Ginsenoside metabolite compound K differentially antagonizing tumor necrosis factor-α-induced monocyte-endothelial trafficking

Human leukocyte endothelial adhesion and transmigration occur in the early stage of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial cells are targeted by pro-inflammatory cytokines modulating many gene proteins responsible for cell adhesion, thrombosis and inflammatory responses. This study examined the potential of compound K to inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, induction of monocyte adhesion onto TNF-alpha-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were cultured with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha with individual ginsenosides of Rb1, Rc, Re, Rhl and compound K (CK). Ginsenosides at doses of <= 50 mu M did not show any cytotoxicity. TNF-alpha induced THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVEC, and such induction was attenuated by Rh1 and CK. Consistently, CK suppressed TNF-alpha-induced expression of HUVEC adhesion molecules of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, and also Rhl showed a substantial inhibition. Rh1 and CK dampened induction of counter-receptors, alpha 4/beta 1 integrin VLA-4 and alpha L/beta 2 integrin LFA-1 in TNF-alpha-treated THP-1 cells. Additionally, CK diminished THP-1 secretion of MMP-9 required during transmigration, inhibiting transendothelial migration of THP-1 cells. CK blunted TNF-alpha-promoted IL-8 secretion of HUVEC and CXCR1 expression of THP-1 monocytes. Furthermore, INF-alpha-activated endothelial I kappa B phosphorylation and NF-kappa B nuclear translocation were disturbed by CK, and TNF-alpha induction of alpha 4/beta 1 integrin was abrogated by the NF-kappa B inhibitor SN50. These results demonstrate that CK exerts anti-atherogenic activity with blocking leukocyte endothelial interaction and transmigration through negatively mediating NF-kappa B signaling. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.