Effects of peanut-skin procyanidin A1 on degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells

Peanut skin contains large amounts of polyphenols having antiallergic effects. We found that a peanut-skin extract (PSE) inhibits the degranulation induced by antigen stimulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. A low-molecular-weight fraction from PSE, PSEL, also had inhibitory activity against allergic degranulation. A main polyphenol in PSEL was purified by gel chromatography and fractionated by YMC-gel ODS-AQ 120S50 column. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of the purified polyphenol gave m/z 599 [M+Na]?. Based on the results of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectra, and optical rotation analysis, the polyphenol was identified as procyanidin A1. It inhibited the degranulation caused by antigen stimulation at the IC?? of 20.3 μM. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and 2,5,-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone (DTBHQ)-induced processes of degranulation were also inhibited by procyanidin A1. These results indicate that peanut-skin procyanidin A1 inhibits degranulation downstream of protein kinase C activation or Ca2? influx from an internal store in RBL-2H3 cells.     

Inhibitory effect of Japanese black vinegar on IgE-mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and a murine model of Japanese cedar pollinosis

Japanese black vinegar (JBV) is a traditional vinegar manufactured with steamed unpolished rice. After screening, beneficial effects of JBV on IgE-mediated allergic responses were found. In this study, acetic acid-free JBV was used to evaluate its antiallergic effects. JBV suppressed degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effect of JBV on the degranulation seemed to be caused by the bioactive ingredients other than proteins, because the activity was not affected by heat treatment or protease digestion. JBV inhibited the elevation in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration induced by antigen. Immunoblot analysis revealed that JBV suppresses degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells by downregulated phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and PLCγ1. In addition, oral administration of JBV significantly suppressed passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice and an allergic symptom in Cry j1-induced pollinosis model mice. Thus, JBV has a potential as a health-promoting food with the antiallergy effect.     

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 (10-(6′-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenylphosphonium bromide) inhibits mast cell degranulation <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

The therapeutic effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant 10-(6′-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (SkQ1) in experimental models of acute inflammation and wound repair has been shown earlier. It was suggested that the antiinflammatory activity of SkQ1 is related to its ability to suppress inflammatory activation of the vascular endothelium and neutrophil migration into tissues. Here, we demonstrated that SkQ1 inhibits activation of mast cells (MCs) followed by their degranulation and histamine release in vivo and in vitro. Intraperitoneal injections of SkQ1 in the mouse air-pouch model reduced the number of leukocytes in the air-pouch cavity and significantly decreased the histamine content in it, as well as suppressing MC degranulation in the air-pouch tissue. The direct effect of SkQ1 on MCs was studied in vitro in the rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cell line. SkQ1 inhibited induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. These results suggest that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are involved in the activation of MCs. It is known that MCs play a crucial role in regulation of vascular permeability by secreting histamine. Suppression of MC degranulation by SkQ1 might be a significant factor in the antiinflammatory activity of this mitochondria-targeted antioxidant.     

Inhibitory effects of thunberginols A and B isolated from Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium on mRNA expression of cytokines and on activation of activator protein-1 in RBL-2H3 cells

Previously, thunberginols A and B from the processed leaves of Hydrangeae macrophylla var. thunbergii (Hydrangea dulcis folium) substantially inhibited the degranulation caused by antigen and calcium ionophore A23187, and the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-4 by antigen in RBL-2H3 cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of thunberginol B on the expression of mRNA of several cytokines [ILs-2, 3, 4 and 13, TNF-α and granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)] and effects of thunberginols A and B on activator protein (AP)-1 composed of c-jun and c-fos, which is essential for the expression of the cytokine mRNA, in RBL-2H3 cells. Thunberginol B inhibited up-regulated genes of all cytokines, and thunberginols A and B (30 μM) inhibited the phosphorylation of c-jun and expression of c-fos mRNA and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). In addition, the profile of gene expression by thunberginol B was similar to that by luteolin, a natural flavone with a potent anti-allergic effect.     

Inhibitory Effects of Apple Polyphenol on Induced Histamine Release from RBL-2H3 Cells and Rat Mast Cells

The anti-allergic activities of polyphenol fractions extracted from immature fruits of apple (Rosaceae, Malus sp.) were evaluated by in vitro assays. A crude apple polyphenol (CAP) fraction, which had been obtained from the juice of immature apples by reverse-phase column chromatography, was further purified by LH-20 column chromatography to obtain an apple condensed tannin (ACT) fraction consisting of linear oligomeric epicatechins from the dimer to pentadecamer. ACT strongly inhibited the release of histamine from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells stimulated by the antigen-stimulation and from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated by compound 48/80. The IC₅₀ values for histamine release were 30 μg/ml and 25 μg/ml, respectively. ACT also inhibited hyaluronidase activity and the increase in intracellular free calcium concentration in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with the antigen. These results suggest that ACT affected early signal transduction including the calcium influx.     

Anti-allergic effects of His-Ala-Gln tripeptide in vitro and in vivo

We examined the inhibitory effects of HAQ (His-Ala-Gln) peptide on type-1 allergy in vitro and in vivo. HAQ peptide inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and intracellular Ca²⁺ levels of rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Oral administration of a HAQ peptide-added diet (1 mg/mouse/administration) to C3H/HeJ mice for 14 days led to significant suppression of allergic symptoms, but did not reduce allergen-specific IgE or IgG₁.     

Differential Ca2+ mobilization and mast cell degranulation by FcεRI- and GPCR-mediated signaling

Mast cells play a primary role in allergic diseases. During an allergic reaction, mast cell activation is initiated by cross-linking IgE-FcεRI complex by multivalent antigen resulting in degranulation. Additionally, G protein-coupled receptors also induce degranulation upon activation. However, the spatio-temporal relationship between Ca²⁺ mobilization and mast cell degranulation is not well understood. We investigated the relationship between oscillations in Ca²⁺ level and mast cell degranulation upon stimulation in rat RBL-2H3 cells. Nile red and Fluo-4 were used as probes for monitoring histamine and intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, respectively. Histamine release and Ca²⁺ oscillations in real-time were monitored using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). Mast cell degranulation followed immediately after FcεRI and GPCR-mediated Ca²⁺ increase. FcεRI-induced Ca²⁺ increase was higher and more sustained than that induced by GPCRs. However, no significant difference in mast cell degranulation rates was observed. Although intracellular Ca²⁺ release was both necessary and sufficient for mast cell degranulation, extracellular Ca²⁺ influx enhanced the process. Furthermore, cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels and mast cell degranulation were significantly decreased by downregulation of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) via Orai1 knockdown, 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB) or tubastatin A (TSA) treatment. Collectively, this study has demonstrated the role of Ca²⁺ signaling in regulating histamine degranulation.     

Protective effect of chitosan oligosaccharides against FcɛRI-mediated RBL-2H3 mast cell activation

The activation of mast cells by immunoglobulin E-mediated stimuli is considered as a central event in allergic responses. In this regard, chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) of two different molecular weight ranges (1–3 kDa and 3–5 kDa) were investigated for their capabilities against the activation of RBL-2H3 mast cell sensitized with dinitrophenyl-specific immunoglobulin E antibody and stimulated by antigen dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin. It was found that COS significantly inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation via attenuating the releases of histamine and β-hexosaminidase. Moreover, the inhibitory activity of COS was accompanied by a reduction in intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation. Notably, the expression of immunoglobulin Fc epsilon receptor I (Fc?RI) in RBL-2H3 cells was down-regulated by COS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The suppressive effect of COS on RBL-2H3 cell activation suggested that COS may be potential candidates of novel inhibitors against allergic reactions.     

Phenolic constituents isolated from Fragaria ananassa Duch. inhibit antigen-stimulated degranulation through direct inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase activation

We isolated eight phenolic constituents from Fragaria ananassa Duch. (strawberry) and determined their structures using 1D, 2D-NMR. Among the isolated compounds, linocinnamarin (LN), 1-O-trans-cinnamoyl-β-d-glucopyranose (CG), and cinnamic acid (CA) exhibited antigen (Ag)-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. In order to reveal the underlying mechanisms, we examined the effects of LN and CA on cellular responses induced by antigen stimulation. Treatment with both LN and CA markedly inhibited antigen-stimulated elevation of intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both LN and CA suppressed Ag-stimulated spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activation. These results indicate that inhibition of antigen-stimulated degranulation by LN and CA is mainly due to inactivation of Syk/phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) pathways. Our findings suggest that LN and CA isolated from F. ananassa Duch. (strawberry) could be beneficial agents for alleviating symptoms of type I allergy.     

Chalcone glycosides isolated from aerial parts of Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ suppress antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells

We isolated three chalcone glycosides along with other glycoside constituents from the aerial parts of Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ and examined the effects of these compounds on the antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Treatments with both 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone (C1) and 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3′,4-dimethoxychalcone (C2) markedly inhibited antigen (Ag)-stimulated degranulation. To gain further insight into the inhibitory mechanisms by C1 and C2, we examined early intracellular signaling events, Ca²⁺ mobilization and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both C1 and C2 did not affect early intracellular signaling events but exhibited the suppression of intracellular ROS production through NADPH oxidase (NOX) inactivation. From these results, we proposed that the inhibitory effects of C1 and C2 on Ag-stimulated degranulation were mainly due to suppression of intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation by suppression of intracellular ROS production through NOX inactivation. Our findings suggest that C1 and C2 would be beneficial to alleviate symptoms of type I allergy.     

Polymeric grape-seed procyanidins, but not monomeric catechins and oligomeric procyanidins, impair degranulation and membrane ruffling in RBL-2H3 cells

Grape-seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) are catechin polymers that are predicted to form helices in their global minimum-energy conformation and to have a mean degree of polymerization of seven (mDP = 7). The highly polymerized GSP-H fraction (mDP = 10) was found to impair degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells after stimulation with an antigen (Ag) and treatment with the Ca-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (Tg). In addition, GSP-H affected actin cytoskeleton and inhibited membrane ruffling in these cells, resulting in the suppression of exocytosis. By contrast, monomeric epicatechin, the dimeric procyanidins PA-1, PA-2, and PB-2, and the oligomerized GSP-L (mDP = 3) had no effect on membrane ruffling and degranulation. These findings indicate that the molecular size and length of GSP-H are needed for the inhibition of membrane ruffling and degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast-cell lines.     

Inhibition of antigen-induced degranulation by aryl compounds isolated from the bark of Betula platyphylla in RBL-2H3 cells

The methanolic extract of the bark of Betula platyphylla was found to suppress antigen mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. Four arylbutanoids (1–4) and eight diarylhepatonoids (5–12) were isolated from the methanolic extract using bioassay-guided fractionation. Among them, compounds 4 and 12 were isolated and assigned for the first time. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 12 showed remarkable inhibitory activity against the degranulation of RBL-2H3 by antigen stimulation in a dose dependent manner at the concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 100 μM.     

Inhibitory Effect of Fulvic Acid Extracted from Canadian Sphagnum Peat on Chemical Mediator Release by RBL-2H3 and KU812 Cells

Fulvic acid (FA) was extracted and purified from Canadian Sphagnum peat (CP-FA) and characterized by using an element analysis meter, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR) spectroscopy. To investigate the antiallergic effect of CP-FA, we incubated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells with 0.001–10.0 μg/ml of CP-FA and determined the β-hexosaminidase release inhibition at different response stages. The intracellular calcium [Ca²⁺] _i level was also determined by using Fluo 3-AM, a calcium-specific fluorescent probe, and the cytotoxicity of CP-FA was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results revealed that RBL-2H3 cells incubated for 48 h with 0.001–10.0 μg/ml of CP-FA did not show any decreased viability. CP-FA inhibited the β-hexosaminidase release by IgE-sensitized, antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells at the antigen-antibody binding stage and the antibody-receptor binding stage. CP-FA also inhibited histamine release from A23187 plus PMA- or compound 48/80-stimulated KU812 cells. Furthermore, there was a decrease in the intracellular [Ca²⁺] _i level in IgE-sensitized cells incubated with CP-FA and stimulated with antigen. Our results show that CP-FA may be useful for the treatment or prevention of allergic diseases.     

Inhibitory effects of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Eupatorium chinense L. on IgE-mediated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice

Sesquiterpene lactones (SQTLs) have been shown to suppress the degranulation as inferred by histamine release in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. In this study, we isolated the 9 kinds of SQTLs from Eupatorium chinense L. and examined the effects of these SQTLs on the degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells. The chemical structures of two novel compounds (SQTL-3 and 8) were determined. All the SQTLs suppressed the degranulation from Ag-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. To disclose the inhibitory mechanism of degranulation by SQTLs, we examined the activation of intracellular signaling molecules such as Lyn, Syk, and PLCγs and intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i). None of these SQTLs showed the activation of Syk and PLCγs. The intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) was elevated by FcεRI activation, but SQTLs treatment reduced the elevation of [Ca²⁺]i by suppressing Ca²⁺ influx. Thus, it was suggested that the suppression of Ag-stimulated degranulation by these SQTLs is mainly due to the decreased Ca²⁺ influx.Furthermore, in order to clarify the in vivo effect of SQTL-rich extract, we administered SQTL-rich extract to the type I allergic model mice and measured the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction induced by IgE-antigen complex. The SQTLs remarkably suppressed PCA reaction in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, it was suggested that SQTLs would be a candidate as an anti-allergic agent.     

IgE alone-induced actin assembly modifies calcium signaling and degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast cells

In the mast cell signaling pathways, the binding of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to FcRI, its high-affinity receptor, is generally thought to be a passive step. In this study, we examined the effect of IgE alone, that is, without antigen stimulation, on the degranulation in mast cells. Monomeric IgE (500–5,000 ng/ml) alone increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ level ([Ca²⁺]_i) and induced degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells. Monomeric IgE (5,000 ng/ml) alone also increased [Ca²⁺]_i and induced degranulation in bone marrow-derived mast cells. Interestingly, monomeric IgE (5–50 ng/ml) alone, in concentrations too low to induce degranulation, increased filamentous actin content in RBL-2H3 mast cells. We next examined whether actin dynamics affect the IgE alone-induced RBL-2H3 mast cell activation pathways. Cytochalasin D inhibited the ability of IgE alone (50 ng/ml) to induce de novo actin assembly. In cytochalasin D-treated cells, IgE (50 ng/ml) alone increased [Ca²⁺]_i and induced degranulation. We have summarized the current findings into two points. First, IgE alone increases [Ca²⁺]_i and induces degranulation in mast cells. Second, IgE, at concentrations too low to increase either [Ca²⁺]_i or degranulation, significantly induces actin assembly, which serves as a negative feedback control in the mast cell Ca²⁺ signaling and degranulation. mast cell; immunoglobulin E; cytochalasin D; Y-27632; wortmannin     

Orai-2 is localized on secretory granules and regulates antigen-evoked Ca mobilization and exocytosis in mast cells

The increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ through the Ca²⁺ channel is an indispensable step for the secretion of inflammatory mediators by mast cells. It was recently reported that Orai-1 is responsible for the Ca²⁺ influx that is activated by depletion of stored Ca²⁺. There are three isoforms of Orai: Orai-1, Orai-2, and Orai-3; however, isoforms other than Orai-1 are poorly understood. We found that Orai-2 is expressed and localized on secretory granules in RBL-2H3. Ca²⁺ release from Ca²⁺ store, induced by antigen stimulation, was significantly attenuated by knockdown of Orai-2, while that induced by thapsigargin was not affected. Furthermore, exocytotic release induced by antigen stimulation was inhibited in knockdown cells. This observation suggests a new role of Orai isoforms in secretory cells.     

Wortmannin blocks lipid and protein kinase activities associated with PI 3-kinase and inhibits a subset of responses induced by Fc epsilon R1 cross-linking.

We have investigated the effects of wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), on antigen-mediated signaling in the RBL-2H3 mast cell model. In RBL-2H3 cells, the cross-linking of high affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon R1) activates at least two cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases, Lyn and Syk, and stimulates secretion, membrane ruffling, spreading, pinocytosis, and the formation of actin plaques implicated in increased cell-substrate adhesion. In addition, Fc epsilon R1 cross-linking activates PI 3-kinase. It was previously shown that wortmannin causes a dose-dependent inhibition of PI 3-kinase activity and also inhibits antigen-stimulated degranulation. We report that the antigen-induced synthesis of inositol(1,4,5)P3 is also markedly inhibited by wortmannin. Consistent with evidence in other cell systems implicating phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)P3 in ruffling, pretreatment of RBL-2H3 cells with wortmannin inhibits membrane ruffling and fluid pinocytosis in response to Fc epsilon R1 cross-linking. However, wortmannin does not inhibit antigen-induced actin polymerization, receptor internalization, or the actin-dependent processes of spreading and adhesion plaque formation that follow antigen stimulation in adherent cells. Wortmannin also fails to inhibit either of the Fc epsilon R1-coupled tyrosine kinases, Lyn or Syk, or the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase as measured by in vitro kinase assays. Strikingly, there is substantial in vitro serine/threonine kinase activity in immunoprecipitates prepared from Fc epsilon R1-activated cells using antisera to the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. This activity is inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with wortmannin or by the direct addition of wortmannin to the kinase assay, suggesting that PI 3-kinase itself is capable of acting as a protein kinase. We conclude that Fc epsilon R1 cross-linking activates both lipid and protein kinase activities of PI 3-kinase and that inhibiting these activities with wortmannin results in the selective block of a subset of Fc epsilon R1-mediated signaling responses.     

Two-dimensional NMR Investigation of Solanascone

2-n-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (KF8940), isolated from Pseudomonas methanica, was a potent and selective inhibitor of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibitory mode was non competitive. The Ki value was 3.5 × 10^?7 m. KF8940 also inhibited 12-lipoxygenase of bovine platelets in a non-competitive manner, but with a Ki value of 7 × 10^?5M. Ionophore A23187-stimulated SRS generation from rat peritoneal cells and antigen-stimulated SRS-A generation from sensitized rat lung were significantly inhibited by KF8940. KF8940 at a dose of 10 mg/kg (p.o.) suppressed the passive anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.     

FcεRI-mediated mast cell migration: Signaling pathways and dependence on cytosolic free Ca concentration

IgE-sensitized rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells have been shown to migrate towards antigen. In the present study we tried to identify the mechanism by which antigen causes mast cell migration. Antigen caused migration of RBL-2H3 cells at the concentration ranges of 1000-fold lower than those required for degranulation and the dose response was biphasic. This suggests that mast cells can detect very low concentration gradients of antigen (pg/ml ranges), which initiate migration until they degranulate near the origin of antigen, of which concentration is in the ng/ml ranges. Similar phenomenon was observed in human mast cells (HMCs) derived from CD34⁺ progenitors. As one mechanism of mast cell migration, we tested the involvement of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). FcεRI-mediated cell migration was dependent on the production of S1P but independent of a S1P receptor or its signaling pathways as determined with S1P receptor antagonist VPC23019 and Gi protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (PTX). This indicated that the site of action of S1P produced by antigen stimulation was intracellular. However, S1P-induced mast cell migration was dependent on S1P receptor activation and inhibited by both VPC23019 and PTX. Cell migration towards antigen or extracellular S1P was dependent on the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, while only migration towards antigen was inhibited by the inhibitors of sphingosine kinase and phospholipase C (PLC) and intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA. In summary, our data suggest that the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI)-mediated mast cell migration is dependent on the production of S1P but independent of S1P receptors. Cell migration mediated by either FcεRI or S1P receptors involves activation of both PI3K and MAPK.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and bioevaluation of new sulfonamides

In this study, 4-[5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide derivatives (8-14) were synthesized for the first time by microwave irradiation and their chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS. Cytotoxic activities and inhibitory effects on carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes of the compounds were investigated. The compounds 9 (PSE?=?4.2), 12 (PSE?=?4.1) and 13 (PSE?=?3.9) with the highest potency selectivity expression (PSE) values in cytotoxicity experiments and the compounds 13 (Ki?=?3.73?±?0.91?nM toward hCA I) and 14 (Ki?=?3.85?±?0.57?nM toward hCA II) with the lowest Ki values in CA inhibition studies can be considered as leader compounds for further studies.