Role of thromboxane A2 in the induction of apoptosis of immature thymocytes by lipopolysaccharide

Lymphatic vessel: origin, heterogeneity, biological functions, and therapeutic targets

Lymphatic vessels, comprising the secondary circulatory system in human body, play a multifaceted role in maintaining homeostasis among various tissues and organs. They are tasked with a serious of responsibilities, including the regulation of lymph absorption and transport, the orchestration of immune surveillance and responses. Lymphatic vessel development undergoes a series of sophisticated regulatory signaling pathways governing heterogeneous-origin cell populations stepwise to assemble into the highly specialized lymphatic vessel networks. Lymphangiogenesis, as defined by new lymphatic vessels sprouting from preexisting lymphatic vessels/embryonic veins, is the main developmental mechanism underlying the formation and expansion of lymphatic vessel networks in an embryo. However, abnormal lymphangiogenesis could be observed in many pathological conditions and has a close relationship with the development and progression of various diseases. Mechanistic studies have revealed a set of lymphangiogenic factors and cascades that may serve as the potential targets for regulating abnormal lymphangiogenesis, to further modulate the progression of diseases. Actually, an increasing number of clinical trials have demonstrated the promising interventions and showed the feasibility of currently available treatments for future clinical translation. Targeting lymphangiogenic promoters or inhibitors not only directly regulates abnormal lymphangiogenesis, but improves the efficacy of diverse treatments. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive overview of lymphatic vessel development and physiological functions, and describe the critical involvement of abnormal lymphangiogenesis in multiple diseases. Moreover, we summarize the targeting therapeutic values of abnormal lymphangiogenesis, providing novel perspectives for treatment strategy of multiple human diseases.

The Role and Regulation of Thromboxane A2 Signaling in Cancer-Trojan Horses and Misdirection

Over the last two decades, there has been an increasing awareness of the role of eicosanoids in the development and progression of several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. Several processes involved in cancer development, such as cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis, are regulated by the arachidonic acid derivative thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂). Higher levels of circulating TXA₂ are observed in patients with multiple cancers, and this is accompanied by overexpression of TXA₂ synthase (TBXAS1, TXA₂S) and/or TXA₂ receptors (TBXA2R, TP). Overexpression of TXA₂S or TP in tumor cells is generally associated with poor prognosis, reduced survival, and metastatic disease. However, the role of TXA₂ signaling in the stroma during oncogenesis has been underappreciated. TXA₂ signaling regulates the tumor microenvironment by modulating angiogenic potential, tumor ECM stiffness, and host immune response. Moreover, the by-products of TXA₂S are highly mutagenic and oncogenic, adding to the overall phenotype where TXA₂ synthesis promotes tumor formation at various levels. The stability of synthetic enzymes and receptors in this pathway in most cancers (with few mutations reported) suggests that TXA₂ signaling is a viable target for adjunct therapy in various tumors to reduce immune evasion, primary tumor growth, and metastasis.

Roles of Thromboxane Receptor Signaling in Enhancement of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lymphangiogenesis and Lymphatic Drainage Function in Diaphragm

[Figure: see text].

Induced Prostanoid Synthesis Regulates the Balance between Th1- and Th2-Producing Inflammatory Cytokines in the Thymus of Diet-Restricted Mice

Multiple external and internal factors have been reported to induce thymic involution. Involution involves dramatic reduction in size and function of the thymus, leading to various immunodeficiency-related disorders. Therefore, clarifying and manipulating molecular mechanisms governing thymic involution are clinically important, although only a few studies have dealt with this issue. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying thymic involution using a murine acute diet-restriction model. Gene expression analyses indicated that the expression of T helper 1 (Th1)-producing cytokines, namely interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-2, was down-regulated, while that of Th2-producing IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 was up-regulated, suggesting that acute diet-restriction regulates the polarization of naïve T cells to a Th2-like phenotype during thymic involution. mRNAs for prostanoid biosynthetic enzymes were up-regulated by acute diet-restriction. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses detected the increased production of prostanoids, particularly prostaglandin D₂ and thromboxane B₂, a metabolite of thromboxane A₂, in the diet-restricted thymus. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, namely aspirin and etodolac, to inhibit prostanoid synthesis suppressed the biased expression of Th1- and Th2-cytokines as well as molecular markers of Th1 and Th2 cells in the diet-restricted thymus, without affecting the reduction of thymus size. In vitro stimulation of thymocytes with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin confirmed the polarization of thymocytes from diet-restricted mice toward Th2 cells. These results indicated that the induced production of prostanoids during diet-restriction-induced thymic involution is involved in the polarization of naïve T cells in the thymus.

Metabolomics profiling of haloperidol and validation of thromboxane-related signaling in the early development of zebrafish

Haloperidol is a common butyrophenone-derivative antipsychotic drug that is used clinically to treat schizophrenia and to control Tourette disorder. Haloperidol has been shown to be an embryonic toxicant and to cause a variety of adverse effects that affect human embryonic development. However, the pathway impaired by haloperidol during the developmental stages remains unclear. To elucidate the innate toxicological pathway of haloperidol, we investigated the lethality of haloperidol during the embryonic development of zebrafish. We observed that haloperidol caused serious morphological changes, with an LD₅₀ of 9.7 x 10^-6 ± 2.4 x 10^-6 μg/L. Next, we established a systematic approach to perform metabolite profiling in embryonic zebrafish with various concentrations of haloperidol and analyzed the metabolites using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS). A total of 304 metabolites were identified and 86 metabolites were chosen to predict potential pathways. Among the metabolites, we found through prediction that numerous metabolomics-biological pathways are associated with haloperidol, including peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (ppar), thromboxane, and mTOR signaling. Quantitative real time-qPCR was then used to validate the gene expression potentially associated with the thromboxane, which is a metabolic product of arachidonic acid and considered to be important for cell proliferation and the inflammatory response. To sum up, analysis of metabolites in the zebrafish model provides a system for mining biomarkers that reflect biological significance and highlight the therapeutic potency in humans. In addition, it may show potential for application to other pharmaceuticals to identify their various activities and clarify functional mechanisms in the future.

Role of mitochondria in programmed cell death mediated by arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids

Arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids from cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and cytochrome P450 are important lipid mediators involved in numerous homeostatic and pathophysiological processes. Most eicosanoids act primarily on their respective cell surface G-protein coupled receptors to elicit downstream signaling in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. Emerging evidence indicates that these hormones are also critical in apoptosis in a cell/tissue specific manner. In this review, we summarize the formation of eicosanoids and their roles as mediators in apoptosis, specifically on the roles of mitochondria in mediating these events and the signaling pathways involved. The biological relevance of eicosanoid-mediated apoptosis is also discussed.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXXIII: classification of prostanoid receptors, updating 15 years of progress

It is now more than 15 years since the molecular structures of the major prostanoid receptors were elucidated. Since then, substantial progress has been achieved with respect to distribution and function, signal transduction mechanisms, and the design of agonists and antagonists (http://www.iuphar-db.org/DATABASE/FamilyIntroductionForward?familyId=58). This review systematically details these advances. More recent developments in prostanoid receptor research are included. The DP(2) receptor, also termed CRTH2, has little structural resemblance to DP(1) and other receptors described in the original prostanoid receptor classification. DP(2) receptors are more closely related to chemoattractant receptors. Prostanoid receptors have also been found to heterodimerize with other prostanoid receptor subtypes and nonprostanoids. This may extend signal transduction pathways and create new ligand recognition sites: prostacyclin/thromboxane A(2) heterodimeric receptors for 8-epi-prostaglandin E(2), wild-type/alternative (alt4) heterodimers for the prostaglandin FP receptor for bimatoprost and the prostamides. It is anticipated that the 15 years of research progress described herein will lead to novel therapeutic entities.

Epigenetic regulation of immune cell functions during post-septic immunosuppression

Studies in humans and animal models indicate that profound immunosuppression is one of the chronic consequences of severe sepsis. This immune dysfunction encompasses deficiencies in activation of cells in both the myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages. As a result, survivors of severe sepsis are at risk of succumbing to infections perpetrated by opportunistic pathogens that are normally controlled by a fully functioning immune system. Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic mechanisms may be one driving force behind this immunosuppression, through suppression of proinflammatory gene production and subsequent immune cell activation, proliferation and effector function. A better understanding of epigenetics and post-septic immunosuppression can improve our diagnostic tools and may be an important potential source of novel molecular targets for new therapies. This review will discuss important pathways of immune cell activation affected by severe sepsis, and highlight pathways of epigenetic regulation that may be involved in post-septic immunosuppression.

Emerging roles of prostanoids in T cell-mediated immunity

Three distinct subsets of T helper (Th) cells, Th1, Th2, and Th17, not only contribute to host defense against pathogens, but also cause many types of immune diseases. Differentiation and functions of these T cell subsets are mainly regulated by specific cytokines. Intriguingly, recent studies have revealed that prostanoids including various types of prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane (TX) are also involved in these processes. Prostanoids exert their actions by binding to their specific receptors. They include PGD receptor, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 subtypes of PGE receptor, PGF receptor, PGI receptor, and TX receptor. From many in vitro findings, prostanoids, especially PGE(2), were traditionally believed to be an immunosuppressant. However, studies using mice deficient in each type or subtype of prostanoid receptors and their selective agonists and antagonists have revealed that prostanoids collaborate with cytokines, and critically regulate T cell proliferation, differentiation and functions. Recent studies have revealed that PGE(2) facilitates Th1 cell differentiation and Th17 cell expansion in collaboration with IL-12 and IL-23, respectively, and that these PGE(2) actions contribute to development of immune diseases mediated by these Th subsets. Furthermore, studies using the receptor-deficient mice have also revealed that other prostanoids including PGD(2) and PGI(2) contribute to regulation of immune diseases of the Th2 type such as allergic asthma. These findings shed a new light on the roles of prostanoids in T cell-mediated immunity and immune diseases.

Impaired CD4+ T-cell proliferation and effector function correlates with repressive histone methylation events in a mouse model of severe sepsis

Immunosuppression following severe sepsis remains a significant human health concern, as long-term morbidity and mortality rates of patients who have recovered from life-threatening septic shock remain poor. Mouse models of severe sepsis indicate this immunosuppression may be partly due to alterations in myeloid cell function; however, the effect of severe sepsis on subsequent CD4(+) T-cell responses remains unclear. In the present study, CD4(+) T cells from mice subjected to an experimental model of severe sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)) were analyzed in vitro. CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells from CLP mice exhibited reduced proliferative capacity and altered gene expression. Additionally, CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells from CLP mice exhibit dysregulated cytokine production after in vitro skewing with exogenous cytokines, indicating a decreased capability of these cells to commit to either the T(H)1 or T(H)2 lineage. Repressive histone methylation marks were also evident at promoter regions for the T(H)1 cytokine IFN-gamma and the T(H)2 transcription factor GATA-3 in naïve CD4(+) T cells from CLP mice. These results provide evidence that CD4(+) T-cell subsets from post-septic mice exhibit defects in activation and effector function, possibly due to chromatin remodeling proximal to genes involved in cytokine production or gene transcription.

Prostanoids modulate inflammation and alloimmune responses during graft rejection

Acute rejection of a transplanted organ is characterized by intense inflammation within the graft. Yet, for many years transplant researchers have overlooked the role of classic mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and thromboxane (prostanoids) in alloimmune responses. It has been demonstrated that local production of prostanoids within the allograft is increased during an episode of acute rejection and that these molecules are able to interfere with graft function by modulating vascular tone, capillary permeability, and platelet aggregation. Experimental data also suggest that prostanoids may participate in alloimmune responses by directly modulating T lymphocyte and antigen-presenting cell function. In the present paper, we provide a brief overview of the alloimmune response, of prostanoid biology, and discuss the available evidence for the role of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2 in graft rejection.