Inhibition of LPS-stimulated pathways in macrophages by the flavonoid luteolin

1. We have previously shown that the flavonoid luteolin inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules induced by LPS. In the present study we tested the ability of luteolin to block signalling pathways implicated in LPS-induced inflammatory gene expression in macrophages. 2. Exposure of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 to LPS increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family members ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2 in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of RAW 264.7 with luteolin inhibited the LPS-induced ERK1/2 and p38, but not JNK1/2, phosphorylation, and blocked the LPS-induced TNF-α release. 3. To investigate which of these pathways contribute to the inhibitory effects of luteolin on TNF-α release, cells were pretreated with pharmacological inhibitors of these pathways; PD98059 and SB203580 when used alone failed to inhibit TNF-α release, whereas pretreatment with both agents attenuated TNF-α release. 4. We have previously shown that luteolin blocks Akt phosphorylation in response to LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To determine the role of Akt in TNF-α release, cells were transiently transfected with a dominant negative form of Akt (K179M). Overexpression of K179M Akt did not alter LPS-induced TNF-α release, suggesting that inhibition of this kinase does not mediate the inhibitory action of luteolin. 5. In addition, DRB (a pharmacological inhibitor of CK2) blocked TNF-α release in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas co-treatment of cells with luteolin and DRB did not have an additive effect. 6. We conclude that luteolin interferes with LPS signalling by reducing the activation of several MAPK family members and that its inhibitory action on TNF-α release correlates with inhibition of ERK, p38 and CK2 activation.