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Published on: February 9, 2011
Maltol, a compound in Korean Red Ginseng, attenuates the Staphylococcus aureus-induced inflammasome activation in the
Huijeong Ahn1, Sangjung Yu1, Byung-Cheol Han1,2
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus can cause local or systemic infections as an opportunistic pathogen and induce the activation of inflammasomes, leading to the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β. Since S. aureus is part of the normal flora, it is essential to control it using safe, non-antibiotic substances like Korean Red Ginseng Extract (RGE). This study investigated the effects of maltol, a non-saponin compound found in RGE, on S. aureus-mediated inflammasome signaling.
Methods:
Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and macrophages were infected with S. aureus and treated with RGE and maltol. The secretion of IL-1β, an indicator of inflammasome activation, was analyzed. For the mechanistic studies, the HaCaT cells were infected with S. aureus in the presence of maltol or inflammasome inhibitors, and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitROS) and IL-1β production were measured. The effect of maltol was also evaluated in S. aureus-injected mice.
Results:
RGE and maltol inhibited S. aureus-mediated IL-1β secretion in HaCaT, but not in macrophages. In the mechanistic studies, maltol suppressed the production of mitROS and the priming step of inflammasome signaling resulting in attenuated S. aureus-mediated inflammasome activation in HaCaT. In mice, maltol inhibited the production of peritoneal IL-1β and IL-6 in response to the S. aureus injection.
Conclusion:
Maltol selectively regulated skin inflammasome activation by inhibiting mitROS generation and the inflammasome priming step.
Insights
Korean Red Ginseng Extract
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- *Staphylococcus aureus* is an opportunistic pathogen that can trigger inflammasome activation and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) secretion.
- Controlling *S. aureus* with non-antibiotic substances is crucial, as it is part of the normal flora.
- Korean Red Ginseng Extract (RGE) and its compound maltol were investigated for their effects on *S. aureus*-mediated inflammasome signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maltol, a compound in RGE, on *S. aureus*-induced inflammasome activation.
- To determine if maltol can modulate IL-1β secretion and inflammasome signaling pathways.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of maltol against *S. aureus* infections.
Main Methods:
- Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and macrophages were infected with *S. aureus* and treated with RGE and maltol.
- IL-1β secretion was measured as an indicator of inflammasome activation.
- Mechanistic studies involved assessing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitROS) and inflammasome priming in HaCaT cells, and evaluating maltol's effect in *S. aureus*-injected mice.
Main Results:
- RGE and maltol inhibited *S. aureus*-induced IL-1β secretion in HaCaT cells but not in macrophages.
- Maltol suppressed mitROS production and the inflammasome priming step in HaCaT cells, attenuating inflammasome activation.
- In mice, maltol reduced peritoneal IL-1β and IL-6 production following *S. aureus* injection.
Conclusions:
- Maltol selectively regulates skin inflammasome activation.
- Maltol's mechanism involves inhibiting mitROS generation and the inflammasome priming step.
- Maltol shows potential as a therapeutic agent against *S. aureus*-mediated skin inflammation.
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