IL-17 exacerbates experimental autoimmune prostatitis via CXCL1/CXCL2-mediated neutrophil infiltration

BATF participates in airway inflammation of neutrophilic asthma via regulating Th17 cells activation

Neutrophilic asthma (NA) is a common subtype of non-eosinophilic asthma, characterized by the infiltration of neutrophils. Basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like (BATF) is the nuclear transcription factor that initiates lymphocyte differentiation. The mechanism by which BATF affects T cell differentiation leading to neutrophil accumulation in NA lung tissue remains unclear. In this study, we established murine models of NA through sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) /complete Freund's adjuvant and subsequent challenge with OVA/lipopolysaccharide. Using these models, we systematically investigated pathological alterations, inflammatory cell infiltration patterns, and cytokine expression profiles in murine lung tissues. The impact of glucocorticoid intervention on the pathology of airway inflammation in NA mice was assessed, and the markers associated with lymphocyte differentiation RORγt and FoxP3 were detected. Furthermore, on the basis of BATF knockdown, the distribution of lymphocyte subtypes and the effect on neutrophil activity in the lung tissues of NA mice were observed. Our results revealed that both BATF and IL-17A showed high expression in NA lung tissue, and neutrophils were predominant in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Glucocorticoid treatment failed to alleviate lung histopathological lesion and exacerbated neutrophil accumulation in NA. Inhibiting BATF could significantly reduce neutrophil accumulation, as well as downregulate IL-17A expression, thus alleviating lung histopathological injury in NA. BATF was involved in mainly regulating naïve lymphocyte differentiation to T helper cell 17 (Th17) rather than regulatory T cells (Tregs). Our results demonstrate that BATF plays an important proinflammatory role in neutrophil asthma, and the inhibition of BATF could reduce lung inflammation by reducing IL-17A, acting as a potential therapeutic target.

PARP1 Exacerbates Prostatitis by Promoting M1 Macrophages Polarization through NF-κB Pathway

PARP1 is recognized for its role as a DNA damage sensor and its involvement in inflammatory diseases, but its impact on prostatitis remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate how PARP1 affects prostatitis progression. Our results showed that in 1% carrageenan-induced prostatitis mouse model, Parp1-/- prostatitic mice showed less pathological damage, decreased prostate weight, and lower inflammatory indices, decreased macrophage and neutrophil infiltration, down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12p70, CCL2, TNF) and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in prostate tissue. The expression of NF-κB, TNF, and IL-6 mRNA in the prostate tissue of Parp1-/- prostatitic mice decreased. In vitro experiments revealed that M1(CD206-CD86+) macrophage in LPS-induced macrophage of Parp1-/- mice decreased, as did iNOS, TNF, IL-6 and NF-κB mRNA expression. Mechanically, treatment with the PARP1 inhibitor (AG14361) led to a significant reduction in NF-κB mRNA and Phospho-NF-κB P65 protein expression in macrophages. Following intervention with NF-κB inhibitors (Bay 11-7082), both IL-6 protein and mRNA levels were markedly diminished, meanwhile the secretion of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, CCL2, IFN-γ, and TNF exhibited a pronounced dose-dependent decrease. Collectively, these findings indicated that PARP1 exacerbates carrageenan-induced prostatitis by promoting M1 macrophages polarization via the NF-κB pathway, suggesting PARP1 could be a potential therapeutic target for macrophage-based treatments in prostatitis.

Study progress of etiologic mechanisms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) represents a prevalent condition within the male genitourinary system. CP/CPPS occurs in men of varying ages, with an increasing recurrence rate associated with advancing age. The pathogenesis of CP/CPPS remains unclear, and clinical treatment typically focuses on symptom management with limited efficacy, resulting in significant economic and psychological burdens for patients. Research has increasingly identified several factors potentially associated with the development of CP/CPPS, including lifestyle, psychosocial influences, neuroendocrine elements, and other variables. This paper reviews recent studies on the risk factors and etiological mechanisms of CP/CPPS to enhance understanding of its mechanisms, providing a reference framework for future basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Fucoidan as a Promising Drug for Pain Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fucoidan is a polymer of L-fucose and L-fucose-4-sulphate naturally found in marine sources that inhibits p-selectin, preventing neutrophil recruitment to the site of injury. Fucoidan is employed in many studies as a tool to investigate the contribution of neutrophils to pain, showing analgesic effects. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the analgesic effects of pretreatment with fucoidan reported in the available preclinical studies. In addition, we summarized the articles which have studied the therapeutic effects of fucoidan in pathological pain at preclinical and clinical levels. The results of this systematic review reveal that pretreatment with fucoidan is a powerful tool which reduces neutrophil infiltration by 70-90% at early time points. This meta-analysis showed that preventative treatment with fucoidan produced a significant pain reduction. In addition, several preclinical studies have observed that fucoidan treatment reduces the pain that is associated with various pathologies. Finally, fucoidan has also been tested in several clinical trials, with some degree of analgesic efficacy, but they were mostly small pilot studies. Considering all the above information, it can be concluded that fucoidan is not only a preclinical tool for studying the role of neutrophils in pain but also a promising therapeutic strategy for pain treatment.

CaMK4: Structure, physiological functions, and therapeutic potential

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK4) is a versatile serine/threonine kinase involved in various cellular functions. It regulates T-cell differentiation, podocyte function, tumor cell proliferation/apoptosis, β cell mass, and insulin sensitivity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are complex and remain incompletely understood. The aims of this review are to highlight the latest advances in the regulatory mechanisms of CaMK4 underlying T-cell imbalance and parenchymal cell mass in multiple diseases. The structural motifs and activation of CaMK4, as well as the potential role of CaMK4 as a novel therapeutic target are also discussed.

Unraveling CCL20's role by regulating Th17 cell chemotaxis in experimental autoimmune prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), a prevalent urological ailment, exerts a profound influence upon the well-being of the males. Autoimmunity driven by Th17 cells has been postulated as a potential factor in CP/CPPS pathogenesis. Nonetheless, elucidating the precise mechanisms governing Th17 cell recruitment to the prostate, triggering inflammation, remained an urgent inquiry. This study illuminated that CCL20 played a pivotal role in attracting Th17 cells to the prostate, thereby contributing to prostatitis development. Furthermore, it identified prostate stromal cells and immune cells as likely sources of CCL20. Additionally, this research unveiled that IL-17A, released by Th17 cells, could stimulate macrophages to produce CCL20 through the NF-κB/MAPK/PI3K pathway. The interplay between IL-17A and CCL20 establishes a positive feedback loop, which might serve as a critical mechanism underpinning the development of chronic prostatitis, thus adding complexity to its treatment challenges.

Microbiology and immune mechanisms associated with male infertility

Up to 50% of infertility is caused by the male side. Varicocele, orchitis, prostatitis, oligospermia, asthenospermia, and azoospermia are common causes of impaired male reproductive function and male infertility. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that microorganisms play an increasingly important role in the occurrence of these diseases. This review will discuss the microbiological changes associated with male infertility from the perspective of etiology, and how microorganisms affect the normal function of the male reproductive system through immune mechanisms. Linking male infertility with microbiome and immunomics can help us recognize the immune response under different disease states, providing more targeted immune target therapy for these diseases, and even the possibility of combined immunotherapy and microbial therapy for male infertility.

Promotion of IL‑17/NF‑κB signaling in autoimmune thyroid diseases

IL-17 and other cytokines have a number of immunomodulatory effects on thyroid cells. The present study investigated the changes and correlations amongst IL-17, NF-κB, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-4 in patients with different autoimmune thyroid diseases in order to further clarify the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. A total of 82 patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (41 with Graves' disease and 41 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and 53 healthy controls were enrolled. All relevant thyroid hormones were detected by electrochemiluminescence analyzer. The serum levels of IL-17 and other cytokines were detected using flow cytometry, NF-κB was detected by ELISA, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect the protein expression of various mRNAs, and the correlations between IL-17 and these factors were analyzed. Significant differences occurred amongst all groups. NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 and their mRNA levels were significantly higher in the healthy controls compared with those in the patients; whereas IFN-γ and IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the healthy controls compared with those in the patients . Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of IL-17 and its mRNA were significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of NF-κB, IL-6, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroid gland globulin, thyroglobulin antibody, TNF-α and IFN-γ, and were also significantly negatively correlated with IL-10 . These findings suggested that IL-17 was elevated in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and that IL-17 could activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, stimulate the production and release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ and participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid injury.

High-Dose Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37rv Infection in IL-17A- and IL-17A/F-Deficient Mice

During experimental tuberculosis (TB), interleukin (IL)-17A appears to be involved in the formation of lung granulomas, possibly through the attraction of neutrophils to the sites of infection. However, the protective impact of cytokine appears to depend on the degree of its induction. Hence, robust production of IL-17A in mice infected with the hypervirulent isolate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) HN878 mediates protection, while the cytokine is dispensable for protective immune responses against low-dose infection with the less virulent strain H37rv. Here, we show that after experimental infection with high doses of Mtb H37rv, IL-17A-deficient (^−/−) mice exhibited high susceptibility to the infection, which was mediated by the strong accumulation of neutrophils in the infected lung tissue. Accordingly, we observed nearly unrestricted bacterial replication within the neutrophils, indicating that they may serve as a survival niche for Mtb. By use of IL-17A/IL-17F-double-deficient mice, we demonstrated that the susceptibility in the absence of IL-17A is mediated by a compensatory expression of IL-17F, which, however, appeared not to be dependent on neutrophils. Together, our results illustrate the compensatory potential of the Th17-secreted cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F in the context of experimental TB and once again emphasize the detrimental effect of excessive neutrophil infiltration in response to Mtb.

In Prostate Cancer Cells Cytokines Are Early Responders to Gravitational Changes Occurring in Parabolic Flights

The high mortality in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PC) establishes the need for diagnostic optimization by new biomarkers. Mindful of the effect of real microgravity on metabolic pathways of carcinogenesis, we attended a parabolic flight (PF) mission to perform an experiment with the PC cell line PC-3, and submitted the resulting RNA to next generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). After the first parabola, alterations of the F-actin cytoskeleton-like stress fibers and pseudopodia are visible. Moreover, numerous significant transcriptional changes are evident. We were able to identify a network of relevant PC cytokines and chemokines showing differential expression due to gravitational changes, particularly during the early flight phases. Together with differentially expressed regulatory lncRNAs and micro RNAs, we present a portfolio of 298 potential biomarkers. Via qPCR we identified IL6 and PIK3CB to be sensitive to vibration effects and hypergravity, respectively. Per NGS we detected five upregulated cytokines (CCL2, CXCL1, IL6, CXCL2, CCL20), one zink finger protein (TNFAIP3) and one glycoprotein (ICAM1) related to c-REL signaling and thus relevant for carcinogenesis as well as inflammatory aspects. We found regulated miR-221 and the co-localized lncRNA MIR222HG induced by PF maneuvers. miR-221 is related to the PC-3 growth rate and MIR222HG is a known risk factor for glioma susceptibility. These findings in real microgravity may further improve our understanding of PC and contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools.