Design of Rational JAK3 Inhibitors Based on the Parent Core Structure of 1,7-Dihydro-Dipyrrolo [2,3-b:3',2'-e] Pyridine.

JAK3 differs from other JAK family members in terms of tissue distribution and functional properties, making it a promising target for autoimmune disease treatment. However, due to the high homology of these family members, targeting JAK3 selectively is difficult. As a result, exploiting small changes or selectively boosting affinity within the ATP binding region to produce new tailored inhibitors of JAK3 is extremely beneficial. PubChem CID 137321159 was used as the lead inhibitor in this study to preserve the characteristic structure and to collocate it with the redesigned new parent core structure, from which a series of 1,7-dihydro-dipyrrolo [2,3-b:3',2'-e] pyridine derivatives were obtained using the backbone growth method. From the proposed compounds, 14 inhibitors of JAK3 were found based on the docking scoring evaluation. The RMSD and MM/PBSA methods of molecular dynamics simulations were also used to confirm the stable nature of this series of complex systems, and the weak protein−ligand interactions during the dynamics were graphically evaluated and further investigated. The results demonstrated that the new parent core structure fully occupied the hydrophobic cavity, enhanced the interactions of residues LEU828, VAL836, LYS855, GLU903, LEU905 and LEU956, and maintained the structural stability. Apart from this, the results of the analysis show that the binding efficiency of the designed inhibitors of JAK3 is mainly achieved by electrostatic and VDW interactions and the order of the binding free energy with JAK3 is: 8 (−70.286 kJ/mol) > 11 (−64.523 kJ/mol) > 6 (−51.225 kJ/mol) > 17 (−42.822 kJ/mol) > 10 (−40.975 kJ/mol) > 19 (−39.754 kJ/mol). This study may provide a valuable reference for the discovery of novel JAK3 inhibitors for those patients with immune diseases.

Effect of EGCG on bronchial epithelial cell premalignant lesions induced by cigarette smoke and on its CYP1A1 expression.

Epigallocatechin­3­gallate (EGCG) has been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer effects; however, the mechanisms behind these are not yet clear. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of EGCG on smoking­induced, precancerous, bronchial epithelial cell lesions and determine a potential protective mechanism. Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Benzopyrene­DNA adducts were detected by immunofluorescence cytochemistry. Changes to microRNA (miRNA) expression levels were detected via microarray. The effects of EGCG on smoke­induced benzopyrene­DNA adduct formation and the subsequent change in miRNA expression were analyzed. Subsequently, the protective effect of EGCG on smoke inhalation­induced precancerous lesions was investigated. The expression levels of miRNA target genes were also analyzed. After CSE treatment, benzopyrene­DNA adducts appeared in HBE cells, along with a resultant change in miRNA expression. EGCG inhibited the effects of CSE exposure; benzopyrene­DNA adduct formation was reduced and miRNA expression changes were suppressed. In vivo, EGCG significantly reduced benzopyrene­DNA adduct formation and the subsequent development of precancerous lesions in rat lungs induced by cigarette smoke inhalation. Moreover, EGCG downregulated CYP1A1 overexpression, a target gene of multiple smoking­induced miRNAs, in rat lungs. EGCG may reduce the risk of lung cancer by downregulating the expression of the key gene CYP1A1, preventing the formation of smoking­induced benzopyrene­DNA adducts and alleviating smoking­induced bronchial epithelial dysplasia and heterogeneity.

The Intrapleural Bridge Connection is One of the Reasons for Unknown Localized Pleural Adhesion.

BACKGROUND: Simple signs of local pleural adhesion are often found in people during a physical examination. In the present study, we aimed to clarify whether the merely localized pleural adhesion was just caused by previous pleural inflammation or physiological variation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest X-ray image materials were collected to analyze the incidence of simple pleural adhesions. Moreover, the causes of these simple pleural adhesions were further analyzed using thoracoscopy under direct vision and biopsy data. RESULTS: In all 2218 chest X-ray images, 68 cases were found to have pleural lesions (3.07%), including 15 cases of localized pleural adhesion only. Subsequently, we analyzed the characteristics of 70 cases of pleural lesions using thoracoscopy. In two lung cancer patients with pleural metastasis, we found an unusual pleural junction. This connective strip was smooth and free of inflammation, resembling the normal pleura. CONCLUSION: Some of these purely localized pleural adhesions might be attributed to previous inflammation. However, there was still at least a possibility that there must be a physiological pleural junction, which could be the cause of the purely localized pleural adhesion shown in the chest radiograph.