Anti-inflammatory effects of Torin2 on lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 murine macrophages and potential mechanisms
Shanshan Wei, Ting Wang, Qi Cao, Xue Chen, Zhi-Yong Chu, Zhenzhen Zhang
Abstract
Context: Torin2 has various pharmacological properties. However, its anti-inflammatory activity has not been reported. Objective: This study focused on the potential anti-inflammatory properties of Torin2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-evoked RAW264.7 murine macrophages. The study aimed to shed light on the molecular mechanisms that ameliorate these effects. Methods: western blotting. Nuclear factor-kappa-B/p65 nuclear translocation was tested using an immunofluorescence assay. Results: The results demonstrated that pre-treatment with Torin2 profoundly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated levels of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2, pro-inflammatory cytokines, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Collectively, Torin2 pre-treatment notably weakened lipopolysaccharide-induced damage by reducing the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa-B, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase proteins, and nuclear factor-kappa-B/p65 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: Numerous pieces of evidence indicated that Torin2 reversed inflammatory activation by regulating nuclear factor-kappa-B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways and provided a tentative potential candidate for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases.