Targeting interleukin-6 in inflammatory autoimmune diseases and cancers

Is there any diagnostic value of serum caveolin-1 levels on the determination of pancreatic adenocarcinoma?

BACKGROUND

Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) is a vital component in cancer pathogenesis, as its expression determines the survival of patients with cancer. This study investigates CAV-1 serum levels in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) patients and their role in tumor progression and prognostic factors.

METHOD

The trial included 33 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic cancer (PC). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure the concentrations of CAV-1 in the blood. The study also included 20 healthy subjects. The statistical analysis was two-sided, and a P value of ≤ 0.05 was determined as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The median age of the subjects was 59 years (32-84 years) at the time of diagnosis. There were 13 (39%) female participants. In 21 (63%) patients, the primary focus was the pancreatic head. In 23 stage IV patients, hepatic metastasis (n = 19, 83%) was observed. Only one patient (3%) was still alive at the end of the study period. Palliative chemotherapy (CTx) was provided, with 39% of the 23 patients responding to it. The overall survival (OS) rate in this cohort was 41.3 ± 8.3 weeks at a 95% confidence interval (CI), after 25-58 weeks. Serum baseline CAV-1 values among patients with PA were significantly higher compared with controls (p = 0.009). Patients with poor performance status, a pancreatic head tumor, lower albumin levels, higher serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, and higher CA 19.9 levels had significantly higher serum CAV-1 levels (p = 0.01, P = 0.05, P = 0.03, P = 0.02, and P = 0.04, respectively). However, CAV-1 did not show any prognostic value (p = 0.75).

CONCLUSION

Although serum CAV-1 is a useful diagnostic marker in PC patients, it is not a prognostic or predictive marker.

[Consideration on the Research and Development of Anti-tumor Bispecific Antibody Drugs]

The drugs of programmed cell death 1 and its ligand 1 immune checkpoint inhibitors have ushered in a new era of anti-tumor immunotherapy, which has shown outstanding efficacy in some tumors, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, but there is still low response rate in some kinds of tumors. In recent years, bispecific antibodies prepared by cell fusion, recombinant DNA, protein engineering and other technologies can specifically bind two antigens or epitopes at the same time or successively, play a synergistic role in tumor treatment, can effectively inhibit tumor immune escape, and improve the effect of anti-tumor treatment has become a hot spot in tumor research. This paper will summarize the clinical research and development of bispecific antibodies, to provide reference for the industry.
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Identification of Genes Related to 5-Fluorouracil Based Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and its incidence and mortality are increasing yearly. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has long been used as a standard first-line treatment for CRC patients. Although 5-FU-based chemotherapy is effective for advanced CRC, the consequent resistance remains a key problem and causes the poor prognosis of CRC patients. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify new biomarkers to predict the response to 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

Methods

CRC samples were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The immune-related genes were retrieved from the ImmPort database. Single-cell sequencing results from colorectal cancer were obtained by the ArrayExpress database. 5-FU resistance-related genes were filtered and validated by R packages. ESTIMATE algorithms were used to assess the tumor microenvironment (TME). KEGG and GO analysis were performed to explore the biological signaling pathway for resistant-response patients and sensitive-response patients in the tumor microenvironment. pRRophetic algorithms were used to predict 5-FU sensitivity. GSEA and GSVA analysis was performed to excavate the biological signaling pathway of the RBP7 gene.

Results

Nine immune-related genes were identified to be associated with 5-FU resistance and poor disease-free survival (DFS) of CRC patients and the signature of these genes was developed in a DFS-prognostic model. Four immune-related genes were determined to be associated with 5-FU resistance and overall survival (OS) of CRC patients. The signature of these genes was developed an OS-prognostic model. ESTIMATE scores showed a significant difference between 5-FU resistant and 5-FU sensitive CRC patients. Resistant-response patients and sensitive-response patients to 5-FU based chemotherapy showed different GO and KEGG enrichment on the tumor microenvironment. RBP7, as a tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) related gene, was found to have the potential of predicting chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis of CRC patients. GSEA analysis showed multiple signaling differences between the high and low expression of RBP7 in CRC patients. Hypoxia and TNFα signaling via NFκB gene sets were significantly different between chemotherapy resistant (RBP7^High) and chemotherapy sensitive (RBP7^Low) patients. Single-cell RNA-seq suggested RBP7 was centrally distributed in endothelial stalk cells, endothelial tip cells, and myeloid cells.

Conclusions

Immune-related genes will hopefully be potential prognostic biomarkers to predict chemotherapy resistance for CRC. RBP7 may function as a tumor microenvironment regulator to induce 5-FU resistance, thereby affecting the prognosis of CRC patients.

An immune-related nomogram model that predicts the overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 40% of all primary lung cancers; however, the mortality rates remain high. Successfully predicting progression and overall (OS) time will provide clinicians with more options to manage this disease.

Methods

We analyzed RNA sequencing data from 510 cases of lung adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas database using CIBERSORT, ImmuCellAI, and ESTIMATE algorithms. Through these data we constructed 6 immune subtypes and then compared the difference of OS, immune infiltration level and gene expression between these immune subtypes. Also, all the subtypes and immune cells infiltration level were used to evaluate the relationship with prognosis and we introduced lasso-cox method to constructe an immune-related prognosis model. Finally we validated this model in another independent cohort.

Results

The C3 immune subtype of lung adenocarcinoma exhibited longer survival, whereas the C1 subtype was associated with a higher mutation rate of MUC17 and FLG genes compared with other subtypes. A multifactorial correlation analysis revealed that immune cell infiltration was closely associated with overall survival. Using data from 510 cases, we constructed a nomogram prediction model composed of clinicopathologic factors and immune signatures. This model produced a C-index of 0.73 and achieved a C-index of 0.844 using a validation set.

Conclusions

Through this study we constructed an immune related prognosis model to instruct lung adenocarcinoma’s OS and validated its value in another independent cohost. These results will be useful in guiding treatment for lung adenocarcinoma based on tumor immune profiles.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-01902-6.

Potential Natural Products Against Respiratory Viruses: A Perspective to Develop Anti-COVID-19 Medicines

The emergence of viral pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV), known as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), resulted in a contagious acute respiratory infectious disease in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Its alarmingly quick transmission to many countries across the world and a considerable percentage of morbidity and mortality made the World Health Organization recognize it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The perceived risk of infection has led many research groups to study COVID-19 from different aspects. In this literature review, the phylogenetics and taxonomy of COVID-19 coronavirus, epidemiology, and respiratory viruses similar to COVID-19 and their mode of action are documented in an approach to understand the behavior of the current virus. Moreover, we suggest targeting the receptors of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 such as ACE2 and other proteins including 3CLpro and PLpro for improving antiviral activity and immune response against COVID-19 disease. Additionally, since phytochemicals play an essential role in complementary therapies for viral infections, we summarized different bioactive natural products against the mentioned respiratory viruses with a focus on influenza A, SARS-CoV, MERS, and COVID-19.Based on current literature, 130 compounds have antiviral potential, and of these, 94 metabolites demonstrated bioactivity against coronaviruses. Interestingly, these are classified in different groups of natural products, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and others. Most of these compounds comprise flavonoid skeletons. Based on our survey, xanthoangelol E (88), isolated from Angelica keiskei (Miq.) Koidz showed inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV PLpro with the best IC50 value of 1.2 μM. Additionally, hispidulin (3), quercetin (6), rutin (8), saikosaponin D (36), glycyrrhizin (47), and hesperetin (55) had remarkable antiviral potential against different viral infections. Among these compounds, quercetin (6) exhibited antiviral activities against influenza A, SARS-CoV, and COVID-19 and this seems to be a highly promising compound. In addition, our report discusses the obstacles and future perspectives to highlight the importance of developing screening programs to investigate potential natural medicines against COVID-19.

Activity of preclinical and phase I clinical trial of a novel androgen receptor antagonist GT0918 in metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate GT0918, a 2nd-generation AR antagonist, for its AR down-regulation activity among breast cancer patients.

METHODS

The effect of GT0918 on AR protein expression was evaluated in AR expression breast cancer cells and in breast cancer xenograft model. A 3 + 3 phase I dose-escalation study was launched in Peking University Cancer Hospital. The endpoints included dose finding, safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity.

RESULTS

GT0918 was demonstrated to effectively suppress the expression of AR protein and the growth of AR-positive breast cancer tumors in mouse xenograft tumor models. All patients treated with GT0918 were at a QD dose-escalation of five dose levels from 100 to 500 mg. The most common treatment-related AEs of any grade were asthenia, anemia, decreased appetite, increased blood cholesterol, increased blood triglycerides, decreased white blood cell count, and increased low-density lipoprotein. Grade 3 AEs were fatigue (2 of 18, 11.1%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (1 of 18, 5.6%), alanine aminotransferase increase (1 of 18, 5.6%), and neutrophil count decrease (1 of 18, 5.6%). Clinical benefit rate (CBR) in 16 weeks was 23.1% (3/13). Among 7 AR-positive patients, 6 can evaluate efficacy, and 2 completed 23.5- and 25-cycle treatment, respectively (as of 2020/1/20). PK parameters showed a fast absorption profile of GT0918 in the single-dose study. GT0918 and its major metabolite reached steady-state serum concentration levels at day 21 after multiple dosing.

CONCLUSION

GT0918 can effectively inhibit AR-positive breast cancer tumor growth. GT0918 was demonstrated well tolerated with a favorable PK profile. The suitable dose of GT0918 was 500 mg QD and may provide clinical benefits for AR-positive mBC.

Rosuvastatin inhibit spheroid formation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate cancer PC-3 cell line

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting antitumor activity of statins. In metastasis and invasion of cancer the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) of cancerous cells is an important process. Our goal was to understand the effect of Rosuvastatin on the EMT process in human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 cells in adherent 2 dimensional (2D) and spheroid 3 dimensional (3D) culture. PC-3 cells were cultured in adherence and/or spheroid culture system. The cells were treated with different concentrations of Rosuvastatin. After 96 h, the cell proliferation, viability, type and number of spheroids, the expression of E-Cadherin, Vimentin and Zeb-1 were analyzed. The results show that Rosuvastatin inhibit cell proliferation without significant cytotoxicity. The spheroid formation and spheroid sizes were inhibited by Rousavastatin in a dose dependent manner. In 2D culture, expression of the E-Cadherin was increased up to 2.0 fold in a dose dependent linear manner (R² = 0.89). Vimentin and Zeb-1 expressions were decreased up to 40 and 20% of untreated control cells expression level respectively, (R² = 0.99 and 0.92). In 3D system, the expression of E-Cadherin did not show a significant change, but Vimentin and Zeb-1 expressions were decreased up to 70 and 40% of untreated control cells expression level respectively in a dose dependent linear manner in comparison to 2D system (R² = 0.36 and 0.90). Our finding indicates that Rousavastatin inhibit cell proliferation and spheroid formation of PC-3 cells. This inhibition accompanies by inhibition of EMT markers. Therefor, this cholesterol lowering agent could probably have potential in the prevention and suppression of cancer in androgen dependent prostate cancer.

Connexins and Nitric Oxide Inside and Outside Mitochondria: Significance for Cardiac Protection and Adaptation

Irreversible myocardial damage happens in the presence of prolonged and severe ischemia. Several phenomena protect the heart against myocardial infarction and other adverse outcomes of ischemia and reperfusion (IR), namely: hibernation related to stunned myocardium, ischemic preconditioning (IPC), ischemic post-conditioning, and their pharmacological surrogates. Ischemic preconditioning consists in the induction of a brief IR to reduce damage of the tissue caused by prolonged and severe ischemia. Nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays an essential role in IPC. Nitric oxide-sensitive guanylate cyclase/cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase type I-signaling pathway protects against the IR injury during myocardial infarction. Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels are involved in NO-mediated signaling in IPC. Independently of the cGMP-mediated induction of NO production, S-nitrosation represents a regulatory molecular mechanism similar to phosphorylation and is essential for IPC. Unlike conditioning phenomena, the mechanistic basis of myocardial stunning and hibernation remains poorly understood. In this review article, we hypothesize that the disruption of electrical syncytium of the myocardium may underly myocardial stunning and hibernation. Considering that the connexins are the building blocks of gap junctions which represent primary structural basis of electrical syncytium, we discuss data on the involvement of connexins into myocardial conditioning, stunning, and hibernation. We also show how NO-mediated signaling is involved in myocardial stunning and hibernation. Connexins represent an essential element of adaptation phenomena of the heart at the level of both the cardio- myocytes and the mitochondria. Nitric oxide targets mitochondrial connexins which may affect electrical syncytium continuum in the heart. Mitochondrial connexins may play an essential role in NO-dependent mechanisms of myocardial adaptation to ischemia.

Osteomacs and Bone Regeneration

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Mounting evidence supporting the critical contribution of macrophages, in particular osteal macrophages, to bone regeneration is reviewed. We specifically examine the potential role of macrophages in the basic multicellular units coordinating lifelong bone regeneration via remodelling and bone regeneration in response to injury. We review and discuss the distinctions between macrophage and osteoclast contributions to bone homeostasis, particularly the dichotomous role of the colony-stimulating factor 1-colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor axis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The impact of inflammation associated with aging and other hallmarks of aging, including senescence, on macrophage function is addressed in the context of osteoporosis and delayed fracture repair. Resident macrophages versus recruited macrophage contributions to fracture healing are also discussed. We identify some of the remaining knowledge gaps that will need to be closed in order to maximise benefits from therapeutically modulating or mimicking the function of macrophages to improve bone health and regeneration over a lifetime.

Changes in renal function indices in cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients treated with sofosbuvir-containing regimens

This study aimed to explore changes in hepatic and renal function indices in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Forty-three CHC patients treated with sofosbuvir (SOF)-containing regimens were enrolled. At the end of treatment, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level was significantly decreased and the serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) levels were significantly increased compared with baseline levels (eGFR: 86.7 ± 20.4 vs 80.5 ± 21.3, P₀₁ = 0.005; Scr: 83.9 ± 19.1 vs 89.6 ± 21.1, P₀₁ < 0.001; UA: 323.7± 86.2 vs 358.5 ± 93.2, P₀₁ < 0.001); no significant improvements were observed at 24 w post-treatment (eGFR: 86.7 ± 20.4 vs 81.4 ± 18.6, P₀₂ = 0.013; Scr: 83.6 ± 17.9 vs 87.9 ± 18.3, P₀₂ = 0.014; UA: 320.8 ± 76.3 vs 349.3 ± 91.0, P₀₂ = 0.004). When the patients were grouped by liver conditions, non-cirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients had decreased eGFR levels and increased Scr levels at the end of treatment; at 24 w post-treatment, the eGFR and Scr levels were significantly improved in non-cirrhotic patients (88.4 ± 21.7 vs 83.8 ± 18.5, P₀₂ = 0.142; 84.4 ± 20.4 vs 87.0 ± 16.9, P₀₂ = 0.088), while no obvious improvements were observed in cirrhotic patients (84.3 ± 18.7 vs 78.1 ± 18.6, P₀₂ = 0.002; 83.2 ± 17.7 vs 89.2 ± 20.6, P₀₂ = 0.006). Clinical physicians should closely monitor renal function in patients treated with SOF-containing regimens, especially in cirrhotic patients.

Sestrin 2 attenuates neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by phenylephrine via inhibiting ERK1/2

Cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive response triggered by many physiological and pathological conditions and will lead to heart failure eventually. Sestrin 2, which is a stress-responsive protein, was reported to protect heart from ischemia reperfusion injury. However, the role of Sestrin 2 in cardiac hypertrophy remains unknown. In our present study, we aimed to explore the effects of Sestrin 2 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We found that knockdown of Sestrin 2 protein aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by phenylephrine (PE), featured by increased hypertrophic marker ANP and cell surface area. During this process, ERK1/2 cascade was further activated, while p38, JNK1/2, and mTOR signaling pathways were not affected by downregulation of Sestrin 2. Moreover, overexpression of Sestrin 2 protein protected cardiomyocytes from PE-induced hypertrophy and ERK1/2 cascade was suppressed correspondingly. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 eliminated the exacerbated hypertrophic phenotype due to Sestrin 2 protein knockdown. In conclusion, we discovered that Sestrin 2 protected against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by PE via inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling.

Unveiling the Synergistic Interaction Between Liposomal Amphotericin B and Colistin

Patients with multiple comorbidities are often administered simultaneously or sequentially antifungals and antibacterial agents, without full knowledge of the consequences of drug interactions. Considering the clinical relevance of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB), the association between L-AMB and six antibacterial agents was evaluated against four clinical isolates and one type strain of Candida spp. and two clinical isolates and one type strain of Aspergillus fumigatus. In order to evaluate such combined effects, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of L-AMB was determined in the presence of 0.5-, 1-, 2-, and 4-fold peak plasma concentrations of each of the antibacterial drugs. Since the L-AMB/colistin (CST) association was the most synergic, viability assays were performed and the physiological status induced by this association was characterized. In addition, computational molecular dynamics studies were also performed in order to clarify the molecular interaction. The maximum synergistic effect with all antibacterial agents, except CST, was reached at fourfold the usual peak plasma concentrations, resulting in 2-to 8-fold L-AMB MIC reduction for Candida and 2-to 16-fold for Aspergillus. For CST, the greatest synergism was registered at peak plasma concentration (3 mg/L), with 4-to 8-fold L-AMB MIC reduction for Candida and 16-to 32-fold for Aspergillus. L-AMB at subinhibitory concentration (0.125 mg/L) combined with CST 3 mg/L resulted in: a decrease of fungal cell viability; an increase of cell membrane permeability; an increase of cellular metabolic activity soon after 1 h of exposure, which decreased until 24 h; and an increase of ROS production up to 24 h. From the molecular dynamics studies, AMB and CST molecules shown a propensity to form a stable molecular complex in solution, conferring a recognition and binding added value for membrane intercalation. Our results demonstrate that CST interacts synergistically with L-AMB, forming a stable complex, which promotes the fungicidal activity of L-AMB at low concentration.

Role of interleukin-22 in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease thought to be mediated by the microbiota of the intestinal lumen and inappropriate immune responses. Aberrant immune responses can cause secretion of harmful cytokines that destroy the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to further inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-22 is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines that was recently discovered to be mainly produced by both adaptive and innate immune cells. Several cytokines and many of the transcriptional factors and T regulatory cells are known to regulate IL-22 expression through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling cascades. This cytokine induces antimicrobial molecules and proliferative and antiapoptotic pathways, which help prevent tissue damage and aid in its repair. All of these processes play a beneficial role in IBD by enhancing intestinal barrier integrity and epithelial innate immunity. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the involvement of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of IBD, as well as its therapeutic potential.

Glytan decreases portal pressure via mesentery vasoconstriction in portal hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of Glytan on splanchnic hemodynamics and its reduction of portal pressure in portal hypertensive rats.

METHODS: Glytan (Ganluotong in Chinese), is composed of salvianolic acid B and diammonium glycyrrhizinate. Portal hypertension (PHT) was induced in the rats by common bile duct ligation (BDL). Hemodynamic studies were performed using the colored microsphere method. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to determine endothelin (ET)-1 levels in the mesenteric circulation. Western blotting methods were used to investigate the effect of Glytan on ET A receptor (ETAR), ET B receptor (ETBR), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2, and β-arrestin 2 expression in the mesentery. The mRNA of ETAR and ETBR was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Treatment with Glytan reduced portal pressure (PP) and portal territory blood flow (PTBF) and increased both mean arterial pressure (MAP) and splanchnic vascular resistance (SVR). Especially at 4 wk, PP decreased by about 40%, while MAP increased by 13%, SVR increased by 12%, and PTBF decreased by about 21%. The effect of blood flow reduction was greatest in the mesentery (about 33%) at 4 wk. The mesenteric circulation ET-1 levels of BDL rats were lower and negatively correlated with PP at 4 wk. Glytan can increase mesenteric ET-1 content and inhibit ETBR, eNOS, GRK2, and β-arrestin 2 expression in the mesentery. Moreover, Glytan showed no effect on the expression of ETAR protein and mRNA.

CONCLUSION: The decreased PP and PTBF observed after Glytan treatment were related to increased mesenteric vasoconstriction and increased receptor sensitivity to vasoconstrictor.

Celiac disease: prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment

Celiac disease (CD) is one of the most common diseases, resulting from both environmental (gluten) and genetic factors [human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA genes]. The prevalence of CD has been estimated to approximate 0.5%-1% in different parts of the world. However, the population with diabetes, autoimmune disorder or relatives of CD individuals have even higher risk for the development of CD, at least in part, because of shared HLA typing. Gliadin gains access to the basal surface of the epithelium, and interact directly with the immune system, via both trans- and para-cellular routes. From a diagnostic perspective, symptoms may be viewed as either "typical" or "atypical". In both positive serological screening results suggestive of CD, should lead to small bowel biopsy followed by a favourable clinical and serological response to the gluten-free diet (GFD) to confirm the diagnosis. Positive anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody or anti-endomysial antibody during the clinical course helps to confirm the diagnosis of CD because of their over 99% specificities when small bowel villous atrophy is present on biopsy. Currently, the only treatment available for CD individuals is a strict life-long GFD. A greater understanding of the pathogenesis of CD allows alternative future CD treatments to hydrolyse toxic gliadin peptide, prevent toxic gliadin peptide absorption, blockage of selective deamidation of specific glutamine residues by tissue, restore immune tolerance towards gluten, modulation of immune response to dietary gliadin, and restoration of intestinal architecture.