Defibrotide modulates pulmonary endothelial cell activation and protects against lung inflammation in pre-clinical models of LPS-induced lung injury and idiopathic pneumonia syndrome

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation Reveal Ganodermanontriol Modulates Pneumonia via TNF/NF-κB/MAPKs Signaling Pathway

Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst, commonly known as Lingzhi, has long been employed in traditional Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties, particularly in alleviating respiratory issues like cough and asthma. Recognized both as a therapeutic agent and an edible supplement, Lingzhi is celebrated for its health-promoting benefits. Despite its widespread use, the effectiveness of G. lucidum in treating pneumonia has not been extensively studied, highlighting the need for further research. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of G. lucidum in pneumonia treatment and to uncover the mechanisms behind its effects, specifically examining how its active constituents influence inflammatory pathways. The study utilized approaches such as network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses revealed eight triterpenoids in G. lucidum, with ganodermanontriol being the most prominent. Molecular docking studies anticipated the interactions between these compounds and target proteins, while in vivo experiments on pneumonia-induced rat models assessed the efficacy of ganodermanontriol. Additionally, HPLC and LC-MS confirmed the presence of eight triterpenoids in the ethanol extract of G. lucidum, predominantly ganodermanontriol. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified key genes-including TNF, EGFR, ESR1, HIF1A, HSP90AA1, and SRC-that played significant roles in the regulation of inflammatory pathways. In vivo results demonstrated that ganodermanontriol treatment mitigated lung tissue damage in rats with experimentally induced pneumonia by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators. Further mechanistic studies showed that ganodermanontriol downregulated TNF-α and inhibited the NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathways. These findings suggested that ganodermanontriol holds promising potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for pneumonia by targeting the TNF/NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathway, offering a novel therapeutic approach.

The Marine Compound Isaridin E Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Vascular Endothelial Inflammation via the Downregulation of the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Isaridin E, a cyclodepsipeptide derived from the marine fungus Beauveria felina (SYSU-MS7908), has been demonstrated to possess multiple biological properties. In this study, we employed both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a LPS-induced murine endotoxemia model to investigate its anti-inflammatory effects. Our results revealed that isaridin E suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in a concentration dependent manner, while also reducing monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Furthermore, this compound attenuated vascular hyperpermeability and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs, as well as preserving the integrity of the aortic and pulmonary tissues. At the molecular level, isaridin E was found to downregulate TLR4 expression, increase IκBα levels, and inhibit the LPS-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. In conclusion, our findings indicate that isaridin E exerts robust anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced endotoxemia through the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis, positioning it as a promising therapeutic candidate for vascular inflammatory disorders.

The critical role of endothelial cell in the toxicity associated with chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy and intervention strategies

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown promising results in patients with hematological malignancies. However, many patients still have poor prognoses or even fatal outcomes due to the life-threatening toxicities associated with the therapy. Moreover, even after improving the known influencing factors (such as number or type of CAR-T infusion) related to CAR-T cell infusion, the results remain unsatisfactory. In recent years, it has been found that endothelial cells (ECs), which are key components of the organization, play a crucial role in various aspects of immune system activation and inflammatory response. The levels of typical markers of endothelial activation positively correlated with the severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxic syndrome (ICANS), suggesting that ECs are important targets for intervention and toxicity prevention. This review focuses on the critical role of ECs in CRS and ICANS and the intervention strategies adopted.