Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in spotted halibut Verasper variegatus at the embryonic and metamorphic stages

As an aquatic fish,the spotted halibut Verasper variegatus is highly susceptible to bacterial and virus infections.Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)as a cytokine could control the inflammatory responses.The functions of TNF-αin many species have been widely studied,particularly in mammals.However,little is known about the TNF-αfunctions in V.variegatus.We first cloned and sequenced the TNF-αgene in V.variegatus(VvTNF-α).The two conserved cysteine residues,transmembrane sequence,Thr-Leu motif,and TNF family signature,as well as the TA-rich motifs of its proteins related to inflammatory responses had high similarity to those of the other teleost and mammalian TNF-α.The phylogenetic analysis showed that VvTNF-αwas consistent with TNF-αgenes of other vertebrates.The VvTNF-αtranscripts were extensively distributed in the peripheral blood leukocytes(PBLs),spleen,and gill,indicating that the VvTNF-αhad a role in immune function.Furthermore,treatment with pathogen-associated molecular patterns(PAMPs)could induce a rapid and significant increase of VvTNF-αin the PBLs,which reveals that VvTNF-αdoes participate in the host immune responses against bacterial and viral pathogens.We found that VvTNF-αhad an interesting expression pattern during metamorphosis,showing that the flatfish TNF-αmay have some novel functions during specific developmental stages.In addition,the 3 D structure prediction of VvTNF-αprovided an indication of how it is likely to interact with other proteins.Therefore,VvTNF-αhas multiple functions,and provides valuable information to explore novel functions of TNF-α.

Roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha on sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction

Aim: To study the roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on the sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction. Methods: The sperm acrosin activity was tested by the method of BAEE/ ADH Unity and the acrosome reaction by the Triple-stain technique. Results: TNF-α decreased the sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction (P<0.01; P<0.01, respectively); it also inhibited the Ca2+-ATPase activity and SOD activity in sperm (P< 0.05; P<0.001, respectively), but increased the NOS activity and the amount of NO in sperm (P<0.001; P<0.001, respectively). While it had a less significant effect on the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase (P>0.05). Conclusion: TNF-α inhibits the sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction.

Secoemestrin C Ameliorates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in Mice by Suppressing the TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Objective Secoemestrin C(SC),an epitetrathiodioxopiperazine isolated from Aspergillus nidulans,has been previously reported to have immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects against acute autoimmune hepatitis.However,the effect of SC on regulating the inflammation and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remain unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC on inflammatory dermatosis both in vitro and in vivo.Methods In vitro,HaCaT cells were induced with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α,10 ng/mL)to establish an inflammatory injury model,and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway components was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.An in vivo mouse model of imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SC in alleviating psoriasis.Results SC significantly blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells.In addition,systemic and local administration of SC improved psoriatic dermatitis in the IMQ-induced mouse model.SC reduced skin scale and significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in skin lesions.Conclusion The protective effect of SC against psoriatic-associated inflammation reveals its potential therapeutic value for treating psoriasis.

Effects of RNA interference-induced tryptase down-regulation in P815 cells on IL-6 and TNF-α release of endothelial cells

Objective： To explore the effects of down-regulated tryptase expression in mast cells on the synthesis and release of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） of vascular endothelial cells. Methods： Tryptase-siRNA （small-interfering RNA） vector was constructed to inhibit tryptase expression in P815 cells. The medium of P815 cells treated by the tryptase-siRNA （RNAi-P815 group） or pure vector （P815 group） was collected and used to culture bEnd.3 cells. The messenger RNAs （mRNAs） of IL-6 and TNF-α in bEnd.3 cells and their protein levels in the medium were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）, respectively. Results： IL-6 and TNF-α mRNAs in bEnd.3 cells cultured in RNAi-P815-conditioned medium decreased significantly compared to those in P815-conditioned medium. Consistently, lL-6 and TNF-α protein levels in the medium of bEnd.3 of RNAi-P815 group were lower than those of P815 group. Conclusion： Reduced tryptase expression significantly inhibited the synthesis and release of IL-6 and TNF-α in vascular endothelial cells. RNA interference targeting tryptase expression may be a new anti-inflammatory strategy for vascular diseases.

Exploring the phytoconstituents targeting TNF-αas potential lead compounds to treat inflammatory diseases:an in-silico approach

Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents from various plant sources as tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-inhibitor,a mediator involved in the inflammatory disorder,by in silico molecular docking.Methods Based on previous findings,we performed the in silico assessment of anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents from different medicinal plants to understand their binding patterns against TNF-α(PDB ID:6OP0)using AutoDock Vina.Molecular docking was performed by setting a grid box(25×25×25)Åcentered at[-12.817×(-1.618)×19.009]A with 0.375A of grid spacing.Furthermore,Discovery Studio Client 2020 program was utilized to assess two-and three-dimensional(2D and 3D)hydrogen-bond interactions concerning an amino acid of target and ligand.Physicochemical properties were reported using the Lipinski’s rule and SwissADME database to support the in silico findings.Results From the selected medicinal plants,more than 200 phytocompounds were screened against TNF-α protein with binding scores in the range of -12.3 to -2.5 kcal/mol.Amongst them,emodin,aloe-emodin,pongamol,purpuritenin,semiglabrin,ellagic acid,imperatorin,α-tocopherol,and octanorcucurbitacin A showed good binding affinity as -10.6,-10.0,-10.5,-10.1,-11.2,-10.3,-10.1,-10.1,and -10.0 kcal/mol,respectively.Also,the absorption,distribution,metabolism,excretion,and toxicology(ADMET)profiles were well within acceptable limits.Conclusion Based on our preliminary findings,we conclude that the selected phytoconstituents have the potential to be good anti-inflammatory candidates by inhibiting the TNF-α target.These compounds can be further optimized and validated as new therapeutic components to develop more effective and safe anti-inflammatory drugs.

Tannic acid assisted anti-TNF-αnanobody assembly modulating the epithelial barrier dysregulation of allergic rhinitis

The derailed nasal epithelial barrier is associated with the disorder of tight junctions(TJ)function or expression,leading to more penetration of allergens to the barrier,accompanied by the release of cytokines,which develop allergic rhinitis(AR).Considering the increasing AR disease incidence worldwide,there is still an urgent unmet medical need to develop new therapeutics.Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)inhibitors have been applied in treating autoimmune diseases.However,their roles in AR remain unclear.In this study,anti-TNF-αnanobody(V)was assembled with tannic acid(V/TA)as a functional antibody drug candidate which could inhibit the release of the cytokines in ovalbumin(OVA)-induced AR murine model.Upon receiving V/TA treatment,the infiltration level of inflammatory cells,and the number of mucus-secreting cells and mast cells in the nasal mucosa recovered to a relatively normal level.Preliminary mechanism of action research revealed that the efficacy of V/TA was accompanied by the restricted level of TJ molecules:zonula occluden-1(ZO-1),occludin,claudin-1,and claudin-5.The therapeutic effect of the anti-TNF-αnanobody against AR was enhanced with the tannic acid assisted without any toxicity observed.This study supplied a promising delivery strategy of TNF-αinhibitor for the effective treatment of complicated allergic rhinitis disease,with an advantage in restoring effect on the AR-caused epithelial barrier defects than the commercial drug Infliximab.