Hayoung Yoo

Anti-inflammatory effects of rutin on HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo

Objective and designHigh mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions. Rutin (RT), an active flavonoid compound, is well known to possess potent antiplatelet, antiviral and antihypertensive properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of RT against pro-inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by HMGB1 and the associated signaling pathways.MethodsThe anti-inflammatory activities of RT were determined by measuring permeability, monocytes adhesion and migration, and activation of pro-inflammatory proteins in HMGB1-activated HUVECs and mice.ResultsWe found that RT potently inhibited HMGB1 release, down-regulated HMGB1-dependent inflammatory responses in human endothelial cells, and inhibited HMGB1-mediated hyperpermeability and leukocyte migration in mice. In addition, treatment with RT resulted in reduced cecal ligation and puncture-induced release of HMGB1 and sepsis-related mortality. Further studies revealed that RT suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 and the activation of nuclear factor-κB and extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 by HMGB1.ConclusionCollectively, these results indicate that RT could be a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

Barrier protective effects of piperlonguminine in LPS-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Piperlonguminine (PL), an important component of Piper longum fruits, is well known to possess potent anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-platelet and anti-melanogenesis activities. In this study, we first investigated the possible barrier protective effects of piperlonguminine against proinflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the associated signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. The barrier protective activities of PL were determined by measuring permeability, monocytes adhesion and migration, and activation of proinflammatory proteins in LPS-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in mice. We found that PL inhibited LPS-induced barrier disruption, expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and adhesion/transendothelial migration of monocytes to human endothelial cells. PL also suppressed LPS-induced hyperpermeability and leukocytes migration in vivo. Further studies revealed that PL suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or Interleukin (IL)-6 and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by LPS. Moreover, treatment with PL resulted in reduced LPS-induced septic mortality. Collectively, these results suggest that PL protects vascular barrier integrity by inhibiting hyperpermeability, expression of CAMs, adhesion and migration of leukocytes, thereby endorsing its usefulness as a therapy for vascular inflammatory diseases.

Anticoagulant activities of piperlonguminine in vitro and in vivo

Piperlonguminine (PL), an important component of Piper longum fruits, is known to exhibit anti-hyperlipidemic, antiplatelet and anti-melanogenic activities. Here, the anticoagulant activities of PL were examined by monitoring activatedpartial-thromboplastin-time (aPTT), prothrombin-time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of PL on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were also tested in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activated HUVECs. The results showed that PL prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited the activities of thrombin and FXa. PL inhibited the generation of thrombin and FXa in HUVECs. In accordance with these anticoagulant activities, PL prolonged in vivo bleeding time and inhibited TNF-α induced PAI-1 production. Furthermore, PAI-1/t-PA ratio was significantly decreased by PL. Collectively, our results suggest that PL possesses antithrombotic activities and that the current study could provide bases for the development of new anticoagulant agents. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(10): 484-489]

Andrographolide inhibits HMGB1‐induced inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and in murine polymicrobial sepsis

Nuclear DNA‐binding protein high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions, such as septic shock, upregulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Andrographolide (AG) is isolated from the plant of Andrographis paniculata and used as a folk medicine for treatment of viral infection, diarrhoea, dysentery and fever. However, the effect of AG on HMGB1‐induced inflammatory response has not been studied.

Anti-septic Effects of Fisetin In Vitro and In Vivo

Sepsis is a state of disrupted inflammatory homeostasis that is initiated by infection. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acting as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions, such as sepsis and endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR), is involved in vascular inflammation. Fisetin, an active compound from the family Fabaceae, was reported to have antiviral, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we determined the anti-septic effects of fisetin on HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses and on the shedding of EPCR in vitro and in vivo, for the first time. First, we monitored the effects of post-treatment fisetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated regulation of pro-inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and septic mice. Post-treatment fisetin was found to suppress LPS-mediated release of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements. Fisetin also inhibited HMGB1-mediated hyperpermeability and leukocyte migration in septic mice. Fisetin induced potent inhibition of phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and CLP-induced EPCR. Fisetin also inhibited the expression and activity of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme, induced by PMA in endothelial cells. In addition, fisetin inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and the activation of AKT, nuclear factor-κB, and extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 by HMGB1 in HUVECs. Fisetin also down-regulated CLP-induced release of HMGB1, production of interleukin 1β, and reduced septic mortality. Collectively, these results suggest that fisetin may be a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

Early Diagnosis of Sepsis Using Serum Hemoglobin Subunit Beta

The development of new sepsis-specific biomarkers is mandatory to improve the detection and monitoring of the disease. Hemoglobin is the main oxygen and carbon dioxide carrier in cells of the erythroid lineage and is responsible for oxygen delivery to the respiring tissues of the body. Hemoglobin subunit beta (HBβ) is a component of a larger protein called hemoglobin. The aim of this study was to evaluate blood levels of HBβ in septic patients. A prospective study of 82 patients with sepsis was conducted. Furthermore, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. Alternatively, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or C57BL/6 mice were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/ml to HUVECs or 10 mg/kg to mice). The data showed that LPS induced upregulation of the synthesis and secretion of HBβ in LPS-treated HUVECs and in LPS-injected and CLP mice. In patients admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis, circulating levels of HBβ were significantly high (sepsis, 64.93–114.76 ng/ml, n = 30; severe sepsis, 157.37–268.69 ng/ml, n = 22; septic shock, 309.98–427.03 ng/ml, n = 30) when compared to the levels of control donors (9.76–12.28 ng/ml, n = 21). Patients with septic shock had higher HBβ levels when compared to patients with severe sepsis. Furthermore, the HBβ levels in septic patients were higher than those in healthy volunteers. These results suggest that in septic patients, HBβ blood level is related to the severity of sepsis and may represent a novel endothelial cell dysfunction marker. Moreover, HBβ can be used as a biomarker to determine the severity of sepsis.

Antiplatelet activities of hyperoside in vitro and in vivo

Thrombosis and thromboembolic occlusions of major and minor blood vessels are a major complication in various peripheral vascular diseases. Antiplatelet agents, key tools in the treatment of atherothrombosis, therefore became a mainstay medication for a wide range of vascular diseases. Hyperoside, an active compound from the Rhododendron brachycarpum G. Don (Ericaceae), was reported to have antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-coagulant activities. However, antiplatelet properties of hyperoside have not been studied. In this study, the antiplatelet activities of hyperoside were measured by thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro, adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation in vivo, and the thrombus formation in vivo. Our data showed that in vitro assays using freshly isolated human platelets, hyperoside showed the inhibition of the thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In accordance with these enhanced in vitro antiplatelet activities, hyperoside showed enhanced anti-thrombotic effects in vivo pulmonary embolism model and arterial thrombosis model. Collectively, these results indicate that hyperoside possesses antiplatelet activities and might offer enhanced anti-thrombotic efficacies without increasing side effects.

Inhibitory effects of epi-sesamin on endothelial protein C receptor shedding in vitro and in vivo

Objective and designEndothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a pivotal role in augmenting Protein C activation by the thrombin–thrombomodulin complex. The activity of EPCR is markedly changed by ectodomain cleavage and release as the soluble protein (sEPCR). The EPCR shedding is mediated by the tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE). Epi-sesamin (ESM), from the roots of Asarum siebodlii, is known to exhibit anti-allergic and anti-fungal activities. However, little is known about the effects of ESM on EPCR shedding.MethodsWe investigated this issue by monitoring the effects of ESM on phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated EPCR shedding.ResultsData showed that ESM induced potent inhibition of PMA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CLP-induced EPCR shedding, likely through suppression of TACE expression. In addition, treatment with ESM resulted in a reduction of PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of p38, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).ConclusionsGiven these results, ESM should be viewed as a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of EPCR shedding.

Effects of Lycopene on Endothelial Protein C Receptor Shedding In Vitro and In Vivo

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a pivotal role in augmenting Protein C activation through the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. EPCR activity is markedly changed by ectodomain cleavage and released as the soluble protein (sEPCR). EPCR shedding is mediated by tumor necrosis factor- converting enzyme (TACE). Lycopene found in tomatoes and tomato products has anti-oxidant, anti- cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the effects of lycopene on EPCR shedding. We investigated this issue by monitoring the effects of lycopene on the phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interleukin (IL)- and on the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated EPCR shedding. Data showed that lycopene potently inhibited the PMA, TNF-, IL- and CLP-induced EPCR shedding by suppressing TACE expression. Furthermore, lycopene reduced PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of p38, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Given these results, lycopene should be viewed as a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the EPCR shedding.