Abstract
The use of indigo naturalis to treat psoriasis has proved effective in our previous clinical studies. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of indigo naturalis in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Pretreatment of cells with indigo naturalis extract attenuated TNF-α-induced increase in Jurkat T cell adhesion to HUVECs as well as decreased the protein and messenger (m)RNA expression levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on HUVECs. Indigo naturalis extract also inhibited the protein expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1)/c-Jun, a critical transcription factor for the activation of VCAM-1 gene expression. Since the reduction of lymphocyte adhesion to vascular cells by indigo naturalis extract could subsequently reduce the inflammatory reactions caused by lymphocyte infiltration in the epidermal layer and help to improve psoriasis, this study provides a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect of indigo naturalis extract in psoriasis.
Highlights
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease and the transport of leukocytes from the dermis into the epidermis is a key event in psoriasis [1]
We studied the effects of indigo naturalis on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells
The biological consequence of TNF-α-induced adhesion molecule expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cell surface was determined using a quantitative cellular adhesion assay with Jurkat T cells
Summary
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease and the transport of leukocytes from the dermis into the epidermis is a key event in psoriasis [1]. Previous studies have been demonstrated that the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) are increased in dermal vessels of psoriatic lesions [3]. The increased expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on dermal vessels in psoriatic lesions have been demonstrated, at least in part, due to the overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in psoriatic skin lesions [5]. TNF-α plays an important role in activating the expression of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells and causes the subsequent increased trafficking of leukocytes in psoriasis. To clarify the mechanism by which indigo naturalis is effective against psoriasis, the present study was designed to focus on the enhanced expression of cell adhesion molecules on dermal vessels in psoriatic skin. The effects of indigo naturalis on TNF-α-activated transcription factors were determined
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