Ultrasound Neuromodulation of an Anti-Inflammatory Pathway at the Spleen Improves Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is pathogenically implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension; however, it has not been adequately targeted therapeutically. We investigated whether neuromodulation of an anti-inflammatory neuroimmune pathway involving the splenic nerve using noninvasive, focused ultrasound stimulation of the spleen (sFUS) can improve experimental pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Pulmonary hypertension was induced in rats either by Sugen 5416 (20 mg/kg SQ) injection, followed by 21 (or 35) days of hypoxia (sugen/hypoxia model), or by monocrotaline (60 mg/kg IP) injection (monocrotaline model). Animals were randomized to receive either 12-minute-long sessions of sFUS daily or sham stimulation for 14 days. Catheterizations, echocardiography, indices of autonomic function, lung and heart histology and immunohistochemistry, spleen flow cytometry, and lung single-cell RNA sequencing were performed after treatment to assess the effects of sFUS. RESULTS: Splenic denervation right before induction of pulmonary hypertension results in a more severe disease phenotype. In both sugen/hypoxia and monocrotaline models, sFUS treatment reduces right ventricular systolic pressure by 25% to 30% compared with sham treatment, without affecting systemic pressure, and improves right ventricular function and autonomic indices. sFUS reduces wall thickness, apoptosis, and proliferation in small pulmonary arterioles, suppresses CD3+ and CD68+ cell infiltration in lungs and right ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy and lowers BNP (brain natriuretic peptide). Beneficial effects persist for weeks after sFUS discontinuation and are more robust with early and longer treatment. Splenic denervation abolishes sFUS therapeutic benefits. sFUS partially normalizes CD68+ and CD8+ T-cell counts in the spleen and downregulates several inflammatory genes and pathways in nonclassical and classical monocytes and macrophages in the lung. Differentially expressed genes in those cell types are significantly enriched for human pulmonary arterial hypertension-associated genes. CONCLUSIONS: sFUS causes dose-dependent, sustained improvement of hemodynamic, autonomic, laboratory, and pathological manifestations in 2 models of experimental pulmonary hypertension. Mechanistically, sFUS normalizes immune cell populations in the spleen and downregulates inflammatory genes and pathways in the lung, many of which are relevant in human disease.

Iguratimod, an allosteric inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), prevents mortality and oxidative stress in a murine model of acetaminophen overdose.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been implicated in multiple inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases, including liver injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP) overdose. Multiple small molecule inhibitors of MIF have been described, including the clinically available anti-rheumatic drug T-614 (iguratimod); however, this drug's mode of inhibition has not been fully investigated. METHODS: We conducted in vitro testing including kinetic analysis and protein crystallography to elucidate the interactions between MIF and T-614. We also performed in vivo experiments testing the efficacy of T-614 in a murine model of acetaminophen toxicity. We analyzed survival in lethal APAP overdose with and without T-614 and using two different dosing schedules of T-614. We also examined MIF and MIF inhibition effects on hepatic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a surrogate of oxidative stress in non-lethal APAP overdose. RESULTS: Kinetic analysis was consistent with a non-competitive type of inhibition and an inhibition constant (Ki) value of 16 µM. Crystallographic analysis revealed that T-614 binds outside of the tautomerase active site of the MIF trimer, with only the mesyl group of the molecule entering the active site pocket. T-614 improved survival in lethal APAP overdose when given prophylactically, but this protection was not observed when the drug was administered late (6 h after APAP). T-614 also decreased hepatic hydrogen peroxide concentrations during non-lethal APAP overdose in a MIF-dependent fashion. CONCLUSIONS: T-614 is an allosteric inhibitor of MIF that prevented death and decreased hepatic hydrogen peroxide concentrations when given prophylactically in a murine model of acetaminophen overdose. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic role of MIF in APAP toxicity.

HMGB1-mediated restriction of EPO signaling contributes to anemia of inflammation.

Anemia of inflammation, also known as anemia of chronic disease, is refractory to erythropoietin (EPO) treatment, but the mechanisms underlying the EPO refractory state are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule recently implicated in anemia development during sepsis, leads to reduced expansion and increased death of EPO-sensitive erythroid precursors in human models of erythropoiesis. HMGB1 significantly attenuates EPO-mediated phosphorylation of the Janus kinase 2/STAT5 and mTOR signaling pathways. Genetic ablation of receptor for advanced glycation end products, the only known HMGB1 receptor expressed by erythroid precursors, does not rescue the deleterious effects of HMGB1 on EPO signaling, either in human or murine precursors. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance studies highlight the ability of HMGB1 to interfere with the binding between EPO and the EPOR. Administration of a monoclonal anti-HMGB1 antibody after sepsis onset in mice partially restores EPO signaling in vivo. Thus, HMGB1-mediated restriction of EPO signaling contributes to the chronic phase of anemia of inflammation.

Exploring Lysophosphatidylcholine as a Biomarker in Ischemic Stroke: The Plasma-Brain Disjunction.

Lipids and their bioactive metabolites, notably lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), are increasingly important in ischemic stroke research. Reduced plasma LPC levels have been linked to stroke occurrence and poor outcomes, positioning LPC as a potential prognostic or diagnostic marker. Nonetheless, the connection between plasma LPC levels and stroke severity remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate this relationship by examining plasma LPC levels in conjunction with brain LPC levels to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and were randomly assigned to different groups (sham-operated, vehicle, LPC supplementation, or LPC inhibition). We measured multiple LPC species in the plasma and brain, alongside assessing sensorimotor dysfunction, cerebral perfusion, lesion volume, and markers of BBB damage, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Among five LPC species, plasma LPC(16:0) and LPC(18:1) showed strong correlations with sensorimotor dysfunction, lesion severity, and mechanistic biomarkers in the rat stroke model. Despite notable discrepancies between plasma and brain LPC levels, both were strongly linked to functional outcomes and mechanistic biomarkers, suggesting that LPC's prognostic value is retained extracranially. This study advances the understanding of LPC as a blood marker in ischemic stroke and highlights directions for future research to further elucidate its association with stroke severity, particularly through investigations in more clinically representative models.

Voltammetry in the spleen assesses real-time immunomodulatory norepinephrine release elicited by autonomic neurostimulation.

BACKGROUND: The noradrenergic innervation of the spleen is implicated in the autonomic control of inflammation and has been the target of neurostimulation therapies for inflammatory diseases. However, there is no real-time marker of its successful activation, which hinders the development of anti-inflammatory neurostimulation therapies and mechanistic studies in anti-inflammatory neural circuits. METHODS: In mice, we performed fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in the spleen during intravenous injections of norepinephrine (NE), and during stimulation of the vagus, splanchnic, or splenic nerves. We defined the stimulus-elicited charge generated at the oxidation potential for NE (~ 0.88 V) as the "NE voltammetry signal" and quantified the dependence of the signal on NE dose and intensity of neurostimulation. We correlated the NE voltammetry signal with the anti-inflammatory effect of splenic nerve stimulation (SpNS) in a model of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) induced endotoxemia, quantified as suppression of TNF release. RESULTS: The NE voltammetry signal is proportional to the estimated peak NE blood concentration, with 0.1 µg/mL detection threshold. In response to SpNS, the signal increases within seconds, returns to baseline minutes later, and is blocked by interventions that deplete NE or inhibit NE release. The signal is elicited by efferent, but not afferent, electrical or optogenetic vagus nerve stimulation, and by splanchnic nerve stimulation. The magnitude of the signal during SpNS is inversely correlated with subsequent TNF suppression in endotoxemia and explains 40% of the variance in TNF measurements. CONCLUSIONS: FSCV in the spleen provides a marker for real-time monitoring of anti-inflammatory activation of the splenic innervation during autonomic stimulation.

Transspinal Focused Ultrasound Suppresses Spinal Reflexes in Healthy Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Low-intensity, focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging noninvasive neuromodulation approach, with improved spatial and temporal resolution and penetration depth compared to other noninvasive electrical stimulation strategies. FUS has been used to modulate circuits in the brain and the peripheral nervous system, however, its potential to modulate spinal circuits is unclear. In this study, we assessed the effect of trans-spinal FUS (tsFUS) on spinal reflexes in healthy rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: tsFUS targeting different spinal segments was delivered for 1 minute, under anesthesia. Monosynaptic H-reflex of the sciatic nerve, polysynaptic flexor reflex of the sural nerve, and withdrawal reflex tested with a hot plate were measured before, during, and after tsFUS. RESULTS: tsFUS reversibly suppresses the H-reflex in a spinal segment-, acoustic pressure- and pulse-repetition frequency (PRF)-dependent manner. tsFUS with high PRF augments the degree of homosynaptic depression of the H-reflex observed with paired stimuli. It suppresses the windup of components of the flexor reflex associated with slower, C-afferent, but not faster, A- afferent fibers. Finally, it increases the latency of the withdrawal reflex. tsFUS does not elicit neuronal loss in the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that tsFUS reversibly suppresses spinal reflexes and suggests that tsFUS could be a safe and effective strategy for spinal cord neuromodulation in disorders associated with hyperreflexia, including spasticity after spinal cord injury and painful syndromes.

Galantamine attenuates autoinflammation in a mouse model of familial mediterranean fever.

BACKGROUND: Autoinflammatory diseases, a diverse group of inherited conditions characterized by excessive innate immune activation, have limited therapeutic options. Neuroimmune circuits of the inflammatory reflex control innate immune overactivation and can be stimulated to treat disease using the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galantamine. METHODS: We tested the efficacy of galantamine in a rodent model of the prototypical autoinflammatory disease familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Multiple chronic disease markers were evaluated in animals that received long-term galantamine treatment compared to vehicle. RESULTS: Long-term treatment with galantamine attenuated the associated splenomegaly and anemia which are characteristic features of this disease. Further, treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration into affected organs and a subcutaneous air pouch. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that galantamine attenuates chronic inflammation in this mouse model of FMF. Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of galantamine in FMF and other autoinflammatory diseases.

Rediscovering MIF: New Tricks for an Old Cytokine.

Produced by many cell types, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with critical and supporting roles in many disease states and conditions. Its disease associations, myriad functions, receptors, and downstream signaling have been the subject of considerable research, yet many questions remain. Moreover, the relevance of MIF's partially functionally redundant family member, D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT), also remains to be further characterized. Here, we discuss recent discoveries demonstrating direct roles of MIF in supporting NLR Family Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 (NRLP3) inflammasome activation, as well as acting as a molecular chaperone for intracellular proteins. These findings may offer new clues to understanding MIF's multiple functions, and assist the development of putative MIF-targeting therapeutics for a variety of pathologies.

Extracellular microRNA 130b-3p inhibits eCIRP-induced inflammation.

Although microRNAs regulate mRNA expression intracellularly, they are often released into the circulation in inflammatory diseases. During sepsis, secreted extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), inducing tissue damage by elevating inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Here, we report that the circulating microRNA 130b-3p inhibits eCIRP-mediated sterile and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced non-sterile inflammation. We find that levels of miR-130b-3p are increased in the serum of septic mice and patients and that it strongly interacts with recombinant murine (rm) CIRP in vitro and with eCIRP in the serum of septic mice in vivo. Combining a miR-130b-3p mimic with rmCIRP significantly decreases TNF-α release by macrophages compared to only rmCIRP-treated cells. This combined treatment also dose-dependently decreases the affinity of rmCIRP with its receptor TLR4/MD2. Finally, injection of a miR-130b-3p mimic significantly reduces rmCIRP- or CLP-induced systemic inflammation and acute lung injury in mice. These data show that extracellular miR-130b-3p functions as a novel endogenous inhibitor of eCIRP and point to an innovative therapeutic approach to treat inflammatory diseases.

Endogenous retroviruses are associated with hippocampus-based memory impairment.

Retrotransposons compose a staggering 40% of the mammalian genome. Among them, endogenous retroviruses (ERV) represent sequences that closely resemble the proviruses created from exogenous retroviral infection. ERVs make up 8 to 10% of human and mouse genomes and range from evolutionarily ancient sequences to recent acquisitions. Studies in Drosophila have provided a causal link between genomic retroviral elements and cognitive decline; however, in mammals, the role of ERVs in learning and memory remains unclear. Here we studied 2 independent murine models for ERV activation: muMT strain (lacking B cells and antibody production) and intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICVI-STZ). We conducted behavioral assessments (contextual fear memory and spatial learning), as well as gene and protein analysis (RNA sequencing, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot assays). Mice lacking mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and mice lacking stimulator of IFN genes protein (STING), 2 downstream sensors of ERV activation, provided confirmation of ERV impact. We found that muMT mice and ICVI-STZ mice induced hippocampal ERV activation, as shown by increased gene and protein expression of the Gag sequence of the transposable element intracisternal A-particle. ERV activation was accompanied by significant hippocampus-related memory impairment in both models. Notably, the deficiency of the MAVS pathway was protective against ICVI-STZ-induced cognitive pathology. Overall, our results demonstrate that ERV activation is associated with cognitive impairment in mice. Moreover, they provide a molecular target for strategies aimed at attenuating retroviral element sensing, via MAVS, to treat dementia and neuropsychiatric disorders.

A Nonlethal Murine Flame Burn Model Leads to a Transient Reduction in Host Defenses and Enhanced Susceptibility to Lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection.

Of the 486,000 burn injuries that required medical treatment in the United States in 2016, 40,000 people were hospitalized, with >3,000 fatalities. After burn injury, humans are at increased risk of sepsis and mortality from infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen. We hypothesize that systemic events were initiated from the burn that increased the host's susceptibility to P. aeruginosa. A nonlethal 10% total body surface area (TBSA), full-thickness flame burn was performed in CD-1 mice without and with subsequent P. aeruginosa (strain M2) infection. The 50% lethal dose for subcutaneous infection with P. aeruginosa M2 at the burn site immediately after the burn decreased by 6 log, with mortality occurring between 18 and 26 h, compared with P. aeruginosa-infected mice without burn injury. Bacteria in distal organs were detected by 18 h, concurrent with the onset of clinical symptoms. Serum proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-1ß, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were first detected at 12 h postburn with infection and continued to increase until death. Directly after burn alone, serum levels of HMGB1, a danger-associated molecular pattern and TLR4 agonist, transiently increased to 50 ng/ml before returning to 20 ng/ml. Burn with P. aeruginosa infection increased serum HMGB1 concentrations >10-fold (250 ng/ml) at the time of death. This HMGB1-rich serum stimulated TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation in a TLR4 reporter cell line. Treatment of infected burned mice with P5779, a peptide inhibitor of HMGB1, increased the mean survival from 23 to 42 h (P < 0.0001). We conclude that the high level of serum HMGB1, which preceded the increase in proinflammatory cytokines, is associated with postburn mortality.

Redox modifications of cysteine residues regulate the cytokine activity of HMGB1.

BACKGROUND: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein with extracellular inflammatory cytokine activity. It is passively released during cell death and secreted by activated cells of many lineages. HMGB1 contains three conserved redox-sensitive cysteine residues: cysteines in position 23 and 45 (C23 and C45) can form an intramolecular disulfide bond, whereas C106 is unpaired and is essential for the interaction with Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4. However, a comprehensive characterization of the dynamic redox states of each cysteine residue and of their impacts on innate immune responses is lacking. METHODS: Primary human macrophages or murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells were activated in cell cultures by redox-modified or point-mutated (C45A) recombinant HMGB1 preparations or by lipopolysaccharide (E. coli.0111: B4). Cellular phosphorylated NF-κB p65 subunit and subsequent TNF-α release were quantified by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Cell cultures with primary human macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells demonstrated that fully reduced HMGB1 with all three cysteines expressing thiol side chains failed to generate phosphorylated NF-КB p65 subunit or TNF-α. Mild oxidation forming a C23-C45 disulfide bond, while leaving C106 with a thiol group, was required for HMGB1 to induce phosphorylated NF-КB p65 subunit and TNF-α production. The importance of a C23-C45 disulfide bond was confirmed by mutation of C45 to C45A HMGB1, which abolished the ability for cytokine induction. Further oxidation of the disulfide isoform also inactivated HMGB1. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal critical post-translational redox mechanisms that control the proinflammatory activity of HMGB1 and its inactivation during inflammation.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pomalidomide derivatives useful for sickle cell disease treatment.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction constitutes a valuable and validated approach to treat the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, we synthesized pomalidomide-nitric oxide (NO) donor derivatives (3a-f) and evaluated their suitability as novel HbF inducers. All compounds demonstrated different capacities of releasing NO, ranging 0.3-30.3%. Compound 3d was the most effective HbF inducer for CD34+ cells, exhibiting an effect similar to that of hydroxyurea. We investigated the mode of action of compound 3d for HbF induction by studying the in vitro alterations in the levels of transcription factors (BCL11A, IKAROS, and LRF), inhibition of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC-1 and HDAC-2), and measurement of cGMP levels. Additionally, compound 3d exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory effect similar to that of pomalidomide by reducing the TNF-α levels in human mononuclear cells treated with lipopolysaccharides up to 58.6%. Chemical hydrolysis studies revealed that compound 3d was stable at pH 7.4 up to 24 h. These results suggest that compound 3d is a novel HbF inducer prototype with the potential to treat SCD symptoms.

Key role of MIF-related neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that promotes the production of other immune mediators. MIF is produced by most cell types in the brain including microglia, astrocytes and neurons. Enhanced expression of MIF might contribute to the persistent activation of glial, chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of MIF on inflammatory markers and spatial learning in a mouse model of sporadic AD and on tau pathology in AD patients. METHODS: We examined the effects of MIF deficiency and pharmacological MIF inhibition in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, quantitative PCR and ELISA were used to assess cytokine production of STZ-treated glial cells. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intracerebroventricular streptozotocin injection (3 mg/kg, ICV-STZ). Neuroinflammation and contextual learning performance were assessed using quantitative PCR and fear conditioning, respectively. Pharmacological MIF inhibition was achieved with intraperitoneal injections of ISO-1 (daily, IP, 20 mg/kg in 5% DMSO in 0.9% NaCl) for 4 weeks following ICV-STZ injection. The findings from ISO-1 treated mice were confirmed in MIF knockout C57BL/6. To assess the role of MIF in human AD, cerebrospinal fluid levels of MIF and hyperphosphorylated tau were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Administration ICV-STZ resulted in hippocampal dependent cognitive impairment. MIF inhibition with ISO-1 significantly improved the STZ-induced impairment in contextual memory performance, indicating MIF-related inflammation as a major contributor to ICV-STZ-induced memory deficits. Furthermore, inhibition of the MIF resulted in reduced cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. In human subjects with AD at early clinical stages, cerebrospinal fluid levels of MIF were increased in comparison with age-matched controls, and correlated with biomarkers of tau hyper-phosphorylation and neuronal injury hinting at MIF levels as a potential biomarker for early-stage AD. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates the key role of MIF in controlling the chronic cytokine release in neuroinflammation related to tau hyperphosphorylation, neurodegeneration, and clinical manifestations of AD, suggesting the potential of MIF inhibition as therapeutic strategy to slow down neurodegeneration and clinical disease progression.

SARS-CoV-2 and interferon blockade.

The response to viral infection generally includes an activation of the adaptive immune response to produce cytotoxic T cells and neutralizing antibodies. We propose that SARS-CoV-2 activates the innate immune system through the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-bradykinin pathways, blocks interferon production and reduces an effective adaptive immune response. This model has therapeutic implications.

Inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE-mediated endocytosis by HMGB1 antagonist box A, anti-HMGB1 antibodies, and cholinergic agonists suppresses inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular high mobility group box 1 protein  (HMGB1) serves a central role in inflammation as a transporter protein, which binds other immune-activating molecules that are endocytosed via the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). These pro-inflammatory complexes are targeted to the endolysosomal compartment, where HMGB1 permeabilizes the lysosomes. This enables HMGB1-partner molecules to avoid degradation, to leak into the cytosol, and to reach cognate immune-activating sensors. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) requires this pathway to generate pyroptosis by accessing its key cytosolic receptors, murine caspase 11, or the human caspases 4 and 5. This lytic, pro-inflammatory cell death plays a fundamental pathogenic role in gram-negative sepsis. The aim of the study was to identify molecules inhibiting HMGB1 or HMGB1/LPS cellular internalization. METHODS: Endocytosis was studied in cultured macrophages using Alexa Fluor-labeled HMGB1 or complexes of HMGB1 and Alexa Fluor-labeled LPS in the presence of an anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), recombinant HMGB1 box A protein, acetylcholine, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype alpha 7 (α7 nAChR) agonist GTS-21, or a dynamin-specific inhibitor of endocytosis. Images were obtained by fluorescence microscopy and quantified by the ImageJ processing program (NIH). Data were analyzed using student's t test or one-way ANOVA followed by the least significant difference or Tukey's tests. RESULTS: Anti-HMGB1 mAb, recombinant HMGB1 antagonist box A protein, acetylcholine, GTS-21, and the dynamin-specific inhibitor of endocytosis inhibited internalization of HMGB1 or HMGB1-LPS complexes in cultured macrophages. These agents prevented macrophage activation in response to HMGB1 and/or HMGB1-LPS complexes. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that therapies based on HMGB1 antagonists and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway share a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism of substantial clinical relevance.

Senescence as a main mechanism of Ritonavir and Ritonavir-NO action against melanoma.

The main focus of this study is exploring the effect and mechanism of two HIV-protease inhibitors: Ritonavir and Ritonavir-nitric oxide (Ritonavir-NO) on in vitro growth of melanoma cell lines. NO modification significantly improved the antitumor potential of Ritonavir, as the IC50 values of Ritonavir-NO were approximately two times lower than IC50 values of the parental compound. Our results showed for the first time, that both compounds induced senescence in primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines. This transformation was manifested as a change in cell morphology, enlargement of nuclei, increased cellular granulation, upregulation of ß-galactosidase activity, lipofuscin granules appearance, higher production of reactive oxygen species and persistent inhibition of proliferation. The expression of p53, as one of the key regulators of senescence, was upregulated after 48 hours of Ritonavir-NO treatment only in metastatic B16F10 cells, ranking it as a late-response event. The development of senescent phenotype was consistent with the alteration of the cytoskeleton-as we observed diminished expression of vinculin, α-actin, and ß-tubulin. Permanent inhibition of S6 protein by Ritonavir-NO, but not Ritonavir, could be responsible for a stronger antiproliferative potential of the NO-modified compound. Taken together, induction of senescent phenotype may provide an excellent platform for developing therapeutic approaches based on selective killing of senescent cells.

Lopinavir-NO, a nitric oxide-releasing HIV protease inhibitor, suppresses the growth of melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

We generated a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing derivative of the anti-HIV protease inhibitor lopinavir by linking the NO moiety to the parental drug. We investigated the effects of lopinavir and its derivative lopinavir-NO on melanoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Lopinavir-NO exhibited a twofold stronger anticancer action than lopinavir in vitro. These results were successfully translated into syngeneic models of melanoma in vivo, where a significant reduction in tumour volume was observed only in animals treated with lopinavir-NO. Both lopinavir and lopinavir-NO inhibited cell proliferation and induced the trans-differentiation of melanoma cells to Schwann-like cells. In melanoma cancer cell lines, both lopinavir and lopinavir-NO induced morphological changes, minor apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, caspase activation and autophagy were detected only in B16 cells, indicating a cell line-specific treatment response. Lopinavir-NO released NO intracellularly, and NO neutralization restored cell viability. Treatment with lopinavir-NO induced only a transient activation of Akt and inhibition of P70S6 kinase. The results of this study identify lopinavir-NO as a promising candidate for further clinical trials in melanoma and possibly other solid tumours.

Exploring the biological functional mechanism of the HMGB1/TLR4/MD-2 complex by surface plasmon resonance.

BACKGROUND: High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) was first identified as a nonhistone chromatin-binding protein that functions as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern molecule when released from necrotic cells or activated leukocytes. HMGB1 consists of two structurally similar HMG boxes that comprise the pro-inflammatory (B-box) and the anti-inflammatory (A-box) domains. Paradoxically, the A-box also contains the epitope for the well-characterized anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody "2G7", which also potently inhibits HMGB1-mediated inflammation in a wide variety of in vivo models. The molecular mechanisms through which the A-box domain inhibits the inflammatory activity of HMGB1 and 2G7 exerts anti-inflammatory activity after binding the A-box domain have been a mystery. Recently, we demonstrated that: 1) the TLR4/MD-2 receptor is required for HMGB1-mediated cytokine production and 2) the HMGB1-TLR4/MD-2 interaction is controlled by the redox state of HMGB1 isoforms. METHODS: We investigated the interactions of HMGB1 isoforms (redox state) or HMGB1 fragments (A- and B-box) with TLR4/MD-2 complex using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) studies. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that: 1) intact HMGB1 binds to TLR4 via the A-box domain with high affinity but an appreciable dissociation rate; 2) intact HMGB1 binds to MD-2 via the B-box domain with low affinity but a very slow dissociation rate; and 3) HMGB1 A-box domain alone binds to TLR4 more stably than the intact protein and thereby antagonizes HMGB1 by blocking HMGB1 from interacting with the TLR4/MD-2 complex. CONCLUSIONS: These findings not only suggest a model whereby HMGB1 interacts with TLR4/MD-2 in a two-stage process but also explain how the A-box domain and 2G7 inhibit HMGB1.

Correction to: Exploring the biological functional mechanism of the HMGB1/TLR4/MD-2 complex by surface plasmon resonance.

After publication of this article (He et al., 2018), the corresponding authors recognised an error in Scheme 1, in particular to section "A. HMGB1/TLR4/MD-2 complex formation". Above "Step 2: B box binding to MD-2", the text incorrectly read: "Low affinity / extremely slow off". In addition, some text was omitted below "TLR4/MD-2". The correct version of Scheme 1 is included in this Correction article. The original article (He et al., 2018) has been corrected.