Bioactives and metabolites of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum root extract alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by targeting the SYK protein in the B cell receptor signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is an endemic Chinese herb with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the effect and mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of T. hemsleyanum root extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) have not yet been fully investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanisms of T. hemsleyanum root extract in DSS-induced UC mice and knockdown cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T. hemsleyanum root extract was obtained and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The therapeutic effects of T. hemsleyanum root extract on DSS-induced UC mice were evaluated by the disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length, serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant/antioxidant levels, and histopathological features of the ileum and colon. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of ileal and colonic tissues were collected by transcriptomics, and signaling pathways were analyzed by the KEGG database. UC-related pathways were uploaded to the STRING database, then the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were determined by Cytoscape, and the enriched genes were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The protein-ligand complexes were docked by AutoDock, and the genes were knocked down in Caco-2 cells by shRNA. The non-targeted metabolomic profiling of ileal contents was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and gut microflora were sequenced by an Illumina MiSeq System. RESULTS: Ten components that alleviated UC symptoms in mice by decreasing the DAI and serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant levels, promoting intestinal development, and increasing serum antioxidant levels were identified in T. hemsleyanum root extract. T. hemsleyanum root extract activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway in the colon tissue of UC mice, in which two components, rutin and astragaline, bound to the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) protein but also restored gut microflora diversity and increased the proportion of probiotics. Furthermore, metabolites of T. hemsleyanum root extract were involved in vitamin metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The rutin and astragaline components of T. hemsleyanum root extract, by binding to SYK protein, activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway and restored gut microflora diversity to alleviate UC symptoms in mice.

The selective inhibition of the Syk tyrosine kinase ameliorates experimental autoimmune arthritis.

Autoimmune arthritis - such as rheumatoid arthritis - affect a significant proportion of the population, which can cause everyday joint pain, decreased mobility and reduced quality of life. Despite having more and more therapeutic options available, there are still a lot of patients who cannot reach remission or low disease activity by current therapies. This causes an urgent need for the development of new treatment options. The Syk tyrosine kinase plays an essential role in B cell receptor, Fc receptor and integrin signaling. It has been shown that the hematopoietic cell-specific deletion of Syk resulted in a complete protection against autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis. This prompted us to test the effect of entospletinib, a second generation, Syk-selective inhibitor, which has a tolerable safety profile according to hematological clinical trials, in experimental autoimmune arthritis. We found that entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the macroscopic signs of joint inflammation, while it did not affect the health status of the animals. In line with these findings, local neutrophil accumulation and cytokine levels were reduced compared to the vehicle-treated group, while macrophage accumulation and synovial fibroblast numbers were not significantly altered. Meanwhile, entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the cell responses of immune complex- or integrin ligand-activated neutrophils. Overall, we found that selective Syk inhibition by entospletinib reduced the activity of autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis, which seems to be based mainly on the effect of the inhibitor on neutrophil functions. Our data raise the possibility that entospletinib could be a good drug candidate in the treatment of human autoimmune arthritis.

Investigational spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are disorders induced by multiple inflammatory mediators, in which immune system attacks healthy tissues and triggers tissue injury. Targeted regulation of the activity of kinases that influence inflammation is one of the major therapies for ADs. Recently, investigational spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors have shown encouraging results in the AD therapy. AREAS COVERED: This article provides a background on autoimmune diseases and provides an update on investigational SYK inhibitors. This literature review was conducted by searching publications about investigational SYK inhibitors in the treatment of ADs from experimental to clinical studies. The search terms used were SYK inhibitors, R406, fostamatinib (R788), P505-15 (PRT062607), entospletinib (GS-9973), R112, lanraplenib (GS-9876), cerdulatinib, R343, BAY-61-3606, GSK compound 143 (GSK143), R211, SKI-G-618, SKI-O-85, ER-27319, YM193306, RO9021 in conjunction with autoimmune disease using electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar. EXPERT OPINION: SYK inhibitors are promising drugs with unique advantages and acceptable tolerability and safety for the treatment of ADs. However, the difficulties in developing highly selective SYK inhibitors and the unknown effects are challenges. Long-term and real-world data are essential to determine the risk-benefit ratio and true role of SYK inhibitors in the therapy of ADs.

Inhibition of SYK and cSrc kinases can protect bone and cartilage in preclinical models of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) includes the destruction of subchondral bone tissue and inflammation of the synovium. Thus, an effective disease-modifying treatment should act on both of these pathogenetic components. It is known that cSrc kinase is involved in bone and cartilage remodeling, and SYK kinase is associated with the inflammatory component. Thus the aim of this study was to characterize the mechanism of action and efficacy of a small molecule multikinase inhibitor MT-SYK-03 targeting SYK and cSrc kinases among others in different in vitro and in vivo arthritis models. The selectivity of MT-SYK-03 kinase inhibition was assayed on a panel of 341 kinases. The compound was evaluated in a set of in vitro models of OA and in vivo OA and RA models: surgically-induced arthritis (SIA), monosodium iodoacetate-induced arthritis (MIA), collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). MT-SYK-03 inhibited cSrc and SYK with IC50 of 14.2 and 23 nM respectively. Only five kinases were inhibited > 90% at 500 nM of MT-SYK-03. In in vitro OA models MT-SYK-03 reduced hypertrophic changes of chondrocytes, bone resorption, and inhibited SYK-mediated inflammatory signaling. MT-SYK-03 showed preferential distribution to joint and bone tissue (in rats) and revealed disease-modifying activity in vivo by halving the depth of cartilage erosion in rat SIA model, and increasing the pain threshold in rat MIA model. Chondroprotective and antiresorptive effects were shown in a monotherapy regime and in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in murine and rat CIA models; an immune-mediated inflammation in rat AIA model was decreased. The obtained preclinical data support inhibition of cSrc and SYK as a viable strategy for disease-modifying treatment of OA. A Phase 2 clinical study of MT-SYK-03 is to be started.

Cocculus hirsutus ameliorates gastric and lung injuries by suppressing Src/Syk.

BACKGROUND: Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W. Thedo., a traditionally well-known plant, has confirmed antitumor properties as well as acute and chronic diuretic effects. However, little is known about its inflammatory activities and the potential effect on inflammatory disease treatment. PURPOSE: Our aim in this study was to explore additional beneficial properties of C. hirsutus ethanol extract (Ch-EE) such as anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo as well as its underlying mechanisms and to provide a theoretical basis for its role as a candidate natural drug in clinical gastritis and lung disease therapy. STUDY DESIGN: RAW264.7 cells, HEK293T cells, peritoneal macrophages, and mouse models of acute gastritis and acute lung injury were used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of Ch-EE. METHODS: Decreases in LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine expression by RAW264.7 cells after Ch-EE treatment were evaluated by Griess assays and PCR, respectively. Transcription factor activity was assessed through luciferase reporter gene assay, and protein expression was determined by Western blotting analysis. Overexpression assays and cellular thermal shift assays were executed in HEK293T cells. Our two in vivo models were an HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model and an LPS-induced lung injury model. Changes in stomach lesions, lung edema, and lung histology were examined upon treatment with Ch-EE. Components of Ch-EE were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: LPS-induced nitric oxide production and Pam3CSK4- and L-NAME-induced NO production were inhibited by Ch-EE treatment of RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, LPS-induced increases in transcript levels of iNOS, COX2, CCL12, and IL-1ß were reduced by Ch-EE treatment. Ch-EE decreased both MyD88- and TRIF-induced NF-κB promotor activity. Proteins upstream of NF-κB, namely p-p50, p-p65, p-IκBα, p-AKT1, p-Src, and p-Syk, were all downregulated by Ch-EE. Moreover, Src and Syk were targets of Ch-EE. Ch-EE treatment reduced the size of inflammatory stomach lesions induced by HCl/EtOH, lung edema, and accumulation of activated neutrophils caused by LPS. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that Cocculus hirsutus can be developed as a promising anti-inflammatory remedy with Src- and Syk-inhibitory functions targeting diseases related to gastritis and lung injury.

A TCM formula VYAC ameliorates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis via blocking mast cell degranulation and suppressing NF-κB pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula (VYAC) consists of three herbs including Viola yedoensis Makino, herb (Violaceae, Viola), Sophora flavescens Aiton, root (Fabaceae, Sophora) and Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz, root and rhizome (Rutaceae, Dictamnus), has been traditionally prescribed to treat various skin diseases in clinic. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of VYAC on the 2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VYAC was extracted with 70 % aqueous ethanol and lyophilized powder was used. AD-like mice were challenged by DNCB, VYAC (150 and 300 mg/kg) were oral administration daily from day 7 to day 28. At the end of experiment, the clinical scores were recorded, serum and skin in the dorsal were isolated to evaluate the therapeutic effects of VYAC. RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with C48/80 for degranulation and plasmids expressing constitutively active form of Syk (Silence or overexpression) were transfected into RBL-2H3 cells to explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. RESULTS: VYAC significantly ameliorated the cardinal symptoms in the DNCB-induced AD-like mice by repairing the skin barrier function, inhibiting mast cells infiltration, restraining the serum IgE and histamine release and decreasing TNF-α, IL-4 as well as Syk mRNA level in dorsal skin and alleviating inflammation. Besides, VYAC significantly blocked RBL-2H3 cells degranulation, reduced ß-hexosaminidase and histamine release, and suppressed NF-κB pathway. What's more, the degranulation of RBL-2H3 was reduced after Syk silence and increased after Syk overexpression. CONCLUSION: Our findings clearly suggested that VYAC treat AD through inhibiting the inflammatory mediator productions and blocking mast cell degranulation via suppressing Syk mediated NF-κB pathway.

Discovery of a potent, selective, and covalent ZAP-70 kinase inhibitor.

ZAP-70 (zeta-chain associated protein kinase 70 kDa) signaling pathway and its functions have been involved in the development and adaptive immune signaling of T cell. It thus represents a promising target for autoimmune diseases. Although reversible ZAP-70 kinase domain inhibitors have been developed, they are either weak or nonselective. We report herein the structure-guided development of the first potent and covalent inhibitor of ZAP-70 kinase domain. In particular, compound 18 (RDN009) showed good selectivity for ZAP-70 over structurally related Syk, and displayed potent inhibitory effects on T cell proliferation, activation, and inflammatory cytokine production. A mass spectrometry analysis further confirmed the covalent linkage between the inhibitor and ZAP-70 protein at C346. Overall, the covalent inhibitor RDN009 represents a potent and selective probe of ZAP-70 for further development for treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Echinacea purpurea water extracts suppress the release of chemical mediators from mast cells.

Histamine and leukotrienes (LTs), the chemical mediators released from mast cells, play an important role in type-I allergies such as hay fever. Echinacea purpurea (EP) has traditionally been used for herbal tea and has been reported to show biological functions. We evaluated the inhibitory activity of water extracts of EP petals, leaves, and stems against the chemical mediators released from mast cell lines. Petal and leaf extracts exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on histamine release from the stimulated cells, while the stem extract did not exert any effect. Activity of the petal extract was much stronger than that of the leaf extract. All the extracts significantly suppressed LTB4 production in the stimulated cells and displayed similar activities. The petal extract decreased Syk phosphorylation and Ca2+ influx associated with signal transduction in the stimulated cells. These results suggest that EP petal extract may have a relieving effect on allergic symptoms.

Syk/NF-κB-targeted anti-inflammatory activity of Melicope accedens (Blume) T.G. Hartley methanol extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Melicope accedens (Blume) Thomas G. Hartley is a plant included in the family Rutaceae and genus Melicope. It is a native plant from Vietnam that has been used for ethnopharmacology. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the leaves of M. accedens are applied externally to decrease fever. AIM OF THE STUDY: The molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory properties of M. accedens are not yet understood. Therefore, we examined those mechanisms using a methanol extract of M. accedens (Ma-ME) and determined the target molecule in macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ma-ME in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in an HCl/EtOH-triggered gastritis model in mice. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, we performed a nitric oxide (NO) production assay and ELISA assay for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). RT-PCR, luciferase gene reporter assays, western blotting analyses, and a cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were conducted to identify the mechanism and target molecule of Ma-ME. The phytochemical composition of Ma-ME was analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: Ma-ME suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 and the mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes (iNOS, IL-1ß, and COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. Ma-ME inhibited NF-κB activation by suppressing signaling molecules such as IκBα, Akt, Src, and Syk. Moreover, the CETSA assay revealed that Ma-ME binds to Syk, the most upstream molecule in the NF-κB signal pathway. Oral administration of Ma-ME not only alleviated inflammatory lesions, but also reduced the gene expression of IL-1ß and p-Syk in mice with HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis. HPLC and LC-MS/MS analyses confirmed that Ma-ME contains various anti-inflammatory flavonoids, including quercetin, daidzein, and nevadensin. CONCLUSIONS: Ma-ME exhibited anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo by targeting Syk in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, we propose that Ma-ME could be used to treat inflammatory diseases such as gastritis.

Sauropus brevipes ethanol extract negatively regulates inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro by targeting Src, Syk and IRAK1.

CONTEXT: Sauropus brevipes Müll. Arg. (Phyllanthaceae) has been used as an effective ingredient in a decoction for the treatment of diarrhoea. However, there was no report on its modulatory role in inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates anti-inflammatory effect of S. brevipes in various inflammation models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aerial part of S. brevipes was extracted with 95% ethanol to produce Sb-EE. RAW264.7 cells pre-treated with Sb-EE were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Griess assay and PCR were performed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, luciferase assay, Western blotting and kinase assay were employed. C57BL/6 mice (10 mice/group) were orally administered with Sb-EE (200 mg/kg) once a day for five days, and peritonitis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). ICR mice (four mice/group) were orally administered with Sb-EE (20 or 200 mg/kg) or ranitidine (positive control) twice a day for two days, and EtOH/HCl was orally injected to induce gastritis. RESULTS: Sb-EE suppressed nitric oxide (NO) release (IC50=34 µg/mL) without cytotoxicity and contained flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol). Sb-EE (200 µg/mL) reduced the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Sb-EE blocked the activities of Syk and Src, while inhibiting interleukin-1 receptor associated kinases (IRAK1) by 68%. Similarly, orally administered Sb-EE (200 mg/kg) suppressed NO production by 78% and phosphorylation of Src and Syk in peritonitis mice. Sb-EE also decreased inflammatory lesions in gastritis mice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of Sb-EE on the inflammatory response, suggesting that Sb-EE can be developed as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

Investigation of Alpinia calcarata constituent interactions with molecular targets of rheumatoid arthritis: docking, molecular dynamics, and network approach.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that commonly affects multiple joints of the body. Currently, there is no permanent cure to the disease, but it can be managed with several potent drugs that cause serious side effects on prolonged use. Traditional remedies are considered promising for the treatment of several diseases, particularly chronic conditions, because they have lower side effects compared to synthetic drugs. In folklore, the rhizome of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) is used as a major ingredient of herbal formulations to treat RA. Phytoconstituents reported in A. calcarata rhizomes are diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoid, flavonoids, phytosterol, and volatile oils. The present study is intended to understand the molecular-level interaction of phytoconstituents present in A. calcarata rhizomes with RA molecular targets using computational approaches. A total of 30 phytoconstituents reported from the plant were used to carry out docking with 36 known targets of RA. Based on the docking results, 4 flavonoids were found to be strongly interacting with the RA targets. Further, molecular dynamics simulation confirmed stable interaction of quercetin with 6 targets (JAK3, SYK, MMP2, TLR8, IRAK1, and JAK1), galangin with 2 targets (IRAK1 and JAK1), and kaempferol (IRAK1) with one target of RA. Moreover, the presence of these three flavonoids was confirmed in the A. calcarata rhizome extract using LC-MS analysis. The computational study suggests that flavonoids present in A. calcarata rhizome may be responsible for RA modulatory activity. Particularly, quercetin and galangin could be potential development candidates for the treatment of RA. Investigation of Alpinia calcarata constituent interactions with molecular targets of rheumatoid arthritis: docking, molecular dynamics, and network approach.

Suppression of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and food allergy with monovalent anti-FcεRIα mAbs.

BACKGROUND: Mast cell and basophil activation by antigen cross-linking of FcεRI-bound IgE is central to allergy pathogenesis. We previously demonstrated global suppression of this process by rapid desensitization with anti-FcεRIα mAbs. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether use of monovalent (mv) anti-FcεRIα mAbs increases desensitization safety without loss of efficacy. METHODS: mv anti-human (hu) FcεRIα mAbs were produced with mouse-derived immunoglobulin variable regions and huIgG1 or huIgG4 C regions and were used to suppress murine IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and food allergy. mAbs were administered as a single dose or as serially increasing doses to mice that express hu instead of mouse FcεRIα; mice that additionally have an allergy-promoting IL-4Rα mutation; and hu cord blood-reconstituted immunodeficient, hu cytokine-secreting, mice that have large numbers of activated hu mast cells. Anaphylaxis susceptibility was sometimes increased by treatment with IL-4 or a ß-adrenergic receptor antagonist. RESULTS: mv anti-hu FcεRIα mAbs are considerably less able than divalent mAbs are to induce anaphylaxis and deplete mast cell and basophil IgE, but mv mAbs still strongly suppress IgE-mediated disease. The mv mAbs can be safely administered as a single large dose to mice with typical susceptibility to anaphylaxis, while a rapid desensitization approach safely suppresses disease in mice with increased susceptibility. Our huIgG4 variant of mv anti-huFcεRIα mAb is safer than our huIgG1 variant is, apparently because reduced interactions with FcεRs decrease ability to indirectly cross-link FcεRI. CONCLUSIONS: mv anti-FcεRIα mAbs more safely suppress IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and food allergy than divalent variants of the same mAbs do. These mv mAbs may be useful for suppression of huIgE-mediated disease.

Eucalyptus oil reduces allergic reactions and suppresses mast cell degranulation by downregulating IgE-FcεRI signalling.

Eucalyptus oil has been used since ancient times for its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative effects. In recent years, the action of Eucalyptus oil has been scientifically proven, and there have been reports that Eucalyptus oil suppresses the production of chemokines, cytokines and lipid mediators in basophils, alveolar macrophages and monocytes. Based on this information, we aimed to verify whether Eucalyptus oil can be used for allergic dermatitis, the incidence of which has been increasing among human skin diseases. This effect was verified using a mouse IgE-mediated local allergic model. In conclusion, topical application of Eucalyptus oil suppressed oedema and vascular permeability enhancement due to IgE-mediated allergic on the skin. In addition, we also verified the degranuration of mast cells, which is a part of its action, and examined whether 1,8-cineole, which is the main component of Eucalyptus oil, suppresses the phosphorylation of PLCγ and p38 directly or indirectly. 1,8-cineole was found to suppress degranulation of mast cells.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in rats with urticarial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the expressions of tyrosine kinase Lyn and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the rats with urticaria and explore the potential biological mechanism of EA in the intervention of urticaria. METHODS: A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a positive medication group, 8 rats in each one. Except of the blank group, the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was adopted to prepare the model of urticaria in the rats of the rest three groups. In the EA group, EA was applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz in frequency and 1 mA in current intensity, once daily, for 20 min each time, consecutively for 7 days. In the positive medication group, loratadine (1 mg•kg-1•d-1) was for intragastric administration, once daily, consecutively for 7 days. The samples were collected for index detection 30 min after PCA antigen challenge in the rats of each group. Spectrophotometer was adopted to determine the effusion quantity of Evans blue in the allergized site of skin. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the allergized site of skin. Toluidine blue staining was provided to observe mast cell degranulation in subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the allergized site of skin. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the protein expressions of Lyn and Syk during degranulation of mast cells. RESULTS: In the rats of the odel group, the eipdermis of allergized site was thickening, cells were disorganized in hierarchy and inflammatory cells were infiltrated largely in the dermis. In the positive medication group and the EA group, the epidermis was getting thin, cell arrangement was clear and the inflammatory cell infiltration was obviously alleviated as compared with the model group. Compared with the blank group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all reduced in the EA group and the positive medication group (P<0.01). Compared with the positive medication group, the degranulation rate of mast cells was increased significantly in the EA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) reduces vascular permeability and gives play to the role of anti-allergy by the way of regulating and controlling the degranulation of mast cells in the rats with urticaria and the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture may be related to the inhibition of protein expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells.

LOMIX, a Mixture of Flaxseed Linusorbs, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Src and Syk in the NF-κB Pathway.

Although flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has long been used as Ayurvedic medicine, its anti-inflammatory role is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of a linusorb mixture (LOMIX) recovered from flaxseed oil. Effects of LOMIX on inflammation and its mechanism of action were examined using several in vitro assays (i.e., NO production, real-time PCR analysis, luciferase-reporter assay, Western blot analysis, and kinase assay) and in vivo analysis with animal inflammation models as well as acute toxicity test. Results: LOMIX inhibited NO production, cell shape change, and inflammatory gene expression in stimulated RAW264.7 cells through direct targeting of Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway. In vivo study further showed that LOMIX alleviated symptoms of gastritis, colitis, and hepatitis in murine model systems. In accordance with in vitro results, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by inhibition of Src and Syk. LOMIX was neither cytotoxic nor did it cause acute toxicity in mice. In addition, it was found that LOB3, LOB2, and LOA2 are active components included in LOMIX, as assessed by NO assay. These in vitro and in vivo results suggest that LOMIX exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory responses of macrophages and ameliorating symptoms of inflammatory diseases without acute toxicity and is a promising anti-inflammatory medication for inflammatory diseases.

Ranunculus bulumei Methanol Extract Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Activity by Targeting Src/Syk in NF-κB Signaling.

(1) Background: Ranunculus bulumei is a flowering plant that belongs to the Ranunculus species. Several Ranunculus species, such as R. aquatilis and R. muricatus, have traditionally been used to treat fever and rheumatism throughout Asia, suggesting that plants belonging to the Ranunculus species may have anti-inflammatory effects. To our knowledge, the pharmacological activity of R. bulumei has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we aim to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of a methanol extract that was derived from R. bulumei (Rb-ME) in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses and to identify the molecular mechanism that underlies any anti-inflammatory action. (2) Methods: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of Rb-ME was evaluated while using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, LPS-induced peritonitis and HCl/EtOH-triggered gastritis models were produced. A nitric oxide (NO) assay, real-time PCR, luciferase reporter gene assay, western blot analysis, plasmid overexpression strategy, and in vitro kinase assay were used to determine the molecular mechanisms and target molecules of Rb-ME. The phytochemical active ingredients of Rb-ME were also identified by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). (3) Results: Rb-ME reduced the production of NO and mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, and IL-6 without cytotoxicity. The protein secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 was also decreased by Rb-ME. HPLC analysis indicates that quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol are the main active ingredients in the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Rb-ME. Rb-ME also blocked MyD88-induced NF-κB promoter activity and nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits (p65 and p50). Moreover, Rb-ME reduced the phosphorylation of IκBα, Akt, p85, Src, and Syk, which are NF-κB upstream signaling molecules in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. According to the in vitro kinase assay, Rb-ME directly inhibits Syk kinase activity. The oral administration of Rb-ME alleviated inflammatory responses and the levels of p-IκBα in mice with LPS-induced peritonitis and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis. (4) Conclusions Rb-ME has anti-inflammatory capacity by suppressing NF-κB signaling and it has been found to target Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway. Based on this efficacy, Rb-ME could be developed as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.

Astragalus propinquus Schischkin and Panax notoginseng (A&P) compound relieved cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through inhibiting the mincle maintained macrophage inflammation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common disease in hospitalized patients, especially in critically ill patients. It is characterised with high morbidity and mortality, and is also an important cause of chronic kidney disease and chronic renal failure. Astragalus propinquus Schischkin and Panax notoginseng (A&P) compound, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, consists of Astragalus propinquus Schischkin, Panax notoginseng, Angelica sinensis, Achyranthes bidentata, and Ecklonia kurome, has been widely used for the treatment of various kidney diseases in the southwest of China. However, the effects of A&P on treatment of AKI and its underlying mechanism are needed to be uncovered. AIM OF THE STUDY: Recent researches reported that Mincle (Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin) plays a key role in renal injury of AKI by regulating the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines on macrophage through modulating NF-κB signaling pathway. Here, we aimed to investigate the renoprotective effect of A&P on AKI and whether by inhibiting Mincle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage (BMDM) inflammatory cell model and a cisplatin-induced mouse AKI model in vitro and in vivo. Renal histopathology staining was performed to observe kidney morphology. The expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were detected by real-time PCR and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels and Flow cytometry performed to detect polarization of macrophage. RESULTS: The results showed that A&P significantly reduced the mRNA expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and MCP-1 in LPS-stimulated BMDM cells, and secretion of IL-1ß and IL-6 in supernatant. The same results were found in Cisplatin-induced AKI kidney and serum after treatment with A&P. The data also showed that A&P strongly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Mincle in vitro and vivo, and also inhibited the activation of Syk and NF-κB. Notably, A&P down-regulated the M1 macrophage marker iNOS, which may relate to the inhibition of Mincle. Interestingly, both overexpression of Mincle by transfection of pcDNA3.1-Mincle plasmid and administration of TDB (a ligand of Mincle) can significantly abolished the A&P-inhibited inflammation in BMDM, suggesting Mincle pathway play a key role in macrophage inflammation in AKI. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that A&P protected kidney from inhibiting inflammation through down-regulating of Mincle pathway in macrophage in AKI. It provides a potential medicine compound for the treatment of AKI.

Ras isoforms: signaling specificities in CD40 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Ras are small cellular GTPases which regulate diverse cellular processes. It has three isoforms: H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras. Owing to the N-terminus (1-165 residues) sequence homology these isoforms were thought to be functionally redundant. However, only K-Ras-deficient mice but not H-Ras- and N-Ras-deficient mice show embryonic lethality. Similarly, mutations in a given Ras isoform are associated with a particular type of cancer. Moreover, we have previously reported that Ras isoforms perform unique functions in Leishmania major infection. Thus, Ras isoforms are implicated to have signaling and functional specificity but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. RESULT: Using CD40 as a model receptor, we showed that depending on the strength of signaling, specific Ras isoforms are activated. Weak CD40 signal activates N-Ras, whereas strong signal activates H-Ras and K-Ras. Additionally, we showed that suppression of N-Ras expression reduced CD40-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) activation and Interleukin (IL)-10 production; whereas suppression of H-Ras or K-Ras reduced CD40-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation and IL-12 production. Furthermore, we showed that Ras isoforms have activator (GEF) specificity as weak CD40 signal-activated N-Ras requires Sos-1/2 whereas strong CD40 signal-activated H-Ras/K-Ras requires Ras-GRP as the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) inducing ERK-1/2- or p38MAPK-mediated IL-10 or IL-12 productions, respectively, in macrophages. Silencing of syk reduced CD40-induced N-Ras activation but silencing of lyn inhibited H-Ras and K-Ras activation. In CD40 signaling, Ras isoforms also showed effector specificity; while H-Ras and K-Ras showed specificity for phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase activation at high dose of CD40 stimulation, N-Ras primarily associated with Raf-1 at low dose of CD40 stimulation. Moreover, fractal analysis showed that functional site surface roughness for H-Ras (SurfaceFD = 2.39) and K-Ras (SurfaceFD = 2.39) are similar but significantly different from N-Ras (SurfaceFD = 2.25). CONCLUSION: The activator and effector specificities of Ras isoforms in CD40 signaling indicated their differential involvement in CD40 pathway and in maintaining the reciprocity. Our observations reveal Ras-regulated signaling outcome and its potential for developing Ras isoform-targeted immunotherapy and prophylaxis.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in rats with urticarial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the expressions of tyrosine kinase Lyn and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the rats with urticaria and explore the potential biological mechanism of EA in the intervention of urticaria.@*METHODS@#A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a positive medication group, 8 rats in each one. Except of the blank group, the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was adopted to prepare the model of urticaria in the rats of the rest three groups. In the EA group, EA was applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz in frequency and 1 mA in current intensity, once daily, for 20 min each time, consecutively for 7 days. In the positive medication group, loratadine (1 mg•kg•d) was for intragastric administration, once daily, consecutively for 7 days. The samples were collected for index detection 30 min after PCA antigen challenge in the rats of each group. Spectrophotometer was adopted to determine the effusion quantity of Evans blue in the allergized site of skin. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the allergized site of skin. Toluidine blue staining was provided to observe mast cell degranulation in subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the allergized site of skin. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the protein expressions of Lyn and Syk during degranulation of mast cells.@*RESULTS@#In the rats of the odel group, the eipdermis of allergized site was thickening, cells were disorganized in hierarchy and inflammatory cells were infiltrated largely in the dermis. In the positive medication group and the EA group, the epidermis was getting thin, cell arrangement was clear and the inflammatory cell infiltration was obviously alleviated as compared with the model group. Compared with the blank group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all increased in the model group (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all reduced in the EA group and the positive medication group (<0.01). Compared with the positive medication group, the degranulation rate of mast cells was increased significantly in the EA group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) reduces vascular permeability and gives play to the role of anti-allergy by the way of regulating and controlling the degranulation of mast cells in the rats with urticaria and the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture may be related to the inhibition of protein expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells.

Anti-inflammatory activities of Canarium subulatum Guillaumin methanol extract operate by targeting Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Canarium subulatum Guillaumin is an herbal medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Ethnopharmacological evidence suggests that plants of the genus Canarium cure a variety of inflammatory diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The pharmacological mechanisms of C. subulatum Guillaumin remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate inflammatory mechanisms and target molecules using C. subulatum Guillaumin methanol extract (Cs-ME) in inflammatory reactions managed by macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify the anti-inflammatory activities of Cs-ME, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and a murine HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model were chosen. The luciferase reporter gene assay, Western blot analysis, overexpression strategy, and the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms and target enzymes of Cs-ME. The active ingredients of this extract were also determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Released levels of nitric oxide (NO) and mRNA expression levels of iNOS and IL-6 were downregulated by Cs-ME without exhibiting cytotoxicity. This extract inhibited MyD88-induced promoter activity and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, we found that Cs-ME reduced the phosphorylation of NF-κB upstream signaling molecules including IκBα, IKKα/ß, Src, and Syk in LPS-stimulated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. The results of Western blot and CETSA confirmed that Src and Syk are anti-inflammatory targets of Cs-ME. In addition, orally injected Cs-ME alleviated HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcers in mice. HPLC analysis indicated that quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol are major active components of this extract with anti-inflammatory activity. CONCLUSIONS: Cs-ME exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo by targeting Src and Syk in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Consequently, Cs-ME could be developed as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.