Biomol Ther.  2016 Jan;24(1):25-32. 10.4062/biomolther.2015.084.

Lobaric Acid Inhibits VCAM-1 Expression in TNF-alpha-Stimulated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Modulation of NF-kappaB and MAPK Signaling Pathways

• Kwon IS
• Yim JH
• Lee HK
• Pyo S

• KMID: 2170537
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2015.084

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-alpha)-stimulated mouse vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot and ELISA showed that the increased expression of VCAM-1 by TNF-alpha was significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of lobaric acid (0.1-10 mug/ml) for 2 h. Lobaric acid abrogated TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity through preventing the degradation of IkappaB 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-alpha receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Overall, our results suggest that lobaric acid inhibited VCAM-1 expression through the inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK and NF-kappaB 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.

Keyword

Lobaric acid; Atherosclerosis; VCAM-1; MAPK; NF-kappaB; MOVAS-1

MeSH Terms

Animals
Atherosclerosis
Blotting, Western
Down-Regulation
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
Inflammation
Lichens
Mice
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular*
NF-kappa B*
Phosphorylation
Phosphotransferases
Physiology
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
NF-kappa B
Phosphotransferases
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1