Diabetes and high-glucose could upregulate the expression of receptor for activated C kinase 1 in retina

BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a major ocular complication of diabetes mellitus,leading to visual impairment.Retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)injury is a key component of the outer blood retinal barrier,and its damage is an important indicator of DR.Receptor for activated C kinase 1(RACK1)activates protein kinase C-ε(PKC-ε)to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in RPE cells,leading to apoptosis.Therefore,we hypothesize that the activation of RACK1 under hypoxic/high-glucose conditions may promote RPE cell apoptosis by modulating PKC-ε/ROS,thereby disrupting the barrier effect of the outer blood retinal barrier and contributing to the progression of DR.AIM To investigate the role and associated underlying mechanisms of RACK1 in the development of early DR.METHODS In this study,Sprague-Dawley rats and adult RPE cell line-19(ARPE-19)cells were used as in vivo and in vitro models,respectively,to explore the role of RACK1 in mediating PKC-εin early DR.Furthermore,the impact of RACK1 on apoptosis and barrier function of RPE cells was also investigated in the former model.RESULTS Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed increased apoptosis and upregulated expression of RACK1 and PKC-εproteins in RPE cells following a prolonged modeling.Similarly,ARPE-19 cells exposed to high glucose and hypoxia displayed elevated mRNA and protein levels of RACK1 and PKC-ε,accompanied by an increases in ROS production,apoptosis rate,and monolayer permeability.However,silencing RACK1 significantly downregulated the expression of PKC-εand ROS,reduced cell apoptosis and permeability,and protected barrier function.CONCLUSION RACK1 plays a significant role in the development of early DR and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for DR by regulating RPE apoptosis and barrier function.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor effects on p38 mitogen activated protein kinase and its role in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND： Activated N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptor is involved in the formation of chronic neuropathic pain, and its antagonist, ketamine, exhibits effective amelioration of diabetic neuropathic pain （DNP）. However, the mechanisms of NMDA receptor participation in the formation and maintenance of DNP remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the role NMDA receptor plays in DNP and effects on p38 mitogen activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） in a rat model of DNP. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Institute of Yunyang Medical College Affiliated Taihe Hospital between July 2005 and September 2007. MATERIALS： Streptozotocin was provided by Sigma, USA; p38 MAPK inhibitor （SB203580） was provided by Shanghai KangChen Biotech, China; NMDA receptor antagonist （MK-801） was purchased from Shanghai Yope Biotech, China. METHODS： A total of 128 healthy, Wistar rats of clean grade, aged 3 months and weighing 180- 220 g, were randomly assigned to 4 groups： control, DNP model, p38 MAPK, and NMDA receptor. Each group contained 32 rats. DNP was established in all groups except for the control group by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin （65 mg/kg）. Subsequently, 1 mg/kg SB203580 and 1 mg/kg MK-801 were injected once each week via intraperitoneal injection in the p38 MAPK and NMDA receptor groups, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At the end of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks following streptozotocin injection, mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured in 8 animals from each group following von Frey filament stimulation. The rats were anesthetized and nerve conduction velocity of the left sciatic nerve was measured. Subsequently, the right sciatic nerve, the lumbar segment of the spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia were removed from the L3-6 segment for microscopic examination, p38 MAPK expression was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Expression of NMDA receptor 1 mRNA in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord neurons was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS： Mechanical withdrawal threshold and nerve conduction velocity were significantly reduced, and p38 MAPK and NMDA receptor 1 mRNA expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were significantly increased, in the model, p38 MAPK, and NMDA receptor groups compared with the control group at all time points （P 〈 0.05）. At 4-8 weeks following successful DNP model establishment, SB203580 and MK-801 increased mechanical withdrawal threshold, accelerated nerve conduction velocity, and attenuated p38 MAPK expression, compared with the model group. The NMDA receptor group exhibited downregulated mRNA expression of NMDA receptor 1 compared with the model and p38 MAPK groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： NMDA receptor was highly expressed in the brains of DNP rats and was involved in DNP development via activation of the p38 MAPK signal pathway.

Inhibitory roles of protein kinase B and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator on hepatic HMG-CoA reductase promoter activity

Since we had previously demonstrated that siRNAs to tristetraprolin (TTP) markedly inhibited insulin stimulation of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) transcription, we investigated the effects of transfecting rat liver with TTP constructs. We found that transfecting diabetic rats with TTP did not increase HMGR transcription but rather led to modest inhibition. We then investigated whether co-transfection with protein kinase B, hepatic form (AKT2), might lead to phosphorylation and result in activation of HMGR transcription. We found that this treatment resulted in near complete inhibition of transcription. Transfection with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g coactivator (PGC-1a) also inhibited HMGR transcription. These results show that although TTP is needed for activation of HMGR transcription, it cannot by itself activate this process. AKT2 and PGC-1a, which mediate the activation of gluconeogenic genes by insulin, exert the opposite effect on HMGR.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 protects PC12 cells from amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity

The mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, transformation and death. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1（MKP1） has an inhibitory effect on the p38 MAPK and JNK pathways, but it is unknown whether it plays a role in Aβ-induced oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation. In this study, PC12 cells were infected with MKP1 sh RNA, MKP1 lentivirus or control lentivirus for 12 hours, and then treated with 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 μM amyloid beta 42（Aβ42）. The cell survival rate was measured using the cell counting kit-8 assay. MKP1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha（TNF-α） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） m RNA expression levels were analyzed using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. MKP1 and phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase（JNK） expression levels were assessed using western blot assay. Reactive oxygen species（ROS） levels were detected using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using flow cytometry. Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels were evaluated using the colorimetric method. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured using a microplate reader. Caspase-3 expression levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling method. MKP1 overexpression inhibited Aβ-induced JNK phosphorylation and the increase in ROS levels. It also suppressed the Aβ-induced increase in TNF-α and IL-1β levels as well as apoptosis in PC12 cells. In contrast, MKP1 knockdown by RNA interference aggravated Aβ-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and cell damage in PC12 cells. Furthermore, the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 abolished this effect of MKP1 knockdown on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Collectively, these results show that MKP1 mitigates Aβ-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway, thereby playing a neuroprotective role.

Electroacupuncture preconditioning attenuates ischemic brain injury by activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Electroacupuncture has therapeutic effects on ischemic brain injury, but its mechanism is still poorly understood. In this study, mice were stimulated by electroacupuncture at the Baihui（GV20） acupoint for 30 minutes at 1 m A and 2/15 Hz for 5 consecutive days. A cerebral ischemia model was established by ligating the bilateral common carotid artery for 15 minutes. At 72 hours after injury, neuronal injury in the mouse hippocampus had lessened, and the number of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling-positive cells reduced after electroacupuncture treatment. Moreover, expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α（AMPKα） and phosphorylated AMPKα was up-regulated. Intraperitoneal injection of the AMPK antagonist, compound C, suppressed this phenomenon. Our findings suggest that electroacupuncture preconditioning alleviates ischemic brain injury via AMPK activation.

Distinct protein kinase C isozymes mediates inhibitory effects of different G-protein coupled receptors on cardiac rapidly activating delayed rectifier K ~ current

Aim Evidence has shown that stimulation of alA-adrenorecetors receptor （alA-AR） or angiotensin II type 1 receptor （AT1R） acutely down-regulates the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K ＋ current （IKr） via protein kinase C （PKC）. This study was designed to investigate which PKC isozymes mediate down-regulations of IKr by alA-AR and AT1R. Method The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record IKr in native cardio- myocytes and in human embryonic kidney （HEK） 293 cells co-transfected with human ether-a-go-go related gene （hERG） encoding α-subunit of IKr and human alA-AR or AT1R gene. Result In isolated guinea-pig ventricular cardiomyocytes the inhibitory action of Ang II on IKr was little affected by Go6976 （selectively inhibiting PKCα, β and γ） and Go6983 （selectively inhibiting PKCα, β, γ , δ, and ζ）, but was significantly antagonized by an inter- nal dialysis with PKCe-selective inhibitory peptide εV1 -2. In contrast, the inhibitory action of alA-AR agonist A61603 on IKr was remarkably attenuated by Go6976 or Go6983, but not affected by peptide εV1 -2. Moreover, specific PKC-selective inhibitory peptide antagonized the effect of A61603. The results suggested that PKCe and PKCα isoform respectively mediated the inhibitory effect of AT1R and a1A-AR. In heterologous expression system, both PKCα and e-selective activator peptides down regulated hERG current with different manner. PKCα activator peptide shifted the activation curve of the channel to the right, but PKCe-selective activator peptide did not. Simi- larly, A61603 shifted the activation curve to the right, whereas Ang Ⅱ had no effect. In addition, both A61603 and PKCα activator peptide showed inhibitory action on bERG A PKC current （an bERG mutant in which 17 of the 18 ROSITE-predicted PKC acceptor serines/threonines were changed to alanine） with a similar potency to wild type bERG current. But, both Ang Ⅱ and PKCe-selective activator peptide exhibited no effects on bERG △ PKC cur- rent. The results indicated that PKCα and PKCe isoforms down-regulated bERG current through different mecha- nism. Conclusion PKCα and PKCe isoform respectively mediates the inhibition on IKr by stimulation of AT1R and alA-AR via different molecular mechanism.

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by γ-irradi-ation in IEC-6 cells: Role of intracellular Ca^(2+)

Abstract Objective:To explore the effects of γ-irradiation on mitogen-activatedprotein kinases(MAPKs) and role intracellular calcium in this event in intestinal epithelial cell line 6(IEC-6 cells).Methods:After cultured rat IIEC-6 cells with or without the pretreatment of intracellular Ca^2+ chelator were exposed to γ-ir-radiation of 6 Gy, the total and phosphorylated MAPKs in the cells were determined with Western blotting and apoptosis was examined with flow cytometry.Activities of Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK were determined by using immuoprecipitation followed by Western blotting.Results:In response to γ-irradiation,phosphorylation of ERK was not significantly observed ,while the levels of phos-phorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase(JNK) and p38 MAPK were increased in 30 min and reached the peak 2h after exposure to 6Gy γ-irradiation,though the cell viability was significantly lowered 12h.On the other hand, no obvious changes were seen in the total protein levels of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK.Chelation of in-tracellular Ca^2+ almost completely suppressed the JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation induced by γ-irradiation is a potent activator for JNK and p38 MAPK, and Ca^2+ mobilized from intracellular stores plays an important role in the activation of MAPKs and the induction of apoptosis in IEC-6 cells.

老年重症肺炎患者血清4-HNE、APC、sCD163预测预后不良的价值

目的探讨老年重症肺炎(SP)患者血清4-羟基壬烯醛(4-HNE)、活化蛋白C(APC)、可溶性血红蛋白清道夫受体163(sCD163)对预后不良的预测价值。方法选取2020年8月至2022年8月新乡医学院第一附属医院收治的200例老年SP患者纳入SP组,另选取同期、同年龄段200例老年普通肺炎患者纳入普通肺炎组。比较两组患者和SP组不同预后患者的血清4-HNE、APC、sCD163水平,并采用Pearson法分析SP组患者血清4-HNE、APC、sCD163水平与肺部感染评分(CPIS评分)的相关性,采用Logistic回归分析老年SP患者死亡的影响因素,采用受试者工作特性曲线(ROC)分析各指标对预后情况的预测效能。结果SP组患者的血清4-HNE、sCD163水平分别为(21.27±4.02)mg/L、(154.27±56.34)pg/mL,明显高于普通肺炎组的(15.63±3.49)mg/L、(112.17±37.59)pg/mL,APC水平为(25.47±5.06)pmol/L,明显低于普通肺炎组的(30.12±6.14)pmol/L,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);经Pearson法分析结果显示,入院时SP患者的血清4-HNE、sCD163水平与CPIS评分呈正相关(r=0.754、0.723,P<0.05),APC水平与之呈负相关(r=-0.695,P<0.05);入院3 d、7 d后,死亡组患者的血清4-HNE分别为(23.89±6.12)mg/L、(26.01±8.27)mg/L,明显高于生存组的(19.03±4.11)mg/L、(17.25±3.56)mg/L,sCD163水平分别为(182.34±60.33)pg/mL、(219.46±70.41)pg/mL,明显高于生存组的(137.83±30.24)pg/mL、(120.74±25.17)pg/mL,APC水平分别为(23.04±4.89)pmol/L、(20.73±4.25)pmol/L,明显低于生存组的(27.42±4.09)pmol/L、(29.76±4.14)pmol/L,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示,入院3 d、7 d后,血清4-HNE(>20.32 mg/L、>19.57 mg/L)、sCD163(>149.63 pg/mL、>146.90 pg/mL)是老年SP患者治疗28 d后死亡的危险因素,APC(>26.26 pmol/L、>27.37 pmol/L)是其保护因素(P<0.05);ROC分析结果显示,入院3 d后血清各指标水平联合预测死亡的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.910(95%CI:0.861~0.946),最佳预测敏感度、特异度分别为81.13%、86.39%,入院7 d后联合预测死亡的AUC为0.922(95%CI:0.876~0.955),最佳敏感度、特异度分别为90.57%、84.35%。结论血清4-HNE、APC、sCD163水平与老年SP发生、发展相关,各指标水平与CPIS评分均具有一定相关性,联合检测对老年SP患者预后情况具有一定预测价值,可作为临床评估肺部感染程度及预后的辅助指标。

基于PKC-P2X3信号通路观察电针对神经病理性疼痛小鼠神经修复的作用机制

目的:基于蛋白激酶C(PKC)-配体门控型非选择性离子通道3(P2X3)信号通路观察电针对神经病理性疼痛小鼠神经修复的作用机制。方法:48只小鼠随机分成假手术组、模型组、针刺组与电针组,每组12只。除假手术组外,其余小鼠构建坐骨神经慢性限制性损伤(CCI)模型。术后第8天针刺组与电针组接受针刺与电针干预,连续7 d。于术前、术后3 d、5 d、7 d、10 d、12 d、14 d对各组进行机械缩足反射阈值(MWT)与热刺激缩足反射潜伏期(TWL)测试。术后15 d处死所有小鼠,HE染色观察坐骨神经组织形态,ELISA检测脊髓组织IL-1β、TNF-α水平,Western blot检测脊髓组织PKC、P2X3水平,免疫荧光检测脊髓神经元PKC、P2X3表达情况。结果:假手术组神经元细胞大小不一,细胞膜完整,细胞质呈细小颗粒状,细胞核大而圆,核仁居中清晰可见;模型组可见萎缩的神经元,有髓神经纤维紊乱,轴突肿胀,神经元间形成间隙;与模型组相比,针刺组、电针组萎缩神经元数量减少(P<0.05),有髓神经纤维排布情况改善,电针组较针刺组改善更为明显。与相同时间点的假手术组相比,术后3 d、5 d、7 d、10 d、12 d、14 d模型组、针刺组、电针组患侧后肢的MWT、TWL值明显下降(P<0.05),IL-1β、TNF-α、PKC、P2X3表达量、PKC、P2X3阳性细胞数、平均光密度值升高(P<0.05);与模型组相比,术后10 d、12 d、14 d针刺组、电针组MWT、TWL值明显上升(P<0.05),IL-1β、TNF-α、PKC、P2X3表达量、PKC、P2X3阳性细胞数、平均光密度值降低(P<0.05);与针刺组相比,术后10 d、12 d、14 d电针组MWT、TWL值升高(P<0.05),IL-1β、TNF-α、PKC、P2X3表达量、PKC、P2X3阳性细胞数、平均光密度值降低(P<0.05)。结论:电针可能减轻CCI模型小鼠神经炎症反应,降低PKC、P2X3表达水平,改善坐骨神经细胞形态与有髓神经纤维排布情况,缩小神经元间间隙,提升MWT、TWL值,缓解神经病理性疼痛程度。

Protective Effects of Activated Protein C on Neurovascular Unit in a Rat Model of Intrauterine Infection-Induced Neonatal White Matter Injury

Summary： Activated protein C （APC）, a natural anticoagulant, has been reported to exert direct vascu- loprotective, neural protective, anti-inflammatory, and proneurogenic activities in the central nervous system. This study was aimed to explore the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of APC on the neurovascular unit of neonatal rats with intrauterine infection-induced white matter injury. In- traperitoneal injection of 300 ~tg/kg lipopolysaccharide （LPS） was administered consecutively to preg- nant Sprague-Dawley rats at embryonic days 19 and 20 to establish the rat model of intrauterine infec- tion-induced white matter injury. Control rats were injected with an equivalent amount of sterile saline on the same time. APC at the dosage of 0.2 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to neonatal rats imme- diately after birth. Brain tissues were collected at postnatal day 7 and stained with hematoxylin and eo- sin （H＆E）. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate myelin basic protein （MBP） expression in the periventricular white matter region. Blood-brain barrier （BBB） permeability and brain water content ~were measured using Evens Blue dye and wet/dry weight method. Double immunofluorescence staining and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to detect microglial activation and the expression of protease activated receptor 1 （PAR1）. Typical pathological changes of white matter injury were ob- served in rat brains exposed to LPS, and MBP expression in the periventricular region was significantly decreased. BBB was disrupted and the brain water content was increased. Microglia were largely acti- vated and the mRNA and protein levels of PAR1 were elevated. APC administration ameliorated the pathological lesions of the white matter and increased MBP expression. BBB permeability and brain water content were reduced. Microglia activation was inhibited and the PAR1 mRNA and protein ex- pression levels were both down-regulated. Our results suggested that APC exerted neuroprotective ef- fects on multiple components of the neurovascular unit in neonatal rats with intrauterine infec- tion-induced white matter injury, and the underlying mechanisms might involve decreased expression of PAR1.

Developmental Lead Exposure Alters the Distribution of Protein Kinase C Activity in the Rat Hippocampus

Chronic low-level lead (Pb) exposure in children is known to cause a deficit in learning and memory. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Pb altered protein kinase C (PKC) activityt Especially, hippocampal PKC has been correlated with performance in several learning tasks. The effects of Pb exposure on hippocampal PKC were investigated during development at various postnatal ages: postnatal day (PN) 7, 14, 28, and 56. Two-tenth % Pb acetate was administered to pregnant and lactating dams and then administered to weanling rats in drinking water. PKC activity was measured in both membrane and cytosolic fractions from the hippocampi of the controls and Pb-exposed animals. Pb-induced increase in PKC activity in the cytosolic fraction was obsereved in the PN56 rats. In contrast, PKC activity was decreased by Pb at PN7 in the membrane fraction. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the ratio of membrane to cytosolic PKC activity which is representative of PKC distribution was observed in the PN28 and PN56 Pb-exposed rats relative to the same-age controls. This study indicates that chronic Pb exposure during development influences hippocampal PKC activity and distribution. These changes may be involved in the subclinical neurotoxicity of chronic Pb exposure in young children.

Liver myofibroblasts activate protein C and respond to activated protein C

AIM:To study the protein C activation system in human liver myofibroblasts,and the effects of activated protein C(APC)on these cells.METHODS:Human liver myofibroblasts were obtained by outgrowth.Expression of protease activated receptor 1(PAR-1),endothelial protein C receptor(EPCR) and thrombomodulin(TM)was analyzed by flow cytometry.Extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 activation was assessed by Western blotting using anti-phospho-ERK antibodies.Collagen synthesis was studied with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Activation of protein C was studied by incubating liver myofibroblasts with zymogen protein C in the presence of thrombin and detecting the generation of APC with a colorimetric assay using a peptide substrate. RESULTS:Primary cultures of human liver myofibroblasts expressed EPCR on their surface,together with PAR-1 and TM.This receptor system was functional since exposure of myofibroblasts to APC inducedERK1/2 phosphorylation in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Furthermore,APC significantly upregulated the expression of collagen mRNA,as shown by real-time RT-PCR.Collagen upregulation was controlled through the ERK pathway as it was inhibited when using the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059.Finally,using a cell-based colorimetric assay,we showed that intact myofibroblasts converted protein C into APC in the presence of thrombin.CONCLUSION:These data suggest that APC is a new modulator of liver myofibroblast activity and contributes to the pathophysiology of chronic liver diseases.

Role of Activator Protein-1 in the Transcription of Interleukin-5 Gene Regulated by Protein Kinase C Signal in Asthmatic Human TLymphocytes

Summary: In order to explore the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the transcription of interleukin-5 (IL-5) gene regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) signal in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from asthmatic patient, T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each asthmatic patient. The T lymphocytes were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (blank control), group B (treated with PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)), Group C (treated with PMA and AP-1 cis-element decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (decoy ODNs)), and group D (treated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs). The ODNs were transfected into the T cells of group C and D by cation liposome respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to assess IL-5 mRNA expression, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) for the activation of AP-1. The results showed that the activation of AP-1 (88 003.58±1 626.57) and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (0.8300±0.0294) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than these in blank control (20 888.47±1103.56 and 0.3050±0.0208, respectively, P< 0.01), while the indexes (23 219.83±1 024.86 and 0.3425±0.0171 respectively) of T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 decoy ODNs were significantly inhibited, as compared with group B (P< 0.01). The indexes (87 107.41±1 342.92 and 0.8225±0.0222, respectively) in T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and AP-1 mutant decoy ODNs did not exhibit significant changes, as compared with group B (P>0.05). The significant positive correlation was found between the activation of AP-1 and the expression of IL-5 mRNA (P< 0.01). It was concluded that AP-1 might participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered transcription of IL-5 gene in asthmatic T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

基于EGFR/MAPK/ERK信号通路探讨鳖甲煎丸对MHCC-97H肝癌细胞皮下瘤的抑瘤作用

目的基于表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factior receptor,EGFR)/丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)/细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK)信号通路探究鳖甲煎丸对MHCC-97H肝癌细胞皮下瘤的抑瘤作用及作用机制。方法选取30只雄性BLAB/c裸鼠,建立MHCC-97H肝癌细胞皮下瘤模型。造模成功后随机分为模型组,鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组(0.55、1.1、2.2 g/kg),西药组(乐伐替尼4 mg/kg+吉非替尼80 mg/kg),每组6只。鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组灌胃2次/d,西药组每周灌胃5 d,模型组予以等量生理盐水2次/d灌胃,每组连续干预2周。观察大鼠一般情况;计算各组大鼠抑瘤率;HE染色观察病理形态学变化;RT-qPCR检测瘤体组织中EGFR、丝裂原活化蛋白质激酶激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase,MEK)、ERK1、ERK2 mRNA表达水平;Western blot检测EGFR、磷酸化的EGFR(p-EGFR)、MEK、磷酸化的MEK(p-MEK)、ERK1、ERK2、磷酸化的ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2)、基质金属蛋白酶-1(matrix metalloproteinase-1,MMP-1)、细胞周期蛋白D1(cell cycle protein D1,Cyclin D1)、神经型钙黏附蛋白(N-cadherin)、上皮型钙黏附蛋白(E-cadherin)相对表达水平。结果与模型组比较,鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组及西药组精神、反应、进食饮水等情况均明显改善。与第0天比较,各组第14天体质量明显降低(P<0.01)。与模型组、鳖甲煎丸低剂量组比较,鳖甲煎丸中、高剂量组和西药组瘤体质量减轻(P<0.05,P<0.01)。鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组和西药组抑瘤率分别为20%、47.73%、55.91%、75.45%。与模型组比较,鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组及西药组肿瘤细胞排列疏松,边界模糊,细胞核固缩、破裂,其中西药组最明显。与模型组比较,鳖甲煎丸低、中、高剂量组和西药组EGFR、MEK、ERK1、ERK2 mRNA表达水平明显下降(P<0.01);与鳖甲煎丸低剂量组比较,鳖甲煎丸高剂量组和西药组EGFR、MEK、ERK1、ERK2 mRNA表达水平显著降低(P<0.01),鳖甲煎丸中剂量组ERK1 mRNA表达水平显著降低(P<0.01);与鳖甲煎丸中剂量组比较,西药组EGFR、ERK2 mRNA表达水平降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。与模型组比较,鳖甲煎丸中、高剂量组和西药组p-EGFR/EGFR、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/ERK1、p-ERK2/ERK2、MMP-1、Cyclin D1、N-cadherin蛋白相对表达水平下降(P<0.05,P<0.01),E-cadherin蛋白相对表达水平明显升高(P<0.01)。与鳖甲煎丸高剂量组比较,西药组p-EGFR/EGFR、p-ERK1/ERK1、MMP-1、Cyclin D1、N-cadherin蛋白相对表达水平明显下降(P<0.01),E-cadherin蛋白相对表达水平升高(P<0.05)。结论鳖甲煎丸可能通过抑制EGFR/MAPK/ERK信号通路激活,从而下调MMP-1、Cyclin D1、N-cadherin蛋白,上调E-cadherin蛋白表达,进而对MHCC-97H肝癌细胞皮下瘤产生显著的抑制作用。

Activated protein C: A regulator of human skin epidermal keratinocyte function

Activated protein C(APC) is a physiological anticoagulant, derived from its precursor protein C(PC). Independent of its anticoagulation, APC possesses strong anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and barrier protective properties which appear to be protective in a number of disorders including chronic wound healing. The epidermis is the outermost skin layer and provides the first line of defence against the external environment. Keratinocytes are the most predominant cells in the epidermis and play a critical role in maintaining epidermal barrier function. PC/APC and its receptor, endothelial protein C receptor(EPCR), once thought to be restricted to the endothelium, are abundantly expressed by skin epidermal keratinocytes. These cells respond to APC by upregulating proliferation, migration and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and inhibiting apoptosis/inflammation leading to a wound healing phenotype. APC also increases barrier function of keratinocyte monolayers by promoting the expression of tight junction proteins and re-distributing them to cell-cell contacts. These cytoprotective properties of APC are mediated through EPCR, protease-activated receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor or Tie2. Future preventive and therapeutic uses of APC in skin disorders associated with disruption of barrier function and inflammation look promising. This review will focus on APC's function in skin epidermis/keratinocytes and its therapeutical potential in skin inflammatory conditions.

Signaling mechanisms in alcoholic liver injury: Role of transcription factors, kinases and heat shock proteins

Alcoholic liver injury comprises of interactions of various intracellular signaling events in the liver. Innate immune responses in the resident Kupffer cells of the liver, oxidative stress-induced activation of hepatocytes, fibrotic events in liver stellate cells and activation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells all contribute to alcoholic liver injury. The signaling mechanisms associated with alcoholic liver injury vary based on the cell type involved and the extent of alcohol consumption. In this review we will elucidate the oxidative stress and signaling pathways affected by alcohol in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in the liver by alcohol. The toll-like receptors and their down-stream signaling events that play an important role in alcohol-induced inflammation will be discussed. Alcohol-induced alterations of various intracellular transcription factors such as NFκB, PPARs and AP-1, as well as MAPK kinases in hepatocytes and macrophages leading to induction of target genes that contribute to liver injury will be reviewed. Finally, we will discuss the significance of heat shock proteins as chaperones and their functional regulation in the liver that could provide new mechanistic insights into the contributions of stress-induced signaling mechanisms in alcoholic liver injury.

All-trans Retinoic Acid Diminishes Collagen Production in a Hepatic Stellate Cell Line via Suppression of Active Protein-1 and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Signal

Following acute and chronic liver injury,hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) become activated to undergo a phenotypic transformation into myofibroblast-like cells and lose their retinol content,but the mechanisms of retinoid loss and its potential roles in HSCs activation and liver fibrosis are not understood.The influence of retinoids on HSCs and hepatic fibrosis remains controversial.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA) on cell proliferation,mRNA expression of collagen genes [procollagen α1 (Ⅰ),procollagen α1 (Ⅲ)],profibrogenic genes (TGF-β 1,CTGF,MMP-2,TIMP-1,TIMP-2,PAI-1),fibrolytic genes (MMP-3,MMP-13) and the upstream element (JNK and AP-1) in the rat hepatic stellate cell line (CFSC-2G).Cell proliferation was evaluated by measuring BrdU incorporation.The mRNA expression levels of collagen genes [procollagen α1 (Ⅰ),procollagen α1 (Ⅲ)],profibrogenic genes (TGF-β 1,CTGF,MMP-2,TIMP-1,TIMP-2,PAI-1),and fibrolytic genes (MMP-3,MMP-13) were quantitatively detected by using real-time PCR.The mRNA expression of JNK and AP-1 was quantified by RT-PCR.The results showed that ATRA inhibited HSCs proliferation and diminished the mRNA expression of collagen genes [procollagen α1 (Ⅰ),procollagen α1 (Ⅲ)] and profibrogenic genes (TGF-β 1,CTGF,MMP-2,TIMP-1,TIMP-2,PAI-1),and significantly stimulated the mRNA expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in HSCs by suppressing the mRNA expression of JNK and AP-1.These findings suggested that ATRA could inhibit proliferation and collagen production of HSCs via the suppression of active protein-1 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signal,then decrease the mRNAs expression of profibrogenic genes (TGF-β 1,CTGF,MMP-2,TIMP-1,TIMP-2,PAI-1),and significantly induce the mRNA expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13.

Increased expression of receptor for advanced glycation end-products worsens focal brain ischemia in diabetic rats

A rat model of diabetes mellitus was induced by a high fat diet, followed by focal brain ischemia induced using the thread method after 0.5 month. Immunohistochemistry showed that expression of receptor for advanced glycation end-products was higher in the ischemic cortex of diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic rats with brain ischemia. Western blot assay revealed increased phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase expression, and unchanged phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase protein expression in the ischemic cortex of diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic rats with brain ischemia. Additionally, phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase protein was not detected in any rats in the two groups. Severity of limb hemiplegia was worse in diabetic rats with brain ischemia compared with ischemia alone rats. The results suggest that increased expression of receptor for advanced glycation end-products can further activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway in mitogen-activated protein kinase, thereby worsening brain injury associated with focal brain ischemia in diabetic rats.

妊娠期高血压疾病患者血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平变化及与妊娠结局的相关性

目的:探讨妊娠期高血压疾病(HDP)患者血清可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体-1(sFlt-1)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平变化及与妊娠结局的相关性。方法:收集2022年1月—2023年2月于赣州市妇幼保健院接受治疗的HDP患者108例作为病例组,并进行回顾性分析。根据病情严重程度将病例组患者分为妊娠期高血压组(43例)、子痫前期组(35例)、子痫组(30例),并选取同期正常妊娠的妇女82例作为对照组。分析所有研究对象中血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平变化情况。结果:病例组血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。妊娠期高血压组、子痫前期组、子痫组患者血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),且血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平随病情严重程度的加重而升高(P<0.05)。不良妊娠结局组患者血清hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平均高于妊娠结局良好组(P<0.05)。血清hs-CRP、s Flt-1水平反映HDP患者妊娠结局的AUC分别为0.758、0.763。相关性分析显示,hs-CRP、sFlt-1之间呈正相关(r=0.743,P<0.001)。结论:HDP患者血清中hs-CRP、sFlt-1水平均升高,且随疾病严重程度的加重而增加,并与妊娠结局有一定的相关性。