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ABSTRACT: Background and purpose
Shikonin exhibits a wide range of anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we assessed its effects on maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) and on allergic reactions in a murine model of asthma.Experimental approach
Cultured murine BM-DCs were used to investigate the effects of shikonin on expression of cell surface markers and their stimulation of T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. The therapeutic potential of shikonin was evaluated in a model of allergic airway disease.Key results
Shikonin dose-dependently inhibited expression of major histocompatibility complex class II, CD80, CD86, CCR7 and OX40L on BM-DCs, induced by a mixture of ovalbumin (OVA; 100µg·mL(-1) ) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP; 20ng·mL(-1) ). Shikonin-treated BM-DCs were poor stimulators of CD4(+) T lymphocyte and induced lower levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-? release by responding T-cells. After intratracheal instillation of shikonin in OVA-immunized mice, OVA challenge induced lower IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-? and eotaxin release in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid, lower IL-4 and IL-5 production in lung cells and mediastinal lymph node cells and attenuated OVA-induced lung eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness.Conclusion and implications
Shikonin effectively suppressed OVA + TSLP-induced BM-DC maturation in vitro and inhibited allergic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma, showing good potential as a treatment for allergic asthma. Also, our model provides a novel platform for screening drugs for allergic diseases.
SUBMITTER: Lee CC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3010563 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lee Chen-Chen CC Wang Chien-Neng CN Lai Yu-Ting YT Kang Jaw-Jou JJ Liao Jiunn-Wang JW Chiang Bor-Luen BL Chen Hui-Chen HC Cheng Yu-Wen YW
British journal of pharmacology 20101201 7
<h4>Background and purpose</h4>Shikonin exhibits a wide range of anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we assessed its effects on maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) and on allergic reactions in a murine model of asthma.<h4>Experimental approach</h4>Cultured murine BM-DCs were used to investigate the effects of shikonin on expression of cell surface markers and their stimulation of T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. The therapeutic potential of shikonin was ev ...[more]