Investigating the molecular mechanism of Qizhu anticancer prescription in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma based on high-resolution mass spectrometry and network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Of all primary liver cancer cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for about 90%. Most patients with HCC receive a diagnosis in the medium-to-late stages or with chronic liver disease, have lost the opportunity for radical treatment, such as surgical resection, and their 5-year survival rate is low. Qizhu Anticancer Prescription (QZACP) is an empirical formula composed of traditional Chinese herbs that can clinically relieve HCC symptoms, inhibit the progression of HCC, reduce recurrence rate, and prolong survival; however, its exact mode of action remains unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study's purpose was to investigate the mode of action of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, drug components in the QZACP decoction were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. A subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in nude mice was constructed to further analyze the active components of QZACP that had entered tumor tissues through oral administration. Potential targets of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC were identified and then confirmed in vivo via network pharmacology and molecular docking. In addition, regulatory effects of QZACP on HCC cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

High-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the QZACP decoction contained deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester (DAAME), paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-glucoside, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, astragaloside IV, saikosaponin A, curdione, and atractylenolide II. In nude mice, QZACP could effectively inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors, where DAAME, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid could enter liver cancer tissues after oral administration. Among these, DAAME was the most highly expressed in HCC tissues and may be an important active component of QZACP for inhibiting HCC. Utilizing network pharmacology, the targets of action of these four drug components were identified. After verification using western blotting, STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2 were identified as targets of QZACP inhibition in HCC. In vitro experiments revealed that QZACP inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells while inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments demonstrated that DAAME significantly inhibited HCC growth. After intersection of the 24 DAAME targets predicted using network pharmacology with the 435 HCC disease targets, only CA9 was identified as a DAAME-HCC crossover target. Molecular docking results revealed that the binding site of DAAME and CA9 had good stereo-complementarity with a docking score of -8.1 kcal/mol. Western blotting and immunohistochemical results also confirmed that DAAME significantly decreased CA9 protein expression in HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

QZACP inhibits HCC by reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2. DAAME may be an important active component of QZACP for the prevention and treatment of HCC, inhibiting it by targeting the expression of CA9.

Deregulation in adult IgA vasculitis skin as the basis for the discovery of novel serum biomarkers

INTRODUCTION

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) in adults has a variable disease course, with patients often developing gastrointestinal and renal involvement and thus contributing to higher mortality. Due to understudied molecular mechanisms in IgAV currently used biomarkers for IgAV visceral involvement are largely lacking. Our aim was to search for potential serum biomarkers based on the skin transcriptomic signature.

METHODS

RNA sequencing analysis was conducted on skin biopsies collected from 6 treatment-naïve patients (3 skin only and 3 renal involvement) and 3 healthy controls (HC) to get insight into deregulated processes at the transcriptomic level. 15 analytes were selected and measured based on the transcriptome analysis (adiponectin, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 19, kallikrein-5, CCL3, leptin, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 5, osteopontin, interleukin (IL)-15, CXCL10, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), SERPIN A12/vaspin, IL-18 and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4)) in sera of 59 IgAV and 22 HC. Machine learning was used to assess the ability of the analytes to predict IgAV and its organ involvement.

RESULTS

Based on the gene expression levels in the skin, we were able to differentiate between IgAV patients and HC using principal component analysis (PCA) and a sample-to-sample distance matrix. Differential expression analysis revealed 49 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in all IgAV patient's vs. HC. Patients with renal involvement had more DEGs than patients with skin involvement only (507 vs. 46 DEGs) as compared to HC, suggesting different skin signatures. Major dysregulated processes in patients with renal involvement were lipid metabolism, acute inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related processes. 11 of 15 analytes selected based on affected processes in IgAV skin (osteopontin, LBP, ANGPTL4, IL-15, FABP4, CCL19, kallikrein-5, CCL3, leptin, IL-18 and MMP1) were significantly higher (p-adj < 0.05) in IgAV serum as compared to HC. Prediction models utilizing measured analytes showed high potential for predicting adult IgAV.

CONCLUSION

Skin transcriptomic data revealed deregulations in lipid metabolism and acute inflammatory response, reflected also in serum analyte measurements. LBP, among others, could serve as a potential biomarker of renal complications, while adiponectin and CXCL10 could indicate gastrointestinal involvement.

Anti-skin ageing activities of rice (Oryza sativa) bran soft and hard waxes in cultured skin cells

OBJECTIVE

Rice (Oryza sativa) bran waxes, the by-products of rice bran oil manufacturing, are widely used as inactive components in several preparations. Nevertheless, the function of rice bran waxes against skin ageing has never been reported. This study aimed to investigate thermal property and fatty acid profile of rice bran waxes, including rice bran soft (RBS) and hard (RBH) waxes, and the activities against skin ageing in cultured skin cells.

METHODS

Thermal property and fatty acid profile of rice bran waxes were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The cytotoxicity assay of waxes was performed in B16F10 melanoma cells, human skin fibroblasts and co-culture cells of HaCaT cells and human skin fibroblasts. The non-cytotoxic concentrations of waxes were evaluated for their activities against skin ageing, including melanogenesis assay, antioxidant activity, collagen content analysis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 inhibitory assay and anti-inflammatory activity.

RESULTS

Thermal property indicated the endotherm peaks with melting temperatures at 40.89 ± 0.27°C and 69.64 ± 0.34°C for RBS and RBH, respectively. The main fatty acids in RBS were oleic (31.68 ± 0.75%) and linoleic acids (27.19 ± 0.40%), whereas those in RBH were palmitic (36.24 ± 1.08%) and stearic acids (35.21 ± 4.51%). The cytotoxicity assay in single cells and co-culture cells showed the non-cytotoxicity of RBS (0.0001-1 mg/mL) and RBH (0.0001-0.1 mg/mL). The anti-skin ageing activities of 1 mg/mL RBS and 0.1 mg/mL RBH included the melanogenesis inhibition by suppression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 enzymes, the antioxidant activity by cellular protection against cell damage and cell death, the collagen stimulation, the matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 suppression and the anti-inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that RBS and RBH can potentially be applied as the functional ingredients in formulations against skin ageing as well as provide the superior benefit on skin moisturization.

An in vitro study elucidating the synergistic effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and an anti-TNF-α biotherapeutic: implications for a complementary and alternative therapy for non-responders

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its abnormal production is associated with several immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Biological anti-TNF-α therapy includes treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab which have proven successful and are well-tolerated in most patients. Unfortunately, some patients may not respond to therapy (primary non-responders) or may lose sensitivity to the biological agent over time (early and late secondary non-responders). Natural products can reduce inflammation and act synergistically with small molecules or biologics, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could play a role in infliximab non-responders. Reportedly, cinnamon can help manage chronic inflammatory conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.

METHODS

We studied the synergistic effects of cinnamon and infliximab in vitro using a two-step approach. First, we investigated whether cinnamon and infliximab act synergistically. Second, we selected conditions that supported statistically significant synergy with infliximab and studied the mRNA expression of several genes involved in non-response to infliximab. We used aqueous cinnamon extract (aCE) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cinnamomum loureiroi and bioactive trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and eugenol to study the synergy between infliximab and aCE/bioactive compounds using bioassays in fibroblast (L929) and monocytic (U937) cell lines, followed by qPCR for molecular-level insights. TCA, C. cassia aCE, and C. zeylanicum aCE demonstrated a dose-dependent synergistic effect with infliximab. Moreover, we saw differential gene expression for adhesion molecules, apoptotic factors, signaling molecules, and matrix remodelers in presence and absence of aCE/bioactives.

RESULTS

CAM supplementation was most effective with C. cassia aCE, where a synergistic effect was observed for all the tested genes specifically for MMP-1, BcL-xL, Bax and JAK2, followed by TCA, which affected most of the tested genes except TLR-2, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and BAX, and C. zeylanicum aCE, which did not affect ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and STAT3.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, cinnamon acted synergistically with infliximab to mitigate inflammation when used as an extract. Purified bioactive TCA also showed synergistic activity. Thus, aCE, or cinnamon bioactive may be used as a CAM to improve patients' quality of life.

The roles of gut microbiome and metabolites associated with skin photoaging in mice by intestinal flora sequencing and metabolomics

Photoaging of skin, a chronic disease, can produce the appearance changes and cancer lesions of skin. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate the mechanisms and explore effective methods to treat the disorder. Gut microbiota and intestinal metabolisms have critical roles in a variety of diseases. However, their roles on photoaging of skin were not well tested. In the present work, the results showed that compared with control group, the levels of MDA, SOD and CAT associated with oxidative stress, the levels of COL I, CER, and HA associated with skin function, and the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α associated with inflammation after long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation in mice were significantly changed. Skin pathological tissue was also seriously damaged. The protein levels of AQP3 and FLG were significantly decreased. Ultraviolet exposure also promoted skin photoaging by activating TNFR1/TRAF2-mediated MAPK pathway, in which the protein levels of P38/P-P38, c-FOS/P-c-FOS, MMP1, TNFR1 and TRAF2 were significantly increased in model mice compared with control group. In fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment, we found that the intestinal microbiome of control mice alleviated skin photoaging via adjusting the protein levels of P38/P-P38, c-FOS/P-c-FOS, MMP1, TNFR1 and TRAF2. 16S rRNA sequencing found that 1639 intestinal bacteria were found, in which 15 bacteria including norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospirac -eae_NK4A136_group, Lachnoclostridium, etc., were significantly different at the genus level. Untargeted GC-TOF/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics showed 72 and 188 metabolites including taurine, ornithine, L-arginine, L-histidine, sucrose with significant differences compared with control group. Then, amino acid targeting assay showed 10 amino acids including L-ornithine, L-arginine and L-citrulline with higher levels in control group compared with model group. In addition, we also found that the variation of Lachnoclostridium abundance may regulate L-arginine metabolism to affect skin photoaging. Some intestinal bacteria and metabolites including amino acids may be closely related to skin photoaging, which should provide new methods to treat skin photoaging in the future.

Identification of key miRNAs in unilateral mastication-induced disruption of cartilage homeostasis

OBJECTIVE

The present study identified potentially pivotal miRNAs contributing to chondrogenic differentiation in temporomandibular joint suffering abnormal stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and experimental unilateral mastication (EUM) group. Bone micro-structure parameters was detected by micro-CT, and FGF-1 and MMP-1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Differentially expressed miRNAs of bilateral condyle cartilage were screened via miRNA microarray at 4- and 8-week EUM, then further verified using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Over-expression of five differentially expressed miRNAs in chondrocytes was triggered by transfecting miRNA mimics. The expression of MMP-13, Col-II, OPN, and Runx2 was verified by western blotting.

RESULTS

Expressions of FGF-1 and MMP-1 in right condyles gradually increased from 2 to 6 weeks after EUM. A total of 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were regulated by EUM, which related to cell proliferation, invasion, and osteoblast differentiation pathways. The over-expression of miR-148a-3p and miR-1-3p led to down-regulation of Col-II, while MMP-13 and Runx2 were up-regulated by induction of hypotrophic differentiation or IL-1β stimulation. These findings suggested that miR-148a-3p and miR-1-3p promote chondrogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Several pivotal miRNAs were found to be related to chondrogenic differentiation, which provides novel insight into pathogenic mechanisms of cartilage homeostasis.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and therapeutic efficacy of neroli oil in rats with endometriotic lesions

INTRODUCTION

Endometriosis is a serious health problem among women of reproductive age, with pelvic pain and infertility. Given the limited success of current treatments, this study explores Neroli oil (N.O.) effects on inflammation, oxidation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling implicated in endometriosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Albino Wistar female rats were used to simulate an endometriosis model. Groups were established for comparison: a control, an endometriosis model, a N.O.-treated group, and a N.O.-treated group postendometriosis induction. The study focused on Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6, Interleukin 8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myeloperoxidase, Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and anti-mullerian hormone values, as well as histopathological evaluations of endometriotic foci.

RESULTS

AMH values showed a significant increase in the endometriosis group treated with N.O. compared with the endometriosis group (p < 0,01).A statistically significant decrease was found in MMP-1 level in the endometriosis group that underwent N.O. (p < 0.001). Increased CAT (p < 0.0001) and decrease in nitric oxide (p < 0.01) are found in N.O.-treated endometriosis group. TNF-α levels in the endometriosis group showed a statistically significant increase in the endometriosis group when compared with the control and sham group (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively). In our study, a statistically significant increase was observed in VEGF levels (p < 0.001) in endometriosis group and significant decrease in the N.O. administered endometriosis model group. Groups treated with N.O. showed decreased inflammation and congestion scores. Histopathological assessments demonstrated reduced inflammation and tissue remodeling signs in endometriotic foci.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of N.O. in the treatment of endometriosis, owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic properties that can disrupt chronic processes. Our findings lend support to utilization of herbal remedies for the management of endometriosis, thereby emphasizing the necessity for additional comprehensive investigations in the future.

Development of a peptide microarray-based metal-enhanced fluorescence assay for ultrasensitive detection of multiple matrix metalloproteinase activities by using a gold nanorod-polymer substrate

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are attractive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment, while it is still a challenge to precise analysis of MMP activities owing to their very low abundance in the biological samples, especially at the early stages of tumors. Herein, a peptide microarray-based metal-enhanced fluorescence assay (PMMEFA) is proposed to simultaneously detect MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13 activities. The assay involves immobilization of Förster resonance energy transfer dye pair decorated peptides (FRET-peptides) on a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) coated gold nanorod modified glass slide (GNR@P(GMA-HEMA)). To fabricate the GNR@P(GMA-HEMA) slide, GNRs are self-assembled onto an aminated glass slide, and a polymer brush (P(GMA-HEMA)) is grown through a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization reaction (SI-ATRP). Upon the addition of MMPs, the FRET pairs are broken due to the specific cleavage of FRET-peptides by enzymes, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence signals and further enhancement by the MEF of GNRs. The fluorescence recovery degree provides a direct indicator for MMP activity. The PMMEFA exhibits excellent sensitivity, which enables to detect MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13 activities, with low limits of detection (LODs) of 1.7 fg mL-1, 0.3 fg mL-1, 2.0 fg mL-1, 1.8 fg mL-1, 2.2 fg mL-1 and 14.0 fg mL-1, respectively. To substantiate the practicability of PMMEFA, MMP activities were measured in a range of matrices, encompassing cell culture medium, serum, and tumor tissue homogenate, and MMP activities can be detected only in 0.15 μL serum and 0.025 mg tumor tissue.

Comparative Study of the Pain, Function, and Biomarkers of Joint Disease in the Transition to Adulthood in Individuals With and Without Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers have potential to identify early signs of joint disease. This study compared joint pain and function in adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy compared with individuals without.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study compared individuals with cerebral palsy ( n = 20), aged 13-30 yrs with Gross Motor Function Classification System I-III and age-matched individuals without cerebral palsy ( n = 20). Knee and hip joint pain measured using Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score surveys. Objective strength and function were also measured. Biomarkers for tissue turnover (serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, urinary C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type II collagen) and cartilage degradation (serum matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 3) were measured in blood and urinary samples.

FINDINGS

Individuals with cerebral palsy had increased knee and hip joint pain, reduced leg strength, reduced walking and standing speeds, and ability to carry out activities of daily living ( P < 0.005) compared with controls. They also had higher serum matrix metalloproteinase 1 ( P < 0.001) and urinary C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type II collagen levels ( P < 0.05). Individuals with cerebral palsy who were Gross Motor Function Classification System I and II demonstrated reduced hip joint pain ( P = 0.02) and higher matrix metalloproteinase 1 levels ( P = 0.02) compared with Gross Motor Function Classification System III.

INTERPRETATION

Individuals with cerebral palsy with less severe mobility deficits had higher matrix metalloproteinase 1 levels likely due to more prolonged exposure to abnormal joint loading forces but experienced less joint pain.

Dermal thirdhand smoke exposure induced epidermal alterations in human keratinocyte cells through oxidative damage and MMP-1 expression

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is the residual cigarette smoke that settles on indoor surface fabrics, dust and can accumulate in the environment. Therefore, it can be a risk factor for individuals who have frequent dermal contact with THS-contaminated surfaces. In the present study, it was aimed to elucidate the toxicity of dermal THS exposure in HaCaT human keratinocytes. The THS was extracted from terrycloth exposed to 3R4F research cigarette smoke in a closed chamber and the adverse outcomes induced by THS were determined through assessment of cytotoxicity tests (MTT and NRU), intracellular GSH level, total SOD activity, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and IL-6 levels. The wound healing capacity of THS-exposed keratinocytes was evaluated via scratch assay. A potent antioxidant isothiocyanate compound, sulforaphane (SFN), was used as a negative control. THS was dose-dependently cytotoxic (12.5%-100%, v/v) to the HaCaT cells through mitochondrial cell dysfunction (p < 0.01), which was ameliorated by SFN (0.62 μM) pre-treatment. In parallel, THS exposure significantly decreased the intracellular GSH deposits and T-SOD activity in keratinocytes. Collagen degradation through elevated MMP-1 expression was observed in THS-exposed cells in parallel with the delay of wound healing and increased pro-inflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The findings are expected to raise awareness about THS as an environmental pollutant for skin, particularly in the highest-ranked countries in cigarette consumption. To conclude, these results might contribute to the studies on the importance of dermal exposure to THS in the pathogenesis of epidermal alterations and the other skin diseases.

Clinical validation of a saliva-based matrix metalloproteinase-1 rapid strip test for detection of oral cavity cancer

BACKGROUND

We previously identified matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) as one of the most promising salivary biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and developed a sensitive ELISA for MMP-1 with good performance in detection of OSCC using a cohort of 1160 saliva samples.

METHODS

A time-saving rapid strip test (RST) for MMP-1 was developed in this study and its diagnostic performance compared with ELISA using saliva samples from a new cohort of 603 subjects (171 healthy controls, 236 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders, and 196 OSCC patients).

RESULTS

Salivary MMP-1 levels measured using RST and ELISA were highly comparable and both assays could effectively distinguish between OSCC and non-cancerous groups. Similar to ELISA, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the MMP-1 RST was effective in identifying patients with OSCC at different oral cavity sites and stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary MMP-1 can be sensitively detected using both RST and ELISA methods. Our newly developed point-of-care MMP-1 RST is a promising in vitro diagnostic device (IVD) that may serve as a novel auxiliary tool in the routine clinical detection and monitoring of OSCC.

Increased neutrophil-derived IL-17A identified in generalized pustular psoriasis

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is considered to be a distinct clinical entity from psoriasis vulgaris (PV), with different clinical and histological manifestations. The pathogenesis of GPP has not been thoroughly elucidated, especially in those patients lacking interleukin (IL)36RN. In present study, we performed RNA sequence analysis on skin lesions from 10 GPP patients (4 with and 6 without IL36RN mutation) and 10 PV patients without IL36RN mutation. Compared with PV, significantly overexpressed genes in GPP patients were enriched in IL-17 signalling pathway (MMP1, MMP3, DEFB4A and DEFB4B, etc.) and associated with neutrophil infiltration (MMP1, MMP3, ANXA and SERPINB, etc.). GPP with IL36RN mutations evidenced WNT11 upregulation and IL36RN downregulation in comparison to those GPP without IL36RN mutations. The expression of IL-17A/IL-36 in skin or serum and the origin of IL-17A in skin were also investigated. IL-17A expression in skin was significantly higher in GPP than PV patients, whereas, there were no differences in skin IL-36α/IL-36γ/IL-36RA or serum IL-17A/IL-36α/IL-36γ between GPP than PV. Besides, double immunofluorescence staining of MPO/IL-17A or CD3/IL-17A further confirmed that the majority of IL-17A in GPP skin was derived from neutrophils, but not T cells. These data emphasized the role of neutrophil-derived IL-17A in the pathogenesis of GPP with or without IL36RN mutations. Targeting neutrophil-derived IL-17A might be a promising treatment for GPP.

Recent insights into catechins-rich Assam tea extract for photoaging and senescent ageing

Tea (Camellia spp.) is an important medicinal herb. C. sinensis var. sinensis is the most studied tea variety due to its more preferred flavor than C. sinensis var. assamica (Assam tea), the less economic importance with more bitter variety. A bitter taste highlights its potential as a candidate source for tea catechins, the health beneficial actives applicable for ageing treatment. Nonetheless, indicative data for tea on UV-induced and senescent ageing remain unclarified. Assam tea extract (ATE) was prepared and standardized in terms of TPC, TFC and TTC. EGCG was HPLC quantified as the prime ATE catechin. In vitro antioxidant activity of ATE was exhibited with ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. ATE's cellular antioxidant activity was indicated in HDFs at a stronger degree than ascorbic acid. The photoaging protection of ATE was evidenced in a coculture of HaCaT cells and HDFs. ATE markedly suppressed UV-induced IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions. The proficiency of ATE targeting on senescent ageing was demonstrated in an ex vivo human skin model, where IL-6 and MMP-1 expressions were suppressed, whilst hyaluronic acid and collagen syntheses were promoted. ATE was chemically stabled as indicated by the catechin contents and color parameters following 6 months storage under conditions recommended for topical product. ATE enriched in catechins warrants its applicability as a new generation of photoaging protectant agent promising for the prevention and treatment for senescent ageing. The findings indicate the proficiency of ATE for innovative anti-ageing agent.

Macrophages regulate healing-associated fibroblasts in diabetic wound

BACKGROUND

Recovery from a foot ulcer is compromised in a diabetic status, due to the impaired tissue microenvironment that consists of altered inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Phenotypic alterations in both macrophages and fibroblasts have been detected in the diabetic wound. Recently, a fibroblast subpopulation that expresses high matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP3, MMP11 and Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (CHI3L1) was associated with a successful diabetic wound healing. However, it is not known whether these healing-associated fibroblasts are regulated by macrophages.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used bioinformatic tools to analyze selected public databases on normal and diabetic skin from patients, and identified genes significantly altered in diabetes. In a mouse model for diabetic wound healing, we detected not only a loss of the spatiotemporal changes in interleukin 1β (IL1β), IL6, IL10 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in wound macrophages, but also a compromised expression of MMP1, MMP3, MMP11, CHI3L1 and VEGF-A in healing-associated wound fibroblasts in a diabetic status. Co-culture with diabetic macrophages significantly reduced the expression of MMP1, MMP3, MMP11, CHI3L1 and VEGF-A in fibroblasts from non-diabetic wound. Co-culture with non-diabetic macrophages or diabetic macrophages supplied with IL6 significantly increased the expression of MMP1, MMP3, MMP11, CHI3L1 and VEGF-A in fibroblasts from diabetic wound. Moreover, macrophage-specific expression of IL6 significantly improved wound healing and angiogenesis in diabetic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Macrophages may induce the activation of wound-healing-associated fibroblasts, while the defective macrophages in diabetes may be corrected with IL6 treatment as a promising therapy for diabetic foot disease.

Biomarkers of axonal damage to favor early diagnosis in variant transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRv)

Early identification of ATTRv amyloidosis disease onset is still often delayed due to the lack of validated biomarkers of this disease. Light chain neurofilament (NfL) have shown promising results in early diagnosis in this disease, but data is still needed, including with alternative measuring methods. Our aim was to study the levels of NfL measured by ELISA. Furthermore, interstitial matrix metalloproteinase type 1 (MMP-1) serum levels were measured as a potential new biomarker in ATTRv. Serum NfL and MMP-1 were measured using ELISA assays in 90 participants (29 ATTR-V30M patients, 31 asymptomatic V30M-TTR variant carriers and 30 healthy controls). Median NfL levels among ATTRv amyloidosis patients were significantly higher (116 pg/mL vs 0 pg/mL in both comparison groups). The AUC comparing ATTRv amyloidosis patients and asymptomatic carriers was 0.90 and the NfL concentration of 93.55 pg/mL yielded a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 87%. NfL levels had a significant positive correlation with NIS values among patients. We found a negative significant correlation between eGFR and NfL levels. Finally, MMP1 levels were not different between groups. Evidence of NfL use for early diagnosis of ATTR-PN amyloidosis is growing. ELISA seems a reliable and available technique for it quantification. Decreased GFR could influence NfL plasma levels.

Neuropeptide Y, a potential marker for lupus, promotes lupus development

OBJECTIVE

Relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY) serum levels, NPY genetic mutation with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis is yet to be clarified, and role of NPY in development of SLE needs elucidation.

METHOD

This study included 460 SLE patients, 472 non-SLE cases, 500 healthy volunteers. Serum NPY, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-8 levels were tested by ELISA. Genotyping 7 NPY single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs5573, rs5574, rs16129, rs16138, rs16140, rs16147, rs16478) was obtained by Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) method. Pristane-induced lupus mice were treated with NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist, and histological analysis, serological changes of the mice were evaluated.

RESULTS

NPY serum concentrations were significantly increased in SLE patients when compared to that in healthy volunteers, non-SLE cases. Rs5573 G allele, rs16129 T allele, rs16147 G allele frequencies were significantly different between SLE cases and healthy controls. Rs5574 TT + TC genotypes were related to levels of IgG, C3, C4 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rs16138 GG + GC genotypes correlated with SLE cases with anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibody (anti-dsDNA) (+). Serum MMP-1, MMP-8 concentrations were higher in SLE patients, and NPY levels were significantly related to MMP-1, MMP-8 levels. After treatment of lupus mice with NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist, damage of liver, spleen and kidney was alleviated, production of autoantibodies (anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), total IgG, anti-dsDNA) and MMP-1, MMP-8 was down-regulated, and differentiation of CD3+, CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17 cells was reversed.

CONCLUSION

NPY may be a biomarker for lupus, which may promote occurrence and development of lupus.

The correlation between dermoscopy and clinical and pathological tests in the evaluation of skin photoaging

BACKGROUND

There are no standards for evaluating skin photoaging. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive detection method that might be useful for evaluating photoaging.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the correlation between the dermoscopic evaluation of photoaging and clinical and pathological evaluations.

METHODS

The age, clinical evaluation (Fitzpatrick classification, Glogau Photoaging Classification, and Chung's standardized image ruler), histopathology (Masson staining and MMP-1 immunohistochemistry), and dermoscopy (Hu's and Isik's) of 40 donor skin samples were analyzed statistically, and Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS

There was a robust correlation between the total Hu scores and Isik dermoscopy. The correlation of dermoscopy with histopathology was higher than that of clinical evaluation methods. There is a strong correlation between telangiectases and lentigo. Xerosis, superficial wrinkle, diffuse erythema, telangiectases, and reticular pigmentation were significantly correlated with the three clinical evaluation methods. Superficial wrinkles were correlated with Masson, MMP-1, various clinical indicators, and other dermoscopic items.

CONCLUSION

There is a good correlation between dermoscopy and clinical and histopathological examination. Dermoscopy might help evaluate skin photoaging.

Novel Pathways between Invasiveness Modulators in Breast Cancer Single Cells

Individual cells are known to behave differently than their whole populations of cells. The present work focused on proteins that control cancer invasiveness. Individual Dicer siRNA knockdown of HER4, CDC42, and E-cadherin decreased MMP1 mRNA levels in SCP2, a cancer single-cell progeny that is highly metastatic to bone and adrenal gland. Individual knockdown of β-catenin, CDC42, HER3, and the γ catalytic subunit of PI3K raised MMP1 mRNA levels in SCP21, a single-cell progeny of the same tumor and patient, with low metastasis to bone and adrenal.

JNK promotes the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. This study aims to elucidate the roles of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODS

JNK overexpressing and knockdown cell lines were established on the PC-3 prostate cell line. qPCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein levels of target genes in prostate tissues and cell lines. MTT and Matrigel invasion assays were conducted to evaluate the cell viability and invasive ability, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was performed to estimate the overall survival rate and second progression-free survival rate. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between JNK and prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

RESULTS

Relative JNK expression was correlated with Gleason score and PSA value in patients with CRPC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with low JNK expression exhibited high overall survival and second progression-free survival rate. In vitro assays demonstrated that JNK overexpression promoted cell viability and invasion as well as the protein expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) in PC-3 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

JNK overexpression promotes the development of CRPC via the regulation of ERK and MMP1.

Fractional erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of morphea mouse model

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficiency and the mechanism of fractional erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser for the treatment of morphea in mouse model.

BACKGROUND

Morphea is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition in skin. Fractional Er:YAG laser treatment is a promising treatment to improve morphea, despite limited studies about the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The mouse model of morphea was established by subcutaneously injecting with bleomycin (BLM). A total of 24 mice received fractional Er:YAG laser treatment once a week for 4 weeks. Objective measurement employed was ultrasonic imaging to measure dermal thickness. Subjective measures included scoring according to the adjusted Localized morphea Cutaneous Assessment Tool (LoSCAT); hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to evaluate the histological grade of fibrosis; and quantitative morphometric studies to determine the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In this self-controlled study, fractional Er:YAG laser treatment significantly ameliorate the severity of morphea, including lower clinical score (p < 0.01), decreased dermal thickness (p < 0.001), declined histological grade of fibrosis (p < 0.001), increased MMP1 (p < 0.001), and reduced TGF-β1 (p < 0.01) expression.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that fractional Er:YAG laser treatment of morphea has good clinical, ultrasonic, and histopathologic efficacy, which may be a promising treatment in the future.

Macrophage phenotype impacts in vitro equine intrasynovial deep digital flexor tenocyte matrix metalloproteinase gene expression and secretion

OBJECTIVE

To investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and their inhibitors tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) gene expression and secretion during equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) tenocyte and macrophage (undifferentiated, proinflammatory, and regulatory) co-culture.

SAMPLE

Third passage DDF tenocytes and donor-matched macrophages differentiated from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes from 5 healthy horses ages 9-11 years, euthanized for reasons unrelated to musculoskeletal conditions.

METHODS

Passage 3 DDT tenocyte aggregate cultures were co-cultured with undifferentiated (control), proinflammatory (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF pretreated and lipopolysaccharide + interferon gamma-primed; LPS+IFN-γ) or regulatory (interleukin-4 and interleukin-10-primed; IL-4 + IL-10) macrophages in direct and transwell co-cultures for 72 hours. MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -13, and TIMP -1, -2 mRNA were measured via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR). Co-culture media MMP -3, -9, and TIMP -1, -2 concentrations were quantified via ELISA.

RESULTS

Direct co-culture of DDF tenocytes with proinflammatory macrophages for 72 hours increased MMP-1, -3, and -13 mRNA levels whereas, MMP-9 mRNA levels decreased. Direct and transwell co-culture with proinflammatory and regulatory macrophages resulted in increased MMP-3 and decreased MMP-9 media concentrations. While direct co-culture with regulatory macrophages significantly increased TIMP-1 mRNA, overall, TIMP mRNA and culture media concentrations were largely unchanged.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Cell-to-cell contact between DDF tenocytes and macrophages is not essential to induce MMP gene expression and secretion. Co-culture systems offer a viable in vitro platform to screen and evaluate immunomodulatory properties of therapies aimed at improving equine intrasynovial tendon healing.

Role of some structural features in EPS from microalgae stimulating collagen production by human dermal fibroblasts

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from the microalgae Porphyridium cruentum, Chrysotila dentata, Pavlova sp., Diacronema sp., Glossomastix sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and Synechococcus sp. were isolated and depolymerized. First, EPS were submitted to a high pressure pre-treatment step, followed by a solid acid-catalyzed hydrolysis step carried out in a batch or recycle fixed-bed reactor, using a strong acidic cation-exchange resin. Twenty-eight different EPS forms were thus obtained. After characterization of their main structural features (weight- and number-averaged molecular weight, polydispersity index, sulfate and uronic acid contents), we investigated the structure-function relationship of their pro-collagen activity. We found that native microalgae EPS were able to inhibit until 27% of human matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activity while the depolymerized forms were able to enhance collagen production by two different human fibroblast lines, used as cell models due to their major role in dermal collagen biosynthesis. The most active EPS forms, obtained by depolymerization in the recycle fixed-bed reactor of D. ennorea and Glossomastix sp. EPS, led to 390% increase in collagen production. Finally, principal component (PCA) and Pearson analyses indicated that MMP-1 inhibition was strongly correlated to the sulfate group content of EPS whereas collagen production by fibroblasts was mostly related to their proportion of low molecular weight polysaccharides (<10 kDa). Uronic acid content of EPS was also shown essential but only if the size of EPS was reduced in the first place. Altogether, these results gave new insights of the dermo-cosmetic potential of microalgae EPS as well as the key parameters of their activity.

Oesophageal wall thickness assessment at endoscopic ultrasound in children and adolescents with eosinophilic oesophagitis: a case-control study

PURPOSE

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated disease, and an endosonographic evaluation may help the diagnosis. The main objectives of this study were to measure the thickness of the oesophageal wall using a radial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), mucosa/submucosa (MSM), muscularis propria (MP) and mucosa to muscularis propria (MMP); to compare these measurements between patients with and without EoE; to correlate them with the Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS); and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these measurements.

METHODS

Children and adolescents (aging from 4 to 17 years) were evaluated in this prospective cross-sectional study. A radial EUS at 12 MHz frequency was used, and EREFS was employed to grade macroscopic findings. Accuracy of the measurements for the diagnosis of EoE was assessed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Twenty-six (19 M/7 F) patients (median age 10.83 years, range 5.65-17.46) were evaluated. EoE was diagnosed in 6 patients. The mean (and SD) oesophageal wall thicknesses in the distal oesophagus in millimetres in groups with and without EoE, respectively, were: MSM 1.07 (0.44) and 1.11 (0.33); MP 0.67 (0.25) and 0.60 (0.19); and MMP 1.73 (0.46) and 1.72 (0.32). Mid-oesophagus: MSM 1.16 (0.34) and 1.15 (0.34); MP 0.63 (0.16) and 0.60 (0.2); and MMP 1.79 (0.41) and 1.74 (0.34). In the ROC curve, the distal MP layer thickness presented better discriminative performance, with an area under the curve of 0.61 (95% CI 0.28-0.93) at 0.73 mm cut-off (66.67% sensitivity, 80% specificity, likelihood ratios of 3.33 for positive and 0.42 for negative test).

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of oesophageal thickness measurements by EUS is not useful for diagnosing EoE.

Regulatory mechanisms of miR-212-3p on the secretion of inflammatory factors in monocyte-macrophages and the directed differentiation into osteoclasts in ankylosing spondylitis

To explore the mechanisms of action of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-212-3p in the secretion of inflammatory factors in monocyte-macrophages and the directed differentiation into osteoclasts (OCs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), proteoglycan was used to establish an AS mouse model. The mouse monocyte-macrophages were cultured in vitro, transfected with miR-212-3p mimic, and added with phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)1/2 agonist Ro67-7476 in vitro. After the cells were transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic in each group, the expressions of p-ERK1/2, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) significantly declined, whereas those of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), calcitonin, and p-nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATC1) significantly rose. After Ro67-7476 was added, the protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, MMP-1, MMP-3, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly increased in each group, but they displayed decreasing trends in cells transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic. In contrast, the protein expressions of TRAP, calcitonin, and p-NFATC1 declined, but they showed increasing trends in cells transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic. miR-212-3p can, through inhibiting the phosphorylation of p-ERK1/2, prevent the aggregation of macrophages and the secretion of inflammatory factors. It also up-regulates the expression of OC marker proteins to facilitate the differentiation and maturation of OCs, ultimately relieving AS-induced inflammation and new bone growth-induced joint neoplasm.

Biochemical and gene expression studies reveal the potential of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice and brewers' rice water extracts as anti-photoageing agents

In this study, UVA- and UVB-irradiated human fibroblasts were used to investigate the anti-photoaging efficacy of two aqueous extracts from Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice (FBR) and brewers' rice (FBrR). As UVA and UVB can damage the dermal and epidermal layers, respectively, two UV radiation approaches were utilised: i) direct UVA irradiation on fibroblasts, and ii) UVB-irradiated keratinocytes indirectly co-cultured with fibroblasts to observe their epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during UVB-induced photoaging. The anti-photoaging properties were tested utilising biochemical tests and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The treatment of UV-irradiated human fibroblasts with FBR and FBrR dramatically downregulates MMP-1 and SFE gene expression. Nonetheless, MMP-1 secretion was inhibited by FBR and FBrR, with more substantial decreases in UVB-treated co-cultures, ranging from 0.76- to 1.89-fold relative to the untreated control. In UVA-treated fibroblasts, however, the elastase-inhibiting activity of FBR and FBrR is up to 1.63-fold and 2.13-fold more potent, respectively. In addition, post-UV irradiation treatment with FBR and FBrR was able to repair and enhance collagen formation in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts. Both FBR and FBrR were able to upregulate elastin gene expression in fibroblasts under both culture conditions, especially at 50 µg/mL. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were likewise lowered by FBR and FBrR, which may have contributed to the anti-photoaging effect of the UVB-treated co-culture. These results reveal that FBR and FBrR inhibit photoaging in human fibroblasts under both UV induction conditions. In conclusion, FBR and FBrR may be attractive bio-ingredients for usage in the cosmetic sector as cosmeceuticals.

Construction of iron metabolism-related prognostic features of gastric cancer based on RNA sequencing and TCGA database

BACKGROUND

Researches have manifested that the disorder of iron metabolism is participated in Gastric cancer (GC), but whether iron metabolism-relevant genes (IMRGs) is related to the survival outcome of GC remain unknown.

METHODS

Eleven tumor as well as nine adjacent normal tissues from GC patients were underwent mRNA sequencing, and the The Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Cancer (TCGA-STAD) datasets were acquired from the TCGA database. Cox analyses and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were applied to build a IMRGs signature. The relationship between signature genes and the infiltration profiling of 24 immune cells were investigated using single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA). Meanwhile, the potential biological significance, genes that act synergistically with signature genes, and the upstream regulatory targets were predicted. Finally, the abundance of the signature genes were measured via the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

A IMRGs signature was constructed according to the expression and corresponding coefficient of DOHH, P4HA3 and MMP1 (The Schoenfeld individual test showed risk score was not significant with P values = 0.83). The prognostic outcome of patients in the high-risk group was terrible (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves confirmed that the IMRGs signature presented good efficiency for predicting GC prognosis (AUC > 0.6). The nomogram was performed well for clinical utilize (C-index = 0.60), and the MMP1 expression significantly increased in the cohorts at age > 60 and Stage II-IV (p < 0.05). The positive correlation of P4HA3 and MMP1 expression as well as the negative correlation of DOHH expression with risk score (p < 0.0001) and worse prognosis (p < 0.05) were detected as well. Furthermore, 11 differential immune cells were associated with these signature genes (most p < 0.01). Finally, qRT-PCR revealed that the abundance of DOHH, P4HA3 and MMP1 were high in tumor cases, indicating the complex mechanism between the high expression of DOHH as a protective factor and the high expression of P4HA3 and MMP1 as the risk factors in the development of GC.

CONCLUSION

An iron metabolism-related signature was constructed and has significant values for foretelling the OS of GC.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Role of Gene Variants in Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Study in the Polish Population

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between variants of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 rs179975, MMP-9 rs17576 and rs17577), their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 rs4898, TIMP-2 rs2277698 and rs55743137) and the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants from the Polish population. A cohort of 100 premature infants (47% female) was enrolled, including 50 ROP cases and 50 no-ROP controls. Patients with ROP were divided into those with spontaneous remission and those requiring treatment. A positive association between MMP-1 rs179975 1G deletion allele and ROP was observed in the log-additive model (OR = 5.01; p = 0.048). Furthermore, female neonates were observed to have a negative association between the TIMP-1 rs4898C allele and the occurrence of ROP and ROP requiring treatment (codominant models with respective p-values < 0.05 and 0.043). Two and three loci interactions between MMP-1 rs1799750 and TIMP1rs4989 (p = 0.015), as well as MMP-1 rs1799750, MMP-9 rs17576 and TIMP-1 rs4989 (p = 0.0003) variants influencing the ROP risk were also observed. In conclusion, these findings suggest a potential role of MMPs and TIMPs genetic variations in the development of ROP in the Polish population. Further studies using a larger group of premature infants will be required for validation.

Survival and soluble immune mediators of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced interstitial lung disease in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related interstitial lung disease (ICI-ILD) is a serious adverse event frequently observed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the clinical effects and mechanism of action of ICI-ILD in NSCLC patients treated with ICI.

METHODS

We retrospectively screened patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC who received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy and examined the prognostic impact of ICI-ILD. In addition, we analyzed the levels of 72 different soluble immune mediators in pre-treatment plasma to explore possible mechanisms associated with the development of ICI-ILD. Furthermore, the relationships between soluble immune mediators associated with ICI-ILD development and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 141 patients with NSCLC, 25 (17.7%) developed ICI-ILD. Logistic regression analysis revealed that pre-treatment CXCL9, MMP-1, IL-6, and IL-19 levels were associated with ICI-ILD development. There were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients with or without ICI-ILD. In patients with ICI-ILD, patients with lower grade ICI-ILD had better OS than those with higher-grade ICI-ILD. In ICI-ILD patients, there was a trend for patients with lower-grade ICI-ILD to have better PFS and OS than those with higher-grade ICI-ILD. Among four soluble immune mediators associated with ICI-ILD, a high level of IL-19 was significantly correlated with worse OS and PFS.

CONCLUSION

The identified soluble immune mediators, including CXCL9, MMP-1, IL-6, and IL-19, may be useful as biomarkers to associate with ICI-ILD development. Although we did not detect significant differences in PFS and OS between patients with and without ICI-ILD, PFS and OS were longer in those with lower-grade ICI-ILD than in patients with higher-grade ICI-ILD. Among biomarkers, IL-19 may be a causal and prognostic factor for ICI-ILD.

Biomarkers and the post-thrombotic syndrome: A systematic review of biomarkers associated with the occurrence of the post-thrombotic syndrome after lower extremity deep venous thrombosis

INTRODUCTION

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a frequent chronic complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Biomarkers are potentially valuable clinical tools for handling PTS. The purpose of this review was to examine which biomarkers are associated with the development of PTS in adults with lower extremity DVT.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of all English language prospective studies of biomarkers and PTS published in PubMed and EMBASE. Studies were included if diagnosing DVT by diagnostic imaging and assessing PTS by clinical scales, for example, the Villalta scale. Biomarkers of thrombophilia and pathological clot properties were not assessed. Data was reported qualitatively.

RESULTS

15 prospective studies were included. Studies varied widely in study design and methods of data analysis. Forty-six different biomarkers were examined, with seven being measured in two or more studies. The most frequently studied biomarkers were D-dimer, CRP, and IL-6. Associations between PTS and D-dimer were predominantly significant, while results on CRP and IL-6 were inconsistent. ICAM-1 was consistently associated with PTS in all studies and at all timepoints. IL-10 was significantly related to PTS development in the largest study and at all time points. Adiponectin, tPA, HRG and TAFI, MMP-1 and -8, and TIMP-1 and -2 were significantly associated with PTS in single studies.

CONCLUSION

(1) Further research on biomarkers and PTS is clearly warranted. (2) Significant differences in study designs made it difficult to draw reliable conclusions regarding individual biomarkers. We suggest the implementation of a standardized framework for the study of biomarkers and PTS, to make comparison of future studies more feasible. (3) D-dimer, ICAM-1, IL-10, MMP-1 and 8, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and adiponectin are clinical biomarkers of particular interest to include in future studies of PTS. Large scale systemic quantitative proteomic analyses of DVT patients could help identify novel biomarkers of interest in PTS-patients.

Using Proteome Microarray and Gene Expression Omnibus Database to Screen Tumour-Associated Antigens to Construct the Optimal Diagnostic Model of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

AIMS

Autoantibodies against tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) are promising biomarkers for early immunodiagnosis of cancers. This study was designed to screen and verify autoantibodies against TAAs in sera as diagnostic biomarkers for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The customised proteome microarray based on cancer driver genes and the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to identify potential TAAs. The expression levels of the corresponding autoantibodies in serum samples obtained from 243 ESCC patients and 243 healthy controls were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 486 serum samples were randomly divided into the training set and the validation set in the ratio of 2:1. Logistic regression analysis, recursive partition analysis and support vector machine were performed to establish different diagnostic models.

RESULTS

Five and nine candidate TAAs were screened out by proteome microarray and bioinformatics analysis, respectively. Among these 14 anti-TAAs autoantibodies, the expression level of nine (p53, PTEN, GNA11, SRSF2, CXCL8, MMP1, MSH6, LAMC2 and SLC2A1) anti-TAAs autoantibodies in the cancer patient group was higher than that in the healthy control group based on the results from ELISA. In the three constructed models, a logistic regression model including four anti-TAA autoantibodies (p53, SLC2A1, GNA11 and MMP1) was considered to be the optimal diagnosis model. The sensitivity and specificity of the model in the training set and the validation set were 70.4%, 72.8% and 67.9%, 67.9%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting early patients in the training set and the validation set were 0.84 and 0.85, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach to screen novel TAAs is feasible, and the model including four autoantibodies could pave the way for the diagnosis of ESCC.

Immune system and tumor microenvironment in early-stage breast cancer: different mechanisms for early recurrence after mastectomy and chemotherapy on ductal and lobular types

Background: The most common type of breast cancer is the ductal type (IDC), followed by lobular type (ILC). Surgery is the main therapy for early-stage breast cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy might be given to those at high risk of recurrence. Recurrence is still possible after mastectomy and chemotherapy and most often occurs in the first two years. We aimed to determine the mechanisms in early local recurrence in both types. Methods: We used an observational method with a cross-sectional study design. The samples were patients with early-stage IDC and ILC, who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and got adjuvant chemotherapy with taxan and anthracycline base, and experienced recurrence in the first two years after surgery. The materials in this study were paraffin blocks from surgical specimens; we examined vimentin, α-SMA and MMP1, PDGF and CD95 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Data analysis was done using OpenEpi 3.0.1 and EZR. We used pathway analysis with linear regression. Results: There were 25 samples with local recurrence and 25 samples without recurrence in the ductal type group. The lobular type group consisted of six subjects without recurrence and seven with recurrence. There were significant differences in the expression of vimentin (p=0.000 and 0.021, respectively), PDGF (p=0.000 and 0.002) and CD95 (p=0.000 and 0.045) in ductal and lobular cancer types, respectively. MMP1 (p=0.000) and α-SMA (p=0.000) only showed a significant difference in the ductal type. The pathway analysis showed that in the ductal type, the mechanism of recurrence was enabled by two factors: α-SMA and CD95. Meanwhile, for the lobular type, the recurrence mechanism was through the CD95 pathway. Conclusions: Local recurrence in early-stage IDC and ILC had different mechanisms.  These findings are expected to make cancer treatment in both types more focused and efficient.

Assessment of connective tissue metabolism in patients with head and neck malignancies treated with radiotherapy

<br><b>Introduction:</b> Despite the use of highly specialized irradiation techniques in the treatment of head and neck tumors, it is still impossible to selectively destroy cancer cells without damaging normal structures, including connective tissue cells.</br> <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to analyze the concentration of degradation markers such as collagen type I (carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen; ICTP) and elastin (elastin-derived peptides; EDPs) as well as selected metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9) in patients with head and neck malignancies undergoing radiotherapy.</br> <br><b>Material and methods:</b> The test group consisted of 56 men, who underwent radical or palliative radiotherapy. The concentrations of ICTP, EDPs, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 were determined in three blood samples collected from patients prior to radiotherapy, immediately after its completion and 3 months after the therapy.</br> <br><b>Results</b>: Both radical and palliative radiotherapy contribute to a significant increase in the concentration of EDPs. At the time of healing of post-irradiation lesions, the level of EDPs was reduced in both groups. The ICTP concentration was not affected by radiotherapy. No significant differences were observed in the concentration of MMP-1 and MMP-2 before and after radiotherapy. Radical radiotherapy caused a statistically significant late reduction in the concentration of MMP-9. The lowest concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 in the serum of patients qualified for palliative radiotherapy were recorded in a samples collected three months post-irradiation.</br> <br><b>Conclusions:</b> The degradation markers of key extracellular matrix structural proteins may be helpful tools in the objective assessment of radiation-induced injuries to the connective tissue.</br>.

Transcriptomic, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid and network pharmacology analyses shed light on the anticoccidial mechanism of green tea polyphenols against Eimeria tenella infection in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens

BACKGROUND

Eimeria tenella is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan that invades the chicken cecum and causes coccidiosis, which induces acute lesions and weight loss. Elucidating the anticoccidial mechanism of action of green tea polyphenols could aid the development of anticoccidial drugs and resolve the problem of drug resistance in E. tenella.

METHODS

We constructed a model of E. tenella infection in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens, an indigenous breed of Yunnan Province, China, to study the efficacy of green tea polyphenols against the infection. Alterations in gene expression and in the microbial flora in the cecum were analyzed by ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to verify the host gene expression data obtained by RNA sequencing. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to clarify the interactions between the component green tea polyphenols and the targeted proteins; potential anticoccidial herbs were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Treatment with the green tea polyphenols led to a reduction in the lesion score and weight loss of the chickens induced by E. tenella infection. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), MMP1, nitric oxide synthase 2 and ephrin type-A receptor 2 was significantly altered in the E. tenella infection plus green tea polyphenol-treated group and in the E. tenella infection group compared with the control group; these genes were also predicted targets of tea polyphenols. Furthermore, the tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate acted on most of the targets, and the molecular docking analysis showed that it has good affinity with interferon induced with helicase C domain 1 protein. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing showed that the green tea polyphenols had a regulatory effect on changes in the fecal microbiota induced by E. tenella infection. In total, 171 herbs were predicted to act on two or three targets in MMP7, MMP1, nitric oxide synthase 2 and ephrin type-A receptor 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Green tea polyphenols can directly or indirectly regulate host gene expression and alter the growth of microbiota. The results presented here shed light on the mechanism of action of green tea polyphenols against E. tenella infection in chickens, and have implications for the development of novel anticoccidial products.

The Ca2+ channel ORAI1 is a regulator of oral cancer growth and nociceptive pain

Oral cancer causes pain associated with cancer progression. We report here that the function of the Ca2+ channel ORAI1 is an important regulator of oral cancer pain. ORAI1 was highly expressed in tumor samples from patients with oral cancer, and ORAI1 activation caused sustained Ca2+ influx in human oral cancer cells. RNA-seq analysis showed that ORAI1 regulated many genes encoding oral cancer markers such as metalloproteases (MMPs) and pain modulators. Compared with control cells, oral cancer cells lacking ORAI1 formed smaller tumors that elicited decreased allodynia when inoculated into mouse paws. Exposure of trigeminal ganglia neurons to MMP1 evoked an increase in action potentials. These data demonstrate an important role of ORAI1 in oral cancer progression and pain, potentially by controlling MMP1 abundance.

Effect of chimeric antigen receptor T cells against protease-activated receptor 1 for treating pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of 6% following a diagnosis, and novel therapeutic modalities are needed. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is abundantly overexpressed by both tumor cells and multiple stroma cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby offering a suitable immunotherapy target.

METHODS

A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) strategy was applied to target PAR1 using a human anti-PAR1 scFv antibody fused to the transmembrane region with two co-stimulatory intracellular signaling domains of cluster of differentiation 28 (CD28) and CD137 (4-1BB), added to CD3ζ in tandem.

RESULTS

The engineered PAR1CAR-T cells eliminated PAR1 overexpression and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-mediated PAR1-upregulated cancer cells by approximately 80% in vitro. The adoptive transfer of PAR1CAR-T cells was persistently enhanced and induced the specific regression of established MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells by > 80% in xenograft models. Accordingly, proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines increased in CAR-T-cell-treated mouse sera, whereas Ki67 expression in tumors decreased. Furthermore, the targeted elimination of PAR1-expressing tumors reduced matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) levels, suggesting that the blocking of the PAR1/MMP1 pathway constitutes a new therapeutic option for PDAC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Third-generation PAR1CAR-T cells have antitumor activity in the TME, providing innovative CAR-T-cell immunotherapy against PDAC.

The level of ratio between matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) after prolotherapy intervention and the functional outcome in patient with frozen shoulder: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of prolotherapy on functional outcome changes, along with ratio of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)/tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) as an indicator of tissue repair in the glenohumeral joint in frozen shoulder patients.

DESIGN

Single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS

Participants with frozen shoulder.

METHODS

The prolotherapy group is the study group, and the normal saline (NS) group is the control group. Each group was given injections at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6. Level of biomarker levels was measured at week 6 and week 12 after there. Functional outcomes were measured at weeks 0, 6, and 12.

RESULTS

A significant difference in week 6 and week 12 was demonstrated in the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1 level between the prolotherapy group and the normal saline group (P value = .002). Both groups performed well regarding the Numerical Rating Scale score and functional outcome. Compared to the normal saline group, prolotherapy changed the mean range of motion in flexion and internal rotation.

CONCLUSION

Prolotherapy is considered to play a role in repairing cartilage based on biomarker assessment, particularly the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1-prolotherapy effectiveness in improving functional outcome and Numerical Rating Scale score.

Clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and biomolecular analysis of hyaluronic acid in early wound healing of human gingival tissues: A randomized, split-mouth trial

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronic acid (HA) exerts a fundamental role in tissue repair. In vitro and animal studies demonstrated its ability to enhance wound healing. Nevertheless, in vivo human studies evaluating mechanisms involved in oral soft tissue repair are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effect of HA on early wound healing of human gingival (G) tissues.

METHODS

In the present randomized, split-mouth, double-blind, clinical trial, G biopsies were obtained in eight patients 24 h post-surgery after HA application (HA group) and compared with those obtained from the same patients without HA application (no treatment; NT group). Clinical response was evaluated through the Early Wound Healing Score (EHS). Microvascular density (MVD), collagen content and cellular proliferation were evaluated through sirius red and Masson trichrome staining, and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry, respectively. To assess collagen turnover, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-β1 protein levels and LOX, MMP1, TIMP1, TGFB1 gene expression were analyzed by western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Twenty-four hours after surgery, the EHS was significantly higher in the HA group. MVD, collagen content, and cell proliferation were not affected. LOX mRNA, MMP-1 protein, and TIMP1 gene expression were significantly upregulated in the HA compared to the NT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The additional use of 0.8% HA gel does not modify new blood vessel growth in the early phase of gingival wound healing. Concerning the secondary outcomes, HA seems to enhance extracellular matrix remodeling and collagen maturation, which could drive early wound healing of G tissues to improve clinical parameters.

Guanxinning injection ameliorates cardiac remodeling in HF mouse and 3D heart spheroid models via p38/FOS/MMP1-mediated inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. Guanxinning injection (GXNI) is clinically used for the treatment of coronary heart disease, but its therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism for HF are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GXNI on HF, with a special focus on its role in myocardial remodeling.

METHODS

3D cardiac organoids and transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse models were established and utilized. Heart function and pathology were evaluated by echocardiography, hemodynamic examination, tail-cuff blood pressure and histopathology. Key targets and pathways regulated by GXNI in HF mouse heart were revealed via RNA-seq and network pharmacology analysis, and were verified by RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

GXNI significantly inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and cells death. It protected mitochondrial function in cardiac hypertrophic organoids and markedly improved cardiac function in HF mice. Analysis of GXNI-regulated genes in HF mouse hearts revealed that IL-17A signaling in fibroblasts and the corresponding p38/c-Fos/Mmp1 pathway prominently mediated cardiac. Altered expressions of c-Fos, p38 and Mmp1 by GXNI in heart tissues and in cardiac organoids were validated by RT-PCR, WB, IHC, and IF. H&E and Masson staining confirmed that GXNI substantially ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in HF mice and in 3D organoids.

CONCLUSION

GXNI inhibited cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy mainly via down-regulating p38/c-Fos/Mmp1 pathway, thereby ameliorating cardiac remodeling in HF mice. Findings in this study provide a new strategy for the clinical application of GXNI in the treatment of heart failure.

Comprehensive biomarker analysis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease with healthy individuals

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders that can be idiopathic [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)] or associated with other diseases and are characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis with poor prognosis. Several indicators are essential in diagnosing these individuals and differentiating between IPF and ILD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study involved 44 IPF patients, 22 ILD (non-IPF) patients, and 24 healthy people. We aimed to compare ILD (non-IPF) and IPF patient groups with each other and with healthy people in terms of interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-7, galectin (Gal)-3, IL-6, Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), pyruvate kinase (PK), complete blood count (CBC), ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) features. Furthermore, it was intended to assess the patient groups in terms of visual semi-quantitative score (VSQS) (IPF alone), respiratory function tests (RFT), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), also potential correlations between these tests and the previously indicated parameters.

RESULTS

MMP-1, MMP-7, Gal-3, IL-6, KL-6, forced vital capacity (FVC), % FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), % FEV1, TAS, TOS, and PK values significantly elevated in IPF and ILD. Weight, IL-1, MMP-1, MMP-7, Gal-3, IL-6, KL-6, % FVC, FEV1, % FEV1, eosinophil count, and % red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values differed between IPF and ILD. VSQS, 6MWT, and PK were substantially linked with MMP-1, MMP-7, Gal-3, IL-6, and KL-6 in IPF.

CONCLUSIONS

The factors investigated can be helpful in the diagnosis and distinction of IPF and ILD. In addition to focusing on the inflammatory environment in IPF and ILD patients, oxidant and antioxidant interactions must be studied.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Iridoid and Anthocyanin-Rich Extract Reduces Various Oxidation, Inflammation, and Adhesion Markers in a Cholesterol-Rich Diet Rabbit Model

Atherogenesis leads to the development of atherosclerosis, a progressive chronic disease characterized by subendothelial lipoprotein retention and endothelial impairment in the arterial wall. It develops mainly as a result of inflammation and also many other complex processes, which arise from, among others, oxidation and adhesion. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits are abundant in iridoids and anthocyanins-compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of two different doses (10 mg and 50 mg per kg of body weight, respectively) of iridoid and anthocyanin-rich resin-purified Cornelian cherry extract on the markers that are important in the progress of inflammation, cell proliferation and adhesion, immune system cell infiltration, and atherosclerotic lesion development in a cholesterol-rich diet rabbit model. We used biobank blood and liver samples that were collected during the previous original experiment. We assessed the mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-9, IL-6, NOX, and VCAM-1 in the aorta, and the serum levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, CRP, PON-1, MCP-1, and PCT. The application of the Cornelian cherry extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw resulted in a significant reduction in MMP-1, IL-6, and NOX mRNA expression in the aorta and a decrease in VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PON-1, and PCT serum levels. The administration of a 10 mg/kg bw dose caused a significant decrease in serum ICAM-1, PON-1, and MCP-1. The results indicate the potential usefulness of the Cornelian cherry extract in the prevention or treatment of atherogenesis-related cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis or metabolic syndrome.

Long-Term Neuromodulatory Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Plasmatic Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Levels and Visuospatial Abilities in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that is used against cognitive impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the rTMS therapeutic effects are still only partially investigated. Maladaptive plasticity, glial activation, and neuroinflammation, including metalloproteases (MMPs) activation, might represent new potential targets of the neurodegenerative process and progression from MCI to AD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of bilateral rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on plasmatic levels of MMP1, -2, -9, and -10; MMPs-related tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2; and cognitive performances in MCI patients. Patients received high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS (MCI-TMS, n = 9) or sham stimulation (MCI-C, n = 9) daily for four weeks, and they were monitored for six months after TMS. The plasmatic levels of MMPs and TIMPs and the cognitive and behavioral scores, based on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Apathy Evaluation Scale, were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 1 month (T1) and 6 months (T2) since rTMS. In the MCI-TMS group, at T2, plasmatic levels of MMP1, -9, and -10 were reduced and paralleled by increased plasmatic levels of TIMP1 and TIMP2 and improvement of visuospatial performances. In conclusion, our findings suggest that targeting DLPFC by rTMS might result in the long-term modulation of the MMPs/TIMPs system in MCI patients and the neurobiological mechanisms associated with MCI progression to dementia.

Ex Vivo Analysis of an Association of Mechanical Strength of Dilated Ascending Aorta with Tissue Matrix Metalloproteinases and Cytokines

We analyzed the associations of the mechanical strength of dilated ascending aorta wall (intraoperative samples from 30 patients with non-syndromic aneurysms) with tissue MMPs and the cytokine system. Some samples were stretched to break on an Instron 3343 testing machine and the tensile strength was calculated; others were homogenized and the concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, their inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Direct correlations between aortic tensile strength and concentrations of IL-10 (r=0.46), TNFα (r=0.60), and vessel diameter (r=0.67) and an inverse correlation with patient's age (r=-0.59) were revealed. Compensatory mechanisms supporting the strength of the ascending aortic aneurysm are possible. No associations of MMP-1, MMP-7, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 with tensile strength and aortic diameter were found.

Ginsenoside Rg1 as a promising adjuvant agent for enhancing the anti-cancer functions of granulocytes inhibited by noradrenaline

Introduction

In recent years, numerous studies have confirmed that chronic stress is closely related to the development of cancer. Our previous research showed that high levels of stress hormones secreted in the body during chronic stress could inhibit the cancer-killing activity of granulocytes, which could further promote the development of cancer. Therefore, reversing the immunosuppressive effect of stress hormones on granulocytes is an urgent problem in clinical cancer treatment. Here, we selected noradrenaline (NA) as a representative stress hormone.

Methods and results

After screening many traditional Chinese herbal medicine active ingredients, a promising compound, ginsenoside Rg1, attracted our attention. We verified the immunoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on granulocytes in vitro and ex vivo, and attempted to understand its potential immunoprotective mechanism. We confirmed the immunoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on granulocytes using cell and animal experiments. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and ex vivo experiments were performed to investigate the immunoprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the anti-cancer function of granulocytes inhibited by NA. Transcriptome sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR showed that NA elevated the mRNA expression of ARG2, MMP1, S100A4, and RAPSN in granulocytes, thereby reducing the anti-cancer function of granulocytes. In contrast, ginsenoside Rg1 downregulated the mRNA expression of ARG2, MMP1, S100A4, and RAPSN, and upregulated the mRNA expression of LAMC2, DSC2, KRT6A, and FOSB, thereby enhancing the anti-cancer function of granulocytes inhibited by NA. Transwell cell migration experiments were performed to verify that ginsenoside Rg1 significantly enhanced the migration capability of granulocytes inhibited by NA. Tumor-bearing model mice were used to verify the significant immunoprotective effects in vivo. Finally, CCK-8 and hematoxylin and eosin staining experiments indicated that ginsenoside Rg1 exhibited high biosafety in vitro and in vivo.

Discussion

In future clinical treatments, ginsenoside Rg1 may be used as an adjuvant agent for cancer treatment to alleviate chronic stress-induced adverse events in cancer patients.

Profiling of Multiple Matrix Metalloproteinases Activities in the Progression of Osteosarcoma by Peptide Microarray-Based Fluorescence Assay on Polymer Brush-Coated Zinc Oxide Nanorod Substrate

Peptide microarray provides the ability to miniaturize, parallelize, and automate high-throughput screening substrate specificities of enzymes, profiling of multiple enzyme activities, discovery of disease biomarkers, and development of drugs. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are demonstrated as important biomarkers of tumor invasion and metastasis. Herein, a peptide microarray-based fluorescence assay is proposed to profile multiple MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-13) activities in the culture medium of four human osteosarcoma (OS) cells and in the progression of OS by using the mouse-bearing xenograft OSs including U-2OS and Saos-2 human. This method has excellent selectivity and sensitivity, which enables to detect the activities of cellular secreted MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-13 with limit of detection downs to 10 pM, 30 pM, 113 pM, 13 pM, 93 pM, and 12 pM, respectively. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the activity pattern of MMPs is serum closely relevant to the disease progression and type of tumor.

Associations of urinary phthalate metabolites and inflammatory biomarkers among pregnant women in Puerto Rico

Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental exposures that may be implicated in inflammatory processes, as demonstrated by previous in vivo and in vitro studies. Few human studies have substantiated these observations. This study sought to examine whether maternal phthalate exposures impact inflammatory processes, as measured by circulating inflammatory biomarkers, in the PROTECT cohort in northern Puerto Rico. Inflammatory biomarkers included matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, and 9 (MMPs), C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM), and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM). Biomarkers were measured in maternal serum samples collected during pregnancy. 19 phthalate metabolites were assessed in urinary samples collected at three study visits across pregnancy. Phthalates with <50 % of measurements above the limit of detection were excluded from analysis. We utilized linear mixed effect models to estimate associations between interquartile range increases in phthalate metabolite concentrations and percent changes in inflammatory biomarkers. Our results revealed significant associations between mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) and higher MMP1 by 7.86 % (95 % CI: 0.49, 15.76) and between mono oxononyl phthalate (MONP) and higher MMP2 by 8.30 % (95 % CI: 2.22, 14.75). We observed negative or null associations between phthalate metabolites and MMP2, MMP9, ICAM, VCAM, and CRP. Many results were significantly modified by fetal sex, particularly those between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and MMP1 (p-interaction: MEHHP = 0.01, MEOHP = 0.04, MECPP = 0.01) and MMP2 (p-interaction: MEHHP = 0.03, MEOHP = 0.01, MECPP = 0.01), for which associations were positive among only women carrying female fetuses. MMPs have been previously associated with preeclampsia and hypertensive pregnancy disorders as mediators of artery remodeling. Hence, our findings suggest a potential role for phthalates in mediating the maternal inflammatory response, as well as significant sexual dimorphism in these relationships, which has implications for several adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Endogenous Ethanol-producing Bacteria Interference in Pathogen-host Crosstalk

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The host micronutrient milieu is a compilation of factors of both endogenous and exogenous origin. This milieu shapes the host's immune responses and can control the inflammatory response of the host when infected. Among vitamins, B12 plays a key role in the defense process because there is intense competition for it between pathogenic invaders and infected host cells. Alcoholic beverages and antibiotics can cause biological (in vivo) interferences that affect pathogenhost crosstalk. Ethanol is known to interfere with the absorption, distribution, and excretion of vitamin B12 in men and animals. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this backdrop are not fully understood. Here, we explored how Gram-positive ethanol-producing and Gram-negative vitamin B12- producing microbes of the infected milieu interact to influence biomarkers of host cell defense responses in absorbing, digesting, and defensive cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We investigated two different cell types of colon and liver origin, hepatic-like Huh7 cells and HT- 29/B6 colon cells. To assess the ability of secreted factors from bacteria to exert influence on co-cultured cell's secretion of host-defense markers in response to invading pathogens, cocultured human colonic HT-29/B6 and human hepatic Huh-7 (hereafter Huh7) cells were stimulated or not with Klebsiella pneumoniae 52145 for 24 h in the presence or absence of either Weissella confusa strain NRRL-B-14171 (as a Gram-positive producer of ethanol), Limosilactobacillus reuteri 20016 (as a Gram-positive producer of vitamin B12), or Pseudomonas nitroreducens 1650 (as a Gram-negative producer of vitamin B12). After stimulation, molecular functional biomarkers of host cell defense responses including total MMP-1, lysozyme activity, ALP, and IL-25 were measured.

RESULTS

While simultaneously reducing IL-25 secretion, Kp52145 alone significantly elicited MMP-1, lysozyme, and ALP secretion from co-cultured cells, as compared to no treatment. When compared with Kp 52145 stimulation alone, Pn1650 significantly potentiated MMP-1 and lysozyme secretions from Kp 52145-stimulated co-cultured cells by 29.7% and 67.4%, respectively. Simultaneously, a potentiated suppression (an overall decrease of 77.3%) in IL-25 secretion occurred 24 hours after Kn52145 plus Pn1650 administration. Compared to Kp52145-stimulation alone, treatment with W. confusa NRRL-B-14171 and Kp52145-stimulated co-cultured cells was associated with significant additive induction of MMP-1 and lysozyme secretions. However, compared to Kp52145-stimulation alone, W. confusa NRRL-B-14171 treatment significantly potentiated Kp52145-induced suppression of IL-25. Using the same condition as mentioned above and compared to Kp52145-stimulation alone, L. reuteri 20016 treatment altered the secretion pattern in response to Kp52145: L. reuteri 20016-treated cells displayed less aversive responses towards Kp52145, suggesting that L. reuteri 20016 modulation may act differently on Kp52145 - induced signaling.

CONCLUSION

Gram-negative and Gram-positive vitamin B12- producing bacteria differently affect the secretion of key immune biomarkers in co-cultured HT-29/B6 and Huh7 cells following exposure to Kp52145. Ethanol-producing bacteria additively potentiate pathogenicity and inflammatory responses upon infection. To confirm the biological consequences of these effects on human gut microbiota and health, further studies are warranted, incorporating ex vivo studies of human colon samples and host biomarkers such as cytohistological, molecular, or biochemical measurements.

Peptide Selection of MMP-1 for Electrochemical Sensing with Epitope-Imprinted Poly(TPARA-co-EDOT)s

Instead of molecularly imprinting a whole protein molecule, imprinting protein epitopes is gaining popularity due to cost and solubility issues. Belonging to the matrix metalloproteinase protein family, MMP-1 is an interstitial collagenase that degrades collagen and may be involved in cell migration, cell proliferation, the pro-inflammatory effect, and cancer progression. Hence, it can serve as a disease protein biomarker and thus be useful in early diagnosis. Herein, epitopes of MMP-1 were identified by screening its crystal structure. To identify possible epitopes for imprinting, MMP-1 was cleaved in silico with trypsin, pepsin at pH = 1.3, and pepsin at pH > 2.0 using Peptide Cutter, generating peptide fragments containing 8 to 12 amino acids. Five criteria were applied to select the peptides most suitable as potential epitopes for MMP-1. The triphenylamine rhodanine-3-acetic acid (TPARA) functional monomer was synthesized to form a stable pre-polymerization complex with a selected template epitope. The complexed functional monomer was then copolymerized with 3,4-ethoxylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using potentiodynamic electropolymerization onto indium−tin−oxide (ITO) electrodes. The composition of the molecularly imprinted poly(TPARA-co-EDOT) (MIP) was optimized by maximizing the film’s electrical conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine MMP-1 concentration in the presence of the Fe(CN)63−/Fe(CN)64− redox probe actuating the “gate effect.” A calibration curve was constructed and used to determine the usable concentration range and the limit of detection as ca. 0.001 to 10.0 pg/mL and 0.2 fg/mL MMP-1, respectively. Finally, the MMP-1 concentration in the A549 human lung (carcinoma) culture medium was measured, and this determination accuracy was confirmed using an ELISA assay.

Structural Prediction and Characterization of Canavalia grandiflora (ConGF) Lectin Complexed with MMP1: Unveiling the Antiglioma Potential of Legume Lectins

A glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis because of its invasiveness and high resistance to current therapies. In GBMs, abnormal glycosylation patterns are associated with malignancy, which allows for the use of lectins as tools for recognition and therapy. More specifically, lectins can interact with glycan structures found on the malignant cell surface. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the antiglioma potential of ConGF, a lectin purified from Canavalia grandiflora seeds, against C6 cells. The treatment of C6 cells with ConGF impaired the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, reduced cell viability, and induced morphological changes. ConGF also induced massive autophagy, as evaluated by acridine orange (AO) staining and LC3AB-II expression, but without prominent propidium iodide (PI) labeling. The mechanism of action appears to involve the carbohydrate-binding capacity of ConGF, and in silico studies suggested that the lectin can interact with the glycan structures of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), a prominent protein found in malignant cells, likely explaining the observed effects.

KLK12 Regulates MMP-1 and MMP-9 via Bradykinin Receptors: Biomarkers for Differentiating Latent and Active Bovine Tuberculosis

It has been established that kallikrein12 (KLK12) expression is closely related to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) development. Herein, we sought to clarify the regulatory mechanism of KLK12 and its application in tuberculosis diagnosis. KLK12 knockdown macrophages were produced by siRNA transfection. Bradykinin receptors (BR, including B1R and B2R) were blocked with specific inhibitors. Mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) was extracted from Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) and used to study the mechanism of KLK12 activation. In addition, we constructed different mouse models representing the latent and active stages of M. bovis infection. Mouse models and clinical serum samples were used to assess the diagnostic value of biomarkers. Through the above methods, we confirmed that KLK12 regulates MMP-1 and MMP-9 via BR. KLK12 upregulation is mediated by the M. bovis-specific antigen ManLAM. KLK12, MMP-1, and MMP-9 harbor significant value as serological markers for differentiating between latent and active bTB, especially KLK12. In conclusion, we identified a novel signaling pathway, KLK12/BR/ERK/MMPs, in M. bovis-infected macrophages, which is activated by ManLAM. From this signaling pathway, KLK12 can be used as a serological marker to differentiate between latent and active bTB. Importantly, KLK12 also has enormous potential for the clinical diagnosis of human tuberculosis (TB).