Tongxinluo inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced maturation of human dendritic cells via activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma pathway

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2010 Aug;56(2):177-83. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181e5f0f8.

Abstract

TongXinLuo (TXL) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with multiple vasoprotective activities. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an active role in the immunological processes related to atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect and possible mechanisms of TXL on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL)-induced maturation and immune function of DCs. Human monocyte-derived DCs were incubated with TXL or ciglitazone and were subsequently stimulated with OX-LDL to induce maturation. Similar to ciglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist, TXL could significantly reduce the maturation-associated markers induced by OX-LDL, such as CD40, CD86, CD1a, and human leukocyte antigen-DR; improved the endocytotic function; and decreased secretions of cytokine interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. These inhibitory effects of TXL could be partly reversed by silencing the expression of PPAR gamma in DCs. In conclusion, TXL could inhibit OX-LDL-induced maturation of DCs through activating PPAR gamma pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD1 / metabolism
  • B7-2 Antigen / metabolism
  • CD40 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Endocytosis
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / physiology
  • PPAR gamma / agonists*
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • Thiazolidinediones / pharmacology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD1a antigen
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • PPAR gamma
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • tongxinluo
  • Interleukin-12
  • ciglitazone