A hot water extract of Curcuma longa inhibits adhesion molecule protein expression and monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated human endothelial cells

The recruitment of arterial leukocytes to endothelial cells is an important step in the progression of various inflammatory diseases. Therefore, its modulation is thought to be a prospective target for the prevention or treatment of such diseases. Adhesion molecules on endothelial cells are induced by proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and contribute to the recruitment of leukocytes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hot water extract of Curcuma longa (WEC) on the protein expression of adhesion molecules, monocyte adhesion induced by TNF-α in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment of HUVECs with WEC significantly suppressed both TNF-α-induced protein expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion. WEC also suppressed phosphorylation and degradation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) induced by TNF-α in HUVECs, suggesting that WEC inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway.     

大肠杆菌表达的单链抗体柱复性的研究

对包含体表达的抗乙肝病毒表面抗原（HBsAg）的单链抗体（ScFv）纯化复性进行了探索.尝试了利用金属螯合亲和层析和凝胶层析柱进行柱上在位复性的可行性. 对包含体表达的ScFv进行透析复性与柱复性,比较其相对复性率及蛋白质回收率,发现柱上复性效果优于传统的透析复性.抗HBsAg ScFv经凝胶色谱Sephacyl S-200柱复性的相对复性率为98%, 蛋白质回收率为81%.由于将纯化复性同步进行,简化了操作程序,提高了产品的回收率.     

抗TNF-α单链抗体的表达及其纯化

克隆抗人肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)鼠源单抗的可变区基因以构建其单链抗体(ScFv)表达载体,实现在大肠杆菌的表达,并进行ScFv的可溶性纯化与鉴定。采用RT-PCR技术,以前导肽序列的引物从1个分泌抗人TNF-α的鼠单抗杂交瘤细胞系中克隆抗体轻链、重链可变区基因(VL,VH),构建ScFv基因,将ScFv基因片段与pGEX-4T-1表达载体连接,在大肠杆菌中表达并采用十二烷基肌氨酸钠(Sarkosyl)进行可溶性纯化,最后鉴定其生物活性。结果显示,得到了功能性重排的轻、重链可变区基因,分别构建了VH和VL不同连接顺序的HLL(VH-Linker-VL)和LLH(VL-Linker-VH)两种ScFv,LLH的表达量较HLL的高,但亲和力不及HLL。采用Sarkosyl溶解包涵体,对目的蛋白进行可溶性纯化,蛋白纯度达到90%,纯化后的蛋白经ELISA和WB证明ScFv维持了亲本抗体与TNF-α特异性结合的能力,且具有细胞毒中和活性。实验中研究探索了一种新颖的,操作简单,省时的裂解、纯化方案,实现了单链抗体经原核系统的表达后得以可溶性纯化。     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluations of 6-(hetero)-aryl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-3-sulfonamide’s as an inhibitor of TNF-α production

Tumor necrosis factor-α is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine having a key role in hosts defensive process of immune systems and its over expression led to a diverse range of inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Cronh’s disease, psoriasis, etc. This paper describes our medicinal chemistry efforts on imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine scaffold: design, synthesis and biological evaluation. By the introducing sulfonamide functionality at 3 positions and substituting 6 positions with (hetero)-aryl groups’, a small library of compounds was prepared. All synthesized compounds were screened for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated TNF-α production inhibitory activity. Biological data revealed that the majority of the compounds of this series showed moderate to potent TNF-α production inhibitory activity. Compound 5u and 5v are the most potent compounds from the series with activity of IC₅₀?=?0.5?µM and 0.3?µM respectively. A short SAR demonstrates that 3-sulfonyl-4-arylpiperidine-4-carbonitrile moiety on imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine showed better activity compared to the 3-(4-aryllpiperazin-1-yl) sulfonyl) in hPBMC assay. The molecular modeling studies revealed that the potent TNF-α production inhibitory activity 5v due to the extra stability of complex because of an extra pi-pi (π-π) stacking, hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Single-chain antibody against human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase: Construction, expression, purification, and activity assay

An active form of single-chain antibody (ScFv) from murine monoclonal antibody 4A7, which is specific for lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), was produced in Escherichia coli. The complementary DNA fragments encoding the variable regions of heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL), which amplified from hybridoma 4A7 producing a monoclonal antibody (IgG1) against L-PGDS, were connected by a (Gly4Ser)3 linker using an assembly polymerase chain reaction. The resultant ScFv were cloned into the vector pGEM and expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies. The expressed ScFv fusion proteins were purified by Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid chromatography. The purity and activity of purified ScFv were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and ELISA. The result revealed that 4A7 ScFv conserved the same characteristics of specific recognition and binding to sperm as the parental 4A7 monoclonal antibody.     

鼠源抗HFRSV衣壳蛋白McAbF3株单链抗体基因克隆构建及表达

为了获得原抗ＨＦＲＳＶ衣壳蛋白ＭｃＡｂＦ３＾１株轻链可变区基因,由连接肽体外连接获得单链抗体基因,在大肠杆菌中表达,从鼠源抗ＨＦＲＳＶ衣壳蛋白ＭｃＡｂＦ３株细胞中分离总ＲＮＡ,以ｏｌｉｇｏ（ｄＴ）１８为引物逆转录成ｃＤＮＡ,通过ＰＣＲ扩增出抗体的轻链（ＶＬ）和重链可变区（Ｖ１１）基因,由连接本外连接获得单链抗体（ＳｅＦｖ）基因。将此单链抗体（ＳｅＦｖ）基因插入原核表达载体ＰＥＴ２８ａ,经大肠杆菌（     

Designing a new dimerized anti human TNF-α aptamer with blocking activity

The human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNF-α) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine which plays critical roles in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The anti-TNF-α proteins can reduce symptoms of RA. Due to limitations of protein-based therapies, it is necessary to find new anti-TNF-α agents instead of common anti-TNF-α proteins. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to identify a new DNA aptamer with anti-hTNF-α activity. The protein systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process was used for identifying DNA aptamers. Anti-hTNF-α aptamers were selected using dot blot, real-time PCR, and in vitro inhibitory assay. The selected aptamers were truncated in two steps, and finally, a dimer aptamer was constructed from different selected truncates to improve their inhibitory effect. Also, Etanercept was used as a positive control to inhibit TNF-α, in comparison to the designed aptamers. After 11 rounds, four aptamers with anti-hTNF-α inhibitory effect were identified. The truncation and dimerization strategy revealed a new dimer aptamer with 67 nM K_d, which has 40% inhibitory effect compared with Etanercept (60%). Overall, the dimerization and truncation aptamers could improve its activity. With regard to the several limitations of anti-TNF-α proteins therapies including immunogenicity, side effects, and cost-intensive, a new designed anti-hTNF-α dimer aptamer could be considered as a potential therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent for hTNF-α-related disorders.     

Therapeutic efficacy of Hypericum perforatum L. extract for mice infected with an influenza A virus

Hypericum perforatum L., a plant used in Chinese herbal medicine, has been proven effective against many viral diseases. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of an extract of H.?perforatum (HPE) against influenza A virus (IAV) was investigated in mice. Whether HPE would be a promising agent for influenza treatment was evaluated by measuring the protection rate, mean survival days, lung index, and viral titer, as well as the secretion of IL-6, interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in lung tissue and serum on days 3 and 5 post-infection. The results showed that HPE could reduce the lung index and viral titer of mice infected with IAV, decrease mortality, and prolong the mean survival time. HPE decreased the concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α in lung tissue and serum on day 5 post-infection. In contrast, HPE enhanced the lung and serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ on the days 3 and 5 post-infection. Our study indicates that HPE has significant therapeutic efficacy for mice infected with IAV. The possible reasons for these results were concluded to be pertaining to up-regulating the expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ, and down-regulating the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α in lung and serum.     

Aflatoxin G1 induced TNF-α-dependent lung inflammation to enhance DNA damage in alveolar epithelial cells

Aflatoxin G₁ (AFG₁), a member of the AF family with cytotoxic and carcinogenic properties, could cause DNA damage in alveolar type II (AT-II) cells and induce lung adenocarcinoma. Recently, we found AFG₁ could induce chronic lung inflammation associated with oxidative stress in the protumor stage. Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in cigarette smoke or benzo[a]pyrene-induced lung tissues damage. However, it is unclear whether and how AFG₁-induced lung inflammation affects DNA damage in AT-II cells. In this study, we found increased DNA damage and cytochrome P450 (CYP2A13) expression in AFG₁-induced inflamed lung tissues. Furthermore, we treated the mice with a soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α receptor and AFG₁ and found that TNF-α neutralization inhibited the AFG₁-induced chronic lung inflammation in vivo, and then reversed the CYP2A13 expression and DNA damage in AT-II cells. The results suggest that AFG₁ induces TNF-α-dependent lung inflammation to regulate 2A13 expression and enhance DNA damage in AT-II cells. Then, we treated the primary mice AT-II cells and human AT-II like cells (A549) with AFG₁ and TNF-α and found that TNF-α enhanced the AFG₁-induced DNA damage in mice AT-II cells as well as A549 cells in vitro. In AFG₁-exposed A549 cells, TNF-α-enhanced DNA damage and apoptosis were reversed by CYP2A13 small interfering RNA. Blocking NF-κB pathway inhibited the TNF-α-enhanced CYP2A13 upregulation and DNA damage confirming that the CYP2A13 upregulation by TNF-α plays an essential role in the activation of AFG₁ under inflammatory conditions. Taken together, our findings suggest that AFG₁ induces TNF-α-dependent lung inflammation, which upregulates CYP2A13 to promote the metabolic activation of AFG₁ and enhance oxidative DNA damage in AT-II cells.     

A cross-linked anti-TNF-α aptamer for neutralization of TNF-α-induced cutaneous Shwartzman phenomenon: A simple and novel approach for improving aptamers' affinity and efficiency

To increase the efficiency of aptamers to their targets, a simple and novel method has been developed based on aptamer oligomerization. To this purpose, previously anti-human TNF-α aptamer named T1–T4 was trimerized through a trimethyl aconitate core for neutralization of in vitro and in vivo of TNF-α. At first, 54 mer T1–T4 aptamers with 5′-NH₂ groups were covalently coupled to three ester residues in the trimethyl aconitate. In vitro activity of novel anti-TNF-α aptamer and its dissociation constant (K_d) was done using the L929 cell cytotoxicity assay. In vivo anti-TNF-α activity of new oligomerized aptamer was assessed in a mouse model of cutaneous Shwartzman. Anchoring of three T1–T4 aptamers to trimethyl aconitate substituent results in formation of the 162 mer fragment, which was well revealed by gel electrophoresis. In vitro study indicated that the trimerization of T1–T4 aptamer significantly improved its anti-TNF-α activity compared to non-modified aptamers (P < 0.0001) from 40% to 60%. The determination of K_d showed that trimerization could effectively enhance K_d of aptamer from 67 nM to 36 nM. In vivo study showed that trimer aptamer markedly reduced mean scar size from 15.2 ± 1.2 mm to 1.6 ± 0.1 mm (P < 0.0001), which prevent the formation of skin lesions. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that trimerization of anti-TNF-α aptamer with a novel approach could improve the anti-TNF-α activity and therapeutic efficacy. According to our findings, a new anti-TNF-α aptamer described here could be considered an appropriate therapeutic agent in treating several inflammatory diseases.     

Histamine and cis-urocanic acid augment tumor necrosis factor-alpha mediated induction of keratinocyte intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression

Early cellular and molecular events in inflamed skin include the active participation of epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) and dermal mast cells which can produce diffusible mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), histamine, and urocanic acid (UCA). Rapid induction of adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by KCs is observed following a highly diverse array of stimuli which can provoke both irritant, inflammatory, as well as allergic and immune reactions. To determine if the aforementioned mediators could interact in either an additive or synergistic fashion with each other, cultured KCs were exposed to these mediators alone and in combination, and the degree of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein quantitated. Whereas histamine or cis-UCA alone only weakly induced KC ICAM-1, when they were combined with TNF-α, significant augmentation was observed by Northern blot hybridization studies, immunostaining, and FACS analysis. Other histamine derivatives such as L-histidine, 1-methylhistidine, 3-methylhistidine, or all-trans-UCA had no effect. Histamine pretreatment did not affect cell surface high affinity TNF-α receptors, as determined by ligand binding and immunodetection, and did not induce KC TNF-α production. The KC histamine receptor was also characterized and found not to be influenced by TNF-α, cis-UCA, all-trans-UCA, or diphenyhydramine (an H₁ antagonist), but it was inhibited by cimetidine (an H₂ antagonist). These results demonstrate that 1) KCs can be induced to express ICAM-1 by exposure to histamine and cis-UCA, 2) histamine and cis-UCA can also augment TNF-α inducible ICAM-1 mRNA and cell surface protein expression, 3) this augmentation does not directly involve changes in KC TNF-α receptor number, affinity, or TNF-α production and, 4) KCs possess a type 2 histamine receptor which is not the photoreceptor for UCA. These findings highlight the potential for cross-talk between molecules produced by resident cutaneous cell types above (i.e., KCs) and below (i.e., mast cells) the epidermal basement membrane zone. These cells and their mediators can cooperate to respond to either exogenous or endogenous stimuli leading to rapid and strong KC ICAM-1 expression. Such induction of this important adhesion molecule by KCs ensures the retention of T lymphocytes necessary to participate in the maintenance of cutaneous immunohomeostasis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme: Implications for ocular inflammatory diseases

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) converting enzyme (TACE), a member of the family of metalloproteinase disintegrin proteins, is responsible for the conversion of inactive TNF-α precursor form to active mature form. TNF-α is a pleiotropic cytokine that contributes to cellular immunity and inflammatory response in wide range of inflammatory pathologies. Although a large number of studies indicate the use of TACE inhibitors, which prevents processing of TNF-α as potential therapeutic drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and cancer, very few studies indicate its use in ocular pathologies. It is still not clearly understood how the TACE-mediated shedding of cytokines and growth factors in various ocular tissues plays a critical role in the cytotoxic signals causing tissue dysfunction and damage leading to blindness. Regulation of TACE activity is likely to have wide implications for ocular immunology and inflammatory diseases. Specifically, since anti-TNF-α therapies have been used to prevent ocular inflammatory complications, the use of TACE inhibitors could be a novel therapeutic approach for ocular inflammatory diseases especially uveitis.     

Airborne fine particulate matter induces multiple cell death pathways in human lung epithelial cells

Our group was the first one reporting that autophagy could be triggered by airborne fine particulate matter (PM) with a mean diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in human lung epithelial A549 cells, which could potentially lead to cell death. In the present study, we further explored the potential interactions between autophagy and apoptosis because it was well documented that PM_2.5 could induce apoptosis in A549 cells. Much to our surprise, we found that PM_2.5-exposure caused oxidative stress, resulting in activation of multiple cell death pathways in A549 cells, that is, the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced pathway as evidenced by TNF-α secretion and activation of caspase-8 and -3, the intrinsic apoptosis pathway as evidenced by increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspase-9 and -3, and autophagy as evidenced by an increased number of double-membrane vesicles, accompanied by increases of conversion and punctuation of microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3) and expression of Beclin 1. It appears that reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as signaling molecules for all the three pathways because pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, a scavenger of ROS, almost completely abolished TNF-α secretion and significantly reduced the number of apoptotic and autophagic cells. In another aspect, inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenine, a specific autophagy inhibitor, enhanced PM_2.5-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Intriguingly, neutralization of TNF-α with an anti-TNF-α special antibody not only abolished activation of caspase-8, but also drastically reduced LC3-II conversion. Thus, the present study has provided novel insights into the mechanism of cytotoxicity and even pathogenesis of diseases associated with PM_2.5 exposure.     

Sulforaphane, a natural constituent of broccoli, prevents cell death and inflammation in nephropathy

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CIS) is a potent and widely used chemotherapeutic agent to treat various malignancies, but its therapeutic use is limited because of dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. Cell death and inflammation play a key role in the development and progression of CIS-induced nephropathy. Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural constituent of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc., has been shown to exert various protective effects in models of tissue injury and cancer. In this study, we have investigated the role of prosurvival, cell death and inflammatory signaling pathways using a rodent model of CIS-induced nephropathy, and explored the effects of SFN on these processes. Cisplatin triggered marked activation of stress signaling pathways [p53, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38-α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] and promoted cell death in the kidneys (increased DNA fragmentation, caspases-3/7 activity, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine triphosphate nick-end labeling), associated with attenuation of various prosurvival signaling pathways [e.g., extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38-β MAPK]. Cisplatin also markedly enhanced inflammation in the kidneys [promoted NF-κB activation, increased expression of adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM, enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and inflammatory cell infiltration]. These effects were significantly attenuated by pretreatment of rodents with SFN. Thus, the cisplatin-induced nephropathy is associated with activation of various cell death and proinflammatory pathways (p53, JNK, p38-α, TNF-α and NF-κB) and impairments of key prosurvival signaling mechanisms (ERK and p38-β). SFN is able to prevent the CIS-induced renal injury by modulating these pathways, providing a novel approach for preventing this devastating complication of chemotherapy.     

抗人肿瘤坏死因子-α单链抗体与其配体的相互作用

为了在大肠杆菌中表达纯化抗人 TNF- α单链抗体并检测其结合活性与中和活性 .利用GST融合蛋白系统在大肠杆菌中表达抗人 TNF- α单链抗体 E6Sc Fv;分离包含体后进行变性和复性 ,再用亲和层析法进行纯化 ;用 ELISA法和酵母双杂交系统检测 E6Sc Fv与配体的结合 ;用 L92 9细胞检测 E6Sc Fv对人 TNF- α细胞毒作用的中和活性 .经变性 ,复性与亲和层析 ,E6Sc Fv被纯化 ,在 SDS- PAGE上为单一蛋白带 ;体外结合与中和实验表明 ,表达纯化的 E6Sc Fv可与人 TNF-α结合并中和其细胞毒活性 ;进一步用酵母双杂交系统证明当表达于细胞内时 ,E6Sc Fv仍保持了与TNF-α相结合的能力 .     

Recognition of human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) by therapeutic antibody fragment: energetics and structural features

Human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) exists in its functional state as a homotrimeric protein and is involved in inflammation processes and immune response of a human organism. Overproduction of TNF-α results in the development of chronic autoimmune diseases that can be successfully treated by inhibitors such as monoclonal antibodies. However, the nature of antibody-TNF-α recognition remains elusive due to insufficient understanding of its molecular driving forces. Therefore, we studied the energetics of binding of a therapeutic antibody fragment (Fab) to the native and non-native forms of TNF-α by employing calorimetric and spectroscopic methods. Global thermodynamic analysis of data obtained from the corresponding binding and urea-induced denaturation experiments has been supported by structural modeling. We demonstrate that the observed high affinity binding of Fab to TNF-α is an enthalpy-driven process due mainly to specific noncovalent interactions taking place at the TNF-α-Fab binding interface. It is coupled to entropically unfavorable conformational changes and accompanied by entropically favorable solvation contributions. Moreover, the three-state model analysis of TNF-α unfolding shows that at physiological concentrations, TNF-α may exist not only as a biologically active trimer but also as an inactive monomer. It further suggests that even small changes of TNF-α concentration could have a considerable effect on the TNF-α activity. We believe that this study sets the energetic basis for understanding of TNF-α inhibition by antibodies and its unfolding linked with the concentration-dependent activity regulation.     

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Stimulates the Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α and Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) by Osteoclasts (OCL) in Murine Bone Marrow Cell Culture

Osteoclasts (OCL) resorb bone. They are essential for the development of normal bones and the repair of impaired bones. The function of OCL is presumed to be supported by cytokines and other biological mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide (NO). Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inducer of TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which is the specific enzyme for synthesizing NO from L-arginine. To obtain direct evidence on LPS-induced TNF-α production and iNOS expression by OCL, OCL-enriched cultures were prepared by 7-day cocultures of bone marrow cells of adult BALB/c mice and osteoblastic cells (OBs) derived from calvaria of newborn BALB/c mice, and the generation of TNF-α and iNOS in OCL stimulated with LPS was examined immunocytochemically. When the cultured cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of LPS, OCL clearly showed TNF-α and iNOS expression. Without LPS-stimulation, no expression was observed. TNF activity in the culture supernatants of the OCL-enriched cultures in the presence of LPS was also detected by cytotoxic assay that used TNF-sensitive L929 cells. The dentin resorption activity of OCL was estimated by area and number of pits formed on dentin slices, which were covered by the OCL fraction and cultured in the presence or absence of LPS, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; a NO generating compound), N^G-monomethyl L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA; a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS)), or LPS plus L-NMMA. Pit formation was obviously inhibited in the presence of SNP and slightly inhibited in the presence of L-NMMA, but it was not affected in the presence of LPS or LPS plus L-NMMA. These findings indicate that OCL produces TNF and expresses iNOS in response to LPS, but the LPS-activation of OCL scarcely affects pit formation by them.