Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) for the progression of colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases (CRC-PM). ...Methods After macrophage MGLL conditional knockout (cKO) mice was constructed, a CRC-PM model was established in these cKO mice. The effects and mechanism of MGLL deficiency on TAMs were studies with cell biological and RNA-Seq assays. Results Compared with the control mice, macrophage MGLL deficiency significantly shortened the survival time of CRC-PC mice (P < 0.05), increased the weight of peritoneal tumor masses (P < 0.05), diminished the percentage of T cells in the tumor microenvironment (P < 0.01), while elevated the percentage of M2 macrophages in cKO mice (P < 0.05). And the results of RNA-seq showed that TRLs, PD-1/PDL-1, and HIF-1 signal pathways were significantly changed in MGLL deficiency macrophages. Conclusion In the process of CRC-PC, MGLL deficiency leads to macrophage activation towards an M2-typ
The pathological mechanisms of radiation ulcer remain unsolved and there is currently no effective medicine. Here, we demonstrate that persistent DNA damage foci and cell senescence are involved in ...radiation ulcer development. Further more, we identify cordycepin, a natural nucleoside analogue, as a potent drug to block radiation ulcer (skin, intestine, tongue) in rats/mice by preventing cell senescence through the increase of NRF2 nuclear expression (the assay used is mainly on skin). Finally, cordycepin is also revealed to activate AMPK by binding with the α1 and γ1 subunit near the autoinhibitory domain of AMPK, then promotes p62-dependent autophagic degradation of Keap1, to induce NRF2 dissociate from Keap1 and translocate to the nucleus. Taken together, our findings identify cordycepin prevents radiation ulcer by inhibiting cell senescence via NRF2 and AMPK in rodents, and activation of AMPK or NRF2 may thus represent therapeutic targets for preventing cell senescence and radiation ulcer.
Pro-inflammatory activation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) is causally linked to obesity and obesity-associated disorders. A number of studies have demonstrated the crucial role of ...mitochondrial metabolism in macrophage activation. However, there is a lack of pharmaceutical agents to target the mitochondrial metabolism of ATMs for the treatment of obesity-related diseases. Here, we characterize a near-infrared fluorophore (IR-61) that preferentially accumulates in the mitochondria of ATMs and has a therapeutic effect on diet-induced obesity as well as obesity-associated insulin resistance and fatty liver. IR-61 inhibits the classical activation of ATMs by increasing mitochondrial complex levels and oxidative phosphorylation via the ROS/Akt/Acly pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that specific enhancement of ATMs oxidative phosphorylation improves chronic inflammation and obesity-related disorders. IR-61 might be an anti-inflammatory agent useful for the treatment of obesity-related diseases by targeting the mitochondria of ATMs.
Metabolic reprogramming greatly contributes to the regulation of macrophage activation. However, the mechanism of lipid accumulation and the corresponding function in tumor-associated macrophages ...(TAMs) remain unclear. With primary investigation in colon cancer and confirmation in other cancer models, here we determine that deficiency of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) results in lipid overload in TAMs. Functionally, macrophage MGLL inhibits CB2 cannabinoid receptor-dependent tumor progression in inoculated and genetic cancer models. Mechanistically, MGLL deficiency promotes CB2/TLR4-dependent macrophage activation, which further suppresses the function of tumor-associated CD8+ T cells. Treatment with CB2 antagonists delays tumor progression in inoculated and genetic cancer models. Finally, we verify that expression of macrophage MGLL is decreased in cancer tissues and positively correlated with the survival of cancer patients. Taken together, our findings identify MGLL as a switch for CB2/TLR4-dependent macrophage activation and provide potential targets for cancer therapy.
Importance The long-term health outcomes and symptom burden of COVID-19 remain largely unclear. Objective To evaluate health outcomes of COVID-19 survivors 1 year after hospital discharge and to ...identify associated risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted at 2 designated hospitals, Huoshenshan Hospital and Taikang Tongji Hospital, both in Wuhan, China. All adult patients with COVID-19 discharged between February 12 and April 10, 2020, were screened for eligibility. Of a consecutive sample of 3988 discharged patients, 1555 were excluded (796 declined to participate and 759 were unable to be contacted) and the remaining 2433 patients were enrolled. All patients were interviewed via telephone from March 1 to March 20, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from March 28 to April 18, 2021. Exposures COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures All patients participated in telephone interviews using a series of questionnaires for evaluation of symptoms, along with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate risk factors for fatigue, dyspnea, symptom burden, or higher CAT scores. Results Of 2433 patients at 1-year follow-up, 1205 (49.5%) were men and 680 (27.9%) were categorized into the severe disease group as defined by the World Health Organization guideline; the median (IQR) age was 60.0 (49.0-68.0) years. In total, 1095 patients (45.0%) reported at least 1 symptom. The most common symptoms included fatigue, sweating, chest tightness, anxiety, and myalgia. Older age (odds ratio OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02;P < .001), female sex (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.52;P = .008), and severe disease during hospital stay (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.18-1.74;P < .001) were associated with higher risks of fatigue. Older age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03;P < .001) and severe disease (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.14-1.99;P = .004) were associated with higher risks of having at least 3 symptoms. The median (IQR) CAT score was 2 (0-4), and a total of 161 patients (6.6%) had a CAT score of at least 10. Severe disease (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.31-2.58;P < .001) and coexisting cerebrovascular diseases (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.07-3.54;P = .03) were independent risk factors for CAT scores of at least 10. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that patients with COVID-19 with severe disease during hospitalization had more postinfection symptoms and higher CAT scores.
Metabolic reprogramming in stromal cells plays an essential role in regulating tumour growth. The metabolic activities of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) are ...incompletely characterized. Here, we identify TAM-derived factors and their roles in the development of CRC. We demonstrate that ABHD5, a lipolytic co-activator, is ectopically expressed in CRC-associated macrophages. We demonstrate in vitro and in mouse models that macrophage ABHD5 potentiates growth of CRC cells. Mechanistically, ABHD5 suppresses spermidine synthase (SRM)-dependent spermidine production in macrophages by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species-dependent expression of C/EBPɛ, which activates transcription of the srm gene. Notably, macrophage-specific ABHD5 transgene-induced CRC growth in mice can be prevented by an additional SRM transgene in macrophages. Altogether, our results show that the lipolytic factor ABHD5 suppresses SRM-dependent spermidine production in TAMs and potentiates the growth of CRC. The ABHD5/SRM/spermidine axis in TAMs might represent a potential target for therapy.
The severity and outcome of COVID-19 cases has been associated with the percentage of circulating lymphocytes (LYM%), levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), ...lactic acid (LA), and viral load (ORF1ab Ct). However, the predictive power of each of these indicators in disease classification and prognosis remains largely unclear.
We retrospectively collected information on the above parameters in 142 patients with COVID-19, stratifying them by survival or disease severity.
CRP, PCT, IL-6, LYM%, and ORF1ab Ct were significantly altered between survivors and non-survivors. LYM%, CRP, and IL-6 were the most sensitive and reliable factors in distinguishing between survivors and non-survivors. These indicators were significantly different between critically ill and severe/moderate patients. Only LYM% levels were significantly different between severe and moderate types. Among all the investigated indicators, LYM% was the most sensitive and reliable in discriminating between critically ill, severe, and moderate types and between survivors and non-survivors.
CRP, PCT, IL-6, LYM%, and ORF1ab Ct, but not LA, could predict prognosis and guide classification of COVID-19 patients. LYM% was the most sensitive and reliable predictor for disease typing and prognosis. We recommend that LYM% be further investigated in the management of COVID-19.
This study was supported in part by awards from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Foundation and Frontier Research Project of Chongqing, and the Chongqing Youth Top Talent Project.
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