1.Lobaric Acid Inhibits VCAM-1 Expression in TNF-alpha-Stimulated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Modulation of NF-kappaB and MAPK Signaling Pathways.
Ii Seul KWON ; Joung Han YIM ; Hong Kum LEE ; Suhkneung PYO
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2016;24(1):25-32
Lichens have been known to possess multiple biological activities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, VCAM-1 is a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of the inflammatory disease. However, the effect of lobaric acid on VCAM-1 has not yet been investigated and characterized. For this study, we examined the effect of lobaric acid on the inhibition of VCAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated mouse vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot and ELISA showed that the increased expression of VCAM-1 by TNF-alpha was significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of lobaric acid (0.1-10 mug/ml) for 2 h. Lobaric acid abrogated TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity through preventing the degradation of IkappaB and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase. Lobaric acid also inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Overall, our results suggest that lobaric acid inhibited VCAM-1 expression through the inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways, and downregulation of TNF-R1 expression. Therefore, it is implicated that lobaric acid may suppress inflammation by altering the physiology of the atherosclerotic lesion.
Animals
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Atherosclerosis
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Blotting, Western
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Down-Regulation
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
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Inflammation
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Lichens
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Mice
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular*
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NF-kappa B*
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Phosphorylation
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Phosphotransferases
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Physiology
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*