International immunopharmacology
-
Int. Immunopharmacol. · Dec 2012
Alantolactone suppresses inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by down-regulating NF-κB, MAPK and AP-1 via the MyD88 signaling pathway in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells.
Several sesquiterpene lactones are the active components of several medicinal plants and have been demonstrated to perform various pharmacological functions. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of alantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the root of Aucklandia lappa, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Alantolactone inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and mRNA transcription, as well as the downstream products, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). ⋯ A further study indicated that alantolactone attenuated the phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the expression of MyD88 and Toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP), an upstream signaling molecule required for IKK and MAPKs activation. Taken together, these results suggest that alantolactone exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing NF-κB activation and MAPKs phophorylation via downregulation of the MyD88 signaling pathway. Thus, alantolactone may provide a useful therapeutic approach for inflammation-associated diseases.
-
Int. Immunopharmacol. · Nov 2012
The therapeutic efficacy of Ulinastatin for rats with smoking inhalation injury.
Smoke inhalation injury represents a major cause of mortality in burn patients and is associated with a high incidence of pulmonary complications. Ulinastatin (UTI) has been widely used as a drug for patients with severe burn, sepsis, severe acute pancreatitis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In view of the critical role of inflammatory response in pathogenesis of smoke inhalation-induced lung injury and the anti-inflammatory effects of UTI, we hypothesized that treatment with UTI could lessen smoke inhalation-induced lung injury. ⋯ In addition, UTI mitigated the inflammatory response, and further prevented the initiation of downstream inflammatory cascades: NF-κB and p-JNK. Importantly, UTI also mitigated smoke inhalation-induced pulmonary fibrosis as evidenced by Masson-Goldner trichrome staining with the content of hydroxyproline and collagens I and III. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that UTI protected rat against smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury and the subsequent development of pulmonary fibrosis.
-
Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2012
Gene expression profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid.
Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major virulence factor of Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus. Despite its pivotal role in causing sepsis, the systemic immune responses to LTA in human cells are poorly understood. Here, we produced highly-pure and structurally-intact LTA from S. aureus and examined the gene expression profile of LTA-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). ⋯ The down-regulated genes were involved in recognition (12 genes), antigen processing and presentation (9 genes), signal transduction (27 genes), and chemotaxis (3 genes). The microarray results were validated using real-time RT-PCR with 21 up-regulated genes and 9 down-regulated genes. Our results provide a more comprehensive overview of the transcriptional changes in PBMCs in response to S. aureus LTA, and contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiological role of S. aureus LTA during the systemic inflammatory response.
-
Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2012
A supercritical CO₂ extract from seabuckthorn leaves inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators via inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinase p38 and transcription factor nuclear factor-κB.
In the present study, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of supercritical CO₂ extract of seabuckthorn leaves (SCE) on mouse alveolar macrophage cell line (MH-S), human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) in-vitro and in-vivo. Treatment of MH-S cells with SCE (0.5-100 μg/ml) significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production. It also inhibited the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, which was further confirmed by suppression of LPS induced TNF-α in hPBMCs by ELISPOT assay. ⋯ The in-vivo model of AIA mice also showed a significant reduction in the inflammation of paw edema. These data collectively suggest that SCE suppressed the LPS-induced production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α and expression of CD40, iNOS and COX-2 proteins by inhibiting NF-κB activation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Hence, the SCE has potent anti-inflammatory activity and might be useful in chronic inflammatory diseases.
-
Int. Immunopharmacol. · Jul 2012
Diabetes increases inflammation and lung injury associated with protective ventilation strategy in mice.
Mechanical ventilation may paradoxically cause lung injury. Protective mechanical ventilation strategy utilizing low tidal volume and high frequency has been shown to attenuate inflammation and reduce mortality in non-diabetic patients. The purpose of this present study was to observe the effects of diabetes on inflammation and lung injury in mice with protective ventilation strategy. ⋯ Diabetes increased the inflammation reaction and associated lung injury in mice in spite of the protective mechanical ventilation strategy based on low tidal volumes and high frequency.