Immune stimulatory effects of Loranthi ramulus on macrophages through the increase of NO and TNF-alpha.
The activation of macrophages by microorganisms plays an important role in host defense and immunopathology. Loranthi ramulus (LR) is commonly used as a traditional drug and health food in Korea. Here, we investigated the regulatory effects of LR on macrophage-mediated immune responses. Treatment of macrophages with LR resulted in the enhanced cell-surface expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, as well as the enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and also iNOS and TNF-alpha mRNA expression. These alterations of LR-treated cells were associated with the activation of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). LR increased the phosphorylation of MAPKs (JNK, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK) and the activation of NF-kappaB in Raw 264.7 cells. These results suggest that LR has increased NO and TNF-alpha production through phosphorylation of all three MAPKs following IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that LR can effectively promote the activation of macrophages, suggesting that LR may possess the potential to regulate immune responses.
Shin
Hye Young
HY
Department of Infection Biology, Zoonosis Research Center, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, South Korea.
Chang
In Ae
IA
Zhang
Wen Ji
WJ
Kim
Youn Chul
YC
Yuun
Yong Gab
YG
Park
Hyun
H
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D028183:Loranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C497965:Cd86 protein, mouse; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; C000606205:Nfkbia protein, mouse; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases