AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in the regulation of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) latent membrane protein 1(LMP1) in EBV transformed cells. METHODS: LMP1 expression was examined in EBV transforme...AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in the regulation of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) latent membrane protein 1(LMP1) in EBV transformed cells. METHODS: LMP1 expression was examined in EBV transformed human B lymphocytes with modulation of NF-κB activity. RESULTS: EBV infection is associated with several human cancers. EBV LMP1 is required for efficient transformation of adult primary B cells in vitro, and is expressed in several pathogenic stages of EBVassociated cancers. Regulation of EBV LMP1 involves both viral and cellular factors. LMP1 activates NF-κB signaling pathway that is a part of the EBV transformation program. However, the relation between NF-κB and LMP1 expression is not well established yet. In this report, we found that blocking the NF-κB activity by Inhibitor of κB stimulated LMP1 expression, while the overexpression of NF-κB repressed LMP1 expression in EBV-transformed IB4 cells. In addition, LMP1 repressed its own promoter activities in reporter assays, and the repression was associated with the activation of NF-κB. Moreover, NF-κB alone is sufficient to repress LMP1 promoter activities. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest LMP1 may repress its own expression through NF-κB in EBV transformed cells and shed a light on LMP1 regulation during EBV transformation.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of different dietary fatty acids on hepatic inflammasome activation.METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)-enriched diet. Pri...AIM: To investigate the effect of different dietary fatty acids on hepatic inflammasome activation.METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)-enriched diet. Primary hepatocytes were treated with either saturated fatty acids(SFAs) or PUFAs as well as combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The activity of Caspase-1 and interleukine-1β production were measured.RESULTS: high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis was sufficient to induce and activate hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome. SFA palmitic acid(PA) directly activated NLRP3 inflammasome and increased sensitization to LPS-induced inflammasome activation in hepatocytes. In contrast, PUFA docosahexaenoic acid(Dh A) had thepotential to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome expression in hepatocytes and partly abolished LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, a highfat diet increased but PUFA-enriched diet decreased sensitization to LPS-induced hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Moreover, PA increased but Dh A decreased phosphorylated NF-κB p65 protein expression in hepatocytes.CONCLUSION:Hepatic NLRP 3 inflammasome activation played an important role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary SFAs and PUFAs oppositely regulated the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome through direct activation or inhibition of NF-κB.展开更多
The relation between the expression and activity of MMP-9 in C-reactive protein (CRP)-induced human THP-1 mononuclear cells and the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was studied to investigate the poss...The relation between the expression and activity of MMP-9 in C-reactive protein (CRP)-induced human THP-1 mononuclear cells and the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was studied to investigate the possible role of CRP in plaque destabilization. Human THP-1 cells were incubated in the presence of CRP at 0 (control group), 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL (CRP groups) for 24 h. In PDTC (a specific NF-κB inhibitor) group, the cells were pre-treated with PDTC at 10 μmol/L and then with 100 μg/mL CRP. The conditioned media (CM) and human THP-1 cells in different groups were harvested. MMP-9 expression in CM and human THP-1 cells was measured by ELISA and Western blotting. MMP-9 activity was assessed by fluorogenic substrates. The expression of NF-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α) and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western blotting and ELISA respectively. The results showed that CRP increased the expression and activity of MMP-9 in a dose-dependent manner in the human THP-1 cells. Western blotting revealed that IiB-α expression was decreased in the cells with the concentrations of CRP and ELISA demonstrated that NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells was increased. After pre-treatment of the cells with PDTC at 10 μmol/L, the decrease in IκB-α expression and the increase in NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells were inhibited, and the expression and activity of MMP-9 were lowered too. It is concluded that increased expression and activity of MMP-9 in CRP-induced human THP-1 cells may be associated with activation of NF-κB. Down-regulation of the expression and activity of MMP-9 may be a new treatment alternative for plaque stabilization by inhibiting the NF-κB activation.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Meth...Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Methods:The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs.HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot.TNF-αprotein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively.Three kinase inhibitors-U0126,an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERKs);lactacvstin,an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB);and SB203580,a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase(p38 MAPK)were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-αexpression in transfected GMCs.Results:A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h,which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above.A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-αprotein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h,which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin,but not SB203580.Conclusions:HBx upregulates TNF-αexpression in cultured GMCs,possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway,but not p38 MAPK pathway.展开更多
To observe the effects of simvastatin on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB)-DNA binding activity and on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits and to explore t...To observe the effects of simvastatin on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB)-DNA binding activity and on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits and to explore the anti-atherosclerotic properties beyond its lipid-lowering effects. Thirty-six New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into low-cholesterol group (LC), high- cholesterol group (HC), high-cholesterol+ simvastatin group (HC+S) and then were fed for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, standard enzymatic assays, electrophoretic mobility shift as- say (EMSA), immunohistochemical staining, and morphometry were performed to observe serum lipids, NF-kB-DNA binding activity, MCP-1 protein expression, intirna thickness and plaque area of aorta respectively in all three groups. Our results showed that the serum lipids, NF-kB-DNA binding activity, expression of MCP-1 protein, intima thickness, and plaque area of aorta in the LC and HC+S groups were significantly lower than those in the HC group (P〈0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum lipids between the LC and HC+S groups (P〉0.05), but the NF-kB-DNA binding activity, the expression of MCP-1 protein and the intirna thickness and plaque area of aorta in the HC+S group were significantly decreased as compared to the LC group (P〈0. 05). This study demonstrated that simvastatin could decrease atherosclerosis by inhibiting the NF-kB-DNA binding activity and by reducing the expression of MCP-1 protein.展开更多
AIM: To identify the effect and regulatory mechanism of amyloid β (Aβ) protein on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and clarify Aβ role in the pathogenesis of age-rela...AIM: To identify the effect and regulatory mechanism of amyloid β (Aβ) protein on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and clarify Aβ role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The model of Aβ25-35 protein cytotoxicity in RPE cell was successfully established to investigate the effect of Aβ protein on RPE cells in vitro. Based on Aβ protein, the specific inhibitors (HY-50682 or BAY11-7082) or activating agent (lipopolysaccharide) was used to analyze the regulatory mechanism of Aβ protein to RPE cells on cell proliferation and apoptosis by flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS: The number of RPE cells, treated with Aβ25-35 from 0.3 to 60 μmol/L, significantly reduce (P〈0.01), and had the dose-dependent effect. Aβ protein 60 μmol/L inhibits the G1/S phase transition (P〈0.01) and down-regulated cyclin E mRNA level (P〈0.01). Similarly, Aβ25-35 induced a significant increase of cell apoptosis, accompanied by the significantly higher level of activated caspase 3 protein. Furthermore, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activity and hosphorylated Iκ-Ba level would significantly lower in treated RPE cells. Using specific inhibitors or activating agent based on the Aβ, the cell numbers, NF-κB activity, phosphorylated Iκ-Ba level, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) gene expression levels, cyclin E mRNA level and activated caspase 3 level had accordingly changed by different methods, confirming that RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway involved in the regulation of Aβ protein on RPE cell apoptosis and proliferation. CONCLUSION: Aβ protein inhibits cell proliferation and activates apoptosis via inactivation of the RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in RPE cell.展开更多
The events of cell death and the expression of nuclear matrix protein (NMP) have been investigated in a promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL-60 induced with etoposide. By means of TUNEL assay, the nuclei displayed a ch...The events of cell death and the expression of nuclear matrix protein (NMP) have been investigated in a promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL-60 induced with etoposide. By means of TUNEL assay, the nuclei displayed a characteristic morphology change, and the amount of apoptotic cells increased early and reached maximun about 39% after treatment with etoposide for 2 h. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was observed after treatment for 4 h. The morphological change of HL-60 cells, thus, occurred earlier than the appearance of DNA ladder. Total nuclear matrix proteins were analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differential expression of 59 nuclear matrix proteins was found in 4 h etoposide treated cells. Western blotting was then performed on three nuclear matrix acssociated proteins, PML, HSC70 and NuMA. The expression of the suppressor PML protein and heat shock protein HSC70 were significantly upregulated after etoposide treatment, while NuMA, a nuclear mitotic apparatus protein, was down regulated. These results demonstrate that significant biochemical alterations in nuclear matrix proteins take place during the apoptotic process.展开更多
基金Supported by Grants from the NIH CA138213,RR15635Department of Defense W81XWH-12-1-0225(Luwen Zhang)Qianli Wang was partially supported by Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences and Beckman Scholars Program
文摘AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in the regulation of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) latent membrane protein 1(LMP1) in EBV transformed cells. METHODS: LMP1 expression was examined in EBV transformed human B lymphocytes with modulation of NF-κB activity. RESULTS: EBV infection is associated with several human cancers. EBV LMP1 is required for efficient transformation of adult primary B cells in vitro, and is expressed in several pathogenic stages of EBVassociated cancers. Regulation of EBV LMP1 involves both viral and cellular factors. LMP1 activates NF-κB signaling pathway that is a part of the EBV transformation program. However, the relation between NF-κB and LMP1 expression is not well established yet. In this report, we found that blocking the NF-κB activity by Inhibitor of κB stimulated LMP1 expression, while the overexpression of NF-κB repressed LMP1 expression in EBV-transformed IB4 cells. In addition, LMP1 repressed its own promoter activities in reporter assays, and the repression was associated with the activation of NF-κB. Moreover, NF-κB alone is sufficient to repress LMP1 promoter activities. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest LMP1 may repress its own expression through NF-κB in EBV transformed cells and shed a light on LMP1 regulation during EBV transformation.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNO.81170374 and NO.81470842 to Hua J
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of different dietary fatty acids on hepatic inflammasome activation.METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)-enriched diet. Primary hepatocytes were treated with either saturated fatty acids(SFAs) or PUFAs as well as combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The activity of Caspase-1 and interleukine-1β production were measured.RESULTS: high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis was sufficient to induce and activate hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome. SFA palmitic acid(PA) directly activated NLRP3 inflammasome and increased sensitization to LPS-induced inflammasome activation in hepatocytes. In contrast, PUFA docosahexaenoic acid(Dh A) had thepotential to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome expression in hepatocytes and partly abolished LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, a highfat diet increased but PUFA-enriched diet decreased sensitization to LPS-induced hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Moreover, PA increased but Dh A decreased phosphorylated NF-κB p65 protein expression in hepatocytes.CONCLUSION:Hepatic NLRP 3 inflammasome activation played an important role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary SFAs and PUFAs oppositely regulated the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome through direct activation or inhibition of NF-κB.
文摘The relation between the expression and activity of MMP-9 in C-reactive protein (CRP)-induced human THP-1 mononuclear cells and the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was studied to investigate the possible role of CRP in plaque destabilization. Human THP-1 cells were incubated in the presence of CRP at 0 (control group), 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL (CRP groups) for 24 h. In PDTC (a specific NF-κB inhibitor) group, the cells were pre-treated with PDTC at 10 μmol/L and then with 100 μg/mL CRP. The conditioned media (CM) and human THP-1 cells in different groups were harvested. MMP-9 expression in CM and human THP-1 cells was measured by ELISA and Western blotting. MMP-9 activity was assessed by fluorogenic substrates. The expression of NF-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α) and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western blotting and ELISA respectively. The results showed that CRP increased the expression and activity of MMP-9 in a dose-dependent manner in the human THP-1 cells. Western blotting revealed that IiB-α expression was decreased in the cells with the concentrations of CRP and ELISA demonstrated that NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells was increased. After pre-treatment of the cells with PDTC at 10 μmol/L, the decrease in IκB-α expression and the increase in NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells were inhibited, and the expression and activity of MMP-9 were lowered too. It is concluded that increased expression and activity of MMP-9 in CRP-induced human THP-1 cells may be associated with activation of NF-κB. Down-regulation of the expression and activity of MMP-9 may be a new treatment alternative for plaque stabilization by inhibiting the NF-κB activation.
基金Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China(GrantNo.30772360)Nature Science Foundation of Health Department of Hubei Province,China(No.JX4B48)Fund of Yangtze University for Doctor(No.2009001)
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Methods:The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs.HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot.TNF-αprotein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively.Three kinase inhibitors-U0126,an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERKs);lactacvstin,an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB);and SB203580,a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase(p38 MAPK)were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-αexpression in transfected GMCs.Results:A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h,which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above.A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-αprotein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h,which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin,but not SB203580.Conclusions:HBx upregulates TNF-αexpression in cultured GMCs,possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway,but not p38 MAPK pathway.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the NationalNatural Sciences Foundation of China (No .30470713)
文摘To observe the effects of simvastatin on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB)-DNA binding activity and on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits and to explore the anti-atherosclerotic properties beyond its lipid-lowering effects. Thirty-six New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into low-cholesterol group (LC), high- cholesterol group (HC), high-cholesterol+ simvastatin group (HC+S) and then were fed for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, standard enzymatic assays, electrophoretic mobility shift as- say (EMSA), immunohistochemical staining, and morphometry were performed to observe serum lipids, NF-kB-DNA binding activity, MCP-1 protein expression, intirna thickness and plaque area of aorta respectively in all three groups. Our results showed that the serum lipids, NF-kB-DNA binding activity, expression of MCP-1 protein, intima thickness, and plaque area of aorta in the LC and HC+S groups were significantly lower than those in the HC group (P〈0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum lipids between the LC and HC+S groups (P〉0.05), but the NF-kB-DNA binding activity, the expression of MCP-1 protein and the intirna thickness and plaque area of aorta in the HC+S group were significantly decreased as compared to the LC group (P〈0. 05). This study demonstrated that simvastatin could decrease atherosclerosis by inhibiting the NF-kB-DNA binding activity and by reducing the expression of MCP-1 protein.
文摘AIM: To identify the effect and regulatory mechanism of amyloid β (Aβ) protein on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and clarify Aβ role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The model of Aβ25-35 protein cytotoxicity in RPE cell was successfully established to investigate the effect of Aβ protein on RPE cells in vitro. Based on Aβ protein, the specific inhibitors (HY-50682 or BAY11-7082) or activating agent (lipopolysaccharide) was used to analyze the regulatory mechanism of Aβ protein to RPE cells on cell proliferation and apoptosis by flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS: The number of RPE cells, treated with Aβ25-35 from 0.3 to 60 μmol/L, significantly reduce (P〈0.01), and had the dose-dependent effect. Aβ protein 60 μmol/L inhibits the G1/S phase transition (P〈0.01) and down-regulated cyclin E mRNA level (P〈0.01). Similarly, Aβ25-35 induced a significant increase of cell apoptosis, accompanied by the significantly higher level of activated caspase 3 protein. Furthermore, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activity and hosphorylated Iκ-Ba level would significantly lower in treated RPE cells. Using specific inhibitors or activating agent based on the Aβ, the cell numbers, NF-κB activity, phosphorylated Iκ-Ba level, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) gene expression levels, cyclin E mRNA level and activated caspase 3 level had accordingly changed by different methods, confirming that RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway involved in the regulation of Aβ protein on RPE cell apoptosis and proliferation. CONCLUSION: Aβ protein inhibits cell proliferation and activates apoptosis via inactivation of the RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in RPE cell.
文摘The events of cell death and the expression of nuclear matrix protein (NMP) have been investigated in a promyelocytic leukemic cell line HL-60 induced with etoposide. By means of TUNEL assay, the nuclei displayed a characteristic morphology change, and the amount of apoptotic cells increased early and reached maximun about 39% after treatment with etoposide for 2 h. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was observed after treatment for 4 h. The morphological change of HL-60 cells, thus, occurred earlier than the appearance of DNA ladder. Total nuclear matrix proteins were analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differential expression of 59 nuclear matrix proteins was found in 4 h etoposide treated cells. Western blotting was then performed on three nuclear matrix acssociated proteins, PML, HSC70 and NuMA. The expression of the suppressor PML protein and heat shock protein HSC70 were significantly upregulated after etoposide treatment, while NuMA, a nuclear mitotic apparatus protein, was down regulated. These results demonstrate that significant biochemical alterations in nuclear matrix proteins take place during the apoptotic process.