Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of Tabamide A and Its Structural Derivatives against Influenza Virus.

Influenza viruses cause severe endemic respiratory infections in both humans and animals worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistant viral strains requires the development of new influenza therapeutics. Tabamide A (TA0), a phenolic compound isolated from tobacco leaves, is known to have antiviral activity. We investigated whether synthetic TA0 and its derivatives exhibit anti-influenza virus activity. Analysis of structure-activity relationship revealed that two hydroxyl groups and a double bond between C7 and C8 in TA0 are crucial for maintaining its antiviral action. Among its derivatives, TA25 showed seven-fold higher activity than TA0. Administration of TA0 or TA25 effectively increased survival rate and reduced weight loss of virus-infected mice. TA25 appears to act early in the viral infection cycle by inhibiting viral mRNA synthesis on the template-negative strand. Thus, the anti-influenza virus activity of TA0 can be expanded by application of its synthetic derivatives, which may aid in the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.

Growth and Drug Interaction Monitoring of NIH 3T3 Cells by Image Analysis and Capacitive Biosensor.

Capacitive biosensors are manufactured on glass slides using the semiconductor process to monitor cell growth and cell-drug interactions in real time. Capacitance signals are continuously monitored for each 10 min interval during a 48 h period, with the variations of frequency from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. The capacitance values showed a gradual increase with the increase in NIH 3T3 cell numbers. After 48 h of growth, 6.67 µg/mL puromycin is injected for the monitoring of the cell-drug interaction. The capacitance values rapidly increased during a period of about 10 h, reflecting the rapid increase in the cell numbers. In this study, we monitored the state of cells and the cell-drug interactions using the developed capacitive biosensor. Additionally, we monitored the state of cell behavior using a JuLiTM Br&FL microscope. The monitoring of cell state by means of a capacitive biosensor is more sensitive than confluence measuring using a JuLiTM Br&FL microscope image. The developed capacitive biosensor could be applied in a wide range of bio-medical areas; for example, non-destructive real-time cell growth and cell-drug interaction monitoring.

Chromatin Regulator SRG3 Overexpression Protects against LPS/D-GalN-Induced Sepsis by Increasing IL10-Producing Macrophages and Decreasing IFNγ-Producing NK Cells in the Liver.

We previously showed that ubiquitous overexpression of the chromatin remodeling factor SWItch3-related gene (SRG3) promotes M2 macrophage differentiation, resulting in anti-inflammatory responses in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis. Since hepatic macrophages are responsible for sepsis-induced liver injury, we investigated herein the capacity of transgenic SRG3 overexpression (SRG3ß-actin mice) to modulate sepsis in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus d-galactosamine (d-GalN). Our results demonstrated that ubiquitous SRG3 overexpression significantly protects mice from LPS/d-GalN-induced lethality mediated by hepatic M1 macrophages. These protective effects of SRG3 overexpression correlated with the phenotypic conversion of hepatic macrophages from an M1 toward an M2 phenotype. Furthermore, SRG3ß-actin mice had decreased numbers and activation of natural killer (NK) cells but not natural killer T (NKT) cells in the liver during sepsis, indicating that SRG3 overexpression might contribute to cross-talk between NK cells and macrophages in the liver. Finally, we demonstrated that NKT cell-deficient CD1d KO/SRG3ß-actin mice are protected from LPS/d-GalN-induced sepsis, indicating that NKT cells are dispensable for SRG3-mediated sepsis suppression. Taken together, our findings provide strong evidence that SRG3 overexpression may serve as a therapeutic approach to control overwhelming inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.

Nc886, a Novel Suppressor of the Type I Interferon Response Upon Pathogen Intrusion.

Interferons (IFNs) are a crucial component in the innate immune response. Especially the IFN-ß signaling operates in most cell types and plays a key role in the first line of defense upon pathogen intrusion. The induction of IFN-ß should be tightly controlled, because its hyperactivation can lead to tissue damage or autoimmune diseases. Activation of the IFN-ß promoter needs Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF3), together with Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Activator Protein 1 (AP-1). Here we report that a human noncoding RNA, nc886, is a novel suppressor for the IFN-ß signaling and inflammation. Upon treatment with several pathogen-associated molecular patterns and viruses, nc886 suppresses the activation of IRF3 and also inhibits NF-κB and AP-1 via inhibiting Protein Kinase R (PKR). These events lead to decreased expression of IFN-ß and resultantly IFN-stimulated genes. nc886's role might be to restrict the IFN-ß signaling from hyperactivation. Since nc886 expression is regulated by epigenetic and environmental factors, nc886 might explain why innate immune responses to pathogens are variable depending on biological settings.

Ubiquitous Overexpression of Chromatin Remodeling Factor SRG3 Exacerbates Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice by Enhancing Th2 Immune Responses.

The SWItch (SWI)3-related gene (SRG3) product, a SWI/Sucrose Non-Fermenting (SNF) chromatin remodeling subunit, plays a critical role in regulating immune responses. We have previously shown that ubiquitous SRG3 overexpression attenuates the progression of Th1/Th17-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. However, it is unclear whether SRG3 overexpression can affect the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), a Th2-type immune disorder. Thus, to elucidate the effects of SRG3 overexpression in AD development, we bred NC/Nga (NC) mice with transgenic mice where SRG3 expression is driven by the ß-actin promoter (SRG3ß-actin mice). We found that SRG3ß-actin NC mice exhibit increased AD development (e.g., a higher clinical score, immunoglobulin E (IgE) hyperproduction, and an increased number of infiltrated mast cells and basophils in skin lesions) compared with wild-type NC mice. Moreover, the severity of AD pathogenesis in SRG3ß-actin NC mice correlated with expansion of interleukin 4 (IL4)-producing basophils and mast cells, and M2 macrophages. Furthermore, this accelerated AD development is strongly associated with Treg cell suppression. Collectively, our results have identified that modulation of SRG3 function can be applied as one of the options to control AD pathogenesis.

Development of an enzymatic encapsulation process for a cycloamylose inclusion complex with resveratrol.

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase; EC 2.4.1.19) produces cycloamyloses (CAs), which are large cyclic glucans, and subsequently transforms them to α-, ß-, and γ-cyclodextrins. We developed a novel encapsulation process based on the cyclization activity of CGTase and applied it to the formation of CA inclusion complexes with resveratrol (RVT), which has limited bioavailability due to its low water solubility. The encapsulated RVT (CA-RVT) was purified using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The water solubility of CA-RVT was 6,000-fold higher than that of RVT. CA-RVT in water demonstrated 98% stability for 1 week at 4 °C. According to radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory assays, CA-RVT in aqueous solution exhibited similar activities as an equal amount of RVT in dimethyl sulfoxide, suggesting the limited solubility of RVT can be overcome through CA encapsulation by CGTase, thus enhancing its nutraceutical value as a functional ingredient in the food industry.

Twist2 promotes CD8+ T-cell differentiation by repressing ThPOK expression.

CD4/CD8 T-cell lineage differentiation is a key process in immune system development; however, a defined regulator(s) that converts the signal from T-cell receptor and co-receptor complexes into lineage differentiation remains unclear. Here, we show that Twist2 is a critical factor in CD4/CD8 thymocyte differentiation. Twist2 expression is differentially regulated by T-cell receptor signaling, leading to differentiation into the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Forced Twist2 expression perturbed CD4+ thymocyte differentiation while enhancing CD8+ thymocyte differentiation. Furthermore, Twist2 expression produced mature CD8+ thymocytes in B2m-/- mice, while its deficiency significantly impaired CD8+ cells in MHC class-II-/- and TCR transgenic mice, favoring CD8 T-cell differentiation. During CD8 lineage differentiation, Twist2 interacted with Runx3 to bind to the silencer region of the ThPOK locus, thereby blocking ThPOK expression. These findings indicate that Twist2 is a part of the transcription factor network controlling CD8 lineage differentiation.

A Regulatory Noncoding RNA, nc886, Suppresses Esophageal Cancer by Inhibiting the AKT Pathway and Cell Cycle Progression.

nc886 is a regulatory non-coding RNA (ncRNA) whose expression is frequently silenced in malignancies. In the case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), nc886 silencing is associated with shorter survival of patients, suggesting nc886's tumor suppressor role in ESCC. However, this observation has not been complemented by an in-detail study about nc886's impact on gene expression and cellular phenotypes. Here we have shown that nc886 inhibits AKT, a key protein in a renowned pro-survival pathway in cancer. nc886-silenced cells (nc886- cells) have activated AKT and altered expression of cell cycle genes. nc886- cells tend to have lower expression of CDKN2A and CDKN2C, both of which are inhibitors for cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), and higher expression of CDK4 than nc886-expressing cells. As a result, nc886- cells are hyperactive in the progression of the G1 to S cell cycle phase, proliferate faster, and are more sensitive to palbociclib, which is a cancer therapeutic drug that targets CDK4/6. Experimentally by nc886 expression and knockdown, we have determined the AKT target genes and cell cycle genes that are controlled by nc886 (nc886-associated gene sets). These gene sets, in combination with pathologic staging and nc886 expression levels, are a vastly superior predictor for the survival of 108 ESCC patients. In summary, our study has elucidated in ESCC how nc886 inhibits cell proliferation to explain its tumor suppressor role and identified gene sets that are of future clinical utility, by predicting patient survival and responsiveness to a therapeutic drug.

TLR4-dependent effects of ISAg treatment on conventional T cell polarization in vivo.

We recently demonstrated that the polysaccharide component of the Korean medicinal herb Angelica gigas (immuno-stimulatory fraction of A. gigas; ISAg) induces anticancer effects in mice by activating natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells. However, it is unclear whether the use of ISAg in vivo can affect the differentiation of conventional T cells. Here, we investigated the effects of ISAg on the activation of conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We found that the administration of ISAg induced the polarization of CD4+ T cells toward the acquisition of the Th1 phenotype in vivo. Additionally, in mice treated with ISAg, CD8+ T cells produced more IFNγ than in control mice treated with PBS. Moreover, treatment with ISAg activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as NK and NKT cells, resulting in the secretion of Th1-type cytokines in a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner, implying that TLR4 is critical for an optimal Th1 response. Interestingly, ISAg treatment increased the number of Foxp3+ Treg cells, but not of Th2 cells, compared to control mice treated with PBS, indicating that ISAg possesses an immunomodulatory capacity that can control adaptive immune responses. Taken together, our results indicate that ISAg possesses a Th1-enhancing activity that could be used to treat Th2-mediated allergic immune diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

nc886, a non-coding RNA, inhibits UVB-induced MMP-9 and COX-2 expression via the PKR pathway in human keratinocytes.

nc886, a long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) of 101 nucleotides in length, is known as a vault RNA or microRNA precursor. Despite the recent discovery that ncRNAs in the nucleus play a crucial role in regulating chromosomal transformation and transcription, only a few studies have focused on the function of ncRNAs in the cytoplasm, such as nc886. Several studies have investigated the function of nc886 as a suppressor of carcinogenesis and inflammation in different cancer cell types; however, its role in the skin has yet to be clearly elucidated. The two RNA binding sites for protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR) are located in the central region of the stable structure of nc886, which competes with other double-stranded RNA species. Successful binding results in decreased PKR activity. Among changes in skin cells induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, nc886 expression decreases, whereas PKR phosphorylation via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) increases. Reduced nc886 expression leads to uncontrolled PKR activity and increases in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), type IV collagenase, and cyclooxygenase (COX-2), which ultimately accelerate inflammatory responses and skin aging. The present study investigated the regulatory mechanism associated with PKR activity and nc886-PKR binding in skin cell aging and inflammation. These results suggest a role for nc886 in controlling photoaging and inflammation in skin cells.

Author Correction: nc886 is induced by TGF-ß and suppresses the microRNA pathway in ovarian cancer.

In the original version of the Supplementary Information file associated with this Article, Supplementary Fig. 18 panel b was inadvertently replaced with a duplicate of panel a. The error has now been fixed and the corrected version of the Supplementary Information PDF is available to download from the HTML version of the Article.

Anti-cancer activity of Angelica gigas by increasing immune response and stimulating natural killer and natural killer T cells.

BACKGROUND: The polysaccharide component of Angelica gigas induces immuno-stimulatory effects on innate immune cells. However, it is unclear whether A. gigas' adjuvant activity on the immune system can elicit anti-cancer responses. METHODS: A water-soluble immuno-stimulatory component of A. gigas was prepared. How this ISAg modulated the activation of innate immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) was examined. ISAg-induced cytotoxic activity via natural killer (NK) and NKT cells was also tested using a tumor-bearing mouse model. RESULTS: ISAg treatment induced nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine gene expression involved in innate immune responses. ISAg activated macrophages and DCs to secrete cytokine IL-12, through the TLR4 signaling pathway. IL-12 plays a crucial role in ISAg-mediated NK and NKT cell activation. Thus, the anti-cancer activity of NK and NKT cells induced ISAg-mediated cytotoxicity of B16 melanoma cells in mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the natural ingredient, ISAg, has adjuvant activity to induce strong anti-cancer activity of NK and NKT cells in vivo.

nc886 is induced by TGF-ß and suppresses the microRNA pathway in ovarian cancer.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling and microRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene regulatory components in cancer. Usually in advanced malignant stages, TGF-ß signaling is elevated but global miRNA expression is suppressed. Such a gene expression signature is well illustrated in a fibrosis (or mesenchymal) subtype of ovarian cancer (OC) that is of poor prognosis. However, the interplay between the two pathways in the OC subtype has not yet been elucidated. nc886 is a recently identified non-coding RNA implicated in several malignancies. The high expression of nc886 is associated with poor prognosis in 285 OC patients. Herein, we find that in OC nc886 expression is induced by TGF-ß and that nc886 binds to Dicer to inhibit miRNA maturation. By preventing the miRNA pathway, nc886 emulates TGF-ß in gene expression patterns and potentiates cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. Here we report nc886 to be a molecular link between the TGF-ß and miRNA pathways.

Enzymatic Synthesis of a Novel Kaempferol-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-d-glucopyranoside Using Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase and Its Inhibitory Effects on Aldose Reductase, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress.

Kaempferol-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (astragalin, AS), a major flavonoid that exists in various plants, exerts antioxidant, antitumor, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the low water solubility of AS limits its use. In this study, we used cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) with maltose (G2) as a donor molecule to enzymatically modify AS to improve its water solubility and physiochemical properties. We isolated the glycosylated astragalin (G1-AS) and identified the structure of G1-AS as kaempferol-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-d-glucopyranoside, where one glucose residue was transferred to AS. G1-AS retained the antioxidative activity of the original AS compound; however, the solubility of G1-AS was 65-fold higher than that of AS. In addition, G1-AS showed enhanced anti-inflammatory effects and aldose reductase inhibitory activity compared to AS when applied to rat lenses.

nc886, a non-coding RNA and suppressor of PKR, exerts an oncogenic function in thyroid cancer.

nc886 is a recently identified cellular non-coding RNA and its depletion leads to acute cell death via PKR (Protein Kinase RNA-activated) activation. nc886 expression is increased in some malignancies, but silenced in others. However, the precise role of nc886/PKR is controversial: is it a tumor suppressor or an oncogene? In this study, we have clarified the role of nc886 in thyroid cancer by sequentially generating PKR knockout (KO) and PKR/nc886 double KO cell lines from Nthy-ori 3-1, a partially transformed thyroid cell line. Compared to the wildtype, PKR KO alone does not exhibit any significant phenotypic changes. However, nc886 KO cells are less proliferative, migratory, and invasive than their parental PKR KO cells. Importantly, the requirement of nc886 in tumor phenotypes is totally independent of PKR. In our microarray data, nc886 KO suppresses some genes whose elevated expression is associated with poor survival confirmed by data from total of 505 thyroid cancer patients in the Caner Genome Atlas project. Also, the nc886 expression level tends to be elevated and in more aggressively metastatic tumor specimens from thyroid cancer patients. In summary, we have discovered nc886's tumor-promoting role in thyroid cancer which has been concealed by the PKR-mediated acute cell death.

Fisetin-Rich Extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes Improve Blood Flow Rates in Mice Fed Both Normal and High-Fat Diets.

Although it has been previously reported that Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) possesses in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the precise in vivo mechanisms of RVS extracts and a main active component called fisetin have not been well elucidated. In this study, using newly developed protocols, we prepared urushiol-free but fisetin-enriched RVS extracts and investigated their effects on the vascular immune system. We found that the water-soluble fractions of detoxified RVS with the flavonoid fisetin can inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Furthermore, RVS can reduce inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX2 gene expression levels, which are responsible for NO and PGE2 production, respectively, in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Because inflammation is linked to the activation of the coagulation system, we hypothesized that RVS and its active component fisetin possess anticoagulatory activities. As expected, we found that both RVS and fisetin could inhibit the coagulation of human peripheral blood cells. Moreover, in vivo RVS treatment could return the retarded blood flow elicited by a high-fat diet (HFD) back to the normal level in mice. In addition, RVS treatment has significantly reduced body weight gained by HFD in mice. Taken together, the fisetin-rich RVS extracts have potential antiplatelet and antiobesity activities and could be used as a functional food ingredient to improve blood circulation.

Nanobody-targeted E3-ubiquitin ligase complex degrades nuclear proteins.

Targeted protein degradation is a powerful tool in determining the function of specific proteins or protein complexes. We fused nanobodies to SPOP, an adaptor protein of the Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, resulting in rapid ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-dependent degradation of specific nuclear proteins in mammalian cells and zebrafish embryos. This approach is easily modifiable, as substrate specificity is conferred by an antibody domain that can be adapted to target virtually any protein.

Ubiquitous Over-Expression of Chromatin Remodeling Factor SRG3 Ameliorates the T Cell-Mediated Exacerbation of EAE by Modulating the Phenotypes of both Dendritic Cells and Macrophages.

Although SWI3-related gene (SRG3), a chromatin remodeling factor, is critical for various biological processes including early embryogenesis and thymocyte development, it is unclear whether SRG3 is involved in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells, the key mediator of adaptive immune responses. Because it is known that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) development is determined by the activation of CD4+ T helper cells, here, we investigated the role of SRG3 in EAE development using SRG3 transgenic mouse models exhibiting two distinct SRG3 expression patterns: SRG3 expression driven by either the CD2 or ß-actin promoter. We found that the outcome of EAE development was completely different depending on the expression pattern of SRG3. The specific over-expression of SRG3 using the CD2 promoter facilitated EAE via the induction of Th1 and Th17 cells, whereas the ubiquitous over-expression of SRG3 using the ß-actin promoter inhibited EAE by promoting Th2 differentiation and suppressing Th1 and Th17 differentiation. In addition, the ubiquitous over-expression of SRG3 polarized CD4+ T cell differentiation towards the Th2 phenotype by converting dendritic cells (DCs) or macrophages to Th2 types. SRG3 over-expression not only reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production by DCs but also shifted macrophages from the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-expressing M1 phenotype to the arginase-1-expressing M2 phenotype during EAE. In addition, Th2 differentiation in ß-actin-SRG3 Tg mice during EAE was associated with an increase in the basophil and mast cell populations and in IL4 production. Furthermore, the increased frequency of Treg cells in the spinal cord of ß-actin-SRG3 Tg mice might induce the suppression of and accelerate the recovery from EAE symptoms. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence supporting the development of a new therapeutic strategy for EAE involving the modulation of SRG3 expression to induce M2 and Th2 polarization, thereby inhibiting inflammatory immune responses.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Phyllanthus acidus methanolic extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels (Phyllanthaceae) has traditionally been used to treat gastric trouble, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, respiratory disorders, and hepatitis. Despite this widespread use, the pharmacological activities of this plant and their molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluated the immunopharmacological activities of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of this plant (Pa-ME) and validated its pharmacological targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages, an HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model, and an acetic acid-injected capillary permeability mouse model were employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Pa-ME. Potentially active anti-inflammatory components of this extract were identified by HPLC. The molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity were studied by kinase assays, reporter gene assays, immunoprecipitation analysis, and overexpression of target enzymes. RESULTS: Pa-ME suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prevented morphological changes in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, both HCl/EtOH-induced gastric damage and acetic acid-triggered vascular permeability were restored by orally administered Pa-ME. Furthermore, this extract downregulated the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and reduced the nuclear levels of NF-κB. Signalling events upstream of NF-κB translocation, such as phosphorylation of Src and Syk and formation of Src/Syk signalling complexes, were also inhibited by Pa-ME. The enzymatic activities of Src and Syk were also suppressed by Pa-ME. Moreover, Src-induced and Syk-induced luciferase activity and p85/Akt phosphorylation were also inhibited by Pa-ME. Of the identified flavonoids, kaempferol and quercetin were revealed as partially active anti-inflammatory components in Pa-ME. CONCLUSION: Pa-ME exerts anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo by suppressing Src, Syk, and their downstream transcription factor, NF-κB.

IL32γ activates natural killer receptor-expressing innate immune cells to produce IFNγ via dendritic cell-derived IL12.

The inflammatory cytokine IL32γ acts on dendritic cells (DCs) to produce IL12 and IL6, which are involved in the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells. Natural killer (NK) and NKT cells play important roles in IL12-mediated adaptive immune responses, such as antitumor immunity. Herein we demonstrate the effect of IL32γ on the activation of NK and NKT cells. Upon IL32γ stimulation, splenic NK and NKT cells could be activated, and this activation was dependent on both IL12 and DCs, which was confirmed by using IL12p35 knockout and CD11c-diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic mouse models. Furthermore, IL32γ could induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines by NKDCs, a subset of DCs expressing NK cell markers, known to enhance NKT cell function. Unlike conventional DCs, NKDCs produced IFNγ and TNFα rather than IL12 upon stimulation with IL32γ. Taken together, IL32γ will be useful as an adjuvant to boost the cytotoxicities of NK and NKT cells that play critical roles in antitumor immunity.