Abstract
Quinacrine (QC) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for the treatment of malaria and rheumatoid diseases. The mechanism(s) underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of QC remains poorly understood. We recently reported the QC-mediated inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway using an in vitro model. To test this potential mechanism in vivo, we used the contact hypersensitivity response (CHS) to chemical allergen sensitization and challenge in mice as a model of skin inflammation. The results indicated that QC treatment inhibited NF-kappaB activation in the skin during allergen sensitization. This inhibition was reflected by decreased mRNA expression and protein production of the NF-kappaB-dependent cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the chemokine CCL21 in the skin. The decreases in these cytokines resulted in reduced migration of allergen-presenting dendritic cells from the skin into skin-draining lymph nodes and markedly decreased activation of effector CD8+ T cells for the CHS response to allergen challenge (inhibitory concentration 50% or IC50 was 55 mg/kg). These findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of QC-mediated inhibition of inflammation.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Chemokine CCL21
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Chemokines, CC / metabolism
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Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects*
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Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
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Dendritic Cells / immunology
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Dermatitis, Contact / prevention & control*
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Dinitrofluorobenzene / adverse effects
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Dinitrofluorobenzene / immunology
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Epidermal Cells
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Epidermis / drug effects
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Epidermis / immunology
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Flow Cytometry
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Inflammation / chemically induced
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Inflammation / prevention & control
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Interleukin-1beta / drug effects
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Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
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Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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NF-kappa B / drug effects
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NF-kappa B / immunology
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Quinacrine / pharmacology*
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RNA, Messenger / drug effects
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / drug effects
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Ccl21c protein, mouse
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Chemokine CCL21
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Chemokines, CC
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Interleukin-1beta
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NF-kappa B
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RNA, Messenger
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Dinitrofluorobenzene
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Quinacrine