Asthmatic Mice Research Articles

Alanyl-Glutamine Inhibits the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Airway Epithelial Cells in Asthmatic Mice via DPP4-SIRT1 Pathway.

Alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) is a compound known for its protective effects in various tissue injuries. However, its role in asthma-related lung injuries remains underexplored. This study investigates the mechanisms by which Ala-Gln modulates sDPP4-induced airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in a mouse model. An asthma model was established in female C57BL/6 J mice by using OVA. CD4+ T cells and bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were isolated from the spleen and bronchi of the mice, respectively. Interventions included recombinant sCD26/sDPP4 protein, Ala-Gln, and EX527 (a SIRT1 inhibitor). Flow cytometry was used to assess Th17 and Treg cell populations. Mice were treated with Ala-Gln, EX527, and budesonide (BUD). Histopathological changes in lung tissues were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. White blood cell counts were measured with a hematology analyzer. The expression levels of DPP4, IL-17, SIRT1, SMAD2/3, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, MMP9, and α-SMA proteins were analyzed. Treatment with recombinant sCD26/sDPP4 resulted in decreased E-cadherin expression in BECs and increased levels of α-SMA, MMP9, and N-cadherin, effects that were mitigated by Ala-Gln. Ala-Gln also prevented the reduction in SIRT1 expression in BECs and the increase in Th17 cell differentiation induced by recombinant sCD26/sDPP4. EX527 administration alongside Ala-Gln reversed these changes and enhanced the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 through SIRT1 signaling. BUD alone reduced inflammation and fibrosis in bronchial tissue and lowered the Th17/Treg ratio in peribronchial lymph nodes. The therapeutic effect of BUD was further improved with concurrent Ala-Gln treatment. Ala-Gln can inhibit BEC fibrosis and Th17 cell differentiation mediated by recombinant sCD26/sDPP4 through the SIRT1 pathway. Combined with BUD, Ala-Gln enhanced therapeutic efficacy in OVA-induced asthma in mice, which could offer improved outcomes for asthmatic patients with elevated DPP4 levels.

Yunpi Xiefei Huatan Tang decoction reduces airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases among children, markedly impairing patient’s health and imposing an increasing burden on the healthcare system. Several traditional Chinese medicines have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating asthma symptoms through studies conducted on animal models. Recent studies have shown that the Yunpi Xiefei Huatan Tang decoction (YPD) exhibits significant therapeutic outcomes in treating phlegm-obstructed pulmonary asthma. However, the precise regulatory effects of YPD on the progression of asthma require additional investigation. Objective: To explore the functions of YPD in asthma progression. Material and Methods: The asthma rat model triggered by ovalbumin (OVA) was established successfully. The pathological changes of lung tissues were examined through Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1β were tested through Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent Serologic Assay (ELISA). The number of total cells or eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was confirmed through cell counter. The collagen deposition in bronchi was assessed through Masson staining. The protein expressions were measured through western blot. Results: This study demonstrated that YPD could mitigate airway inflammation in an OVA-triggered asthma rat model. Furthermore, YPD was found to decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs and suppress the infiltration of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Additionally, the airway remodeling stimulated by OVA could be suppressed following YPD treatment. Finally, it was disclosed that YPD inhibited the wingless-related integration site–beta-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin) signaling pathway in the OVA-stimulated asthma rat model. Conclusion: YPD alleviated airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This research offers significant insights into the potential application of YPD in the treatment of asthma.

Pim1 inactivating induces RUNX3 upregulation that improves/alleviates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in vitro and in vivo

PurposeOur research aimed to evaluate whether proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 (Pim1) inactivation could attenuate asthma by promoting runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) expression and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.MethodPhorbol 12-myristate...

Fluconazole worsened lung inflammation, partly through lung microbiome dysbiosis in mice with ovalbumin-induced asthma.

Innate immunity in asthma may be influenced by alterations in lung microbiota, potentially affecting disease severity. This study investigates the differences in lung inflammation and microbiome between asthma-ovalbumin (OVA) administered with and without fluconazole treatment in C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, the role of inflammation was examined in an in vitro study using a pulmonary cell line. At 30 days post-OVA administration, allergic asthma mice exhibited increased levels of IgE and IL-4 in serum and lung tissue, higher pathological scores, and elevated eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to control mice. Asthma inflammation was characterized by elevated serum IL-6, increased lung cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and higher fungal abundance confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fluconazole-treated asthma mice displayed higher levels of cytokines in serum and lung tissue (TNF-α and IL-6), increased pathological scores, and a higher number of mononuclear cells in BALF, with undetectable fungal levels compared to untreated mice. Lung microbiome analysis revealed similarities between control and asthma mice; however, fluconazole-treated asthma mice exhibited higher Bacteroidota levels, lower Firmicutes, and reduced bacterial abundance. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production was increased in supernatants of the pulmonary cell line (NCI-H292) after co-stimulation with LPS and beta-glucan (BG) compared to LPS alone. Fluconazole treatment in OVA-induced asthma mice exacerbated inflammation, partially due to fungi and Gram-negative bacteria, as demonstrated by LPS+BG-activated pulmonary cells. Therefore, fluconazole should be reserved for treating fungal asthma rather than asthma caused by other etiologies.

Eosinophil-Airway Epithelial Cells crosstalk reveals the eosinophils-mediated DUOX1 up-regulation in a murine allergic inflammation setting.

Blood and airway eosinophilia represent markers for the endotype-driven treatment of allergic asthma. Little is known on mechanisms that link eosinophils and airway epithelial cells before and after these cells are infiltrated by eosinophils during allergic response. Given that innate immune mechanisms, mainly mediated by epithelial-derived cytokines (IL-33, IL-25, TSLP), induce eosinophil-maturing/attractive substances, we thought to evaluate the crosstalk between eosinophils and airway epithelial cells in the context of IL-33-mediated allergic inflammation. DUOX1 was previously described in clinically relevant aspects of allergic inflammation in a HDM -induced allergic asthma mice model, and in patients with chronic sinusitis or allergic asthma. Thus, we evaluated the involvement of HDM and eosinophils in the regulation of DUOX1 in airway epithelial cells. To recapitulate the lung environment present at the allergen challenge time in acute asthma, we set up an in vitro model based on murine bone marrow-derived eosinophils differentiated with IL-5 and then activated with IL-33 (EOs33) and TC1 or C57 airway epithelial cells. We found that treatment of epithelial cells with HDM induced an eosinophil-attractive environment and increased DUOX1 expression. Importantly, we found that the co-culture of airway epithelial cells with EOs33 or with conditioned medium from EOs33 enhanced the expression of DUOX1, which was further increased by combined stimulation (HDM plus EOs33). Our results suggest that lung recruited EOs once activated by IL-33 could be involved in a crosstalk loop with airway epithelial cells by DUOX1-mediated IL-33 secretion.

Increased expression of Cathepsin C in airway epithelia exacerbates airway remodeling in asthma.

Airway remodeling is a critical factor determining the pathogenesis and treatment sensitivity of severe asthma (SA) or uncontrolled asthma (UA). The activation of epithelial-mesenchymal trophic units (EMTUs) regulated by airway epithelial cells (AECs) has been proven to induce airway remodeling directly. However, the triggers for EMTU activation and the underlying mechanism of airway remodeling are not fully elucidated. Here, we screened the differentially expressed gene Cathepsin C (CTSC)/dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP-1) in epithelia of SA and UA patients using RNA sequencing data and further verified the increased expression of CTSC in induced sputum of asthma patients which was positively correlated with the severity and airway remodeling. Moreover, direct instillation of exogenous CTSC induced airway remodeling. Genetic inhibition of CTSC suppressed EMTU activation and airway remodeling in two asthma models with airway remodeling. Mechanistically, increased secretion of CTSC from AECs induced EMTU activation through p38-mediated pathway, further inducing airway remodeling. Meanwhile, inhibition of CTSC also reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the production of inflammatory factors in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Consequently, targeting CTSC with compound AZD7986 protected against airway inflammation, EMTU activation and remodeling in asthma model. Based on the dual effects of CTSC on airway inflammation and remodeling, CTSC is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for SA or UA.

High-CBD Extract (CBD-X) in Asthma Management: Reducing Th2-Driven Cytokine Secretion and Neutrophil/Eosinophil Activity.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways affecting over 10% of the global population. It is characterized by airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, driven predominantly by type 2 helper T cells (Th2) and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in a subset of patients. However, a significant portion of asthmatic individuals present with "type 2-low" asthma that is often refractory to standard inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. Therefore, developing innovative therapeutic strategies has become essential. Recent studies have highlighted cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising anti-inflammatory agent capable of modulating immune responses. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a high-CBD extract (CBD-X) in asthma. We evaluated the effects of CBD-X on cells involved in asthma pathogenesis using primary human Th2 cells, neutrophils, and asthma mouse model. Our findings indicate that CBD-X extract inhibits Th2 differentiation and reduces the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13, which are crucial cytokines in asthma. Additionally, CBD-X significantly reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-6 in neutrophils and impairs their migration, a critical step in airway inflammation. In a murine asthma model, CBD-X administration led to marked downregulation of IgE and pro-asthmatic cytokines, along with reduced leukocyte, eosinophil, and neutrophil infiltration in lung tissues. These results suggest that CBD-X extract could offer a novel and complementary approach to managing both type 2-high and type 2-low asthma by targeting key inflammatory pathways and modulating immune cell behavior.

Fisetin reduces ovalbumin-triggered airway remodeling by preventing phenotypic switching of airway smooth muscle cells

BackgroundThe transformation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) from a quiescent phenotype to a hypersecretory and hypercontractile phenotype is a defining feature of asthmatic airway remodeling. Fisetin, a flavonoid compound, possesses anti-inflammatory characteristics in asthma; yet, its impact on airway remodeling and ASMCs phenotype transition has not been investigated.ObjectivesThis research seeked to assess the impact of fisetin on ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthmatic airway remodeling and ASMCs phenotype transition, and clarify the mechanisms through network pharmacology predictions as well as in vivo and in vitro validation.MethodsFirst, a fisetin-asthma-ASMCs network was constructed to identify potential targets. Subsequently, cellular and animal studies were carried out to examine the inhibitory effects of fisetin on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice, and to detemine how fisetin impacts the phenotypic transition of ASMCs.ResultsNetwork analysis indicated that fisetin might affect asthma via mediating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. Intraperitoneal administration of fisetin in vivo reduced airway inflammation and remodeling, as shown by reduced inflammatory cells, decreased T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine release, diminished collagen accumulation, mitigated airway smooth muscle thickening, and decreased expression of osteopontin (OPN), collagen-I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Moreover, fisetin suppressed the PI3K/AKT pathway in asthmatic lung tissue. According to the in vitro data, fisetin downregulated the expression of the synthetic phenotypic proteins OPN and collagen-I, contractile protein α-SMA, and inhibited cellular migration, potentially through the PI3K/AKT pathway.ConclusionThese results suggest that fisetin inhibits airway remodeling in asthma by regulating ASMCs phenotypic shift, emphasizing that fisetin is a promising candidate for the treatment of airway smooth muscle remodeling.

Chrysene contribution to bronchial asthma: Activation of TRPA1 disrupts bronchial epithelial barrier via ERK pathway

BackgroundElevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels are associated with exacerbation of asthma. Chrysene is one of the most prevalent unsubstituted PAHs in the environment. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) can be used as a chemoreceptor to detect inhaled stimuli and plays an important role in the occurrence and deterioration of asthma. Whether exposure to a high concentration of chrysene in the environment can activate TRPA1 and contribute to the development of asthma, potentially through the dysfunction of the bronchial epithelial barrier, remains unclear. MethodsA cell-based assay was performed to verify the downregulation of the expression of E-cadherin and tight junction (TJ) proteins by chrysene in bronchial epithelial cells to explore the role of chrysene-mediated TRPA1 activation in the regulation of TJ protein expression through the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Animal tests were conducted to determine whether chrysene could enhance airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) induced by house dust mites (HDMs) and disrupt barrier function, thereby contributing to asthma. ResultsThe cell-based assay revealed that chrysene could disrupt the function of the bronchial epithelial barrier and decrease the expression levels of E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-5 through the ERK pathway. Chrysene induced airway epithelial barrier dysfunction primarily through TRPA1 instead of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. TRPA1 knockdown was able to attenuate chrysene-induced downregulation of TJ protein expression and downregulate ERK activation (p-ERK). Compared with exposure to HDM alone, coexposure to chrysene and HDM resulted in an increased incidence of AHR, disruption of barrier function, and eosinophilic inflammatory responses in a mouse model of asthma. Coexposure to chrysene and HDM increased TRPA1 expression. The animal test verified that the TRPA1 inhibitor HC030031 could suppress chrysene and HDM-induced asthma in mice. ConclusionsOur findings showed that chrysene contributed to the breakdown of the function of the bronchial epithelial barrier through the TRPA1–ERK axis and therefore acted as an adjuvant to contribute to asthma.

Phytotherapeutic BS012 and Its Active Component Ameliorate Allergic Asthma via Inhibition of Th2-Mediated Immune Response and Apoptosis.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumininhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Androgens have therapeutic potential in T2 asthma by mediating METTL3 in bronchial epithelial cells

Studies have shown that androgens can alleviate the symptoms of T2 asthma and are inversely correlated with the severity of allergic asthma. METTL3, a crucial component of m6A modification, mitigates the development of T2 asthma by inhibiting Th2 cell differentiation. However, the impact of androgens, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), on the progression of T2 asthma through METTL3 has yet to be investigated. At the clinical level, patients with T2 asthma exhibited reduced levels of DHT and METTL3 mRNA, along with increased levels of 17β-estradiol (E2). DHT and METTL3 were found to be negatively associated with the severity of T2 asthma, while E2 was positively associated with it. Administration of DHT and E2 in induced T2 asthma mouse models showed that DHT improved lung function, reduced airway inflammation, and inhibited Th2 cell differentiation. Interestingly, DHT reversed the damage to METTL3, whereas E2 had the opposite effect. In vitro studies of mouse bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) confirmed that METTL3-dependent m6A modification inhibited the T2 inflammatory response, and DHT inhibited Th2 cell differentiation in T2 asthma by promoting METTL3 expression in BECs. In conclusion, our study suggests that DHT has therapeutic potential for T2 asthma by regulating METTL3 in BECs.

Luteolin alleviates airway remodeling in asthma by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition via β-catenin regulation

BackgroundAsthma is a prevalent long-term inflammatory condition that causes airway inflammation and remodeling. Increasing evidence indicates that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) holds a prominent implication in airway reconstruction in patients with asthma. Flavonoids obtained from Chinese Materia Medica (CMM), such as Luteolin (Lut), exhibit various beneficial effects in various asthma models. Lut has been shown to mitigate various asthma symptoms, including airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, excessive mucus production, pulmonary autophagy, and neutrophilic asthma. However, whether flavonoids can suppress EMT-associated airway remodeling in asthma and the fundamental mechanisms involved remain unclear, with no studies specifically addressing Lut in this context. PurposeTo evaluate the inhibition of airway remodeling in asthma by Lut and its potential mechanisms, while examining the significance of β-catenin in this process through cellular and animal studies. MethodsA BEAS-2B cell model stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was established in vitro. Wound closure and Transwell assays were utilized to assess the cellular migratory ability. EMT- and fibrosis-related markers in LPS-stimulated cells were evaluated using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The status of the β-catenin/E-cadherin and β-catenin destruction complexes was evaluated using western blotting, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis. The regulatory function of Lut in β-catenin-dependent EMT was further validated by β-catenin overexpression with adenovirus transduction and siRNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin. Moreover, the counts of different types of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory cells from mice with asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) were evaluated in vivo using Congo red staining. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used to evaluate collagen deposition, mucus production, and inflammation in murine lung tissues. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were used to assess EMT- and fibrosis-related markers in the lung tissues in vivo. ResultSix naturally derived flavonoids, including Lut, attenuated cell migration and prevented EMT in LPS-treated BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, Lut suppressed TGF-β1, MMP-9, fibronectin (FN), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. Additionally, Lut downregulated the levels of β-catenin by modulating the β-catenin/E-cadherin and β-catenin destruction complexes, highlighting the pivotal role of β-catenin in EMT inhibition by Lut in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. Furthermore, Lut suppressed airway inflammation and attenuated EMT-associated airway remodeling through β-catenin blockade in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. The bronchial wall thickness notably reduced from 37.24 ± 4.00 μm in the asthmatic model group to 30.06 ± 4.40 μm in the Lut low-dose group and 24.69 ± 2.87 μm in the Lut high-dose group. ConclusionAccording to our current understanding, this research is the first to reveal that Lut diminishes airway remodeling in asthma by inhibiting EMT via β-catenin regulation, thereby filling a research gap concerning Lut and flavonoids. These results provide a theoretical basis for treating asthma with anti-asthmatic CMM, as well as a candidate and complementary therapeutic approach to treat asthma.

Nebulization of Hypoxic hUCMSC-EVs Attenuates Airway Epithelial Barrier Defects in Chronic Asthma Mice by Transferring CAV-1.

Nebulization of hypoxic human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (Hypo-EVs) can suppress airway inflammation and remodeling in a chronic asthmatic mouse; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. Recently, airway epithelial barrier defects have been regarded as crucial therapeutic targets in asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how Hypo-EVs protect against the disruption of the airway epithelial barrier under asthmatic conditions. The therapeutic effects of Hypo-EVs on airway epithelial barrier defects were evaluated in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice and in IL-4 and IL-13-induced HBE135-E6E7 cell models by detecting cell monolayer leakage and junctional protein expression. The protein levels in Hypo-EVs were determined by Western blotting, and a gene knockdown approach was used to investigate the biofactors in Hypo-EVs. Nebulization of Hypo-EVs directly alleviated airway epithelial barrier defects in asthmatic mice, as evidenced by colocalization with bronchial epithelial cells, decreased albumin concentration, and increased ZO-1 and E-cadherin expression. In vitro, Hypo-EV treatment dramatically rescued the increase in airway cell permeability, and upregulated the ZO-1 and E-cadherin protein expressions. Based on WB analysis, we found that caveolin-1 (CAV-1) was strongly enriched in Hypo-EVs. The knockdown of CAV-1 protein levels in Hypo-EVs significantly impaired Hypo-EV-mediated barrier protection in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CAV-1 knockdown significantly abolished the beneficial effects of Hypo-EVs on airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice. In addition, we showed that IL-4/IL-13-induced airway epithelial barrier defects were mainly related to activation of STAT6 phosphorylation (p-STAT6), and overexpression of CAV-1 or Hypo-EV treatment inhibited the levels of p-STAT6 in IL-4/IL-13-induced HBE135-E6E7 cells. Nebulization of Hypo-EVs can attenuate airway epithelial barrier defects in asthma by delivering CAV-1 to inhibit p-STAT6 expression and may be used to treat other barrier defect diseases.

Total alkaloids in Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don alleviate OVA-induced allergic asthma by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization

Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don (FCD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat respiratory disorders, known for its effects in clearing heat, moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm, and relieving cough. Additionally, the total alkaloids extracted from FCD can alleviate asthma symptoms and reduce airway inflammation. However, no studies have investigated the effects of total alkaloids on lung macrophages. This study explored whether the total alkaloids of FCD (TAs-FCD) reduce M2 macrophage polarization and, consequently, attenuate airway remodeling in asthmatic mice. This study further elucidated its mechanism of action in treating allergic asthma. The extracted TAs-FCD was analyzed for its composition using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of TAs-FCD in the treatment of allergic asthma. A mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma was established, adopted, and validated through in vivo experiments. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence staining (IF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting (WB), and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) were used to investigate the role of TAs-FCD in inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization in the context of allergic asthma. A total of 66 active ingredients were screened from 116 compounds using SWISSADME. The targets of these 66 compounds were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction, resulting in 808 unique drug targets after excluding duplicates. Additionally, 1,756 targets related to allergic asthma were identified from the DisGeNET, Genecard, and OMIM databases. This led to 267 cross-targets between the active ingredient targets and allergic asthma targets, including interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and STAT3. Animal experiments demonstrated that TAs-FCD improved histopathological injury in mouse lungs, reduced peri-airway collagen fiber accumulation, airway mucus secretion, and airway smooth muscle proliferation. TAs-FCD also lowered IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-4 levels in lung tissues and alleviated airway inflammation. Furthermore, TAs-FCD significantly reduced levels of Arg1 and CD206, which are closely associated with M2 macrophages, and downregulated the expression of p-STAT3 and p-JAK2. TAs-FCD may inhibit M2 macrophage polarization by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thereby alleviating airway remodeling and inflammation in allergic asthmatic mice.

NFATc1 in CD4+ T cells and CD11c+ dendritic cells drives TH2-mediated eosinophilic inflammation in allergic asthma

BackgroundAsthma, a chronic lung disease, is a significant public health problem worldwide. It is marked by increased Th2 response resulting in eosinophil accumulation. The pathophysiology of asthma involves various cell types, including epithelial cells, dendritic cells (DCs), innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), B cells, and effector cells. Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), a critical transcription factor for immune regulation, is known for its role in T cells and, more recently, in myeloid cells. However, the specific contributions of NFATc1 in T cells and DCs in the context of asthma are not well understood. ObjectiveExplore NFATc1’s role in T cells and dendritic cells in modulating Th2 immune responses within the pathophysiology of allergic asthma. MethodsMice lacking Nfatc1 in CD4+T cells or CD11c+ dendritic cells, were induced with asthma using house dust mite (HDM), enabling investigation into NFATc1's role in both cell types in experimental allergic asthma. Additionally, the study examined NFATc1 expression in these cells and its correlation with blood eosinophil levels in an adult asthma cohort. ResultsIn HDM-induced asthma model, we found that Nfatc1 deficiency either in CD4+ T cells or CD11c+ dendritic cells resulted in reduced Th2-driven eosinophilic inflammation, immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and mast cell presence in the lung of asthmatic mice. Nfatc1's absence in CD4+ T cells directly hampered Th2 cell polarization and functionality, whereas in CD11c+ dendritic cells, it affected DC differentiation and maturation, thereby weakening T cell priming, proliferation and subsequent Th2 differentiation. Correspondingly, translational research indicated significant correlations between CD4+NFATc1+ and CD11c+NFATc1+ cell populations and eosinophil levels in asthmatic patients, but not in healthy controls. ConclusionNFATc1 in T cells and dendritic cells modulate Th2-mediated eosinophilic inflammation in allergic asthma, which offering insights into asthma pathogenesis and identifying NFATc1 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Bioinformatics analysis of G protein subunit gamma transduction protein 2-autophagy axis in CD11b+ dendritic cells as a potential regulator to skew airway neutrophilic inflammation in asthma endotypes.

Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease with two main clinical endotypes: type 2 (T2) high and low asthma. The plasticity and autophagy in dendritic cells (DCs) influence T helper (Th)2 or Th17 differentiation to regulate asthma endotypes. Enhanced autophagy in DCs fosters Th2 differentiation in allergic environments, while reduced autophagy favors Th17 cell differentiation in sensitized and infected environments. Autophagy regulation in DCs involves interaction with various pathways like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. However, specific molecules within DCs influencing asthma endotypes remain unclear. Gene expression data series (GSE) 64896, 6858, 2276, and 55247 were obtained from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CD103+ and CD11b+ DCs after induction by ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were analyzed using GEO2R. DEGs were examined through Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses. The hub gene network was construct with STRING database and Cytoscape. Autophagy differences in DCs and the selected hub gene in GSE6858, GSE2276, and GSE55247 were evaluated using student t tests. Our analysis identified 635 upregulated and 360 downregulated genes in CD11b+ DCs, compared to CD103+ DCs. These DEGs were associated with "PI3K-AKT signaling pathway," "Ras signaling pathway," and so forth. Thirty-five hub genes were identified, in which G protein subunit gamma transduction protein 2 (Gngt2) in CD11b+ DCs exhibited a relatively specific increase in expression associated with autophagy defects under the induction environment similar to T2 low asthma model. No significant difference was found in lung Gngt2 expression between T2 high asthma model and control group. Our analysis suggested Gngt2 acted as an adapter molecule that inhibited autophagy, promoting Th17-mediated airway inflammation via the GPCR pathway in a T2 low asthma mice model. Targeting this pathway provides new asthma treatment strategies in preclinical research.

C-CBL/LCK/c-JUN/ETS1/CD28 axis restrains childhood asthma by suppressing Th2 differentiation

BackgroundAsthma is a common immune disease with high morbidity in children. Type 2 inflammation is the center of asthma development, and mainly mediated by a subset of CD4 + T cells, T helper 2 (Th2) cells. Excess Th2 differentiation was generally associated with asthmatic attack. Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-CBL) was reported to involved in T cell development and databank showed its decreased expression in CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood of asthmatic children. This study aims to investigate the role of c-CBL in childhood asthma and Th2 differentiation, and explore the underlying mechanism.MethodsWe collected peripheral blood samples from clinical childhood asthma cases and healthy controls, and determined c-CBL expression in CD4 + T cells. Asthma was induced in neonatal mice by ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation, and c-CBL expression in CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood and spleen was measured. Gain-of-function experiments was performed to confirm the effects of c-CBL on Th2 differentiation in vitro. Finally, c-CBL was delivered into asthmatic mice via lentivirus infection to verify its effects on experimental asthma.Resultsc-CBL was lowly expressed in CD4 + T cells from asthmatic children than those of healthy controls. Similarly, it was downregulated in CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood and spleen of asthma mice. Overexpression of c-CBL restrained lung pathological injury and type 2 inflammation in experimental asthmatic mice. Gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that c-CBL inhibited Th2 differentiation of CD4 + T cells from healthy children, and mediated the ubiquitination of lymphocyte cell-specific protein-tyrosine kinase (LCK). LCK acted as a kinase to phosphorylate and activate c-JUN, which was predicted to bind promoter sequence of CD28 by bioinformatic analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay verified that c-JUN and ETS1 synergically enhanced transcription of CD28, and this transcription activation was aggravated by LCK overexpression.Conclusionc-CBL alleviated asthma and suppressed Th2 differentiation by facilitating LCK ubiquitination, interrupting c-JUN activation and CD28 expression in vivo and in vitro. c-CBL/LCK/c-JUN/ETS1/CD28 axis was partially involved in childhood asthma, and may provide novel insights for clinical treatment for asthma.

Osthole attenuates asthma-induced airway epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by suppressing TSLP/NF-κB-mediated inhibition of Th2 differentiation

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of osthole (OS) on asthma-induced airway epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation by restraining Th2 differentiation through suppressing TSLP/NF-κB.MethodsAn asthma mouse model and an inflammation cell model were constructed with ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. CD4 + T cells were treated with IL-4 to induce Th2 differentiation. Model mice were treated with OS (15,40 mg/kg) for 7 days, and 10 µg/mL OS was added to cell treatment groups. The levels of relevant indices were detected by RT‒qPCR, HE and Masson staining, Western blotting, ELISA and flow cytometry.ResultsIn a mouse asthma model, TSLP expression was elevated, and the NF-κB pathway was activated. Therefore, OS could restrain the apoptosis and inflammation of airway epithelial cells. Downstream mechanistic studies revealed that OS can suppress Th2 differentiation by restraining the level of TSLP and NF-κB nuclear translocation, thus facilitating the proliferation of airway epithelial cells, restraining their apoptosis and inflammation, and alleviating airway inflammation in asthmatic mice.ConclusionOS can inhibit Th2 differentiation by inhibiting the TSLP and NF-κB pathways, which can reduce the apoptosis and inflammation of airway epithelial cells caused by asthma.

Schisandrol A Alleviates Allergic Asthma in Mice via Regulating the NF-κB/IκBα and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baill (S. chinensis) is the key traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma used by ancient and modern medical practitioners. However, the material basis and the main mechanism of its antiasthmatic effect remain unclear. Our preliminary results showed that schisandrol A (SCA), a representative monomer of Schisandra lignans, had the best relaxation effect on tracheal rings in isolated rats. In this research, a mouse asthma model was prepared by combining ovalbumin (OVA) with Al (OH)3 for exploring the antiasthmatic action and the underlying mechanism of SCA. The study results demonstrated that SCA improved the behavior of mice with asthma and pathological changes in their lung tissues and airways, decreased serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-IgE levels, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin contents, and leukocytes number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. SCA downregulated the gene expressions of keratinocyte-derived protein chemokines and ILs and reduced the expressions of phosphorylated IκB kinase α (p-IKKα) and p-nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) proteins in lung tissues. In addition, it was found that SCA could significantly increase T-superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, decrease malondialdehyde content, and elevate p-IκBα, NF-E2-related-factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions. In summary, SCA treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the allergic bronchial asthma in mice, and its mechanisms may involve the regulation of the NF-κB/IκBα pathway to reduce inflammatory response and the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to improve the body's antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that SCA is a key component of S. chinensis in exerting antiasthmatic effects.

Cynaropicrin attenuates inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells and ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic mice

AbstractThis study examines the anti‐inflammatory activity of cynaropicrin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro and ovalbumin (OVA)‐challenged asthma in mice. Cynaropicrin's antimicrobial effects were tested on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) using the disc diffusion technique. Cytotoxicity was assessed with an (3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The anti‐inflammatory property was evaluated in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells, while OVA‐challenged asthmatic mice were treated with 10 mg/kg of cynaropicrin. Key inflammatory and antioxidant markers were quantified, and lung histology was examined to confirm therapeutic roles. The antimicrobial studies proved that cynaropicrin effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. pyogenes. Cynaropicrin displayed no cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, it significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine synthesis upon LPS induction. Cynaropicrin treatment decreased the inflammatory cell counts and also suppressed specific allergic markers in OVA‐challenged mice. It also decreased nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase levels and reduced pulmonary edema. Cynaropicrin increased antioxidant levels and decreased proinflammatory cytokines in the asthmatic mice. Lung histological examination confirms the ameliorative potency of cynaropicrin against OVA‐induced asthmatic pulmonary inflammation in mice. Our findings suggest cynaropicrin possesses significant ameliorative potency against allergen‐induced pulmonary inflammation.