Objective To explore the effects of Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced polarization tendency of murine mono
Objective To explore the effects of Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced polarization tendency of murine monocyte-macrophage RAW264.7 cells and its influence on inflammatory responses. Methods An inflammation model was established by LPS induction in RAW264.7 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. The concentrations of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nitric oxide (NO) secretion in the cell culture supernatant was detected using the Griess method. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, and IL-6. Western blotting was used to analyze protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NF-κB, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), NF-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α), and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκB-α). The polarization status of macrophages was observed using double fluorescence staining. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine NF-κB localization and expression. Results After treatment with 1 000 μg/L Tβ4 for 24 hours, the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells was 90.2%, showing a statistically significant difference compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). Tβ4 at various concentrations effectively inhibited NO production (all P < 0.000 1). Tβ4 decreased the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α and IL-6) and NO in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory model. It also downregulated mRNA expression of NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as protein expression of iNOS, p-NF-κB, and p-IκBα. Additionally, Tβ4 inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and decreased CD80 expression (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Tβ4 exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, the mechanisms of which may be associated with the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and suppression of macrophage M1 polarization.