Repression of MUC1 Promotes Expansion and Suppressive Function of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Pancreatic and Breast Cancer Murine Models

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that are responsible for immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment. Here we report the impact of mucin 1 (MUC1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, on proliferation and functional activity of MDSCs. To determine the role of MUC1 in MDSC phenotype, we analyzed MDSCs derived from wild type (WT) and MUC1-knockout (MUC1KO) mice bearing syngeneic pancreatic (KCKO) or breast (C57MG) tumors. We observed enhanced tumor growth of pancreatic and breast tumors in the MUC1KO mice compared to the WT mice. Enhanced tumor growth in the MUC1KO mice was associated with increased numbers of suppressive MDSCs and T regulatory (Tregs) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Compared to the WT host, MUC1KO host showed higher levels of iNOS, ARG1, and TGF-β, thus promoting proliferation of MDSCs with an immature and immune suppressive phenotype. When co-cultured with effector T cells, MDSCs from MUC1KO mice led to higher repression of IL-2 and IFN-γ production by T cells as compared to MDSCs from WT mice. Lastly, MDSCs from MUC1KO mice showed higher levels of c-Myc and activated pSTAT3 as compared to MDSCs from WT mice, suggesting increased survival, proliferation, and prevention of maturation of MDSCs in the MUC1KO host. We report diminished T cell function in the KO versus WT mice. In summary, the data suggest that MUC1 may regulate signaling pathways that are critical to maintain the immunosuppressive properties of MDSCs.     

Berteroin Present in Cruciferous Vegetables Exerts Potent Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Murine Macrophages and Mouse Skin

Berteroin (5-methylthiopentyl isothiocyanate) is a sulforaphane analog present in cruciferous vegetables, including Chinese cabbage, rucola salad leaves, and mustard oil. We examined whether berteroin exerts anti-inflammatory activities using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin inflammation models. Berteroin decreased LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw 264.7 macrophages. Berteroin inhibited LPS-induced degradation of inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and nuclear factor-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus and DNA binding activity. Furthermore, berteroin suppressed degradation of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase and phosphorylation of transforming growth factor β activated kinase-1. Berteroin also inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and AKT. In the mouse ear, berteroin effectively suppressed TPA-induced edema formation and down-regulated iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2. These results demonstrate that berteroin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties and suggest that berteroin can be developed as a skin anti-inflammatory agent.     

老龄大鼠脑缺血再灌注海马神经元iNOS的表达及超微结构改变

目的：观察老年大鼠脑缺血再灌注后海马神经元诱导型一氧化氮合酶（induced nitric oxide synthase iNOS）的表达及超微结构变化。方法：建立老年大鼠不完全性全脑缺血动物模型，应用免疫组织化学染色和透射电镜，观察海马神经元iNOS的表达及超微结构变化。结果：缺血30min后再灌注24h组海马神经元iNOS活性显著升高；缺血30min再灌注21h和48h组中量表达；假手术组、缺血30min即刻取材、再灌注1h、6h、96h组iNOS几乎无表达；再灌注超过48h组海马神经元损伤较重。结论：NO是脑缺血后神经元迟发性死亡的重要因素之一。     

Glucosamine inhibits LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression in mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) by inhibition of p38-MAP kinase and transcription factor NF-kappaB

Glucosamine supplements are very promising nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents widely used for the treatment of arthritis in animals and humans. In this study, we have proposed the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of glucosamine hydrochloride (GLN) using mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Treatment with GLN inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis showed that GLN treatment decreased LPS-induced inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. To further elucidate the mechanism of inhibitory effect of GLN, we studied the LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (pp44/42 and pp38). Our results clearly indicated that GLN treatment resulted in a reduction of pp38, whereas activation of p44/42 was not affected. In addition, LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding suggests an inhibitory effect of GLN. These results indicate that GLN suppresses the LPS-induced production of NO, expression of iNOS and COX-2 by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase.     

Allicin neuroprotective effect during oxidative/inflammatory injury involves AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis

The ancestral cultures have described many therapeutic properties of garlic; therefore, it is of central interest to elucidate the molecular basis explaining this millenary empirical knowledge. Indeed, it has been demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of allicin–a phytochemical present in garlic- linked to oxidative-inflammatory modulation. Allicin improved neuronal injury by heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) regulation. Also, allicin exerts renal protection involving a possible angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1) interaction. In connection, AT1 overexpression has been recognized as a central deleterious factor in many brain diseases. However, there are no studies that evaluate AT1-Hsp70-iNOS interaction as a mechanism linked to neuroinflammation. Thus, our central aim is to evaluate if the allicin protective effect is associated with an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis. For this study, a murine microglial cell line (BV-2) was injured with lipopolysaccharides and treated or not with allicin. Then, it was evaluated cell viability, proinflammatory cytokine levels, cellular oxidative stress, iNOS, Hsp70, and AT1 protein expression (cellular and mitochondrial fractions), nitrite levels, and protein-protein interactions. The results demonstrated that allicin could prevent neuronal injury due to a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory status mediated by an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis linked to direct protein-protein interaction.     

蓝莓多酚对巨噬细胞中iNOS、COX-2基因表达的影响

RAW264.7巨噬细胞被脂多糖预刺激后,添加从蓝莓中分离制备的不同质量浓度的可萃取多酚（extractablepolyphenols,EPP）和不可萃取多酚（non-extractable polyphenols,NEPP）,培养不同的时间,研究不同质量浓度及培养时间对诱导型一氧化氮合酶（inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS）、环氧合酶（cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2）基因相对表达量的影响。结果表明：从蓝莓中分离的EPP和NEPP均能抑制iNOS、COX-2基因表达,在12 h培养时间内,2 种多酚的抑制效果较好,且EPP的抑制效果明显好于NEPP。这证明蓝莓中的NEPP同EPP一样,可通过抑制iNOS、COX-2 mRNA的表达表现出明显的抗炎活性。     

激活素A对L929细胞活性的调节作用

目的探讨激活素A对小鼠纤维母细胞L929活性的调节作用。方法用不同剂量的激活素A刺激L929细胞,应用还原酶法分析细胞分泌一氧化氮(NO)的水平,RT-PCR法检测细胞诱导型一氧化氮合成酶(iNOS)、纤维连接蛋白(FN)和金属蛋白酶组织抑制物(TIMP)mRNA的表达,应用中性红检测细胞的吞饮活性,MTT法检测细胞的增殖活性。结果L929细胞经激活素A刺激后,与对照组细胞比较,分泌NO的水平明显升高,iNOS mRNA及FN mRNA的表达水平也升高,而TIMP mRNA的表达水平无明显改变。激活素A可以促进L929细胞的吞饮活性,但对L929细胞的增殖活性无影响。结论激活素A具有促进L929细胞分泌炎性介质和形成细胞外基质的作用,这可能是其促进炎症发展、诱导组织纤维化的原因。     

Enhanced Anti‐Inflammatory Activities by the Combination of Luteolin and Tangeretin

Dietary components in combination may act synergistically and produce enhanced biological activities. Herein, we investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects of 2 flavonoids, that is luteolin (LUT) and tangeretin (TAN) in combination. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with noncytotoxic concentrations of LUT, TAN, and their combinations. The results showed that LUT/TAN in combination produced synergistic inhibitory effects on LPS‐stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO). ELISA results demonstrated that LUT/TAN in combination caused stronger suppression on the LPS‐induced overexpression of proinflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 than LUT or TAN alone. Immunoblotting and Real‐Time PCR analyses showed that LUT/TAN combination significantly decreased LPS‐induced protein and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2. These inhibitory effects of the combination treatment were stronger than those produced by LUT or TAN alone. Overall, our results demonstrated for the first time that combination of LUT and TAN produced synergistic anti‐inflammatory effects in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.     

Plant flavonol quercetin and isoflavone biochanin A differentially induce protection against oxidative stress and inflammation in ARPE-19 cells

In this work, differential ability of plant flavonol quercetin and plant isoflavone biochanin A to modulate oxidative stress and inhibit inflammation-related responses was investigated using human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) at gene expression level. Quercetin protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death, whereas biochanin A had no statistically significant protective effects. Quercetin reduced the expression of cytokines IL-6 and IL-1?? in cells treated with H₂O₂, and expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased by quercetin treatment suggesting protective function against oxidative stress. Our data indicate that quercetin may protect cells by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6, and by inducing the expression of ROS-catalyzing phase II proteins such as HO-1. Therefore, plant extracts rich in flavonol quercetin may be an interesting resource for functional food products and other foods targeted for reduced risks of age-related macular degeneration.