CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
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2024
·
IF 3.1
Ye Bozhi,Cai Xueli,Liang Xiaohe,Chen Yunxuan,Dai Shanshan,Huang Zhuqi,Huang Weijian,Zhang Lei,Wang Zixuan,Xing Jincheng,Lai Xianhui,Huang Zhouqing,Jia Zhuyin
Purpose Inflammatory responses induced by NLRP3 inflammasome contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. This study seeks to investigate the effect of emodin on the NLRP3 inflammasome in atherogenesis and to probe the underlying mechanism. Methods ApoE-knockout (ApoE −/− ) mice were treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and intragastrically with emodin for 6 weeks. Human mononuclear cell line THP-1 was pretreated with emodin or signaling pathway inhibitors and induced into macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 48 h. The NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response was studied both in vivo and in vitro. The level of the inflammation was detected by western blot, real-time PCR analysis, and ELISA. Results Emodin attenuated atherosclerotic lesions in HFD-treated ApoE −/− mice. Emodin dramatically decreased the expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in HFD-treated ApoE −/− mice and PMA-induced macrophages. Moreover, emodin significantly hindered the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) by inhibiting the formation of the TLR4/MyD88 complex in PMA-induced macrophages. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that emodin can inhibit the development of atherosclerotic plaques by alleviating NLRP3/GSDMD-induced inflammation through repressing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in macrophages. This finding suggests that emodin can be a potential candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
研究领域:
免疫学
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心血管疾病
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
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2024
·
IF 7.7
Hend Mohamed Anwar,Gad Elsayed Mohamed Salem,Hanan M. Abd El-Latief,Amany Abd Elhameid Osman,Sahar K. Ghanem,Haroon Khan,Suchana Chavanich,Alshaymaa Darwish
The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to acute lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome as major causes of death, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments. Protease enzymes possess a wide range of beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and fibrinolytic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of bacterial protease and chymotrypsin in rats in mitigating acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide . Molecular docking was employed to investigate the inhibitory effect of bacterial protease and chymotrypsin on TLR-4, the receptor for lipopolysaccharide. Bacterial protease restored TLR-4, Nrf2 , p38 MAPK , NF-kB, and IKK-β levels to normal levels, while chymotrypsin normalized TLR-4, IKK-β, IL-6, and IL-17 levels. The expression of TGF-β, caspase-3, and VEGF in the bacterial protease- and chymotrypsin-treated groups was markedly reduced. Our results suggest that both therapies ameliorate LPS-induced acute lung injury and modulate the TLR4/Nrf2/NF-k signaling pathway. Each protease exhibited distinct mechanisms, with bacterial protease showing a better response to oxidative stress, edema, and fibrosis , whereas chymotrypsin provided a better response in the acute phase and innate immunity. These findings highlight the potential of each protease as a promising therapeutic option for acute lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome.
研究领域:
医学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Immunology
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2025
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IF 5.9
Huan Xu,Kaixuan Ma,Ziting Ma,Tianyu Zhuang,Ling Lin
Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fatal pathological subtype of interstitial lung disease, frequently manifests as a pulmonary complication of connective tissue disease. Iguratimod (IGU) is a new class of anti-rheumatic drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have reported that RA patients treated with IGU have better lung function, and IGU effectively ameliorates PF. However, the mechanism by which IGU improves PF is still unclear. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of IGU in PF through in vivo and in vitro investigations, so as to provide a new treatment method for PF.Methods: In our research, bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF of mice were used to observe the therapeutic effect of different concentrations of IGU. And the effects of IGU on macrophage polarization and activation pathway TLR4/NF-κB in lung tissue were analyzed. In addition, Raw264.7 macrophages were induced to M1 and M2 polarization in vitro, and the effects of IGU on Raw264.7 macrophage polarization and related pathways were observed.Results: In our study, database analysis suggested that macrophage polarization-relative genes and pathways as well as TLR4 activation played important roles in BLM-induced PF in mice. Besides, we found that IGU effectively ameliorated BLM-induced PF and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mice, and inhibited the polarization of M1/M2 macrophages at different stages of PF. Moreover, In vitro studies further demonstrated that IGU suppressed M1 polarization of Raw264.7 and its activation pathway TLR4/NF-κB.Discussion: In summary, IGU inhibits the activation of macrophages and M1 polarization through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby improving BLM-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice. It is suggested that IGU may be a new therapeutic option for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
研究领域:
免疫学
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呼吸病学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
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2024
·
IF 8
Meichen Liu,Meichen Gao,Xu Shi,Yilin Yin,Huanyi Liu,Ruirui Xie,Chenxi Huang,Wenwen Zhang,Shiwen Xu
With the increasing development of the society, silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) has been used in various fields, such as agriculture, food industry, etc., and its residues can pose a potential health threat to organisms. Quercetin (Que) is a potent free radical scavenger commonly found in plants. C57BL/6 mice were chosen to established a mouse model of SiO 2 exposure and Que antagonism to investigate the mechanism of action of Que in rescuing the toxic damage of SiO 2 on mouse cerebellum tissue. The results showed that cytoplasmic vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by SiO 2 were alleviated by the addition of Que, and reduced oxidative stress in mouse cerebellum, alleviated the activation of TLR4 pathway induced by SiO 2 , and substantially reduced the occurrence of ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis induced by SiO 2 exposure in mouse cerebellum. In NS20Y cells, the oxidative stress activator (Elesclomol) and inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and the NF-κB activator 2 (NA2) were added. Elesclomol and NAC confirm the involvement of ROS in regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, the TLR4/NF-κB pathway regulated ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis in cerebellum and NS20Y cells induced by SiO 2 exposure. In conclusion, the present experimental data suggest that Que mitigates the onset of ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis in neuronal cells induced by SiO 2 through the ROS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. The present experimental findings help to understand the detoxification effect of Que in more tissues and provide an important reference for the rescue of organisms in long-term SiO 2 environment.
研究领域:
神经生物学
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毒理学
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细胞信号传导
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DOI
高影响因子
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
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2024
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IF 2.5
Jinyun Long,Xiukuan Li,Chunyan Yao,Xiaoling Liu,Na Li,Yumeng Zhou,Dawei Li,Shengquan Su,Liangmei Wang,Hao Liu,Ying Xiang,Long Yi,Yao Tan,Peng Luo,Tongjian Cai
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important neurotoxin that can cause inflammatory activation of microglia. ZC3H12D is a novel immunomodulator, which plays a remarkable role in neurological pathologies. It has not been characterized whether ZC3H12D is involved in the regulation of microglial activation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ZC3H12D in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory microglial activation and its potential mechanism. To elucidate this, we established animal models of inflammatory injury by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). The results of the open-field test showed that LPS caused impaired motor function in mice. Meanwhile, LPS caused pro-inflammatory activation of microglia in the mice cerebral cortex and inhibited the expression of ZC3H12D. We also constructed in vitro inflammatory injury models by treating BV-2 microglia with LPS (0.5 μg/mL). The results showed that down-regulated ZC3H12D expression was associated with LPS-induced pro-inflammatory microglial activation, and further intervention of ZC3H12D expression could inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory activation of microglia. In addition, LPS activated the TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway, and this process can also be reversed by promoting ZC3H12D expression. At the same time, the addition of resveratrol, a nutrient previously proven to inhibit pro-inflammatory microglial activation, can also reverse this process by increasing the expression of ZC3H12D. Summarized, our data elucidated that ZC3H12D in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory activation of brain microglia via restraining the TLR4-NF-κB pathway. This study may provide a valuable clue for potential therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation-related injuries.
研究领域:
神经科学
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免疫学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
·
2020
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IF 4.133
Yan Wu,Yacheng Zhang,Jie Zhang,Tingting Zhai,Jingping Hu,Hairong Luo,Haiyan Zhou,Qinghai Zhang,Zhiguang Zhou,Feng Liu
Aims The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin ( Camp ) has multifunctional immunomodulatory activities. However, its roles in inflammation-related myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remain unclear. Methods and results In this study, adult male C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to MI/R injury by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 45 min followed by 3 or 24 h of reperfusion . An abundant cardiac expression of cathelicidin was observed during ischemia and reperfusion, which was mainly derived from heart-infiltrating neutrophils . Knockout of Camp in mice reduced MI/R-induced myocardial inflammation , infarct size, and circulating cTnI levels (an indicator of heart damage). CRAMP (the mature form of murine cathelicidin) administration of WT mice immediately before MI/R exerted detrimental effects on the reperfused heart. CRAMP exacerbates MI/R injury via a TLR4 and P2X 7 R/NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism, since I/R-induced myocardial infarction was reserved by inhibition of TLR4, P2X 7 R, or NLRP3 inflammasome in CRAMP-treated WT mice. Depletion of neutrophils before MI/R abrogated the amplification of infarct size in CRAMP-treated WT mice. Heart-infiltrating neutrophils were found to be one of major cellular sources of myocardial IL-1β (a “first line” pro-inflammatory cytokine) at the early stage of MI/R. At this stage, CRAMP administration just before MI/R induced pro-IL-1β protein expression in heart-infiltrating neutrophils, but not in non-neutrophils. In vitro experiments showed that LL-37 (the mature form of human cathelicidin) treatment promotes the processing and secretion of IL-1β from human neutrophils via stimulating TLR4 signaling and P2X 7 R/NLRP3 inflammasome. Conclusions Our findings reveal that, at the early stage of MI/R, neutrophil-derived cathelicidin plays an injurious role in the heart. Cathelicidin aggravates MI/R injury by over-activating TLR4 signaling and P2X 7 R/NLRP3 inflammasome in heart-infiltrating neutrophils, which leads to the excessive secretion of IL-1β and subsequent inflammatory injury .
研究领域:
心脏病学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2022
·Vol. 23
·期 22
·14024
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IF 6.208
Ping Zhou,Jia Lai,Yueyue Li,Junzhu Deng,Chunling Zhao,Qianqian Huang,Fei Yang,Shuo Yang,Yuesong Wu,Xiaoqin Tang,Feihong Huang,Long Wang,Xinwu Huang,Wenjun Zou,Jianming Wu
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex immune-mediated inflammatory disease. In recent years, the incidence of UC has increased rapidly, however, its exact etiology and mechanism are still unclear. Based on the definite anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities ofSanguisorba officinalisL., we studied its monomer, methyl gallate (MG). In this study, we employed flow cytometry and detected nitric oxide production, finding MG regulated macrophage polarization and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. MG also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity accompanying with ameliorating body weight loss, improving colon length and histological damage in dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC mice. Meanwhile, transcription sequencing and 16S rRNA sequencing analyzed the key signaling pathways and changes in the gut microbiota of MG for UC treatment, proving that MG could alleviate inflammation by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, MG altered the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota and changed the abundance of metabolic products. In conclusion, our results are the first to demonstrate that MG has obvious therapeutic effects against acute UC, which is related to macrophage polarization, improved intestinal flora dysbiosis and inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and MG may be a promising therapeutic agent for UC treatment.Keywords:ulcerative colitis;methyl gallate;gut microbiota;gut immunity;TLR4/NF-κB
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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微生物学
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胃肠病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Scientific Reports
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2025
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-16
·
IF 3.9
Chen Chunxia,Huang Huan,Zhang Haofeng,Huang Junli,Zhou Xing,Xie Xixiang,Liao Xiaoling,Zhou Yao,Cai Fangqi,Chen Guirong,Xie Yuping,Huang Luying
The TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway drives lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. However, no in vivo treatments targeting this pathway in lung cancer exist. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory compound, inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome but requires high doses due to its hydrophobicity and instability. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol by encapsulating it in liposomes to effectively target the TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in lung cancer. In this study, the efficacy of resveratrol liposome was tested in vitro through cell proliferation and migration assays and gene expression analysis. In vivo effects were evaluated in a lung cancer mouse model using histological and molecular techniques. Resveratrol liposome significantly inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis in orthotopic lung cancer models. Additionally, by suppressing TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes, resveratrol liposomes diminished levels of IL-1β and IL-18 both locally at tumor sites and systemically, thus modulating the tumor immune microenvironment by decreasing MDSCs and increasing CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. In conclusion, resveratrol liposome alleviates lung cancer progression by targeting the TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for lung cancer treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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肿瘤学
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免疫学
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纳米技术
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
HYPERTENSION
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2018
·
IF 6.823
Jibo Han,Shiju Ye,Chunpeng Zou,Taiwei Chen,Jingying Wang,Jieli Li,Liqin Jiang,Jianjiang Xu,Weijian Huang,Yi Wang,Guang Liang
Evidence indicates that Ang II (angiotensin II) activates STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) in cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanisms underlying STAT3 activation and downstream responses are not fully known. In this study, we show that Ang II caused biphasic STAT3 activation in cardiomyocytes. A rapid and early activation was mediated by direct association between TLR4 (toll-like receptor-4) and STAT3. This early activation increased IL-6 (interleukin-6) production, which in turn, induced the second STAT3 activation through the IL-6/gp130 (glycoprotein 130)/JAK2 (Janus-family tyrosine kinases 2) pathway, resulting in unregulated expression of genes for cardiac remodeling. Moreover, STAT3 inhibition or TLR4 knockout in mice protected against Ang II–induced hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac functional deficits. Thus, Ang II–induced STAT3 activation in cardiomyocytes was biphasic, providing a sequential induction of IL-6 and myocardial remodeling genes, respectively. This work supports a novel mechanism on STAT3 activation in Ang II–induced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling.
研究领域:
心脏病学
·
分子生物学
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免疫学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
·
2021
·
IF 2.319
Jianhua Wu,Lizhen Wu,Li Zhang,Huanhuan Xu,Min Wang,Lin Wang,Jie Chen,Kaiyue Sun
Inflammatory allergic reaction is the main cause of allergic rhinitis (AR). Previous studies indicated that miR-224-5p was downregulated in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, while the function of miR-224-5p in AR remains unclear. To explore this issue, AR mouse model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). For treatment group, lentivirus (LV)-miR-224-5p or its control was intranasally administrated to AR mice. miR-224-5p expression was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, followed by assessing the immunoglobulin E (IgE) level. Pathological alterations in nasal mucosa were detected using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and Sirius red staining, followed by assessing the levels of inflammatory cells and factors. The NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway were measured by Western blot, and then the relationship between miR-224-5p and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was verified. The results showed that miR-224-5p was significantly decreased in nasal mucosa of AR mice. AR mice exhibited increased sneezing and nasal rubbing events, IgE level in serum, and pathological alterations in nasal mucosa, while overexpression of miR-224-5p markedly attenuated these changes. The levels of inflammatory cells in nasal lavage fluid and pro-inflammatory factors in serum and nasal mucosa were significantly increased in AR mice, which were reduced by miR-224-5p overexpression. Of note, LV-miR-224-5p treatment remarkably suppressed the activations of NLRP3 inflammasome and the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in AR mice. Furthermore, miR-224-5p could bind to 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of TLR4 and negatively regulate TLR4 level. Overall, we conclude that miR-224-5p may relieve AR by negatively regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, indicating that miR-224-5p may be a promising target for AR treatment.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
分子生物学
·
过敏
·
药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRITION
·
2025
·
IF 1.7
Xiaoyan Ding,Jinxi Wang,Xiangning Huang,Juan Huang
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a life-threatening cardiovascular complication of diabetes, manifested as progressive cardiac dysfunction mediated through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Loganic acid (LA), a natural iridoid compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in various inflammatory disorders, but its role in DCM remains unexplored. Here, we systematically investigated LA’s cardioprotective potential and its mechanisms. Utilizing a high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model, LA (30 mg/kg, oral gavage) was administered for 8 weeks post-diabetes confirmation. Echocardiographic assay indicated that LA improved cardiac function. Histopathologic evaluation displayed that LA attenuated myocardial structural disorders, reduced collagen deposition, and suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, LA treatment normalized redox imbalance (decreased MDA and increased GSH) and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels. In vitro , a diabetic cell model was established with AC16 cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose (HG; 30 mM). The findings demonstrated that LA (25 or 50 μM) dose-dependently ameliorated HG-induced cardiomyocyte damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine release. Mechanistically, LA treatment suppressed HG-induced activation of TLR4 signaling and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Collectively, these findings highlight LA as a novel therapeutic candidate in DCM, targeting the TLR4/p38 MAPK axis to attenuate diabetes-induced cardiac damage.
研究领域:
心血管病学
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糖尿病学
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分子药理学
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氧化应激
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炎症生物学
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信号转导
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Natural Product Communications
·
2021
·
IF 0.986
Wenyu Xin,Ming Jing,Junjie Yang,Meiling Wang,Guige Hou,Qiaoyun Wang,Leiming Zhang,Chunhua Wang
Emerging evidence indicates that NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-induced inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Baicalein has been considered as a possible option for PD treatment based on its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. However, no studies have elucidated the precise mechanisms underlying the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of baicalein, particularly inflammasome-mediated effects. In this present study, rotenone-induced PD mice and BV2 microglia were used to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of baicalein and explore its underlying mechanism in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that baicalein alleviated motor impairments and attenuated several inflammatory responses in rotenone-induced PD mice. Also, baicalein inhibited the expression of NLRP3 and activated caspase-1 in brain tissues. Correspondingly, baicalein prominently suppressed the inflammatory response in BV2 microglia induced by rotenone. Furthermore, in vitro data showed that baicalein suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and activated caspase-1 by abrogating the upregulation of ROS, as well as by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that baicalein exerted anti-neuroinflammatory effects partly by inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and targeting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling offers a novel therapeutic strategy for PD treatment.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
·
炎症
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）