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Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-κB Reporter Transgenic
Published on: September 4, 2012
Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. derived extracellular vesicles alleviate mastitis via NLRP3 inflammasome and
Yuan Sun1, Ying Liu1, Jinxian Li1
1Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory for Science and Technology Innovation of Special Animal and Plants, Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130112, China. pengyinghua@caas.cn.
Abstract:
Mastitis, a prevalent inflammatory disease affecting both humans and animals, imposes significant health burdens globally. Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. has been traditionally used to treat mammary gland disorders, however, the clinical translation of its crude extracts remains challenging due to the poor bioavailability. Emerging as innovative nanotherapeutic agents, plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) exhibit enhanced bioavailability, low immunogenicity, and targeted delivery capabilities, making them promising candidates for precision medicine applications. Herein, extracellular vesicles derived from Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. (TH-EVs) were successfully isolated employing ultracentrifugation and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Subsequently, these physicochemical properties, including particle size distribution and composition analysis, were comprehensively characterized. The anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanism of TH-EVs were explored in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine mammary epithelial cells (HC11) and a murine mastitis model. In vitro, TH-EVs reduced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and cellular oxidative stress. In vivo, TH-EVs alleviated histopathological damage, decreased myeloperoxidase activity, inhibited T lymphocyte activation, and reduced oxidative stress in mammary tissues. Mechanistically, TH-EVs inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome, NF-κB and MAPK pathways. This study demonstrates that TH-EVs are a potent natural nanotherapeutic agent for mastitis, with potential for translational applications.

