OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of high glucose on macrophage polarization and the role of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in mediating its effect. METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were transfected with IRG1-overexpressing plasmid or IRG1 siRNA via electroporation and cultured in either normal or high glucose for 72 h to observe the changes in cell viability and morphology using CCK-8 assay and phase contrast microscopy. The protein levels of IRG1, iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10 in the treated cells were detected with Western blotting, and the fluorescence intensities of iNOS and Arg-1 were detected using immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of IL-1β and IL-10 in the culture medium were determined with ELISA. RESULTS: High glucose exposure significantly reduced IRG1 and Arg-1 expressions, increased iNOS and IL-1β expressions and IL-1β secretion, and decreased IL-10 level in RAW264.7 cells. Transfection with the IRG1-overexpressing plasmid provided the cells with obvious resistance to high glucose-induced changes in iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10, whereas IRG1 knockdown further enhanced the effects of high glucose exposure on Arg-1 expression and the expression and secretion of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS High glucose promotes M1 polarization of the macrophages possibly through a mechanism to inhibit the expression of IRG1 protein, thus leading to chronic inflammatory response.
Animals ; Mice ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Glucose/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Arginase/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Transfection ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVES: To explore the active components that mediate the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis and their therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: TCMSP, TCMIP, PharmMapper, Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM and TTD databases were searched for the compounds in Centella asiatica and their targets and the disease targets of psoriasis. A drug-active component-target network and the protein-protein interaction network were constructed, and DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. In a RAW264.7 macrophage model of LPS-induced inflammation, the anti-inflammatory effect of 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 μmol/L quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid, which were identified as the main active components in Centella asiatica, were tested by measuring cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 using Griess method and ELISA and by detecting mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727) with RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 139 targets of Centella asiatica and 4604 targets of psoriasis were obtained, and among them CASP3, EGFR, PTGS2, and ESR1 were identified as the core targets. KEGG analysis suggested that quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid in Centella asiatica were involved in cancer and IL-17 and MAPK signaling pathways. In the RAW264.7 macrophage model of inflammation, treatment with quercetin significantly reduced cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6, and lowered mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF‑α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727). CONCLUSIONS Quercetin, asiaticoside and asiatic acid are the main active components in Centella asiatica to mediate the therapeutic effect against psoriasis, and quercetin in particular is capable of suppressing cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 and regulating the IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis by mediating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit inflammatory response.
Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Psoriasis/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Mice ; Animals ; Centella/chemistry* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Phosphorylation ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Interleukin-23/metabolism* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the core targets and immunomodulatory mechanisms of Huoluo Xiaoling Pellet (HLXLP) for promoting tissue repair. METHODS: Network pharmacology and protein-protein interaction network were used to screen active components in HLXLP, the disease-related targets and the core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses and molecular docking to predict the pharmacological mechanisms. The toxicity of HLXLP was evaluated in zebrafish, and in a tissue regeneration model established in 3 dpf zebrafish larvae by amputating 95% of the tail fin, the effects of a formulated zebrafish embryo culture medium and 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL of aqueous extract of HLXLP on tissue regeneration was evaluated; RT-qPCR was performed to detect mRNA expressions of tissue regeneration marker genes and the core target genes. Transgenic zebrafish with fluorescently labeled macrophages and neutrophils were used to observe immune cell migration during tissue regeneration, and macrophage polarization at different stages was assessed with RT-qPCR. RESULTS: We identified a total of 149 intersected targets between HLXLP active components and tissue repair and 5 core targets (AKT1, IL-6, TNF-α, EGFR and STAT3). GO and KEGG analyses suggested that the effects of HLXLP were mediated primarily through the JAK-STAT pathway, adhesion junctions and positive regulation of cell migration. HLXLP was minimally toxic below 40 μg/mL and lethal at 320 μg/mL in zebrafish, and caused renal and pericardial edema and vascular defects above 80 μg/mL. In zebrafish with tail fin amputation, HLXLP significantly promoted tissue regeneration, reduced IL-6 and TNF-α and enhanced AKT1, EGFR and STAT3 mRNA expressions, modulated neutrophil and macrophage recruitment to the injury sites, and regulated M1/M2 macrophage polarization during tissue regeneration. CONCLUSIONS HLXLP promotes zebrafish tail fin regeneration through multiple active components, targets and pathways for immunomodulation of immune cell migration and macrophage polarization to suppress inflammation and accelerate healing.
Animals ; Zebrafish/physiology* ; Animal Fins/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Regeneration/drug effects* ; Network Pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Macrophages

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) on vascular aging. METHODS: Eighteen male SD rats were randomized into young group, intraperitoneal D-galactose injection-induced aging group, and BYHWD gavage group. The changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV), vascular SA-β-gal activity, and expressions of p16, p21 and SA‑β‑gal of the rats were examined. Serum exosomes were isolated from the rats, and after characterization using NTA and TEM and for surface markers and vascular cell markers, were examined for miR-590-5p expression using qRT-PCR. The M1/M2 macrophage ratio and cytokine levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out to predict the potential target genes of miR-590-5p and validate its targeting relationship with SLC8A3, whose expressions were detected in the vascular tissues of the rats by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the young rats, the aging rats exhibited significantly increased PWV in the abdominal aorta with elevated vascular expressions of p16, p21 and SA-β-gal, which were all reversed by BYHWD treatment. The isolated serum exosomes were positive for CD63, CD81, CD31 and SM-22, and the exosomes from aging rats showed significantly downregulated expression of miR-590-5p, which was upregulated after BYHWD treatment. The aging rat vessels showed an increased M1/M2 macrophage ratio with elevated M1-specific cytokines and reduced M2-specific cytokines, and BYHWD treatment effectively inhibited M1 polarization of the macrophages. Pearson analysis revealed a negative correlation between exosomal miR-590-5p upregulation and the M1/M2 ratio. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assays confirmed that miR-590-5p targets SLC8A3. Western blotting demonstrated increased SLC8A3 expression in aging rat vessels, which was downregulated after BYHWD treatment. CONCLUSIONS BYHWD attenuates vascular aging in rats by modulating macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing vascular inflammation via exosomal miR-590-5p-mediated downregulation of SLC8A3.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Rats ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Aging/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of ecliptasaponin A (ESA) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice (8-10 weeks old) were equally randomized into control group, DSS-induced IBD model group, and DSS+ESA (50 mg/kg) treatment group. Disease activity index (DAI), colon length and spleen index of the mice were measured, and intestinal pathology was examined with HE staining. The expressions of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) in the colon mucosa were detected using ELISA and RT-qPCR, and intestinal barrier integrity was assessed using AB-PAS staining and by detecting ZO-1 and claudin-1 expressions using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. In cultured RAW264.7 macrophages, the effects of treatment with 50 μmol/L ESA, alone or in combination with 20 μmol/L RO8191 (a JAK2/STAT3 pathway activator), on M1 polarization of the cells induced by LPS and IFN-γ stimulation and expressions of JAK2/STAT3 pathway proteins were analyzed using flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the mouse models of DSS-induced IBD, ESA treatment significantly alleviated body weight loss and colon shortening, reduced DAI, spleen index and histological scores, and ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue. ESA treatment also suppressed TNF‑α, IL-6 and iNOS expressions, protected the goblet cells and the integrity of the mucus and mechanical barriers, and upregulated the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-1. ESA treatment obviously decreased CD86⁺ M1 polarization in the mesenteric lymph nodes of IBD mice and in LPS and IFN-γ-induced RAW264.7 cells, and significantly reduced p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expressions in both the mouse models and RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with RO8191 caused reactivation of JAK2/STAT3 and strongly attenuated the inhibitory effect of ESA on CD86⁺ polarization in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS ESA alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by suppressing JAK2/STAT3-mediated M1 macrophage polarization and mitigating inflammation-driven intestinal barrier damage.
Animals ; Mice ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Dextran Sulfate ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Colitis/metabolism* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of avitinib for suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy volunteers were pre-treated with avitinib, followed by activation of the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome using agonists including nigericin, monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation was induced via intracellular transfection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Western blotting was used to detect the secretory protein markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and assess pyroptosis, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in cell culture supernatant were determined with ELISA. In a mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock, the effect of avitinib treatment on the levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were examined with ELISA, and survival curves of the mice were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Avitinib significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in multiple cell types, and dose-dependently reduced IL-1β secretion and caspase-1 cleavage while suppressing GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis without obviously affecting IL-6 or TNF-α levels. In the mouse models of LPS-induced septic shock, avitinib significantly lowered IL-1β levels in serum and peritoneal fluid and extended survival time of the mice. CONCLUSIONS Avitinib suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviates septic shock in mice.
Animals ; Shock, Septic/metabolism* ; Mice ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Humans ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides

OBJECTIVES: To explore the toxic mechanism of Clostridium perfringens Beta1 toxin mediated by P2X7 receptor-induced calcium dyshomeostasis. METHODS: Ten-day-old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, recombinant Beta1 toxin (rCPB1) group, PD151746 group, and PD151746+rCPB1 group, and all the treatment agents were administered by gavage. The changes in expressions of inflammatory factors in the jejunum of the mice were detected using antibody chip technology to explore the regulatory role of calcium dyshomeostasis in Beta1 toxin-induced inflammatory injury level. In the cell experiment, THP-1 cells were transfected with a si-RNA targeting P2X7 receptor and treated with rCPB1, and the changes in cell survival rate, levels of Ca²⁺, ROS and ATP, and expressions of pyroptosis and ferroptosis markers were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of rCPB1 significantly increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the jejunal tissue of the neonatal mice, but their levels were significantly decreased after treatment with PD151746. In THP-1 cells, rCPB1 treatment significantly decreased cell survival and increased the levels of Ca²⁺, ROS, ATP and the expressions of pyroptosis and ferroptosis markers, and these changes were obviously attenuated by P2X7 receptor knockdown. CONCLUSIONS P2X7 receptor-mediated functional pore formation by Beta1 toxin can further lead to calcium dyshomeostasis, thereby triggering excessive accumulation of ROS to subsequently induce the co-occurrence of pyroptosis and ferroptosis.
Animals ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Bacterial Toxins/toxicity*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism through which pinostrobin (PSB) alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomized into control group, DSS model group, and PSB intervention (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) groups. Colitis severity of the mice was assessed by examining body weight changes, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histopathology. The expressions of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-1 in the colon tissues were examined using immunofluorescence staining, and macrophage infiltration and polarization were analyzed with flow cytometry. ELISA and RT-qPCR were used for detecting the expressions of inflammatory factors (TNF‑α and IL-6) and chemokines (CCL₂, CXCL₁₀, and CX₃CL₁) in the colon tissues, and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation levels were analyzed with Western blotting. In cultured Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells, the effect of PSB on CCL₂-mediated macrophage migration was assessed using Transwell assay. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to predict the key pathways that mediate the therapeutic effect of PSB. RESULTS: In DSS-induced mouse models, PSB at 60 mg/kg optimally alleviated colitis, shown by reduced weight loss and DAI scores and increased colon length. PSB treatment significantly upregulated ZO-1 and claudin-1 expressions in the colon tissues, inhibited colonic macrophage infiltration, and promoted the shift of macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 type. In cultured intestinal epithelial cells, PSB significantly inhibited PI3K/AKT phosphorylation and suppressed chemokine CCL₂ expression. PSB treatment obviously blocked CCL₂-mediated macrophage migration of RAW264.7 cells, which could be reversed by exogenous CCL₂. Network pharmacology analysis and rescue experiments confirmed PI3K/AKT and CCL₂ signaling as the core targets of PSB. CONCLUSIONS PSB alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by targeting intestinal epithelial PI3K/AKT signaling, reducing CCL₂ secretion, and blocking macrophage chemotaxis and migration, highlighting the potential of PSB as a novel natural compound for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Colitis/drug therapy* ; Dextran Sulfate ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Macrophages ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Caco-2 Cells ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Epithelial Cells/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Macrophage polarization anomalies and dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Itaconate is a Krebs cycle-derived immunometabolite synthesized by myeloid cells to modulate cellular metabolism and inflammatory responses. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of an itaconate derivative on macrophages in patients with ITP. METHODS: Peripheral blood-derived macrophages from patients with ITP and healthy controls were treated with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a derivative of itaconate that can penetrate the cell membrane. Macrophage polarization, antigen-presenting functions, and phagocytic capability were measured via flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Macrophage glycolysis in patients with ITP and the metabolic regulatory effect of 4-OI were detected using a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer. An active murine model of ITP was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of 4-OI in vivo . RESULTS: 4-OI reduced the levels of CD80 and CD86 in M1 macrophages and suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that 4-OI could hinder the polarization of macrophages toward an M1 phenotype. We found that 4-OI pretreated M1 macrophages reduced the proliferation of CD4 + T cells and promoted the differentiation of regulatory T cells. In addition, after 4-OI treatment, the phagocytic capacity of M1 macrophages toward antibody-coated platelets decreased significantly in patients with ITP. In addition, the glycolytic function of M1 macrophages was elevated in individuals with ITP compared to those in healthy controls. 4-OI treatment downregulated glycolysis in M1 macrophages. The glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) also inhibited the polarization of M1 macrophages and restored their functions. In vivo , 4-OI treatment significantly increased platelet counts in the active ITP murine model. CONCLUSIONS Itaconate derivative 4-OI inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and restored impaired functions through metabolic reprogramming. This study provides a novel therapeutic option for ITP.
Macrophages/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Flow Cytometry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Metabolic Reprogramming

Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict the mechanism of Zhizhu Decoction in regulating macrophage polarization to reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese children, and animal experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. The active ingredients and targets of Zhizhu Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The inflammation related targets in the adipose tissue of obese children were searched against GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET, and a drug-disease-target network was established. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and screen for core targets. R language was used to carry out Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. AutoDock was used for the molecular docking between core targets and active ingredients. 24 SPF grade 6-week C57B/6J male mice were adaptively fed for 1 week, and 8 mice were randomly selected as the blank group. The remaining 16 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to onstruct a high-fat diet induced mouse obesity model. After successful modeling, the 16 mice were randomly divided into model group and Zhizhu Decoction group, with 8 mice in each group. Zhizhu Decoction group was intervened by gavage for 14 days, once a day. Blank group and model group were given an equal amount of sterile double distilled water(ddH_2O) by gavage daily. After the last gavage, serum and inguinal adipose tissue were collected from mice for testing. The morphology of inguinal adipose tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression of macrophage marker molecule nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and epidermal growth factor like hormone receptor 1(F4/80) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Network pharmacology predicted luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin as the main active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction and 15 core targets. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement in the key signaling pathway of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB). Molecular docking showed that the active ingredients of Zhizhu Decoction bound well to the core targets. Animal experiment showed that compared with the model group, Zhizhu Decoction reduced the distribution of inflammatory cytokines in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice, lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum(P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of iNOS and F4/80(P<0.05). The results showed that the active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction, such as luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin, inhibit the aggregation of macrophages in adipose tissue, downregulate their classic activated macrophage(M1) polarization, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, and thus improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Adipose Tissue/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Child ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Obesity/genetics* ; Inflammation/drug therapy*