Propofol attenuates LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and nitric oxide expression in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells possibly through down-regulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation

Participation of MAPK and PI3K in Regulation of Cytokine Secretion by Peripheral Blood Monocular Cells in Response to Escherichia coli LPS and rDer p 2 Combination

Search for the effective approaches to treat acute inflammation caused by combination of allergens and infectious agents is an important task for public health worldwide. House dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are the source of allergens of the Der p groups and of microbial compounds, in particular, lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS and Der p 2 induce secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines via activation of kinases p38 MAPK, MEK1/2, and PI3K. Participation of these kinases in the regulation of cells response to combined exposure to LPS and Der p 2 has not been sufficiently studied. We studied the effects of kinases (p38 MAPK, MEK1/2, and PI3K) inhibition on secretion of cytokines (TNF, IL-8, and IL-6) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy volunteers in response to E. coli LPS and rDer p 2. Contribution of kinases to the regulation of cell response to different agents (rDer p 2 and/or LPS) was revealed. It was found that p38 MAPK plays a key role in the regulation of secretion TNF by PBMC in response to the combination of LPS and rDer p 2. MEK1/2-dependent signaling is the main pathway for the synthesis of TNF and IL-8 in response to LPS and rDer p 2. PI3K-dependent signaling negatively regulates TNF production during rDer p 2-induced cell activation, but is not involved in the response to the combination of LPS and rDer p 2. PI3K-dependent signaling in the regulation of PBMC cytokine synthesis is most pronounced in response to their activation by rDer p 2. Understanding the mechanisms of immune cell responses to combinations of inflammatory agents could facilitate the search for new intracellular targets for anti-inflammatory therapy.

Olanzapine Induces Inflammation and Immune Response via Activating ER Stress in the Rat Prefrontal Cortex

OBJECTIVE

Antipsychotics, in particular olanzapine, are first-line medications for schizophrenia. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is an important region for antipsychotics' therapeutic effects. The PFC inflammatory and immune pathways are associated with schizophrenia pathogenesis. However, the effect of antipsychotics on the inflammatory and immune pathways in the PFC remains unclear. We aimed to examined the time-dependent effect of olanzapine on inflammatory and immune markers in the PFC of rats. Since the inflammatory and immune pathways are related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, we further investigated whether or not olanzapine-induced inflammation and immune responses were related to ER stress.

METHODS

Expression of pro-inflammatory markers including IkappaB kinase β (IKKβ), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β, and immune-related proteins including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) were examined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Olanzapine treatments for 1, 8 and 36 days significantly activated the inflammatory IKKβ/NFκB signaling, and increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and immune-related proteins such as iNOS, TLR4 and CD14. Olanzapine treatment for 1 day, 8 and 36 days also induced ER stress in the PFC. Co-treatment with an ER stress inhibitor, 4-phenylbutyrate, inhibited olanzapine-induced inflammation and the immune response in the PFC.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested olanzapine exposure could be a factor that induces central inflammation and immunological abnormities in schizophrenia subjects. Olanzapine induces PFC inflammation and immune response, possibly via activating ER stress signaling.

Amygdalin reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic liver injury in rats by down-regulating PI3K/AKT, JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB signalling pathways

This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of AG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced liver injury and investigate the underlying mechanism. Administration of LPSs in the rat produced rat liver injury model which was ascertained at histological and molecular levels. Those models were treated with a range of doses of LPSs (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg body weight), followed by measurement physical parameter and function of the liver. Within the max treatment doses, no toxicity was shown but protective effects of AG were evidenced by regulation of physical parameters and functions of the liver. Interestingly, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels and inflammatory factors were down-regulated by AG. Furthermore, the histopathological analysis demonstrated that AG promoted recovery from dysfunction of liver tissue in the rats, which was further confirmed by observing expression changes of inflammation-associated proteins. Particularly, alteration in the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway protein expression were regulated by AG in a dose-dependent manner, indicating the mechanism underlying the relief effect of AG in liver injury. Our study demonstrated the potential of AG in the management of complications related to liver injury.

Schisandrin B Attenuates Inflammation in LPS-Induced Sepsis Through miR-17-5p Downregulating TLR4

To investigate the mechanism of Schisandrin B (Sch B) on the inflammation in LPS-induced sepsis. Sepsis mouse model was established by injecting LPS. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression of miR-17-5p and TLR4. ELISA was used to test the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α. Sch B could increase miR-17-5p expression, promote inflammation, and decrease TLR4 expression in sepsis mice and LPS-induced macrophages. Moreover, miR-17-5p could negatively regulate TLR4. Overexpression of miR-17-5p suppressed the concentrations of inflammatory factors (IL-1β and TNF-α) in LPS induced-macrophages, while pcDNA-TLR4 could change the inhibition effect. Additionally, miR-17-5p inhibitor changed the inhibitory effects of Sch B on TLR4 expression and the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS induced-macrophages. Sch B could attenuate inflammation in LPS-induced sepsis through miR-17-5p downregulating TLR4.

Effect of Propofol on the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines by Human Polarized Macrophages

Macrophages are key immune system cells involved in inflammatory processes. Classically activated (M1) macrophages are characterized by strong antimicrobicidal properties, whereas alternatively activated (M2) macrophages are involved in wound healing. Severe inflammation can induce postoperative complications during the perioperative period. Invasive surgical procedures induce polarization to M1 macrophages and associated complications. As perioperative management, it is an important strategy to regulate polarization and functions of macrophages during inflammatory processes. Although propofol has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in monocytes and macrophages, it is unclear whether propofol regulates the functions of M1 and M2 macrophages during inflammatory processes. This study therefore investigated the effects of propofol on human macrophage polarization. During M1 polarization, propofol suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-1β but did not affect TNF-α production. In contrast, propofol did not affect the gene expression of M2 markers, such as IL-10, TGF-β, and CD206, during M2 polarization. Propofol was similar to the GABA_A agonist muscimol in inducing nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibiting IL-6 and IL-1β, but not TNF-α, production. Knockdown of Nrf2 using siRNA significantly reduced the effect of propofol on IL-6 and IL-1β production. These results suggest that propofol prevents inflammatory responses during polarization of human M1 macrophages by suppressing the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β through the GABA_A receptor and the Nrf2-mediated signal transduction pathway.

Effects of Ghrelin miRNA on Inflammation and Calcium Pathway in Pancreatic Acinar Cells of Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The study investigated the effects of endogenous targeted inhibition of ghrelin gene on inflammation and calcium pathway in an in vitro pancreatic acinar cell model of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Lentiviral expression vector against ghrelin gene was constructed and transfected into AR42J cells. The mRNA and protein expression of each gene were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca]i) was determined by calcium fluorescence mark probe combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, cerulein could upregulate mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors, calcium pathway, ghrelin, and [Ca]i. mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors increased significantly in cells transfected with ghrelin miRNA compared with the other groups. Intracellular calcium and expression of some calcium pathway proteins decreased significantly in cells transfected with ghrelin miRNA compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted inhibition of ghrelin gene in pancreatic acinar cells of acute pancreatitis can upregulate the expression of the intracellular inflammatory factors and alleviate the intracellular calcium overload.

TLR2 signal influences the iNOS/NO responses and worm development in C57BL/6J mice infected with Clonorchis sinensis

BACKGROUND

Although the responses of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and associated cytokine after Clonorchis sinensis infection have been studied recently, their mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signals on iNOS/nitric oxide (NO) responses after C. sinensis infection. We also evaluated the correlations between iNOS responses and worm development, which are possibly regulated by TLR2 signal.

METHODS

TLR2 wild-type and mutant C57BL/6 J mice were infected with 60 C. sinensis metacercariae, and the samples were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days post-infection (dpi). The total serum NO levels were detected using Griess reagent after nitrate was reduced to nitrite. Hepatic tissue samples from the infected mice were sliced and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to observe worm development in the intrahepatic bile ducts. The iNOS mRNA transcripts in the splenocytes were examined by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Developing C. sinensis juvenile worms were more abundant in the intrahepatic bile ducts of TLR2 mutant mice than those of TLR2 wild-type mice. However, no eggs were found in the faeces of both mice samples. The serum levels of total NO significantly increased in TLR2 mutant mice infected with C. sinensis at 30 (t (5) = 2.595, P = 0.049), 60 (t (5) = 7.838, P = 0.001) and 90 dpi (t (5) = 3.032, P = 0.029). Meanwhile, no changes occurred in TLR2 wild-type mice compared with uninfected controls during the experiment. The iNOS expression in splenocytes showed unexpected higher background levels in TLR2 mutant mice than those in TLR2 wild-type mice. Furthermore, the iNOS mRNA transcripts in splenocytes were significantly increased in the TLR2 wild-type mice infected with C. sinensis at 30 (t (5) = 5.139, P = 0.004), 60 (t (5) = 6.138, P = 0.002) and 90 dpi (t (5) = 6.332, P = 0.001). However, the rising of iNOS transcripts dropped under the uninfected control level in the TLR2 mutant mice at 120 dpi (t (5) = -9.082, P < 0.0001). Both total NO and iNOS transcripts were significantly higher in the TLR2 mutant mice than those in the TLR2 wild-type mice at 30 (t (5) = 3.091/2.933, P = 0.027/0.033) and 60 dpi (t (5) = 2.667/6.331, P = 0.044/0.001), respectively. In addition, the remarkable increase of iNOS expressions was immunohistochemically detected in the splenic serial sections of TLR2 wild-type mice at 30 and 60 dpi. However, the expressions of iNOS were remarkably decreased in the splenocytes of both TLR2 wild-type and mutant mice at 120 dpi.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that TLR2 signal plays an important role in the regulation of iNOS expression after C. sinensis infection. TLR2 signal is also beneficial to limiting worm growth and development and contributing to the susceptibility to C. sinensis in which the iNOS/NO reactions possibly participate.