in loss of bacterial containment. Without CCR2, bacteria disseminated and the mice succumbed to the infection. This indicates that macrophages are critical to form a successful innate granuloma in response to C. violaceum.

Thymocyte migration and emigration

Hematopoietic precursors (HPCs) entering into the thymus undergo a sequential process leading to the generation of a variety of T cell subsets. This developmental odyssey unfolds in distinct stages within the thymic cortex and medulla, shaping the landscape of T cell receptor (TCR) expression and guiding thymocytes through positive and negative selection. Initially, early thymic progenitors (ETPs) take residence in the thymic cortex, where thymocytes begin to express their TCR and undergo positive selection. Subsequently, thymocytes transition to the thymic medulla, where they undergo negative selection. Both murine and human thymocyte development can be broadly classified into distinct stages based on the expression of CD4 and CD8 coreceptors, resulting in categorizations as double negative (DN), double positive (DP) or single positive (SP) cells. Thymocyte migration to the appropriate thymic microenvironment at the right differentiation stage is pivotal for the development and the proper functioning of T cells, which is critical for adaptive immune responses. The journey of lymphoid progenitor cells into the T cell developmental pathway hinges on an ongoing dialogue between the differentiating cell and the signals emanating from the thymus niche. Herein, we review the contribution of the key factors mentioned above for the localization, migration and emigration of thymocytes.

Relationship between chemokine/chemokine receptor and glioma prognosis and outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Glioma is a primary tumor originating from the central nervous system, and despite ongoing efforts to improve treatment, its overall survival rate remains low. There are a limited number of reports regarding the clinical grading, prognostic impact, and utility of chemokines. Therefore, conducting a meta-analysis is necessary to obtain convincing and conclusive results.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid Medline, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP, and CBM. The search encompassed articles published from the inception of the databases until March 2024. The estimated odds ratio (ORs), standard mean difference (SMDs), and hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the predictive value of chemokine and receptor levels in glioma risk. Additionally, heterogeneity tests and bias tests were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included a total of 36 studies, involving 2,480 patients diagnosed with glioma. The results revealed a significant association between the expression levels of CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 22.28; 95 % CI = 11.47-43.30; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 4; OR = 10.69; 95 % CI = 7.03-16.24; p = 0.000), CCL2 (n = 6; SMD = -0.83; 95 % CI = -0.98--0.67; p = 0.000), CXCL8 (n = 3; SMD = 0.75; 95 % CI = 0.47-1.04; p = 0.000), CXCR7 (n = 3; OR = 20.66; 95 % CI = 10.20-41.82; p = 0.000), CXCL10 (n = 2; SMD = 3.27; 95 % CI = 2.91-3.62; p = 0.000) and the risk of glioma. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 4.39; 95 % CI = 3.04-6.32; p = 0.000), (n = 6; SMD = 1.37; 95 % CI = 1.09-1.65; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 6; OR = 6.30; 95 % CI = 3.87-10.25; p = 0.000), (n = 5; ES = 2.25; 95 % CI = 1.15-3.34; p = 0.041), CCL2 (n = 3; OR = 9.65; 95 % CI = 4.55-20.45; p = 0.000), (n = 4; SMD = -1.47; 95 % CI = -1.68--1.26; p = 0.000), and CCL18 (n = 3; SMD = 1.62; 95 % CI = 1.30-1.93; p = 0.000) expression levels and high-grade glioma (grades 3-4). Furthermore, CXCR4 (HR = 2.38, 95 % CI = 1.66-3.40; p = 0.000) exhibited a strong correlation with poor overall survival (OS) rates in glioma patients.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study showed a robust association between elevated levels of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCR7 with a higher risk of glioma. Furthermore, the WHO grading system was validated by the strong correlation shown between higher expression of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, and CCL18 and WHO high-grade gliomas (grades 3-4). Furthermore, the results of the meta-analysis suggested that CXCR4 might be a helpful biomarker for predicting the worse prognosis of glioma patients.

Impact of fucosyltransferase 1-mediated epidermal blood group antigen H on anti-inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis

The presence of the blood group H2 antigen on the membrane of red blood cells determines blood type O in individuals and this H2 antigen serves as a precursor to the A and B antigens expressed in blood types A and B, respectively. However, the specific involvement of ABH antigens in skin diseases is unknown. Therefore, we aim to investigate the expression of ABH antigens in skin tissue of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and MC903-induced AD-like mice. We demonstrated that the expression of ABH antigen is primarily located in the granular and horny layers of the skin in healthy control individuals. However, in patients with AD, the expression of the ABH antigen was absent or diminished in these layers, while the H2 antigen expression increased in the spinous layers of the affected skin lesions. Then, we investigated the biological function of blood group H antigen mediated by fucosyltransferase 1 (Fut1) in the skin, utilizing an AD mouse model induced by MC903 in wild-type (WT) and Fut1-knockout mice. After the application of MC903, Fut1-deficient mice, with no H2 antigen expression on their skin, exhibited more severe clinical signs, increased ear swelling, and elevated serum IgE levels compared with those of WT mice. Additionally, the MC903-induced thickening of both the epidermis and dermis was more pronounced in Fut1-deficient mice than that in WT mice. Furthermore, Fut1-deficient mice showed a significantly higher production of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-6 in skin lesions compared with that of their WT counterparts. The expression of chemokines, particularly Ccl2 and Ccl8, was notably higher in Fut1-deficient mice compared with those of WT mice. The infiltration of CD4+ T cells, eosinophils, and mast cells into the lesional skin was significantly elevated in Fut1-deficient mice compared with that in WT mice. These findings demonstrate the protective role of H2 antigen expression against AD-like inflammation and highlight its potential therapeutic impact on AD through the regulation of blood group antigens.

Phase II trial of vaccination with autologous, irradiated melanoma cells engineered by adenoviral mediated gene transfer to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in patients with stage III and IV melanoma

Background

In the era of immune checkpoint blockade, the role of cancer vaccines in immune priming has provided additional potential for therapeutic improvements. Prior studies have demonstrated delayed type hypersensitivity and anti-tumor immunity with vaccines engineered to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The safety, efficacy and anti-tumor immunity of GM-CSF secreting vaccine in patients with previously treated stage III or IV melanoma needs further investigation.

Methods

In this phase II trial, excised lymph node metastases were processed to single cells, transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding GM-CSF, irradiated, and cryopreserved. Individual vaccines were composed of 1x106, 4x106, or 1x107 tumor cells, and were injected intradermally and subcutaneously at weekly and biweekly intervals. The primary endpoints were feasibility of producing vaccine in stage III patients and determining the proportion of patients alive at two years in stage IV patients.

Results

GM-CSF vaccine was successfully developed and administered in all 61 patients. Toxicities were restricted to grade 1-2 local skin reactions. The median OS for stage III patients (n = 20) was 71.1 (95% CI, 43.7 to NR) months and 14.9 (95%CI, 12.1 to 39.7) months for stage IV patients. The median PFS in stage III patients was 50.7 (95%CI, 36.3 to NR) months and 4.1 (95% CI, 3.0-6.3) months in stage IV patients. In the overall population, the disease control rate was 39.3% (95%CI, 27.1 to 52.7%). In stage III patients, higher pre-treatment plasma cytokine levels of MMP-1, TRAIL, CXCL-11, CXCL-13 were associated with improved PFS (p<0.05 for all). An increase in post-vaccination levels of IL-15 and TRAIL for stage III patients was associated with improved PFS (p=0.03 for both). Similarly, an increase in post-vaccination IL-16 level for stage IV patients was associated with improved PFS (p=0.02) and clinical benefit.

Conclusions

Vaccination with autologous melanoma cells secreting GM-CSF augments antitumor immunity in stage III and IV patients with melanoma, is safe, and demonstrates disease control. Luminex data suggests that changes in inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration promote tumor antigen presentation and subsequent tumor cell destruction. Additional investigation to administer this vaccine in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors is needed.

Potential mechanisms of formononetin against inflammation and oxidative stress: a review

Formononetin (FMNT) is a secondary metabolite of flavonoids abundant in legumes and graminaceous plants such as Astragalus mongholicus Bunge [Fabaceae; Astragali radix] and Avena sativa L. [Poaceae]. Astragalus is traditionally used in Asia countries such as China, Korea and Mongolia to treat inflammatory diseases, immune disorders and cancers. In recent years, inflammation and oxidative stress have been found to be associated with many diseases. A large number of pharmacological studies have shown that FMNT, an important bioactive metabolite of Astragalus, has a profoundly anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. This review focuses on providing comprehensive and up-to-date findings on the efficacy of the molecular targets and mechanisms involve of FMNT and its derivatives against inflammation and oxidative stress in both in vitro and in vivo. Relevant literature on FMNT against inflammation and oxidative stress between 2013 and 2023 were analyzed. FMNT has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and shows mild or no toxicity in various diseases. Moreover, in the medical field, FMNT has shown potential in the prevention and treatment of cancers, neurological diseases, fibrotic diseases, allergic diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and autoimmune diseases. Thus, it is expected to be utilized in more products in the medical, food and cosmetic industries in the future.

From mice to men: An assessment of preclinical model systems for the study of vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease of multiple etiology, for which there is no complete cure. This chronic depigmentation is characterized by epidermal melanocyte loss, and causes disfigurement and significant psychosocial distress. Mouse models have been extensively employed to further our understanding of complex disease mechanisms in vitiligo, as well as to provide a preclinical platform for clinical interventional research on potential treatment strategies in humans. The current mouse models can be categorized into three groups: spontaneous mouse models, induced mouse models, and transgenic mice. Despite their limitations, these models allow us to understand the pathology processes of vitiligo at molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and system levels, and have been used to test prospective drugs. In this review, we comprehensively evaluate existing murine systems of vitiligo and elucidate their respective characteristics, aiming to offer a panorama for researchers to select the appropriate mouse models for their study.

An inflammation-related subtype classification for analyzing tumor microenvironment and clinical prognosis in colorectal cancer

Background

The inflammatory response plays an essential role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) by modulating tumor growth, progression, and response to therapy through the recruitment of immune cells, production of cytokines, and activation of signaling pathways. However, the molecular subtypes and risk score prognostic model based on inflammatory response remain to be further explored.

Methods

Inflammation-related genes were collected from the molecular signature database and molecular subtypes were identified using nonnegative matrix factorization based on the TCGA cohort. We compared the clinicopathological features, immune infiltration, somatic mutation profile, survival prognosis, and drug sensitivity between the subtypes. The risk score model was developed using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression in the TCGA cohort. The above results were independently validated in the GEO cohort. Moreover, we explored the biological functions of the hub gene, receptor interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2), leveraging proteomics data, in vivo, and in vitro experiments.

Results

We identified two inflammation-related subtypes (inflammation-low and inflammation-high) and have excellent internal consistency and stability. Inflammation-high subtype showed higher immune cell infiltration and increased sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic drugs, while inflammation-low subtype may be more suitable for immunotherapy. Besides, the two subtypes differ significantly in pathway enrichment and biological functions. In addition, the 11-gene signature prognostic model constructed from inflammation-related genes showed strong prognostic assessment power and could serve as a novel prognostic marker to predict the survival of CRC patients. Finally, RIPK2 plays a crucial role in promoting malignant proliferation of CRC cell validated by experiment.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights into the heterogeneity of CRC and provides novel opportunities for treatment development and clinical decision making.

CX3CL1 (Fractalkine)-CX3CR1 Axis in Inflammation-Induced Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis

The chemotactic cytokine fractalkine (FKN, chemokine CX3CL1) has unique properties resulting from the combination of chemoattractants and adhesion molecules. The soluble form (sFKN) has chemotactic properties and strongly attracts T cells and monocytes. The membrane-bound form (mFKN) facilitates diapedesis and is responsible for cell-to-cell adhesion, especially by promoting the strong adhesion of leukocytes (monocytes) to activated endothelial cells with the subsequent formation of an extracellular matrix and angiogenesis. FKN signaling occurs via CX3CR1, which is the only known member of the CX3C chemokine receptor subfamily. Signaling within the FKN-CX3CR1 axis plays an important role in many processes related to inflammation and the immune response, which often occur simultaneously and overlap. FKN is strongly upregulated by hypoxia and/or inflammation-induced inflammatory cytokine release, and it may act locally as a key angiogenic factor in the highly hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The importance of the FKN/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis results from its influence on cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. This review presents the role of the FKN signaling pathway in the context of angiogenesis in inflammation and cancer. The mechanisms determining the pro- or anti-tumor effects are presented, which are the cause of the seemingly contradictory results that create confusion regarding the therapeutic goals.

Alterations in CX3CL1 Levels and Its Role in Viral Pathogenesis

CX3CL1, also named fractalkine or neurotactin, is the only known member of the CX3C chemokine family that can chemoattract several immune cells. CX3CL1 exists in both membrane-anchored and soluble forms, with each mediating distinct biological activities. CX3CL1 signals are transmitted through its unique receptor, CX3CR1, primarily expressed in the microglia of the central nervous system (CNS). In the CNS, CX3CL1 acts as a regulator of microglia activation in response to brain disorders or inflammation. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the role of CX3CL1 in regulating cell adhesion, chemotaxis, and host immune response in viral infection. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the changes and function of CX3CL1 in various viral infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, to highlight the emerging roles of CX3CL1 in viral infection and associated diseases.

Identification of potential biomarkers of gout through weighted gene correlation network analysis

Background

Although hyperuricemia is not always associated with acute gouty arthritis, uric acid is a significant risk factor for gout. Therefore, we investigated the specific mechanism of uric acid activity.

Methods

Using the gout-associated transcriptome dataset GSE160170, we conducted differential expression analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Moreover, we discovered highly linked gene modules using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and evaluated their intersection. Subsequently, we screened for relevant biomarkers using the cytoHubba and Mcode algorithms in the STRING database, investigated their connection to immune cells and constructed a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network to identify upstream miRNAs and lncRNAs. We also collected PBMCs from acute gouty arthritis patients and healthy individuals and constructed a THP-1 cell gout inflammatory model, RT-qPCR and western blotting (WB) were used to detect the expression of C-X-C motif ligand 8 (CXCL8), C-X-C motif ligand 2 (CXCL2), and C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1). Finally, we predicted relevant drug targets through hub genes, hoping to find better treatments.

Results

According to differential expression analysis, there were 76 upregulated and 28 downregulated mRNAs in GSE160170. Additionally, WGCNA showed that the turquoise module was most strongly correlated with primary gout; 86 hub genes were eventually obtained upon intersection. IL1β, IL6, CXCL8, CXCL1, and CXCL2 are the principal hub genes of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Using RT-qPCR and WB, we found that there were significant differences in the expression levels of CXCL8, CXCL1, and CXCL2 between the gouty group and the healthy group, and we also predicted 10 chemicals related to these proteins.

Conclusion

In this study, we screened and validated essential genes using a variety of bioinformatics tools to generate novel ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of gout.

Exploring Potential Biomarkers in Oesophageal Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. OC is highly aggressive, primarily due to its late stage of diagnosis and poor prognosis for patients' survival. Therefore, the establishment of new biomarkers that will be measured with non-invasive techniques at low cost is a critical issue in improving the diagnosis of OC. In this review, we summarize several original studies concerning the potential significance of selected chemokines and their receptors, including inflammatory proteins such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs), claudins (CLDNs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), adamalysines (ADAMs), as well as DNA- and RNA-based biomarkers, in OC. The presented results indicate the significant correlation between the CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCL8/CXCR2, M-CSF, MMP-2, MMP-9 ADAM17, ADAMTS-6, and CLDN7 levels and tumor stage, as well as the clinicopathological parameters of OC, such as the presence of lymph node and/or distant metastases. CXCL12, CXCL8/CXCR2, IL-6, TIMP-2, ADAM9, and ADAMTS-6 were prognostic factors for the overall survival of OC patients. Furthermore, IL-6, CXCR4, CXCL8, and MMP-9 indicate higher diagnostic utility based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC) than well-established OC tumor markers, whereas CLDN18.2 can be used in novel targeted therapies for OC patients.

Atg5 deficiency in macrophages protects against kidney fibrosis via the CCR6-CCL20 axis

BACKGROUND

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradation pathway that regulates macrophage activation, differentiation, and polarization. Autophagy related 5 (Atg5) is a key protein involved in phagocytic membrane elongation in autophagic vesicles that forms a complex with Atg12 and Atg16L1. Alterations in Atg5 are related to both acute and chronic kidney diseases in experimental models. However, the role of macrophage-expressed Atg5 in acute kidney injury remains unclear.

METHODS

Using a myeloid cell-specific Atg5 knockout (MΦ atg5-/-) mouse, we established renal ischemia/reperfusion and unilateral ureteral obstruction models to evaluate the role of macrophage Atg5 in renal macrophage migration and fibrosis.

RESULTS

Based on changes in the serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, Atg5 deletion had a minimal effect on renal function in the early stages after mild injury; however, MΦ atg5-/- mice had reduced renal fibrosis and reduced macrophage recruitment after 4 weeks of ischemia/reperfusion injury and 2 weeks of unilateral ureteral obstruction injury. Atg5 deficiency impaired the CCL20-CCR6 axis after severe ischemic kidneys. Chemotactic responses of bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) from MΦ atg5-/- mice to CCL20 were significantly attenuated compared with those of wild-type BMDMs, and this might be caused by the inhibition of PI3K, AKT, and ERK1/2 activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that Atg5 deficiency decreased macrophage migration by impairing the CCL20-CCR6 axis and inhibited M2 polarization, thereby improving kidney fibrosis.

SIRPB1 regulates inflammatory factor expression in the glioma microenvironment via SYK: functional and bioinformatics insights

BACKGROUND

SIRPB1 expression is upregulated in various tumor types, including gliomas, and is known to contribute to tumor progression; nevertheless, its function in the immune milieu of gliomas is still mainly unknown.

METHODS

This study, we analyzed 1152 normal samples from the GTEx database and 670 glioma samples from the TCGA database to investigate the relationship between the expression of SIRPB1 and clinicopathological features. Moreover, SIRPB1 gene knockout THP-1 cell lines were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 and were induced into a co-culture of macrophages and glioma cells in vitro to learn more about the role of SIRPB1 in the glioma immune milieu. Lastly, we established a prognostic model to predict the effect of SIRPB1 on prognosis.

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of SIRPB1 expression were found in gliomas, which had an adverse effect on the immune milieu and correlated poorly with patient survival. SIRPB1 activation with certain antibodies results in SYK phosphorylation and the subsequent activation of calcium, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways. This phenomenon is primarily observed in myeloid-derived cells as opposed to glioma cells. In vitro co-culture demonstrated that macrophages with SIRPB1 knockout showed decreased IL1RA, CCL2, and IL-8, which were recovered upon ectopic expression of SIRPB1 but reduced again following treatment with SYK inhibitor GS9973. Critically, a lower overall survival rate was linked to increased SIRPB1 expression. Making use of SIRPB1 expression along with additional clinicopathological variables, we established a nomogram that showed a high degree of prediction accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that glioma cells can be activated by macrophages via SIRPB1, subsequently reprogramming the TME, suggesting that SIRPB1 could serve as a promising therapeutic target for gliomas.

Nanoparticles in tumor microenvironment remodeling and cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development have significantly improved the fight against cancers. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in the clinical delivery of immunomodulatory compounds. The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising macrophages, fibroblasts, and immune cells, plays a crucial role in immune response modulation. Nanoparticles, engineered to reshape the TME, have shown promising results in enhancing immunotherapy by facilitating targeted delivery and immune modulation. These nanoparticles can suppress fibroblast activation, promote M1 macrophage polarization, aid dendritic cell maturation, and encourage T cell infiltration. Biomimetic nanoparticles further enhance immunotherapy by increasing the internalization of immunomodulatory agents in immune cells such as dendritic cells. Moreover, exosomes, whether naturally secreted by cells in the body or bioengineered, have been explored to regulate the TME and immune-related cells to affect cancer immunotherapy. Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, activated by pH, redox, and light conditions, exhibit the potential to accelerate immunotherapy. The co-application of nanoparticles with immune checkpoint inhibitors is an emerging strategy to boost anti-tumor immunity. With their ability to induce long-term immunity, nanoarchitectures are promising structures in vaccine development. This review underscores the critical role of nanoparticles in overcoming current challenges and driving the advancement of cancer immunotherapy and TME modification.

Preparation and characterisation of baicalin magnesium and its protective effect in ulcerative colitis via gut microbiota-bile acid axis modulation

BACKGROUND

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a well-known herb in traditional Chinese medicine that is frequently prescribed for various gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcerative colitis (UC). Its primary active constituent, baicalin, has poorly water solubility that reduces its efficacy.

PURPOSE

To enhance the aqueous solubility of baicalin by optimising its extraction process. We compared the modulatory effects of isolated water-soluble baicalin and water-insoluble baicalin on UC, and delved deeper into the potential mechanisms of water-soluble baicalin.

METHODS

We successfully extracted a more hydrophilic baicalin directly from an aqueous S. baicalensis Georgi extract through the process of recrystallisation following alcoholic precipitation of the aqueous extract obtained from S. baicalensis Georgi, eliminating the need for acid additives. This specific form of baicalin was conclusively identified by UV, IR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-HRMS. We subsequently compared the regulatory effects of baicalin on UC before and after optimisation, employing 16S rDNA sequencing, bile acid-targeted metabolomics, and transcriptome analysis to elucidate the potential mechanism of water-soluble baicalin; and the key genes and proteins implicated in this mechanism were verified through RT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

A new form of baicalin present in the aqueous solution of S. baicalensis Georgi was isolated, and its structural characterisation showed that it was bound to magnesium ions (baicalin magnesium) and exhibited favorable water solubility. Baicalin magnesium offers enhanced therapeutic benefits over baicalin for UC treatment, which alleviated the inflammatory response and oxidative stress levels while improving intestinal mucosal damage. Further investigation of the mechanism revealed that baicalin magnesium could effectively regulate bile acid metabolism and maintain intestinal microecological balance in UC mice, and suppress the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α signalling pathways, thereby playing a therapeutic role.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalin magnesium has good water solubility, which solves the bottleneck problem of water insolubility in the practical applications of baicalin. Moreover, baicalin magnesium exhibits therapeutic potential for UC significantly better than baicalin.

Comprehensive analyses and experimental verification of NETs and an EMT gene signature for prognostic prediction, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) significantly influence on the progression of various cancers. However, the underlying relevance of NETs- and EMT-associated genes on the outcomes of patients with PAAD remains to be elucidated. Transcriptome RNA sequencing data, together with clinical information and single-cell sequencing data of PAAD were collected from public databases. In the TCGA-PAAD cohort, ssGSEA was used to calculate NET and EMT scores. WGCNA was used to determine the key gene modules. A risk model with eight NET- and EMT-related genes (NERGs) was established using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Patients in the reduced risk (RR) group showed better prognostic values compared with those in the elevated risk (ER) group. The prognostic model exhibited reliable and robust prediction when validated using an external database. The distributions of risk genes were explored in a single-cell sequencing data set. Immune infiltration, immune cycle, and immune checkpoints were compared between the RR and ER groups. Moreover, potential chemotherapeutic drugs were examined. DCBLD2 was identified as a key gene in PAAD cell lines by qRT-PCR, and was highly expressed in PAAD tissues. GSEA demonstrated that DCBLD2 induced the EMT. Transwell assays and western blotting showed that cell invasion and EMT induction were significantly reduced after DCBLD2 knockdown. Collectively, we constructed a prognosis model based on a NET and EMT gene signature, providing a valuable perspective for the prognostic evaluation and management of PAAD patient.

Effects of Shrimp Shell-Derived Chitosan on Growth, Immunity, Intestinal Morphology, and Gene Expression of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Reared in a Biofloc System

Chitosan (CH) shows great potential as an immunostimulatory feed additive in aquaculture. This study evaluates the effects of varying dietary CH levels on the growth, immunity, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in a biofloc system. Tilapia fingerlings (mean weight 13.54 ± 0.05 g) were fed diets supplemented with 0 (CH0), 5 (CH5), 10 (CH10), 20 (CH20), and 40 (CH40) mL·kg-1 of CH for 8 weeks. Parameters were assessed after 4 and 8 weeks. Their final weight was not affected by CH supplementation, but CH at 10 mL·kg-1 significantly improved weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to the control (p < 0.05) at 8 weeks. Skin mucus lysozyme and peroxidase activities were lower in the chitosan-treated groups at weeks 4 and 8. Intestinal villi length and width were enhanced by 10 and 20 mL·kg-1 CH compared to the control. However, 40 mL·kg-1 CH caused detrimental impacts on the villi and muscular layer. CH supplementation, especially 5-10 mL·kg-1, increased liver and intestinal expressions of interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), LPS-binding protein (LBP), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST-α) compared to the control group. Overall, dietary CH at 10 mL·kg-1 can effectively promote growth, intestinal morphology, innate immunity, and antioxidant capacity in Nile tilapia fingerlings reared in biofloc systems.

HOXD3 promotes the migration and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma via modifying hepatocellular carcinoma cells exosome-delivered CCR6 and regulating chromatin conformation of CCL20

Angiogenesis plays an essential role in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HOXD3 is involved in the metastasis and invasion of HCC cells; Whereas the underlying molecular mechanisms in the microenvironment of HCC remain unknown. Wound healing, transwell invasion, tube formation and spheroid sprouting assays were carried out to identify the effects of HCC-HOXD3-exosomes and genes on the migration of HCC cells. ChIP-PCR was applied to test the binding region of HOXD3 on CCR6, Med15, and CREBBP promoter. Exosome isolation and mRNA-seq were applied to examine the morphological characteristics of exosomes and the contained mRNA in exosomes. Co-IP and Immunofluorescence assays were used to demonstrate the role of CREBBP in the chromatin conformation of CCL20. The nude mice were used to identify the function of genes in regulating migration of HCC in vivo. In this study, integrated cellular and bioinformatic analyses revealed that HOXD3 targeted the promoter region of CCR6 and induced its transcription. CCR6 was delivered by exosomes to endothelial cells and promoted tumour migration. Overexpression of CCR6 promoted metastasis, invasion in HCCs and angiogenesis in endothelial cells (ECs), whereas its downregulation suppressed these functions. The role of HOXD3 in the metastasis and invasion of HCC cells was reversed after the suppression of CCR6. Furthermore, CCL20 was demonstrated as the ligand of CCR6, and its high expression was found in HCC tissues and cells, which was clinically associated with the poor prognosis of HCC. Mechanistically, HOXD3 targets the promoter regions of CREBBP and Med15, which affect CCL20 chromatin conformation by regulating histone acetylation and expression of Pol II to enhance the migration of HCCs. This study demonstrated the function of the HOXD3-CREBBP/Med15-CCL20-CCR6 axis in regulating invasion and migration in HCC, thus providing new therapeutic targets for HCC.

The origin, evolution, and molecular diversity of the chemokine system

Chemokine signalling performs key functions in cell migration via chemoattraction, such as attracting leukocytes to the site of infection during host defence. The system consists of a ligand, the chemokine, usually secreted outside the cell, and a chemokine receptor on the surface of a target cell that recognises the ligand. Several noncanonical components interact with the system. These include a variety of molecules that usually share some degree of sequence similarity with canonical components and, in some cases, are known to bind to canonical components and/or to modulate cell migration. Whereas canonical components have been described in vertebrate lineages, the distribution of the noncanonical components is less clear. Uncertainty over the relationships between canonical and noncanonical components hampers our understanding of the evolution of the system. We used phylogenetic methods, including gene-tree to species-tree reconciliation, to untangle the relationships between canonical and noncanonical components, identify gene duplication events, and clarify the origin of the system. We found that unrelated ligand groups independently evolved chemokine-like functions. We found noncanonical ligands outside vertebrates, such as TAFA "chemokines" found in urochordates. In contrast, all receptor groups are vertebrate-specific and all-except ACKR1-originated from a common ancestor in early vertebrates. Both ligand and receptor copy numbers expanded through gene duplication events at the base of jawed vertebrates, with subsequent waves of innovation occurring in bony fish and mammals.