Toll-like receptors targeting technology for the treatment of lymphoma

Toll-Like Receptor 4: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that primarily manifests as memory deficits and cognitive impairment and has created health challenges for patients and society. In AD, amyloid β-protein (Aβ) induces Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation in microglia. Activation of TLR4 induces downstream signaling pathways and promotes the generation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which also trigger the activation of astrocytes and influence amyloid-dependent neuronal death. Therefore, TLR4 may be an important molecular target for treating AD by regulating neuroinflammation. Moreover, TLR4 regulates apoptosis, autophagy, and gut microbiota and is closely related to AD. This article reviews the role of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of AD and a range of potential therapies targeting TLR4 for AD. Elucidating the regulatory mechanism of TLR4 in AD may provide valuable clues for developing new therapeutic strategies for AD.

TLR4-Targeting Therapeutics: Structural Basis and Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Approaches

The integration of computational techniques into drug development has led to a substantial increase in the knowledge of structural, chemical, and biological data. These techniques are useful for handling the big data generated by empirical and clinical studies. Over the last few years, computer-aided drug discovery methods such as virtual screening, pharmacophore modeling, quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis, and molecular docking have been employed by pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers for the development of pharmacologically active drugs. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a vital role in various inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disorders such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and systemic lupus erythematosus. TLRs, particularly TLR4, have been identified as potential drug targets for the treatment of these diseases, and several relevant compounds are under preclinical and clinical evaluation. This review covers the reported computational studies and techniques that have provided insights into TLR4-targeting therapeutics. Furthermore, this article provides an overview of the computational methods that can benefit a broad audience in this field and help with the development of novel drugs for TLR-related disorders.

Analysis of the Association of Polymorphisms rs5743708 in TLR2 and rs4986790 in TLR4 with Atopic Dermatitis Risk

BACKGROUND

We carried out a meta-analysis to assess whether Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) rs5743708 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) rs4986790 polymorphisms are associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed to identify eligible case-control studies on the association of rs5743708 and rs4986790 with the risk of atopic dermatitis. Statistical analyses of the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and p value were performed using STATA software.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included a total of nine case-control studies, all involving Caucasian populations. With respect to the TLR2 rs5743708 G/A polymorphism, there was a statistically significant difference in the overall risk of atopic dermatitis between the case and control groups [OR = 2.07, p value of association test, p_{(association)} = 0.001 in allele (A vs. G) model; OR = 1.93, p_{(association)} = 0.004 in carrier (A vs. G) model; OR = 2.07, p_{(association)} = 0.001 in heterozygote (GA vs. GG) model; OR = 1.99, p_{(association)} = 0.001 in dominant (GA+ AA vs. GG) model]. Similar positive results were observed in the subgroup analysis of "population-based control." For the TLR4 rs4986790 A/G polymorphism, an increased atopic dermatitis risk was detected in the case group under the allele [OR = 1.78, p_{(association)} = 0.013], carrier [OR = 1.69, p_{(association)} = 0.027] and heterozygote [OR = 1.74, p_{(association)} = 0.020] models, but not the dominant [OR = 1.44, p_{(association)} = 0.070] model, in comparison to the population-based control group.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis revealed a novel finding that the heterogeneous "GA" genotype of the TLR2 rs5743708 and "AG" genotype of the TLR4 rs4986790 may be associated with increased susceptibility to atopic dermatitis in Caucasians.

Cell-to-cell communication: microRNAs as hormones

Mammalian cells can release different types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Accumulating evidence suggests that EVs play a role in cell-to-cell communication within the tumor microenvironment. EVs' components, such as proteins, noncoding RNAs [microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)], messenger RNAs (mRNAs), DNA, and lipids, can mediate paracrine signaling in the tumor microenvironment. Recently, miRNAs encapsulated in secreted EVs have been identified in the extracellular space. Mature miRNAs that participate in intercellular communication are released from most cells, often within EVs, and disseminate through the extracellular fluid to reach remote target cells, including tumor cells, whose phenotypes they can influence by regulating mRNA and protein expression either as tumor suppressors or as oncogenes, depending on their targets. In this review, we discuss the roles of miRNAs in intercellular communication, the biological function of extracellular miRNAs, and their potential applications for diagnosis and therapeutics. We will give examples of miRNAs that behave as hormones.

New drug discovery approaches targeting recurrent mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

INTRODUCTION

Next generation sequencing has provided a comprehensive understanding of the mutational landscape in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and new drivers have been identified. Some of these drivers could be pharmacologically targeted to choose the most effective personalized therapy in each CLL patient. Areas covered: In this article, the authors uncover the potential role of new targeted therapies against the most recurrent mutations in CLL as well as the recently approved therapies. The authors also provide their expert opinion and give their perspectives for the future. Expert opinion: The development of more personalized therapies is of interest to clinicians as a system to enhance the duration of treatment response and to extend the survival and quality of life of CLL patients. The main challenge, however, will be to translate the preclinical results into the clinics. Therefore, the designing and execution of clinical trials focused on molecular drivers are the need of the hour.