Systemic treatment with resveratrol alleviates adjuvant arthritis-interstitial lung disease in rats via modulation of JAK/STAT/RANKL signaling pathway

Efficacy and safety of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Materials and methods

An independent search of electronic databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, OVID Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, VIP Data databases, and China Biology Medicine disc) from inception to June 25, 2024 was performed to identify studies treating RA-ILD that used combined Chinese and Western medicine treatment compared to Western medicine. Two researchers independently audited each article, and the quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool 2 and the modified Jadad. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software to analyze data. Sample certainty and conclusiveness of evidence were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Profiler (GRADEPRO) and trial sequential analysis(TSA) 0.9.5.10 beta.

Results

Eighteen randomised controlled trials (RCT), including 1353 patients, were abstracted. Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was significantly more effective than Western medicine in improving lung function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease, including forced vital capacity (FVC) (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = 1.44, 95 % CI 0.93 to 1.95, P < 0.00001), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide of the lung (DLCO) (SMD = 1.20, 95 % CI: 0.57 to 1.84, P = 0.0002), and total lung capacity (TLC) (SMD = 1.29, 95 % CI: 0.81 to 1.76, P < 0.00001). There were significant differences between the two groups in the reduced high-resolution Computed Tomography scores (Mean Difference(MD) = -1.92, 95 % CI: 2.73 to -1.10, P < 0.00001). Significantly reduced inflammatory markers, combined Chinese and Western medical treatments for RA-ILD were substantially better than Western treatments, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) (MD = -7.89, 95 % CI: 12.40 to -3.39, P < 0.00001), C-reactive protein(CRP) (MD = -4.75, 95 % CI: 8.61 to -1.34, P = 0.006), rheumatoid factor(RF) (MD = -41.76, 95 % CI: 66.95 to -16.56, P = 0.001). Combination therapy improved clinical effectiveness (odds ratio (OR) = 3.69, 95 % CI: 2.68 to 5.07, P < 0.00001). Simultaneously, trial sequential analysis indicated that the results demonstrating the superiority of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine over Western medicine alone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease are robust.

Conclusion

Current evidence shows that combined traditional Chinese medicine is effective and safe for rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease compared with Western medicine alone. The sample size for inclusion concerns may require the inclusion of more randomised trials in the future to validate our results.

Combining bioinformatics, network pharmacology, and artificial intelligence to predict the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation and destruction, resulting in significant physical and economic burdens. Finding effective and targeted therapy for RA remains a top priority. Resveratrol is a potential candidate with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties for RA treatment. This study aims to determine the therapeutic targets and signaling pathways of resveratrol in the treatment of RA.

Methods

The GSE205962 dataset downloaded from The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in blood samples from the patients and the healthy. PharmMapper database and Cytoscape (v3.9.1) were applied to construct the resveratrol pharmacophore target network. Gene functional enrichment analysis, including the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, was based on the BiNGo plug-in of Cytoscape and David's online tool. The intersection of the target genes of resveratrol and the DEGs were considered potential therapeutic genes (PT-genes). The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network of PT-genes was constructed using the STRING tool, and the key therapeutic genes (KT-genes) were determined using the cytoHubba plug-in based on the Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) algorithms. Molecular docking validation of resveratrol and therapeutic targets was performed based on the protein structure of KT-genes predicted by AlphaFold.

Results

A total of 2202 DEGs and 47PT-genes were identified. GO analysis showed that the three groups of genes, the DEGs, the resveratrol target genes, and the PT-genes, have similar results for the top-five gene functional enrichment. PT-genes were closely related to the pathways of metabolic pathways, pathways in cancer, proteoglycans in cancer, insulin signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway. The common pathway enriched by KEGG for the DEGs, and the resveratrol target genes was up to 36 %. The nine KT-genes were ABL1, ANXA5, CASP3, HSP90AA1, LCK, MAP2K1, MAPK1, PIK3R1, and RAC1, and the lowest free energy indicating the resveratrol/protein affinity were -8.4, -7.4, -6.4, -6.7, -8.0, -7.9, -7.4, -6.7, and -7.9, respectively.

Conclusion

Nine KT-genes were identified and validated as the most potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of RA with resveratrol, which provide new insights into therapeutic mechanisms and may improve the efficiency of drug development.

IL6 receptor inhibitors: exploring the therapeutic potential across multiple diseases through drug target Mendelian randomization

Background

High interleukin-6 levels correlate with diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infections. IL-6 receptor inhibitors (IL-6Ri), used for rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19, may have wider uses. We apply drug-target Mendelian Randomization (MR) to study IL-6Ri's effects.

Method

To simulate the effects of genetically blocking the IL-6R, we selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within or near the IL6R gene that show significant genome-wide associations with C-reactive protein. Using rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19 as positive controls, our primary research outcomes included the risk of asthma, asthmatic pneumonia, cor pulmonale, non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. The Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method served as our principal analytical approach, with the hypotheses of MR being evaluated through sensitivity and colocalization analyses. Additionally, we conducted Bayesian Mendelian Randomization analyses to minimize confounding and reverse causation biases to the greatest extent possible.

Results

IL-6 inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (OR= 0.278, 95% [CI], 0.138-0.558; P <0.001), Parkinson's disease (OR = 0.354, 95% CI, 0.215-0.582; P <0.001), and positively influenced the causal relationship with Type 2 diabetes (OR = 0.759, 95% CI, 0.637-0.905; P = 0.002). However, these inhibitors increased the risk for asthma (OR = 1.327, 95% CI, 1.118-1.576; P = 0.001) and asthmatic pneumonia (OR = 1.823, 95% CI, 1.246-2.666; P = 0.002). The causal effect estimates obtained via the BWMR method are consistent with those based on the IVW approach. Similarly, sIL-6R also exerts a significant influence on these diseases.Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, pulmonary heart disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, Type 1 diabetes, Non-small cell lung cancer and ulcerative colitis showed non-significant associations (p > 0.05) and were excluded from further analysis. Similarly, Small cell lung cancer were excluded due to inconsistent results. Notably, the colocalization evidence for asthmatic pneumonia (coloc.abf-PPH4 = 0.811) robustly supports its association with CRP. The colocalization evidence for Parkinson's disease (coloc.abf-PPH4 = 0.725) moderately supports its association with CRP.

Conclusion

IL-6Ri may represent a promising therapeutic avenue for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Parkinson's disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

Potential Role of Dietary Phenolic Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current Reports

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex illness with both hereditary and environmental components. Globally, in 2019, 18 million people had RA. RA is characterized by persistent inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the joints, cartilage loss, and bone erosion. Phenolic molecules are the most prevalent secondary metabolites in plants, with a diverse spectrum of biological actions that benefit functional meals and nutraceuticals. These compounds have received a lot of attention recently because they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-rheumatoid activity by modulating tumor necrosis factor, mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases, as well as other preventative properties. This article discusses dietary polyphenols, their pharmacological properties, and innovative delivery technologies for the treatment of RA, with a focus on their possible biological activities. Nonetheless, commercialization of polyphenols may be achievable only after confirming their safety profile and completing successful clinical trials.

Galantamine mitigates testicular injury and disturbed spermatogenesis in adjuvant arthritic rats via modulating apoptosis, inflammatory signals, and IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints and the endocrine system via persistent immune system activation. RA patients have a higher frequency of testicular dysfunction, impotence, and decreased libido. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of galantamine (GAL) on testicular injury secondary to RA. Rats were allocated into four groups: control, GAL (2 mg/kg/day, p.o), CFA (0.3 mg/kg, s.c), and CFA + GAL. Testicular injury indicators, such as testosterone level, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index, were evaluated. Inflammatory indicators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), p-Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), were assessed. Cleaved caspase-3 expression was immunohistochemically investigated. Protein expressions of Janus kinase (JAK), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3), and Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) were examined by Western blot analysis. Results show that serum testosterone, sperm count, and gonadosomatic index were increased significantly by GAL. Additionally, GAL significantly diminished testicular IL-6 while improved IL-10 expression relative to CFA group. Furthermore, GAL attenuated testicular histopathological abnormalities by CFA and downregulated cleaved caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 expressions. It also downregulated JAK/STAT3 cascade with SOCS3 upregulation. In conclusion, GAL has potential protective effects on testicular damage secondary to RA via counteracting testicular inflammation, apoptosis, and inhibiting IL-6/JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling.

Etiology and Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most serious extra-articular complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which increases the mortality of RA. Because the pathogenesis of RA-ILD remains poorly understood, appropriate therapeutic strategies and biomarkers have not yet been identified. Thus, the goal of this review was to summarize and analyze the reported data on the etiology and pathogenesis of RA-ILD. The incidence of RA-ILD increases with age, and is also generally higher in men than in women and in patients with specific genetic variations and ethnicity. Lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of RA-ILD include smoking and exposure to pollutants. The presence of an anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, high RA disease activity, and rheumatoid factor positivity also increase the risk of RA-ILD. We also explored the roles of biological processes (e.g., fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immunological processes), signaling pathways (e.g., JAK/STAT and PI3K/Akt), and the histopathology of RA involved in RA-ILD pathogenesis based on published preclinical and clinical models of RA-ILD in animal and human studies.

Interleukin-4 Promotes Human Metapneumovirus Replication Through the JAK/STAT6 Pathway

Respiratory virus infections are the main causes of pediatric diseases. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an enveloped RNA virus similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2, both of which have emerged as important new respiratory viruses. Recent studies have found that interleukin-4 (IL-4) is involved in the replication of a variety of viruses, and its role differs in different viruses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IL-4 on hMPV and to elucidate its mechanism of action. We found that hMPV infection promoted the expression of IL-4 in human bronchial epithelial cells. The replication of the virus was reduced using small interfering RNA knockdown of IL-4 expression, while the addition of exogenous recombinant human IL-4 to IL-4 knockdown cells restored viral replication ability. These results demonstrate that the expression of IL-4 is closely related to the replication of hMPV; moreover, further experiments revealed that IL-4 promotes the replication of hMPV through a mechanism dependent on the Janus kinase/signal transductor and transcription activator 6 signaling pathway. Therefore, anti-IL-4 strategies may be a promising avenue for the treatment of hMPV infection, representing an important breakthrough for children at risk from hMPV infection.

A prospective observational cohort study of the efficacy of tofacitinib plus iguratimod on rheumatoid arthritis with usual interstitial pneumonia

Objectives

This study aims to assess the efficacy of tofacitinib (TOF) plus iguratimod (IGU) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (RA-UIP).

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort, single-center study. Data from 78 RA-UIP patients treated with TOF plus IGU, IGU plus conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), and csDMARDs were analyzed. Clinically relevant responses in RA activity assessment, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) assessment at baseline and follow-up were compared between groups to evaluate the efficacy of TOF plus IGU.

Results

A total of 78 patients were followed up for at least 6 months after treatment. There were significant changes in sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), and disease activity score (DAS) 28-CRP during the follow-up within each treatment group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After 6 months of TOF plus IGU treatment, forced vital capacity (FVC)% (84.7 ± 14.7 vs. 90.7 ± 15.4) and HRCT fibrosis score (7.3 ± 3.4 vs. 7.0 ± 5.6) showed a significant improvement compared to the csDMARDs group (P = 0.031, P = 0.015). The TOF plus IGU-treated patients had a significantly higher regression and lower deterioration than the csDMARDs-treated patients (P = 0.026, P = 0.026) and had a significantly higher response (regression + stability), with overall response rates of 66.7% (16/24) vs. 35.7% (10/28) (P = 0.027), respectively.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that TOF plus IGU can simultaneously relieve RA and RA-UIP and be better than the csDMARDs with a higher response rate in RA-UIP, which may be a potential choice for "dual treat-to-target".

A systematic review of the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine against pulmonary fibrosis: from a pharmacological perspective

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease caused by a variety of etiologies. The disease can eventually lead to irreversible damage to the lung tissue structure, severely affecting respiratory function and posing a serious threat to human health. Currently, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants are the main drugs used in the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, but their efficacy is limited and they can cause serious adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicines have important research value and potential for clinical application in anti-pulmonary fibrosis. In recent years, more and more scientific researches have been conducted on the use of traditional Chinese medicine to improve or reduce pulmonary fibrosis, and some important breakthroughs have been made. This review paper systematically summarized the research progress of pharmacological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines and their active compounds in improving or reducing pulmonary fibrosis. We conducted a systematic search in several main scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, natural products, herbal medicine, and therapeutic methods. Ultimately, 252 articles were included and systematically evaluated in this analysis. The anti-fibrotic mechanisms of these traditional Chinese medicine studies can be roughly categorized into 5 main aspects, including inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, improvement of extracellular matrix deposition, mediation of apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The purpose of this article is to provide pharmaceutical researchers with information on the progress of scientific research on improving or reducing Pulmonary fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine, and to provide reference for further pharmacological research.

Identification of Pinosylvin in Pinus nigra subsp. laricio: A Naturally Occurring Stilbenoid Suppressing LPS-Induced Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Mediators and Inhibiting the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

Stilbenoids, a group of phytoalexin polyphenols produced by plants as a defence mechanism in response to stress conditions, are known for their anti-inflammatory potential. Pinosylvin, a naturally occurring molecule traditionally found in pinus trees, was here identified in Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. calabrica from Southern Italy through HPLC analysis. Both this molecule and its well-known analogue resveratrol, the most famous wine polyphenol, were compared for their in vitro potential anti-inflammatory activity. Pinosylvin significantly inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and NO mediator in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, its ability to inhibit the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was assessed: Western blot analyses showed a downregulation of both phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 proteins. Finally, in order to verify whether this biological activity could be attributed to a direct interaction of pinosylvin with JAK2, a molecular docking study was performed, confirming the capability of pinosylvin to bind the active site of the protein.

Potential of resveratrol in the treatment of interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by lung injury caused by lung fibroblast proliferation, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis. Different cell signal transduction pathways are activated in response to various proinflammatory or fibrotic cytokines, such as IL-6, and these cytokines are increased in different ILDs. The overexpressed cytokines and growth factors in ILD can activate TGF-β/Smad2/3/4, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways, promote the activation of immune cells, increase the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors, differentiate fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and promote the occurrence and development of ILD. This finding suggests the importance of signal transduction pathways in patients with ILD. Recent evidence suggests that resveratrol (RSV) attenuates excessive inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad2/3/4, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways and overactivation of immune cells. In this review, advances in lung protection and the underlying mechanisms of RSV are summarized, and the potential efficacy of RSV as a promising treatment option for ILD is highlighted.

CCL12 induces trabecular bone loss by stimulating RANKL production in BMSCs during acute lung injury

In the last three years, the capacity of health care systems and the public health policies of governments worldwide were challenged by the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 mainly resulted from the development of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, millions of people who survived ALI/ARDS in SARS-CoV-2 infection suffer from multiple lung inflammation-induced complications that lead to disability and even death. The lung-bone axis refers to the relationship between lung inflammatory diseases (COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis) and bone diseases, including osteopenia/osteoporosis. Compared to chronic lung diseases, the influence of ALI on the skeleton has not been investigated until now. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ALI on bone phenotypes in mice to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo bone resorption enhancement and trabecular bone loss were observed in LPS-induced ALI mice. Moreover, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 12 (CCL12) accumulated in the serum and bone marrow. In vivo global ablation of CCL12 or conditional ablation of CCR2 in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) inhibited bone resorption and abrogated trabecular bone loss in ALI mice. Furthermore, we provided evidence that CCL12 promoted bone resorption by stimulating RANKL production in BMSCs, and the CCR2/Jak2/STAT4 axis played an essential role in this process. Our study provides information regarding the pathogenesis of ALI and lays the groundwork for future research to identify new targets to treat lung inflammation-induced bone loss.

Understanding Interstitial Lung Diseases Associated with Connective Tissue Disease (CTD-ILD): Genetics, Cellular Pathophysiology, and Biologic Drivers

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is a collection of systemic autoimmune disorders resulting in lung interstitial abnormalities or lung fibrosis. CTD-ILD pathogenesis is not well characterized because of disease heterogeneity and lack of pre-clinical models. Some common risk factors are inter-related with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an extensively studied fibrotic lung disease, which includes genetic abnormalities and environmental risk factors. The primary pathogenic mechanism is that these risk factors promote alveolar type II cell dysfunction triggering many downstream profibrotic pathways, including inflammatory cascades, leading to lung fibroblast proliferation and activation, causing abnormal lung remodeling and repairs that result in interstitial pathology and lung fibrosis. In CTD-ILD, dysregulation of regulator pathways in inflammation is a primary culprit. However, confirmatory studies are required. Understanding these pathogenetic mechanisms is necessary for developing and tailoring more targeted therapy and provides newly discovered disease biomarkers for early diagnosis, clinical monitoring, and disease prognostication. This review highlights the central CTD-ILD pathogenesis and biological drivers that facilitate the discovery of disease biomarkers.

The Role of JAK/STAT Pathway in Fibrotic Diseases: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

There are four members of the JAK family and seven of the STAT family in mammals. The JAK/STAT molecular pathway could be activated by broad hormones, cytokines, growth factors, and more. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway extensively mediates various biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and immune regulation. JAK/STAT activation is closely related to growth and development, homeostasis, various solid tumors, inflammatory illness, and autoimmune diseases. Recently, with the deepening understanding of the JAK/STAT pathway, the relationship between JAK/STAT and the pathophysiology of fibrotic diseases was noticed, including the liver, renal, heart, bone marrow, and lung. JAK inhibitor has been approved for myelofibrosis, and subsequently, JAK/STAT may serve as a promising target for fibrosis in other organs. Therefore, this article reviews the roles and mechanisms of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in fibrotic diseases.

The role of resveratrol on rheumatoid arthritis: From bench to bedside

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis as its main clinical manifestation. Uncontrolled RA eventually leads to joint deformities and loss of function. Currently, the pathogenesis of RA remains under discussion, and RA treatment is still at the bottleneck stage. Resveratrol has long been regarded as a potential antioxidant drug for RA treatment. Currently, resveratrol is considered to exert therapeutic effects on RA by activating silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and its downstream pathways. There is notable crosstalk between the SIRT1 and NF-κB pathways, and these pathways, which play an essential role in the development of RA, are unexpectedly linked to the influence of resveratrol. Based on recent studies of almost all the pathways that resveratrol can affect, this review summarizes a regulatory chain of core components that cover multiple tracks. We also list the effects of resveratrol on immune cells and other subtle controls, which can help clinicians understand the known mechanism of resveratrol and better treat patients with RA.

ITGB4 Deficiency in Airway Epithelium Aggravates RSV Infection and Increases HDM Sensitivity

Background

The heterogeneity of RSV-infected pathology phenotype in early life is strongly associate with increased susceptibility of asthma in later life. However, the inner mechanism of this heterogeneity is still obscure. ITGB4 is a down-regulated adhesion molecular in the airway epithelia of asthma patients which may participate in the regulation of RSV infection related intracellular pathways.

Object

This study was designed to observe the involvement of ITGB4 in the process of RSV infection and the effect of ITGB4 deficiency on anti-RSV responses of airway epithelia.

Results

RSV infection caused a transient decrease of ITGB4 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, ITGB4 deficiency induced not only exacerbated RSV infection, but also enhanced HDM sensitivity in later life. Moreover, IFN III (IFN-λ) was significantly suppressed during RSV infection in ITGB4 deficient airway epithelial cells. Furthermore, the suppression of IFN-λ were regulated by IRF-1 through the phosphorylation of EGFR in airway epithelial cells after RSV infection.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the involvement of ITGB4 deficiency in the development of enhance RSV infection in early life and the increased HDM sensitivity in later life by down-regulation of IFN-λ through EGFR/IRF-1 pathway in airway epithelial cells.

A comprehensive insight into effects of resveratrol on molecular mechanism in rheumatoid arthritis: A literature systematic review

AIM

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, which is characterized by massive pain and destruction of synovial joints, leads to bone erosion, damage to cartilage, and disability. Several studies suggested that resveratrol supplementation may be effective in the prevention and management of RA. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to summarize published studies that assess the effect of resveratrol supplementation on the complications of RA.

METHODS

A comprehensive search to identify in vitro, animal, and human studies investigating the impact of resveratrol on the complications of RA was performed up to February 2022. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and performed data extraction.

RESULTS

All studies examining the effects of resveratrol supplementation on the complications of RA were included. From a total of 571 retrieved articles, 32 studies were eligible for the current systematic review. The evidence reviewed here indicates that resveratrol supplementation may exert beneficial effects on the complications of RA by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress, modulating the immune response, and down-regulating the messenger RNA expression of genes related to inflammatory pathways.

CONCLUSION

Due to the promising therapeutic effects of resveratrol on RA complications and limited number of human studies in this subject, further clinical trials are suggested.

Polyphenols from Chinese Herbal Medicine: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a highly confounding and fatal pathological process with finite treatment options. Multiple factors such as oxidative and immune/inflammation involve key pathological processes in chronic lung disease, and their intimate interactions mediate chronic lung damage, denudation of the alveolar epithelium, hyperproliferation of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs), proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts, and the permeability of microvessels. We reviewed the classic mechanism of PF and highlighted a few emerging mechanisms for studying complex networks in lung disease pathology. Polyphenols, as a multi-target drug, has excellent potential in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. We then reviewed recent advances in discovering phenolic compounds from fruits, tea, and medical herbs with the bioactivities of simultaneously regulating multiple factors (e.g., oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, pyroptosis) for minimizing pulmonary fibrosis injury. These compounds include resveratrol, curcumin, salvianolic acid B, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid, corilagin. Each phenolic compound can exert its anti-PF effect through various mechanisms, and the signaling pathways involved in different phenolic compounds are not the same. This review summarized the available evidence on phenolic compounds' effectiveness in pulmonary diseases and explored the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of phenolic compounds from Chinese herbal medicine with the properties of inhibition of ongoing fibrogenesis and resolution of existing fibrosis.

Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) accelerates osteoclast formation by regulating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling

Osteoclasts (OCs), the main cause of bone resorption irregularities, may ultimately cause various bone diseases, including osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) on OC formation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and to further explore its underlying mechanism. IFIT1 expression in Raw264.7 cells treated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL was determined by qRT-PCR. OC formation was detected using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The effect of IFIT1 on STAT3 activation was detected using Western blotting. Additionally, Western blotting was used to measure the change in the expression of OC-specific proteins. IFIT1 was highly expressed in Raw264.7 cells after stimulation with M-CSF and RANKL. IFIT1 overexpression accelerated the formation of OCs, as evidenced by the increased number and size of multinuclear cells, and the upregulation of OC-specific proteins, and activated the STAT3 pathway, by inducing phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3. However, silencing of IFIT1 inhibited the formation of OCs and a STAT3 inhibitor Stattic weakened the effects of IFIT1. In conclusion, IFIT1 accelerates the formation of OCs, which is caused by RANKL by STAT3 pathway regulation. This study provides a potential basis for further research and for development of drugs for treating bone resorption-related diseases.

The pharmacological assessment of resveratrol on preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis through a systematic review and meta-analysis

Resveratrol/RES (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural compound found in many food items and red wine, which exhibits pleiotropic biological effects. Several preclinical studies evaluating the efficacy of RES in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been conducted, but the diversity of the experimental conditions and of their outcomes preclude definitive conclusions about RES's efficacy. We, therefore, performed a meta-analysis to assess its efficacy in mitigating experimental RA. We searched three databases until January 2021 and used the random-effects model for drawing inferences. Eighteen studies involving 544 animals were used in this study. Pooled analysis showed that experimental RA causes paw swelling (Hedge's g = 9.823, p = 0.000), increases polyarthritis score and arthritis index, and RES administration reduces paw volume (Hedge's g = -2.550, p = 0.000), polyarthritis score, and arthritis index besides amelioration in the histopathological score and cartilage loss. RA is accompanied by increased oxidative stress due to high malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p < 0.001) and low superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p = 0.002), and RES reduced MDA level (p < 0.001) and increased SOD activity (p < 0.001). Experimental RA exhibited an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines viz. tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.002), and IL-1 (p < 0.001); however, insufficient quantitative data precluded us from assessing changes in the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. In experimental RA, RES decreased TNF-α (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001) and IL-1 (p = 0.001) and increased IL-10. This meta-analysis suggests that RES can be a clinically effective therapy for RA, pending clinical trials.

Cissus quadrangularis (veldt grape) attenuates disease progression and anatomical changes in mono sodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis in the rat model

The Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) stem has interesting nutritional and pharmacological properties to promote the health of the skeletal system. It is a well-recognized plant in the conventional system of medicine in India for treating bone and joint-associated complications. This study focuses on identifying the active constituents from the stem and root extracts of CQ and validating its anti-osteoarthritic activity by the in vivo model. Notable levels of phenolics and flavonoids were found in the ethanol extracts of both CQ stem (CQSE) and root (CQRE), among other solvent fractions. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of these selective extracts resulted in different classes of active compounds from both positive and negative ionization modes. By analyzing their mass spectra and fragmentation pattern, 25 active compounds were identified. The CQSE and CQRE extracts, along with the standard drug (naproxen), were further tested in mono-sodium iodoacetate-induced experimental OA animals. The modulatory effects of the test extracts were assessed by haematology, synovial and cartilage marker profiling, radiology and histopathological analysis. The in vivo findings from the biochemical and physiological studies have led to the conclusion that the CQSE extract is a good choice for the management of OA. The results were substantially better than CQ root extract and naproxen drug-treated groups. Thus, CQS has bioactive constituents, which could facilitate recovery from joint tissue damage, cellular metabolism and associated risk factors attributable to dysfunctions in OA incidence and progression.

Ac-SDKP Attenuates Activation of Lung Macrophages and Bone Osteoclasts in Rats Exposed to Silica by Inhibition of TLR4 and RANKL Signaling Pathways

Background

Silica-induced inflammatory activation is associated with silicosis and various non-respiratory conditions. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on lung macrophages and bone osteoclasts after silica inhalation in rats.

Methods

Wistar rats and NR8383 and RAW 264.7 cell lines were used in the present study. The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathways was measured in the lung tissue of rats or NR8383/RAW 264.7 cells exposed to silica. The microarchitecture of the trabecular bone in the tibia and femur was evaluated in silicotic rats. Furthermore, the roles of Ac-SDKP on silicotic rats, silica-treated NR8383/RAW 264.7 cells, and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation were studied.

Results

The data indicated that silica inhalation might activate the RANKL and TLR4 signaling pathways in lung macrophages, thus inducing the lung inflammatory and proteolytic phenotype of macrophages and osteoclasts in lung and bone. Ac-SDKP maintained the lung elastin level by inhibiting lung inflammation and macrophage activation via the RANKL and TLR4 signaling pathways. Ac-SDKP also attenuated the reduction in femoral bone mineral density in silicotic rats by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation via the RANKL signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that inhalation of crystalline silica induces activation of lung macrophages and bone osteoclasts via the RANKL and TLR4 signaling pathways. Ac-SDKP has the potential to stabilize lung homeostasis and bone metabolism.

Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is an irreversible pathologic condition of unknown cause, commonly involving the joint and the lung with variable amounts of fibrotic change. In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic interstitial lung diseases such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, there is so far no extensively accepted or implemented animal model for this disease.

AIMS

To provide guidance for those who are investigating the pathogenesis of RA-ILD with animal models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An analysis of papers from PubMed during 1978-2020.

RESULTS

We outline the present status quo for animal models of RA-ILD about their modeling methods and pathogenesis, compare their pros and cons with respect to their ability to mimic the clinical and histological features of human disease and discuss their applicability for future research.

DISCUSSION

There is no doubt that these animal models do provide valuable information relating to the pathogenesis of RA-ILD and the development of effective therapeutic drugs. Nevertheless, these animal models can not entirely recapitulate clinical pathology and have some limitations in experimental research application. Therefore, it should be emphasized that we should improve and explore animal models in more accordance with the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of human RA-ILD.

CONCLUSION

These established animal models of the disease can significantly progress our understanding of the etiology of RA-ILD, the fundamental mechanisms of its pathogenesis and the identification of new bio-markers, and can contribute to the development and implementation of novel treatment strategies.

Effect of Total Flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge on the Expression of p-JAK1-and p-STAT1-Related Proteins in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective

The study aimed to explore the effect of total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge (FOFB) on the expression of p-JAK1/p-STAT1 and SOCS3 proteins in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods

Rats model with IPF was established by one-off intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM, 5 mg/kg). After 14 days, the same volume of low dose (100 mg/kg), medium dose (200 mg/kg), and high dose (400 mg/kg) of FOFB and prednisolone acetate (20 mg/kg) as positive control drugs, as well as normal saline, were orally administered to rats once a day for 28 consecutive days. Subsequently, the degree of fibrosis and alveolitis in rat lung tissue was observed, respectively, by HE and Masson staining. Further more, observing the ultrastructure of lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the detection of JAK/STAT pathway related indicators including p-JAK1, p-STAT1, and SOCS3 with immunohistochemistry and SOCS3 with real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was performed.

Results

Compared with the BLM group, the degree of alveolitis and fibrosis improved significantly, and the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1 decreased; conversely, the expression of SOCS3 increased in the treatment group.

Conclusion

IPF causes high expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1 and low expression of SOCS3. FOFB can play a role in the treatment of IPF via upregulating SOCS3 and downregulating p-JAK1 and p-STAT1.

Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin mediated by JAK/STAT signaling pathway: A review

Curcumin is a naturally occurring nutraceutical compound with a number of therapeutic and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antitumor, and cardioprotective. This plant-derived chemical has demonstrated great potential in targeting various signaling pathways to exert its protective effects. Signal transducers and activator of transcription (STAT) is one of the molecular pathways involved in a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Accumulating data demonstrates that the STAT pathway is an important target in treatment of a number of disorders, particularly cancer. Curcumin is capable of affecting STAT signaling pathway in induction of its therapeutic impacts. Curcumin is able to enhance the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines and improve inflammatory disorders such as colitis by targeting STAT signaling pathway. Furthermore, studies show that inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway by curcumin is involved in reduced migration and invasion of cancer cells. Curcumin normalizes the expression of JAK/STAT signaling pathway to exert anti-diabetic, renoprotective, and neuroprotective impacts. At the present review, we provide a comprehensive discussion about the effect of curcumin on JAK/STAT signaling pathway to direct further studies in this field.

Natural products action on pathogenic cues in autoimmunity: Efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis as compared to classical treatments

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which are characterized by self-perpetuating inflammation and tissue/organ damage, resulting from the failure of lymphocyte auto-tolerance, cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current drugs or therapies including conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as well as several biologic therapies such as B cell-targeted, T cell-targeted, cytokines-targeted and cytokines receptors-targeted therapy, cannot completely cure SLE and RA, and are always accompanied by unexpected side effects. Therefore, more studies have explored new methods for therapy and found that the herbal medicine as well as its natural products (NPs) exhibited promising therapeutic value through exerting effects of immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-apoptosis, etc. via regulating abnormal responses in kidney, innate and adaptive immune systems, intestine, synoviocytes, as well as bone system including chondrocytes, osteoclasts, joints and paw tissues. In the present review, we will elucidate the current mainstream drugs and therapies for SLE and RA, and summarize the efficacy and mechanisms of NPs in the treatment of SLE and RA based on available findings including in vitro and in vivo animal models, as well as clinical studies, and further analyze the existing challenges, in order to provide comprehensive evidence for improvement of SLE and RA therapy by NPs and to promote management of these two autoimmune diseases.

Natural products and phytochemical nanoformulations targeting mitochondria in oncotherapy: an updated review on resveratrol

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles with two distinct membranes, known as an outer mitochondrial membrane and inner cell membrane. Originally, mitochondria have been derived from bacteria. The main function of mitochondria is the production of ATP. However, this important organelle indirectly protects cells by consuming oxygen in the route of energy generation. It has been found that mitochondria are actively involved in the induction of the intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. So, there have been efforts to sustain mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibit its dysfunction. Notably, due to the potential role of mitochondria in the stimulation of apoptosis, this organelle is a promising target in cancer therapy. Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol that exhibits significant pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. The anti-tumor activity of resveratrol may be a consequence of its effect on mitochondria. Multiple studies have investigated the relationship between resveratrol and mitochondria, and it has been demonstrated that resveratrol is able to significantly enhance the concentration of reactive oxygen species, leading to the mitochondrial dysfunction and consequently, apoptosis induction. A number of signaling pathways such as sirtuin and NF-κB may contribute to the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by resveratrol. Besides, resveratrol shifts cellular metabolism from glycolysis into mitochondrial respiration to induce cellular death in cancer cells. In the present review, we discuss the possible interactions between resveratrol and mitochondria, and its potential application in cancer therapy.