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Huang S, Peng J, Gan Y, Chen L, Zhu Z, Tian F, Ji L, Fan Y, Zhou C, Bao J. Jieduquyuziyin prescription enhances CD11a and CD70 DNA methylation of CD4 + T cells via miR-29b-sp1/DNMT1 pathway in MRL/lpr mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 317:116776. [PMID: 37343653 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP) is a traditional Chinese medicine utilized to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its efficacy has been confirmed through clinical trials and empirical evidence, leading to its authorized use in Chinese hospitals. The development of JP exemplifies the integration of traditional wisdom and scientific approaches, demonstrating the interdisciplinary essence of ethnopharmacology. These results emphasize the potential value of traditional medicine in addressing autoimmune disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to address the effect of JP in MRL/lpr mice and elucidate the pharmacological mechanism by which JP targets CD11a and CD70 DNA methylation via the miR-29b-sp1/DNMT1 pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS MRL/lpr mice were divided into three groups: the model group (received distilled water), the positive group (administered AAV/miR-29b-3p inhibitor), and the JP group (treated with JP decoction). C57BL/6 mice were constituted as a control group. Through ELISA assay, serum and urine samples were assessed for anti-dsDNA, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-2, and UP. HE and Masson staining were conducted to reveal renal pathology. Genome DNA was extracted from CD4+ T cells of mice spleens to evaluate methylation level. The methylation of CD11a, CD70, and CD40L promoter regions was analyzed by targeted bisulfate sequencing. Their expression at the mRNA and protein levels was examined using quantitative real-time PCR, western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining of kidney tissues. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of the miR-29b-sp1/DNMT1 pathway by JP were explored with Jurkat cells transfected with miR-inhibitors or miR-mimics. RESULTS Mice treated with JP exhibited a significant decrease in anti-dsDNA, TNF-α, TGF-β, and UP, accompanied by a significant increase in IL-2. HE staining revealed JP effectively mitigated renal inflammatory response, while Masson staining indicated a reduction in collagen fiber content. In addition, JP exhibited a significant impact on the global hypomethylation of SLE, as evidenced by the induction of high methylation levels of CD11a and CD70 promoter regions, mediated through the miR-29b-sp1/DNMT1 pathway. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate JP exerts a protective effect against spontaneous SLE development, attenuates renal pathological changes, and functions as a miRNA inhibitor to enhance CD11a and CD70 DNA methylation through the modulation of the miR-29b-sp1/DNMT1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiaqi Peng
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yihong Gan
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Leiming Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhengyang Zhu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Fengyuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lina Ji
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yongsheng Fan
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chuanlong Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jie Bao
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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He Y, Tian W, Zhang M, Qiu H, Li H, Shi X, Song S, Wen C, Chen J. Jieduquyuziyin prescription alleviates SLE complicated by atherosclerosis via promoting cholesterol efflux and suppressing TLR9/MyD88 activation. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 309:116283. [PMID: 36898449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP), as a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is extensively applied to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its prescription is based on clinical practice and an evidence-based application of traditional medicines. It is approved by use in Chinese hospitals as a clinical prescription that can be directly used. AIM OF THE STUDY The study aims to elucidate JP's efficacy on lupus-like disease combined with atherosclerosis and to explore its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS To conduct in vivo experiments, we established a model of lupus-like disease with atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet and injected intraperitoneally with pristane. In addition, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and a TLR9 agonist (CpG-ODN2395) were utilized to examine the mechanism of JP on SLE combined with AS in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. RESULTS Results indicated that JP reduced hair loss and levels of the spleen index, maintained stable body weight, alleviated kidney damage in mice, and reduced the expression levels of urinary protein, autoantibodies, and inflammatory factors in serum. Furthermore, JP is effective at alleviating the lupus-like symptoms observed in mice. In mice, JP inhibited aortic plaque deposition, stimulated lipid metabolism, and increased the expression of genes that regulate cholesterol efflux, including ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). In vivo, JP inhibited the expression of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-induced signaling pathway, which links TLR9/MyD88/NF-kB to the expression of subsequent inflammatory factors. Furthermore, JP inhibited the expression of TLR9 and MyD88 in vitro. In addition, the JP treatment effectively reduced foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages by increasing the expression of ABCA1/G1, PPAR-γ and SR-BI. CONCLUSIONS JP played a therapeutic role in ApoE-/- mice with pristane-induced lupus-like diseases and AS, possibly through inhibition of TLR9/MyD88 signaling and promotion of cholesterol efflux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfang He
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Weiyu Tian
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haonan Qiu
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haichang Li
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Siyue Song
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chengping Wen
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Juan Chen
- College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, China.
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Du L, Feng Y, Wang C, Shi X, Wen C, He Z, Zhang Y. Jieduquyuziyin prescription promotes the efficacy of prednisone via upregulating Nrf2 in MRL/lpr kidneys. J Ethnopharmacol 2022; 298:115643. [PMID: 36031105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used as an approved hospital prescription to improve the efficacy of prednisone (Pred) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) treatment. Although the synergistic effect of JP and Pred is prominent, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the key therapeutic targets of JP in improving the role of Pred in the treatment of LN. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lupus-prone female MRL/lpr mice were administered JP, Pred, or JP combined with Pred. The effect of JP on LN was estimated by evaluating renal function and inflammation levels in the kidneys. On this basis, RNA sequencing of kidney tissues was performed, and the differentially expressed genes were analyzed and summarized. The role of JP in the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2 or Nrf2) in the kidneys was further confirmed by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. RESULTS JP combined with Pred exhibited the most remarkable therapeutic effect compared with JP or Pred alone. Transcriptome analysis indicated that Nrf2, a central mediator of the antioxidative response, was significantly upregulated by JP. Based on these results, we speculated that Nrf2 is a critical factor for JP, improving the efficacy of Pred in treating LN by notably suppressing the oxidative stress level in the kidneys. Furthermore, we found that Nrf2 expression decreased with the exacerbation of LN in MRL/lpr mice. In addition, the downregulated Nrf2 was notably restored after JP treatment, accompanied by suppressed oxidative stress levels in the kidneys. It includes inhibited accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), restored mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that JP increases Pred efficacy by increasing Nrf2 expression, implying that Nrf2 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Du
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Yuxiang Feng
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Chenxi Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Chengping Wen
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Zhixing He
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Ji LN, Wu S, Fu DQ, Fang SJ, Xie GQ, Fan YS, Bao J. Jieduquyuziyin Prescription alleviates hepatic gluconeogenesis via PI3K/Akt/PGC-1α pathway in glucocorticoid-induced MRL/lpr mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2022; 284:114815. [PMID: 34763039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula. According to both TCM theory and more than a decade of clinical practice, JP has been testified to be effective for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatment as an approved hospital prescription in China. AIM OF THE STUDY To determine the effect of JP on the treatment of SLE by glucocorticoid (GC) and to further examine the molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted in vivo experiments to estimate the effect of JP on hepatic gluconeogenesis in MRL/lpr mice treated with GC. Additionally, isoproterenol (ISO) induced hepatic gluconeogenesis model and GC-treated MRL/lpr mouse hepatocytes were carried out in vitro experiments to verify the effect of JP on gluconeogenesis. RESULTS The results showed that JP combined with GC could effectively alleviate the lupus symptoms in MRL/lpr mice and improve the pathological changes of the kidney and liver. And the combination of JP reduced the side effects caused by GC, which was related to the inhibition of GC-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis in MRL/lpr mice. Specifically, JP up-regulated the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt restrained by GC to reduce the production of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and the gluconeogenic genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). In vivo, the use of JP either alone or with GC could reduce spleen enlargement, high levels of serum antibodies, aggravated urine protein and renal pathological damage in MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, the glucose content was reduced in the liver of MRL/lpr mice treated with JP, and the liver damage and steatosis were also alleviated. In vitro, the expressions of PI3K and Akt increased and the expressions of FoxO1, PGC-1α, PEPCK and G6Pase decreased after JP treatment in ISO-treated hepatocytes. Compared with MRL/MP mice, we found that JP could significantly inhibit the expression of gluconeogenesis in the hepatocytes of MRL/lpr mice induced by GC to a greater extent. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic effect of JP on GC-induced is likely related to hepatic gluconeogenesis, which provides a new perspective to reveal the positive role of JP in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Ji
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shan Wu
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Dan-Qing Fu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Si-Jia Fang
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Guan-Qun Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yong-Sheng Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jie Bao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
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Ji L, Fan X, Hou X, Fu D, Bao J, Zhuang A, Chen S, Fan Y, Li R. Jieduquyuziyin Prescription Suppresses Inflammatory Activity of MRL/lpr Mice and Their Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages via Inhibiting Expression of IRAK1-NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1049. [PMID: 32760274 PMCID: PMC7372094 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Jieduquyuziyin prescription (JP) has been used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although the effectiveness of JP in the treatment of SLE has been clinically proven, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be completely understood. We observed the therapeutic actions of JP in MRL/lpr mice and their bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and the potential mechanism of their inhibition of inflammatory activity. To estimate the effect of JP on suppressing inflammatory activity, BMDMs of MRL/lpr and MRL/MP mice were treated with JP-treated serum, and MRL/lpr mice were treated by JP for 8 weeks. Among them, JP and its treated serum were subjected to quality control, and BMDMs were separated and identified. The results showed that in the JP group of BMDMs stimulated by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in MRL/lpr mice, the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) reduced, and the expressions of Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and its downstream nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway decreased. Meanwhile, the alleviation of renal pathological damage, the decrease of urinary protein and serum anti-dsDNA contents, the inhibition of TNF-α level, and then the suppression of the IRAK1-NF-κB inflammatory signaling in the spleen and kidney, confirmed that the therapeutic effect of JP. These results demonstrated that JP could inhibit the inflammatory activity of MRL/lpr mice and their BMDMs by suppressing the activation of IRAK1-NF-κB signaling and was supposed to be a good choice for the treatment of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Ji
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuemin Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Hou
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danqing Fu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Bao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aiwen Zhuang
- Institute of TCM Literature and Information, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sixiang Chen
- The Second College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongsheng Fan
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rongqun Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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