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Zhang S, Geng J, Shan F, Shan Y, Griffin N, Wu B, Wang X. Methionine enkephalin suppresses lung cancer metastasis by regulating the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages and the distribution of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110064. [PMID: 36989897 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is one of the most difficult challenges for clinical lung cancer treatment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the crucial step of tumor metastasis. Immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), promote cancer cell EMT. In this study, we explored the effect of methionine enkephalin (MENK) on the EMT process in vitro and in vivo, and its influence on TAMs, MDSCs, and associated cytokines in vivo. The results showed that MENK suppressed growth, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells and inhibited the EMT process by interacting with opioid growth factor receptor. MENK reduced the number of M2 macrophages and MDSC infiltration, and downregulated the expression of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β1 in both primary and metastatic tumors of nude mice. The present findings suggest that MENK is a potential target for suppressing metastasis in lung cancer treatment.
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Wang X, Li S, Yan S, Shan Y, Wang X, Jingbo Z, Wang Y, Shan F, Griffin N, Sun X. Methionine enkephalin inhibits colorectal cancer by remodeling the immune status of the tumor microenvironment. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109125. [PMID: 35988519 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence that methionine enkephalin (MENK), an opioid peptide, promotes anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, the effect of MENK on colorectal cancer (CRC) and its mechanisms of action were examined in vivo. The intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg MENK effectively inhibited MC38 subcutaneous colorectal tumor growth in mice. MENK inhibited tumor progression by increasing the immunogenicity and recognition of MC38 cells. MENK down-regulated the oncogene Kras and anti-apoptotic Bclxl and Bcl2, suppressed Il1b, Il6, iNOS, and Arg1 (encoding inflammatory cytokines), and increased Il17a and Il10 levels. MENK promoted a tumor suppressive state by decreasing the immune checkpoints Pd-1, Pd-l1, Lag3, Flgl1, and 2b4 in CRC. MENK also altered the immune status of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). It increased the infiltration of M1-type macrophages, CD8+T cells, and CD4+T cells and decreased the proportions of G-MDSCs, M-MDSCs, and M2-type macrophages. MENK accelerated CD4+TEM and CD8+TEM cell activation in the TIME and up-regulated IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A in CD4+T cells and Granzyme B in CD8+T cells. In addition, analyses of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression indicated that MENK promoted the anti-tumor immune response mediated by effector T cells. Finally, OGFr was up-regulated at the protein and mRNA levels by MENK, and the inhibitory effects of MENK on tumor growth were blocked by NTX, a specific blocker of OGFr. These finding indicate that MENK remodels the TIME in CRC to inhibit tumor progression by binding to OGFr. MENK is a potential therapeutic agent for CRC, especially for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Shunlin Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Siqi Yan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yuanye Shan
- Immune Therapeutics Inc., 2431 Aloma Ave #124 Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Zhai Jingbo
- Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tongliao 028000, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Noreen Griffin
- Immune Therapeutics Inc., 2431 Aloma Ave #124 Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Dworsky-Fried Z, Chadwick CI, Kerr BJ, Taylor AMW. Multiple Sclerosis and the Endogenous Opioid System. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:741503. [PMID: 34602975 PMCID: PMC8484329 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.741503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, neuronal degeneration and demyelinating lesions within the central nervous system. The mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis and progression of MS are not fully known and current therapies have limited efficacy. Preclinical investigations using the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, as well as clinical observations in patients with MS, provide converging lines of evidence implicating the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of this disease. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that endogenous opioid peptides, binding μ- (MOR), κ- (KOR) and δ-opioid receptors (DOR), function as immunomodulatory molecules within both the immune and nervous systems. The endogenous opioid system is also well known to play a role in the development of chronic pain and negative affect, both of which are common comorbidities in MS. As such, dysregulation of the opioid system may be a mechanism that contributes to the pathogenesis of MS and associated symptoms. Here, we review the evidence for a connection between the endogenous opioid system and MS. We further explore the mechanisms by which opioidergic signaling might contribute to the pathophysiology and symptomatology of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Dworsky-Fried
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Caylin I. Chadwick
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bradley J. Kerr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Anna M. W. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Zhang S, Huang H, Handley M, Griffin N, Bai X, Shan F. A novel mechanism of lung cancer inhibition by methionine enkephalin through remodeling the immune status of the tumor microenvironment. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:107999. [PMID: 34315116 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the antitumor effect of methionine enkephalin (MENK) against lung cancer in vivo and in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. Changes in the immune status of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in response to MENK administration were examined in mice. MENK significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells in vivo and in vitro by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and causing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Knockdown of opioid growth factor receptor abolished the effect of MENK on lung cancer cells. The immune status of the TME of mice differed between the MENK and control groups. MENK increased the infiltration of M1-type macrophages, natural killer cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and dendritic cells into the TME, and decreased the proportion of myeloid inhibitory cells and M2-type macrophages. Immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of cytokines in the TME showed that MENK upregulated IL-15, IL-21, IFN-γ, and granzyme B and downregulated IL-10 and TGF-β1 in mice. Taken together, these finding indicate that MENK may be a potential agent for lung cancer treatment in the future, especially for overcoming immune escape and immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China; Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, the People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocom Inc, 3001 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Noreen Griffin
- Cytocom Inc, 3001 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Geng J, Yuan Y, Jiao X, Wang R, Liu N, Chen H, Griffin N, Shan F. Novel modulation on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) by methionine encephalin (MENK). Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 68:193-203. [PMID: 30654309 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the modulatory effect of MENK on MDSCs and to investigate the relationship between this modulation and the expression of opioid receptors. Our results showed that MENK could inhibit the proliferation of MDSCs from both marine bone marrow and spleen. MENK also could promote the expression of opioid receptors MOR and DOR. MENK suppressed the PMN-MDSCs generated from splenocyte while up-regulated M-MDSCs. The stimulation of MENK increased the production of IL-4 secreted by MDSCs from slpenocytes. Our currently data indicated that MENK could suppress the accumulation of MDSCs in tumor-bearing mice via binding to and up-regulating expressions of subunits of opioid receptors. Therefore, it is concluded that MENK, through triggering opioid receptors could exert inhibiting modulation on MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Geng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Department of Ophthalmology, No. 1 Teaching Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xue Jiao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ruizhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Department of Gynecology, No. 1 Teaching Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Department of Gynecology Oncology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Noreen Griffin
- Immune Therapeutics, Inc., 37 North Orange Avenue, Suite 607, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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García-Domínguez M, Lastra A, Folgueras AR, Cernuda-Cernuda R, Fernández-García MT, Hidalgo A, Menéndez L, Baamonde A. The Chemokine CCL4 (MIP-1β) Evokes Antinociceptive Effects in Mice: a Role for CD4 + Lymphocytes and Met-Enkephalin. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1578-1595. [PMID: 29907903 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we characterize the antinociceptive effects produced by the chemokine CCL4 in mice. The intraplantar administration of very low doses of CCL4 (0.1-3 pg) produced bilateral antinociception assessed by the unilateral hot-plate test (UHP) without evoking chemotactic responses at the injection site. Moreover, the subcutaneous administration of CCL4 (3-100 pg/kg) also yielded bilateral antinociception in the UHP and the paw pressure test and reduced the number of spinal neurons that express Fos protein in response to noxious stimulation. The implication of peripheral CCR5 but not CCR1 in CCL4-evoked antinociception was deduced from the inhibition produced by systemic but not intrathecal, administration of the CCR5 antagonist DAPTA, and the inefficacy of the CCR1 antagonist J113863. Besides, the inhibition observed after subcutaneous but not intrathecal administration of naloxone demonstrated the involvement of peripheral opioids and the efficacy of naltrindole but not cyprodime or nor-binaltorphimine supported the participation of δ-opioid receptors. In accordance, plasma levels of met-enkephalin, but not β-endorphin, were augmented in response to CCL4. Likewise, CCL4-evoked antinociception was blocked by the administration of an anti-met-enk antibody. Leukocyte depletion experiments performed with cyclophosphamide, anti-Ly6G, or anti-CD3 antibodies indicated that the antinociceptive effect evoked by CCL4 depends on circulating T lymphocytes. Double immunofluorescence experiments showed a four times more frequent expression of met-enk in CD4+ than in CD8+ T lymphocytes. CCL4-induced antinociception almost disappeared upon CD4+, but not CD8+, lymphocyte depletion with selective antibodies, thus supporting that the release of met-enk from CD4+ lymphocytes underlies the opioid antinociceptive response evoked by CCL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario García-Domínguez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ana Lastra
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Alicia R Folgueras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Rafael Cernuda-Cernuda
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, INEUROPA (Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - María Teresa Fernández-García
- Unidad de Histopatología Molecular en Modelos Animales de Cáncer, IUOPA, Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín Hidalgo
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis Menéndez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ana Baamonde
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
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Wang DM, Jiao X, Plotnikoff NP, Griffin N, Qi RQ, Gao XH, Shan FP. Killing effect of methionine enkephalin on melanoma in vivo and in vitro. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:2132-2140. [PMID: 28849104 PMCID: PMC5652957 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a common cutaneous malignancy, that is also found in specific mucosal sites, and is associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of methionine enkephalin (MENK) for B16 melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro. The results of the present study allowed our conclusion that MENK regulates the proliferation of B16 cells, causing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and a decrease in the percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phases. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that MENK increased opioid receptor expression in the B16 cells. Furthermore, the tumor volume and weight in the MENK-treated group were lower than those in the control group (NS) and MENK and naltrexone (NTX)-treated groups. MENK exerted both significant antitumor activity on the growth of B16 cells and a longer survival time in mice. The mice treated with MENK exhibited an increased ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells as tested by flow cytometry (FCM), resulting in a ratio of 2.03 in the control group, 3.69 in the MENK-treated group, and 2.65 in the MENK and NTX group. Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α was revealed as assessed by ELISA. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that MENK has a cytotoxic effect on B16 melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo, and suggest a potential mechanism for these bioactivities. Therefore, we posit that MENK should be investigated, not only as a primary therapy for melanoma, but also as an adjuvant therapy in combination with chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Mei Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, P.R. China
| | - Xue Jiao
- Center for Translational Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110032, P.R. China
| | | | | | - Rui-Qun Qi
- Department of Dermatology, No. 1 Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Hua Gao
- Department of Dermatology, No. 1 Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Feng-Ping Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, P.R. China
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Mossanen JC, Pracht J, Jansen TU, Buendgens L, Stoppe C, Goetzenich A, Struck J, Autschbach R, Marx G, Tacke F. Elevated Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Proenkephalin Serum Levels Predict the Development of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18081662. [PMID: 28758975 PMCID: PMC5578052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18081662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) develops in up to 40% of patients after cardiac surgery. The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been identified as a biomarker for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD). Proenkephalin (proENK) also has been shown to be a biomarker for renal dysfunction. We hypothesized that pre-surgery suPAR and proENK levels might predict AKI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Consecutive patients (n = 107) undergoing elective cardiac surgery were studied prospectively. Clinical data, laboratory parameters, suPAR and proENK serum levels were assessed before operation, after operation and days one and four post-operatively. A total of 21 (19.6%) patients developed AKI within the first four days after elective surgery. Serum levels of suPAR and proENK, but not of creatinine, were significantly higher before surgery in these patients compared to those patients without AKI. This difference remained significant for suPAR, if patients with or without AKI were matched for risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, CKD). If cardiac surgery patients with pre-existing CKD (n = 10) were excluded, only pre-operative suPAR but not proENK serum levels remained significantly elevated in patients with subsequent AKI. Thus, our findings indicate that suPAR may be a predictive biomarker for AKI in the context of cardiac surgery, even in patients without underlying CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana C Mossanen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Intensive and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Jessica Pracht
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Tobias U Jansen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Lukas Buendgens
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Christian Stoppe
- Department of Intensive and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Goetzenich
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | | | - Rüdiger Autschbach
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Gernot Marx
- Department of Intensive and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Plasma Proenkephalin and Poor Long-Term Outcome in Renal Transplant Recipients. Transplant Direct 2017; 3:e190. [PMID: 28795142 PMCID: PMC5540628 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background Proenkephalin (pro-ENK), a stable and reliable surrogate marker for unstable enkephalins, was found to be associated with acute kidney injury and chronic renal failure in previous studies. We aimed to investigate whether pro-ENK is linked to chronic kidney injury and poor long-term outcome in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Methods We included 664 stable RTR and 95 healthy kidney donors. Pro-ENK was measured in plasma with a double monoclonal sandwich immunoassay. Graft failure was defined as return to dialysis therapy or retransplantation. Results Median pro-ENK was 110 pmol/L (interquartile range [IQR], 85-148 pmol/L) in RTR and 48 pmol/L (IQR, 42-55 pmol/L) in kidney donors. Pro-ENK was correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (rs = −0.80, P < 0.001) in RTR and with measured GFR (rs = −0.74, P < 0.001) in kidney donors. During a median follow-up of 3.1 years (IQR, 2.7-3.9 years), 45 RTR developed graft failure and 76 died. Pro-ENK was positively associated with risk (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation increment of the logarithm of pro-ENK; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of graft failure (HR, 4.80; 95% CI, 3.55-6.48) and mortality (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.22-1.85). After adjustment of age, sex, and estimated GFR, the association of pro-ENK with graft failure remained significant (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.37-4.06), whereas no significant association of pro-ENK with risk of all-cause mortality was observed (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.90-2.09). Conclusions Plasma pro-ENK is associated with kidney function as reflected by correlations with measured GFR in both RTR and kidney donors. In addition, pro-ENK was independently associated with increased risk of graft failure in RTR. Pro-ENK may aid in identification of RTR at risk for late graft failure.
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Meng Y, Gao X, Chen W, Plotnikoff NP, Griffin N, Zhang G, Shan F. Methionine enkephalin (MENK) mounts antitumor effect via regulating dendritic cells (DCs). Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 44:61-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Xu X, Gao Y, Wen L, Zhai Z, Zhang S, Shan F, Feng J. Methionine enkephalin regulates microglia polarization and function. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 40:90-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Li X, Meng Y, Plotnikoff NP, Youkilis G, Griffin N, Wang E, Lu C, Shan F. Methionine enkephalin (MENK) inhibits tumor growth through regulating CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 16:450-9. [PMID: 25701137 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2014.1003006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methionine enkephalin (MENK), an endogenous neuropeptide, plays an crucial role in both neuroendocrine and immune systems. CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified as a major subpopulation of T lymphocytes in suppressing immune system to keep balanced immunity. The aim of this research work was to elucidate the mechanisms via which MENK interacts with Tregs in cancer situation. The influence of MENK on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mediated conversion from naïve CD4+CD25- T cells to CD4+CD25+ Tregs was determined and the data from flow cytometry (FCM) analysis indicated that MENK effectively inhibited the expression of Foxp3 during the process of TGF-βinduction. Furthermore, this inhibiting process was accompanied by diminishing phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, confirmed by western blot (WB) analysis and immunofluorescence (IF) at molecular level. We established sarcoma mice model with S180 to investigate whether MENK could modulate Tregs in tumor circumstance. Our findings showed that MENK delayed the development of tumor in S180 tumor bearing mice and down-regulated level of Tregs. Together, these novel findings reached a conclusion that MENK could inhibit Tregs activity directly and retard tumor development through down-regulating Tregs in mice. This work advances the deepening understanding of the influence of MENK on Tregs in cancer situation, and relation of MENK with immune system, supporting the implication of MENK as a new strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Key Words
- CCR4, CC chemokine receptor 4
- CTLA-4, cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4
- FCM, flow cytometry
- FasL, Fas ligand
- Foxp3, forkhead box P3 transcription factor
- GITR, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR
- IF, immunofluorescence
- IL-2, interleukin-2
- MENK, methionine enkephalin
- MFI, median fluorescence intensity
- MTS, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt
- Smad2/3 protein
- TGF-β,transforming growth factor-β
- Tregs, regulatory T cells
- WB, protein gel blot
- cancer immunoregulation
- forkhead box P3 transcription factor
- methionine enkephalin
- real-time PCR, real-time polymerase chain reaction
- regulatory T cell reprogramming
- regulatory T cells
- transforming growth factor-β
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- a Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science , China Medical University , Shenyang , PR, China
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13
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Wang Q, Gao X, Yuan Z, Wang Z, Meng Y, Cao Y, Plotnikoff NP, Griffin N, Shan F. Methionine enkephalin (MENK) improves lymphocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood of 50 cancer patients by inhibiting regulatory T cells (Tregs). Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 10:1836-40. [PMID: 25424790 DOI: 10.4161/hv.28804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MENK, a penta-peptide is considered as being involved in the regulatory feedback loop between the immune and neuroendocrine systems, with marked modulation of various functions of human immune cells. The aim of the present work was to investigate change of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of 50 cancer patients before and after treatment with MENK. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of peripheral blood from 50 cancer patients were isolated by density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll-Paque solution and cultured with MENK. We measured proliferation of total nucleated cells, subpopulations of individual CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), natural killer cells (NK) before and after treatment with 10(-12)M MENK in cell culture by flow cytometry (FCM). Our results indicated that MENK showed a strong inhibiting effect on Treg cells while it stimulated marked proliferation of other lymphocyte subpopulations. All data obtained were of significance statistically. It was therefore concluded that MENK could work as a strong immune booster with great potential in restoring damaged human immune system and we could consider MENK as a drug to treat cancer patients, whose immune systems are damaged by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Furthermore we could consider MENK as a chemotherapy additive, which would sustain immune system of cancer patients during the process of chemotherapy to get maximized efficacy with minimized side effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Wang
- a Department of Cord Blood Bank, Shengjing Hospital; China Medical University; Heping District, Shenyang, PR China
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14
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2012 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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15
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Meng Y, Wang Q, Zhang Z, Wang E, Plotnikoff NP, Shan F. Synergistic effect of methionine encephalin (MENK) combined with pidotimod(PTD) on the maturation of murine dendritic cells (DCs). Hum Vaccin Immunother 2013; 9:773-83. [PMID: 23470544 PMCID: PMC3903895 DOI: 10.4161/hv.23137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To gain new insight into the functional interaction between dendritic cells and methionine encephalin (MENK) combined with pidotimod (PTD), we have analyzed the effect of MENK plus PTD on the morphology, phenotype and functions of murine bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. The maturation of BMDCs cultured in the presence of either MENK or PTD alone, or MENK in combination with PTD, was detected. The cell proliferation was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt/phenazinemethosulphate (MTS/PMS). The changes of BMDCs morphology were confirmed with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The BMDCs treated with MENK combined with PTD displayed a higher expression of typical maturation markers of CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86 and MHC-IIidentified by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and stronger ability to drive T cells. The decrease of the endocytic ability was assayed by DAB kit, FITC-dextran and cellular immunohistochemistry. Finally upregulation of cytokines production of IL-12 and TNF-α was determined by ELISA. These data indicate that MENK combined with PTD could exert synergistic action on BMDC maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Meng
- Department of immunology; School of Basic Medical Science; China Medical University; Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Qiushi Wang
- Central Blood Bank; Shengjing Hospital; China Medical University; Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Zhenjie Zhang
- Department of immunology; School of Basic Medical Science; China Medical University; Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Enhua Wang
- Institute of pathology and pathophysiology; School of Basic Medical Science; China Medical University; Shenyang, P.R. China
| | | | - Fengping Shan
- Department of immunology; School of Basic Medical Science; China Medical University; Shenyang, P.R. China
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