Objective This study aims to investigate the expression, phenotypic changes, and mechanisms of action of guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) in the process of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The expression and localization of GBP2 in silicotic lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence. An in vitro cell model was constructed, and methods such as Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerasechain reaction were utilized to investigate the function of GBP2 in different cell lines following silica stimulation. The mechanism of action of GBP2 in various cell lines was elucidated using Western blot analysis. Results GBP2 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with silicosis. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence have revealed that GBP2 was localized in macrophages and epithelial cells. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that silicon dioxide stimulated THP-1 cells to activate the c-Jun pathway through GBP2, promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and facilitating the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization. In epithelial cells, GBP2 promoted the occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating Krueppel-like factor 8 (KLF8). Conclusion GBP2 not only activates c-Jun in macrophages to promote the production of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization, but also activates the transcription factor KLF8 in epithelial cells to induce EMT, collectively promoting the progression of silicosis.
Humans ; Silicosis/genetics* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Male

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontitis, yet the precise mechanisms by which smoking contributes to periodontal disease remain poorly understood. Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics have enabled a deeper exploration of the periodontal tissue microenvironment at single-cell resolution, offering new opportunities to investigate these mechanisms. In this study, we utilized Visium HD single-cell spatial transcriptomics to profile gingival tissues from 12 individuals, including those with periodontitis, those with smoking-associated periodontitis, and healthy controls. Our analysis revealed that smoking disrupts the epithelial barrier integrity, induces fibroblast alterations, and dysregulates fibroblast-epithelial cell communication, thereby exacerbating periodontitis. The spatial analysis showed that endothelial cells and macrophages are in close proximity and interact, which further promotes the progression of smoking-induced periodontal disease. Importantly, we found that targeting the endothelial CXCL12 signalling pathway in smoking-associated periodontitis reduced the proinflammatory macrophage phenotype, alleviated epithelial inflammation, and reduced alveolar bone resorption. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of smoking-associated periodontitis and highlight the potential of targeting the endothelial-macrophage interaction as a therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, this study establishes an essential information resource for investigating the effects of smoking on periodontitis, providing a foundation for future research and therapeutic development for this prevalent and debilitating disease.
Humans ; Gingiva/cytology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Male ; Periodontitis/pathology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Macrophages ; Fibroblasts ; Endothelial Cells ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism*

Direct conversion of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to cardiomyocytes (CMs) in vivo to regenerate heart tissue is an attractive approach. After myocardial infarction (MI), heart repair proceeds with an inflammation stage initiated by monocytes infiltration of the infarct zone establishing an immune microenvironment. However, whether and how the MI microenvironment influences the reprogramming of CFs remains unclear. Here, we found that in comparison with cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) cultured in vitro, CFs that transplanted into infarct region of MI mouse models resisted to cardiac reprogramming. RNA-seq analysis revealed upregulation of interferon (IFN) response genes in transplanted CFs, and subsequent inhibition of the IFN receptors increased reprogramming efficiency in vivo. Macrophage-secreted IFN-β was identified as the dominant upstream signaling factor after MI. CFs treated with macrophage-conditioned medium containing IFN-β displayed reduced reprogramming efficiency, while macrophage depletion or blocking the IFN signaling pathway after MI increased reprogramming efficiency in vivo. Co-IP, BiFC and Cut-tag assays showed that phosphorylated STAT1 downstream of IFN signaling in CFs could interact with the reprogramming factor GATA4 and inhibit the GATA4 chromatin occupancy in cardiac genes. Furthermore, upregulation of IFN-IFNAR-p-STAT1 signaling could stimulate CFs secretion of CCL2/7/12 chemokines, subsequently recruiting IFN-β-secreting macrophages. Together, these immune cells further activate STAT1 phosphorylation, enhancing CCL2/7/12 secretion and immune cell recruitment, ultimately forming a self-reinforcing positive feedback loop between CFs and macrophages via IFN-IFNAR-p-STAT1 that inhibits cardiac reprogramming in vivo. Cumulatively, our findings uncover an intercellular self-stimulating inflammatory circuit as a microenvironmental molecular barrier of in situ cardiac reprogramming that needs to be overcome for regenerative medicine applications.
Animals ; Mice ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Fibroblasts/cytology* ; Cellular Reprogramming ; STAT1 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Interferon-beta/genetics* ; Myocardial Infarction/pathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; GATA4 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Male ; Cells, Cultured

Macrophages are highly plastic and can be polarized into classical activated macrophages (M1) and alternative activated macrophages (M2) under the induction of inflammatory factors and regulation of a variety of information molecules. Chronic pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary parenchyma injury are the main pathological manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). M1 promotes pulmonary inflammation, whereas M2 inhibits inflammatory response, participates in lung tissue injury and repair, and swallows and removes pathogenic microorganisms and apoptotic cells. Target intervention in the polarization direction of macrophages may be a new strategy for COPD treatment.
Humans ; Lung ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; pathology

To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on the invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells co-cultured with macrophages, and to explore the underlying mechanisms.
 Methods: The migration and invasion ability of HCC cells in the co-culture system with or without ursolic acid intervention were evaluated by transwell assay. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin in HCC cells co-cultured with macrophages were detected by Western blot.
 Results: The migration and invasion ability and EMT were significantly enhanced when co-cultured with macrophages, and the expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased while N-cadherin and vimentin levels were significantly decreased. However, after ursolic acid treatment, the migration and invasion ability were significantly reduced, and the expression of E-cadherin was increased while N-cadherin and vimentin levels were decreased.
 Conclusion: Ursolic acid exerts inhibitory effect on the ability of migration, invasion, and EMT for HCC, which are enhanced by co-culturing with macrophages.
Cadherins ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; pathology ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the synergistic effect between the N-terminus domain of the a2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase (a2NTD) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on modulating macrophage polarization and the impact of polarized macrophages on proliferation of gastric cancer cells.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells were derived from healthy donor and induced into macrophages. Then macrophages were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (RPMI 1640), the experimental group I (M-CSF 100 μg/L), the experimental group II (a2NTD 500 μg/L) and the experimental group III (a2NTD 500 μg/L plus M-CSF 100 μg/L). After stimulation for 48 hours, double color immunofluorescence cytochemistry was adopted to detect the expression of cell membrane molecules on macrophages; ELISA was used to measure the secretion of cytokines IL-10 and IL-12; CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the impact of macrophages on proliferation ability of gastric cancer cell strain SGC-7901.

RESULTSThe expression of CD68, also known as macrophage surface antigen, was detected on macrophage membrane in all four groups (+). The mean absorbance (A) was 0.092 ± 0.005 in control group, 0.095 ± 0.006 in group I, 0.094 ± 0.005 in group II, 0.094 ± 0.005 in group III, and no significant differences were observed among 4 groups (all P>0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of CD206, which mainly exists on M2 macrophage membrane, was hard to detect in control group (-) with A 0.025 ± 0.004; it was normal in groupI and group II (+) with A 0.191 ± 0.012 in group I and 0.197 ± 0.136 in group II (P=0.212), and it was up-regulated significantly in group III (+++) with A 0.285 ± 0.011. There were significant differences between either two groups except group I and group II (all P<0.01). Secretion of IL-10 in group I and group II [(85.65 ± 13.64) ng/L and (87.77 ± 14.25) ng/L] was significantly higher compared with control group [(71.67 ± 7.56) ng/L, P<0.01]. Secretion of IL-12 in group I and group II [(9.91 ± 1.50) ng/L and (10.15 ± 1.80) ng/L] was significantly lower compared with control group [(16.87 ± 1.10) ng/L, P<0.01]. Secretion of IL-10 in group III [(116.98 ± 14.27) ng/L] was the highest, and secretion of IL-12 [(5.31 ± 0.88) ng/L] was the lowest (all P<0.01). There was a synergistic effect between a2NTD and M-CSF on the secretion of both IL-10 and IL-12. Elevated proliferation of gastric cancer cell strain SGC-7901 was detected in all four groups, in which group III showed the greatest impact compared with other 3 groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSa2NTD and M-CSF show a synergistic effect in modulating macrophage phenotype and the secretion of IL-10 and IL-12. The polarized macrophage can significantly enhance proliferation of gastric cancer cell strain SGC-7901.

Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Phenotype ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases ; pharmacology

This study was designed to investigate the correlation between autophagy and polarization of macrophages in atherosclerosis (AS) plaque in arteriosclerosis obliterans amputees. Femoral artery specimens from arteriosclerosis obliterans amputees were performed hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, oil red O and immunofluorescence staining to observe the morphology of atherosclerotic plaque, phenotype of macrophages and autophagy in plaque; using real-time quantitative RT-PCR technology to detect the mRNA level of M1 and M2 type markers in arterial tissue; to analyze polarized signal pathway and autophagy protein levels in macrophages by Western blotting. Arterial specimens staining showed obvious lipid deposition and obvious infiltration of amount of foam cells and inflammatory cells. Macrophages were mainly expression M1 type in percentage in fibrous plaque. Although both M1 and M2 macrophages were upregulated in atheromatous plaque, the increase was dominant in M2 type in percentage. The level of autophagy was significantly higher in the atheromatous plaque than that of fibrous plaque. The expression of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) mRNA was significantly higher in fibrous plaque than that of atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01 or 0.05), and arginase-1 (Arg-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), CD163 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA was significantly lower than that in atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01). The levels of p-STAT1 and NF-κB were significantly increased in fibrous plaque (P < 0.01), while p-STAT6 expression was significantly increased in atheromatous plaque (P < 0.01). The level of LC3-II was significantly higher in atheromatous plaque than that in fibrous plaque (P < 0.01). Macrophages in early atherosclerotic plaque were induced to M1 type through p-STAT1/NF-κB pathway and expressed moderate levels of autophagy; while macrophages in advanced plaques were induced to polarization of M2 type through p-STAT6 pathway. M2 macrophages expressed a higher level of autophagy than M1 macrophages.
Amputees ; Arginase ; metabolism ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Autophagy ; Cell Polarity ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Phenotype ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

To investigate the effects of cigarette smoking in different manners on acute lung injury in rats.The commercially available cigarettes with tar of 1,5, 11 mg were smoked in Canada depth smoking (health canada method, HCM) manner, and those with tar of 11 mg were also smoked in international standard (ISO) smoking manner. Rats were fixed and exposed to mainstream in a manner of nose-mouth exposure. After 28 days, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from left lung were collected for counting and classification of inflammatory cells and determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. The right lungs were subjected to histological examination and determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.In both HCM and ISO manners, the degree of lung injury was closely related to the tar content of cigarettes, and significant decrease in the body weight of rats was observed after smoking for one week. In a HCM manner, smoking with cigarette of 11 mg tar resulted in robust infiltration of macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils into lungs, significant increase in IL-1β and TNF-α levels and MPO activities, and significant decrease in GSH levels and SOD activities and increase in ROS and MDA levels (all<0.05). Smoking with cigarette of 5 mg tar led to moderate increase in IL-1β and TNF-α levels, and MPO activities (all<0.05), and moderate decrease in GSH levels and SOD activities and increase of ROS and MDA levels (all<0.05). However, smoking with cigarette of 1 mg tar affected neither inflammatory cell infiltration nor IL-1β and TNF-α levels.Cigarette smoking in nose-mouth exposure manner can induce acute lung injury in rats; and the degree of lung injury is closely related to the content of tar and other hazards in cigarettes.
Acute Lung Injury ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; cytology ; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte ; drug effects ; Glutathione ; analysis ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; analysis ; drug effects ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; drug effects ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; pathology ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; drug effects ; Tobacco Products ; adverse effects ; classification ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; drug effects ; Weight Loss ; drug effects

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of CyPA and CD147 in rabbit models of vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin.
 METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Eight rabbits were served as a normal diet group (Group A), and the remaining 16 rabbits underwent balloon-induced endothelial injury in the right carotid artery and thereafter were fed on high-cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol) for 12 weeks, then they were divided into 2 groups: a AS group (Group B), an atorvastatin group [Group C, 2.5 mg/(kg.d)]. 4 weeks later, plaque disrupture was triggered by China Russell's viper venom and histamine. Serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured at different timepoint. The damaged carotid arteries were collected to undergo pathological examination. The macrophage, expression of CyPA and CD147 were detected by immuno-histochemical analysis, and the mRNA levels of CyPA and CD147 were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
 RESULTS: Compared with the Group A, the serum levels of TC and LDL-c in the Group B and Group C were significantly increased (all P<0.01). Compared with the Group B, the serum levels of TC and LDL-c in the Group C were reduced significantly after atorvastatin intervention for 4 weeks (all P<0.01). The plaques disruption and thrombosis occurred in 4 out of the 6 rabbits in the Group B, while only 1 rabbit demonstrated plaques disruption and thrombosis in the Group C. Compared with the Group B, the levels of CyPA, CD147 and macrophage in carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the Group C were decreased significantly (all P<0.01).
 CONCLUSION The up-regulation of CyPA and CD147 may be involved in pathogenesis of vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Atorvastatin could stabilize the plaque through inhibiting the CyPA and CD147 expression.
Animals ; Atorvastatin ; pharmacology ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Cyclophilin A ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Male ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Thrombosis ; pathology ; Triglycerides ; blood

Hypercoagulable state and thrombosis are major lethal causes of ulcerate colitis (UC). The aim of the present study is to explore the change and role of protein C (PC) system in UC thrombosis. 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to induce the UC model, and the body weight, the length of colon, and the weight of spleen were measured after intake of DSS as drinking water for 1 week. The macroscore and microscore were examined. The quantity of macrophage in colon smooth muscle was observed by immunofluorescence, and TNF-α and IL-6 levels in plasma were evaluated by ELISA. Intravital microscopy was applied to observe colonic mucosal microvascular circulation, activities of PC and protein S (PS) were determined by immunoturbidimetry, endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) and thrombomodulin (TM) expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were tested in supernatant of macrophage separated from colonic tissue. After stimulation of mouse colonic mucosa microvascular endothelial cells by TNF-α and IL-6 respectively, the activities of PC, PS, activated protein C (APC) were evaluated, and the expressions of EPCR and TM were detected by Western blotting. The results revealed that compared with control, the DSS mouse showed weight loss (P < 0.05), a shortened colon (P < 0.05), and swelled spleen (P < 0.05), accompanied by higher histological score (P < 0.05), as well as infiltration of macrophages, elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels in plasma (P < 0.01). The intravital microscopy results revealed that compared with control, DSS mice showed significantly enhanced adhesion of leukocytes and colonic mucosal microvascular endothelial cells (P < 0.01), meanwhile, decreased activity of PC and PS in plasma (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and down-regulated expression of EPCR (P < 0.01). The degree of inflammation was negatively correlated with the PC activity. In vitro, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were increased in the supernatant of macrophages from DSS mice colonic tissue (P < 0.05), and after incubation of TNF-α or IL-6 with colonic mucosal microvascular endothelial cells, the APC activity was decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and expression of EPCR was down regulated (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PC system is inhibited in UC mouse. Presumably, the mechanism may be due to the secretion of cytokines from macrophages and subsequential influence on the function of endothelia cells. Furthermore, enhancement of PC system activity may serve as a new strategy for the treatment of UC.
Animals ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; metabolism ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Dextran Sulfate ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Mice ; Protein C ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Spleen ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood