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: 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: AIM2 overexpression reverses the immunosuppressive effects of TP in THP-1 cells. (A) Transfection with Ad-AIM2 upregulated the expression of AIM2 compared with that of Ad-NC in THP-1 cells. (B) AIM2 protein levels were elevated in THP-1 cells overexpressing AIM2 compared with control THP-1 cells. (C) In THP-1 cells, AIM2 overexpression increased the LDH leakage rate. (D) AIM2 overexpression reversed the TP-induced reduction in adhesion between THP-1 cells and HBEpiCs (scale bar, 10 μ m). (E) AIM2 overexpression enhanced the migration ability of THP-1 cells compared with that of H1N1-treated control cells and reversed the TP-induced decrease in THP-1 cell migration (scale bar, 50 μ m). (F) AIM2 overexpression reversed the TP-induced reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels. The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. Con; # P<0.05, ## P<0.01, ### P<0.001 vs. Ad-AIM2. AIM2, absent in melanoma 2; TP, triptolide; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; H1N1, influenza A; GSDMD, gasdermin D; 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: Over Expression, Transfection, Expressing, Control, Migration, Standard Deviation

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Glucose/ROS-responsive and redox-gated adaptive hydrogel dressing for accelerating diabetic wound repair via synergistic cGAS/STING pathway inhibition and oxidative stress alleviation

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.025

Figure Lengend Snippet: The cellular uptake and anti-inflammatory effect of HPSL in vitro . (A) Flow cytometry analysis and (B) semi-quantitative analysis of cellular uptake of PSL and blank NPs by M1 macrophages. n = 3. (C) Representative Giemsa staining images of LPS and high glucose-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with different formulations, scale bar = 50 μm. (D) Immunofluorescence staining and semi-quantitative analysis of CD68 (red) and iNOS (green) in RAW 264.7 cells from different treatment groups, scale bar = 50 μm. n = 6. (E) Immunofluorescence staining and semi-quantitative analysis of CD68 (green) and Arg-1 (red) in RAW 264.7 cells from different treatment groups, scale bar = 50 μm. n = 6. Western blotting analysis and corresponding semi-quantitative analysis of (F) STING/ p -STING, (G) TBK1/ p -TBK1, (H) IRF3/ p -IRF3, (I) NF-κB, (J) TNF-α, and (K) IL-6, Lane 1: Normal group, Lane 2: Model group, Lane 3: PSL group, Lane 4: Free H151 group, Lane 5: HPSL group. n = 3. All data are shown as mean ± SEM.

Article Snippet: VEGF-A and TNF-α-specific antibodies were purchased from Wanleibio (Shenyang, China).

Techniques: In Vitro, Flow Cytometry, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Western Blot

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Inhalable PD-L1-engineered hybrid cellular vesicles suppress excessive neutrophil activation and restore mitochondrial homeostasis to alleviate ischemia–reperfusion lung injury and pneumonia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.024

Figure Lengend Snippet: Characterization of Res-PD-L1@nmEVs . (A) Schematic illustration of the Res-PD-L1@nmEVs synthesis procedure. (B-D) Representative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, dynamic light scattering (DLS) size distributions, and zeta potential measurements of nEVs, PD-L1@mEVs, PD-L1@nmEVs, and Res-PD-L1@nmEVs. (E) PD-L1 expression in PD-L1-overexpressing MSCs (OE-PD-L1) and negative control (NC) MSCs, and CD11b expression in HL60 cells before and after DMSO stimulation, as determined by Western blot. (F) Expression levels of neutrophil membrane markers (CD11b, CXCR2, RAGE, TLR2) and the exosomal marker CD63 in the four EV types. (G) Fluorescence co-localization images of DiO-labeled nEVs (green) and DiL-labeled PD-L1@mEVs (red) after fusion, demonstrating hybrid vesicle formation. (H) Size stability of Res-PD-L1@nmEVs stored at 4 °C and 37 °C for 7 days. (I-K) Binding and neutralization capacity of Res-PD-L1@nmEVs against inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in vitro. ∗ vs. 0ug/ml; # vs. 100 μg/ml, p < 0.05, n = 5.

Article Snippet: These cells were then stimulated with 40 ng/mL recombinant TNF-α (C008, Novoprotein, China) for 6 h to induce an N1-type neutrophil phenotype.

Techniques: Transmission Assay, Electron Microscopy, Zeta Potential Analyzer, Expressing, Negative Control, Western Blot, Membrane, Marker, Fluorescence, Labeling, Binding Assay, Neutralization, In Vitro

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Inhalable PD-L1-engineered hybrid cellular vesicles suppress excessive neutrophil activation and restore mitochondrial homeostasis to alleviate ischemia–reperfusion lung injury and pneumonia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.024

Figure Lengend Snippet: Res-PD-L1@nmEVs Attenuate Inflammation and Oxidative Damage in Lung Epithelial Cells In Vitro . (A-B) Flow cytometric analysis and quantification (B) of DiO-labeled Res-PD-L1@nmEVs uptake by BEAS-2B cells under H/R conditions after pretreatment with different endocytic inhibitors (chlorpromazine, chloroquine, and filipin) or incubation at 4 °C. (C) mRNA expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in BEAS-2B cells with or without H/R injury following pretreatment with Res, nEVs, PD-L1@mEVs, PD-L1@nmEVs, or Res-PD-L1@nmEVs. (D-E) Representative fluorescence images (D) and quantitative analysis (E) of cell proliferation assessed by BrdU incorporation (red; nuclei stained with DAPI, blue). Scale bar: 50 μm. (F-G) Apoptosis rates detected by flow cytometry (F) and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V-positive BEAS-2B cells under the indicated conditions (G). (H–K) Fluorescence microscopy images and quantitative analysis of intracellular nitric oxide (NO, green) (H-I) and reactive oxygen species (ROS, red) (J-K). Scale bar: 100 μm. (L) Flow cytometry analysis of intracellular ROS levels. (M − O) Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (M), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) activity (N), and glutathione (GSH) content (O) in cells. (P-Q) Cell migration ability evaluated by wound healing assay under different treatments. ∗ vs. Control; # vs. H/R; & vs. H/R + PD-L1@nmEVs, p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: These cells were then stimulated with 40 ng/mL recombinant TNF-α (C008, Novoprotein, China) for 6 h to induce an N1-type neutrophil phenotype.

Techniques: In Vitro, Labeling, Incubation, Expressing, Fluorescence, BrdU Incorporation Assay, Staining, Flow Cytometry, Microscopy, Activity Assay, Migration, Wound Healing Assay, Control

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Inhalable PD-L1-engineered hybrid cellular vesicles suppress excessive neutrophil activation and restore mitochondrial homeostasis to alleviate ischemia–reperfusion lung injury and pneumonia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.024

Figure Lengend Snippet: Res-PD-L1@nmEVs Suppresses Neutrophil Activation HL60 cells were differentiated into neutrophil-like cells using DMSO and subsequently stimulated with TNF-α to induce activation under conditions simulating IRI. The effects of Res, nEVs, PD-L1@mEVs, PD-L1@nmEVs, and Res-PD-L1@nmEVs on neutrophil activation were evaluated. (A) Cell surface PD-1 expression analyzed by flow cytometry. (B) Representative immunofluorescence images of CD206 expression (red). Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar: 50 μm. (C) Flow cytometric analysis of cell surface CD206 expression. (D) Flow cytometric analysis of cell surface CD95 expression. (E-G) Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) (E), neutrophil elastase (NE) (F), and MMP-9 (G) in neutrophil culture supernatants, measured by ELISA. (H-J) BEAS-2B cells were co-cultured with neutrophils in the presence or absence of TNF-α stimulation. Apoptosis levels (I) and migration capacity (J) of BEAS-2B cells were assessed under different treatment conditions. ∗ vs. Control; # vs. TNF-a; & vs. TNF-a+PD-L1@nmEVs, p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: These cells were then stimulated with 40 ng/mL recombinant TNF-α (C008, Novoprotein, China) for 6 h to induce an N1-type neutrophil phenotype.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Expressing, Flow Cytometry, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Cell Culture, Migration, Control

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Inhalable PD-L1-engineered hybrid cellular vesicles suppress excessive neutrophil activation and restore mitochondrial homeostasis to alleviate ischemia–reperfusion lung injury and pneumonia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.024

Figure Lengend Snippet: Res-PD-L1@nmEVs Effectively Attenuates MRSA-Induced Pneumonia (A-B) Rats with MRSA-induced pneumonia received three bronchial nebulization treatments over one week with different formulations (Res, nEVs, PD-L1@mEVs, PD-L1@nmEVs, or Res-PD-L1@nmEVs). (A) Representative H&E-stained lung sections and (B) corresponding lung injury scores are shown (n = 5). (C) TUNEL staining of lung tissues to assess apoptosis. (D) Representative micro-CT images of anesthetized rats. (E-G) Flow cytometric analysis of immune cell proportions in lung single-cell suspensions: CD8 + T cells (E), neutrophils (F), and classical monocytes (G). (H-J) Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (H), IL-1β (I), and TNF-α (J) (n = 5). (K) Immunofluorescence staining of tight junction proteins Occludin (green) and ZO-1 (red) in lung tissues (nuclei stained with DAPI). Scale bar: 50 μm. (L-N) Pulmonary function parameters: lung compliance (L), airway resistance (M), and oxygenation index (N) (n = 4). ∗ vs. Sham; # vs. MRSA; & vs. MRSA + PD-L1@nmEVs, p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: These cells were then stimulated with 40 ng/mL recombinant TNF-α (C008, Novoprotein, China) for 6 h to induce an N1-type neutrophil phenotype.

Techniques: Staining, TUNEL Assay, Micro-CT, Single Cell, Clinical Proteomics, Immunofluorescence

Journal: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance

Article Title: Terpenic compounds possess anthelmintic and immunomodulatory properties with potential for controlling equine cyathostomin infections

doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2026.100642

Figure Lengend Snippet: Scatter plots of the association between TNF-α production and the IC 50 values (LDA and LMA) Scatter plots showing the association between TNF-α production percentage (expressed relative to the control) and the IC 50 values obtained in (left) the Larval Development Assay (LDA) and (right) the Larval Migration Assay (LMA) for six terpene compounds (anethole, cinnamaldehyde, menthol, carvacrol, eugenol and thymol). Each point represents the mean IC 50 and TNFα production for a given compound, and horizontal/vertical bars indicate the corresponding confidence intervals. Lower IC 50 values reflect higher antiparasitic potency.

Article Snippet: The cells were then incubated at +37 °C (5% CO 2 ) for 24 h. After incubation, the concentration of TNF-α in the medium for each condition was quantified by ELISA using mouse TNF-α paired antibodies (R and D Systems DY410).

Techniques: Control, Migration

Journal: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance

Article Title: Terpenic compounds possess anthelmintic and immunomodulatory properties with potential for controlling equine cyathostomin infections

doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2026.100642

Figure Lengend Snippet: Anti-inflammatory activity of carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on equine PBMC Boxplots showing TNF-α concentrations (ng/mL) measured in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to DMSO (0.05%), LPS (125 ng/mL), the combination of DMSO and LPS, carvacrol (5 μg/mL), cinnamaldehyde (5 μg/mL), the combination of either compound with LPS, and the untreated condition (control). Points represent individual replicates from four independent assays. Asterisks indicate significant differences relative to the corresponding control condition (∗ P = 0.01, ∗∗ P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: The cells were then incubated at +37 °C (5% CO 2 ) for 24 h. After incubation, the concentration of TNF-α in the medium for each condition was quantified by ELISA using mouse TNF-α paired antibodies (R and D Systems DY410).

Techniques: Activity Assay, Control

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Precisely regulated physically-crosslinked carriers enable synergetic release of bioactive factors for MSC-mediated cartilage regeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo chondrogenesis of hydrogels incorporated with different combinations of PSF and KSF. (a) Alcian blue and Safranin O staining of different combinations after 21-day implantation. G1: 5 % β-sheet PSF +5 % β-sheet KSF; G2: 15 % β-sheet PSF +30 % β-sheet KSF; G3: 30 % β-sheet PSF +40 % β-sheet KSF; G4: 40 % β-sheet PSF +50 % β-sheet KSF. Scale bar = 200 μm. (b–d) Quantitative analysis of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α surrounding defect cartilage 1 week and 3 weeks after operation. (e, f) Macroscopic and MRI observations of rat femoral condyles at week 6 and 12. Red circles and red arrows show the original defect zone under macroscope and MRI respectively. Scale bar = 1 mm. (g) Relative ratio of average optical density (versus G1) that shows the staining intensity of Alcian blue and Safranin O staining. (h) ICRS scoring of macroscopic evaluations. (i) The repaired cartilage using a nanoindentation instrument. Scale bar = 1 cm. (j, k) Reduced modulus and hardness of the regenerated cartilage. ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: The suspension was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 min at 4 °C, and the supernatant was collected, and Elisa assay was performed following the manufacturer's instructions for rat IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α ELISA kits (Elabscience, China).

Techniques: In Vivo, Staining