• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.301-307
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• 2009

Inflammatory processes of vascular endothelial cells play a key role in the development ofatherosclerosis. We determined the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on LPS-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate their cardioproteerive potential. Cells were pretreated with DHA, EPA, or troglitazone prior to activation with LPS. Expression of COX-2, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and IL-6 production, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity were measured by Western blot, ELISA, and luciferase activity, respectively. Results showed that EPA, DHA, or troglitazone significantly reduced COX-2 expression, $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase activity, and $PGE_2$ and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent fashion. Interestingly, low doses (10 ${\mu}$M) of DHA and EPA, but not troglitozone, significantly increased the activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in resting HUVECs. Our study suggests that while DHA, EPA, and troglitazone may be protective on HUVECs under inflammatory conditions in a dose-dependent manner. However there may be some negative effects when the concentrations are abnormally low, even in normal endothelium.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권12호
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• pp.1984-1989
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• 2008

Surfactin is a natural biosurfactant derived from Bacillus subtilis and has various biological activities such as anticancer, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the inhibitory mechanism of surfactin in NO production from macrophages was examined. Surfactin down regulated LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and primary macrophages with $IC_{50}$ values of 31.6 and $22.4{\mu}M$, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis showed that surfactin strongly blocked the phosphorylation of IKK and $l{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p65). Therefore, these data suggest that surfactin may act as a bacterium-derived anti-inflammatory agent with anti-$NF-{\kappa}B$ activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.231-236
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• 2008

Heparin is a well-known anticoagulant widely used in various clinical settings. Interestingly, recent studies have indicated that heparin also has anti-inflammatory effects on neuroinflammation-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and meningitis. However, the underlying mechanism of its actions remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory mechanism of heparin in cultured cerebral endothelial cells (CECs), and found that heparin inhibited the tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ ($TNF{\alpha}$)-induced and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$)-dependent expression of adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which are crucial for inflammatory responses. Heparin selectively interfered with NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA-binding activity in the nucleus, which is stimulated by $TNF{\alpha}$. In addition, non-anticoagulant 2,3-O desulfated heparin (ODS) prevented NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by $TNF{\alpha}$, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of heparin action in CECs lies in heparin's ability to inhibit the expression of cell adhesion molecules, as opposed to its anticoagulant actions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.332-337
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• 2013

Microglial activation plays an important role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders such as cerebral ischemia, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, controlling microglial activation can serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for such brain diseases. In the present study, we showed that kalopanaxsaponin A, a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Kalopanax pictus, inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, while kalopanaxsaponin A increased anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 expression. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that kalopanaxsaponin A inhibited LPS-induced DNA binding activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1, and the phosphorylation of JNK without affecting other MAP kinases. Furthermore, kalopanaxsaponin A inhibited the intracellular ROS production with upregulation of anti-inflammatory hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Based on the previous reports that JNK pathway is largely involved in iNOS and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression via modulating NF-${\kappa}B$/AP-1 and ROS, our data collectively suggest that inhibition of JNK pathway plays a key role in anti-inflammatory effects of kalopanaxsaponin A in LPS-stimulated microglia.

• BMB Reports
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• 제41권11호
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• pp.784-789
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• 2008

Mac-2BP is a ligand of the galectin family that has been suggested to affect tumor proliferation and metastasis formation. We assessed Mac-2BP expression at the transcriptional and translational levels to evaluate nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced Mac-2BP expression. A time kinetic analysis using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that NGF-induced Mac-2BP transcript levels were 4-5 times higher than in controls. Mac-2BP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immuno-fluorescence staining showed a 2-3-fold increase in intracellular and secreted Mac-2BP as a result of NGF stimulation. This increase was regulated by Akt activation and NF-${\kappa}B$ binding. p65 and p50-NF-${\kappa}B$ are major transcriptional factors in the Mac-2BP promoter region, and were shown to be regulated in accordance with the Akt activation states. Collectively, these results suggest that NGF induces Mac-2BP expression via the PI3K/Akt/NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.477-482
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• 2009

TLRs는 여러 병원균들이 가지고 있는 PAMPs를 인식해서, 선천성 면역 반응을 유도하는 중요한 역할을 한다. TLR4의 이합체 형성은 신호전달 체계의 활성화와 뒤이어 발생하는 선천성 면역 반응을 유도하기 위해서 최초로 일어나는 반응으로 알려져 있다. 우리가 먹는 식품 중에는 항염증 효과가 있다고 널리 알려져 있는 phytochemicals이 포함되어 있다. 특히 ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl group을 가지고 있는 curcumin, 6-shogaol, 그리고 cinnamaldehyde는 Michael addition 반응에 의해서 LPS에 의해서 유도된 TLR4의 이합체 형성을 억제시켜, 전사요소 NF-${\kappa}B$와 IRF3 활성화 및 그것들에 의해서 조절되는 타깃 유전자들을 억제시킨다. 이러한 결과는 ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated carbonyl group을 가지고 있는 curcumin, 6-shogaol, 그리고 cinnamaldehyde의 항염증 효능에 대한 새로운 기전을 설명해 주는 것이라 할 수 있겠다.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.253-258
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• 2008

The anti-inflammatory activities of an ethanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS) were investigated in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Result indicated that CS inhibited the LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner with an $IC_{50}$ of $10.9\;{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, CS attenuated the iNOS mRNA and protein expression by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. CS also suppressed the productions of IL-6 and MCP-1 in a dose-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values of $15.9\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $5.47\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In addition to the anti-inflammatory activities, CS decreased intracellular ROS formation in the same cells. In conclusion, CS inhibited the production of NO, IL-6 and MCP-1 via a suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and intracellular ROS generation.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.89-98
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine whether methanol extract of Keum-Ryung-Ja-San (KRJS) inhibit production of NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), $I{\kappa}-B-\alpha$ and nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that methanol extract of KRJS significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, methanol extract of KRJS treatment also blocked LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Conclusion : These findings indicate that methanol extract of KRJS inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines via suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Take together, these results indicate that methanol extract of KRJS has the potential for use as an agent of anti-chronic inflammatory diseases.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.79-85
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• 2014

Objectives : In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of Careswell on human mast cell-mediated allergy inflammation in vitro and pruritogen-induced scratching behavior in vivo. Method : The Careswell was extract by distilled water. The anti-itching effects of Careswell were investigated on the compound 48/80 ($50{\mu}g/kg$) or histamine ($100{\mu}g/kg$) induced scratching behavior male ICR mice for 30 min by an observer blind. Terfenadine (10 mg/kg) was used as a positive control drug. The cell toxicity of Careswell was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The regulatory effect of Careswell on interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ levels was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI) stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). Also, we evaluated the effect of Careswell on PMACI induced the activation of Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) into nucleus by Western blot analysis. Result : The results revealed that the oral administration of Careswell (200 mg/kg, p.o.) attenuated the compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behavior in mice. We showed that Careswell significantly reduced the PMACI-induced the production of IL-6 (0.5-1 mg/ml) and TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.1-1 mg/ml). Additionally, Careswell significantly inhibited the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1. Conclusion : Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with a novel insight into the pharmacological actions of Careswell as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.310-319
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• 2003

Inflammatory mediators has been recognized as an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-17 is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses, including induction of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclastic bone resorption. Evidence of the expression and proinflammatory activity of IL-17 has been demonstrated in RA synovium and in animal models of RA. However, the signaling pathways that regulate IL-17 production remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway in the regulation of IL-17 production in RA. PBMC were separated from RA (n=24) patients, and stimulated with various agents (anti CD3, anti CD28, PHA, ConA, IL-15). IL-17 levels were determined by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. The production of IL-17 was significantly increased in cells treated with anti-CD3 antibody, PHA, IL-15 or MCP-1 (P<0.05). ConA also strongly induced IL-17 production (P<0.001), whereas TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-18 or TGF-beta did not. IL-17 was detected in the PBMC of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) but their expression levels were much lower than those of RA PBMC. Anti-CD3 antibody activated the PI3K-Akt pathway and activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway resulted in a pronounced augmentation of nuclear factor kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$). IL-17 production by activated PBMC in RA is completely or partially blocked in the presence of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC and PI3K-Akt inhibitor, wortmannin and LY294002, respectively. Whereas the inhibition of AP-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 did not affect IL-17 production. These results provide new insight into that PI3K/Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent signal transduction pathway could be involved in the overproduction of key inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis.