Inhibitory functions of maslinic acid, a natural triterpene, on HMGB1-mediated septic responses
PHYTOMEDICINE
Authors: Lee, Wonhwa; Lee, Hayeong; Lee, Taeho; Park, Eui Kyun; Bae, Jong-Sup
Abstract
Background: Maslinic acid (MA), a natural triterpenoid from Olea europaea, prevents oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokine generation. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been recognized as a late mediator of sepsis, and the inhibition of the release of HMGB1 and the recovery of vascular barrier integrity have emerged as attractive therapeutic strategies for the management of sepsis. Methods: We tested the hypothesis that MA induces sirtuin 1 and heme oxygenase-1, which inhibit the release of HMGB1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells, thus inhibiting HMGB1-induced hyperpermeability and increasing the survival of septic mice. MA was administered after LPS or HMGB1 challenge, and the antiseptic activity of MA was determined based on permeability, the activation of pro-inflammatory proteins, and the production of markers for tissue injury in HMGB1-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis mouse model. Results: MA significantly reduced the release of HMGB1 in LPS-activated HUVECs and attenuated the CLP-induced release of HMGB1. Additionally, MA alleviated HMGB1-mediated vascular disruption and inhibited hyperpermeability in mice, and in vivo analysis revealed that MA reduced sepsis-related mortality and tissue injury. Conclusion: Taken together, the present results suggest that MA reduced HMGB1 release and septic mortality and thus may be useful in the treatment of sepsis.
Inappropriate activation of invariant natural killer T cells and antigen-presenting cells with the elevation of HMGB1 in preterm births without acute chorioamnionitis
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
Authors: Kato, Masahiko; Negishi, Yasuyuki; Shima, Yoshio; Kuwabara, Yoshimitsu; Morita, Rimpei; Takeshita, Toshiyuki
Abstract
Problem Acute chorioamnionitis (aCAM) associated with microbial infection is a primary cause of preterm birth (PB). However, recent studies have demonstrated that innate immunity and sterile inflammation are causes of PB in the absence of aCAM. Therefore, we analyzed immune cells in the decidua of early to moderate PB without aCAM. Method of study Deciduas were obtained from patients with PB at a gestational age of 24(+0)to 33(+6) weeks without aCAM in pathological diagnosis. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: patients with labor and/or rupture of membrane (ROM) (no aCAM with labor and/or ROM: nCAM-w-LR), and patients without labor and/or ROM (no aCAM without labor and/or ROM: nCAM-w/o-LR). The immune cells and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels in the decidua were analyzed using flow cytometry. Co-culture of CD56(+)cells with dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages obtained from the decidua was also performed in the presence of HMGB1. Results The nCAM-w-LR group demonstrated an accumulation of iNKT cells, and increased expression of HMGB1, TLR4, receptors for advanced glycation end products, and CD1d on DCs and macrophages. HMGB1 facilitated the proliferation of iNKT cells co-cultured with DCs and macrophages, which was found to be inhibited by heparin. Conclusions Inappropriate activation of innate immune cells and increased HMGB1 expression may represent parturition signs in human pregnancy. Therefore, control of these cells and HMGB1 antigenicity may be represent a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of PB.