CXCL5/CXCL8 induces neutrophilic inflammation in peri-implantitis

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND

This research aimed to examine the role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL-8) in neutrophilic inflammation triggered by peri-implantitis and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that link them to the development of this condition.

MATERIALS

This study included 40 patients who visited the Department of Periodontology at Kyungpook University Dental Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on their condition: healthy implant (HI) group (n = 20) and peri-implantitis (PI) group (n = 20). Biopsy samples of PI tissue were collected from the patients under local anesthesia. HI tissue was obtained using the same method during the second implant surgery. To construct libraries for control and test RNAs, the QuantSeq 3' mRNA-Seq Library Prep Kit (Lexogen, Inc., Austria) was used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Samples were pooled based on representative cytokines obtained from RNA sequencing results and subjected to Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were performed to visually assess expression levels and analyze tissue histology. Student's t-test was employed to conduct statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Initially, heatmaps were used to examine gene expression variations between the HI and PI groups based on the results of RNA sequencing. Notably, among various cytokines, CXCL5 and CXCL8 had the highest expression levels in the PI group compared with the HI group, and they are known to be associated with inflammatory responses. In the gingival tissues, the expression of genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and CXCL5/CXCL8 was assessed via RT-qPCR. The mRNA expression level of CXCL5/CXCL8 significantly increased in the PI group compared with the HI group (p < .045). Contrarily, the mRNA expression level of interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN) significantly decreased (p < .008). IHC enabled examination of the distribution and intensity of CXCL5/CXCL8 protein expression within the tissue samples. Specifically, increased levels of CXCL5/CXCL8 promote inflammatory responses, cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion within the peri-implant tissues. These effects are mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that the PI sites had higher gene expression level of CXCL8/CXCL5 in the soft tissue than HI sites, which could help achieve more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Jing-Fang n-butanol extract and its isolated JFNE-C inhibit ferroptosis and inflammation in LPS induced RAW264.7 macrophages via STAT3/p53/SLC7A11 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine has accumulated valuable experience in the treatment of inflammatory diseases caused by Ferroptosis. Jing Jie and Fang Feng are two warm acrid exterior-resolving medicinal herbs that play an important role in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases. The pairing of the two forms a drug pair (Jing-Fang) that shows significant advantages in fighting oxidative stress and inflammation. Whereas, the underlying mechanism needs to be further improved.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of Jing-Fang n-butanol extract (JFNE) and its isolate C (JFNE-C) on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and the regulation effect on ferroptosis were investigated, and also the mechanism of STAT3/p53/SLC7A11 signal pathway-related to ferroptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Jing-Fang n-butanol extract (JFNE) and its active isolate (JFNE-C) were extracted and isolated. LPS-induced inflammation model in RAW264.7 cells was established to assess the anti-inflammatory effect and ferroptosis mechanism of JFNE and JFNE-C. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured. The activity levels of antioxidant substances such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess ROS level, ferrous iron content and mitochondrial morphological changes. Through administration of Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), an ferroptosis inhibitor, to verify the role of JFNE and JFNE-C in regulating ferroptosis in resistance to the inflammatory response. Western blotting was used to determine whether the JFNE and JFNE-C exerted effectiveness by modulating the STAT3/p53/SLC7A11 signaling pathway. In addition, the important role of STAT3/p53/SLC7A11 signaling pathway in drug regulation of ferroptosis and inflammatory response was further validated by administration of S3I-201 (STAT3 inhibitor). Finally, high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to determine the major active components of JFNE and JFNE-C.

RESULTS

The results showed that treated with JFNE-C significantly reduced the contents of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the supernatant of LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The pretreatment with JFNE and JFNE-C significantly decreased intracellular oxidative stress levels, including reductions of ROS and MDA levels, and increases of GSH-Px, SOD and GSH levels. In addition, JFNE and JFNE-C obviously reduced intracellular ferrous iron level, and JFNE-C was effective in alleviating mitochondrial damage which includes mitochondrial shrinkage, increase of mitochondrial membrane density and reduction and absence of cristae. Further results indicated that JFNE-C showed a reduction of p53 and p-p53 protein levels in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, while significantly increasing the protein expression levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, SLC7A11 and GPX4. Besides, JFNE-C contains key active substances such as 5-O-Methylvisammioside, Hesperidin and Luteolin. Remarkably, this is different from JFNE, which is rich in nutrients such as sucrose, choline and various amino acids.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that JFNE and JFNE-C may exert anti-inflammatory effect through activating the STAT3/p53/SLC7A11 signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis.

Research Progress on Autophagy Regulation by Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury

Autophagy is a highly conserved process that maintains cell stability in eukaryotes, participates in the turnover of intracellular substances to maintain cell function, helps to resist pathogen invasion, and improves cell tolerance to environmental changes. Autophagy has been observed in many diseases, and the symptoms of these diseases are significantly improved by regulating autophagy. Autophagy is also involved in the development of lung diseases. Studies have shown that autophagy may play a beneficial or harmful role in acute lung injury (ALI), and ALI has been treated with traditional Chinese medicine designed to promote or inhibit autophagy. In this paper, the molecular mechanism and common pathways regulating autophagy and the relationship between autophagy and ALI are introduced, and the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine that improve ALI symptoms by regulating autophagy are summarized.

Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (XJZ, JSS) ameliorate spleen inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity by synergistically regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in piglets

Weaning transition generally impairs the immune system, inducing immune disturbance, which may be associated with post-weaning diarrhea and high mortality in piglets. The spleen is a pivotal lymphatic organ that plays a key role in the establishment of the immune system. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions, XiaoJianZhong (XJZ) and Jiansananli-sepsis (JSS), are widely used prescriptions for treating spleen damage and diarrhea. Here, we hypothesized that XJZ and JSS maintain the spleen physiological function by ameliorating antioxidant capacity and inflammatory response in weaned piglets. In this study, 18 weaned piglets were assigned to the Control, XJZ and JSS groups. By hematoxylin and eosin staining, hematological analysis, flow cytometric analysis, qRT-PCR and western blot, the effects of both TCM prescriptions on the spleen antioxidant defense system and inflammatory pathway were explored. Results showed that both TCM treatment significantly ameliorated the weaning-induced morphological damage in piglets, as evidenced by clearer and more perfect spleen histology, as well as higher relative area of white pulp. Meanwhile, both XJZ and JSS exerted better blood parameters, as supported by the changes of monocyte level and lymphocyte subpopulations CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Furthermore, the levels of inflammatory markers, IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNF-α in the spleen were markedly decreased after supplemented with both TCM prescriptions. Importantly, the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and its downstream effector genes (IL6, IL8, and TNF-α) in both XJZ and JSS treatment groups further confirmed alleviation of inflammatory responses in the spleen. In addition, both XJZ and JSS enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the spleen by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-activated antioxidant defense system. Notably, the results of PCA and network correlation analysis indicated that XJZ and JSS treatment altered the expression profiles of inflammatory and antioxidant-related factors in the spleen of weaned-piglets, which may involve the synergy of NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways. In summary, our study showed that TCM prescriptions, XJZ and JSS could ameliorate inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity in the spleen by synergistically regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in piglets.

JFNE-A isolated from Jing-Fang n-butanol extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and the NF-κB signaling pathway via promotion of autophagy

BACKGROUND

Jing-Fang powder consists of Jingjie (Nepeta tenuifolia Benth, (Lamiaceae)). and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk, (Apiaceae)) Previous studies have revealed that the Jing-Fang powder n-butanol extract (JFNE) has anti-acute lung injury (ALI) and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the active ingredient and mechanism remain unknown.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of a bioactive fraction obtained from JFNE(JFNE-A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice and explored the underlying mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

The anti-acute lung injury effect and mechanism of JFNE-A was investigated by prophylactic administration of JFNE-A in mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury.

METHODS

The expression levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO) in lung tissues of mice and interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-5, interferon (IFN)-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β in bronchi alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by reagent kit and the histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) for general histopathological conditions under a light microscope. In addition, the ultrastructure of the cells in lung tissues were observed and photographed under a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of protein were detected via Western blotting and the mRNA expression of relative genes were determined of via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). What's more, we also further clarified the potential targets of JFNE-A through network pharmacology analysis, which could be utilized in ALI treatment.

RESULTS

Our results showed that pretreatment with JFNE-A for 7 days significantly reduced the lung pathological injury score, alleviated pulmonary edema, and decreased the lung tissue MPO level. Mechanistically, JFNE-A dramatically downregulated the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, M-CSF, and IFN-γ in BALF and mRNA expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in lung tissues. JFNE-A also significantly lowered the protein levels of iNOS and phosphorylated NF-κB (p65) and mRNA expression levels of iNOS, Rela, CHUK, and NF-κB1, and also elevated the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD1 and the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, Hmox1, and Keap-1 in the lungs. Moreover, JFNE-A significantly decreased the protein expression of p62 and increased the ratio of LC3II/LC3I. It also upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Atg5 and Beclin-1, whereas it reduced the mRNA expression level of SQSTM1 and increased autophagosome structures.

CONCLUSION

Overall, treatment with JFNE-A ameliorated LPS-induced ALI in mice by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathways and promoting Nrf2 signaling pathways by accelerating autophagy.

Comparisons of the anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and hemostatic activities and chemical profiles of raw and charred Schizonepetae Spica

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A common view in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory is that "processing can alter the efficacy of crude drugs". The clinical usage of some processed products may have already changed greatly over time during the development of modern scientific analysis. Therefore, the view of "processing can alter the efficacy of crude drugs" should be confirmed by comparative studies. Schizonepetae Spica (SS), a Chinese medicinal herb, is the dried spike of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. It is available in two forms: raw products and charred products (Schizonepetae Spica Carbonisata, SSC; raw SS processed by stir-frying until carbonization). Raw SS is commonly used to treat TCM symptoms that resemble common cold, fever, respiratory tract infection and allergic dermatitis, while SSC has long been used as a remedy for TCM symptoms that resemble bloody stool and metrorrhagia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to examine whether stir-fry processing alters the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and hemostatic activities of SS and explore the chemical profile behind the potential changes in medicinal properties caused by stir-fry processing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used cell models to examine the anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of raw SS and SSC. The bleeding time of the tail bleeding model and clotting time of the capillary method in mice were used to compare the hemostasis properties of raw SS and SSC. The chemical profiles of SS and SSC were compared using a method combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/Q-TOF-MS) analysis.

RESULTS

The anti-inflammatory effects of SSC were less potent than those of raw SS. Both raw SS and SSC effectively inhibited viral infection in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 96.30 and 9.73 μg/mL and selectivity index (SI) values of >1.56 and 7.78, respectively. Interestingly, SSC showed more potent antiviral activities than raw SS. Intragastric administration of raw SS and SSC to mice demonstrated that the hemostatic effects of SSC were more potent than those of raw SS. By comparing the volatile chemical profiles of SSC, we found that twenty-nine constituents disappeared and that fifty-four new constituents were formed while the relative contents of five other components decreased and three other components increased. Additionally, the nonvolatile chemical profiles of raw SS and SSC differed, with thirty-two lower peaks and seven higher peaks in SSC than in SS.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that raw SS and SSC support traditional practice for the clinical applications of these two products except for raw SS used for the treatment of viral infection. It is a fascinating challenge to form SSCs with both traditional hemostatic activities and antiviral properties after stir-fry processing. In addition, the volatile and nonvolatile chemical constituents of raw SS changed dramatically during processing. Further studies are warranted to explore whether the change in chemical constituents is in accordance with the purpose of processing.

Polyacetylene glucosides from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius and their anti-inflammatory activity

Five previously undescribed polyacetylene glucosides, namely, four C₁₀- and one C₁₄-acetylenes, together with three known analogues, were isolated from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius L. The structures of these novel compounds were elucidated to be (5R)-5-acetoxy-8,10,12-tetradecatriyne-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (2Z)-decaene-4,6,8-triyne-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (8Z)-1-[(3-O-β-D-glucosyl)-isovaleroyloxy]-8-decaene-4,6-diyne, (8Z)-decaene-1-isovaleroyloxy-4,6-diyne-10-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and (2E,8E)-decadiene-4,6-diyne-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside via spectroscopic and chemical methods. All of the isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, antibacterial activity, and inhibitory effects on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. The results showed that (5R)-5-acetoxy-8,10,12-tetradecatriyne-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

A peptide inhibitor of macrophage migration in atherosclerosis purified from the leech Whitmania pigra

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atherosclerosis has become a worldwide public health problem that seriously threatens human health. Leech is traditional Chinese medicine that can be utilized to treat cardiovascular disease. Based on the anti-atherosclerosis activity of leech hydrolysate, we separated and purified the leech peptide capable of inhibiting macrophage migration and studied the pathways of the anti-migration leech peptide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The leech peptide capable of inhibiting macrophage migration that measured by cell migration assays from the leech Whitmania pigra was separated and purified by Q Sepharose FF strong alkaline anion exchange column chromatography, Superdex 30, Superdex peptide and G10 gel column chromatography. And the purity, molecular weight of the leech peptide was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The pathways of anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide were studied by inhibitors, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

We obtained a purified leech peptide with a sequence of EAGSAKELEGDPVAG from the leech Whitmania pigra. We also showed that the anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide was blocked by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor. Moreover, the result of RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that the leech peptide induced an increase in JNK, p38 phosphorylation and the transcription of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 (MEKK4) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 2 (ASK2). These data indicated that the anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide occurred through JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. In addition, the results demonstrated that the leech peptide had no significant effect on the immunological activity of macrophages including phagocytic ability, lysozyme activity, and levels of expression of inflammatory factors.

CONCLUSION

A sequence peptide was obtained from the hydrolysate of leech Whitmania pigra that inhibits macrophage migration.