Secoemestrin C Ameliorates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in Mice by Suppressing the TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Objective Secoemestrin C(SC),an epitetrathiodioxopiperazine isolated from Aspergillus nidulans,has been previously reported to have immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects against acute autoimmune hepatitis.However,the effect of SC on regulating the inflammation and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remain unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC on inflammatory dermatosis both in vitro and in vivo.Methods In vitro,HaCaT cells were induced with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α,10 ng/mL)to establish an inflammatory injury model,and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway components was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.An in vivo mouse model of imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SC in alleviating psoriasis.Results SC significantly blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells.In addition,systemic and local administration of SC improved psoriatic dermatitis in the IMQ-induced mouse model.SC reduced skin scale and significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in skin lesions.Conclusion The protective effect of SC against psoriatic-associated inflammation reveals its potential therapeutic value for treating psoriasis.

Homer1a reduces inflammatory response after retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Elevated intraocular pressure(IOP)is one of the causes of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury,which results in NRP3 inflammasome activation and leads to visual damage.Homerla is repo rted to play a protective role in neuroinflammation in the cerebrum.However,the effects of Homerla on NLRP3inflammasomes in retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury caused by elevated IOP remain unknown.In our study,animal models we re constructed using C57BL/6J and Homer1^(flox/-)/Homerla^(+/-)/Nestin-Cre^(+/-)mice with elevated IOP-induced retinal ischemia/repe rfusion injury.For in vitro expe riments,the oxygen-glucose deprivation/repe rfusion injury model was constructed with M uller cells.We found that Homerla ove rexpression amelio rated the decreases in retinal thickness and Muller cell viability after ischemia/reperfusion injury.Furthermore,Homerla knockdown promoted NF-κB P65^(Ser536)activation via caspase-8,NF-κB P65 nuclear translocation,NLRP3 inflammasome formation,and the production and processing of interleukin-1βand inte rleukin-18.The opposite results we re observed with Homerla ove rexpression.Finally,the combined administration of Homerla protein and JSH-23 significantly inhibited the reduction in retinal thickness in Homer1^(flox/-)Homer1a^(+/-)/Nestin-Cre^(+/-)mice and apoptosis in M uller cells after ischemia/reperfusion injury.Taken together,these studies demonstrate that Homer1a exerts protective effects on retinal tissue and M uller cells via the caspase-8/NF-KB P65/NLRP3 pathway after I/R injury.

Clinicopathologic significance of expression of nuclear factor-kB RelA and its target gene products in gastric cancer patients

AIM:To assess the prognostic significance of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and its target genes in gastric cancer. METHODS:The tumor tissues of 115 patients with gastric cancer were immunohistochemically evaluated using monoclonal antibodies against NF-kB RelA. Preoperative serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed via enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured via immunotrubidimetry. RESULTS:Positive rate of NF-kB RelA was 42.6%. NF-kB RelA expression in tumor tissues was also related to serum levels of IL-6 (P = 0.044) and CRP (P = 0.010). IL-6, SAA, CRP were related to depth of invasion, VEGF and SAA were correlated with lymph node metastasis. IL-6, VEGF, SAA and CRP were related to the stage. Univariate analysis demonstrated that immunostaining of NF-kB RelA, levels of IL-6, VEGF, SAA were significantly related with both disease free survival and over-all survival (OS). Multivariate analysis verified that NF-kB RelA [hazard ratio (HR): 3.40, P = 0.024] and SAA (HR: 3.39, P = 0.045) were independently associated with OS. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of NF-kB RelA and high levels of serum SAA were associated with poor OS in gastric cancer patients.

银杏素调节NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1信号通路对高糖诱导肾小球内皮细胞焦亡的影响

目的探讨银杏素调节核转录因子кB/Nod样受体蛋白3/半胱天冬酶-1(NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1)信号通路对高糖诱导肾小球内皮细胞焦亡的影响。方法将肾小球内皮细胞(HRGECs)作为研究对象,将HRGECs细胞分为正常组(正常5 mmol/L葡萄糖)、高糖组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖)、银杏素低剂量组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+5μmol/L银杏素)、银杏素中剂量组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+10μmol/L银杏素)、银杏素高剂量组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+20μmol/L银杏素)、BAY组[(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+20μmol/L银杏素+2.5μmol/L NF-κB的特异性抑制剂BAY 11-7085(BAY))]、MCC950组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+20μmol/L银杏素+10μmol/L NLRP3抑制剂MCC950)、VX-765组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+20μmol/L银杏素+20μmol/L Caspase-1抑制剂VX-765),各组细胞加入相应试剂后共培养24 h;MTT法检测细胞存活率;流式细胞术检测细胞焦亡情况;试剂盒法测定细胞上清IL-1β、IL-18、LDH水平;qRT-PCR法和Western blot法检测细胞NF-κB、NLRP3、Caspase-1、GSDMD的表达。结果与正常组比较,高糖组细胞存活率明显下降(P<0.05),PI+Caspase-1阳性细胞比例、细胞上清IL-1β、IL-18、LDH水平以及细胞NF-κB p65、NLRP3、Caspase-1、GSDMD表达明显升高(P<0.05);与高糖组比较,银杏素低、中、高剂量组细胞存活率明显升高(P<0.05),PI+Caspase-1阳性细胞比例、细胞上清IL-1β、IL-18、LDH水平以及细胞NF-κB p65、NLRP3、Caspase-1、GSDMD表达明显降低(P<0.05);分别使用NF-κB、NLRP3、Caspase-1特异性抑制剂BAY、MCC950、VX-765进一步升高细胞存活率,降低细胞PI+Caspase-1阳性细胞比例、细胞上清IL-1β、IL-18、LDH水平以及细胞NF-κB p65、NLRP3、Caspase-1、GSDMD表达。结论银杏素可通过抑制NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1信号通路抑制高糖诱导的肾小球内皮细胞焦亡。

PPARγ、NF-κB的表达与砷暴露致大鼠肝纤维化的相关性

目的:初步探讨过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)、核转录因子B(NF-κB)的表达与水砷暴露致大鼠肝纤维化的相关性.方法:110只SD大鼠随机分成对照组(自来水)、模型组(浓度100mg/L亚砷酸钠溶液)、自然恢复组(浓度100mg/L亚砷酸钠溶液+自来水).对照组和模型组分别于第l、2、3、4月末各处死10只,自然恢复组先给予砷溶液,分别在第l、2、3月末取出10只改给予1mo自来水饮用后处死.肝组织病理学检查以观察肝纤维化的动态变化,实时荧光定量RT-PCR法和Western blot法检测PPARγ、NF-κB的mRNA及蛋白表达水平.结果:(1)病理结果:HE染和Masson染色可见,随砷暴露时间的延长,肝细胞变性、坏死增多,汇管区炎症细胞浸润加重,纤维组织增生增多,肝纤维化趋势明显.砷暴露1mo脱离自然恢复1mo后较同月模型组肝细胞变性、坏死及炎细胞浸润程度明显减轻,胶原生成减少.砷暴露2、3mo脱离自然恢复1mo后较同月模型组病理结果差异不明显;(2)mRNA水平:模型组PPARγ mRNA含量逐渐降低,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(174.99±41.48,114.55±21.30,64.67±9.83,19.20±16.10 vs 218.40±47.85,P<0.05),砷暴露1、2、3mo后分别自然恢复1mo大鼠肝组织中PPARγ mRNA表达均低于同月造模组,仅砷暴露1mo自然恢复组1mo组PPARγ mRNA降低有统计学意义(174.99±41.48 vs 215.97±45.96,P<0.05);模型组NF-κB mRNA含量逐渐升高,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(65.58±13.17,90.23±15.68,117.95±18.19,172.86±32.92 vs 30.84±15.24,P<0.05),砷暴露1、2、3mo后分别自然恢复1mo大鼠肝组织中NF-κB mRNA表达均高于同月造模组,仅砷暴露1mo自然恢复组1mo组NF-κB mRNA升高有统计学意义(65.58±13.17 vs 40.45±19.56,P<0.05);(3)蛋白水平:模型组大鼠肝组织中PPARγ的蛋白含量表达均低于对照组,造模3、4mo组与造模1mo组比较差异有统计学意义(0.63±0.06,0.55±0.11 vs 0.85±0.08,P<0.05);模型组大鼠肝组织中NF-κB的蛋白含量均高于对照组,造模3、4mo组与造模1mo组比较差异有统计学意义(3.25±0.89,4.27±1.26 vs 1.6±0.57,P<0.05);(4)PPARγ和NF-κB的相关性:两者mRNA的表达呈负相关(r=0.847,P<0.01),两者蛋白表达也呈负相关(r=0.529,P<0.05).结论:肝纤维化程度随砷暴露时间延长而加重,越早脱离砷环境,肝损伤自然恢复越快;砷暴露时间越长,PPARγ mRNA及蛋白表达越低,NF-κB mRNA及蛋白表达越高,二者存在一反馈抑制通路;PPARγ-NF-κB信号传导通路参与砷暴露致肝纤维化形成机制.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Improves Hearing Level via Attenuating TLR4/NF-κB Mediated Inflammation in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients

Objective Hyperbaric oxygen treatment(HBOT)has demonstrated efficacy in improving hearing levels of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSHL);however,the underlying mechanisms are not well understood.HBOT alleviates the inflammatory response,which is mediated by Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 and nuclear factor(NF)-κB.In this study we investigated whether HBOT attenuates inflammation in ISHHL patients via alteration of TLR4 and NF-κB expression.Methods ISHHL patients(n=120)and healthy control subjects(n=20)were enrolled in this study.Patients were randomly divided into medicine group treated with medicine only(n=60)and HBO group receiving both HBOT and medicine(n=60).Audiometric testing was performed pre-and posttreatment.TLR4,NF-кB,and TNF-αexpression in peripheral blood of ISSHL patients and healthy control subjects was assessed by ELISA before and after treatment.Results TLR4,NF-κB,and TNF-αlevels were upregulated in ISSHL patients relative to healthy control subjects;the levels were decreased following treatment and were lower in the HBO group than that in the medicine group post-treatment(P<0.05 and P<0.01).Conclusion HBOT alleviates hearing loss in ISSHL patients by suppressing the inflammatory response induced by TLR4 and NF-κB signaling.

Oxymatrine reduces neuroinflammation in rat brain A signaling pathway

Cerebral neuroinflammation models were established by injecting 10μg lipopolysaccharide into the hippocampus of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of 120, 90, or 60 mg/kg oxymatrine daily for three days prior to the lipopolysaccharide injection. Twenty-four hours after model induction, the hippocampus was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR, and the cerebral cortex was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot assay. The results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the real-time quantitative PCR showed that the secretion and mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-113 and tumor necrosis factor-a were significantly decreased in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of model rats treated with oxymatrine. Western blot assay and real-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that toll-like receptor 4 mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased in the groups receiving different doses of oxymatrine. Additionally, 120 and 90 mg/kg oxymatrine were shown to reduce protein levels of nuclear factor-KB p65 in the nucleus and of phosphorylated IKBa in the cytoplasm of brain cells, as detected by western blot assay. Experimental findings indicate that oxymatrine may inhibit neuroinflammation in rat brain via downregulating the expression of molecules in the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-KB signaling Dathwav.

Naoxintong dose effects on inflammatory factor expression in the rat brain following focal cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND： Certain components of tetramethylpyrazine, a traditional Chinese medicine, exhibit protective effects against brain injury. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of different Naoxintong doses on expression of nuclear factor-kappa B （ kB）, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and complement 3 in rats following focal cerebral ischemia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Neurology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2004 to June 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 150 adult, healthy, male, Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 280-320g, were selected. Naoxintong powder （mainly comprising szechwan lovage rhizome, milkvetch root, danshen root, and radix angelicae sinensis） was obtained from Buchang Pharmacy Co., Ltd. in Xianyang City of Shanxi Province of China, lot number 040608. METHODS： The rats were randomly assigned into sham operation, saline, high-dose Naoxintong, moderate-dose Naoxintong, and low-dose Naoxintong groups, with 30 rats in each group. Rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were established using the suture method, with the exception of the sham operation group. Rats in the high-dose, moderate-dose and low-dose Naoxintong groups received 4, 2, and 1 g/kg Naoxintong respectively, by gavage. Rats in the saline group were treated with 1 mL saline by gavage All rats were administered by gavage at 5 and 23 hours following surgery, and subsequently, once per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 6, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days following model establishment, brain water content was measured. Histopathological changes in brain tissues were detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expression of nuclear factor- kB, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor- α, and complement 3 was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： A total of 150 rats were included in the final analysis with no loss. Brain water content was significantly increased in the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the saline, as well as the high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose Naoxintong groups at 24 hours, which reached a peak at 48 hours. At 6, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days, brain water content was greater in the ischemic hemisphere of rats from the saline, as well as the high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose Naoxintong groups, compared with the sham operation group （P 〈 0.05）. At 24 and 48 hours, brain water content was reduced in the high-dose and moderate-dose Naoxintong groups, compared to the saline and low-dose Naoxintong groups （P 〈 0.05）. In the saline, as well as high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose Naoxintong groups, neuronal edema was observed at 6 hours surrounding the ischemic sites. Inflammatory cells appeared at 24 hours, reached a peak at 48 hours, and gradually diminished. A small amount of glial cell proliferation and neuronal degeneration were observed in the hippocampus at 72 hours following infarction. Microglial proliferation and aggregation were detected at 7 days after infarction. Expression of nuclear factor- kB, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and complement 3 was significantly less in the high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose Naoxintong groups, compared to the sham operation group （P 〈 0.05）. Expression of the above-mentioned inflammatory cytokines was lower in rat brain tissues of the high-dose Naoxintong group, compared to the low-dose Naoxintong group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： High-dose Naoxintong and moderate-dose Naoxintong significantly alleviated rat brain edema and decreased expression of nuclear factor-kB, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and complement 3 in brain tissues. The protective effect of high-dose Naoxintong was most significant.

Zinc-deficient diet aggravates ventilation-induced lung injury in rats

We investigated the effects of zinc deficiency on acute lung injury （ALI） induced by mechanical ventilation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a zinc-deficient or zinc-proficient diet for 4 weeks, and then received mechanical ventilation at normal frequency and pressure for 30 min. Total protein, cell count, the number of poly- morphonuclear neutrophil （PMN） in the bronchoalveolar lavage （BAL）, and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression in the lung were determined. Activation of nuclear factor-t^B （NF-~cB） was detected by exam- ining the phosphorylation of NF-kB （pNF-kB p65） and the expression of inhibitor of NF-kB （pI-kBa）. Compared to the controls, total cell count and the number of PMNs were significantly increased to 160% and 140%, respec- tively, in zinc-deficient rats treated with ventilation. Activation of NF-kB was significantly increased and VEGF was also increased to three-folds. Zinc deficiency aggravated the inflammatory response in rats and was associated with the overexpression of VEGF in response to mechanical ventilation. Zinc supplementation may be beneficial to zinc-deficient patients during mechanical ventilation.

The clinical significance of CD97, NF-kB and COX-2 ingastric MALT lymphomas

Background and Objectives: Increased expression of the CD97, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been found to play an important role in development of many cancers, including gastric neoplasm. However, the expression and biological behavior of CD97, NF-kB and COX-2 in gastric MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma has not been well investigated. Methods: The expressions of CD97, COX-2 and NF-kB in 47 cases of gastric MALT lymphoma were detected immunohistochemically, and the relevance between their expressions and the biological behavior was analyzed retrospectively. Results: 1) The expressions of CD97, NF-kB and COX-2 were 87.2%, 36.2% and 48.9%, respectively;2) The difference of CD97 expression between depth of invasion limited in mucosa and submucosa and beyond muscularis propria was significant (100.0% vs. 71.4%, P < 0.01). Moreover, the expression of nuclear CD97 between stage IIE, III, IV and stage I patients showed significant difference (96.4% vs. 73.7%, P < 0.05);3) The expression of NF-kB was significantly correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion and stage;4) The expression of COX-2 was significantly correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection, clinical stage, depth of invasion and tumor size (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Expressions of CD97, NF-κB and COX-2 were correlated with tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric MALT lymphoma.

Requirement for endogenous heat shock factor 1 in inducible nitric oxide synthase induction in murine microglia

Aim Inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） makes a great contribution to host defense and inflamma-tion. In many settings, lipopolysaccharide （LPS） induces iNOS expression through activation of the inhibitor of KB- α （IKB-α） -nuclear factor-KB （NF-KB） cascade, whereas interferon-γ （IFN-γ） acts through Janus kinase （ JAK）- signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 （ STAT1 ） signals. Heat shock factor 1 （ HSF1 ）, a major regulator of heat shock protein transcription, has been shown to regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. But it remains obscure whether and how HSF1 affects iNOS induction. Methods Western blot was used to measure the protein expression. The mRNA level was meas- ured by real time-PCR. Silence of HSF1 was achieved by small interfering RNA. Nitric oxide （NO） content and NF-KB binding activity were assayed by commercial kits. Chromatin immunoprecipitation （CHIP） was used to measure the binding activity of NF-KB and STAT1 to iNOS promoters. Results HSF1 inhibition or knockdown pre- vented the LPS- and/or IFN-γ-stimulated iNOS protein expression in cultured microglia. HSF1 inhibition blocked iNOS mRNA transcription. These inhibitory effects of HSF1 inhibition on iNOS expression were confirmed in brain tissues from endotoxemic mice. Further analysis showed that HSF1 inhibition had no effect on IKB-α degradation and NF-KB or STAT1 phosphorylation in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated cells. The nuclear transport of active NF-KB or STAT1 was also not affected by HSF1 inhibition. But HSF1 inhibition reduced the binding of NF-KB and STAT1 to their DNA elements. In addition, HSF1 inhibition reduced NF-KB and STAT1 bindings to iNOS promoter inside the LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated cells. Conclusions This preventing effect of HSF1 inhibition on iNOS mRNA transcription presents the necessary role of HSF1 in iNOS induction.

输尿管软镜钬激光碎石术后并发尿源性脓毒症的危险因素及TLR4/NF-κB信号通路变化

目的探讨输尿管软镜钬激光碎石术(F-URS)患者发生尿源性脓毒症(US)的危险因素及TOLL样受体4(TLR4)/核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)通路活化状态。方法选取2018年1月—2023年1月于甘孜州人民医院行FURS患者197例为研究对象,根据F-URS术后是否发生US分为US组51例和非US组146例,多因素Logistic分析F-URS术后发生US的危险因素;受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析TLR4、NF-κB对F-URS术后US的诊断价值。结果F-URS术后US发生率为25.89%(51/197);多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄≥60岁、手术时间≥1h、有泌尿道手术史及WBC水平较高、PLT水平较低均是F-URS术后发生US的危险因素(P<0.05);US组血清TLR4、NF-κB水平高于非US组(P<0.05);TLR4、NF-κB联合检测诊断F-URS术后发生US的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.889,敏感度和特异度为80.40%和82.20%。结论F-URS术后US发生率较高,且与患者年龄、手术时间、泌尿道手术史及WBC、PLT水平相关;F-URS术后US患者TLR4/NF-κB信号通路被激活,联合检测TLR4、NF-κB有助于诊断F-URS术后US的发生。

Akt信号通路对肾小管上皮细胞分泌核因子-κB的影响

目的:探讨Akt信号通路在肾小管上皮细胞(NRK-52E)分泌转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)和核因子-κB(NF-κB)表达中的作用。方法:体外培养NRK-52E细胞,分别加入不同浓度(5,15,30g/L)白蛋白和/或Akt抑制剂Ly294002。应用RT-PCR方法测定TGF-β1mRNA表达,Western blot测定Akt和TGF-β1蛋白的表达。应用凝胶电泳迁移率(EMSA)检测NF-κB活化。两两比较用t检验。结果:白蛋白呈浓度依赖性上调肾小管上皮细胞TGF-β1mRNA表达增加。TGF-β1蛋白表达也增加。白蛋白激活NF-κB活性,增加磷酸化Akt表达。Ly294002能够抑制白蛋白引起的NF-κB活性以及TGF-β1的表达。NF-κB活化与TGF-β1表达呈显著正相关(r=0.61,P<0.05)。结论:白蛋白刺激肾小管上皮细胞分泌TGF-β1和NF-κB的活性增加,其机制部分依赖于Akt的磷酸化作用。

白藜芦醇对内毒素诱导的大鼠葡萄膜炎的治疗作用

目的：探讨眼局部使用白藜芦醇（Res）对内毒素诱导的大鼠葡萄膜炎的治疗效果及相关机制。方法：实验研究。将36只雄性Wistar大鼠按随机数字表法分为空白组、模型组、0．25％Res治疗组、0．5％Res治疗组、1％Res治疗组和0．1％地塞米松（Dex）治疗组，每组6只。将大肠杆菌细胞壁脂多糖（LPS）溶于无菌的0．9％氯化钠溶液配成1mg／ml的LPS溶液，并注射入模型组和治疗组大鼠双后足垫（每只注射200μg），空白组注射等量0．9％氯化钠溶液。各治疗组于LPS诱导前后分别给予相应浓度的Res和Dex10μ1点双眼，每2小时1次，注射LPS前后各6次。空白组和模型组给予等量的0．9％氯化钠溶液点眼。观察大鼠眼部炎症反应、临床表现评分，注射LPS24h后测房水肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和白细胞介素-6（IL-6）浓度、眼球病理切片HE染色以及免疫组织化学检测虹膜睫状体p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）和核转录因子-κB（NF-κB）p65等，探讨与分析Res的治疗效果。采用单因素方差分析、Mann．Whitneyu检验进行数据处理。结果：模型组于LPS注射后4h可见虹膜血管扩张充血，之后炎症反应逐渐加重，24h时可见前房大量点状渗出、瞳孔区纤维渗出及晶状体前囊膜渗出物沉着，模型组24h临床评分为4.3±1．2，1％Res组为2．0±0．6，1％Res组葡萄膜炎反应明显轻于模型组（P〈0．05）；1％Res组房水中TNF-α和IL-6的浓度与模型组相比均明显降低（P〈0．05）；1％Res组眼部组织病理学改变较模型组轻（P〈0．05）；1％Res组虹膜睫状体p38MAPK和NF-κB p65的核转位阳性细胞率较模型组均明显降低（P〈0．05）。结论：1％Res局部点眼能有效减轻内毒素诱导的大鼠自身免疫性葡萄膜炎的临床症状，其机制可能与抑制MAPK和NF-κB信号通路有关。

Modified Da-chai-hu Decoction regulates the expression of occludin and NF-κB to alleviate organ injury in severe acute pancreatitis rats

Modified Da-chai-hu Decoction(MDD), a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation, which was empirically generated from Da-chai-hu decoction, has been utilized to treat severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) for decades. The aim of the present study was to explore its potential organprotective mechanism in SAP. In the present study, rat SAP model was induced by retrograde injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct, MDD(23.35 g/kg body weight, twelve times the clinical dose) were orally given at 2 h before and 10 h after injection. At 12 h after model induction, blood was taken from vena cava for analysis of amylase, diamine oxidase(DAO), pulmonary surfactant protein-A(SP-A), and C-reactive protein(CRP). Histopathological change of pancreas, ileum and lung was assayed by H&E staining, myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity were determinated using colorimetric assay, and the expressions of occludin and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) were detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. In addition, the tissue concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that in SAP rats, MDD significantly alleviated histopathological damage, depressed the MPO activity and the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 of pancreas, ileum and lung, and reduced the serum levels of amylase [(3283.4±585.5) U·L^(-1) vs(5626.4±795.1) U·L^(-1)], DAO[(1100.1±334.3) U·L^(-1) vs(1666.4±525.3) U·L^(-1)] and CRP [(7.6±1.2) μg·mL^(-1) vs(17.8±3.8) μg·mL^(-1)]. However, the serum SP-A concentration [(106.1±16.6) pg·mL^(-1) vs(90.1±14.9) pg·mL^(-1)] was elevated when treated SAP rats with MDD. Furthermore, MDD increased the occludin expression and reduced the NF-κB expression in pancreas, ileum and lung of SAP rats. Our findings suggested that MDD administration was an effective therapeutic approach for SAP treatment. It could up-regulate occludin expression to protect intercellular tight junction and down-regulate NF-κB expression to inhibit inflammatory reaction of pancreas, ileum and lung.

Mannan-binding lectin directly interacts with Toll-like receptor 4 and suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells

Mannan-binding lectin(MBL)plays a key role in the lectin pathway of complement activation and can influence cytokine expression.Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)is expressed extensively and has been demonstrated to be involved in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced signaling.We first sought to determine whether MBL exposure could modulate LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion and nuclear factor-kB(NF-kB)activity by using the monocytoid cell line THP-1.We then investigated the possible mechanisms underlying any observed regulatory effect.Using ELISA and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analysis,we found that at both the protein andmRNAlevels,treatment withMBLsuppresses LPS-induced tumor-necrosis factor(TNF)-a and IL-12 production in THP-1 cells.An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and western blot analysis revealed that MBL treatment can inhibit LPS-induced NF-kB DNA binding and translocation in THP-1 cells.While the binding of MBL to THP-1 cells was evident at physiological calcium concentrations,this binding occurred optimally in response to supraphysiological calcium concentrations.This binding can be partly inhibited by treatment with either a soluble form of recombinant TLR4 extracellular domain or anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody(HTA125).Activation of THP-1 cells by LPS treatment resulted in increased MBL binding.We also observed that MBL could directly bind to the extracellular domain of TLR4 in a dose-dependent manner,and this interaction could attenuate the binding of LPS to cell surfaces.Taken together,these data suggest that MBL may affect cytokine expression through modulation of LPS-/TLR-signaling pathways.These findings suggest that MBL may play an important role in both immune regulation and the signaling pathways involved in cytokine networks.

The regulating role of mutant IKBα in expression of TIMP-2 and MMP-9 in human glioblastoma multiform

Background Our previous studies demonstrated that mutant IKBα （IKBαM） inhibited the occurrence, growth and angiogenesis of human glioblastoma multiform （GBM）. However, the specific mechanism by which IKBaM regulates protein-degrading enzymes secreted from GBM to inhibit invasion and metastasis has remained unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory role and significance of IKBαM genes in the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase （TIMP）-2 and matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-9 in human GBM. Methods We established the following four GBM cell lines stably expressing IKBaM by plasmid construction, gene transfection and screening for IKBαM protein expression： mutant IKBa-transfected cells （G36A-M）, wild-type IKBa-transfected cells （G36A-W）, empty plasmid transfected cells （G36A-P） and untransfected cells （G36A）. The TIMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Tumor cells were then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice to establish an animal model of ectopic tumor growth, and TIMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was determined by immunohistochemical methods. Results The results showed that there was a significant increase in TIMP-2 expression and a significant decrease in MMP-9 expression in the G36A-M group at both the RNA and protein levels compared with the G36A-W group, G36A-P group and G36A group. Similar results were observed in the immunohistochemical staining analysis of tumor tissues. In the G36A-M group, TIMP-2 expression was significantly higher while MMP-9 expression was significantly lower than in the other three groups. Conclusions Our findings indicate that IKBaM inhibits the activation of NF-KB. It significantly up-regulates TIMP-2 expression in human malignant glioma cells and down-regulates the expression of MMP-9. Thus, IKBαM maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix and further inhibits the growth and metastasis of tumor tissues. Chin Med J 2009; 122（2）：205-211

Effects of Andrographolide on the Activation of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases and Nuclear Factor-κ B in Mouse Peritoneal Macrophage-derived Foam Cells

Objective： To observe the effect of andrographolide on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPKs） and expression of nuclear factor- kB （NF-kB） in macrophage foam cells. Methods： The mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured in the media in the presence of oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）, ox-LDL＋andrographolide, or neither （control）. The phosphorylation of MAPK molecules （p38MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2） and the expressions of NK- kB p65 were examined by Western blot. Results： As compared with cells in the control group, the expressions of phospho-p38 and NF- kB p65 were increased in the cells cultured with either ox-LDL or ox-LDL＋andrographolide （P〈0.01）, but attenuated significantly in the presence of ox-LDL＋ andrographolide when compared with ox-LDL （P〈0.05）. The phospho-JNK increased in the presence of either ox-LDL or ox-LDL＋andrographolide when compared with control cells （P〈0.01）, but no significant difference existed between ox-LDL and ox-LDL＋andrographolide （P〉0.05）. The expression of phospho-ERK1/2 was increased in the presence of ox-LDL compared with the control cells （P〈0.01）, but no significant differences existed between the cells cultured in the presence of ox-LDL＋andrographolide and the control medium （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： Andrographolide could inhibit the activation of ERK1/2, p38MAPK and NK-kB induced by ox-LDL in macrophage foam cells, which might be one of its mechanisms in preventing atherosclerosis.

Metformin ameliorates insulin resistance in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells through upregulation of SIRT3

Background SIRT3 is an important regulator in cell metabolism, and recent studies have shown that it may be involved in the pharmacological effects of metformin. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are unclear. Methods The effects of SIRT3 on the regulation of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle were evaluated in vitro. Differentiated L6 skeletal muscle cells were treated with 750 pmol/L palmitic acid to induce insulin resistance. SIRT3 was knocked down and overexpressed in L6 cells. SIRT3, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells （NF-KB） p65, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 （JNK1）, and superoxide dismutase 2 （SOD2） were evaluated by Western blotting. Results Over expression of SIRT3 increased glucose uptake and decreased ROS production in L6-1R cells as well as in L6 cells. Knock-down of SIRT3 induced increased production of ROS while decreased glucose uptake in both L6 and L6- IR cells, and these effects were reversed by N-acetyI-L-cysteine （NAC）. Metformin increased the expression of SIRT3 （1.5- fold） and SOD2 （2-fold） while down regulating NF-KB p65 （1.5-fold） and JNK1 （1.5-fold）. Knockdown of SIRT3 （P〈0.05） reversed the metformin-induced decreases in NF-KB p65 and JNK1 and the metformin-induced increase in SOD2 （P〈0.05）. Conclusions Upregulated SIRT3 is involved in the pharmacological mechanism by which metformin promotes glucose uptake. Additionally, SIRT3 may function as an important regulator of oxidative stress and a new alternative approach for targeting insulin resistance-related diseases.

Hepatic Cyp1a2 Expression Reduction during Inflammation Elicited in a Rat Model of Intermittent Hypoxia

Background： Intermittent hypoxia （IH） is a key element of obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） that can lead to disorders in the liver. In this study, IH was established in a rat model to examine its effects on the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 （CYP） and CYP regulators, including nuclear receptors. Methods： Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to analyze the general pathology of the liver of rats exposed to IH. The messenger RNA （mRNA） expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, CYPs, nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）, and nuclear factors in the liver were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results： We found inflammatory infiltrates in the liver of rats exposed to IH. The mRNA expression level of interleukin-1beta was increased in the liver of the IH-exposed rats （0.005 ± 0.001 vs. 0.038 ± 0.008, P = 0.042）, whereas the mRNA expression level of Cyp1a2 was downregulated （0.022 ± 0.002 vs. 0.0050 ± 0.0002, P = 0.029）. The hepatic level of transcription factor NF-κB was also reduced in the IH group relative to that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant and was parallel to the expression of the pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor. However, the decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor upon IH treatment was statistically significant （0.056 ± 0.012 vs. 0.032 ± 0.005, P = 0.035）. Conclusions： These results indicate a decrease in expression of hepatic CYPs and their regulator GR in rats exposed to IH. Therefore, this should be noted for patients on medication, especially those on drugs metabolized via the hepatic system, and close attention should be paid to the liver function of patients with OSA-associated IH.