VIP Regulates the Development & Proliferation of Treg in vivo in spleen

Vasoactive intestinal peptide exerts therapeutic action by regulating PTEN in a model of Sjögren's disease

INTRODUCTION

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of the secretory function of the exocrine glands. At present, drugs that can both correct the immune imbalance and improve exocrine gland function are needed. Meanwhile, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been reported as a candidate with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties for treating autoimmune diseases.

METHODS

Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and the primary splenic lymphocyte cells (SPLCs) were used to construct the SS model. The therapeutic effects of VIP for SjD by evaluating water consumption, histopathology, T cell subsets, and related cytokines. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to identify the expression of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.

RESULTS

We found that VIP therapy in NOD mice could increase the expression of PTEN and VIP/VPAC1 receptor, as well as decrease the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vitro, the results showed that the PTEN knockdown decreased the Treg/Th17 ratio and enhanced the phosphorylated PI3K/AKT pathway, which were reversed with VIP treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

VIP exerts potential therapeutic action in SjD by upregulating PTEN through the PI3K/AKT pathway and Treg/Th17 cell balance.

The role of glia in Parkinson's disease: Emerging concepts and therapeutic applications

Originally believed to primarily affect neurons, Parkinson's disease (PD) has recently been recognized to also affect the functions and integrity of microglia and astroglia, two cell categories of fundamental importance to brain tissue homeostasis, defense, and repair. Both a loss of glial supportive-defensive functions and a toxic gain of glial functions are implicated in the neurodegenerative process. Moreover, the chronic treatment with L-DOPA may cause maladaptive glial plasticity favoring a development of therapy complications. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of PD from a glial point of view, presenting this rapidly growing field from the first discoveries made to the most recent developments. We report and compare histopathological and molecular findings from experimental models of PD and human studies. We moreover discuss the important role played by astrocytes in compensatory adaptations taking place during presymptomatic disease stages. We finally describe examples of potential therapeutic applications stemming from an increased understanding of the important roles of glia in PD.

The role of regulatory neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors in asthma pathophysiology

In the last decade, the attention of scientists in the field of biomedicine is focused on studying the relationship between the immunological and neurogenic components of the inflammatory response and their contribution to the pathophysiology of allergic inflammation in asthma. The review is devoted to detailing the mechanism of neurogenic inflammation involving regulatory neuropeptides (substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide) in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma. The role of neurotrophic growth factors (nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the regulation of remodeling of bronchi in asthma has been analyzed. The study of neuroimmune mechanisms in the pathophysiology of asthma will it possible to find new therapeutic targets in this research area.

A Synthetic Agonist to Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Receptor-2 Induces Regulatory T Cell Neuroprotective Activities in Models of Parkinson's Disease

A paradigm shift has emerged in Parkinson’s disease (PD) highlighting the prominent role of CD4⁺ Tregs in pathogenesis and treatment. Bench to bedside research, conducted by others and our own laboratories, advanced a neuroprotective role for Tregs making pharmacologic transformation of immediate need. Herein, a vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-2 (VIPR2) peptide agonist, LBT-3627, was developed as a neuroprotectant for PD-associated dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Employing both 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and α-synuclein (α-Syn) overexpression models in rats, the sequential administration of LBT-3627 increased Treg activity without altering cell numbers both in naïve animals and during progressive nigrostriatal degeneration. LBT-3627 administration was linked to reductions of inflammatory microglia, increased survival of dopaminergic neurons, and improved striatal densities. While α-Syn overexpression resulted in reduced Treg activity, LBT-3627 rescued these functional deficits. This occurred in a dose-dependent manner closely mimicking neuroprotection. Taken together, these data provide the basis for the use of VIPR2 agonists as potent therapeutic immune modulating agents to restore Treg activity, attenuate neuroinflammation, and interdict dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD. The data underscore an important role of immunity in PD pathogenesis.

Enhanced Mortality to Metastatic Bladder Cancer Cell Line MB49 in Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Gene Knockout Mice

To identify if the absence of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) gene enhances susceptibility to death from metastatic bladder cancer, two strains of mice were injected with MB49 murine bladder cancer cells. The growth and spread of the cancer was measured over a period of 4 weeks in C57BL/6 mice and 5 weeks in VIP knockout (KO) mice. A Kaplan-Meier plot was constructed to compare control C57BL/6 mice and C57BL/6 mice with MB49 vs. VIP KO controls and VIP KO mice with MB49. The wild-type (WT) strain (C57BL/6) contained the VIP gene, while the other strain, VIP knockout backcrossed to C57BL/6 (VIP KO) did not and was thus unable to endogenously produce VIP. VIP KO mice had increased mortality compared to C57BL/6 mice at 4 weeks. The number of ulcers between both groups was not statistically significant. In vitro studies indicated that the presence VIP in high doses reduced MB49 cell growth, as well as macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF), a growth factor in bladder cancer cells. These findings support the concept that VIP may attenuate susceptibility to death from bladder cancer, and that it exerts its effect via downregulation of MIF.

Emerging Novel Therapies for Heart Failure

Heart function fails when the organ is unable to pump blood at a rate proportional to the body’s need for oxygen or when this function leads to elevated cardiac chamber filling pressures (cardiogenic pulmonary edema). Despite our sophisticated knowledge of heart failure, even so-called ejection fraction-preserved heart failure has high rates of mortality and morbidity. So, novel therapies are sorely needed. This review discusses current standard therapies for heart failure and launches an exploration into emerging novel treatments on the heels of recently-approved sacubitril and ivbradine. For example, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is protective of the heart, so in the absence of VIP, VIP knockout mice have dysregulation in key heart failure genes: 1) Force Generation and Propagation; 2) Energy Production and Regulation; 3) Ca⁺² Cycling; 4) Transcriptional Regulators. VIP administration leads to coronary dilation in human subjects. In heart failure patients, VIP levels are elevated as a plausible endogenous protective effect. With the development of elastin polymers to stabilize VIP and prevent its degradation, VIP may therefore have a chance to satisfy the unmet need as a potential treatment for acute heart failure.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide induces CD14+HLA-DR‑/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells in gastric cancer

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of cells, which have been revealed to inhibit T-cell responses in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, a number of immune suppressive mechanisms have linked MDSCs and the development of human cancer. However, the role of MDSCs in human gastric cancer tissue remains to be elucidated as specific markers are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency and immune suppressive function of MDSCs denoted in the present study as cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14)+human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-/low in gastric cancer patients. In the present study, MDSCs were directly isolated and characterized from the tumor and adjacent normal tissue of gastric cancer patients. Functional analysis of the CD14+HLA-DR-/low MDSCs co-cultured with allogeneic CD4+ T cells were performed and compared with controls. In addition, the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2 production was compared in order to investigate the capacity of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to induce CD14+HLA-DR(-/low) MDSC-mediated CD4+ T-cell dysfunction and whether IL-10 secretion is involved in this mechanism. As a result, the quantity of CD14+HLA-DR(-/low) cells in tumor tissue from gastric cancer patients was significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal tissue. In addition, CD14+HLA-DR-/low MDSCs isolated from tumor tissue were observed to inhibit the CD4+ T-cells' immune responses in comparison with those from the adjacent normal tissue. Furthermore, VIP was able to induce the differentiation of CD14+ mononuclear cells isolated from healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells into activated MDSC cells. Of note, the immunosuppressive effect of VIP-induced CD14+HLA-DR(-/low) MDSCs on CD4+ T cells was mediated by IL-10 secretion, which was demonstrated in the subsequent decrease of IFN-γ and IL-2 production. In conclusion, CD14+HLA-DR(-/low) cells were significantly increased in gastric cancer tissue and were shown to have a critical role in CD4+T-cell immunosuppression. In addition, VIP as a novel cytokine may induce the differentiation of CD14+ mononuclear cells towards CD14+HLA-DR(-/low) MDSCs. An improved understanding of phenotypic heterogeneity and the mechanism of generation of MDSCs in gastric cancer patients is important in the design of effective immunotherapeutic strategies.

The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide: direct effects on immune cells and involvement in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

Neuropeptides represent an important category of endogenous contributors to the establishment and maintenance of immune deviation in the immune-privileged organs such as the CNS and in the control of acute inflammation in the peripheral immune organs. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a major immunoregulatory neuropeptide widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. In addition to neurones, VIP is synthesized by immune cells which also express VIP receptors. Here, we review the current information on VIP production and VIP-receptor-mediated effects in the immune system, the role of endogenous and exogenous VIP in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and the present and future VIP therapeutic approaches.

Protective Effect of Zengye Decoction () on Submandibular Glands in Nonobese Diabetic Mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of Zengye Decoction (, ZYD) on the submandibular glands (SMGs) in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice.

METHODS

Twenty-seven female NOD mice were randomly equally divided into 3 groups: the model group, the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) group, and the ZYD group. Nine C57/B6 mice served as the normal group. After 1-week acclimation, the HCQ and ZYD groups were intragastrically administered with HCQ and ZYD, respectively, and the normal and model groups were administered with normal saline. Changes in the salivary flow rate were observed. Mice from all 4 groups were sacrificed at the age of 20 weeks. The serum and SMGs were collected. Serum cytokines gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histological changes in the submandibular glands were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-10 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the submandibular glands were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, the salivary flow of the ZYD group significantly increased (P<0.05), the extent of the histological changes was ameliorated (P<0.05), and the Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance was remedied (P<0.05). In the ZYD-treated mice, the VIP mRNA was up-regulated (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ZYD is beneficial in protecting structure and function of SMGs in NOD mice. The mechanism may be associated with the correction of the Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance, and with the prevention of a progressive decline of the VIP level.

Gene Deletion of VIP Leads to Increased Mortality Associated with Progressive Right Ventricular Hypertrophy

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) knockout mice exhibit asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and left ventricular wall thinning. Humans with these disorders have premature death. We show here that VIP KO mice have reduced survival (100% mortality at 20 months), vs. 100% survival among WT C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, the ratios of weights of right ventricle divided by left ventricle plus septum were progressively increased in VIP KO mice with age. Core temperatures were lower in VIP KO mice when compared to WT littermates, with an associated pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu. Overall, our results indicate that VIP is important for survival in mice. Its absence leads to increased mortality, with progressive right ventricular hypertrophy as a surrogate of pulmonary hypertension, lower body weight, hypothermia, and pro-inflammatory milieu. These studies support VIP as a novel therapeutic agent in pulmonary hypertension.

Iraq dust is respirable, sharp, and metal-laden and induces lung inflammation with fibrosis in mice via IL-2 upregulation and depletion of regulatory T cells

OBJECTIVES

Determine whether surface dust grab samples taken from a large military base in Iraq are toxic and respirable.

METHODS

X-ray diffraction for mineral content, x-ray fluorescence for elemental content, in vivo mouse dust challenges for assessment of histological changes, bronchoalveolar lavage for cytokines, polarizing light microscopy for crystals in lung tissue, and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting for cell surface and intracellular markers were utilized.

RESULTS

Camp Victory, Iraq dust taken during wartime contains respirable particles 2.5 microns in size, constituting particulate matter air pollution. Dust particles are angular and have sharp edges. Trace metals (including titanium) calcium and silicon are present. Mice with airway instillation of dust have polarizable crystals in lung and septate inflammation. Regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺) are decreased in thymus and spleen. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is upregulated in bronchoalveolar lavage.

CONCLUSIONS

Respirable Iraq dust leads to lung inflammation in mice similar to that seen in patients with polarizable crystals, which seem to be titanium.