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A Microplate Assay to Assess Chemical Effects on RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Degranulation: Effects of Triclosan without Use of an Organic Solvent
Published on: November 1, 2013
Triclosan inhibition of acute and chronic inflammatory gene pathways
Silvana P Barros1, Sodsi Wirojchanasak, David A Barrow
1School of Dentistry, Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases, North Carolina Oral Health Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27709, USA. silvana_barros@dentistry.unc.edu
Aim:
We sought to determine whether triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenylether), an extensively used anti-plaque agent with broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity, with reported anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 1 (IL-1)beta, could also more broadly suppress multiple inflammatory gene pathways responsible for the pathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis.
Materials And Methods:
As an exploratory study, the effects of triclosan on the inflammatory gene expression profile were assessed ex vivo using peripheral whole blood samples from eight periodontally healthy donors. Ten-millilitres whole blood aliquots were incubated 2 h with 0.3 microg/ml Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without 0.5 microg/ml triclosan. Affymetrix microarray gene expression profiles from isolated leucocytes and pathway-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to investigate changes in expression of target cytokines and cell signalling molecules.
Results:
Ex vivo human whole blood assays indicated that triclosan significantly down-regulated the LPS-stimulated expression of Toll-like receptor signalling molecules and other multiple inflammatory molecules including IL-1 and IL-6 and the dampening of signals that activate the T-helper type 1 acquired immune response via suppression of CD70 with concomitant up-regulation of growth factors related to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 and BMP6 synthesis.
Conclusions:
Anti-inflammatory effects were found in this exploratory survey, including suppression of microbial-pathogen recognition pathway molecules and the suppression of acute and chronic mediators of inflammation.
Insights
Triclosan, an anti-plaque agent, was found to suppress inflammatory gene pathways in human blood ex vivo. This study suggests triclosan has broader anti-inflammatory effects beyond its known antimicrobial properties.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Triclosan is widely used as an anti-plaque agent with known antimicrobial and some anti-inflammatory effects.
- Previous research indicated triclosan inhibits prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-1 beta.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the broader anti-inflammatory effects of triclosan.
- To determine if triclosan can suppress multiple inflammatory gene pathways involved in gingivitis and periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo study using peripheral whole blood from healthy donors.
- Blood samples were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without triclosan.
- Gene expression profiling using microarrays and quantitative PCR arrays analyzed inflammatory molecules.
Main Results:
- Triclosan significantly down-regulated LPS-stimulated Toll-like receptor signaling molecules.
- Expression of inflammatory molecules like IL-1 and IL-6 was reduced by triclosan.
- Triclosan suppressed pathways activating the T-helper type 1 immune response and up-regulated bone morphogenetic protein synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Triclosan exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing microbial-pathogen recognition pathways.
- The study identified suppression of acute and chronic inflammation mediators by triclosan.
- These findings suggest a broader role for triclosan in modulating inflammatory responses.
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