Effect of berberine on lipopolysaccharide-induced monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8 expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line

Hu-Shan Cui,Yuan-Min Dai,Lian-Shun Zheng,Yu-Min Li,Jiu-Ke Li,Wei Fang

doi:10.1007/s10792-017-0697-x

Hu-Shan Cui, Yuan-Min Dai + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0697-x

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Abstract

PurposeIn this study, we elucidated the effects of berberine, a major alkaloid component contained in medicinal herbs, such as Phellodendri Cortex and Coptidis Rhizoma, on expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation.MethodsARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and LPS were added to the medium. MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. MCP-1 and IL-8 protein concentrations in the media were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsAfter stimulation with LPS, MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA in ARPE-19 cells reached maximum levels at 3 h, and MCP-1 and IL-8 protein in the culture media reached maximum levels at 24 h. Berberine dose-dependently inhibited MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA expression of the cells and protein levels in the media stimulated with LPS.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that berberine inhibited the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 induced by LPS.

Highlights

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play important roles in physiology of the retina
Zheng Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China expression of the cells and protein levels in the media stimulated with LPS. These findings indicate that berberine inhibited the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8 induced by LPS
We previously reported that berberine inhibited MCP-1 and IL-8 induced by LPS in rat uveitis in vivo [36]

Summary

Introduction

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play important roles in physiology of the retina. The levels of chemotactic cytokines including MCP-1 and IL-8 are higher in the vitreous of patients with agerelated macular degeneration [18,19,20], proliferative vitreoretinal diseases [21, 22], and proliferative diabetic retinopathy than in normal subjects [23,24,25]. These cytokines may help in stimulating the infiltration of monocytes and macrophages into eyes with such disorders [26]. MCP-1 and IL8 may be involved in part in the pathogenesis of intraocular disorders

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