scholarly journals Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antifibrotic Effects of Gingival-Derived MSCs on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Xishuai Wang ◽  
Shiyu Zhao ◽  
Junhui Lai ◽  
Weijun Guan ◽  
Yang Gao

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) intervention has been associated with lung protection. We attempted to determine whether mouse gingival-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) could protect against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: control (Con), bleomycin (Bl), and bleomycin + MSCs (Bl + MSCs). Mice were treated with 5 mg/kg bleomycin via transtracheal instillation to induce pulmonary fibrosis. We assessed the following parameters: histopathological severity of injury in the lung, liver, kidney, and aortic tissues; the degree of pulmonary fibrosis; pulmonary inflammation; pulmonary oedema; profibrotic factor levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue; oxidative stress-related indicators and apoptotic index in lung tissue; and gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1), TGF-β, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), neutrophil elastase (NE), MPO, and IL-10 in lung tissue. Results: GMSC intervention attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary oedema, and apoptosis. Bleomycin instillation notably increased expression levels of the IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, LPA, LPA1, TGF-β, MMP-9, NE, and MPO genes and attenuated expression levels of the IL-10 gene in lung tissue, and these effects were reversed by GMSC intervention. Bleomycin instillation notably upregulated MDA and MPO levels and downregulated GSH and SOD levels in lung tissue, and these effects were reversed by GMSC intervention. GMSC intervention prevented upregulation of neutrophil content in the lung, liver, and kidney tissues and the apoptotic index in lung tissue. Conclusions: GMSC intervention exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. Deleterious accumulation of neutrophils, which is reduced by GMSC intervention, is a key component of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. GMSC intervention impairs bleomycin-induced NE, MMP-9, LPA, APL1, and TGF-β release.

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qilu Wei ◽  
Ning Kong ◽  
Xiaohui Liu ◽  
Run Tian ◽  
Ming Jiao ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan-jiang Liu ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Wenjing Zhou ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Rui Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties used as therapy for a variety of diseases. The underlying mechanism of MP to reduce acute pancreatitis still needs to be elucidated.Methods: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks) were used to establish SAP mouse model by administering an intraperitoneal injection of Cae and LPS. Amylase expression levels of serum and PLF were measured with an amylase assay kit. The concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and PLF were detected by ELISA. The level of pancreatic and lung tissue damage and inflammation was assessed by H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and TNF-αin vivo and in vitro.Results: In this study, we found MP, used in the early phase of SAP, decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and peritoneal lavage fluids (PLF), reduced the level of serum amylase and the expression of MPO in lung tissue, attenuated the pathological injury of the pancreas and lungs in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in pancreas and lungs was down-regulated significantly depending on the MP concentration. In vitro, MP reduced the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α by down-regulating the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and p-NF-κB in isolated peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion: MP can attenuate the injury of pancreas and lungs, and the inflammatory response in SAP mice by down-regulating the activation of NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Hanyu Liu ◽  
Yabo Li ◽  
Yingdong Zou ◽  
Xingzong Zhang ◽  
Xiongfei Shi ◽  
...  

The study is aimed at observing the influence of microribonucleic acid- (miRNA-) 30a-50p on the pulmonary fibrosis in mice with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection through the regulation of autophagy by Beclin-1. Specific pathogen-free mice were instilled with Streptococcus pneumoniae through the trachea to establish the pulmonary fibrosis model. Then, they were divided into the miRNA-30a-50p mimics group (mimics group, n = 10 ) and miRNA-30a-5p inhibitors group (inhibitors group, n = 10 ), with the control group ( n = 10 ) also set. Pulmonary tissue wet weight/dry weight (W/D) was detected. The content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin- (IL-) 6, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, the changes in the pulmonary function index dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), plateau pressure (Pplat), and peak airway pressure (Ppeak) were monitored, and the gene and protein expression levels were measured via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. The expression level of miRNA-30a-5p was substantially raised in the mimics group ( p < 0.05 ), but extremely low in the inhibitors group ( p < 0.05 ). The mimics group had obviously raised levels of serum aminotransferase (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and pulmonary tissue W/D ( p < 0.05 ). Additionally, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and MPO were notably elevated in the mimics group, while their expression levels showed the opposite conditions in the inhibitors group ( p < 0.05 ). According to the HE staining results, the inhibitors group had arranged orderly cells, while the mimics group exhibited lung injury, pulmonary edema, severe inflammatory response, and alveolar congestion. In the inhibitors group, Cdyn was remarkably elevated, but Pplat and Ppeak declined considerably ( p < 0.05 ). Besides, the inhibitors group exhibited elevated messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Beclin-1 and LC3, lowered mRNA levels of α-SMA and p62, a raised protein level of Beclin-1, and a markedly decreased protein level of p62 ( p < 0.05 ). Silencing miRNA-30a-5p expression can promote the expression of Beclin-1 to accelerate the occurrence of autophagy, thereby treating pulmonary fibrosis in mice with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Ding ◽  
Pengjie Tu ◽  
Yiyong Chen ◽  
Yangyun Huang ◽  
Xiaojie Pan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase 2J2 (CYP2J2) metabolizes arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which exert anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, pro-proliferative, and antioxidant effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the role of CYP2J2 and EETs in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CYP2J2 overexpression and exogenous EETs on PAH with LIRI in vitro and in vivo.Methods CYP2J2 gene was transfected into rat lung tissue by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to increase the levels of EETs in serum and lung tissue. A rat model of PAH with LIRI was constructed by tail vein injection of monocrotaline (50 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, followed by clamping of the left pulmonary hilum for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h. In addition, we established a cellular model of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) with TNF-α combined with hypoxic reoxygenation (anoxia for 8 h and reoxygenation for 16 h) to determine the effect and mechanism of exogenous EETs.Results CYP2J2 overexpression significantly reduced the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with lung injury in PAH with LIRI. In addition, exogenous EETs suppressed inflammatory response and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inhibited apoptosis in a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) combined hypoxia-reoxygenation model of HPAECs. Our further studies revealed that the anti-inflammatory effects of CYP2J2 overexpression and EETs might be mediated by PPARγ pathway; the anti-apoptotic effects might be mediated by the PI3K/Ak pathway.Conclusions CYP2J2 overexpression and EETs protect against PAH with LIRI via anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis, suggesting that increased levels of EETs may be a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of PAH with LIRI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (07) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Bansal ◽  
Sanjay Chhibber

Introduction: Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from the herb Curcuma longa, has number of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogenic activities. Its anti-inflammatory property was here studied alone and in combination with clarithromycin in a mouse model of acute inflammation. Methodology: A total of 80 mice divided into four groups were used. Mice receiving curcumin and/or clarithromycin were fed orally with curcumin (150 mg/kg/day) for 15 days prior to infection, whereas clarithromycin was administered orally (30 mg/kg/day) 12 hours post infection. Simultaneously, the control group receiving only infection but no treatment was also set up. Bacterial load estimation, histopathological examination and analysis of inflammatory parameters was performed on various days for all groups. Results: Intranasal inoculation of bacteria resulted in significant increase in neutrophil infiltration along with increased production of various inflammatory mediators (malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNFα) in lung tissue. Clarithromycin treatment significantly decreased the bacterial load and other inflammatory components in infected mice, but animals receiving curcumin alone or in combination with clarithromycin showed a much more significant (p < 0.05) reduction in neutrophil influx along with reduced levels of various inflammatory parameters. Though treatment with curcumin did not reduce the bacterial load, in combination with clarithromycin, both bacterial proliferation and lung tissue damage were checked. Conclusions: Though clarithromycin, because of its associated side effects, may not be the preferred treatment, it can be used in conjunction with curcumin. The latter as an adjunct therapy will help to down regulate the exaggerated state of immune response during acute lung infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Feng Sun ◽  
Haiwei Zhang ◽  
Jianhui Shi ◽  
Tianwen Huang ◽  
Yansong Wang

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic disease that induces a complex cascade of cellular reactions at the local lesion area, including secondary cell death and inflammatory reactions. Accumulating evidence has showed pro- and anti-inflammatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs, in SCI. The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of two miRNAs, miRNA-146a and miRNA-202-3p, on inflammatory response after SCI. Initially, we found that the expression levels of miRNA-146a and miRNA-202-3p were increased in the plasma samples of 32 SCI patients at days 3 and 7 after admission and the rat spinal cord at days 3 and 7 after SCI modeling compared with healthy controls and sham-operated rats, respectively. The expression levels of TLR4, IRAK1, and TRAF6 were declined in the rat spinal cord at days 1, 3, and 7 after SCI modeling compared with sham-operated rats. Injection of miRNA-146a mimic or miRNA-202-3p mimic decreased TLR4, IRAK1, and TRAF6 expressions in the rat spinal cord at days 1, 3, and 7 after SCI modeling, while injection of miRNA-146a antagomir or miRNA-202-3p antagomir produced opposed results. Subsequent results showed that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were upregulated in the rat serum at days 1, 3, and 7 after SCI modeling compared with sham-operated rats. Injection of miRNA-146a mimic or miRNA-202-3p mimic decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 expression levels in the rat serum at days 1, 3, and 7 after SCI modeling, while injection of miRNA-146a antagomir or miRNA-202-3p antagomir yielded opposed results. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were higher in the supernatants of PC12 cells transfected with anti-miRNA-146a or anti-miRNA-202-3p than in those transfected with si-TLR4, si-IRAK1, or si-TRAF6. These findings support the notion that miRNA-146a/miRNA-202-3p exerts anti-inflammatory functions after SCI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qiu-Yue Wang ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Shu-Yu Liu ◽  
Xi-Hong Jiang ◽  
Shu-Min Liu

Huangqi Chifeng Tang (HQCFT), a traditional Chinese formula of three herbs, has been used to treat cerebral infarction (CI). Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) was designed as a guiding drug for HQCFT to improve its angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, TTC staining was used to detect the area of CI. H&E staining was used to detect the histopathologic changes in the cerebral tissue. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expression of NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in cerebral tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of MMP-9, VEGF, and VEGFR2. The contents of HIF-1α, NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum were determined by ELISA. Our study showed that HQCFT and HQCFT-SR could improve the pathological condition and reduce the infarcted area of the brain tissue in a rat model. In addition, HQCFT and HQCFT-SR significantly decreased the expression levels and serum contents of NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α; increased the expression levels of the VEGF and VEGFR2 proteins; and obviously reduced the serum content of HIF-1α. Importantly, the cytokines in brain tissue and serum from the HQCFT group exhibited better efficacy than those from the HQCFT-SR group. HQCFT exerted significant angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO); these effects can be attributed to the guiding and enhancing effect of SR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeon Hwa Nam ◽  
Li Nan ◽  
Byung Kil Choo

Abstract Background Excessive and continuous inflammation may be the main cause of various immune system diseases. Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a common gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Camellia japonica has high medicinal value and has long been used as a traditional herbal hemostatic medicine in China and Korea. The purpose of this study is to explore the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CJE and its protective effect on RE. Materials and methods Buds from C. japonica plants were collected in the mountain area of Jeju, South Korea. Dried C. japonica buds were extracted with 75% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay were evaluated according to previous method. The ROS production and anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonica buds ethanol extract (CJE) were evaluated on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell inflammation. The protective effects of CJE on RE were conducted in a RE rat model. Results CJE eliminated over 50% of DPPH and ABTS radical at concentration of 100 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. CJE alleviated changes in cell morphology, reduced production of ROS, NO and IL-1β. Also, down-regulated expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α, phosphorylated NF-κB, IκBα, and JNK/p38/MAPK. CJE reduced esophageal tissue damage ratio (40.3%) and attenuation of histological changes. In addition, CJE down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB and IκBα in esophageal tissue. Conclusions CJE possesses good anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory activity, and can improve RE in rats caused by gastric acid reflux. Therefore, CJE is a natural material with good anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and has the possibility of being a candidate phytomedicine source for the treatment of RE.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhyun Song ◽  
So Ra Yoon ◽  
Youn Kyoung Son ◽  
Woo Young Bang ◽  
Chang-Hwan Bae ◽  
...  

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress triggers severe vascular damage and induces an inflammatory vascular state, and is, therefore, one of the main causes of atherosclerosis. Recently, interest in the natural compound Carpinus turczaninowii has increased because of its reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether a C. turczaninowii extract was capable of attenuating high glucose-induced inflammation and arterial damage using human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (hASMCs). mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory response [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress [CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP)], and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-protein activated kinase α2 (AMPK α2)], and DNA damage [phosphorylated H2.AX (p-H2.AX)] were measured in hASMCs treated with the C. turczaninowii extracts (1 and 10 μg/mL) after being stimulated by high glucose (25 mM) or not. The C. turczaninowii extract attenuated the increased mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and CHOP in hASMCs under high glucose conditions. The expression levels of p-H2.AX and AMPK α2 induced by high glucose were also significantly decreased in response to treatment with the C. turczaninowii extract. In addition, 15 types of phenolic compounds including quercetin, myricitrin, and ellagic acid, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, were identified in the C. turczaninowii extract through ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. In conclusion, C. turczaninowii may alleviate high glucose-induced inflammation and arterial damage in hASMCs, and may have potential in the treatment of hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerosis.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Fusco ◽  
Marika Cordaro ◽  
Tiziana Genovese ◽  
Daniela Impellizzeri ◽  
Rosalba Siracusa ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic pulmonary diseases are characterized by airway remodeling due to complex multicellular responses and the production of free oxygen radicals. They lead to a progressive decline of pulmonary functions. Adelmidrol is an analogue of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), which is a well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of adelmidrol (10 mg/Kg) for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods: Bleomycin intratracheal administration was performed on the first day and for the following twenty-one days, mice were treated with adelmidrol (10 mg/Kg). Results: The survival rate and body weight gain were recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, adelmidrol-administered animals showed reduced airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine overexpression (IL,6 IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-1β). Moreover, adelmidrol treatment was able to manage the significant incapacity of antioxidants and elevation of the oxidant burden, as shown by the MDA, SOD, and GSH levels and decreased nitric oxide production. It was also able to significantly modulate the JAK2/STAT3 and IκBα/NF-kB pathway. Histologic examination of the lung tissues showed reduced sample injury, mast cell degranulation, chymase activity, and collagen deposition. Conclusions: In sum, our results propose adelmidrol as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.


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