Caveolin-1 confers antiinflammatory effects in murine macrophages via the MKK3/p38 MAPK pathway

Caveolin-1 has been reported to regulate apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and endocytosis in macrophages. In the present study, we demonstrate that caveolin-1 can act as a potent immunomodulatory molecule. We first observed caveolin-1 expression in murine alveolar macrophages by Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Loss-of-function experiments using small interfering RNA showed that down regulating caveolin-1 expression in murine alveolar and peritoneal macrophages increased LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha and IL-6 production but decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production. Gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that overexpression of caveolin-1 in RAW264.7 cells decreased LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production and augmented IL-10 production. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was increased by overexpressing caveolin-1 in RAW264.7 cells, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase MAPK, and Akt phosphorylation were inhibited. The antiinflammatory modulation of LPS-induced cytokine production by caveolin-1 was significantly abrogated by the administration of p38 inhibitor SB203580 in RAW264.7 cells. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from MKK3 null mice did not demonstrate any modulation of LPS-induced cytokine production by caveolin-1. LPS-induced activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay were significantly reduced by overexpressing caveolin-1 in RAW264.7 cells. The reductions were attenuated by the administration of p38 inhibitor SB203580. Taken together, our data suggest that caveolin-1 acts as a potent immunomodulatory effector molecule in immune cells and that the regulation of LPS-induced cytokine production by caveolin-1 involves the MKK3/p38 MAPK pathway.     

Dominant-negative effect of the c-fos family gene products on inducible NO synthase expression in macrophages

Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages or the macrophage cell line RAW264 with IFN-gamma and bacterial lipopolysaccharide promotes a transient up-regulation of c-fos family gene expression following inducible NO synthase (iNOS) production. Since introduction of a double mutation into the two AP-1-binding sites in the iNOS promoter region reduced the promoter activity to 25% of the authentic one in activated RAW264 cells, the induced c-Fos/AP-1 may promote iNOS expression in activated macrophages. Surprisingly, overexpression of c-fos in activated macrophages completely suppressed the production of iNOS, but not that of IL-6 and IL-1beta. The regulatory effect was also observed by overexpression of c-fos, c-jun or fosB on the promoter activity as deduced from transfection experiments. However, the mutation of AP-1-binding sites in the promoter region did not abrogate the regulatory effect of c-fos and the effect of c-fos was diminished by co-transfection with c-jun, but not with fosB, suggesting no relation between the regulatory effect and a c-Fos/AP-1 complex. Expression of NF-IL6 (C/EBPbeta), whose gene product can make a non-functional heterodimer with c-Fos family proteins, was transiently induced in activated macrophages. Overexpression of NF-IL6 in activated RAW264 cells augmented iNOS promoter activity and reduced the regulatory effect of c-fos overexpression. Thus, overproduction of c-Fos family proteins acts as a dominant-negative-type regulator on iNOS expression in activated macrophages.     

Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 via PI3K/Akt and Nrf-2 signaling pathways mediates the anti-inflammatory activity of Schisandrin in Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-stimulated macrophages

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis is thought to induce periodontitis. In this study, we isolated Schisandrin from the dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis and examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Schisandrin in macrophages stimulated with LPS from P. gingivalis. First, Schisandrin inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. And Schisandrin suppressed the nuclear translocation and activity of NF-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Next, the presence of a selective inhibitor of HO-1 (SnPP) and a siRNA specific for HO-1 inhibited Schisandrin-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, Schisandrin induced HO-1 expression of RAW 264.7 cells through Nrf-2, PI3K/Akt, and ERK activation. Therefore, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of Schisandrin on P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells may be due to a reduction of NF-κB activity and induction of the expression of HO-1, leading to TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 down-regulation.     

Rab7负向调控巨噬细胞中CpG诱导的细胞因子的表达

目的:研究Rab7过表达及失活突变(Rab7T22N)对CpG刺激的RAW264.7巨噬细胞中分泌细胞因子的影响。方法:采用RT-PCR和Real-time PCR检测RAW264.7细胞中Rab7在CpG刺激下表达模式。将Rab7真核表达质粒及失活突变质粒Rab7T22N通过脂质体法转染RAW264.7细胞,G418稳定筛选,Western法鉴定表达效果。用CpG刺激稳定表达Rab7的RAW264.7细胞系,RT-PCR和Real-time PCR检测细胞因子IL-6、IL-1β、IFN-β的表达量变化。结果:CpG刺激RAW264.7后,Rab7 mRNA表达水平逐渐增高,在8小时达到高峰,表达增高近4倍。Rab7过表达后,CpG刺激后产生的IL-6、IL-1β、IFN-β显著降低。巨噬细胞中Rab7失活突变后,在CpG刺激后IL-6、IL-1β、IFN-β的表达又显著增加。结论:CpG促进RAW264.7巨噬细胞中Rab7 mRNA的表达,Rab7抑制了CpG刺激的巨噬细胞中IL-6、IL-1β、IFN-β的表达,该抑制作用的发挥与其酶活性的GTP结合有关。该研究为进一步阐明Rab7在CpG/TLR9信号通路中的作用奠定了基础。     

NOD8对LPS诱导巨噬细胞释放NO、TNF-α和IL-1β的影响

 目的： 探讨NOD8对脂多糖（LPS）诱导巨噬细胞释放一氧化氮（NO）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）和白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）的影响。方法： pEGFP-C2及pEGFP-NOD8重组质粒分别转染小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7,以LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞0、6、12、24 h后,采用Griess reagent法测定观察细胞分泌的NO水平;ELISA法检测IL-1β 和 TNF-α 的含量;荧光法测定活化的caspase-1水平; Western blotting检测NOD8蛋白表达及NF-κB  p65亚基的核转位情况。结果： (1)与转染pEGFP-C2空质粒组比较,转染pEGFP-NOD8质粒组NOD8蛋白表达明显增加。(2) LPS刺激6、12、24 h后,RAW264.7细胞释放NO、IL-1β及TNF-α均明显增加;而在pEGFP-NOD8+LPS组RAW264.7细胞, NO于12、24 h 的释放显著降低,IL-1β于6、12、24 h的释放也明显降低,TNF-α的释放则无明显变化。（3）在LPS刺激6、12、24 h后, RAW264.7细胞caspase-1活化水平均明显升高,胞浆NF-κB p65亚基表达明显减少,表明p65核转位增加;而pEGFP-NOD8+LPS组可显著抑制caspase-1的活化以及NF-κB p65亚基的核转位,差异有统计学意义。结论： NOD8可抑制LPS诱导的巨噬细胞NO与IL-1β释放,其作用机制可能与NOD8抑制caspase-1及NF-κB 的活化有关。     

Imperatorin Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation by Suppressing NF-κB and MAPKs Activation in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Imperatorin is a type of coumarin compound with antibacterial and antiviral activities. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of imperatorin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by investigating its impact on the production and expression of cytokines and the major signal-transduction pathways. We found that imperatorin downregulated LPS-induced levels of TNF-??, IL-1??, and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner, and it significantly inhibited expression of TNF-?? and IL-6 (P?<?0.05 or P?<?0.01). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-??B) p65 protein were analyzed by western blotting. In RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with 1?mg/L of LPS, imperatorin significantly inhibited p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation protein expression. However, there was no significant change in p-ERK. Furthermore, imperatorin also inhibited NF-??B translocation into the nucleus through blockage of I??B?? phosphorylation and degradation.     

Gamma-Linolenic Acid Inhibits Inflammatory Responses by Regulating NF-κB and AP-1 Activation in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is a member of the n-6 family of polyunsaturated fatty acids and can be synthesized from linoleic acid (LA) by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase. The therapeutic values of GLA supplementation have been documented, but the molecular mechanism behind the action of GLA in health benefits is not clear. In this study, we assessed the effect of GLA with that of LA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses and further explored the molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological properties of GLA in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages. GLA significantly inhibited LPS-induced protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, pro-interleukin-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2 as well as nitric oxide production and the intracellular glutathione level. LA was less potent than GLA in inhibiting LPS-induced inflammatory mediators. Both GLA and LA treatments dramatically inhibited LPS-induced IκB-α degradation, IκB-α phosphorylation, and nuclear p65 protein expression. Moreover, LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) nuclear protein–DNA binding affinity and reporter gene activity were significantly decreased by LA and GLA. Exogenous addition of GLA but not LA significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-1. Our data suggest that GLA inhibits inflammatory responses through inactivation of NF-κB and AP-1 by suppressed oxidative stress and signal transduction pathway of ERK and JNK in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.     

Chamomile: an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity

Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders. In this study we investigated the inhibitory effects of chamomile on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and explored its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile treatment inhibited LPS-induced NO production and significantly blocked IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα-induced NO levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, LPS-induced DNA binding activity of RelA/p65 was significantly inhibited by chamomile, an effect that was mediated through the inhibition of IKKβ, the upstream kinase regulating NF-κB/Rel activity, and degradation of inhibitory factor-κB. These results demonstrate that chamomile inhibits NO production and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting RelA/p65 activation and supports the utilization of chamomile as an effective anti-inflammatory agent.     

Baicalein reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via suppressing JAK/STATs activation and ROS production

Objective

To investigate the precise molecular mechanisms by which baicalein exerts beneficial biochemical activities in RAW264.7 macrophages treated with LPS.

Materials and methods

RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the absence or presence of baicalein together with or without LPS. iNOS and COX-2 expression were measured by western blot and RT-PCR analyses. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined by using double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Phosphorylations of JAK1 and JAK2, and of STAT1 and STAT3 were detected by western blotting. Nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT3 was visualized by confocal microscopy. ROS production was detected by ROS assay.

Results

Baicalein significantly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and the phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK2, but without affecting MAPKs phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Baicalein suppressed the nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT3 and inhibited production of iNOS upon LPS-stimulation, resulting in the inhibition of releases of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we found that baicalein reduced the LPS-induced accumulation of ROS, confirming that baicalein serves as an antioxidant.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that suppressing JAK/STATs activation and interfering with ROS production might contribute to the anti-inflammatory action of baicalein in macrophages.     

Dichloromethane Fraction of Laminaria japonica Ethanolic Extract Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in RAW 264.7 Cells via NF-κB Pathway

Strong anti-inflammatory activity has been found in Laminaria japonica dichloromethane fraction (LDF); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory activity are not reported. Our results indicated that LDF inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) production in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. Also, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were remarkably reduced by LDF in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. LDF greatly inhibited promoter activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and translocation of NF-κB subunits by prevention of the degradation of inhibitor κB-α in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells (p?相似文献   

Adipophilin通过ERK1/2-AP-1途径诱导炎症因子的表达

目的:观察巨噬细胞中脂肪分化相关蛋白(adipophilin)对炎症因子表达的影响,阐明adipophilin促进巨噬细胞炎症因子表达的机制。方法:将已构建成功的adipophilin稳定高、低表达逆转录病毒载体转染入PA317包装细胞,制备adipophilin高和低表达的RAW264.7细胞;收集已转染成功的各组细胞上清液,用ELISA方法检测IL-6、TNF-α、MCP-1等炎症因子在细胞培养液中的浓度。Western blot检测各组细胞AP-1、p-AP-1、ERK1/2及p-ERK1/2的蛋白水平;用ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059或AP-1抑制剂curcumin孵育细胞,检测各组细胞中以上指标的变化情况。结果:高表达adipophilin的细胞上清液中炎症因子IL-6、MCP-1和TNF-α浓度明显增高,adipophilin siRNA组细胞中的炎症因子降低;高表达adipophilin的细胞中p-ERK1/2和p-AP-1的蛋白水平增高,adipophilin siRNA组则减少;ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059使AP-1蛋白活性明显下调;给予AP-1抑制剂curcumin后,细胞培养液中的IL-6、MCP-1和TNF-α浓度明显下降。结论:Adipophilin在RAW264.7巨噬细胞中能够促进炎症因子的表达。     

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by downregulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 cells

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a member of the flavonoid family, has received considerable attention as a selective tyrosine kinase receptor B agonist. Several studies have indicated that 7,8-DHF has neurotrophic and antioxidant activities. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of 7,8-DHF. Therefore, we investigated whether 7,8-DHF affects the expression of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Our results indicated that 7,8-DHF significantly attenuated secretion of LPS-induced inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E? (PGE?) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and IL-1β was decreased by pre-treatment with 7,8-DHF. Our results also showed that 7,8-DHF reduces LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity via the suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and the degradation of inhibitor κB (lκB). In addition, 7,8-DHF inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory property of 7,8-DHF is related to the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2 and IL-1β, due to NF-κB inhibition as well as to the negative regulation of MAPK activation in RAW264.7 cells. Thus, 7,8-DHF may be a novel therapeutic agent for the prevention of various inflammatory diseases.     

Regulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-12 production by activation of repressor element GA-12 through hyperactivation of the ERK pathway

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) functions as a representative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediator in both innate and adaptive immunity. We investigated the regulation of LPS-induced IL-12 production by mouse macrophages. In response to LPS, peritoneal macrophages produced bioactive IL-12 p70, a heterodimer (p40/p35) of subunits, but macrophage lines such as J774.1 and RAW264.7 did not. Induction of the p35 subunit was impaired in both cell lines, and additional impairment of p40 induction was observed in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that some negative regulatory mechanisms against LPS-induced IL-12 p40 production are constitutively functioning in RAW264.7 cells but not in the other types of cells. Activation of GA-12 (a repressor element of IL-12 p40), rather than suppression of promoter elements, such as binding sites for NF-kappaB, AP-1, and IRF-1, was detected in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, accompanying hyperactivation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK). When ERK activation was suppressed by an inhibitor (U0126), production of p40 rose from an undetectable to a substantial level and GA-12 activation decreased. In peritoneal macrophages, stimulation with a high dose of LPS reduced p40 production with enhanced activation of ERK. Pretreatment of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate to enhance ERK activation reduced p40 production in response to the optimal LPS stimulation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that hyperactivation of the ERK pathway plays a role in upstream signaling for the activation of GA-12, leading to the repression of IL-12 p40 production in mouse macrophages.     

Inhibition of macrophage activation and suppression of graft rejection by DTCM-glutarimide, a novel piperidine derived from the antibiotic 9-methylstreptimidone

Objective

We have previously synthesized a novel piperidine compound, 3-[(dodecylthiocarbonyl)methyl]glutarimide (DTCM-glutarimide), that inhibits LPS-induced NO production, and in the present research we studied further the anti-inflammatory activity of DTCM-glutarimide in a macrophage cell line and in mice bearing transplanted hearts.

Materials and methods

Mouse macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells were employed for the evaluation of cellular inflammatory activity. DTCM-glutarimide was synthesized in our laboratory. The AP-1 activity was measured by nuclear translocation and phosphorylation. For the heart transplantation experiment, male C57BL/6 (H-2b) and BALB/c (H-2d) mice were used as donor and recipient, respectively. DTCM-glutarimide was administered intraperitoneally.

Results

DTCM-glutarimide inhibited the LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophages; but, unexpectedly, it did not inhibit LPS-induced NF-??B activation. Instead, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of both c-Jun and c-Fos. It also inhibited LPS-induced c-Jun phosphorylation. Moreover, it inhibited the mixed lymphocyte reaction in primary cultures of mouse spleen cells; and furthermore, in mice it prolonged the graft survival in heart transplantation experiments.

Conclusion

The novel piperidine compound, DTCM-glutarimide, was found to be a new inhibitor of macrophage activation, inhibiting AP-1 activity. It also inhibited graft rejection in mice, and thus may be a candidate for an anti-inflammatory agent.