Nilotinib modulates LPS-induced cognitive impairment and neuroinflammatory responses by regulating P38/STAT3 signaling.

BACKGROUND: In chronic myelogenous leukemia, reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and chromosome 22 generates a chimeric protein, Bcr-Abl, that leads to hyperactivity of tyrosine kinase-linked signaling transduction. The therapeutic agent nilotinib inhibits Bcr-Abl/DDR1 and can cross the blood-brain barrier, but its potential impact on neuroinflammatory responses and cognitive function has not been studied in detail. METHODS: The effects of nilotinib in vitro and in vivo were assessed by a combination of RT-PCR, real-time PCR, western blotting, ELISA, immunostaining, and/or subcellular fractionation. In the in vitro experiments, the effects of 200 ng/mL LPS or PBS on BV2 microglial cells, primary microglia or primary astrocytes pre- or post-treated with 5 µM nilotinib or vehicle were evaluated. The in vivo experiments involved wild-type mice administered a 7-day course of daily injections with 20 mg/kg nilotinib (i.p.) or vehicle before injection with 10 mg/kg LPS (i.p.) or PBS. RESULTS: In BV2 microglial cells, pre- and post-treatment with nilotinib altered LPS-induced proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels by suppressing AKT/P38/SOD2 signaling. Nilotinib treatment also significantly downregulated LPS-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine levels in primary microglia and primary astrocytes by altering P38/STAT3 signaling. Experiments in wild-type mice showed that nilotinib administration affected LPS-mediated microglial/astroglial activation in a brain region-specific manner in vivo. In addition, nilotinib significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, IL-6 and COX-2 levels and P38/STAT3 signaling in the brain in LPS-treated wild-type mice. Importantly, nilotinib treatment rescued LPS-mediated spatial working memory impairment and cortical dendritic spine number in wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that nilotinib can modulate neuroinflammatory responses and cognitive function in LPS-stimulated wild-type mice.

Hyperpigmentation mechanism of methyl 3,5-di-caffeoylquinate through activation of p38 and MITF induction of tyrosinase.

Methyl 3,5-di-caffeoylquinate (3,5-diCQM) has been used for the treatment of various diseases in oriental medicine, but its effect on melanogenesis has not been reported yet. In this study, the molecular mechanism of 3,5-diCQM-induced melanogenesis was investigated. It was found that 3,5-diCQM induced synthesis of melanin pigments in murine B16F10 melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with 3,5-diCQM for 48 h increased extracellular and intracellular melanin production and tyrosinase activity. The expressions of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1), and TRP2 were up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner 48 h after 3,5-diCQM treatment. Western blot analysis showed that 3,5-diCQM increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and cAMP responsive element binding as well as the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. In addition, 3,5-diCQM-stimulated cAMP production, and 3,5-diCQM-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis were attenuated by H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. These results suggested that 3,5-diCQM-mediated activation of the p38 pathway may represent a novel approach for an effective therapy for vitiligo and hair graying.

Melanogenesis-inducing effect of cirsimaritin through increases in microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and tyrosinase expression.

The melanin-inducing properties of cirsimaritin were investigated in murine B16F10 cells. Cirsimaritin is an active flavone with methoxy groups, which is isolated from the branches of Lithocarpus dealbatus. Tyrosinase activity and melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were increased by cirsimaritin in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP) 1, TRP2 protein levels were enhanced after treatment with cirsimaritin for 48 h. Cirsimaritin also upregulated the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, cirsimaritin induced phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) in a dose-dependent manner after treatment for 15 min. The cirsimaritin-mediated increase of tyrosinase activity was significantly attenuated by H89, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor. These findings indicate that cirsimaritin stimulates melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by activation of CREB as well as upregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression, which was activated by cAMP signaling. Finally, the melanogenic effect of cirsimaritin was confirmed in human epidermal melanocytes. These results support the putative application of cirsimaritin in ultraviolet photoprotection and hair coloration treatments.

Acerogenin A from Acer nikoense Maxim Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Neuronal Cell Death through Nrf2-Mediated Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Mouse Hippocampal HT22 Cell Line.

Oxidative cell damage contributes to neuronal degeneration in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and ischemia. Inducible heme oxygenase (HO)-1 acts against oxidants that are thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of neuronal diseases. The stem bark of Acer nikoense Maxim (Aceraceae) is indigenous to Japan; it has been used in folk medicine as a treatment of hepatic disorders and eye diseases. Acerogenin A, a natural compound isolated from Japanese folk medicine A. nikoense, showed neuroprotective effects and reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduction on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by inducing the expression of HO-1 in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Furthermore, acerogenin A caused the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In this study, we demonstrated that acerogenin A effectively prevents glutamate-induced oxidative damage, and HO-1 induction via PI3K/Akt and Nrf2 pathways appears to play a key role in the protection of HT22 cells. Therefore, this study implies that the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway represents a biological target and that acerogenin A might be a candidate for the prevention of neurodegeneration.

Dehydroglyasperin C, a component of liquorice, attenuates proliferation and migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor in human arterial smooth muscle cells.

Liquorice is one of the botanicals used frequently as a traditional medicine in the West and in the East. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is involved in the development of CVD by inducing abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. In our preliminary study, dehydroglyasperin C (DGC), an active compound of liquorice, showed strong antioxidant activity. Since phytochemicals with antioxidant activities showed beneficial effects on chronic inflammatory diseases, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of DGC on PDGF-induced proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Treatment of HASMC with DGC for 24 h significantly decreased PDGF-induced cell number and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity, as demonstrated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test and thymidine incorporation. Upon cell cycle analysis, DGC blocked the PDGF-induced progression through the G0/G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, and down-regulated the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK); 2, cyclin E, CDK4 and cyclin D1. Furthermore, DGC significantly attenuated PDGF-stimulated phosphorylation of PDGF receptor-b, phospholipase C-g1, AKT and extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, and DGC inhibited cell migration and the dissociation of actin filaments by PDGF. In a rat vascular balloon injury model, DGC suppressed an excessive reduction in luminal diameters and neointimal formation compared with the control group. These results demonstrate the mechanistic basis for the prevention of CVD and the potential therapeutic properties of DGC.

Sponge-derived acetylenic alcohols, petrosiols, inhibit proliferation and migration of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced vascular smooth muscle cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to the development of various vascular disorders such as restenosis and atherosclerosis. Therefore, inhibitors of PDGF-induced cellular events would be candidate agents for treating these diseases. During the search for such inhibitors from marine sources, we isolated petrosiols A-D (1-4) and related compounds from the marine sponge Petrosia strongylata. These metabolites, which we previously reported as neurotrophic substances, showed an inhibitory effect on PDGF-induced DNA synthesis at IC50 values of 0.69-2.2 µM. Petrosiol A (1) inhibited PDGF-induced cell proliferation without remarkable cytotoxicity and arrested cell cycle progression from the G0/G1 to S phase by inducing the downregulation of the expression of G1 checkpoint proteins cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK)2, and CDK4 and the upregulation of the expression of p21 and p27. In addition, petrosiol A (1) inhibited the phosphorylation of PDGF receptor-ß and its downstream proteins such as phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. These results suggest that 1 inhibited PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation by interrupting the phosphorylation of PDGF receptor-ß followed by downstream signal transduction. Furthermore, petrosiol A (1) suppressed PDGF-induced actin filament dissociation and cell migration, suggesting that 1 and its derivatives may be used for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.

Biselyngbyaside, isolated from marine cyanobacteria, inhibits osteoclastogenesis and induces apoptosis in mature osteoclasts.

The mass and function of bones depend on the maintenance of a complicated balance between osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. An inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation and/or function is expected to be useful for treatment of bone lytic diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tumor metastasis into bone. Biselyngbyaside is a recently isolated macrolide compound from marine cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp. that shows wide-spectrum cytotoxicity toward human tumor cell lines. In this study, we investigated the effects of biselyngbyaside on osteoclast differentiation and function. Biselyngbyaside inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in mouse monocytic RAW264 cells and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages at a low concentration. Similarly, biselyngbyaside suppressed osteoblastic cell-mediated osteoclast differentiation in cocultures. In the RANKL-induced signaling pathway, biselyngbyaside inhibited the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1, which are important transcription factors in osteoclast differentiation. In mature osteoclasts, biselyngbyaside decreased resorption-pit formation. Biselyngbyaside also induced apoptosis accompanied by the induction of caspase-3 activation and nuclear condensation, and these effects were negated by the pancaspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK. Taken together, the present findings indicate that biselyngbyaside suppresses bone resorption via inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and induction of apoptosis. Thus, biselyngbyaside may be useful for the prevention of bone lytic diseases.

Berberine enhances defects in the establishment of leaf polarity in asymmetric leaves1 and asymmetric leaves2 of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Leaves develop as flat lateral organs from the indeterminate shoot apical meristem. The establishment of polarity along three-dimensional axes, proximal-distal, medial-lateral, and adaxial-abaxial axes, is crucial for the growth of normal leaves. The mutations of ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) and AS2 of Arabidopsis thaliana cause defects in repression of the indeterminate state and the establishment of axis formation in leaves. Although many mutations have been identified that enhance the adaxial-abaxial polarity defects of as1 and as2 mutants, the roles of the causative genes in leaf development are still unknown. In this study, we found that wild-type plants treated with berberine produced pointed leaves, which are often observed in the single mutants that enhance phenotypes of as1 and as2 mutants. The berberine-treated as1 and as2 mutants formed abaxialized filamentous leaves. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid compound naturally produced in various plant sources, has a growth inhibitory effect on plants that do not produce berberine. We further showed that transcript levels of meristem-specific class 1 KNOX homeobox genes and abaxial determinant genes were increased in berberine-treated as1 and as2. Berberine treated plants carrying double mutations of AS2 and the large subunit ribosomal protein gene RPL5B showed more severe defects in polarity than did the as2 single mutant plants. We suggest that berberine inhibits (a) factor(s) that might be required for leaf adaxial cell differentiation through a pathway independent of AS1 and AS2. Multiple pathways might play important roles in the formation of flat symmetric leaves.

Glyceollins inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-mediated human arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB can induce abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) that are involved in the development of CVD. In our preliminary study, phytoalexin glyceollins (glyceollins I, II and III) isolated from soyabean seeds cultured with Aspergillus sojae showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Since antioxidants showed beneficial effects on chronic inflammatory diseases, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of glyceollins on PDGF-induced proliferation and migration in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Incubation of resting HASMC with glyceollins for 24 h significantly diminished PDGF-increased cell number and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. In addition to blocking of the PDGF-inducible progression through the G0/G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle, glyceollins down-regulated the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2 and cyclin D1, and up-regulated the expression of CDK inhibitors such as p27kip1 and p53.Glyceollins also effectively inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and phosphorylation of PDGF receptor-ß, phospholipase Cγ1, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 by PDGF stimulation. Furthermore, glyceollins were found to inhibit PDGF-induced dissociation of actin filaments and cell migration. Thus, the results suggest that glyceollins could become a potent therapeutic agent for regulating VSMC-associated vascular disease such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty.

Effects of magnolol on vascular contraction in rat aortic rings.

1. Magnolol (5,5'-diallyl-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl) is a major phenolic compound purified from Magnolia officinalis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of magnolol on vascular contractions. 2. Rat aortic rings were mounted in organ baths. Magnolol was added cumulatively (0.3-30 µmol/L) to elicit relaxation in endothelium-intact and -denuded rat aortic rings precontracted with U46619 (30 nmol/L, 20 min), NaF (8.0 mmol/L, 40 min), phenylephrine (1.0 or 0.1 µmol/L, 15 min) or phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 0.3 or 0.1 µmol/L, 40 min). In separate experiments, cumulative concentrationresponse curves were obtained for NaF (2.0-12 mmol/L), U46619 (1.0 nmol/L1.0 µmol/L) or PDBu (1.0 nmol/L1.0 µmol/L) after pretreatment with either magnolol or vehicle for 30 min in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. After completion of the functional study, we measured the amount of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) RhoA by using a G-LISA RhoA Activation Assay, as well as the phosphorylation of 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC20), myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and protein kinase C-potentiated inhibitory protein for heterotrimeric myosin light-chain phosphatase of 17 kDa (CPI-17) by immunobloting. 3. Magnolol (0.3-30 µmol/L) reduced vascular tension induced by the thromboxane A2 agonist U46619 (30 nmol/L), sodium fluoride (NaF) (8.0 mmol/L) and the α1 -adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (1.0 or 0.1 µmol/L) in both endothelium-intact and -denuded rings. The magnitude of the relaxation effects of magnolol on the contraction induced by each of the drugs were similar. The magnitude of the effect of magnolol in endothelium-intact and -denuded rings were similar. 4. Pretreatment of rat aortic rings with 1.0, 3.0 or 10 µmol/L magnolol for 30 min dose-dependently inhibited the maximum response on the concentration-response curves to NaF and U46619, but not to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). 5. Magnolol (3.0 or 10 µmol/L) decreased RhoA activation, as well as the phosphorylation of MLC20 , MYPT1(Thr855) and CPI-17(Thr38) induced by either 8.0 mmol/L NaF or 30 nmol/L U46619. In contrast, magnolol did not affect PDBu (0.1 µmol/L)-induced phosphorylation of CPI-17(Thr38) . 6. In conclusion, magnolol reduces vascular contraction by inhibiting the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in endothelium-denuded rat aorta.

Detection of adiponectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 using a calixcrown derivatives-coated protein chip.

We used a ProteoChip coated with a calixcrown derivative protein linker to measure adiponectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels and compared the results with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Adiponectin and MCP-1 levels in normal human serum and RAW264 cell supernatants, respectively, were measured. The ProteoChip quantification results correlated with those from the ELISA kits; however, the ProteoChip required less sample volume, exhibited higher sensitivity, and had a wider detection range. The ProteoChip was capable of detecting and quantifying small amounts of protein, possibly replacing ELISA kits in evaluating the levels of adiponectin and MCP-1.

Donepezil ameliorates Aß pathology but not tau pathology in 5xFAD mice.

The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil is used to improve Aß pathology and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the impact of donepezil on tau pathology is unclear. Thus, we examined the effects of donepezil on Aß and tau pathology in 5xFAD mice (a model of AD) in this study. We found that intraperitoneal injection of donepezil (1 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited significant reductions in Aß plaque number in the cortex and hippocampal DG region. In addition, donepezil treatment (1 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced Aß-mediated microglial and, to a lesser extent, astrocytic activation in 5xFAD mice. However, neither intraperitoneal/oral injection of donepezil nor oral injection of rivastigmine altered tau phosphorylation at Thr212/Ser214 (AT100), Thr396, and Thr231 in 5xFAD mice. Surprisingly, we observed that intraperitoneal/oral injection of donepezil treatment significantly increased tau phosphorylation at Thr212 in 5xFAD mice. Taken together, these data suggest that intraperitoneal injection of donepezil suppresses Aß pathology but not tau pathology in 5xFAD mice.

Harmine promotes osteoblast differentiation through bone morphogenetic protein signaling.

Bone mass is regulated by osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. We previously reported that harmine, a ß-carboline alkaloid, inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the effects of harmine on osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization. Harmine promoted alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting their proliferation. Harmine also increased the mRNA expressions of the osteoblast marker genes ALP and Osteocalcin. Furthermore, the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells was enhanced by treatment with harmine. Harmine also induced osteoblast differentiation in primary calvarial osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 cells. Structure-activity relationship studies using harmine-related ß-carboline alkaloids revealed that the C3-C4 double bond and 7-hydroxy or 7-methoxy group of harmine were important for its osteogenic activity. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist noggin and its receptor kinase inhibitors dorsomorphin and LDN-193189 attenuated harmine-promoted ALP activity. In addition, harmine increased the mRNA expressions of Bmp-2, Bmp-4, Bmp-6, Bmp-7 and its target gene Id1. Harmine also enhanced the mRNA expressions of Runx2 and Osterix, which are key transcription factors in osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, BMP-responsive and Runx2-responsive reporters were activated by harmine treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that harmine enhances osteoblast differentiation probably by inducing the expressions of BMPs and activating BMP and Runx2 pathways. Our findings suggest that harmine has bone anabolic effects and may be useful for the treatment of bone-decreasing diseases and bone regeneration as a lead compound.

Osteogenic activity of diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids derived from Acer nikoense.

Osteogenic activity of six diarylheptanoids, acerogenin A (1), (R)-acerogenin B (2), aceroside I (3), aceroside B(1) (4), aceroside III (5) and (-)-centrolobol (6) and two phenolic compounds; (+)-rhododendrol (7) and (+)-cathechin (8), isolated from the stem bark of Acer nikoense (Nikko maple) was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a marker for early osteoblast differentiation. We found that the diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-5 promoted ALP activity in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting cell proliferation, but linear-type diarylheptanoid 6 and phenolic compounds 7 and 8 did not. Diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-4 also increased protein production of osteocalcin, a late stage maker for osteoblast differentiation, and induced osteoblastic mineralization. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds demonstrated that the stimulative efficacy of aglycones was higher than that of its glycosides. Taken together, diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids promote early- and late-stage osteoblastogenesis, which may open the possibility for the development of novel osteogenic agents.

Palmatine attenuates osteoclast differentiation and function through inhibition of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κb ligand expression in osteoblast cells.

Osteoclasts are the only cell type capable of resorbing mineralized bone, and they act under the control of numerous cytokines produced by supporting cells such as osteoblasts and stromal cells. Among cytokines, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) was found to be a key osteoclastogenetic molecule that directly binds to its cognate receptor, RANK, on osteoclast precursor cells. In turn, RANKL, which is an essential factor for differentiation and activation of osteoclasts, is one of the major targets of anti-resorptive agents. In this study, we found that palmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid originally isolated from Coptis chinensis, had an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro. Palmatine inhibited osteoclast formation in the co-culture system with mouse bone marrow cells (BMC) and osteoblasts in the presence of 10 nM 1α,25-(OH)(2)D(3). Palmatine did not affect osteoclast formation induced by RANKL in the BMC cultures. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that palmatine significantly inhibited the expression of 1α,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced expression of RANKL mRNAs in stromal cells without loss of cell viability. Moreover, palmatine suppressed resorption pit formation by mature osteoclasts on dentin slices and induced disruption of actin ring formation in mature osteoclasts with an impact on cell viability. Taken together, these results suggest that palmatine attenuates osteoclast differentiation through inhibition of RANKL expression in osteoblast cells, and its inhibitory effect on bone resorption is due to its disruptive effect on actin rings in mature osteoclasts. Therefore, palmatine might be an ideal candidate as an anti-resorptive agent for the prevention and treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Honokiol increases ABCA1 expression level by activating retinoid X receptor beta.

ABCA1, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, regulates high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and reverses cholesterol transport. Its expression is upregulated mainly by the activation of the liver X receptor (LXR), retinoid X receptor (RXR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). To identify natural compounds that can upregulate ABCA1 expression, we developed a reporter assay using U251-MG (human glioma cell line) cells that stably express a human ABCA1 promoter-luciferase and performed a cell-based high-throughput screening of 118 natural compounds. Using this system, we identified honokiol, a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis, as an activator of the ABCA1 promoter. We found that honokiol also increased ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression levels in a dose-dependent manner in U251-MG cells without significant cell death and also increased ABCA1, ABCG1 and apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression levels in THP-1 macrophages. PPAR antagonists did not diminish the induction of ABCA1 expression by honokiol in U251-MG cells. Cotreatment of the cells with honokiol and T0901317 (synthetic LXR ligand) further increased the ABCA1 expression level, whereas cotreatment with 9-cis retinoic acid had no additive effect compared with treatment with honokiol alone. We also found that honokiol has binding affinity to RXRbeta. In this study, we identified for the first time honokiol as an upregulator of ABCA1 expression, which is mediated by the binding of honokiol to RXRbeta as a ligand.

Honokiol inhibits osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro.

Honokiol, a neolignan, is a physiologically active component of kouboku (Magnolia obovata), a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigated the effects of honokiol on the differentiation and function of osteoclasts induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Honokiol markedly inhibited RANKL-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in both bone marrow-derived monocytes and RAW264 cells. In experiments to elucidate its mechanism of action, honokiol was found to suppress RANKL-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The RANKL-induced expressions of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells-c1 (NFATc1), which are crucial transcriptional factors for osteoclastogenesis, were also reduced by treatment with honokiol. Furthermore, honokiol induced disruption of the actin rings in mature osteoclasts (mOCs) without affecting the cell viability and suppressed osteoclastic pit formation on dentin slices. Taken together, these results suggest that honokiol inhibits osteoclast differentiation by suppressing the activation of MAPKs (p38 MAPK, ERK and JNK), decreasing the expressions of c-Fos and NFATc1, and attenuates bone resorption by disrupting the actin rings in mOCs. Therefore, honokiol could prove useful for the treatment of bone diseases associated with excessive bone resorption.

A steroid alkaloid derivative 02F04 upregulates thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression slowly and continuously through a novel Gq/11-ROCK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway in mouse keratinocytes.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a master switch of allergic inflammation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Although many compounds upregulate TSLP expression in vivo or in vitro, most of them are pollutants or toxicants. In the previous study, for the first time, we found that a steroid alkaloid derivative 02F04, which has a unique skeletal structure compared with other TSLP-inducing chemicals, significantly induced TSLP production in mouse keratinocytes. However, it is not investigated thoroughly that how 02F04 produces TSLP and why. In this study, we did a detailed investigation on the inducible effect and underlying molecular mechanism of 02F04 on TSLP production. We found that the peak time of TSLP mRNA level induced by 02F04 at 48 h led to a slow and continuous TSLP production in PAM212 cells. Besides, 02F04-induced TSLP production was significantly suppressed by inhibitors of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha q/11 (Gq/11) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) at not only protein but also mRNA levels, and by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Gq or G11. This suggested that ROCK, Gq/11 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways were involved in 02F04-induced TSLP production. Increase in the level of p-ERK1/2 induced by 02F04 was suppressed by both inhibitors of ROCK and Gq/11, indicating that ROCK and Gq/11 molecules were located at the upstream of ERK1/2 to regulate 02F04-induced TSLP production. Gq/11 was located at the upstream of ROCK because the specific Gq/11 inhibitor of YM-254890 significantly reduced 02F04-induced actin stress fiber formation. Taken together, 02F04 upregulates a slow and continuous TSLP production through a novel Gq/11-ROCK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The thorough understanding the effect and mechanism of 02F04 on TSLP production is expected to supply it as a novel TSLP-regulating compound and a potential new tool for investigating the role of TSLP in allergic disorders.

Epimagnolin A, a tetrahydrofurofuranoid lignan from Magnolia fargesii, reverses ABCB1-mediated drug resistance.

BACKGROUND: Epimagnolin A is an ingredient of the Chinese crude drug Shin-i, derived from the dried flower buds of Magnolia fargesii and Magnolia flos, which has been traditionally used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion, empyema, and sinusitis. The pharmacokinetic activity of epimagnolin A remains to be evaluated. PURPOSE: In this study, we examined the possible interactions of epimagnolin A with human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCB1, a membrane protein vital in regulating the pharmacokinetics of drugs and xenobiotics. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The interaction of epimagnolin A with ABCB1 was evaluated in calcein, ATPase, and MTT assays by using Flp-In-293/ABCB1 cells and purified ABCB1 and simulated in molecular docking studies. RESULTS: Epimagnolin A inhibited calcein export by Flp-In-293/ABCB1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner in a calcein assay. ATPase assay revealed a concentration-dependent stimulation of the ATPase activity of ABCB1 by epimagnolin A. Epimagnolin A also showed saturation kinetics in the relationship between the compound-stimulated ATPase activity and the compound concentration, suggesting Michaelis-Menten kinetics similar to those of the control drug, verapamil. Km and Vmax values were calculated from Hanes-Woolf plots of (compound concentration) × (compound-stimulated ATPase activity)-1 vs. (compound concentration); the Km of epimagnolin and verapamil was 42.9 ±â€¯7.53  µM and 12.3 ±â€¯4.79  µM, respectively, and the corresponding Vmax values were 156 ±â€¯15.0  µM and 109 ±â€¯3.18  µM. Molecular docking studies on human ABCB1 showed that epimagnolin A docked to the same binding pocket as verapamil, and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays showed that the sensitivities of Flp-In-293/ABCB1 cells against anti-cancer drugs were enhanced upon exposure to 10  µM epimagnolin A. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that epimagnolin A affects the transport activity of ABCB1 as a substrate.

Induction of thymic stromal lymphopoietin by a steroid alkaloid derivative in mouse keratinocytes.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays critical roles in inducing and exacerbating allergic diseases. Chemical compounds that induce TSLP production can enhance sensitization to antigens and exacerbate allergic inflammation. Hence, identifying such chemicals will be important to prevent an increase in allergic diseases. In the present study, we found, for the first time, that a steroid alkaloid derivative, code no. 02F04, concentration and time dependently induced mRNA expression and production of TSLP in a mouse keratinocyte cell line, PAM212. In particular, the activity of 02F04 was selective to TSLP. As an analogue of the liver X receptor (LXR) endogenous ligand, 02F04 rapidly increased ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression by regulating the nuclear receptor of LXR. However, instead of being inhibited by the LXR antagonist, 02F04-induced TSLP production was delayed and markedly suppressed by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), pan-protein kinase C (PKC), PKCδ, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and IκΒ kinase 2 (IKK2). Treatment with 02F04 caused the formation of F-actin filaments surrounding the nucleus of PAM212 cells, which then disappeared following addition of ROCK inhibitor. 02F04 also induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 from 2h after treatment, with a maximum at 24h, and increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) promoter activity by 1.3-fold. Taken together, these results indicate that 02F04-induced TSLP production is regulated via distinct signal transduction pathways, including PLC, PKC, ROCK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB but not nuclear receptors. 02F04, with a unique skeletal structure in inducing TSLP production, can represent a potential new tool for investigating the role of TSLP in allergic diseases.