title: Anti-inflammatory activity of sertaconazole nitrate is mediated via activation of a p38-COX-2-PGE2 pathway.
abstract: Sertaconazole nitrate is an antifungal agent that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity; however, the mechanism for this action was unknown. We investigated the cellular mechanisms by which sertaconazole exerts its anti-inflammatory activity in keratinocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Paradoxically, sertaconazole was found to activate the proinflammatory p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Treatment with sertaconazole also resulted in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the subsequent release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Knocking down p38 in keratinocytes using small interfering RNA resulted in an inhibition of sertaconazole-induced PGE2 release confirming that activation of p38 was required for PGE2 production. Additionally, in stimulated keratinocytes and human PBMCs, sertaconazole was found to suppress the release of cytokines. Treatment with anti-PGE2 antiserum or the COX-2 inhibitor NS398 reversed the inhibitory effects of sertaconazole on the release of proinflammatory cytokines, linking endogenous PGE2 with the anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, in an in vivo mouse model of tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)-induced dermatitis, the sertaconazole-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced ear edema was reversed by NS398. Biochemical analysis of tissue biopsies revealed increase in PGE2 levels in sertaconazole-treated mice. Thus, activation of the p38-COX-2-PGE2 pathway by agents such as sertaconazole provides anti-inflammatory therapeutic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Preclinical Pharmacology, Johnson and Johnson Skin Research Center, CPPW, a unit of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Skillman, New Jersey 08558, USA.
authors.forename: Runa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sur
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Babad
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garay
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Liebel
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Southall
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001706:Biopsy; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007509:Irritants; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D016207:Cytokines; D007093:Imidazoles; D007509:Irritants; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D013876:Thiophenes; C061131:sertaconazole; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D015232:Dinoprostone; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate