title: Artemisinin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced interferon-β production in RAW 264.7 cells: implications on signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 signaling and nitric oxide production.
abstract: Artemisinin is a well-known anti-malarial drug and has been shown to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production. In this study, we investigated the effect of artemisinin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of IFN-β and characterized the potential relationship between artemisinin-mediated inhibition of IFN-β and NO production. Artemisinin suppressed IFN-β production and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) was also inhibited by artemisinin treatment in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, artemisinin suppressed LPS-induced production of NO in RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that artemisinin-mediated inhibition of NO production and STAT-1 phosphorylation was reversed by addition of exogenous IFN-β. Moreover, artemisinin does not affect IFN-β-induced STAT-1 phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibition of IFN-β production by artemisinin and concomitant attenuation of STAT-1 activation might be involved in artemisinin-mediated inhibition of NO production in macrophages.
authors.affiliation: Bioevaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Ochang, Cheongwon, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yeo Dae
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sang-Bae
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Soo Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jieun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Chang Woo
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kiho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Song-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hwan Mook
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Soon
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D037621:Artemisinins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494080:Stat1 protein, mouse; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D016899:Interferon-beta; C031327:artemisinin