Dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfate Reduces Inflammation Through Inhibition of the HMGB1/RAGE Axis in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a central pro-inflammatory mediator released from damaged or stressed cells, where it activates receptors such as the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE). Dendritic polyglycerol sulfate (dPGS), a hyperbranched polyanionic polymer, is known for its anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we examined how dPGS modulates HMGB1-driven signaling in RAW 264.7 macrophages and human microglia. Recombinant human HMGB1 expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) and heparin chromatography. Proximity ligation assays (PLA) revealed that dPGS significantly disrupted HMGB1/RAGE interactions, particularly under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, thereby reducing inflammatory signaling complex formation. This correlated with reduced activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, demonstrated by decreased nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that dPGS suppressed HMGB1- and LPS-induced transcription of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Griess assays confirmed reduced TNF-α secretion and nitric oxide production. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy further showed that dPGS altered HMGB1/soluble RAGE (sRAGE) complex dynamics, providing mechanistic insight into its receptor-disruptive action.