Pulmonary inflammation caused by silica dioxide nanoparticles in mice via TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway

Je‑Oh Lim,Je‑Won Ko,Tae‑Yang Jung,Woong‑Il Kim,So‑Won Pak,In‑Sik Shin,Won‑Kee Yun,Hyoung‑Chin Kim,Jeong‑Doo Heo,Jong‑Choon Kim 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2020 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.16 No.3

Background Silica dioxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) have been used for various medical applications, including therapeutics and imaging, and the use of SiONPs has increased gradually over the years. However, despite an increase in the use of SiONPs, not much is known about mechanism of action of SiONPs and their pulmonary toxicity. Objective The present study investigated the pulmonary toxicity of SiONPs and explored the underlying mechanism of action, primarily focusing on thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in SiONPs-treated mice. We investigated the toxic effects of SiONPs in the lung of BALB/c mice administered 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg SiONPs for 3 days. Results Exposure to SiONPs markedly increased inflammatory cell counts, including those of neutrophils and macrophages, and levels of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in a dose-dependent manner in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, the inflammation was verified upon histopathological analysis. In addition, exposure to SiONPs increased the expression of TXNIP in a dose-dependent manner and, in turn, upregulated NLRP3 inflammasome proteins, which subsequently induced IL-1β production. Conclusion Collectively, exposure to SiONPs induced inflammation in the lungs of mice, which resulted in the activation of IL-1β production via the TXNIP-NLRP3 axis. Our results provide useful information on the pulmonary toxicity induced by SiONPs and provide insights into the underlying mechanism of action.

Ahnak-knockout mice show susceptibility to Bartonella henselae infection because of CD4+ T cell inactivation and decreased cytokine secretion

( Eun Wha Choi ),( Hee Woo Lee ),( Jun Sik Lee ),( Il Yong Kim ),( Jae Hoon Shin ),( Je Kyung Se ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2019 BMB Reports Vol.52 No.4

The present study evaluated the role of AHNAK in Bartonella henselae infection. Mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 2 × 10⁸ colony-forming units of B. henselae Houston-1 on day 0 and subsequently on day 10. Blood and tissue samples of the mice were collected 8 days after the final B. henselae injection. B. henselae infection in the liver of Ahnak-knockout and wild-type mice was confirmed by performing polymerase chain reaction, with Bartonella adhesion A as a marker. The proportion of B. henselaeinfected cells increased in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice. Granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and liver enzyme levels were also higher in the liver of the Ahnak-knockout mice than in the liver of the wild-type mice, indicating that Ahnak deletion accelerated B. henselae infection. The proportion of CD4+interferon-y(IFN-y)⁺ and CD4⁺interleukin (IL)-4⁺ cells was significantly lower in the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-knockout mice than in the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice. In vitro stimulation with B. henselae significantly increased IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected wild-type mice, but did not increase IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the splenocytes obtained from the B. henselae-infected Ahnak-KO mice. In contrast, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion was significantly elevated in the splenocytes obtained from both B. henselae-infected wild-type and Ahnak-knockout mice. These results indicate that Ahnak deletion promotes B. henselae infection. Impaired IFN-y and IL-4 secretion in the Ahnak-knockout mice suggests the impairment of Th1 and Th2 immunity in these mice. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(4): 289-294]

<i>In vivo</i> genotoxicity evaluation of lung cells from Fischer 344 rats following 28 days of inhalation exposure to MWCNTs, plus 28 days and 90 days post-exposure

Kim, Jin Sik,Sung, Jae Hyuck,Choi, Byung Gil,Ryu, Hyeon Yeol,Song, Kyung Seuk,Shin, Jae Hoon,Lee, Jong Seong,Hwang, Joo Hwan,Lee, Ji Hyun,Lee, Gun Ho,Jeon, Kisoo,Ahn, Kang Ho,Yu, Il Je Informa Healthcare 2014 INHALATION TOXICOLOGY Vol. No.

<P>Despite their useful physico-chemical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) continue to cause concern over occupational and human health due to their structural similarity to asbestos. Thus, to evaluate the toxic and genotoxic effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on lung cells <I>in vivo</I>, eight-week-old rats were divided into four groups (each group = 25 animals), a fresh air control (0 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), low (0.17 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), middle (0.49 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>), and high (0.96 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>) dose group, and exposed to MWCNTs <I>via</I> nose-only inhalation 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 28 days. The count median length and geometric standard deviation for the MWCNTs determined by TEM were 330.18 and 1.72 nm, respectively, and the MWCNT diameters ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Lung cells were isolated from five male and five female rats in each group on day 0, day 28 (only from males) and day 90 following the 28-day exposure. The total number of animals used was 15 male and 10 female rats for each concentration group. To determine the genotoxicity of the MWCNTs, a single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) was conducted on the rat lung cells. As a result of the exposure, the olive tail moments were found to be significantly higher (<I>p</I> < 0.05) in the male and female rats from all the exposed groups when compared with the fresh air control. In addition, the high-dose exposed male and middle and high-dose exposed female rats retained DNA damage, even 90 days post-exposure (<I>p</I> < 0.05). To investigate the mode of genotoxicity, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, TGF- β, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ) were also measured. For the male rats, the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels were significantly higher in the middle (0 days post-exposure) and high- (0 days and 28 days post-exposure) dose groups (<I>p</I> < 0.05). Conversely, the female rats showed no changes in the H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> levels. The inflammatory cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid did not show any statistically significant difference. Interestingly, the short-length MWCNTs deposited in the lung cells were persistent at 90 days post-exposure. Thus, exposing lung cells to MWCNTs with a short tube length may induce genotoxicity.</P>

Protective effect of Silibinin on Silica Dioxide-induced inflammation through suppressing TXNIP/MAPKs/AP-1 signaling

Woong-Il Kim,Je-Oh Lim,Se-jin Lee,So-Won Pak,In-Sik Shin,Jong-choon Kim 한국실험동물학회 2021 한국실험동물학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2021 No.7

Silica dioxide nanoparticles (siONPs) have been applied to several fields, such as drug delivery and gene therapy. However, SiONPs are a constituent of fine dust and can induce excessive inflammatory responses in the lungs via the airways. Silibinin a major component of silymarin, has been known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we explored the protective effects of silibinin against SiONPs-induced airway inflammation and explored its underlying mechanism of action, focusing on thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) in vitro and in vivo. In SiONPs-stimulated NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, silibinin treatment effectively suppressed the elevation of the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, which was accompanied by the reduction in the expression of TXNIP, MAPKs, and activator protein-1 (AP-1). In SiONPs-treated mice, silibinin administration inhibited the increase in inflammatory cell counts and proinflammatory mediators, and it alleviated airway inflammation by SiONPs exposure. In addition, silibinin administration effectively suppressed the elevation of TXNIP / MAPKs / AP-1 signaling by SiONPs exposure. Taken together, silibinin effectively inhibited SiONPs-induced inflammatory responses, an this effect was closely related to the inhibition of TXNIP / MAPK/ AP-1 signaling. These results suggested that silibinin might be useful for reducing pulmonary inflammation induced by SiONPs.

Thymol attenuates the worsening of atopic dermatitis induced by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> membrane vesicles

Kwon, Hyo Il,Jeong, Na Hee,Jun, So Hyun,Son, Joo Hee,Kim, Shukho,Jeon, Hyejin,Kang, Sun Chul,Kim, Sang Hyun,Lee, Je Chul Elsevier 2018 INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY Vol.59 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P> <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I> membrane vesicles (MVs) aggravate atopic dermatitis (AD) through the delivery of bacterial effector molecules to host cells and the stimulation of inflammatory responses. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of thymol, a phenolic monoterpene found in essential oils derived from plants, on the worsening of AD induced by <I>S. aureus</I> MVs both <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I>. The sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations of thymol disrupted <I>S. aureus</I> MVs. Intact <I>S. aureus</I> MVs induced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and chemokine (IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) genes in cultured keratinocytes, whereas thymol-treated <I>S. aureus</I> MVs did not stimulate the expression of these genes. Topical application of thymol-treated <I>S. aureus</I> MVs or treatment with thymol after intact <I>S. aureus</I> MVs to AD-like skin lesions diminished the pathology of AD. This included decreases in epidermal/dermal thickness and infiltration of eosinophils/mast cells, and inhibited expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes in mouse AD model. Moreover, thymol significantly suppressed the Th1, Th2, and Th17-mediated inflammatory responses in AD-like skin lesions induced by <I>S. aureus</I> MVs, and reduced the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G2a, mite-specific IgE, and total IgE. In summary, thymol disrupts <I>S. aureus</I> MVs and suppresses inflammatory responses in AD-like skin lesions aggravated by <I>S. aureus</I> MVs. Our results suggest that thymol is a possible candidate for the management of AD aggravation induced by <I>S. aureus</I> colonization or infection in the lesions.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The subMICs of thymol disrupt <I>S. aureus</I> membrane vesicles (MVs). </LI> <LI> Thymol-treated <I>S. aureus</I> MVs do not induce inflammatory responses in keratinocytes. </LI> <LI> Thymol inhibits worsening of AD-like lesions induced by <I>S. aureus</I> MVs. </LI> </UL> </P>

Anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenol-rich extract from the red alga Callophyllis japonica in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages

Ryu, BoMi,Choi, Il-Whan,Qian, Zhong-Ji,Heo, Soo-Jin,Kang, Do-Hyung,Oh, Chulhong,Jeon, You-Jin,Jang, Chul Ho,Park, Won Sun,Kang, Kyong-Hwa,Je, Jae-Young,Kim, Se-Kwon,Kim, Young-Mog,Ko, Seok-Chun,Kim, G The Korean Society of Phycology 2014 ALGAE Vol.29 No.4

Despite the extensive literature on marine algae over the past few decades, a paucity of published research and studies exists on red algae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic properties of the ethanol extract of the red alga Callophyllis japonica against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage inflammation. The C. japonica extract (CJE) significantly inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) production and the induced dose-dependent reduction of the protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Additionally, the CJE reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. We investigated the mechanism by which the CJE inhibits NO by examining the level of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation, which is an inflammation-induced signaling pathway in macrophages. The CJE significantly suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 MAPK. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the CJE inhibits LPS-induced inflammation by blocking the MAPK pathway in macrophages.

일반담배(Cigarette)와 금연 보조 담배(금연초, 허브담배, 쑥 담배)의 기관지 상피세포에서 IL-6유리 효과비교

김명찬 ( Myoung Chan Kim ),정재일 ( Je Il Jung ),정종훈 ( Jong Hoon Jung ),김학렬 ( Hak Ryul Kim ),양세훈 ( Sei Hoon Yang ),정은택 ( Eun Taik Jeong ),김휘정 ( Hui Jung Kim ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2005 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.59 No.5

골수이식 후 사이토카인과 골교체 생화학적표지자의 변화 및 상관관계

민우성,강무일,한제호,강성구,오기원,이원영,김혜수,문성대,손현식,신완식,김춘추,윤건호,차봉연,이광우,손호영 대한내분비학회 2000 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.15 No.1

Background : Loss of bone mass is usually detected after BMT. The causes of bone loss are related with gonadal dysfunction and immunosuppressants. Cytokines, especially IL-6, play an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the pathogenetic role of cytokines in post-BMT bone loss is unknown and data on the changes of cytokines in accordance with bone turnover markers are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of bone turnover markers and cytokines of peripheral blood and bone marrow before and after allogeneic BMT. Methods : This prospective study included two analyses. The first was a study of 46 BMT recipients, examining the relationship between bone turnover markers and cytokines of serum which were measured before and 1, 2, 3, 4 week and 3 months after BMT. The second was a study of 14 BMT patients, measuring bone marrow plasma cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-? at post-BMT 3 week and bone turnover marker at the same time to assess the relationship beween two parameters. Results : Serum ICTP, bone resorption marker, increased progressively until 4 weeks (peak) after BMT and then decreased thereafter. Serum osteocalcin, bone formation marker, decreased progressively until 3 weeks after BMT and then increased thereafter. There was positive correlation between serum ICTP and bone marrow IL-6 levels at the post-BMT 3 week with a statistical significance, but the correlation between bone turnover markers and bone marrow TNF-? or peripheral blood cytokines was not found. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the progressive increase of bone resorption after BMT is related with the increase of bone marrow IL-6, which is a potent stimulator of bone resorption in vivo(J Kor Soc Endocrinol 15:85-96, 2000).

상엽(桑葉)추출물의 LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포에서의 항염증 효과

박상미 ( Sang Mi Park ),변성희 ( Sung Hui Byun ),김영우 ( Young Woo Kim ),조일제 ( Il Je Cho ),김상찬 ( Sang Chan Kim ) 대한본초학회 2012 大韓本草學會誌 Vol.27 No.3

Objectives: Mori Folium is one of the traditional medicinal herb. It was commonly used for sericulture in the world and has been traditionally administered as natural therapeutic agent for the treatment of filariasis, diabetes and dropsy in East Asia. This study investigated an anti-inflammatory potential of Mori Folium ethanol extract (MFE). Methods: We examined the effects of MFE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Results: MFE inhibited production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and also decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a. As a plausible molecular mechanism, increased degradation of I-kBa and phosphorylation of I-kBa, NF-kB and MAP kinases by LPS were partly blocked by MFE treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that MFE has an anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential, which may result from inhibition of NF-kB activation and MAPK phosphorylation, thereby decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes.

Inhibitory Effects of Traditional Herbal Formula Pyungwi-San on Inflammatory Response <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i>

Cha, Ji Young,Jung, Ji Yun,Jung, Jae Yup,Lee, Jong Rok,Cho, Il Je,Ku, Sae Kwang,Byun, Sung Hui,Ahn, Yong-Tae,Lee, Chul Won,Kim, Sang Chan,An, Won G. Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013 Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medic Vol.2013 No.-

<P>Pyungwi-san (PWS) is a traditional basic herbal formula. We investigated the effects of PWS on induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-<I><I>α</I></I> (TNF-<I><I>α</I></I>)) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-<I><I>κ</I></I>B) as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) induced Raw 264.7 cells and on paw edema in rats. Treatment with PWS (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/mL) resulted in inhibited levels of expression of LPS-induced COX-2, iNOS, NF-<I><I>κ</I></I>B, and MAPKs as well as production of prostaglandin E<SUB>2</SUB> (PGE<SUB>2</SUB>), nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, and TNF-<I><I>α</I></I> induced by LPS. Our results demonstrate that PWS possesses anti-inflammatory activities via decreasing production of pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of the signaling pathways of NF-<I><I>κ</I></I>B and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophage cells. More importantly, results of the carrageenan-(CA-) induced paw edema demonstrate an anti-edema effect of PWS. In addition, it is considered that PWS also inhibits the acute edematous inflammations through suppression of mast cell degranulations and inflammatory mediators, including COX-2, iNOS and TNF-<I><I>α</I></I>. Thus, our findings may provide scientific evidence to explain the anti-inflammatory properties of PWS <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I>.</P>