Matrine derivate MASM suppresses LPS-induced phenotypic and functional maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

CXCR1 drives the pathogenesis of EAE and ARDS via boosting dendritic cells-dependent inflammation

Chemokines secreted by dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the regulation of inflammation and autoimmunity through chemokine receptors. However, the role of chemokine receptor CXCR1 in inflammation-inducing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains largely enigmatic. Here we reported that compared with healthy controls, the level of CXCR1 was aberrantly increased in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Knockout of CXCR1 not only ameliorated disease severity in EAE mice but also suppressed the secretion of inflammatory factors (IL-6/IL-12p70) production. We observed the same results in EAE mice with DCs-specific deletion of CXCR1 and antibody neutralization of the ligand CXCL5. Mechanically, we demonstrated a positive feedback loop composed of CXCL5/CXCR1/HIF-1α direct regulating of IL-6/IL-12p70 production in DCs. Meanwhile, we found CXCR1 deficiency in DCs limited IL-6/IL-12p70 production and lung injury in LPS-induced ARDS, a disease model caused by inflammation. Overall, our study reveals CXCR1 governs DCs-mediated inflammation and autoimmune disorders and its potential as a therapeutic target for related diseases.

Agomir miRNA-150-5p alleviates pristane-induced lupus by suppressing myeloid dendritic cells activation and inflammation via TREM-1 axis

OBJECTIVE

Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) has been shown to participate in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, the detailed underlying mechanisms and therapeutic benefits by targeting TREM-1 remain elusive, especially in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Disorders of epigenetic processes including non-coding RNAs give rise to SLE, resulting in complicated syndromes. Here, we aim to address this issue and explore the miRNA to inhibit the activation of mDCs and alleviate the progress of SLE by targeting TREM-1 signal axis.

METHODS

Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with SLE and healthy individuals by four mRNA microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Then we identified the expression of TREM-1 and its soluble form (sTREM-1) in clinical samples by ELISA, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Phenotypic and functional changes of mDCs elicited by TREM-1 agonist were determined. Three databases of miRNAs target prediction and a dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to screen and verify miRNAs that can directly inhibit TREM-1 expression in vitro. Moreover, pristane-induced lupus mice were injected with miR-150-5p agomir to evaluate the effects of miR-150-5p on mDCs in lymphatic organs and disease activity in vivo.

RESULTS

We screened TREM-1 as one of the hub genes closely correlated with the progression of SLE and identified sTREM-1 in serum as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for SLE. Moreover, activation of TREM-1 by its agonist promoted activation and chemotaxis of mDCs and increased the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, showing higher expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. We showed that lupus mice displayed a unique miRNA signature in spleen, among which miR-150 was the most significantly expressed miRNA that targeting TREM-1 compared with wild type group. Transfection of miRNA-150-5p mimics directly suppressed the expression of TREM-1 by binding to its 3' UTR. Our in vivo experiments first indicated that administration of miR-150-5p agomir effectively ameliorated lupus symptoms. Intriguingly, miR-150 inhibited the over activation of mDCs through TREM-1 signal pathway in lymphatic organs and renal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

TREM-1 represents a potentially novel therapeutic target and we identify miR-150-5p as one of the mechanisms to alleviate lupus disease, which is attributable for inhibiting mDCs activation through TREM-1 signaling pathway.

The matrine derivate MASM inhibits astrocyte reactivity and alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

Astrocytes (AST) play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, and their activation is involved in the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). (6aS, 10S, 11aR, 11bR, 11cS)-10-methylaminododecahydro-3a, 7a-diaza-benzo (de) anthracene-8-thione (MASM), a novel derivative of matrine, exhibits vast pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-fibrosis and immune regulation. In this study, we demonstrate that MASM is a promising agent for the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). MASM not only inhibited inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated astrocytes, but also suppressed the formation of reactive A1 astrocyte and maintained astrocytic functions, including the ability to promote synapse formation and phagocytose synapses and myelin debris. Importantly, MASM could significantly alleviate the development of EAE, with significant inhibition of inflammation, demyelination, axon loss and the body weight loss. Meanwhile, MASM also inhibited the activation of astrocytes and improved the function of BBB in vivo. These findings provide novel insights into the protective effect of MASM on EAE, which may be a promising drug candidate for treatment of EAE.

Matrine Exerts Pharmacological Effects Through Multiple Signaling Pathways: A Comprehensive Review

As The main effective monomer of the traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens Ait, matrine has a broad scope of pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fibrotic, anti-viral, anti-arrhythmia, and improving immune function. These actions explain its therapeutic effects in various types of tumors, cardiopathy, encephalomyelitis, allergic asthma, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis, and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Evidence has shown that the mechanism responsible for the pharmacological actions of matrine may be via the activation or inhibition of certain key molecules in several cellular signaling pathways including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), transforming growth factor-β/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (TGF-β/Smad), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Wnt (wingless/ integration 1)/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways. This review comprehensively summarizes recent studies on the pharmacological mechanisms of matrine to provide a theoretical basis for molecular targeted therapies and further development and utilization of matrine.

Immunosuppressive effect of Columbianadin on maturation, migration, allogenic T cell stimulation and phagocytosis capacity of TNF-α induced dendritic cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelicae pubescentis radix (APR) has a long history in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. It has the effects of dispelling wind to eliminate dampness, removing arthralgia and stopping pain in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, but its mechanisms was unclear. Columbianadin (CBN) was one of the main bioactive compounds of APR, and has many pharmacological effects. But the immunosuppressive effect of CBN on DCs and the potential mechanism needed to be explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study was aimed to clarify the immunosuppressive effect of CBN on maturation, migration, allogenic T cell stimulation and phagocytosis capacity of TNF-α induced DCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bone marrow-derived DCs were obtained and cultured from C57BL/6 mice in accordance with protocol. The phenotypic study (CD11c, CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC Ⅱ) were measured by flow cytometry. FITC-dextran were uptaked by DCs and the change of endocytosis activity were mediated by acquired mannose receptor. Transwell chambers were used to detect the migration ability of DCs. Mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) assay was used to detect the allostimulatory ability of CBN on TNF-α stimulated DCs. The secretion of cytokines and chemokines was measured by ELISA Kit. TLRs gene and MAPKs/NF-κB protein expression were checked by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

CBN inhibited the maturation of TNF-α-induced DCs while maintaining phagocytosis capabilities. Additionally, CBN inhibited the migration of TNF-α stimulated DCs, which related to reduce the production of chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1α). Notably, CBN could suppress the proliferation of CD4⁺T cells by inhibiting DCs maturation, and decrease the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 production. Furthermore, CBN inhibited mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR7 and TLR9 in TNF-α-activated DCs. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation of p38, JNK1/2 and NF-κB protein were significantly inhibited in CBN treated DCs.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provided novel insights into the pharmacological activity of CBN. They also indicated that inhibition DCs maturation owning to the immunosuppressive effect of CBN. CBN was expected as a potential immunosuppressant and TLRs/MAPKs/NF-κB pathway may be an important mechanism for CBN's immunosuppressive activity.

Development of novel bone targeting peptide-drug conjugate of 13-aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine for osteoporosis therapy

13-Aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine (M19) previously developed by our research group was a promising candidate for novel anti-osteoporosis drug development. However, the application of M19 was limited by its unsatisfactory druggability including poor chemical stability, excessively broad pharmacological activity and some degree of cytotoxicity. To solve these problems, M19-based bone targeting and cathepsin K sensitive peptide–drug conjugates (BTM19-1, BTM19-2 and BTM19-3) were developed to realize precise drug release in the bone tissue. Subsequent studies showed a rapid drug release process via cathepsin K digestion but sufficient stability over several hours in chymotrypsin. Besides, greatly improved chemical stability and strong hydroxyapatite binding affinity were also demonstrated. In biological evaluation studies, these PDCs showed less cytotoxicity and similar osteoclast inhibitory activity compared with the prototype drug. The optimal BTM19-2 could serve as a suitable candidate for further osteoporosis therapy research.

13-Aminomethyl-15-thiomatrine (M19) previously developed by our research group was a promising candidate for novel anti-osteoporosis drug development.

Overexpression of miR-223 Promotes Tolerogenic Properties of Dendritic Cells Involved in Heart Transplantation Tolerance by Targeting Irak1

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key mediators of transplant rejection. Numerous factors have been identified that regulate transplant immunopathology by modulating the function of DCs. Among these, microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, have received much attention. The miRNA miR-223 is very highly expressed and tightly regulated in hematopoietic cells. It plays an important role in modulating the immune response by regulating neutrophils and macrophages, and its dysregulation contributes to multiple types of immune diseases. However, the role of miR-223 in immune rejection is unclear. Here, we observed expression of miR-223 in patients and mice who had undergone heart transplantation and found that it increased in the serum of both, and also in DCs from the spleens of recipient mice, although it was unchanged in splenic T cells. We also found that miR-223 expression decreased in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated DCs. Increasing the level of miR-223 in DCs promoted polarization of DCs toward a tolerogenic phenotype, which indicates that miR-223 can attenuate activation and maturation of DCs. MiR-223 effectively induced regulatory T cells (Tregs) by inhibiting the function of antigen-presenting DCs. In addition, we identified Irak1 as a miR-223 target gene and an essential regulator of DC maturation. In mouse allogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation models, grafts survived longer and suffered less immune cell infiltration in mice with miR-223-overexpressing immature (im)DCs. In the miR-223-overexpressing imDC recipients, T cells from spleen differentiated into Tregs, and the level of IL-10 in heart grafts was markedly higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, miR-223 regulates the function of DCs via Irak1, differentiation of T cells into Tregs, and secretion of IL-10, thereby suppressing allogeneic heart graft rejection.

Matrine-Family Alkaloids: Versatile Precursors for Bioactive Modifications

Matrine-family alkaloids as tetracycloquinolizindine analogues from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sophora flavescens Ait, Sophora subprostrata and Sophora alopecuroides L possess various pharmacological activities and have aroused great interests over the past decades. Especially, a lot of matrine derivatives have been designed and synthesized and their biological activities investigated, and encouraging results have continuously been achieved in recent several years. These studies are helpful to develop more potent candidates or therapeutic agents and disclose their molecular targets and mechanisms. This paper reviews recent advances in the bioactive modifications of matrine-family alkaloids from derivatization of the C-13, C-14 or C-15 position, opening D ring, fusing D ring and structural simplification.

Autophagy inhibition enhances Matrine derivative MASM induced apoptosis in cancer cells via a mechanism involving reactive oxygen species-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Erk/p38 signaling

Background

In the quest for new anti-cancer drugs, the drug discovery process has shifted to screening of active ingredients in traditional eastern medicine. Matrine is an active alkaloid isolated from plants of the Sophora genus used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine that exhibits a wide spectrum of biological properties and has a potential as an anti-proliferative agent. In this study, we investigated the anticancer property of MASM, ([(6aS, 10S, 11aR, 11bR, 11cS)210-Methylamino-dodecahydro-3a, 7a-diaza-benzo (de)anthracene-8-thione]), a potent derivative of matrine.

Methods

Four epithelial cancer cell lines representing the dominant cancers, namely: A549 (non-small-cell lung cancer cell line), MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer cell lines), and Hela (cervical cancer cell line) were employed, and the mechanistic underpinning of MASM-induced apoptosis was investigated using flow cytometry, western blot and immunofluorescence.

Results

MASM, induced apoptosis via caspase 3 dependent and independent pathways, and autophagy in all the four cancer cell lines, but post-EMT (epithelial mesenchymal transition) cells showed greater sensitivity to MASM. Scavenging reactive oxygen species using N-acetylcysteine rescued all cancer cell lines from apoptosis and autophagy. Mechanistic analysis revealed that MASM induced autophagy involves inhibition of Akt signaling and the activation of Erk and p38 signaling, and inhibition of autophagy further enhanced the apoptosis induced by MASM.

Conclusions

These results indicate that MASM possesses potency against cancer cells and modulating autophagy during MASM administration could be used to further enhance its therapeutic effects.

Therapeutic effects of polysaccharides from Anoectochilus roxburghii on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats

Anoectochilus roxburghii, a famous Chinese herbal medicine, has been commonly used for the treatment of liver disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Our study aimed to investigate the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of A. roxburghii polysaccharides (ARP), using the rat's model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). ARP was prepared by alcohol sedimentation and structurally characterized based on combined chemical, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. High Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography-Multiangle Laser Light Scattering-Refrative Index (HPSEC-MALLS-RI) analysis revealed that ARP includes two peaks, and the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the principal one was estimated as 5.90 kDa with a relative content of 98.2%. Pharmacological results exhibited that ARP significantly decreased the arthritis index and ameliorated the inflammatory cell infiltration and the synovial tissue destruction in CIA rats. Additionally, ARP possessed significant NO production inhibitory effects and antioxidant activity. Further anti-inflammatory mechanism investigations indicated that ARP significantly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκB and p65, which subsequently down-regulated the mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These findings suggested that ARP has great potential in the development of functional foods and dietary supplements for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Nsp1α of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Strain BB0907 Impairs the Function of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells via the Release of Soluble CD83

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a virulent pathogen of swine, suppresses the innate immune response and induces persistent infection. One mechanism used by viruses to evade the immune system is to cripple the antigen-processing machinery in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). In this study, we show that MoDCs infected by PRRSV express lower levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide complex proteins TAP1 and ERp57 and are impaired in their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation and increase their production of CD83. Neutralization of sCD83 removes the inhibitory effects of PRRSV on MoDCs. When MoDCs are incubated with exogenously added sCD83 protein, TAP1 and ERp57 expression decreases and T lymphocyte activation is impaired. PRRSV nonstructural protein 1α (Nsp1α) enhances CD83 promoter activity. Mutations in the ZF domain of Nsp1α abolish its ability to activate the CD83 promoter. We generated recombinant PRRSVs with mutations in Nsp1α and the corresponding repaired PRRSVs. Viruses with Nsp1α mutations did not decrease levels of TAP1 and ERp57, impair the ability of MoDCs to stimulate T cell proliferation, or increase levels of sCD83. We show that the ZF domain of Nsp1α stimulates the secretion of CD83, which in turn inhibits MoDC function. Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms of immune suppression by PRRSV.IMPORTANCE PRRSV has a severe impact on the swine industry throughout the world. Understanding the mechanisms by which PRRSV infection suppresses the immune system is essential for a robust and sustainable swine industry. Here, we demonstrated that PRRSV infection manipulates MoDCs by interfering with their ability to produce proteins in the MHC-peptide complex. The virus also impairs the ability of MoDCs to stimulate cell proliferation, due in large part to the enhanced release of soluble CD83 from PRRSV-infected MoDCs. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1) is responsible for upregulating CD83 promoter activity. Amino acids in the ZF domain of Nsp1α (L5-2A, rG45A, G48A, and L61-6A) are essential for CD83 promoter activation. Viruses with mutations at these sites no longer inhibit MoDC-mediated T cell proliferation. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism by which the adaptive immune response is suppressed during PRRSV infection.

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Citrus wilsonii Tanaka Extract in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 and Primary Mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells

‘Zhique’ (Citrus wilsonii Tanaka) is a traditional Chinese medicine. Its fruits have been used to treat inflammation-related symptoms, such as cough and sputum, though the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of ‘Zhique’ pulp extract (ZQE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and primary mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The flavonoid profiles of the ZQE were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in LPS-induced inflammatory RAW 264.7 macrophages and BMDCs through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot assays. Naringin was a predominant flavonoid occurring in ZQE, followed by eriocitrin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, rhoifolin, naringenin, and poncirin. ZQE exhibited a very low cytotoxicity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Meanwhile, ZQE significantly inhibited the production of prostaglandins E2 and secretion of cyclooxygenase-2 protein in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and markedly suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and/or primary BMDCs. The ZQE inhibited the inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages and BMDCs triggered by LPS. The results suggested that ‘Zhique’ has a high potential as a novel therapeutic agent to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

Therapeutic effects of matrine derivate MASM in mice with collagen-induced arthritis and on fibroblast-like synoviocytes

MASM is a matrine derivate that exhibits a number of pharmacological effects, including immunosuppressive activity and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of MASM in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were investigated using DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA-FLS). We demonstrated that MASM markedly attenuated the severity of arthritis in CIA mice. The therapeutic effects were associated with ameliorated joint swelling and reduced bone erosion and destruction. Furthermore, the administration of MASM suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). In vitro, MASM inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13) by inhibiting both the phosphorylation of MAPKs and the activation of NF-κB in IL-1β-stimulated RA-FLS. Additionally, MASM could induce apoptosis of RA-FLS via mitochondrial and Akt signaling pathways in human RA-FLS. These findings suggest that MASM could attenuate arthritis severity in CIA mice at least partially by blocking the phosphorylation of MAPKs and the activation of NF-κB and by inducing apoptosis in RA-FLS. MASM could be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.

A novel matrine derivate inhibits differentiated human hepatoma cells and hepatic cancer stem-like cells by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

Matrine is an alkaloid extracted from a Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait, which has shown chemopreventive potential against various cancers. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer efficacy of a novel derivative of matrine, (6aS, 10S, 11aR, 11bR, 11cS)-10- methylamino-dodecahydro- 3a,7a-diazabenzo (de) (MASM), against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and their corresponding sphere cells in vitro and in vivo. Human HCC cell lines (Hep3B and Huh7) were treated with MASM. Cell proliferation was assessed using CCK8 and colony assays; cell apoptosis and cell cycle distributions were examined with flow cytometry. The expression of cell markers and signaling molecules was detected using Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses. A sphere culture technique was used to enrich cancer stem cells (CSC) in Hep3B and Huh7 cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of MASM was evaluated in Huh7 cell xenograft model in BALB/c nude mice, which were administered MASM (10 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig) for 3 weeks. After the treatment was completed, tumor were excised and weighed. A portion of tumor tissue was enzymatically dissociated to obtain a single cell suspension for the spheroid formation assays. MASM (2, 10, 20 μmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells, and induced apoptosis, which correlated with a reduction in Bcl-2 expression and an increase in PARP cleavage. MASM also induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, which was accompanied by increased p27 and decreased Cyclin D1 expression. Interestingly, MASM (2, 10, and 20 μmol/L) drastically reduced the EpCAM+/CD133+ cell numbers, suppressed the sphere formation, inhibited the expression of stem cell marker genes and promoted the expression of mature hepatocyte markers in the Hep3B and Huh7 spheroids. Additionally, MASM dose-dependently suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathways in Hep3B and Huh7 cells. In Huh7 xenograft bearing nude mice, MASM administration significantly inhibited Huh7 xenograft tumor growth and markedly reduced the number of surviving cancer stem-like cells in the tumors. MASM administration also reduced the expression of stem cell markers while increasing the expression of mature hepatocyte markers in the tumor tissues. The novel derivative of matrine, MASM, markedly suppresses HCC tumor growth through multiple mechanisms, and it may be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Matrine Derivate MASM Prolongs Survival, Attenuates Inflammation, and Reduces Organ Injury in Murine Established Lethal Sepsis

BACKGROUND

 MASM, a novel derivative of matrine, has inhibitory effects on activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and hepatic stellate cells and binds to ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of MASM on murine-established lethal sepsis and its mechanisms.

METHODS

 Mouse peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells that were infected with recombinant lentiviruses encoding shRPS5 were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of MASM in vitro. Endotoxemia induced by LPS injection and sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture was followed by MASM treatment.

RESULTS

 MASM markedly attenuated LPS-induced release and messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and NO/inducible NO synthase in murine peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells. Meanwhile, MASM inhibited LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor κB and MAPK pathways. Consistently, RPS5 suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses and at least in part mediated the antiinflammatory effect of MASM in vitro. Remarkably, delayed administration of MASM could significantly reduce mortality in mouse sepsis models, which was associated with the reduction in the inflammatory response, the attenuation in multiple organ injury, and the enhanced bacterial clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

 MASM could be further explored for the treatments of sepsis, especially for administration later after the onset of sepsis.

Matrine suppresses airway inflammation by downregulating SOCS3 expression via inhibition of NF-κB signaling in airway epithelial cells and asthmatic mice

Matrine has been demonstrated to attenuate allergic airway inflammation. Elevated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was correlated with the severity of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of matrine on SOCS3 expression in airway inflammation. In this study, we found that matrine significantly inhibited OVA-induced AHR, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell differentiation, and mucous production in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Matrine also abrogated the level of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, but enhanced interferon (IFN)-γ expression, both in BALF and in lung homogenates. Furthermore, matrine impeded TNF-α-induced the expression of IL-6 and adhesion molecules in airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B and MLE-12). Additionally, we found that matrine inhibited SOCS3 expression, both in asthmatic mice and TNF-α-stimulated epithelial cells via suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway by using pcDNA3.1-SOCS3 plasmid, SOCS3 siRNA, or nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) inhibitor PDTC.

CONCLUSIONS

Matrine suppresses airway inflammation by downregulating SOCS3 expression via inhibition of NF-κB signaling in airway epithelial cells and asthmatic mice.