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Shan Y, Wu J, Dai X, Yuan C, Jiang J, Yan H, Tang L, Dong Y, Ren L, Pan Q, Ji J, Zhao X. Jiangqi Pingxiao formula regulates dendritic cell apoptosis in an autophagy-dependent manner through the AMPK/mTOR pathway in a murine model of OVA-induced asthma. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 321:117405. [PMID: 37952734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117405] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Allergic asthma is a recurring respiratory condition that typically manifests during childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by a dominant type II immune response triggered by the identification and capturing of inhaled allergens by dendritic cells (DCs). Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula (JQPXF), a prescription medicine used for the treatment of pediatric asthma, has been clinically proven to be both safe and effective. However, its mechanism of action in the treatment of asthma has not been fully been fully elucidated. Recent research suggests that several natural compounds have the potential to target dendritic cells (DCs) and alleviate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma, which may also be found within JQPXF. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to elucidate the effect of JQPXF on OVA-induced asthma model and its molecular mechanism targeting DCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The main constituents of JQPXF were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). An asthma model was established by OVA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and measurement of respiratory function was used to evaluate the treatment effect of JQPXF on asthmatic mice. Cytokine (IL-5, IL-13 and IgE) concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration (T helper 2 cells and DCs) in vivo and DC survival in vivo and vitro. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to verify the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS The results suggest that JQPXF can ameliorate pathological conditions and improve lung function in asthmatic mice, as well as the Th2 cells. Treatment with JQPXF significantly reduced the number of DCs and increased the number of Propidium iodide+ (PI) DCs. Furthermore, JQPXF upregulated protein levels of the pro-apoptotic factors Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax, while downregulating the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. Simultaneously, JQPXF increased autophagy levels by facilitating p62 degradation and promoting translation from LC3B I to LC3B II of DCs in vitro, as well as reducing the integrated optical density (IOD) of p62 within the CD11c-positive area in the lung. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was used to block autophagic flux and the apoptotic effect of JQPXF on DCs was abolished in vitro, with the number of DCs decreased by JQPXF being reversed in vivo. We further investigated the upstream key regulator of autophagy, the AMPK/mTOR pathway, and found that JQPXF increased AMPK phosphorylation while decreasing mTOR phosphorylation levels. Additionally, we employed Compound C (CC) as an AMPK inhibitor to inhibit this signaling pathway, and our findings revealed that both autophagic flux and apoptotic levels in DCs were abolished in vitro. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we have demonstrated that JQPXF could alleviate type II inflammation in an asthmatic model by promoting the apoptosis of DCs through an autophagy-dependent mechanism, achieved by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Shan
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiabao Wu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohan Dai
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Yuan
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinjin Jiang
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingling Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine & School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingmei Dong
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lishun Ren
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingyun Pan
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianjian Ji
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xia Zhao
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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Yang YG, Dai Y. [Role of alternative activation of macrophages in hookworm therapy for inflammatory diseases: a review]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2022; 34:438-444. [PMID: 36116939 DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2022082] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a type of highly plastic innate immune cells, macrophages may be differentiated into M1 and M2 macrophages upon different stimuli, and M2 macrophages are involved in immune regulation, tissue remodeling and regeneration, and wound healing. Previous epidemiological studies have shown a significant negative correlation between the prevalence of helminth infections and the incidence of inflammatory diseases, such as allergy and autoimmune diseases. As a common type of intestinal helminths, hookworm infection may trigger high levels of type II host immune responses, with alternative activation of macrophages, which are effective to inhibit the development and progression of inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the advances in alternative activation of macrophages in hookworm therapy for inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y G Yang
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Parasites and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214064, China
| | - Y Dai
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Parasites and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214064, China
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