Experimental Dry Eye Stimulates Production of Inflammatory Cytokines and MMP-9 and Activates MAPK Signaling Pathways on the Ocular Surface

2004 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 4293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihui Luo ◽  
De-Quan Li ◽  
Amish Doshi ◽  
William Farley ◽  
Rosa M. Corrales ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxu Zhao ◽  
Yazhou Wang ◽  
Xue Yuan ◽  
Guoquan Sun ◽  
Bingyu Shen ◽  
...  

AbstractSubacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can increase the level of inflammation and induce rumenitis in dairy cows. Berberine (BBR) is the major active component of Rhizoma Coptidis, which is a type of Chinese anti-inflammatory drug for gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of BBR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rumen epithelial cells (REC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. REC were cultured and stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of different concentrations of BBR. The results showed that cell viability was not affected by BBR. Moreover, BBR markedly decreased the concentrations and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in the LPS-treated REC in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, Western blotting analysis showed that BBR significantly suppressed the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88) and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), inhibitory kappa B (IκBα), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in LPS-treated REC. Furthermore, the results of immunocytofluorescence showed that BBR significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 induced by LPS treatment. In conclusion, the protective effects of BBR on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in REC may be due to its ability to suppress the TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that BBR can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug to treat inflammation induced by SARA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Jing ◽  
Yuqiang Wang ◽  
Lipeng Xu

Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) are commonly used to induce experimental murine ulcerative colitis (UC). Our recent study has demonstrated that a novel andrographolide derivative, AL-1, ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis in mice. However, the effect of AL-1 on DSS-induced murine colitis and the underlying mechanisms are yet unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of AL-1 against DSS-induced UC in mice and to define its mechanisms of action. Oral administration of AL-1 attenuated body weight loss, reduced colon length shortening, lowered the disease activity index score, and alleviated colon histological damage. AL-1 significantly inhibited myeloperoxidase activity and suppressed immune inflammatory responses in colonic tissues. Moreover, AL-1 reversed DSS-altered expression of inflammatory cytokines in DSS-induced colitis mice. Importantly, the efficacy of 45 mg/kg of AL-1 was higher than that of 100 mg/kg of the positive control drugs 5-aminosalicylic acid and mesalazine. AL-1 decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in cultured macrophages in vitro; it also reversed the altered expression of inflammatory cytokines. In both in vivo and in vitro studies, Western blot analysis revealed that AL-1 reduced the expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 and IκBα, downregulated the expression of iNOS and COX-2, and attenuated the expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), ERK, and JNK. In conclusion, AL-1 alleviated DSS-induced murine colitis by inhibiting activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Our data suggest that AL-1 could be a potential new treatment for UC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-706
Author(s):  
Shan Li ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Aishe Gao ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Jiong Zhang

Purpose: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of engelharquinone (Eng) on human liver cancer SMCC7721 cells.Methods: GFP-labeled SMCC7721 cells were used to establish a tumor-bearing mice model used for determination of the effect of different  concentrations of Eng on tumor growth. The effect of Eng on SMCC7721 cell viability was determined with MTT assay and cell cycle analysis. The anti-inflammatory effect of Eng on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated SMCC7721 cells were determined through assay of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Besides, the effect of Eng on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was determined.Results: Cell proliferation was suppressed by different concentrations of Eng in LPS-treated SMCC7721 cells. Treatment of nude mice with Eng at high and low doses resulted in significant suppression of tumor growth and marked increases in percentage survival. Treatment of SMCC7721 cells with LPS upregulated the expressions of NF-κB, p65 and MAPK. However, pre-treatment of the cells with Eng suppressed the LPS-induced upregulation of the NF-κB, p65 and MAPK signaling pathways, and further downregulated the production of inflammatory cytokines in SMCC7721 cells.Conclusion: These results indicate that Eng inhibits LPS-induced inflammation and proliferation of human liver cancer SMCC7721 cells via a mechanism involving regulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, Eng has potentials for the clinical management of inflammatory diseases and liver cancer. Keywords: Inflammation, Engelharquinone, Lipopolysaccharide, SMCC7721 cells, Toll-like receptor 4


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Yujuan Guo ◽  
Yiming Zhang ◽  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Lingpeng Zhu ◽  
...  

Salidroside (Sal) is an active ingredient that is isolated from Rhodiola rosea, which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activities and a renal protective effect. However, the role of Sal on renal fibrosis has not yet been elucidated. Here, the purpose of the current study is to test the protective effects of Sal against renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF), and to explore the underlying mechanisms using both in vivo and in vitro models. In this study, we establish the unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) or folic acid (FA)-induced mice renal interstitial fibrosis in vivo and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated human proximal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2) model in vitro. The levels of kidney functional parameters and inflammatory cytokines in serum are examined. The degree of renal damage and fibrosis is determined by histological assessment. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting are used to determine the mechanisms of Sal against RIF. Our results show that treatment with Sal can ameliorate tubular injury and deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components (including collagen Ш and collagen I). Furthermore, Sal administration significantly suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by a decreased expression of α-SMA, vimentin, TGF-β1, snail, slug, and a largely restored expression of E-cadherin. Additionally, Sal also reduces the levels of serum biochemical markers (serum creatinine, Scr; blood urea nitrogen, BUN; and uric acid, UA) and decreases the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Further study revealed that the effect of Sal on renal interstitial fibrosis is associated with the lower expression of TLR4, p-IκBα, p-NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), both in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, Sal treatment improves kidney function, ameliorates the deposition of the ECM components and relieves the protein levels of EMT markers in mouse kidneys and HK-2 cells. Furthermore, Sal treatment significantly decreases the release of inflammatory cytokines and inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Collectively, these results suggest that the administration of Sal could be a novel therapeutic strategy in treating renal fibrosis.


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