Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis by azathioprine in a macrophage cell line.
Azathioprine is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although there are numerous data demonstrating cytotoxic and immunosuppressive properties of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine, the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of azathioprine has not yet been fully clarified. During our study, we investigated the effects of azathioprine on the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide stimulated murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) by measurement of iNOS protein (immunoblotting), iNOS mRNA (semiquantitative competitive RT-PCR), and NO production (nitrite levels). Azathioprine (0-210 muM) induces a concentration dependent inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis (IC50: 33.5 muM). iNOS protein expression showed a concentration dependent reduction as revealed by immunoblotting when cells were incubated with increasing amounts of azathioprine. Azathioprine decreases iNOS mRNA levels as shown by semiquantitative competitive RT-PCR. In contrast, 6-mercaptopurine showed no inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis. Azathioprine did not reduce iNOS mRNA stability after the addition of actinomycin D. Enzymatic activity assays with increasing concentrations of azathioprine (0-210 muM) showed no statistically significant inhibition of iNOS enzyme activity compared to cell lysates without azathioprine. Nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit and binding of NF-kappaB p50 subunit from nuclear extracts to a biotinylated-consensus sequence was unaffected by azathioprine treatment. iNOS inhibition by azathioprine was associated with a decreased expression of IRF-1 (interferon regulatory factor 1) and IFN-beta (beta-interferon) mRNA. Azathioprine induced iNOS inhibition seems to be associated with an action of the methylnitroimidazolyl substituent. This suggests a route to the rational design of nontoxic anti-inflammatory agents by replacing the 6-mercaptopurine component of azathioprine with other substituents. The inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis might contribute to the anti-inflammatory activities of azathioprine.
Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria. thomas.moeslinger@univie.ac.at
Thomas
T
Moeslinger
Roswitha
R
Friedl
Paul Gerhard
PG
Spieckermann
D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D051379:Mice; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016899:Interferon-beta; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D001379:Azathioprine