大黄蛰虫丸调节IL-1β/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路对动脉粥样硬化大鼠主动脉炎性损伤的影响

目的 探讨大黄蛰虫丸调节IL-1β/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路对动脉粥样硬化(AS)大鼠主动脉炎性损伤的影响。方法 将40只大鼠分为正常对照组(NS)、模型组、地奥心血康干预组(阳性组)及大黄蛰虫丸干预组(大黄蛰虫丸组),每组各10只。除正常组外,余下3组小鼠均构建AS模型。应用油红染色对主动脉病理切片情况进行观察,采用EILSA法检测血清脂质水平[甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)]、血清炎症指标(IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α水平);应用流式细胞术对外周血Th17/Treg细胞水平进行检测,并通过RT-qPCR法和Western blot分别检测IL-1β/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并计算AI指数。结果 除NC组大鼠以外,其他各组大鼠动脉组织中均出现内膜增厚、斑块沉积和不连续、大量炎症细胞浸润等现象;其中模型组动脉组织损伤现象最为显著,阳性组和大黄蛰虫丸组较模型组明显改善,动脉组织结构情况与NC组相近。模型组血清TC[(9.82±1.46)mmol/L]、TG[(9.82±1.46)mmol/L]、LDL-C[(2.93±0.22)mmol/L]、IL-6[(97.65±9.11)ng/L]、TNF-α[(93.21±11.17)ng/L]水平及外周血Th17[(3.56±0.34)%]、Treg细胞[(4.41±0.38)%]水平高于NC组[分别为(3.71±0.57)mmol/L、(6.47±0.92)mmol/L、(0.94±0.15)mmol/L、(16.52±2.76)ng/L、(5.45±0.84)ng/L、(1.83±0.16)%、(7.72±0.73)%](均P<0.05),HDL-C水平[(2.92±0.31)mmol/L]低于NC组[(0.95±0.08)mmol/L](P<0.05);与模型组相比,大黄蜇虫丸组和阳性组血清TC[分别为(3.92±0.72)mmol/L、(3.71±0.65)mmol/L]、TG[分别为(6.71±0.83)mmol/L、(6.83±0.72)mmol/L]、LDL-C[分别为(1.15±0.11)mmol/L、(1.11±0.13)mmol/L]、IL-6[分别为(19.83±2.55)ng/L、(18.51±3.72)ng/L]、TNF-α[分别为(17.08±1.72)ng/L、(15.92±1.56)ng/L]水平及外周血Th17[分别为(2.11±0.25)%、(2.06±0.22)%]、Treg细胞[分别为(7.45±0.76)%、(7.31±0.72)%]水平偏低,HDL-C偏高[分别为(2.18±0.72)mmol/L、(2.23±0.61)mmol/L],趋近于NC组(均P<0.05)。与NC组AI指数(0.35±0.08)比较,模型组、阳性组和大黄蛰虫丸组(分别为9.71±2.04、1.21±0.15、0.83±0.17)均明显升高(均P<0.05),其中阳性组和大黄蛰虫丸组AI指数低于模型组(均P<0.05)。模型组大鼠的IL-6、TNF-α水平和外周血IL-1β、NF-κB、NLRP3 mRNA和信号通路蛋白表达水平均较NC组、阳性组和大黄蛰虫组明显偏高(均P<0.05)。结论 大黄蛰虫丸对动脉粥样硬化大鼠主动脉的炎性损伤可能具有明显的改善作用,可能是通过抑制IL-1β/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路来实现治疗效果。

Calcitriol attenuates liver fibrosis through hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1-mediated TGF β1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a serious condition,and the development of hepatic fibrosis can lead to a series of complications.However,the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains unclear,and effective therapy options are still lacking.Our group identified hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1(NS3TP1) by suppressive subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics analysis,but its role in diseases including hepatic fibrosis remains undefined.Therefore,additional studies on the function of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed to provide new targets for treatment.AIM To elucidate the mechanism of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis and the regulatory effects of calcitriol on NS3TP1.METHODS Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized and separated into three groups,comprising the normal,fibrosis,and calcitriol treatment groups,and liver fibrosis was modeled by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).To evaluate the level of hepatic fibrosis in every group,serological and pathological examinations of the liver were conducted.TGF-β1 was administered to boost the in vitro cultivation of LX-2 cells.NS3TP1,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen I,and collagen Ⅲ in every group were examined using a Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The activity of the transforming growth factor beta 1(TGFβ1)/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in each group of cells transfected with pcDNA-NS3TP1 or siRNA-NS3TP1 was detected.The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Student’s t test.RESULTS NS3TP1 promoted the activation,proliferation,and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and enhanced hepatic fibrosis via the TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways,as evidenced by the presence of α-SMA,collagen I,collagen Ⅲ,p-smad3,and p-p65 in LX-2 cells,which were upregulated after NS3TP1 overexpression and downregulated after NS3TP1 interference.The proliferation of HSCs was lowered after NS3TP1 interference and elevated after NS3TP1 overexpression,as shown by the luciferase assay.NS3TP1 inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs.Moreover,both Smad3 and p65 could bind to NS3TP1,and p65 increased the promoter activity of NS3TP1,while NS3TP1 increased the promoter activity of TGFβ1 receptor I,as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation and luciferase assay results.Both in vivo and in vitro,treatment with calcitriol dramatically reduced the expression of NS3TP1.Calcitriol therapy-controlled HSCs activation,proliferation,and differentiation and substantially suppressed CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.Furthermore,calcitriol modulated the activities of the above signaling pathways via downregulation of NS3TP1.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that calcitriol may be employed as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic fibrosis and that NS3TP1 is a unique,prospective therapeutic target in hepatic fibrosis.

前列消汤干预NLRP3炎性小体调控慢性非细菌性前列腺炎Caspase-1/IL-1β/NF-κB p65轴机制研究

目的探讨前列消汤通过干预NLRP3炎性小体调控慢性非细菌性前列腺炎Caspase-1/IL-1β/NF-κB p65轴机制研究。方法将120只雄性SPF级C57BL/6小鼠按随机数表法分为空白组、模型组、阳性对照组(MCC950)、前列消汤高/中/低剂量组;除空白组外,其它组采用复合因素造模法制备EAP小鼠模型,以湿热证候积分、前列腺湿重指数、HE染色评估模型;免疫荧光检测各组小鼠前列腺组织NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-1β表达水平;Western Blot检测各组小鼠前列腺组织NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、GSDMD、NF-κB p65、NF-κB p65磷酸化蛋白表达水平。结果模型组前列腺湿热证候积分(P<0.01)、前列腺湿重指数较空白组升高(P<0.05);与空白组比较,模型组腺体及间质见大量炎症细胞浸润、腺腔结构紊乱、纤维化增生,各药物组能不同程度改善模型小鼠前列腺的炎性浸润程度,以MCC950组及前列消中、高剂量组最为显著(P<0.01);免疫荧光显示:与空白组比较,模型组小鼠前列腺NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-1β表达明显增强(P<0.01),与模型组比较,MCC950组、前列消汤高/中/低剂量组均能不同程度减弱模型小鼠前列腺NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-1β(P<0.05),MCC950组与前列消中/高剂量组比较,差异不具有统计学意义;Western Blot显示:与空白组比较,模型组小鼠前列腺NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、GSDMD、NF-κB p65、NF-κB p65磷酸化蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.01),与模型组比较,MCC950组能不同程度下调模型小鼠前列腺NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、GSDMD、NF-κB p65、NF-κB p65磷酸化蛋白表达(P<0.01),前列消汤各剂量组下调以中/高剂量组较为显著(P<0.01)。结论前列消汤可通过干预NLRP3炎症小体介导的Caspase-1/IL-1β/NF-κB p65炎症轴发挥抑制慢性非细菌性前列腺炎炎症反应的作用。

基于NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β信号通路探讨荆防合剂对荨麻疹小鼠干预作用的研究

观察荆防合剂对氢氧化铝/卵白蛋白诱导的荨麻疹小鼠的疗效并探讨其作用机制。将60只雄性昆明小鼠随机均分为正常组,模型组,荆防合剂低、中、高剂量组,盐酸西替利嗪片阳性药组。腹腔注射卵白蛋白与氢氧化铝混合液建立荨麻疹小鼠模型。第2次免疫时观察并记录小鼠瘙痒情况;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色法检测各组小鼠皮肤组织病理变化;酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测各组小鼠血清中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的水平;免疫组织化学法检测各组小鼠皮肤组织中NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3(NLRP3)、IL-1β的表达;蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)法检测各组小鼠皮肤组织中核因子κB(NF-κB p65)、NLRP3、凋亡相关微粒蛋白(ASC)、胱冬肽酶-1(caspase-1)、IL-1β蛋白的表达水平。结果显示,除正常组外,荆防合剂低、中、高剂量组,阳性药组以及模型组小鼠均出现不同程度的瘙痒反应。与模型组比较,荆防合剂低、中、高剂量组以及阳性药组小鼠瘙抓潜伏期延长(P<0.05),瘙抓次数明显减少(P<0.05);皮肤组织病理形态显著改善;血清中IL-1β和TNF-α的水平显著降低(P<0.05);皮肤组织中NLRP3和IL-1β阳性表达细胞数量显著减少(P<0.01);p-NF-κB p65、NLRP3、ASC、cleaved caspase-1、IL-1β蛋白的表达显著下调(P<0.05)。综上研究结果表明,荆防合剂能够抑制荨麻疹小鼠炎症反应,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β信号通路激活有关。

Sphingosine kinase 1 promotes growth of glioblastoma by increasing inflammation mediated by the NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 and JNK/PTX3 pathways

Glioblastoma(GBM)is the most challenging malignant tumor of the central nervous system because of its high morbidity,mortality,and recurrence rate.Currently,mechanisms of GBM are still unclear and there is no effective drug for GBM in the clinic.Therefore,it is urgent to identify new drug targets and corresponding drugs for GBM.In this study,in silico analyses and experimental data show that sphingosine kinase 1(SPHK1)is up-regulated in GBM patients,and is strongly correlated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival.Overexpression of SPHK1 promoted the proliferation,invasion,metastasis,and clonogenicity of GBM cells,while silencing SPHK1 had the opposite effect.SPHK1 promoted inflammation through the NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and led to the phosphorylation of JNK,activating the JNK-JUN and JNK-ATF3 pathways and promoting inflammation and proliferation of GBM cells by transcriptional activation of PTX3.SPHK1 interacted with PTX3 and formed a positive feedback loop to reciprocally increase expression,promote inflammation and GBM growth.Inhibition of SPHK1 by the inhibitor,PF543,also decreased tumorigenesis in the U87-MG and U251-MG SPHK1 orthotopic mouse models.In summary,we have characterized the role and molecular mechanisms by which SPHK1 promotes GBM,which may provide opportunities for SPHK1-targeted therapy.

基于网络药理学和实验验证探讨荆防颗粒对自身免疫性肝炎小鼠的治疗作用及作用机制

目的基于网络药理学及动物实验探讨荆防颗粒对自身免疫性肝炎(autoimmune hepatitis,AIH)小鼠的治疗作用及作用机制。方法通过TCMSP数据库筛选荆防颗粒的活性成分及其对应的靶点,通过检索Omim、Drugbank和GeneCards数据库收集AIH相关的靶点,进而得到荆防颗粒治疗AIH的关键靶点;将获得的关键靶点导入STRING数据库进行分析,并构建蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用(protein-protein interaction,PPI)网络,通过Cytoscape软件可视化;通过Metascape数据库对关键靶点进行基因本体(gene ontology,GO)功能及京都基因与基因组百科全书(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG)通路富集分析。通过建立刀豆蛋白A诱导的AIH小鼠模型探讨荆防颗粒治疗AIH的作用机制。结果共筛选得到荆防颗粒中159个潜在活性成分和269个相关的靶点,与343个AIH相关靶点取交集,获得25个交集靶点。PPI网络分析显示,白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、IL-1β、信号传导和转录激活蛋白3(signal transducer and activator of transcription 3,STAT3)和IL-8/CXC型趋化因子配体8(CXC chemokine ligand 8,CXCL8)等靶点可能为荆防颗粒治疗AIH的关键靶点;KEGG通路富集分析得到炎症途径和凋亡相关途径信号通路。体内实验结果显示,与模型组比较,荆防颗粒显著减轻了刀豆蛋白A诱导的肝炎,表现为小鼠存活率增加、肝细胞坏死减少、血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)活性降低(P<0.05、0.01);荆防颗粒还通过抑制IL-6/STAT3、NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3(NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3,NLRP3)/IL-1β和TNF-α/核因子-κB(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB)通路进而调节多种细胞因子(IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α、CXCL-8)的产生(P<0.05、0.01),从而发挥抗炎、抗凋亡作用。结论荆防颗粒通过多成分、多靶点发挥治疗AIH的作用。