Zhike Pingchuan Granule suppresses interleukin (IL)-6 or the medium of M2 macrophages induced apoptosis in human bronchial epithelial cells

Bioengineered. 2021 Dec;12(1):7694-7703. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1982309.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the effects and action mechanism of Zhike Pingchuan Granule in human bronchial epithelial cells induced by IL-6 or the supernatant of M2. Upon IL-6 stimulation at different doses, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay and flow cytometry were, respectively, utilized to detect the cell viability and apoptosis levels of 16-HBE cells. ELISA and Western blot were, respectively, used to analyze the inflammatory markers and JAK2/STAT3 signals. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to identify M0 and M2 cells. As shown in results, ZKPC perturbed the expression of IL-6 inducible genes important for apoptosis, oxidative and inflammatory response, which was enhanced by JAK2 inhibitor. Besides the inhibitory effects on the phosphorylation levels of JAK2/STAT3, ZKPC markedly increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis in human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) cultured in the supernatant of M2 cells. Collectively, ZKPC could inhibit the IL-6-induced JAK/STAT3 signaling cascade, increase cell viability and decrease apoptosis induced by the supernatant of M2. A more comprehensive understanding of the action mechanism of ZKPC on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in human bronchial epithelial cells induced by IL-6 or M2 supernatant will enable ZKPC development in the control of asthma.

Keywords: IL-6; JAK2/STAT3; Zhike Pingchuan Granule; asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Bronchi / cytology
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Respiratory Mucosa / cytology
  • Sulfonamides

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • fedratinib

Grants and funding

The study was support by National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Project, 81973903, by ‘Henan Province traditional Chinese Medicine scientific research special project’ (20-21ZY2057), key specialized research and development breakthrough (212102311143), Project of Chinese Society of Ethnic Medicine (2020ZY270-400306) and Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine research nursery project (MP2020-019).