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Article
Suppression of LPS-induced Neuroinflammation by Morin via MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and PKA/HO-1 Signaling Pathway Modulation Ji-Sun Jung, Min-Ji Choi, Yu Young Lee, Byung-In Moon, Jin-Sun Park, and Hee-Sun Kim J. Agric. Food Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05147 • Publication Date (Web): 29 Dec 2016 Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on December 30, 2016
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Suppression of LPS-induced Neuroinflammation by Morin via MAPK,
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PI3K/Akt, and PKA/HO-1 Signaling Pathway Modulation
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Ji-Sun Jung1,2, Min-Ji Choi1, Yu Young Lee1, Byung-In Moon3, Jin-Sun Park1,
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Hee-Sun Kim1,*
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1
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Womans University Medical School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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2
Department of Molecular Medicine and Tissue Injury Defense Research Center, Ewha
Division of Functional Food Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Gyeonggi-do,
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Republic of Korea
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3
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Korea
Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University Medical School, Seoul, Republic of
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Running title: Anti-inflammatory Mechanism of Morin in Microglia
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*Corresponding Author: Hee-Sun Kim, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ewha
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Womans University School of Medicine, 1071, Anyangchen-ro, Yangchun-Gu, Seoul
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07985, South Korea
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Tel: 82-2-2650-5823
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Fax: 82-2-2653-8891
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Email:
[email protected] 23
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Abstract
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Morin is a flavonoid isolated from certain fruits and Chinese herbs and is known to
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possess various medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-
27
inflammatory effects of morin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial
28
activation, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that morin inhibited inducible nitric
29
oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated BV2
30
microglial cells. Furthermore, morin suppressed the microglial activation and the
31
cytokine expression in the brains of LPS-stimulated mice. Subsequent mechanistic
32
studies revealed that morin inhibited the action of LPS-activated MAP kinases
33
(MAPK), protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and
34
activating protein-1 (AP-1). Further, the phosphorylation and the DNA binding activity
35
of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) was enhanced by morin.
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Moreover, morin suppressed the LPS-induced expression of nicotinamide adenine
37
dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits while it increased heme
38
oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2)
39
activation. Therefore, our data suggest that morin exerts anti-inflammatory effects in
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LPS-stimulated microglia by downregulating MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways
41
while upregulating PKA/CREB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.
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Keywords: Morin, Microglia, Neuroinflammation, Anti-inflammation, Molecular
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mechanisms
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Introduction
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Microglia are immune cells found in the central nervous system (CNS) that
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perform homeostatic functions such as phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and debris
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throughout the CNS and support neuronal survival during brain development.1,2 There
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are two types of microglial cells, M1 and M2 cells. Activated M1 microglia initiate
51
inflammation processes in the body through the production of pro-inflammatory
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molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide
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(NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can exacerbate brain injury.3,4
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Activated M2 microglia produce anti-inflammatory cytokines that reduce inflammation
55
and repair tissue.5-7 Therefore, maintenance of the balance between the inflammatory
56
M1 cells and anti-inflammatory M2 cells is crucial for homeostasis in the brain.
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However, prolonged or excessive microglial activation induces neuroinflammation,
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resulting in a homeostatic imbalance, that can cause neurodegenerative disorders.5
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Therefore, the inhibition of excessive microglial activation has been suggested as
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potential therapy for brain injury and various neurodegenerative diseases such as
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Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
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Morin (2′,3,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is a well-known flavonoid that is
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naturally found in various fruits (for e.g., osage orange), almonds, red wines, and many
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Chinese medicinal herbs.8,9 Numerous studies have recently reported antioxidant, anti-
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apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties of morin. It has been found to be effective
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against lung injury by the suppression of the lung NLRP3 inflammasome.9 A different
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study reported the anti-inflammatory effect of morin on gastric mucosal damage via
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the modulation of the nuclear factor NF-κB signal transduction pathway in mammary
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epithelial cells.8,10 Further, recent studies have reported the protective and antioxidative
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effects of morin in mice models of cisplatin-induced kidney and acrylamide-induced
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hepatic injuries. 11,12 Morin has been shown to target multiple pathogenic mechanisms
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in AD model mice. It inhibits tau hyperphosphorylation and glial activation, promotes
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amyloid-β (Aβ) degradation, and enhances synaptic protein expression.13,14 In addition,
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morin suppresses autophagic signaling by inhibiting the production of cytokines and
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nitric oxide.15
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Although numerous studies have described the pharmacological effects of morin
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in various disease models and cell types, details of the underlying molecular
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mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory effects in activated microglia have not been
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reported so far. Therefore, we examine the underlying molecular mechanisms of the
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anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of morin in LPS-induced BV2 microglial
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cells in the current study. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of morin in vivo
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by using a sepsis model induced by the peripheral administration of LPS, based on
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previous
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neurodegeneration caused by systemic LPS.16,17
reports
that
demonstrate
neuroinflammation
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progressive
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Materials and Methods
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Chemicals
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Morin hydrate was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology (St. Louis, MO,
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USA). Reagents used for cell cultures were obtained from Gibco BRL (Grand Island,
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NY, USA). LPS (Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5) was purchased from Sigma-
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Aldrich Biotechnology (St. Louis, MO, USA). Antibodies against heme oxygenase-1
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(HO-1), TNF-α, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2
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(Nrf2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa
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Cruz, CA, USA). Antibodies against phospho-MAPK, total-MAPK, Akt, and CREB
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were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Beverley, MA, USA). Antibodies for
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p47phox (Ser345) were purchased from Assay Biotechnology Company, Inc. (Sunnyvale,
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CA, USA).
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Microglial cell culture and treatment
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Immortalized murine BV2 microglial cells18 were cultivated and maintained at
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37°C in Dulbecco’s modified Eagles medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated
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fetal bovine serum, penicillin (10 U/ml), and streptomycin (10 µg/ml). BV2 cells were
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grown to confluence and seeded into plates and incubated for 16-24 h. To examine the
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anti-inflammatory effects of morin, BV2 cells were treated with morin (100-300 µM)
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with or without LPS (0.1 µg/ml). MTT assay was performed to examine the effect of
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morin on BV2 cell viability.19 The cell viability remained unaffected by morin
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concentrations of up to 300 µM (data not shown).
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Measurement of cytokines and nitrite levels
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BV2 cells (1 × 105 cells per well on a 24-well plate) were pre-treated with morin
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(100-300 µM) for 1 h and stimulated with LPS (0.1 µg/ml). The supernatants of the
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cultured microglia were collected after 16 h of LPS stimulation and the concentrations
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of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent
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assay (ELISA) kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) as per the manufacturer’s
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instructions. Accumulated nitrite was also measured from the supernatants using the
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Griess Reagent System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA).
117 118
Intracellular reactive oxygen species measurement
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Intracellular accumulation of ROS was measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein
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(H2DCF-DA) and a modified version of a previously reported method.20 BV2
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microglial cells (1 × 105 cells per well in a 24-well plate) were pretreated with morin
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(100-300 µM) for 1 h, stimulated with LPS for 16 h, and stained with 20 µM H2DCF-
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DA in sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) for 1 h at 37°C. DCF fluorescence intensity was
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measured on a fluorescence plate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) at
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excitation and emission wavelengths of 485 nm and 535 nm, respectively. For the
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image analysis of ROS production, BV2 cells were placed on coverslips and treated for
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1 h with morin 1 h prior to LPS stimulation. Cells were stained with H2DCF-DA and
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allowed to rest for 1 h, mounted on a clean, glass slide, and analyzed with the help of a
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confocal laser scanning microscope.
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Lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and morin administration
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The study involved the use of ICR mice (aged 8-9 weeks) (Orient Co., Ltd., Seoul,
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Korea). All animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and
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Use Committee at the Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic
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of Korea. Efforts were made to minimize animal suffering, reduce the number of
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animals used in the study, and utilize alternatives to in vivo techniques when possible.
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Systemic
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mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip) injection) to male ICR mice as described in previous
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studies.21 Morin (200 mg/kg) was dissolved in a vehicle solution (1% dimethyl
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sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.9% sodium chloride) and administered via an intraperitoneal
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injection daily for 4 days before LPS stimulation. Samples were obtained 3 h after LPS
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stimulation.
inflammation
was
induced
by
LPS
administration
(5
143 144
Immunohistochemistry
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Mice were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (120 mg/kg ip) and perfused
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transcardially with normal saline containing heparin (5 U/ml) after a 3-hour period
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involving LPS stimulation, followed by the addition of 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) in
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0.1 M PBS (pH 7.2). The brains were removed, incubated overnight in fixatives, and
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stored in a 30% sucrose solution. Serial coronal brain sections of the cortex and the
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hippocampus (40 µm thickness, at 600 µm intervals) were collected through a freezing
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sliding microtome (Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmBH, Nussloch, Germany).
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Endogenous peroxidase was quenched with the help of 3% H2O2. Further, any
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nonspecific binding was blocked by incubating the sections in PBS containing 4%
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bovine serum albumin for 60 min at 37°C. Following an overnight incubation at 4°C
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with either the primary antibody for IBA-1 at 1:1000 dilution (Wako, Osaka, Japan) or
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CD11b at 1:500 dilution (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA), the sections were incubated
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with a biotinylated secondary antibody for 1 h at 37°C and washed with 0.1% Triton
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X-100 in PBS. The sections were incubated with avidin-biotin-HRP complex reagent
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(Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA, USA) for 1.5 h followed by washing with PBS,
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followed by the peroxidase reaction using diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (Vector
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Laboratories, Burlingame, CA, USA). The treated sections were mounted with the help
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of a mounting medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and examined
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under a light microscope (Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmBH, Nussloch, Germany).
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Quantification of IBA-1-positive cells was conducted with the help of the ImageJ
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software (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA). Three serial coronal brain sections were
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obtained from each mice and 1 mm2 area was quantified for each brain section for the
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lateral cortex, the hippocampus, and the dentate gyrus areas, respectively. Activated
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and resting microglia were counted according to intensity and morphological
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characteristics, as indicated in previous studies. 22,23
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Traditional and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
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BV2 cells (7.5 × 105 cells per well on a 6-well plate) were stimulated with LPS in
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with or without morin. For the isolation of total RNA from the brain cortex, brain
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tissue was homogenized using a homogenizer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh,
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PA, USA) and total RNA was extracted using the TRI reagent (Thermo Fisher
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Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). For reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
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(RT-PCR), total RNA (1 µg) was reverse-transcribed in a reaction mixture containing 1
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U RNase inhibitor, 500 ng random primers, 3 mM magnesium chloride (MgCl2), 0.5
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mM deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP), 1X reverse transcription (RT) buffer,
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and 10 U reverse transcriptase (Promega, Madison, WI). The synthesized cDNA was
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used as a template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction using GoTaq
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polymerase (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) and primers for COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6,
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TNF-α, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), as described
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previously.21 GAPDH was used as an internal control for normalizing the target gene
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expression. Amplification of NADPH oxidase subunit genes was achieved through RT-
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PCR. The synthesized cDNA was amplified with SYBR Green PCR Master Mix
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(Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA), and the RT-PCR was performed on an
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ABI Prism 7000 Sequence Detection System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA,
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USA). Expression levels of the target genes were normalized against that of GADPH
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using the formula, 2(Ct test
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shown in Table 1.
gene – Ct GAPDH)
. The primers used in the PCR reaction are
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Electrophoretic mobility shift assay
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BV2 cells (7.5 × 105 cells per well on a 6 cm dish) were pretreated for 1 h with
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morin before LPS addition. Cells were harvested after LPS stimulation of the cells for
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1 h. Nuclear extracts from the stimulated microglia were prepared by a method
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described in a previous study.24 The double-stranded DNA oligonucleotides containing
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NF-κB, AP-1, antioxidant response element (ARE), and cAMP response element (CRE)
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consensus sequences (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) were end-labeled using T4
200
polynucleotide kinase (New England Biolabs, Beverly, MA, USA) in the presence of
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[γ-32P] labeled ATP. Nuclear proteins (10 µg) were incubated with a 32P-labeled probe
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on ice for 0.5 h and separated on a 5% acrylamide gel before visualization by
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autoradiography.
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Western blot analysis
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Whole cell protein lysates were prepared in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 30
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mM NaCl, 1% Triton, 0.1% SDS, 0.1% sodium deoxycholate, and 1 mM EDTA)
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containing the protease inhibitor cocktail. The lysates were centrifuged at 13,200 rpm
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for 15 min at 4oC, following which the supernatant was collected. The protein
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concentration was determined using the Bradford protein assay. Protein samples
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ranging from 80 to 200 µg in weight were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to
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nitrocellulose membranes, and incubated with antibodies against the following markers:
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(a) iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 (1:1000); (b) phospho-MAPK, total-MAPK,
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Akt, and CREB (1:1000); and (c) HO-1 and Nrf2; or p-p47phox (1:1000). Following
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thorough washing with Tris-buffered saline and Tween 20 (TBST) (Bio-Rad, Hercules,
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CA, USA), horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody (1:2000 dilution in
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TBST) was applied. The blots developed using an enhanced chemiluminescence
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detection kit (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, IL, USA).
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Transient transfection and luciferase assay
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BV2 cells (2 × 105 cells per well on a 12-well plate) were transfected with 1 µg of
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plasmid DNA ([κB]3-luc, AP-1-luc, ARE-luc, and CRE-luc) using the Convoy
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Platinum transfection reagent (ACTGene, Inc., Piscataway, NJ, USA). The effect of
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morin on reporter gene activity was determined by pre-treating with morin prior to
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stimulation with LPS (100 ng/ml) followed by incubation for 6 h prior to cell harvest.
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Statistical analysis
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Unless otherwise stated, all experiments were performed using triplicated samples
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and the experiments were repeated at least thrice. The data are presented as mean and
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the standard error of the mean (SEM) and statistical comparisons between groups were
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performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Newman-
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Keuls multiple comparison test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
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Results
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Morin inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase and pro-inflammatory molecules in
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LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells
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The anti-inflammatory effect of morin in microglia was investigated by treating
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BV2 cells with morin for 1 h prior to LPS stimulation, and examining the effects of
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morin on LPS-induced production of NO and cytokines. Pre-treated morin
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significantly suppressed the production of the proinflammatory molecules, NO, TNF-α,
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IL-6, and IL-1β (Figure 1A). Additionally, morin increased the production of the anti-
242
inflammatory molecule, IL-10. We further examined the effects of morin on mRNA
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and protein expression of various pro- or anti-inflammatory molecules. RT-PCR
244
(Figure 1B and Figure 1C) and Western blot analyses (Figure 1D and Figure 1E)
245
showed that morin suppressed the expression of iNOS and the proinflammatory
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molecules, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2, while it upregulated the expression of IL-
247
10.
248 249
Morin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial activation and pro-
250
inflammatory cytokine expression in brain
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The preventive and accumulative therapeutic effects of morin during
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neuroinflammation were examined by injecting morin daily into mice for 4 days before
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LPS stimulation. This was followed by determining the immunoreactivity of IBA1 (a
254
marker of microglia activation) in the cortex and hippocampus, 3 h after systemic
255
injection of LPS. The number of IBA1-positive cells with thick and densely stained
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processes, an indicator of activated microglia, increased in the cortex and hippocampus
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of LPS-stimulated mice as compared with that observed in control mice (Figure 2A).
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However, pre-treatment with morin (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of
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IBA1-positive microglia in the LPS-inflamed areas of the brain. We quantified the
260
reduction of IBA1-positive activated microglia by morin in the cortex and the
261
hippocampus (Figure 2B). Staining with the microglial activation marker, CD11b, also
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showed inhibition of microglial activation by morin in septic mice brains
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(supplementary Figure 1). Furthermore, pre-treatment with morin significantly reduced
264
the LPS-induced expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 in the cortex
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(Figure 2C and Figure 2D).
266 267
Morin inhibits NF-κB- and AP-1-mediated transcription and phosphorylation of
268
MAPKs and Akt
269
Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of morin involved
270
examining the effect of morin on NF-κB and AP-1, known to be key modulators of
271
cytokine and iNOS expression during an inflammatory response in the body.25 The
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stimulation of BV2 cells with LPS showed a strong increase in the DNA binding
273
activity of NF-κB and AP-1 (Figure 3A and Figure 3B). While morin did not affect the
274
DNA binding activity of NF-κB, it inhibited the DNA binding activity of AP-1.
275
However, morin suppressed the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and AP-1 (Figure 3C
276
and Figure 3D). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3E, morin inhibited the LPS-induced
277
phosphorylation of three types of MAPKs and Akt, which are important upstream
278
signaling molecules in inflammatory reactions mediated by activated microglia.
279 280 281
Morin increases the CREB signaling pathway activity The PKA/CREB signaling pathway in microglia contributes to the reduction of
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inflammation through anti-inflammatory gene expression regulation. In particular,
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PKA activation and the subsequent CREB phosphorylation are upstream modulators of
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HO-1 expression.26,27 Our group has previously reported the involvement of the
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PKA/CREB signaling pathway in reducing inflammation.21,28 The inhibitory effect of
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morin on NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activity, despite not affecting DNA binding
287
activity, might be due to the competitive binding of pCREB with CBP29, which
288
suppresses the interaction between the NF-κB subunit, p65, and the CREB-binding
289
protein (CBP). Therefore, we determined whether morin plays a role in CREB
290
phosphorylation. Our results confirmed that morin did increase the CREB
291
phosphorylation (Figure 4) and increased other CREB activities such as DNA binding,
292
transcriptional action, and nuclear translocation. Overall, the data suggests that the
293
anti-inflammatory or antioxidant mechanisms of morin involve modulation of CREB
294
signaling processes.
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Morin suppresses reactive oxygen species production by NADPH oxidase complex
297
modulation and heme oxygenase-1 expression upregulation
298
We found that morin significantly suppressed LPS-induced ROS production in
299
BV2 cells (Figure 5A and Figure 5B). To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying
300
ROS inhibition by morin, we examined the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits
301
responsible for microglial ROS production.30 RT-PCR analysis revealed that morin
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significantly inhibited the LPS-induced expression of p47phox and gp91phox but did not
303
affect the expression of p67phox and gp22phox (Figure 5C). Morin also inhibited the
304
phosphorylation of p47phox (Figure 5D), responsible for the activation of the NADPH
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oxidase complex.
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Heme oxygenase-1 plays the role of an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
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modulator in the microglia.31,32 Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that morin
308
upregulated HO-1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels (Figure 6A and Figure
309
6B). To investigate the underlying mechanism of HO-1 upregulation by morin, we
310
examined its effect on Nrf2, a key transcription factor in the expression of HO-1 and
311
other phase 2 antioxidant enzymes. Morin significantly increased Nrf2 binding to the
312
antioxidant response element (ARE) (Figure 6C). Moreover, morin increased nuclear
313
translocation of Nrf2 and ARE-driven luciferase activity (Figure 6D and Figure 6E).
314
These data suggest that the upregulation of HO-1 may be partly involved in the anti-
315
inflammatory and the antioxidant mechanisms of morin in activated microglia.
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Discussion
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The current study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of morin in vitro
319
and in vivo. Morin significantly suppressed the LPS-induced production of NO and
320
proinflammatory cytokines in BV2 cells and mice brains. Further mechanistic studies
321
showed that morin inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs or Akt, and
322
downregulated the NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activity via PKA signaling. Morin
323
also suppressed intracellular ROS levels by inhibiting the NADPH oxidase subunits
324
and by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 axis. Our results suggest a therapeutic potential for
325
morin in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders.
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Previous studies by other research groups and us have found that the PKA/CREB
327
pathway contributes to the resolution of inflammation and ROS detoxification and that
328
PKA is an upstream modulator of HO-1 expression in the microglia28,33,34 In the
329
current study, morin increased the CREB phosphorylation, which is a downstream
330
regulatory target of PKA. Furthermore, morin increased the DNA binding and
331
transcriptional activities and the nuclear translocation of CREB. Several papers have
332
demonstrated that phosphorylated CREB competes for binding to CBP with NF-
333
κB.25,29 Based on this hypothesis, morin-mediated activation of CREB may augment
334
the inhibition of NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activity. Therefore, the anti-
335
inflammatory and antioxidant activity by morin seem to be a result of the enhancement
336
of the CREB signal.
337
Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation results from an overexpression of ROS
338
through modulation of the NADPH oxidase family of enzymes.30,35 Therefore, we
339
investigated whether morin inhibits ROS production by suppressing the subunits of
340
NADPH oxidase, including p47phox, p67phox, gp91phox, and p22phox. We observed that
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morin suppressed mRNA expression of p47phox and gp91phox and inhibited the
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phosphorylation of p47phox in LPS-stimulated microglia. Phosphorylation of p47phox
343
leads to the translocation of the p47phox-p67phox complex to the plasma membrane
344
where p47phox interacts with p22phox, and p67phox acts as the NADPH oxidase activator
345
through a direct protein-protein interaction.30 The data suggest that morin inhibits ROS
346
production by suppressing the expression and the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase
347
subunits in microglia.
348
According to previous studies, morin is a known natural polyphenolic antioxidant.
349
In LPS-stimulated microglia, morin activates HO-1 induction to play an antioxidant
350
role,36,37 and this has been shown in an ischemia model as well.38 It is also known to
351
demonstrate neuroprotective effects in a PD model39 and contributes to the resolution
352
of inflammation in human chondrocytes40 and RAW 264.7 macrophages.41 In this study,
353
morin exerted its antioxidant activity in LPS-stimulated microglia by suppressing ROS
354
production and enhancing the HO-1 expression via Nrf2-ARE signaling. Heme
355
oxygenase-1 plays an antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory role through
356
the modulation of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.42-44 We observed that morin
357
increases the expression of HO-1 by enhancing the DNA binding activity of Nrf2 to the
358
ARE site. In addition, previous studies reported on the activation of HO-1 through
359
PKA signaling and the subsequent phosphorylation of CREB.28,45 Given this
360
perspective, morin exhibits its effects by suppressing proinflammatory and neurotoxic
361
molecules with a concomitant enhancement of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
362
molecules such as PKA and HO-1.
363
Sepsis, which results from a severe inflammatory response to an infection, is a
364
leading cause of death and involves the dysfunction and failure of organ systems. A
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previous study has reported that pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators are
366
important in the pathogenesis of sepsis.46 Furthermore, sepsis has been associated with
367
microglial activation.47 This study used LPS-injected mice because peripheral injection
368
with LPS is a well-known sepsis model and systemic LPS induces microglial
369
activation and progressive neurodegeneration.16,17,48 Morin was found to inhibit the
370
microglial activation and inflammatory mediator expression in LPS-injected mice
371
brains.
372
In conclusion, our study provides evidence that morin has significant potential as
373
a protective agent for LPS-induced microglial activation. This is the first study to
374
report the pharmacological effects of morin in brain microglia and the first to analyze
375
its underlying molecular mechanisms in detail. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory and
376
the antioxidant effects of morin in brain microglia may be useful as a potential
377
therapeutic agent in the treatment of various neuroinflammatory disorders related to
378
inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Abbreviations:
380
AP-1, activator protein-1; ARE, antioxidant response element; CBP, CREB binding
381
protein; CRE, cAMP response element; COX, cyclooxygenase; CREB, cAMP
382
response element binding protein; EMSA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay; HO-1,
383
heme oxygenase-1; IL, interleukin; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; LPS,
384
lipopolysaccharide; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF-κB, nuclear factor-
385
κB; Nrf, nuclear factor-E2-related factor; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PKA,
386
protein kinase A; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TNF, tumor necrosis factor
387 388
Funding sources
389
This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the
390
National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and funded by the Ministry of Science,
391
ICT & Future Planning (Grant No. NRF-2010-0027945 & NRF-2015R1A2A2A0100
392
5226).
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(41) Dhanasekar, C.; Kalaiselvan, S.; Rasool, M. Morin, a Bioflavonoid suppresses monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammatory immune response in RAW 264.7 macrophages through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators, intracellular ROS levels
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(44) Chen, X. L.; Kunsch, C. Induction of cytoprotective genes through Nrf2 /antioxidant response element pathway: a new therapeutic approach for the treatment
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(45) Park, S. Y.; Bae, Y. S.; Ko, M. J.; Lee, S. J.; Choi, Y. W. Comparison of antiinflammatory potential of four different dibenzocyclo-octadiene lignans in microglia; action via activation of PKA and Nrf-2 signaling and inhibition of MAPK/STAT/NF-
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Proinflammatory cytokines and sepsis syndrome: not enough, or too much of a good
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(47) Lemstra, A. W.; Woud, J. C.; Hoozemans, J. J.; van Haastert, E. S.; Rozemuller, A. J.; Eikelenboom, P. Microglia activation in sepsis: a case–control study. J.
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(48) Hoogland, I. C. M.; Houbolt, C.; van Westerloo, D. J.; van Gool, W. A.; van de Beek, D. Systemic inflammation and microglial activation: systematic review of
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Figure Legends
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Figure 1. Inhibition of the expression of iNOS and proinflammatory molecules by
585
morin in LPS-stimulated microglia. (A) BV2 cells are pre-treated with morin for 1 h
586
followed by LPS stimulation (0.1 µg/ml) for 16 h. The supernatants are obtained and
587
the amount of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 released into the media is
588
determined. (B, D) BV2 cells are pretreated with morin for 1 h followed by LPS
589
stimulation for 6 h. RT-PCR (B) and Western blot (D) are performed to see the effects
590
of morin on mRNA and protein expression of various proinflammatory molecules. (C,
591
E) Quantification analysis of 3 independent experiments by RT-PCR (C) and Western
592
blot (E) are shown. Data are expressed as the means (± SEM). *p < 0.05, significantly
593
different from LPS-stimulated samples.
594 595
Figure 2. Reduction of inflammatory response in the brains of LPS-stimulated mice by
596
morin. (A) Morin (200 mg/kg) pre-treatment inhibits microglial activation in each
597
brain region 3 h after systemic LPS injection (5 mg/kg, ip). The images represent
598
IBA1-positive microglia in the cortex and the hippocampus. (B) Quantified data of
599
IBA1-positive microglia in the cortex and the hippocampus (Scale, 50 µm; n=6 per
600
group). (C) RT-PCR for mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory molecules in the
601
cortex. Representative gels are shown. (D) Quantified data (n = 3 per group). #p < 0.05,
602
significantly different from the control group; *p < 0.05, significantly different from
603
the LPS-stimulated group.
604 605
Figure 3. Effect of morin on the activity of NF-κB, AP-1 and the phosphorylation of
606
MAPKs and Akt in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. EMSA for NF-κB (A) and AP-1 (B)
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607
was performed using nuclear extracts isolated from the BV2 cells treated with morin in
608
the presence of LPS for 1 h. Transient transfection analysis of (C) (κB)3-luc and (D)
609
AP-1-luc reporter gene activity. (E) Cell extracts were prepared from BV2 cells
610
stimulated with LPS for 0.5 h with or without morin, followed by Western blotting
611
using antibodies against phospho-MAPK, total-MAPK, or Akt. (F) Quantified data.
612
Levels of the phosphorylated forms of MAPKs and Akt were normalized to the level of
613
each total form and expressed as relative fold changes versus the control group. Data
614
are expressed as the means ± SEM for three (A-D) or 4 (F) independent experiments.
615
*p < 0.05, significantly different from the LPS-stimulated samples.
616 617
Figure 4. Morin enhancement of the PKA-CREB signaling pathway. (A) Cell extracts
618
are prepared from BV2 cells stimulated with LPS for 1 h with or without morin and
619
subjected to Western blot analysis using antibodies against phospho- or total- CREB.
620
Levels of the phosphorylated CREB are normalized to the level of each total form.
621
Quantified data are shown in the bottom panel. (B) EMSA for CREB binding activity.
622
The data are representative of 3 independent experiments. (C) Western blot is
623
performed to detect the nuclear translocation of CREB. (D) Effect of morin on CRE-
624
luc reporter gene activity. The data are expressed as the mean ± SEM for 3 independent
625
experiments. #p < 0.05, significantly different from the control samples; *p < 0.05,
626
significantly different from the LPS-stimulated samples.
627 628
Figure 5. Morin reduction of ROS production via suppression of NADPH oxidase
629
subunits. (A) BV2 cells are pre-treated with morin 1 h prior to LPS stimulation.
630
Intracellular ROS levels are measured using the DCF-DA method after 16 h. Data are
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631
expressed as the means ± SEM of 3 independent experiments. (B) DCF-derived
632
fluorescence in BV2 cells. (C) RT-PCR for mRNA expression levels of NADPH
633
oxidase subunits (p47phox, gp91phox, gp22phox, p67phox) in BV2 cells (n = 3). (D) Cell
634
extracts are first prepared from BV2 cells stimulated with LPS for 0.5 h in the absence
635
or presence of morin, and subsequently subjected to Western blot analysis using
636
antibodies against phospho-p47phox. Quantified data are shown in the bottom panel (n =
637
3). Levels of phosphorylated p47phox are normalized with β-actin. *p < 0.05,
638
significantly different from the LPS-stimulated group.
639 640
Figure 6. Enhancement of HO-1 expression by morin via Nrf2/ARE signaling
641
upregulation (A, B) BV2 cells are pretreated with morin for 1 h and stimulated with
642
LPS for 6 h. Western blot (A) and RT-PCR (B) for protein and mRNA expression
643
levels of HO-1 post morin treatment. (C) EMSA for Nrf2 binding activity. (D) Western
644
blot analysis to detect the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Quantified data are shown in
645
the bottom panel (n = 3). (E) The effect of morin on ARE-luc reporter gene activity. #p
646
< 0.05, significantly different from the control samples; *p < 0.05, significantly
647
different from the LPS-stimulated samples.
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Table 1. Primers used in RT-PCR Gene
Forward Primer (5’→3’)
Reverse Primer (5’→3’)
Size
p47phox
TTCACCACCATGGAGAAGGC
GGCATGGACTGTGGTCATGA
212 bp
p67phox
CTGGCTGAGGCCATCAGACT
AGGCCACTGCAGAGTGCTTG
214 bp
gp91phox
TTGGGTCAGCACTGGCTCTG
TGGCGGTGTGCAGTGCTATC
185 bp
p22phox
GTCCACCATGGAGCGATGTG
CAATGGCCAAGCAGACGGTC
164 bp
GAPDH
TTCACCACCATGGAGAAGGC
GGCATGGACTGTGGTCATGA
236 bp
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A
*
20 *
*
0 100 200 300 (μM) Morin: 0
80
*
600
*
400
*
200
0 0 100 200 300 (μM) Morin: 0
B 0
20
*
* *
10
0 100 200 300 (μM) Morin: 0 + LPS
+ LPS 300
30
0
+ LPS
+ LPS
Morin: 0
*
200 0
0
* *
40 20
0 0 100 200 300 (μM) Morin: 0
0 100 200 300 (μM)
+ LPS
+ LPS
100 200 300 (μM) 8
iNOS
iNOS
TNF-α
COX-2
COX-2 IL-6
Fold induction
6
TNF-α
IL-1β
*
*
4 2
*
* *
* *
0 8
IL-6
IL-1β
IL-10
6 4
*
*
*
*
*
* *
* *
2 0
IL-10
Morin: 0 300 0 100 200 300 + LPS
GAPDH
D Morin: 0
+ LPS 300
0
100 200
0 300 0 100 200 300 + LPS
0 300 0 100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
E 300 (μM) 8
iNOS TNF-α COX-2 IL-6 IL-1β
iNOS
TNF-α
6 4
COX-2
* *
2 0 8
*
* * *
IL-6
IL-1β
*
* * IL-10
* *
6 4 2
*
*
* * *
* *
0
IL-10
Morin: 0 300 0 100 200 300 + LPS
β-actin
Fig. 1 ACS Paragon Plus Environment
0 300 0 100 200 300 + LPS
*
60
C
Fold induction
Morin: 0
*
100
40
IL-10 (pg/ml)
*
400
50
800
IL-1β (pg/ml)
40
1000 IL-6 (pg/ml)
600 TNF-α (pg/ml)
NO (μM)
60
0 300 0 100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
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LPS (5 mg/kg)
A
B
cortex
morin
hippocampus
cortex
hippocampus
Iba1+ activated microglia (cells/mm2)
vehicle
Iba1+ activated microglia (cells/mm2)
saline
80
#
60
*
40 20 0
sal
LPS 60
# 40
* 20 0
sal
D
LPS (5 mg/kg) vehicle
morin
#
iNOS
4
* 2
iNOS TNF-α COX-2 IL-6 IL-1β
Fold induction
saline
6
0 6 #
TNF-α
#
IL-6
*
* 2
2 0 6
#
0 COX-2 6
*
4 2
GAPDH
6 4
4
Veh morin LPS
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
IL-1β
*
4
0 Sal
Fig. 2
#
2
0
veh morin LPS
Scale bar : 50 μm
C
veh morin
Sal
Veh morin LPS
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
A
B
+ LPS
Morin: 0
300
0
100
+ LPS
Morin:
200 300 (μM)
Page 32 of 36
300
0
0
100 200 300 (μM)
NF-κB
AP-1
C
D
► Reporter plasmid: (κB)3-luc
► Reporter plasmid: AP1-luc 4
6
*
4
Fold induction
Fold induction
8
* *
2
*
2
*
1 0
0
Morin:
*
3
0
0
100 200 300 (μM)
Morin:
0
0
+ LPS
100 200 300 (μM) p-ERK ERK p-JNK JNK p-p38
p-JNK/JNK
0
p-p38/p38
300
p-ERK/ERK
F
+ LPS
6 4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
2 0 6 4 2 0 6 4
*
2 0 6
p38 p-Akt
p-Akt/Akt
Morin: 0
+ LPS
Fold induction
E
100 200 300 (μM)
4 2
*
0 Morin: 0 300 0 100 200 300 (μM)
Akt
+ LPS
Fig. 3
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A
B
+ LPS
Morin: 0
300
Morin:
100 200 300 (μM)
0
+ LPS 0
300 0 100 200 300 (μM)
pCREB CRE+ protein complex
Fold induction
CREB 8 6
#
4
*
*
*
#
2 0
Morin:
0
300
0
100 200 300 (μM)
◀F
Fold Induction:
+ LPS
C
+ LPS
Morin: 0
300
0
D
100 200 300 (μM)
► Reporter plasmid: CRE-luc
CREB
8
*
6 # 4
#
*
*
Fold induction
Fold induction
Histon H1
4 3 2
#
#
300
0
*
0
100 200 300 (μM)
0
Morin: 0
300
0
*
1
0 Morin:
2
*
+ LPS
100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
Fig. 4
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
B
A
ROS
(Fold induction)
4
con
LPS
Morin 300
LPS + Morin
3
*
2
* 1
*
0 Morin:
0
100 200 300 (μM)
0
+ LPS
*
Fold induction p22phox mRNA
2
*
1
0 4
*
3
Fold induction p67phox mRNA
5
*
2 1
0 Morin:
2
1
0
1.5 1.0 0.5
0 Morin:
0 300 0 100 200 300 (μM)
0 300 0 100 200 300 (μM)
+ LPS
+ LPS
D
+ LPS
Morin: 0
300
0
100 200 300 (μM) p-p47phox β-actin
Fold induction
Fold induction gp91phox mRNA
Fold induction P47phox mRNA
C
4 3
*
2
*
1 0
Morin:
0
300
0
100
*
200 300 (μM)
+ LPS
Fig. 5
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Page 34 of 36
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
A Morin: 0
B
+ LPS 300
0
20
100 200 300 (μM) HO-1
Fold induction
β-actin 8 6 4
#
*
*
Fold induction HO-1 mRNA
Page 35 of 36
*
15
* 10
*
5
0 Morin:
*
0
#
#
300
0
#
100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
2
0 Morin: 0
300
0
D
100 200 300 (μM)
+ LPS
Morin: 0
+ LPS
300
0
100 200 300 (μM) Nrf2
C
+ LPS Histon H1 300 0
100 200 300 (μM)
ARE + protein complex
Fold induction
Morin: 0
8 6 4
*
#
#
300
0
*
*
2
0 Morin: 0
100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
E
► Reporter plasmid: ARE-luc 4
Fold induction
Fold Induction:
◀F
*
3
# #
2
*
*
1
0 Morin:
0
300
0
100 200 300 (μM) + LPS
Fig. 6
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
TOC Graphic
LPS
Morin
Morin PI3K/Akt, MAPKs
NF-κ κB, AP-1
iNOS, Cytokines
PKA
CREB, Nrf2
HO-1
Neuroinflammation
ACS Paragon Plus Environment
: activate : inhibit
Page 36 of 36