Niclosamide Ethanolamine Salt Alleviates Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Modulating the PI3K-mTORC1 Pathway

Stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration: Clinical progress with exosomes and gene vectors

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a leading cause of lower back pain and is characterized by pathological processes such as nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, extracellular matrix imbalance, and annulus fibrosus rupture. These pathological changes result in disc height loss and functional decline, potentially leading to disc herniation. This comprehensive review aimed to address the current challenges in intervertebral disc degeneration treatment by evaluating the regenerative potential of stem cell-based therapies, with a particular focus on emerging technologies such as exosomes and gene vector systems. Through mechanisms such as differentiation, paracrine effects, and immunomodulation, stem cells facilitate extracellular matrix repair and reduce nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis. Despite recent advancements, clinical applications are hindered by challenges such as hypoxic disc environments and immune rejection. By analyzing recent preclinical and clinical findings, this review provided insights into optimizing stem cell therapy to overcome these obstacles and highlighted future directions in the field.

Docetaxel and niclosamide-loaded nanofiber systems for improved chemo-therapeutic activity and resistance reversal in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to tackle the recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) post-surgery and to re-sensitize the docetaxel (DTX)-resistant PC-3 cells to chemo-therapy using NIC.

SIGNIFICANCE

Prolonged DTX therapy leads to the emergence of chemo-resistance by overexpression of PI3K-AKT pathway in PCa along with tumor recurrence post-surgery. Suppression of this pathway could be essential in improving the anticancer activity of DTX and re-sensitizing the resistant cells.

METHOD

Niclosamide (NIC), an anthelmintic drug has shown tremendous anticancer potential and has re-sensitized the resistant cells to various drugs. To mitigate the post-surgical tumor recurrence, an implant-based system facilitating the sustained release of DTX and NIC could be beneficial. DTX and NIC were incorporated within a nanofiber (NF) system to prevent on-site recurrence by local release and re-sensitize the DTX-resistant cells.

KEY FINDINGS

The fabricated DTX-NIC NF via electrospinning were 334 ± 96.14 nm in diameter and demonstrated sustained release profile till 6 d. Elevated mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen species levels and apoptotic index revealed improvement in the cytotoxicity of DTX-NIC post incorporation into the NF owing to their sustained release profile. Re-sensitization of PC-3/DTX cells was observed by introduction of NIC which could be due to the suppression of p-Akt1, which was overexpressed in resistant cells.

CONCLUSION

From superior activity of DTX-NIC NF and re-sensitization of resistant cells, we conclude that DTX-NIC NF could be a beneficial therapeutic regimen in preventing tumor recurrence in PCa.

Cromolyn sodium reduces LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the EMT process enhanced by MC-derived IL-13

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection. When this inflammatory response spreads to the lungs, it can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) or more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pulmonary fibrosis is a potential complication of these conditions, and the early occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a higher mortality rate. The underlying mechanism of ARDS-related pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear.

METHODS

To evaluate the role of mast cell in sepsis-induced pulmonary fibrosis and elucidate its molecular mechanism. We investigated the level of mast cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in LPS-induced mouse model and cellular model. We also explored the influence of cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout on pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, we explored the effect of MC-derived IL-13 on the EMT and illustrated the relationship between mast cell and pulmonary fibrosis.

RESULTS

Mast cell was up-regulated in the lung tissues of the pulmonary fibrotic mouse model compared to control groups. Cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout decreased the expression of EMT-related protein and IL-13, alleviated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling was activated in fibrotic lung tissue, whereas Cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout inhibited this pathway.

CONCLUSION

The expression level of mast cell is increased in fibrotic lungs. Cromolyn sodium intervention and mast cell knockout alleviate the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis probably via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, mast cell inhibition is a potential therapeutic target for sepsis-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Advances and therapeutic potential

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal lung disease characterized by irreversible tissue scarring, leading to severe respiratory dysfunction. Despite current treatments with the drugs Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, effective management of IPF remains inadequate due to limited therapeutic benefits and significant side effects. This review focuses on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, a critical regulator of cellular processes linked to fibrosis, such as fibroblast proliferation, inflammation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We discuss recent advances in understanding the role of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in IPF pathogenesis and highlight emerging therapies targeting this pathway. The review compiles evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies, suggesting that PI3K/mTOR inhibitors may offer new hope for IPF treatment by modulating fibrosis and improving patient outcomes. Moreover, it outlines the potential for these inhibitors to be developed into effective, personalized treatment options, underscoring the importance of further research to explore their efficacy and safety profiles comprehensively.

Niclosamide attenuates erectile dysfunction and corporal fibrosis via reversal of Smad signaling in diabetic rat model

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is a common urological complication of diabetes, and current drugs often fail to provide an effective treatment. Smad2/3 signaling-mediated corporal fibrosis has a critical role in the molecular basis of DMED.

AIM

We investigated the effect of Niclosamide (Nic), an antihelmintic drug with antifibrotic effects, on erectile function in a rat DMED model.

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) with streptozotocin (75 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. At week 8, both diabetic and nondiabetic rats were treated with Nic (10 mg·kg-1/day; i.p) or vehicle for 4 weeks. At week 12, erectile function was evaluated as intracavernous pressure (ICP) response to the electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve (CN). Penile tissues were harvested for Masson's trichrome staining or western blotting to determine corporal fibrosis and Smad2/3 pathway-related protein expression, respectively.

OUTCOMES

At the end of the experimental protocol, in vivo erectile function was assessed by measuring the ratio of ICP/ mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total ICP following CN stimulation. Smooth muscle content and collagen fibers were evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining of the penile tissues. The expressions of fibrosis-related proteins (Smad2, Smad3, fibronectin) were determined using western blotting in the penile tissues.

RESULTS

Erectile function, as determined by the maximum ICP/MAP and total ICP/MAP ratios, was drastically decreased in diabetic rats. Corporal tissues of diabetic rats were severely fibrotic with a significant increase in collagen fibers and a marked reduction in smooth muscle content. Also, the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p-)Smad2, p-Smad3 and fibronectin were significantly increased in the penis of diabetic rats. Both functional and molecular alterations in DMED were effectively reversed by Nic-treated diabetic rats without a glycemic alteration.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nic could be a promising candidate for the treatment of DMED due to its antifibrotic effects.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The present study provides the first evidence that Nic has beneficial effect on erectile dysfunction by attenuating corporal fibrosis in a rat model of DMED. The effect of Nic on penile endothelial function and the other potential underlying mechanisms needs to be further elucidated.

CONCLUSIONS

Nic improved erectile function in DMED rats possibly suppressing penile fibrosis by inhibiting Smad2/3 signaling. These results suggest a potential therapeutic repurposing of Nic as an adjuvant treatment in DMED.

Exploring the impact of mitochondrial-targeting anthelmintic agents with GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 on breast cancer cell metabolism

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells alter their metabolic phenotypes with nutritional change. Single agent approaches targeting mitochondrial metabolism in cancer have failed due to either dose limiting off target toxicities, or lack of significant efficacy in vivo. To mitigate these clinical challenges, we investigated the potential utility of repurposing FDA approved mitochondrial targeting anthelmintic agents, niclosamide, IMD-0354 and pyrvinium pamoate, to be combined with GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 to enhance the inhibitory capacity of the major metabolic phenotypes exhibited by tumors.

METHODS

To test this, we used breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 which exhibit differing basal metabolic rates of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, respectively. Metabolic characterization was carried out using Seahorse XFe96 Bioanalyzer and statistical analysis was carried out via ANOVA.

RESULTS

Here, we found that specific responses to mitochondrial and glycolysis targeting agents elicit responses that correlate with tested cell lines basal metabolic rates and fuel preference, highlighting the potential to cater metabolism targeting treatment regimens based on specific tumor nutrient handling. Inhibition of GLUT1 with BAY-876 potently inhibited glycolysis in both MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells, and niclosamide and pyrvinium pamoate perturbed mitochondrial respiration that resulted in potent compensatory glycolysis in the cell lines tested.

CONCLUSION

In this regard, combination of BAY-876 with both mitochondrial targeting agents resulted in inhibition of compensatory glycolysis and subsequent metabolic crisis. These studies highlight targeting tumor metabolism as a combination treatment regimen that can be tailored by basal and compensatory metabolic phenotypes.

Understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of autophagy in lung disease pathogenesis

Lung disease development involves multiple cellular processes, including inflammation, cell death, and proliferation. Research increasingly indicates that autophagy and its regulatory proteins can influence inflammation, programmed cell death, cell proliferation, and innate immune responses. Autophagy plays a vital role in the maintenance of homeostasis and the adaptation of eukaryotic cells to stress by enabling the chelation, transport, and degradation of subcellular components, including proteins and organelles. This process is essential for sustaining cellular balance and ensuring the health of the mitochondrial population. Recent studies have begun to explore the connection between autophagy and the development of different lung diseases. This article reviews the latest findings on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of autophagy in lung diseases, with an emphasis on potential targeted therapies for autophagy.

Pulmonary fibrosis: pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterized by extensive alterations of cellular fate and function and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, leading to lung tissue scarring and impaired respiratory function. Although our understanding of its pathogenesis has increased, effective treatments remain scarce, and fibrotic progression is a major cause of mortality. Recent research has identified various etiological factors, including genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors, which contribute to the onset and progression of PF. Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms by which these factors interact to drive fibrosis are not yet fully elucidated. This review thoroughly examines the diverse etiological factors, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and key signaling pathways involved in PF, such as TGF-β, WNT/β-catenin, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR. It also discusses current therapeutic strategies, including antifibrotic agents like pirfenidone and nintedanib, and explores emerging treatments targeting fibrosis and cellular senescence. Emphasizing the need for omni-target approaches to overcome the limitations of current therapies, this review integrates recent findings to enhance our understanding of PF and contribute to the development of more effective prevention and management strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Bioinformatics analysis based on extracted ingredients combined with network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to explore the mechanism of Jinbei oral liquid in the therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Objective

Jinbei oral liquid (JBOL), which is derived from a traditional hospital preparation, is frequently utilized to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and has shown efficacy in clinical therapy. However, there are now several obstacles facing the mechanism inquiry, including target proteins, active components, and the binding affinity between crucial compounds and target proteins. To gain additional insight into the mechanisms underlying JBOL in anti-IPF, this study used bioinformation technologies, including network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation, with a substantial amount of data based on realistic constituents.

Methods

Using network pharmacology, we loaded 118 realistic compounds into the SwissTargetPrediction and SwissADME databases and screened the active compounds and target proteins. IPF-related targets were collected from the OMIM, DisGeNET, and GeneCards databases, and the network of IPF-active constituents was built with Cytoscape 3.10.1. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were carried out using Metascape, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen the key targets with the STRING database. Finally, the reciprocal affinity between the active molecules and the crucial targets was assessed through the use of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation.

Results

A total of 122 targets and 34 tested active compounds were summarized in this investigation. Among these, kaempferol, apigenin, baicalein were present in high degree. PPI networks topological analysis identified eight key target proteins. AGE-RAGE, EGFR, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways were found to be regulated during the phases of cell senescence, inflammatory response, autophagy, and immunological response in anti-IPF of JBOL. It was verified by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation that the combining way and binding energy between active ingredients and selected targets.

Conclusions

This work forecasts the prospective core ingredients, targets, and signal pathways of JBOL in anti-IPF, which has confirmed the multiple targets and pathways of JBOL in anti-IPF and provided the first comprehensive assessment with bioinformatic approaches. With empirical backing and an innovative approach to the molecular mechanism, JBOL is being considered as a potential new medication.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 alleviates idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling and stimulating autophagy

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive pulmonary disease with an unclear pathogenesis and no available specific drug treatment. The principal etiological factors are lung inflammation caused by environmental factors, damage to alveolar epithelial cells, leading to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts. Here, we have demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) ameliorates IPF via the autophagy pathway. We administered FGF21 to bleomycin (BLM)-treated mice, which ameliorated their defects in lung function, reduced the accumulation of collagen, restored tissue structure, reduced the deposition of hydroxyproline, reduced the expression of collagen I and α-SMA and increased the expression of E-cadherin. The expression of LC3BII and the number of autophagosomes were significantly higher in the lungs. The expression of AKT and mTOR was significantly reduced by FGF21 treatment. We also determined the effects of FGF21 in A549 cells treated with TGF-β, and found that FGF21 significantly inhibits activation of the AKT signaling pathway, thereby reducing TGF-β-induced EMT and preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of fibroblasts. We conclude that FGF21 ameliorates IPF by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and activating autophagy, which provides a theoretical basis for FGF21 to be used for the treatment of IPF.

Advances in glioblastoma multiforme: Integrating therapy and pathology perspectives

Glioblastoma, a highly lethal form of brain cancer, is characterized by its aggressive growth and resistance to conventional treatments, often resulting in limited survival. The response to therapy is notably influenced by various patient-specific genetic factors, underscoring the disease's complexity. Despite the utilization of diverse treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, many patients experience local relapse, emphasizing the critical need for improved therapeutic strategies to effectively target these formidable tumors. Recent years have witnessed a surge in interest in natural products derived from plants, particularly alkaloids, for their potential anticancer effects. Alkaloids have shown promise in cancer chemotherapy by selectively targeting crucial signaling pathways implicated in tumor progression and survival. Specifically, they modulate the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, resulting in reduced tumor growth and altered gene expression across various cancer types. Additionally, alkaloids exhibit the capacity to induce cell cycle arrest, further impeding tumor proliferation in several malignancies. This review aims to delineate recent advances in understanding the pathology of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and to explore the potential therapeutic implications of alkaloids in managing this deadly disease. By segregating discussions on GBM pathology from those on alkaloid-based therapies, we provide a structured overview of the current challenges in GBM treatment and the promising opportunities presented by alkaloid-based interventions. Furthermore, we briefly discuss potential future directions in GBM research and therapy beyond alkaloids, including emerging treatment modalities or areas of investigation that hold promise for improving patient outcomes. In conclusion, our efforts offer hope for enhanced outcomes and improved quality of life for GBM patients through alkaloid-based therapies. By integrating insights from pathology and therapeutic perspectives, we underscore the significance of a comprehensive approach in addressing this devastating disease.

Niclosamide - encapsulated lipid nanoparticles for the reversal of pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a serious and progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease that is possibly life-threatening and that is characterized by fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition. Nintedanib and pirfenidone are currently the only two FDA-approved oral medicines for PF. Some drugs such as antihelminthic drug niclosamide (Ncl) have shown promising therapeutic potentials for PF treatment. Unfortunately, poor aqueous solubility problems obstruct clinical application of these drugs. Herein, we prepared Ncl-encapsulated lipid nanoparticles (Ncl-Lips) for pulmonary fibrosis therapy. A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) was generated to assess the effects of Ncl-Lips and the mechanisms of reversing fibrosis in vivo. Moreover, cell models treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) were used to investigate the mechanism through which Ncl-Lips inhibit fibrosis in vitro. These findings demonstrated that Ncl-Lips could alleviate fibrosis, consequently reversing the changes in the levels of the associated marker. Moreover, the results of the tissue distribution experiment showed that Ncl-Lips had aggregated in the lung. Additionally, Ncl-Lips improved the immune microenvironment in pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM. Furthermore, Ncl-Lips suppressed the TGFβ1-induced activation of fibroblasts and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells. Based on these results, we demonstrated that Ncl-Lips is an efficient strategy for reversing pulmonary fibrosis via drug-delivery.

Improvement of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis through a combination of Astragalus radix and Angelica sinensis radix via mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway-induced autophagy in rat

Background

There is a major need for effective, well-tolerated treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in clinic. Astragalus radix (AR; Huangqi) and Angelica sinensis radix (AS; Danggui) have been frequently used in the treatment of IPF. This study aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of the action of an AR-AS combination in treating IPF.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5): control, bleomycin (BLM) model, AR, AS, AR + AS, and prednisone (PDN) groups. A transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced MRC-5 cell model were also used. Pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy were evaluated by performing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemical staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, and hydroxyproline assay following the treatment of AR, AS, and the AR-AS herb pair.

Results

Rats administered the AR-AS herb pair had lower α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, and vimentin levels in lung tissues, and lower inflammatory cytokine levels in rat serum. In addition, the AR-AS herb pair induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated autophagy and reduced oxidative stress in BLM-induced rats. The effects of the AR and AS combination were confirmed in MRC-5 cells treated with TGF-β1. Specifically, the combination of AR and AS attenuated MRC-5 cell fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress while inducing autophagy.

Conclusions

The combination of AR and AS protects against IPF by inducing autophagy via inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. The synergistic action of AR and AS is superior to that of either AR or AS alone.

Promising small molecule anti-fibrotic agents: Newly developed or repositioned drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation

Fibrosis occurs in all organs and tissues except the brain, and its progression leads to dysfunction of affected organs. Fibrosis-induced organ dysfunction results from the loss of elasticity, strength, and functionality of tissues due to the extracellular matrix secreted by myofibroblasts that express smooth muscle-type actin as a marker. Myofibroblasts, which play a major role in fibrosis, were once thought to originate exclusively from activated fibroblasts; however, it is now clear that myofibroblasts are diverse in origin, from epithelial cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, macrophages, and other cells. Fibrosis of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, is a serious chronic disease that ultimately leads to death. Currently, anti-cancer drugs have made remarkable progress, as evidenced by the development of many molecular-targeted drugs, and are making a significant contribution to improving the prognosis of cancer treatment. However, the development of anti-fibrotic agents, which also play an important role in prognosis, has lagged. In this review, the current knowledge regarding myofibroblasts is summarized, with particular attention given to their origin and transdifferentiation signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, YAP/TAZ and AMPK signaling pathways). The development of new small molecule anti-fibrotic agents and the repositioning of existing drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation are discussed.

Niclosamide Attenuates Inflammation-Associated Profibrotic Responses in Human Subepithelial Lung Myofibroblasts

Niclosamide is a commonly used helminthicidic drug for the treatment of human parasitosis by helminths. Recently, efforts have been focusing on repurposing this drug for the treatment of other diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Subepithelial lung myofibroblasts (SELMs) isolated from tissue biopsies of patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer were stimulated with TNF-α (50 ng/mL), IL-1α (5 ng/mL), added alone or in combination, and TGF-β₁ (5 ng/mL). After treatment with niclosamide at 30 nM and 100 nM concentrations, expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin was studied by total RNA isolation and qRT-PCR and protein collagen secretion with the use of Sircol collagen assay. The migration of SELMs was assessed by a wound-healing assay. Niclosamide had no effect on baseline SELM fibrotic factor expression. When stimulated with TGF-β₁, IL-1α, and/or TNF-α, SELM expression of collagen type I, type III, and fibronectin were upregulated, as was the secretion of total collagen in the culture medium. Treatment with niclosamide attenuated the effects of cytokine stimulation leading to a notable decrease in the mRNA expression of collagen type I, type III, and fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner. SELM collagen secretion was also reduced by niclosamide at 100 nM concentration when examined at the protein level. Migration of both TGF-β₁ stimulated and unstimulated SELMs was also inhibited by niclosamide. In this study, we highlight the anti-fibrotic properties of niclosamide on SELMs under stimulation with pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus proposing this compound as a possible new therapeutic agent against lung fibrosis.

IL-27 induces autophagy through regulation of the DNMT1/lncRNA MEG3/ERK/p38 axis to reduce pulmonary fibrosis

PURPOSE

Previous studies have shown that interleukin-27 (IL-27) can reduce bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). However, the underlying mechanism by which IL-27 attenuates PF is not fully clear.

METHODS

In this research, we used BLM to construct a PF mouse model, and MRC-5 cells stimulated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were used to construct a PF model in vitro. The lung tissue status was observed by Masson and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. To detect gene expression, RT‒qPCR was used. The protein levels were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. EdU and ELISA were used to detect cell proliferation viability and hydroxyproline (HYP) content, respectively.

RESULTS

Aberrant IL-27 expression was observed in BLM-induced mouse lung tissues, and the use of IL-27 attenuated mouse lung tissue fibrosis. TGF-β1 induced autophagy inhibition in MRC-5 cells, and IL-27 alleviated MRC-5 cell fibrosis by activating autophagy. The mechanism is inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)-mediated lncRNA MEG3 methylation and ERK/p38 signaling pathway activation. Overexpression of DNMT1, knockdown of lncRNA MEG3, autophagy inhibitor or ERK/p38 signaling pathway inhibitors reversed the positive effect of IL-27 in a lung fibrosis model in vitro.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study shows that IL-27 upregulates MEG3 expression through inhibition of DNMT1-mediated lncRNA MEG3 promoter methylation, which in turn inhibits ERK/p38 signaling pathway-induced autophagy and attenuates BLM-induced PF, providing a contribution to the elucidation of the potential mechanisms by which IL-27 attenuates PF.

Local Lung Fibroblast Autophagy in the Context of Lung Fibrosis Pathogenesis

Abstract:

The current molecular advances in lung fibrosis pathogenesis distend beyond the cellular to involve subcellular and molecular levels. Lung fibrogenesis and autophagy impairment are tight-ly associated. Autophagy is involved in cell cycle control and regulation of the intracellular micro-environment. Degradation of impaired intracellular organelles and biproducts is crucial to maintain-ing a healthy cell and preventing its metaplasia / transdifferentiation to a pathological cell. Autoph-agy modifies the metabolism of alveolar epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and lung fibroblasts. Au-tophagy upregulation induces local lung fibroblast hyperactivity and fibrosis. Several molecular triggers were found to induce lung fibroblast autophagy including TGFβ by inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR. However, physiologically, a balance is retained between autophagy inducers and inhibitors. Each type of autophagy plays its role in the initiation and progression of lung fibro-sis. The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is multifactorial and involves dysfunction / dysregula-tion of alveolar epithelial cells, fibroblasts, monocyte-derived macrophages, and endothelial cells. The deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, the remodeling of the lung architecture and the mo-lecular changes include impaired glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidation, gene expression modification, altered phospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, and dysregulated protein folding lead to repro-gramming of lung fibroblast into myofibroblast and their activation. The paper thoroughly addresses the molecular triggers and inhibitors of lung fibroblast autophagy in lung fibrosis.

Niclosamide as a Promising Therapeutic Player in Human Cancer and Other Diseases

Niclosamide is an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug for the treatment of parasitic infections. However, over the past few years, increasing evidence has shown that niclosamide could treat diseases beyond parasitic diseases, which include metabolic diseases, immune system diseases, bacterial and viral infections, asthma, arterial constriction, myopia, and cancer. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the pharmacological activities and therapeutic prospects of niclosamide in human disease and cancer and summarized the related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, indicating that niclosamide is a promising therapeutic player in various human diseases, including cancer.

The magic bullet: Niclosamide

The term 'magic bullet' is a scientific concept proposed by the German Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich in 1907, describing a medicine that could specifically and efficiently target a disease without harming the body. Oncologists have been looking for a magic bullet for cancer therapy ever since. However, the current therapies for cancers-including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy-pose either pan-cytotoxicity or only single-target efficacy, precluding their ability to function as a magic bullet. Intriguingly, niclosamide, an FDA-approved drug for treating tapeworm infections with an excellent safety profile, displays broad anti-cancer activity in a variety of contexts. In particular, niclosamide inhibits multiple oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Ras, Stat3, Notch, E2F-Myc, NF-κB, and mTOR and activates tumor suppressor signaling pathways such as p53, PP2A, and AMPK. Moreover, niclosamide potentially improves immunotherapy by modulating pathways such as PD-1/PDL-1. We recently discovered that niclosamide ethanolamine (NEN) reprograms cellular metabolism through its uncoupler function, consequently remodeling the cellular epigenetic landscape to promote differentiation. Inspired by the promising results from the pre-clinical studies, several clinical trials are ongoing to assess the therapeutic effect of niclosamide in cancer patients. This current review summarizes the functions, mechanism of action, and potential applications of niclosamide in cancer therapy as a magic bullet.

2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via regulating pro-fibrotic signaling pathways

2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside (THSG) is the main active ingredient extracted from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PMT), which has been reported to possess extensive pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, the exact role of THSG in pulmonary fibrosis has not been demonstrated yet. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of THSG against bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in a murine model, and explore the underlying mechanisms of THSG in transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced fibrogenesis using MRC-5 human lung fibroblast cells. We found that THSG significantly attenuated lung injury by reducing fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition. THSG treatment significantly downregulated the expression levels of TGF-β1, fibronectin, α-SMA, CTGF, and TGFBR2, however, upregulated the expression levels of antioxidants (SOD-1 and catalase) and LC3B in the lungs of BLM-treated mice. THSG treatment decreased the expression levels of fibronectin, α-SMA, and CTGF in TGF-β1-stimulated MRC-5 cells. Conversely, THSG increased the expression levels of SOD-1 and catalase. Furthermore, treatment of THSG profoundly reduced the TGF-β1-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, THSG restored TGF-β1-induced impaired autophagy, accompany by increasing the protein levels of LC3B-II and Beclin 1. Mechanism study indicated that THSG significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced increase of TGFBR2 expression and phosphorylation of Smad2/3, Akt, mTOR, and ERK1/2 in MRC-5 cells. These findings suggest that THSG may be considered as an anti-fibrotic drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.