Featured Publications
TNFR2/14-3-3ε signaling complex instructs macrophage plasticity in inflammation and autoimmunity
Fu W, Hu W, Yi Y, Hettinghouse A, Sun G, Bi Y, He W, Zhang L, Gao G, Liu J, Toyo-oka K, Xiao G, Solit D, Loke P, Liu C. TNFR2/14-3-3ε signaling complex instructs macrophage plasticity in inflammation and autoimmunity. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131 PMID: 34185706, PMCID: PMC8363273, DOI: 10.1172/jci144016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMacrophage polarizationMacrophage plasticityPI3K/Akt/mTORPathogenesis of inflammationMyeloid-specific deletionNF-κB activationAkt/mTORInflammatory arthritisAntiinflammatory pathwayImmunoregulatory roleAutoimmune diseasesProtective effectTherapeutic implicationsInflammationTNFR2 signalingAutoimmunityTNFR2TNFR2 activationReceptor complexDiseaseIntracellular regulatorsActivationMolecule 14TNFR1ArthritisFexofenadine inhibits TNF signaling through targeting to cytosolic phospholipase A2 and is therapeutic against inflammatory arthritis
Liu R, Chen Y, Fu W, Wang S, Cui Y, Zhao X, Lei Z, Hettinghouse A, Liu J, Wang C, Zhang C, Bi Y, Xiao G, Chen Z, Liu C. Fexofenadine inhibits TNF signaling through targeting to cytosolic phospholipase A2 and is therapeutic against inflammatory arthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2019, 78: 1524. PMID: 31302596, PMCID: PMC8157820, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-TNF activityCytosolic phospholipase A2Inflammatory arthritisTNF-α transgenic miceInflammatory arthritis modelInflammatory rheumatic diseasesCollagen-induced arthritisAnti-inflammatory activityPhospholipase A2New therapeutic interventionsActivated B cellsTNF-α signalingNecrosis factor-alpha signalingDrug affinity responsive target stabilityDBA/1 miceRheumatic diseasesArthritis modelAutoimmune diseasesCellular thermal shiftSerial screeningB cellsTransgenic miceArthritisDrug AdministrationTherapeutic interventionsThe Growth Factor Progranulin Binds to TNF Receptors and Is Therapeutic Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice
Tang W, Lu Y, Tian QY, Zhang Y, Guo FJ, Liu GY, Syed NM, Lai Y, Lin EA, Kong L, Su J, Yin F, Ding AH, Zanin-Zhorov A, Dustin ML, Tao J, Craft J, Yin Z, Feng JQ, Abramson SB, Yu XP, Liu CJ. The Growth Factor Progranulin Binds to TNF Receptors and Is Therapeutic Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice. Science 2011, 332: 478-484. PMID: 21393509, PMCID: PMC3104397, DOI: 10.1126/science.1199214.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalArthritis, ExperimentalCartilage, ArticularFemaleGranulinsHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLigandsMaleMiceMice, Inbred StrainsMice, KnockoutMice, TransgenicMiddle AgedProgranulinsProtein Interaction Domains and MotifsReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type IReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type IIRecombinant Fusion ProteinsRecombinant ProteinsSignal TransductionT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaYoung AdultConceptsInflammatory arthritisAdministration of progranulinAntagonist of TNFαCollagen-induced arthritisArthritis mouse modelPGRN-deficient miceNew potential therapeutic interventionsPotential therapeutic interventionsGrowth factor progranulinNecrosis factor receptorRheumatoid arthritisMouse modelArthritisTherapeutic interventionsProgranulinTNF receptorFactor receptorMiceReceptorsInflammationTissue repairTNFαIntracellular signalingAtsttrinTNFR
2023
Tau deficiency inhibits classically activated macrophage polarization and protects against collagen-induced arthritis in mice
Chen M, Fu W, Xu H, Liu C. Tau deficiency inhibits classically activated macrophage polarization and protects against collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2023, 25: 146. PMID: 37559125, PMCID: PMC10410869, DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03133-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInflammatory cell infiltrationPro-inflammatory cytokinesRheumatoid arthritisAnkle jointSerum levelsCell infiltrationMacrophage polarizationOsteoclast activityCartilage damagePathogenesis of RACollagen-induced arthritis modelTau-/- miceCollagen-induced arthritisInflammatory joint diseasePro-inflammatory functionsProgression of CIAPotential therapeutic targetRole of tauInflammatory arthritisBone erosionArthritis incidenceBone lossClinical scoresArthritis modelInflammatory disorders
2022
Penfluridol targets acid sphingomyelinase to inhibit TNF signaling and is therapeutic against inflammatory autoimmune diseases
Chen Y, Liu R, Cui Y, Hettinghouse A, Fu W, Zhang L, Zhang C, Liu C. Penfluridol targets acid sphingomyelinase to inhibit TNF signaling and is therapeutic against inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2022, 24: 27. PMID: 35045889, PMCID: PMC8767691, DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02713-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInflammatory autoimmune diseaseAnti-TNF activityNF-κB activationInflammatory arthritisAutoimmune diseasesAcid sphingomyelinase activityTherapeutic effectTumor necrosis factor αInhibitory effectTNFα-transgenic miceCollagen-induced arthritisSeverity of arthritisInflammatory cytokine productionM1 macrophage polarizationBone marrow-derived macrophagesNecrosis factor αNF-κB activitySphingomyelinase activitySmall molecule drug libraryRAW 264.7 macrophage cell lineMarrow-derived macrophagesAcid sphingomyelinaseDrug affinity responsive target stabilityCytokine productionChronic schizophrenia
2018
Role of ADAMTS‐12 in Protecting Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice By Interacting With and Inactivating Proinflammatory Connective Tissue Growth Factor
Wei J, Fu W, Hettinghouse A, He W, Lipson K, Liu C. Role of ADAMTS‐12 in Protecting Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice By Interacting With and Inactivating Proinflammatory Connective Tissue Growth Factor. Arthritis & Rheumatology 2018, 70: 1745-1756. PMID: 29750395, PMCID: PMC6203634, DOI: 10.1002/art.40552.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConnective tissue growth factorCIA mouse modelADAMTS-12Inflammatory arthritisTissue growth factorMouse modelCollagen-induced arthritis modelGrowth factorRheumatoid arthritis developmentEnzyme-linked immunosorbentRA patientsArthritis developmentPannus formationSerum levelsCartilage destructionArthritis modelInflammatory cytokinesEnhanced osteoclastogenesisHealthy subjectsArthritisAnkle jointTomography scanningInflammationSusceptibility genesCritical regulatorEstablishment of a Modified Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model to Investigate the Anti-inflammatory Activity of Progranulin in Inflammatory Arthritis
Wei J, Liu C. Establishment of a Modified Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model to Investigate the Anti-inflammatory Activity of Progranulin in Inflammatory Arthritis. Methods In Molecular Biology 2018, 1806: 305-313. PMID: 29956284, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8559-3_20.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChicken type II collagenArthritis mouse modelPGRN-deficient miceInflammatory arthritisAnti-inflammatory activityMouse modelDeficient miceCollagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse ModelProtective roleCollagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse modelAutoimmune inflammatory arthritisHuman rheumatoid arthritisAutoimmune modelComplete Freund'sRheumatoid arthritisDegenerative arthritisPathological featuresDegenerative osteoarthritisControl littermatesCIA modelArthritisHigh incidenceType II collagenProgranulinDisease models
2017
Progranulin derivative Atsttrin protects against early osteoarthritis in mouse and rat models
Wei J, Fu W, Ding Y, Hettinghouse A, Lendhey M, Schwarzkopf R, Kennedy O, Liu C. Progranulin derivative Atsttrin protects against early osteoarthritis in mouse and rat models. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2017, 19: 280. PMID: 29258611, PMCID: PMC5735869, DOI: 10.1186/s13075-017-1485-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTherapeutic effectOA modelPain-related markersAnti-catabolic effectsRole of progranulinDegenerative joint diseaseMurine OA modelMultiple murine modelsNew therapeutic alternativesTumor necrosis factor receptorIntra-articular deliveryNecrosis factor receptorInflammatory arthritisPGRN deficiencyOA phenotypeSafranin O stainingTherapeutic alternativeRat modelJoint diseaseOsteoarthritis progressionPreventative effectMurine modelCartilage degradationDegenerative factorsEarly osteoarthritis
2016
Foxo4‐ and Stat3‐dependent IL‐10 production by progranulin in regulatory T cells restrains inflammatory arthritis
Fu W, Hu W, Shi L, Mundra J, Xiao G, Dustin M, Liu C. Foxo4‐ and Stat3‐dependent IL‐10 production by progranulin in regulatory T cells restrains inflammatory arthritis. The FASEB Journal 2016, 31: 1354-1367. PMID: 28011648, PMCID: PMC5349791, DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601134r.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArthritis, ExperimentalCell Cycle ProteinsCells, CulturedForkhead Transcription FactorsGranulinsIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsInterleukin-10MAP Kinase Signaling SystemMiceMice, Inbred DBAPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProgranulinsSTAT3 Transcription FactorT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryConceptsIL-10 productionRegulatory T cellsInflammatory arthritisIL-10T cellsAnti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10Forkhead box protein O4PI3K pathwayCollagen-induced arthritisCytokine IL-10Green fluorescent protein reporter miceTranscription factorsSequencing screenSignal transducerJNK signalingTranscription 3K pathwayImmunological mechanismsAutoimmune diseasesInflammatory conditionsMouse modelArthritisPresent new insightsReporter miceProgranulin
2013
Progranulin deficiency exaggerates, whereas progranulin‐derived Atsttrin attenuates, severity of dermatitis in mice
Zhao Y, Tian Q, Liu C. Progranulin deficiency exaggerates, whereas progranulin‐derived Atsttrin attenuates, severity of dermatitis in mice. FEBS Letters 2013, 587: 1805-1810. PMID: 23669357, PMCID: PMC3683372, DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.04.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInflammatory skin diseaseSeverity of dermatitisMouse dermatitis modelNF-κB signalingPotential molecular targetsInflammatory arthritisDermatitis modelSkin inflammationPGRN levelsSevere inflammationProgranulin deficiencySkin diseasesProtective roleInflammationMolecular targetsPGRNAtsttrinDermatitisOxazoloneArthritisTNFαProgranulinDiseaseMiceProtein
2011
Progranulin: A growth factor, a novel TNFR ligand and a drug target
Liu C, Bosch X. Progranulin: A growth factor, a novel TNFR ligand and a drug target. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2011, 133: 124-132. PMID: 22008260, PMCID: PMC4429904, DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.10.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGrowth factorAdministration of progranulinCollagen-induced arthritisAnti-inflammatory effectsArthritis mouse modelAnti-inflammatory propertiesExact molecular pathwaysInflammatory arthritisRheumatoid arthritisNeurotrophic factorArthritic processImmune cellsNecrosis factorMouse modelTNFR ligandsProgranulinFrontotemporal dementiaPGRN proteinArthritisPGRN geneExperimental modelCancer cellsCrucial mediatorEpithelial cellsChondrogenic growth factorsProgranulin: A promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis
Liu C. Progranulin: A promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis. FEBS Letters 2011, 585: 3675-3680. PMID: 21550343, PMCID: PMC3162080, DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.04.065.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTNF receptorRheumatoid arthritisAntagonist of TNFαInflammatory arthritis modelPathogenesis of arthritisPromising therapeutic targetAutocrine growth factorNew therapeutic interventionsInflammatory arthritisArthritis modelInflammatory cytokinesArthritisTherapeutic targetTherapeutic interventionsProgranulinCell surface receptorsGrowth factorExtracellular matrix proteinsSurface receptorsReceptorsAtsttrinProteolytic enzymesMatrix proteinsInflammationCytokinesScience Signaling Podcast: 26 April 2011
Liu C, VanHook A. Science Signaling Podcast: 26 April 2011. Science Signaling 2011, 4 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2002099.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTumor necrosis factor receptorInflammatory arthritisSevere inflammatory arthritisTumor necrosis factorSeverity of symptomsGrowth factor progranulinNecrosis factor receptorPGRN treatmentRheumatoid arthritisNecrosis factorNormal miceMouse modelArthritisGrowth factorSenior authorProgranulinFactor receptorSymptomsMiceGroup findingsImmunizationTNFαFindingsSeverity