Article
Neurosciences
Giorgia Boero, Ryan E. Tyler, Caroline A. Todd, Todd K. O'Buckley, Irina Balan, Joyce Besheer, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: CRF is the main activator of the HPA axis in response to stress, with CRF neurons mainly located in the hypothalamus. 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP attenuates the stress response by reducing hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression and serum corticosterone levels. Sex and region-specific regulation of CRF signals in response to 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP administration may be essential for developing therapies for stress-related disorders and addiction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Boero, Ryan E. Tyler, Todd K. O'Buckley, Irina Balan, Joyce Besheer, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: This study found that 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP has different regulatory effects on stress response in male and female rats. 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP can reduce the increase of circulating corticosterone after stress and have different effects on the expression levels of hypothalamic CRF, CRFR1, CRFBP, POMC, and GR. These results suggest that gender differences and stress types play important roles in the regulation of the HPA axis by 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP.
Article
Oncology
Xinyi Lou, Shixin Duan, Mengkai Li, Yao Yuan, Shiyi Chen, Zhiming Wang, Zishu Wang, Lei Sun, Feng Qian
Summary: IL-36 alpha activates NF-kappa B and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages, leading to the expression of inflammatory factors. Additionally, IL-36 alpha has significant anti-tumor effects by altering the tumor microenvironment and promoting the infiltration of immune cells while decreasing suppressor cells and regulatory T cells.IL-36 alpha also synergizes with PD-L1 antibody to enhance its anti-tumor effect on melanoma. This study reveals a new role for IL-36 alpha in promoting anti-tumor immune responses and suggests its potential for cancer immunotherapy.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Irina Balan, Laure Aurelian, Riana Schleicher, Giorgia Boero, Todd O'Buckley, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: The research shows that 3 alpha, 5 alpha-THP inhibits the activation of TLR4, TLR2, and TLR7 signals, but not TLR3 signal, by blocking the TLR-MyD88 interaction. This inhibition leads to decreased production of pro-inflammatory mediators and supports the potential therapeutic use of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-THP for inflammatory diseases.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Alessandra Occhinegro, Chinn Yi Wong, Brendon Y. Chua, David C. Jackson, Michael J. McKinley, Robin M. McAllen, Davide Martelli
Summary: The splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway suppresses inflammatory response in mice and can be activated by various inflammatory stimuli, indicating its potential therapeutic benefits in managing inflammatory conditions.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kiran Shabir, Seley Gharanei, Sophie Orton, Vanlata Patel, Parbata Chauhan, Emmanouil Karteris, Harpal S. Randeva, James E. Brown, Ioannis Kyrou
Summary: Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ by secreting various adipokines that regulate metabolism and other physiological processes. The altered secretion of adipokines has been associated with obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases. Asprosin, a recently discovered adipokine, is elevated in cardio-metabolic diseases and has pro-inflammatory effects, at least in part through the TLR4 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Atif Zafar, Hang Pong Ng, Gun-Dong Kim, E. Ricky Chan, Ganapati H. Mahabeleshwar
Summary: Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that defend against infections and injuries. The transcription factor BHLHE40 plays a critical role in promoting inflammatory and glycolytic gene expression in macrophages by elevating HIF1α levels. Studies show that BHLHE40 deficiency leads to reduced inflammatory responses and glycolytic gene expression in macrophages.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liang Ou, Peng Zhang, Zhengpeng Huang, Yuxing Cheng, Qianru Miao, Ru Niu, Yuxin Hu, Ying Chen
Summary: Silica is widely used as a chemical raw material, leading to increased exposure and potential hazards to populations, with silicosis being an important representative. The underlying pathogenesis of silicosis is unclear, but studies have shown that the STING signal pathway may play a key role. This study found that silica particles induce the release of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) to activate the STING signal pathway, leading to inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hailong Liu, Youliang Sun, Qian Zhang, Wei Jin, Renata E. Gordon, Yanyang Zhang, Jian Wang, Caihong Sun, Zeyuan John Wang, Xueling Qi, Junping Zhang, Boyuan Huang, Qiuping Gui, Hongyu Yuan, Ling Chen, Xiaodong Ma, Chuan Fang, Yong-qiang Liu, Xinguang Yu, Shiyu Feng
Summary: Limited understanding of the glioblastoma microenvironment and molecular mechanisms complicates the development of effective treatment strategies. This study unveils the correlation between SETD2 mutation and poor prognosis in IDH-WT adult glioblastoma patients, and identifies a specific subpopulation of high-grade glioma-associated microglia (HGG-AM) with pro-inflammatory and proliferative characteristics that interact with tumor cells to promote progression. The depletion of TGF-beta 1/TbRI significantly reduces HGG-AM density and suppresses tumor growth.
Article
Immunology
Vera Khodzhaeva, Yannick Schreiber, Gerd Geisslinger, Ralf P. Brandes, Bernhard Bruene, Dmitry Namgaladze
Summary: Deficiency of mitochondrial outer membrane GTPase Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) leads to decreased mitochondrial respiration, enhanced inflammatory responses, and increased interactions between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. This deficiency potentiates the inflammatory signaling pathways triggered by zymosan in human macrophages.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sarvatit Patel, Geoff Werstuck
Summary: The study found that deficiency in GSK3α affects the polarization and inflammatory response of M1 macrophages, while increasing cell migration; deficiency in GSK3β exacerbates the inflammatory response and lipid accumulation of M1 macrophages but decreases cell migration; double deficiency in GSK3α and GSK3β leads to increased cell viability, proliferation, and metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rui Zhang, Chris Y. Cheung, Sang-Uk Seo, Hang Liu, Lakhansing Pardeshi, Koon Ho Wong, Larry M. C. Chow, Mary P. Chau, Yixiang Wang, Ah Ra Lee, Woon Yong Kwon, Sheng Chen, Bill Kwan-wai Chan, Kenneth Wong, Richard K. W. Choy, Ben C. B. Ko
Summary: RUVBL2 has been identified as a key regulator in the pro-inflammatory response of macrophages, with its inhibition affecting gene expression and nitric oxide production. Inhibition of RUVBL1/2 similarly impacts human cell pro-inflammatory responses, indicating functional conservation in humans.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aakanksha Jha, Joseph Larkin III, Erika Moore
Summary: This study introduces a PEGDA hydrogel platform to investigate the utilization of SOCS1-KIR as a macrophage phenotype manipulating peptide. Results from immunocytochemistry, cytokine secretion assays, and gene expression analysis demonstrate a reduction in M1 activation due to SOCS1-KIR treatment. The retention of SOCS1-KIR in the hydrogel and the unaffected swelling ratio of the hydrogel are also demonstrated.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Erica Novo, Andrea Cappon, Gianmarco Villano, Santina Quarta, Stefania Cannito, Claudia Bocca, Cristian Turato, Maria Guido, Marina Maggiora, Francesca Protopapa, Salvatore Sutti, Alessia Provera, Mariagrazia Ruvoletto, Alessandra Biasiolo, Beatrice Foglia, Emanuele Albano, Patrizia Pontisso, Maurizio Parola
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a common chronic liver disease worldwide. This study found that the protein SB3 plays a pro-inflammatory role in the progression of NAFLD and may contribute to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that SB3 stimulated macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulated the expression of markers associated with NASH.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lara K. Abramowitz, John A. Hanover
Summary: Inflammation is an immune response to harmful stimuli, but excessive inflammation can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases. Macrophages play a crucial role in this process, responding to the local microenvironment by polarizing into M1 or M2 phenotypes. Elevated O-GlcNAc levels in M1 polarized macrophages are associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. O-GlcNAc interacts with iNOS and affects its activity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominique Bollino, Irina Balan, Laure Aurelian
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2015)
Article
Neurosciences
Harry L. June, Juan Liu, Kaitlin T. Warnock, Kimberly A. Bell, Irina Balan, Dominique Bollino, Adam Puche, Laure Aurelian
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Psychiatry
L. Aurelian, K. T. Warnock, I. Balan, A. Puche, H. June
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2016)
Article
Immunology
Irina Balan, Kaitlin T. Warnock, Adam Puchec, Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis, Laure Aurelian
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2018)
Review
Neurosciences
Laure Aurelian, Irina Balan
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Kathryn M. Harper, Darin J. Knapp, Caroline A. Todd, Irina Balan, Laure Aurelian, Hugh E. Criswell, George R. Breese
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Giorgia Boero, Ryan E. Tyler, Caroline A. Todd, Todd K. O'Buckley, Irina Balan, Joyce Besheer, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: CRF is the main activator of the HPA axis in response to stress, with CRF neurons mainly located in the hypothalamus. 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP attenuates the stress response by reducing hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression and serum corticosterone levels. Sex and region-specific regulation of CRF signals in response to 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP administration may be essential for developing therapies for stress-related disorders and addiction.
Article
Psychiatry
Irina Balan, Laure Aurelian, Riana Schleicher, Giorgia Boero, Todd O'Buckley, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: The research shows that 3 alpha, 5 alpha-THP inhibits the activation of TLR4, TLR2, and TLR7 signals, but not TLR3 signal, by blocking the TLR-MyD88 interaction. This inhibition leads to decreased production of pro-inflammatory mediators and supports the potential therapeutic use of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-THP for inflammatory diseases.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
A. Leslie Morrow, Irina Balan, Giorgia Boero
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Irina Balan, Laure Aurelian, Kimberly S. Williams, Brian Campbell, Rick B. Meeker, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: The study found that allopregnanolone inhibits TLR4 and TLR7 activation in cultured human macrophages, resulting in reduced cytokine/chemokine production. This inhibition of TLR4 activation was found in both male and female donors, while the inhibition of TLR7 signaling showed specificity for female donors. These findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of allopregnanolone in human macrophages for the first time, suggesting its therapeutic potential in inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Boero, Ryan E. Tyler, Todd K. O'Buckley, Irina Balan, Joyce Besheer, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: This study found that 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP has different regulatory effects on stress response in male and female rats. 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP can reduce the increase of circulating corticosterone after stress and have different effects on the expression levels of hypothalamic CRF, CRFR1, CRFBP, POMC, and GR. These results suggest that gender differences and stress types play important roles in the regulation of the HPA axis by 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Irina Balan, Riah Patterson, Giorgia Boero, Holly Krohn, Todd K. O'Buckley, Samantha Meltzer-Brody, A. Leslie Morrowa
Summary: The study found that brexanolone inhibits proinflammatory modulators and macrophage activation in patients with post-partum depression, which may promote clinical recovery.
Review
Neurosciences
Riah Patterson, Irina Balan, A. Leslie Morrow, Samantha Meltzer-Brody
Summary: This article reviews the development, clinical trial data, current practices, and future directions of novel neurosteroid therapeutics for post-partum depression. It discusses the clinical impact of brexanolone and other neurosteroids in treating postpartum depression and major depressive disorders. The article also explores the role of GABA signaling and inflammatory signaling in the etiology of post-partum depression, as well as the development of new neurosteroid therapeutics such as zuranolone and ganaxolone.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Irina Balan, Kaitlin T. Warnock, Adam Puche, Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis, Harry June, Laure Aurelian