title: Lobaric Acid Inhibits VCAM-1 Expression in TNF-α-Stimulated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Modulation of NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways.
abstract: Lichens have been known to possess multiple biological activities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, VCAM-1 is a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of the inflammatory disease. However, the effect of lobaric acid on VCAM-1 has not yet been investigated and characterized. For this study, we examined the effect of lobaric acid on the inhibition of VCAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated mouse vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot and ELISA showed that the increased expression of VCAM-1 by TNF-α was significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of lobaric acid (0.1-10 μg/ml) for 2 h. Lobaric acid abrogated TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity through preventing the degradation of IκB and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase. Lobaric acid also inhibited the expression of TNF-α receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Overall, our results suggest that lobaric acid inhibited VCAM-1 expression through the inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and downregulation of TNF-R1 expression. Therefore, it is implicated that lobaric acid may suppress inflammation by altering the physiology of the atherosclerotic lesion.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ii-Seul
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Polar BioCenter, Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joung-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.affiliation: Polar BioCenter, Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Kum
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Suhkneung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pyo
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Lobaric acid; MAPK; MOVAS-1; NF-κB; VCAM-1