Glucan phosphate attenuates myocardial HMGB1 translocation in severe sepsis through inhibiting NF-κB activation

Tuanzhu Ha1, Yeling Xia, Xiang Liu

  • 1Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614-0575, USA.

Insights

Glucan phosphate (GP) reduces cardiac dysfunction in sepsis by preventing the translocation of High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This mechanism involves inhibiting NF-κB activation, crucial for HMGB1 movement in sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction significantly increases mortality.
  • High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key mediator in sepsis lethality.
  • Glucan phosphate (GP) has shown potential in improving survival and attenuating cardiac dysfunction in sepsis models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of GP on HMGB1 translocation in the myocardium during sepsis.
  • To elucidate the role of NF-κB activation and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in GP-mediated cardioprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Animal model: Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis in mice.
  • In vitro model: H9C2 cardiomyoblasts treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
  • Assays: Western blotting for HMGB1, TLR4; electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) for NF-κB binding activity; immunoprecipitation for HMGB1-TLR4 interaction.

Main Results:

  • CLP significantly increased myocardial HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB activity.
  • GP administration attenuated CLP-induced HMGB1 translocation and reduced TLR4 and NF-κB activity.
  • In vitro, GP inhibited LPS-induced HMGB1 translocation and NF-κB activation, an effect dependent on NF-κB.
  • GP reduced the interaction between HMGB1 and TLR4 stimulated by LPS.

Conclusions:

  • GP attenuates HMGB1 translocation in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting NF-κB activation.
  • NF-κB activation is essential for HMGB1 translocation in this sepsis model.
  • GP demonstrates a protective effect against sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction through modulation of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.