Tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (TNFR2): an overview of an emerging drug target

Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the "soil" adapted to tumor growth, helping CSCs evade immune killing, enhance their chemical resistance, and promote cancer progression.

AIM OF REVIEW

We aim to elaborate the tight connection between CSCs and immunosuppressive components of the TME. We attempt to summarize and provide a therapeutic strategy to eradicate CSCs based on the destruction of the tumor ecological niche.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This review is focused on three main key concepts. First, we highlight that CSCs recruit and transform normal cells to construct the TME, which further provides ecological niche support for CSCs. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the immunosuppressive components of the TME, targeting strategies and summarize the progress of corresponding drugs in clinical trials. Third, we explore the multilevel insights of the TME to serve as an ecological niche for CSCs.

Interventions in cytokine signaling: novel horizons for psoriasis treatment

Intricate interactions between immune cells and cytokines define psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is immunological-mediated. Cytokines, including interleukins (ILs), interferons (IFNs), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), chemokines, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), are essential for controlling cellular activity and immunological responses, maintaining homeostasis and contributing to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. These molecules modulate the immune microenvironment by either promoting or suppressing inflammation, which significantly impacts therapeutic outcomes. Recent research indicates that treatment strategies targeting cytokines and chemokines have significant potential, offering new approaches for regulating the immune system, inhibiting the progression of psoriasis, and reducing adverse effects of traditional therapies. This review consolidates current knowledge on cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways in psoriasis and examines their significance in treatment. Specific attention is given to cytokines like IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α, underscoring the necessity for innovative therapies to modulate these pathways and address inflammatory processes. This review emphasizes the principal part of cytokines in the -pathological process of psoriasis and explores the challenges and opportunities they present for therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, we examine recent advancements in targeted therapies, with a particular focus on monoclonal antibodies, in ongoing research and clinical trials.

Inflammation and cancer cell survival: TRAF2 as a key player

TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) plays a crucial role in both physiological and pathological processes. It takes part in the regulation of cell survival and death, tissue regeneration, development, endoplasmic reticulum stress response, autophagy, homeostasis of the epithelial barrier and regulation of adaptive and innate immunity. Initially identified for its interaction with TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), TRAF2 contains a TRAF domain that enables homo- and hetero-oligomerization, allowing it to interact with multiple receptors and signaling molecules. While best known for mediating TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling, TRAF2 also modulates other receptor pathways, including MAPK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin cascades. By regulating NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), TRAF2 is a key activator of the alternative NF-κB pathway, linking it to inflammatory diseases, immune dysfunction, and tumorigenesis. In the innate immune system, TRAF2 influences macrophage differentiation, activation, and survival and stimulates natural killer cell cytotoxicity. In the adaptive immune system, it represses effector B- and T-cell activity while sustaining regulatory T-cell function, thus promoting immune suppression. The lack of fine-tuning of TRAF2 activity leads to excessive NF-kB activation, driving chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Although TRAF2 can act as a tumor suppressor, it is predominantly described as a tumor promoter, as its expression has been correlated with increased metastatic potential and poorer prognosis in several types of cancer. Targeting TRAF2 or TRAF2-dependent signaling pathways might represent a promising anti-cancer therapeutic strategy.

Lanatoside C Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer Cells Through the TNF/IL-17 Signaling Pathway

Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among men globally, with limited therapeutic options for advanced and metastatic disease. The therapeutic potential of natural compounds has attracted increasing attention in cancer treatment. Lanatoside C (Lan C), a cardiac glycoside derived from Digitalis lanata, has demonstrated promising anticancer activity across various cancer types. However, its role and mechanisms in prostate cancer remain underexplored. In this study, evidence shows that Lan C significantly inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, as demonstrated by reduced cell viability, suppressed colony formation, and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Additionally, Lan C promotes apoptosis and inhibits the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes, which were further validated at both the mRNA and protein levels. Our findings suggest that Lan C exerts its effects by modulating the TNF/IL-17 signaling pathway, influencing the tumor microenvironment and regulating key processes involved in tumor progression, immune response, and apoptosis.

TNF receptors: Structure-function relationships and therapeutic targeting strategies

Tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) play key roles in mediating inflammatory response and cell death signaling, which are associated with autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. The structure-function relationships of TNF receptors and their ligands determine the activation or inhibition of downstream signaling pathways. Available crystal structures have provided critical insights into the therapeutic targeting strategies of TNF receptors and their signaling networks. In this review, we discuss the potential of targeting receptor-ligand and receptor-receptor interactions in a competitive manner as well as perturbing receptor conformational dynamics through an allosteric mechanism to modulate TNF receptor signaling. We propose that conformational states of TNF receptors can act as a molecular switch in determining their functions and are important therapeutic targets. The knowledge of the structure-function relationships of TNF receptors can be applied to translational high-throughput drug screening and design of novel receptor-specific modulators with enhanced pharmacological properties.

Exploring the mechanisms by which common inhalational anesthetics influence malignant tumor metastasis: A data mining study based on comparative toxicogenomic databases

Surgery remains the primary treatment for solid malignant tumors, but controlling postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis continues to be a major challenge. Understanding the factors that influence tumor recurrence and metastasis after surgery, as well as the underlying biological mechanisms, is critical. Previous studies suggest that anesthetic agents may increase the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis in patients with cancer, but the mechanisms underlying these findings remain unclear. In this study, we utilized toxicogenomics and comparative toxicogenomic databases to analyze data and explore the potential mechanisms by which three commonly used inhalational anesthetics-sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane-might promote malignant tumor metastasis. The results identified 18 genes that may be associated with tumor metastasis. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these anesthetics could influence tumor cell migration by activating signaling pathways such as the IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways, thereby potentially inducing tumor metastasis. Moreover, by constructing a TF-mRNA network, we predicted several transcription factors that might play key roles in anesthetic-induced tumor metastasis. The analysis revealed a total of 87 regulatory relationships between transcription factors and mRNA. These findings offer new insights for future in vivo or in vitro studies and contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between inhalational anesthetics and tumor metastasis, providing valuable reference points for clinical decision-making. The results of this study also provide a reference for the determination of subsequent clinical treatment targets. Hence, future laboratory studies should prioritize investigating the specific genes and common mechanisms identified in this study.

The emerging role of microglia in the development and therapy of multiple sclerosis

Microglia are innate immune cells that maintain homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS) and affect various neurodegenerative diseases, especially multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune disease of the CNS characterized by persistent inflammation, diffuse axonal damage, and microglia activation. Recent studies have shown that microglia are extremely related to the pathological state of MS and play an important role in the development of MS. This article reviews the multiple roles of microglia in the progression of MS, including the regulatory role of microglia in inflammation, remyelination, oxidative stress, the influence of phagocytosis and antigen-presenting capacity of microglia, and the recent progress by using microglia as a target for MS therapy. Microglia modulation may be a potential way for better MS therapy.

Associations between per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and immune responses among women in the California Teachers study: A cross-sectional evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants that have been linked to a number of health outcomes, including those related to immune dysfunction. However, there are limited numbers of epidemiological-based studies that directly examine the association between PFAS exposure and immune responses.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study nested in the California Teachers Study cohort, we measured nine PFAS analytes in serum. Of the 9 analytes, we further evaluated four (PFHxS [perfluorohexane sulfonate], PFNA [perfluorononanoic acid], PFOA [perfluorooctanoic acid], PFOS [perfluorooctanesulfonic acid]) that had detection levels of > 80 %, in relation to 16 systemic inflammatory/immune markers and corresponding immune pathways (Th1 [pro-inflammatory/macrophage activation], B-cell activation, and T-cell activation). Study participants (n = 722) were female, completed a questionnaire regarding various health measures and behaviors, and donated a blood sample between 2013-2016. The association between PFAS analytes and individual immune markers and pathways were evaluated by calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) in a logistic regression model. PFAS analytes were evaluated both as a dichotomous exposure (above or below the respective median) and as a continuous variable (per 1 unit increase [ng/mL]).

RESULTS

The prevalence of detecting any PFAS analyte rose with increasing age, with the highest PFAS prevalence observed among those aged 75 + years and the lowest PFAS prevalence observed among those aged 40-49 years (study participant age range: 40-95 years). Significant associations with BAFF (B-cell activating factor) levels above the median were observed among participants with elevated (defined as above the median) levels of PFHxS (OR=1.53), PFOA (OR=1.43), and PFOS (OR=1.40). Similarly, there were statistically significant associations between elevated levels of PFHxS and TNFRII (tumor necrosis factor receptor 2) levels (OR=1.78) and IL2Rα (interleukin 2 receptor subunit alpha) levels (OR=1.48). We also observed significant inverse associations between elevated PFNA and sCD14 (soluble cluster of differentiation 14) (OR=0.73). No significant associations were observed between elevated PFNA and any immune marker. Evaluation of PFAS exposures as continuous exposures in association with dichotomized cytokines were generally consistent with the dichotomized associations.

CONCLUSIONS

PFAS exposure was associated with altered levels of circulating inflammatory/immune markers; the associations were specific to PFAS analyte and immune marker. If validated, our results may suggest potential immune mechanisms underlying associations between the different PFAS analytes and adverse health outcomes.

Understanding the role of TNFR2 signaling in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women. It is characterized by a high level of heterogeneity that emerges from the interaction of several cellular and soluble components in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as cytokines, tumor cells and tumor-associated immune cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 2 (TNFR2) appears to play a significant role in microenvironmental regulation, tumor progression, immune evasion, drug resistance, and metastasis of many types of cancer, including BC. However, the significance of TNFR2 in BC biology is not fully understood. This review provides an overview of TNFR2 biology, detailing its activation and its interactions with important signaling pathways in the TME (e.g., NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt pathways). We discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting TNFR2, with the aim of enhancing the antitumor immune response to BC. This review provides insights into role of TNFR2 as a major immune checkpoint for the future treatment of patients with BC.

Dichotomous outcomes of TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling in NK cell-mediated immune responses during inflammation

Natural killer (NK) cell function is regulated by a balance of activating and inhibitory signals. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine ubiquitous across homeostasis and disease, yet its role in regulation of NK cells remains unclear. Here, we find upregulation of the immune checkpoint protein, T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim3), is a biomarker of TNF signaling in NK cells during Salmonella Typhimurium infection. In mice with conditional deficiency of either TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) or TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) in NK cells, we find TNFR1 limits bacterial clearance whereas TNFR2 promotes it. Mechanistically, via single cell RNA sequencing we find that both TNFR1 and TNFR2 induce the upregulation of Tim3, while TNFR1 accelerates NK cell death but TNFR2 promotes NK cell accumulation and effector function. Our study thus highlights the complex interplay of TNF-based regulation of NK cells by the two TNF receptors during inflammation.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: current treatment advances, emerging targeted therapy and underlying mechanisms

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening syndrome characterized by excessive immune activation, often presenting as a complex cytokine storm. This hyperactive immune response can lead to multi-organ failure and systemic damage, resulting in an extremely short survival period if left untreated. Over the past decades, although HLH has garnered increasing attention from researchers, there have been few advancements in its treatment. The cytokine storm plays a crucial role in the treatment of HLH. Investigating the detailed mechanisms behind cytokine storms offers insights into targeted therapeutic approaches, potentially aiding in early intervention and improving the clinical outcome of HLH patients. To date, there is only one targeted therapy, emapalumab targeting interferon-γ, that has gained approval for primary HLH. This review aims to summarize the current treatment advances, emerging targeted therapeutics and underlying mechanisms of HLH, highlighting its newly discovered targets potentially involved in cytokine storms, which are expected to drive the development of novel treatments and offer fresh perspectives for future studies. Besides, multi-targeted combination therapy may be essential for disease control, but further trials are required to determine the optimal treatment mode for HLH.

Absence of TNFR1 promotes a protective response in the early phase of hepatic encephalopathy induced by thioacetamide in mice

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome with a wide spectrum of cognitive deficits, motor impairment, and psychiatric disturbances resulting from liver damage. The cytokine TNF has been considered the main cytokine in the development and progression of HE, with a pivotal role in the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory cascade. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the involvement of TNF type 1 receptor (TNFR1) in locomotor deficits and in the levels of TNF, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, CCL2, CX3CL1 and BDNF from the frontal cortex and hippocampus of TNFR1 knockout mice (TNFR1-/-) mice with HE induced by thioacetamide. Wild-type (WT) animals with HE developed locomotor deficit. The absence of TNFR1 absence of TNFR1 in HE animals attenuated the locomotor activity impairment in parallel with a balanced neuroinflammatory environment 24 h after the administration of thioacetamide. Taken together, the data suggests that the absence of TNFR1 promoted a protective response in the early phase of hepatic encephalopathy induced by thioacetamide in mice.

GRN Activates TNFR2 to Promote Macrophage M2 Polarization Aggravating Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection

BACKGROUND

The polarization of macrophages plays a critical role in the immune response to infectious diseases, with M2 polarization shown to be particularly important in various pathological processes. However, the specific mechanisms of M2 macrophage polarization in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain unclear. In particular, the roles of Granulin (GRN) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) in the M2 polarization process have not been thoroughly studied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of macrophage M2 polarization on Mtb infection and the mechanism of GRN and TNFR2 in M2 polarization.

METHODS

Forty patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 40 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study, and peripheral blood samples were taken to detect the levels of TNFR2 and GRN mRNA by Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR); monocytes were isolated and then assessed by Flow Cytometry (FC) for M1 and M2 macrophage levels. To further validate the function of TNFR2 in macrophage polarization, we used interleukin 4 (IL-4) to induce mouse monocyte macrophages RAW264.7 to M2 polarized state. The expression of TNFR2 was detected by Western Blot and RT-qPCR. Next, we constructed a GRN knockdown plasmid and transfected it into IL-4-induced mouse monocyte macrophage RAW264.7, and detected the expression of TNFR2, M1 macrophage-associated factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and the M2 macrophage-associated factors CD206, IL-10, and Arginase 1 (Arg1); Immunofluorescence staining was used to monitor the expression of CD86+ and CD206+, and FC was used to analyze the macrophage phenotype. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation was used to detect the binding role of GRN and TNFR2. Finally, the effects of GRN and TNFR2 in macrophage polarization were further explored by knocking down GRN and simultaneously overexpressing TNFR2 and observing the macrophage polarization status.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed elevated expression of TNFR2 and GRN and predominance of M2 type in macrophages in PTB patients compared to healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). Moreover, TNFR2 was highly expressed in M2 macrophages (p < 0.05). Additionally, GRN knockdown was followed by elevated expression of M1 polarization markers TNF-α, iNOS and IL-6 (p < 0.05), decreased levels of M2 polarization-associated factors CD206, IL-10 and Arg1 (p < 0.05), and macrophage polarization towards M1. Subsequently, we found that GRN binds to TNFR2 and that GRN upregulates TNFR2 expression (p < 0.05). In addition, knockdown of GRN elevated M1 polarization marker expression, decreased M2 polarization marker expression, and increased M1 macrophages and decreased M2 macrophages, whereas concurrent overexpression of TNFR2 decreased M1 polarization marker expression, elevated M2 polarization marker expression, and decreased M1 macrophages and increased M2 macrophages.

CONCLUSION

TNFR2 and GRN are highly expressed in PTB patients and GRN promotes macrophage M2 polarization by upregulating TNFR2 expression.

Beyond CAR-T: The rise of CAR-NK cell therapy in asthma immunotherapy

Asthma poses a major public health burden. While existing asthma drugs manage symptoms for many, some patients remain resistant. The lack of a cure, especially for severe asthma, compels exploration of novel therapies. Cancer immunotherapy successes with CAR-T cells suggest its potential for asthma treatment. Researchers are exploring various approaches for allergic diseases including membrane-bound IgE, IL-5, PD-L2, and CTLA-4 for asthma, and Dectin-1 for fungal asthma. NK cells offer several advantages over T cells for CAR-based immunotherapy. They offer key benefits: (1) HLA compatibility, meaning they can be used in a wider range of patients without the need for matching tissue types. (2) Minimal side effects (CRS and GVHD) due to their limited persistence and cytokine profile. (3) Scalability for "off-the-shelf" production from various sources. Several strategies have been introduced that highlight the superiority and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for asthma treatment including IL-10, IFN-γ, ADCC, perforin-granzyme, FASL, KIR, NCRs (NKP46), DAP, DNAM-1, TGF-β, TNF-α, CCL, NKG2A, TF, and EGFR. Furthermore, we advocate for incorporating AI for CAR design optimization and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology for precise gene manipulation to generate highly effective CAR constructs. This review will delve into the evolution and production of CAR designs, explore pre-clinical and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies in asthma, analyze strategies to optimize CAR-NK cell function, conduct a comparative analysis of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapy with their respective challenges, and finally present established novel CAR designs with promising potential for asthma treatment.

Derivation of novel metabolic pathway score identifies alanine metabolism as a targetable influencer of TNF-alpha signaling

Background

Better understanding of the interaction between metabolism and immune response will be key to understanding physiology and disease. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) has been studied widely. However, despite the extensive knowledge about TNFα, the cytokine appears to induce not only variable, but often contradictory, effects on inflammation and cell proliferation. Despite advancements in the metabolomics field, it is still difficult to analyze the types of multi-dose, multi-time point studies needed for elucidating the varied immunologic responses induced by TNFα.

Results

We studied the dose and time course effects of TNFα on murine fibroblast cultures and further elucidated these connections using selective blockade of the TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2). To streamline analysis, we developed a method to collate the metabolic pathway output from MetaboAnalyst into a single value for the Index of pathway significance (IPS). Using this metric, we tested dose-, time-, and receptor-dependent effects of TNFα signaling on cell metabolism. Guided by these results, we then demonstrate that alanine supplementation enriched TNFR1-related responses in both cell and mouse models.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that TNFα, particularly when signaling through TNFR1, may preferentially use alanine metabolism for energy. These results are limited in by cell type used and immune outputs measured. However, we anticipate that our novel method may assist other researchers in identifying metabolic targets that influence their disease or model of interest through simplifying the analysis of multi-condition experiments. Furthermore, our results endorse the consideration of follow up studies in immunometabolism to improve outcomes in TNF-mediated diseases.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Modulates Expression of Genes Involved in Cytokines and Chemokine Pathways in Proliferative Myoblast Cells

Skeletal muscle regeneration after injury is a complex process involving inflammatory signaling and myoblast activation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are key mediators, but their effects on gene expression in proliferating myoblasts are unclear. We performed the RNA sequencing of TNF-α treated C2C12 myoblasts to elucidate the signaling pathways and gene networks regulated by TNF-α during myoblast proliferation. The TNF-α (10 ng/mL) treatment of C2C12 cells led to 958 differentially expressed genes compared to the controls. Pathway analysis revealed significant regulation of TNF-α signaling, along with the chemokine and IL-17 pathways. Key upregulated genes included cytokines (e.g., IL-6), chemokines (e.g., CCL7), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). TNF-α increased myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) but decreased MyoD protein levels and stimulated the release of MMP-9, MMP-10, and MMP-13. TNF-α also upregulates versican and myostatin mRNA. Overall, our study demonstrates the TNF-α modulation of distinct gene expression patterns and signaling pathways that likely contribute to enhanced myoblast proliferation while suppressing premature differentiation after muscle injury. Elucidating the mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle regeneration can aid in the development of regeneration-enhancing therapeutics.

Exploring the regulatory role of tsRNAs in the TNF signaling pathway: Implications for cancer and non-cancer diseases

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), a recently identified subclass of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), emerge through the cleavage of mature transfer RNA (tRNA) or tRNA precursors mediated by specific enzymes. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) protein, a signaling molecule produced by activated macrophages, plays a pivotal role in systemic inflammation. Its multifaceted functions include the capacity to eliminate or hinder tumor cells, enhance the phagocytic capabilities of neutrophils, confer resistance against infections, induce fever, and prompt the production of acute phase proteins. Notably, four TNF-related tsRNAs have been conclusively linked to distinct diseases. Examples include 5'tiRNA-Gly in skeletal muscle injury, tsRNA-21109 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tRF-Leu-AAG-001 in endometriosis (EMs), and tsRNA-04002 in intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD). These tsRNAs exhibit the ability to suppress the expression of TNF-α. Additionally, KEGG analysis has identified seven tsRNAs potentially involved in modulating the TNF pathway, exerting their influence across a spectrum of non-cancerous diseases. Noteworthy instances include aberrant tiRNA-Ser-TGA-001 and tRF-Val-AAC-034 in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), irregular tRF-Ala-AGC-052 and tRF-Ala-TGC-027 in obesity, and deviant tiRNA-His-GTG-001, tRF-Ser-GCT-113, and tRF-Gln-TTG-035 in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). This comprehensive review explores the biological functions and mechanisms of tsRNAs associated with the TNF signaling pathway in both cancer and other diseases, offering novel insights for future translational medical research.

A multicellular liver organoid model for investigating hepatitis C virus infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

HCV infection can be successfully managed with antiviral therapies; however, progression to chronic liver disease states, including NAFLD, is common. There is currently no reliable in vitro model for investigating host-viral interactions underlying the link between HCV and NAFLD; although liver organoids (LOs) show promise, they currently lack nonparenchymal cells, which are key to modeling disease progression.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Here, we present a novel, multicellular LO model using a coculture system of macrophages and LOs differentiated from the same human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The cocultured macrophages shifted toward a Kupffer-like cell type, the liver-resident macrophages present in vivo , providing a suitable model for investigating NAFLD pathogenesis. With this multicellular Kupffer-like cell-containing LO model, we found that HCV infection led to lipid accumulation in LOs by upregulating host lipogenesis, which was more marked with macrophage coculture. Reciprocally, long-term treatment of LOs with fatty acids upregulated HCV amplification and promoted inflammation and fibrosis. Notably, in our Kupffer-like cell-containing LO model, the effects of 3 drugs for NASH that have reached phase 3 clinical trials exhibited consistent results with the clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we introduced a multicellular LO model consisting of hepatocytes, Kupffer-like cells, and HSCs, which recapitulated host-virus intercommunication and intercellular interactions. With this novel model, we present a physiologically relevant system for the investigation of NAFLD progression in patients with HCV.

Inflammation due to ocular surface homeostasis imbalance caused by pterygia: tear lymphotoxin-alpha study and a literature review

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the pterygium ocular surface state, and compare with healthy eyes and dry eyes. To investigate the inflammation due to pterygia growth by tear Lymphotoxin-alpha (LT α) test.

DESIGN

Prospective, single-center study.

PARTICIPANTS

400 patients, divided into 100 pterygium group, 100 mild dry eye group, 100 moderate dry eye group, and 100 age-and sex-matched normal controls.

METHODS

The non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH) test, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), meibomian gland loss score (MGs), and lipid layer thickness (LLT) were evaluated in all patients. Pterygium status and ocular status in the pterygium group were collected. The tear LT α test was conducted in the pterygium patients group.

RESULT

Pterygium can affect the ocular surface, leading to decreased tear film stability. The TMH, NIBUT, CFS, MGs, and lipid layer thickness can provide insights into this phenomenon. The presence of pterygium can change the structure and condition of the ocular surface. Tear LT α testing shows an abnormal decrease in LT α levels in pterygium patients. This indicates an immune-inflammation microenvironment that causes tissue repair deficiency.

CONCLUSION

The dry eye triggered by the growth of pterygium may originate from the tear film instability due to pterygia. As an inflammatory index, LT α in the development of pterygium and the aggravation of dry eye patients can indicate that the ocular surface is in different inflammatory states. Future tear testing in LT α may be a potential indicator to assess the inflammatory status of the dry eye.

Many Faces of Regulatory T Cells: Heterogeneity or Plasticity?

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining the immune balance in normal and pathological conditions. In autoimmune diseases and transplantation, they restrain the loss of self-tolerance and promote engraftment, whereas in cancer, an increase in Treg numbers is mostly associated with tumor growth and poor prognosis. Numerous markers and their combinations have been used to identify Treg subsets, demonstrating the phenotypic diversity of Tregs. The complexity of Treg identification can be hampered by the unstable expression of some markers, the decrease in the expression of a specific marker over time or the emergence of a new marker. It remains unclear whether such phenotypic shifts are due to new conditions or whether the observed changes are due to initially different populations. In the first case, cellular plasticity is observed, whereas in the second, cellular heterogeneity is observed. The difference between these terms in relation to Tregs is rather blurred. Considering the promising perspectives of Tregs in regenerative cell-based therapy, the existing confusing data on Treg phenotypes require further investigation and analysis. In our review, we introduce criteria that allow us to distinguish between the heterogeneity and plasticity of Tregs normally and pathologically, taking a closer look at their diversity and drawing the line between two terms.

Signaling controversy and future therapeutical perspectives of targeting sphingolipid network in cancer immune editing and resistance to tumor necrosis factor-α immunotherapy

Anticancer immune surveillance and immunotherapies trigger activation of cytotoxic cytokine signaling, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathways. The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may be secreted by stromal cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and by cancer cells, indicating a prominent role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, tumors manage to adapt, escape immune surveillance, and ultimately develop resistance to the cytotoxic effects of TNF-α. The mechanisms by which cancer cells evade host immunity is a central topic of current cancer research. Resistance to TNF-α is mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms, such as mutation or downregulation of TNF/TRAIL receptors, as well as activation of anti-apoptotic enzymes and transcription factors. TNF-α signaling is also mediated by sphingosine kinases (SphK1 and SphK2), which are responsible for synthesis of the growth-stimulating phospholipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Multiple studies have demonstrated the crucial role of S1P and its transmembrane receptors (S1PR) in both the regulation of inflammatory responses and progression of cancer. Considering that the SphK/S1P/S1PR axis mediates cancer resistance, this sphingolipid signaling pathway is of mechanistic significance when considering immunotherapy-resistant malignancies. However, the exact mechanism by which sphingolipids contribute to the evasion of immune surveillance and abrogation of TNF-α-induced apoptosis remains largely unclear. This study reviews mechanisms of TNF-α-resistance in cancer cells, with emphasis on the pro-survival and immunomodulatory effects of sphingolipids. Inhibition of SphK/S1P-linked pro-survival branch may facilitate reactivation of the pro-apoptotic TNF superfamily effects, although the role of SphK/S1P inhibitors in the regulation of the TME and lymphocyte trafficking should be thoroughly assessed in future studies.

The 12-Membered TNFR1 Peptide, as Well as the 16-Membered and 6-Membered TNF Peptides, Regulate TNFR1-Dependent Cytotoxic Activity of TNF

Understanding the exact mechanisms of the activation of proinflammatory immune response receptors is very important for the targeted regulation of their functioning. In this work, we were able to identify the sites of the molecules in the proinflammatory cytokine TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and its TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1), which are necessary for the two-stage cytotoxic signal transduction required for tumor cell killing. A 12-membered TNFR1 peptide was identified and synthesized, interacting with the ligands of this receptor protein's TNF and Tag7 and blocking their binding to the receptor. Two TNF cytokine peptides interacting with different sites of TNFR1 receptors were identified and synthesized. It has been demonstrated that the long 16-membered TNF peptide interferes with the binding of TNFR1 ligands to this receptor, and the short 6-membered peptide interacts with the receptor site necessary for the transmission of a cytotoxic signal into the cell after the ligands' interaction with the binding site. This study may help in the development of therapeutic approaches to regulate the activity of the cytokine TNF.

Targeting inflammation as cancer therapy

Inflammation has accompanied human beings since the emergence of wounds and infections. In the past decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken to explore the potential role of inflammation in cancer, from tumor development, invasion, and metastasis to the resistance of tumors to treatment. Inflammation-targeted agents not only demonstrate the potential to suppress cancer development, but also to improve the efficacy of other therapeutic modalities. In this review, we describe the highly dynamic and complex inflammatory tumor microenvironment, with discussion on key inflammation mediators in cancer including inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, and their downstream intracellular pathways. In addition, we especially address the role of inflammation in cancer development and highlight the action mechanisms of inflammation-targeted therapies in antitumor response. Finally, we summarize the results from both preclinical and clinical studies up to date to illustrate the translation potential of inflammation-targeted therapies.

Cellular heterogeneity in TNF/TNFR1 signalling: live cell imaging of cell fate decisions in single cells

Cellular responses to TNF are inherently heterogeneous within an isogenic cell population and across different cell types. TNF promotes cell survival by activating pro-inflammatory NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways but may also trigger apoptosis and necroptosis. Following TNF stimulation, the fate of individual cells is governed by the balance of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic signalling pathways. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving heterogenous responses to TNF, quantifying TNF/TNFR1 signalling at the single-cell level is crucial. Fluorescence live-cell imaging techniques offer real-time, dynamic insights into molecular processes in single cells, allowing for detection of rapid and transient changes, as well as identification of subpopulations, that are likely to be missed with traditional endpoint assays. Whilst fluorescence live-cell imaging has been employed extensively to investigate TNF-induced inflammation and TNF-induced cell death, it has been underutilised in studying the role of TNF/TNFR1 signalling pathway crosstalk in guiding cell-fate decisions in single cells. Here, we outline the various opportunities for pathway crosstalk during TNF/TNFR1 signalling and how these interactions may govern heterogenous responses to TNF. We also advocate for the use of live-cell imaging techniques to elucidate the molecular processes driving cell-to-cell variability in single cells. Understanding and overcoming cellular heterogeneity in response to TNF and modulators of the TNF/TNFR1 signalling pathway could lead to the development of targeted therapies for various diseases associated with aberrant TNF/TNFR1 signalling, such as rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.

Transcriptome and proteomic analysis of mpox virus F3L-expressing cells

Background

Monkeypox or mpox virus (mpox) is a double-stranded DNA virus that poses a significant threat to global public health security. The F3 protein, encoded by mpox, is an apoenzyme believed to possess a double-stranded RNA-binding domain (dsRBD). However, limited research has been conducted on its function. In this study, we present data on the transcriptomics and proteomics of F3L-transfected HEK293T cells, aiming to enhance our comprehension of F3L.

Methods

The gene expression profiles of pCAGGS-HA-F3L transfected HEK293T cells were analyzed using RNA-seq. Proteomics was used to identify and study proteins that interact with F3L. Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA levels of several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HEK293T cells (or Vero cells) after the expression of F3 protein.

Results

A total of 14,822 genes were obtained in cells by RNA-Seq and 1,672 DEGs were identified, including 1,156 up-regulated genes and 516 down-regulated genes. A total of 27 cellular proteins interacting with F3 proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and 19 cellular proteins with large differences in abundance ratios were considered to be candidate cellular proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in immune-related pathways, including type I interferon signaling pathway, response to virus, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. Moreover, some selected DEGs were further confirmed by real-time PCR and the results were consistent with the transcriptome data. Proteomics data show that cellular proteins interacting with F3 proteins are mainly related to RNA splicing and protein translation.

Conclusions

Our analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data showed that (1) F3L up-regulates the transcript levels of key genes in the innate immune signaling pathway, such as RIGI, MDA5, IRF5, IRF7, IRF9, ISG15, IFNA14, and elicits a broad spectrum of antiviral immune responses in the host. F3L also increases the expression of the FOS and JNK genes while decreasing the expression of TNFR2, these factors may ultimately induce apoptosis. (2) F3 protein interacts with host proteins involved in RNA splicing and protein translation, such as SNRNP70, POLR2H, HNRNPA1, DDX17, etc. The findings of this study shed light on the function of the F3 protein.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 activation elicits sex-specific effects on cortical myelin proteins and functional recovery in a model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), predominately affects females compared to males. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, signaling through TNF receptor 1 contributes to inflammatory disease pathogenesis. In contrast, TNF receptor 2 signaling is neuroprotective. Current anti-TNF MS therapies are shown to be detrimental to patients due to pleiotropic effects on both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. Using a non-pertussis toxin (nPTX) experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in C57BL/6 mice, we systemically administered a TNFR2 agonist (p53-sc-mTNFR2) to investigate behavioral and pathophysiological changes in both female and male mice. Our data shows that TNFR2 activation alleviates motor and sensory symptoms in females. However, in males, the agonist only alleviates sensory symptoms and not motor. nPTX EAE induction in TNFR2 global knockout mice caused exacerbated motor symptoms in females along with an earlier day of onset, but not in males. Our data demonstrates that TNFR2 agonist efficacy is sex-specific for alleviation of motor symptoms, however, it effectively reduces mechanical hypersensitivity in both females and males. Altogether, these data support the therapeutic promise TNFR2 agonism holds as an MS therapeutic and, more broadly, to treat central neuropathic pain.

Evaluation of lymphotoxin-alpha in pterygium and diagnostic value in active and inactive pterygium states

To explore the correlation between tear LT-a, pterygium status, and dry eye indicators. We established a diagnostic model to evaluate active pterygium. A retrospective study was conducted between June 2021 and June 2023 on 172 patients, comprising 108 men and 64 women. The study analyzed LT-a and various ocular parameters in all participants. The data was collected using Excel software and analyzed using SPSS 25.0 statistical software and Medcalc. We made a nomogram diagnostic model to different diagnosed the state of pterygium. This study found that pterygium has progressive eye surface damage during the active state. There was no significant difference in dry eye indicators between the two groups. However, the concentration of LT-a in the active group was significantly lower than that in the inactive group (P < 0.001). We observed that increased pterygium grade corresponded to a worse ocular surface condition. In addition, LT-a was significantly positively correlated with disease duration, but negatively correlated with age, pterygium size, active pterygium state, and LLT value. The optimal intercept value for evaluating active pterygium in Lt-a was ≤ 0.49 dg/ml. We screened three variables for evaluating active pterygium through Single and Multiple regression analysis: LT-a grading, pterygium size, and congestion score. Finally, we made a reliable diagnostic nomogram model. Pterygium development triggers immune inflammation. Our model based on LT-a identifies active pterygium for personalized treatment options and new research directions.

Emerging Oral Therapies for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review of Pipeline Agents

The introduction of biologic agents for the treatment of psoriasis has revolutionized the current treatment landscape, targeting cytokines in the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 pathway and demonstrating strong efficacy and safety profiles in clinical trials. These agents however are costly, are associated with a risk of immunogenicity, and require administration by intravenous or subcutaneous injection, limiting their use among patients. Oral therapies, specifically small molecule and microbiome therapeutics, have the potential to be more convenient and cost-effective agents for patients and have been a focus of development in recent years, with few targeted oral medications available for the disease. In this manuscript, we review pipeline oral therapies for psoriasis identified through a search of ClinicalTrials.gov (30 June 2022-1 October 2023). Available preclinical and clinical trial data on each therapeutic agent are discussed. Small molecules under development include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, Janus kinase inhibitors, A3 adenosine receptor agonists, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 agonists, several of which are entering phase III trials. Oral microbials have also demonstrated success in early phase studies. As new oral therapies emerge for the treatment of psoriasis, real-world data and comparative trials are needed to better inform their use among patients.

Fn14 and TNFR2 as regulators of cytotoxic TNFR1 signaling

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 (TNFR1), TNFR2 and fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) belong to the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF). From a structural point of view, TNFR1 is a prototypic death domain (DD)-containing receptor. In contrast to other prominent death receptors, such as CD95/Fas and the two TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5, however, liganded TNFR1 does not instruct the formation of a plasma membrane-associated death inducing signaling complex converting procaspase-8 into highly active mature heterotetrameric caspase-8 molecules. Instead, liganded TNFR1 recruits the DD-containing cytoplasmic signaling proteins TRADD and RIPK1 and empowers these proteins to trigger cell death signaling by cytosolic complexes after their release from the TNFR1 signaling complex. The activity and quality (apoptosis versus necroptosis) of TNF-induced cell death signaling is controlled by caspase-8, the caspase-8 regulatory FLIP proteins, TRAF2, RIPK1 and the RIPK1-ubiquitinating E3 ligases cIAP1 and cIAP2. TNFR2 and Fn14 efficiently recruit TRAF2 along with the TRAF2 binding partners cIAP1 and cIAP2 and can thereby limit the availability of these molecules for other TRAF2/cIAP1/2-utilizing proteins including TNFR1. Accordingly, at the cellular level engagement of TNFR2 or Fn14 inhibits TNFR1-induced RIPK1-mediated effects reaching from activation of the classical NFκB pathway to induction of apoptosis and necroptosis. In this review, we summarize the effects of TNFR2- and Fn14-mediated depletion of TRAF2 and the cIAP1/2 on TNFR1 signaling at the molecular level and discuss the consequences this has in vivo.

The TNFα/TNFR2 axis mediates natural killer cell proliferation by promoting aerobic glycolysis

Natural killer (NK) cells are predominant innate lymphocytes that initiate the early immune response during infection. NK cells undergo a metabolic switch to fuel augmented proliferation and activation following infection. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a well-known inflammatory cytokine that enhances NK cell function; however, the mechanism underlying NK cell proliferation in response to TNFα is not well established. Here, we demonstrated that upon infection/inflammation, NK cells upregulate the expression of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), which is associated with increased proliferation, metabolic activity, and effector function. Notably, IL-18 can induce TNFR2 expression in NK cells, augmenting their sensitivity toward TNFα. Mechanistically, TNFα-TNFR2 signaling upregulates the expression of CD25 (IL-2Rα) and nutrient transporters in NK cells, leading to a metabolic switch toward aerobic glycolysis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly reduced expression levels of genes involved in cellular metabolism and proliferation in NK cells from TNFR2 KO mice. Accordingly, our data affirmed that genetic ablation of TNFR2 curtails CD25 upregulation and TNFα-induced glycolysis, leading to impaired NK cell proliferation and antiviral function during MCMV infection in vivo. Collectively, our results delineate the crucial role of the TNFα-TNFR2 axis in NK cell proliferation, glycolysis, and effector function.

TNF-α-TNFR1 Signaling Mediates Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Apical Periodontitis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the proinflammatory axis TNF-α-TNFR1 in experimentally induced periapical inflammation and bone resorption in mice.

METHODS

After receiving Ethics Committee Approval (2019.1.139.58.0), experimental apical periodontitis was induced by means of inoculating oral microorganisms into the root canals of molars of mice. Genetically deficient tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 mice (TNFR1-/-; n = 50) response was compared with that of C57Bl6 wild-type mice (wild-type; n = 50) after 7, 14, 28, and 42 days. The analyses performed were micro-computed tomographic, histopathologic, histomicrobiological, and histometric evaluation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey or Bonferroni tests (α = 5%).

RESULTS

TNFR1-/- mice exhibited lower recruitment of neutrophils at 14, 28, and 42 days (P < .05), which resulted in reduced area and volume of apical periodontitis at 42 days (P < .05). The number of osteoclasts was also lower in TNFR1-/- animals at 14 and 42 days (P < .01), along with reduced synthesis of CTSK, MMP-9, and COX-2. Expression of RANKL, but not OPG, was reduced at 14 and 42 days (P < .001). The highest RANKL expression over OPG (ratio > 1) was found in wild-type animals at 7 (P < .0001) and 42 days (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Periapical inflammation and bone resorption were exacerbated in wild-type animals compared with TNFR1-/- mice, demonstrating that the TNF-α-TNFR1 signaling pathway mediated catabolic events in bone after root canal contamination.

Parameters of TNF receptor co-expression in allergic and autoimmune processes: Differences and diagnostic significance

The authors used a method quantitative estimation density of TNFR1/TNFR2 on cells by flow cytometry with calibration particles, which allowed them to estimate the absolute number of receptors on cells regardless of the type of flow cytometer. The TNF receptor expression parameters were used to determine their association with the fact of disease and to build diagnostic models. The proposed methodological approach using a combination of flow cytometry and mathematical modeling techniques represents a promising direction for testing the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the studied biomarkers. The multifactorial regression analysis constructed on the basis of this approach made it possible to refine and supplement diagnostic schemes for determining the probability of rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma in patients.

TNF and TNF receptors as therapeutic targets for rheumatic diseases and beyond

The cytokine TNF signals via two distinct receptors, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2, and is a central mediator of various immune-mediated diseases. Indeed, TNF-neutralizing biologic drugs have been in clinical use for the treatment of many inflammatory pathological conditions, including various rheumatic diseases, for decades. TNF has pleiotropic effects and can both promote and inhibit pro-inflammatory processes. The integrated net effect of TNF in vivo is a result of cytotoxic TNFR1 signalling and the stimulation of pro-inflammatory processes mediated by TNFR1 and TNFR2 and also TNFR2-mediated anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective activities. Inhibition of the beneficial activities of TNFR2 might explain why TNF-neutralizing drugs, although highly effective in some diseases, have limited benefit in the treatment of other TNF-associated pathological conditions (such as graft-versus-host disease) or even worsen the pathological condition (such as multiple sclerosis). Receptor-specific biologic drugs have the potential to tip the balance from TNFR1-mediated activities to TNFR2-mediated activities and enable the treatment of diseases that do not respond to current TNF inhibitors. Accordingly, a variety of reagents have been developed that either selectively inhibit TNFR1 or selectively activate TNFR2. Several of these reagents have shown promise in preclinical studies and are now in, or approaching, clinical trials.

Therapeutic potential of TNFR2 agonists: a mechanistic perspective

TNFR2 agonists have been investigated as potential therapies for inflammatory diseases due to their ability to activate and expand immunosuppressive CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Despite TNFR2 being predominantly expressed in Treg cells at high levels, activated effector T cells also exhibit a certain degree of TNFR2 expression. Consequently, the role of TNFR2 signaling in coordinating immune or inflammatory responses under different pathological conditions is complex. In this review article, we analyze possible factors that may determine the therapeutic outcomes of TNFR2 agonism, including the levels of TNFR2 expression on different cell types, the biological properties of TNFR2 agonists, and disease status. Based on recent progress in the understanding of TNFR2 biology and the study of TNFR2 agonistic agents, we discuss the future direction of developing TNFR2 agonists as a therapeutic agents.

Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Survival in Stage III Colon Cancer: Findings from CALGB/SWOG 80702 (Alliance)

PURPOSE

To assess whether higher plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is associated with improved outcomes in colon cancer and whether circulating inflammatory cytokines mediate such association.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Plasma samples were collected from 1,437 patients with stage III colon cancer enrolled in a phase III randomized clinical trial (CALGB/SWOG 80702) from 2010 to 2015, who were followed until 2020. Cox regressions were used to examine associations between plasma 25(OH)D and disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and time to recurrence (TTR). Mediation analysis was performed for circulating inflammatory biomarkers of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL6, and soluble TNF receptor 2 (sTNF-R2).

RESULTS

Vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <12 ng/mL] was present in 13% of total patients at baseline and in 32% of Black patients. Compared with deficiency, nondeficient vitamin D status (≥12 ng/mL) was significantly associated with improved DFS, OS, and TTR (all Plog-rank<0.05), with multivariable-adjusted HRs of 0.68 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.92) for DFS, 0.57 (0.40-0.80) for OS, and 0.71 (0.52-0.98) for TTR. A U-shaped dose-response pattern was observed for DFS and OS (both Pnonlinearity<0.05). The proportion of the association with survival that was mediated by sTNF-R2 was 10.6% (Pmediation = 0.04) for DFS and 11.8% (Pmediation = 0.05) for OS, whereas CRP and IL6 were not shown to be mediators. Plasma 25(OH)D was not associated with the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Nondeficient vitamin D is associated with improved outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer, largely independent of circulation inflammations. A randomized trial is warranted to elucidate whether adjuvant vitamin D supplementation improves patient outcomes.

Looking to the Future of the Role of Macrophages and Extracellular Vesicles in Neuroinflammation in ALS

Neuroinflammation is a common pathological feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although scientific evidence to date does not allow defining neuroinflammation as an ALS trigger, its role in exacerbating motor neuron (MNs) degeneration and disease progression is attracting research interest. Activated CNS (Central Nervous System) glial cells, proinflammatory peripheral and infiltrated T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, as well as the immunoreactive molecules they release, represent the active players for the role of immune dysregulation enhancing neuroinflammation. The crosstalk between the peripheral and CNS immune cells significantly correlates with the survival of ALS patients since the modification of peripheral macrophages can downregulate inflammation at the periphery along the nerves and in the CNS. As putative vehicles for misfolded protein and inflammatory mediators between cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have also drawn particular attention in the field of ALS. Both CNS and peripheral immune cells release EVs, which are able to modulate the behavior of neighboring recipient cells; unfortunately, the mechanisms involved in EVs-mediated communication in neuroinflammation remain unclear. This review aims to synthesize the current literature regarding EV-mediated cell-to-cell communication in the brain under ALS, with a particular point of view on the role of peripheral macrophages in responding to inflammation to understand the biological process and exploit it for ALS management.

Recent Advances in Extracellular Vesicles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Emergent Perspectives

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe and incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death. It is a rare disease characterized by high patient-to-patient heterogeneity, which makes its study arduous and complex. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important players in the development of ALS. Thus, ALS phenotype-expressing cells can spread their abnormal bioactive cargo through the secretion of EVs, even in distant tissues. Importantly, owing to their nature and composition, EVs' formation and cargo can be exploited for better comprehension of this elusive disease and identification of novel biomarkers, as well as for potential therapeutic applications, such as those based on stem cell-derived exosomes. This review highlights recent advances in the identification of the role of EVs in ALS etiopathology and how EVs can be promising new therapeutic strategies.

Inflammatory biomarkers and MRI visible perivascular spaces: The Framingham Heart Study

We studied the association between inflammatory biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible perivascular spaces (PVS) in Framingham Heart Study participants free of stroke and dementia. PVS in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO) were rated with validated methods and categorized based on counts. A mixed score of high PVS burden in neither, one or both regions was also evaluated. We related biomarkers representing various inflammatory mechanisms to PVS burden using multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis accounting for vascular risk factors and other MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease. Among 3604 participants (mean age 58±13 years, 47% males), significant associations were observed for intercellular adhesion molecule1, fibrinogen, osteoprotegerin, and P-selectin in relation to BG PVS, P-selectin for CSO PVS, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, osteoprotegerin and cluster of differentiation 40 ligand for mixed topography PVS. Therefore, inflammation may have a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease and perivascular drainage dysfunction represented by PVS, with different and shared inflammatory biomarkers depending on PVS topography.

Small-molecule modulators of tumor necrosis factor signaling

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a major role in immune system homeostasis and is involved in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, TNF and its receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2, are relevant pharmacological targets. Biologics have been developed to block TNF-dependent signaling cascades, but they display serious side effects, and their pharmacological effectiveness decreases over time because of their immunogenicity. In this review, we present recent discoveries in small molecules targeting TNF and its receptors and discuss alternative strategies for modulating TNF signaling. Teaser: This review presents several recent and innovative strategies for the modulation of tumor necrosis factor function, with a focus on small molecules.

Distinct Plasma Immune Profile in ALS Implicates sTNFR-II in pAMPK/Leptin Homeostasis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically highly heterogeneous disease with a survival rate ranging from months to decades. Evidence suggests that a systemic deregulation of immune response may play a role and affect disease progression. Here, we measured 62 different immune/metabolic mediators in plasma of sporadic ALS (sALS) patients. We show that, at the protein level, the majority of immune mediators including a metabolic sensor, leptin, were significantly decreased in the plasma of sALS patients and in two animal models of the disease. Next, we found that a subset of patients with rapidly progressing ALS develop a distinct plasma assess immune–metabolic molecular signature characterized by a differential increase in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF-RII) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16 (CCL16) and further decrease in the levels of leptin, mostly dysregulated in male patients. Consistent with in vivo findings, exposure of human adipocytes to sALS plasma and/or sTNF-RII alone, induced a significant deregulation in leptin production/homeostasis and was associated with a robust increase in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. Conversely, treatment with an AMPK inhibitor restored leptin production in human adipocytes. Together, this study provides evidence of a distinct plasma immune profile in sALS which affects adipocyte function and leptin signaling. Furthermore, our results suggest that targeting the sTNF-RII/AMPK/leptin pathway in adipocytes may help restore assess immune–metabolic homeostasis in ALS.

Activation of retinal glial cells contributes to the degeneration of ganglion cells in experimental glaucoma

Elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration in glaucoma. Glial cells, which play an important role in normal functioning of retinal neurons, are well involved into retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration in experimental glaucoma animal models generated by elevated IOP. In response to elevated IOP, mGluR I is first activated and Kir4.1 channels are subsequently inhibited, which leads to the activation of Müller cells. Müller cell activation is followed by a complex process, including proliferation, release of inflammatory and growth factors (gliosis). Gliosis is further regulated by several factors. Activated Müller cells contribute to RGC degeneration through generating glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, releasing cytotoxic factors and inducing microglia activation. Elevated IOP activates microglia, and following morphological and functional changes, these cells, as resident immune cells in the retina, show adaptive immune responses, including an enhanced release of pro-inflammatory factors (tumor neurosis factor-α, interleukins, etc.). These ATP and Toll-like receptor-mediated responses are further regulated by heat shock proteins, CD200R, chemokine receptors, and metabotropic purinergic receptors, may aggravate RGC loss. In the optic nerve head, astrogliosis is initiated and regulated by a complex reaction process, including purines, transmitters, chemokines, growth factors and cytokines, which contributes to RGC axon injury through releasing pro-inflammatory factors and changing extracellular matrix in glaucoma. The effects of activated glial cells on RGCs are further modified by the interplay among different types of glial cells. This review is concluded by presenting an in-depth discussion of possible research directions in this field in the future.

Loss of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor 1 and TNF-receptor 2 partially replicate effects of TNF deficiency on dendritic spines of granule cells in mouse dentate gyrus

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system. In previous work, we showed that mice lacking constitutive levels of TNF exhibit a reduction in spine density and changes in spine head size distribution of dentate granule cells. Here, we investigated which TNF-receptor pathway is responsible for this phenotype and analyzed granule cell spine morphology in TNF-R1-, TNF-R2-, and TNF-R1/R2-deficient mice. Single granule cells were filled with Alexa568 in fixed hippocampal brain slices and immunostained for the actin-modulating protein synaptopodin (SP), a marker for strong and stable spines. An investigator blind to genotype investigated dendritic spines using deconvolved confocal image stacks. Similar to TNF-deficient mice, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2 mutants showed a decrease in the size of small spines (SP-negative) with TNF-R1/R2-KO mice exhibiting an additive effect. TNF-R1 mutants also showed an increase in the size of large spines (SP-positive), mirroring the situation in TNF-deficient mice. Unlike the TNF-deficient mouse, none of the TNF-R mutants exhibited a reduction in their granule cell spine densities. Since TNF tunes the excitability of networks, lack of constitutive TNF reduces network excitation. This may explain why we observed alterations in spine head size distributions in TNF- and TNF-R-deficient granule cells. The changes in spine density observed in the TNF-deficient mouse could not be linked to canonical TNF-R-signaling. Instead, noncanonical pathways or unknown developmental functions of TNF may cause this phenomenon.

Generation of a single-cell B cell atlas of antibody repertoires and transcriptomes to identify signatures associated with antigen specificity

Although new genomics-based pipelines have potential to augment antibody discovery, these methods remain in their infancy due to an incomplete understanding of the selection process that governs B cell clonal selection, expansion, and antigen specificity. Furthermore, it remains unknown how factors such as aging and reduction of tolerance influence B cell selection. Here we perform single-cell sequencing of antibody repertoires and transcriptomes of murine B cells following immunizations with a model therapeutic antigen target. We determine the relationship between antibody repertoires, gene expression signatures, and antigen specificity across 100,000 B cells. Recombinant expression and characterization of 227 monoclonal antibodies revealed the existence of clonally expanded and class-switched antigen-specific B cells that were more frequent in young mice. Although integrating multiple repertoire features such as germline gene usage and transcriptional signatures failed to distinguish antigen-specific from nonspecific B cells, other features such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) subtype and sequence composition correlated with antigen specificity.

Construction of a Lactobacillus plantarum-based claudin-3 targeting delivery system for the development of vaccines against Eimeria tenella

Avian coccidiosis causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide and currently lacks effective live vector vaccines. Achieving efficient antigen delivery to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is critical for improving the effectiveness of vaccines. Here, chicken claudin-3 (CLDN3), a tight junction protein expressed in MALT, was identified as a target, and the C-terminal region of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) was proven to bind to chicken CLDN3. Then, a CLDN3-targeting Lactobacillus plantarum NC8-expressing C-CPE surface display system (NC8/GFP-C-CPE) was constructed to successfully express the heterologous protein on the surface of L. plantarum. The colonization level of NC8/GFP-C-CPE was significantly increased compared to the non-targeting strain and could persist in the intestine for at least 72 h. An oral vaccine strain expressing five EGF domains of Eimeria tenella microneme protein 8 (EtMIC8-EGF) (NC8/EtMIC8-EGF-C-CPE) was constructed to evaluate the protective efficacy against E. tenella infection. The results revealed that CLDN3-targeting L. plantarum induced stronger mucosal immunity in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) as well as humoral responses and conferred better protection in terms of parasite replication and pathology than the non-targeting strain. Overall, we successfully constructed a CLDN3-targeting L. plantarum NC8 surface display system characterized by MALT-targeting, which is an efficient antigen delivery system to confer enhanced protective efficacy in chickens against E. tenella infection.

The Immunosuppressive Effect of TNFR2 Expression in the Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common causes of death among cancers worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing among the young population. Many risk factors contribute to the development and progression of CRC and about 70% of them are sporadic. The CRC microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and represents a very complex immunosuppressive platform. Many cytokines and their receptors are vital participants in this immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) are critical players in the development of CRC. TNFR2 was observed to have increased the immunosuppressive activity of CRC cells via regulatory T cells (T regs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the CRC microenvironment. However, the exact mechanism of TNFR2 in regulating the CRC prognosis remains elusive. Here, we discuss the role of TNFR2 in immune escape mechanism of CRC in the immunosuppressive cells, including Tregs and MDSCs, and the complex signaling pathways that facilitate the development of CRC. It is suggested that extensive studies on TNFR2 downstream signaling must be done, since TNFR2 has a high potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent and cancer biomarker in the future.

The Influence of Severity and Disease Duration on TNF Receptors' Redistribution in Asthma and Rheumatoid Arthritis

One of the mechanisms of cellular dysfunction during the chronization of immune-system-mediated inflammatory diseases is a change in the profile of expression and co-expression of receptors on cells. The aim of this study was to compare patterns of redistribution of TNF receptors (TNFRs) among patients with different durations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or asthma. Subgroup analysis was performed on RA (n = 41) and asthma (n = 22) patients with disease duration<10 years and >10 years and on 30 comparable healthy individuals. The co-expression profile of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was assessed in T cells, B cells, monocytes, regulatory T cells, T-helper subsets, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte subsets. Percentages of cells with different co-expression combinations and receptor density per cell were estimated. Longer disease duration was significantly associated with a redistribution of receptors in immunocompetent cell subsets with an increase in the expression of TNFR1 in asthma but did not correlate with significant unidirectional changes in receptor expression in RA. In asthma, a higher proportion of cells with a certain type of TNF receptor (as compared with the healthy group) was correlated with a simultaneous greater density of this receptor type. In RA, an inverse correlation was observed (compensatory lower receptor density). Mechanisms of long-term changes in the expression of TNF receptors differ significantly between the diseases of autoimmune and allergic etiology. The formation of irreversible morphostructural alterations was strongly correlated with changes in the expression of TNFR1 in asthma and with changes in the expression of TNFR2 in RA.

Effect of different types of immunosuppressive therapy on the parameters of TNF receptor expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

   Background. The balance of TNF receptor expression on immune cells is a key factor determining cytokine-induced activation of proapoptotic or proliferative signaling pathways. As a result, the changes in cytokine level and in expression of its receptors may be one of the mechanisms that regulate the level of systemic and local inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and determine the degree of therapy effectiveness.   The aim. To study the effect of rheumatoid arthritis therapy on the change in the patterns of TNF receptors expression in terms of co-expression and the number of receptors on the main subpopulations of immunocompetent cells.Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the profiles of TNF receptors type 1 and 2 (TNFR1/2) co-expression was carried out in patients with RA (n = 16) before and after having inpatient effective therapy and in comparison with a group of healthy individuals (n = 21). We compared the number of receptors and the proportion of cells expressing the corresponding receptor using flow cytometry and studied the subpopulations of regulatory T cells, T cells, B cells, and monocytes.   Results. In patients with RA, there is a significant redistribution of TNFR1 and TNFR2 expression on immunocompetent cells, while the intensity of changes is associated not only with disease severity indicators, but also with the therapy received. The key adaptive mechanism of the TNF system in long-term treatment refractory course of RA is a change in the proportion of double-positive TNFR1+TNFR2+ cells, while the effectiveness of therapy and clinical indicators of the disease severity are associated with individual variability in the parameters of type 2 receptors expression.   Conclusions. The data obtained confirm the existence of a relationship between an imbalance in the expression of type 1 and type 2 TNF receptors on immunocompetent cells and the effectiveness of response to therapy. The identified patterns of typical changes in TNFR1/2 co-expression in RA can be used as potential therapeutic targets and predictive factors for the effectiveness of therapy.

The Role of ADAM17 in Inflammation-Related Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that poses a huge economic burden due to its extremely poor prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to explore potential mechanisms to improve the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is a cell membrane-bound protein that performs a range of functions through membrane protein shedding and intracellular signaling. ADAM17-mediated inflammation has been identified to be an important contributor to atherosclerosis; however, the specific relationship between its multiple regulatory roles and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains unclear. Here, we reviewed the activation, function, and regulation of ADAM17, described in detail the role of ADAM17-mediated inflammatory damage in atherosclerosis, and discussed several controversial points. We hope that these insights into ADAM17 biology will lead to rational management of atherosclerosis. ADAM17 promotes vascular inflammation in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages, and regulates the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Responses to Ang II (Angiotensin II), Salt Intake, and Lipopolysaccharide Reveal the Diverse Actions of TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α) on Blood Pressure and Renal Function

TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) is the best known as a proinflammatory cytokine; yet, this cytokine also has important immunomodulatory and regulatory functions. As the effects of TNF-α on immune system function were being revealed, the spectrum of its activities appeared in conflict with each other before investigators defined the settings and mechanisms by which TNF-α contributed to both host defense and chronic inflammation. These effects reflect self-protective mechanisms that may become harmful when dysregulated. The paradigm of physiological and pathophysiological effects of TNF-α has since been uncovered in the lung, colon, and kidney where its role has been identified in pulmonary edema, electrolyte reabsorption, and blood pressure regulation, respectively. Recent studies on the prohypertensive and inflammatory effects of TNF-α in the cardiovascular system juxtaposed to those related to NaCl and blood pressure homeostasis, the response of the kidney to lipopolysaccharide, and protection against bacterial infections are helping define the mechanisms by which TNF-α modulates distinct functions within the kidney. This review discusses how production of TNF-α by renal epithelial cells may contribute to regulatory mechanisms that not only govern electrolyte excretion and blood pressure homeostasis but also maintain the appropriate local hypersalinity environment needed for optimizing the innate immune response to bacterial infections in the kidney. It is possible that the wide range of effects mediated by TNF-α may be related to severity of disease, amount of inflammation and TNF-α levels, and the specific cell types that produce this cytokine, areas that remain to be investigated further.

Ruthenium-based antitumor drugs and delivery systems from monotherapy to combination therapy

Ruthenium complex is an important compound group for antitumor drug research and development. NAMI-A, KP1019, TLD1433 and other ruthenium complexes have entered clinical research. In recent years, the research on ruthenium antitumor drugs has not been limited to single chemotherapy drugs; other applications of ruthenium complexes have emerged such as in combination therapy. During the development of ruthenium complexes, drug delivery forms of ruthenium antitumor drugs have also evolved from single-molecule drugs to nanodrug delivery systems. The review summarizes the following aspects: (1) ruthenium complexes from monotherapy to combination therapy, including the development of single-molecule compounds, carrier nanomedicine, and self-assembly of carrier-free nanomedicine; (2) ruthenium complexes in the process of ADME in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; (3) the applications of ruthenium complexes in combination therapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT), immunotherapy, and their combined application; (4) the future prospects of ruthenium-based antitumor drugs.