• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.296-301
• /
• 2023

Background: Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults and is a representative oral disease commonly suffered by most people around the world. Mainly the proliferation of Gram-negative bacteria and secreted virulence factors cause an inflammatory response and destroy periodontal tissue. Gossypetin, isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L, is known to have various pharmacological effects, including antibacterial and anticancer activities. We aimed to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of gossypetin through interleukin-6 (IL-6) regulation in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major cause of adult periodontitis. Methods: CCK-8 assay was performed to confirm the concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of gossypetin against HGFs. The secretion level and mRNA expression of IL-6, an inflammation-related cytokine, and the effect of gossypetin on these in HGFs stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS were confirmed by ELISA and qRT-PCR analysis, respectively. Results: Up to a concentration of 100 µM gossypetin with or without P. gingivalis LPS, the survival rate for HGFs was maintained at over 95% and showed no toxicity. ELISA and qRT-PCR analysis results showed that P. gingivalis LPS increased IL-6 secretion and mRNA levels in HGFs compared to the control group. However, this increase in IL-6 was significantly down-regulated by gossypetin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, 80 µM gossypetin inhibited IL-6 production to the level of the control group. Conclusion: These results indicated that gossypetin attenuated IL-6 production in HGFs stimulated by P. gingivalis LPS, which may ultimately suppress the inflammatory response in periodontal tissue. Therefore, gossypetin may have potential as a natural ingredient for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.955-964
• /
• 2023

Bee pollen is a valuable apitherapeutic product and has been known to have diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and even anticancer activity. However, its effect on the immune system is not well studied and is rather controversial. This study intended to elucidate the biological activity of bee pollen on immunity. For this purpose, we used lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding, which shows increased extraction of bioactive components and enhanced biological activity. First, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding significantly increased the proliferation of splenocytes isolated from normal mice. On the other hand, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding dose-dependently reversed splenocyte proliferation by concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide. To clarify the activity of bee pollen on immunity lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding was administered daily to mice for five weeks and isolated splenocytes. In this study, there was no significant difference in the population of immune cells and the size of spleen between bee pollen- and sterile water-treated groups. However, proliferation of splenocyte isolated from bee pollen-administered animals was boosted by both concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, kaempferol, a well-known flavonoid from bee pollen, dose-dependently increased splenocyte proliferation by both Con A and LPS. On the other hand, naringenin, another flavonoid in the bee pollen, dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes by Con A and LPS. Together, these data indicate that bee pollen may be able to prime the immunity to boost immune reaction after inflammation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.49-53
• /
• 2024

A two-year-old, spayed female, 22.5 kg Pungsan was referred with chronic crusts and erosion on the nose. A referring veterinarian prescribed an anti-inflammatory dose (0.5-1 mg/kg/day) of oral glucocorticoids for 5 months, but skin lesions showed no meaningful improvement. A dermatological evaluation revealed a crust, depigmentation, erosion, and erythematous lesion over the nasal planum with a loss of the normal cobblestone texture. Also, firm and multifocal plaques over the thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum were detected. A cytology examination on the nose, thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum revealed moderate neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial infection. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography revealed subcutaneous calcified materials along the thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum. Calcinosis cutis was suspected because of the adverse effect of previous prolonged corticosteroid therapy. A histopathology examination of the nose lesion revealed moderate to severe degenerative or apoptotic changes of the basal layer and lymphoplasmacytic interface dermatitis. Facial discoid lupus erythematosus (FDLE) was diagnosed based on the history and the clinical, cytological, and histopathological results. Minocycline (7 mg/kg PO q 12 h) and niacinamide (500 mg/dog PO q 12 h) were prescribed as initial treatment. Glucocorticoids were not administered due to the presence of calcinosis cutis induced by previous corticosteroid treatment. After 6 weeks of treatment, the clinical signs on the nose were mildly improved. At this time, topical 1% pimecrolimus cream (twice daily) was initiated, while minocycline and niacinamide were continued at the same dose. The nasal planum markedly improved after 6 weeks of additional treatment, hence minocycline and niacinamide were prescribed for an additional 2 weeks and stopped, and the patient was continued solely on topical pimecrolimus. The dog's skin lesion has been maintained in clinical remission with topical 1% pimecrolimus twice daily for more than 5 months.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.42.1-42.20
• /
• 2021

Eosinophils play critical roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in innate and adaptive immunity. Although primarily known for their roles in parasitic infections and the development of Th2 cell responses, eosinophils also play complex roles in other immune responses ranging from anti-inflammation to defense against viral and bacterial infections. However, the contributions of pattern recognition receptors in general, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) in particular, to eosinophil involvement in these immune responses remain relatively underappreciated. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that NLRC4 deficient mice had a decreased number of eosinophils and impaired Th2 responses after induction of an allergic airway disease model. Our in vitro data, utilizing human eosinophilic EoL-1 cells, suggested that TLR2 induction markedly induced pro-inflammatory responses and inflammasome forming NLRC4 and NLRP3. Moreover, activation by their specific ligands resulted in caspase-1 cleavage and mature IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, Th2 responses such as secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 decreased after transfection of EoL-1 cells with short interfering RNAs targeting human NLRC4. Specific induction of NLRC4 with PAM3CSK4 and flagellin upregulated the expression of IL-5 receptor and expression of Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR1α, FcεR2). Strikingly, activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome also promoted expression of the costimulatory receptor CD80 as well as expression of immunoregulatory receptors PD-L1 and Siglec-8. Concomitant with NLRC4 upregulation, we found an increase in expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but not MMP-2. Collectively, our results present new potential roles of NLRC4 in mediating a variety of eosinopilic functions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.13.1-13.19
• /
• 2021

Macrophages are important for the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. Integrin CD11b, which is encoded by Itgam, is expressed on the surface of macrophages and has been implicated in adhesion, migration, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, the functional impact of CD11b on the inflammatory responses of macrophages upon microbial infection remains unclear. Here, we show that CD11b deficiency resulted in increased susceptibility to sepsis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by enhancing the pro-inflammatory activities of macrophages. Upon infection with MRSA, the mortality of Itgam knockout mice was significantly higher than that of control mice, which is associated with increased production of TNF-α and IL-6. In response to MRSA, both bone marrow-derived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages lacking CD11b produced elevated amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide. Moreover, CD11b deficiency upregulated IL-4-induced expression of anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 and arginase-1, and an immunomodulatory function of macrophages to restrain T cell activation. Biochemical and confocal microscopy data revealed that CD11b deficiency augmented the activation of NF-κB signaling and phosphorylation of Akt, which promotes the functional activation of macrophages with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory phenotypes, respectively. Overall, our experimental evidence suggests that CD11b is a critical modulator of macrophages in response to microbial infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.49.1-49.15
• /
• 2020

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) regulates the trafficking of various immune cells to sites of infection. In this study, we showed that expression of CCR5 and its ligands was rapidly increased in the kidney after systemic Candida albicans infection, and infected CCR5^-/- mice exhibited increased mortality and morbidity, indicating that CCR5 contributes to an effective defense mechanism against systemic C. albicans infection. The susceptibility of CCR5^-/- mice to C. albicans infection was due to impaired fungal clearance, which in turn resulted in exacerbated renal inflammation and damage. CCR5-mediated recruitment of NK cells to the kidney in response to C. albicans infection was necessary for the anti-microbial activity of neutrophils, the main fungicidal effector cells. Mechanistically, C. albicans induced expression of IL-23 by CD11c⁺ dendritic cells (DCs). IL-23 in turn augmented the fungicidal activity of neutrophils through GM-CSF production by NK cells. As GM-CSF potentiated production of IL-23 in response to C. albicans, a positive feedback loop formed between NK cells and DCs seemed to function as an amplification point for host defense. Taken together, our results suggest that CCR5-mediated recruitment of NK cells to the site of fungal infection is an important step that underlies innate resistance to systemic C. albicans infection.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.428-434
• /
• 2024

Background: Platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) play important roles in cardiovascular disease and sepsis. Red ginseng extract (RGE) has been well-studied for its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the potential inhibitory effects of RGE on PLA have not been investigated. Methods: Six-week-old ICR mice were given oral gavage of RGE for 7 days, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide. Mice were euthanized 24 h later, and blood samples were collected for further analysis. Flow cytometry was utilized to sort populations of PLAs and platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNAs). By using confocal microscopy, PNAs were validated. Morphological changes in platelets and leukocytes were visualized with scanning electron microscopy. Expressions of tissue factor (TF) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Populations of activated platelets, PLAs and PNAs, were significantly increased with LPS-induction. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg of RGE decreased platelet activation. Moreover, the populations of PLAs and PNAs were reduced. PNAs were visible in the blood of septic mice, and this was attenuated by treatment with 400 mg/kg of RGE. Morphologically, sepsisinduced platelet activation and fibrin formation in the blood. This was reduced with RGE treatment. Sepsis-induced increase in the plasma levels of TF and PF4 was also reduced with RGE treatment. Conclusion: This study shows that RGE is a potential therapeutic that reduces the activation of platelets and targets PLA and PNA formation. Detailed inhibitory mechanisms of RGE should be studied.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.765-773
• /
• 2024

Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant molecule, is widely used as a complementary therapy for various skin diseases, including wound healing, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot, and infections. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of ozone for atopic dermatitis (AD). Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is an active ingredient obtained from partially ozonated sunflower oil (SO). OSO markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Oxazolone (OXZ) was applied to hairless mice to induce AD-like skin symptoms and immune response. OSO significantly alleviated the OXZ-induced increases in the number of infiltrating mast cells, epidermal thickness, AD symptoms, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and filaggrin, as well as the serum levels of NO, IgE, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, OSO inhibited the IL-4/STAT3/MAPK pathway and the expression of NF-κB. Our results suggest that OSO treatment could relieve AD-mediated skin damage through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, it can be used as a therapeutic agent against AD-related skin diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.205-210
• /
• 2014

Persicaria orientalis (L.) Spach (Po) and Potentilla fragarioides var. major Maxim (Pf) extracts were analyzed to investigate anti-inflammation through their suppressing effects on free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, with regard to Po and Pf, an analysis was conducted of their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide, which is produced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, and their inhibitory effect on the translocation of the nucleus of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). The $IC_{50}$ value of ROS, which was induced by $50{\mu}M$ 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), was found to be $23.35{\pm}1.27{\mu}g/mL$ due to the effect of the Po extract, and $8.46{\pm}1.22{\mu}g/mL$ due to the effect of the Pf extract. In addition, the $IC_{50}$ value of peroxynitrite treated with the Po extract was $2.19{\pm}0.04{\mu}g/mL$, whereas that of peroxynitrite treated with the Pf extract was $0.80{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/mL$. ROS and peroxynitrite were induced by $50{\mu}M$ 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride. There was an increase in the amount of nitric oxide in the RAW 264.7 cells treated with LPS ($1{\mu}g/mL$), whereas the level of NO was observed to significantly and dose-dependently decrease in the cells treated with Po and Pf. The amount of nitric oxide produced by the group treated with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of the Pf extract was $11.45{\pm}0.57{\mu}M$. Furthermore, the Po extracts inhibited the translocation of the nucleus of NF-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, it is highly possible that Po and Pf have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.1772-1776
• /
• 2010

Transcription factors Nrf2 and NF-${\kappa}B$ are important regulators of the innate immune response, and their cross-talks in inflammation have been reported. Previously, we demonstrated that gold(I)-compound auranofin, an inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ signal, induced Nrf2 activation in human synovial cells and monocytic cells. To investigate whether the Nrf2 activation is involved in the mechanism of the auranofin-attenuated NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling, we examined the effects of Nrf2 knockdown on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation using rheumatic synovial cells. When the cells were transfected with a specific siRNA for Nrf2, the gene expression was perfectly blocked. However, the Nrf2 knockdown did not cancel the suppressive effect of auranofin on TNF-$\alpha$-induced $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. Treatment with a specific siRNA for HO-1, which is a target of Nrf2 and plays a role in anti-inflammation, also did not affect the blocking activity of auranofin on $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. In addition, auranofin-inhibited ICAM-1 expression was not restored by Nrf2 knockdown. These findings indicate that the activated Nrf2 and HO-1 are not associated with the suppressive action of auranofin on the pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. This suggests that Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ signals, which are regulated by auranofin, participate in the anti-inflammatory action of auranofin via independent pathways in rheumatic synovial cells.