CD38-mediated Inhibition of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase in Macrophages Prevents Endotoxemic Lung Injury.

TLR4 signaling via endotoxemia in macrophages promotes macrophage transition to the inflammatory phenotype through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This transition event has the potential to trigger acute lung injury (ALI). However, relatively little is known about the regulation of NLRP3 and its role in the pathogenesis of ALI. Here we interrogated the signaling pathway activated by CD38, an ectoenzyme expressed in macrophages, in preventing ALI through suppressing NLRP3 activation. Wild-type and Cd38-knockout (Cd38-/-) mice were used to assess inflammatory lung injury, and isolated macrophages were used to delineate underlying TLR4 signaling pathway. We showed that CD38 suppressed TLR4 signaling in macrophages by inhibiting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) through the recruitment of Src homology-2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) and resulting in the dephosphorylation of activated Btk. Cd38-/- mice show enhanced lung polymorphonuclear leukocyte extravasation and severe lung injury. LPS- or polymicrobial sepsis-induced mortality in Cd38-/- mice were markedly augmented compared with wild types. CD38 in macrophages functioned by inhibiting Btk activation through activation of SHP2 and resulting dephosphorylation of Btk, and thereby preventing activation of downstream targets NF-κB and NLRP3. Cd38-/- macrophages displayed markedly increased activation of Btk, NF-κB, and NLRP3, whereas in vivo administration of the Btk inhibitor ibrutinib (a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug) prevented augmented TLR4-induced inflammatory lung injury seen in Cd38-/- mice. Our findings together show upregulation of CD38 activity and inhibition of Btk activation downstream of TLR4 activation as potential strategies to prevent endotoxemic ALI.

STAT6 induces expression of Gas6 in macrophages to clear apoptotic neutrophils and resolve inflammation.

Efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils (PMNs) by alveolar macrophages (AMФs) is vital for resolution of inflammation and tissue injury. Here, we investigated the role of AMФ polarization and expression of the efferocytic ligand Gas6 in restoring homeostasis. In the murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), we observed augmented temporal generation of cytokines IL-4 and TSG6 in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF). Interestingly, we also observed increased expression of antiinflammatory markers consistent with a phenotype shift in AMФs. In particular, AMФs expressed the efferocytic ligand Gas6. In vitro priming of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMФs) with IL-4 or TSG6 also induced MФ transition and expression of Gas6. TSG6- or IL-4-primed BMMФs induced efferocytosis of apoptotic PMNs compared with control BMMФs. Adoptive transfer of TSG6- or IL-4-primed BMMФs i.t. into LPS-challenged mice more rapidly and effectively cleared PMNs in lungs compared with control BMMФs. We demonstrated that expression of Gas6 during AMФ transition was due to activation of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6) downstream of IL-4 or TSG6 signaling. Adoptive transfer of Gas6-depleted BMMФs failed to clear PMNs in lungs following LPS challenge and mice showed severely defective resolution of lung injury. Thus, activation of STAT6-mediated Gas6 expression during macrophage phenotype transition resulting in efferocytosis of PMNs plays a crucial role in the resolution of inflammatory lung injury.

Neutrophil Activation of Endothelial Cell-Expressed TRPM2 Mediates Transendothelial Neutrophil Migration and Vascular Injury.

RATIONALE: TRPM2 (transient receptor potential melastatin-2) expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) is a cation channel mediating Ca2+ entry in response to intracellular generation of adenosine diphosphoribose-the TRPM2 ligand. OBJECTIVE: Because polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) interaction with ECs generates reactive oxygen species, we addressed the possible role of TRPM2 expressed in ECs in the mechanism of transendothelial migration of PMNs. METHODS AND RESULTS: We observed defective PMN transmigration in response to lipopolysaccharide challenge in adult mice in which the EC expressed TRPM2 is conditionally deleted (Trpm2iΔEC ). PMN interaction with ECs induced the entry of Ca2+ in ECs via the EC-expressed TRPM2. Prevention of generation of adenosine diphosphoribose in ECs significantly reduced Ca2+ entry in response to PMN activation of TRPM2 in ECs. PMNs isolated from gp91phox-/- mice significantly reduced Ca2+ entry in ECs via TRPM2 as compared with wild-type PMNs and failed to induce PMN transmigration. Overexpression of the adenosine diphosphoribose insensitive TRPM2 mutant channel (C1008→A) in ECs suppressed the Ca2+ entry response. Further, the forced expression of TRPM2 mutant channel (C1008→A) or silencing of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in ECs of mice prevented PMN transmigration. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, endotoxin-induced transmigration of PMNs was secondary to TRPM2-activated Ca2+ signaling and VE-cadherin phosphorylation resulting in the disassembly of adherens junctions and opening of the paracellular pathways. These results suggest blocking TRPM2 activation in ECs is a potentially important means of therapeutically modifying PMN-mediated vascular inflammation.

TNFα-stimulated gene-6 (TSG6) activates macrophage phenotype transition to prevent inflammatory lung injury.

TNFα-stimulated gene-6 (TSG6), a 30-kDa protein generated by activated macrophages, modulates inflammation; however, its mechanism of action and role in the activation of macrophages are not fully understood. Here we observed markedly augmented LPS-induced inflammatory lung injury and mortality in TSG6-/- mice compared with WT (TSG6+/+) mice. Treatment of mice with intratracheal instillation of TSG6 prevented LPS-induced lung injury and neutrophil sequestration, and increased survival in mice. We found that TSG6 inhibited the association of TLR4 with MyD88, thereby suppressing NF-κB activation. TSG6 also prevented the expression of proinflammatory proteins (iNOS, IL-6, TNFα, IL-1ß, and CXCL1) while increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (CD206, Chi3l3, IL-4, and IL-10) in macrophages. This shift was associated with suppressed activation of proinflammatory transcription factors STAT1 and STAT3. In addition, we observed that LPS itself up-regulated the expression of TSG6 in TSG6+/+ mice, suggesting an autocrine role for TSG6 in transitioning macrophages. Thus, TSG6 functions by converting macrophages from a proinflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype secondary to suppression of TLR4/NF-κB signaling and STAT1 and STAT3 activation.

Expression and Role of PAICS, a De Novo Purine Biosynthetic Gene in Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to investigate de novo purine biosynthetic gene PAICS expression and evaluate its role in prostate cancer progression. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing, qRTPCR and immunoblot analysis revealed an elevated expression of a de novo purine biosynthetic gene, Phosphoribosylaminoimidazole Carboxylase, Phosphoribosylaminoimidazole Succinocarboxamide Synthetase (PAICS) in a progressive manner in prostate cancer. Functional analyses were performed using prostate cancer cell lines- DU145, PC3, LnCaP, and VCaP. The oncogenic properties of PAICS were studied both by transient and stable knockdown strategies, in vivo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and murine xenograft models. Effect of BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 on the expression level of PAICS was also studied. RESULTS: Molecular staging of prostate cancer is important factor in effective diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. In this study, we identified a de novo purine biosynthetic gene; PAICS is overexpressed in PCa and its expression correlated with disease aggressiveness. Through several in vitro and in vivo functional studies, we show that PAICS is necessary for proliferation and invasion in prostate cancer cells. We identified JQ1, a BET bromodomain inhibitor previously implicated in regulating MYC expression and demonstrated role in prostate cancer, abrogates PAICS expression in several prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, we observe loss of MYC occupancy on PAICS promoter in presence of JQ1. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report that evaluation of PAICS in prostate cancer progression and its role in prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion and suggest it as a valid therapeutic target. We suggest JQ1, a BET-domain inhibitor, as possible therapeutic option in targeting PAICS in prostate cancer. Prostate 77:10-21, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genomic and Epigenomic Alterations in Cancer.

Multiple genetic and epigenetic events characterize tumor progression and define the identity of the tumors. Advances in high-throughput technologies, like gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics, have enabled detailed molecular characterization of various tumors. The integration and analyses of these high-throughput data have unraveled many novel molecular aberrations and network alterations in tumors. These molecular alterations include multiple cancer-driving mutations, gene fusions, amplification, deletion, and post-translational modifications, among others. Many of these genomic events are being used in cancer diagnosis, whereas others are therapeutically targeted with small-molecule inhibitors. Multiple genes/enzymes that play a role in DNA and histone modifications are also altered in various cancers, changing the epigenomic landscape during cancer initiation and progression. Apart from protein-coding genes, studies are uncovering the critical regulatory roles played by noncoding RNAs and noncoding regions of the genome during cancer progression. Many of these genomic and epigenetic events function in tandem to drive tumor development and metastasis. Concurrent advances in genome-modulating technologies, like gene silencing and genome editing, are providing ability to understand in detail the process of cancer initiation, progression, and signaling as well as opening up avenues for therapeutic targeting. In this review, we discuss some of the recent advances in cancer genomic and epigenomic research.

Critical Role of AMPK/FoxO3A Axis in Globular Adiponectin-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Cancer Cells.

Adiponectin predominantly secreted from adipose tissue has exhibited potent anti-proliferative properties in cancer cells via modulating cell cycle and apoptosis. FoxO3A, a Forkhead box O member of the transcription factor, plays a critical role in modulating expression of genes involved in cell death and/or survival. In this study, we investigated the role of FoxO3A signaling in anti-cancer activities of adiponectin. Herein, we have shown that treatment with globular adiponectin (gAcrp) increases p27 but decreases cyclinD1 expression in human hepatoma (HepG2) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells. Gene ablation of FoxO3A prevented gAcrp-induced increase in p27 and decreased in cyclin D1 expression, and further ameliorated cell cycle arrest by gAcrp, indicating a critical role of FoxO3A in gAcrp-induced cell cycle arrest of cancer cells. Moreover, treatment with gAcrp also induced caspase-3/7 activation and increased Fas ligand (FasL) expression in both HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. Transfection with FoxO3A siRNA inhibited gAcrp-induced caspase-3/7 activation and FasL expression, suggesting that FoxO3A signaling also plays an important role in gAcrp-induced apoptosis of cancer cells. We also found that gene silencing of AMPK prevented gAcrp-induced nuclear translocation of FoxO3A in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. In addition, suppression of AMPK also blocked gAcrp-induced cell cycle arrest and further attenuated gAcrp-induced caspase-3/7 activation, indicating that AMPK signaling plays a pivotal role in both gAcrp-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via acting as an upstream signaling of FoxO3A. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that AMPK/FoxO3A axis plays a cardinal role in anti-proliferative effect of adiponectin in cancer cells.

Modulation of Cell Death and Survival by Adipokines in the Liver.

Adipokines, hormones predominantly produced from adipose tissue, have been shown to impart dynamic functions in the liver. Emerging evidence has shown that adipokines are also involved in modulating liver cell survival and/or death. Among the various adipokines, adiponectin and leptin directly regulate proliferation of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells. Moreover, these adipokines control apoptosis and cell cycle of hepatic cancer cells in a complex manner. Adiponectin possesses both pro- and anti-proliferative properties, whereas leptin appears to play roles as a pro-survival hormone. Recent studies have revealed that regulation of cell death and proliferation is one of the critical factors regulating liver physiology by adipokines. In this review, we summarize the effects of adipokines on apoptosis and survival of liver cells and also demonstrate their implications in regulating various liver functions and decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Activation of autophagy by globular adiponectin attenuates ethanol-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells: involvement of AMPK/FoxO3A axis.

Hepatocellular apoptosis is an important pathological entity of alcoholic liver disease. Previously, we have shown that globular adiponectin (gAcrp) protects liver cells from ethanol-induced apoptosis by modulating an array of signaling pathways. In the present study, we investigated the role of autophagy induction by gAcrp in the suppression of ethanol-induced apoptosis and its potential mechanism(s) in liver cells. Here, we demonstrated that gAcrp significantly restores ethanol-induced suppression of autophagy-related genes, including Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain (LC3B) both in primary rat hepatocytes and human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Globular adiponectin also restored autophagosome formation suppressed by ethanol treatment in HepG2. Furthermore, inhibition of gAcrp-induced autophagic process by knock-down of LC3B prevented protection from ethanol-induced apoptosis. In particular, the autophagic process induced by gAcrp was involved in the suppression of ethanol-induced activation of caspase-8 and expression of Bax. Moreover, knock-down of AMPK by small interfering RNA (siRNA) blocked gAcrp-induced expression of genes related to autophagy, which in turn prevented protection from ethanol-induced apoptosis, suggesting that AMPK plays an important role in the induction of autophagy and protection of liver cells by gAcrp. Finally, we also showed that gAcrp treatment induces translocation of the forkhead box O member protein, FoxO3A, into the nucleus, which may play a role in the induction of autophagy-related genes. Taken together, our data demonstrated that gAcrp protects liver cells from ethanol-induced apoptosis via induction of autophagy. Further, the AMPK-FoxO3A axis plays a cardinal role in gAcrp-induced autophagy and subsequent inhibition of ethanol-induced apoptosis.

Ethanol increases matrix metalloproteinase-12 expression via NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS production in macrophages.

Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), an enzyme responsible for degradation of extracellular matrix, plays an important role in the progression of various diseases, including inflammation and fibrosis. Although most of those are pathogenic conditions induced by ethanol ingestion, the effect of ethanol on MMP-12 has not been explored. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ethanol on MMP-12 expression and its potential mechanisms in macrophages. Here, we demonstrated that ethanol treatment increased MMP-12 expression in primary murine peritoneal macrophages and RAW 264.7 macrophages at both mRNA and protein levels. Ethanol treatment also significantly increased the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH) oxidase and the expression of NADPH oxidase-2 (Nox2). Pretreatment with an anti-oxidant (N-acetyl cysteine) or a selective inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI)) prevented ethanol-induced MMP-12 expression. Furthermore, knockdown of Nox2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) prevented ethanol-induced ROS production and MMP-12 expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages, indicating a critical role for Nox2 in ethanol-induced intracellular ROS production and MMP-12 expression in macrophages. We also showed that ethanol-induced Nox2 expression was suppressed by transient transfection with dominant negative IκB-α plasmid or pretreatment with Bay 11-7082, a selective inhibitor of NF-κB, in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, ethanol-induced Nox2 expression was also attenuated by treatment with a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suggesting involvement of p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway in ethanol-induced Nox2 expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ethanol treatment elicited increase in MMP-12 expression via increase in ROS production derived from Nox2 in macrophages.

Possible high risk of transmission of the Nipah virus in South and South East Asia: a review.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic, single-stranded RNA virus from the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. NiV is a biosafety-level-4 pathogen that is mostly spread by Pteropus species, which serve as its natural reservoir host. NiV is one of the major public health challenges in South and South East Asia. However, few molecular studies have been conducted to characterise NiV in a specific region. The main objective of this review is to understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis, molecular surveillance, transmission dynamics, genetic diversity, reservoir host, clinical characteristics, and phylogenetics of NiV. South and South East Asian nations have experienced NiV outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that two primary clades of NiV are in circulation. In humans, NiV causes severe respiratory illness and/or deadly encephalitis. NiV is mainly diagnosed by ELISA along with PCR. Therefore, we recommend that the governments of the region support the One Health approach to reducing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission in their respective countries.

ARID1A-deficient bladder cancer is dependent on PI3K signaling and sensitive to EZH2 and PI3K inhibitors.

Metastatic urothelial carcinoma is generally incurable with current systemic therapies. Chromatin modifiers are frequently mutated in bladder cancer, with ARID1A-inactivating mutations present in about 20% of tumors. EZH2, a histone methyltransferase, acts as an oncogene that functionally opposes ARID1A. In addition, PI3K signaling is activated in more than 20% of bladder cancers. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo data, including patient-derived xenografts, we show that ARID1A-mutant tumors were more sensitive to EZH2 inhibition than ARID1A WT tumors. Mechanistic studies revealed that (a) ARID1A deficiency results in a dependency on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling via upregulation of a noncanonical PI3K regulatory subunit, PIK3R3, and downregulation of MAPK signaling and (b) EZH2 inhibitor sensitivity is due to upregulation of PIK3IP1, a protein inhibitor of PI3K signaling. We show that PIK3IP1 inhibited PI3K signaling by inducing proteasomal degradation of PIK3R3. Furthermore, ARID1A-deficient bladder cancer was sensitive to combination therapies with EZH2 and PI3K inhibitors in a synergistic manner. Thus, our studies suggest that bladder cancers with ARID1A mutations can be treated with inhibitors of EZH2 and/or PI3K and revealed mechanistic insights into the role of noncanonical PI3K constituents in bladder cancer biology.

In vivo cardioprotection by pitavastatin from ischemic-reperfusion injury through suppression of IKK/NF-κB and upregulation of pAkt-e-NOS.

Recent studies have uncovered the beneficial effects of statin in cardiovascular diseases; however, the role of pitavastatin in ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced apoptosis and myocardial damage is not established. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate whether pitavastatin treatment attenuates myocardial IR injury via regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAkt) endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) pathways. After the 14-day treatment with pitavastatin (0.16-0.64 mg·kg·d, po) or saline, rats were subjected to 45 minutes of ischemia by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery and to 60 minutes of reperfusion to induce myocardial damage. Pitavastatin at a dose of 0.32 and 0.64 mg/kg significantly improved cardiac function as evidenced by the normalization of the mean arterial pressure, heart rate, ±LVdP/dtmax, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure as compared with the IR control. Additionally, pitavastatin dose-dependently normalized myocardial antioxidants, lactate dehydrogenase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances along with decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α level and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB activity. Furthermore, pitavastatin enhanced pAkt, (p) e-NOS, Bcl-2, and suppressed IκB kinase/nuclear factor-kappa B, nitrotyrosine (NO inactivation product), Bax, and capases-3 protein expression in the heart. Morphological assessments of the IR-challenged myocardium showed that 0.32 and 0.64 mg/kg of pitavastatin decrease myocardial necrosis and inflammatory changes. Thus, pitavastatin reduced IR-induced infarction and dysfunction via the augmentation of endogenous antioxidant, suppression of IκB kinase/nuclear factor-kappa B, activation of pAkt-e-NOS, and/or decreased NO inactivation and apoptosis.

Upregulation of PPARγ by Aegle marmelos ameliorates insulin resistance and ß-cell dysfunction in high fat diet fed-streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats.

The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes demands the rapid evaluation of new and accessible interventions. This study investigated whether Aegle marmelos fruit aqueous extract (AMF; 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) improves insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and ß-cell dysfunction in high fat diet fed-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced diabetic rats by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-B), lipid profile, TNF-α and IL-6 were evaluated. Further, the TBARS level and SOD activity in pancreatic tissue and PPARγ protein expression in liver were assessed. In addition, histopathological and ultrastructural studies were performed to validate the effect of AMF on ß-cells. The HFD-STZ treated rats showed a significant increase in the serum levels of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IL-6, dyslipidemia with a concomitant decrease in HOMA-B and PPARγ expression. Treatment with AMF for 21 days in diabetic rats positively modulated the altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AMF prevented inflammatory changes and ß-cell damage along with a reduction in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum swelling. These findings suggest that the protective effect of AMF in type 2 diabetic rats is due to the preservation of ß-cell function and insulin-sensitivity through increased PPARγ expression.

Effect of Piper betle on cardiac function, marker enzymes, and oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective potential of Piper betle (P. betle) against isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups viz. control, ISP, P. betle (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg) and P. betle (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg) + ISP treated group. P. betle leaf extract (75, 150, or 300 mg/kg) or saline was orally administered for 30 days. ISP (85 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered at an interval of 24 h on the 28(th) and 29(th) day and on day 30 the functional and biochemical parameters were measured. ISP administration showed a significant decrease in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure (SAP, DAP, MAP), heart rate (HR), contractility (+LVdP/dt), and relaxation (-LVdP/dt) and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). ISP also caused significant decrease in myocardial antioxidants; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and myocyte injury marker enzymes; creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) along with enhanced lipid peroxidation; thiobarbituric acid reacting species (TBARS) in heart. Pre-treatment with P. betle favorably modulated hemodynamic (SAP, DAP, and MAP) and ventricular function parameters (-LVdP/dt and LVEDP). P. betle pre-treatment also restored SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx, reduced the leakage of CK-MB isoenzyme and LDH along with decreased lipid peroxidation in the heart. Taken together, the biochemical and functional parameters indicate that P. betle 150 and 300 mg/kg has a significant cardioprotective effect against ISP-induced myocardial infarction. Results of the present study suggest the cardioprotective potential of P. betle.

Bergenia pacumbis from Nepal, an astonishing enzymes inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: The Bergenia species are perennial herbs native to central Asia, and one of the most promising medicinal plants of the family Saxifragaceae which are popularly known as 'Pashanbheda'. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, and cholinesterases inhibition potential of Bergenia pacumbis of Nepali origin collected from the Karnali region of Nepal. METHODS: The sequential crude extracts were made in hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Antioxidant activities were analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. The α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition were analyzed by the 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA), p-Nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG), 4-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB), l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide (AAAPVN), acetylthiocholine, and butyrylcholine as a respective substrate. The major metabolites were identified by high performance liquid chromatography with electron spray ionization- quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) profiling. RESULTS: Our results revealed the great antioxidant ability of crude extract of B. pacumbis in ethyl acetate extract against both DPPH (IC50 = 30.14 ± 0.14 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 17.38 ± 1.12 µg/mL). However, the crude methanol extract of B. pacumbis showed the comparable enzymes inhibitions with standard drugs; α-amylase (IC50 = 14.03 ± 0.04 µg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.29 ± 0.00 µg/mL), lipase (IC50 = 67.26 ± 0.17 µg/mL), tyrosinase (IC50 = 58.25 ± 1.63 µg/mL), elastase (IC50 = 74.00 ± 3.03 µg/mL), acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 31.52 ± 0.58 µg/mL), and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50 = 11.69 ± 0.14 µg/mL). On the basis of HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling of metabolites, we identified major compounds such as Bergenin, Catechin, Arbutin, Gallic acid, Protocatechuic acid, Syringic acid, Hyperoside, Afzelechin, Methyl gallate, Paashaanolactone, Astilbin, Quercetin, Kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, Diosmetin, Phloretin, and Morin in methanol extract which has reported beneficial bioactivities. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a plethora of scientific evidence that the crude extracts of B. pacumbis from Nepalese origin in different extracting solvents have shown significant potential on inhibiting free radicals as well as enzymes involved in digestion, skin related problems, and neurological disorders compared with the commercially available drugs.

IL-1ß suppression of VE-cadherin transcription underlies sepsis-induced inflammatory lung injury.

Unchecked inflammation is a hallmark of inflammatory tissue injury in diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Yet the mechanisms of inflammatory lung injury remain largely unknown. Here we showed that bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture-induced (CLP-induced) polymicrobial sepsis decreased the expression of transcription factor cAMP response element binding (CREB) in lung endothelial cells. We demonstrated that endothelial CREB was crucial for VE-cadherin transcription and the formation of the normal restrictive endothelial adherens junctions. The inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß reduced cAMP generation and CREB-mediated transcription of VE-cadherin. Furthermore, endothelial cell-specific deletion of CREB induced lung vascular injury whereas ectopic expression of CREB in the endothelium prevented the injury. We also observed that rolipram, which inhibits type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase-mediated (PDE4-mediated) hydrolysis of cAMP, prevented endotoxemia-induced lung vascular injury since it preserved CREB-mediated VE-cadherin expression. These data demonstrate the fundamental role of the endothelial cAMP-CREB axis in promoting lung vascular integrity and suppressing inflammatory injury. Therefore, strategies aimed at enhancing endothelial CREB-mediated VE-cadherin transcription are potentially useful in preventing sepsis-induced lung vascular injury in ARDS.

Correction: Autophagy induction by leptin contributes to suppression of apoptosis in cancer cells and xenograft model: Involvement of p53/FoxO3A axis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3347.].