Inhibition of interleukin-12 production in mouse macrophages by hydroquinone, a reactive metabolite of benzene, via suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB binding activity

Exposure to cigarette smoke is known to increase the risk of the development of allergic disease associated with T helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated immune responses. IL-12 is known to suppress Th2 responses. In this study we investigated the effects of hydroquinone (HQ), a major metabolite of benzene present in large quantities in cigarette tar, on the production of IL-12 from mouse macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). HQ potently inhibited the LPS-induced IL-12 production in both primary mouse macrophages and RAW164.7 monocytic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of HQ on IL-12 p40 promoter activation was analyzed by transfecting RAW264.7 monocytic cells with p40 promoter/luciferase constructs. The repressive effect mapped to a region in the p40 promoter containing a binding site for nuclear factor-kappaB (p40-kappaB). Furthermore, activation of macrophages by LPS resulted in markedly enhanced binding activity to the kappaB site, which significantly decreased upon addition of HQ. Pre-incubation with HQ significantly prevented degradation of IkappaB protein in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, indicating that HQ suppressed NF-kappaB binding activity by inhibiting the degradation of IkappaB protein. These findings suggest that HQ may, at least in part, enhance allergic immune responses by inhibiting the production of IL-12 in macrophages.     

Inhibition of interleukin-12 production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophages by parthenolide, a predominant sesquiterpene lactone in Tanacetum parthenium: involvement of nuclear factor-kappaB.

Pharmacological control of interleukin-12 (IL-12) production may be a key therapeutic strategy for modulating immunological diseases dominated by type-1 cytokine responses. In this study, we investigated the effects of parthenolide, an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene, on the production of IL-12 from mouse macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Parthenolide potently inhibited the LPS-induced IL-12 production in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of parthenolide on IL-12 p40 promoter activation was analyzed by transfecting RAW264.7 monocytic cells with p40 promoter/luciferase constructs. The repressive effect mapped to a region in the p40 promoter containing a binding site for nuclear factor-kappaB (p40-kappaB). Furthermore, activation of macrophages by LPS resulted in markedly enhanced binding activity to the kappaB site, which significantly decreased upon addition of parthenolide. These results suggest that parthenolide-induced inhibition of IL-12 production in macrophages may explain some of the biological effects of parthenolide including its anti-inflammatory activity.     

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。     

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.     

Spironolactone inhibits production of proinflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide via inactivation of nuclear factor-κB

The effect of spironolactone (SPIR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory mediators was examined using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages. SPIR significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α and prostaglandin E2. The inhibition was not mediated by cell death. SPIR reduced the expression of an inducible NO synthase mRNA in response to LPS. SPIR significantly inhibited phosphorylation of p65 nuclear factor (NF)-κB in response to LPS. Furthermore, SPIR inhibited phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) as an upstream molecule of NF-κB in response to LPS. LPS did not induce the production of aldosterone in RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, SPIR is suggested to inhibit LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators via inactivation of IKK/NF-κB in LPS signaling.     

Plumbagin,a Vitamin K3 Analogue,abrogates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress,Inflammation and Endotoxic Shock via NF-κB Suppression

Plumbagin has been reported to modulate cellular redox status and suppress NF-κB. In the present study, we investigated the effect of plumbagin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock, oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters in vitro and in vivo. Plumbagin inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2 production in a concentration-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells without inducing any cell death. Plumbagin modulated cellular redox status in RAW cells. Plumbagin treatment significantly reduced MAPkinase and NF-κB activation in macrophages. Plumbagin prevented mice from endotoxic shock-associated mortality and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory markers. Plumbagin administration ameliorated LPS-induced oxidative stress in peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes. Plumbagin also attenuated endotoxic shock-associated changes in liver and lung histopathology and decreased the activation of ERK and NF-κB in liver. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of plumbagin in preventing LPS-induced endotoxemia and also provide mechanistic insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of plumbagin.     

Chloromethyl ketones inhibit interleukin-12 production in mouse macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a pivotal role in the development of T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune response, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and N-alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), serine protease inhibitors, on the production of IL-12 from macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TPCK and TLCK potently inhibited this LPS-induced IL-12 production in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of TPCK and TLCK on the IL-12 p40 promoter activation was analyzed by transfecting monocytic RAW264.7 cells with p40 promoter-reporter constructs. The repressive effect maps to a region in the p40 promoter containing a binding site for NFkappaB (p40-kappaB). A linker scan mutant of the p40-kappaB site abrogates the inhibitory effect on the p40 promoter, confirming the functional relevance of the NFkappaB site. Our results show that TPCK and TLCK inhibit NFkappaB-mediated IL-12 production in macrophages. reserved.     

Fimbriated Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium abates initial inflammatory responses by macrophages

Oral immunization of mice with a Salmonella vaccine expressing colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli results in the rapid onset of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 production, which explains the observed elevations in mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and serum IgG1 antibodies. In contrast, oral immunization with the Salmonella vector does not result in the production of Th2-type cytokines. To begin to assess why such differences exist between the two strains, it should be noted that in vitro infection of RAW 264.7 macrophages resulted in the absence of nitric oxide (NO) production in cells infected with the Salmonella-CFA/I vaccine. This observation suggests differential proinflammatory cytokine production by these isogenic Salmonella strains. Upon measurement of proinflammatory cytokines, minimal to no tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, or IL-6 was produced by Salmonella-CFA/I-infected RAW 264.7 or peritoneal macrophages, but production was greatly induced in Salmonella vector-infected macrophages. Only minute levels of IL-12 p70 were induced by Salmonella vector-infected macrophages, and none was induced by Salmonella-CFA/I-infected macrophages. The absence of IL-12 was not due to overt increases in production of either IL-12 p40 or IL-10. CFU measurements taken at 8 h postinfection showed no differences in colonization in RAW 264.7 cells infected with either Salmonella construct, but there were differences in peritoneal macrophages. However, after 24 h, the Salmonella vector strain colonized to a greater extent in RAW 264.7 cells than in peritoneal macrophages. Infection of RAW 264.7 cells or peritoneal macrophages with either Salmonella construct showed no difference in macrophage viabilities. This evidence shows that the expression of CFA/I fimbriae alters how macrophages recognize or process salmonellae and prevents the rapid onset of proinflammatory cytokines which is typical during Salmonella infections.     

Recombinant TB10.4 of Mycobacterium bovis induces cytokine production in RAW264.7 macrophages through activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways via TLR2

The TB10.4 antigen of Mycobacterium bovis/Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces a strong Th1 CD4+ T-cell response. Thus, it is currently under intensive study as a possible vaccine candidate. However, how TB10.4 activates innate immune cells is unclear. How TB10.4 interacts with toll-like receptors (TLRs) and signaling pathways responsible for active inflammation have also not been fully elucidated. Here, as stimulated RAW264.7 cells with recombinant TB10.4 (rTB10.4), derived from M. bovis, increased TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12 p40 secretin in a dose-dependent manner. Blocking assays showed that TLR2-, but not TLR4-neutralizing antibody reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12 p40 in RAW264.7 cells. rTB10.4 stimulation activated p38 kinase (p38) and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) was TLR2-dependent, whereas inhibition of p38 and ERK activity significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production. Furthermore, rTB10.4 stimulation of RAW264.7 cells resulted in TLR2-mediated activation of NF-κB and induced translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus via IκBα degradation. rTB10.4-induced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12 p40 release was attenuated by the specific IκB phosphorylation inhibitor, BAY 11-7082. These findings indicate that the M. bovis-derived rTB10.4 induced production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12 p40 involves p38, ERK and NF-κB via the TLR2 pathway.     

Up-regulation of TLR9 gene expression by LPS in mouse macrophages via activation of NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are critical in the activation of macrophages by bacterial products. It has been shown that TLR2 and TLR4 mediate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoproteins signal transduction, respectively. Regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 expression by LPS was considered to be one of the mechanisms to control the overall responses of immune cells to bacteria. However, little is known about whether the other members of TLR family are regulated by LPS. Recently, TLR9 was demonstrated to be essential for CpG DNA signaling. Given the effective immune modulation by CpG DNA, regulation of TLR9 expression might play important role in controlling the overall responses of immune cells to bacteria. In this study, regulation of TLR9 gene expression in mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 by LPS was investigated. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine gene expression of TLR9. Following LPS stimulation, TLR9 gene expression was upregulated within 1 h and reached peak level at about 3 h. LPS stimulation activated NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways. Pretreatment of macrophages with inhibitors of NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of TLR9 mRNA expression. Our results demonstrated that LPS stimulation could upregulate gene expression of TLR9 via NF-kappaB, ERK, and p38 MAPK signal pathways in macrophages, indicating that macrophages with increased TLR9 expression induced by LPS might respond to invading bacteria more effectively.     

The Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in a Murine Model

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in a murine model. In the present study, production of TNF-α and MIP-2 and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 in RAW264.7 cells were measured. EGCG inhibited the production of TNF-α and MIP-2, and attenuated phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK, but not p38 in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Also, EGCG attenuated the production of TNF-α and MIP-2, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK in the lungs of mice administered with LPS intratracheally. It reduced wet/dry weight ratio, histological severities, and neutrophil accumulation in the lungs in mice given LPS. Our results showed that EGCG attenuated LPS-induced lung injury by suppression of the MIP-2 and TNF-α production, and ERK1/2 and JNK activation in macrophage stimulated with LPS.     

Chikusetsusaponin V inhibits inflammatory responses via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages

Excessive activation of macrophages is implicated in various inflammation resulted injuries. Saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activities. However, whether Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV), the most abundant component of SPJ, can exert anti-inflammatory activities is unknown. The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of CsV in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and the underlying mechanisms. Our data showed that CsV dose-dependently inhibited NO, iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β expressions in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Increased protein levels of nuclear NF-κB and elevated phosphorylation levels of ERK and JNK in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were also found downregulated by CsV treatment. Furthermore, the increase of CD14 and TLR4 mRNA expression due to LPS stimulation were significantly reversed by CsV treatment. These results suggested that CsV attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory responses partly via TLR4/CD14-mediated NF-κB and MAPK pathways.     

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.     

CpG ODN-mediated regulation of IL-12 p40 transcription

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs activate RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages and RPMI 8226 human myeloma cells to produce IL-12 p40. Using deletion and site-directed mutagenesis, the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB half-site and the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) recognition site were identified as potent cis-acting elements in CpG ODN-mediated IL-12 p40 promoter activation. Several NF-kappaB/Rel proteins competed for binding to the NF-kappaB half-site. The p65/c-Rel and p65/p50 heterodimer occupied this site shortly after CpG ODN administration (0.5-2 h), while the p50/c-Rel heterodimer dominated binding in the late stage (8-12 h). The induction of p50/c-Rel heterodimer was associated with a significant expression of IL-12 p40 mRNA. C/EBPbeta also contributed to CpG ODN-mediated IL-12 p40 promoter activation.     

Pregnancy specific glycoprotein 18 induces IL-10 expression in murine macrophages

Pregnancy specific glycoproteins (PSG) are secreted into the maternal circulation and may function to regulate the immune system to ensure survival of the fetal allograft. In this study, we have cloned and determined by in situ hybridization the placental sites of expression of Psg18, a murine member of the PSG family that belongs to the Ig superfamily. Recombinant PSG18 and a truncated form containing only the N-terminal domain (PSG18N) were used to treat peritoneal elicited macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells. PSG18 and PSG18N induced IL-10 mRNA expression in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-10 protein was also detected in the supernatant of macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells following PSG18N treatment, albeit higher concentrations were required in the absence of LPS. In contrast, treatment of these cells with PSG18N resulted in no change in the expression of IL-1/beta, TNF-alpha, inducible NO synthase, IL-12p40 and TGF-beta mRNA. Taken together, these results suggest that PSG18 selectively up-regulates IL-10 production by macrophages, providing a possible mechanism by which this protein helps promote successful pregnancy.