Oxymatrine inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by down-regulating Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B in macrophages

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Ruhong Yan ◽  
Yae Hu

Oxymatrine (OMT) is the quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait. that has many pharmacological effects and is used for the treatment of some inflammatory diseases. In this study, RAW264.7 cells and THP-1 differentiated macrophages were pretreated with various concentrations of OMT at 2 h prior to treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1.0 μg/mL) for different durations. We detected the anti-inflammatory effect of OMT in LPS-stimulated macrophages and investigated the molecular mechanism. We showed that OMT pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced secretion of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in supernatant, attenuated the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, TNF-α, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), increased TLR4 and phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B-alpha (p-IBα) in cytosol, and decreased the nuclear level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in macrophages. In conclusion, OMT exerts anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-stimulated macrophages by down-regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiying Shan ◽  
Wei Yuan

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been shown to play an important role in inflammation and initiation and progression of cardiovascular pathologies. This, coupled with the observation that activation of the brain (pro)renin receptor (PRR) initiates NF-Kappa B (KB) -cytokine signaling to induce neurogenic hypertension has led us to hypothesize that brain PRR activation, in part, stimulates TLR4 to induce NF-KB-cytokine signal pathway. Thus, blockage of TLR4 should attenuate the expression of NF-KB and proinflammatory cytokines induced by PRR activation. To test this hypothesis, we harvested neuronal cells from neonatal Sprague Dawley rat brain that abundantly express PRR, and incubated with 20 nM of renin for 6 hours. Real time PCR was performed to analyze expression of NF-KB and other inflammatory mediators. Renin treatment resulted in significant increases in interleukin-1 β (IL-1β, 1200-fold), IL-6 (33-fold), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α, 17-fold), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF, 18-fold) and C-C ligand 5 (CCL5, 330-fold). In addition, the mRNA levels of P50, a subunit of NF-KB was increased by 5-fold, and nfkbia, a subunit of I-kappa B kinase (IKK), was increased by 7-fold. Furthermore, mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was increased by 8000-fold, and a neuronal activation maker, c-FOS was increased by 28 fold as compared with control neurons. However, Quinazoline (10μM), a NF-KB activation inhibitor, effectively blocked renin-induced increases in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL5, iNOS and P50 by more than 85%, but failed to inhibit LIF, nfkbia and c-FOS. In contrast, renin stimulation of all the above genes (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL5, iNOS, LIF, P50, nfkbia and c-FOS) was almost entirely blocked (>90%) by the TLR4 inhibitor, TAK-242 (2 μM), indicating a novel PRR mediated activation of TLR4 signaling. This PRR regulation of neuronal inflammatory mediators and neuronal activity was not affected by AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, demonstrating that the effect is not mediated by PRR-induced Ang-II generation. Our studies suggest that PRR plays a central role in the development of inflammatory mediated neurogenic hypertension through activation of TLR4.


2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 2940-2950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susu M. Zughaier ◽  
Shanta M. Zimmer ◽  
Anup Datta ◽  
Russell W. Carlson ◽  
David S. Stephens

ABSTRACT The biological response to endotoxin mediated through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD-2 receptor complex is directly related to lipid A structure or configuration. Endotoxin structure may also influence activation of the MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways of TLR4. To address this possibility, human macrophage-like cell lines (THP-1, U937, and MM6) or murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with picomolar concentrations of highly purified endotoxins. Harvested supernatants from previously stimulated cells were also used to stimulate RAW 264.7 or 23ScCr (TLR4-deficient) macrophages (i.e., indirect induction). Neisseria meningitidis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) was a potent direct inducer of the MyD88-dependent pathway molecules tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), and the MyD88-independent molecules beta interferon (IFN-β), nitric oxide, and IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10). Escherichia coli 55:B5 and Vibrio cholerae lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) at the same pmole/ml lipid A concentrations induced comparable levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-3α, but significantly less IFN-β, nitric oxide, and IP-10. In contrast, LPS from Salmonella enterica serovars Minnesota and Typhimurium induced amounts of IFN-β, nitric oxide, and IP-10 similar to meningococcal LOS but much less TNF-α and MIP-3α in time course and dose-response experiments. No MyD88-dependent or -independent response to endotoxin was seen in TLR4-deficient cell lines (C3H/HeJ and 23ScCr) and response was restored in TLR4-MD-2-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Blocking the MyD88-dependent pathway by DNMyD88 resulted in significant reduction of TNF-α release but did not influence nitric oxide release. IFN-β polyclonal antibody and IFN-α/β receptor 1 antibody significantly reduced nitric oxide release. N. meningitidis endotoxin was a potent agonist of both the MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways of the TLR4 receptor complex of human macrophages. E. coli 55:B5 and Vibrio cholerae LPS, at the same picomolar lipid A concentrations, selectively induced the MyD88-dependent pathway, while Salmonella LPS activated the MyD88-independent pathway.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhui Jin ◽  
Longhe Yang ◽  
Zhiwei Yi ◽  
Hua Fang ◽  
Weizhu Chen ◽  
...  

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator with powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic functions. PEA can be hydrolyzed by a lysosomal enzyme N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), which is highly expressed in macrophages and other immune cells. The pharmacological inhibition of NAAA activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation-related diseases. Fucoxanthinol (FXOH) is a marine carotenoid from brown seaweeds with various beneficial effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action of FXOH in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of FXOH in the NAAA–PEA pathway and the anti-inflammatory effects based on this mechanism. In vitro results showed that FXOH can directly bind to the active site of NAAA protein and specifically inhibit the activity of NAAA enzyme. In an LPS-induced inflammatory model in macrophages, FXOH pretreatment significantly reversed the LPS-induced downregulation of PEA levels. FXOH also substantially attenuated the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and markedly reduced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and nitric oxide (NO). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of FXOH on NO induction was significantly abolished by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) inhibitor GW6471. All these findings demonstrated that FXOH can prevent LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages, and its mechanisms may be associated with the regulation of the NAAA-PEA-PPAR-α pathway.


2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 2025-2030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhua Yang ◽  
Shunji Sugawara ◽  
Toshihiko Monodane ◽  
Masahiro Nishijima ◽  
Yoshiyuki Adachi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Teichuronic acid (TUA), a component of the cell walls of the gram-positive organism Micrococcus luteus (formerlyMicrococcus lysodeikticus), induced inflammatory cytokines in C3H/HeN mice but not in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-resistant C3H/HeJ mice that have a defect in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene, both in vivo and in vitro, similarly to LPS (T. Monodane, Y. Kawabata, S. Yang, S. Hase, and H. Takada, J. Med. Microbiol. 50:4–12, 2001). In this study, we found that purified TUA (p-TUA) induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in murine monocytic J774.1 cells but not in mutant LR-9 cells expressing membrane CD14 at a lower level than the parent J774.1 cells. The TNF-α-inducing activity of p-TUA in J774.1 cells was completely inhibited by anti-mouse CD14 monoclonal antibody (MAb). p-TUA also induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human monocytic THP-1 cells differentiated to macrophage-like cells expressing CD14. Anti-human CD14 MAb, anti-human TLR4 MAb, and synthetic lipid A precursor IVA, an LPS antagonist, almost completely inhibited the IL-8-inducing ability of p-TUA, as well as LPS, in the differentiated THP-1 cells. Reduced p-TUA did not exhibit any activities in J774.1 or THP-1 cells. These findings strongly suggested that M. luteus TUA activates murine and human monocytic cells in a CD14- and TLR4-dependent manner, similar to LPS.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa A. AL-Megrin ◽  
Afrah F. Alkhuriji ◽  
Al Omar S. Yousef ◽  
Dina M. Metwally ◽  
Ola A. Habotta ◽  
...  

The abundant use of lead (Pb; toxic heavy metal) worldwide has increased occupational and ecosystem exposure, with subsequent negative health effects. The flavonoid luteolin (LUT) found in many natural foodstuffs possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Herein, we hypothesized that LUT could mitigate liver damage induced by exposure to lead acetate (PbAc). Male Wistar rats were allocated to four groups: control group received normal saline, LUT-treated group (50 mg/kg, oral, daily), PbAc-treated group (20 mg/kg, i.p., daily), and LUT+PbAc-treated group (received the aforementioned doses via the respective routes of administration); the rats were treated for 7 days. The results revealed that PbAc exposure significantly increased hepatic Pb residue and serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin value. Oxidative reactions were observed in the liver tissue following PbAc intoxication, characterized by the depletion and downregulation of antioxidant proteins (glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and heme oxygenase-1), and an increase in oxidants (malondialdehyde and nitric oxide). Additionally, PbAc increased the release and expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta), inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor kappa B. Moreover, PbAc enhanced hepatocyte loss by increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and caspase-3) and downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). The changes in the aforementioned parameters were further confirmed by noticeable histopathological lesions. LUT supplementation significantly reversed all of the tested parameters in comparison with the PbAc-exposed group. In conclusion, our findings describe the potential mechanisms involved in the alleviation of PbAc-induced liver injury by luteolin via its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyong Chen ◽  
Xiaogeng Shi ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Huixin Lei ◽  
Simei Long ◽  
...  

Hypertension is associated with low-grade inflammation, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been shown to be linked to the development and maintenance of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effects of scutellarin (administered by oral gavage daily for 2 weeks) on brain TLR4/nuclear factor kappa B-(NF-κB-) mediated inflammation and blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive (using the 2-kidney, 2-clip method) rats. Immunofluorescence and western immunoblot analyses revealed that hypertension contributed to the activation of TLR4 and NF-κB, accompanied by significantly enhanced expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Furthermore, expression of the antiapoptotic protein, myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl1), was decreased, and the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and cleavedcaspase-3 p17 were increased in combined cerebral cortical/striatal soluble lysates. Scutellarin significantly lowered blood pressure and attenuated the number of activated microglia and macrophages in brains of hypertensive rats. Furthermore, scutellarin significantly reduced the expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 p17, and increased the expression of Mcl1. Overall, these results revealed that scutellarin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties and decreases blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Therefore, scutellarin may be a potential therapeutic agent in hypertension-associated diseases.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2543-2555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapani Ronni ◽  
Vishal Agarwal ◽  
Michael Haykinson ◽  
Margaret E. Haberland ◽  
Genhong Cheng ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates the host response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by promoting the activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes. To activate each gene, numerous signal transduction pathways are required. The adaptor proteins MyD88 and TIRAP contribute to the activation of several and possibly all pathways via direct interactions with TLR4's Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) (TIR) domain. However, additional adaptors that are required for the activation of specific subsets of pathways may exist, which could contribute to the differential regulation of target genes. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether direct interactions that have been reported between TIR domains and other proteins are required for TLR4 signaling. To address these issues, we systematically mutated the TLR4 TIR domain in the context of a CD4/TLR4 fusion protein. Several exposed residues defining at least two structural surfaces were required in macrophages for activation of the proinflammatory IL-12 p40 and anti-inflammatory IL-10 promoters, as well as promoters dependent on individual transcription factors. Interestingly, the same residues were required by all promoters tested, suggesting that the signaling pathways diverge downstream of the adaptors. The mutant phenotypes provide a framework for future studies of TLR4 signaling, as the interaction supported by each critical surface residue will need to be defined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingzhao Ji ◽  
Xiujuan Zhang ◽  
Heqiao Li ◽  
Lina Sun ◽  
Xuexin Hou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Nocardia is not fully known. The Nfa34810 protein of Nocardia farcinica has been predicted to be a virulence factor. However, relatively little is known regarding the interaction of Nfa34810 with host cells, specifically invasion and innate immune activation. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of recombinant Nfa34810 during infection. We demonstrated that Nfa34810 is an immunodominant protein located in the cell wall. Nfa34810 protein was able to facilitate the uptake and internalization of latex beads coated with Nfa34810 protein into HeLa cells. Furthermore, the deletion of the nfa34810 gene in N. farcinica attenuated the ability of the bacteria to infect both HeLa and A549 cells. Moreover, stimulation with Nfa34810 triggered macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and it also activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways by inducing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK, p65, and AKT in macrophages. Specific inhibitors of ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, which demonstrated that Nfa34810-mediated TNF-α production was dependent upon the activation of these kinases. We further found that neutralizing antibodies against Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) significantly inhibited TNF-α secretion. Taken together, our results indicated that Nfa34810 is a virulence factor of N. farcinica and plays an important role during infection. Nfa34810-induced production of TNF-α in macrophages also involves ERK, JNK, and NF-κB via the TLR4 pathway.


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