Transforming growth factor beta 1 is associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Effects of vitamin D signaling in cardiovascular disease: centrality of macrophage polarization

Among the leading causes of natural death are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Factors causing illness include genetic predisposition, aging, stress, chronic inflammation, environmental factors, declining autophagy, and endocrine abnormalities including insufficient vitamin D levels. Inconclusive clinical outcomes of vitamin D supplements in cardiovascular diseases demonstrate the need to identify cause-effect relationships without bias. We employed a spectral clustering methodology capable of analyzing large diverse datasets for examining the role of vitamin D's genomic and non-genomic signaling in disease in this study. The results of this investigation showed the following: (1) vitamin D regulates multiple reciprocal feedback loops including p53, macrophage autophagy, nitric oxide, and redox-signaling; (2) these regulatory schemes are involved in over 2,000 diseases. Furthermore, the balance between genomic and non-genomic signaling by vitamin D affects autophagy regulation of macrophage polarization in tissue homeostasis. These findings provide a deeper understanding of how interactions between genomic and non-genomic signaling affect vitamin D pharmacology and offer opportunities for increasing the efficacy of vitamin D-centered treatment of cardiovascular disease and healthy lifespans.

TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.

Th1-related transcription factors and cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory disorder related to immunity dysfunction. The Th1 cell family including Th1 cells, transcription factor T-bet, and related cytokines IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-18, TGF-β, and IL-12 have been widely discussed in autoimmunity, such as SLE. In this review, we will comprehensively discuss the expression profile of the Th1 cell family in both SLE patients and animal models and clarify how the family members are involved in lupus development. Interestingly, T-bet-related age-associated B cells (ABCs) and low-dose IL-2 treatment in lupus were emergently discussed as well. Collection of the evidence will better understand the roles of the Th1 cell family in lupus pathogenesis, especially targeting IL-2 in lupus.