Expression Profiling of Genes Targeted by Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) in Macrophages Through DNA Microarray

Abstract

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory function and underlying genes targeted by bilberry, gene expression profiling through DNA microarray was performed on bilberry extract-treated macrophages. Among 22,050 oligonucleotides, the expression levels of 998 genes were increased by ≥ twofold in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264 cells, 358 gene signals of which were attenuated by bilberry extract (≥ 1.5-fold). Expression levels of 2,086 genes were decreased by ≥ twofold in LPS-activated cells, of which 939 gene signals were enhanced by bilberry extract (≥ 1.5-fold). Utilizing Panther group analysis, 308 genes affected by bilberry extract were classified into 43 categories relating to biological processes (97), molecular functions (186), and signaling pathways (26) with ≥ 1.5-fold change. The genes categorized as “defense, inflammatory response, cytokines activities, and receptor activities” were further identified, and some of them were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The DNA microarray results provide a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory effects of bilberry.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan (18580125) and by the fund of Frontier Science Research Center of Kagoshima University to D.-X. Hou.

Notes

^a Abbreviations are as follows: PCR, polymerase chain reaction; Tm, temperature melting; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; IL, interleukin; PTGS, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase; TNC, tenascin C; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; CCL, CC chemokine ligand; IFI, interferon gamma inducible protein.

^a Abbreviations are as follows: LPS, lipopolysaccharide; CTL, control; B, bilberry.

^a Abbreviations are as follows: LPS, lipopolysaccharide; CTL, control; B, bilberry; EGF, epidermal growth factor; JAK-STAT, janus activated kinase (JAK) signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT); Wnt, wingless integration. LPS/CTL, > twofold; (B + LPS)/CTL, > 1.5-fold.

^a Abbreviations are as follows: LPS, lipopolysaccharide; CTL, control; B, bilberry.