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Zinc Sulfate Inhibited Inflammation of Der p2-Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by Suppressing ERK1/2 and NF-κB Phosphorylation

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Abstract

Inflammation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is believed to be important in causing airway hyperresponsiveness. However, zinc has been reported to be implicated in many kinds of cell inflammation. Little is known about the effect of zinc treatment on Der p2 (group II Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus)-induced inflammation from ASMCs. This study investigated effects and mechanisms of zinc in Der p2-treated ASMCs. Der p2-treated primary ASMCs were cultured with various concentrations of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) 6 μM, 12 μM, 24 μM, and 96 μM. The proteins and mRNAs of cytokines in ASMCs were examined by ELISA and real-time PCR. Intracellular zinc was stained with Zinquin fluorescence. The cell signaling protein expression was detected by Western blot. Der p2 was used to induce interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production of ASMCs. However, we found that 24 μM ZnSO4 reduced these inflammatory mediators production of Der p2-treated primary ASMCs. Der p2-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation were suppressed by supplementation of 24 μM ZnSO4. Zinc is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces inflammation of Der p2-treated ASMCs through the suppression of the ERK and NF-κB pathway. The results may be helpful for the development of effective treatments.

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Abbreviations

ASMCs:

Airway smooth muscle cells

AHR:

Airway hyperresponsiveness

Der p2:

Group II Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

ERK:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases

NF-κB:

Nuclear factor-kappa B

HBSS:

Hanks’ balanced salt solution

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

IL:

Interleukin

MCP:

Monocyte chemotactic protein

HDM:

House dust mite

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

SDS:

Sodium dodecyl sulfate

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council (project number 99-2320-B-241-001) and the Institute of BioMedical Nutrition, Hungkuang University for financially supporting this research. The sole author had responsibility for all parts of the manuscript.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose, whether financial or of any other nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Research, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chia-Ju Shih

  2. Department of Nutrition & Institute of BioMedical Nutrition, Hungkuang University, 34 Chung-Chie Road, Sha Lu, Taichung, 443, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Ya-Ling Chiou

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  1. Chia-Ju Shih
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Correspondence to Ya-Ling Chiou.

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Shih, CJ., Chiou, YL. Zinc Sulfate Inhibited Inflammation of Der p2-Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by Suppressing ERK1/2 and NF-κB Phosphorylation. Inflammation 36, 616–624 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-012-9583-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-012-9583-x

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