Mechanism of action of Orthosiphon stamineus against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights from systems pharmacology and molecular docking approaches

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of a metabolic syndrome caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Orthosiphon stamineus also known as Orthosiphon aristatus is a medicinal plant with possible potential beneficial effects on various metabolic disorders. This study aims to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of O. stamineus on hepatic fat accumulation and to further use the computational systems pharmacology approach to identify the pharmacokinetic properties of the bioactive compounds of O. stamineus and to predict their molecular mechanisms against NAFLD. Methods: The effects of an ethanolic extract of O. stamineus leaves on cytotoxicity, fat accumulation and antioxidant activity were assessed using HepG2 cells. The bioactive compounds of O. stamineus were identified using LC/MS and two bioinformatics databases, namely the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the predicted targets of the bioactive compounds to provide a systematic overview of the molecular mechanism of action, while molecular docking was used to validate the predicted targets. Results: A total of 27 bioactive compounds corresponding to 50 potential NAFLD-related targets were identified. O. stamineus exerts its anti-NAFLD effects by modulating a variety of cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial β-oxidation, inflammatory signalling pathways, insulin signalling, and fatty acid homeostasis pathways. O. stamineus is significantly targeting many oxidative stress regulators, including JNK, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NFKB1, PPAR, and AKT1. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the expected high affinity for the potential targets, while the in vitro assay indicates the ability of O. stamineus to inhibit hepatic fat accumulation. Conclusion: Using the computational systems pharmacology approach, the potentially beneficial effect of O. stamineus in NAFLD was indicated through the combination of multiple compounds, multiple targets, and multicellular components.     

Development of an IgG-Fc fusion COVID-19 subunit vaccine,AKS-452

AKS-452 is a biologically-engineered vaccine comprising an Fc fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein receptor binding domain antigen (Ag) and human IgG1 Fc (SP/RBD-Fc) in clinical development for the induction and augmentation of neutralizing IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fc moiety is designed to enhance immunogenicity by increasing uptake via Fc-receptors (FcγR) on Ag-presenting cells (APCs) and prolonging exposure due to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling. AKS-452 induced approximately 20-fold greater neutralizing IgG titers in mice relative to those induced by SP/RBD without the Fc moiety and induced comparable long-term neutralizing titers with a single dose vs. two doses. To further enhance immunogenicity, AKS-452 was evaluated in formulations containing a panel of adjuvants in which the water-in-oil adjuvant, Montanide™ ISA 720, enhanced neutralizing IgG titers by approximately 7-fold after one and two doses in mice, including the neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection of VERO-E6 cells. Furthermore, ISA 720-adjuvanted AKS-452 was immunogenic in rabbits and non-human primates (NHPs) and protected from infection and clinical symptoms with live SARS-CoV-2 virus in NHPs (USA-WA1/2020 viral strain) and the K18 human ACE2-trangenic (K18-huACE2-Tg) mouse (South African B.1.351 viral variant). These preclinical studies support the initiation of Phase I clinical studies with adjuvanted AKS-452 with the expectation that this room-temperature stable, Fc-fusion subunit vaccine can be rapidly and inexpensively manufactured to provide billions of doses per year especially in regions where the cold-chain is difficult to maintain.     

Protein Kinase CK2, a Potential Therapeutic Target in Carcinoma Management

The Protein kinase CK2 (formerly known as casein kinase 2) is a highly conserved serine/ threonine kinaseoverexpressed in various human carcinomas and its high expression often correlates with poor prognosis. CK2 proteinis localized in the nucleus of many tumor cells and correlates with clinical features in many cases. Increased expressionof CK2 in mice results in the development of various types of carcinomas (both solids and blood related tumors, suchas (breast carcinoma, lymphoma, etc), which reveals its carcinogenic properties. CK2 plays essential roles in many keybiological processes related to carcinoma, including cell apoptosis, DNA damage responses and cell cycle regulation.CK2 has become a potential anti-carcinoma target. Various CK2 inhibitors have been developed with anti-neoplasticproperties against a variety of carcinomas. Some CK2 inhibitors have showed good results in in vitro and pre-clinicalmodels, and have even entered in clinical trials. This article will review effects of CK2 and its inhibitors on commoncarcinomas in in vitro and pre-clinical studies.     

Neuropeptides Profile and Increased Innervation in Becker's Nevus

BackgroundMelanocytes are derived from neural crest, and various pigmentary disorders may accompany abnormalities in nerve system or develop following dermatome, suggesting that melanocyte and pigmentation may be closely related to neural factors. There are reports of Becker''s nevus (BN) showing linear and segmental configuration, suggesting the association of BN with nerve system. However, there are no studies regarding the expression of neuropeptides in BN.ObjectiveWe investigated the expression of neuropeptides and innervation in BN.MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) array of 84 genes related to neuronal process was done. Among the genes with 10-fold or more increase in lesional, real-time PCR was performed for neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, neurotensin (NTS) and their receptors skin compared to normal skin. IHC stain was done to look for the expression of NPY, galanin, NTS and their receptors and the distribution of protein gene products (PGP) 9.5 immunoreactive nerve fibers.ResultsPCR array revealed that 16 out of 84 genes related to neuronal process were increased by 10-fold or more in lesional skin. In real-time PCR of NPY, galanin, NTS and their receptors, statistically significant increase of NPY1R (p<0.05) and marginally significant increase of NPY2R, GAL2R, and NTS2R (p<0.1) was verified in lesional skin. In immunohistochemistry, NPY, NPY1R NPY2R, and NTS2R were highly expressed in lesional skin and increased PGP 9.5 immunoreactive linear nerve fibers were found in the epidermis of BN.ConclusionNPY, galanin, NTS and their receptors and increased innervation may play a role in the pathogenesis of BN.     

CD8+ T cells induced by adenovirus-vectored vaccine are capable of preventing establishment of latent murine γ-herpesvirus 68 infection

CD8+ T cells are known to control infections, but their role in preventing latent infection from establishing has not been thoroughly investigated.We hypothesized that a potent CD8+ T cell response patrolling the mucosal viral entry points could kill the first infected cells and thereby abrogate the infection before latency is established.To investigate this, replication deficient adenovirus serotype 5 vectors encoding murine γ-herpesvirus-68 CD8+ T cell epitopes linked to the T cell adjuvant Invariant chain, were developed. We show that intranasal vaccination of mice reduces the risk of establishment of latent infection from multiple intranasal ID50 challenges with murine γ-herpesvirus-68 by 81% per exposure at 14 days post vaccination. Protection waned over time, but immune responses were extended by heterologous prime-boost vaccination applied simultaneously intramuscularly and intranasally, and animals vaccinated 66 days prior to challenge showed a strong trend of long-term protection.Our data provides evidence that CD8+ T cells are able to protect against establishment of latent infection. Although the protective efficacy is difficult to maintain over time, this proof-of-concept study suggests a role for a CD8+ T cell arm in future vaccine strategies against latent human viral infections caused by pathogens such as HIV and multiple herpes virus.     

水蛭分子鉴定方法的研究进展

水蛭基原复杂、市场混乱、传统方法难以有效鉴别,临床用药的安全性无法保障。分子鉴定方法根据生物间的分子特征差异进行鉴定,不受自然环境、生长发育阶段等外部因素影响,具有快速、准确、客观的特点。目前应用于水蛭的分子鉴定方法有:基于核酸的RAPD技术、SSR技术、DNA条形码技术和基于蛋白质的SDS-PAGE技术、同工酶分析技术,本文在简述水蛭不同分子鉴定方法研究进展的基础上,对水蛭不同分子鉴定方法的技术和应用特点进行比较,最后对DNA宏条形码技术、Target-sequencing技术、电化学传感检测技术在水蛭混合物,特别是中成药中水蛭成分的鉴定进行展望,旨在为水蛭鉴定方法的深入研究提供参考和借鉴。     

血液透析对患者血清碱性磷酸酶、骨硬化蛋白与骨代谢的影响

目的血液透析对患者血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、骨硬化蛋白(SOST)与骨代谢等指标的影响。方法选取本院2016年1月至2019年1月期间收治的血液透析患者116例为研究对象纳入观察组,另选同期在本院进行体检的50例健康受试者为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验法对两组患者入院时的ALP、SOST、骨代谢指标:血清骨钙素(OC)、β胶原蛋白(β-CTX)、I型前胶原氨基末端前肽(PINP)指标水平,并进行组间对比。对观察组患者进行维持性的血液透析治疗,并检测比较在患者透析治疗前、透析治疗1、6、12个月的各项指标水平。采用Pearson检验对观察组患者的ALP、SOST与骨代谢指标的相关性进行分析。结果与对照组比较,观察组患者血液透析治疗前ALP、SOST、OC、β-CTX、PINP等指标均低于对照组受试者各项指标水平,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者中随着透析治疗时间的延长,患者的ALP、SOST、OC、β-CTX、PINP等指标水平均明显上升,各时间点间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。经Pearson检验分析,血液透析患者的ALP、SOST与骨代谢指标OC、β-CTX、PINP呈正相关性。结论血液透析患体内的ALP、SOST、骨代谢指标均呈现异常降低,经持续性血液透析治疗患者的ALP、SOST、骨代谢指标均有改善,且ALP、SOST与骨代谢指标OC、β-CTX、PINP呈正相关性。     

川芎嗪通过激活PKCα/Nrf2信号转导抑制七氟烷诱导的氧化损伤和血脑屏障破坏研究

目的:研究川芎嗪对七氟烷引起的氧化损伤以及血脑屏障(BBB)生理功能损伤的影响及其机制。方法:将新生幼鼠随机分组,设置对照组,并分别使用七氟烷、七氟烷和溶剂、七氟烷和川芎嗪处理小鼠,暴露于七氟烷中不同时长处死并收集小鼠大脑和海马组织,通过免疫酶联吸附检测ROS,SOD,MDA,GSH和S100β蛋白水平,制作小鼠大脑和海马组织切片并通过免疫化学染色和免疫荧光染色检测小鼠大脑和海马组织中MMP-2、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-2以及HO-1的表达,并检测Nrf2的核易位,HE染色后通过透射电子显微镜检查海马神经元损伤情况,通过蛋白质印迹分析PKC/Nrf2以及MMP-2、MMP-9表达情况,使用原位酶谱检测明胶酶活性并通过PCR检测ZO-1的表达。结果:与对照组相比,七氟烷组海马神经元损伤明显,而川芎嗪处理可以明显改善七氟烷诱导的海马神经元损伤; 与对照组相比,七氟烷处理后MMP-2、MMP-9表达和明胶酶活性明显增加,ZO-1表达明显减少,BBB通透性显著增加,而TIMP-1和TIMP-2表达无显著改变; 与七氟烷组相比,川芎嗪可以抑制明胶酶活性,促进ZO-1表达,改善BBB生理状态; 与溶剂组和七氟烷组相比,对照组和川芎嗪组ROS和BMD水平明显降低,MDA和GSH活性显著增加,PKCα、Nrf2和HO-1 的表达以及Nrf2的核易位显著增加。结论:川芎嗪可以通过PKCα/Nrf2信号通路以及抑制明胶酶活性,改善BBB通透性,保护海马免受氧化应激的伤害,改善海马体组织病理学结构。