A calculated response: control of inflammation by the innate immune system

Cationic conjugated polymers with tunable hydrophobicity for efficient treatment of multidrug-resistant wound biofilm infections

Biofilm-associated infections arising from antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a critical challenge to global health. We report the generation of a library of cationic conjugated poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) polymers featuring trimethylammonium terminated sidechains with tunable hydrophobicity. Screening of the library identified an amphiphilic polymer with a C11 hydrophobic spacer as the polymer with the highest antimicrobial efficacy against biofilms in the dark with excellent selectivity. These polymers are highly fluorescent, allowing label-free monitoring of polymer-bacteria/biofilm interactions. The amphiphilic conjugated polymer penetrated the biofilm matrix in vitro and eradicated resident bacteria through membrane disruption. This C11 polymer was likewise effective in an in vivo murine model of antibiotic-resistant wound biofilm infections, clearing >99.9 % of biofilm colonies and efficient alleviation of biofilm-associated inflammation. The results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the fluorescent conjugated polymer platform as a multi-modal antimicrobial and imaging tool, surpassing conventional antimicrobial strategies against resilient biofilm infection.

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide)-induced inflammation in albino rat and macrophages (RAW 264.7): Piper mullesua leaf extract as promising therapeutic against inflammatory pathophysiology via SOCS1 activation and phospho-NF-κB/JAK1/STAT1 inhibition

The present investigation has been attempted for scientifically validating the traditional uses of Piper mullesua against inflammatory pathophysiology using both in vivo (albino rats) and in vitro (macrophage cells, RAW 264.7) models of inflammation caused by an endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Oral gavaging with PMHAE, hydroalcoholic extract of Piper mullesua leaves, dose-responsively (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg BW, 14 days) restored any alteration in the concentration of serum inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10 and decreased prostaglandin (PGE2) and nitrite count in rats injected (i.p.) with LPS (10 mg/kg BW). PMHAE supplementation (5, 10, or 20 µg/mL) further attenuated MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increased IL-10 and IL-4 secretion and mRNA expression in LPS-treated (50 ng/mL) macrophages. PMHAE also enhanced phagocytic potential while attenuated ROS counts in LPS-treated cells. Additionally, PMHAE supplementation increased SOCS1 protein expression and decreased NF-κB phosphorylation (Serine 536), along with the expression of JAK1/STAT1 proteins in LPS-treated cells. Treatment with PMHAE did not cause any toxicity to animals and cultured cells. Phytochemical analysis (LC-MS/GC-MS) revealed various compounds, including piperine, piperlongumine, pipernonaline, phytol, methyl eugenol, and pinene, contributing to anti-inflammatory potential of PMHAE. These findings suggested Piper mullesua as a safe, effective, and potential anti-inflammatory avenue for therapeutic exploration in inflammatory pathophysiology.

STAT Signature Dish: Serving Immunity with a Side of Dietary Control

Immunity is a fundamental aspect of animal biology, defined as the host's ability to detect and defend against harmful pathogens and toxic substances to preserve homeostasis. However, immune defenses are metabolically demanding, requiring the efficient allocation of limited resources to balance immune function with other physiological and developmental needs. To achieve this balance, organisms have evolved sophisticated signaling networks that enable precise, context-specific responses to internal and external cues. These networks are essential for survival and adaptation in multicellular systems. Central to this regulatory architecture is the STAT (signal transducer and activator of Transcription) family, a group of versatile signaling molecules that govern a wide array of biological processes across eukaryotes. STAT signaling demonstrates remarkable plasticity, from orchestrating host defense mechanisms to regulating dietary metabolism. Despite its critical role, the cell-specific and context-dependent nuances of STAT signaling remain incompletely understood, highlighting a significant gap in our understanding. This review delves into emerging perspectives on immunity, presenting dynamic frameworks to explore the complexity and adaptability of STAT signaling and the underlying logic driving cellular decision-making. It emphasizes how STAT pathways integrate diverse physiological processes, from immune responses to dietary regulation, ultimately supporting organismal balance and homeostasis.

Nematode serine protease inhibitor SPI-I8 negatively regulates host NF-κB signalling by hijacking MKRN1-mediated polyubiquitination of RACK1

Parasitic roundworms are remarkable for their ability to manipulate host immune systems and ameliorate inflammatory diseases. Although much is known about the nature of nematode effectors in immune modulation, little is known about the action mode of these molecules. Here, we report that a serine protease inhibitor SPI-I8 in the extracellular vesicles of blood-feeding nematodes like Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Haemonchus contortus and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, effectively halts excessive inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that H. contortus SPI-I8 promotes the role of a negative regulator of RACK1 and enhances the effects of RACK1 on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-IκB kinases (IKKs)-nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) axis in mammalian cells, by hijacking E3 ubiquitin protein ligase MKRN1-mediated polyubiquitination of RACK1. Administration of recombinant N. brasiliensis SPI-I8 effectively protects mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. Considering the structural and functional conservation of SPI-I8s among Strongylida nematodes and the conservation of interactive mediators (i.e., MKRN1 and RACK1) among mammals, our findings provide insights into the host-parasite interface where parasitic roundworms secret molecules to suppress host inflammatory responses. Harnessing these findings should underpin the exploitation of nematode's immunomodulators to relief excessive inflammation associated diseases in animals and humans.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of oridonin analogs as anti-inflammatory agents that regulate the NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome axis

Introduction

A series of oridonin hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory potential, focusing on their ability to inhibit NO production in RAW264.7 cells and their therapeutic prospects for NLRP3-driven disorders.

Methods

Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring NO inhibition in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The most active compound, 4c, was further analyzed using ELISA and WB to evaluate its effects on inflammatory proteins (p-NF-κB, p-IκB, NLRP3, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, iNOS). In vivo efficacy was tested in a murine acute lung injury model, with RT‒qPCR and WB used to assess inflammatory markers in lung tissues. Molecular docking predicted 4c's binding mode with NLRP3, while RNA-seq and RT‒qPCR identified differentially expressed genes.

Results

Compound 4c significantly inhibited NO production and suppressed key inflammatory proteins in vitro. In vivo, it alleviated acute lung injury, reduced IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels, and inhibited NLRP3, p-NF-κB, and IL-6 protein expression. Docking suggested covalent binding to NLRP3. RNA-seq revealed 4c upregulated Trdc, Stfa2, and Gsta2 while downregulating Spib, Csf2, and Nr4a1.

Discussion

Compound 4c demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory effects via NLRP3 pathway inhibition and modulation of inflammatory genes. These findings highlight oridonin hybrids, particularly 4c, as promising candidates for NLRP3-driven inflammatory disorders, warranting further investigation.

TANK-Binding Kinase 1 in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Inflammation-Related Diseases

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a key signaling kinase involved in innate immune and inflammatory responses. TBK1 drives immune cells to participate in the inflammatory response by activating the NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor signaling pathways in immune cells, promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and regulating immune cell function. Thus, it plays a crucial role in initiating a signaling cascade that establishes an inflammatory environment. In inflammation-related diseases, TBK1 acts as a bridge linking inflammation to immunity, metabolism, or tumorigenesis, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, metabolic, inflammatory syndromes, and inflammation-associated cancers by regulating the activation of inflammatory pathways and the production of inflammatory cytokines in cells. In this review, we focused on the mechanisms of TBK1 in immune cells and inflammatory-related diseases, providing new insights for further studies targeting TBK1 as a potential treatment for inflammation-related diseases. Thus, optimizing and investigating highly selective cell-specific TBK1 inhibitors is important for their application in these diseases.

Inflammation in cancer: therapeutic opportunities from new insights

As one part of the innate immune response to external stimuli, chronic inflammation increases the risk of various cancers, and tumor-promoting inflammation is considered one of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Recently, there has been growing evidence on the role of anti-inflammation therapy in cancer prevention and treatment. And researchers have already achieved several noteworthy outcomes. In the review, we explored the underlying mechanisms by which inflammation affects the occurrence and development of cancer. The pro- or anti-tumor effects of these inflammatory factors such as interleukin, interferon, chemokine, inflammasome, and extracellular matrix are discussed. Since FDA-approved anti-inflammation drugs like aspirin show obvious anti-tumor effects, these drugs have unique advantages due to their relatively fewer side effects with long-term use compared to chemotherapy drugs. The characteristics make them promising candidates for cancer chemoprevention. Overall, this review discusses the role of these inflammatory molecules in carcinogenesis of cancer and new inflammation molecules-directed therapeutic opportunities, ranging from cytokine inhibitors/agonists, inflammasome inhibitors, some inhibitors that have already been or are expected to be applied in clinical practice, as well as recent discoveries of the anti-tumor effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The advantages and disadvantages of their application in cancer chemoprevention are also discussed.

From Genes to Healing: The Protective Mechanisms of Poria cocos Polysaccharide in Endometrial Health

The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP) on bovine endometritis. Initially, an inflammation model was induced using LPS-treated bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEND) to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and LPS groups by transcriptome sequencing, and GO functional annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. Subsequently, the mechanism of PCP treatment for endometritis was further evaluated using protein immunoblotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative analysis. Finally, the efficacy of PCP in treating endometritis was evaluated using a rat model of endometritis established with a mixed bacterial infection. The results show that transcriptome sequencing identified 4367 DEGs, with enrichment analysis highlighting the primary influences on the cell cycle and apoptosis signaling pathways. Following treatment of BEND with LPS resulted in cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, the introduction of PCP intervention significantly inhibited the progression of apoptosis and inflammation. Animal test results indicate that PCP significantly decreases the levels of serum inflammatory in rats suffering from endometritis and enhances antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, it effectively improved uterine swelling and tissue vacuolization caused by bacterial infection. These findings suggest that PCP could alleviate endometritis by modulating the inflammatory response and suppressing cell apoptosis. Poria cocos polysaccharides demonstrate significant potential for applications in immune modulation, anti-inflammatory responses, and antioxidant activities. Their high safety profile makes them suitable candidates as alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of endometritis in the veterinary field.

Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities

Propolis (bee glue) is a complex mixture of resins, waxes, and gums, and it is a resinous exudate manufactured by honey bees to maintain the integrity of the hive and defend against external threats. This multifunctional material exhibits several striking properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have made it a subject of traditional medicine over time, from ancient Egyptian mummification to modern complementary medicine. Propolis with rich phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This review describes multiple properties and uses of propolis, highlighting the role of propolis as an exceptional natural resource with high therapeutic potential.

Fabry Disease and Inflammation: Potential Role of p65 iso5, an Isoform of the NF-κB Complex

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease, caused by mutations in the GLA gene on the X chromosome, resulting in a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-GAL. This leads to the progressive accumulation of Gb3 in cells, causing multi-systemic effects. FD has been classified as a subgroup of autoinflammatory diseases. NF-κB is a family of ubiquitous and inducible transcription factors that play critical roles in inflammation, in which the p65/p50 heterodimer is the most abundant. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) represents the physiological antagonists in the inflammation process. A novel spliced variant of p65, named p65 iso5, which can bind the dexamethasone, enhancing GR activity, has been found. This study investigates the potential role of p65 iso5 in the inflammation of subjects with FD. We evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), from over 100 FD patients, the p65 iso5 mRNA level, and the protein expression. The results showed significantly lower p65 iso5 mRNA and protein expression levels compared to controls. These findings, along with the ability of p65 iso5 to bind dexamethasone and the regulation of the glucocorticoid response in the opposite way of p65, strongly suggest the involvement of p65 iso5 in the inflammatory response in FD.

Unveiling the Potential Biological and Chemical Mechanism of Pergularia tomentosa Extracts by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionisation-High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry, In-Vitro and In-Vivo Pharmacological Studies

By means of this investigation, we were able to ascertain some hitherto undiscovered biological activities of Pergularia tomentosa. In this study, the chemical composition of P. tomentosa extracts (aqueous PtAE and hydroalcoholic PtHE) was investigated by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS/MS) analysis. The extracts were evaluated for various biological features in vitro, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, urease inhibitory, and sun protection factor (SPF) capabilities. To assess the antioxidant activity of PtAE and PtHE, which was expressed as 50% inhibition and absorbance at 0.5 values, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) scavenging, ferric reducing power, and silver nanoparticle-based assays were performed. The in vitro anti-inflammatory impact was investigated to assess the inhibitory effect of PtAE and PtHE on albumin denaturation. Also, we established, for the first time, P. tomentosa's urease inhibitory capacity and SPF. In order to assess the in vivo biological features of PtAE and PtHE, experiments were conducted to evaluate their acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory effects and sedative properties, which are determined for the first time. The outcomes revealed that these extracts are prolific in flavonoids and cardenolides, among other secondary metabolites. Some of these compounds are identified for the first time in the P. tomentosa plant. The findings demonstrated that PtHE was potent against DPPH● (244.43 ± 1.44 µg/mL), ABTS●+ (18.30 ± 2.11 µg/mL), and PtAE was strongly active against ferric reducing power (4.56 ± 0.80 µg/mL) and SNP (44.81 ± 1.13 µg/mL). The anti-inflammatory potential of PtAE and PtHE is significant, and their inhibition percentages (61.57% for PtAE and 43.77% for PtHE) are comparable to the reference ibuprofen. All treated mice did not exhibit any signs of intoxication after receiving a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of PtAE and PtHE oral alternatively. PtAE and PtHE have potent anti-inflammatory with inhibition percentages of 77.25% and 43.00%, respectively. Emphasising the sedative effect of both P. tomentosa extracts, the oral administration of the extracts produced a decrease in movement of 49.77% for the PtAE and 60.00% for the PtHE. These highlights prove the ability of PtAE and PtHE to suppress the formation of paw oedema and lower spontaneous locomotor activity in treated mice. The data gathered suggest that P. tomentosa has potential use in the pharmaceutical industries as an alternative therapy for different physiological disorders and diseases and as a therapeutic agent.

Immunomodulatory activity of Trypanosoma cruzi recombinant antigen combination TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 induce activation of macrophages and CD8+ T cells

Chagas disease is a chronic infection caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, with limited benefits of the currently available anti-parasitic chemotherapeutic approaches to halt the progression of heart disease. Recombinant TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 proteins have been developed as promising antigen candidates for therapeutic vaccines, leading to propose them in combination as a bivalent recombinant protein strategy. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of the combined TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 recombinant proteins by in vitro assays using murine macrophages. Macrophages from naïve Balb/c mice were isolated and stimulated with TSA-1-C4 plus Tc24-C4 recombinant proteins, hence, supernatants were recovered to measure host NO, H2O2, as well as, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine responses. Later, stimulated macrophages were co-cultured with CD8+ T cells from naïve mice, and inflammatory cytokine-profiles were measured from supernatants. We observed that combining both antigens promotes the activation of host macrophages by NO and H2O2 release; moreover, these macrophages also induced considerable pro-inflammatory immune-responses mediated by TNF-, IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines compared to either TSA-1-C4 or Tc24-C4 stimulated macrophages. In addition, naïve CD8+ T cells in presence of TSA-1-C4 plus Tc24-C4 stimulated-macrophages similarly boosted the pro-inflammatory immune profile by significant production of IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines. These results support immunological advantages for the use of TSA-1-C4 and Tc24-C4 combination as vaccine candidates against T. cruzi.

Omonijo F, A Ganai N, M. Ibeagha-Awemu E, Mudasir Ahmad S. Immunotherapy in mastitis: state of knowledge, research gaps and way forward

Mastitis is an inflammatory condition that affects dairy cow's mammary glands. Traditional treatment approaches with antibiotics are increasingly leading to challenging scenarios such as antimicrobial resistance. In order to mitigate the unwanted side effects of antibiotics, alternative strategies such as those that harness the host immune system response, also known as immunotherapy, have been implemented. Immunotherapy approaches to treat bovine mastitis aims to enhance the cow's immune response against pathogens by promoting pathogen clearance, and facilitating tissue repair. Various studies have demonstrated the potential of immunotherapy for reducing the incidence, duration and severity of mastitis. Nevertheless, majority of reported therapies are lacking in specificity hampering their broad application to treat mastitis. Meanwhile, advancements in mastitis immunotherapy hold great promise for the dairy industry, with potential to provide effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional antibiotic-based approaches. This review synthesizes immunotherapy strategies, their current understanding and potential future perspectives. The future perspectives should focus on the development of precision immunotherapies tailored to address individual pathogens/group of pathogens, development of combination therapies to address antimicrobial resistance, and the integration of nano- and omics technologies. By addressing research gaps, the field of mastitis immunotherapy can make significant strides in the control, treatment and prevention of mastitis, ultimately benefiting both animal and human health/welfare, and environment health.

Saponins as potential novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors for inflammatory disorders

Nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is a downstream protein from the pattern recognition receptor family that forms the NLRP3 inflammasome. The NLRP3 inflammasome releases caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, contributing to inflammatory responses associated with diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Recent studies suggest that specific saponin monomers and extracts from traditional Chinese medicines can inhibit inflammatory responses and related pathways, including the production of inflammatory factors. MCC950 is one of the most influential and specific NLRP3 inhibitors. Comparative molecular docking studies have identified 22 of the 37 saponin components as more robust binders to NLRP3 than MCC950. Dioscin, polyphyllin H, and saikosaponin-a have the highest binding affinities and potential NLRP3 inhibitors, offering a theoretical basis for developing novel anti-inflammatory therapies.

Mechanism and Application Prospects of NLRC3 Regulating cGAS-STING Pathway in Lung Cancer Immunotherapy

NLRC3, a negative regulator, exhibits considerable potential in the realm of lung cancer immunotherapy by virtue of its profound impact on the immune response intensity, primarily through its regulatory effects on the cGAS-STING pathway. The inhibition of NLRC3 has been found to augment the activity of the aforementioned pathway, thereby enhancing the anti-tumor immune response. This comprehensive review endeavors to elucidate the molecular and genetic structures of NLRC3, its role within the immune system, and its interaction with the cGAS-STING pathway, with a particular emphasis on its potential applications in lung cancer immunotherapy. Existing research underscores NLRC3's capacity to mitigate excessive immune responses via the negative regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway, thus underscoring its significant regulatory role in lung cancer immunotherapy. The development of pharmaceutical interventions and gene therapy strategies targeting NLRC3 presents a promising avenue for the creation of novel therapeutic options for individuals afflicted with lung cancer. Nonetheless, the clinical application of these therapies is confronted with both technical and biological challenges. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for related research endeavors and delineate future research directions in this field.

Interplay of poultry-microbiome interactions - influencing factors and microbes in poultry infections and metabolic disorders

1. The poultry microbiome and its stability at every point in time, either free range or reared under different farming systems, is affected by several environmental and innate factors. The interaction of the poultry birds with their microbiome, as well as several inherent and extraneous factors contribute to the microbiome dynamics. A poor understanding of this could worsen poultry heath and result in disease/metabolic disorders.2. Many diseased states associated with poultry have been linked to dysbiosis state, where the microbiome experiences some perturbation. Dysbiosis itself is too often downplayed; however, it is considered a disease which could lead to more serious conditions in poultry. The management of interconnected factors by conventional and emerging technologies (sequencing, nanotechnology, robotics, 3D mini-guts) could prove to be indispensable in ensuring poultry health and welfare.3. Findings showed that high-throughput technological advancements enhanced scientific insights into emerging trends surrounding the poultry gut microbiome and ecosystem, the dysbiotic condition, and the dynamic roles of intrinsic and exogenous factors in determining poultry health. Yet, a combination of conventional, -omics based and other techniques further enhance characterisation of key poultry microbiome actors, their mechanisms of action, and roles in maintaining gut homoeostasis and health, in a bid to avert metabolic disorders and infections.4. In conclusion, there is an important interplay of innate, environmental, abiotic and biotic factors impacting on poultry gut microbiome homoeostasis, dysbiosis, and overall health. Associated infections and metabolic disorders can result from the interconnected nature of these factors. Emerging concepts (interkingdom or network signalling and neurotransmitter), and future technologies (mini-gut models, cobots) need to include these interactions to ensure accurate control and outcomes.

Changes of intestinal barrier in the process of intestinal inflammation induced by Aeromonas hydrophila in snakehead (Channa argus)

Bacterial intestinal inflammation frequently occurs in cultured fish. Nevertheless, research on intestinal barrier dysfunction in the process of intestinal inflammation is deficient. In this study, we explored the changes of intestinal inflammation induced by Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) in snakehead and the relationship between intestinal barrier and inflammation. Snakehead [(13.05 ± 2.39) g] were infected via anus with A. hydrophila. Specimens were collected for analysis at 0, 1, 3, 7 and 21 d post-injection. The results showed that with the increase of exposure time, the hindgut underwent stages of normal function, damage, damage deterioration, repair and recovery. Relative to 0 d, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum, and the expression of nod1, tlr1, tlr5, nf-κb, tnf-α and il-1β in intestine were significantly increased, and showed an upward then downward pattern over time. However, the expression of tlr2 and il-10 were markedly decreased, and showed the opposite trend. In addition, with the development of intestinal inflammation, the diversity and richness of species, and the levels of phylum and genus in intestine were obviously altered. The levels of trypsin, LPS, AMS, T-SOD, CAT, GPx, AKP, LZM and C3 in intestine were markedly reduced, and displayed a trend of first decreasing and then rebounding. The ultrastructure observation showed that the microvilli and tight junction structure of intestinal epithelial cells experienced normal function initially, then damage, and finally recovery over time. The expression of claudin-3 and zo-1 in intestine were significantly decreased, and showed a trend of first decreasing and then rebounding. Conversely, the expression of mhc-i, igm, igt and pigr in intestine were markedly increased, and displayed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The above results revealed the changes in intestinal barrier during the occurrence and development of intestinal inflammation, which provided a theoretical basis for explaining the relationship between the two.

An updated and comprehensive review of the morphology, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity of Aster tataricus L. f

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aster tataricus L.f., an extensively used herb in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years, is known as "Zi wan" or "Fan huncao". Its dried root and rhizome hold great promise in the treatment of cough, asthma, tumor, inflammation, etc.Aim of the study: This literature review summarizes the morphology characteristics, ethnopharmacological use, phytochemical properties, pharmacological effects, and potential applications of Aster tataricus. Furthermore, this review will discuss the future research trends and development prospects of this plant.

Materials and methods

Using "Aster tataricus L.f.", "Traditional medicinal usage", "Phytochemistry", "Pharmacological effects" as the keywords and gathered relevant data on Aster tataricus L.f. using electronic databases (Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science), relevant books, and classic literature about Chinese herb.

Result

A total of 186 compounds have been isolated and identified from Aster tataricus, including terpenes, organic acids, peptides, and flavonoids. And Aster tataricus has been widely used as a natural cough suppressant and has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressive, and anti-tumor effects. In addition, Aster tataricus has also been reported to have damaging effects on the liver as well as other toxicities were discussed in this review.

Conclusions

Aster tataricus is an ancient herbal medicine with a broad spectrum of pharmaco logical activities that has been used for thousands of years in China, and has shown remarkable effectiveness in the treatment of various diseases, especially cough, asthma, inflammation. Although its rich chemical constituents have various pharmacological activities, the underlying mechanisms, as well as its toxicity and safety, remains unclear and warrant further investigation.

Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on apoptosis and inflammation in zebrafish larvae: Insights from reactive oxygen species perspective

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the toxicity and mortality induced by nanoplastics (NPs) in aquatic organisms. However, studies investigating mechanisms underlying oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis, and inflammation induced by NPs in fish remain limited. This study observed that polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) were accumulated into zebrafish larvae and zebrafish embryonic fibroblast (ZF4 cells), accompanied by the occurrence of pathological damage both at the cellular and tissue-organ level. Additionally, the transcriptional up-regulation of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and subsequent excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulted in notable changes in the relative mRNA and protein expression levels associated with antioxidant oxidase systems in larvae. Furthermore, the study identified the impact of NPs on mitochondrial ultrastructural, resulting in mitochondrial depolarization and downregulation of mRNA expression related to the electron transport chain due to excessive ROS generation. Short-term exposure to NPs also triggered apoptosis and inflammation in zebrafish larvae, evident from significant up-regulation in mRNA expressions of proapoptotic factors and NF-κB proinflammatory signaling pathway, as well as increased transcription and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors in larvae. Inhibition of intracellular excessive ROS effectively reduced the induction of apoptosis, NF-κB P65 nuclear migration levels, and cytokine secretion, underscoring OS as a pivotal factor throughout the process of apoptosis and inflammatory responses induced by NPs. This research significantly advances our comprehension of biological effects and underlying mechanisms of NPs in freshwater fish.

Unraveling and Harnessing the Immune Response at the Cell-Biomaterial Interface for Tissue Engineering Purposes

Biomaterials are defined as "engineered materials" and include a range of natural and synthetic products, designed for their introduction into and interaction with living tissues. Biomaterials are considered prominent tools in regenerative medicine that support the restoration of tissue defects and retain physiologic functionality. Although commonly used in the medical field, these constructs are inherently foreign toward the host and induce an immune response at the material-tissue interface, defined as the foreign body response (FBR). A strong connection between the foreign body response and tissue regeneration is suggested, in which an appropriate amount of immune response and macrophage polarization is necessary to trigger autologous tissue formation. Recent developments in this field have led to the characterization of immunomodulatory traits that optimizes bioactivity, the integration of biomaterials and determines the fate of tissue regeneration. This review addresses a variety of aspects that are involved in steering the inflammatory response, including immune cell interactions, physical characteristics, biochemical cues, and metabolomics. Harnessing the advancing knowledge of the FBR allows for the optimization of biomaterial-based implants, aiming to prevent damage of the implant, improve natural regeneration, and provide the tools for an efficient and successful in vivo implantation.

Inflammation in Fabry disease: stages, molecular pathways, and therapeutic implications

Fabry disease, a multisystem X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the alpha-galactosidase gene. This leads to the accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3), culminating in various clinical signs and symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Although treatments such as enzyme replacement, oral chaperone, and emerging therapies like gene therapy exist; delayed diagnosis often curtails their effectiveness. Our review highlights the importance of delineating the stages of inflammation in Fabry disease to enhance the timing and efficacy of diagnosis and interventions, particularly before the progression to fibrosis, where treatment options are less effective. Inflammation is emerging as an important aspect of the pathogenesis of Fabry disease. This is thought to be predominantly mediated by the innate immune response, with growing evidence pointing towards the potential involvement of adaptive immune mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Highlighted by the fact that Fabry disease shares immune profiles with systemic autoinflammatory diseases, blurring the distinctions between these disorders and highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of immune dynamics. This insight is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving the administration of current treatments like enzyme replacement. Moreover, our review discusses the complex interplay between these inflammatory processes and current treatments, such as the challenges posed by anti-drug antibodies. These antibodies can attenuate the effectiveness of therapies, necessitating more refined approaches to mitigate their impact. By advancing our understanding of the molecular changes, inflammatory mediators and causative factors that drive inflammation in Fabry disease, we aim to clarify their role in the disease's progression. This improved understanding will help us see how these processes fit into the current landscape of Fabry disease. Additionally, it will guide the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, ultimately improving patient care.

Terpinen-4-ol Improves Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Macrophage Inflammation by Regulating Glutamine Metabolism

Terpinen-4-ol (T-4-O) is an important component of tea tree oil and has anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, there are very few studies on the mechanisms by which T-4-O improves lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage inflammation. In this study, LPS-stimulated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were used as a model to analyze the effects of T-4-O on macrophage inflammatory factors and related metabolic pathways in an inflammatory environment. The results showed that T-4-O significantly decreased the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS. Cellular metabolism results showed that T-4-O significantly decreased the ratio of the extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate. Non-targeted metabolomics results showed that T-4-O mainly affected glutamine and glutamate metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolic pathways. qPCR results showed that T-4-O increased the transcript levels of GLS and GDH and promoted glutamine catabolism. Western blotting results showed that T-4-O inhibited the mTOR and IκB, thereby decreasing NF-κB activity. The overall results showed that T-4-O inhibited mTOR phosphorylation to promote glutamine metabolism and increased cell oxidative phosphorylation levels, thereby inhibiting the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines.

Effects of in ovo injection of bacterial peptides and CpG-ODN on Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg infection in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Peptides + CpG-ODN reduced SH in caeca at the first week post-infection.Administered formulations did not reduce SH-faecal excretion.Levels of intestinal IgA were similar between all groups.CpG-ODN improved some parameters associated with chick intestinal health.

A body-brain circuit that regulates body inflammatory responses

The body-brain axis is emerging as a principal conductor of organismal physiology. It senses and controls organ function1,2, metabolism3 and nutritional state4-6. Here we show that a peripheral immune insult strongly activates the body-brain axis to regulate immune responses. We demonstrate that pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines communicate with distinct populations of vagal neurons to inform the brain of an emerging inflammatory response. In turn, the brain tightly modulates the course of the peripheral immune response. Genetic silencing of this body-brain circuit produced unregulated and out-of-control inflammatory responses. By contrast, activating, rather than silencing, this circuit affords neural control of immune responses. We used single-cell RNA sequencing, combined with functional imaging, to identify the circuit components of this neuroimmune axis, and showed that its selective manipulation can effectively suppress the pro-inflammatory response while enhancing an anti-inflammatory state. The brain-evoked transformation of the course of an immune response offers new possibilities in the modulation of a wide range of immune disorders, from autoimmune diseases to cytokine storm and shock.

Non-invasive diagnosis of bacterial and non-bacterial inflammations using a dual-enzyme-responsive fluorescent indicator

Bacterial infections, as the second leading cause of global death, are commonly treated with antibiotics. However, the improper use of antibiotics contributes to the development of bacterial resistance. Therefore, the accurate differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial inflammations is of utmost importance in the judicious administration of clinical antibiotics and the prevention of bacterial resistance. However, as of now, no fluorescent probes have yet been designed for the relevant assessments. To this end, the present study reports the development of a novel fluorescence probe (CyQ) that exhibits dual-enzyme responsiveness. The designed probe demonstrated excellent sensitivity in detecting NTR and NAD(P)H, which served as critical indicators for bacterial and non-bacterial inflammations. The utilization of CyQ enabled the efficient detection of NTR and NAD(P)H in distinct channels, exhibiting impressive detection limits of 0.26 μg mL-1 for NTR and 5.54 μM for NAD(P)H, respectively. Experimental trials conducted on living cells demonstrated CyQ's ability to differentiate the variations in NTR and NAD(P)H levels between A. baumannii, S. aureus, E. faecium, and P. aeruginosa-infected as well as LPS-stimulated HUVEC cells. Furthermore, in vivo zebrafish experiments demonstrated the efficacy of CyQ in accurately discerning variations in NTR and NAD(P)H levels resulting from bacterial infection or LPS stimulation, thereby facilitating non-invasive detection of both bacterial and non-bacterial inflammations. The outstanding discriminatory ability of CyQ between bacterial and non-bacterial inflammation positions it as a promising clinical diagnostic tool for acute inflammations.

Synthesis of urolithin derivatives and their anti-inflammatory activity

Two series of urolithin derivatives, totally 38 compounds, were synthesized. Their anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by detecting the inhibitory effects on the expression of TNF-α in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), showing that 24 of 38 ones reduced the expression of TNF-α. Compound B2, the ring C opened derivative of urolithin B with a butoxycarbonyl substitution in ring A, showed the strongest inhibitory activity compared with that of indomethacin. Furthermore, B2 treatment decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2. Mechanically, the anti-inflammatory effect of B2 was related to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway. These results clearly illustrated that B2 hold potential for application as an anti-inflammatory agent. The present study provided a viable approach to modify the gut metabolites for anti-inflammatory drug development.

Shedding light on ONOO- detection: the emergence of a fast-response fluorescent probe for biological systems

ONOO-, a bioactive molecule, plays a critical role in inflammation-related signaling pathways and pathological mechanisms. Numerous studies have established a direct correlation between elevated ONOO- levels and tumor progression. Therefore, investigating ONOO- levels in inflammation and tumors is of utmost importance. Fluorescence imaging presents a highly sensitive, non-invasive, easily operable, selective, and efficient method for ONOO- detection in situ. In this study, we designed and synthesized a rhodamine-based probe, NRho, which effectively identifies tumors, inflammatory cells, tissues, and organs by detecting ONOO- content. The synthesis process of NRho is simple, yielding a probe with favorable spectral characteristics and rapid response. Our cell imaging analysis has provided novel insights, revealing distinct ONOO- levels among different types of cancer cells, with hepatocellular carcinoma cells exhibiting higher ONOO- content than the others. This observation marks the proposal of such variations in ONOO- levels across cancer cell types. Furthermore, our study has showcased the practicality of our probe in live organ imaging, enabling the identification of tumors from living organs within a brief 5-minute incubation period. Additionally, our findings highlight the rapid detection capability of the probe NRho in various tissue samples, effectively identifying inflammation. This research holds important promise in advancing biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.

Annual Research Review: Neuroimmune network model of depression: a developmental perspective

Depression is a serious public health problem, and adolescence is an 'age of risk' for the onset of Major Depressive Disorder. Recently, we and others have proposed neuroimmune network models that highlight bidirectional communication between the brain and the immune system in both mental and physical health, including depression. These models draw on research indicating that the cellular actors (particularly monocytes) and signaling molecules (particularly cytokines) that orchestrate inflammation in the periphery can directly modulate the structure and function of the brain. In the brain, inflammatory activity heightens sensitivity to threats in the cortico-amygdala circuit, lowers sensitivity to rewards in the cortico-striatal circuit, and alters executive control and emotion regulation in the prefrontal cortex. When dysregulated, and particularly under conditions of chronic stress, inflammation can generate feelings of dysphoria, distress, and anhedonia. This is proposed to initiate unhealthy, self-medicating behaviors (e.g. substance use, poor diet) to manage the dysphoria, which further heighten inflammation. Over time, dysregulation in these brain circuits and the inflammatory response may compound each other to form a positive feedback loop, whereby dysregulation in one organ system exacerbates the other. We and others suggest that this neuroimmune dysregulation is a dynamic joint vulnerability for depression, particularly during adolescence. We have three goals for the present paper. First, we extend neuroimmune network models of mental and physical health to generate a developmental framework of risk for the onset of depression during adolescence. Second, we examine how a neuroimmune network perspective can help explain the high rates of comorbidity between depression and other psychiatric disorders across development, and multimorbidity between depression and stress-related medical illnesses. Finally, we consider how identifying neuroimmune pathways to depression can facilitate a 'next generation' of behavioral and biological interventions that target neuroimmune signaling to treat, and ideally prevent, depression in youth and adolescents.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Plectranthus rugosus extract and fractions: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is a key biological reaction that comprises a complex network of signals that both initiate and stop the inflammation process.

PURPOSE

This study targets to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the leaves of the Plectranthus rugosus (P. rugosus) plant involving both in vitro and in vivo measures. The current available drugs exhibit serious side effects. Traditional medicines impart an essential role in drug development. P. rugosus is a plant used in traditional medicine of Tropical Africa, China, and Australia to treat various diseases.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin, kindles macrophages to discharge huge quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. So, clampdown of macrophage stimulation may have a beneficial potential to treat various inflammatory disorders. The leaves of the P. rugosus are used for swelling purpose by local population; however, its use as an anti-inflammatory agent and associated disorders has no scientific evidence.

RESULTS

The extracts of the plant Plectranthus rugosus ethanolic extract (PREE), Plectranthus rugosus ethyl acetate extract (PREAF), and the compound isolated (oleanolic acid) suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO), confirming its importance in traditional medicine.

CONCLUSION

The pro-inflammatory cytokines are inhibited by P. rugosus extracts, as well as an isolated compound oleanolic acid without compromising cell viability.

Five new secondary metabolites from Aster tataricus

Aster tataricus L.f. is highly valued for its rich reserves of bioactive compounds. Our research focused on the identification of previously unreported compounds found within the ethanol extract of A. tataricus. Through meticulous spectroscopic analyses and computational methods like NMR calculations and ECD, we successfully elucidated the structures of five novel compounds termed tatarisides A-E (1-5), alongside two known compounds (6, 7). The anti-inflammatory assays conducted yielded noteworthy results, particularly in relation to compounds 1 and 5. These compounds exhibited significant potential in inhibiting the release of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, as evidenced by their respective IC50 values of 17.81 ± 1.25 μM and 13.32 ± 0.84 μM. The discovery of these new compounds adds to the existing knowledge of A. tataricus's chemical composition and potential applications.

How inflammation dictates diabetic peripheral neuropathy: An enlightening review

BACKGROUND

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) constitutes a debilitating complication associated with diabetes. Although, the past decade has seen rapid developments in understanding the complex etiology of DPN, there are no approved therapies that can halt the development of DPN, or target the damaged nerve. Therefore, clarifying the pathogenesis of DPN and finding effective treatment are the crucial issues for the clinical management of DPN.

AIMS

This review is aiming to summary the current knowledge on the pathogenesis of DPN, especially the mechanism and application of inflammatory response.

METHODS

We systematically summarized the latest studies on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of diabetic neuropathy in PubMed.

RESULTS

In this seminal review, the underappreciated role of immune activation in the progression of DPN is scrutinized. Novel insights into the inflammatory regulatory mechanisms of DPN have been unearthed, illuminating potential therapeutic strategies of notable clinical significance. Additionally, a nuanced examination of DPN's complex etiology, including aberrations in glycemic control and insulin signaling pathways, is presented. Crucially, an emphasis has been placed on translating these novel understandings into tangible clinical interventions to ameliorate patient outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This review is distinguished by synthesizing cutting-edge mechanisms linking inflammation to DPN and identifying innovative, inflammation-targeted therapeutic approaches.

Interferon-tau protects bovine endometrial epithelial cells against inflammatory injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT/β-catenin/FoxO1 signaling axis

Endometritis is one of the most common causes of infertility in dairy cows, and is histopathologically characterized by inflammation and damage of endometrial epithelium. Interferon-tau (IFN-τ) is a novel type I interferon secreted by ruminant trophoblast cells with low cytotoxicity even at high doses. Previous studies suggested that IFN-τ plays an important role in inflammation. However, the mechanisms whereby IFN-τ may modulate the inflammatory responses in the bovine endometrium are unknown. In the present study, primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEEC) isolated from fresh and healthy uterine horns were used for in vitro studies. The integrity of BEEC was assessed by immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin 18 (CK-18, a known epithelial marker). For the experiments, BEEC were stimulated with different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0-20 µg/mL) for different times (0-24 h). Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed via CCK-8 and flow cytometry. In a preliminary study, we observed that compared with the control group without LPS, 10 µg/mL of LPS stimulation for 24 h induced apoptosis. In a subsequent study, 20 or 40 ng/mL of IFN-τ alleviated LPS-induced apoptosis. Relative to the LPS group, western blotting further revealed that IFN-τ inhibited the protein abundance of TLR4 and phosphorylated (p-) p65 (p-p65) and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, suggesting that IFN-τ can protect BEEC against inflammatory injury. Furthermore, the protein abundance of p-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), p-protein kinase B (p-AKT), p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (p-GSK3β), β-catenin, and p-forkhead box O1 (p-FoxO1) was lower in the LPS group, whereas IFN-τ upregulated their abundance. The use of LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K/AKT, attenuated the upregulation of p-PI3K, p-AKT p-GSK3β, β-catenin, and p-FoxO1 induced by IFN-τ, and also blocked the downregulation of TLR4, p-p65, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. This suggested that the inhibition of TLR4 signaling by IFN-τ was mediated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, compared with the LPS group, the β-catenin agonist SB216763 led to greater p-FoxO1 and lower p-p65 and cell apoptosis. In contrast, knockdown of β-catenin using small interfering RNA had the opposite effects. To explore the role of FoxO1 on the inhibition of TLR4 by IFN-τ, we employed LY294002 to inhibit the PI3K/AKT while FoxO1 was knocked down. Results revealed that the knockdown of FoxO1 blocked the upregulation of TLR4 and p-p65 induced by LY294002, and enhanced the inhibition of IFN-τ on TLR4, p-p65, and cell apoptosis. Overall, these findings confirmed that IFN-τ can protect endometrial epithelial cells against inflammatory injury via suppressing TLR4 activation through the regulation of the PI3K/AKT/β-catenin/FoxO1 axis. These represent new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory function of IFN-τ in BEEC, and also provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the in vivo application of IFN-τ to help prevent negative effects of endometritis.

Proinflammatory phenotype in major depressive disorder with adulthood adversity: In line with social signal transduction theory of depression

BACKGROUND

The social signal transduction theory of depression proposes that life stress can be transformed into inflammatory signals, and ultimately lead to the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). The hypotheses of this study were: (1) The pro-inflammatory effect of life stress was only seen in patients with MDD, but not in healthy controls (HCs); (2) Inflammation can mediate the relationship between life stress and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

This study included 170 MDD patients and 196 HCs, and 13 immune-inflammatory biomarkers closely related to MDD were measured, principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted to extract the inflammatory index. Life stress was assessed by Life Event Scale (LES), a total score of >32 points on the LES was considered as adulthood adversity (AA). Path analyses were used to explore the relationship among adulthood stress, inflammatory index, and severity of depression.

RESULTS

Among MDD patients, α2M, CXCL-1, IL-1β, and TLR-1 levels were higher in patients with AA than non-AA group (all FDR-adjusted P values <0.05), meanwhile, the levels of CCL-2 and IL-18 were lower. Path analyses suggested that pro- and anti-inflammatory index could mediate the association between AA and severity of depression in MDD patients.

CONCLUSION

This study found that inflammatory signals can mediate the relationship between adulthood adversity and depression, however, the causal relationship need to be further confirmed. These findings shed light on further understanding the theory of social signal transduction in MDD and provide clues for stress management and controlling inflammation strategies in depression.

CLINICAL TRIALS

NCT02023567.

Tree Frog-Derived Cathelicidin Protects Mice against Bacterial Infection through Its Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities and Regulatory Effect on Phagocytes

Due to excessive use or abuse in the food industry, agriculture, and medicine, many pathogens are developing resistance against conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise as effective therapeutic options for the treatment of bacterial infections. Herein, a novel cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (Zs-CATH) was identified from the tree frog Zhangixalus smaragdinus. Zs-CATH mainly adopted an amphipathic β-sheet structure in a membrane-mimetic environment. It showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and significantly protected mice from lethal infections induced by Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 or Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 in vivo. In addition, Zs-CATH exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and promoting macrophage M2 polarization, thus inhibiting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and enhancing the production of M2 macrophage markers IL-10, IL-4, and CD206. The MAPK and NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathways and transcriptional activator 6 (STAT6) were involved in this effect. In mice, Zs-CATH rapidly recruited neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages to the abdominal cavity but not T and B lymphocytes. Zs-CATH did not exhibit a direct chemoattractant effect on phagocytes but significantly promoted phagocyte migration in the presence of macrophages. Zs-CATH stimulated macrophages to secrete chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and CCL2, which mediated the recruitment of phagocytes. Furthermore, Zs-CATH promoted the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms of the microbicidal activity of neutrophils, respectively. Zs-CATH exhibited no toxic side effects on mammalian cells and mice. These findings show that in addition to direct antibacterial activity, Zs-CATH also possesses the ability to modulate immune and inflammatory processes during bacterial infection, showing potential for development as anti-infective and/or anti-inflammatory agents.

Copper infused fabric attenuates inflammation in macrophages

While inflammation is an important immune response for protection from infections, excessive or prolonged inflammation can lead to a variety of debilitating diseases including skin disease, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Inflammation is a graded response that is typically initiated when resident macrophages sense the presence of pathogens or damage in the tissue and produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to kill the pathogen, clear debris and dead tissue, and initiate tissue repair. Here we show that copper-infused fabrics can prevent inflammation by blocking the production of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages after being exposed to LPS, a component of bacterial cell wall. Mechanistically, we show that copper-infused fabrics can significantly reduce the NF-κB and IRF3 activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Given the importance of excessive inflammation in diabetes, we show that copper can reduce insulin resistance mediated by inflammatory cytokines in muscle cells. Our data show that copper infused fabrics may be useful to reduce excessive inflammation in macrophages and improve insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles.

Therapeutic potential of Litsea cubeba essential oil in modulating inflammation and the gut microbiome

Inflammation, a sophisticated and delicately balanced physiological mechanism, is paramount to the host's immunological defense against pathogens. However, unfettered and excessive inflammation can be instrumental in engendering a plethora of chronic ailments and detrimental health repercussions, notably within the gastrointestinal tract. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from bacteria are potent endotoxins capable of instigating intestinal inflammation through the disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier and the stimulation of a pro-inflammatory immune response. In this study, we sought to investigate the influence of Litsea cubeba essential oil (LCEO) on LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and associated changes in the gut microbiota. We investigated the therapeutic potential of LCEO for gut health, with particular emphasis on its gut protective properties, anti-inflammatory properties and modulation of the gut microbiome. LCEO exhibited protective effects on colonic tissue by protecting crypts and maintaining epithelial integrity, and anti-inflammatory properties by reducing TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in the liver and intestine. Citral, a major component of LCEO, showed robust binding to IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, exerting anti-inflammatory effects through hydrogen bonding interactions. Using community barplot and LEfSe analyses, we detected significant variation in microbial composition, identified discrete biomarkers, and highlighted the influence of essential oils on gut microbial communities. Our research suggests that LCEO may be a promising natural compound for ameliorating diarrhea and intestinal inflammation, with potential implications for modulating the gut microbiome. These observations provide invaluable insight into the potential therapeutic role of LCEO as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for treating intestinal inflammatory disorders, particularly in the setting of a dysregulated immune response and altered gut microbiota. Furthermore, our findings highlight the need to understand the complex interplay between the host, the gut microbiome and natural products in the context of inflammatory diseases.

Antidepressant mechanisms of ketamine: a review of actions with relevance to treatment-resistance and neuroprogression

Concurrent with recent insights into the neuroprogressive nature of depression, ketamine shows promise in interfering with several neuroprogressive factors, and has been suggested to reverse neuropathological patterns seen in depression. These insights come at a time of great need for novel approaches, as prevalence is rising and current treatment options remain inadequate for a large number of people. The rapidly growing literature on ketamine's antidepressant potential has yielded multiple proposed mechanisms of action, many of which have implications for recently elucidated aspects of depressive pathology. This review aims to provide the reader with an understanding of neuroprogressive aspects of depressive pathology and how ketamine is suggested to act on it. Literature was identified through PubMed and Google Scholar, and the reference lists of retrieved articles. When reviewing the evidence of depressive pathology, a picture emerges of four elements interacting with each other to facilitate progressive worsening, namely stress, inflammation, neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Ketamine acts on all of these levels of pathology, with rapid and potent reductions of depressive symptoms. Converging evidence suggests that ketamine works to increase stress resilience and reverse stress-induced dysfunction, modulate systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, attenuate neurotoxic processes and glial dysfunction, and facilitate synaptogenesis rather than neurodegeneration. Still, much remains to be revealed about ketamine's antidepressant mechanisms of action, and research is lacking on the durability of effect. The findings discussed herein calls for more longitudinal approaches when determining efficacy and its relation to neuroprogressive factors, and could provide relevant considerations for clinical implementation.

Construction of a robust turn-on fluorescence NIR sensor for rapid detection and imaging of ONOO- in inflammatory models

Peroxynitrite (OONO^-) is closely related to the occurrence and development of health and inflammatory diseases. The physiological and pathological results of OONO^- are related to the local concentration of ONOO^-. Therefore, to develop of a simple, rapid and reliable OONO^- detection tool is badly needed. In this work, we developed a small-molecule near-infrared (NIR) turn-on fluorescence sensor (NN1), harnessing a well-known response group phenylboronic acid response toward OONO^-. It shows high detection sensitivity and yields a ratio (I₆₅₈/I₀) fluorescence enhancement (∼280-fold). In addition, NN1 can be effectively used to detect endogenous and exogenous ONOO^- in living inflammatory cells. Notably, NN1 can be applied to OONO^- imaging analysis in drug-induced inflammatory mice model with satisfactory results. Therefore, NN1 is a robust molecular biological tool, which has a good prospect in the study of ONOO^- and the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases.

Humanization of the Reaction Specificity of Mouse Alox15b Inversely Modified the Susceptibility of Corresponding Knock-In Mice in Two Different Animal Inflammation Models

Mammalian arachidonic acid lipoxygenases (ALOXs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, and its pro- and anti-inflammatory effects have been reported for different ALOX-isoforms. Human ALOX15B oxygenates arachidonic acid to its 15-hydroperoxy derivative, whereas the corresponding 8-hydroperoxide is formed by mouse Alox15b (Alox8). This functional difference impacts the biosynthetic capacity of the two enzymes for creating pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. To explore the functional consequences of the humanization of the reaction specificity of mouse Alox15b in vivo, we tested Alox15b knock-in mice that express the arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenating Tyr603Asp and His604Val double mutant of Alox15b, instead of the arachidonic acid 8-lipoxygenating wildtype enzyme, in two different animal inflammation models. In the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model, female Alox15b-KI mice lost significantly more bodyweight during the acute phase of inflammation and recovered less rapidly during the resolution phase. Although we observed significant differences in the colonic levels of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids during the time-course of inflammation, there were no differences between the two genotypes at any time-point of the disease. In Freund's complete adjuvant-induced paw edema model, Alox15b-KI mice were less susceptible than outbred wildtype controls, though we did not observe significant differences in pain perception (Hargreaves-test, von Frey-test) when the two genotypes were compared. our data indicate that humanization of the reaction specificity of mouse Alox15b (Alox8) sensitizes mice for dextran sodium sulfate-induced experimental colitis, but partly protects the animals in the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced paw edema model.

Global Impacts of Western Diet and Its Effects on Metabolism and Health: A Narrative Review

The Western diet is a modern dietary pattern characterized by high intakes of pre-packaged foods, refined grains, red meat, processed meat, high-sugar drinks, candy, sweets, fried foods, conventionally raised animal products, high-fat dairy products, and high-fructose products. The present review aims to describe the effect of the Western pattern diet on the metabolism, inflammation, and antioxidant status; the impact on gut microbiota and mitochondrial fitness; the effect of on cardiovascular health, mental health, and cancer; and the sanitary cost of the Western diet. To achieve this goal, a consensus critical review was conducted using primary sources, such as scientific articles, and secondary sources, including bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages. Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Sports Discuss, ResearchGate, and the Web of Science were used to complete the assignment. MeSH-compliant keywords such "Western diet", "inflammation", "metabolic health", "metabolic fitness", "heart disease", "cancer", "oxidative stress", "mental health", and "metabolism" were used. The following exclusion criteria were applied: (i) studies with inappropriate or irrelevant topics, not germane to the review's primary focus; (ii) Ph.D. dissertations, proceedings of conferences, and unpublished studies. This information will allow for a better comprehension of this nutritional behavior and its effect on an individual's metabolism and health, as well as the impact on national sanitary systems. Finally, practical applications derived from this information are made.

Pharmacological Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome: Structure, Molecular Activation, and Inhibitor-NLRP3 Interaction

The nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that combines sensing, regulation, and effector functions to regulate inflammation in health and disease. NLRP3 is activated by a diverse range of inflammation-instigating signals known as pathogen associated molecular patterns and danger associated molecular patterns. Upon activation, NLRP3 oligomerizes and recruits partner proteins to form a supramolecular platform to process the maturation and release of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D, major mediators of inflammation and inflammatory cell death termed pyroptosis. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of disease conditions, including chronic inflammatory disease that are associated with lifestyle and dietary changes, aging, and environmental exposures, and have become the leading cause of death worldwide. Pharmacological targeting of NLRP3 and signaling demonstrated promising efficacy in ameliorating a list of disease conditions in animal models. These findings underscore the potential and importance of NLRP3 as a druggable target for treating a range of diseases. In this review, recent progress in understanding the structure and mechanism of action of the NLRP3 inflammasome is discussed with focus on pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 by small molecule inhibitors. New structural and mechanistic insights into NLRP3 activation and inhibitor-NLRP3 interactions would aid in the rational design and pharmacological evaluation of NLRP3 inhibitors for treatment of human disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The NLRP3 inflammasome plays central role in innate immune sensing and control of inflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 demonstrated promising efficacy in a range of diseases in animal models. Recent elucidation of the structure and inhibitor binding of NLRP3 generated new insights into its mode of action and inhibitor-NLRP3 interaction at molecular levels, providing new framework for developing small chemical inhibitors of NLRP3 with improved efficacy and specificity against chronic disease that has become major health concerns worldwide.

Patterns of adolescent perceived social support and inflammation in adulthood within major racial groups: Findings from a longitudinal, nationally representative sample

Inflammation, the body's protective response to injury and infection, plays a critical role in physical and mental health outcomes. Elevated chronic inflammation is implicated as a predictor of disease and all-cause mortality and is linked with several psychological disorders. Given that social support is associated with lower rates of mortality and psychopathology, the links between inflammation and social support are well-studied. However, there are many significant gaps related to both the specificity and generalizability of extant findings. There is a paucity of research on the association between social support and inflammation within different racial groups. Additionally, more research is warranted to understand whether social support from different sources uniquely contributes to inflammation, above and beyond other sources of support. Thus, the current study examined whether perceived emotional social support during adolescence predicted inflammation during adulthood within several racial groups. Participants (n = 3,390) were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), identified as either Asian, Black, Latinx, White, or Multiracial, and had complete data on study variables. Consistent with our hypotheses and previous research, greater perceived support during adolescence was associated with lower inflammation during adulthood, but only for White participants. Contrastingly, greater perceived support during adolescence was associated with higher inflammation during adulthood for individuals who identified as Asian, Latinx, Black, or Multiracial. Furthermore, patterns of social support and inflammation within each racial group varied by relationship type. These results highlight the importance of studying relationship processes and health outcomes within racial groups to understand their unique, lived experiences.

Unveiling the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Facets of Daidzein: Present State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives

Herbal drugs have been attracting much scientific interest in the last few decades and nowadays, phytoconstituents-based research is in progress to disclose their unidentified medicinal potential. Daidzein (DAI) is the natural phytoestrogen isoflavone derived primarily from leguminous plants, such as the soybean and mung bean, and its IUPAC name is 4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone. This compound has received great attention as a fascinating pharmacophore with remarkable potential for the therapeutic management of several diseases. Certain pharmacokinetic properties of DAI such as less aqueous solubility, low permeability, and poor bioavailability are major obstacles restricting the therapeutic applications. In this review, distinctive physicochemical characteristics and pharmacokinetics of DAI has been elucidated. The pharmacological applications in treatment of several disorders like oxidative stress, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, diabetes, ovariectomy, anxiety, and inflammation with their mechanism of action are explained. Furthermore, this review article comprehensively focuses to provide up-to-date information about nanotechnology-based formulations which have been investigated for DAI in preceding years which includes polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, polymer-lipid nanoparticles, nanocomplexes, polymeric micelles, nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, liposomes, and self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems.

Forsythiaside A prevents zymosan A-induced cell migration in neutrophil-differentiated HL-60 cells via PD-1/PD-L1 pathway

Neutrophils, which account for more than 80% of leukocyte, play an important role in resolution of inflammation. Immune checkpoint molecules could be potential biomarkers in immunosuppression. Forsythiaside A (FTA), a main constituent of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, provides a very significant anti-inflammatory activity. Here we defined the immunological mechanisms of FTA by taking programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway into consideration. FTA could inhibited cell migration in HL-60-derived neutrophils in vitro, and this action appeared to be mediated via PD-1/PD-L1 depended JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. In vivo, FTA prevented PD-L1⁺ neutrophils infiltration and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) after zymosan A-induced peritonitis. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor could abolish the suppression of FTA. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were positively correlated with PD-L1. Molecular docking showed that FTA could bind to PD-L1. Taken together, FTA might prevent neutrophils infiltration to exert inflammation resolution through PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

Lipopolysaccharide Tolerance Enhances Murine Norovirus Reactivation: An Impact of Macrophages Mainly Evaluated by Proteomic Analysis

Because of endotoxemia during sepsis (a severe life-threatening infection), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance (the reduced responses to the repeated LPS stimulation) might be one of the causes of sepsis-induced immune exhaustion (the increased susceptibility to secondary infection and/or viral reactivation). In LPS tolerance macrophage (twice-stimulated LPS, LPS/LPS) compared with a single LPS stimulation (N/LPS), there was (i) reduced energy of the cell in both glycolysis and mitochondrial activities (extracellular flux analysis), (ii) decreased abundance of the following proteins (proteomic analysis): (a) complex I and II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, (b) most of the glycolysis enzymes, (c) anti-viral responses with Myxovirus resistance protein 1 (Mx1) and Ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 (Isg15), (d) antigen presentation pathways, and (iii) the down-regulated anti-viral genes, such as Mx1 and Isg15 (polymerase chain reaction). To test the correlation between LPS tolerance and viral reactivation, asymptomatic mice with and without murine norovirus (MNV) infection as determined in feces were tested. In MNV-positive mice, MNV abundance in the cecum, but not in feces, of LPS/LPS mice was higher than that in N/LPS and control groups, while MNV abundance of N/LPS and control were similar. Additionally, the down-regulated Mx1 and Isg15 were also demonstrated in the cecum, liver, and spleen in LPS/LPS-activated mice, regardless of MNV infection, while N/LPS more prominently upregulated these genes in the cecum of MNV-positive mice compared with the MNV-negative group. In conclusion, defects in anti-viral responses after LPS tolerance, perhaps through the reduced energy status of macrophages, might partly be responsible for the viral reactivation. More studies on patients are of interest.

Lipopolysaccharide and statin-mediated immune-responsive protein networks revealed in macrophages through affinity purification spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) proteomics

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, is activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and induces the MyD88 pathway, which subsequently produces pro-inflammatory cytokines through activation of transcriptional nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Statins have been widely prescribed to reduce cholesterol synthesis for patients with cardiovascular disease. Statins may have pleiotropic effects, which include anti- and pro-inflammatory effects on cells. The molecular mechanism of the sequential influence of LPS and statin on the innate immune system remains unknown. We employed affinity purification-spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) MS-based proteomics analysis to identify the LPS- and statin-LPS-responsive proteins and their networks. LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells singly and combined with the drug statin used in this study. Two chemical cross-linkers with different spacer chain lengths were utilized to stabilize the weak and transient interactors. Proteomic analysis identified 1631 differentially expressed proteins. We identified 151 immune-response proteins through functional enrichment analysis and visualized their interaction networks. Selected candidate protein-coding genes were validated, specifically squamous cell carcinoma antigens recognized by T cells 3, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1, Ras-related protein Rab-35, and tumor protein D52 protein-coding genes through transcript-level expression analysis. The expressions of those genes were significantly increased upon statin treatment and decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Therefore, we presumed that the expression changes of genes occurred due to immune response during activation of inflammation. These results highlight the immune-responsive proteins network, providing a new platform for novel investigations and discovering future therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.

Construction of ceRNA and m6A-related lncRNA networks associated with anti-inflammation of AdipoAI

Background

Adiponectin (APN) is an endogenous adipokine secreted from adipocytes that exerts anti-inflammatory properties. AdipoAI is an orally active adiponectin receptor agonist identified by our group that can emulate APN's anti-inflammatory properties through mechanisms that are not fully understood. LncRNAs, a type of noncoding RNA more than 200 bp in length, have been demonstrated to have abundant biological functions, including in anti-inflammatory responses.

Materials and Result

In the current study, we performed a lncRNA microarray in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells that were prestimulated with AdipoAI and screened 110 DElncRNAs and 190 DEmRNAs. Enrichment analyses were conducted on total mRNAs and DEmRNAs, including GSVA, ssGSEA, GO/KEGG, GSEA, and PPI analysis. Among all these processes, endocytosis was significantly enriched. A coexpression analysis was built based on DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs. Then, using TargetScan and miRwalk to predict related microRNAs of DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs, respectively, we established competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks including 54 mRNAs from 8 GO items. Furthermore, 33 m6A methylation-related marker genes were obtained from a previous study and used for the construction of an m6A-related lncRNA network by coexpression analysis. We identified FTO as the hub gene of the network and 14 lncRNAs that interacted with it. The expression levels of 10 lncRNAs selected from ceRNA and FTO-related lncRNA networks were validated with qRT‒PCR. Finally, macrophage phenotype scores showed that AdipoAI could attenuate the M2b and M2c polarization of macrophages and correlate with the above lncRNAs.

Conclusion

Our work reveals that lncRNAs might be involved in the anti-inflammation process of AdipoAI in LPS-induced macrophages through the ceRNA network and the epigenetic regulation of m6A. Mechanistically, these lncRNAs associated with AdipoAI might be related to endocytosis and polarization in macrophages and provide new candidates for the anti-inflammatory application of APN and its receptor agonist.

Toll-like Receptors and Thrombopoiesis

Platelets are the second most abundant blood component after red blood cells and can participate in a variety of physiological and pathological functions. Beyond its traditional role in hemostasis and thrombosis, it also plays an indispensable role in inflammatory diseases. However, thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic problem in the clinic, and it presents a proportional relationship with the fatality of many diseases. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of thrombocytopenia is of great importance. The expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is one of the most relevant characteristics of thrombopoiesis and the platelet inflammatory function. We know that the TLR family is found on the surface or inside almost all cells, where they perform many immune functions. Of those, TLR2 and TLR4 are the main stress-inducing members and play an integral role in inflammatory diseases and platelet production and function. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present and discuss the relationship between platelets, inflammation and the TLR family and extend recent research on the influence of the TLR2 and TLR4 pathways and the regulation of platelet production and function. Reviewing the interaction between TLRs and platelets in inflammation may be a research direction or program for the treatment of thrombocytopenia-related and inflammatory-related diseases.

Humic substances from composted fennel residues control the inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in AGS cells

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogen causing inflammation. Recent studies have suggested a sophisticated interplay between mitochondria, innate immunity and inflammatory response, thus proposing mitochondrial disfunction as the hallmark of severe inflammatory disorders. In this study, humic substances isolated from composted fennel residues (HS-FEN) were tested as potential therapeutical strategy to restore the mitochondrial physiology and control the inflammation associated with H. pylori infection. The molecular features of HS-FEN were characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermochemolysis-GC/MS, NMR spectroscopy, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), which revealed the presence of aromatic polyphenolic components arranged in a rather stable conformation. In vitro results showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HS-FEN, that was found to increase the expression level of OPA-1 and SOD-2 genes and in AGS cells stimulated with H. pylori culture filtrate (Hpcf) and concomitantly decrease the expression level of Drp-1 gene and IL-12, IL-17 and G-CSF proteins. The hydrophobic features of HS, their conformational arrangement and large content of bioactive molecules may explain the beneficial effects of HS-FEN, that may potentially become an interesting source of anti-inflammatory agents capable to counteract or prevent the H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders.

Trans-anethole exerts protective effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute jejunal inflammation of broilers via repressing NF-κB signaling pathway

This study aimed to explore the effects of trans-anethole (TA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute jejunal inflammation model of broilers. A total of 160 one-day-old broilers (male; Arbor Acres) were randomly allocated into four treatment groups with 8 replicates of 5 birds each. On d 20, the dose of 5 mg/kg body weight LPS solution and the equal amount of sterile saline were intraperitoneally injected into LPS-challenged and unchallenged broilers, respectively. Compared with the control group, LPS decreased (P < 0.05) the villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VCR) but increased (P < 0.05) the crypt depth (CD), meanwhile, enhanced (P < 0.01) the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) but decreased (P < 0.01) the level of interleukin-10 (IL-10). The group supplemented with 600 mg/kg of TA had lower (P < 0.01) CD and higher (P < 0.01) VCR than the LPS group. TA increased (P < 0.01) the level of IL-10 and decreased (P < 0.01) the level of IL-1β. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), TNF-α were up-regulated (P < 0.05) and the levels of IL-10 and inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (IκBα) were down-regulated (P < 0.05) by LPS as compared with the control group. TA down-regulated (P < 0.05) the increased mRNA expression levels of genes caused by LPS, as well as up-regulated (P < 0.05) the levels of IL-10 and IκBα. Furthermore, LPS down-regulated (P < 0.05) and up-regulated (P < 0.05) the protein expression levels of IκBα and NF-κB p65, respectively. TA up-regulated (P < 0.05) the level of IκBα and down-regulated (P < 0.05) the level of NF-κB p65. The conclusion of this study is that TA could exert protective effect on the LPS-induced acute jejunal inflammation of broilers via repressing the activation of NF-κB and the 600 mg/kg is the optimal dose against LPS-induced acute jejunal inflammation of broilers.