Tumor Necrosis Factor Family Member Profile Predicts Prognosis and Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefit for Patients With Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family members participate in the body's antitumor immunity response and influence tumor prognosis and treatment response. However, little is known about the roles of TNF family members in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Therefore, we conducted the first comprehensive investigation of TNF family members in patients with SCLC, with the goal of using them to predict prognosis and chemotherapy benefit. Abnormal genetic alterations and expression of TNF family members were found to be widespread in SCLC patients. Using LASSO Cox regression analysis, we constructed a TNF family-based signature that separated SCLC patients in the training set (n=77) into high- and low-risk groups with distinct survival and chemotherapy benefit, and the signature was well-validated in the validation set (n=137) by RT-qPCR. Importantly, the signature exhibited superior predictive performance and was identified as a novel independent prognostic factor. Additionally, different immune phenotypes were found between the low-risk and high-risk groups, and high-risk patients had higher CMTM6 expression, suggesting that these patients could benefit from therapeutic methods targeting CMTM6. We constructed the first clinically applicable TNF family-based signature for predicting prognosis and chemotherapy benefit for patients with SCLC. The findings reported here provide a new method for predicting the prognosis of SCLC patients and optimizing clinical management.

Variants of genes encoding TNF receptors and ligands and proteins regulating TNF activation in familial multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous genetic variants have been associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). Variants located in genes involved in specific pathways, such as those affecting TNF-α, can contribute to the risk of MS. The purpose of this study was to determine whether variants of these genes are associated with greater risk of MS. METHODS: We used whole-exome sequencing to study genes coding for TNF-α receptors and ligands, and proteins promoting TNF-α expression in 116 individuals from 19 families including at least two MS patients. We compared patients with MS, patients with other autoimmune diseases, and healthy individuals. RESULTS: Greater polymorphism was observed in several genes in families with familial MS compared to the general population; this may reflect greater susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Pedigree analysis also revealed that LT-α variants rs1041981 and rs2229094 and LT-ß variant rs4647197 were associated with MS and that LT-ß variant rs4647183 was associated with other autoimmune diseases. The association between autoimmune disease and TNFAIP2 variant rs1132339 is particularly noteworthy, as is the fact that TNFAIP6 variant rs1046668 appears to follow a recessive inheritance pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the idea that the risk of familial MS is associated with variants of signaling pathways, including those involving TNF-α.

Clinical significance of progranulin correlated with serum soluble Oxford 40 ligand in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the expressions of serum progranulin (PGRN) and serum soluble Oxford 40 ligand (sOX40L) and determine their clinical significances in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).The present study included a total of 68 patients with pSS and 50 healthy controls. Demographic data and clinical basic information were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine serum levels of PGRN, sOX40L and interleukins. Spearman's correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine the correlation between PGRN, and sOX40L and the association between PGRN and sOX40L and disease activity and disease severity.Serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, PGRN, and sOX40L levels were significantly higher in pSS patients as compared to the healthy controls. A positive correlation was observed between PGRN and sOX40L. Patients with elevated levels of PGRN or sOX40L exhibited higher disease activity compared to those with lower levels. Patients with III to IV stages of pSS or multiple system damage showed higher serum levels of PGRN and sOX40L.Elevated serum PGRN, and sOX40L levels were relevant with disease activity and severity in patients with pSS.

Effects of Zinc Oxide on mRNA Expression of Genes in Brain Tissue of Rats.

AIM: To investigate the expression of the DR4, DR5, OPG, DcR1, and DcR2 in rat brain tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into three groups as the control group (n=10), tumor group (n=10), and zincoxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NP) treatment group (n=10). The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blotting methods were used to measure the expression of DR4, DR5, OPG, DcR1, DcR2 and β-actin in the brain tissues of all the three groups. RESULTS: Expression of DR4, DR5, OPG, DcR1, and DcR2 genes were decreased in the tumor group. Overexpression of DR4, DR5, OPG, DcR1, and DcR2 was observed in brain tissues of the ZnO-NP group. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of the DR4, DR5, OPG, DcR1, and DcR2 genes may play an important role in ZnO-NP treatment of brain tumors.

The Neuroprotective Effects of Simvastatin on High Cholesterol Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

BACKGROUND: High cholesterol has been correlated with a greater risk of cerebrovascular diseases. Whether pre-existing high cholesterol exacerbates traumatic brain injury (TBI), and whether treatment with the cholesterol-lowering agent simvastatin has neuroprotective effects, especially anti-neuroinflammatory effects, after TBI are not well investigated. METHODS: Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, including the sham-operated control, TBI control, and TBI with simvastatin treatment (4 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg) groups. Simvastatin was intraperitoneally injected at 0, 24, and 48 hours after TBI. Motor function was measured using an inclined plane. Neuronal apoptosis (maker Neu-N, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling), tumor necrosis factor-α expression in microglia (marker OX42) and astrocytes (marker glial fibrillary acidic protein), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor (TNFR) 1 and TNFR2 expression in neurons in the ischemic cortex were investigated using an immunofluorescence assay. All of the parameters were measured on the third day after TBI. RESULTS: TBI significantly increased the serum levels of cholesterol. The TBI-induced motor deficit was significantly attenuated by 4, 10, and 20 mg/kg simvastatin therapy on the third day after TBI. TBI-induced neuronal TNFR1 activation and apoptosis, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α expression in astrocytes in the ischemic cortex, were significantly attenuated by simvastatin, particularly when 20 mg/kg was administered. Simultaneously, the serum cholesterol remained high despite simvastatin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The neuroprotection effects of simvastatin on the pre-existing hypercholesterolemia during TBI in rats may be related to its anti-neuroinflammatory effects but not to its cholesterol-lowing effects.

The expression of death receptor systems TRAIL-R1/-R2/-R4, CD95 and TNF-R1 and their cognate ligands in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The expression of five members of the TNF receptor superfamily and two of their ligands in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were investigated in parallel by immunohistochemistry. 41 patients with histologically confirmed ductal carcinoma of the pancreas were enrolled in this study in order (i) to compare the individual TNFR-SF expression and their ligands in PDAC-cells and (ii) to investigate their correlation with survival data. All patients had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy and were staged as pT3N1M0. Immunostaining was done on FFPE tissue sections of the tumor tissue, using antibodies directed against TRAIL-Receptor-1, -2 and -4, TRAIL, CD95, TNF-Receptor-1 and TNF-α. The intensity and quantity of immunostaining were evaluated separately for tumor cell cytoplasm and tumor cell nucleus. Immunostaining results were correlated with each other and with patient survival. All proteins were found to be expressed in the majority of the tumor cells. The expression (i) of the following members of TNFR-SF and their ligands correlated with each other: TNF-Receptor-1 and TNFα (cytoplasmatic scores, p=0.001), TNF-Receptor 1 and TRAIL (nuclear antigen expression p=0.005 and the main score p=0.001, which contains the overall intracellular antigen expression), TNF-Receptor 1 and CD95 (main score, p=0.001), TRAIL-Receptor-1 and TRAIL-Receptor-2 (nuclear parameters, p=0.023), TRAIL-Receptor-4 and TRAIL (main score p=0.041). In addition (ii), high cytoplasmatic expression of TNF-Receptor-1 and a strong cytoplasmatic and nuclear expression of CD95 correlated significantly with a better prognosis of the PDAC patients.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of LGR5 and TROY Expression in Gastric Carcinogenesis Demonstrates an Inverse Trend

Background: Two of the Wnt signaling pathway target genes, tumor necrosis factor receptor family member (TROY) and leucine-rich G-protein coupled receptor (LGR5), are involved in the generation and maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelium. A negative modulatory role has recently been assigned to TROY, in this pathway. Here, we have examined their simultaneous expression in gastric carcinogenesis. Methods: Tumor and paired adjacent tissues of intestinal-type gastric cancer (GC) patients (n = 30) were evaluated for LGR5 and TROY expression by immunohistochemistry. The combination of the percentage of positively¬ stained cells and the intensity of staining was defined as the composite score and compared between groups. The obtained findings were re-evaluated in a mouse model. Results: TROY expression in the tumor tissue was significantly lower than that of the adjacent tissue (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 0.9, p = 0.004), which was coincident with higher LGR5 expression (3.6 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9, p = 0.001). This observation was prominent at stages II/III of GC, leading to a statistically significant mean difference of expression between these two molecules (p = 0.005). In the H. pylori infected-mouse model, this inverse expression was observed in transition from early (8-16 w) to late (26-50 w) time points, post treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Our data demonstrates an inverse trend between TROY down-regulation and LGR5 up-regulation in GC tumors, as well as in response to H. pylori infection in mice. These findings support a potential negative modulatory role for TROY on LGR5 expression.

TWEAK/Fn14 Activation Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Bullous Pemphigoid.

TWEAK participates in various cellular effects by engaging its receptor of Fn14. Increased levels of soluble TWEAK are associated with systemic autoimmunity in patients with lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or dermatomyositis. However, the role of TWEAK in bullous pemphigoid (BP) remains unknown. In this study, we found an elevated serum level of TWEAK and a positive correlation between serum TWEAK and anti-BP180 antibodies. Immunohistochemistry showed strong TWEAK and Fn14 expression and implied an opposite relationship between the TWEAK and BP180 expression in skin samples from BP patients. In vitro TWEAK stimuli reduced BP180 expression in HaCaT cells and inhibited the adhesion of cells to the culture dish. Consistently, the transfection of Fn14 small interfering RNA preserved BP180 and protected cells from losing adherence. Moreover, such effect of TWEAK correlated with activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and NF-κB pathways and downstream ADAMs. By silencing ADAM17 with small interfering RNA, we showed that ADAM17 participated in TWEAK-induced BP180 loss. Therefore, TWEAK may contribute to the pathogenesis of BP by reducing BP180 expression and cellular adherence, involving the activation of ERK and NF-κB pathways. TWEAK may serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target of BP.

Canakinumab reverses overexpression of inflammatory response genes in tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether gene expression profiling can identify a molecular mechanism for the clinical benefit of canakinumab treatment in patents with tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 20 patients with active TRAPS who received canakinumab 150 mg every 4 weeks for 4 months in an open-label proof-of-concept phase II study, and from 20 aged-matched healthy volunteers. Gene expression levels were evaluated in whole blood samples by microarray analysis for arrays passing quality control checks. RESULTS: Patients with TRAPS exhibited a gene expression signature in blood that differed from that in healthy volunteers. Upon treatment with canakinumab, many genes relevant to disease pathogenesis moved towards levels seen in the healthy volunteers. Canakinumab downregulated the TRAPS-causing gene (TNF super family receptor 1A (TNFRSF1A)), the drug-target gene (interleukin (IL)-1B) and other inflammation-related genes (eg, MAPK14). In addition, several inflammation-related pathways were evident among the differentially expressed genes. Canakinumab treatment reduced neutrophil counts, but the observed expression differences remained after correction for this. CONCLUSIONS: These gene expression data support a model in which canakinumab produces clinical benefit in TRAPS by increasing neutrophil apoptosis and reducing pro-inflammatory signals resulting from the inhibition of IL-1ß. Notably, treatment normalised the overexpression of TNFRSF1A, suggesting that canakinumab has a direct impact on the main pathogenic mechanism in TRAPS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01242813.

Enhancement of Ovarian Tumor Detection by DR6-Targeted Ultrasound Imaging Agents in Laying Hen Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The lack of an effective early detection test leads to high case to death ratio of women with ovarian cancer (OVCA). To improve early detection, tumor-associated imaging targets need to be established and imaging agents to image these targets need to be developed. Targeted imaging agents offer potential for improvement of signal intensities from their targets. Expression of death receptor 6 (DR6) by ovarian malignant cells and tumor-associated microvessels increases during OVCA development and represents a novel target for ultrasound imaging. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of newly developed DR6-targeted ultrasound imaging agents in enhancing early detection of ovarian tumors in laying hen model of spontaneous OVCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in an exploratory cross-sectional design using 4-year-old laying hens (n = 130). DR6-targeted imaging agents were developed by conjugating microbubbles with rabbit anti-chicken DR6 antibodies. Changes in signal intensity of ultrasound imaging were determined before and after injection of targeted imaging agents in hens with or without spontaneous OVCA. Following targeted imaging, normal or tumor ovaries were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: DR6-targeted imaging agents bound with their targets expressed by malignant cells and tumor-associated microvessels in the ovary. Compared with pretargeted imaging, targeted imaging is enhanced by approximately 40% ultrasound echo signal intensity (P < 0.001) from early- and late-stage OVCA. Differences in signal enhancement were not observed among different histological subtypes of OVCA at early or late stages. Higher imaging signal intensities were associated with enhancement in DR6 expression by ovarian malignant cells and increase in the frequency of DR6-expressing microvessels during OVCA development. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that DR6-targeted imaging agents enhance the visualization of ovarian tumors and tumor-associated microvessels in hens with early-stage OVCA and will form a foundation for clinical studies.

The TWEAK receptor Fn14 is a potential cell surface portal for targeted delivery of glioblastoma therapeutics.

UNLABELLED: Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14; TNFRSF12A) is the cell surface receptor for the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). The Fn14 gene is normally expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but expression is significantly increased after tissue injury and in many solid tumor types, including glioblastoma (GB; formerly referred to as 'GB multiforme'). GB is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor and the current standard-of-care therapeutic regimen has a relatively small impact on patient survival, primarily because glioma cells have an inherent propensity to invade into normal brain parenchyma, which invariably leads to tumor recurrence and patient death. Despite major, concerted efforts to find new treatments, a new GB therapeutic that improves survival has not been introduced since 2005. In this review article, we summarize studies indicating that (i) Fn14 gene expression is low in normal brain tissue but is upregulated in advanced brain cancers and, in particular, in GB tumors exhibiting the mesenchymal molecular subtype; (ii) Fn14 expression can be detected in glioma cells residing in both the tumor core and invasive rim regions, with the maximal levels found in the invading glioma cells located within normal brain tissue; and (iii) TWEAK: Fn14 engagement as well as Fn14 overexpression can stimulate glioma cell migration, invasion and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. We also discuss two new therapeutic platforms that are currently in development that leverage Fn14 overexpression in GB tumors as a way to deliver cytotoxic agents to the glioma cells remaining after surgical resection while sparing normal healthy brain cells.

MiR-210 inhibits NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting DR6 in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degradation of articular cartilage and joint inflammation. MicroRNAs have been proved to play an important role in the regulation of chondrogenesis. Previous study showed that microRNA-210 (miR-210) was probably associated with osteoarthritis, while the function of miR-210 in osteoarthritis still remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of miR-210 on osteoarthritis. In the in vitro study, miR-210 level in chondrocytes was decreased after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Transfection with miR-210 mimic inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines production, cell viability reduction and cell apoptosis. Results of luciferase activity assay showed that miR-210 targeted 3'-UTR of death receptor 6 (DR6) to inhibit its expression. MiR-210 mimic and DR6 siRNA transfection inhibited the activation of NF-κB pathway and cell apoptosis of chondrocytes. For the in vivo study, OA model was established on rats by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). MiR-210 expression is reduced in OA rats. MiR-210 over-expressing lentivirus was injected into the OA rats. Cytokines production, and NF-κB and DR6 expression in OA rats was inhibited by miR-210 overexpression. The results demonstrated that miR-210 decreased inflammation in articular cavity in OA rats by targeting DR6 and inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway.

Development of human serine protease-based therapeutics targeting Fn14 and identification of Fn14 as a new target overexpressed in TNBC.

The cytokine TWEAK and its receptor, Fn14, have emerged as potentially valuable targets for cancer therapy. Granzyme B (GrB)-containing Fn14-targeted constructs were generated containing either the Fn14 ligand TWEAK (GrB-TWEAK) or an anti-Fn14 humanized single-chain antibody (GrB-Fc-IT4) as the targeting moieties. Both constructs showed high affinity and selective cytotoxicity against a panel of Fn14-expressing human tumor cells including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lines. Cellular expression of the GrB inhibitor PI-9 in target cells had no impact on the cytotoxic effect of either construct. Cellular expression of MDR1 showed no cross-resistance to the fusion constructs. GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 activated intracellular caspase cascades and cytochrome c-related proapoptotic pathways consistent with the known intracellular functions of GrB in target cells. Treatment of mice bearing established HT-29 xenografts with GrB-TWEAK showed significant tumor growth inhibition compared with vehicle alone (P < 0.05). Both GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 displayed significant tumor growth inhibition when administered to mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) tumor xenografts. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis revealed that Fn14 mRNA expression was significantly higher in TNBC and in HER2-positive disease (P < 0.0001) compared with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and in basal-like 2 tumors (P = 0.01) compared with other TNBC molecular subtypes. IHC analysis of a 101 patient TNBC tumor microarray showed that 55 of 101 (54%) of tumors stained positive for Fn14, suggesting that this may be an excellent potential target for precision therapeutic approaches. Targeting Fn14 using fully human, GrB-containing fusion constructs may form the basis for a new class of novel, potent, and highly effective constructs for targeted therapeutic applications.

Systemic inflammatory response elicited by superantigen destabilizes T regulatory cells, rendering them ineffective during toxic shock syndrome.

Life-threatening infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, particularly the community-acquired methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus, continue to pose serious problems. Greater virulence and increased pathogenicity of certain S. aureus strains are attributed to higher prevalence of exotoxins. Of these exotoxins, the superantigens (SAg) are likely most pathogenic because of their ability to rapidly and robustly activate the T cells even in extremely small quantities. Therefore, countering SAg-mediated T cell activation using T regulatory cells (Tregs) might be beneficial in diseases such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). As the normal numbers of endogenous Tregs in a typical host are insufficient, we hypothesized that increasing the Treg numbers by administration of IL-2/anti-IL-2 Ab immune complexes (IL2C) or by adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded Tregs might be more effective in countering SAg-mediated immune activation. HLA-DR3 transgenic mice that closely recapitulate human TSS were treated with IL2C to increase endogenous Tregs or received ex vivo expanded Tregs. Subsequently, they were challenged with SAg to induce TSS. Analyses of various parameters reflective of TSS (serum cytokine/chemokine levels, multiple organ pathology, and SAg-induced peripheral T cell expansion) indicated that increasing the Tregs failed to mitigate TSS. On the contrary, serum IFN-γ levels were increased in IL2C-treated mice. Exploration into the reasons behind the lack of protective effect of Tregs revealed IL-17 and IFN-γ-dependent loss of Tregs during TSS. In addition, significant upregulation of glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related receptor on conventional T cells during TSS could render them resistant to Treg-mediated suppression, contributing to failure of Treg-mediated immune regulation.

A new strategy to deliver synthetic protein drugs: self-reproducible biologics using minicircles.

Biologics are the most successful drugs used in anticytokine therapy. However, they remain partially unsuccessful because of the elevated cost of their synthesis and purification. Development of novel biologics has also been hampered by the high cost. Biologics are made of protein components; thus, theoretically, they can be produced in vivo. Here we tried to invent a novel strategy to allow the production of synthetic drugs in vivo by the host itself. The recombinant minicircles encoding etanercept or tocilizumab, which are synthesized currently by pharmaceutical companies, were injected intravenously into animal models. Self-reproduced etanercept and tocilizumab were detected in the serum of mice. Moreover, arthritis subsided in mice that were injected with minicircle vectors carrying biologics. Self-reproducible biologics need neither factory facilities for drug production nor clinical processes, such as frequent drug injection. Although this novel strategy is in its very early conceptual stage, it seems to represent a potential alternative method for the delivery of biologics.

Inhibition of neutrophil-dependent cytotoxicity for human endothelial cells by ACE inhibitors.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) have immunomodulating properties and have been suggested to protect against endothelial injury, for example myocardial infarction and reperfusion injury. We tested whether two ACEi (captopril and enalapril), differing in a thiol group, protected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from cytotoxicity induced by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in vitro, when cells were activated by tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) or the arachidonate derivative lipoxin-A4 (LXA4 ), using separate cytotoxicity pathways. When (51) Cr labelled HUVEC were treated with captopril (0-500 µm) or enalapril (0-100 µm) for 2 h and then activated by TNFα (100 ng/ml) for 24 h, a significant, dose-dependent reduction of (51) Cr release was observed. Similarly, captopril reduced (51) Cr release when LXA4 (0.1 µm) was used to stimulate PMN for 4 h. Among previously defined mechanisms of significance for the cytotoxic reaction, expression of ICAM-1, but not intracellular Ca(2+) changes in PMN or PMN adherence to HUVEC, were reduced by ACEi treatment. Moreover, both ACEi inhibited HUVEC surface expression of TNFα receptor I (but not II). Thus, these ACEi, particularly captopril, interfere with PMN-induced cytotoxicity for endothelial cells by modulating pro-inflammatory surface receptors, which is a novel effect that might be explored for further therapeutic approaches.

Pathological activation of canonical nuclear-factor κB by synergy of tumor necrosis factor α and TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis in mouse acute colitis.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a major effector in various inflammatory conditions. TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF superfamily that promotes inflammatory tissue damage through its receptor, FGF-inducible molecule 14 (Fn14). Since both TWEAK and TNF-α have been shown to mediate pathological responses through inter-dependent or independent pathways by in vitro, the potential interplay of these pathways was investigated in a mouse colitis model. Acute colitis was induced by rectal injection of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), with administration of control IgG, TNF receptor (TNFR)-Ig chimeric protein, anti-TWEAK monoclonal antibody, or the combination of TNFR-Ig and anti-TWEAK antibody. On day 4, disease severity was evaluated and gene expression profiling was analyzed using whole colon tissue. NF-κB activation was investigated with Western blot. Levels of transcript of TWEAK, Fn14 and NF-κB-related molecules were measured in purified colon epithelial cells (ECs). As a result, activation of the canonical (p50/RelA), but not noncanonical (p100/RelB)-mediated pathway was the hallmark of inflammatory responses in this model. Inflammation induced upregulation of Fn14 only in ECs but not in other cell types. Combination treatment of TNFR-Ig and anti-TWEAK antibody synergistically reduced disease severity in comparison with the control antibody or single agent treatment. Gene expression profile of the colon indicated downregulation of canonical NF-κB pathway with combination treatment. In conclusion, synergistic activation of canonical NF-κB by TWEAK and TNF-α is critical for the induction of inflammatory tissue damage in acute inflammation.

Neuropathic pain-induced depressive-like behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis and plasticity are dependent on TNFR1 signaling.

Patients suffering from neuropathic pain have a higher incidence of mood disorders such as depression. Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been reported in neuropathic pain and depressive-like conditions and most of the pro-inflammatory effects of TNF are mediated by the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Here we sought to investigate: (1) the occurrence of depressive-like behavior in chronic neuropathic pain and the associated forms of hippocampal plasticity, and (2) the involvement of TNFR1-mediated TNF signaling as a possible regulator of such events. Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in wild-type and TNFR1(-/-) mice. Anhedonia, weight loss and physical state were measured as symptoms of depression. Hippocampal neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, myelin remodeling and TNF/TNFRs expression were analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis and western blot assay. We found that neuropathic pain resulted in the development of depressive symptoms in a time dependent manner and was associated with profound hippocampal alterations such as impaired neurogenesis, reduced expression of neuroplasticity markers and myelin proteins. The onset of depressive-like behavior also coincided with increased hippocampal levels of TNF, and decreased expression of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), which were all fully restored after mice spontaneously recovered from pain. Notably, TNFR1(-/-) mice did not develop depressive-like symptoms after injury, nor were there changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and plasticity. Our data show that neuropathic pain induces a cluster of depressive-like symptoms and profound hippocampal plasticity that are dependent on TNF signaling through TNFR1.

Combination of FACS and homologous recombination for the generation of stable and high-expression engineered cell lines.

Traditionally, cell line generation requires several months and involves screening of over several hundred cell clones for high productivity before dozens are selected as candidate cell lines. Here, we have designed a new strategy for the generation of stable and high-expression cell lines by combining homologous recombination (HR) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). High expression was indicated by the expression of secreted green fluorescent protein (SEGFP). Parental cell lines with the highest expression of SEGFP were then selected by FACS and identified by stability analysis. Consequently, HR vectors were constructed using the cassette for SEGFP as the HR region. After transfecting the HR vector, the cells with negative SEGFP expression were enriched by FACS. The complete exchange between SEGFP and target gene (TNFR-Fc) cassettes was demonstrated by DNA analysis. Compared with the traditional method, by integrating the cassette containing the gene of interest into the pre-selected site, the highest producing cells secreted a more than 8-fold higher titer of target protein. Hence, this new strategy can be applied to isolated stable cell lines with desirable expression of any gene of interest. The stable cell lines can rapidly produce proteins for researching protein structure and function and are even applicable in drug discovery.

Mechanical allodynia induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor is suppressed by p55TNFSR mediated by herpes simplex virus vector through the SDF1α/CXCR4 system in rats.

BACKGROUND: In the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated sensory neuropathy, neuropathic pain associated with the use of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in patients with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is clinically common. While evidence demonstrates that neuropathic pain is influenced by neuroinflammatory events that include the proinflammatory molecules, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), stromal cell-derived factor 1-α (SDF1-α), and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), the detailed mechanisms by which NRTIs contribute to the development of neuropathic pain are not known. In this study, we investigated the role of these proinflammatory molecules in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the spinal dorsal horn in NRTIs-mediated neuropathic pain state. METHODS: Neuropathic pain was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC, one of the NRTIs). Mechanical threshold was tested using von Frey filament fibers. Nonreplicating herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors expressing p55 TNF soluble receptor (p55TNFSR) were inoculated into hindpaw of rats. The expression of TNF-α, SDF1-α, and CXCR4 in both the lumbar spinal cord and the L4/5 DRG was examined using Western blots. Intrathecal CXCR4 antagonist was administered. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that (1) systemic ddC induced upregulation of TNF-α, SDF1-α, and CXCR4 in both the lumbar spinal cord and the L4/5 DRG; (2) p55TNFSR mediated by a nonreplicating HSV vector reversed mechanical allodynia induced by systemic ddC; (3) intrathecal administration of the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 increased mechanical threshold; and (4) HSV vector expressing p55TNFSR reversed upregulation of TNF-α, SDF1-α, and CXCR4 induced by ddC in the lumbar spinal dorsal horn and the DRG. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrate that TNF-α through the SDF1/CXCR4 system is involved in the NRTIs-related neuropathic pain state and that blocking the signaling of these proinflammatory molecules is able to reduce NRTIs-related neuropathic pain. These results provide a novel mechanism-based approach (gene therapy) to treating HIV-associated neuropathic pain.