Selective triggering of apoptosis of concanavalin A-activated T cells by fraxinellone for the treatment of T-cell-dependent hepatitis in mice.
Selectively inducing apoptosis of activated T cells is essential for the clearance of pathogenic injurious cells and subsequent efficient resolution of inflammation. However, few chemicals have been reported to trigger apoptosis of activated T cells in the treatment of hepatitis without affecting quiescent T cells. In the present study, we found that fraxinellone, a small natural compound isolated from the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus, selectively facilitated apoptosis of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated CD4(+) T cells rather than those non-activated, by disrupting the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, decreasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and increasing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol. The enhancement in Fas expression and caspase-8 activity, truncation of Bid, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein expression by fraxinellone also suggested the participation of an extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, fraxinellone significantly alleviated Con A-induced T-cell-dependent hepatitis in mice, which was closely associated with reduced serum transaminases, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pathologic parameters. Consistent with the in vitro results, fraxinellone dramatically induced apoptosis of activated peripheral CD4(+) T cells in vivo, consequently resulting in less CD4(+) T-cell activation and infiltration to the liver. These results strongly suggest fraxinellone might be a potential leading compound useful in treating T-cell-mediated liver disorders in humans.
State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Han Kou Road, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210093, China.
Yang
Y
Sun
Yu
Y
Qin
Fang-Yuan
FY
Gong
Xue-Feng
XF
Wu
Zi-Chun
ZC
Hua
Ting
T
Chen
Qiang
Q
Xu
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006520:Hepatitis, Animal / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D001572:Benzofurans; D003208:Concanavalin A; C075391:fraxinellone