title: Pinellia ternata lectin exerts a pro-inflammatory effect on macrophages by inducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the activation of the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
abstract: Pinellia ternata (PT) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. The raw material has a throat-irritating toxicity that is associated with the PT lectin (PTL). PTL is a monocot lectin isolated from the tubers of PT, which exhibits mouse peritoneal acute inflammatory effects in vivo. The present study aimed to investigate the pro-inflammatory effect of PTL on macrophages. PTL (50 µg/ml)‑stimulated macrophages enhanced the chemotactic activity of neutrophils. PTL (50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml) significantly elevated the production of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF-α) , interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑6]. PTL (25, 50 and 100 µg/ml) induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. PTL also caused transfer of p65 from the macrophage cytoplasm to the nucleus and activated the nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) signaling pathway. Scanning electron microscope images revealed severe cell swelling and membrane integrity defection of macrophages following PTL (100 µg/ml) stimulation, which was also associated with inflammation. PTL had pro‑inflammatory activity, involving induced neutrophil migration, cytokine release, ROS overproduction and the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which was associated with the activation of macrophages.
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Hong-Li
authors: HL
authors: Yu
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Teng-Fei
authors: TF
authors: Zhao
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Wu
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Yao-Zong
authors: YZ
authors: Pan
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Kui-Long
authors: KL
authors: Wang
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Chen-Chao
authors: CC
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.
authors: Yang-Ping
authors: YP
authors: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D030021:Pinellia / Q000737:chemistry*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C047938:Pinellia ternata lectin; D037121:Plant Lectins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C498144:Rela protein, mouse; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA