Role of Toll-like receptor 4 and Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription signal transduction pathway in sepsis-induced brain damage

The Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT） signal transduction pathway is involved in sepsis-induced functional damage to the heart, liver, kidney, and other organs. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced brain damage remain elusive. In the present study, we found severe loss of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region in rats with sepsis-induced brain damage following intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin, The expression of toll-like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor a, and interleukin-6 was significantly increased in brain tissues following lipopolysaccharide exposure. AG490 （JAK2 antagonist） and rapamycin （STAT3 antagonist） significantly reduced neuronal loss and suppressed the increased expression of toll-like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor a, and interleukin-6 in the hippocampal CA1 region in sepsis-induced brain damaged rats. Overall, these data suggest that blockade of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway is neuroprotective in sepsis-induced brain damage via the inhibition of toll-like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor a, and interleukin-6 exoression.

Effect of remifentanil on toll-like receptor 4, NF-κB and IL-6 in rabbit myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model

Objective： To investigate whether remifentanil induced cardioprotecting effect is associated with expression of toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）, nuclear factor rB （NF-r.B） and serum interleukin -6 （IL-6）. Methods： Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups （n=10） according to the treatment： sham operation group （group A）, ischemla-reperfusion group （group B）, low-dose remifentanil group （group C）, mediate-dose remifentanil group （group D）, and high-dose remlfentanil group （group E） Myocardial TLR4 mRNA levels, NF-r.B protein expression and serum levels of IL-6 were observed in 120 min after reperfusion. Results： The myocardial expressions of TLR4 mRNA, NF-rd3 protein and IL-6 level in sera of groups B, C, D and E were elevated compared with group A. However, remifentanil significantly reduced the levels of TLR4 mRNA, NF- r.B protein expression and serum IL-6 in groups C, D and E compared with group B. There were remarkable differences between the groups （P〈O.O1）. Conclusion： Intravenous remifentanil has protective effect against rabbit myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. This effect may be associated with TLR4, NF-r.B expressions on myocytes and serum level of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner

Ramulus Cinnamomi extract attenuates neuroinflammatory responses via downregulating TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in BV2 cells

Ramulus Cinnamomi （RC）, a traditional Chinese herb, has been used to attenuate inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RC extract on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells and the underlying mechanisms involved. BV2 cells were incubated with normal medium （control group）, LPS, LPS plus 30 pg/mL RC extract, or LPS plus 100 pg/mL RC extract. The BV2 cell morphology was observed under an optical microscope and cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Nitric oxide level in BV2 cells was detected using Griess regents, and the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1 β, and tumor necrosis factor u in BV2 cells were determined by ELISA. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2, Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 proteins were detected by western blot assay. Compared with the LPS group, both 30 and 100 μg/mL RC extract had no significant effect on the viability of BV2 cells. The levels of nitric oxide, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor ct in BV2 cells were all significantly increased after LPS induction, and the levels were significantly reversed after treatment with 30 and 100 μg/mL RC extract. Furthermore, RC extract significantly inhibited the protein expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2, Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 in LPS-induced BV2 cells. Our findings suggest that RC extract alleviates neuroinflammation by downregulating the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Influence of Silencing TRAF6 with shRNA on LPS/TLR4 Signaling in vitro

This study investigated the influence of silencing TRAF6 with shRNA on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)/toll-like receptor(TLR)-4 signaling pathway in vitro.Four plasmids(pGCsi-TRAF6-shRNA1,2,3,4) containing different shRNA sequences were designed and synthesized.The proliferation of RAW264.7 cells after transfected with these plasmids was measured by MTT assay.Inflammatory cellular models were established by LPS stimulation.Levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and TGF-β1 in the supernatants,mRNA expressions of TRAF6,IL-6 and COX-2,protein expression of TRAF6 and translocation of NF-κB were assayed by ELISA,real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The results showed that the TRAF6 gene knockdown by RNAi hardly inhibited the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells within 72 h.The mRNA and protein expression of TRAF6 was lower in the TRAF6-shRNA1,2 groups than in the TRAF6-shRNA3,4 groups.Therefore,pGCsi-TRAF6-shRNA1,2 were selected for the subsequent experiments.Our results still showed that pGCsi-TRAF6-shRNA1,2 could significantly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators including TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and COX-2,and inhibit NF-κB nuclear translocation.Moreover,pGCsi-TRAF6-shRNA1,2 could suppress the release of TGF-β1 at the protein level.It was concluded that the recombinant plasmid pTRAF6-shRNA can,to some extent,inhibit inflammatory response stimulated by LPS at the initial phase.TRAF6 may become the potential therapeutic target of many inflammation-related diseases.

Role of Progesterone in TLR4-MyD88-dependent Signaling Pathway in Pre-eclampsia

The role of progesterone in the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）-MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in pre-eclampsia was studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） from pre-eclampsia （PE） patients were subjected to primary culture, and stimulated with different concentra- tions of progesterone （0, 10^-8, 10^-6, and 10^-4 mol/L）. The mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88 and nu- clear factor-kappaB （NF-κB） was detected by using real-time PCR. The Ikappa-B protein expression was detected by using Western blotting. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-or （TNF-α and inter- leukin-6 （IL-6） in the supernatant was determined by using ELISA. With the concentrations of proges- terone increasing, the mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB in 2^△△CT value were sig- nificantly decreased, and the IkappaB protein expression levels were significantly increased. The TNF-α and IL-6 expression showed a downward trend when the progesterone concentration increased, and there were significant differences among all of the groups （P〈0.05）. It was suggested that progesterone can inhibit the TLR4-MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in PE significantly and benefit for the preg- nancy.

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.

Melatonin inhibits high glucose-induced cell proliferation and expressions of inflammatoryfactor via Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway inmouse mesangial cells

Objective To investigate effects of melatonin (MT)on high glucose-induced cell proliferation,Toll-like receptor4 ( TLR4) signaling pathway and expressions ofinflammatory factor in mouse mesangial cells ( SV40).Methods SV40 cells were divided into mannitol controlgroup ( 30 mmol /L mannitol ),normal control group(5 mmol /L glucose),control ( 5 mmol /L glucose) +1000 μmol /L MT group,high glucose group (25 mmol /L glucose),high glucose + 10,100,1000 μmol /L MTgroup and high glucose + TLR4 inhibitor ( TAK242 )group. (1) The cell viability was measured by CCK-8cytotoxicity kits,and cell proliferation was measured byEdU kits. The expression of TLR4 and the nuclear translocationof nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB p65 ) were observedby immunofluorescence.

Therapeutic effect of Qinghuayin(清化饮)against chronic atrophic gastritis through the inhibition of toll or interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE:To examine the efficacy of Qinghuayin(清化饮,QHY)in rat chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)models and explored the molecular mechanism of QHY in treating CAG.METHODS:In total,65 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control(n=10)and CAG groups(n=55).CAG model rats were further divided into five groups:model(n=10),vitacoenzyme(n=10),low-dose QHY(n=10),medium-dose QHY(n=10),and high-dose QHY groups(n=10).We analyzed histopathological changes using hematoxylin and eosin staining and measured interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-8 levels in serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)(Boster Bio,Pleasanton,USA).In addition,gastrin(GAS),pepsinogen I(PGI),and PGII expressions were evaluated using ELISA.The protein and m RNA expression of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and toll or interleukin-1 receptor domaincontaining adaptor inducing interferon-β(TRIF)was detected by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,respectively.RESULTS:Our results revealed that histopathological changes in CAG model rates could be restored by low-,medium-,and high-dose QHY.The changes in GAS and PGI/II expression demonstrated that QHY improved CAG.Serum IL-6 and IL-levels were decreased by QHY administration.TLR4 and TRIF were upregulated at the m RNA and protein levels in the model group but downregulated by QHY administration.CONCLUSION:We concluded that QHY could effectively improve the histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa induced by CAG in rats.The therapeutic mechanism of QHY may be related to inhibition of the inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-8 and suppression of TLR4/TRIF m RNA and protein expression.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Immune-Inflammatory Response in Hippocampus of Rats with Vascular Dementia by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway

Objective:To investigate whether electroacupuncture(EA)alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)signaling pathway,which triggers immune-inflammatory responses in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia(VaD).Methods:The experiments were conducted in 3 parts and in total the Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 8 groups by a random number table,including sham,four-vessel occlusion(4-VO),4-VO+EA,4-VO+non-EA,sham+EA,4-VO+lipopolysaccharide(LPS),4-VO+LPS+EA,and 4-VO+TAK-242 groups.The VaD model was established by the 4-VO method.Seven days later,rats were treated with EA at 5 acupoints of Baihui(DV 20),Danzhong(RN 17),Geshu(BL 17),Qihai(RN 6)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6),once per day for 3 consecutive weeks.Lymphocyte subsets,lymphocyte transformation rates,and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)were measured to assess immune function and inflammation in VaD rats.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of nerve cells in the hippocampus.The levels of TLR4,MyD88,IL-6,and TNF-αwere detected after EA treatment.TLR4/MyD88 signaling and cognitive function were also assessed after intracerebroventricular injection of TLR4 antagonist TAK-242 or TLR4 agonist LPS with or without EA.Results:Compared with the 4-VO group,EA notably improved immune function of rats in the 4-VO+EA group,inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 in the hippocampus of rats,reduced the expressions of serum IL-6 and TNF-α(all P<0.05 or P<0.01),and led to neuronal repair in the hippocampus.There were no significant differences between the 4-VO+LPS+EA and 4-VO+EA groups,nor between the 4-VO+TAK-242 and 4-VO+EA groups(P>0.05).Conclusions:EA attenuated cognitive impairment associated with immune inflammation by inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway.Thus,EA may be a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of VaD.

Multiomics reveal human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells improving acute lung injury via the lung-gut axis

BACKGROUND Acute lung injury(ALI)and its final severe stage,acute respiratory distress syndrome,are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in patients due to the lack of effective specific treatments.Gut microbiota homeostasis,including that in ALI,is important for human health.Evidence suggests that the gut microbiota improves lung injury through the lung-gut axis.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells(HUC-MSCs)have attractive prospects for ALI treatment.This study hypothesized that HUC-MSCs improve ALI via the lung-gut microflora.AIM To explore the effects of HUC-MSCs on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI in mice and the involvement of the lung-gut axis in this process.METHODS C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups(18 rats per group):Sham,sham+HUC-MSCs,LPS,and LPS+HUC-MSCs.ALI was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injections of LPS(10 mg/kg).After 6 h,mice were intervened with 0.5 mL phosphate buffered saline(PBS)containing 1×10^(6) HUC-MSCs by intraperitoneal injections.For the negative control,100 mL 0.9%NaCl and 0.5 mL PBS were used.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was obtained from anesthetized mice,and their blood,lungs,ileum,and feces were obtained by an aseptic technique following CO_(2) euthanasia.Wright’s staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,hematoxylin-eosin staining,Evans blue dye leakage assay,immunohistochemistry,fluorescence in situ hybridization,western blot,16S rDNA sequencing,and non-targeted metabolomics were used to observe the effect of HUC-MSCs on ALI mice,and the involvement of the lung-gut axis in this process was explored.One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey’s test,independent-sample Student’s t-test,Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analyses.RESULTS HUC-MSCs were observed to improve pulmonary edema and lung and ileal injury,and decrease mononuclear cell and neutrophil counts,protein concentrations in BALF and inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum,lung,and ileum of ALI mice.Especially,HUC-MSCs decreased Evans blue concentration and Toll-like receptor 4,myeloid differentiation factor 88,p-nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)/NF-κB,and p-inhibitorαof NF-κB(p-IκBα)/IκBαexpression levels in the lung,and raised the pulmonary vascular endothelial-cadherin,zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),and occludin levels and ileal ZO-1,claudin-1,and occludin expression levels.HUC-MSCs improved gut and BALF microbial homeostases.The number of pathogenic bacteria decreased in the BALF of ALI mice treated with HUCMSCs.Concurrently,the abundances of Oscillospira and Coprococcus in the feces of HUS-MSC-treated ALI mice were significantly increased.In addition,Lactobacillus,Bacteroides,and unidentified_Rikenellaceae genera appeared in both feces and BALF.Moreover,this study performed metabolomic analysis on the lung tissue and identified five upregulated metabolites and 11 downregulated metabolites in the LPS+MSC group compared to the LPS group,which were related to the purine metabolism and the taste transduction signaling pathways.Therefore,an intrinsic link between lung metabolite levels and BALF flora homeostasis was established.CONCLUSION This study suggests that HUM-MSCs attenuate ALI by redefining the gut and lung microbiota.

Study on the mechanism of Fuzi in the treatment of allergic rhinitis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Objective:To study the key target genes and signaling pathways in the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis(AR)with Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata(aka Fuzi).Methods:The TCMPS and PubChem databases were used to screen the active ingredients and target genes of Fuzi using oral bioavailability and drug similarity as screening conditions,and the GeneCards database was used to screen the target genes of AR.The online tool Venny2.1 was used to screen the target genes of Fuzi for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis;the STRING database was used to obtain the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of drug-disease targets,and the key target genes were identified by the MCC algorithm.The potential biological processes and signaling pathways were identified by GO enrichment and KEGG enrichment analysis.Finally,animal experiments were conducted to demonstrate the therapeutic effect ofFuzi on Allergic Rhinitis.Results:The TCMSP,PubChem and GeneCards databases were used to screen the 21 active compound components of Fuzi and 68 potential therapeutic target genes of Fuzi for Allergic Rhinitis.PPI network analysis identified the top ten key target genes,namely:PTGS2,TNF,IL6,AKT1,ALB,STAT3,CCL2,CXCL8,VEGFA and JUN,GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the significantly enriched functions and pathways of Fuzi on Allergic Rhinitis were closely related to Allergic Rhinitis.Finally,animal experiments were conducted to verify that Fuzi is effective in the treatment of Allergic rhinitis.Conclusion:Increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-αin nasal mucosal tissues of patients with Allergic Rhinitis was positively correlated with indicators related to the disease activity of AllergicRhinitis.Fuzi ameliorated the inflammatory changes in mice with Allergic Rhinitis by inhibiting the activation of Toll-like signaling pathway in the nasal mucosa and decreasing the expression activity of IL-6 and TNF-α.

Effect of Soothing Gan(Liver) and Invigorating Pi(Spleen) Recipes on TLR4-p38 MAPK Pathway in Kupffer Cells of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Rats

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of inflammatory-mediated toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) pathway in Kupffer cells(KCs) of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) rats and the intervention effect of soothing Gan(Liver) and invigorating Pi(Spleen) recipes on this pathway. Methods: After 1 week of acclimatization, 120 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups using a random number table(n=15 per group): normal group, model group, low-dose Chaihu Shugan Powder(柴胡疏肝散, CHSG) group(3.2 g/kg), high-dose CHSG group(9.6 g/kg), low-dose Shenling Baizhu Powder(参苓白术散, SLBZ) group(10 g/kg), high-dose SLBZ(30 g/kg) group, and low-and highdose integrated recipe(L-IR, H-IR) groups. All rats in the model and treatment groups were fed with a high-fat diet(HFD). The treatments were administrated by gastrogavage once daily and lasted for 26 weeks. The liver tissues were detected with hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and oil red O staining. Levels of liver lipids, serum lipids and transaminases were measured. KCs were isolated from the livers of rats to evaluate the mRNA expressions of TLR4 and p38 MAPK by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and proteins expressions of TLR4, p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK by Western blot. Levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1 and IL-6 in KCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: After 26 weeks of HFD feeding, HE and oil red O staining showed that the NASH model rats successfully reproduced typical pathogenesis and histopathological features. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body weight, liver weight, liver index, serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase as well as TC and TG levels in liver tissues, and significant decrease in serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while those indices were significantly ameliorated in the H-IR group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in KCs were observed in the model group compared with the normal group(P<0.01). Significant decreases in TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 were observed in the H-SLBZ, H-IR and L-IR groups compared with the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The m RNA expressions of TLR4 and p38 MAPK and protein expressions of TLR4, p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK in KCs in the model group were significantly higher than the normal group(P<0.01), while those expression levels in the L-IR and H-IR groups were significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Inflammation in KCs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of NASH in rats. The data demonstrated the importance of TLR4-p38 MAPK signaling pathway in KCs for the anti-inflammatory effect of soothing Gan and invigorating Pi recipes.

Hepcidin expression in colon during trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats

AIM:To investigate hepcidin expression,interleukin-6(IL-6)production and iron levels in the rat colon in the presence of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced colitis.METHODS:In rats,we evaluated the severity of colitis induced by repeated TNBS administration using macroscopic and microscopic scoring systems and myeloperoxidase activity measurements.The colonic levels of hepcidin,tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),IL-10 and IL-6 were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay,and hepcidin-25 expression and iron deposition were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the Prussian blue reaction,respectively.Stat-3 phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot analysis.Hematological parameters,iron and transferrin levels,and transferrin saturation were also measured.Additionally,the ability of iron,pathogen-derived molecules and IL-6 to induce hepcidin expression in HT-29 cells was evaluated.RESULTS:Repeated TNBS administration to rats resulted in macroscopically and microscopically detectable colon lesions and elevated colonic myeloperoxidase activity.Hepcidin-25 protein levels were increased in colonic surface epithelia in colitic rats(10.2±4.0pg/mg protein vs 71.0±8.4 pg/mg protein,P<0.01).Elevated IL-6 levels(8.2±1.7 pg/mg protein vs 14.7±0.7 pg/mg protein,P<0.05),TNF-αlevels(1.8±1.2pg/mg protein vs 7.4±2.1 pg/mg protein,P<0.05)and Stat-3 phosphorylation were also observed.Systemic alterations in iron homeostasis,hepcidin levels and anemia were not detected in colitic rats.Iron deposition in the colon was only observed during colitis.Hepcidin gene expression was increased in HT-29 cells after IL-6 and lipopolysaccharide[a toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4)ligand]treatment.Deferoxamine,ferric citrate and peptidoglycan(a TLR-2 ligand)were unable to alter the in vitro expression of hepcidin in HT-29 cells.CONCLUSION:Colitis increased local hepcidin-25 expression,which was associated with the IL-6/Stat-3 signaling pathway.An increase in local iron sequestration was also observed,but additional studies are needed to determine whether this sequestration is a defensive or pathological response to intestinal inflammation.

孕激素在子痫前期患者TLR4-MyD88依赖的信号通路中的作用

目的研究孕激素在子痫前期(preeclampsia,PE)孕妇Toll样受体4(toll-like receptor4,TLR4)-髓样细胞分化蛋白88(myeloid differentiation factor 88,My D88)依赖的信号通路中的作用。方法原代培养子痫前期孕妇外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC),以不同浓度孕激素(0 mol/L、10-8mol/L、10-6mol/L、10-4mol/L)处理,实时定量聚合酶联反应(Real-time polymerase Chain reaction,real-time PCR)检测TLR4 mRNA、My D88 mRNA、核转录因子-κB(nuclear factorκB,NF-κB)mRNA的表达;免疫印迹法Western blot检测IκB-α蛋白的表达,用凝胶图像处理系统分析各条目标带灰度值酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测细胞上清液中肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factors,TNF-α)及白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)的表达。结果随着孕酮浓度的增加,各组TLR4 mRNA、My D88mRNA及NF-κB mRNA的相对表达量2-△△Ct均逐渐降低,IκB-α蛋白的表达逐渐增加,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);同时,细胞上清液中细胞因子TNF-α及IL-6的表达均逐渐减少,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论孕激素可显著抑制TLR4-My D88依赖的信号传导通路,对子痫前期患者具有保护作用。

Effect of TLR-4 and HO-1 on acute lung injury induced by hemorrhagic shock in mice

Objective： To examine whether TLR-4 has an ettect on hemorrhage induced changes in lung, and to investigate the change of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） on acute lung injury （ALl） induced by hemorrhagic shock in mice. Methods： Forty-eight male mice, including C3H/HeN mice and C3H/HeJ mice, were randomly divided into sham group （n=12）, hemorrhagic shock group with twelve mice in each phase. Blood pressure （BP） was monitored continuously by attaching carotid artery catheter to a strain gauge pressure transducer/ polygraph. Arterial blood samples were taken for blood gas analysis. A mouse model of non-lethal hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation was used to observe pulmonary myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity and wet/dry weight ratio （W/D）. The expression of HO- 1 was observed by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. IL-6 and IL-10 in lung tissue homogenate were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pulmo- nary pathologic changes were observed under electron microscope and light microscope. Results： Compared with sham group, the expression of HO- 1 in lung tissue was significantly higher in Hem 24 h and Hem 48 h of C3H/HeN mice （P〈0.01）. The expression of HO-1 mRNA and the levels of IL-6, IL-10 and MPO in lung tissue were markedly increased in Hem 24 h （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）; Compared with C3H/HeN mice, the expression of HO- 1 rnRNA and the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in C3H/HeJ mice significantly decreased in Hem 24 h and Hem 48 h （P〈0.01 or P〈O.05）, and the W/D, MPO in C3H/HeJ mice were obvi- ously lower in Hem 24 h （P〈0.05）. The injuries of lung tissues after hemorrhagic shock have been demonstrated by histological examination with electron microscope and light microscope. Conclusions： TLR-4 and HO-1 might modulate the bal- ance of pro- and anti-inflammatory processes in inflamma- tory reaction of hemorrhagic shock-induced ALl, and the activation of Toll-like receptor might induce the transcrip- tion activity of HO- 1, which may play a key role in acute lung injury.