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M2_C Polarization by Baicalin Enhances Efferocytosis via Upregulation of MERTK Receptor

Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

Flow Cytometry Center, Precision Instruments Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

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Renanda Baghaz Dzulhamdhani Surya Putra

Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

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Shin-Peir Aui

Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

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, and

Ko-Tung Chang

Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

Flow Cytometry Center, Precision Instruments Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

E-mail Address: kotungc@mail.npust.edu.tw

Correspondence to: Prof. Ko-Tung Chang, Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 1, Shuefu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan. Tel: (+886) 8-7703202 (ext. 6362), Fax: (+886) 8-7740550.

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https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X18500957Cited by:33 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

Baicalin is the main active ingredient primary isolated from the Chinese herb, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Although baicalin can induce M2 macrophage polarization, we still do not know the subtype of macrophages polarized by baicalin. In this study, we characterized that murine bone marrow derived macrophages induced by M-CSF can be further polarized into M2_C phenotype by baicalin. The signatures of M2_C macrophages for mRNA expression like interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), MERTK and PTX3 were up-regulated. Moreover, we observed the concomitantly decreasing of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- $α$ ), interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), IL-6. In contrast, M2 macrophages polarized by IL-4 increased gene transcript of arginase-1 (Arg-1) and surface marker of CD206 indicates that their identity as M2_A rather than M2_C subtypes. Interestingly, the phagocytosis as well as efferocytosis activity were significantly enhanced in M2_C macrophage polarized by baicalin and these capacities were associated with the expression of MERTK receptor. Finally, we conclude that baicalin induced M2_C macrophages polarization with both elevations of efferocytosis and anti-inflammatory activity.

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References

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