Published in:
01-11-2012 | Original Research Paper
The anti-inflammatory effects of platinum nanoparticles on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages
Published in: Inflammation Research | Issue 11/2012
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Objective
Platinum nanoparticles (nano-Pt) have been reported to possess anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activities. However, the biological activity and mechanism of action of nano-Pt in inflammation are still unknown. The present study was designed to determine the in-vitro anti-inflammatory effects of nano-Pt on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.
Methods
RAW 264.7 macrophages were used for the study. The LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by flow cytometry. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration was measured using a PGE2 assay kit. The protein levels and mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6], along with cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase, were analyzed by Western blotting and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and Akt, and the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) was determined by Western blot analysis.
Results
Nano-Pt significantly reduced the LPS-induced production of intracellular ROS and inflammatory mediators. In addition, nano-Pt suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, and significantly inhibited the phosphorylation/degradation of IκB-α as well as nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) transcriptional activity.
Conclusion
These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of nano-Pt may be attributed to their downregulation of the NFκB signaling pathway in macrophages, thus supporting the use of nano-Pt as an anti-inflammatory agent.