Role of the Notch ligands Jagged1 and Delta4 in Th17/Treg immune imbalance in a mouse model of chronic asthma

Curcumin Modulates the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway to Alleviate Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in PM2.5-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) contributes to the onset and escalation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through the induction of inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound renowned for the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research utilized a PM2.5-induced COPD mouse model and BEAS-2B cell line to explore the protective mechanisms of curcumin. The results showed that PM2.5 impaired pulmonary function, exacerbated airway inflammation, and caused structural damage to lung tissue. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, increased malondialdehyde, and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed in both mice and BEAS-2B cell line. PM2.5 exposure also suppressed PTEN expression and activated PI3K/AKT signal, and the downstream molecule NF-κB was activated and FoxO1 activity was inhibited. PTEN overexpression partially reversed PM2.5-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro. Curcumin enhanced PTEN expression, inhibited PI3K/AKT and NF-κB activation, and restored FoxO1 activity, alleviating airway inflammation and oxidative stress, while PTEN inhibition attenuated the ameliorating effects of curcumin in vitro and in vivo. In summary, PM2.5 exposure induces COPD inflammation and oxidative stress by disrupting PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling and curcumin significantly alleviates these effects partially through PTEN/PI3K/AKT signal.

LXA4 alleviates inflammation and ferroptosis in cigarette smoke induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via the ALX/FPR2 receptor

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, is closely related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) has garnered attention due to its well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, whether its role in COPD is associated with the inhibition of ferroptosis is unknown. In this study, we employed a mouse model of COPD that was subjected to cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, alongside a cigarette smoke extract (CSE) stimulated murine alveolar macrophage (MH-S) model, to investigate the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of LXA4 in the context of COPD. Our results indicated that LXA4 intervention reversed the reduction in pulmonary function, emphysema, and airway inflammation in COPD mice. Moreover, LXA4 decreased the markers of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in pulmonary tissues challenged with CS. The effects of LXA4 were also observed in CSE stimulated MH-S cells. Mechanistically, LXA4 was found to upregulate the expression of formyl peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2), while simultaneously downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 reversed CSE-induced inflammation and ferroptosis, and the protective effect of LXA4 was offset by treatment with the ALX/FPR2 antagonist WRW4. Collectively, LXA4 suppresses the p38 MAPK pathway to inhibit inflammation and ferroptosis induced by CS via the ALX/FPR2 receptor, indicating that LXA4 could be a promising candidate for COPD.

Melatonin ameliorates PM2.5-induced airway inflammation and apoptosis by PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mice

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been reported to exacerbate chronic airway inflammation, contributing to progression and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Persistent activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway is critical in driving inflammation and cell death in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Melatonin (MEL) is well-recognized for its broad biological activities, such as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects However, the exact role of ER stress-related pathway and MEL in PM2.5-induced airway inflammation and apoptosis in COPD has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we constructed the COPD mice model by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure to evaluate the mechanism by which PM2.5 exacerbate the development of COPD and the protective role of MEL. Results indicated that PM2.5 significantly impair lung function, disrupt emphysema, exacerbate inflammation and apoptosis and intensify the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway in COPD mice. Moreover, these changes caused by PM2.5 could be mitigated by MEL. In vitro, PM2.5 exposure notably reduced cell viability and triggered inflammation and apoptosis in BEAS-2B cells induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE). These effects were reversed by the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), with MEL demonstrating similar effect. These findings demonstrate that PM2.5 aggravates airway inflammation and apoptosis via activating ER stress-related PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathways in COPD, which could be significantly restored by MEL.

The role of cellular senescence-related genes in Asthma: Insights from bioinformatics and animal experiments

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic respiratory disease, affecting about 10% of the global population. Cellular senescence is a multifaceted phenomenon defined as the irreversible halt of the cell cycle, commonly referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Recent studies suggest that cellular senescence may play a role in asthma. This study aims to dissect the role and biological mechanisms of CSRGs in asthma, enhancing our understanding of the progression of asthma.

METHODS

The study utilized the GSE147878 dataset, employing methods like WGCNA, Differential analysis, Cibersort, GO, KEGG, unsupervised clustering, and GSVA to explore CSRGs functions and immune cell patterns in asthma. Machine learning identified key diagnostic genes, validated externally with the GSE165934 dataset and through qRT-PCR and WB experiments in animal models.

RESULT

From the GSE147878 dataset, 24 CSRGs were identified, highlighting their role in immune and inflammatory processes in asthma. Differences in CD4 naive T cells and activated dendritic cells between asthma and control groups underscored CSRGs' role in immune regulation. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct asthma patient groups with unique immune microenvironments. Machine learning identified five genes, leading to a TF-miRNA-mRNA network and singling out RHOA and RBM39 as key diagnostic genes, which were experimentally validated. Finally, a nomogram was created based on these genes.

CONCLUSION

This study, utilizing bioinformatics and animal experiments, identified RHOA and RBM39 as key diagnostic genes for asthma, providing new insights into the potential role and biological mechanisms of CSRGs in asthma.

Study on the mechanism of PM2.5 affecting Th1/Th2 immune imbalance through the notch signaling pathway in asthmatic mice

Some research has shown that PM2.5 causes Th1/Th2 immune imbalance and aggravates asthma. However, the exact mechanism of PM2.5 causing aggravation of asthma remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether exposure to PM2.5 exacerbates Th1/Th2 immune imbalance through the Notch signaling pathway. Eight-week-old SPF female BALF/c mice were sensitized by ovalbumin to establish an asthma mouse model. PM2.5 exposure was carried out by aerosol inhalation of PM2.5 (510 μg/m3) after each provocation. The lung function of mice was measured and Splenic T lymphocyte subsets were detected. Notch signaling pathway was tested. The levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. The results showed that the expression of the mRNA and protein of Notch1 and Hes1 in the asthma group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. The levels of IL-4 were also remarkably high; while the levels of IFN-γ were remarkably low in serum and BALF, the Th1% and Th1/Th2 ratios were significantly lower, and Th2% was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the healthy controls. PM2.5 promoted further activation of the Notch signaling pathway and aggravated Th1/Th2 immune imbalance in asthmatic mice. γ-secretase inhibitor can partially inhibit the activation of the Notch signaling pathway and alleviate aggravation of immune imbalance. In conclusion, the asthmatic mice had a Th1/Th2 immune imbalance and an overactivated Notch signaling pathway. PM2.5 further aggravated Th1/Th2 immune imbalance by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

Shaoyao decoction restores the mucus layer in mice with DSS-induced colitis by regulating Notch signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Restoring the mucus layer is a potential strategy for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Previous studies reported that a Chinese medicine formula Shaoyao Decoction (SYD) effectively improved UC. However, the role and mechanism of SYD in restoring the mucus layer are still vague.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to research the therapeutical effects and unravel the involved mechanism of SYD on DSS-evoked UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the constituents of SYD were detected by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Then, the DSS-induced UC model was introduced to investigate the pharmacologic action and molecular mechanism of SYD on UC. Pharmacodynamic indicators were assessed including body weight, colon length, ulcerations, disease activity index (DAI), inflammatory cytokines and histological parameters. To investigate the integrality and functions of the mucous layer, AB-PAS stain and UEA-1 stain were used to evaluate the completeness of mucous layer, as well as the maturation of goblet cells (GCs). The bacterial invasion was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. As to mechanism exploration, the expressions of Notch/Hes1 pathway were investigated by using agonists in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) -stimulated LS174T cell.

RESULTS

After modeling in mice, SYD remarkedly ameliorated the symptoms of mouse colitis, the expression of pro-inflammatory factors declined, and increased IL-10 expression was observed in SYD-treated mice. Besides, SYD repaired the structure of the mucus layer and prevented bacterial invasion. Mechanism investigation discovered that SYD promoted GCs differentiation by inhibiting the Notch pathway, which was consistent with the results in LPS-challenged LS174 cell.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrated that SYD could restore the mucus layer to prevent UC via suppressing the Notch signaling pathway, which provided evidences for the UC treatment of SYD in the clinic.

The Notch Signaling Pathway Contributes to Angiogenesis and Tumor Immunity in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in women is the first leading tumor in terms of incidence worldwide. Some subtypes of BC lack distinct molecular targets and exhibit therapeutic resistance; these patients have a poor prognosis. Thus, the search for new molecular targets is an ongoing challenge for BC therapy. The Notch signaling pathway is found in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and it is a highly conserved in the evolution of the species, controlling cellular fates such as death, proliferation, and differentiation. Numerous studies have shown that improper activation of Notch signaling may lead to excessive cell proliferation and cancer, with tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effects in various carcinomas. Thus, inhibitors of Notch signaling are actively being investigated for the treatment of various tumors. The role of Notch signaling in BC has been widely studied in recent years. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Notch signaling has a pro-oncogenic role in BC, and the tumor-promoting effect is largely a result of the diverse nature of tumor immunity. Immunological abnormality is also a factor involved in the pathogenesis of BC, suggesting that Notch signaling could be a target for BC immunotherapies. Furthermore, angiogenesis is essential for BC growth and metastasis, and the Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in angiogenesis, so studying the role of Notch signaling in BC angiogenesis will provide new prospects for the treatment of BC. We summarize the potential roles of the current Notch signaling pathway and its inhibitors in BC angiogenesis and the immune response in this review and describe the pharmacological targets of Notch signaling in BC, which may serve as a theoretical foundation for future research into exploring this pathway for novel BC therapies.

Effects of PM2.5 on Chronic Airway Diseases: A Review of Research Progress

The adverse effects of polluted air on human health have been increasingly appreciated worldwide. It is estimated that outdoor air pollution is associated with the death of 4.2 million people globally each year. Accumulating epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), one of the important air pollutants, significantly contributes to respiratory mortality and morbidity. PM2.5 causes lung damage mainly by inducing inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In this paper, we reviewed the research results of our group on the effects of PM2.5 on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer. And recent research progress on epidemiological studies and potential mechanisms were also discussed. Reducing air pollution, although remaining a major challenge, is the best and most effective way to prevent the onset and progression of respiratory diseases.