Effect of PD98059, a selective MAPK3/MAPK1 inhibitor, on acute lung injury in mice

In silico and in vivo evaluation of the anti-cryptosporidial activity of eugenol

Background

Cryptosporidiosis is an opportunistic parasitic disease widely distributed worldwide. Although Cryptosporidium sp. causes asymptomatic infection in healthy people, it may lead to severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. Limited effective therapeutic alternatives are available against cryptosporidiosis in this category of patients. So, there is an urgent need for therapeutic alternatives for cryptosporidiosis. Recently, the potential uses of Eugenol (EUG) have been considered a promising novel treatment for bacterial and parasitic infections. Consequently, it is suggested to investigate the effect of EUG as an option for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis.

Materials and methods

The in silico bioinformatics analysis was used to predict and determine the binding affinities and intermolecular interactions of EUG and Nitazoxanide (NTZ) toward several Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) lowa II target proteins. For animal study, five groups of immunosuppressed Swiss albino mice (10 mice each) were used. Group I was left uninfected (control), and four groups were infected with 1,000 oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. The first infected group was left untreated. The remaining three infected groups received NTZ, EUG, and EUG + NTZ, respectively, on the 6th day post-infection (dpi). All mice were sacrificed 30 dpi. The efficacy of the used formulas was assessed by counting the number of C. parvum oocysts excreted in stool of infected mice, histopathological examination of the ileum and liver tissues and determination of the expression of iNOS in the ileum of mice in different animal groups.

Results

treatment with EUG resulted in a significant reduction in the number of oocysts secreted in stool when compared to infected untreated mice. In addition, oocyst excretion was significantly reduced in mice received a combination therapy of EUG and NTZ when compared with those received NTZ alone. EUG succeeded in reverting the histopathological alterations induced by Cryptosporidium infection either alone or in combination with NTZ. Moreover, mice received EUG showed marked reduction of the expression of iNOS in ileal tissues.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the present study signified a basis for utilizing EUG as an affordable, safe, and alternative therapy combined with NTZ in the management of cryptosporidiosis.

Autophagy machinery plays an essential role in traumatic brain injury-induced apoptosis and its related behavioral abnormalities in mice: focus on Boswellia Sacra gum resin

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is described as a structural damage or physiological disturbance of brain function that occurs after trauma and causes disability or death in people of all ages. New treatment targets for TBI are being explored because current medicines are frequently ineffectual and poorly tolerated. There is increasing evidence that following TBI, there are widespread changes in autophagy-related proteins in both experimental and clinical settings. The current study investigated if Boswellia Sacra Gum Resin (BSR) treatment (500 mg/kg) could modulate post-TBI neuronal autophagy and protein expression, as well as whether BSR could markedly improve functional recovery in a mouse model of TBI. Taken together our results shows for the first time that BSR limits histological alteration, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant, cytokines release and autophagic flux alteration induced by TBI.

MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 regulates Th1, Th9, Th17, and natural T regulatory cells in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), provides significant insights into the mechanisms that initiate and drive autoimmunity. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by inflammatory infiltration associated with demyelination. T lymphocyte cells play a crucial role in MS, whereas natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells prevent autoimmune inflammation by suppressing lymphocyte activity. This study sought to investigate the role of PD98059, a selective MAP kinase inhibitor, in Th1, Th9, Th17, and nTreg cells using the SJL/J mouse model of EAE. Following EAE development, the mice were intraperitoneally administered PD98059 (5 mg/kg for two weeks) daily. We evaluated the effects of PD98059 on Th1 (IFN-γ and T-bet), Th9 (IL-9 and IRF4), Th17 (IL-17A and RORγT), and nTreg (FoxP3 and Helios) cells in the spleen using flow cytometry. Moreover, we explored the effects of PD98059 on the IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, RORγT, FoxP3, and Helios mRNA and protein levels in brain tissues using qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. PD98059 treatment significantly decreased the proportion of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD4+T-bet+, CD4+IL-9+, CD4+IRF4+, CD4+IL-17A+, CD4+RORγT+, CD4+IL-17A+, and CD4+RORγT+ cells while increasing that of CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+Helios+ cells. In addition, PD98059 administration decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, and RORγT but increased those of FoxP3 and Helios in the brain tissue of EAE mice. Our findings suggest that PD98059 corrects immune dysfunction in EAE mice, which is concurrent with the modulation of multiple signaling pathways.

Luteolin is a potential inhibitor of COVID-19: An in silico analysis

The severe respiratory syndrome 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread explosively, raising global health concerns. Luteolin shows antiviral properties, but its effect on SARS-CoV-2 and the associated mechanisms are not elucidated. We used network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics to provide potential molecular support of luteolin (3,4,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) (LUT) against COVID-19. We employed network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics techniques to investigate how LUT affected COVID-19. Several databases were queried to determine potential target proteins related to LUT and COVID-19. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and core targets were filtered by degree value. Following that, functional enrichment was conducted. Molecular docking was utilized to ensure LUT was compatible with core target proteins. Finally, molecular dynamics was used to analyze the effects of the LUT on the optimal hub target. A total of 64 potential target genes for treating COVID-19 were identified, of which albumin, RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, caspase-3, epidermal growth factor receptor, heat shock protein HSP 90-alpha, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 might be the most promising. In addition, molecular docking results showed that LUT could interact with SARS-CoV-2 major protease 3CL. LUT can bind to the active sites of 3CL protease and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, showing an anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.

NS5806 reduces carrageenan-evoked inflammation by suppressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in primary sensory neurons and immune cells

BACKGROUND

The compound NS5806 attenuates neuropathic pain via inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in neuronal somata located at the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and superficial spinal dorsal horn. NS5806 also reduces the expansion of DRG macrophages and spinal microglia several days after peripheral nerve injury, implying an anti-inflammatory effect.

METHODS

To test whether NS5806 inhibits inflammation, as a model we intraplantarly injected carrageenan into a hind paw of the rat. To examine whether NS5806 reduces carrageenan-evoked mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and edema, as well as ERK activation in the nerve fibres, mast cells, and macrophages in the hind paw skin, we used behavioural, immunohistochemical, and cytological methods.

RESULTS

NS5806 did not impair motor function, affect basal nociception, or cause edema in naive rats. Six hours after carrageenan injection, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and edema appeared in the rat's ipsilateral hind paw, and all were reduced by intraplantar co-injection of NS5806. NS5806 suppressed carrageenan-evoked ERK activation in the peripheral axons and somata of L4 DRG neurons, as well as mast cells and macrophages in the paw skin. NS5806 also reduced carrageenan-evoked mast cell degranulation and macrophage proliferation. NS5806 and the ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 had a similar effect in inhibiting the proliferation of cultured RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, all the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of NS5806 were similar to those of PD98059.

CONCLUSIONS

Acting like an ERK pathway inhibitor, NS5806 reduces inflammation-evoked mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and edema by suppressing ERK activation in primary sensory neurons, mast cells, and macrophages.

SIGNIFICANCE

Previous studies show that NS5806 only acts on neurons. This report unveils that NS5806 also acts on immune cells in the skin to exert its anti-inflammatory effects. Since NS5806 is lipid soluble for skin penetration, it suggests that NS5806 could also be developed into an anti-inflammatory drug for external use.

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) Regulates NF-kb Pathways Reducing Bleomycin-Induced Chronic Lung Inflammation and Pulmonary Fibrosis

The deadly interstitial lung condition known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) worsens over time and for no apparent reason. The traditional therapy approaches for IPF, which include corticosteroids and immunomodulatory drugs, are often ineffective and can have noticeable side effects. The endocannabinoids are hydrolyzed by a membrane protein called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Increasing endogenous levels of endocannabinoid by pharmacologically inhibiting FAAH results in numerous analgesic advantages in a variety of experimental models for pre-clinical pain and inflammation. In our study, we mimicked IPF by administering intratracheal bleomycin, and we administered oral URB878 at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The histological changes, cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inflammation, and nitrosative stress caused by bleomycin were all reduced by URB878. Our data clearly demonstrate for the first time that the inhibition of FAAH activity was able to counteract not only the histological alteration bleomycin-induced but also the cascade of related inflammatory events.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis identifies potential therapeutic targets of Naringenin against COVID-19/LUSC

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that has posed a serious threat to people's daily lives and caused an unprecedented challenge to public health and people's health worldwide. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a common type of lung malignancy with a highly aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Patients with LUSC could be at risk for COVID-19, We conducted this study to examine the potential for naringenin to develop into an ideal medicine and investigate the underlying action mechanisms of naringenin in COVID-19 and LUSC due to the anti-viral, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities of naringenin.

Methods

LUSC related genes were obtained from TCGA, PharmGKB, TTD,GeneCards and NCBI, and then the transcriptome data for COVID-19 was downloaded from GEO, DisGeNET, CTD, DrugBank, PubChem, TTD, NCBI Gene, OMIM. The drug targets of Naringenin were revealed through CTD, BATMAN, TCMIP, SymMap, Chemical Association Networks, SwissTargetPrediction, PharmMapper, ECTM, and DGIdb. The genes related to susceptibility to COVID-19 in LUSC patients were obtained through differential analysis. The interaction of COVID-19/LUSC related genes was evaluated and demonstrated using STRING to develop a a COX risk regression model to screen and evaluate the association of genes with clinical characteristics. To investigate the related functional and pathway analysis of the common targets of COVID-19/LUSC and Naringenin, KEGG and GO enrichment analysis were employed to perform the functional analysis of the target genes. Finally, The Hub Gene was screened and visualized using Cytoscape, and molecular docking between the drug and the target was performed using Autodock.

Results

We discovered numerous COVID-19/LUSC target genes and examined their prognostic value in LUSC patients utilizing a variety of bioinformatics and network pharmacology methods. Furthermore, a risk score model with strong predictive performance was developed based on these target genes to assess the prognosis of LUSC patients with COVID-19. We intersected the therapeutic target genes of naringenin with the LUSC, COVID-19-related targets, and identified 354 common targets, which could be used as potential target genes for naringenin to treat COVID-19/LUSC. The treatment of COVID-19/LUSC with naringenin may involve oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiviral, apoptosis, immunological, and multiple pathways containing PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, and VEGF, according to the results of the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of these 354 common targets. By constructing a PPI network, we ascertained AKT1, TP53, SRC, MAPK1, MAPK3, and HSP90AA1 as possible hub targets of naringenin for the treatment of COVID-19/LUSC. Last but not least, molecular docking investigations showed that naringenin has strong binding activity in COVID-19/LUSC.

Conclusion

We revealed for the first time the pharmacological targets and potential molecular processes of naringenin for the treatment of COVID-19/LUSC. However, these results need to be confirmed by additional research and validation in real LUSC patients with COVID-19.

An integrated in-silico Pharmaco-BioInformatics approaches to identify synergistic effects of COVID-19 to HIV patients

BACKGROUND

With high inflammatory states from both COVID-19 and HIV conditions further result in complications. The ongoing confrontation between these two viral infections can be avoided by adopting suitable management measures.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to figure out the pharmacological mechanism behind apigenin's role in the synergetic effects of COVID-19 to the progression of HIV patients.

METHOD

We employed computer-aided methods to uncover similar biological targets and signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 and HIV, along with bioinformatics and network pharmacology techniques to assess the synergetic effects of apigenin on COVID-19 to the progression of HIV, as well as pharmacokinetics analysis to examine apigenin's safety in the human body.

RESULT

Stress-responsive, membrane receptor, and induction pathways were mostly involved in gene ontology (GO) pathways, whereas apoptosis and inflammatory pathways were significantly associated in the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG). The top 20 hub genes were detected utilizing the shortest path ranked by degree method and protein-protein interaction (PPI), as well as molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed, revealing apigenin's strong interaction with hub proteins (MAPK3, RELA, MAPK1, EP300, and AKT1). Moreover, the pharmacokinetic features of apigenin revealed that it is an effective therapeutic agent with minimal adverse effects, for instance, hepatoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Synergetic effects of COVID-19 on the progression of HIV may still be a danger to global public health. Consequently, advanced solutions are required to give valid information regarding apigenin as a suitable therapeutic agent for the management of COVID-19 and HIV synergetic effects. However, the findings have yet to be confirmed in patients, suggesting more in vitro and in vivo studies.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059 improves neuroimmune dysfunction in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice through the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in B cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe autoimmune disease leading to demyelination, followed by consequent axonal degeneration, causing sensory, motor, cognitive, and visual symptoms. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most well-studied animal model of MS. Most current MS treatments are not completely effective, and severe side effects remain a great challenge. In this study, we report the therapeutic efficacy of PD98059, a potent mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, on proteolipid protein (PLP)_139-151-induced EAE in SJL/J mice. Following the induction of EAE, mice were intraperitoneally treated with PD98059 (5 mg/kg for 14 days) daily from day 14 to day 28. This study investigated the effects of PD98059 on C-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6), CD14, NF-κB p65, IκBα, GM-CSF, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α in CD45R⁺ B lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of PD98059 on CCR6, CD14, NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA and protein expression levels using qRT-PCR analysis in brain tissues. Mechanistic investigations revealed that PD98059-treated in mice with EAE had reduced CD45R⁺CCR6⁺, CD45R⁺CD14⁺, CD45R⁺NF-κB p65⁺, CD45R⁺GM-CSF⁺, CD45R⁺iNOS⁺, CD45R⁺IL-6⁺, and CD45R⁺TNF-α⁺ cells and increased CD45R⁺IκBα⁺ cells compared with vehicle-treated control mice in the spleen. Moreover, downregulation of CCR6, CD14, NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression level was observed in PD98059-treated mice with EAE compared with vehicle-treated control mice in the brain tissue. The results of this study demonstrate that PD98059 modulates inflammatory mediators through multiple cellular mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that PD98059 may be pursued as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of MS.

Anti-asthmatic fraction screening and mechanisms prediction of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on a combined approach

Objective: Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat coughs and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. However, the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanisms for SSF in asthma treatment remain unclear. This study aims to screen the anti-asthmatic fraction and verify the pharmacodynamic material basis, predict the potential mechanism, and verify the interaction ability between compounds and core targets.

Methods: First, three fractions from SSF were compared in terms of composition, comparison, and anti-asthmatic effects. Then, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS) strategy was used to identify the compounds from the active fraction, and the anti-asthmatic efficacy of the active fraction was further studied by the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma murine model. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular methods were used to study the relationships between active compounds, core targets, and key pathways of PEF in asthma treatments.

Results: The petroleum ether fraction (PEF) of SSF showed better effects and could significantly diminish lung inflammation and mitigate the level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-17 in mice. A total of 26 compounds from the PEF were identified, among which the main compounds are lignans and triterpenes. Moreover, 21 active compounds, 129 overlap-ping targets, and 10 pathways were screened by network pharmacology tools. The top five core targets may play a great role in asthma treatment. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the PEF can treat asthma by acting on multiple asthma pathological processes, including the IL-17 signaling pathway, T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation, and the calcium signaling pathway. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactions of the protein–ligand binding, and most docked complexes had a good binding ability.

Conclusion: The present results might contribute to exploring the active compounds with anti-asthmatic activity.

Application of network pharmacology in the study of the mechanism of action of traditional chinese medicine in the treatment of COVID-19

Network pharmacology was rapidly developed based on multidisciplinary holistic analysis of biological systems, which has become a popular tool in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research in recent years. Its characteristics of integrity and systematization provide a new approach for the study on complex TCM systems, which has many similarities with the holistic concept of TCM. It has been widely used to explain the mechanism of TCM treatment of diseases, drug repositioning, and interpretation of compatibility of TCM prescriptions, to promote the modernization of TCM. The use of TCM have provided crucial support on prevention and treatment of diseases such as the famous “three medicines and three prescriptions”. Furthermore, TCM has become an important part of the treatment of COVID-19 and is one of the main contents of the “Chinese plan” to fight the epidemic. The current review demonstrated the role of TCM in treating diseases with multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, interprets the connotation of TCM treatment method selection based on pathogenesis and also discusses the application of network pharmacology in the study of COVID-19 treatment in TCM including single drug and prescription. However, there are still some shortcomings such as the lack of experimental verification and regular upgrading of the TCM pharmacology network. Therefore, we must pay attention to the characteristics of TCM and develop a network pharmacology method suitable for TCM system research when applying network pharmacology to TCM research.

Molecular Mechanism of the Effect of Zhizhu Pill on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Zhizhu pill (ZZP) against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), network pharmacology in combination with molecular docking was applied in this study.

Methods

Active compounds of ZZP and target genes related to GERD were identified through public databases. Subsequently, the obtained data were used as a basis for further network pharmacological analysis to explore the potential key active compounds, core targets, and biological processes involved in ZZP against GERD. Finally, the results predicted by network pharmacology were validated by molecular docking.

Results

Twenty active components of ZZP were identified to act on 59 targets related to GERD. Enrichment analysis revealed that multiple biological processes including response to oxygen levels, response to oxidative stress, and response to reactive oxygen species were involved in the GERD ZZP treatment with ZZP. ZZP had an impact on the prognosis of GERD mainly through the HIF-1 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and pathways in cancer. Further analysis identified the key components and core targets of ZZP against GERD, of which nobiletin, didymin, luteolin, and naringenin were key components, and PPARG, MMP9, JUN, TP53, PTGS2, EGFR, MAPK3, CASP3, AKT1, and VEGFA were the core targets. Molecular docking verified the stable bonds formed between the key components and the core targets.

Conclusions

The results of this study predict that the therapeutic effects of ZZP in GERD are mediated at least in part via PPARG, MMP9, JUN, TP53, PTGS2, EGFR, MAPK3, CASP3, AKT1, and VEGFA. These results may be useful in providing an experimental basis and new ideas for further research on ZZP in GERD.

Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) Inhibition Plays a Key Role in Counteracting Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a group of lung illnesses characterized by severe inflammation, with no treatment. The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme is an integral membrane protein responsible for the hydrolysis of the main endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA). In pre-clinical pain and inflammation models, increasing the endogenous levels of AEA and other bioactive fatty acid amides (FAAs) via genetic deletion or the pharmacological inhibition of FAAH produces many analgesic benefits in several different experimental models. To date, nobody has investigated the role of FAAH inhibition on an ALI mouse model. Mice were subjected to a carrageenan injection and treated orally 1 h after with the FAAH inhibitor URB878 dissolved in a vehicle consisting of 10% PEG-400, 10% Tween-80 and 80% saline at different doses: The inhibition of FAAH activity was able to counteract not only the CAR-induced histological alteration, but also the cascade of related inflammatory events. URB878 clears the way for further studies based on FAAH inhibition in acute lung pathologies.

The molecular mechanism of Ligusticum wallichii for improving idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A network pharmacology and molecular docking study

BACKGROUND

At present, there was no evidence that any drugs other than lung transplantation can effectively treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Ligusticum wallichii, or Chinese name Chuan xiong has been widely used in different fibrosis fields. Our aim is to use network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the pharmacological mechanism of the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Ligusticum wallichii to improve IPF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main chemical components and targets of Ligusticum wallichii were obtained from TCMSP, Swiss Target Prediction and Phammapper databases, and the targets were uniformly regulated in the Uniprot protein database after the combination. The main targets of IPF were obtained through Gencards, OMIM, TTD and DRUGBANK databases, and protein interaction analysis was carried out by using String to build PPI network. Metascape platform was used to analyze its involved biological processes and pathways, and Cytoscape3.8.2 software was used to construct "component-IPF target-pathway" network. And molecular docking verification was conducted through Auto Dock software.

RESULTS

The active ingredients of Ligusticum wallichii were Myricanone, Wallichilide, Perlolyrine, Senkyunone, Mandenol, Sitosterol and FA. The core targets for it to improve IPF were MAPK1, MAPK14, SRC, BCL2L1, MDM2, PTGS2, TGFB2, F2, MMP2, MMP9, and so on. The molecular docking verification showed that the molecular docking affinity of the core active compounds in Ligusticum wallichii (Myricanone, wallichilide, Perlolyrine) was <0 with MAPK1, MAPK14, and SRC. Perlolyrine has the strongest molecular docking ability, and its docking ability with SRC (-6.59 kJ/mol) is particularly prominent. Its biological pathway to improve IPF was mainly acted on the pathways in cancer, proteoglycans in cancer, and endocrine resistance, etc.

CONCLUSIONS

This study preliminarily identified the various molecular targets and multiple pathways of Ligusticum wallichii to improve IPF.

Açai Berry Mitigates Parkinson's Disease Progression Showing Dopaminergic Neuroprotection via Nrf2-HO1 Pathways

The current pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) is focused on symptom alleviation rather than disease prevention. In this study, we look at a new strategy to neuroprotection that focuses on nutrition, by a supplementation with Açai berry in an experimental models of PD. Daily orally supplementation with Açai berry dissolved in saline at the dose of 500 mg/kg considerably reduced motor and non-motor symptom and neuronal cell death of the dopaminergic tract induced by 4 injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Furthermore, Açai berry administration reduced α-synuclein aggregation in neurons, enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter activities, and avoided dopamine depletion. Moreover, Açai berry administration was able to reduce astrogliosis and microgliosis as well as neuronal death. Its beneficial effects could be due to its bioactive phytochemical components that are able to stimulate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by counteracting the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation that are the basis of this neurodegenerative disease.

Endothelial dysfunction caused by circulating microparticles from diabetic mice is reduced by PD98059 through ERK and ICAM-1

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the development of diabetic complications and the production of circulating microparticles (MPs). Our previous study showed that diabetic mice-derived MPs (DM MPs) had increased levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and impaired endothelial-dependent relaxation in aortas when compared with control mice-derived MPs. This study was designed to investigate whether PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, affects the function of aortas and DM MPs. MPs were obtained from streptozotocin-induced DM, DM after PD98059 treatment, and ICR mice as control. The mice and MPs were then analyzed on the basis of their vascular function and enzyme expressions. Compared with the controls, platelet-derived MPs and ERK1/2 levels in the MPs were significantly elevated in the DM but showed little change in PD98059-treated DM. PD98059 mainly decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the MPs. In the aortas of DM and DM MPs the endothelium-dependent vascular function was impaired, and there was a significantly greater improvement in the vascular function in the PD98059-treated DM aortas and the aortas treated with PD98059-treated DM MPs than in DM aortas and the aortas treated with DM MPs. Furthermore, DM MPs increased ERK1/2 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions in the aortas, but PD98059-treated DM MPs did not show these effects. For the first time, these results indicate that PD98059 treatment improves endothelial dysfunction in DM, and adhesion properties of DM MPs can be partly blocked by PD98059 via ERK and ICAM-1. These effects may explain some of the vascular complications in diabetes.

Systematic investigation of the pharmacological mechanism of Tanreqing injection in treating respiratory diseases by UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS based on multiple in-house chemical libraries coupled with network pharmacology

Tanreqing injection (TRQI), a drug approved by the National Drug Regulatory Authority of China (China SFDA, number: Z20030045), is widely used clinically to treat respiratory diseases. However, as a complex system, the pharmacological mechanism of TRQI for the treatment of respiratory diseases is still unclear. TRQI contains three Chinese medicines that make up the classic Chinese compound formulas Shuang-Huang-Lian (SHL). Moreover, it is known that SHL components are beneficial for characterizing the chemical compounds of TRQI. Therefore, in this study, we applied UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis based on multiple chemical compound libraries to identify the chemical profiles of TRQI and used network pharmacology to predict the potential targets of TRQI active compounds. First, three chemical libraries related to TRQI were created, including the TRQI in-house library, SHL in-house library, and targeted Metlin library. An integrated TRQI library was established by combining three chemical libraries for the identification and characterization of the chemical profiles of TRQI. Second, the potential targets of TRQI active compounds were predicted with the Swiss Target Prediction and TCMSP databases, and targets of respiratory disease were collected from the GeneCards database. Then, the network between the active compounds and common targets was established by Cytoscape 3.7.1. The common targets were imported into the STRING database to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and select core targets of TRQI against respiratory diseases. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analyses of the core targets were performed by the Omicsbean analytic system and DAVID database, respectively. As a result, a total of 126 compounds were identified, and network pharmacological analysis showed that luteolin, wogonin, baicalein, chenodeoxycholic acid, l-serine, aspartic acid, oroxylin A, syringin, phenylalanine, and glutamic acid could be the active compounds of TRQI; GABBR1, MAPK3, GRM5, FOS, DRD2, GRM1, VEGFA, GRM3 and 92 other potential core targets for the treatment of respiratory diseases by modulating pathways in cancer, the calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway and TNF-α signaling pathway.

Exploring the treatment of COVID-19 with Yinqiao powder based on network pharmacology

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In China, Yinqiao powder is widely used to prevent and treat COVID-19 patients with Weifen syndrome. In this study, the screening and verification of active ingredients, target selection and DisGeNET scoring, drug-ingredient-gene network construction, protein-protein interaction network construction, molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, gene ontology (GO) functional analysis, gene tissue analysis, and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to explore the active ingredients, targets, and potential mechanisms of Yinqiao powder in the treatment of COVID-19. We also predicted the therapeutic effect of Yinqiao powder using TCM anti-COVID-19 (TCMATCOV). Yinqiao powder has a certain therapeutic effect on COVID-19, with an intervention score of 20.16. Hesperetin, eriodictyol, luteolin, quercetin, and naringenin were the potentially effective active ingredients against COVID-19. The hub-proteins were interleukin-6 (IL-6), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and tumor protein P53 (TP53). The potential mechanisms of Yinqiao powder in the treatment of COVID-19 are the TNF signaling pathway, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. This study provides a new perspective for discovering potential drugs and mechanisms of COVID-19.

Aging-induced IL27Ra signaling impairs hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) aging correlates with an increasing risk of myeloproliferative disease and immunosenescence. In this study, we show that aging-related inflammation promotes HSC aging through tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)→ERK→ETS1→interleukin27Ra (IL27Ra) pathway. TNF-α, a well-known biomarker of inflammation, increases during aging and induces the expression of IL27Ra on HSCs via ERK-ETS1 signaling. Deletion of IL27Ra rescues the functional decline and myeloid bias of HSCs and also reverses the inhibitory effect of TNF-α on HSCs. Aged IL27Ra-/- mice had a reduced proportion of myeloid-biased HSCs and did not display the biased myeloid differentiation that occurs in aged wild-type mice. IL27Ra+ HSCs exhibit impaired reconstitution capacity and myeloid-bias compared with IL27Ra- HSCs and serve as a myeloid-recovery pool upon inflammatory insult. Inflammation-related genes were enriched in IL27Ra+ HSCs and this enrichment increases with aging. Our study demonstrates that age-induced IL27Ra signaling impairs HSCs and raises the possibility that interfering with IL27Ra signaling can counter the physiologically deleterious effect of aging on hematopoietic capacity.

[Mechanism and material basis of Lianhua Qingwen capsule for improving clinical cure rate of COVID-19: a study based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential targets, signal pathways and biological functions that mediate the effect of Lianhua Qingwen capsule in improving clinical cure rate of COVID-19 in light of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

METHODS

TCMSP, Target, Prediction, CooLGeN, GeneCards, DAVID and other databases were searched for the active components and their target proteins from 13 herbs including Forsythia, Honeysuckle and roasted Ephedra used in Lianhua Qingwen capsule. The common target proteins, signal pathways and biological functions shared by these components and the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and fatigue) were identified to construct the network consisting of the component drugs in Lianhua Qingwen capsule, the active ingredients of, their targets of action, and the biological functions involved using Gephi software.

RESULTS

A total 160 active components including MOL000522, and MOL003283, MOL003365, MOL003006, MOL003014 in 13 component drugs in Lianhua Qingwen capsule produced therapeutic effects against COVID-19 through 57 target proteins including MAPK1, IL6, HSP90AA1, TNF, and CCL2, involving 35 signaling pathways including NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that 83 chemical components had total scores no less than 5.0 for docking with 12 target proteins (including MAPK1, IL6, and HSP90AA1) with high binding activities to form stable conformations. The binding of MOL000522, MOL004989, and MOL003330 with MAPK1; MOL001495 and MOL001494 with NLRP3; MOL004908, MOL004863 and MOL004806 with HSP90AA1; MOL001749 with TLR9; and MOL001495 with AKT1 all had total scores exceeding 9.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Lianhua Qingwen capsule contains multiple effective ingredients to improve clinical cure rate of COVID-19, and its therapeutic effect is mediated by multiple protein targets, signal pathways and biological functions.

Traditional Chinese medicine network pharmacology study on exploring the mechanism of Xuebijing Injection in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019

As a representative drug for the treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis, Xuebijing (XBJ) injection is also one of the recommended drugs for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its treatment mechanism for COVID-19 is still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential mechanism of XBJ injection in the treatment of COVID-19 employing network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. The corresponding target genes of 45 main active ingredients in XBJ injection and COVID-19 were obtained by using multiple database retrieval and literature mining. 102 overlapping targets of them were screened as the core targets for analysis. Then built the PPI network, TCM-compound-target-disease, and disease-target-pathway networks with the help of Cytoscape 3.6.1 software. After that, utilized DAVID to perform gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis to predict the action mechanism of overlapping targets. Finally, by applying molecular docking technology, all compounds were docked with COVID-19 3 CL protease(3CLpro), spike protein (S protein), and angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2). The results indicated that quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and other compounds in XBJ injection could affect TNF, MAPK1, IL6 and other overlapping targets. Meanwhile, anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB), salvianolic acid B (SAB), and rutin could combine with COVID-19 crucial proteins, and then played the role of anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune response to treat COVID-19. This study revealed the multiple active components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of XBJ injection in the treatment of COVID-19, which provided a new perspective for the study of the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of COVID-19.

The MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 reduces chromosomal instability in the autoimmune encephalomyelitis SJL/J-mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the immune system attacks nerve cells, has been associated with both genetic and environmental risk factors. We observed increased micronucleus (MN) formation in SJL/J mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Most of these MN were due to chromosomal loss. Increased activation of MAP kinases, which leads to disruption of the mitotic spindle and improper segregation of chromosomes, is associated with MS. MAP kinase inhibitors, such as PD98059, may therefore be beneficial for MS. In the EAE model, PD98059 treatment reduced adverse effects, including MN formation, lipid peroxidation, and GSH oxidation. Interventions that mitigate chromosomal instability may have therapeutic value in MS.

Protein kinase inhibitors in traumatic brain injury and repair: New roles of nanomedicine

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes physical injury to the cell membranes of neurons, glial and axons causing the release of several neurochemicals including glutamate and cytokines altering cell-signaling pathways. Upregulation of mitogen associated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) occurs that is largely responsible for cell death. The pharmacological blockade of these pathways results in cell survival. In this review role of several protein kinase inhibitors on TBI induced oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier breakdown, brain edema formation, and resulting brain pathology is discussed in the light of current literature.

MiR-342 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting MAPK1 expression

Micro RNA (miRNA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are reported as the crucial regulators of inflammatory responses in acute lung injury (ALI). This study will explore the role of the miR-342/MAPK1 axis in regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. We found that miR-342 was down-regulated in LPS-induced A549 cells compared with the control group with DMSO, accompanied by elevated inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. Over-expression of miR-342 reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated A549 cells, and had a protective role in LPS-treated mice with ALI by decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines, improving survival of mice with ALI, and ameliorating the lung permeability. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that miR-342 regulated the expression of MAPK1 by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR). Mechanistically, MAPK1 silencing abrogated LPS-induced inflammatory injury in A549 cells, and partially enhanced the protective effect of miR-342. Therefore, miR-342 attenuates LPS-induced ALI by targeting MAPK1 expression, thereby protecting against A549 cell injury induced by LPS and lung injury of mice with ALI.

Activation of IGF-1 receptors and Akt signaling by systemic hyperinsulinemia contributes to cardiac hypertrophy but does not regulate cardiac autophagy in obese diabetic mice

Autophagy plays an important role in the maintenance of normal heart function. However, the role of autophagy in the inulin resistant and diabetic heart is not well understood. Furthermore, the upstream signaling and the downstream targets involved in cardiac autophagy regulation during obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to measure autophagic flux and to dissect the upstream and downstream signaling involved in cardiac autophagy regulation in the hearts of obese T2DM mice. Our study demonstrated that cardiac autophagic flux is suppressed in the heart of obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice due to impaired autophagosome formation. We showed that suppression of autophagy was due to sustained activation of mTOR as we could restore cardiac autophagy by inhibiting mTOR. Moreover, the novel finding of this study is that while IGF-1 receptor-mediated Akt activation contributes to cardiac hypertrophy, it is not involved in mTOR activation and autophagy suppression in obesity and T2DM. In contrast, inhibition of ERK signaling abolished mTOR activation and restored autophagy in the heart of obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice. The study identifies mechanisms regulating cardiac autophagy in obesity and T2DM that are mediated by ERK/mTOR but are distinct from Akt. The findings are of significant importance as they demonstrate for the first time the contribution of IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) and Akt signaling in cardiac hypertrophy but not in cardiac autophagy regulation in obesity and T2DM.

Gene Expression Analysis to Assess the Relevance of Rodent Models to Human Lung Injury

The relevance of animal models to human diseases is an area of intense scientific debate. The degree to which mouse models of lung injury recapitulate human lung injury has never been assessed. Integrating data from both human and animal expression studies allows for increased statistical power and identification of conserved differential gene expression across organisms and conditions. We sought comprehensive integration of gene expression data in experimental acute lung injury (ALI) in rodents compared with humans. We performed two separate gene expression multicohort analyses to determine differential gene expression in experimental animal and human lung injury. We used correlational and pathway analyses combined with external in vitro gene expression data to identify both potential drivers of underlying inflammation and therapeutic drug candidates. We identified 21 animal lung tissue datasets and three human lung injury bronchoalveolar lavage datasets. We show that the metasignatures of animal and human experimental ALI are significantly correlated despite these widely varying experimental conditions. The gene expression changes among mice and rats across diverse injury models (ozone, ventilator-induced lung injury, LPS) are significantly correlated with human models of lung injury (Pearson r = 0.33-0.45, P < 1E^-16). Neutrophil signatures are enriched in both animal and human lung injury. Predicted therapeutic targets, peptide ligand signatures, and pathway analyses are also all highly overlapping. Gene expression changes are similar in animal and human experimental ALI, and provide several physiologic and therapeutic insights to the disease.

Dexmedetomidine enhances human lung fluid clearance through improving alveolar sodium transport

Accumulating evidence shows that dexmedetomidine can attenuate lung edema with acute lung injury in experimental mouse and rat models, but the mechanisms of dexmedetomidine on human alveolar fluid transport are still unknown. We measured the effects of dexmedetomidine on alveolar fluid clearance in human lung lobes ex vivo. Moreover, we measured the regulation of transepithelial Na⁺ transport by dexmedetomidine in H441 cells by electrophysiological technique and Western blot method. Our results showed that intratracheal instillation of dexmedetomidine markedly increased the reabsorption of 5% bovine serum albumin instillate (19.8 ± 1.4%, P < 0.01 vs. Control, n = 5). Further studies suggested that dexmedetomidine increased amiloride-sensitive short-circuit currents in permeabilized H441 monolayers and whole cell amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ currents in a dose-dependent fashion. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that dexmedetomidine could enhance the mRNA and protein expression of α-ENaC subunit, while inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK_1/2 . These data demonstrate that dexmedetomidine could improve human lung fluid clearance and lung epithelial Na⁺ channel activity, and these effects may be mediated through the enhancement of α-ENaC expression and inhibition of ERK_1/2 pathway.

PD98059 Influences Immune Factors and Enhances Opioid Analgesia in Model of Neuropathy

Neuropathic pain treatment remains challenging due to ineffective therapy and resistance to opioid analgesia. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) have been identified as the crucial regulators of pro- and antinociceptive factors. We used PD98059, an inhibitor of the MAPKK family members MEK1/2. The aim of study was to examine the influence of single and/or repeated PD98059 on nociception and opioid effectiveness in neuropathy. Moreover, we examined how PD98059 influences selected members of cellular pathways and cytokines. The PD98059 (2.5 mcg) was intrathecally preemptively administered before chronic constriction injury (CCI), and then once daily for 7 days. Additionally, at day 7 after CCI the PD98059-treated rats received a single injection of opioids. Using Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques in PD98059-treated rats we analyzed the mRNA and/or protein level of p38, ERK1/2, JNK, NF-kappaB, IL-1beta, IL-6, iNOS and IL-10 in the lumbar spinal cord. Our results indicate that PD98059 has an analgesic effects and potentiates morphine and/or buprenorphine analgesia. Parallel we observed that PD98059 inhibit upregulation of the CCI-elevated p38, ERK1/2, JNK and NF-kappaB protein levels. Moreover, PD98059 also prevented increase of pro- (IL-1beta, IL-6, and iNOS) but enhances anti-nociceptive (IL-10) factors. Summing up, PD98059 diminished pain and increased the effectiveness of opioids in neuropathy. The inhibition of MEKs might inactivate a variety of cell signaling pathways that are implicated in nociception.

Identification of Biomarker and Co-Regulatory Motifs in Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Differential Interactions

Changes in intermolecular interactions (differential interactions) may influence the progression of cancer. Specific genes and their regulatory networks may be more closely associated with cancer when taking their transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and dynamic and static interactions into account simultaneously. In this paper, a differential interaction analysis was performed to detect lung adenocarcinoma-related genes. Furthermore, a miRNA-TF (transcription factor) synergistic regulation network was constructed to identify three kinds of co-regulated motifs, namely, triplet, crosstalk and joint. Not only were the known cancer-related miRNAs and TFs (let-7, miR-15a, miR-17, TP53, ETS1, and so on) were detected in the motifs, but also the miR-15, let-7 and miR-17 families showed a tendency to regulate the triplet, crosstalk and joint motifs, respectively. Moreover, several biological functions (i.e., cell cycle, signaling pathways and hemopoiesis) associated with the three motifs were found to be frequently targeted by the drugs for lung adenocarcinoma. Specifically, the two 4-node motifs (crosstalk and joint) based on co-expression and interaction had a closer relationship to lung adenocarcinoma, and so further research was performed on them. A 10-gene biomarker (UBC, SRC, SP1, MYC, STAT3, JUN, NR3C1, RB1, GRB2 and MAPK1) was selected from the joint motif, and a survival analysis indicated its significant association with survival. Among the ten genes, JUN, NR3C1 and GRB2 are our newly detected candidate lung adenocarcinoma-related genes. The genes, regulators and regulatory motifs detected in this work will provide potential drug targets and new strategies for individual therapy.

Innate inflammation induced by the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1-KRAS-NF-κB pathway

8-Oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) is the primary enzyme for repairing 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) via the DNA base excision repair pathway (OGG1-BER). Accumulation of 8-oxoG in the genomic DNA leads to genetic instability and carcinogenesis and is thought to contribute to the worsening of various inflammatory and disease processes. However, the disease mechanism is unknown. In this study, we proposed that the mechanistic link between OGG1-BER and proinflammatory gene expression is OGG1's guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity, acquired after interaction with the 8-oxoG base and consequent activation of the small GTPase RAS. To test this hypothesis, we used BALB/c mice expressing or deficient in OGG1 in their airway epithelium and various molecular biological approaches, including active RAS pulldown, reporter and Comet assays, small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of gene expression, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunoblotting. We report that the OGG1-initiated repair of oxidatively damaged DNA is a prerequisite for GDP → GTP exchange, KRAS-GTP-driven signaling via MAP kinases and PI3 kinases and mitogen-stress-related kinase-1 for NF-κB activation, proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine expression, and inflammatory cell recruitment to the airways. Mice deficient in OGG1-BER showed significantly decreased immune responses, whereas a lack of other Nei-like DNA glycosylases (i.e., NEIL1 and NEIL2) had no significant effect. These data unveil a previously unidentified role of OGG1-driven DNA BER in the generation of endogenous signals for inflammation in the innate signaling pathway.

Genome‑wide analysis of DNA methylation in rat lungs with lipopolysaccharide‑induced acute lung injury

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients, however, the precise pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS remains unknown. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exhibits a number of critical functions and may be associated with the DNA methylation of genes in the lungs. In the present study a genome‑wide analysis of DNA methylation was performed in rat lungs with LPS‑induced ALI/ARDS. Normal and LPS‑induced lung tissues with ALI were analyzed using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and a rat DNA methylation promoter plus CpG island microarray and the candidate genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‑PCR). Aberrant DNA methylation of the promoter regions of 1,721 genes and the CpG islands of 990 genes was identified when normal lung tissues and lung tissues with LPS‑induced ALI/ARDS were compared. These genes were commonly located on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 (P<0.01). Methylation level and CpG density were compared and it was found that genes associated with high CpG density promoters had a high ratio of methylation. Furthermore, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. In addition, three genes (Mapk3, Pak1 and Rac2) were validated in the control and lung tissues with ALI by RT‑PCR. The results indicate that aberrant DNA methylation of lung tissues may be involved in the pathophysiology of LPS‑induced ALI/ARDS. Future studies are required to evaluate the therapeutic and prognostic value of the current novel observations in ALI/ARDS.

Effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway inhibition on the development of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

OBJECTIVES

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) influences a number of pathways in all cells. The ERK cascade has long been known to be central to the activation of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) serine/threonine family of protein kinases, of which ERK is a member, is evolutionarily conserved and is activated by a mechanism that includes protein kinase cascades. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PD98059 [2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one], a highly selective inhibitor of MAP/ERK kinase 1 (MEK1) activation, on the development of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (hourly × 5, 50 μg/kg) and PD98059 (10 mg/kg, 10% dimethylsulfoxide, intraperitoneally) was administrated 1 and 3 hours after cerulein administration.

RESULTS

Cerulein injection resulted in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. On the contrary, pancreatitis histological features, amylase, lipase, pancreas edema, and immunohistochemical staining for leukocyte adhesion molecules, transforming growth factor β, and apoptosis-related proteins were found reduced in PD98059-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that this study could help to clarify the role of MAPK in the regulation of the inflammatory process as acute pancreatitis.

Hydrogen sulfide and neurogenic inflammation in polymicrobial sepsis: involvement of substance P and ERK-NF-κB signaling

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been shown to induce transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-mediated neurogenic inflammation in polymicrobial sepsis. However, endogenous neural factors that modulate this event and the molecular mechanism by which this occurs remain unclear. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that whether substance P (SP) is one important neural element that implicates in H₂S-induced neurogenic inflammation in sepsis in a TRPV1-dependent manner, and if so, whether H₂S regulates this response through activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-nuclear factor-κB (ERK-NF-κB) pathway. Male Swiss mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis and treated with TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine 30 minutes before CLP. DL-propargylglycine (PAG), an inhibitor of H₂S formation, was administrated 1 hour before or 1 hour after sepsis, whereas sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an H₂S donor, was given at the same time as CLP. Capsazepine significantly attenuated H₂S-induced SP production, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules levels, and protected against lung and liver dysfunction in sepsis. In the absence of H₂S, capsazepine caused no significant changes to the PAG-mediated attenuation of lung and plasma SP levels, sepsis-associated systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction. In addition, capsazepine greatly inhibited phosphorylation of ERK_1/2 and inhibitory κBα, concurrent with suppression of NF-κB activation even in the presence of NaHS. Furthermore, capsazepine had no effect on PAG-mediated abrogation of these levels in sepsis. Taken together, the present findings show that H₂S regulates TRPV1-mediated neurogenic inflammation in polymicrobial sepsis through enhancement of SP production and activation of the ERK-NF-κB pathway.

MEK inhibition suppresses the development of lung fibrosis in the bleomycin model

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade has long been known to be central to the activation of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) serine/threonine family of protein kinases, of which ERK is a member, is activated by a mechanism that includes protein kinase cascades. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are well-conserved enzymes connecting cell surface receptors to intracellular regulatory targets; they are activated in response to a wide variety of stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PD98059, a highly selective inhibitor of MAP/ERK kinase1 (MEK1) activation, on the development of lung inflammation and fibrosis. Lung injury was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (1 mg/kg), and PD98059 (10 mg/kg, 10% dimethyl sulfoxide, i.p.) was administrated 1 h after bleomycin instillation and daily for 7 days. PD98059 treatment shows therapeutic effects on pulmonary damage, decreasing many inflammatory and apoptotic parameters, such as (1) cytokine production; (2) IkBα degradation and NF-kB nuclear translocation; (3) iNOS expression; (4) nitrotyrosine and PAR localization; and (5) the degree of apoptosis, as evaluated by Bax and Bcl-2 balance, FAS ligand expression, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. In particular, to assess whether PD98059 treatment influences MAPKs pathway, we have also investigated the expression of activated ERK and JNK after bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, showing that the inhibition of the cascade reduces the inflammatory processes that lead to the appearance of the fibrosis. Taken together, all our results clearly show that PD98059 reduces the lung injury and inflammation due to the intratracheal bleomycin administration in mice.

Effects of Hypericum Perforatum, in a rodent model of periodontitis

BACKGROUND

Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant species containing many polyphenolic compounds, namely flavonoids and phenolic acids. In this study we evaluate the effect of Hypericum perforatum in animal model of periodontitis.

METHODS

Periodontitis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by placing a nylon thread ligature around the lower 1st molars. Hypericum perforatum was administered at the dose of 2 mg/kg os, daily for eight days. At day 8, the gingivomucosal tissue encircling the mandibular first molar was removed.

RESULTS

Periodontitis in rats resulted in an inflammatory process characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration and cytokine production that was followed by the recruitment of other inflammatory cells, production of a range of inflammatory mediators such as NF-κB and iNOS expression, the nitration of tyrosine residues and activation of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase; apoptosis and the degree of gingivomucosal tissues injury. We report here that Hypericum perforatum exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects significantly reducing all of the parameters of inflammation as described above.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that treatment with Hypericum reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury, events associated with periodontitis.

PGD2, IL-1-Family Members and Mast Cells

Cytokines are immunomodulatory and inflammatory compounds produced by many different cell types. The IL-1 family consists of at least eleven cytokines including IL-18 and IL-13 and are essential to the host defence against severe infections and mediate inflammation. IL-18 also enhances tumour rejection and has high capacity to augment the cytotoxicity of NK cells and T cells. IL-33 stimulates basophils and mast cells to produce cytokines and histamine independently of IgE. Mast cells play a crucial role in the development of allergy through the cross-linking of their surface receptors for IgE leading to degranulation and inflammation. Activated mast cells induce the generation of PGD2, detectable in 2–15 minutes after challenge, and LTC4. Here we review the interrelationship between PGD2, IL-1 family members and mast cells.

IL-34 a Newly Discovered Cytokine

In this study we describe some biological effects of IL-34, a newly discovered cytokine. We show that Il-34 stimulates monocyte cell viability and directly modulates the number and function of monocytes and regulates myeloid cell growth and differentiation. Moreover, since IL-34 in mice is involved in osteoporosis, an antagonist of this cytokine could be beneficial for the treatment of this disease.

Inter-Relationship between Chemokines and Mast Cells

The inflammatory response is mediated by immunological and chemotactic factors, proteins of the complement system, histamine, serotonin, arachidonic acid products and cytokines. All these compounds, including cytokines/chemokines, are major contributors to the symptoms of inflammation. Cytokines/chemokines, commonly referred to as “biological response modifiers”, are relatively new compounds for possible use in stimulation of the immune response, and display a number of overlapping abilities to stimulate cells of various lineages and differentiation stages; nonetheless, most of these compounds are potent inflammatory mediators. Mast cell mediators are either contained within secretory granules or can be synthesized de novo and can be released upon activation by either a massive degranulation, or by a selective release of specific molecules. These cells accumulate in the stroma of a variety of inflamed and transformed tissues in response to locally produced chemotactic factors for immune-cells, such as RANTES and MCP-1. Here we describe some connections between mast cells and chemokines.