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Genomic instability remains an enabling feature of cancer and promotes malignant transformation. Alterations of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways allow genomic instability, generate neoantigens, upregulate the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and interact with signaling such as cyclic GMP–AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) signaling. Here, we review the basic knowledge of DDR pathways, mechanisms of genomic instability induced by DDR alterations, impacts of DDR alterations on immune system, and the potential applications of DDR alterations as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy., Graphical abstract This review summarizes basic knowledge of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, mechanisms of genomic instability induced by DDR alterations, impacts of DDR alterations on immune system, and its potential applications as therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy.Image 1

Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (Nano-DDSs) have emerged as possible solution to the obstacles of anticancer drug delivery. However, the clinical outcomes and translation are restricted by several drawbacks, such as low drug loading, premature drug leakage and carrier-related toxicity. Recently, pure drug nano-assemblies (PDNAs), fabricated by the self-assembly or co-assembly of pure drug molecules, have attracted considerable attention. Their facile and reproducible preparation technique helps to remove the bottleneck of nanomedicines including quality control, scale-up production and clinical translation. Acting as both carriers and cargos, the carrier-free PDNAs have an ultra-high or even 100% drug loading. In addition, combination therapies based on PDNAs could possibly address the most intractable problems in cancer treatment, such as tumor metastasis and drug resistance. In the present review, the latest development of PDNAs for cancer treatment is overviewed. First, PDNAs are classified according to the composition of drug molecules, and the assembly mechanisms are discussed. Furthermore, the co-delivery of PDNAs for combination therapies is summarized, with special focus on the improvement of therapeutic outcomes. Finally, future prospects and challenges of PDNAs for efficient cancer therapy are spotlighted., Graphical abstract Pure drug nano-assemblies (PDNAs), fabricated by self-assembly or co-assembly of pure drug molecules, have attracted considerable attention in cancer treatment, indicating therapeutic advantages including carrier-free property, simple preparation, ultra-high drug loading and co-delivery behavior for combination therapy.Image 1

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Neuroinflammation plays a key role in the secondary injury of acute SCI. • Pyroptosis is defined as a newly programmed cell death. • Recent studies show that pyroptosis play a key role in SCI. • Some molecules can significantly inhibit pyroptosis process in SCI. • Targeting pyroptosis and inflammasome components can be novel therapeutic strategies for SCI., Background Currently, spinal cord injury (SCI) is a pathological incident that triggers several neuropathological conditions, leading to the initiation of neuronal damage with several pro-inflammatory mediators' release. However, pyroptosis is recognized as a new programmed cell death mechanism regulated by the stimulation of caspase-1 and/or caspase-11/-4/-5 signaling pathways with a series of inflammatory responses. Aim Our current review concisely summarizes the potential role of pyroptosis-regulated programmed cell death in SCI, according to several molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms. This review also highlights the targeting of pyroptosis signaling pathways and inflammasome components and its therapeutic implications for the treatment of SCI. Key scientific concepts Multiple pieces of evidence have illustrated that pyroptosis plays significant roles in cell swelling, plasma membrane lysis, chromatin fragmentation and intracellular pro-inflammatory factors including IL-18 and IL-1β release. In addition, pyroptosis is directly mediated by the recently discovered family of pore-forming protein known as GSDMD. Current investigations have documented that pyroptosis-regulated cell death plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple neurological disorders as well as SCI. Our narrative article suggests that inhibiting the pyroptosis-regulated cell death and inflammasome components could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of SCI in the near future.

After a major surgery, a central nervous system complication often occurs, which is called as POCD, the Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction. Clinical manifestations normally include the loss of learning ability, memory, thinking ability and executive and expression ability (Feinkohl et al., 2017a, Needham et al., 2017). POCD may last from a few hours, to a few days or weeks after surgery. In some cases, the disorder may exist for a few months, or even be permanent. Thus, it will result in reducing medication compliance, prolonging hospital stay, and increasing patients’ costs, etc. (Carr et al., 2018). With the rising number of surgery patients; the quantity of patients suffered from POCD is increasing year by year. Therefore, finding effective methods to treat POCD has become a thorny problem. The specific pathogenesis and mechanism of POCD remains unclear. Most scholars believe that POCD is caused by the degeneration of central nervous system in elder patients and induced by surgery and anesthesia. The brain energy metabolism disorder is caused by a combination of various risk factors and leads to neurological dysfunction (Cascella and Bimonte, 2017, Cropsey et al., 2015, Steinmetz and Rasmussen, 2016). Perioperative patients often have fluctuations in blood glucose, which might be accompanied by high and low blood glucose levels, and the postoperative brain glucose uptake rate of POCD patients is significantly reduced. Recent studies have also found that hyperglycemia during extracorporeal circulation is a risk factor for POCD (Feinkohl et al., 2017b, Jones, 2008). Therefore, study on the mechanism of POCD caused by abnormal glucose metabolism is of important guiding significance for perioperative clinical intervention. Studies have shown that glucose metabolism disorder is an important pathological mechanism of cognitive impairment (Diaz-Venegas et al., 2017). McNay et al. found that hippocampal-dependent learning and memory function is related to brain glucose metabolism using brain microdialysis technique (McNay and Recknagel, 2011). The mechanisms of abnormal glucose metabolism leading to POCD involve increased insulin resistance, abnormal insulin signaling pathway, enhanced oxidative stress response, increased advanced glycation end products (AGE), abnormal blood-brain barrier, and glucose transporter-4 metabolic disorders, among which, the insulin signaling pathway IRS-PI3K-AKT-GLUT4 disorder may exert influence on neuronal glucose metabolism and cognitive function changes (Rizzo et al., 2014, Pearson-Leary and McNay, 2016, Yaffe et al., 2011). At present time, diagnosis methods for POCD is insufficient. 18F-FDG (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose) PET/CT is an effective approach in detecting brain glucose metabolism-related damage in neurodegenerative dementia. Normal brain cells have high metabolism rate of 18F-FDG uptake, with standard uptake value. Standard Uptake Value (SUV) is a quantitative indicator that reflects the level of glucose concentration in brain cells, which functionally reflects the metabolic level of brain cells (Banzo et al., 2014, Jimenez-Bonilla et al., 2016). In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main bacterial toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand that actuates the immune system to respond to infection. Previous studies have shown that surgery in adult rats with intraperitoneal injection of LPS might trigger more serious neurodegenerative diseases, which suggests that adult rats are more prone to cognitive disorders when they have received surgery. This simulates the cognitive function of surgical infection status in young patients in clinical settings (Sochocka et al., 2017, Fischer et al., 2011). In this study, adult rats that have unilateral nephrectomy and have been treated with LPS intraperitoneal injection were used to cause adult rat cognitive dysfunction model. 18F-FDG PET/CT photo copies were used to record and test the changing of brain glucose metabolism of the rats with cognitive dysfunction. Molecular biological techniques were adapted to detect the changes of INSR-PI3K-AKT-GLUT4 of the insulin signaling pathway. Apart from the above, those techniques were helpful to explain the mechanism of glucose metabolism changes of POCD in adult rats, and to provide reference for preventing and treating POCD.

ProBiotic-4 is a probiotic preparation composed of Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. This study aims to investigate the effects of ProBiotic-4 on the microbiota–gut–brain axis and cognitive deficits, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism using senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. ProBiotic-4 was orally administered to 9-month-old SAMP8 mice for 12 weeks. We observed that ProBiotic-4 significantly improved the memory deficits, cerebral neuronal and synaptic injuries, glial activation, and microbiota composition in the feces and brains of aged SAMP8 mice. ProBiotic-4 substantially attenuated aging-related disruption of the intestinal barrier and blood–brain barrier, decreased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α at both mRNA and protein levels, reduced plasma and cerebral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation in the brain. In addition, not only did ProBiotic-4 significantly decreased the levels of γ-H2AX, 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine, and retinoic-acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I), it also abrogated RIG-I multimerization in the brain. These findings suggest that targeting gut microbiota with probiotics may have a therapeutic potential for the deficits of the microbiota–gut–brain axis and cognitive function in aging, and that its mechanism is associated with inhibition of both TLR4-and RIG-I-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory responses., Graphical abstract Image 1Long-term oral administration with ProBiotic-4, a complex probiotic preparation, could significantly improve the deficits of the microbiota–gut–brain axis and cognitive function in aged SAMP8 mice. The underlying mechanism is associated with inhibition of both TLR4-and RIG-I-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory responses.

Visual Abstract, Highlights • A first-of-a-kind systems biology computational model is presented that describes multiscale regulation of perfusion recovery in experimental peripheral arterial disease. • Multilevel model calibration and validation enable high-resolution model simulations for experimental peripheral arterial disease (mouse HLI). • An integrative model-based mechanistic characterization of the intracellular, cellular, and tissue-level features critical for the dynamic reconstitution of perfusion following different patterns of occlusion-induced ischemia in HLI is described. • Using a model-based virtual HLI mouse population, pharmacologic inhibition of cell necrosis is predicted as a strategy with high therapeutic potential to improve perfusion recovery; in real HLI mice, the positive impact of this new strategy is then experimentally studied and confirmed., Summary In peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the degree of endogenous capacity to modulate revascularization of limb muscle is central to the management of leg ischemia. To characterize the multiscale and multicellular nature of revascularization in PAD, we have developed the first computational systems biology model that mechanistically incorporates intracellular, cellular, and tissue-level features critical for the dynamic reconstitution of perfusion after occlusion-induced ischemia. The computational model was specifically formulated for a preclinical animal model of PAD (mouse hindlimb ischemia [HLI]), and it has gone through multilevel model calibration and validation against a comprehensive set of experimental data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling, cell–cell communication, and function during post-HLI perfusion recovery. As an example, our model simulations generated a highly detailed description of the time-dependent spectrum-like macrophage phenotypes in HLI, and through model sensitivity analysis we identified key cellular processes with potential therapeutic significance in the pathophysiology of PAD. Furthermore, we computationally evaluated the in vivo effects of different targeted interventions on post-HLI tissue perfusion recovery in a model-based, data-driven, virtual mouse population and experimentally confirmed the therapeutic effect of a novel model-predicted intervention in real HLI mice. This novel multiscale model opens up a new avenue to use integrative systems biology modeling to facilitate translational research in PAD.

Highlights • Resistin levels have been associated with several pathological disorders such as metabolic disorders, cancers etc. • Resistin exists in three isoforms namely RELM-α, β and γ. • High resistin level activates inflammatory pathways, promotes metabolic disorders and is associated with carcinogenesis. • Increase in the resistin level impairs the therapeutic response by inducing stemness or resistance, in cancer cells. • Conventional drugs which alter resistin level could have therapeutic implications in several pathological disorders., Resistin, a small secretory molecule, has been implicated to play an important role in the development of insulin resistance under obese condition. For the past few decades, it has been linked to various cellular and metabolic functions. It has been associated with diseases like metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Numerous clinical studies have indicated an increased serum resistin level in pathological disorders which have been reported to increase mortality rate in comparison to low resistin expressing subjects. Various molecular studies suggest resistin plays a pivotal role in proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, inflammation as well as in regulating metabolism in cancer cells. Therefore, understanding the role of resistin and elucidating its’ associated molecular mechanism will give a better insight into the management of these disorders. In this article, we summarize the diverse roles of resistin in pathological disorders based on the available literature, clinicopathological data, and a compiled study from various databases. The article mainly provides comprehensive information of its role as a target in different treatment modalities in pre as well as post-clinical studies., Graphical abstract Image, graphical abstract

Neutrophils are versatile immune effector cells essential for mounting a first-line defense against invading pathogens. However, uncontrolled activation can lead to severe life-threatening complications. Neutrophils exist as a heterogeneous population, and their interaction with pathogens and other immune cells may shape the outcome of the host immune response. Diverse classes of viruses, including the recently identified novel SARS-CoV-2, have shown to alter the various aspects of neutrophil biology, offering possibilities for selective intervention. Here, we review heterogeneity within the neutrophil population, highlighting the functional consequences of circulating phenotypes and their critical involvement in exaggerating protective and pathological immune responses against the viruses. We discuss the recent findings of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in COVID-19 pathology and cover other viruses, where neutrophil biology and NETs are crucial for developing disease severity. In the end, we have also pointed out the areas where neutrophil-mediated responses can be finely tuned to outline opportunities for therapeutic manipulation in controlling inflammation against viral infection.

A20 is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that mediates both inflammation and ubiquitination in mammals, but the related mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we performed mass spectrometry (MS) screening, gene ontology (GO) analysis, and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cell model to identify novel A20-interacting proteins. We confirmed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nrdp1, also known as ring finger protein 41 (RNF41), interacted with A20 in LPS-stimulated cells. Further co-IP analysis demonstrated that when A20 was knocked out, degradation-inducing K48-linked ubiquitination of inflammatory effector MyD88 was decreased, but protein interaction-mediating K63-linked ubiquitination of another inflammatory effector TBK1 was increased. Moreover, western blot experiments showed that A20 inhibition induced an increase in levels of MyD88 and phosphorylation of downstream effector proteins as well as of TBK1 and a downstream effector, while Nrdp1 inhibition induced an increase in MyD88 but a decrease in TBK1 levels. When A20 and Nrdp1 were coinhibited, no further change in MyD88 was observed, but TBK1 levels were significantly decreased compared with those upon A20 inhibition alone. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses revealed that the ZnF4 domain of A20 is required for Nrdp1 polyubiquitination. Upon LPS stimulation, the inhibition of Nrdp1 alone increased the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α but decreased IFN-β secretion, as observed in other studies, suggesting that Nrdp1 preferentially promotes the production of IFN-β. Taken together, these results demonstrated that A20/Nrdp1 interaction is important for A20 anti-inflammation, thus revealing a novel mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of A20.

International audience; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. It is characterised by steatosis, liver inflammation, hepatocellular injury and progressive fibrosis. Several preclinical models (dietary and genetic animal models) of NAFLD have deepened our understanding of its aetiology and pathophysiology. Despite the progress made, there are currently no effective treatments for NAFLD. In this review, we will provide an update on the known molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of NAFLD and on ongoing studies of new therapeutic targets.

Highlights • Chronic intake of alcohol initiates a pathogenic process that involves the production of protein-aldehyde adducts, and release of cytokines. • Involved gene polymorphisms may include alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome P4502E1, and those associated with alcoholism. • Alcohol ingestion could be correlated to the risk of preterm births, there is no exact dose-response relationship. • Oral drugs of pentoxifylline have reduced the severity of steatohepatitis in alcohol-use patients., One of the global burdens of health care is an alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and liver-related death which is caused due to acute or chronic consumption of alcohol. Chronic consumption of alcohol damage the normal defense mechanism of the liver and likely to disturb the gut barrier system, mucosal immune cells, which leads to decreased nutrient absorption. Therapy of ALD depends upon the spectrum of liver injury that causes fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The foundation of therapy starts with abstinence from alcohol. Corticosteroids are used for the treatment of ALD but due to poor acceptance, continuing mortality, and identification of tumor necrosis factor-alpha as an integral component in pathogenesis, recent studies focus on pentoxifylline and, antitumor necrosis factor antibody to neutralize cytokines in the therapy of severe alcoholic hepatitis. Antioxidants also play a significant role in the treatment but till today there is no universally accepted therapy available for any stage of ALD. The treatment aspects need to restore the gut functions and require nutrient-based treatments to regulate the functions of the gut system and prevent liver injury. The vital action of saturated fatty acids greatly controls the gut barrier. Overall, this review mainly focuses on the mechanism of alcohol-induced metabolic dysfunction, contribution to liver pathogenesis, the effect of pregnancy, and targeted therapy of ALD.

Graphical abstract Molecular targets modulated by artemisinins in respiratory diseases., Artemisinins are sesquiterpene lactones with a peroxide moiety that are isolated from the herb Artemisia annua. It has been used for centuries for the treatment of fever and chills, and has been recently approved for the treatment of malaria due to its endoperoxidase properties. Progressively, research has found that artemisinins displayed multiple pharmacological actions against inflammation, viral infections, and cell and tumour proliferation, making them effective against diseases. Moreover, it has displayed a relatively safe toxicity profile. The use of artemisinins against different respiratory diseases has been investigated in lung cancer models and inflammatory-driven respiratory disorders. These studies revealed the ability of artemisinins in attenuating proliferation, inflammation, invasion, and metastasis, and in inducing apoptosis. Artemisinins can regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), promote cell cycle arrest, drive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induce Bak or Bax-dependent or independent apoptosis. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive update of the current knowledge of the effects of artemisinins in relation to respiratory diseases to identify gaps that need to be filled in the course of repurposing artemisinins for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In addition, we postulate whether artemisinins can also be repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 given its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

CD97 shows a strong relationship with metastasis and poor clinical outcome in various tumors, including ovarian cancer. The expression of CD97 in metastatic ovarian cancer cells was higher than that in primary ovarian cancer cells. Mature miRNAs are frequently de-regulated in cancer and incorporated into a specific mRNA, leading to post-transcriptional silencing. In this study, we investigated whether the miR-503-5p targeting of the CD97 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) contributes to ovarian cancer metastasis as well as the underlying mechanism regulating cancer progression. In LPS-stimulated or paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells, stimulation with recombinant human CD55 (rhCD55) of CD97 in ovarian cancer cells activated NF-κB-dependent miR-503-5p down-regulation and the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, consequently promoting the migratory and invasive capacity. Furthermore, restoration of miR-503-5p by transfection with mimics or NF-κB inhibitor efficiently blocked CD97 expression and the downstream JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Target inhibition of JAK with siRNA also impaired colony formation and metastasis of LPS-stimulated and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that high CD97 expression, which is controlled through the NF-κB/miR-503-5p signaling pathway, plays an important role in the invasive activity of metastatic and drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Oxidative stress and inflammation interact in the development of diabetic atherosclerosis. Intracellular hyperglycemia promotes production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased formation of intracellular advanced glycation end-products, activation of protein kinase C, and increased polyol pathway flux. ROS directly increase the expression of inflammatory and adhesion factors, formation of oxidized-low density lipoprotein, and insulin resistance. They activate the ubiquitin pathway, inhibit the activation of AMP-protein kinase and adiponectin, decrease endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, all of which accelerate atherosclerosis. Changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and changes in microRNA expression that influence the regulation of target genes that occur in diabetes interact with increased ROS and inflammation to promote atherosclerosis. This review highlights the consequences of the sustained increase of ROS production and inflammation that influence the acceleration of atherosclerosis by diabetes. The potential contributions of changes in the gut microbiota and microRNA expression are discussed. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Diabetes mellitus, Reactive oxygen species, Gut microbiota, MicroRNA

Obesity associates with inflammation, insulin resistance and higher blood lipids. It is unclear if immune responses facilitate lipolysis separate from hormone or adrenergic signals. We found that an ancient component of ER stress, inositol-requiring protein 1 (IRE1), discriminates inflammation-induced adipocyte lipolysis versus lipolysis regulated by adrenergic or hormonal stimuli. Inhibiting IRE1 kinase activity was sufficient to block adipocyte-autonomous lipolysis from multiple inflammatory ligands, including bacterial components, certain cytokines, and thapsigargin-induced ER stress. Adipocyte-specific deletion of IRE1 in mice prevented inflammatory ligand-induced lipolysis in adipose tissue. IRE1 kinase activity was dispensable for isoproterenol and cAMP-induced lipolysis in adipocytes and mouse adipose tissue. IRE1 RNase activity was not associated with inflammation-induced adipocyte lipolysis. We found no role for canonical unfolded protein responses (UPR) or ABL kinases in linking ER stress to lipolysis. Lipolysis was unchanged in adipose tissue from GRP78/BiP+/- compared to littermate mice. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib, which reduce ER stress and IRE1 RNase activity, did not alter lipolysis from inflammatory stimuli. Inhibiting IRE1 kinase activity blocked adipocyte NF-κB activation and Interleukin-6 (Il6) production due to inflammatory ligands. Inflammation-induced lipolysis mediated by IRE1 occurred independently from changes in insulin signalling in adipocytes. Therefore, inflammation can promote IRE1-mediated lipolysis independent of adipocyte insulin resistance. Our results show that IRE1 propagates an inflammation-specific lipolytic program independent from hormonal or adrenergic regulation, including insulin resistance. Targeting IRE1 kinase activity may benefit metabolic syndrome and inflammatory lipid disorders.SignificanceAdipocytes maintain metabolic homeostasis by storing nutrients and releasing lipids into the blood via lipolysis. Catecholamines stimulate adrenergic-mediated lipolysis, whereas insulin inhibits lipolysis. Obesity is associated with elevated blood lipids and inflammation, which can impair insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis (i.e. insulin resistance). It is unclear if inflammatory triggers of lipolysis require insulin resistance or if specific lipolytic triggers engage distinct cell stress components. We found that a specific ER stress response was required for inflammation-mediated lipolysis, not adrenergic-mediated lipolysis. Bacterial and cytokine-induced lipolysis required adipocyte IRE1 kinase activity, but not IRE1 RNase activity typical of the ER stress-related unfolded protein response. We propose that inflammatory triggers of lipolysis engage IRE1 kinase independent of catecholamine and hormone responses, including insulin resistance.Graphical AbstractIRE1 kinase activity promotes an inflammation-specific adipocyte lipolytic program that is separate from hormonal or adrenergic regulation of lipolysis.

Heat stress (HS) and its associated pathologies are major challenges facing the pig industry in southern China, and are responsible for large economic losses. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the abnormal secretion of HS-responsive hormones, such as glucocorticoids, are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to investigate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the adrenal glands of pigs, and to elucidate changes in the immune neuroendocrine system in pigs following HS. Through a functional proteomics approach, we identified 1202 peptides, corresponding to 415 proteins. Of these, we found 226 DEPs between heat-stressed and control porcine adrenal gland tissue; 99 of these were up-regulated and 127 were down-regulated in response to HS. These DEPs included proteins involved in substrate transport, cytoskeletal changes, and stress responses. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to identify the subcellular characterization, functional pathway involvement, regulatory networks, and upstream regulators of the identified proteins. Functional network and pathway analyses may provide insights into the complexity and dynamics of HS-host interactions, and may accelerate our understanding of the mechanisms of HS., Highlights • This is first time to investigate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the adrenal glands of pigs by proteomics. • Total 226 DEPs involve in substrate transport, cytoskeletal changes, and stress responses were detected in heat stressed pigs. • Functional network and pathway analyses may provide insights into the complexity and dynamics of HS-host interactions.

Background: Sex is one of the most powerful modifiers of disease development. Clear sexual dimorphism exists in cardiometabolic health susceptibility, likely due to differences in sex steroid hormones. Changes in the gut microbiome have been linked with the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis; however, the impact of microbes in sex-biased cardiometabolic disorders remains unclear. The gut microbiome is critical for maintaining a normal estrous cycle, testosterone levels, and reproductive function. Gut microbes modulate the enterohepatic recirculation of estrogens and androgens, affecting local and systemic levels of sex steroid hormones. Gut bacteria can also generate androgens from glucocorticoids. Scope of review: This review summarizes current knowledge of the complex interplay between sexual dimorphism in cardiometabolic disease and the gut microbiome. Major conclusions: Emerging evidence suggests the role of gut microbiome as a modifier of disease susceptibility due to sex; however, the impact on cardiometabolic disease in this complex interplay is lacking. Elucidating the role of gut microbiome on sex-biased susceptibility in cardiometabolic disease is of high relevance to public health given its high prevalence and significant financial burden. Keywords: Sex differences, Steroids, Gut microbiota, Metabolic disease, Cardiovascular disease

This work investigated the capacity of (-)-epicatechin to prevent the renal damage induced by LPS administration in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 days a diet without or with supplementation with (-)-epicatechin (80mg/kg BW/d), and subsequently i.p. injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six hours after injection, LPS-treated rats exhibited increased plasma creatinine and urea levels as indicators of impaired renal function. The renal cortex of the LPS-treated rats showed: i) increased expression of inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, iNOS and IL-6); ii) activation of several steps of NF-κB pathway; iii) overexpression of TLR4, and iv) higher superoxide anion production and lipid peroxidation index in association with increased levels of gp91phox and p47phox (NOX2) and NOX4. Pretreatment with dietary (-)-epicatechin prevented the adverse effects of LPS challenge essentially by inhibiting TLR4 upregulation and NOX activation and the consequent downstream events, e.g. NF-kB activation. Fil: Prince, Paula Denise. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina Fil: Fischerman, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina Fil: Toblli, Jorge Eduardo. Hospital Alemán. Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Fraga, César Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos Fil: Galleano, Mónica Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina

Background & Aims Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease of premature infants characterized by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent intestinal inflammation and enterocyte death. Given that necroptosis is a proinflammatory cell death process that is linked to bacterial signaling, we investigated its potential role in NEC, and the mechanisms involved. Methods Human and mouse NEC intestine were analyzed for necroptosis gene expression (ie, RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL), and protein activation (phosphorylated RIPK3). To evaluate a potential role for necroptosis in NEC, the effects of genetic (ie, Ripk3 knockout or Mlkl knockout) or pharmacologic (ie, Nec1s) inhibition of intestinal inflammation were assessed in a mouse NEC model, and a possible upstream role of TLR4 was assessed in Tlr4-deficient mice. The NEC-protective effects of human breast milk and its constituent milk oligosaccharides on necroptosis were assessed in a NEC-in-a-dish model, in which mouse intestinal organoids were cultured as either undifferentiated or differentiated epithelium in the presence of NEC bacteria and hypoxia. Results Necroptosis was activated in the intestines of human and mouse NEC in a TLR4-dependent manner, and was up-regulated specifically in differentiated epithelium of the immature ileum. Inhibition of necroptosis genetically and pharmacologically reduced intestinal–epithelial cell death and mucosal inflammation in experimental NEC, and ex vivo in the NEC-in-a-dish system. Strikingly, the addition of human breast milk, or the human milk oligosaccharide 2 fucosyllactose in the ex vivo system, reduced necroptosis and inflammation. Conclusions Necroptosis is activated in the intestinal epithelium upon TLR4 signaling and is required for NEC development, and explains in part the protective effects of breast milk., Graphical abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is by now the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. The non-proteogenic amino acid l-citrulline (L-Cit) has been shown to protect mice from the development of NAFLD. Here, we aimed to further assess if L-Cit also attenuates the progression of a pre-existing diet-induced NAFLD and to determine molecular mechanisms involved. Female C57BL/6J mice were either fed a liquid fat-, fructose- and cholesterol-rich diet (FFC) or control diet (C) for 8 weeks to induce early stages of NASH followed by 5 more weeks with either FFC-feeding +/- 2.5 g L-Cit/kg bw or C-feeding. In addition, female C57BL/6J mice were either pair-fed a FFC +/- 2.5 g L-Cit/kg bw +/- 0.01 g/kg bw i.p. N(ω)-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine (NOHA) or C diet for 8 weeks. The protective effects of supplementing L-Cit on the progression of a pre-existing NAFLD were associated with an attenuation of 1) the increased translocation of bacterial endotoxin and 2) the loss of tight junction proteins as well as 3) arginase activity in small intestinal tissue, while no marked changes in intestinal microbiota composition were prevalent in small intestine. Treatment of mice with the arginase inhibitor NOHA abolished the protective effects of L-Cit on diet-induced NAFLD. Our results suggest that the protective effects of L-Cit on the development and progression of NAFLD are related to alterations of intestinal arginase activity and intestinal permeability., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • l-citrulline diminished progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). • l-citrulline protects from fructose-induced small intestinal barrier dysfunction. • NASH development is associated with a loss of arginase activity in small intestine. • l-citrulline improves intestinal arginase activity in diet-induced NAFLD. • Arginase inhibitor attenuates effects of l-citrulline on NAFLD development.

Background Overweight and obesity are becoming more widespread with alarming projections for the coming years. Obesity may increase susceptibility to the adverse effects of PM exposure, exacerbating the effects on cardiovascular diseases and altering the biomarkers of vascular inflammation. The associated biological mechanisms have not been fully understood yet; the common denominator in the pathogenesis of the co-morbidities of obesity is the presence of an active, low-grade inflammatory process. DNA methylation has been shown to regulate inflammatory pathways that are responsible for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate, in a population of overweight/obese subjects, the effects of PM on blood DNA methylation in genes associated to inflammatory response. Methods Using bisulfite pyrosequencing, we measured DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 186 overweighted/obese subjects. In particular, we quantified DNA methylation in a set of 3 candidate genes, including CD14, TLR4 and TNF-α, because of the important roles that these genes play in the inflammatory pathway. Personal exposure to PM10 was estimated for each subject based on the local PM10 concentrations, measured by monitoring stations at residential address. Repeated measure models were used to evaluate the association of PM10 with each genes, accounting for possible correlations among the genes that regulate the same inflammatory pathway. Results We found an inverse association between the daily PM10 exposure and the DNA methylation of inflammatory genes, measured in peripheral blood of healthy overweight/obese subjects. Considering different exposure time-windows, the effect on CD14 and TLR4 methylation was observed, respectively, in days 4–5-6, and days 6–7-8. TNF-α methylation was not associated to PM10. Conclusions Our findings support a picture in which PM10 exposure and transcriptional regulation of inflammatory gene pathway in obese subjects are associated., Highlights • Overweight/obese subjects has been proposed as susceptible population for PM related effects. • DNA methylation is a key molecular mechanisms linking PM exposure to systemic pro-inflammatory effects • PM10 exposure resulted associated to DNA methylation of inflammatory genes in a population of obese patients. • The relationship between PM10 and DNA methylation of inflammation pathway-genes was confirmed in obese subjects.

Graphical abstract, Like other infectious diseases, COVID-19 shows a clinical outcome enormously variable, ranging from asymptomatic to lethal. In Italy, like in other countries, old male individuals, with one or more comorbidity, are the most susceptible group, and show, consequently, the highest mortality, and morbidity, including lethal respiratory distress syndrome, as the most common complication. In addition, another extraordinary peculiarity, that is a surprising resistance to COVID-19, characterizes some Italian nonagenarians/centenarians. Despite having the typical COVID-19 signs and/or symptoms, such exceptional individuals show a surprising tendency to recover from illness and complications. On the other hand, long-lived people have an optimal performance of immune system related to an overexpression of anti-inflammatory variants in immune/inflammatory genes, as demonstrated by our and other groups. Consequently, we suggest long-lived people as an optimal model for detecting genetic profiles associated with the susceptibility and/or protection to COVID-19, to utilize as potential pharmacological targets for preventing or reducing viral infection in more vulnerable individuals.

Advances in cancer biology are revealing the importance of the cancer cell microenvironment on tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Hyaluronan (HA), the main glycosaminoglycan in the extracellular matrix, has been associated with the progression of glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequent and lethal primary tumor in the central nervous system, for several decades. However, the mechanisms by which HA impacts GBM properties and processes have been difficult to elucidate. In this review, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge on HA's effects on GBM biology, introducing its primary receptors CD44 and RHAMM and the plethora of relevant downstream signaling pathways that can scramble efforts to directly link HA activity to biological outcomes. We consider the complexities of studying an extracellular polymer and the different strategies used to try to capture its function, including 2D and 3D in vitro studies, patient samples, and in vivo models. Given that HA affects not only migration and invasion, but also cell proliferation, adherence, and chemoresistance, we highlight the potential role of HA as a therapeutic target. Finally, we review the different existing approaches to diminish its protumor effects, such as the use of 4-methylumbelliferone, HA oligomers, and hyaluronidases and encourage further research along these lines in order to improve the survival and quality of life of GBM patients.

Safe and efficient drugs to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic are urgently needed. In this context, we have analyzed the anti-coronavirus potential of the natural product glycyrrhizic acid (GLR), a drug used to treat liver diseases (including viral hepatitis) and specific cutaneous inflammation (such as atopic dermatitis) in some countries. The properties of GLR and its primary active metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid are presented and discussed. GLR has shown activities against different viruses, including SARS-associated Human and animal coronaviruses. GLR is a non-hemolytic saponin and a potent immuno-active anti-inflammatory agent which displays both cytoplasmic and membrane effects. At the membrane level, GLR induces cholesterol-dependent disorganization of lipid rafts which are important for the entry of coronavirus into cells. At the intracellular and circulating levels, GLR can trap the high mobility group box 1 protein and thus blocks the alarmin functions of HMGB1. We used molecular docking to characterize further and discuss both the cholesterol- and HMG box-binding functions of GLR. The membrane and cytoplasmic effects of GLR, coupled with its long-established medical use as a relatively safe drug, make GLR a good candidate to be tested against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, alone and in combination with other drugs. The rational supporting combinations with (hydroxy)chloroquine and tenofovir (two drugs active against SARS-CoV-2) is also discussed. Based on this analysis, we conclude that GLR should be further considered and rapidly evaluated for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Background & Aims The precise determination of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) onset is challenging. Thus, the initial hepatic responses to fat accumulation, which may be fundamental to our understanding of NAFLD evolution and clinical outcomes, are largely unknown. Herein, we chronologically mapped the immunologic and metabolic changes in the liver during the early stages of fatty liver disease in mice and compared this with human NAFLD samples. Methods Liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD (NAFLD activity score [NAS] 2–3) were collected for gene expression profiling. Mice received a high-fat diet for short periods to mimic initial steatosis and the hepatic immune response was investigated using a combination of confocal intravital imaging, gene expression, cell isolation, flow cytometry and bone marrow transplantation assays. Results We observed major immunologic changes in patients with NAS 2–3 and in mice in the initial stages of NAFLD. In mice, these changes significantly increased mortality rates upon drug-induced liver injury, as well as predisposing mice to bacterial infections. Moreover, deletion of Toll-like receptor 4 in liver cells dampened tolerogenesis, particularly in Kupffer cells, in the initial stages of dietary insult. Conclusion The hepatic immune system acts as a sentinel for early and minor changes in hepatic lipid content, mounting a biphasic response upon dietary insult. Priming of liver immune cells by gut-derived Toll-like receptor 4 ligands plays an important role in liver tolerance in initial phases, but continuous exposure to insults may lead to damage and reduced ability to control infections. Lay summary Fatty liver is a very common form of hepatic disease, leading to millions of cases of cirrhosis every year. Patients are often asymptomatic until becoming very sick. Therefore, it is important that we expand our knowledge of the early stages of disease pathogenesis, to enable early diagnosis. Herein, we show that even in the early stages of fatty liver disease, there are significant alterations in genes involved in the inflammatory response, suggesting that the hepatic immune system is disturbed even following minor and undetectable changes in liver fat content. This could have implications for the diagnosis and clinical management of fatty liver disease., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Hepatic immune response is already altered in liver biopsies from patients with mild NAFLD. • We designed a novel mouse model to mimic mild NAFLD, enabling the chronological mapping of liver changes. • This revealed an increased mortality rate upon secondary liver damage and a window of increased susceptibility to infection. • NAFLD diagnosis may be significantly improved by a more profound investigation of changes in hepatic immunology. • These data could guide customized nutritional and therapeutic interventions at different stages of NAFLD.

Specific point mutations in the human toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) confer altered risk for diverse diseases including sepsis, aspergillosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Some of these TLR4 polymorphisms are racially specific. We hypothesised that feline TLR4 polymorphisms might underlie an observed increased risk to infectious and inflammatory diseases in some cat breeds. The aim of this study was to identify breed-specific variations in the coding region of feline TLR4 and to model the effect of mutations on protein structure and function in silico. The entire coding region of TLR4 was sequenced in 8 groups (7 pure-bred, 1 crossbred) of domestic cats (Felis catus) comprising 158 individuals. Twenty-two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in TLR4, with 16 located in the coding region (11 non-synonymous) and four in the 3′UTR. Comparison of breed specific allelic frequencies indicated that Burmese and British shorthairs most commonly differed from other breeds. In silico analyses to predict the impact of the 11 non-synonymous variants indicated a deleterious effect on protein structure for one SNP (c.869 G > A), which was not associated with a specific breed. Overall, findings from this study do not support a role of TLR4 dysfunction in breed-predispositions to infectious diseases in domestic cats in Australia.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one of the major causes of liver morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to development of liver pathogenesis encompassing steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and in extreme cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, ALD may also associate with cholestasis. Emerging evidence now suggests that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and bile acids also play important roles in ALD. In this review, we discuss the effects of alcohol consumption on FXR, bile acids and gut microbiome as well as their impacts on ALD. Moreover, we summarize the findings on FXR, FoxO3a (forkhead box-containing protein class O3a) and PPARα (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) in regulation of autophagy-related gene transcription program and liver injury in response to alcohol exposure., Graphical abstract This review discusses the effects of alcohol consumption on farnesoid X receptor (FXR), bile acids and gut microbiome as well as their impacts on alcoholic liver disease. Moreover, we summarize the findings on FXR, forkhead box-containing protein class O3a and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha in regulation of autophagy-related gene transcription program and liver injury in response to alcohol exposure.

Background & Aims In acute liver failure, severity of liver injury and clinical progression of disease are in part consequent upon activation of the innate immune system. Endotoxaemia contributes to innate immune system activation and the detoxifying function of albumin, critical to recovery from liver injury, is irreversibly destroyed in acute liver failure. University College London-Liver Dialysis Device is a novel artificial extracorporeal liver assist device, which is used with albumin infusion, to achieve removal and replacement of dysfunctional albumin and reduction in endotoxaemia. We aimed to test the effect of this device on survival in a pig model of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. Methods Pigs were randomised to three groups: Acetaminophen plus University College London-Liver Dialysis Device (n = 9); Acetaminophen plus Control Device (n = 7); and Control plus Control Device (n = 4). Device treatment was initiated two h after onset of irreversible acute liver failure. Results The Liver Dialysis Device resulted in 67% reduced risk of death in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure compared to Control Device (hazard ratio = 0.33, p = 0.0439). This was associated with 27% decrease in circulating irreversibly oxidised human non-mercaptalbumin-2 throughout treatment (p = 0.046); 54% reduction in overall severity of endotoxaemia (p = 0.024); delay in development of vasoplegia and acute lung injury; and delay in systemic activation of the TLR4 signalling pathway. Liver Dialysis Device-associated adverse clinical effects were not seen. Conclusions The survival benefit and lack of adverse effects would support clinical trials of University College London-Liver Dialysis Device in acute liver failure patients.