Targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling with AMD3100 Might Selectively Suppress CXCR4+ T-Cell Chemotaxis Leading to the Alleviation of Chronic Prostatitis

Zinc Attenuates Prostate Hyperplasia and Inflammatory Injury in Obese Rats by Regulating Zinc Homeostasis and Inhibiting the JAK1/STAT3 Pathway

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an important risk factor for prostate damage. The importance of zinc in male reproductive spermatogenesis and the anti-inflammatory properties of zinc have been studied. However, the role of zinc in obesity-induced prostate proliferation and inflammatory injury and changes in zinc transporters are unknown and require extensive research and validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we modeled high-fat-fed obese rats. Then, the zinc supplementation group was given daily intragastric administration of zinc sulfate saline solution, while the control group and the high-fat group received the same amount of saline intragastric administration for 8 consecutive weeks. Sperm parameters were statistically analyzed, serum hormones were determined by chemiluminescence immunoanalyzer, and biochemical indexes were determined by automatic biochemical instrument. Inflammatory factors in prostate tissue were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), zinc content in prostate tissue was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and zinc transporters, inflammation and apoptosis indicators in prostate tissues were analyzed by Western Blot analysis (WB).

RESULT

We found that obese rats had decreased sperm motility and sperm count and decreased androgens, leading to male reproductive disorders, whereas sperm motility and sperm count were increased in obese rats after zinc supplementation. The prostate epithelial cells of obese rats showed papillary proliferation with leukocyte infiltration, and the papillary proliferation of epithelial cells was alleviated after zinc supplementation. Meanwhile, pro-inflammatory cytokines and insulin growth factors IL-6, IL-1β, and IGF1 were significantly increased in prostate tissues of obese rats, whereas they were decreased after zinc supplementation. The expression of zinc transporters ZIP10 and ZIP6 was increased and the expression of ZnT3 was decreased in obese rats, while the expression of zinc transporters ZIP6 and ZIP10 was decreased and the expression of ZnT3 was increased after zinc supplementation. WB results showed that zinc supplementation reduced the expression of JAK1/STAT3, elevated the expression of caspase8, caspase3, and Bax, and decreased the expression of Bcl2. Bcl2 expression. This may be due to the fact that zinc supplementation can reduce the level of prostate inflammatory factors and insulin growth factor and promote apoptosis, thus improving prostate cell proliferation and inflammatory injury.

CONCLUSION

Zinc ameliorates prostate proliferation and inflammatory injury in obese rats by regulating zinc homeostasis, inhibiting the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway, and promoting apoptosis. These results provide new insights into the role of zinc as a regulator of prostate metabolism and further illustrate the potential application of zinc in male reproductive disorders.

IGF1R Promotes Th17/Treg Cell Development in Experimental Autoimmune Prostatitis

Background

Chronic prostatitis is a common urological disorder in young and middle-aged men, characterized by frequent relapses and an unknown etiology. We investigated the potential function of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) -related ligands in chronic prostatitis in the current study.

Methods

In this study, we established the chronic experimental autoimmune prostatitis mouse model H&E staining was used to assess immune cell infiltration in prostate tissue, while RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses were performed to validate gene and protein expression differences across groups, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to determine the spatial distribution of key proteins. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze the proportions of immune cell populations in different experimental groups. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was employed to knock down Igflr, and ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels in the peripheral blood of mice. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05, and all tests were conducted as two-tailed. Data analysis was performed using R software (version 4.2.2).

Results

We successful established the EAP model and discovered that the expression of IGF1R, content of IGF1-related ligands, was highest in prostate tissue and CD4+ T cell subset. Furthermore, protein expression levels of IGF1R were also validated that upregulated in mouse prostate tissue. Colocalization of immunofluorescence suggested that IGF1R protein is highly expressed on CD4+ T cells. Stimulation with desIGF1, a truncated analogue of IGF1, resulted in the significantly increased prostate inflammation and pain scores observed in the EAP+desIGF1 group mouse compared to other groups In vitro study further suggested that desIGF1 could increase the proportion of Th17 cells while decreasing the proportion of Treg cells. In the EAP+AAV-shIgf1r group, the knock down function of igf1r led to the alleviative prostate inflammation and response frequency of pain behavior test. We found that calcium ion associated pathways are active in EAP by bioinformatics, and further validated that PKC-β protein with significantly increased expression noted in the EAP+desIGF1 group, and decreased in the EAP+AAV-shIgf1r group. We also found that the proportion of Th17 cells increased after activation of PKC- β by flow cytometry.

Conclusion

These findings support that PKC-β associated pathways mediated by IGF1/IGF1R axis may impact Th17 cell differentiation and exacerbating prostate inflammation in EAP mouse, providing new molecular targets for the clinical therapeutic strategy.

The causative effect of CXCR7 on experimental autoimmune prostatitis injury and fibrosis

Chronic prostatitis and Pelvic Pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by pelvic or perineal pain and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the prostate. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7) is an atypical chemokine receptor that has been shown to play a key role in inflammatory processes in prostate cancer. However, the role of CXCR7 in autoimmune prostate and immune regulation in CP/CPPS along with the mechanism of action for CXCR7 remains unclear. In this study, a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) was constructed by subcutaneous injection of antigen, and CXCR7 agonist was administered to investigate the effects of CXCR7 on the proportion of immune cells and fibrosis in CP/CPPS. Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and masson's trichrome staining were used to study the regulatory mechanisms of CXCR7 in immune regulation. CXCR7 agonists can significantly reduce pain and prostatic inflammation, and in vivo flow cytometry studies showed that the antagonists restored the imbalance of the Th17/Treg cell ratio. To elucidate the potential mechanisms by which CXCR7 influences the pathogenesis of CP/CPPS, we conducted simultaneous RNA-seq and non-targeted metabolome sequencing. Our findings suggest that CXCR7 agonists alleviate fibrosis in autoimmune prostatitis by inhibiting the TGFβ/SMAD pathway. This study provides the foundation to target the immunological function of CXCR7 as a novel therapy for CP/CPPS.

The CCL5/CCR5/SHP2 axis sustains Stat1 phosphorylation and activates NF-κB signaling promoting M1 macrophage polarization and exacerbating chronic prostatic inflammation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a condition markered by persistent prostate inflammation, yet the specific cytokines driving its progression remain largely undefined. This study aims to identify key cytokines involved in CP and investigate their role in driving inflammatory responses through mechanistic and therapeutic exploration.

METHODS

A 48-cytokine panel test was conducted to compare the plasma cytokine profiles between participants with CP-like symptoms (CP-LS) and healthy controls. Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) models were used for functional validation, with further mechanistic studies performed through in vivo and in vitro assays. Pharmacological inhibition was applied using maraviroc, and pathway inhibitors to assess therapeutic potential.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified CCL5 as one of the most prominently elevated cytokines in CP-LS patients. Further validation in the EAP model mice confirmed elevated CCL5 levels, highlighting its role in driving prostatic inflammation. Mechanistic studies revealed that CCL5 interacts with the CCR5 receptor, promoting M1 macrophage polarization and activating key inflammatory signaling pathways, including Stat1 and NF-κB, as indicated by increased phosphorylation of Stat1 and p65. In vitro, CCL5 combined with LPS stimulation amplified these effects, further promoting M1 polarization. CCL5 also sustained Stat1 activation by inhibiting its dephosphorylation through reduced interaction with SHP2, leading to prolonged inflammatory signaling. Single-cell transcriptomics confirmed high CCR5 expression in macrophages, correlating with inflammatory pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of CCR5, or its downstream signaling, significantly reduced macrophage-driven inflammation both in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

These findings establish the CCL5/CCR5 axis as a critical driver of persistant prostatic inflammation and present it as a potential therapeutic target for CP.

CXCR4 regulates macrophage M1 polarization by altering glycolysis to promote prostate fibrosis

BACKGROUND

C-X-C receptor 4(CXCR4) is widely considered to be a highly conserved G protein-coupled receptor, widely involved in the pathophysiological processes in the human body, including fibrosis. However, its role in regulating macrophage-related inflammation in the fibrotic process of prostatitis has not been confirmed. Here, we aim to describe the role of CXCR4 in modulating macrophage M1 polarization through glycolysis in the development of prostatitis fibrosis.

METHODS

Use inducible experimental chronic prostatitis as a model of prostatic fibrosis. Reduce CXCR4 expression in immortalized bone marrow-derived macrophages using lentivirus. In the fibrotic mouse model, use adenovirus carrying CXCR4 agonists to detect the silencing of CXCR4 and assess the in vivo effects.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that reducing CXCR4 expression during LPS treatment of macrophages can alleviate M1 polarization. Silencing CXCR4 can inhibit glycolytic metabolism, enhance mitochondrial function, and promote macrophage transition from M1 to M2. Additionally, in vivo functional experiments using AAV carrying CXCR4 showed that blocking CXCR4 in experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) can alleviate inflammation and experimental prostate fibrosis development. Mechanistically, CXCR4, a chemokine receptor, when silenced, weakens the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as its downstream signal, reducing c-MYC expression. PFKFB3, a key enzyme involved in glucose metabolism, is a target gene of c-MYC, thus impacting macrophage polarization and glycolytic metabolism processes.

Thermosensitive hydrogel with emodin-loaded triple-targeted nanoparticles for a rectal drug delivery system in the treatment of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

BACKGROUND

The complex etiology and pathogenesis underlying Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis (CNP), coupled with the existence of a Blood Prostate Barrier (BPB), contribute to a lack of specificity and poor penetration of most drugs. Emodin (EMO), a potential natural compound for CNP treatment, exhibits commendable anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties but suffers from the same problems as other drugs.

METHODS

By exploiting the recognition properties of lactoferrin (LF) receptors that target intestinal epithelial cells (NCM-460) and prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), a pathway is established for the transrectal absorption of EMO to effectively reach the prostate. Additionally, hyaluronic acid (HA) is employed, recognizing CD44 receptors which target macrophages within the inflamed prostate. This interaction facilitates the intraprostatic delivery of EMO, leading to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effects. A thermosensitive hydrogel (CS-Gel) prepared from chitosan (CS) and β-glycerophosphate disodium salt (β-GP) was used for rectal drug delivery with strong adhesion to achieve effective drug retention and sustained slow release. Thus, we developed a triple-targeted nanoparticle (NPs)/thermosensitive hydrogel (Gel) rectal drug delivery system. In this process, LF, with its positive charge, was utilized to load EMO through dialysis, producing LF@EMO-NPs. Subsequently, HA was employed to encapsulate EMO-loaded LF nanoparticles via electrostatic adsorption, yielding HA/LF@EMO-NPs. Finally, HA/LF@EMO-NPs lyophilized powder was added to CS-Gel (HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel).

RESULTS

Cellular assays indicated that NCM-460 and RWPE-1 cells showed high uptake of both LF@EMO-NPs and HA/LF@EMO-NPs, while Raw 264.7 cells exhibited substantial uptake of HA/LF@EMO-NPs. For LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells, HA/LF@EMO-NPs can reduce the inflammatory responses by modulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. Tissue imaging corroborated the capacity of HA/LF-modified formulations to breach the BPB, accumulating within the gland's lumen. Animal experiments showed that rectal administration of HA/LF@EMO-NPs Gel significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, oxidative stress levels and fibrosis in the CNP rats, in addition to exerting anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway without obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSION

This triple-targeted NPs/Gel rectal delivery system with slow-release anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrosis properties shows great potential for the effective treatment of CNP.

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction Is Related to Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common and non-lethal urological condition with painful symptoms. The complexity of CP/CPPS's pathogenesis and lack of efficient etiological diagnosis results in incomplete treatment and recurrent episodes, causing long-term mental and psychological suffering in patients. Recent findings indicate that the autonomic nervous system involves in CP/CPPS, including sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and central nervous systems. Neuro-inflammation and sensitization of sensory nerves lead to persistent inflammation and pain. Sympathetic and parasympathetic alterations affect the cardiovascular and reproductive systems and the development of prostatitis. Central sensitization lowers pain thresholds and increases pelvic pain perception in chronic prostatitis. Therefore, this review summarized the detailed processes and mechanisms of the critical role of the autonomic nervous system in developing CP/CPPS. Furthermore, it describes the neurologically relevant substances and channels or receptors involved in this process, which provides new perspectives for new therapeutic approaches to CP/CPPS.

Amelioration of chronic prostatitis by fractions of Mongolian medicine Hosta plantaginea flowers via inhibition of NF-κB, MAPKs, JAK-STAT, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Aschers flower is an important Mongolian medicine beneficial in the treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) in the absence of scientific evidence.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to reveal the therapeutical effects and potential mechanisms of H. plantaginea flowers extract (HP) and its different polarity fractions (HPA∼D) on autoimmune CP (ACP) model rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to 13 groups (n = 6/group). Except the sham group, all rats were injected with a mixture of prostate antigen and complete Freund's adjuvant on days 0, 7, and 21 to establish ACP model rats. Afterwards, ACP model rats were orally gavaged with HP or HPA∼D (1 and 4 g/kg of raw herbal material) or positive drug (Prostat, 200 mg/kg) daily from day 21 to day 50 for 30 days, while the sham and model groups were treated simultaneously with isopyknic of 0.3% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Histopathological analysis, biochemical parameters, and protein expression of prostate tissues were investigated.

RESULTS

In comparison with the model group, all fraction groups experienced improved CP effects, including restored body weight, reduced prostate gland edema and prostate index, decreased prostatic leukocytes, increased prostatic lecithin bodies, and alleviated histopathological damage to prostate tissue. Furthermore, all fraction groups markedly inhibited the phosphorylated protein of nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), just another kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) than the model group.

CONCLUSION

All fractions of HP exerted significant anti-CP effects by inhibiting NF-κB, MAPKs, JAK-STAT and PI3K-Akt pathways in ACP model rats. These findings provide scientific evidence that H. plantaginea flowers can be used as a pivotal Mongolian medicine in clinical applications for the treatment of CP.