Synthesis of immune modulators by smooth muscles

The primary function of smooth muscle cells is to contract and alter the stiffness or diameter of hollow organs such as blood vessels, the airways and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. In addition to purely structural functions, smooth muscle cells may play important metabolic roles, particularly in various inflammatory responses. In cell culture, these cells have been shown to be metabolically dynamic, synthesizing and secreting extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans and a wide variety of cell-cell signaling proteins, such as interleukins, chemokines and peptide growth factors. Secreted cell signaling proteins participate in the inflammatory response of smooth muscle-containing organs, and some can also stimulate smooth muscle migration, proliferation and contraction. The cellular signaling pathways controlling synthesis of these signaling proteins are similar to those used by cells mediating innate immunity and may contribute to pathogenesis of diverse diseases including atherosclerosis, asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases and preterm labor. Appreciating the role of smooth muscle cells in these diseases may lead to better understanding of the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as identification of new targets for anti-inflammatory therapy.     

α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体在胆碱能抗炎通路中的作用机制及应用现状

胆碱能抗炎通路是一条神经-免疫调节通路,以中枢神经系统的迷走神经为起点,以神经递质乙酰胆碱为基础,以免疫细胞膜表面的α7烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, α7 nAChR)为关键作用位点。其中,电信号与化学信号相互转化,激活JAK-STAT3、PI3K-Akt等信号通路,抑制NF-κB的核转位,进而抑制促炎因子的释放,促进抑炎因子的释放,调节和控制机体的炎症,具体的作用机制正在研究中。研究表明,可以通过使用药物激活α7 nAChR和电刺激迷走神经这2种方法,激活胆碱能抗炎通路。其中,激活α7 nAChR具有操作简便、创伤小和效果显著等优势。常用药物有选择性激动剂,例如PNU282987和GTS-21等,非选择性激动剂例如烟碱。多项研究显示,该方法在脓毒症、缺血再灌注、胃肠炎、骨关节炎和自身免疫病等外周器官炎性疾病治疗中都具有一定的效果。α7 nAChR作为胆碱能抗炎通路的关键作用位点,成为许多炎性疾病的潜在治疗靶点,本文对胆碱能抗炎通路中的α7 nAChR所涉及的抗炎机制、通路激活方式,以及其近年来在炎性疾病中的应用进行了综述,为未来研究其具体作用机制和新的治疗靶点提供参考。     

Adenosine in inflammatory joint diseases

Inflammatory joint diseases are a group of heterogeneous disorders with a variety of different etiologies and disease manifestations. However, there are features that are common to all of them: first, the recruitment of various inflammatory cell types that are attracted to involved tissues over the course of the disease process. Second, the treatments used in many of these diseases are commonly medications that suppress or alter immune function. The demonstration that adenosine has endogenous anti-inflammatory functions and that some of the most commonly used anti-rheumatic medications exert their therapeutic effects through stimulation of adenosine release suggest an important role for purinergic signaling in inflammatory rheumatic disorders.     

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶抑制剂研究进展

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）通路是细胞内应激反应信号通路,与炎症反应密切相关。炎症反应失控是很多疾病产生的重要原因之一,传统抗炎药物的严重副作用使得寻找强效、安全的抗炎药物极为迫切。通过抑制剂调节信号通路的炎症药物研发成为目前发展的趋势,而p38MAPK的中心地位使其成为首选靶点。p38MAPK抑制剂和p38MAPK的研究进展相辅相成,发展迅速。已报道的100多种不同化学结构的p38MAPK特异性抑制剂中已有20多种进入临床试验阶段,但至今尚没有一种化合物被批准应用于临床治疗。我们讨论了p38MAPK抑制剂的研究现状和研究策略。     

Treatment of TNF mediated diseases by selective inhibition of soluble TNF or TNFR1

The TNF signaling pathway is a valuable target in the therapy of autoimmune diseases, and anti-TNF drugs are successfully used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis. By their ability to interfere with inflammatory processes at multiple levels, these TNF blockers have become invaluable tools to inhibit the inflammation induced damage and allow recovery of the affected tissues. Unfortunately this therapy has some drawbacks, including increased risk of infection and malignancy, and remarkably, the onset of new auto-immune diseases. Some of these effects are caused by the unwanted abrogation of beneficial TNF signaling. More specific targeting of the pathological TNF-induced signaling might lead to broader applicability and improved safety. Specificity might be increased by inhibiting the soluble TNF/TNFR1 axis while leaving the often beneficial transmembrane TNF/TNFR2 signaling untouched. This approach looks promising because it inhibits the pathological effects of TNF and reduces the side effects, and it opens the way for the treatment of other diseases in which TNFR2 inhibition is detrimental. In this review we give an overview of in vivo mouse studies of TNF mediated pathologies demonstrating that the blockade or genetic deletion of sTNF or TNFR1 is preferable over total TNF blockade.     

肿瘤中与survivin有关的信号通路及分子以及靶向survivin的治疗前景

Survivin在细胞内环境稳定和肿瘤的形成中起重要的作用,在肿瘤的治疗中,survivivin的靶向治疗调节与一些典型的信号通路和一系列生长因子有关。众所周知,survivin是一个小的凋亡蛋白抑制因子,也是一个主要的抗癌靶标,与细胞分裂和凋亡抑制有关,它在大部分正常组织中缺失但在大部分癌组织中过表达。Survivin是一个与众多细胞信号通路有关的节点蛋白,这些通路协调各种细胞因子、转录网络和修饰基因,通过调节癌细胞内环境稳定直接或间接促进细胞增殖。临床前研究数据表明,survivin的抑制可以降低细胞增殖促进凋亡,增加细胞对细胞毒药物和放疗的敏感性,其过表达与不良预后和治疗耐受有关。因此对于癌症治疗,survivin是一个潜在的靶标。     

Dietary polyphenols suppress chronic inflammation by modulation of multiple inflammation-associated cell signaling pathways

The high failure rate of the reductionist approach to discover effective and safe drugs to treat chronic inflammatory diseases has led scientists to seek alternative ways. Recently, targeting cell signaling pathways has been utilized as an innovative approach to discover drug leads from natural products. Cell signaling mechanisms have been identified playing key role in diverse diseases by inducing proliferation, cell survival and apoptosis. Phytochemicals are known to be able to modulate the cellular and molecular networks which are associated to chronic diseases including cancer-associated inflammation. In this review, the roles of dietary polyphenols (apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, curcumin, genistein, isoliquiritigenin, resveratrol and gallic acid) in modulating multiple inflammation-associated cell signaling networks are deliberated. Scientific databases on suppressive effects of the polyphenols on chronic inflammation via modulation of the pathways especially in the recent five years are gathered and critically analyzed. The polyphenols are able to modulate several inflammation-associated cell signaling pathways, namely nuclear factor-kappa β, mitogen activated protein kinases, Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B via selective actions on various components of the networks. The suppressive effects of the polyphenols on the multiple cell signaling pathways reveal their potential use in prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders. Understanding the mechanistic effects involved in modulation of the signaling pathways by the polyphenols is necessary for lead identification and development of future functional foods for prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory lipid mediator 15d-PGJ2 inhibits translation through inactivation of eIF4A

The signaling lipid molecule 15-deoxy-delta 12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) has multiple cellular functions, including anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic activities. Here, we report that 15d-PGJ2 blocks translation through inactivation of translational initiation factor eIF4A. Binding of 15d-PGJ2 to eIF4A blocks the interaction between eIF4A and eIF4G that is essential for translation of many mRNAs. Cysteine 264 in eIF4A is the target site of 15d-PGJ2. The antineoplastic activity of 15d-PGJ2 is likely attributed to inhibition of translation. Moreover, inhibition of translation by 15d-PGJ2 results in stress granule (SG) formation, into which TRAF2 is sequestered. The sequestration of TRAF2 contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of 15d-PGJ2. These findings reveal a novel cross-talk between translation and inflammatory response, and offer new approaches to develop anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs that target translation factors including eIF4A.     

Receptor fusion proteins for the inhibition of cytokines

Cells are exposed to a large variety of cytokines that signal through corresponding cytokine receptors. In healthy tissues or tissues that respond properly to disturbed homeostasis, the cross-talk of a few conserved core signaling pathways downstream of the cytokine receptors is translated into an adequate cellular response. In chronic inflammatory diseases but also in cancer associated inflammation cytokine expression and the downstream signaling networks are dysregulated. Targeted therapies are aimed at the specific interference with dysregulated cytokine signaling. In this article some concepts of pharmacological intervention with cytokine signaling will be reviewed including biologics that target cytokines and cytokine receptors. Receptor fusion proteins consisting of the ligand-binding domains of cytokine receptors are highly specific and potent cytokine inhibitors and will be discussed in more detail.     

The involvement of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAKs) in cellular signaling networks controlling inflammation

Innate immunity and inflammation plays a key role in host defense and wound healing. However, Excessive or altered inflammatory processes can contribute to severe and diverse human diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAKs) are critically involved in the regulation of intracellular signaling networks controlling inflammation. Collective studies indicate that IRAKs are present in many cell types, and can mediate signals from various cell receptors including toll-like-receptors (TLRs). Consequently, diverse downstream signaling processes can be elicited following the activation of various IRAKs. Given the critical and complex roles IRAK proteins play, it is not surprising that genetic variations in human IRAK genes have been found to be linked with various human inflammatory diseases. This review intends to summarize the recent advances regarding the regulations of various IRAK proteins and their cellular functions in mediating inflammatory signaling processes.     

Emerging roles of PHLPP phosphatases in metabolism

Over the last decades, research has focused on the role of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatases (PHLPPs) in regulating cellular signaling via PI3K/Akt inhibition. The PKB/Akt signaling imbalances are associated with a variety of illnesses, including various types of cancer, inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and diabetes, demonstrating the relevance of PHLPPs in the prevention of diseases. Furthermore, identification of novel substrates of PHLPPs unveils their role as a critical mediator in various cellular processes. Recently, researchers have explored the increasing complexity of signaling networks involving PHLPPs whereby relevant information of PHLPPs in metabolic diseases was obtained. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of PHLPPs on the well-known substrates and metabolic regulation, especially in liver, pancreatic beta cell, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in relation with the stated diseases. Understanding the context-dependent functions of PHLPPs can lead to a promising treatment strategy for several kinds of metabolic diseases.     

Novel Glycyrrhetinic Acid Derivative Soloxolone Methyl Inhibits the Inflammatory Response and Tumor Growth in vivo

Due to wide spreading of inflammatory disease and imperfection of available anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly associated with their serious side effects, searching for new anti-inflammatory agents is a pressing problem. Natural triterpenoids and their synthetic analogs are a promising source of new drugs. In this study, we have investigated the anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects in vivo of the glycyrrhetinic acid derivative soloxolone methyl (SM), or methyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxo-18βH-olean-9(11),1(2)-dien-30-oate. SM was shown to efficiently suppress the development of edema in a mouse model of carrageenan- or histamine- induced acute inflammation. SM also inhibited the tumor growth and reduced the tumor cell count in the ascitic fluid in mice bearing Krebs-2 carcinoma, the development of which is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues.     

Small molecule compounds with good anti-inflammatory activity reported in the literature from 01/2009 to 05/2021: a review

Inflammation and disease are closely related. Inflammation can induce various diseases, and diseases can promote inflammatory response, and two possibly induces each other in a bidirectional loop. Inflammation is usually treated using synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs which are associated with several adverse effects hence are not safe for long-term use. Therefore, there is need for anti-inflammatory drugs which are not only effective but also safe. Several researchers have devoted to the research and development of effective anti-inflammatory drugs with little or no side effects. In this review, we studied some small molecules with reported anti-inflammatory activities and hence potential sources of anti-inflammatory agents. The information was retrieved from relevant studies published between January 2019 and May, 2021 for review. This review study was aimed to provide relevant information towards the design and development of effective and safe anti-inflammation agents.     

Thymoquinone (TQ) Inhibits Inflammation and Migration of THP-1 Macrophages: Mechanistic Insights into the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Using In-Vitro and In-Silico Analysis

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease mediated by interferon (IFN-γ) in concert with cell adhesion molecules and chemokines. Thymoquinone (TQ), a flavonoid derived from Nigella sativa, is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective properties. We evaluated the effects of TQ on the key pathogenic stages of atherosclerosis, including cell viability, inflammatory gene expression, cell migration, and cholesterol efflux, on human THP-1 macrophages in-vitro. Moreover, in-silico analysis was performed to predict the molecular targets and signaling mechanisms. We demonstrated that TQ treatment had no effect on cell viability and decreased the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in response to IFN-γ. In addition, we have also demonstrated that the THP-1 cell migration was inhibited by TQ in the absence or presence of MCP-1. Thymoquinone had no effect on cholesterol efflux from monocytes. In-silico analysis also identified several putative targets for TQ that are associated with inflammatory diseases and associated signaling pathways. Collectively, these results suggest that TQ has anti-inflammatory effects and may be a potential nutraceutical candidate for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.     

The potential therapeutic use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune response to injury or infection but its dysregulation promotes the development of inflammatory diseases, which cause considerable human suffering. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are the most commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but they are accompanied by a broad range of side effects, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is traditionally known for its role in blood pressure regulation. However, there is increasing evidence that RAS signaling is also involved in the inflammatory response associated with several disease states. Angiotensin II increases blood pressure by binding to angiotensin type 1 (AT₁) receptor, and direct renin inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and AT₁ receptor blockers (ARBs) are clinically used as antihypertensive agents. Recent data suggest that these drugs also have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this review summarizes these recent findings for the efficacy of two of the most widely used antihypertensive drug classes, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, to reduce or treat inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, steatohepatitis, colitis, pancreatitis, and nephritis.     

Viruses associated with human cancer

It is estimated that viral infections contribute to 15-20% of all human cancers. As obligatory intracellular parasites, viruses encode proteins that reprogram host cellular signaling pathways that control proliferation, differentiation, cell death, genomic integrity, and recognition by the immune system. These cellular processes are governed by complex and redundant regulatory networks and are surveyed by sentinel mechanisms that ensure that aberrant cells are removed from the proliferative pool. Given that the genome size of a virus is highly restricted to ensure packaging within an infectious structure, viruses must target cellular regulatory nodes with limited redundancy and need to inactivate surveillance mechanisms that would normally recognize and extinguish such abnormal cells. In many cases, key proteins in these same regulatory networks are subject to mutation in non-virally associated diseases and cancers. Oncogenic viruses have thus served as important experimental models to identify and molecularly investigate such cellular networks. These include the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, identification of regulatory networks that are critical for maintenance of genomic integrity, and processes that govern immune surveillance.     

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3): Inflammation, Diseases, and Therapeutics

Deciphering what governs inflammation and its effects on tissues is vital for understanding many pathologies. The recent discovery that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) promotes inflammation reveals a new component of its well-documented actions in several prevalent diseases which involve inflammation, including mood disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Involvement in such disparate conditions stems from the widespread influences of GSK3 on many cellular functions, with this review focusing on its regulation of inflammatory processes. GSK3 promotes the production of inflammatory molecules and cell migration, which together make GSK3 a powerful regulator of inflammation, while GSK3 inhibition provides protection from inflammatory conditions in animal models. The involvement of GSK3 and inflammation in these diseases are highlighted. Thus, GSK3 may contribute not only to primary pathologies in these diseases, but also to the associated inflammation, suggesting that GSK3 inhibitors may have multiple effects influencing these conditions. Special issue dedicated to John P. Blass.     

Genus Ziziphus for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases

Natural products and traditional medicine are rich sources for developing therapeutics for chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the way from natural products/traditional medicines to Western pharmaceutical practices is not always straightforward. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases are the greatest threat to human health. 3 of 5 people die due to chronic inflammatory disorders worldwide like chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce inflammation and pain, but there are many side effects of these drugs' administration. Medicinal plants have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects with low or no side effects. Ziziphus plant species are generally safe and not toxic to humans. Many studies on the Ziziphus species have shown that their therapeutic properties are attributed to the roots, leaves and fruits. Unfortunately, Ziziphus species from different regions worldwide with anti-inflammatory properties have not been documented in a single review paper. Therefore, it is crucial to establish ethnobotanical knowledge and applications of Ziziphus species against chronic inflammatory diseases. The current article exhaustively reviews phytochemical profile, pharmacological studies, toxicological effects, and ethnobotanical uses of Genus Ziziphus in chronic anti-inflammatory diseases. The present review article also highlights the most promising experimental data on Ziziphus extracts and pure compounds active in clinical trials and animal models of chronic inflammatory diseases. This review would be a valuable resource for contemporary researchers in the field to understand the promising role of the Ziziphus genus in chronic inflammatory disorders.