Effect of ScLL and 15d-PGJ2 on viability and cytokine release in LPS-stimulated fibroblasts: an in vitro study

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of a cyclopentenone-type PG, 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PG J2 (15d-PGJ2), and lectin (ScLL) on the viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and on IL-6 and TGFβ-1 release by these fibroblasts, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). HGFs were stimulated with LPS 10 μg/ml and treated with 15d-PGJ2 1 and 2 μg/ml, and ScLL 2 and 5 μg/ml, for 1 and 3h, and then evaluated for viability by MTT assay. Supernatant was collected to detect IL-6 and TGFβ-1 release, by ELISA. Positive control was cells kept in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, and negative control was those kept in LPS. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnett's test (α = 0.05). No significant difference was found in viability among experimental groups at 1h (p > 0.05). Percentage of ScLL 5 µg/ml viable cells was similar to that of positive control at evaluated periods (p > 0.05), whereas the other groups had lower levels than the positive control (p < 0.05). IL-6 release was statistically higher for ScLL 5 μg/ml and 15d-PGJ2 2 µg/ml at 1h, compared with the other treated groups and positive control (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the groups at 3h (p > 0.05), except for ScLL 2 µg/ml and 15d-PGJ2 1 µg/ml, which showed lower IL-6 release compared with that of negative control (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found among the groups for TGFβ-1 release (p > 0.05). Results indicated that ScLL 5 μg/ml did not interfere in viability, and ScLL 2 µg/ml and 15d-PGJ2 1 µg/ml demonstrated reduced IL-6 release. Tested substances had no effect on TGFβ-1 release.

15-Deoxy-delta 12,14-ProstaglandinJ2 Regulates Dedifferentiation through Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma-Dependent Pathway but Not COX-2 Expression in Articular Chondrocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is critical for phenotype determination at early differentiation stages of mesenchymal cells, whereas its physiological role is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of 15-deoxy-delta 12,14-prostaglandinJ2 (15d-PGJ2), the natural receptor ligand for PPAR-gamma, on dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses, such as COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, in articular chondrocytes. Our data indicate that the 15d-PGJ2 caused a loss of differentiated chondrocyte phenotype as demonstrated by inhibition of type II collagen and proteoglycan synthesis. 15d-PGJ2 also induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. The 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation effect seems to be dependent on PPAR-gamma activation, as the PPRE luciferase activity increased and PPAR-gamma antagonist, BADGE, abolished type II collagen expression. However, BADGE did not block 15d-PGJ2-induced COX-2 expression. Collectively, our findings suggest that PPAR-gamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms of 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses in articular chondrocytes, respectively. Additionally, these data suggest that targeted modulation of the PPAR-gamma pathway may offer a novel approach for therapeutic inhibition of joint tissue degradation.

ERK-1/-2 and p38 Kinase Oppositely Regulate 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandinJ2-Induced PPAR-gamma Activation That Mediates Dedifferentiation But Not Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Articular Chondrocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and plays an important role in growth, differentiation, and inflammation in different tissues. In this study, we investigated the effects of 15d-PGJ2, a high-affinity ligand of PPAR-gamma, on dedifferentiation and on inflammatory responses such as COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in rabbit articular chondrocytes with a focus on ERK-1/-2, p38 kinase, and PPAR-gamma activation. We report here that 15d-PGJ2 induced dedifferentiation and/or COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 production. 15d-PGJ2 treatment stimulated activation of ERK-1/-2, p38 kinase, and PPAR-gamma. Inhibition of ERK-1/-2 with PD98059 recovered 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation and enhanced PPAR-gamma activation, whereas inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 potentiated dedifferentiation and partially blocked PPAR-gamma activation. Inhibition of ERK-1/-2 and p38 kinase abolished 15d-PGJ2-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 production. Our findings collectively suggest that ERK-1/-2 and p38 kinase oppositely regulate 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation through a PPAR-gamma-dependent mechanism, whereas COX-2 expression and PGE2 production is regulated by ERK-1/-2 through a PPAR-gamma-independent mechanism but not p38 kinase in articular chondrocytes. Additionally, these data suggest that targeted modulation of the PPAR-gamma and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway may offer a novel approach for therapeutic inhibition of joint tissue degradation.

15-Deoxy-delta12,14-PGJ2inhibits IL-6-induced Stat3 phosphorylation in lymphocytes

15-deoxy-delta12,14-PGJ2(15d-PGJ2) is a natural ligand that activates the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, a member of nuclear receptor family implicated in regulation of lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. Recent studies have shown that 15d-PGJ2 is the potent anti-inflammatory agent functioning via PPARgamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Most postulated mechanisms for anti-inflammatory action of PPARgamma agonists are involved in inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling pathway. We examined the possibility that IL-6 signaling via the Jak-Stat pathway is modulated by 15d-PGJ2 in lymphocytes and also examined whether the inhibition of IL-6 signaling is dependent of PPARgamma. 15d-PGJ2 blocked IL-6 induced Stat1 and Stat3 activation in primary human lymphocytes, Jurkat cells and immortalized rheumatoid arthritis B cells. Inhibition of IL-6 signaling was induced rapidly within 15 min after treatment of 15d-PGJ2. Other PPARgamma-agonists, such as troglitazone and ciglitazone, did not inhibit IL-6 signaling, indicating that 15d-PGJ2 affect the IL-6-induced Jak-Stat signaling pathway via PPARgamma-independent mechanism. Although cycloheximide reversed 15d-PGJ2-mediated inhibition of Stat3 activation, actinomycin D had no effect on 15d-PGJ2-mediated inhibition of IL-6 signaling, indicating that inhibition of IL-6 signaling occur independent of de novo gene expression. These results show that 15d-PGJ2 specifically inhibit Jak-Stat signaling pathway in lymphocytes, and suggest that 15d-PGJ2 may regulate inflammatory reactions through the modulation of different signaling pathway other than NF-kappaB in lymphocytes.

Ox-LDL suppresses PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity through CD36-mediated activation of PPAR-gamma

During chronic inflammatory response, mono- cytes/macrophages produce 92-kDa matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which may contribute to their extravasation, migration and tissue remodeling. Activation of peroxisome proliferator- activated factor receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) has been shown to inhibit MMP-9 activity. To evaluate whether ox-LDL, a PPAR-gamma activator, inhibits PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity, and if so, whether CD36 and PPAR-gamma are involved in this process, we investigated the effect of ox-LDL on MMP-9 expression and activity in PMA-activated human monocytic cell line U937. PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity were suppressed by the treatment with ox-LDL (50 micrigram/ml) or PPAR-gamma activators such as troglitazone (5 micrometer), ciglitazone (5 micrometer), and 15d- PGJ2 (1 micrometer) for 24 h. This ox-LDL or PPAR-gamma activator-mediated inhibition of micrometer P-9 activity was diminished by the pre-treatment of cells with a blocking antibody to CD36, or PGF2a (0.3 micrometer), which is a PPAR-gamma inhibitor, as well as overexpression of a dominant-negative form of CD36. Taken together, these results suggest that ox-LDL suppresses PMA-induced MMP-9 expression and activity through CD36-mediated activation of PPAR-gamma.

Cytochrome C-dependent Fas-independent apoptotic pathway in HeLa cells induced by delta12-prostaglandin J2

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins (PGs) have antiproliferative activity on various tumor cell growth in vitro. Particularly, 9-deoxy-(9,12)-13,14-dihydro PGD2( delta12-PGJ2) was reported for its antineoplastic and apoptotic effects on various cancer cells, but its mechanism inducing apoptosis is still not clear. In this study, we have characterized apoptosis induced by delta12-PGJ2in HeLa cells. Treatment of delta12-PGJ2induced apoptosis as indicated by DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and formation of apoptotic body. We also observed release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of caspase cascade including caspase-3, -8, and -9. And the pan-caspase inhibitor z-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethyl-ketone (z-VAD-fmk) and Q-Val-Asp (OMe)-CH2-OPH (Q-VD (OMe)-OPH) prevented cell death induced by delta12-PGJ2 showing participation of caspases in this process. However, protein expression level of Bcl-2 family was not altered by delta12-PGJ2, seems to have no effect on HeLa cell apoptosis. And ZB4, an antagonistic Fas-antibody, exerted no effect on the activation of caspase 8 indicating that Fas receptor-ligand interaction was not involved in this pathway. Treatment of delta12-PGJ2 also leads to suppression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) as indicated by nuclear translocation of p65/RelA and c-Rel and its DNA binding ability analyzed by EMSA. Taken together, our results suggest that delta12-PGJ2-induced apoptosis in HeLa cell utilized caspase cascade without Fas receptor-ligand interaction and accompanied with NF-kappaB inactivation.

Sox-4 is a positive regulator of Hep3B and HepG2 cells' apoptosis induced by prostaglandin (PG)A2 and 12-PGJ2

We reported earlier that expression of Sox-4 was found to be elevated during prostaglandin (PG) A2 and delta(12)-PGJ(12) induced apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. In this study, the role of Sox-4 was examined using human Hep3B and HepG2 cell lines. Sox-4 induction by several apoptotic inducer such as A23187 (Ca(2+) ionophore) and etoposide (topoisomerase II inhibitor) and Sox-4 transfection into the cells were able to induce apoptosis as observed by the cellular DNA fragmentation. Antisense oligonucleotide of Sox-4 inhibited the induction of Sox-4 expression and blocked the formation of DNA fragmentation by PGA(2) and delta(12)-PGJ(12) in Hep3B and HepG2 cells. Sox-4-induced apoptosis was accompanied with caspase-1 activation indicating that caspase cascade was involved in this apoptotic pathway. These results indicate that Sox-4 is involved in Hep3B and HepG2 cells apoptosis as an important apoptotic mediator.