Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reiko Kurotani, Sotaro Ono, Yuki Miyano, Shun Nakayama, Huaitian Liu, Daisuke Aibara, Satoshi Sakahara, Masamichi Sato, Kento Sato, Sumito Inoue, Yoko Shibata, Maxwell P. Lee, Hiroyuki Abe, Shioko Kimura
Summary: SCGB3A2 protects the lungs from the development of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema through regulating A1AT expression via the STAT3 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xiaoyu Wan, Yongtao Xiao, Xinbei Tian, Ying Lu, Haiqing Chu
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the roles of CD11b+ monocytes/macrophages in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. The expression levels of CD11B gene and inflammatory genes in IPF patients are evaluated. CD11b cells are conditionally depleted in CD11b-DTR mice and pulmonary fibrosis is induced using bleomycin. The results show that CD11b+ monocytes/macrophages contribute to pulmonary fibrosis and represent a potential therapeutic target for IPF.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tsung-Teng Huang, Chuan-Mu Chen, Lih-Geeng Chen, Ying-Wei Lan, Tse-Hung Huang, Kong Bung Choo, Kowit-Yu Chong
Summary: This study demonstrates that 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-Glucoside (THSG) can attenuate lung fibrosis and reduce lung injury by regulating multiple signaling pathways. THSG affects extracellular matrix deposition, fibronectin expression, oxidative stress, and autophagy. Therefore, THSG may be a potential drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chun-Jung Chang, Chiou-Feng Lin, Chih-Hsin Lee, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Fu-Chia Shih, Shu-Wen Wan, Chi Tai, Chia-Ling Chen
Summary: Abnormal activation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta leads to the upregulation of various signaling molecules, contributing to pulmonary lesions and collagen deposition in lung fibrosis. Interferon (IFN)-gamma signaling is significantly reduced in myofibroblasts, while treatments like BIBF 1120 can effectively inhibit TGF-beta-induced activation of myofibroblasts and attenuate fibrosis. Blockade of SHP2 enhances the anti-fibrotic efficacy of IFN-gamma in myofibroblasts.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dongxin Chen, Huirong Tang, Hongchao Jiang, Lei Sun, Wenjuan Zhao, Feng Qian
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a selective CB1R agonist, ACPA, on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM). The results showed that ACPA treatment significantly improved survival rate and alleviated pulmonary fibrosis in BLM-treated mice. ACPA inhibited the expressions of extracellular matrix markers and diminished fibroblast migration triggered by TGF-beta. Furthermore, ACPA reduced the activation of TGF-beta-Smad2/3 signaling and decreased the expressions of downstream effector proteins in TGF-beta-challenged primary lung fibroblasts. These findings suggest that ACPA exhibits antifibrotic efficacy by targeting CB1R and inhibiting TGF-beta-Smad2/3 signaling.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengfei Liu, Gang Luo, Matthew Dodson, Cody J. Schmidlin, Yongyi Wei, Baris Kerimoglu, Aikseng Ooi, Eli Chapman, Joe G. N. Garcia, Donna D. Zhang
Summary: This study identifies long noncoding RNA LOC344887 as a novel anti-fibrotic NRF2 target gene which contributes to the antifibrotic potential of NRF2 activator sulforaphane (SFN). LOC344887 controls genes and signaling pathways associated with fibrogenesis, repressing the expression of CDH2 and other fibrotic genes. NRF2-mediated LOC344887 upregulation presents a novel therapeutic axis for prevention and intervention of fibrosis-related diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan Wang, Bochuan Deng, Lu Cheng, Jieru Li, Xiaomin Guo, Jiao Zhang, Xiang Zhang, Ping Su, Guofeng Li, Xiaokang Miao, Wenle Yang, Junqiu Xie, Rui Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel peptide DR4penA was designed based on the structure-activity relationship and rational design. DR4penA showed higher anti-PF activity, antioxidant activity, and a longer half-life compared to the original peptide DR8. It was found that DR4penA attenuated bleomycin- and paraquat-induced PF, and its anti-PF activity was equivalent to that of pirfenidone. Furthermore, DR4penA suppressed the TGF-beta/Smad pathway in TGF-beta 1-induced A549 cells and paraquat-induced rats. This study suggests that DR4penA is a potential candidate for PF therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kai-Wei Chang, Xiang Zhang, Shih-Chao Lin, Yu-Chao Lin, Chia-Hsiang Li, Ivan Akhrymuk, Sheng-Hao Lin, Chi-Chien Lin
Summary: Atractylodin attenuates TGF-beta 1-induced EMT in A549 cells and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. This suggests that Atractylodin may have therapeutic potential for treating IPF by targeting EMT pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Li Ren, Xiao-Jun Li, Ting-Ting Duan, Zheng-Hai Li, Jun-Zheng Yang, Ya-Mei Zhang, Liang Zou, Hua Miao, Ying-Yong Zhao
Summary: Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components in the processes of tissue repair, causing organ structural integrity and functional impairment. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key factor in promoting fibrosis by activating profibrotic signals. This review discusses the role of TGF-beta signaling in fibrotic organs, as well as potential therapeutic options for targeting tissue fibrosis through modulating TGF-beta signaling.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shanshan Chen, Yuli Wei, Shimeng Li, Yang Miao, Jinying Gu, Yunyao Cui, Zhichao Liu, Jingjing Liang, Luqing Wei, Xiaohe Li, Honggang Zhou, Cheng Yang
Summary: The study demonstrates that zanubrutinib attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway. This finding suggests a new potential treatment option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaohe Li, Ling Ma, Kai Huang, Yuli Wei, Shida Long, Qinyi Liu, Deqiang Zhang, Shuyang Wu, Wenrui Wang, Guang Yang, Honggang Zhou, Cheng Yang
Summary: Regorafenib is a novel drug that can alleviate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by suppressing the TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway, reducing collagen accumulation, and myofibroblast activation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Soo Yeon Lee, Soo-Yeon Park, Gyeong-Eun Lee, Hyunsik Kim, Jae-Hwan Kwon, Mi Jeong Kim, Ho-Geun Yoon
Summary: Aucuparin, a natural product isolated from Sorbus aucuparia, was found to inhibit pulmonary fibrosis through anti-inflammatory actions, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic drug for IPF treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Bowen Liu, Qiuyan Jiang, Ruxuan Chen, Shaoyan Gao, Qin Xia, Jingyan Zhu, Fangxia Zhang, Chi Shao, Xiangning Liu, Xiaohe Li, Honggang Zhou, Cheng Yang, Hui Huang
Summary: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease characterized by excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and the distortion of alveolar architecture. In this study, tacrolimus was found to suppress the polarization of M2 macrophages and alleviate fibrosis progression by inhibiting pro-fibrotic factors and targeting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiaohe Li, Yanhua Wang, Jingjing Liang, Zhun Bi, Hao Ruan, Yunyao Cui, Ling Ma, Yuli Wei, Bingchen Zhou, Liang Zhang, Honggang Zhou, Cheng Yang
Summary: Bergenin alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting myofibroblast activation and promoting autophagy and myofibroblast apoptosis.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yang Miao, Xiaohe Li, Yue Yang, Jianwei Zhang, Li Chen, Qianyi Zhang, Wenqi Li, Ying Liu, Xianfeng Zhang, Ruimin Gu, Cheng Yang
Summary: In this study, it was found that Entrectinib effectively inhibits the development of pulmonary fibrosis by blocking TGF-β1 signaling, both in vitro and in vivo.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Issaka Sagara, John Woodford, Mamady Kone, Mahamadoun Hamady Assadou, Abdoulaye Katile, Oumar Attaher, Amatigue Zeguime, M'Bouye Doucoure, Emily Higbee, Jacquelyn Lane, Rathy Mohan, Justin Doritchamou, Irfan Zaidi, Dominic Esposito, Jennifer Kwan, Kaitlyn Sadtler, Alassane Dicko, Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: This study provides insights into the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and infection in Mali. The results suggest that the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Mali is higher than previously reported, and may now approach hypothetical herd immunity in urban areas. The study also highlights that the epidemiology of the pandemic in this region may primarily involve subclinical infections within background illness rates.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Alok K. Sharma, Marcin Dyba, Marco Tonelli, Brian Smith, William K. Gillette, Dominic Esposito, Dwight Nissley, Frank McCormick, Anna E. Maciag
Summary: RAS proteins play a crucial role in cell signaling pathways, with mutations affecting its activity and leading to cancer. The dynamic nature of active KRAS protein results in absence of certain amino acid residues' H-1-N-15 correlation cross-peak signals in the 2D spectrum, but mutations can alter conformation dynamics.
BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lick Pui Lai, Nicole Fer, William Burgan, Vanessa E. Wall, Bingfang Xu, Daniel Soppet, Dominic Esposito, Dwight Nissley, Frank McCormick
Summary: RAF inhibitors unexpectedly activate ERK signaling in both normal and tumor cells with elevated RAS activity. This study demonstrates that RAF inhibitors can cause paradoxical ERK activation in KRAS(G12C)-dependent lung cancer cell lines. It also reveals that classical RAS proteins are not essential for this process, and the MRAS/SHOC2 complex plays a vital role.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunkai Yu, Dominic Esposito, Zhigang Kang, Jianming Lu, Alan T. Remaley, Valeria De Giorgi, Leonard N. Chen, Kamille West, Liang Cao
Summary: Several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged, some of which are associated with increased transmission and severity. Analyses of COVID-19 convalescent and diagnostic cohorts show that RBD antibody levels can serve as a good surrogate for neutralization activities. Individuals vaccinated with mRNA vaccines have significantly higher RBD antibody levels and similar neutralization activities compared to those naturally infected. This suggests that mRNA vaccination may generate more neutralizing RBD antibodies than natural immunity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taro Hiromi, Saki Iida, Takashi Nakamura, Utako Yokoyama
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fa-An Chao, Srisathiyanarayanan Dharmaiah, Troy Taylor, Simon Messing, William Gillette, Dominic Esposito, Dwight Nissley, Frank McCormick, R. Andrew Byrd, Dhirendra K. Simanshu, Gabriel Cornilescu
Summary: This article investigates the influence of conformational dynamics of RAS proteins on their interactions with downstream effectors and explains and predicts the altered binding affinities of different mutants.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kari Kopra, Salla Valtonen, Randa Mahran, Jonas N. Kapp, Nazia Hassan, William Gillette, Bryce Dennis, Lianbo Li, Kenneth D. Westover, Andreas Plueckthun, Harri Harma
Summary: Thermal unfolding methods are commonly used to predict protein's thermal stability and to screen potential drugs. Differential scanning calorimetry is considered the gold standard, but other methods like differential scanning fluorimetry are also used. These methods have relatively low sensitivity. By comparing three thermal stability probes, researchers found that the Protein-Probe is more sensitive and can work at lower concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shioko Kimura, Shigetoshi Yokoyama, Aprile L. Pilon, Reiko Kurotani
Summary: SCGB3A2 is a secreted small protein predominantly expressed in airway epithelial Club cells. It possesses anti-inflammatory, growth factor, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer activities that influence various lung diseases.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hayato Urushima, Tsutomu Matsubara, Masaaki Miyakoshi, Shioko Kimura, Hideto Yuasa, Katsutoshi Yoshizato, Kazuo Ikeda
Summary: In patients with cirrhosis, hyponatremia-induced serum hypotonicity could promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through the activation of AKT signaling and upregulation of Bcl-2. This suggests that targeting the mechanotransduction pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Byong Seo Park, Dasol Kang, Kwang Kon Kim, Bora Jeong, Tae Hwan Lee, Jeong Woo Park, Shioko Kimura, Jung -Yong Yeh, Gu Seob Roh, Chang-Joong Lee, Sungchil Yang, Sunggu Yang, Jae Geun Kim, Byung Ju Lee
Summary: The study reveals that hypothalamic TTF-1 plays a crucial role in leptin signaling and activity, with its selective deletion enhancing the effects of leptin and alleviating obesity caused by leptin resistance. This suggests that TTF-1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reiko Kurotani, Sotaro Ono, Yuki Miyano, Shun Nakayama, Huaitian Liu, Daisuke Aibara, Satoshi Sakahara, Masamichi Sato, Kento Sato, Sumito Inoue, Yoko Shibata, Maxwell P. Lee, Hiroyuki Abe, Shioko Kimura
Summary: SCGB3A2 protects the lungs from the development of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema through regulating A1AT expression via the STAT3 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yibing Han, Takeshi Tomita, Masayoshi Kato, Norihiro Ashihara, Yumiko Higuchi, Hisanori Matoba, Weiyi Wang, Hikaru Hayashi, Yuji Itoh, Satoshi Takahashi, Hiroshi Kurita, Jun Nakayama, Nobuo Okumura, Sachie Hiratsuka
Summary: This study reveals the significant effect of post-translational citrullination of fibrinogen on cancer cell metastasis, which can create a metastatic niche in vulnerable spots. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that CitFbg with specific antibodies can visualize the potential metastatic sites in the lungs of patients.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Jillian T. Grassia, Christine F. Markwalter, Wendy P. O'Meara, Steve M. Taylor, Andrew A. Obala
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jessica Manning, Irfan Zaidi, Chanthap Lon, Luz Angela Rosas, Jae-Keun Park, Aiyana Ponce, Jennifer Bohl, Sophana Chea, Maria Karkanitsa, Sokunthea Sreng, Huy Rekol, Char Meng Chour, Dominic Esposito, Jeffery K. Taubenberger, Matthew J. Memoli, Kaitlyn Sadtler, Patrick E. Duffy, Fabiano Oliveira
Summary: Inhabitants of the Greater Mekong Subregion in Cambodia have been exposed to pathogens that may affect serologic cross-reactivity with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. A prepandemic serosurvey of 528 malaria-infected individuals demonstrated higher-than-expected positivity of nonneutralizing IgG to spike and receptor-binding domain antigens. These findings could impact the interpretation of large-scale serosurveys.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)