To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the water extract from Sorbus tianschanica(STE) on asthmatic airway inflammation, the mice were randomly divided into six groups, including a control group, a model group, a positive drug dexamethasone group(2 mg·kg~(-1)), a low-dose STE group(1 g·kg~(-1)), a medium-dose STE group(2 g·kg~(-1)), and a high-dose STE group(4 g·kg~(-1)). Except for the control group, all groups were subjected to ovalbumin induction to establish an asthma mouse model. The anti-inflammatory effects of STE were evaluated by examining pathological changes in lung tissue and measuring the levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF). Transcriptomic and proteomic methods were further employed to analyze differentially expressed genes and proteins, as well as their associated signaling pathways in lung tissue. Subsequently, the expression changes of key genes were verified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), and immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods were used to explore the regulatory mechanisms of STE in the pathogenesis of asthma in mice. Molecular docking was performed by using AutoDock Vina software to evaluate the binding affinity of the main active components in STE with the target proteins, including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit α(PIK3CA), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), protein kinase B1(Akt1), and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9). The results showed significant inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue proliferation in the lung tissue of mice in the model group. However, these pathological changes were markedly reduced following STE intervention. Compared with those of the control group, the expression levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in the BALF of the model group were significantly increased but notably decreased following STE intervention. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified key genes and proteins associated with allergic asthma, including tumor necrosis factor(TNF), IL-6, TLR4, PIK3CA, and MMP9. RT-qPCR validation revealed that high-dose STE intervention significantly downregulated the expressions of PIK3CA, IL-6, Akt1, MMP9, IL-13, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), TNF, CXC motif chemokine ligand 1(CXCL1), and TLR4 mRNAs and significantly upregulated the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1(STAT1) mRNA. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that STE significantly downregulated the expressions of MMP9, TLR4, PIK3CA, and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that kaempferol-3,7-diglucoside, isoquercitrin, quercetin-3-gentiobioside, and hyperoside in STE exhibited stable binding affinities with PIK3CA, TLR4, Akt1, and MMP9, suggesting that the active components may exert anti-inflammatory effects by targeting and modulating asthma-related signaling pathways. In summary, STE exerts anti-asthmatic effects by inhibiting the expressions of PIK3CA, MMP9, p-Akt, and TLR4 and regulating the TLR4/PI3K/Akt/MMP9 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/immunology* ; Male

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on hyperlipidemia in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet (HFD) group, and EA group. The changes in blood lipids and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the mice were evaluated, and histopathological changes and lipid accumulation in the liver were observed using Oil red O staining (ORO). The expressions of NLRP3, TLR4, and IL-1β proteins in the colon tissues were detected with Western blotting, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: In mice with HFD feeding, 16 weeks of EA treatment significantly lowered body weight and serum TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA levels, obviously reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, and ameliorated HFD-induced elevations of protein expressions of NLRP3, TLR4, and IL-1β. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EA significantly altered gut microbiota composition, and increased the diversity and relative abundance of beneficial bacterial groups such as Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture at ST36 alleviates blood lipid disorders in hyperlipidemic mice possibly by improving intestinal microbiota structure, promoting degradation of high-caloric carbohydrates, cholesterol lipid metabolism and intestinal mucosa repair, and reducing toxin leakage, lipid peroxides, and liver fat deposition.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Hyperlipidemias/blood* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Diet, High-Fat ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Lipids/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of Huoxin Pill (HXP) on acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIRI) injury in rats. METHODS: Seventy-five adult SD rats were divided into the sham-operated group, model group, positive drug group (diltiazem hydrochloride, DH), high dose group (24 mg/kg, HXP-H) and low dose group (12 mg/kg, HXP-L) of Huoxin Pill (n=15 for every group) according to the complete randomization method. After 1 week of intragastric administration, the left anterior descending coronary artery of the rat's heart was ligated for 45 min and reperfused for 3 h. Serum was separated and the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured. Myocardial ischemia rate, myocardial infarction rate and myocardial no-reflow rate were determined by staining with Evans blue and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN) databases were used to screen for possible active compounds of HXP and their potential therapeutic targets; the results of anti-inflammatory genes associated with MIRI were obtained from GeneCards, Drugbank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Datebase (TTD) databases was performed; Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were used to analyze the intersected targets; molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Tools. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). RESULTS: Compared with the model group, all doses of HXP significantly reduced the levels of LDH, CK and CK-MB (P<0.05, P<0.01); HXP significantly increased serum activity of SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01); all doses of HXP significantly reduced the levels of hs-CRP and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the myocardial infarction rate and myocardial no-reflow rate (P<0.01). GO enrichment analysis mainly involved positive regulation of gene expression, extracellular space and identical protein binding, KEGG pathway enrichment mainly involved PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and lipid and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking results showed that kaempferol and luteolin had a better affinity with TLR4, NFκB and NLRP3 molecules. The protein expressions of TLR4, NFκB and NLRP3 were reduced in the HXP group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS HXP has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and its effect may be related to the inhibition of redox response and reduction of the inflammatory response by inhibiting the TLR4NFκB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; C-Reactive Protein ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Signal Transduction ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Creatine Kinase ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

This study aimed to explore the possible effect of Xixin Decoction(XXD) on the learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's disease(AD) model senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8(SAMP8) and the related mechanism in enhancing neuroprotective effect and reducing neuroinflammation. Forty SAMP8 were randomly divided into a model group(10 mL·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a probiotics group(0.39 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a high-dose group of XXD granules(H-XXD, 5.07 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a medium-dose group of XXD granules(M-XXD, 2.535 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a low-dose group of XXD granules(L-XXD, 1.267 5 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Eight senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1(SAMR1) of the same age and strain were assigned to the control group(10 mL·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After ten weeks of intragastric administration, the Morris water maze was used to test the changes in spatial learning and memory ability of mice after treatment. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the positive expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products(AGER), Toll-like receptor 1(TLR1), and Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2) in the hippocampal CA1 region of mice. Western blot was employed to test the protein expression levels of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1(SIRT1), AGER, TLR1, and TLR2 in the hippocampus of mice. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was applied to assess the levels of Aβ_(1-42) in the hippocampus of mice and the levels of nuclear factor κB p65(NF-κB p65), NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the serum and hippocampus of mice. Compared with the model group, XXD significantly improved the spatial learning and memory ability of SAMP8, increased the expression of neuroprotective factors in the hippocampus, decreased the levels of neuroinflammatory factors, and inhibited the expression of Aβ_(1-42). In particular, H-XXD significantly increased the expression of SIRT1 in the hippocampus of mice, reduced the expression levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the serum and hippocampus of mice, and decreased the expression of AGER, TLR1, and TLR2 in the hippocampus of mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01). XXD may improve the spatial learning and memory ability of AD model SAMP8 by enhancing the neuroprotective effect and inhibiting neuroinflammation.
Humans ; Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use* ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 1/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Hippocampus

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of acacetin in protecting rats from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. Wistar rats were randomized into sham, model, low-and high-dose acacetin, and nimodipine groups, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was established with the improved suture method in other groups except the sham group. The neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume of each group were evaluated 24 h after modeling. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), malondialdehyde(MDA), supe-roxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH). Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of B-cell lymphonoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway-related proteins(TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β) in the rat brain tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to reveal the histopathological changes in the ischemic area. Compared with the sham group, the modeling of MCAO increased the neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume, elevated the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and lowered the SOD and GSH levels in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the MCAO model group, low-and high-dose acacetin and nimodipine decreased the neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume, lowered the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and elevated the SOD and GSH levels in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the model group showed up-regulated protein levels of Bax, TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β and down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the MCAO model group, the acacetin and nimodipine groups showed down-regulated protein levels of Bax, TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β and up-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the brain tissue(P<0.05). In conclusion, acacetin regulates the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to inhibit neuroinflammatory response and oxidative stress, thus exerting the protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Nimodipine/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Isodon terricolous-medicated serum on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced hepatic stellate cell(HSC) activation. LPS-induced HSCs were divided into a blank control group, an LPS model group, a colchicine-medicated serum group, an LPS + blank serum group, an I. terricolous-medicated serum group, a Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) blocker group, and a TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group. HSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure type Ⅰ collagen(COL Ⅰ), COL Ⅲ, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1). Real-time PCR(RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of TLR4, IκBα, and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) p65, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC) in HSCs. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the protein levels of TLR4, p-IκBα, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD in HSCs. The results showed that I. terricolous-medicated serum could inhibit the proliferation activity of HSCs and inhibit the secretion of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, caspase-1, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in HSCs. Compared with the LPS model group, the I. terricolous-medicated serum group, the colchicine-medicated serum group, and the TLR4 blocker group showed down-regulated expression of p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and up-regulated expression of IκBα. Compared with the TLR4 blocker group, the TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group showed decreased expression of TLR4, p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and increased expression of IκBα. In conclusion, I. terricolous-medicated serum down-regulates HSC activation by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Isodon ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Colchicine/pharmacology* ; Caspases

Objective To investigate the effects of formononetin (FMN) on cognitive behavior and inflammation in aging rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods SD rats aged about 70 weeks were divided into healthy control group, CUMS model group, CUMS combined with 10 mg/kg FMN group, CUMS combined with 20 mg/kg FMN group and CUMS combined with 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (Flu) group. Except for healthy control group, other groups were stimulated with CUMS and administered drugs for 28 days. Sugar water preference, forced swimming experiment and open field experiment were used to observe the emotional behavior of rats in each group. HE staining was used to observe the pathological injury degree of brain equine area. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were detected by the kit. The apoptosis was tested by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) in the brain tissue. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to detect Bcl2, Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in brain tissues. Results Compared with CUMS model group, sugar water consumption, open field activity time, open field travel distance and swimming activity time significantly increased in the CUMS combined with 20 mg/kg FMN group and the CUMS combined with 1.8 mg/kg Flu group. The number of new outarm entry increased significantly, while the number of initial arm entry and other arm entry decreased significantly. The pathological damage of brain equine area was alleviated, and the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were significantly increased. The ratio of BAX/Bcl2 and the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 protein as well as the number of apoptotic cells were significantly decreased. The contents of TNF-α, iNOS and IL-6 were significantly decreased. The protein levels of TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased. Conclusion FMN can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors by blocking NF-κB pathway and improve cognitive and behavioral ability of CUMS aged rats.
Rats ; Animals ; Horses ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Caspase 9/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/pharmacology* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Cognition

This study aims to explore the effect of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) in mice and to clarify the mechanism from Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome. To be specific, female KM mice were randomized into control group(i.g., normal saline), model group, fluco-nazole group(i.g., 20 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose BAEB groups(i.g., 20, 40, and 80 mg·kg~(-1), respectively). VVC was induced in mice except the control group. After the modeling, administration began and lasted 7 days. The ge-neral conditions and body weight of mice were recorded every day. On the 1 st, 3 rd, 7 th, and 14 th after vaginal infection by Candida albicans, the fungal load in the vaginal lavage fluid of the mice was measured with the plate method, and the morphology of C. albicans in vaginal lavage fluid was observed based on Gram staining. After the mice were killed, vaginal tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining for vaginal histopathological analysis. The content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, such as interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-6, and S100 a8, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in vaginal tissues by tissue ROS detection kit. The protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) in vaginal tissues was detected by Western blot, and the levels and distribution of NLRP3, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, and TLR4 in vaginal tissues were determined with the immunohistochemical method. The results show that BAEB can improve the general conditions of VVC mice, reduce the fungal load and C. albicans hyphae in vaginal secretion, decrease ROS content in vaginal tissues and content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, and down-regulate the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κB in vaginal tissues. The above results indicate that BAEB exerts therapeutic effect on VVC mice by down-regulating the key proteins in the TLRs/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome.
1-Butanol/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Toll-like receptor (TLR3) signaling pathway in recombinant HBsAg (rHBsAg) immune response. Methods: White blood cells were collected from peripheral blood of 13 healthy donors in the preparation of blood products. PBMC was isolated and treated with Poly I:C (Poly I:C group) and PBS (control group) respectively. 48 h later, some cells were collected and the expressions of TLR3 signaling pathway proteins were detected by flow cytometry. After activating (Poly I:C group)/inactivating (control group) TLR3 signaling pathway, rHBsAg was given to both groups for 72 h, and the proportions of DC, T, B cells and their subsets in PBMC were detected by flow cytometry. Paired t-test, paired samples wilcoxon signed-rank test and canonical correlation analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: The percentage of TLR3 protein-positive cells (19.21%) and protein expression (8 983.95), NF-κB protein expression (26 193.13), the percentage of pNF-κB protein-positive cells (13.73%) and its proportion in NF-κB (16.03%), and the percentage of pIRF3 protein-positive cells (12.64%) and its proportion in IRF3 (21.80%) in Poly I:C group were higher than those in control group (11.54%, 8 086.00, 22 340.66, 8.72%, 9.71%, 9.57%, 19.12%) (P<0.05), and the percentage of TRIF protein-positive cells (89.75%) and protein expression (304 219.54) were higher in Poly I:C group than in the control group (89.64%, 288 149.72) (P>0.05). After PBMC stimulation by rHBsAg, the proportions of mDC (2.90%), pDC (1.80%), B cell (5.31%) and plasma cell (67.71%) in Poly I:C group were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.83%, 0.81%, 4.23%, 58.82%) (P<0.05). Results of canonical correlation analysis showed that the expression of TLR3 protein was positively correlated with the proportions of plasma cells, the expression of pIRF3 protein was positively correlated with the proportions of plasma cells and mDC, and the percentage of pNF-κB protein-positive cells and the percentage of pIRF3 protein-positive cells were positively correlated with the proportion of CD4⁺T cells. Conclusions: Poly I:C can activate TLR3/TRIF/NF-κB and TLR3/TRIF/IRF3 signaling pathway, promote the function of downstream signaling molecules, and then promote the maturation of DC, induce the immune responses of CD4⁺T cell, and promote the maturation and activation of B cells and the immune response of rHBsAg.
Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport/pharmacology* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Humans ; Immunity ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B ; Poly I-C/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 3/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptors

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence suggests inflammation may be a double-edged sword with cancer-promoting and cancer suppressing function. In this study, we explore the impact of local and systemic inflammation on cancer growth. METHODS: Female BALB/C mice were subcutaneously implanted with foreign body (plastic plates) to build up a local inflammation and intraperitoneally injected with PolyIC or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to build up a systemic inflammation, followed by subcutaneous injection of 5  × 10 5 colon cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were utilized to detect the Ki67 and interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in the tumor tissues and serum, respectively. The distributions of immune cells and expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The results showed that local inflammation induced by foreign body implantation suppressed tumor growth with decreased tumor weight ( P   =  0.001), volume ( P   =  0.004) and Ki67 index ( P   <  0.001). Compared with the control group, myeloid-derived suppressive cells sharply decreased ( P   =  0.040), while CD4 + T cells slightly increased in the tumor tissues of the group of foreign body-induced local inflammation ( P   =  0.035). Moreover, the number of M1 macrophages ( P   =  0.040) and expression of TLRs, especially TLR3 ( P  < 0.001) and TLR4 ( P  < 0.001), were significantly up-regulated in the foreign body group. Contrarily, tumor growth was significantly promoted in LPS or PolyIC-induced systemic inflammation ( P   =  0.009 and 0.006). FCM results showed M1 type macrophages ( P   =  0.017 and 0.006) and CD8 + T cells ( P   =  0.031 and 0.023) were decreased, while M2 type macrophages ( P  = 0.002 and 0.007) were significantly increased in tumor microenvironment of LPS or PolyIC-induced systemic inflammation group. In addition, the decreased expression of TLRs was detected in LPS or PolyIC group. CONCLUSIONS The foreign body-induced local inflammation inhibited tumor growth, while LPS or PolyIC- induced systemic inflammation promoted tumor growth. The results suggested that the different outcomes of tumor growth might be attributed to the infiltration of anti-tumor or pro-tumor immune cells, especially M1 or M2 type macrophages into tumor microenvironment.
Animals ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Plastics/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 3/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment