BIOLOGICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
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2025
·Vol. 48
·期 5
·555-562
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IF 1.7
Junli Han,Lianghe Wang,Li Wang,Hua Lei
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disorder that lacks a validated and effective therapy. Thus, further investigation of the pathogenesis of PAH will help explore novel treatments. The increase in T helper 17 (Th17) cell-mediated pro-inflammatory response and reduction of regulatory T (Treg) cell-mediated anti-inflammatory effect exacerbates PAH progression. Increasing evidence indicates that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is closely related to Th17 and Treg polarization. Here, a decrease of 5-HT was found in hypoxia-induced CD4 + T cells. Hypoxia also resulted in a reduction in Treg cells and an increase in Th17 cells, but the addition of 5-HT rescued Th17/Treg balance, confirming that hypoxia destroyed Th17/Treg balance by inducing a 5-HT decrease. Furthermore, we found that 5-HT-restored Th17/Treg balance mitigated primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation, migration, and contraction, which are important factors in vascular remodeling in PAH. In summary, our findings demonstrate that hypoxia-induced 5-HT decline interferes with the balance of Th17/Treg, which affects the biofunction of PASMCs, thus accelerating PAH development. 5-HT-mediated Th17/Treg balance is expected to act as a novel immunotherapy for PAH treatment.
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FASEB JOURNAL
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2020
·Vol. 34
·期 10
·14006-14023
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IF 4.966
Chang-Sheng Zhan,Jia Chen,Jing Chen,Li-Gang Zhang,Yi Liu,He-Xi Du,Hui Wang,Mei-Juan Zheng,Zi-Qiang Yu,Xian-Guo Chen,Li Zhang,Chao-Zhao Liang
Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complicated syndrome characterized by genitourinary pain in the absence of bacterial infection. Th17 cell-driven autoimmunity has been proposed as a cause of CP/CPPS. However, the factors that promote Th17-driven autoimmunity in experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) and the molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we showed that Th17 cells were excessively activated, and blockade of IL-17A could effectively ameliorate various symptoms in EAP. Furthermore, we revealed that calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅳ (CaMK4), especially Thr 196 p-CaMK4 was increased in the Th17 cells of the EAP group, which were activated by intracellular cytosolic Ca 2+ . Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of CaMK4 decreased the proportion of Th17 cells, and the protein and mRNA level of IL-17A, IL-22, and RORγt. The phosphorylation of CaMK4 was dependent on the increase in intracellular cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration in Th17 cells. A mechanistic study demonstrated that inhibition of CaMK4 reduced IL-17A production by decreasing the phosphorylation of Akt-mTOR, which was well accepted to positively regulate Th17 differentiation. Collectively, our results demonstrated that Ca 2+ -CaMK4-Akt/mTOR-IL-17A axis inhibition may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.
研究领域:
免疫学
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分子生物学
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泌尿科
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BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2023
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IF 7.3
Fangzhou Lou,Zhenyao Xu,Jing Bai,Xing’e Zhao,Linlin Cui,Qun Li,Honglin Wang
Background and Purpose Psoriasis vulgaris is a refractory skin inflammatory disorder with 80% of the cases belonging to the mild-to-moderate type, which can be controlled by topical treatment. Nevertheless, the drugs for external use have not been upgraded for decades. We modified acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (ABKA), a natural compound shown to treat psoriasis animal models, to achieve improved efficacy and solubility for external use. Experimental approach Eleven compounds were synthesized using AKBA as a lead compound, and their effects on T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation were screened. 3-O-cyclohexanecarbonyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (CKBA) potently inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and we investigated its efficacy on treating a mouse model of psoriasis along with its pharmacology and safety profile when topically or systemically delivered to several species. Key Results CKBA inhibited mouse and human Th17 cell differentiation with an IC 50 of 3.28 μM and 3.61 μM respectively and directly targeted acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). Safety evaluation and toxicity tests suggested that systemically delivered high-dose CKBA for 14 days had no dose-associated adverse effects on the central nervous, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems of cynomolgus monkeys. CKBA ointment permeated the skin and did not irritate or sensitize intact skin. CKBA ointment mediated dose-dependent suppression of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation with slow absorption and limited bioavailability (<10% in rats and <1% in minipigs). Conclusions and Implications CKBA is safe when topically or systemically delivered to animals. The positive effects of CKBA ointment in treating a mouse model of psoriasis indicate that this is a promising psoriasis drug candidate for further development.
研究领域:
药理学
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皮肤病学
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免疫学
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2024
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IF 4.8
Anhui Wang,Xue Yang,Jiachun Lin,Yali Wang,Jinni Yang,Yuting Zhang,Yuan Tian,Haijuan Dong,Zunjian Zhang,Rui Song
Ethnopharmacological relevance Si-Ni-San (SNS), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula derived from Treatise on Febrile Diseases , is considered effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases based upon thousands of years of clinical practice. However, the bioactive ingredients and underlying mechanisms are still unclear and need further investigation. Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the effect, explore the bioactive ingredients and the underlying mechanisms of SNS in ameliorating ulcerative colitis (UC) and associated liver injury in dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis models. Materials and methods The effect of SNS (1.5, 3, 6 g/kg) on 3% DSS-induced acute murine colitis was evaluated by disease activity index (DAI), colon length, inflammatory cytokines, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, tight junction proteins expression, ALT, AST, and oxidative stress indicators. HPLC-ESI-IT/TOF MS was used to analyze the chemical components of SNS and the main xenobiotics in the colon of UC mice after oral administration of SNS. Network pharmacological study was then conducted based on the main xenobiotics. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of SNS on Th17 cells differentiation and the amelioration of Th17/Treg cell imbalance. LC-MS/MS, Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blotting techniques were performed to investigate the oxysterol-Liver X receptor (LXRs) signaling activity in colon. Targeted bile acids metabolomics was conducted to reveal the change of the two major pathways of bile acid synthesis in the liver, and the expression of key metabolic enzymes of bile acids synthesis was characterized by RT-qPCR and western blotting techniques. Results SNS (1.5, 3, 6 g/kg) decreased the DAI scores, protected intestinal mucosa barrier, suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved hepatic and splenic enlargement and alleviated liver injury in a dose-dependent manner. A total of 22 components were identified in the colon of SNS (6 g/kg) treated colitis mice, and the top 10 components ranked by relative content were regarded as the potential effective chemical components of SNS, and used to conduct network pharmacology research. The efficacy of SNS was mediated by a reduction of Th17 cell differentiation, restoration of Th17/Treg cell homeostasis in the colon and spleen, and the experimental results were consistent with our hypothesis and the biological mechanism predicted by network pharmacology. Mechanistically, SNS regulated the concentration of 25-OHC and 27-OHC by up-regulated CH25H, CYP27A1 protein expression in colon, thus affected the expression and activity of LXR, ultimately impacted Th17 differentiation and Th17/Treg balance. It was also found that SNS repressed the increase of hepatic cholesterol and reversed the shift of BA synthesis to the acidic pathway in UC mice, which decreased the proportion of non-12-OH BAs in total bile acids (TBAs) and further ameliorated colitis and concomitant liver injury. Conclusions This study set the stage for considering SNS as a multi-organ benefited anti-colitis prescription based on the significant effect of ameliorating intestinal and liver damage, and revealed that derivatives of cholesterol, namely oxysterols and bile acids, were closely involved in the mechanism of SNS anti-colitis effect.
研究领域:
中药学
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药理学
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免疫学
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npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
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2026
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IF 11.4
Han Xuejie,Yu Hui,Gao Qianhui,Li Dongze,Zhang Linwei,Kang Qi,Sui Chaowen,Zhao Qian,Ji Xuanrui,Liu Hanwen,Wang Yuchen,Zhao Changming,Li Shuting,Sun Li,Zhang Yun,Li Yue
Metabolic diseases are rising with a trend toward earlier onset, yet effective preventive strategies remain limited. While cold exposure improves metabolic health in adults, its role during pregnancy in shaping offspring metabolic outcomes remains unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that maternal cold exposure in early pregnancy markedly improved offspring glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic lipid metabolism when challenged with a Western diet, and the benefits persisted into late adulthood. Transcriptomic and immunophenotyping analyses revealed that offspring with cold-exposed dams exhibited suppressed Th17 activity and IL-17 signaling. Cross-fostering and metabolomics identified elevated lithocholic acid (LCA) in maternal milk as a critical mediator of these effects. LCA supplementation recapitulates these benefits through gut microbiota-dependent conversion to 3-oxo-LCA. Furthermore, Clostridium scindens supplementation enhanced 3-oxo-LCA production, suppressed Th17 responses, and alleviated diet-induced hepatic steatosis. Clinically, analysis of the UK Biobank cohort showed that winter conception was associated with a lower risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in offspring. A similar association was observed in the CHARLS cohort in colder northern China. Together, these results identify a maternal cold–microbiota–bile acid–Th17 axis that programs offspring metabolic health and highlight microbial bile acid metabolism as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
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Molecular Medicine Reports
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2018
·Vol. 18
·期 1
·622-626
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IF 1.922
Qin Zhu,Peifen Zheng,Jianying Zhou,Xinyu Chen,Yuliang Feng,Weifeng Wang,Feng Zhou,Qiaona He
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory bowel disease of the colon. T cell responses have been associated with the pathology of UC. Andrographis paniculata (AP) extract has been previously reported as an effective treatment of UC. The present study aimed to explore the effects of andrographolide, the primary active component of AP, on the T cell responses of patients with UC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with UC and treated with various concentrations of andrographolide (0, 10, 20 and 30 µg/ml). Andrographolide decreased interferon γ, interleukin (IL)‑23 and IL‑17A, however it increased IL‑4 in a dose‑dependent manner, as indicated by ELISA assay. Andrographolide treatment resulted in a decreased percentage of T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells and an increased proportion of Th2 cells, as demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. T‑bet (a Th1‑specific transcription factor) and RAR‑related orphan receptor γt (key transcription factor of Th17 cells) expression was decreased, but GATA‑3 (Th2 lineage‑specific transcription factor) expression was increased following andrographolide treatment as indicated by western blot analysis. These results demonstrated the inhibitory effects on Th1/Th17 responses and the promoting effects on Th2 responses of andrographolide. Experiments on IL‑23‑treated PBMCs from healthy donors revealed similar effects of andrographolide on Th1/Th2/Th17 responses. In summary, these results suggest that andrographolide may be an effective candidate for the treatment of IL‑23‑mediated diseases.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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炎症性肠病
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Food & Function
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2024
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IF 5.1
Xing Zhang,xiao chen,Fan Yang,Huming Shao,Tianliang Bai,Xuanyi Meng,Yong Wu,Anshu Yang,Hongbing Chen,Xin Li
The exposure of food allergens elicits fast changes in the intestinal microenvironment, which guides the development of allergic reactions. Investigating the key information of these changes may help in better understanding food allergy. In this research, we explored the relationship between food allergy and extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a danger molecule that has been proven to regulate the onset of allergic asthma and dermatitis but has not been studied in food allergy, by building a unique animal model based on allergen-containing diet feeding. After 7-day consumption of an allergen-containing diet, the allergic mice showed severe enteritis with raised luminal ATP levels. The luminal dysregulated ATP deteriorated food-induced enteritis by boosting Th17 cell responses and promoting mucosal neutrophil accumulation. In vitro experiments indicated that the intervention of ATP promoted the differentiation of Th17 cells and the activation of neutrophils. In addition, the diet-induced allergy showed noticeable gut dysbiosis, characterized by decreased microbial diversity and increased diet-specific microbiota signatures. As the first, we show that the food-induced enteritis is associated with an elevated concentration of luminal ATP. The dysregulated extracellular ATP exacerbated the enteritis of mice to food challenge by manipulating intestinal Th17 cells and neutrophils.
研究领域:
免疫学
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医学
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微生物学
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Research
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2026
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IF 12.9
Zepeng Su,Yipeng Zeng,Qibo Li,Jinteng Li,Guan Zheng,Weihao Zhang,Zipeng Xiao,Zibin Chen,Yangfeng Lin,Ziqian Liu,Yanfeng Wu,Jiajie Lin,Wenhui Yu,Zhongyu Xie
Inflammatory arthritis, mainly including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a group of chronic progressive autoimmune diseases that destroy joints. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are extensively involved in the joint inflammation as well as bone and cartilage destruction of these diseases. Previously, proviral integration site for Moloney-murine leukemia virus 1 (Pim1) was reported to be involved in various autoimmune diseases by mediating the proinflammatory effects of T cells. However, the pathological effect and the therapeutic potential of Pim1 in inflammatory arthritis remain elusive. The present study demonstrated that Pim1 expression was elevated in CD4 + T cells locally and systemically in patients with RA or AS and in 2 mice models of inflammatory arthritis. Conditional knockdown of Pim1 in CD4 + T cells (Pim1 cKO) or using the Pim1 inhibitor AZD1208 alleviated the development of inflammatory arthritis in association with decreasing the proportion of Th17 cells. In vitro experiments involving inhibition and overexpression confirmed the promoting effect of Pim1 on Th17 cell differentiation. Mechanistically, Pim1 phosphorylated mitochondrial calcium uptake protein 1 to increase mitochondrial calcium influx, which subsequently activated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and promoted Th17 cell differentiation. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, nilotinib, a Food-and-Drug-Administration-approved drug, was identified as a selective substitute for the currently clinically nonapproved Pim1 inhibitors, which impeded Th17 cell differentiation and was well tolerated during the treatment of Pim1 cKO mice and 2 inflammatory arthritis mouse models. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism through which Pim1 promotes Th17 cell differentiation and advances the clinical application of Pim1 as an effective target for treating inflammatory arthritis.
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EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 5.7
Mengting Li,Danyang Chen,Yu Shao,Zimeng Wang,Yanan Peng,Qiu Zhao,Lan Liu
Sinomenine (SIN), a bioactive alkaloid with anti-inflammatory activity, has shown therapeutic potential in ulcerative colitis (UC), but its precise molecular targets remain unclear. This study investigated the key targets and mechanisms underlying SIN-mediated protection in UC. In a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, SIN dose-dependently alleviated colitis symptoms, restored colon length, improved histopathology injury, and enhanced intestinal barrier integrity by increasing ZO-1 and claudin-1 expression. Integrated bioinformatics analyses, including differential expression analysis, WGCNA, network pharmacology, and machine-learning algorithms, identified farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a core therapeutic target of SIN. Molecular docking predicted stable SIN-FXR binding, and cellular thermal shift assay further supported engagement of SIN with FXR. FXR expression was reduced in UC tissues and DSS-induced colitis mice but was restored after SIN treatment. Functional enrichment and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses linked FXR to lipid metabolism, immune regulation, and the Th17/Treg balance. Mechanistically, SIN suppressed arachidonic acid metabolism, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased anti-inflammatory cytokines, decreased Th17 cells, and promoted Treg accumulation. Co-administration of SIN with the FXR agonist fexaramine further potentiated its protective effects, whereas the FXR antagonist glycine-β-muricholic acid markedly reversed SIN-mediated improvements in intestinal inflammation, barrier integrity, arachidonic acid metabolism, and Th17/Treg homeostasis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SIN ameliorates experimental colitis, at least in part, by targeting FXR to modulate lipid metabolism and restoring Th17/Treg balance. This study provides a mechanistic basis for the therapeutic application of SIN, either alone or in combination with FXR agonists, in UC treatment.
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ENT-EAR NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL
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2021
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IF 1.697
Ming Yang,Xiaoyan Zhu,Feida Fu,Qinghua Guo,Xiaopu Zhu,Yang Xu,Xiaotian Yan,Xinya He,Xu Wang
Objective:Rhinosinusitis is a global health problem affecting millions of people around the world. Baicalin is a bioactive compound isolated from medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The present study aims to investigate potential effects of baicalin on clinicopathological changes in nasal/sinus mucosa in a mouse model.Methods:A mouse model of sinonasal inflammation induced by high dose of ovalbumin was applied to evaluate effects of baicalin. Rhinosinusitis symptoms, histopathological features, levels of histamine, immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-17A, IL-10, and balance of regulatory T cell (Treg)/T-helper 17 (Th17) responses were examined.Results:Baicalin significantly relieved rhinosinusitis symptoms in mice, reduced histopathological changes, and suppressed serum levels of histamine and IgE in a dose-dependent manner. In lymphocytes of mice, baicalin modulated balance of Treg/Th17 proportions by attenuating Th17 cells and enhancing Treg cells, respectively. The serum IL-17A was decreased and IL-10 was increased in mice treated by baicalin. In addition, baicalin promoted levels of Smad protein 3 (p-Smad3) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) to promote Treg cells while suppressed levels of p-Stat3 and retineic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) to inhibit Th17 cells.Conclusions:These data demonstrate that baicalin effectively ameliorates sinonasal inflammation in a mouse model by recovering the immunological balance of Treg/Th17 responses. Our finding highlights the potential value of baicalin for the treatment of rhinosinusitis.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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病理学
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分子生物学
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PHYTOMEDICINE
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2025
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IF 8.3
Yali Yuan,Jiayan Hu,Xinyu Lu,Haixiao Han,Muyuan Wang,Wenji Zhang,Yao Jiao,Yitong Li,Zhengdao Lin,Chengtao Liang,Yitong Yu,Chune Xie,Junxiang Li,Tangyou Mao
Background Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an important clinical issue and a challenge in the field of global public health. However, there are very few clinically approved drugs that can effectively treat NASH. Rhein is a natural organic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the specific role and mechanism on NASH remain unexplored. Purpose This study investigated the role and associated mechanism of rhein in NASH mice. Methods The effects of rhein on lipid accumulation were evaluated in NASH mice through systemic signs of obesity, biochemical parameters, and histological changes. Network pharmacology was employed to determine the main bioactive compounds and key targets of rhein for the NASH treatment. Additionally, antibiotics treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were performed to investigate the role of microbiota in the treatment of NASH with rhein. Bacterial 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, LC-MS/MS analysis and flow cytometric were employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying rhein’s regulatory effects on gut microbiota, BA metabolism and immune balance. Finally, in vitro cell experiments were conducted to explore the effects of metabolites on Th17 cell differentiation. Results Our results showed that mice treated with rhein showed a significant alleviating effect from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver lipid accumulation and pathological changes compared to those in HFD group. The protective effects of rhein are gut microbiota dependent, as demonstrated by fecal microbiome transplantation and antibiotics treatment. Microbiota transferred from rhein-treated mice displayed a similar role in attenuating hepatic lipid deposition as rhein on NASH in mice, and depletion of the gut microbiota through antibiotics treatments diminished the protective effects of rhein on NASH mice. Moreover, the results from bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing suggested that rhein partially attenuated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis in NASH mice. Network pharmacology analyses was implemented and showed that Th17 cell differentiation might be the potential target in the treatment of rhein against NASH, which was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis showing markedly decrease of the percentage of Th17 cells, corresponded with upregulated Treg cells in rhein-treated NASH mice. Furthermore, targeted bile acid metabolomics analysis showed that supplement with rhein greatly increased the levels of primary bile acids β-MCA and AlloLCA, positively correlated with the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium_choerinum , which may play the key role by which rhein-altered gut microbiota promoted the restoration of Th17/Treg balance in NASH mice. Subsequent in vitro experiments confirmed that AlloLCA directly inhibits Th17 cell differentiation, with suppression of glycolysis potentially serving as the underlying mechanism for the immunomodulatory effects of AlloLCA. Conclusions Collectively, our results suggested that orally administrated rhein reduced hepatic lipid deposition through the modulation of dysregulated gut microbiota and bile acids metabolism, thus regulating Th17/Treg immune balance. This study uncovers a novel mechanistic axis in NASH pathogenesis and providing new research directions for microbiota-targeted clinical strategies.
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npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
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2026
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IF 11.4
Huang Yue,Hu Yu,Zhao Yifei,Li Yuerui,Liu Yunkun,Wang Miao,Wang Qian,Hu Huan
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and periodontitis, both microbial dysbiosis-driven chronic inflammatory disorders, coexist and mutually exacerbate, but the causal mechanisms remain unclear. Using ligature-induced periodontitis plus DSS-colitis mice, we found UC doubles alveolar bone loss, heightens systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and osteoclastogenesis. 16S rRNA and LC–MS metabolomics showed UC enriches oral pathogens, depletes gut Firmicutes, expands Bacteroides, and correlates with suppressed amino-acid/bile-acid biosynthesis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from DSS donors into antibiotic-pretreated periodontitis-prone mice replicated aggravated bone loss, systemic inflammation, gut-barrier leakage, and Th17/Treg imbalance, while healthy-donor FMT protected. GC–MS revealed 35–60% reductions in acetate, propionate, and butyrate; keystone taxa Parabacteroides and Muribaculum inversely correlated with SCFAs and host inflammatory genes. Collectively, UC-driven gut dysbiosis is a transmissible causal factor that simultaneously remodels oral and intestinal biofilms, erodes epithelial barriers, and amplifies osteoclastic bone resorption. SCFAs-producing microbes or supplementation may be potential therapeutics for UC-associated periodontitis patients. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.
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