COVID-19 Molecular Pathophysiology: Acetylation of Repurposing Drugs.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces immune-mediated type 1 interferon (IFN-1) production, the pathophysiology of which involves sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) tetramerization and the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. As a result, type I interferonopathies are exacerbated. Aspirin inhibits cGAS-mediated signaling through cGAS acetylation. Acetylation contributes to cGAS activity control and activates IFN-1 production and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling via STING. Aspirin and dapsone inhibit the activation of both IFN-1 and NF-κB by targeting cGAS. We define these as anticatalytic mechanisms. It is necessary to alleviate the pathologic course and take the lag time of the odds of achieving viral clearance by day 7 to coordinate innate or adaptive immune cell reactions.

Genistein promotes M1 macrophage apoptosis and reduces inflammatory response by disrupting miR-21/TIPE2 pathway.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality, and vascular injury, a common pathological basis of cardiovascular disease, is deeply correlated with macrophage apoptosis and inflammatory response. Genistein, a type of phytoestrogen, exerts cardiovascular protective activities, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, RAW264.7 cells were treated with genistein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor, and/or protein kinase B (AKT) agonist to determine the role of genistein in apoptosis and inflammation in LPS-stimulated cells. Simultaneously, high fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice were administered genistein to evaluate the function of genistein on LPS-induced cardiovascular injury mouse model. Here, we demonstrated that LPS obviously increased apoptosis resistance and inflammatory response of macrophages by promoting miR-21 expression, and miR-21 downregulated tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) expression by targeting the coding region. Genistein reduced miR-21 expression by inhibiting NF-κB, then blocked toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway and AKT phosphorylation dependent on TIPE2, resulting in inhibition of LPS. Our research suggests that miR-21/TIPE2 pathway is involved in M1 macrophage apoptosis and inflammatory response, and genistein inhibits the progression of LPS-induced cardiovascular injury at the epigenetic level via regulating the promoter region of Vmp1 by NF-κB.

Microglial TLR4-induced TAK1 phosphorylation and NLRP3 activation mediates neuroinflammation and contributes to chronic morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to investigate the role and signal transduction of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in microglial in the development of morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance. METHODS: TLR4 and NLRP3 knockout mice and 5Z-7-oxozeaeno (a selective inhibitor against TAK1 activity) were used to observe their effect on the development of morphine tolerance. Intrathecal injections of morphine (0.75 mg/kg once daily for 7 days) were used to establish anti-nociceptive tolerance, which was measured by the tail-flick test. Spinal TLR4, TAK1, and NLRP3 expression levels and phosphorylation of TAK1 were evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Repeated treatment with morphine increased total expression of spinal TLR4, TAK1, and NLRP3 and phosphorylation of TAK1 in wild-type mice. TLR4 knockout attenuated morphine-induced tolerance and inhibited the chronic morphine-induced increase in NLRP3 and phosphorylation of TAK1. Compared with controls, mice that received 5Z-7-oxozeaenol showed decreased development of morphine tolerance and inhibition on repeated morphine-induced increase of NLRP3 but not TLR4. NLRP3 knockout mice showed resistance to morphine-induced analgesic tolerance with no effect on chronic morphine-induced expression of TLR4 and TAK1. TLR4, TAK1, and NLRP3 were collectively co-localized together and with the microglia marker Iba1. CONCLUSIONS: Microglial TLR4 regulates TAK1 expression and phosphorylation and results in NLRP3 activation contributes to the development of morphine tolerance through regulating neuroinflammation. Targeting TLR4-TAK1-NLRP3 signaling to regulate neuro-inflammation will be alternative therapeutics and strategies for chronic morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance.

A review on genus Millettia: Traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities.

The genus Millettia belongs to Fabaceae includes 200 species which are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Plants belong to this genus are used as folkloric medicine, for the treatment of different ailments like in wound healing, boil, sores, skin diseases, snake bite, muscle aches, pains, rheumatic arthritis, and gynaecological diseases. The aim of the review is to provide updated, comprehensive and categorized information on the aspects of ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological uses and toxicity of genus Millettia in order to identify their therapeutic potential and generate space for future research opportunities. The present study comprises of isolated flavonoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, saponins, alkaloids, polysaccharides, terpenoids and resins and pharmacological activities of various Millettia species. The relevant data were searched by using the keyword "Millettia" in different scientific databases like, "Google Scholar"; "NISCAIR repository"; "Pub Med"; "Science Direct"; "Scopus" and the taxonomy is validated by "The Plant List". This review discusses the existing information of the traditional evaluation as well as phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of the extract and active constituents of the genus "Millettia". This review confirms that several Millettia species have emerged as a high-quality medicine in a traditional system for arthritis, wound healing, inflammation, skin diseases. Numerous conventional uses of Millettia species have been validated by modern pharmacology research. Intensive investigations of the genus Millettia relating to phytochemistry and pharmacology, especially their mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy could be the future research interests by the researcher in the area of phytomedicine.

Virgin olive oil and its phenol fraction modulate monocyte/macrophage functionality: a potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Monocytes and macrophages are critical effectors and regulators of inflammation and innate immune response, which appear altered in different autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent studies suggested that virgin olive oil (VOO) and particularly its phenol compounds might possess preventive effects on different immune-inflammatory diseases, including SLE. Here, we evaluated the effects of VOO (and sunflower oil) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated peritoneal macrophages from a model of pristane-induced SLE in BALB/c mice, as well as those of the phenol fraction (PF) from VOO on the immune-inflammatory activity and plasticity in monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy volunteers. The release of nitrite and inflammatory cytokines was lower in LPS-treated peritoneal macrophages from pristane-SLE mice fed the VOO diet when compared with the sunflower oil diet. PF from VOO similarly decreased the secretion of nitrite and inflammatory cytokines and expression of inducible nitric oxide, PPARγ and Toll-like receptor 4 in LPS-treated human monocytes. PF from VOO also prevented the deregulation of human monocyte subset distribution by LPS and blocked the genetic signature of M1 macrophages while favouring the phenotype of M2 macrophages upon canonical polarisation of naïve human macrophages. For the first time, our study provides several lines of in vivo and in vitro evidence that VOO and PF from VOO target and counteract inflammatory pathways in the monocyte-macrophage lineage of mice with pristane-induced SLE and of healthy subjects, which is a meaningful foundation for further development and application in preclinical and clinical use of PF from VOO in patients with SLE.

Dietary l-threonine supplementation attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage of broiler chickens at an early age.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of l-threonine (l-Thr) supplementation on growth performance, inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier function of young broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 144 1-d-old male chicks were allocated to one of three treatments: non-challenged broilers fed a basal diet (control group), LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet without l-Thr supplementation and LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 3·0 g/kg l-Thr. LPS challenge was performed intraperitoneally at 17, 19 and 21 d of age, whereas the control group received physiological saline injection. Compared with the control group, LPS challenge impaired growth performance of broilers, and l-Thr administration reversed LPS-induced increase in feed/gain ratio. LPS challenge elevated blood cell counts related to inflammation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in serum (IL-1ß and TNF-α), spleen (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and intestinal mucosa (jejunal interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and ileal IL-1ß). The concentrations of intestinal cytokines in LPS-challenged broilers were reduced by l-Thr supplementation. LPS administration increased circulating d-lactic acid concentration, whereas it reduced villus height, the ratio between villus height and crypt depth and goblet density in both jejunum and ileum. LPS-induced decreases in jejunal villus height, intestinal villus height:crypt depth ratio and ileal goblet cell density were reversed with l-Thr supplementation. Similarly, LPS-induced alterations in the intestinal mRNA abundances of genes related to intestinal inflammation and barrier function (jejunal toll-like receptor 4, IFN- γ and claudin-3, and ileal IL-1 ß and zonula occludens-1) were normalised with l-Thr administration. It can be concluded that l-Thr supplementation could attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage of young broilers.

Role of microbiota-derived lipopolysaccharide in adipose tissue inflammation, adipocyte size and pyroptosis during obesity.

It has been established that ingestion of a high-fat diet increases the blood levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria in the gut. Obesity is characterised by low-grade systemic and adipose tissue inflammation. This is suggested to be implicated in the metabolic syndrome and obesity. In the present review, we hypothesise that LPS directly and indirectly participates in the inflammatory reaction in adipose tissue during obesity. The experimental evidence shows that LPS is involved in the transition of macrophages from the M2 to the M1 phenotype. In addition, LPS inside adipocytes may activate caspase-4/5/11. This may induce a highly inflammatory type of programmed cell death (i.e. pyroptosis), which also occurs after infection with intracellular pathogens. Lipoproteins with or without LPS are taken up by adipocytes. Large adipocytes are more metabolically active and potentially more exposed to LPS than small adipocytes are. Thus, LPS might be involved in defining the adipocyte death size and the formation of crown-like structures. The adipocyte death size is reached when the intracellular concentration of LPS initiates pyroptosis. The mechanistic details remain to be elucidated, but the observations indicate that adipocytes are stimulated to cell death by processes that involve LPS from the gut microbiota. There is a complex interplay between the composition of the diet and microbiota. This influences the amount of LPS that is translocated from the gut. In particular, the lipid content of a meal may correlate with the amount of LPS built in to chylomicrons.

Low-fat yogurt consumption reduces biomarkers of chronic inflammation and inhibits markers of endotoxin exposure in healthy premenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial.

The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of low-fat dairy product consumption are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether low-fat yogurt reduces biomarkers of chronic inflammation and endotoxin exposure in women. Premenopausal women (BMI 18·5-27 and 30-40 kg/m2) were randomised to consume 339 g of low-fat yogurt (yogurt non-obese (YN); yogurt obese (YO)) or 324 g of soya pudding (control non-obese; control obese (CO)) daily for 9 weeks (n 30/group). Fasting blood samples were analysed for IL-6, TNF-α/soluble TNF II (sTNF-RII), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, anandamide, monocyte gene expression, soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS binding protein (LBP), IgM endotoxin-core antibody (IgM EndoCAb), and zonulin. BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure were also determined. After 9-week yogurt consumption, YO and YN had decreased TNF-α/sTNFR-RII. Yogurt consumption increased plasma IgM EndoCAb regardless of obesity status. sCD14 was not affected by diet, but LBP/sCD14 was lowered by yogurt consumption in both YN and YO. Yogurt intervention increased plasma 2-arachidonoylglycerol in YO but not YN. YO peripheral blood mononuclear cells expression of NF-κB inhibitor α and transforming growth factor ß1 increased relative to CO at 9 weeks. Other biomarkers were unchanged by diet. CO and YO gained approximately 0·9 kg in body weight. YO had 3·6 % lower diastolic blood pressure at week 3. Low-fat yogurt for 9 weeks reduced biomarkers of chronic inflammation and endotoxin exposure in premenopausal women compared with a non-dairy control food. This trial was registered as NCT01686204.

The application of self-assembled nanostructures in peptide-based subunit vaccine development.

Peptide based-vaccines are becoming one of the most widely investigated prophylactic and therapeutic health care interventions against a variety of diseases, including cancer. However, the lack of a safe and highly efficient adjuvant (immune stimulant) is regarded as the biggest obstacle to vaccine development. The incorporation of a peptide antigen in a nanostructure-based delivery system was recently shown to overcome this obstacle. Nanostructures are often formed from antigens conjugated to molecules such as polymers, lipids, and peptide, with the help of self-assembly phenomenon. This review describes the application of self-assembly process for the production of peptide-based vaccine candidates and the ability of these nanostructures to stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses.

The Role of Carbohydrates in the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Signalling.

The interactions between sugar-containing molecules from the bacteria cell wall and pattern recognition receptors (PRR) on the plasma membrane or cytosol of specialized host cells are the first molecular events required for the activation of higher animal's immune response and inflammation. This review focuses on the role of carbohydrates of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, lipooligosaccharide, LOS, and lipid A), in the interaction with the host Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (TLR4/MD-2) complex. The lipid chains and the phosphorylated disaccharide core of lipid A moiety are responsible for the TLR4 agonist action of LPS, and the specific interaction between MD-2, TLR4, and lipid A are key to the formation of the activated complex (TLR4/MD-2/LPS)2, which starts intracellular signalling leading to nuclear factors activation and to production of inflammatory cytokines. Subtle chemical variations in the lipid and sugar parts of lipid A cause dramatic changes in endotoxin activity and are also responsible for the switch from TLR4 agonism to antagonism. While the lipid A pharmacophore has been studied in detail and its structure-activity relationship is known, the contribution of core saccharides 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) and heptosyl-2-keto-3-deoxy-octulosonate (Hep) to TLR4/MD-2 binding and activation by LPS and LOS has been investigated less extensively. This review focuses on the role of lipid A, but also of Kdo and Hep sugars in LPS/TLR4 signalling.

A possible role of microglia-derived nitric oxide by lipopolysaccharide in activation of astroglial pentose-phosphate pathway via the Keap1/Nrf2 system.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of stroke-induced inflammation. Both astroglia and microglia express TLR4, and endogenous ligands produced in the ischemic brain induce inflammatory responses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and inflammatory cytokines produced by TLR4 activation play harmful roles in neuronal damage after stroke. Although astroglia exhibit pro-inflammatory responses upon TLR4 stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), they may also play cytoprotective roles via the activation of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), reducing oxidative stress by glutathione peroxidase. We investigated the mechanisms by which astroglia reduce oxidative stress via the activation of PPP, using TLR4 stimulation and hypoxia in concert with microglia. METHODS: In vitro experiments were performed using cells prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats. Coexisting microglia in the astroglial culture were chemically eliminated using L-leucine methyl ester (LME). Cells were exposed to LPS (0.01 µg/mL) or hypoxia (1 % O2) for 12-15 h. PPP activity was measured using [1-(14)C]glucose and [6-(14)C]glucose. ROS and NO production were measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and diaminofluorescein-FM diacetate, respectively. The involvement of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a cardinal transcriptional factor under stress conditions that regulates glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of PPP, was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Cultured astroglia exposed to LPS elicited 20 % increases in PPP flux, and these actions of astroglia appeared to involve Nrf2. However, the chemical depletion of coexisting microglia eliminated both increases in PPP and astroglial nuclear translocation of Nrf2. LPS induced ROS and NO production in the astroglial culture containing microglia but not in the microglia-depleted astroglial culture. LPS enhanced astroglial ROS production after glutathione depletion. U0126, an upstream inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase, eliminated LPS-induced NO production, whereas ROS production was unaffected. U0126 also eliminated LPS-induced PPP activation in astroglial-microglial culture, indicating that microglia-derived NO mediated astroglial PPP activation. Hypoxia induced astroglial PPP activation independent of the microglia-NO pathway. Elimination of ROS and NO production by sulforaphane, a natural Nrf2 activator, confirmed the astroglial protective mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Astroglia in concert with microglia may play a cytoprotective role for countering oxidative stress in stroke.

The human milk oligosaccharide 2'-fucosyllactose attenuates the severity of experimental necrotising enterocolitis by enhancing mesenteric perfusion in the neonatal intestine.

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a common disease in premature infants characterised by intestinal ischaemia and necrosis. The only effective preventative strategy against NEC is the administration of breast milk, although the protective mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesise that an abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) in breast milk, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), protects against NEC by enhancing intestinal mucosal blood flow, and we sought to determine the mechanisms underlying this protection. Administration of HMO-2'FL protected against NEC in neonatal wild-type mice, resulted in a decrease in pro-inflammatory markers and preserved the small intestinal mucosal architecture. These protective effects occurred via restoration of intestinal perfusion through up-regulation of the vasodilatory molecule endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as administration of HMO-2'FL to eNOS-deficient mice or to mice that received eNOS inhibitors did not protect against NEC, and by 16S analysis HMO-2'FL affected the microbiota of the neonatal mouse gut, although these changes do not seem to be the primary mechanism of protection. Induction of eNOS by HMO-2'FL was also observed in cultured endothelial cells, providing a link between eNOS and HMO in the endothelium. These data demonstrate that HMO-2'FL protects against NEC in part through maintaining mesenteric perfusion via increased eNOS expression, and suggest that the 2'FL found in human milk may be mediating some of the protective benefits of breast milk in the clinical setting against NEC.

Preventive effects of citrulline on Western diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.

A Western diet induces insulin resistance, liver steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)) and intestinal dysbiosis, leading to increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation, thus contributing to the progression of NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In the present study, we sought, in a model of Western diet-induced NAFLD, to determine whether citrulline (Cit), an amino acid that regulates protein and energy metabolism, could decrease Western diet-induced liver injuries, as well as the mechanisms involved. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (45 %) and fructose (30 %) in drinking water or a control diet associated with water (group C) for 8 weeks. The high-fat, high-fructose diet (Western diet) was fed either alone (group WD) or with Cit (1 g/kg per d) (group WDC) or an isonitrogenous amount of non-essential amino acids (group WDA). We evaluated nutritional and metabolic status, liver function, intestinal barrier function, gut microbiota and splanchnic inflammatory status. Cit led to a lower level of hepatic TAG restricted to microvesicular lipid droplets and to a lower mRNA expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress, of pro-inflammatory cytokines Il6 (P<0·05) and Tnfα, and of toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) (P<0·05). Cit also improved plasma TAG and insulin levels. In the colon, it decreased inflammation (Tnfα and Tlr4 expressions) and increased claudin-1 protein expression. This was associated with higher levels of Bacteroides/Prevotella compared with rats fed the Western diet alone. Cit improves Western diet-induced liver injuries via decreased lipid deposition, increased insulin sensitivity, lower inflammatory process and preserved antioxidant status. This may be related in part to its protective effects at the gut level.

Kojibiose ameliorates arachidic acid-induced metabolic alterations in hyperglycaemic rats.

Herein we hypothesise the positive effects of kojibiose (KJ), a prebiotic disaccharide, selected for reducing hepatic expression of inflammatory markers in vivo that could modulate the severity of saturated arachidic acid (ARa)-induced liver dysfunction in hyperglycaemic rats. Animals were fed daily (20 d) with ARa (0·3 mg) together or not with KJ (22 mg approximately 0·5 %, w/w diet). Glucose, total TAG and cholesterol contents and the phospholipid profile were determined in serum samples. Liver sections were collected for the expression (mRNA) of enzymes and innate biomarkers, and intrahepatic macrophage and T-cell populations were analysed by flow cytometry. ARa administration increased the proportion of liver to body weight that was associated with an increased (by 11 %) intrahepatic macrophage population. These effects were ameliorated when feeding with KJ, which also normalised the plasmatic levels of TAG and N-acyl-phosphatidylethenolamine in response to tissue damage. These results indicate that daily supplementation of KJ significantly improves the severity of ARa-induced hepatic alterations.

Vitamin D inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response potentially through the Toll-like receptor 4 signalling pathway in the intestine and enterocytes of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian).

The present study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D both in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) in vivo and in enterocytes in vitro. In primary enterocytes, exposure to 10 mg lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/l increased lactate dehydrogenase activity in the culture medium (P<0·05) and resulted in a significant loss of cell viability (P<0·05). LPS exposure increased (P<0·05) the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8), which was decreased by pre-treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D3) in a dose-dependent manner (P<0·05). Further results showed that pre-treatment with 1,25D3 down-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88) and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression (P<0·05), suggesting potential mechanisms against LPS-induced inflammatory response. In vivo, intraperitoneal injection of LPS significantly increased TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression in the intestine of carp (P<0·05). Pre-treatment of fish with vitamin D3 protected the fish intestine from the LPS-induced increase of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8 mainly by downregulating TLR4, Myd88 and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression (P<0·05). These observations suggest that vitamin D could inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response in juvenile Jian carp in vivo and in enterocytes in vitro. The anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D is mediated at least in part by TLR4-Myd88 signalling pathways in the intestine and enterocytes of juvenile Jian carp.

Qinhuo Shanggan oral solution resolves acute lung injury by down-regulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common condition, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic, which is distinguished by sudden onset of respiratory insufficiency with tachypnea, oxygen-refractory cyanosis, reduced lung compliance and diffuse infiltration of pulmonary alveoli. It is well-established that increasing activity of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling axis and the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation are associated with the pathogenesis of ALI. Since ALI poses a huge challenge to human health, it is urgent to tackle this affliction with therapeutic intervention. Qinhuo Shanggan oral solution (QHSG), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, is clinically used for effective medication of various lung diseases including ALI, with the action mechanism obscure. In the present study, with the rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI, QHSG was unveiled to ameliorate ALI by alleviating the pathological features, reversing the alteration in white blood cell profile and impeding the production of inflammatory cytokines through down-regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, QHSG was discovered to hinder the generation of inflammatory cytokines by lessening TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activity and weakening NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Taken together, QHSG may resolve acute lung injury, attributed to its anti-inflammation and immunoregulation by attenuation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our findings provide a novel insight into the action mechanism of QHSG and lay a mechanistic foundation for therapeutic intervention in acute lung injury with QHSG in clinical practice.

Hepatitis B virus infection combined with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Interaction and prognosis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still one kind of the infectious diseases that seriously threaten human health. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. HBV infection complicated with NAFLD is increasingly common. This review mainly describes the interaction between HBV infection and NAFLD, the interaction between steatosis and antiviral drugs, and the prognosis of HBV infection complicated with NAFLD. Most studies suggest that HBV infection may reduce the incidence of NAFLD. NAFLD can promote the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), but whether it affects antiviral efficacy has been reported inconsistently. HBV infection combined with NAFLD can promote the progression of liver fibrosis, especially in patients with severe steatosis. The outcome of HBV infection combined with NAFLD predisposing to the progression of HCC remains controversial.

Neuroprotection by Nrf2 via modulating microglial phenotype and phagocytosis after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Activated microglia are divided into pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functional states. In anti-inflammatory state, activated microglia contribute to phagocytosis, neural repair and anti-inflammation. Nrf2 as a major endogenous regulator in hematoma clearance after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has received much attention. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying Nrf2-mediated regulation of microglial phenotype and phagocytosis in hematoma clearance after ICH. In vitro experiments, BV-2 cells were assigned to normal group and administration group (Nrf2-siRNA, Nrf2 agonists Monascin and Xuezhikang). In vivo experiments, mice were divided into 5 groups: sham, ICH + vehicle, ICH + Nrf2-/-, ICH + Monascin and ICH + Xuezhikang. In vitro and in vivo, 72 h after administration of Monascin and Xuezhikang, the expression of Nrf2, inflammatory-associated factors such as Trem1, TNF-α and CD80, anti-inflammatory, neural repair and phagocytic associated factors such as Trem2, CD206 and BDNF were analyzed by the Western blot method. In vitro, fluorescent latex beads or erythrocytes were uptaken by BV-2 cells in order to study microglial phagocytic ability. In vivo, hemoglobin levels reflect the hematoma volume. In this study, Nrf2 agonists (Monascin and Xuezhikang) upregulated the expression of Trem2, CD206 and BDNF while decreased the expression of Trem1, TNF-α and CD80 both in vivo and in vitro. At the same time, after Monascin and Xuezhikang treatment, the phagocytic capacity of microglia increased in vitro, neurological deficits improved and hematoma volume lessened in vivo. These results were reversed in the Nrf2-siRNA or the Nrf2-/- mice. All these results indicated that Nrf2 enhanced hematoma clearance and neural repair, improved neurological outcomes through enhancing microglial phagocytosis and alleviating neuroinflammation.

Cathelicidin promotes liver repair after acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.

Background & Aims: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (AILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is only effective within 24 h after APAP intoxication, raising an urgent need for alternative approaches to treat this disease. This study aimed to test whether cathelicidin (Camp), which is a protective factor in chronic liver diseases, protects mice against APAP-induced liver injury and ALF. Methods: A clinically relevant AILI model and an APAP-induced ALF model were generated in mice. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to interfere with the levels of cathelicidin in vivo. Results: An increase in hepatic pro-CRAMP/CRAMP (the precursor and mature forms of mouse cathelicidin) was observed in APAP-intoxicated mice. Upregulated cathelicidin was derived from liver-infiltrating neutrophils. Compared with wild-type littermates, Camp knockout had no effect on hepatic injury but dampened hepatic repair in AILI and reduced survival in APAP-induced ALF. CRAMP administration reversed impaired liver recovery observed in APAP-challenged Camp knockout mice. Delayed CRAMP, CRAMP(1-39) (the extended form of CRAMP), or LL-37 (the mature form of human cathelicidin) treatment exhibited a therapeutic benefit for AILI. Co-treatment of cathelicidin and NAC in AILI displayed a stronger hepatoprotective effect than NAC alone. A similar additive effect of CRAMP(1-39)/LL-37 and NAC was observed in APAP-induced ALF. The pro-reparative role of cathelicidin in the APAP-damaged liver was attributed to an accelerated resolution of inflammation at the onset of liver repair, possibly through enhanced neutrophil phagocytosis of necrotic cell debris in an autocrine manner. Conclusions: Cathelicidin reduces APAP-induced liver injury and ALF in mice by promoting liver recovery via facilitating inflammation resolution, suggesting a therapeutic potential for late-presenting patients with AILI with or without ALF. Impact and implications: Acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury is a leading cause of acute liver failure. The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine, the only clinically approved drug against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury, is significantly reduced for late-presenting patients. We found that cathelicidin exhibits a great therapeutic potential in mice with acetaminophen-induced liver injury or acute liver failure, which makes up for the limitation of N-acetylcysteine therapy by specifically promoting liver repair after acetaminophen intoxication. The pro-reparative role of cathelicidin, as a key effector molecule of neutrophils, in the APAP-injured liver is attributed to an accelerated resolution of inflammation at the onset of liver repair, possibly through enhanced phagocytic function of neutrophils in an autocrine manner.

Water-soluble protein from walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by attenuating TLR4-MyD88 expression in macrophages.

Water-soluble protein (WSP) from fish meat is abundant in the waste effluent generated via the surimi manufacturing process. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of fish WSP using primary macrophages (MΦ) and animal ingestion. MΦ were treated with digested-WSP (d-WSP, 500 µg/mL) with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. For the ingestion study, male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were fed 4% WSP for 14 days following LPS administration (4 mg/kg body weight). d-WSP decreased the expression of Tlr4, an LPS receptor. Additionally, d-WSP significantly suppressed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, phagocytic ability, and Myd88 and Il1b expressions of LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, the ingestion of 4% WSP attenuated not only LPS-induced IL-1ß secretion in the blood but also Myd88 and Il1b expressions in the liver. Thus, fish WSP decreases the expressions of the genes involved in the TLR4-MyD88 pathway in MΦ and the liver, thereby suppressing inflammation.