Assessing the impact of mRNA vaccination in chronic inflammatory murine model.

The implications of administration of mRNA vaccines to individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, including myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are unclear. We investigated mRNA vaccine effects in a chronic inflammation mouse model implanted with an LPS pump, focusing on toxicity and immunogenicity. Under chronic inflammation, mRNA vaccines exacerbated cardiac damage and myocarditis, inducing mild heart inflammation with heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory cell infiltration in the heart. Concurrently, significant muscle damage occurred, with disturbances in mitochondrial fusion and fission factors signaling impaired muscle repair. However, chronic inflammation did not adversely affect muscles at the vaccination site or humoral immune responses; nevertheless, it partially reduced the cell-mediated immune response, particularly T-cell activation. These findings underscore the importance of addressing mRNA vaccine toxicity and immunogenicity in the context of chronic inflammation, ensuring their safe and effective utilization, particularly among vulnerable populations with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Macrophage-Specific Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor Deletion Enhances Macrophage M1 Polarity in CVB3-Induced Myocarditis.

The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is very well known as an epithelial tight junction and cardiac intercalated disc protein; it mediates attachment and infection via the coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and type 5 adenovirus. Macrophages play important roles in early immunity during viral infections. However, the role of CAR in macrophages is not well studied in relation to CVB3 infection. In this study, the function of CAR was observed in the Raw264.7 mouse macrophage cell line. CAR expression was stimulated by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, the peritoneal macrophage was activated and CAR expression was increased. The macrophage-specific CAR conditional knockout mice (KO) were generated from lysozyme Cre mice. The expression of inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß and TNF-α) was attenuated in the KO mice's peritoneal macrophage after LPS treatment. In addition, the virus was not replicated in CAR-deleted macrophages. The organ virus replication was not significantly different in both wild-type (WT) and KO mice at days three and seven post-infection (p.i). However, the inflammatory M1 polarity genes (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1) were significantly increased, with increased rates of myocarditis in the heart of KO mice compared to those of WT mice. In contrast, type1 interferon (IFN-α and ß) was significantly decreased in the heart of KO mice. Serum chemokine CXCL-11 was increased in the KO mice at day three p.i. compared to the WT mice. The attenuation of IFN-α and ß in macrophage CAR deletion induced higher levels of CXCL-11 and more increased CD4 and CD8 T cells in KO mice hearts compared to those of WT mice at day seven p.i. These results demonstrate that macrophage-specific CAR deletion increased the macrophage M1 polarity and myocarditis in CVB3 infection. In addition, chemokine CXCL-11 expression was increased, and stimulated CD4 and CD8 T cell activity. Macrophage CAR may be important for the regulation of innate-immunity-induced local inflammation in CVB3 infection.

Development of a Universal Cloning System for Reverse Genetics of Human Enteroviruses.

Enteroviruses (EVs) have been associated with several human diseases. Due to their continuous emergence and divergence, EV species have generated more than 100 types and recombinant strains, increasing the public health threat caused by them. Hence, an efficient and universal cloning system for reverse genetics (RG) of highly divergent viruses is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of viral pathology and evolution. In this study, we generated a versatile human EV whole-genome cDNA template by enhancing the template-switching method and designing universal primers capable of simultaneous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR of EVs. Moreover, by devising strategies to overcome limitations of previous cloning methods, we simplified significant cloning steps to be completed within a day. Of note, we successfully verified our efficient universal cloning system enabling RG of a broad range of human EVs, including EV-A (EV-A71), EV-B (CV-B5, ECHO6, and ECHO30), EV-C (CV-A24), and EV-D (EV-D68), with viral titers and phenotypes comparable to those of their wild types. This rapid and straightforward universal EV cloning strategy will help us elucidate molecular characteristics, pathogenesis, and applications of a broad range of EV serotypes for further development of genetic vaccines and delivery tools using various replication systems. IMPORTANCE Due to the broad spread, incidence, and genetic divergence of enteroviruses (EVs), it has been challenging to deal with this virus that causes severe human diseases, including aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, encephalitis, and poliomyelitis. Therefore, an efficient and universal cloning system for the reverse genetics of highly divergent EVs contributes to an understanding of the viral pathology and molecular mechanisms of evolution. We have simplified the important cloning steps, hereby enhancing the template-switching method and designing universal primers, which enable the important cloning steps to be completed in a day. We have also successfully demonstrated recovery of a broad range of human EVs, including EV-A to -D types, using this advanced universal cloning system. This rapid and robust universal EV cloning strategy will aid in elucidating the molecular characteristics, pathogenesis, and applications of a wide range of EVs for further development of genetic vaccines and antiviral screening using various replication systems.

Protein Kinase B2 (PKB2/AKT2) Is Essential for Host Protection in CVB3-Induced Acute Viral Myocarditis.

Protein kinase B2 (AKT2) is involved in various cardiomyocyte signaling processes, including those important for survival and metabolism. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is one of the most common pathogens that cause myocarditis in humans. The role of AKT2 in CVB3 infection is not yet well understood. We used a cardiac-specific AKT2 knockout (KO) mouse to determine the role of AKT2 in CVB3-mediated myocarditis. CVB3 was injected intraperitoneally into wild-type (WT) and KO mice. The mice's survival rate was recorded: survival in KO mice was significantly decreased compared with WT mice (WT vs. KO: 73.3 vs. 27.1%). Myocardial damage and inflammation were significantly increased in the hearts of KO mice compared with those of WT mice. Moreover, from surface ECG, AKT2 KO mice showed a prolonged atria and ventricle conduction time (PR interval, WT vs. KO: 47.27 ± 1.17 vs. 64.79 ± 7.17 ms). AKT2 deletion induced severe myocarditis and cardiac dysfunction due to CVB3 infection. According to real-time PCR, the mRNA level of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased significantly in KO mice compared with WT mice on Days 5 after infection. In addition, innate immune response antiviral effectors, Type I interferon (interferon-α and ß), and p62, were dramatically suppressed in the heart of KO mice. In particular, the adult cardiac myocytes isolated from the heart showed high induction of TLR4 protein in KO mice in comparison with WT. AKT2 deletion suppressed the activation of Type I interferon and p62 transcription in CVB3 infection. In cardiac myocytes, AKT2 is a key signaling molecule for the heart from damage through the activation of innate immunity during acute myocarditis.

Corrigendum: CVB3-Mediated Mitophagy Plays an Important Role in Viral Replication via Abrogation of Interferon Pathways.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.704494.].

CVB3-Mediated Mitophagy Plays an Important Role in Viral Replication via Abrogation of Interferon Pathways.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a common enterovirus that causes systemic inflammatory diseases, such as myocarditis, meningitis, and encephalitis. CVB3 has been demonstrated to subvert host cellular responses via autophagy to support viral replication in neural stem cells. Mitophagy, a specialized form of autophagy, contributes to mitochondrial quality control via degrading damaged mitochondria. Here, we show that CVB3 infection induces mitophagy in human neural progenitor cells, HeLa and H9C2 cardiomyocytes. In particular, CVB3 infection triggers mitochondrial fragmentation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and Parkin/LC3 translocation to the mitochondria. Rapamycin or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) treatment led to increased CVB3 RNA copy number in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting enhanced viral replication via autophagy/mitophagy activation, whereas knockdown of PTEN-induced putative kinase protein 1(PINK1) led to impaired mitophagy and subsequent reduction in viral replication. Furthermore, CCCP treatment inhibits the interaction between mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), thus contributing to the abrogation of type I and III interferon (IFN) production, suggesting that mitophagy is essential for the inhibition of interferon signaling. Our findings suggest that CVB3-mediated mitophagy suppresses IFN pathways by promoting fragmentation and subsequent sequestration of mitochondria by autophagosomes.

Functional Characterization of the mazEF Toxin-Antitoxin System in the Pathogenic Bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen of various plants which transfers its own DNA (T-DNA) to the host plants. It is used for producing genetically modified plants with this ability. To control T-DNA transfer to the right place, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems of A. tumefaciens were used to control the target site of transfer without any unintentional targeting. Here, we describe a toxin-antitoxin system, Atu0939 (mazE-at) and Atu0940 (mazF-at), in the chromosome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The toxin in the TA system has 33.3% identity and 45.5% similarity with MazF in Escherichia coli. The expression of MazF-at caused cell growth inhibition, while cells with MazF-at co-expressed with MazE-at grew normally. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed that MazF-at inhibited protein synthesis by decreasing the cellular mRNA stability. Moreover, the catalytic residue of MazF-at was determined to be the 24th glutamic acid using site-directed mutagenesis. From the results, we concluded that MazF-at is a type II toxin-antitoxin system and a ribosome-independent endoribonuclease. Here, we characterized a TA system in A. tumefaciens whose understanding might help to find its physiological function and to develop further applications.

Vascular Endothelial Integrity Affects the Severity of Enterovirus-Mediated Cardiomyopathy.

Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is present in epithelial and vascular endothelial cell junctions. We have previously shown a hemorrhagic phenotype in germ-line CAR knock-out mouse embryos; we have also found that CAR interacts with ZO-1 and ß-catenin. However, the role of CAR in vascular endothelial junction permeability has not been proven. To understand the roles of CAR in the vascular endothelial junctions, we generated endothelium-specific CAR knockout (CAR-eKO) mice. In the absence of CAR, the endothelial cell layer showed an increase in transmembrane electrical resistance (TER, Ω) and coxsackievirus permeability. Evans blue dye and 70 kDa dextran-FITC were delivered by tail vein injection. We observed increased vascular permeability in the hearts of adult CAR-eKO mice compare with wild-type (WT) mice. There was a marked increase in monocyte and macrophage penetration into the peritoneal cavity caused by thioglycolate-induced peritonitis. We found that CAR ablation in endothelial cells was not significantly increased coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis in murine model. However, tissue virus titers were significantly higher in CAR-eKO mice compared with WT. Moreover, CVB3 was detected in the brain of CAR-eKO mice. Endothelial CAR deletion affects the expression of major endothelial junction proteins, such as cadherin and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in the cultured endothelial cells as well as liver vessel. We suggest that CAR expression is required for normal vascular permeability and endothelial tight junction homeostasis. Furthermore, CVB3 organ penetration and myocarditis severities were dependent on the endothelial CAR level.

TXNIP/VDUP1 attenuates steatohepatitis via autophagy and fatty acid oxidation.

Impaired macroautophagy/autophagy has been implicated in experimental and human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the mechanism underlying autophagy dysregulation in NASH is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of TXNIP/VDUP1 (thioredoxin interacting protein), a key mediator of cellular stress responses, in the pathogenesis of NASH. Hepatic TXNIP expression was upregulated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients and in methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet-fed mice, as well as in palmitic acid (PA)-treated hepatocytes. Upregulation of hepatic TXNIP was positively correlated with impaired autophagy, as evidenced by a decreased number of MAP1LC3B/LC3B (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta) puncta and increased SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) expression. Deletion of the Txnip gene enhanced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, accompanied by impaired autophagy and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in MCD diet-fed mice. Mechanistically, TXNIP directly interacted with and positively regulated p-PRKAA, leading to inactivation of MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase) complex 1 (MTORC1) and nuclear translocation of TFEB (transcription factor EB), which in turn promoted autophagy. Inhibition of MTORC1 by rapamycin induced autophagy and increased the expression levels of FAO-related genes and concomitantly attenuated lipid accumulation in PA-treated txnip-knockout (KO) hepatocytes, which was further abolished by silencing of Atg7. Rapamycin treatment also attenuated MCD diet-induced steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis with increased TFEB nuclear translocation and restored FAO in txnip-KO mice. Our findings suggest that elevated TXNIP ameliorates steatohepatitis by interacting with PRKAA and thereby inducing autophagy and FAO. Targeting TXNIP may be a potential therapeutic approach for NASH.Abbreviations: ACOX1: acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 1, palmitoyl; ACSL1: acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1; ACTA2/α-SMA: actin, alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ACTB: actin beta; ADGRE1/F4/80: adhesion G protein-coupled receptor E1; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ATG: autophagy-related; BafA1: bafilomycin A1; COL1A1/Col1α1: collagen, type I, alpha 1; CPT1A: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a, liver; CQ: chloroquine; DGAT1: diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1; DGAT2: diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2; ECI2/Peci: enoyl-Coenzyme A isomerase 2; EHHADH: enoyl-Coenzyme A, hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl Coenzyme A dehydrogenase; FAO: fatty acid oxidation; FASN: fatty acid synthase; FFA: free fatty acids; GFP: green fluorescent protein; GK/GYK: glycerol kinase; GOT1/AST: glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1, soluble; GPAM: glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, mitochondrial; GPT/ALT: glutamic pyruvic transaminase, soluble; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; IL1B/IL-1ß: interleukin 1 beta; IL6: interleukin 6; IOD: integral optical density; KO: knockout; Leu: leupeptin; LPIN1: lipin 1; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MCD: methionine choline-deficient; MMP9: matrix metallopeptidase 9; mRNA: messenger RNA; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; NAFLD: nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases; NASH: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; PA: palmitic acid; PPARA/PPARα: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha; PPARG/PPARγ: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma; qRT-PCR: quantitative real-time PCR; RPS6KB1/p70S6K1: ribosomal protein S6 kinase, polypeptide 1; RPTOR: regulatory associated protein of MTOR complex 1; SCD1: stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1; SEM: standard error of the mean; siRNA: small interfering RNA; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TFEB: transcription factor EB; TG: triglyceride; TGFB/TGF-ß: transforming growth factor, beta; TIMP1: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1; TNF/TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor; TXNIP/VDUP1: thioredoxin interacting protein; WT: wild-type.

Inhibition of RNA Helicase Activity Prevents Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis in Human iPS Cardiomyocytes.

AIMS: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is known to be an important cause of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Enterovirus-2C (E2C) is a viral RNA helicase. It inhibits host protein synthesis. Based on these facts, we hypothesize that the inhibition of 2C may suppress virus replication and prevent enterovirus-mediated cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We generated a chemically modified enterovirus-2C inhibitor (E2CI). From the in vitro assay, E2CI was showed strong antiviral effects. For in vivo testing, mice were treated with E2CI intraperitoneally injected daily for three consecutive days at a dose of 8mg/kg per day, after CVB3 post-infection (p.i) (CVB3 + E2CI, n = 33). For the infected controls (CVB3 only, n = 35), mice were injected with PBS (phosphate buffered saline) in a DBA/2 strain to establish chronic myocarditis. The four-week survival rate of E2CI-treated mice was significantly higher than that of controls (92% vs. 71%; p < 0.05). Virus titers and myocardial damage were significantly reduced in the E2CI treated group. In addition, echocardiography indicated that E2CI administration dramatically maintained mouse heart function compared to control at day 28 p.i chronic stage (LVIDD, 3.1 ± 0.08 vs. 3.9 ± 0.09, p < 0.01; LVDS, 2.0 ± 0.07 vs. 2.5 ± 0.07, p < 0.001; FS, 34.8 ± 1.6% vs. 28.5 ± 1.5%; EF, 67. 9 ± 2.9% vs. 54.7 ± 4.7%, p < 0.05; CVB3 + E2CI, n = 6 vs. CVB3, n = 4). Moreover, E2CI is effectively worked in human iPS (induced pluripotent stem cell) derived cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: Enterovirus-2C inhibitor (E2CI) was significantly reduced viral replication, chronic myocardium damage, and CVB3-induced mortality in DBA/2 mice. These results suggested that E2CI is a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of enterovirus-mediated diseases.

Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease Enterovirus 71 Replication through Enhancement of AKT Signaling Pathway.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) in infants and children under six years of age. HFMD is characterized by fever, mouth ulcers, and vesicular rashes on the palms and feet. EV71 also causes severe neurological manifestations, such as brainstem encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. Recently, frequent outbreaks of EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region, but currently, no effective antiviral drugs have been developed to treat the disease. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of salvianolic acid B (SalB) on EV71. SalB is a major component of the Salvia miltiorrhiza root and has been shown to be an effective treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhages and myocardial infarctions. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with SalB (100 or 10 µg/ml) and 106 PFU/ml of EV71. SalB treatment (100 µg/ml) significantly decreased the cleavage of the eukaryotic eIF4G1 protein and reduced the expression of the EV71 capsid protein VP1. In addition, SalB treatment showed a dramatic decrease in viral infection, measured by immunofluorescence staining. The Akt signaling pathway, a key component of cell survival and proliferation, was significantly increased in EV71-infected HeLa cells treated with 100 µg/ml SalB. RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA for anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the cell cycle regulator Cyclin-D1 were significantly increased by SalB treatment. These results indicate that SalB activates Akt/PKB signaling and inhibits apoptosis in infected HeLa cells. Taken together, these results suggest that SalB could be used to develop a new therapeutic drug for EV71-induced HFMD.

Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor mediates the responses of endothelial cells to fluid shear stress.

Endothelial mechanotransduction by fluid shear stress (FSS) modulates endothelial function and vascular pathophysiology through mechanosensors on the cell membrane. The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is not only a viral receptor but also a component of tight junctions and plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate the expression, regulatory mechanism, and role of CAR in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) under FSS conditions. Disturbed flow increased, whereas unidirectional laminar shear stress (LSS) decreased, CAR expression in ECs through the Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) axis. Deletion of CAR reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes and endothelial inflammation induced by disturbed flow via the suppression of NF-κB activation. Consistently, disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis was reduced in EC-specific CAR KO mice. CAR was found to be involved in endothelial mechanotransduction through the regulation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate that endothelial CAR is regulated by FSS and that this regulated CAR acts as an important modulator of endothelial mechanotransduction by FSS.

Fimasartan for Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction.

An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) mitigates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we investigated the effect of fimasartan, a new ARB, on cardiac remodeling after MI. Sprague⁻Dawley rats were assigned into 3 groups: surgery only (sham group, n = 7), MI without (MI-only group, n = 13), and MI with fimasartan treatment (MI + Fima group, n = 16). MI was induced by the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Treatment with fimasartan (10 mg/kg) was initiated 24 h after MI and continued for 7 weeks. Rats in the MI + Fima group had a higher mean ejection fraction (66.3 ± 12.5% vs. 51.3 ± 14.8%, P = 0.002) and lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (9.14 ± 1.11 mm vs. 9.91 ± 1.43 mm, P = 0.045) than those in the MI-only group at 7 weeks after MI. The infarct size was lower in the MI + Fima than in the MI group (P < 0.05). A microarray analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to the lipid metabolism and mitochondrial membrane ion transporters were upregulated, and those involved in fibrosis and inflammation were downregulated by fimasartan. Fimasartan attenuates cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in rats after MI and may prevent the progression to heart failure after MI.

Specific elimination of coxsackievirus B3 infected cells with a protein engineered toxin-antitoxin system.

BACKGROUNDS: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a member of the family Picornaviridae, and along with polio-viruses, belongs to the Enterovirus genus. The CVB3 genome is composed single-stranded RNA encoding polyproteins, which are cleaved to individual functional proteins by 2A and 3C proteases proteins which have been targeted for drug development. Here, we showed that protease activity required to activate a toxic protein may be used to prevent viral infection. METHODS: We modified the MazE-MazF antitoxin-toxin system of Escherichia coli to fuse a C-terminal fragment of MazE to the N-terminal end of toxin MazF with a linker having a specific protease cleavage site for CVB3. This fusion protein formed a stable dimer and was capable of inactivating the mRNA interferase activity of MazF which cleaves the ACA sequence in mRNA substrates. RESULTS: The incubation of 2A proteases with the fusion proteins induced cleavage between the MazE and MazF fragments from the fusion proteins; the subsequent release of MazF significantly inhibited virus replication. Additionally, we note that, CVB3 infected HeLa cells quickly died through a MazF toxin mediated effect before virus protein expression. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the MazEF fusion protein has a strong potential to be developed as an anti-virus therapy following CVB3 infection.

Cholic Acid Attenuates ER Stress-Induced Cell Death in Coxsackievirus-B3 Infection.

Coxsackievirus Type B3 (CVB3) is an enterovirus that belongs to the Picornaviridae and causes various diseases such as myocarditis and hand-foot-mouth disease. However, an effective antiviral drug is still not developed. In this study, we looked for potential inhibitors of CVB3 replication by examining the survival of CVB3-infected HeLa cells. We detected an antiviral effect by cholic acid and identified it as a candidate inhibitor of CVB3 replication. Cholic acid circulates in the liver and intestines, and it helps the digestion and absorption of lipids in the small intestine. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with cholic acid (1 and 10 µg/ml) and 106 PFU/ml of CVB3. After 16 h post-infection, the cells were lysed and subjected to western blot analysis and RT-PCR. The production of the viral capsid protein VP1 was dramatically decreased, and translation initiation factor eIF4G1 cleavage was significantly inhibited by treatment with 10 µg/ml cholic acid. Moreover, cholic acid inhibited ERK signaling in CVB3-infected HeLa cells. RT-PCR showed that the amounts of the CVB3 RNA genome and mRNA for the ER stress-related transcription factor ATF4 were significantly reduced. These results showed that cholic acid strongly reduced ER stress and CVB3 proliferation. This compound can be developed as a safe natural therapeutic agent for enterovirus infections.

Elevation of Serum APE1/Ref-1 in Experimental Murine Myocarditis.

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that causes cardiogenic shock and death. However, endomyocardial biopsy that is, the gold standard for a diagnosis is limited. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox effector factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein, which is involved in DNA-based excision repair pathway, and in redox signaling, its changes are observed in various cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and coronary artery disease. We analyzed serum APE1/Ref-1 in experimental murine myocarditis. To induce myocarditis, coxsackievirus B3 was injected intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice. The serum APE1/Ref-1, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin I were measured. The histology and virus titers measurements were performed. The troponin I and inflammation were significantly elevated at day 3, peaked to day 7 and decreased at day 10. The NT-proBNP and virus titers were significantly peaked at day 3, and dropped at day 7 and 10. The serum APE1/Ref-1 was gradually raised and its elevation is still maintained until a later time, namely day 10. Also, its level was positively correlated with myocardial inflammation, reflecting severity of myocardial injury. We suggest that serum APE1/Ref-1 can be used to assess for myocardial injury in viral myocarditis without endomyocardial biopsy.

Fructus Amomi Cardamomi Extract Inhibit Coxsackievirus-B3 Induced Myocarditis in Murine Myocarditis Model.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the main cause of acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Plant extracts are considered as useful materials to develop new antiviral drugs. We had previously selected candidate plant extracts, which showed anti-inflammatory effects. We examined the antiviral effects by using a HeLa cell survival assay. Among these extracts, we chose the Amomi Cardamomi (Amomi) extract, which showed strong antiviral effect and preserved cell survival in CVB3 infection. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the ability of Amomi extract to inhibit CVB3 infection and replication. HeLa cells were infected by CVB3 with or without Amomi extract. Erk and Akt activities, and their correlation with virus replication were observed. Live virus titers in cell supernatants and viral positive- and negative-strand RNA amplification were measured. Amomi extract significantly increased HeLa cell survival in different concentrations (100-10 µg/ml). CVB3 capsid protein VP1 expression (76%) and viral protease 2A-induced eIF4G1 cleavage (70%) were significantly decreased in Amomi extract (100 µg/ml) treated cells. The levels of positive- (20%) and negative-strand (80%) RNA were dramatically decreased compared with the control, as revealed by reverse transcription-PCR. In addition, Amomi extract improved mice survival (51% vs 26%) and dramatically reduced heart inflammation in a CVB3-induced myocarditis mouse model. These results suggested that Amomi extract significantly inhibited Enterovirus replication and myocarditis damage. Amomi may be developed as a therapeutic drug for Enterovirus.

Effects of astaxanthin on dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact dermatitis in mice.

Astaxanthin (AST) is known to exhibit antioxidative and antitumor properties, therefore, the present study investigated its other potential medical applications. AST was observed to exhibit anti­allergic and anti­inflammatory effects in a dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)­induced contact dermatitis (CD) mouse model and RBL­2H3 cell lines. The topical application of AST effectively inhibited the enlargement of ear thickness and increase in weight, which occurred following repeated application of DNFB. Furthermore, topical application of different concentrations of AST inhibited inflammatory hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis, and the infiltration of mononuclear cells and mast cells in the ear tissue. In addition, the levels of TNF­α and IFN­Î³ produced were decreased by application of AST in vivo, and treatment of RBL­2H3 cells with AST inhibited the release of histamine and ß­hexosaminidase in vitro. Taken together, these data suggested that AST may be used to treat patients with allergic skin diseases through a mechanism, which may be associated with that involved in anti­inflammatory or anti-allergic activities.

A Novel Angiotensin Type I Receptor Antagonist, Fimasartan, Prevents Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have organ-protective effects in heart failure and may be also effective in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DOX-CMP); however, the efficacy of ARBs on the prevention of DOX-CMP have not been investigated. We performed a preclinical experiment to evaluate the preventive effect of a novel ARB, fimasartan, in DOX-CMP. All animals underwent echocardiography and were randomly assigned into three groups: treated daily with vehicle (DOX-only group, n=22), 5 mg/kg of fimasartan (Low-fima group, n=22), and 10 mg/kg of fimasartan (High-fima group, n=19). DOX was injected once a week for six weeks. Echocardiography and hemodynamic assessment was performed at the 8th week using a miniaturized conductance catheter. Survival rate of the High-fima group was greater (100%) than that of the Low-fima (75%) and DOX-only groups (50%). Echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction in the High-fima group, but not in the DOX-only group (P=0.002). LV dimensions increased in the DOX-only group; however, remodeling was attenuated in the Low-fima and High-fima groups. Hemodynamic assessment showed higher dP/dt in the High-fima group compared with the DOX-only group. A novel ARB, fimasartan, may prevent DOX-CMP and improve survival rate in a dose-dependent manner in a rat model of DOX-CMP and could be a treatment option for the prevention of DOX-CMP.