A Nonradioactive Method for Detecting DNA-binding Activity of Nuclear Transcription Factors

To determine the feasibility of a nonradioactive electrophoresis mobility shift assay for detecting nuclear transcription factor, double-stranded oligonucleotides encoding the consensus target sequence of NF-κB were labled with DIG by terminal transferase After nuclear protein stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or PMA and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) electrophoresed on 8 % nondenaturing poliacrylamide gel together with oligeonucleotide probe, they were electro-blotted nylon membrane positively charged Anti-DIG-AP antibody catalyzed chemiluminescent substrate CSPD to image on X-film The results showed that nuclear proteins binded specifically to the NF-κB consensus sequence in the EMSA by chemiluminescent technique method and the activity of NF-κB in PMA group was more than that in PMA+PDTC group It is suggested that detection of NF-κB by EMSA with chemiluminescent technique is feasible and simple, which can be performed in ordinary laboratories

Isoflavone Attenuates the Nuclear Transcription Factor Kappa B (NF-<i>κ</i>B) Activation on MPP⁺-Induced Apoptosis of PC12 Cells

Objective: To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of cellular response to the challenge by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, an in vitro cell model for Parkinson’s disease, and the effect of NF-κB activation on the protection of Parkinson’s disease by Isoflavone (I). Methods: PC12 cells were used to establish the cell model of Parkinson’s disease, and are divided into five groups: control group;MPP+ group;I (Isoflavone) + MPP+ group;I group;SN-50 + MPP+ group. The content of NF-κB in PC12 cells was determined by immunocytochemistry;The viability of PC12 cells after treated with cell-permeable NF-κB inhibitor SN-50 and cell viability were measured by MTT assay;the expression levels of NF-κB p65 in cytoplasm and nuclear fractions were evaluated by western blot analysis;the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 was analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH). Results: Compared with the control group, the protein of NF-κB p65 both in cytoplasm and in nuclei was significantly higher than in I + MPP+ and MPP+ groups;similarly, the mRNA expression level of NF-κB p65 gene was also significantly higher;moreover, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 was much lower in I group (P + group, the protein of NF-κB p65 was significantly lower in I + MPP+ group, the mRNA expression level of NF-κB p65 gene was also significantly lower, and the protein expression level of NF-κB p65 was much lower in I + MPP+ group (P + group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: NF-κB activation is essential to MPP+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells;but Isoflavone can inhibit the cell damage to some extent to execute its protective function, which may be involved in nigral neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Role of Nuclear Transcription Factor-кB in Endotoxin induced Shock in Rats

Summary: To investigate the role of NF-κB in endotoxic shock in rats, the model of endotoxin-shock rats was induced by intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after LPS injection, the activation of NF-κB in blood mononuclear cells and the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA). The level of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the histopathological changes of lung and liver were also observed. The activation of NF-κB in mononuclear cells increased 1 h after LPS injection and reached its peak 2 h after the injection, and its level was higher than that of normal group. The level of TNF-α was increased 1 h after the infusion and peaked 2 h after the injection, and its level was higher than that of normal group after LPS infusion. The content of IL-6 increased gradually with time, the IL-6 level was higher than that of normal group after LPS injection. MAP was decreased gradually with time and its level was lower than that of normal group after LPS injection. Pathological examination showed that endotoxic shock could cause pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage, edema and infiltration of inflammatory cell in lung tissue and congestion, edema, capillary dilation and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue. It is concluded that NF-κB can up-regulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in plasma and play an important role in endotoxin-induced shock in rats.

Characteristics of hepatic nuclear-transcription factor-kappa B expression and quantitative analysis in rat hepatocarcinogenesis

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. We analyzed the expression of miclear-transcription factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) during hepatocarcinogenesis in order to evaluate its dynamic expression and its clinical value in the development and diagnosis of HCC. METHODS: Hepatoma models were induced by oral administration of 2-acetamidoflurene (2-FAA) to male Sprague-Dawley rats. Morphological changes were observed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The cellular distribution of NF-kappa B expression during different stages of cancer development was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and the level of NF-kappa B expression in liver tissues was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. The gene fragments of hepatic NF-kappa B were amplified by nested-polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Hepatocytes showed vacuole-like degeneration during the early stages, then had a hyperplastic nodal appearance during the middle stages, and finally progressed to tubercles of cancerous nests with high differentiation. The NF-kappa B-positive material was buff-colored, fine particles localized in the nucleus, and the incidence of NF-kappa B-positive cells was 81.8% in degeneration, 83.3% in precancerous lesions, and 100% in cancerous tissues. All of these values were higher than those in controls (P<0.01). Hepatic NF-kappa B expression and hepatic NF-kappa B-mRNA were also higher during the course of HCC development (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The NF-kappa B signal transduction pathway is activated during the early stages of HCC development, and its abnormal expression may be associated with the occurrence of HCC.

Important Roles of Transcription Factors in Regulating Seed Oil Biosynthesis to Increase Plant Storage Lipid Content

In this article, the biosynthetic pathways of storage oil accumulation in oilseed plants were briefly introduced, and the transcription factors, such as B3 do- main supeffamily genes, lecl gene, wril gene etc., and their important role in oil accumulation regulation was mainly elucidated. Overexpession of transcription factors as feasible ways of genetic manipulation to increase oJl content in oilseed crops are promising in a long-term perspective.

Functions of nuclear factor Y in nervous system development,function and health

Nuclear factor Y is a ubiquitous heterotrimeric transcription factor complex conserved across eukaryotes that binds to CCAAT boxes,one of the most common motifs found in gene promoters and enhancers.Over the last 30 years,research has revealed that the nuclear factor Y complex controls many aspects of brain development,including differentiation,axon guidance,homeostasis,disease,and most recently regeneration.However,a complete understanding of transcriptional regulatory networks,including how the nuclear factor Y complex binds to specific CCAAT boxes to perform its function remains elusive.In this review,we explore the nuclear factor Y complex’s role and mode of action during brain development,as well as how genomic technologies may expand understanding of this key regulator of gene expression.

羊驼transcription elongation factor B(S III)(Tceb2)cDNA的获取与序列分析

【研究目的】分离和鉴定羊驼transcription elongation factorB(S III)(Tceb2)基因,分析其序列特征,为今后研究其生物学功能奠定理论基础。【方法】用Southern Blotting法从羊驼皮肤cDNA文库中筛选Tceb2基因,通过BLAST等生物学相关软件对其进行结果分析。【结果】有6个阳性克隆,测序结果得知,序列片段大小大约为472bp,具有完整的开放阅读框,可编码119AA,分子量为13.2KDa。序列特征、结构和同源性分析表明:该序列预测为全长cDNA序列,该基因序列及其编码的氨基酸序列与大鼠和小鼠的troponinc2同源性可达100%。【结论】该基因是获得的羊驼全长Tceb2(GenBank DQ646397)(命名为AlpTceb2)。

Colony-stimulating factor 3 and its receptor promote leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 expression and ligands in gastric

BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 3(CSF3)and its receptor(CSF3R)are known to promote gastric cancer(GC)growth and metastasis.However,their effects on the immune microenvironment remain unclear.Our analysis indicated a potential link between CSF3R expression and the immunosuppressive receptor leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)in GC.We hypothesized that CSF3/CSF3R may regulate LILRB2 and its ligands,angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)and human leukocyte antigen-G(HLA-G),contributing to immunosuppression.AIM To investigate the relationship between CSF3/CSF3R and LILRB2,as well as its ligands ANGPTL2 and HLA-G,in GC.METHODS Transcriptome sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed,stratifying patients by CSF3R expression.Differentially expressed genes and immune checkpoints were evaluated.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was performed on GC tissues.Correlation analyses of CSF3R,LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and IHC results.GC cells were treated with CSF3,and expression levels of LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS Among 122 upregulated genes in high CSF3R expression groups,LILRB2 showed the most significant increase.IHC results indicated high expression of LILRB2(63.0%),ANGPTL2(56.5%),and HLA-G(73.9%)in GC tissues.Strong positive correlations existed between CSF3R and LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G mRNA levels(P<0.001).IHC confirmed positive correlations between CSF3R and LILRB2(P<0.001),and HLA-G(P=0.010),but not ANGPTL2(P>0.05).CSF3 increased LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G expression in GC cells.Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 modulation significantly altered their expression,impacting CSF3’s regulatory effects.CONCLUSION The CSF3/CSF3R pathway may contribute to immunosuppression in GC by upregulating LILRB2 and its ligands,with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 playing a regulatory role.

The Role of Toll-Like Receptors and Nuclear Factor κB p65 Protein in the Pathogenesis of Otitis Media

The role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) proteins in the pathogenesis of otitis media is explored. In recent years, the incidence of otitis media has been rising globally, becoming a significant threat to human health. More and more studies have found that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as a member of the Toll-like receptor family, can promote the generation of inflammatory factors and is closely related to the body’s immune response and inflammatory response. Nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) is a nuclear transcription factor that can interact with various cytokines, growth factors, and apoptotic factors, participating in processes such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in the body [1]. This article elaborates on the structure, function, and signaling pathways of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins in the pathogenesis of otitis media, aiming to provide more precise targets and better therapeutic efficacy for the diagnosis and treatment of otitis media. The role of inflammation in disease.

Nuclear reprogramming: the zygotic transcription program is established through an“erase-and-rebuild” strategy

Oocytes display a maternal-specific gene expression profile, which is switched to a zygotic profile when a haploid set of chromatin is passed on to the fertilized egg that develops into an embryo. The mechanism underlying this transcription reprogramming is currently unknown. Here we demonstrate that by the time when transcription is shut down in germinal vesicle oocytes, a range of general transcription factors and transcriptional regulators are dissociated from the chromatin. The global dissociation of chromatin factors （CFs） disrupts physical contacts between the chromatin and CFs and leads to erasure of the maternal transcription program at the functional level. Critical transcription factors and regulators remain separated from chromatin for a prolonged period, and become re-associated with chromatin shortly after pronuclear formation. This is followed temporally by the re-establishment of nuclear functions such as DNA replication and transcription. We propose that the maternal transcription program is erased during oogenesis to generate a relatively naive chromatin and the zygotic transcription program is rebuilt de novo after fertilization. This process is termed as the ＂erase-and-rebuild＂ process, which is used to reset the transcription program, and most likely other nuclear processes as well, from a maternal one to that of the embryo. We further show in the accompanying paper （Gao T, et al., Cell Res 2007; 17：135-150.） that the same strategy is also employed to reprogram transcriptional profiles in somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenesis, suggesting that this model is universally applicable to all forms of transcriptional reprogramming during early embryogenesis. Displacement of CFs from chromatin also offers an explanation for the phenomenon of transcription silence during the maternal to zygotic transition.

Genome-wide analysis of the B3 transcription factors reveals that RcABI3/VP1 subfamily plays important roles in seed development and oil storage in castor bean(Ricinus communis)

The B3 transcription factors(TFs)in plants play vital roles in numerous biological processes.Although B3 genes have been broadly identified in many plants,little is known about their potential functions in mediating seed development and material accumulation.Castor bean(Ricinus communis)is a non-edible oilseed crop considered an ideal model system for seed biology research.Here,we identified a total of 61 B3 genes in the castor bean genome,which can be classified into five subfamilies,including ABI3/VP1,HSI,ARF,RAV and REM.The expression profiles revealed that RcABI3/VP1 subfamily genes are significantly up-regulated in the middle and later stages of seed development,indicating that these genes may be associated with the accumulation of storage oils.Furthermore,through yeast one-hybrid and tobacco transient expression assays,we detected that ABI3/VP1 subfamily member RcLEC2 directly regulates the transcription of RcOleosin2,which encodes an oil-body structural protein.This finding suggests that RcLEC2,as a seed-specific TF,may be involved in the regulation of storage materials accumulation.This study provides novel insights into the potential roles and molecular basis of B3 family proteins in seed development and material accumulation.

Transcription factors specificity protein and nuclear receptor 4A1 in pancreatic cancer

Specificity protein(Sp)transcription factors(TFs)Sp1,Sp3 and Sp4,and the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1(NR4A1)are highly expressed in pancreatic tumors and Sp1 is a negative prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer patient survival.Results of knockdown and overexpression of Sp1,Sp3 and Sp4 in pancreatic and other cancer lines show that these TFs are individually pro-oncogenic factors and loss of one Sp TF is not compensated by other members.NR4A1 is also a prooncogenic factor and both NR4A1 and Sp TFs exhibit similar functions in pancreatic cancer cells and regulate cell growth,survival,migration and invasion.There is also evidence that Sp TFs and NR4A1 regulate some of the same genes including survivin,epidermal growth factor receptor,PAX3-FOXO1,α5-andα6-integrins,β1-,β3-andβ4-integrins;this is due to NR4A1 acting as a cofactor and mediating NR4A1/Sp1/4-regulated gene expression through GC-rich gene promoter sites.Several studies show that drugs targeting Sp downregulation or NR4A1 antagonists are highly effective inhibitors of Sp/NR4A1-regulated pathways and genes in pancreatic and other cancer cells,and the triterpenoid celastrol is a novel dual-acting agent that targets both Sp TFs and NR4A1.

NMR assignments and characterization of the DNA-binding domain of Arabidopsis transcription factor WRKY11--Dedicated to Professor Xiuwen Han on the occasion of her 80th birthday

The WRKY proteins are a family of plant-specific transcription factors(TFs)that are widely involved in plant development and anti-stress responses.Arabidopsis WRKY11(AtWRKY11)functions in regulating plant defense against abiotic stress and belongs to the Ild subgroup of WRKY TFs.We herein report the expres sion,purification and preliminary structural characterization of AtWRKY11 DNA-binding domain(DBD)using solution NMR Almost complete backbone chemical shift assignments of AtWRKY11-DBD have been ob-tained.Chemical shift-based secondary structure analysis suggests that AtWRKY11-DBD may exhibit local conformational diferences from the X-ray structure of the C-terminal WRKY domain of AtWRKY1,particularly in the β1 and β5 strands.Our current study provides the basis for further structural and interactional studies.

Ectopic expression of VvFUS3,B3-domain transcription factor,in tomato influences seed development via affecting endoreduplication and hormones

FUSCA3(FUS3)is a member of B3-domain transcription factor family and master regulator of seed development.It has potential roles in hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways and therefore plays diverse roles in plant life cycle,especially in seed germination,dormancy,embryo formation,seed and fruit development,and maturation.However,there is limited information about its functions in seed and fruit development of grapevine.In this study,we expressed VvFUS3 in tomato for its functional characterization.Overexpression of VvFUS3 in tomato led to a reduction in seed number and seed weight without affecting the fruit size.Histological analysis found that both cell expansion and cell division in transgenic seed and fruit pericarp have been affected.However,there were no obvious differences in pollen size,shape,and viability,suggesting that VvFUS3 affects seed development but not the pollen grains.Moreover,the expression of several genes with presumed roles in seed development and hormone signaling pathways was also influenced by VvFUS3.These results suggest that VvFUS3 is involved in hormonal signaling pathways that regulate seed number and size.In conclusion,our study provides novel preliminary information about the pivotal roles of VvFUS3 in seed and fruit development and these findings can potentially serve as a reference for molecular breeding of seedless grapes.

Salvianolic acid B improves glucolipid metabolism by regulating adipogenic transcription factors in mice with diet-induced obesity

Objective:To determine the effect of Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity,and to investigate the underlying mechanisms by measuring the expression levels of key adipogenic transcription factors.Methods:Six-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed for 12 weeks with a HFD to induce obesity or a standard diet to serve as normal controls.A mean body weight increase of more than 20% after these 12 weeks was used as the criteria for obesity.HFD-fed obese mice then received a supplement of Sal B (100 mg/kg body weight/day),metformin (75 mg/kg body weight/day) or water (an equivalent volume;served as model controls) by oral gavage for an additional 8 weeks,and the normal controls received water (an equivalent volume) by oral gavage for the same period.Results:Sal B significantly reduced body weight gain (P <.05) without influencing food intake in HFD-fed obese mice relative to model controls.Sal B also reduced the body fat mass of the obese mice relative to model controls in a time-dependent manner (P <.05).Sal B significantly decreased the serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,total cholesterol,triglyceride and free fatty acids by 25.5%,20.2%,20.6% and 13.4%,respectively,and increased the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 50.1% relative to model controls.In addition,Sal B significantly lowered fasting glucose concentrations and improved insulin sensitivity relative to model controls (P <.05).Sal B acted by ameliorating the histopathological changes in both brown and white adipose tissues of obese mice.Moreover,in brown adipose tissue,Sal B up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ and c/EBPα,and the protein expression of PPARα and SREBP-1 (P <.05).In white adipose tissue,Sal B down-regulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ and c/EBPα,and decreased the protein expression of PPARγ and SREBP-1(P <.05).Conclusjons:The results suggest that Sal B can reduce body weight gain and regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in mice with diet-induced obesity by regulating adipogenic transcription factors in their adipose tissues.

丙泊酚对脂多糖诱导的MHCC97H细胞黏附、迁移、侵袭和炎症因子的影响及与核转录因子-κB信号通路的关系

目的探究丙泊酚与脂多糖(LPS)刺激下MHCC97H细胞功能、炎症水平及核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)表达的关联。方法该研究起止时间为2021年12月至2022年12月。体外培养人MHCC97H细胞系,分为对照组(等量的溶剂),LPS组(1 mg/L LPS),实验组(LPS+6.25组、LPS+12.5组、LPS+25组,LPS组基础上分别加入6.25、12.5和25μmol/L丙泊酚),用酶联免疫吸附试验、细胞计数试剂盒检测炎症因子白细胞介素6(IL-6)的表达水平和细胞活力筛选出丙泊酚的最适浓度进行后续实验,后将细胞分为对照组、LPS组、LPS+25组和LPS+25+抑制剂组(LPS+25组基础上联合10μmol/L BAY 11-7082),干预24 h。细胞黏附实验测定黏附细胞数;Transwell小室法检测细胞迁移与侵袭水平;蛋白质印迹法测定上皮间质转化(EMT)及NF-κB通路相关蛋白表达水平。结果根据细胞活力和炎症因子IL-6表达选择LPS+25组进行后续实验,与对照组相比,LPS组细胞黏附数、迁移数、侵袭数、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)、波形蛋白(Vimentin)、纤连蛋白(FN)、IκB激酶α(IKKα)和p-NF-κB p65蛋白水平分别为(152.00±9.01)个、(84.01±10.44)个、(65.67±3.06)个、0.46±0.02、0.47±0.03、0.99±0.02、1.03±0.02、0.95±0.05上调,E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)表达0.42±0.02下调(P<0.05);与LPS组相比,LPS+25组显著扭转了上述指标的变化(P<0.05);与LPS+25组相比,LPS+25+抑制剂组加入NF-κB通路抑制剂后,上述指标变化扭转得更为显著(P<0.05)。结论丙泊酚对LPS刺激下MHCC97H细胞炎症因子表达、黏附、迁移、侵袭能力及EMT进程具有抑制作用,可能与NF-κB通路活性受到抑制有关。

中药单体治疗脊髓损伤后神经炎症:核转录因子κB信号通路的作用

背景:基于核转录因子κB通路探究神经炎症的靶向治疗越来越值得探究,中药靶点多、范围广、机制丰富及不良反应少等优点在治疗各类疾病时都具有十分巨大的潜力。目的:基于核转录因子κB信号通路,对近年研究中出现的山奈酚、红花黄、汉黄芩苷及雷公藤甲素等中药单体治疗脊髓损伤后神经炎症的研究进展进行系统的阐述与归纳。方法:以“脊髓损伤,炎症,抗炎,中药单体,单体化合物,NF-κB信号通路,黄酮,糖苷,酚类,酯类,生物碱”为检索词在中国知网数据库中进行检索;以“Spinal cord injury,inflammation,anti-inflammatory,traditional Chinese medicine monomer,monomeric compound,NF-κB signaling pathway,flavonoids,glycosides,phenols,esters,alkaloids”为检索词在PubMed数据库中进行检索,最终共纳入67篇文献进行综述分析。结果与结论:①核转录因子κB信号通路在神经系统中的作用复杂多样,能够调控中性粒细胞、小胶质细胞、星形胶质细胞和巨噬细胞等,介导损伤后炎症的发生与发展;②中药单体如汉黄芩苷对核转录因子κB抑制蛋白的降解、红花黄素对核转录因子κB信号通路磷酸化过程的抑制、山奈酚对核转录因子κB信号通路p65核易位的抑制等作用可以降低炎症反应对机体造成的影响,从而促进神经功能恢复;③核转录因子κB信号通路在损伤早期能够促进炎症反应和免疫细胞迁移活化,在损伤中后期能够促进损伤部位的修复和纤维化的发生等,适当的激活核转录因子κB信号通路具有促进炎症因子的释放、提高细胞的抗氧化能力及促进免疫细胞的活化等能力,但过度激活的核转录因子κB信号通路则容易导致慢性炎症的发生和持续、细胞凋亡受到抑制等;④未来的研究可以进一步探索如何准确调控核转录因子κB信号通路的活化水平、如何实现对神经系统炎症和损伤的精准干预展开,也可围绕中药单体的制备及中药单体对信号通路的作用机制展开,以期为神经系统疾病的康复和功能恢复提供更有效的治疗策略。

Delayed hepatocarcinogenesis through antiangiogenic intervention in the nuclear factor-kappa B activation pathway in rats

BACKGROUND: The active form of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is involved in the initiation, generation, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is up-regulated in inflammation-associated malignancies. We investigated the dynamic expression of NF-kappa B and its influences on the occurrence of HCC through antiangiogenic (thalidomide) intervention in NF-kappa B activation. METHODS : Hepatoma models were induced with 2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA, 0.05%) in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and thalidomide (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered intragastrically to intervene in NF-kappa B activation. The pathological changes in the liver of sacrificed rats were assessed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. NF-kappa B mRNA was amplified by RT-nested PCR. The alterations of NF-kappa B and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. RESULTS: Rat hepatocytes showed denatured, precancerous, and cancerous stages in hepatocarcinogenesis, with an increasing tendency of hepatic NF-kappa B, NF-kappa B mRNA, and VEGF expression, and their values in the HCC group were higher than those in controls (P<0.001). In the thalidomide-treated group, the morphologic changes generated only punctiform denaturation and necrosis at the early or middle stages, and nodular hyperplasia or a little atypical hyperplasia at the final stages, with the expression of NF-kappa B (chi(2)=9.93, P<0.001) and VEGF (chi(2)=8.024, P<0.001) lower than that in the 2-FAA group. CONCLUSION: NF-kappa B is overexpressed in hepatocarcinogenesis and antiangiogenic treatment down-regulates the expression of NF-kappa B and VEGF, and delays the occurrence of HCC. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 169-174)

Role of osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand axis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Concomitantly with the increase in the prevalences of overweight/obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) has worldwide become the main cause of chronic liver disease in both adults and children. Patients with fatty liver display features of metabolic syndrome(Met S), like insulin resistance(IR), glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Recently, epidemiological studies have linked obesity, Met S, and NAFLD to decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis, highlighting an intricate interplay among bone, adipose tissue, and liver. Osteoprotegerin(OPG), an important symbol of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B/OPG system activation, typically considered for its role in bone metabolism, may also play critical roles in the initiation and perpetuation of obesityrelated comorbidities. Clinical data have indicated that OPG concentrations are associated with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, vascular calcification, endothelial dysfunction, and severity of liver damage in chronic hepatitis C. Nonetheless, the relationship between circulating OPG and IR as a key feature of Met S as well as between OPG and NAFLD remains uncertain. Thus, the aims of the present review are to provide the existent knowledge on these associations and to discuss briefly the underlying mechanisms linking OPG and NAFLD.

Roles of hepatocyte nuclear factors in hepatitis B virus infection

Approximately 350 million people are estimated to be persistently infected with hepatitis B virus(HBV) worldwide. HBV maintains persistent infection by employing covalently closed circular DNA(ccc DNA), a template for all HBV RNAs. Chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients are currently treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs such as lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and tenofovir. However, these treatments rarely cure CHB because they are unable to inhibit ccc DNA transcription and inhibit only a late stage in the HBV life cycle(the reverse transcription step in the nucleocapsid). Therefore, an understanding of the factors regulating ccc DNA transcription is required to stop this process. Among numerous factors, hepatocyte nuclear factors(HNFs) play the most important roles in ccc DNA transcription, especially in the generation of viral genomic RNA, a template for HBV replication. Therefore, proper control of HNF function could lead to the inhibition of HBV replication. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of the roles of HNFs in the HBV life cycle and the upstream factors that regulate HNFs. This knowledge will enable the identification of new therapeutic targets to cure CHB.