PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2022
·
IF 6.656
Ying-kun Zhi,Jing Li,Lang Yi,Rui-li Zhu,Jin-fang Luo,Qing-ping Shi,Sha-sha Bai,Yan-wu Li,Qun Du,Jia-zhong Cai,Liang Liu,Pei-xun Wang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Background Sinomenine (SIN) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for decades in China to treat arthritis . In a previous study, SIN acted on α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) to inhibit inflammatory responses in macrophages, which indicates a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of SIN. However, the level of α7nAChR was increased in the inflammatory responses and was downregulated by SIN in vitro, so the underlying mechanisms of SIN acting on α7nAChR remain unclear. Purpose To analyze the role of α7nAChR in inflammation and the effect and mechanism of SIN regulation of α7nAChR. Methods The effects of SIN on α7nAChR in endotoxemic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages were observed. Nicotine (Nic) was used as a positive control, and berberine (Ber) was used as a negative control targeting α7nAChR. The antagonists of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) and mecamylamine (Me), were used to block α7nAChR. In RAW264.7 macrophage cells in vitro , α7nAChR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down α7nAChR. Macrophage polarization was analyzed by the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1. U0126 was used to block ERK phosphorylation. The cytokines α7nAChR, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1 were detected. Results SIN decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and the expression of α7nAChR increased by LPS in endotoxemic mice. The above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. In the α7nAChR shRNA transfected RAW264.7 cells, compared with the control, α7nAChR was knocked down, and M1 phenotype markers (including TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) were significantly downregulated, whereas M2 phenotype markers (including IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1) were significantly upregulated when stimulated by LPS. SIN inhibited the expression of p-ERK1/2 and the transcription factor Egr-1 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, and the above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. The expression of α7nAChR was suppressed by U0126, which lessened the expression of p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1. Conclusions SIN acts on α7nAChR to inhibit inflammatory responses and downregulates high expression of α7nAChR in vivo and in vitro . The increase of α7nAChR expression is correlated with inflammatory responses and participates in macrophage M1 polarization. SIN downregulates α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1, which contributes to inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization and inflammatory responses.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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炎症研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Heliyon
·
2023
·
IF 4
Wei Liu,Yi Zhu,Hong Yan,Lingyun Ren,Jingli Chen
Objective To study the effect of nicotine in rat model of pneumonia induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods Twenty-four healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (200–250 g) were randomly divided into normal saline control group (NS group); Poly (I:C) group; nicotine group (NIC group); and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) antagonist group (α-BGT group) (n = 6 each). Rats in the Poly (I: C), NIC, and α-BGT groups were administered 1.5 mg/mL 100 μL Poly (I:C) intranasally to establish pneumonia model. In α-BGT group, 1 μg/kg α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) was intraperitoneally injected 45 min before intranasal Poly (I:C), and 400 μg/kg nicotine was intraperitoneally injected 15 min after α-BGT injection. The NIC group received an equal volume of NS in place of α-BGT while the other treatments were same. The Poly (I:C) group received equal volume of NS in place of nicotine while the other treatments were same as in NIC group. In the NS group, only NS was administered at all three time points. PaCO 2 , PaO 2 , and PaO 2 /FiO 2 levels were determined 24 h after administration of Poly (I:C). After euthanization, rat lung tissues were extracted for pathological examination, and wet weight/dry weight (W/D ratio) was determined. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ in lung tissue was determined by ELISA. q-PCR was used to detect nuclear factor kappa-B P65 (NF-κBP65). Results Compared with NS group, Poly (I:C) and α-BGT groups showed significantly increased W/D ratio, PaCO 2 , TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ content, NF-κB P65 expression, and reduced PaO 2 and PaO 2 /FiO 2 ( p < 0.05), along with obvious signs of pathological injury. Nicotine pre-treatment reduced W/D ratio, PaCO 2 , proinflammatory cytokines, NF-κBP65 expression, and increased PaO 2 and PaO 2 /FiO 2 levels. The above effects were negated in α-BGT group. Conclusion Pre-administration of nicotine improved Poly (I:C)-induced pneumonia by activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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呼吸医学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics-Fortschritte der Kieferorthopadie
·
2024
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IF 1.3
Pang Huiqi,Ding Luhua,Che Xiaoxia
Purpose We aimed to investigate early effects of regulating alpha‑7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonists and antagonists on maxillary expansion in mice. Methods We allocated 36 six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice into three group: 1) expansion alone, 2) expansion plus the α7nAChR-specific agonist 3‑(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine dihydrochloride (GTS-21), and 3) expansion plus alpha-bungarotoxin (α-BTX), a competitive antagonist of α7nAChR. The groups were daily injected with saline, GTS-21 (4 mg/kg/day) or α‑BTX (1 mg/kg/day), respectively, from days 0–7. In addition, a mouse model of maxillary expansion was established. Masson’s trichrome staining was used to observe morphological changes and immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze α7nAChR, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL‑6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN) expression in the midpalatal suture. Microcomputed tomography was used to measure midpalatal suture and palatal basal bone widths. We assessed the normal distribution of our data using the Kolmogorov–Smirnoff test and evaluated the homogeneity of variance by Levene’s test, followed by a two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results In the GTS-21+expansion group, osteogenesis was more active in the middle palatine suture. New bone was calcified and deposited in the suture and we observed decreased IL-1β, IL‑6, and TNF‑α expression ( P < 0.05). In the α‑BTX+expansion group, we observed increased proinflammatory cytokine and decreased RUNX2 and OCN expression and increased midpalatal suture and palatal basal bone widths ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Using α7nAChR agonists and antagonists to regulate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, the secretion of inflammatory factors and osteoblast markers during maxillary expansion were altered, indicating the potential for clinical modulation of maxillary palatal suture expansion.
研究领域:
牙科学
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免疫学
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INFLAMMATION
·
2020
·Vol. 44
·期 2
·746-757
·
IF 3.212
Gao Yang,Kang Kai,Liu Yan-song,Li Na-na,Han Qiu-yuan,Liu Hai-tao,Kong Wei-lan,Zhang Xing,Huang Rui,Yang Zhen-yu,Qi Zhi-dong,Zheng Jun-bo,Li Ming,Wang Hong-liang,Li Jia-yu,Liu Rui-jin,Wang Si-cong,Zhang Wei-hua,Zhao Ming-yan,Yu Kai-jiang
This study aimed to investigate the effect of splenectomy on dexmedetomidine-activated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway-mediated alleviation of LPS-induced AKI. A mouse model of septic kidney injury was established in C57BL/6 mice. A total of 30 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group, LPS group, dexmedetomidine + LPS group, splenectomy group, splenectomy + LPS group, and splenectomy + dexmedetomidine + LPS group. The pathological effects in kidney tissues in each group were analyzed by HE staining. Apoptosis in each group was examined by the TUNEL method. Cr and Cys-C levels in each group were measured by ELISA. The expression levels of IL-6, NF-κB p65, Caspase-3, the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, the proapoptotic protein Bax, and α7nAChR in each group were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Dexmedetomidine alone reduced apoptosis in kidney tissue; however, apoptosis was increased after splenectomy in mice treated with dexmedetomidine. Splenectomy reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines in circulation and had a protective effect on the kidney. Splenectomy inhibited dexmedetomidine-mediated activation of the α7nAChR pathway. Dexmedetomidine effectively alleviated LPS-induced kidney injury, and splenectomy inhibited the anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and renoprotective effects of dexmedetomidine. The kidney-spleen axis is mediated by the α7nAChR-NF-κB signaling pathway and is involved in the development of AKI.
研究领域:
肾病学
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免疫学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
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2024
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IF 2.3
Shu-Hang Li,Meng-Ying Li,Tao-Tao Yuan,Guo-Wei Wang,Jian-Bin Zeng,Zhimian Shi,Jian-Hang Liu,Jun-Cheng Su
Osthole (also known as Osthol) is the main anti-inflammatory coumarin found in Cnidium monnieri and severs as the exclusive quality-controlled component according the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, its underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that Osthole treatment significantly inhibited the generation of TNF-α, but not IL-6 in the classical LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage model. In addition, LPS induced the activation of both MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways, of which the former was dose-dependently restrained by Osthole via suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK and P38 proteins, while the phosphorylation of IκB and P65 proteins remained unaffected. Interestingly, Osthole dose-dependently up-regulated the expression of the key cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway regulator α7nAChR, and the TNF-α inhibition effect of Osthole was also significantly alleviated by the treatment of α7nAChR antagonist methylbetaine. These results demonstrate that Osthole may regulate TNF-α by promoting the expression of α7nAChR, thereby activate the vagus nerve-dependent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2018
·
IF 3.118
Lang Yi,Yan-jun Lyn,Chong Peng,Rui-li Zhu,Sha-sha Bai,Liang Liu,Pei-xun Wang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS) is a crucial in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and involved in inflammation and joint destruction. Sinomenine (SIN), an alkaloid derived from the plant Sinomenium acutum , has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and been used for RA treatment in China. Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR), as the key receptor in cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) to inhibit inflammation, has been detected in RA patients synovium , but its role is still unclear. Here we investigated the association between the aggressive proliferation of FLS and α7nAChR expression and the effect of sinomenine. FLS was isolated from synovial tissues of adjuvant-induced-arthritis (AIA) rat. Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α was used to induce the aggressive proliferation of FLS. MTT assay was applied to evaluate the proliferation of FLS. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of α7nAChR and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) were measured. The results showed that TNF-α induced FLS proliferation in vitro (P < .01) and increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the expression of Egr-1 and α7nAChR (P < .05 or P < .01). U0126 , the inhibitor of ERK1/2 inhibited α7nAChR expression and FLS proliferation significantly (P < .05 or P < .01). Specific short interference RNA(siRNA) of α7nAChR decreased α7nAChR expression and inhibited FLS proliferation as well. SIN inhibited the proliferation of FLS and decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and the expression of Egr-1 and α7nAChR induced by TNF-α (P < .05). In conclusion, the expression of α7nAChR involved in the aggressive proliferation of FLS induced by TNF-α and was regulated by ERK/Egr-1 signal pathway . SIN inhibited FLS proliferation and α7nAChR expression through inhibiting ERK/Egr-1 signal pathway, this may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effect of SIN.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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风湿病学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Antioxidants
·
2025
·Vol. 14
·期 11
·1296
·
IF 6.6
Kang Cheng,Guangbo He,Xiaxia Li,Yuqian Li,Xiaolin Cui,Xuefei Wu,Jau-Shyong Hong,Jie Zhao,Sheng Li,Yanjie Guo
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder with limited treatment options. Emerging evidence reveals bidirectional crosstalk between gut and brain through inflammatory signaling, leading us to hypothesize that anti-neuroinflammatory agents may concurrently ameliorate intestinal inflammation. The scorpion venom-derived heat-resistant synthetic peptide (SVHRSP), a bioactive peptide initially identified in scorpion venom and subsequently synthesized by our laboratory, possesses neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities. Its properties make SVHRSP a promising candidate for investigating the therapeutic potential of anti-neuroinflammatory strategies in mitigating intestinal inflammation. Methods: Using a chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model in wild-type and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) knockout mice, along with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, we assessed SVHRSP’s effects on inflammation, histopathology, gut permeability, oxidative stress markers, and α7nAChR-Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Results: SVHRSP treatment significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms in wild-type mice by reducing inflammation, repairing histological damage, restoring gut barrier function, and attenuating oxidative stress, with these effects abolished in α7nAChR knockout mice. Mechanistically, SVHRSP activated JAK2/STAT3 signaling through α7nAChR engagement, suppressing proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that SVHRSP alleviated intestinal inflammation via α7nAChR-dependent JAK2/STAT3 activation. Combined with its known neuroprotective properties, our findings support the repurposing of this neuroactive peptide, SVHRSP, for treating intestinal inflammatory disorders.
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY
·
2019
·
IF 2.086
Rui-Li Zhu,Ying-Kun Zhi,Lang Yi,Jin-Fang Luo,Jing Li,Sha-Sha Bai,Liang Liu,Pei-Xun Wang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Objective: To investigate the cellular mechanism that sinomenine (SIN) inhibits inflammation in macrophages induced by LPS through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR).Materials and methods: RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS and treated by SIN or nicotine (Nic). A selective antagonist of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) was used to block α7nAChR. AG490 was used to inhibit JAK2 activation. ELISA was performed to detect the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of MIF, MMP-9, CD14, TLR4, STAT3 and p-STAT3. Intracellular-free calcium level was measured by Fluorescent probe fluo-3/AMResults: SIN inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, MIF, and MMP-9, decreased the expression of CD14 and TLR4, and inhibited the release of intracellular-free calcium from intracellular stores in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. JAK-specific inhibitor AG490 attenuated the inhibitory effect of SIN on TNF-α. SIN increased the phosphorylation of STAT3. And the above effects of SIN were attenuated by antagonist of α7nAChR.Conclusions: SIN can decrease the expression of CD14/TLR4 and intracellular free calcium level, activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway to inhibit inflammatory response through α7nAChR in macrophages.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
药理学
·
细胞生物学
·
炎症研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
·
2026
·
IF 12.2
Muqiu Liu,Huaizhi Du,Junhui Zheng,Min Liu,Zhihao Jiang,Jieying Huang,Sihe Jiang,Lang Yi,Lingyu Zhang,Yanwu Li,Qun Du,Liang Liu,Haojie Ni,Xiaojun Zhang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a severe extra-articular manifestation with limited treatment options. Identifying anti-arthritic agents that concurrently protect against ILD is clinically significant. Sinomenine (SIN), a natural alkaloid used clinically to treat RA, shows potential anti-fibrotic activity, but its efficacy and mechanism in RA-ILD remain unclear. Here, integrative bioinformatic analyses identified ILD-associated signature characterized by upregulated CHRNA7 (encoding α7nAChR) and downregulated GLUL , specifically in pulmonary fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, and GLUL was a crucial mediator between RA and ILD. In the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model with pulmonary inflammatory and fibrotic remodeling, the phenotype that recapitulates early-stage RA-ILD, pulmonary ACh and α7nAChR expression were observed upregulated. SIN ameliorated arthritis and pulmonary lesions, suppressed pulmonary α7nAChR signaling, inhibited AKT/FOXO3 activation, restored GLUL expression and improved autophagy-related changes in this model. Microscale thermophoresis (MST), molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation supported a direct binding between SIN and α7nAChR. In vitro , α7nAChR activation with PNU-282987 promoted fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT), whereas its genetic knockdown inhibited FMT, suppressed AKT/FOXO3 activation, and restored GLUL expression in TGF-β-stimulated MRC-5 cells. We confirmed direct FOXO3 binding to the GLUL promoter by ChIP-qPCR. SIN inhibited FMT and regulated the AKT/FOXO3/GLUL axis in an α7nAChR-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition and siRNA-mediated knockdown of GLUL abolished SIN-mediated regulation of mTOR-autophagy signaling and FMT. Our findings identify the α7nAChR/AKT/FOXO3/GLUL axis as a novel fibrotic driver and highlight SIN as a potential therapeutic candidate to inhibit RA-ILD by targeting this axis.
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Drug Design Development and Therapy
·
2022
·
IF 4.319
Wen-Gang Chen,Sa-Sa Zhang,Shu Pan,Zhong-Fang Wang,Jin-Ying Xu,Xue-He Sheng,Qin Yin,Yi-Jin Wu
Background Studies have found that α-mangostin (MG) can relieve experimental arthritis by activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). It affects the polarization of macrophages and the balance of related immune cell subpopulations, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. It has been found that silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is closely related to macrophage activity. The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of MG intervening in macrophage polarization during treatment of early adjuvant-induced (AIA) rats through the CAP-SIRT1 pathway.Methods We investigated the polarization of M1 macrophages and the differentiation of Th1 in AIA rats by flow cytometry. Activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the level of nicotinic adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in serum were also detected, and immunohistochemical was used to detect the levels of α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor (α7nAChR) and SIRT1. Then in macrophages, the molecular mechanism of MG regulating the abnormal activation of macrophages in rats with early AIA through the CAP-SIRT1 pathway was studied.Results MG can significantly inhibit the polarization of M1 macrophages and the differentiation of Th1 in AIA rats in the acute phase of inflammation. MG can significantly inhibit the activity of AChE and increase the level of NAD+, thereby further up-regulated the expression levels of α7nAChR and SIRT1. Meanwhile, MG inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation by activating the CAP-SIRT1 pathway in macrophages.Conclusion In summary, the stimulation of MG induced CAP activation, which up-regulated SIRT1 signal, and thereby inhibited M1 polarization through the NF-κB pathway, and improved the pathological immune environment of early-stage AIA rats.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
药理学
·
风湿病学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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