Inhibition of LPS-stimulated pathways in macrophages by the flavonoid luteolin

1: We have previously shown that the flavonoid luteolin inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules induced by LPS. In the present study we tested the ability of luteolin to block signalling pathways implicated in LPS-induced inflammatory gene expression in macrophages. 2: Exposure of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 to LPS increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family members ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2 in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 with luteolin inhibited the LPS-induced ERK1/2 and p38, but not JNK1/2, phosphorylation, and blocked the LPS-induced TNF-alpha release. 3: To investigate which of these pathways contribute to the inhibitory effects of luteolin on TNF-alpha release, cells were pretreated with pharmacological inhibitors of these pathways; PD98059 and SB203580 when used alone failed to inhibit TNF-alpha release, whereas pretreatment with both agents attenuated TNF-alpha release. 4: We have previously shown that luteolin blocks Akt phosphorylation in response to LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To determine the role of Akt in TNF-alpha release, cells were transiently transfected with a dominant negative form of Akt (K179M). Overexpression of K179M Akt did not alter LPS-induced TNF-alpha release, suggesting that inhibition of this kinase does not mediate the inhibitory action of luteolin. 5: In addition, DRB (a pharmacological inhibitor of CK2) blocked TNF-alpha release in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas co-treatment of cells with luteolin and DRB did not have an additive effect. 6: We conclude that luteolin interferes with LPS signalling by reducing the activation of several MAPK family members and that its inhibitory action on TNF-alpha release correlates with inhibition of ERK, p38 and CK2 activation.