Inhibition of ABCA1 Protein Expression and Cholesterol Efflux by TNF α in MLO-Y4 Osteocytes

Endothelial ABCA1 expression protects against atherosclerosis and this atheroprotective effect is partially attributed to enhancing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux. ABCA1 is a target gene for LXR and RXR; therefore, treating endothelial cells with LXR and/or RXR agonists may increase ABCA1 expression. We tested whether treating cultured immortalized mouse aortic endothelial cells (iMAEC) with the endogenous LXR agonist 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, synthetic LXR agonist GW3965, endogenous RXR agonist 9-cis-retinoic acid, or synthetic RXR agonist SR11237 increases ABCA1 protein expression. We observed a significant increase in ABCA1 protein expression in iMAEC treated with either GW3965 or SR11237 alone, but no significant increase in ABCA1 protein was observed in iMAEC treated with either 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol or 9-cis-retionic acid alone. However, we observed significant increases in both ABCA1 protein expression and apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux when iMAEC were treated with a combination of either 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis-retinoic acid or GW3965 and SR11237. Furthermore, treating iMAEC with either 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis-retinoic acid or GW3965 and SR11237 did not trigger an inflammatory response, based on VCAM-1, ICAM-1, CCL2, and IL-6 mRNA expression. Based on our findings, delivering LXR and RXR agonists precisely to endothelial cells may be a promising atheroprotective approach.

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Pirfenidone attenuates synovial fibrosis and postpones the progression of osteoarthritis by anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro

Journal of Translational Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12967-021-02823-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qilu Wei ◽

Ning Kong ◽

Xiaohui Liu ◽

Run Tian ◽

Ming Jiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Fast Green ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Safranin O ◽

Tgf Β1

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint involving synovial fibrosis and inflammation. Pathological changes to the synovium can accelerate the progression of OA. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a potent anti-fibrotic drug with additional anti-inflammatory properties. However, the influence of PFD on OA is unknown. Methods Proliferation of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) after treatment with TGF-β1 or PFD was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and their migration using a Transwell assay. The expression of fibrosis-related genes (COL1A1, TIMP-1, and ACTA-2) and those related to inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α) was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein expression levels of COL1A1, α-SMA (coded by ACTA-2), IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A rabbit model of OA was established and then PFD was administered by gavage. The expression of genes related to fibrosis (COL1A1, TIMP-1, and ADAM-12) and inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α) was measured using RNA extracted from the synovium. Synovial tissue was examined histologically after staining with H&E, Masson’s trichrome, and immunofluorescence. Synovitis scores, the volume fraction of collagen, and mean fluorescence intensity were calculated. Degeneration of articular cartilage was analyzed using a Safranin O-fast green stain and OARSI grading. Results The proliferation of FLSs was greatest when induced with 2.5 ng/ml TGF-β1 although it did not promote their migration. Therefore, 2.5 ng/ml TGF-β1 was used to stimulate the FLSs and evaluate the effects of PFD, which inhibited the migration of FLSs at concentrations as low as 1.0 mg/ml. PFD decreased the expression of COL1A1 while TGF-β1 increased both mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-6 but had no effect on α-SMA or TNF-α expression. PFD decreased mRNA expression levels of COL1A1, IL-6, and TNF-α in vivo. H&E staining and synovitis scores indicated that PFD reduced synovial inflammation, while Masson’s trichrome and immunofluorescence staining suggested that PFD decreased synovial fibrosis. Safranin O-Fast Green staining and the OARSI scores demonstrated that PFD delayed the progression of OA. Conclusions PFD attenuated synovial fibrosis and inflammation, and postponed the progression of osteoarthritis in a modified Hulth model of OA in rabbits, which was related to its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Upregulation of Cytokines Is Detected in the Placentas of Cattle Infected with Neospora caninum and Is More Marked Early in Gestation When Fetal Death Is Observed

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01780-06 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 2352-2361 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Anne Rosbottom ◽

E. Helen Gibney ◽

Catherine S. Guy ◽

Anja Kipar ◽

Robert F. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Fetal Death ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Cytokine Mrna ◽

Early Gestation ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum causes fetal death after experimental infection of pregnant cattle in early gestation, but the fetus survives a similar infection in late gestation. An increase in Th1-type cytokines in the placenta in response to the presence of the parasite has been implicated as a contributory factor to fetal death due to immune-mediated pathological alterations. We measured, using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of cytokines in the placentas of cattle experimentally infected with N. caninum in early and late gestation. After infection in early gestation, fetal death occurred, and the levels of mRNA of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-18, IL-10, and IL-4, were significantly (P < 0.01) increased by up to 1,000-fold. There was extensive placental necrosis and a corresponding infiltration of CD4+ T cells and macrophages. IFN-γ protein expression was also highly increased, and a modest increase in transforming growth factor β was detected. A much smaller increase in the same cytokines and IFN-γ protein expression, with minimal placental necrosis and inflammatory infiltration, occurred after N. caninum infection in late gestation when the fetuses survived. Comparison of cytokine mRNA levels in separated maternal and fetal placental tissue that showed maternal tissue was the major source of all cytokine mRNA except for IL-10 and TNF-α, which were similar in both maternal and fetal tissues. These results suggest that the magnitude of the cytokine response correlates with but is not necessarily the cause of fetal death and demonstrate that a polarized Th1 response was not evident in the placentas of N. caninum-infected cattle.

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Abstract 393: Anti-inflammatory Properties of Aqueous Extracts of Sesame Oil

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvb.33.suppl_1.a393 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Krithika Selvarajan ◽

Chandrakala Aluganti Narasimhulu ◽

Reena Bapputty ◽

Sampath Parthasarathy

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Aqueous Extract ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Sesame Oil ◽

Luciferase Assay ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Background Dietary intervention to prevent atherosclerosis and inflammation has been a major focus in recent years. Sesame oil (SO), widely used in many Asian countries, has been reported to help reduce high blood pressure. It has also been shown to reduce plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. We previously reported that SO was effective in inhibiting atherosclerosis in LDL-receptor negative mice. In this study we tested whether the aqueous, non-lipid components of SO might have anti-inflammatory effects. Methods Sesame oil was extracted using ethanol:water mixture, lyophilized and reconstituted in water. To study anti-inflammatory effect, RAW 264.7 cells (macrophage cell line) were treated with the aqueous extract in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours. RNA was extracted using Trizol. mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed by real time PCR. Protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. To identify the mechanism of action, we performed luciferase assay using HepG2-LXR reporter cell lines. Results LPS induced the expression of IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels in RAW cells. The extract alone did not significantly affect the expressions of inflammatory cytokine genes. However, when treated together with LPS, sesame oil aqueous extract inhibited the mRNA levels of these cytokines significantly. Treatment with LPS together with SO extract also decreased the protein expression of these cytokines. The SO extract induced LXR expression as identified by the luciferase assay system in HepG2-LXR reporter cells. Conclusion These findings suggest that the aqueous portion of SO might be effective in preventing inflammation. Furthermore, the activation of LXR might suggest additional effects on lipid metabolism. Identifying the specific components present in the aqueous extract will be instrumental in developing treatment modalities for atherosclerosis and other inflammatory conditions.

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Crocin ameliorated skin tissue inflammation in atopic dermatitis in mice

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20200592 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Abdullah Alyoussef

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Skin Disease ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Inflammatory Skin Disease ◽

Mice Model ◽

Subsequent Reduction ◽

Gardenia Jasminoides ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Gene And Protein Expression

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is considered a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease. In addition, crocin is the major carotenoid compound found in Gardenia jasminoides. It is previously proved to produce anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, we conducted this research to investigate the therapeutic effects of crocin on a mice model of AD.Methods: Mice were investigated for the number of scratches and dermatitis score. Skin was isolated and used for measurements of gene and protein expression of β-catenin, NFκB, TNF-α and IL-1β.Results: Authors found that crocin significantly reduced the number of scratches, ear thickness and dermatitis score. In addition, crocin ameliorated AD-induced elevation in the expression of β-catenin, NFκB, TNF-α and IL-1β.Conclusions: Crocin ameliorated DNCB-induced AD in mice via blockage of β-catenin with subsequent reduction in inflammatory pathway.

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Roles of Crosstalk between Astrocytes and Microglia in Triggering Neuroinflammation and Brain Edema Formation in 1,2-Dichloroethane-Intoxicated Mice

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10102647 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2647

Author(s):

Jinhan Yang ◽

Tong Wang ◽

Xiaoxia Jin ◽

Gaoyang Wang ◽

Fenghong Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Brain Edema ◽

Adhesion Molecule ◽

Calcium Binding ◽

Microglial Activation ◽

Reactive Astrocytes ◽

Edema Formation ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Brain Edema Formation

We have previously reported that the activation of astrocytes and microglia may lead to the overproduction of proinflammatory mediators, which could induce neuroinflammation and cause brain edema in 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE)-intoxicated mice. In this research, we further hypothesized that astrocyte–microglia crosstalk might trigger neuroinflammation and contribute to brain edema in 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. The present research revealed, for the first time, that subacute intoxication with 1,2-DCE might provoke the proinflammatory polarization of microglia, and pretreatment with minocycline, a specific inhibitor of microglial activation, may attenuate the enhanced protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule1 (Iba-1), cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), soluble calcium-binding protein 100B (S100B), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and p-p65, and ameliorate the suppressed protein expression levels of occludin and claudin 5; we also observed changes in water content and made pathological observations on edema in the brains of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. Moreover, pretreatment with fluorocitrate, an inhibitor of reactive astrocytes, could also reverse the alteration in protein expression levels of GFAP, S100B, Iba-1, CD11b, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MMP-9, occludin, and claudin 5 in the brain of 1,2-DCE intoxicated mice. Furthermore, pretreatment with melatonin, a well-known anti-inflammatory drug, could also attenuate the above-mentioned changes in the brains of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. Altogether, the findings from this research indicated that microglial activation might play an important role in triggering neuroinflammation, and hence may contribute to brain edema formation; additionally, the findings suggested that molecular crosstalk between reactive astrocytes and activated microglia may amplify the neuroinflammatory reaction, which could induce secondary brain injury in 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice.

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