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Eddy AC, Rajakumar A, Spradley FT, Granger JP, Rana S. Luteolin prevents TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and ROS production in cultured human placental explants and endothelial cells. Placenta 2024; 145:65-71. [PMID: 38096686 PMCID: PMC10872317 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious hypertensive pregnancy disorder and a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite the prevalence and complications, there are no approved therapeutics to relieve PE symptoms. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenic imbalance have been shown to contribute to the PE pathophysiology, though there is a lack of understanding in how best to target these pathways in PE. We recently demonstrated that the bioflavonoid luteolin is a potent inhibitor of the anti-angiogenic and pro-hypertensive soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), and here we aimed to determine if luteolin was also capable of reducing inflammation and oxidative stress pathways. METHODS Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which is upregulated in PE, was utilized to stimulate these pathways in human placental explants and endothelial cells. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin (IL)-6 in the media from explants and cells were measured via ELISA, and NF-κB localization and reactive oxygen species were detected via fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Pretreatment with luteolin demonstrated significant reductions in NF-κB activation, reactive oxygen species, superoxide, and IL-6 and ET-1 expression in endothelial cells. We also saw a significant reduction in phosphorylation of NF-κB in human placental explants. DISCUSSION These data demonstrate that luteolin inhibits pathways implicated in the development of PE and should be explored further for its potential as a PE therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Eddy
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Frank T Spradley
- Department of Surgery and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Joey P Granger
- Department of Physiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Sarosh Rana
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, IL, USA.
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Eddy AC, Howell JA, Chapman H, Taylor E, Mahdi F, George EM, Bidwell GL. Biopolymer-Delivered, Maternally Sequestered NF-κB (Nuclear Factor-κB) Inhibitory Peptide for Treatment of Preeclampsia. Hypertension 2019; 75:193-201. [PMID: 31786977 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.119.13368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that causes significant acute and long-term risk to the mother and the baby. The multifaceted maternal syndrome is driven by overproduction of circulating anti-angiogenic factors, widespread inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in the inflammatory response. Its activity is increased in the preeclamptic placenta, and it promotes the systemic endothelial dysfunction present in preeclampsia. There is an acute need for new therapeutics targeted to the causative pathways of preeclampsia. Our group has developed a drug delivery system based on the bioengineered protein ELP (elastin-like polypeptide) that is capable of stabilizing therapeutics in the maternal circulation and preventing their placental transfer. Here we used the ELP carrier system to deliver a peptide known to inhibit the NF-κB pathway. This polypeptide, containing a cell-penetrating peptide and an NF-κB inhibitory peptide derived from the p50 nuclear localization sequence (abbreviated SynB1-ELP-p50i), blocked NF-κB activation and prevented TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha)-induced endothelin production in vitro. Fusion of the p50i peptide to the SynB1-ELP carrier slowed its plasma clearance and prevented its placental transfer in pregnant rats, resulting in increased deposition in the maternal kidney, liver, and placenta relative to the free peptide. When administered in a rat model of placental ischemia, SynB1-ELP-p50i partially ameliorated placental ischemia-induced hypertension and reduced placental TNF-α levels with no signs of toxicity. These data support the continued development of ELP-delivered NF-κB inhibitors as maternally sequestered anti-inflammatory agents for preeclampsia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian C Eddy
- From the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (A.C.E., H.C., E.T., E.M.G.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - John Aaron Howell
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience (J.A.H.), University of Mississippi Medical Center.,Department of Neurology (J.A.H., F.M., G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Heather Chapman
- From the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (A.C.E., H.C., E.T., E.M.G.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Erin Taylor
- From the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (A.C.E., H.C., E.T., E.M.G.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of Neurology (J.A.H., F.M., G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Eric M George
- From the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (A.C.E., H.C., E.T., E.M.G.), University of Mississippi Medical Center.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (E.M.G., G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Neurology (J.A.H., F.M., G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (E.M.G., G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (G.L.B.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
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Chen Z, Zhao X, Li Y, Zhang R, Nie Z, Cheng X, Zhang X, Wang H. Course-, dose-, and stage-dependent toxic effects of prenatal dexamethasone exposure on long bone development in fetal mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 351:12-20. [PMID: 29753006 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Dexamethasone is routinely used for treating those mothers at risk for preterm delivery. However, overexposure to exogenous glucocorticoids induces bone loss in offspring, and the "critical window" and safe dose of this treatment are largely unknown. In this study, we found that femoral length, and the length of the primary ossification center were significantly reduced in fetal mice after repeated prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE). Compared with single-course exposure on gestational day (GD)15, newborn mice with repeated PDE (3 times, from GD15 to 17) showed a significant decrease in femoral trabecular bone mass with decreased trabecular number and thickness. For those newborn mice treated after repeated PDE at different doses (0, 0.2, 0.8, and 1.2 mg/kg/d), the toxic effect of dexamethasone on bone development was observed at 0.8 and 1.2 mg/kg/d. More severe retardation in bone development was observed in the fetal mice after PDE at 0.8 mg/kg/d during GD12-14, compared with that during GD15-17. Interestingly, stronger toxic effects were observed in male newborn mice after PDE than were observed in female newborn mice. In conclusion, PDE with multiple course, higher dose, or exposure at an early stage of pregnancy have stronger toxic effects on bone development of fetal mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Yunzepeng Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Zaihui Nie
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Xiang Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China
| | - Xianrong Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No.1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Cartilage Regenerative Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No.1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510515, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan University, No.185 Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430071, China.
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