SK-126, a synthetic compound, regulates the production of inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in antigen-presenting cells.
A variety of mediators released by immune cells triggers or enhances specific aspects of the inflammatory response. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an essential role in the innate immune system by shaping the adaptive immune responses and by controlling the production of cytokines in response to inflammatory stimuli. In the present study, we investigated whether SK-126, a pyridine derivative based on gentianine originated from a natural product, can affect the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production in DC. Interestingly, treatment of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and the murine dendritic cell line, DC 2.4, with SK-126 completely suppressed LPS-induced TNF-alpha expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. In contrast to TNF-alpha, SK-126 enhanced IL-10 expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. To determine signaling pathways involved in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines, we examined the involvement of MAPK and the transcription factor, NF-kappaB. SK-126 enhanced ERK1/2 and p38 activation following LPS stimulation, but it did not induce phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK and NF-kappaB. Also, STAT3 phosphorylation after LPS stimulation was increased by SK-126 to a large extent. Using specific inhibitors, we confirmed that SK-126 has dual effects in which it suppresses TNF-alpha production and enhances IL-10 production via the up-regulation of ERK1/2 and p38. Finally, LPS-induced inflammatory responses such as TNF-alpha production in vivo were significantly reduced by treatment with SK-126. Therefore, our findings suggest that SK-126 may be a useful drug candidate to treat inflammatory diseases in which pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines play a significant role in their pathogenesis.
Kang
Kyeongah
K
Department of Biological Science and the Research Center for Women's Diseases, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 140-742, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Hyeree
H
Kim
Keun Il
KI
Yang
Young
Y
Yoon
Do-Young
DY
Kim
Joo-Hyon
JH
Ryu
Je-Ho
JH
Noh
Eun-Jung
EJ
Jeon
Sun-Duck
SD
Lim
Jong-Seok
JS
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D009287:Naphthyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
C528322:2-ethyl-8-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-(2,7)naphthyridin-1-one; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009287:Naphthyridines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494087:Stat3 protein, mouse; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases