Decorin (DCN) Downregulation Activates Breast Stromal Fibroblasts and Promotes Their Pro-Carcinogenic Effects through the IL-6/STAT3/AUF1 Signaling.

Decorin (DCN), a member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan gene family, is secreted from stromal fibroblasts with non-cell-autonomous anti-breast-cancer effects. Therefore, in the present study, we sought to elucidate the function of decorin in breast stromal fibroblasts (BSFs). We first showed DCN downregulation in active cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) compared to their adjacent tumor counterpart fibroblasts at both the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, breast cancer cells and the recombinant IL-6 protein, both known to activate fibroblasts in vitro, downregulated DCN in BSFs. Moreover, specific DCN knockdown in breast fibroblasts modulated the expression/secretion of several CAF biomarkers and cancer-promoting proteins (α-SMA, FAP- α, SDF-1 and IL-6) and enhanced the invasion/proliferation abilities of these cells through activation of the STAT3/AUF1 signaling. Furthermore, DCN-deficient fibroblasts promoted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness processes in BC cells in a paracrine manner, which increased their resistance to cisplatin. These DCN-deficient fibroblasts also enhanced angiogenesis and orthotopic tumor growth in mice in a paracrine manner. On the other hand, ectopic expression of DCN in CAFs suppressed their active features and their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects. Together, the present findings indicate that endogenous DCN suppresses the pro-carcinogenic and pro-metastatic effects of breast stromal fibroblasts.

Auranofin Modulates Thioredoxin Reductase/Nrf2 Signaling in Peripheral Immune Cells and the CNS in a Mouse Model of Relapsing-Remitting EAE.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It causes the demyelination of neurons and the subsequent degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). The infiltration of leukocytes of both myeloid and lymphoid origins from the systemic circulation into the CNS triggers autoimmune reactions through the release of multiple mediators. These mediators include oxidants, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines which ultimately cause the characteristic plaques observed in MS. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammation by modulating the transcription of antioxidants and the suppression of inflammatory cytokines. The gold compound auranofin (AFN) is known to activate Nrf2 through the inhibition of TrxR; however, the effects of this compound have not been explored in a mouse model of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Therefore, this study explored the influence of AFN on clinical features, TrxR/Nrf2 signaling [heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1)] and oxidative/inflammatory mediators [IL-6, IL-17A, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine] in peripheral immune cells and the CNS of mice with the RR type of EAE. Our results showed an increase in TrxR activity and a decrease in Nrf2 signaling in SJL/J mice with RR-EAE. The treatment with AFN caused the amelioration of the clinical features of RR-EAE through the elevation of Nrf2 signaling and the subsequent upregulation of the levels of antioxidants as well as the downregulation of oxidative/pro-inflammatory mediators in peripheral immune cells and the CNS. These data suggest that AFN may be beneficial in the treatment of RRMS.

Radioprotective Effects of Carvacrol and/or Thymol against Gamma Irradiation-Induced Acute Nephropathy: In Silico and In Vivo Evidence of the Involvement of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide.

Radiotherapy (RT) is an effective curative cancer treatment. However, RT can seriously damage kidney tissues resulting in radiotherapy nephropathy (RN) where oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis are among the common pathomechanisms. Carvacrol and thymol are known for their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and radioprotective activities. Therefore, this study investigated the nephroprotective potentials of carvacrol and/or thymol against gamma (γ) irradiation-induced nephrotoxicity in rats along with the nephroprotection mechanisms, particularly the involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Methods: Male rats were injected with carvacrol and/or thymol (80 and 50 mg/kg BW in the vehicle, respectively) for five days and exposed to a single dose of irradiation (6 Gy). Then, nephrotoxicity indices, oxidative stress, inflammatory, apoptotic biomarkers, and the histopathological examination were assessed. Also, IGF-1 and CGRP renal expressions were measured. Results: Carvacrol and/or thymol protected kidneys against γ-irradiation-induced acute RN which might be attributed to their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities. Moreover, both reserved the γ -irradiation-induced downregulation of CGRP- TNF-α loop in acute RN that might be involved in the pathomechanisms of acute RN. Additionally, in Silico molecular docking simulation of carvacrol and thymol demonstrated promising fitting and binding with CGRP, IGF-1, TNF-α and NF-κB through the formation of hydrogen, hydrophobic and alkyl bonds with binding sites of target proteins which supports the reno-protective properties of carvacrol and thymol. Collectively, our findings open a new avenue for using carvacrol and/or thymol to improve the therapeutic index of γ-irradiation.

BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice differ in oxidant and antioxidant responses in innate and adaptive immune cells in an asthma model induced by cockroach allergens.

Asthma is a complex and heterogenous disease affected by a multitude of factors. Several phenotypes of asthma exist which are influenced by various molecular mechanisms that include presence of antioxidant and oxidant enzymes in different immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), alveolar macrophages (AMs), neutrophils, and T cells. Close interaction between epithelial cells and dendritic cells initiates complex pathogenesis of asthma followed by involvement of other innate and adaptive immune cells. In chronic phase of the disease, these immune cells support each other in amplification of airway inflammation where oxidant-antioxidant balance is known to be an important contributing factor. Genetic variability in antioxidant response may influence the development of airway inflammation, however it has not been studied in mice yet. The two most studied mice strains, i.e. BALB/c and C57BL/6 are reported to have dissimilar airway responses to the same allergens due to their genetic makeup. In this investigation, we explored whether these strains had any differences in pulmonary oxidant-antioxidant system (Nrf2, SOD2, iNOS, HO-1, nitrotyrosine) in different immune cells (DCs, AMs, neutrophils, T cells), airway inflammation (presence of eosinophils and/or neutrophils) and mucus production in response to repeated cockroach allergen extract (CE) mouse model of asthma. Our data show that C57BL/6 mice had better induction of antioxidant system than BALB/c mice. Consequently, iNOS/nitrotyrosine levels were much exaggerated in BALB/c than C57BL/6 mice. As a result, BALB/c mice developed mixed granulocytic airway inflammation, whereas C57BL/6 developed mostly eosinophilic airway inflammation. Our data suggest that an exaggerated oxidant generation along with a weak antioxidant induction in response to a natural allergen on a susceptible genetic background may determine development of severe asthma phenotype such as mixed granulocyte inflammation.

TLR4/Inflammasomes Cross-Talk and Pyroptosis Contribute to N-Acetyl Cysteine and Chlorogenic Acid Protection against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (Cp) is an antineoplastic agent with a dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. Cp-induced nephrotoxicity is characterized by the interplay of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Toll-4 receptors (TLR4) and NLPR3 inflammasome are pattern-recognition receptors responsible for activating inflammatory responses and are assigned to play a significant role with gasdermin (GSDMD) in acute kidney injuries. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) have documented nephroprotective effects by suppressing oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the contribution of the upregulation of TLR4/inflammasomes/gasdermin signaling to Cp-induced nephrotoxicity and their modulation by NAC or CGA. METHODS: A single injection of Cp (7 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to Wistar rats. Rats received either NAC (250 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or CGA (20 mg/kg, p.o.) one week before and after the Cp injection. RESULTS: Cp-induced acute nephrotoxicity was evident by the increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine and histopathological insults. Additionally, nephrotoxicity was associated with increased lipid peroxidation, reduced antioxidants, and elevated levels of inflammatory markers (NF-κB and TNF-α) in the kidney tissues. Moreover, Cp upregulated both TLR4/NLPR3/interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) and caspase-1/GSDMD-signaling pathways, accompanied by an increased Bax/BCL-2 ratio, indicating an inflammatory-mediated apoptosis. Both NAC and/or CGA significantly corrected these changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that inhibition of TLR4/NLPR3/IL-1ß/GSDMD might be a novel mechanism of the nephroprotective effects of NAC or CGA against Cp-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

High DNMT1 Expression in Stromal Fibroblasts Promotes Angiogenesis and Unfavorable Outcome in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a leading role in breast carcinogenesis through promoting angiogenesis and resistance to therapy. Consequently, these active stromal cells have significant influence on patient outcome. Therefore, we explored here the role of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein in CAF-dependent promotion of angiogenesis as well as the prognostic power of DNMT1 level in both cancer cells and their adjacent CAFs in locally advanced breast cancer patients. Methods: We applied immunohistochemistry to evaluate the level of DNMT1 in breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the role of DNMT1 in regulating the expression of pro-angiogenic genes in active CAFs and also their response to the DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine (DAC) as well as eugenol. Results: We have shown that DNMT1 controls the pro-angiogenic potential of CAFs both in vitro and in vivo through positive regulation of the expression/secretion of 2 important pro-angiogenic factors VEGF-A and IL-8 as well as their upstream effectors mTOR and HIF-1α. To confirm this, we have shown that these DNMT1-related pro-angiogenic effects were suppressed by 2 DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine and eugenol. Interestingly, in a cohort of 100 tumors from locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC), we have shown that high expression of DNMT1 in tumor cells and their adjacent stromal fibroblasts is correlated with poor survival of these patients. Conclusion: DNMT1 upregulation in breast stromal fibroblasts promotes angiogenesis via IL-8/VEGF-A upregulation, and correlates well with poor survival of LABC patients.

Formulation of Chitosan-Coated Brigatinib Nanospanlastics: Optimization, Characterization, Stability Assessment and In-Vitro Cytotoxicity Activity against H-1975 Cell Lines.

The purpose of the current study was to develop Brigatinib (BGT)-loaded nanospanlastics (BGT-loaded NSPs) (S1-S13) containing Span 60 with different edge activators (Tween 80 and Pluronic F127) and optimized based on the vesicle size, zeta potential (ZP), and percent entrapment efficiency (%EE) using Design-Expert® software. The optimum formula was recommended with desirability of 0.819 and composed of Span-60:Tween 80 at a ratio of 4:1 and 10 min as a sonication time (S13). It showed predicted EE% (81.58%), vesicle size (386.55 nm), and ZP (-29.51 mv). The optimized nanospanlastics (S13) was further coated with chitosan and further evaluated for Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), in vitro release, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), stability and in-vitro cytotoxicity studies against H-1975 lung cancer cell lines. The DSC and XRD revealed complete encapsulation of the drug. TEM imagery revealed spherical nanovesicles with a smooth surface. Also, the coated formula showed high stability for three months in two different conditions. Moreover, it resulted in improved and sustained drug release than free BGT suspension and exhibited Higuchi kinetic release mechanism. The cytotoxic activity of BGT-loaded SPs (S13) was enhanced three times in comparison to free the BGT drug against the H-1975 cell lines. Overall, these results confirmed that BGT-loaded SPs could be a promising nanocarrier to improve the anticancer efficacy of BGT.

Eugenol modulates genomic methylation and inactivates breast cancer-associated fibroblasts through E2F1-dependent downregulation of DNMT1/DNMT3A.

Active cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the tumor microenvironment, which promote carcinogenesis and modulate response to therapy. Therefore, targeting these cells or reducing their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects could be of great therapeutic value. To this end, we sought to investigate the effect of eugenol, a natural phenolic molecule, on active breast CAFs. We have shown that decitabine (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, DAC) and eugenol inhibit the expression of the DNA methyltransferase genes DNMT1 and DNMT3A at both the protein and mRNA levels in breast CAF cells. While the effect of eugenol was persistent, DAC had only a transient inhibitory effect on the mRNA level of both DNMT genes. Furthermore, eugenol and DAC suppressed the invasive/migratory and proliferative potential of CAF cells as well as their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects both in vitro and in humanized orthotopic tumor xenografts. Interestingly, these inhibitory effects of decitabine and eugenol were mediated through E2F1 downregulation. Indeed, ectopic expression of E2F1 upregulated both genes and attenuated the effects of eugenol. Additionally, we provide clear evidence that eugenol, like DAC, strongly modulates the methylation pattern in active CAF cells, through methylating several oncogenes and demethylating various important tumor suppressor genes, which affected their mRNA expression levels. Importantly, the E2F1 promoter was also hypermethylated and the gene downregulated in response to eugenol. Together, these findings show that the active features of breast CAF cells can be normalized through eugenol-dependent targeting of DNMT1/DNMT3A and the consequent modulation in gene methylation.

The potent immunomodulatory compound VGX-1027 regulates inflammatory mediators in CD4+ T cells, which are concomitant with the prevention of neuroimmune dysregulation in BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by symptoms that include social communication impairments, interaction deficits, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Recent studies have suggested that imbalanced cytokine levels are associated with impaired behavioral outcomes in individuals with ASD. VGX-1027 is a potent immunomodulatory compound that has shown promise for the treatment of several neuroinflammatory disorders. Here, we studied the effects of VGX-1027 on BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, an animal model of autism. BTBR mice exhibit most of the core behavioral features of ASD, such as reduced sociability and increased repetitive behaviors. In this study, we investigated the effects of VGX-1027 on self-grooming, marble burying and sociability tests using BTBR mice. We further examined its effect on IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NF-κB p65 production in splenic CD4+ cells and on IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, COX-2, and iNOS (NOS2) protein and mRNA expression in brain tissues. The administration of VGX-1027 was found to attenuate self-grooming and marble burying behaviors, and enhance social interactions in BTBR mice. Additionally, VGX-1027 treatment resulted in a substantial decrease in IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NF-κB p65 production, but increased IL-10 production in CD4+ T cells. Moreover, this agent was also found to significantly decrease IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, COX-2, and NOS2 levels and increase IL-10 expression at the protein and mRNA level in brain tissues. Based on results using BTBR mice, our data provide the first evidence that VGX-1027 could potentially be used for the amelioration of autism-like symptoms.

The DNA methyl-transferase protein DNMT1 enhances tumor-promoting properties of breast stromal fibroblasts.

The activation of breast stromal fibroblasts is a crucial step toward tumor growth and spread. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand the molecular basis of this activation and determine the molecules and the mechanisms responsible for its sustainability. In the present report we have shown that the DNA methyl-transferase protein DNMT1 is critical for the activation of breast stromal fibroblasts as well as the persistence of their active status. Indeed, we have first revealed DNMT1 up-regulation in most cancer-associated fibroblasts relative to their corresponding adjacent normal fibroblasts. This effect resulted from HuR-dependent stabilization of the DNMT1 mRNA. Furthermore, ectopic expression of DNMT1 activated primary normal breast fibroblasts and promoted their pro-carcinogenic effects, both in vitro and in orthotopic tumor xenografts. By contrast, specific DNMT1 knockdown normalized breast myofibroblasts and repressed their cancer-promoting properties. These effects were sustained through inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB epigenetic cancer/inflammation positive feedback loop. Furthermore, we have shown that DNMT1-related activation of breast fibroblasts is mediated through upregulation of the RNA binding protein AUF1, which is also part of the loop. The present data demonstrate the critical function of DNMT1 in breast cancer-related sustained activation of breast stromal fibroblasts.