Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: H1N1 infection affects cell viability, inflammatory cytokine secretion and interactions between HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) CCK-8 assay revealed that HBEpiC viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner following H1N1 infection. (B) ELISA revealed that the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in HBEpiCs decreased with increasing H1N1 infection. (C) CCK-8 assay indicated that supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures reduced the viability of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. (D) ELISA results suggested that the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8) in THP-1 cells were decreased following exposure to supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures. (E) Cell adhesion assay revealed that the number of THP-1 cells adhering to HBEpiCs increased with increasing H1N1 concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) Transwell assay suggested that H1N1 infection enhanced the migration capacity of THP-1 cells, with increased migration observed at higher virus concentrations (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control; MOI, multiplicity of infection.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Infection, CCK-8 Assay, Concentration Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Cell Adhesion Assay, Transwell Assay, Migration, Virus, Standard Deviation, Control

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: TP modulates the inflammatory response and immune cell activity in H1N1-infected HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) No significant changes were observed in HBEpiCs treated with various concentrations of TP (5, 10 and 20 nM) following H1N1 infection compared with the control. (B) After TP treatment, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 in HBEpiCs were markedly lower than those in the untreated group. (C) The viability of THP-1 cells pretreated with H1N1-infected HBEpiC culture supernatant decreased after TP treatment. (D) The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in THP-1 cells were markedly lower after TP treatment. (E) The adhesion of THP-1 cells to HBEpiCs induced by H1N1 infection decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing TP concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) The migration capacity of THP-1 cells was markedly reduced when the supernatant from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures was treated with TP (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. TP, triptolide; H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Infection, Control, Concentration Assay, Migration, Standard Deviation

Journal: Military Medical Research

Article Title: The cellular response capacity (CRC) as a novel immunomonitoring approach in sepsis

doi: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100010

Figure Lengend Snippet: Concentration-dependent change in the humoral inflammatory response following incubation with Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) in the ex vivo whole blood model. a Absolute plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP9 determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. b Normalized values and EC 50 curve fit by BuC=0% and 50 000 CFU/ml E. coli= 100%, respectively, for IL-6, IL-8, and MMP9 as indicated by EC 50 (%) on the respective Y-axis. BuC indicates buffer control after 60 min incubation; numbers on the X-axis indicate E. coli bacteria in concentrations of 2000 to 50 000 CFU/ml after 60 min incubation; LPS indicates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 100 ng/ml after 60 min incubation. Values are shown as median and interquartile range. n =8. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s post-hoc test, comparing all shown concentrations of E. coli bacteria and 100 ng/ml LPS with BuC. P -values are indicated above the respective data points. ⁎ P <0.05, ⁎⁎ P <0.01, ⁎⁎⁎ P <0.001. CFU. Colony-forming units; IL. Interleukin; MMP9. Matrix metallopeptidase 9.

Article Snippet: For the samples of the ex vivo whole blood model, the plasma concentrations of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9, #DY911, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA), IL-6 (#555220, BD Biosciences, San Jose, USA), and IL-8 (#DY208, R&D Systems) were measured in citrate-anticoagulated plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the respective manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Concentration Assay, Incubation, Ex Vivo, Clinical Proteomics, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Control, Bacteria

Journal: Military Medical Research

Article Title: The cellular response capacity (CRC) as a novel immunomonitoring approach in sepsis

doi: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100010

Figure Lengend Snippet: Diagnostic performance for the detection of bacteremia, analyzing the neutrophil phenotype by determining the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the cellular response capacity (CRC) in comparison with traditional markers of humoral inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, MMP9). a Comparison of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) at 10,000 CFU/ml Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI) and P -value, and half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) as a function of the E. coli concentration. b Detailed comparison of the EC 50 as a function of the E. coli concentration. c Exemplary comparison of EC 50 curve fit after normalization as indicated by EC 50 (%) on the respective Y-axis to BuC=100% and 50 000 CFU/ml E. coli =0% for the humoral marker IL-6 (the IL-6 values were multiplied by −1 before EC 50 calculation to facilitate comparability with the CRC) and the change in neutrophil phenotype represented by CD11b CRC. BuC indicates buffer control after 60 min incubation; numbers on the X-axis of c indicate E. coli bacteria in concentrations of 2000 to 50 000 CFU/ml after 60 min incubation. Values are shown as median and interquartile range. n =8. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s post-hoc test, evaluating the EC 50 of IL-8, MMP9, the MFI, and CRC of CD10, CD11b, and CD62L in comparison to the EC 50 of IL-6. P -values are indicated above the respective data points. ⁎ P <0.05. CFU. Colony-forming units; IL. Interleukin; MMP9. Matrix metallopeptidase 9.

Article Snippet: For the samples of the ex vivo whole blood model, the plasma concentrations of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9, #DY911, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA), IL-6 (#555220, BD Biosciences, San Jose, USA), and IL-8 (#DY208, R&D Systems) were measured in citrate-anticoagulated plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the respective manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Diagnostic Assay, Fluorescence, Comparison, Concentration Assay, Marker, Control, Incubation, Bacteria

Journal: Military Medical Research

Article Title: The cellular response capacity (CRC) as a novel immunomonitoring approach in sepsis

doi: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100010

Figure Lengend Snippet: Clinical specifications and parameters over all time points of the sepsis cohort. a Suspected infection cause of sepsis. b Distribution of the individual score points of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. c Total SOFA score. d-h Traditional and humoral markers of inflammation: leukocytes and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio ( d ), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) ( e ), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) ( f ), serum amyloid A (SAA) and calprotectin ( g ), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) ( h ). Values are shown as median and interquartile range. n =14. CNS. Central nervous system; HV. Healthy volunteers.

Article Snippet: For the samples of the ex vivo whole blood model, the plasma concentrations of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9, #DY911, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA), IL-6 (#555220, BD Biosciences, San Jose, USA), and IL-8 (#DY208, R&D Systems) were measured in citrate-anticoagulated plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the respective manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Infection

Journal: Non-coding RNA Research

Article Title: CircSMAD4 shapes matrix-remodeling TAMs in lung adenocarcinoma

doi: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2026.03.003

Figure Lengend Snippet: circSMAD4 drives tumor-educated M2-like polarization of macrophages and promotes tumor-cell aggressiveness. (A) Workflow for generating TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs, circSMAD4 knockdown, and downstream functional assays. (B) RT–qPCR analysis of M1-associated markers (MHC-II [HLA-DRA in TC-hMDMs; H2-Ab1 in TC-BMDMs], NOS2, and CD86) and M2-associated markers (CD163, CD206, and ARG1) in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (C) Representative flow-cytometry histograms for HLA-DR, iNOS, CD86, CD163, CD206, and ARG1 in TC-hMDMs. Gating strategy and marker thresholds were defined based on FMO controls (see ). (D) Flow-cytometry quantification of marker-positive cells in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (E) ELISA of IL-10, TGF-β, and iNOS in culture supernatants. (F) CCK-8 assays of A549 and LLC cells. (G) Colony-formation assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. (H) Bioluminescence-based growth readouts of patient-derived LUAD organoids (PDO #1 and PDO #2) after co-culture with TC-hMDMs. (I) Immunoblot analysis of EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin) in A549 and LLC cells. (J) Transwell migration and invasion assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. Scale bar, 50 μm. ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human IL-10 was quantified using IL-10 DuoSet ELISA (R&D Systems, Cat# DY217B), and human TGF-β1 was measured using the Human TGF beta-1 ELISA Kit (Invitrogen, Cat# BMS249-4).

Techniques: Knockdown, Functional Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Flow Cytometry, Marker, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, CCK-8 Assay, Derivative Assay, Co-Culture Assay, Western Blot, Migration

Journal: Non-coding RNA Research

Article Title: CircSMAD4 shapes matrix-remodeling TAMs in lung adenocarcinoma

doi: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2026.03.003

Figure Lengend Snippet: circSMAD4 drives tumor-educated M2-like polarization of macrophages and promotes tumor-cell aggressiveness. (A) Workflow for generating TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs, circSMAD4 knockdown, and downstream functional assays. (B) RT–qPCR analysis of M1-associated markers (MHC-II [HLA-DRA in TC-hMDMs; H2-Ab1 in TC-BMDMs], NOS2, and CD86) and M2-associated markers (CD163, CD206, and ARG1) in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (C) Representative flow-cytometry histograms for HLA-DR, iNOS, CD86, CD163, CD206, and ARG1 in TC-hMDMs. Gating strategy and marker thresholds were defined based on FMO controls (see ). (D) Flow-cytometry quantification of marker-positive cells in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (E) ELISA of IL-10, TGF-β, and iNOS in culture supernatants. (F) CCK-8 assays of A549 and LLC cells. (G) Colony-formation assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. (H) Bioluminescence-based growth readouts of patient-derived LUAD organoids (PDO #1 and PDO #2) after co-culture with TC-hMDMs. (I) Immunoblot analysis of EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin) in A549 and LLC cells. (J) Transwell migration and invasion assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. Scale bar, 50 μm. ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human IL-10 was quantified using IL-10 DuoSet ELISA (R&D Systems, Cat# DY217B), and human TGF-β1 was measured using the Human TGF beta-1 ELISA Kit (Invitrogen, Cat# BMS249-4).

Techniques: Knockdown, Functional Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Flow Cytometry, Marker, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, CCK-8 Assay, Derivative Assay, Co-Culture Assay, Western Blot, Migration

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: C-terminal interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) overexpression drives EMT and a vulnerability to ferroptosis in HNSCC

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104172

Figure Lengend Snippet: Characterization of IL-1α overexpression constructs in Cal27 HNSCC cells. Gene expression (A-C), protein release (D) and protein expression (E-G) of the three IL1A constructs – Full- Length (FL), N-terminal (NT) and C-terminal (CT) in the Cal27 IL-1α-overexpressing cells were analyzed by RT-qPCR, ELISA and Western blot respectively compared to control. GAPDH was used as an endogenous control for PCR analysis (A-C); α-Tubulin was used as the loading control for whole cell lysate and cytoplasmic fraction western blots (E-F); and Lamin B1 was used as the loading control for the nuclear fraction Western blot (G). Bars represent mean ± SEM from n = 3 independent experiments. IL-1α band intensities were normalized to the respective loading controls. ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Cell culture media from IL-1α overexpressed Cal27 cells were collected for analyzing the levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 or IL-1RA using Human Duo Set ELISA kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) according to the manufacturer's protocols.

Techniques: Over Expression, Construct, Gene Expression, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western Blot, Control

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: C-terminal interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) overexpression drives EMT and a vulnerability to ferroptosis in HNSCC

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104172

Figure Lengend Snippet: IL-1α overexpression alters expression of IL-1 pathway genes. Gene expression of IL1B (A), IL6 (B), IL8 (C), IL1RN (D), IL1RAP (E) and IL1R1 (F) in the three IL1A constructs – Full-Length (FL), N-terminal (NT) and C-terminal (CT) in Cal27 IL-1αoverexpressing cells were analyzed by RT-PCR using GAPDH as an endogenous control. Protein secretion of IL-1β (G), IL-6 (H), IL-8 (I), and IL1RA (J) in cell culture supernatants was quantified by ELISA with protein concentrations normalized to cell numbers. Whole cell lysates were analyzed for IL-1R1 expression by Western blot using GAPDH as a loading control (K). Bars represent mean ± SEM from n = 3 independent experiments.∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Cell culture media from IL-1α overexpressed Cal27 cells were collected for analyzing the levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 or IL-1RA using Human Duo Set ELISA kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) according to the manufacturer's protocols.

Techniques: Over Expression, Expressing, Gene Expression, Construct, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, Control, Cell Culture, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western Blot