Featured Publications
PGRN deficiency exacerbates, whereas a brain penetrant PGRN derivative protects, GBA1 mutation-associated pathologies and diseases
Zhao X, Lin Y, Liou B, Fu W, Jian J, Fannin V, Zhang W, Setchell K, Grabowski G, Sun Y, Liu C. PGRN deficiency exacerbates, whereas a brain penetrant PGRN derivative protects, GBA1 mutation-associated pathologies and diseases. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 120: e2210442120. PMID: 36574647, PMCID: PMC9910439, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210442120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood-brain barrierParkinson's diseaseGaucher diseasePGRN deficiencyPD-like phenotypesRelevant mouse modelRare lysosomal storage diseaseCommon neurodegenerative disorderVisceral symptomsNeurobehavioral deficitsSevere neuroinflammationPD pathologyLysosomal storage diseaseTherapeutic studiesMouse modelNeuronopathic involvementProgranulinImpaired autophagyNeurodegenerative disordersGD phenotypeEarly onsetMiceDiseaseFirst linePathologyTNFR2/14-3-3ε 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 14TNFR1Arthritis14-3-3 epsilon is an intracellular component of TNFR2 receptor complex and its activation protects against osteoarthritis
Fu W, Hettinghouse A, Chen Y, Hu W, Ding X, Chen M, Ding Y, Mundra J, Song W, Liu R, Yi Y, Attur M, Samuels J, Strauss E, Leucht P, Schwarzkopf R, Liu C. 14-3-3 epsilon is an intracellular component of TNFR2 receptor complex and its activation protects against osteoarthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2021, 80: 1615-1627. PMID: 34226187, PMCID: PMC8595573, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPathogenesis of osteoarthritisTNFR2 complexTherapeutic effectSingle-cell RNA-seqIntracellular componentsReceptor complexExtracellular signal-regulated kinaseNuclear factor kappa BSignal-regulated kinaseCommon joint diseaseFactor kappa BChondrocyte-specific deletionProteomic screenElk-1RNA-seqTranscription factorsCell-based assaysTNF signalingTNFR2 pathwayInducible componentJoint diseaseActivity screenTherapeutic targetKappa BOsteoarthritisFexofenadine 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 interventionsProgranulin protects against osteoarthritis through interacting with TNF-α and β-Catenin signalling
Zhao Y, Liu B, Tian Q, Wei J, Richbourgh B, Liu C. Progranulin protects against osteoarthritis through interacting with TNF-α and β-Catenin signalling. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2014, 74: 2244. PMID: 25169730, PMCID: PMC4408266, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205779.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPGRN-deficient miceProgression of OAOA modelTumor necrosis factor αMechanism of progranulinRecombinant PGRN proteinArthritis mouse modelOA-like phenotypeRole of progranulinNecrosis factor αPathogenesis of OAJoint degenerative diseaseTNF receptor 2Degradation of cartilageExtracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2Signal-regulated kinase 1/2Β-catenin signalingInflammatory actionsOA progressionAnabolic biomarkersAnabolic effectsOA developmentSafranin O stainingTherapeutic roleMouse modelADAMTS-7 forms a positive feedback loop with TNF-α in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis
Lai Y, Bai X, Zhao Y, Tian Q, Liu B, Lin E, Chen Y, Lee B, Appleton C, Beier F, Yu X, Liu C. ADAMTS-7 forms a positive feedback loop with TNF-α in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2013, 73: 1575. PMID: 23928557, PMCID: PMC4418017, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203561.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsADAMTS-7ADAMTS-7 expressionRat OA modelPathogenesis of osteoarthritisNF-κB signalingOA modelOA progressionCartilage degradationOA-like phenotypeTumor necrosis factorProgression of osteoarthritisJoint degenerative diseaseDownstream NF-κB signalingPotential molecular targetsPositive feedback loopShort-limbed dwarfismDisease progressionOA developmentNecrosis factorSafranin O stainingYoung miceUpregulated TNFReporter gene assayOsteoarthritisTransgenic miceThe 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
2024
Novel peptide inhibitor of human tumor necrosis factor-α has antiarthritic activity
Sahu D, Gupta C, Yennamalli R, Sharma S, Roy S, Hasan S, Gupta P, Sharma V, Kashyap S, Kumar S, Dwivedi V, Zhao X, Panda A, Das H, Liu C. Novel peptide inhibitor of human tumor necrosis factor-α has antiarthritic activity. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 12935. PMID: 38839973, PMCID: PMC11153517, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63790-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein-protein interactionsGel mobility-shift assaysCollagen-induced arthritisMobility-shift assaysCell surface receptorsFluorescence-activated cell sortingSequence strandsBinding of TNFIn silico methodsCell deathMouse modelSurface receptorsNuclear translocationTrimer formationCell culture assaysRheumatoid arthritisVicious cycle of inflammationModel of collagen-induced arthritisTumor necrosis factor-aCell sortingMouse model of collagen-induced arthritisA549 cellsCycle of inflammationInflammatory bone destructionCulture assay
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
2021
Progranulin promotes bone fracture healing via TNFR pathways in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Ding Y, Wei J, Hettinghouse A, Li G, Li X, Einhorn T, Liu C. Progranulin promotes bone fracture healing via TNFR pathways in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2021, 1490: 77-89. PMID: 33543485, PMCID: PMC8138780, DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14568.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsType 2 diabetes mellitusRole of progranulinBone fracture healingFracture healingDiabetes mellitusT2DM modelType 1 diabetic conditionAnti-inflammatory activityTranscription-polymerase chain reactionLocal administrationBone marrow cellsExogenous progranulinMKR micePGRN effectsPrimary bone marrow cellsFracture riskDiabetic conditionsPGRN mRNABone fragilityImmunohistochemical stainingMetabolic disordersRecombinant progranulinBone fracturesProgranulinTherapeutic potential
2020
Monitoring Atsttrin-Mediated Inhibition of TNFα/NF-κβ Activation Through In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging
Hettinghouse A, Fu W, Liu C. Monitoring Atsttrin-Mediated Inhibition of TNFα/NF-κβ Activation Through In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging. Methods In Molecular Biology 2020, 2248: 201-210. PMID: 33185877, PMCID: PMC8140391, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1130-2_14.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor necrosis factorDouble mutant miceNF-κBOverexpression of TNFMutant miceBioluminescence imagingTransgenic reporter mouse modelNF-κB luciferaseNF-κβ activationVivo bioluminescence imagingReporter mouse modelAutoimmune conditionsTNF-TgNF-κβNecrosis factorImmune responseMouse modelMolecular mediatorsTransgenic modelTherapeutic objectivesVivo efficacyProgranulinPotential therapeuticsAtsttrinLuciferase activity
2019
Progranulin deficiency exacerbates spinal cord injury by promoting neuroinflammation and cell apoptosis in mice
Wang C, Zhang L, Ndong J, Hettinghouse A, Sun G, Chen C, Zhang C, Liu R, Liu C. Progranulin deficiency exacerbates spinal cord injury by promoting neuroinflammation and cell apoptosis in mice. Journal Of Neuroinflammation 2019, 16: 238. PMID: 31775776, PMCID: PMC6882111, DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1630-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBasso Mouse ScaleNeurological recoverySpinal cord injuryCord injuryWestern blottingWild-type littermate miceMacrophages/microgliaPromising therapeutic approachWeight-drop techniqueNew therapeutic targetsHuge economic burdenPro-apoptotic effectsPLGA thermosensitive hydrogelFunctional recoveryPGRN deficiencyPGRN expressionLittermate miceIntrathecal spaceProgranulin deficiencyTherapeutic approachesTherapeutic targetEconomic burdenWT controlsDay 21Day 7Progranulin promotes diabetic fracture healing in mice with type 1 diabetes
Wei J, Zhang L, Ding Y, Liu R, Guo Y, Hettinghouse A, Buza J, De La Croix J, Li X, Einhorn T, Liu C. Progranulin promotes diabetic fracture healing in mice with type 1 diabetes. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2019, 1460: 43-56. PMID: 31423598, PMCID: PMC8138779, DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14208.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsChondrogenesisDiabetes Mellitus, ExperimentalDiabetes Mellitus, Type 1Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP KinasesFracture HealingGene DeletionHumansInflammationMiceProgranulinsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktReceptors, Tumor Necrosis FactorRecombinant ProteinsSignal TransductionTOR Serine-Threonine KinasesTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaConceptsDiabetic fracture healingFracture healingTumor necrosis factor receptorProinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosisType 1 diabetes mellitusAnti-inflammatory signaling pathwaysCytokine tumor necrosisType 1 diabetesNovel therapeutic intervention strategiesGrowth factor-like moleculesTherapeutic intervention strategiesNecrosis factor receptorDiabetic fractureBone fracture healingDiabetes mellitusInsulin deficiencyAutoimmune diseasesTumor necrosisTherapeutic effectBone fracturesVivo modelDiabetesFactor receptorHealingIntervention strategiesProgranulin: A conductor of receptors orchestra, a chaperone of lysosomal enzymes and a therapeutic target for multiple diseases
Cui Y, Hettinghouse A, Liu C. Progranulin: A conductor of receptors orchestra, a chaperone of lysosomal enzymes and a therapeutic target for multiple diseases. Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews 2019, 45: 53-64. PMID: 30733059, PMCID: PMC6450552, DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2019.01.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTherapeutic targetInflammatory autoimmune diseaseRare lysosomal storage diseaseCommon neurological diseasesPromising therapeutic targetPreclinical disease modelsDrug development strategiesExtracellular progranulinAutoimmune diseasesClinical trialsLysosomal storage diseaseTherapeutic strategiesNeurological diseasesKinds of diseasesProgranulinDiseaseDisease modelsStorage diseaseMultiple membrane receptorsPathological statesTissue repairMultiple diseasesLysosomal enzymesPleiotropic functionsDiverse pathological states
2018
Progranulin associates with hexosaminidase A and ameliorates GM2 ganglioside accumulation and lysosomal storage in Tay-Sachs disease
Chen Y, Jian J, Hettinghouse A, Zhao X, Setchell K, Sun Y, Liu C. Progranulin associates with hexosaminidase A and ameliorates GM2 ganglioside accumulation and lysosomal storage in Tay-Sachs disease. Journal Of Molecular Medicine 2018, 96: 1359-1373. PMID: 30341570, PMCID: PMC6240367, DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1703-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRole 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 regulatorp204 Is Required for Canonical Lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 Signaling in Mice
Yi Y, Jian J, Gonzalez-Gugel E, Shi Y, Tian Q, Fu W, Hettinghouse A, Song W, Liu R, He M, Qi H, Yang J, Du X, Xiao G, Chen L, Liu C. p204 Is Required for Canonical Lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 Signaling in Mice. EBioMedicine 2018, 29: 78-91. PMID: 29472103, PMCID: PMC5925582, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.02.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCells, CulturedCytokinesGenotypeImmunity, InnateInflammasomesInflammation MediatorsInterferon Regulatory Factor-3Interferon-betaLipopolysaccharidesMacrophage ActivationMacrophagesMiceMice, KnockoutModels, BiologicalNF-kappa BNuclear ProteinsPhosphoproteinsProtein BindingProtein MultimerizationRAW 264.7 CellsShock, SepticSignal TransductionToll-Like Receptor 4ConceptsPro-inflammatory cytokinesLPS challengeIRF-3 pathwayDimerization of TLR4Serum levelsLPS-TLR4TLR4 signalingNF-ĸBAnimal modelsPyrin domainInnate immunityExtracellular LPSInterferon-inducible p200 familyInfectious diseasesLPSMicePotential targetTLR4IFNCytokinesMacrophagesBacterial DNASignificant defectsDramatic reductionPathway
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