Ohioensin F suppresses TNF-α-induced adhesion molecule expression by inactivation of the MAPK, Akt and NF-κB pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells

Life Sci. 2012 Mar 10;90(11-12):396-406. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2011.12.017. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

Abstract

Aims: The expression of cell adhesion molecules on vascular smooth muscle cells is central to leukocyte recruitment and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Ohioensin F, a chemical compound of the Antarctic moss Polyerichastrum alpinum, exhibited inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and antioxidant activity. However, published scientific information regarding other biological activities and pharmacological function of ohioensin F is scarce. In the present study, we aimed to examine the in vitro effects of ohioensin F on the ability to suppress TNF-α-induced adhesion molecule expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Main methods: The inhibitory effect of ohioensin F on TNF-α-induced upregulation in expression of adhesion molecules was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell adhesion assay, RT-PCR, western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and transfection and reporter assay, respectively.

Key findings: Pretreatment of VSMCs with ohioensin F at nontoxic concentrations of 0.1-10 μg/ml dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). In addition, ohioensin F suppressed adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to TNF-α-stimulated VSMCs. Ohioensin F reduced TNF-α-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of p38, ERK, JNK and Akt. Finally, ohioensin F inhibited TNF-α-induced CAM mRNA expression and NK-κB translocation.

Significance: These results suggest a new mechanism of ohioensin F's anti-inflammatory action, owing to the negative regulation of TNF-α-induced adhesion molecule expression, monocyte adhesion and ROS production in vascular smooth muscle cells. Our finding also supports ohioensin F as a potential pharmacological, anti-inflammatory molecule that has a protective effect on the atherosclerotic lesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bryophyta / chemistry*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / analysis
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / pharmacology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*
  • Xanthenes / analysis
  • Xanthenes / chemistry
  • Xanthenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Xanthenes
  • ohioensin F
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases