Traditional Chinese medicine Pien-Tze-Huang ameliorates LPS-induced sepsis through bile acid-mediated activation of TGR5-STAT3-A20 signalling.

Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a class I nationally protected traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat liver diseases such as hepatitis; however, the effect of PZH on the progression of sepsis is unknown. Here, we reported that PZH attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis in mice and reduced LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages by inhibiting the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling. Mechanistically, PZH stimulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation to induce the expression of A20, which could inhibit the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling.

Demethylase JMJD2D induces PD-L1 expression to promote colorectal cancer immune escape by enhancing IFNGR1-STAT3-IRF1 signaling.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an important immunosuppressive molecule highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells. IFNγ triggered cancer cell immunosuppression against CD8 T cell surveillance via up-regulation of PD-L1. Histone demethylase JMJD2D promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) progression; however, the role of JMJD2D in cancer immune escape is unknown.