Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jan-Hendrik Riedel, Lennart Robben, Hans-Joachim Paust, Yu Zhao, Nariaki Asada, Ning Song, Anett Peters, Anna Kaffke, Alina Borchers, Gisa Tiegs, Larissa Seifert, Nicola M. Tomas, Elion Hoxha, Ulrich O. Wenzel, Tobias B. Huber, Thorsten Wiech, Jan-Eric Turner, Christian F. Krebs, Ulf Panzer
Summary: Glucocorticoids, a cornerstone of therapy for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, exert their therapeutic effects by reducing the number of proinflammatory T cells in the kidney. This study found that high-dose steroid treatment decreases the recruitment of CXCR3(+)CD4(+) T cells to the inflamed kidneys by acting directly on renal tissue cells, leading to an amelioration of the disease course. The study identified the CXCL9/CXCL10-CXCR3 axis as a previously unrecognized cellular and molecular target of glucocorticoids.
Article
Microbiology
Ruonan Liang, Shuaiyin Chen, Yuefei Jin, Ling Tao, Wangquan Ji, Peiyu Zhu, Dong Li, Yu Zhang, Weiguo Zhang, Guangcai Duan
Summary: CVA2 infection leads to HFMD outbreaks, causing systemic inflammatory response and central nervous system inflammation. This study reveals the involvement of the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis in CVA2 immunopathogenesis, with activation of this axis contributing to apoptosis, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and inflammatory cell infiltration, which can be reversed by alpha CXCR3 therapy.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Tomonori Higuchi, Yumiko Hashida, Kazuhiko Matsuo, Kosuke Kitahata, Takako Ujihara, Ichiro Murakami, Takashi Nakayama, Masanori Daibata
Summary: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation (DLBCL-CI) develops in the setting of long-standing inflammation. This type of lymphoma may have specific expression profiles of chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of DLBCL-CI. EBV-positive pyothorax-associated lymphoma (PAL) is a prototype of DLBCL-CI and represents a valuable model for the study of this disease category.
Article
Dermatology
Jillian M. Richmond, Dhrumil Patel, Tomoya Watanabe, Henry W. Chen, Viktor Martyanov, Giffin Werner, Madhuri Garg, Nazgol-Sadat Haddadi, Maggi Ahmed Refat, Bassel H. Mahmoud, Lance D. Wong, Karen Dresser, April Deng, Jane L. Zhu, William McAlpine, Gregory A. Hosler, Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick, Michael L. Whitfield, John E. Harris, Kathryn S. Torok, Heidi T. Jacobe
Summary: Morphea is a poorly studied disease characterized by initial inflammation followed by fibrosis of the skin and soft tissue. In this study, a mouse model was used to mimic the clinical and histological features of human morphea, and it was found that the CXCR3 chemokine axis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous fibrosis. Fibroblasts were identified as the main source of CXCR3 ligands, and the fibrosis was shown to be dependent on CXCL9 and CXCR3. Furthermore, recombinant CXCL9 was found to contribute to fibrosis by inducing Col1a1 mRNA expression in mouse fibroblasts.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Lili Li, Shumin Hao, Meiling Gao, Junxiao Liu, Xin Xu, Jianfei Huang, Genhong Cheng, Heng Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates that class I HDAC inhibitors suppress tumor growth by enhancing anti-tumor immunity, contrary to previous belief that they directly affect tumor cell cycle and apoptosis.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Francesca Caldarale, Mauro Giacomelli, Emirena Garrafa, Nicola Tamassia, Alessia Morreale, Piercarlo Poli, Silviana Timpano, Giulia Baresi, Fiammetta Zunica, Marco Cattalini, Daniele Moratto, Marco Chiarini, Elvira Stefania Cannizzo, Giulia Marchetti, Marco Antonio Cassatella, Andrea Taddio, Alberto Tommasini, Raffaele Badolato
Summary: In children with COVID-19, there is an immune response suggestive of type I interferon activation, possibly due to recent interaction with the virus, while in MIS-C, the immune response is characterized by elevation of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, which may contribute to the multisystem and cardiovascular damage observed in MIS-C.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Farzaneh Hassanshahi, Mojgan Noroozi Karimabad, Elahe Miranzadeh, Gholamhossein Hassanshahi, Seyedeh Atekeh Torabizadeh, Ali Jebali
Summary: The study investigated the association between Brucella infection and the chemokines CXCL9, 10, and 11. The results showed that the serum levels of these chemokines were significantly increased in patients with acute brucellosis, suggesting their potential as markers for the disease.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Divya Bhatia, Allyson Capili, Kiichi Nakahira, Thangamani Muthukumar, Lisa K. Torres, Augustine M. K. Choi, Mary E. Choi
Summary: Macrophage-specific mitochondrial fusion proteins MFN1 and MFN2 play critical roles in modulating kidney fibrosis. Deficiency of MFN2 leads to macrophage polarization towards a profibrotic phenotype and worsens kidney function.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cui Zhou, Zhenyang Shen, Bo Shen, Weiming Dai, Zhongsang Sun, Yuecheng Guo, Xianjun Xu, Junjun Wang, Jingyi Lu, Qingqing Zhang, Xin Luo, Ying Qu, Hui Dong, Lungen Lu
Summary: Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global health burden, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) may play a crucial role in its progression by promoting CXCL10-mediated macrophage M1 polarization and CXCR3+ macrophage infiltration via activating NF-κB/p65 signaling.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Khai Gene Leong, Elyce Ozols, John Kanellis, Frank Y. Ma, David J. Nikolic-Paterson
Summary: The study found that Cyclophilin D (CypD) facilitates aristolochic acid-induced acute kidney injury, but does not contribute to the transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease during ongoing exposure to aristolochic acid.
Article
Virology
Victoria Callahan, Seth Hawks, Matthew A. Crawford, Caitlin W. Lehman, Holly A. Morrison, Hannah M. Ivester, Ivan Akhrymuk, Niloufar Boghdeh, Rafaela Flor, Carla Finkielstein, Irving Coy Allen, James Weger-Lucarelli, Nisha Duggal, Molly A. Hughes, Kylene Kehn-Hall
Summary: The study shows that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces an inflammatory state in human lung epithelial cells with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Inhibition of the AKT pathway may reduce the induction of these chemokines, potentially providing specific targets for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis associated with hyperinflammation.
Article
Cell Biology
Julia Grube, Marius Maximilian Woitok, Antje Mohs, Stephanie Erschfeld, Celina Lynen, Christian Trautwein, Tobias Otto
Summary: This study finds that ferroptotic cell death is not an endogenous tumor-suppressive mechanism during HCC formation, but instead has an unanticipated cancer-promoting effect due to aggravated liver damage, suggesting that ferroptosis may have both cancer-promoting and cancer-inhibitory effects during HCC progression and therapy.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Andriy Trailin, Petra Mrazova, Petra Hruba, Ludek Voska, Eva Sticova, Antonij Slavcev, Marek Novotny, Matej Kocik, Ondrej Viklicky
Summary: This study utilized molecular assessment to identify distinct gene expression patterns in specific renal compartments, reflecting cellular infiltration observed by conventional histology. Chronic active ABMR was associated with increased transcripts of tubulointerstitial origin.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Xiaona Chen, Hui He, Yue Xiao, Ayshamgul Hasim, Jianlin Yuan, Min Ye, Xin Li, Yi Hao, Xia Guo
Summary: Persistent HPV infection may induce cervical cancer cells to secrete CXCL10, which binds to CXCR3 in surrounding fibroblast cells, activating the JAK-STAT pathway and subsequently upregulating the expression of exosomal PD-L1.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suresh Bugide, Romi Gupta, Michael R. Green, Narendra Wajapeyee
Summary: EZH2 has been shown to function as an oncogene in some cancers, mainly through regulating cell-intrinsic tumor regulatory pathways. However, the role of EZH2-mediated immune suppression, particularly regarding natural killer (NK) cells, in its oncogenic activity is not fully understood. In this study, it was revealed that EZH2 inhibition induced reexpression of chemokine CXCL10 in hepatic tumor cells, which in turn stimulated NK cell migration and reversed tumor growth. This suggests a crucial role for NK cells and CXCL10 in mediating the oncogenic function of EZH2.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Qiao Jin, Andrea O. Luk, Eric S. H. Lau, Claudia H. T. Tam, Risa Ozaki, Cadmon K. P. Lim, Hongjiang Wu, Guozhi Jiang, Elaine Y. K. Chow, Jack K. Ng, Alice P. S. Kong, Baoqi Fan, Ka Fai Lee, Shing Chung Siu, Grace Hui, Chiu Chi Tsang, Kam Piu Lau, Jenny Y. Leung, Man-wo Tsang, Grace Kam, Ip Tim Lau, June K. Li, Vincent T. Yeung, Emmy Lau, Stanley Lo, Samuel Fung, Yuk Lun Cheng, Chun Chung Chow, Yu Huang, Hui-yao Lan, Cheuk Chun Szeto, Wing Yee So, Juliana C. N. Chan, Ronald C. W. Ma, Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank Study Group Hong Kong Diab Biobank Study Grp
Summary: Nonalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with higher risks of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression compared to no DKD, regardless of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Zhang, Yang Wang, Guoxun Zheng, Yang Liu, Jinhong Li, Huihui Huang, Chunhua Xu, Yelin Zeng, Xiaoyi Zhang, Jinzhong Qin, Chunsun Dai, Harald O. Hambrock, Ursula Hartmann, Bo Feng, Kingston Kinglun Mak, Youhua Liu, Hui-Yao Lan, Yu Huang, Zhi-Hua Zheng, Yin Xia
Summary: The study reveals that FSTL1 plays a promoting role in renal fibrosis by interacting with Wnt ligands and FZD receptors to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This finding is of great importance for a deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying kidney diseases.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaoyi Chen, Xiao Ru Huang, Fuye Yang, Wai Han Yiu, Xueqing Yu, Sydney C. W. Tang, Hui Yao Lan
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of myeloid-specific TLR4 in macrophage diversity regulation in anti-GBM cGN. Deletion of myeloid-TLR4 induces a novel reparative macrophage phenotype with upregulated anti-inflammatory and tissue repair-related signaling, suppressing M1 proinflammatory responses. The activation of the Nr4a1/Ear2-axis is identified as a key mechanism promoting anti-inflammatory macrophage differentiation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong-Lian Wang, Li Wang, Chang-Ying Zhao, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Research has shown that TGF-beta signaling plays diverse roles in beta cell development, function, proliferation, and apoptosis, with Smad3 identified as a key mediator and ideal therapeutic target for type-2 diabetes. However, the effects of Smad7 on beta cell proliferation and glucose homeostasis remain controversial. Overexpression of Tgfb1 has been found to prevent beta cells from autoimmune destruction without affecting beta cell function. These findings highlight the complex regulatory roles of TGF-beta signaling in beta cell biology.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Guang-Yu Lian, Yingpeng Wan, Thomas Shiu-Kwong Mak, Qing-Ming Wang, Jinfeng Zhang, Jiaoyi Chen, Zi-Ying Wang, Min Li, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Xiao-Ru Huang, Chung-Sing Lee, Xue-Qing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This study developed a novel therapeutic strategy for lung carcinoma by developing a specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) into a self-carried nanodrug (SCND-SIS3). SCND-SIS3 demonstrated better anti-cancer effects in an animal model and achieved comparable efficacy with just one-fifth of the dose of unmodified-SIS3.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Junzhe Chen, Ying Tang, Yu Zhong, Biao Wei, Xiao-Ru Huang, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Anping Xu, Hui-yao Lan
Summary: This study found that P2Y12 is significantly increased in CKD patients and UUO mice, and it is correlated with progressive renal fibrosis. P2Y12 is mainly expressed by macrophages and promotes the transition from macrophages to myofibroblasts. Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 inhibitor, can improve the decline of glomerular filtration rate in CKD patients and inhibit renal fibrosis in UUO mice by targeting P2Y12.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suyi Xie, Qi Li, Andrea O. Y. Luk, Hui-Yao Lan, Paul K. S. Chan, Antoni Bayes-Genis, Francis K. L. Chan, Erik Fung
Summary: This study found that elevated circulating levels of GDF-15 were significantly predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, further studies are needed to determine its prognostic significance in predicting mortality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhengyu Fang, Yiping Hu, Jiajing Dai, Lianhua He, Juan He, Bihua Xu, Xinle Han, Fubo Zhong, Huiyao Lan, Qingwen Wang
Summary: The combination treatment with CS12192 and MTX is shown to have a better therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats, with a stronger suppressive effect on T cells and macrophage-mediated joint inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wenjing Wu, Wenbiao Wang, Liying Liang, Junzhe Chen, Biao Wei, Xiao-Ru Huang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients, but the mechanisms are unclear and treatments are ineffective. This study found that overexpression of the SARS-CoV-2 N gene in the kidneys of diabetic mice led to AKI, and treatment with quercetin, a traditional Chinese medicine compound, inhibited AKI by blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 N protein and Smad3. This study highlights the pathogenic role of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in AKI and identifies quercetin as a potential treatment for COVID-19-induced AKI.
Article
Cell Biology
Rui-zhi Tan, Xia Zhong, Rang-yue Han, Ke-huan Xie, Jian Jia, Ye Yang, Mei Cheng, Chun-yan Yang, Hui-yao Lan, Li Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of Mincle in psoriasis, as it mediates and maintains inflammation through the Mincle-Syk-NF-κB pathway in macrophages. Targeting Mincle with a neutralizing antibody significantly improves the symptoms of psoriasis.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jian-Chun Li, Jian Jia, Li Dong, Zhong-Jing Hu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Hong-Lian Wang, Li Wang, Si-Jin Yang, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This study investigated the role of Erbb4-IR in hypertensive heart disease using ultrasound-microbubble-mediated silencing. It was found that Erbb4-IR mediates cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II, and silencing Erbb4-IR effectively improves cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. Therefore, targeting Erbb4-IR may be a novel therapy for hypertensive cardiovascular diseases.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liying Liang, Wenbiao Wang, Junzhe Chen, Wenjing Wu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Biao Wei, Yu Zhong, Ronald C. W. Ma, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenbiao Wang, Junzhe Chen, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This review article focuses on the signaling mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in viral replication, cell death, and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Xiaoming Meng, Juan Jin, Hui Yao Lan
Summary: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common renal disorder and an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Macrophages have been shown to play a crucial role in the transition from AKI to CKD, and significant progress has been made in understanding their pathophysiological functions. This review highlights the roles and mechanisms of macrophage activation, phenotypic polarization, and transdifferentiation in the development of AKI-to-CKD transition, and discusses the potential of macrophage-based therapy for preventing this transition.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenjing Wu, Xiaoqin Wang, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Renal inflammation and fibrosis are important pathological features of kidney diseases. Smad3 is a critical mediator in TGF-beta signaling and plays a role in the development of inflammation and fibrosis in the kidney. Smad3 can be activated by various stress molecules and interact with other signaling pathways to mediate these processes. Targeting Smad3 and its downstream genes may provide a new therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)