• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 1998

Platelet-activating factor(PAF) enhanced interleukin-1(IL-1) activity by the interaction with a specific receptor in rat alveolar macrophages. In this study, we investigated the role of endogenous arachidonate metabolites and intracellular calcium mobilization in the PAF-induced IL-1 activity. Alveolar macrophages were preincubated with 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors 30 min before the addition of PAF and lipopolysaccharide(LPS). After 24h culture, IL-1 activity was measured in the supernate of sample using the thymocyte proliferation assay. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase by nordihydroguaiaretic acid and AA-861 completely blocked the PAF-induced enhancement of IL-1 activity with $IC_{50}\;of\;2\;{\mu}M\;and\;5\;{\mu}M$, respectively. In contrast, the inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway by indomethacin and ibuprofen resulted in the potentiation in PAF-induced IL-1 activity with maximal effect at $1\;{\mu}M\;and\;5\;{\mu}M$, respectively. In addition, leukotriene $B_4$ and prostaglandin $E_2$ production were observed in PAF-stimulated alveolar macrophage culture. As could be expected, 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors abolished PAF- stimulated leukotriene $B_4$ and prostaglandin $E_2$ production, respectively. The effects of PAF on intracellular calcium mobilization in alveolar macrophages were evaluated using the calcium-sensitive dye fura-2 at the single cell level. PAF at any dose between $10^{-16}\;and\;10^{-8}$ M did not increase intracellular calcium. Furthermore, there was no effective change of intracellular calcium level when PAF was added to alveolar macrophages in the presence of LPS or LPS+LTB4, and 4, 24 and 48h after treatment of these stimulants. Together, the results indicate that IL-1 activity induced by PAF is differently regulated through subsequent induction of endogenous 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways, but not dependent on calcium signalling pathway.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 1990

This study was aimed to observe the direct and Iymphokine-activated cell mediated cytotoxic effects against Trichomenas waginalis by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Cytotoxicity was measured as release of 3H-thymidine from prelabeled protozoa, and tested in U-bottom microtiter plates. A 0.1 ml suspension of labeled protozoa (2{\times}10^5/ml$) was placed in each well, followed by 0.1 ml of a suspension containing increasing numbers of peritoneal cells. After a 24 hr incubation at $37^{\circ}C$, 0.1ml of the supernatant was collected and counted in liquid scintillation counter. Mouse peritoneal macrophages had appreciable level of spontaneous cytotoxicity against T. maginalis at the effector to target cell ratios from 5 : 1 to 50 : 1, Treatment of macrophages with Iymphokine, produced by PHA-stimulated spleen cells, increased the cytotoxicity in comparison with resident macrophages against T. vaginalis. The degree of macrophage activation for the killing was not dependent upon the Iymphokine concentration. Peritoneal cells adherent to plastic displayed significant levels of cytotoxicity against T. vaginalis. This study indicates that mouse peritoneal macrophages are spontaneously cytotoxic for T. waginalis and Iymphokine increases the cytotoxicity by activating macrophages to kill T. vaginalis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CCE-extract of C. chinensis Rhizome) in induction of immune protein on mouse macrophages. Methods : To analyze cytokines interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-9, IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-17, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein(MCP)-1 induced by macrophages, mouse macrophages were incubated with CCE and was measured. Results : IL-$1{\alpha}$ measurement, CCE showed significant inhibition only at concentration level of 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. IL-3, MCP-1 measurement, CCE showed significant inhibition only at concentration level of 100, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. IL-9 measurement, CCE showed significant inhibition only at concentration level of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. IL-13 measurement, CCE showed significant inhibition only at concentration level of 50, 100, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. The IL-12p40, IL-17 levels indicated no changes at 25, 50, 100, 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ on mouse macrophages. Conclusions : CCE did not significantly increased inflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-9, IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-17, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein(MCP)-1 on mouse macrophages. It was verified CCE does not trigger cytokine related hypersensitivity reaction of organism or exacerbation of acute/chronic inflammatory disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2016

Objectives : The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the water extracts of Portulacae Herba (PH).Methods : We measured the effects of the water extracts of Portulacae Herba (PH) on the cell viability of mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, the intracellular calcium production, and the proinflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, which are induced by the lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and obtained the results shown below.Results : After the cultivation of the PH extracts along with the mouse macrophages, the cell survival rate did not decrease with the MTT assay. However, the PH extracts did significantly suppress the production of NO by the mouse macrophages induced by LPS at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/mL. The PH extract also significantly suppressed the VEGF, PDGF-BB and intracellular calcium production of the mouse macrophages by LPS at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/mL. As shown in the results above, the PH extracts do not have a toxic effect on the macrophages, but still have an anti-inflammatory effect that significantly reduces the intracellular calcium production as well as the production of NO, VEGF and PDGF-BB at concentrations above 25 ㎍/mL.Conclusions : In conclusion, the inhibitory anti-inflammatory effects of the PH extract can be used for a new treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.100-105
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• 2005

Mancozeb (MCZ) is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, but the toxicity of MCZ on immune responses has not been systematically investigated. We investigated the effects of MCZ exposure on the activities of murine peritoneal macrophages through evaluation of MCZ-induced alteration of nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-\alpha)$ synthesis. Macrophages were examined ex vivo from mice orally treated with various doses of MCZ for 5 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks (subacute exposure, 250, 1000, 1500 mg/kg/day) followed by culture for 2 $(TNF-{\alpha})$ or 3 days (NO) in the presence of LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}$. Macrophages from naive mice were also cultured with various concentrations of MCZ (0.05, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 ${\mu}g//mIL$ in the presence of LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}$ for 2 $(TNF-{\alpha})$ or 3 days (NO) in vitro. NO production was decreased with the in vitro exposure to all concentrations of MCZ. However, the amount of NO production by peritoneal macrophages from MCZ-subacutely exposed mice was increased in comparision with that of control group. In vitro, MCZ suppressed $(TNF-\alpha)$ secretion with significant reduction at 2 ${\mu}g/mL$ MCZ. Conversely, $(TNF-{\alpha})$ release was enhanced ex vivo. This study provides the substantial evidence on MCZ-induced alternation in macrophage activity. In order to clearly understand the contrasting effect of MCZ on peritoneal macrophage activity, it is necessary to further investigate the influence of major metabolite of MCZ (ETU) exposure on the NO production and $(TNF-{\alpha})$ synthesis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2013

Elevated blood triglyceride (TG) levels correlate with development of atherosclerosis suggesting that TG may promote the development of this disease. During atherosclerosis, TG is taken up by tissue macrophages which result in dramatic changes in various secreted factors. One such factor is the family of matrix metalloproteases (MMP) which are involved in tissue remodeling during both physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we examined the MMP expression profile in PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages treated with TG. We found that TG-treated THP-1 macrophages showed decreased expression of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8 and MMP-9 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-10 remained relatively unchanged after TG treatment. In addition, we found that expression of select MMPs was affected by various inhibitors of signaling pathways. In particular, expression of MMP-3 was slightly recovered by cRAF and PLC signaling pathway inhibitors. These data suggests a possible role of MMPs in macrophages during TG-induced atherosclerosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3917-3922
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• 2015

Curcumin, a lipid-soluble compound extracted from the plant Curcuma Longa, has been found to exert immunomodulatory effects via macrophages. However, most studies focus on the low bioavailability issue of curcumin by nano and microparticles, and thus the role of macrophages in the anticancer mechanism of curcumin has received little attention so far. We have previously shown the potential biocompatibility, biodegradability and anti-cancer effects of dendrosomal curcumin (DNC). In this study, twenty-seven BALB/c mice were equally divided into control as well as 40 and 80 mg/kg groups of DNC to investigate the involvement of macrophages in the antitumor effects of curcumin in a typical animal model of metastatic breast cancer. At the end of intervention, the tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced in DNC groups compared to control (P<0.05). Histopathological data showed the presence of macrophages in tumor and spleen tissues. Real-time PCR results showed that DNC increased the expression of STAT4 and IL-12 genes in tumor and spleen tissues in comparison with control (P<0.05), referring to the high levels of M1 macrophages. Furthermore treatment with DNC decreased STAT3, IL-10 and arginase I gene expression (P<0.05), indicating low levels of M2 macrophage. The results confirm the role of macrophages in the protective effects of dendrosomal curcumin against metastatic breast cancer in mice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which Chelidonium majus (CM) regulates nitric oxide (NO) production. Methods : Using mouse peritoneal macrophages, the mechanism by which CM regulates NO or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ production was examined. NO release was measured by the Griess method. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was measured by the ELISA method. The protein extracts were prepared and samples were analyzed for the inducible NOS(iNOS) expression and nuclear factor kappa $B(NF-{\kappa}B)$ activation by Western blotting. Results : When CM was used in combination with recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(rIFN-{\gamma})$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. CM had an effect on NO production by itself. The expression of the iNOS gene was increased in $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. The $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was increased in rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM-induced peritoneal macrophages. The increased production of NO from $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal rnacrophages was decreased by the treatment with $N^{G}-monomethyl-{_L}-arginine{\;}(N^{G}MMA){\;}N^{\alpha}-Tosyl-Phe$ chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) , and was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with PDTC. Furthermore, treatment with CM alone or rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM in peritoneal macrophages caused a significant increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. PDTC decreased CM-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly. After CM treatment in HT-29 or AGS cells, cell viability decreased. Conclusions : These findings demonstrate that CM increases the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}{\;}by{\;}rIFN-{\gamma}-primed$ macrophages and suggest that NF-B plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CM.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.431-436
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• 2012

Dioscorea species continue to be used in traditional Chinese medicine, and represent a major source of steroid precursors for conventional medicine. In the previous study, We isolated glycoprotein (GDB) from Dioscorea batatas, characterized, and demonstrated immunostimulating activity in C57BL/6 mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism whereby GDB activates macrophages. Macrophages activation by GDB was investigated by analyzing the effects of GDB on nitric oxide (NO) production, iNOS expression, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and transcription factor activation. In the presence of IFN-${\gamma}$, GDB strongly stimulated macrophages to express iNOS and produce NO. Furthermore, the activation of p38 was synergistically induced by GDB plus IFN-${\gamma}$, but SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) inhibited GDB plus IFN-${\gamma}$-induced p38 activation. This study indicates that GDB is an important activator of macrophages. Furthermore, due to the critical role that macrophage activation plays in innate immune response, the activation effects of GDB on macrophages suggest that GDB may be a useful immunopotentiating agent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Macrophages play a vital role in the innate immune system involving defensive cytokines such as TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-${\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, we try to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus Obliquus, IO) in murine macrophages. Raw 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages of mice were cultured with or without LPS/LPS + IFN-${\gamma}$ in the presence of IO aqueous extracts (IOE 0.2, 2, 20, 100 ${\mu}g$/mL) for 24 hr and 48 hr, respectively. Exposure of IOE caused the decrease of NO production and increase of TNF-${\alpha}$ production in dose-dependent manner in activated peritoneal macrophage in vitro. To further investigate anti-inflammatory effects of IO ex vivo, we orally administrated capsaicin (PC, 3 mg/kg/day) and IOE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day) for 4 consecutive days to C57BL/6 mice (7~9 weeks old, female), then observed the NO secretion and cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$) production of LPS/LPS + INF-${\gamma}$-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. IOE inhibits NO secretion in dose-dependent manner both ex vivo and in vitro and increases the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ in vitro. In addition, we found that IOE possessed suppressive effects of LPS-stimulated TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, COX-2, as well as iNOS expressions in Raw 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that IOE suppress not only the LPS-induced NO overproduction of murine peritoneal macrophages, but also iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ overexpression of LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells. Consequently, our results suggest that IO may have the anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of the inflammatory cytokines and mediators, and be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.