scholarly journals Involvement of IL-13 and Tissue Transglutaminase in Liver Granuloma and Fibrosis afterSchistosoma japonicumInfection

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanjuan Tang ◽  
Huayi Huang ◽  
Xiaofang Ji ◽  
Xunmin Zhu ◽  
Yinyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Tissue Transglutaminase ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Central Function ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis ◽  
Multifunctional Enzymes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Potential Drug Targets ◽  
Liver Granuloma

Schistosomiasis, one of the most devastating parasitic diseases, is caused bySchistosoma japonicum(Sj) infection resulting in serious liver fibrosis. Interleukin- (IL-) 13, which is produced byTH2  cells, is a critical profibrotic cytokine found in various organs, including the liver. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG), a group of multifunctional enzymes, serves a central function in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. However, the relationship between IL-13, tTG, and liver fibrosis duringSchistosomainfection has not been established. This study investigated the involvement of IL-13 and tTG in liver fibrogenesis duringSjinfection in mice. Five weeks afterSjinfection, granuloma and fibrosis development in the liver coincided with an increase in IL-13 and tTG in the liver and the upregulation of serum IL-13 in infected mice. Administration of cystamine, an inhibitor of tTG, abrogated the increase in both tTG and IL-13 in infected mice and ameliorated liver fibrogenesis and granuloma development. This result establishes a novel link among IL-13, tTG, and liver granuloma and fibrosis underSjinfection. Based on their important functions in liver fibrosis induced bySjinfection, IL-13 and tTG could be promising potential drug targets against schistosomiasis.

scholarly journals Tissue Transglutaminase-Regulated Transformed Growth Factor-β1 in the Parasite LinksSchistosoma japonicumInfection with Liver Fibrosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanjuan Tang ◽  
Xunmin Zhu ◽  
Jingjing Zhao ◽  
Mingchiu Fung ◽  
Yinyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Adult Worm ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Tissue Transglutaminase ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis ◽  
Infected Liver ◽  
Race Pcr

Transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) is among the strongest factors of liver fibrogenesis, but its association withSchistosoma-caused liver fibrosis is controversial. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is the principal enzyme controlling TGF-β1 maturation and contributes toSj-infected liver fibrosis. Here we aim to explore the consistency between tTG and TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 source and its correlation with liver fibrosis afterSj-infection. TGF-β1 was upregulated at weeks 6 and 8 upon liver fibrosis induction. During tTG inhibition, TGF-β1 level decreased in sera and liver of infected mice. TGF-β1 showed positive staining in liver containingSjadult worms and eggs. TGF-β1 was also detected inSjadult worm sections, soluble egg antigen andSjadult worm antigen, and adult worms’ culture medium. The TGF-β1 mature peptide cDNA sequence and its extended sequence were amplified through RT-PCR and RACE-PCR using adult worms as template, and sequence is analyzed and loaded to NCBI GenBank (number GQ338152.1). TGF-β1 transcript inSjeggs was higher than in adult worms. InSj-infected liver, transcriptional level of TGF-β1 fromSj, but not mouse liver, correlated with liver fibrosis extent. This study provides evidence that tTG regulates TGF-β1 and illustrates the importance of targeting tTG in treatingSjinfection-induced fibrosis.

Proteomic and Bioinformatic Analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi Chemotherapy and Potential Drug Targets: New Pieces for an Old Puzzle

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubem Sadok Menna-Barreto ◽  
Kele Belloze ◽  
Jonas Perales ◽  
Floriano Silva-Jr
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Structure, Function and Interactions of Tau: Particular Focus on Potential Drug Targets for the Treatment of Tauopathies

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hojjat Borna ◽  
Kasim Assadoulahei ◽  
Gholamhossein Riazi ◽  
Asghar Beigi Harchegani ◽  
Alireza Shahriary
Keyword(s):  
Tau Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Background & Objective: Neurodegenrative diseases are among the most widespread lifethreatening disorders around the world in elderly ages. The common feature of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, called tauopathies, is an accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau inside the neurons. The exact mechanism underlying tauopathies is not well-understood but several factors such as traumatic brain injuries and genetics are considered as potential risk factors. Although tau protein is well-known for its key role in stabilizing and organization of axonal microtubule network, it bears a broad range of functions including DNA protection and participation in signaling pathways. Moreover, the flexible unfolded structure of tau facilitates modification of tau by a wide range of intracellular enzymes which in turn broadens tau function and interaction spectrum. The distinctive properties of tau protein concomitant with the crucial role of tau interaction partners in the progression of neurodegeneration suggest tau and its binding partners as potential drug targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion: This review aims to give a detailed description of structure, functions and interactions of tau protein in order to provide insight into potential therapeutic targets for treatment of tauopathies.

scholarly journals Plasmodium Kinases as Potential Drug Targets for Malaria: Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-534
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Arendse ◽  
Susan Wyllie ◽  
Kelly Chibale ◽  
Ian H. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Drug Targets
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document