Conditionally induced RAGE expression by proximal airway epithelial cells in transgenic mice causes lung inflammation

The Role of Cytokines in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: A Focus on the State of the Art and Possible Therapeutic Targets

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs), encompassing mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), present a complex landscape influenced by cytokines and cellular responses. In this work, the intricate relationship between these inflammatory proteins and disease pathogenesis is examined, focusing on what is known at the clinical and therapeutic levels regarding the most well-known inflammatory mediators. An in-depth look is given to their possible alterations caused by novel immunomodulatory drugs and how they may alter disease progression. From this narrative review of the actual scientific landscape, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) emerges as a central player, demonstrating a dual role in both promoting and inhibiting cancer immunity, but the work navigates through all the major interleukins known in inflammatory environments. Immunotherapeutic perspectives are elucidated, highlighting the crucial role of the cutaneous microenvironment in shaping dysfunctional cell trafficking, antitumor immunity, and angiogenesis in MF, showcasing advancements in understanding and targeting the immune phenotype in CTCL. In summary, this manuscript aims to comprehensively explore the multifaceted aspects of CTCL, from the immunopathogenesis and cytokine dynamics centred around TNF-α and IFN-γ to evolving therapeutic modalities. Including all the major known and studied cytokines in this analysis broadens our understanding of the intricate interplay influencing CTCL, paving the way for improved management of this complex lymphoma.

Role of RAGE and its ligand HMGB1 in the development of COPD

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic lung inflammation continues even after smoking cessation and leads to COPD progression. To date, anti-inflammatory therapies are ineffective in improving pulmonary function and COPD symptoms, and new molecular targets are urgently needed to deal with this challenge. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) was shown to be relevant in COPD pathogenesis, since it is both a genetic determinant of low lung function and a determinant of COPD susceptibility. Moreover, RAGE is involved in the physiological response to cigarette smoke exposure. Since innate and acquired immunity plays an essential role in the development of chronic inflammation and emphysema in COPD, here we summarized the roles of RAGE and its ligand HMGB1 in COPD immunity.

Galectin-7 overexpression destroys airway epithelial barrier in transgenic mice

When the integrity of airway epithelium is destroyed, the ordered airway barrier no longer exists and increases sensitivity to viral infections and allergens, leading to the occurrence of airway inflammation such as asthma. Here, we found that galectin-7 transgenic(+) mice exhibited abnormal airway structures as embryos and after birth. These abnormalities included absent or substantially reduced pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and increased monolayer cells with irregular arrangement and widening of intercellular spaces. Moreover, airway tissue from galectin-7 transgenic(+) mice showed evidence of impaired cell-cell junctions and decreased expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and E-cadherin. When treated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or ovalbumin (OVA), galectin-7 transgenic(+) mice developed substantially increased bronchial epithelial detachment and apoptosis, airway smooth muscle and basement membrane thickening, and enhanced airway responsiveness. We found that Galectin-7 localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of bronchial epithelial cells, and that increased apoptosis was mediated through mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and upregulated JNK1 activation and expression of caspase-3 in galectin-7 Tg(+) mice. These findings suggested that Galectin-7 causes airway structural defects and destroys airway epithelium barrier, which predispose the airways to RSV or OVA-induced epithelial apoptosis, injury, and other asthma responses.

COVID-19 and cardiovascular consequences: Is the endothelial dysfunction the hardest challenge?

A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a pandemic disease named Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) of epochal dimension. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is wide, ranging from asymptomatic forms to severe pneumonia, sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes resulting in poor outcomes. Among the various consequences of severe COVID-19, cardiovascular (CV) collapse appears the most serious and potentially lethal. On the other hand, pre-existent CV comorbidities are also associated with higher mortality. The most reliable hypothetical pathogenetic mechanism for CV complications and cardiac injury in severe COVID-19 patients appears to be a sustained endothelial dysfunction, caused by the interplay of inflammation and coagulation. In this review, we survey papers addressing issues related to severe COVID-19, characterized by enhanced lung microvascular loss, hypercytokinemia, hypoxemia and thrombosis. We discuss about how the virus-induced downregulation of the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor, used to enter the host cell, could affect the renin-angiotensin system, attempting to clarify the doubts about the use of ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin-II receptor blockers in COVID-19 patients. Finally, we point out how the delicate and physiological homeostatic function of the endothelium, which turns into a disastrous battlefield of the complex interaction between "cytokine and coagulative storms", can be irreparably compromised and result in systemic inflammatory complications.

Synergistic Effect of WTC-Particulate Matter and Lysophosphatidic Acid Exposure and the Role of RAGE: In-Vitro and Translational Assessment

World Trade Center particulate matter (WTC-PM)-exposed firefighters with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) have a higher risk of WTC lung injury (WTC-LI). Since macrophages are crucial innate pulmonary mediators, we investigated WTC-PM/lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) co-exposure in macrophages. LPA, a low-density lipoprotein metabolite, is a ligand of the advanced glycation end-products receptor (AGER or RAGE). LPA and RAGE are biomarkers of WTC-LI. Human and murine macrophages were exposed to WTC-PM, and/or LPA, and compared to controls. Supernatants were assessed for cytokines/chemokines; cell lysate immunoblots were assessed for signaling intermediates after 24 h. To explore the translatability of our in-vitro findings, we assessed serum cytokines/chemokines and metabolites of symptomatic, never-smoking WTC-exposed firefighters. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering identified phenotypes of WTC-PM-induced inflammation. WTC-PM induced GM-CSF, IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-1 in THP-1-derived macrophages and induced IL-1α, IL-10, TNF-α, and NF-κB in RAW264.7 murine macrophage-like cells. Co-exposure induced synergistic elaboration of IL-10 and MCP-1 in THP-1-derived macrophages. Similarly, co-exposure synergistically induced IL-10 in murine macrophages. Synergistic effects were seen in the context of a downregulation of NF-κB, p-Akt, -STAT3, and -STAT5b. RAGE expression after co-exposure increased in murine macrophages compared to controls. In our integrated analysis, the human cytokine/chemokine biomarker profile of WTC-LI was associated with discriminatory metabolites (fatty acids, sphingolipids, and amino acids). LPA synergistically elaborated WTC-PM’s inflammatory effects in vitro and was partly RAGE-mediated. Further research will focus on the intersection of MetSyn/PM exposure.

High TXLNA Expression Predicts Favourable Outcome for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Patients

TXLNA (taxilin alpha), a binding partner of the syntaxin family, was identified as a key factor in the coordination of intracellular vesicle trafficking and highly expressed in various tumor cells. However, the accurate relation between TXLNA and tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is still unclear. The present study was designed to examine the expression profile of TXLNA and explore its prognostic significance in PAAD patients and the possible molecular regulatory mechanism by analyzing a series of data from databases, including GEPIA, LOGpc, STRING, and GeneMANIA. The results indicate that TXLNA mRNA and protein were remarkably increased in PAAD tissues compared with normal pancreatic tissues. The high TXLNA expression was significantly correlated with superior overall survival (OS), disease-free interval (DFI), disease specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) for PAAD patients. In summary, high TXLNA expression could predict favourable OS, DFI, DSS, and PFI for PAAD patients, and it might be as potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for PAAD.

Acute pulmonary effects of aerosolized nicotine

Nicotine is a highly addictive principal component of both tobacco and electronic cigarette that is readily absorbed in blood. Nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes are promoted as a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. However, the isolated effects of inhaled nicotine are largely unknown. Here we report a novel rat model of aerosolized nicotine with a particle size (~1 μm) in the respirable diameter range. Acute nicotine inhalation caused increased pulmonary edema and lung injury as measured by enhanced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein, IgM, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and decreased lung E-cadherin protein. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed congested blood vessels and increased neutrophil infiltration. Lung myeloperoxidase mRNA and protein increased in the nicotine-exposed rats. Complete blood counts also showed an increase in neutrophils, white blood cells, eosinophils, and basophils. Arterial blood gas measurements showed an increase in lactate. Lungs of nicotine-inhaling animals revealed increased mRNA levels of IL-1A and CXCL1. There was also an increase in IL-1α protein. In in vitro air-liquid interface cultures of airway epithelial cells, there was a dose dependent increase in HMGB1 release with nicotine treatment. Air-liquid cultures exposed to nicotine also resulted in a dose-dependent loss of barrier as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance and a decrease in E-cadherin expression. Nicotine also caused a dose-dependent increase in epithelial cell death and an increase in caspase-3/7 activities. These results show that the nicotine content of electronic cigarettes may have adverse pulmonary and systemic effects.

Plausible Roles for RAGE in Conditions Exacerbated by Direct and Indirect (Secondhand) Smoke Exposure

Approximately 1 billion people smoke worldwide, and the burden placed on society by primary and secondhand smokers is expected to increase. Smoking is the leading risk factor for myriad health complications stemming from diverse pathogenic programs. First- and second-hand cigarette smoke contains thousands of constituents, including several carcinogens and cytotoxic chemicals that orchestrate chronic inflammatory responses and destructive remodeling events. In the current review, we outline details related to compromised pulmonary and systemic conditions related to smoke exposure. Specifically, data are discussed relative to impaired lung physiology, cancer mechanisms, maternal-fetal complications, cardiometabolic, and joint disorders in the context of smoke exposure exacerbations. As a general unifying mechanism, the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and its signaling axis is increasingly considered central to smoke-related pathogenesis. RAGE is a multi-ligand cell surface receptor whose expression increases following cigarette smoke exposure. RAGE signaling participates in the underpinning of inflammatory mechanisms mediated by requisite cytokines, chemokines, and remodeling enzymes. Understanding the biological contributions of RAGE during cigarette smoke-induced inflammation may provide critically important insight into the pathology of lung disease and systemic complications that combine during the demise of those exposed.

Blockade of RAGE ameliorates elastase-induced emphysema development and progression via RAGE-DAMP signaling

The receptor for advanced glycan end products (RAGE) has been identified as a susceptibility gene for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in genome-wide association studies (GWASs). However, less is known about how RAGE is involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. To determine the molecular mechanism by which RAGE influences COPD in experimental COPD models, we investigated the efficacy of the RAGE-specific antagonist FPS-ZM1 administration in in vivo and in vitro COPD models. We injected elastase intratracheally and the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 in mice, and the infiltrated inflammatory cells and cytokines were assessed by ELISA. Cellular expression of RAGE was determined in protein, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice and lungs and serum of human donors and patients with COPD. Downstream damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) pathway activation in vivo and in vitro and in patients with COPD was assessed by immunofluorescence staining, Western blot analysis, and ELISA. The expression of membrane RAGE in initiating the inflammatory response and of soluble RAGE acting as a decoy were associated with up-regulation of the DAMP-related signaling pathway via Nrf2. FPS-ZM1 administration significantly reversed emphysema in the lung of mice. Moreover, FPS-ZM1 treatment significantly reduced lung inflammation in Nrf2^+/+ , but not in Nrf2^-/- mice. Thus, our data indicate for the first time that RAGE inhibition has an essential protective role in COPD. Our observation of RAGE inhibition provided novel insight into its potential as a therapeutic target in emphysema/COPD.-Lee, H., Park, J.-R., Kim, W. J., Sundar, I. K., Rahman, I., Park, S.-M., Yang. S.-R. Blockade of RAGE ameliorates elastase-induced emphysema development and progression via RAGE-DAMP signaling.

Cigarette smoke extract-induced p120-mediated NF-κB activation in human epithelial cells is dependent on the RhoA/ROCK pathway

Cigarette smoke exposure is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying molecular inflammatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Previous studies have found that smoke disrupts cell-cell adhesion by inducing epithelial barrier damage to the adherens junction proteins, primarily E-cadherin (E-cad) and p120-catenin (p120). Recently, the anti-inflammatory role of p120 has drawn increasing attention. In this study, we demonstrate that p120 has a role in the cigarette smoke extract-induced inflammatory response, presumably by regulating NF-κB signaling activation. Mechanistically, we show that p120-mediated NF-κB signaling activation in airway epithelial inflammation is partially RhoA dependent and is independent of E-cad. These results provide novel evidence for the role of p120 in the anti-inflammatory response.