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Detecting Migration and Infiltration of Neutrophils in Mice
Published on: February 6, 2020
Artemisia gmelinii Extract Attenuates Particulate Matter-Induced Neutrophilic Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Lung
Hyeon-Ji Song1,2, Dong-Uk Shin1,3, Ji-Eun Eom1
1Division of Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Particulate matter (PM) induces and augments oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to respiratory diseases. Although Artemisia gmelinii Weber ex Stechm has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, there are no reports on whether Artemisia gmelinii extract (AGE) regulates lung inflammation in a PM-induced model. Thus, we investigated the protective effects of AGE using a PM-induced mouse lung inflammation model. AGE significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory chemokines, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and the total number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, AGE attenuated lung inflammation through the suppression of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, while promoting the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in lung tissues. Concordant with these observations, AGE suppressed inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species, NETosis, myeloperoxidase, and neutrophil elastase by decreasing the mRNA expression of High mobility group box 1, Runt-related transcription factor 1, and Kruppel-like factor 6 in differentiated HL-60 cells. In summary, our data demonstrated that AGE suppresses PM-induced neutrophil infiltration, lung damage, and pulmonary inflammation by suppressing NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways and enhancing the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that AGE administration is an effective approach for preventing and treating PM-induced respiratory inflammation.
Insights
Artemisia gmelinii extract (AGE) reduces lung inflammation caused by particulate matter (PM). AGE suppresses inflammatory pathways and promotes protective ones, offering a potential treatment for PM-induced respiratory issues.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Particulate matter (PM) exposure causes oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to respiratory diseases.
- Artemisia gmelinii extract (AGE) possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The effect of AGE on PM-induced lung inflammation has not been previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of AGE in a mouse model of PM-induced lung inflammation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying AGE's action on inflammatory pathways.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a PM-induced mouse lung inflammation model.
- Assessed inflammatory cell counts, chemokine expression, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).
- Analyzed the modulation of NF-κB/MAPK and NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathways in lung tissues and differentiated HL-60 cells.
Main Results:
- AGE significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, NET formation, and chemokine expression in BALF.
- AGE suppressed the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway while activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway in lung tissues.
- AGE decreased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species, and key enzymes like myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase in vitro.
Conclusions:
- AGE effectively suppresses PM-induced lung inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, and tissue damage.
- The protective effects are mediated by the inhibition of NF-κB/MAPK signaling and the enhancement of NRF2/HO-1 signaling.
- AGE demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing and treating particulate matter-induced respiratory inflammation.

