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Szukiewicz D. CX3CL1 (Fractalkine)-CX3CR1 Axis in Inflammation-Induced Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4679. [PMID: 38731899 PMCID: PMC11083509 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The chemotactic cytokine fractalkine (FKN, chemokine CX3CL1) has unique properties resulting from the combination of chemoattractants and adhesion molecules. The soluble form (sFKN) has chemotactic properties and strongly attracts T cells and monocytes. The membrane-bound form (mFKN) facilitates diapedesis and is responsible for cell-to-cell adhesion, especially by promoting the strong adhesion of leukocytes (monocytes) to activated endothelial cells with the subsequent formation of an extracellular matrix and angiogenesis. FKN signaling occurs via CX3CR1, which is the only known member of the CX3C chemokine receptor subfamily. Signaling within the FKN-CX3CR1 axis plays an important role in many processes related to inflammation and the immune response, which often occur simultaneously and overlap. FKN is strongly upregulated by hypoxia and/or inflammation-induced inflammatory cytokine release, and it may act locally as a key angiogenic factor in the highly hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The importance of the FKN/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis results from its influence on cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. This review presents the role of the FKN signaling pathway in the context of angiogenesis in inflammation and cancer. The mechanisms determining the pro- or anti-tumor effects are presented, which are the cause of the seemingly contradictory results that create confusion regarding the therapeutic goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology & Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
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Zhang J, Cheng D, Zhang H, Liu Z, Gao M, Wei L, Yan F, Li C, Wang L, Dong G, Wang C, Zhao M, Zhu Y, Xiong H. Interleukin 28A aggravates Con A-induced acute liver injury by promoting the recruitment of M1 macrophages. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23443. [PMID: 38265281 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301454r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Immune-mediated acute hepatic injury is characterized by the destruction of a large number of hepatocytes and severe liver function damage. Interleukin-28A (IL-28A), a member of the IL-10 family, is notable for its antiviral properties. However, despite advances in our understanding of IL-28A, its role in immune-mediated acute injury remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of IL-28A in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced acute immune liver injury. After Con A injection in mice, IL-28A level significantly increased. IL-28A deficiency was found to protect mice from acute liver injury, prolong survival time, and reduce serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. In contrast, recombinant IL-28A aggravated liver injury in mice. The proportion of activated M1 macrophages was significantly lower in the IL-28A-deficiency group than in the wild-type mouse group. In adoptive transfer experiments, M1 macrophages from WT could exacerbate mice acute liver injury symptoms in the IL-28A deficiency group. Furthermore, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-12, IL-6, and IL-1β, by M1 macrophages decreased significantly in the IL-28A-deficiency group. Western blotting demonstrated that IL-28A deficiency could limit M1 macrophage polarization by modulating the nuclear factor (NF)-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) signaling pathways. In summary, IL-28A deletion plays an important protective role in the Con A-induced acute liver injury model and IL-28A deficiency inhibits the activation of M1 macrophages by inhibiting the NF-κB, MAPK, and IRF signaling pathways. These results provide a potential new target for the treatment of immune-related hepatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Dalei Cheng
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Min Gao
- Clinical Laboratory, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Li Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Fenglian Yan
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Guanjun Dong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Changying Wang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Mingsheng Zhao
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yuanbo Zhu
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Jining Key Laboratory of Immunology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
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Meng C, Liu Y, Ming Y, Lu C, Li Y, Zhang Y, Su D, Gao X, Yuan Q. Enhancing Liver Delivery of Gold Nanoclusters via Human Serum Albumin Encapsulation for Autoimmune Hepatitis Alleviation. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:110. [PMID: 38258120 PMCID: PMC10818704 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), possessing exceptional biocompatibility and remarkable physicochemical properties, have demonstrated intrinsic pharmaceutical activity in immunomodulation, making them a highly attractive frontier in the field of nanomedicine exploration. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a serious autoimmune liver disease caused by the disruption of immune balance, for which effective treatment options are still lacking. In this study, we initially identified glutathione (GSH)-protected AuNCs as a promising nanodrug candidate for AIH alleviating in a Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced mice model. However, to enhance treatment efficiency, liver-targeted delivery needs to be improved. Therefore, human serum albumin (HSA)-encapsulated AuNCs were constructed to achieve enhanced liver targeting and more potent mitigation of Con A-induced elevations in plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and liver injury in mice. In vivo and in vitro mechanism studies indicated that AuNCs could suppress the secretion of IFN-γ by Con A-stimulated T cells and subsequently inhibit the activation of the JAK2/STAT1 pathway and eventual hepatocyte apoptosis induced by IFN-γ. These actions ultimately protect the liver from immune cell infiltration and damage caused by Con A. These findings suggest that bio-protected AuNCs hold promise as nanodrugs for AIH therapy, with their liver targeting capabilities and therapeutic efficiency being further improved via rational surface ligand engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Meng
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan 250200, China;
| | - Yuping Ming
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Cao Lu
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Yanggege Li
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Yulu Zhang
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Dongdong Su
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Xueyun Gao
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
| | - Qing Yuan
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (C.M.); (Y.M.); (C.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.G.)
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Stakišaitis D, Kapočius L, Kilimaitė E, Gečys D, Šlekienė L, Balnytė I, Palubinskienė J, Lesauskaitė V. Preclinical Study in Mouse Thymus and Thymocytes: Effects of Treatment with a Combination of Sodium Dichloroacetate and Sodium Valproate on Infectious Inflammation Pathways. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2715. [PMID: 38140056 PMCID: PMC10747708 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The research presents data from a preclinical study on the anti-inflammatory effects of a sodium dichloroacetate and sodium valproate combination (DCA-VPA). The 2-week treatment with a DCA 100 mg/kg/day and VPA 150 mg/kg/day combination solution in drinking water's effects on the thymus weight, its cortex/medulla ratio, Hassall's corpuscles (HCs) number in the thymus medulla, and the expression of inflammatory and immune-response-related genes in thymocytes of male Balb/c mice were studied. Two groups of mice aged 6-7 weeks were investigated: a control (n = 12) and a DCA-VPA-treated group (n = 12). The treatment did not affect the body weight gain (p > 0.05), the thymus weight (p > 0.05), the cortical/medulla ratio (p > 0.05), or the number of HCs (p > 0.05). Treatment significantly increased the Slc5a8 gene expression by 2.1-fold (p < 0.05). Gene sequence analysis revealed a significant effect on the expression of inflammation-related genes in thymocytes by significantly altering the expression of several genes related to the cytokine activity pathway, the inflammatory response pathway, and the Il17 signaling pathway in thymocytes. Data suggest that DCA-VPA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory mechanisms in the mouse thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatas Stakišaitis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Linas Kapočius
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Evelina Kilimaitė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Dovydas Gečys
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Lina Šlekienė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Ingrida Balnytė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Jolita Palubinskienė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Vaiva Lesauskaitė
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
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