Toll-like Receptors as a Target of Food-derived Anti-inflammatory Compounds

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in linking pathogen recognition with the induction of innate immunity. They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, representing potential targets for prevention/treatment. Vegetable-rich diets are associated with the reduced risk of several inflammatory disorders. In the present study, based on an extensive screening of vegetable extracts for TLR-inhibiting activity in HEK293 cells co-expressing TLR with the NF-κB reporter gene, we found cabbage and onion extracts to be the richest sources of a TLR signaling inhibitor. To identify the active substances, we performed activity-guiding separation of the principal inhibitors and identified 3-methylsulfinylpropyl isothiocyanate (iberin) from the cabbage and quercetin and quercetin 4′-O-β-glucoside from the onion, among which iberin showed the most potent inhibitory effect. It was revealed that iberin specifically acted on the dimerization step of TLRs in the TLR signaling pathway. To gain insight into the inhibitory mechanism of TLR dimerization, we developed a novel probe combining an isothiocyanate-reactive group and an alkyne functionality for click chemistry and detected the probe bound to the TLRs in living cells, suggesting that iberin disrupts dimerization of the TLRs via covalent binding. Furthermore, we designed a variety of iberin analogues and found that the inhibition potency was influenced by the oxidation state of the sulfur. Modeling studies of the iberin analogues showed that the oxidation state of sulfur might influence the global shape of the isothiocyanates. These findings establish the TLR dimerization step as a target of food-derived anti-inflammatory compounds.     

Roles of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the progression of prostate cancer: Cross-talk with the androgen receptor

Prostate carcinomas are among the most frequently diagnosed and death causing cancers affecting males in the developed world. It has become clear that the molecular mechanisms that drive the differentiation of normal prostate cells towards neoplasia involve multiple signal transduction cascades that often overlap and interact. A critical mediator of cellular proliferation and differentiation in various cells (and cancers) is the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, also known as protein kinase A (PKA), and its activating secondary messenger, cAMP. PKA and cAMP have been shown to play critical roles in prostate carcinogenesis and are the subject of this review. In particular we will focus on the cross-talk between PKA/cAMP signaling and that of the androgen receptor.     

Discovery of potent, selective, orally active benzoxazepine-based Orexin-2 receptor antagonists

During our efforts to identify a series of potent, selective, orally active human Orexin-2 Receptor (OX2R) antagonists, we elucidated structure-activity relationship (SAR) on the 7-position of a benzoxazepine scaffold by utilizing Hammett σ(p) and Hansch-Fujita π value as aromatic substituent constants. The attempts led to the discovery of compound 1m, possessing good in vitro potency with over 100-fold selectivity against OX1R, good metabolic stability in human and rat liver microsome, good oral bioavailability in rats, and in vivo antagonistic activity in rats by oral administration.     

The Effects of the Organic Flame‐Retardant 1,2‐Dibromo‐4‐(1,2‐dibromoethyl) Cyclohexane (TBECH) on Androgen Signaling in Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

The effects of the organic flame retardant 1,2‐Dibromo‐4‐(1,2‐dibromoethyl) cyclohexane (TBECH) on androgen receptor target gene expression were examined in the human LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. While γ‐/δ‐TBECH alone led to a significant increase in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) mRNA accumulation, both the α‐/‐TBECH and γ‐/δ‐TBECH mixtures repressed androgen‐inducible PSA mRNA and protein accumulation in human LNCaP cells. Thus, we hypothesize that isomeric mixtures of TBECH may act as partial agonists of the androgen receptor.     

巴戟天及其糖提取物对于体外培养成骨细胞OPG/RANKL基因系统表达的影响

目的:探讨巴戟天及多糖提取物对成骨细胞骨保护素(OPG)/核因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)基因系统表达的影响。方法:取2~3天的SD大鼠5只分离原代成骨细胞,再取8周龄SD大鼠35只随机分为七组,对照组不进行处理,三组给予10 g/L、50 g/L、100 g/L巴戟天水灌胃,其余三组分别给予10 g/L、50 g/L、100 g/L巴戟天多糖灌胃,72 h后采用采用ELISA法测定培养液中OPG、RANKL及骨钙素的含量,采用MTT法检测不同浓度巴戟天水及多糖提取物对大鼠成骨细胞增殖的影响,采用荧光定量PCR检测OPG和RANKL mRNA表达情况;通过Westernblot检测OPG和RANKL蛋白表达水平。结果:巴戟天水及多糖提取物组A570nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度均高于对照组(P0.05);A 570 nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度均高于同等剂量的水提取物各组(P0.05);巴戟天多糖组中随着多糖剂量的升高A 570 nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度,差异比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:巴戟天水及多糖提取物均能促进体外培养成骨细胞的增殖,提高成骨细胞活性。     

GABAB receptor inhibits tumor progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the regulation of Hippo/YAP1 pathway in colorectal cancer

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Type B Receptor (GABABR) plays essential roles in tumor progression. However, the function of GABABR in colorectal cancer (CRC) needs further clarification. As the main part of GABABR, GABABR1 expression was identified significantly lower in tumor tissues than those in non-tumor normal tissues and that CRC patients with high GABABR1 expression lived longer. Further studies indicated that knockdown of GABABR1 elevated CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, knockdown of GABABR1 activated the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins N-cadherin and Vimentin, whereas decrease the protein level of E-cadherin. In addition, activation of Hippo/YAP1 signaling contributes to the GABABR1 down-regulation promoted proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in CRC cells. At last, we verified the contribution of Hippo/YAP1 signaling in the GABABR1 down-regulation impaired biological phenotype of colon cancer cells in vivo. In summary, these data indicate that GABABR1 impairs the migration and invasion of CRC cells by inhibiting EMT and the Hippo/YAP1 pathway, suggesting that GABABR1 could be a potential therapeutic target for CRC.     

胃肠道肿瘤抗胃泌素治疗研究进展

胃泌素是胃窦和十二指肠黏膜G细胞分泌的多肽类激素 ,主要生理作用是促进胃酸分泌和胃肠道黏膜细胞生长。研究显示胃泌素是胃肠道肿瘤细胞一种自泌性的生长因子 ,通过促进增殖、抑制凋亡、刺激浸润以及和COX-2协同作用促进肿瘤生长。胃肠道肿瘤抗胃泌素治疗途径分为分泌抑制、受体拮抗、反义寡核苷酸抑制和抗胃泌素抗体治疗。其中抗胃泌素抗体治疗具有诸多优点 ,临床研究进展顺利。     

Identification,purification and characterization of a receptor for dengue virus-induced macrophage cytotoxin (CF2) from murine T cells

Dengue type-2 virus infection in mice induces a subpopulation of T lymphocytes to produce a cytokine cytotoxic factor, which induces macrophages (Mphi) to produce a biologically active cytotoxic cytokine, the Mphi cytotoxin (CF2). Previously we have identified the presence of intermediate-affinity receptors for CF2 on mouse peritoneal Mphi. The present study was undertaken to identify the CF2-receptors (CF2-R) on murine T cells followed by their purification and characterization. Receptor binding assay and Scatchard analysis revealed single, high-affinity (1.0309 nM) receptors for CF2 on T cells (22000 receptors per cell). The binding of [125I]CF2 on murine T cells was saturable and specific. Furthermore, CF2-R was purified from normal mouse T cell plasma membrane by affinity chromatography followed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The presence of CF2-R was confirmed by indirect dot-blot assay and its binding with [125I]CF2. The purified CF2-R is a 90-95-kDa protein as characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis. The chemical crosslinking of [125I]CF2 and its receptor complex showed a product of 100-110 kDa on different subpopulations of murine T cells. The pretreatment of target cells with anti-CF2-R antisera inhibited the cytotoxic activity of CF2 in a dose-dependent manner and thus confirmed the biological significance of CF2-R. Moreover, the presence of CF2-R was also identified on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T and B cells by crosslinking with [125I]CF2, thus revealing the possible role of CF2 and CF2-R in the immunopathogenesis of dengue virus disease.