Targeting a phospho-STAT3-miRNAs pathway improves vesicular hepatic steatosis in an in vitro and in vivo model

Background:Tamarix Articulata (T. articulata), commonly known as Tamarisk or Athal in Arabic region, belongs to the Tamaricaece species. It is an important halophytic medicinal plant and a good source of polyphenolic phytochemical(s). In traditional medicines, T. articulata extract is commonly used, either singly or in combination with other plant extracts against different ailments since ancient times.Methods:Electronic database survey via Pubmed, Google Scholar, Researchgate, Scopus and Science Direct were used to review the scientific inputs until October 2018, by searching appropriate keywords. Literature related to pharmacological activities of T. articulata, Tamarix species, phytochemical analysis of T. articulata, biological activities of T. articulata extracts. All of these terms were used to search the scientific literature associated with T. articulata; the dosage of extract, route of administration, extract type, and in-vitro and in-vivo model.Results:Numerous reports revealed that T. articulata contains a wide spectrum of phytochemical(s), which enables it to have a wide window of biological properties. Owing to the presence of high content of phytochemical compounds like polyphenolics and flavonoids, T. articulata is a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. In view of these pharmacological properties, T. articulata could be a potential drug candidate to treat various clinical conditions including cancer in the near future.Conclusion:In this review, the spectrum of phytochemical(s) has been summarized for their pharmacological properties and the mechanisms of action, and the possible potential therapeutic applications of this plant against various diseases discussed.

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Radiofrequency Irradiation Modulates TRPV1-Related Burning Sensation in Rosacea

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26051424 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 1424

Author(s):

Seyeon Oh ◽

Myeongjoo Son ◽

Joonhong Park ◽

Donghwan Kang ◽

Kyunghee Byun

Keyword(s):

Burning Sensation ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Exposed Skin ◽

Heat Treated ◽

Vitro Model ◽

Effective Use ◽

Inflammatory Molecules

Rosacea is a skin inflammatory condition that is accompanied by not only redness and flushing but also unseen symptoms, such as burning, stinging, and itching. TRPV1 expression in UVB-exposed skin can lead to a painful burning sensation. Upregulated TRPV1 expression helps release neuropeptides, including calcitonin gene-related peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, which can activate macrophage and inflammatory molecules. In this study, we found that radiofrequency (RF) irradiation reduced TRPV1 activation and neuropeptide expression in a UVB-exposed in vivo model and UVB- or heat-treated in an in vitro model. RF irradiation attenuated neuropeptide-induced macrophage activation and inflammatory molecule expression. Interestingly, the burning sensation in the skin of UVB-exposed mice and patients with rosacea was significantly decreased by RF irradiation. These results can provide experimental and molecular evidence on the effective use of RF irradiation for the burning sensation in patients with rosacea.

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Mitochondrial arginase-2 is essential for IL-10 metabolic reprogramming of inflammatory macrophages

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21617-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer K. Dowling ◽

Remsha Afzal ◽

Linden J. Gearing ◽

Mariana P. Cervantes-Silva ◽

Stephanie Annett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Regulation ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Interleukin 10 ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Macrophage Polarisation ◽

Inflammatory Status ◽

Inflammatory Macrophages

AbstractMitochondria are important regulators of macrophage polarisation. Here, we show that arginase-2 (Arg2) is a microRNA-155 (miR-155) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulated protein localized at the mitochondria in inflammatory macrophages, and is critical for IL-10-induced modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative respiration. Mechanistically, the catalytic activity and presence of Arg2 at the mitochondria is crucial for oxidative phosphorylation. We further show that Arg2 mediates this process by increasing the activity of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase). Moreover, Arg2 is essential for IL-10-mediated downregulation of the inflammatory mediators succinate, hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and IL-1β in vitro. Accordingly, HIF-1α and IL-1β are highly expressed in an LPS-induced in vivo model of acute inflammation using Arg2−/− mice. These findings shed light on a new arm of IL-10-mediated metabolic regulation, working to resolve the inflammatory status of the cell.

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Gilteritinib overcomes lorlatinib resistance in ALK-rearranged cancer

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21396-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hayato Mizuta ◽

Koutaroh Okada ◽

Mitsugu Araki ◽

Jun Adachi ◽

Ai Takemoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Rearrangement ◽

Kinase Inhibitors ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Resistance Mutations ◽

Lung Cancer Patients ◽

Short Period ◽

Tki Resistance

AbstractALK gene rearrangement was observed in 3%–5% of non-small cell lung cancer patients, and multiple ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been sequentially used. Multiple ALK-TKI resistance mutations have been identified from the patients, and several compound mutations, such as I1171N + F1174I or I1171N + L1198H are resistant to all the approved ALK-TKIs. In this study, we found that gilteritinib has an inhibitory effect on ALK-TKI–resistant single mutants and I1171N compound mutants in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, EML4-ALK I1171N + F1174I compound mutant-expressing tumors were not completely shrunk but regrew within a short period of time after alectinib or lorlatinib treatment. However, the relapsed tumor was markedly shrunk after switching to the gilteritinib in vivo model. In addition, gilteritinib was effective against NTRK-rearranged cancers including entrectinib-resistant NTRK1 G667C-mutant and ROS1 fusion-positive cancer.

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mTOR inhibitors potentially reduce TGF-β2-induced fibrogenic changes in trabecular meshwork cells

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93580-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nozomi Igarashi ◽

Megumi Honjo ◽

Makoto Aihara

Keyword(s):

Trabecular Meshwork ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Mtor Inhibitors ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Type I ◽

Fibrotic Response ◽

Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin

AbstractWe examined the effects of mTOR inhibitors on the fibrotic response induced by transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells. TGF-β2-induced expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in hTM cells was examined in the presence or absence of mTOR inhibitors using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The migration rates of hTM cells were examined in the presence of TGF-β2 with or without mTOR inhibitors. An in vitro study showed that the expression of fibronectin, COL1A1, and αSMA was upregulated by TGF-β2 treatment of hTM cells; such upregulation was significantly suppressed by mTOR inhibitors. The inhibitors significantly reduced the migration rate of TGF-β2-stimulated hTM cells. mTOR inhibitors may usefully reduce the fibrotic response of hTM cells and we may have to explore if it is also effective in in vivo model.

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E3 ubiquitin ligase Grail promotes hepatic steatosis through Sirt1 inhibition

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03608-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Pei-Yao Liu ◽

Cheng-Cheung Chen ◽

Chia-Ying Chin ◽

Te-Jung Liu ◽

Wen-Chiuan Tsai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Lipid Accumulation ◽

Acid Synthesis ◽

Sirtuin 1 ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Hepatic Fat ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractIn obese adults, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accompanied by multiple metabolic dysfunctions. Although upregulated hepatic fatty acid synthesis has been identified as a crucial mediator of NAFLD development, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we reported upregulated expression of gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL) in the livers of humans and mice with hepatic steatosis. Grail ablation markedly alleviated the high-fat diet-induced hepatic fat accumulation and expression of genes related to the lipid metabolism, in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of GRAIL exacerbated lipid accumulation and enhanced the expression of lipid metabolic genes in mice and liver cells. Our results demonstrated that Grail regulated the lipid accumulation in hepatic steatosis via interaction with sirtuin 1. Thus, Grail poses as a significant molecular regulator in the development of NAFLD.

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In Vitro and In Vivo Model Systems for the Study of Allergic and Inflammatory Disorders in Man

CHEST Journal ◽

10.1378/chest.87.5_supplement.162s ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 87 (5) ◽

pp. 162S-164S ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Stephen P. Peters ◽

Robert M. Naclerio ◽

Alkis Togias ◽

Robert P. Schleimer ◽

Donald W. MacGlashan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Model Systems ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Inflammatory Disorders

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Exploring Galleria mellonella larval model to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of Cecropin A (1-7)- Melittin against multi-drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli

Pathogens and Disease ◽

10.1093/femspd/ftab010 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jess Vergis ◽

S V S Malik ◽

Richa Pathak ◽

Manesh Kumar ◽

Nitin V Kurkure ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Galleria Mellonella ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Physiological Concentration ◽

Microbial Drug Resistance ◽

Cecropin A ◽

Screening And Identification

Abstract High throughput in vivo laboratory models is need for screening and identification of effective therapeutic agents to overcome microbial drug-resistance. This study was undertaken to evaluate in vivo antimicrobial efficacy of short-chain antimicrobial peptide- Cecropin A (1–7)-Melittin (CAMA) against three multi- drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (MDR-EAEC) field isolates in a Galleria mellonella larval model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 2.0 mg/L) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC; 4.0 mg/L) of CAMA were determined by microdilution assay. CAMA was found to be stable at high temperatures, physiological concentration of cationic salts and proteases; safe with sheep erythrocytes, secondary cell lines and commensal lactobacilli at lower MICs; and exhibited membrane permeabilisation. In vitro time-kill assay revealed concentration- and time-dependent clearance of MDR-EAEC in CAMA-treated groups at 30 min. CAMA- treated G. mellonella larvae exhibited an increased survival rate, reduced MDR-EAEC counts, immunomodulatory effect and proved non-toxic which concurred with histopathological findings. CAMA exhibited either an equal or better efficacy than the tested antibiotic control, meropenem. This study highlights the possibility of G. mellonella larvae as an excellent in vivo model for investigating the host-pathogen interaction, including the efficacy of antimicrobials against MDR-EAEC strains.

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