We previously showed that death-associated protein kinase 1(DAPK1)expression is increased in hippocampal tissue in a mouse model of major depressive disorde and is related to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's d...We previously showed that death-associated protein kinase 1(DAPK1)expression is increased in hippocampal tissue in a mouse model of major depressive disorde and is related to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.In addition,depression is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease,as well as an early clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.Meanwhile,cognitive dysfunction is a distinctive feature of major depressive disorder.Therefore,DAPK1 may be related to cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.In this study,we established a mouse model of major depressive disorder by housing mice individually and exposing them to chronic,mild,unpredictable stressors.We found that DAPK1 and tau protein levels were increased in the hippocampal CA3 area,and tau was hyperphosphorylated at Thr231,Ser262,and Ser396 in these mice.Furthermore,DAPK1 shifted from axonal expression to overexpression on the cell membrane.Exercise and treatment with the antidepressant drug citalopram decreased DAPK1 expression and tau protein phosphorylation in hippocampal tissue and improved both depressive symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.These results indicate that DAPK1 may be a potential reason and therapeutic target of cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.展开更多
The mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascade is crucial to plant growth,development,and stress responses.MAPK kinases(MAPKK)play a vital role in linking upstream MAPKK kinases(MAPKKK)with the downstream MAPK.Blac...The mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascade is crucial to plant growth,development,and stress responses.MAPK kinases(MAPKK)play a vital role in linking upstream MAPKK kinases(MAPKKK)with the downstream MAPK.Black spot is one of the most serious fungal diseases of pear which is an important part of the fruit industry in China.The MAPKK genes have been identified in many plants,however,none has been reported in pear(Pyrus bretschneideri).In order to explore whether MAPK gene of pear is related to black spot disease,we designed this experiment.The present study investigated eight putative PbrMAPKK genes obtained from the Chinese white pear genome.The phylogenetic analysis revealed that PbrMAPKK genes were divided into A,B,C,and D groups.These PbrMAPKK genes are randomly distributed on 7 out of 17 chromosomes and mainly originated from the whole-genome duplication(WGD)event.The expression analysis of PbrMAPKK genes in seven pear tissues and the leaves of susceptible and resistant varieties after Alternaria alternata infection by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)identified seven candidate genes associated with resistance.Furthermore,virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)indicated that PbrMAPKK6 gene enhanced resistance to pear black spot disease in pear.展开更多
Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury.However,its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear.Considering the essential role of a...Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury.However,its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear.Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process,we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells,thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury.In this study,we established young and aged mouse models of contusive spinal cord injury using a modified Allen method.We found that aging hindered the recovery of neurological function and the formation of blood vessels in the spinal cord.Treatment with metformin promoted spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation in vitro.Furthermore,intraperitoneal injection of metformin in an in vivo model promoted endothelial cell proliferation and increased the density of new blood vessels in the spinal cord,thereby improving neurological function.The role of metformin was reversed by compound C,an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor,both in vivo and in vitro,suggesting that the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway likely regulates metformin-mediated angiogenesis after spinal cord injury.These findings suggest that metformin promotes vascular regeneration in the injured spinal cord by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway,thereby improving the neurological function of aged mice after spinal cord injury.展开更多
In mammals,microRNAs(miRNAs)play key roles in multiple biological processes by regulating the expression of target genes.Studies have found that the levels of miR-370-5p expression differ significantly in the skins of...In mammals,microRNAs(miRNAs)play key roles in multiple biological processes by regulating the expression of target genes.Studies have found that the levels of miR-370-5p expression differ significantly in the skins of sheep with different hair colors;however,its function remains unclear.In this study,we investigated the roles of miR-370-5p in sheep melanocytes and found that the overexpression of miR-370-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation(P<0.01),tyrosinase activity(P=0.001)and significantly reduced(P<0.001)melanin production.Functional prediction revealed that the 3′-untranslated region(UTR)of MAP3K8 has a putative miR-370-5p binding site,and the interaction between these two molecules was confirmed using luciferase reporter assays.In situ hybridization assays revealed that MAP3K8 is expressed in the cytoplasm of melanocytes.The results of quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that overexpression of miR-370-5p in melanocytes significantly inhibits(P<0.01)MAP3K8 expression via direct targeting of its 3′UTR.Inhibition of MAP3K8 expression by siRNA-MAP3K8 transfection induced a significant inhibition(P<0.01)of melanocyte proliferation and significant reduction(P<0.001)in melanin production,which is consistent with our observations for miR-370-5p.Target gene rescue experiments indicated that the expression of MAP3K8 in melanocytes co-transfected with miR-370-5p and MAP3K8-cDNA(containing sites for the targeted binding to miR-370-5p)was significantly rescued(P≤0.001),which subsequently promoted significant increases in cell proliferation(P<0.001)and melanin production(P<0.01).Collectively,these findings indicate that miR-370-5p plays a functional role in inhibiting sheep melanocyte proliferation and melanogenesis by downregulating the expression of MAP3K8.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors,such as imatinib,have been used as first-line therapy for the treatment ...BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors,such as imatinib,have been used as first-line therapy for the treatment of GISTs.Although these drugs have achieved considerable efficacy in some patients,reports of resistance and recurrence have emerged.Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)protein,as a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)family,is a core molecule of this signaling pathway.Nowadays,research reports on the important clinical and prognostic value of phosphorylated-ERK(P-ERK)and phosphorylated-MAPK/ERK kinase(P-MEK)proteins closely related to raf kinase inhibitor protein(RKIP)have gradually emerged in digestive tract tumors such as gastric cancer,colon cancer,and pancreatic cancer.However,literature on the expression of these downstream proteins combined with RKIP in GIST is scarce.This study will focus on this aspect and search for answers to the problem.AIM To detect the expression of RKIP,P-ERK,and P-MEK protein in GIST and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this disease.Try to establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and PERK in combination with analysis and its prognosis evaluation efficacy.METHODS The research object of our experiment was 66 pathologically diagnosed GIST patients with complete clinical and follow-up information.These patients received surgical treatment at China Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of RKIP,PERK,and P-MEK proteins in GIST tissue samples from these patients.Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of 63 patients with complete follow-up data.A Nomogram was used to represent the new prognostic evaluation model.The Cox multivariate regression analysis was conducted separately for each set of risk evaluation factors,based on two risk classification systems[the new risk grade model vs the modified National Institutes of Health(NIH)2008 risk classification system].Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used for evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of the two prognostic evaluation systems.RESULTS In GIST tissues,RKIP protein showed positive expression in the cytoplasm and cell membrane,appearing as brownish-yellow or brown granules.The expression of RKIP was related to GIST tumor size,NIH grade,and mucosal invasion.P-ERK protein exhibited heterogeneous distribution in GIST cells,mainly in the cytoplasm,with occasional presence in the nucleus,and appeared as brownish-yellow granules,and the expression of P-ERK protein was associated with GIST tumor size,mitotic count,mucosal invasion,and NIH grade.Meanwhile,RKIP protein expression was negatively correlated with P-ERK expression.The results in COX multivariate regression analysis showed that RKIP protein expression was not an independent risk factor for tumor prognosis.However,RKIP combined with P-ERK protein expression were identified as independent risk factors for prognosis with statistical significance.Furthermore,we establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and P-ERK in combination and obtained the nomogram of the new prognosis evaluation model.ROC curve analysis also showed that the new evaluation model had better prognostic performance than the modified NIH 2008 risk classification system.CONCLUSION Our experimental results showed that the expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins in GIST was associated with tumor size,NIH 2008 staging,and tumor invasion,and P-ERK expression was also related to mitotic count.The expression of the two proteins had a certain negative correlation.The combined expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins can serve as an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of GIST patients.The new risk assessment model incorporating RKIP and P-ERK has superior evaluation efficacy and is worth further practical application to validate.展开更多
Objective:To identify the role of protein kinase in male reproduction in animal models and human spermatogenic function.Methods:This study assessed the protein kinase of male reproduction in animal models and human us...Objective:To identify the role of protein kinase in male reproduction in animal models and human spermatogenic function.Methods:This study assessed the protein kinase of male reproduction in animal models and human using different reviewed paper indexed in PubMed,Science Direct,EBSCO,Scopus,Cochrane Library,Sage Journals,and Google Scholar.Data were charted based on author,year of publication published between 1893 and 2023,country,purpose,data collection,key findings,and research focus/domain.Results:The MAPK pathway contributed to the growth,maturation,and functionality of male germ cells.We also found out that certain influencing factors categorized into hormonal/non hormonal factors and chemotoxicant,as well as heat stress expressed an inhibitory mechanism on protein kinase,thus affecting spermatogenic functions and maintenance/remodeling of the blood testis barrier,as well as the physiology of the Sertoli cells necessary for nutritional support of spermatogenesis.However,activating protein kinases pathway like the mTOR pathway as well as increased expression of peroxiredoxin-4 and L-carnitine mediated protein kinases may be useful for treating or managing male reproductive dysfunction.Conclusions:Protein kinase plays an important role in spermatogenic functions and blood testis remodeling in animal and human.Its assessment provides essential information that can guide treatment strategies aimed at improving male reproductive potential.Taken together,these recent advances highlight a future therapeutic intervention in assessing male reproductive potential.It might also be possible to look at potential targets for male contraceptives in the MAPK pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND Trastuzumab constitutes the fundamental component of initial therapy for patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-positive gastric cancer(GC).However,the efficacy of this treat...BACKGROUND Trastuzumab constitutes the fundamental component of initial therapy for patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-positive gastric cancer(GC).However,the efficacy of this treatment is hindered by substantial challenges associated with both primary and acquired drug resistance.While S-phase kinase associated protein 2(Skp2)overexpression has been implicated in the malignant progression of GC,its role in regulating trastuzumab resistance in this context remains uncertain.Despite the numerous studies investigating Skp2 inhibitors among small molecule compounds and natural products,there has been a lack of successful commercialization of drugs specifically targeting Skp2.AIM To discover a Skp2 blocker among currently available medications and develop a therapeutic strategy for HER2-positive GC patients who have experienced progression following trastuzumab-based treatment.METHODS Skp2 exogenous overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNA vectors were utilized to investigate the correlation between Skp2 expression and trastuzumab resistance in GC cells.Q-PCR,western blot,and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the regulatory effect of thioridazine on Skp2 expression.A cell counting kit-8 assay,flow cytometry,a amplex red glucose/glucose oxidase assay kit,and a lactate assay kit were utilized to measure the proliferation,apoptosis,and glycolytic activity of GC cells in vitro.A xenograft model established with human GC in nude mice was used to assess thioridazine's effectiveness in vivo.RESULTS The expression of Skp2 exhibited a negative correlation with the sensitivity of HER2-positive GC cells to trastuzumab.Thioridazine demonstrated the ability to directly bind to Skp2,resulting in a reduction in Skp2 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels.Moreover,thioridazine effectively inhibited cell proliferation,exhibited antiapoptotic properties,and decreased the glucose uptake rate and lactate production by suppressing Skp2/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/glucose transporter type 1 signaling pathways.The combination of thioridazine with either trastuzumab or lapatinib exhibited a more pronounced anticancer effect in vivo,surpassing the efficacy of either monotherapy.CONCLUSION Thioridazine demonstrates promising outcomes in preclinical GC models and offers a novel therapeutic approach for addressing trastuzumab resistance,particularly when used in conjunction with lapatinib.This compound has potential benefits for patients with Skp2-proficient tumors.展开更多
Objective:Deleted in liver cancer 1(DLC1)is a GTPase-activating protein that is reported as a suppressor in certain human cancers.However,the detailed biological function of DLC1 is still unclear in human prostate can...Objective:Deleted in liver cancer 1(DLC1)is a GTPase-activating protein that is reported as a suppressor in certain human cancers.However,the detailed biological function of DLC1 is still unclear in human prostate cancer(PCa).In the present study,we aimed to explore the function of DLC1 in PCa cells.Methods:Silencing and overexpression of DLC1 were induced in an androgen-sensitive PCa cell line(LNCaP)using RNA interference and lentiviral vector transduction.The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to determine cell proliferation.The cell cycle was examined by performing a propidium iodide staining assay.Results:Our results indicated that DLC1 overexpression markedly suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression of LNCaP cells.Moreover,DLC1 expression was negatively correlated with Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)expression in LNCaP cells.Importantly,this study showed that the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 restored the function of DLC1 in LNCaP cells and reduced the tumorigenicity of LNCaP cells in vivo.Conclusion:Our results indicated that DLC1 overexpression markedly suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression of PCa cells and negatively correlated with ROCK expression in PCa cells and tissue.展开更多
Ischemic stroke can cause blood-brain barrier(BBB)injury,which worsens brain damage induced by stroke.Abnormal expression of tight junction proteins in endothelial cells(ECs)can increase intracellular space and BBB le...Ischemic stroke can cause blood-brain barrier(BBB)injury,which worsens brain damage induced by stroke.Abnormal expression of tight junction proteins in endothelial cells(ECs)can increase intracellular space and BBB leakage.Selective inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase,the negative regulatory substrate of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase(MKP)-1,improves tight junction protein function in ECs,and genetic deletion of MKP-1 aggravates ischemic brain injury.However,whether the latter affects BBB integrity,and the cell type-specific mechanism underlying this process,remain unclear.In this study,we established an adult male mouse model of ischemic stroke by occluding the middle cerebral artery for 60 minutes and overexpressed MKP-1 in ECs on the injured side via lentiviral transfection before stroke.We found that overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs reduced infarct volume,reduced the level of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and chemokine C-C motif ligand-2,inhibited vascular injury,and promoted the recovery of sensorimotor and memory/cognitive function.Overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs also inhibited the activation of cerebral ischemia-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 and the downregulation of occludin expression.Finally,to investigate the mechanism by which MKP-1 exerted these functions in ECs,we established an ischemic stroke model in vitro by depriving the primary endothelial cell of oxygen and glucose,and pharmacologically inhibited the activity of MKP-1 and ERK1/2.Our findings suggest that MKP-1 inhibition aggravates oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced cell death,cell monolayer leakage,and downregulation of occludin expression,and that inhibiting ERK1/2 can reverse these effects.In addition,co-inhibition of MKP-1 and ERK1/2 exhibited similar effects to inhibition of ERK1/2.These findings suggest that overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs can prevent ischemia-induced occludin downregulation and cell death via deactivating ERK1/2,thereby protecting the integrity of BBB,alleviating brain injury,and improving post-stroke prognosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effect...BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effects of OPN on the proliferation,invasion and migration of GC cells and its possible mechanism.METHODS The mRNA and protein expression of OPN in the GC cells were analyzed by realtime quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting,and observe the effect of varying degree expression OPN on the proliferation and other behaviors of GC.Next,the effects of OPN knockdown on GC cells migration and invasion were examined.The short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and negative control shRNA targeting OPN-shRNA were transfected into the cells according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Non transfected cells were classified as control in the identical transfecting process.24 h after RNA transfection cell proliferation activity was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay,and cell invasiveness and migration were detected by Trans well assay.Meanwhile,the expression of protein kinase B(AKT),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the human GC cell lines was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS The results of this study revealed that OPN mRNA and protein expression levels were highly expressed in SGC-7901 cells.OPN knockdown by specific shRNA noticeably reduced the capabilities of proliferation,invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells.Moreover,in the experiments of investigating the underlying mechanism,results showed that OPN knockdown could down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF,it also decreased the phosphorylation of AKT.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of MMP-2,VEGF and phosphorylated AKT was noticeable lower than that in control group in the GC cells after they were added to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(LY294002).CONCLUSION These results suggested that OPN though PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signal pathway to upregulate MMP-2 and VEGF expression,which contribute SGC-7901 cells to proliferation,invasion and migration.Thus,our results demonstrate that OPN may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkers as well as a potential therapeutic targets for GC.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Paraquat(PQ)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and pulmonary fi brosis are common diseases with high mortality but without eff ective antidotes in emergency medicine.Our previous study has proved that arctigeni...BACKGROUND:Paraquat(PQ)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and pulmonary fi brosis are common diseases with high mortality but without eff ective antidotes in emergency medicine.Our previous study has proved that arctigenin suppressed pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ.We wondered whether arctigenin could also have a protective eff ect on PQ-induced ALI.METHODS:A PQ-induced A549 cell injury model was used,and the effect of arctigenin was determined by a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)cell viability assay.In addition,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling(TUNEL)staining assays and mitochondrial membrane potential assays were performed to evaluate the level of cell apoptosis.The generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was refl ected by dihydroethidium(DHE)staining and a 2’,7’-dichlorodihy drofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)assay.Moreover,immunoblotting studies were used to assess the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)and p38 MAPK.RESULTS:Arctigenin attenuated PQ-induced inhibition of A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.Arctigenin also significantly reduced PQ-induced A549 cell apoptosis,as refl ected by the TUNEL assay and mitochondrial membrane potential assay,which may result from suppressed ROS/p38 MAPK signaling because we found that arctigenin dramatically suppressed ROS generation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Arctigenin could attenuate PQ-induced lung epithelial A549 cell injury in vitro by suppressing ROS/p38 MAPK-mediated cell apoptosis,and arctigenin might be considered a potential candidate drug for PQ-induced ALI.展开更多
Opioids,such as morphine,are the most potent drugs used to treat pain.Long-term use results in high tolerance to morphine.High mobility group box-1(HMGB1) has been shown to participate in neuropathic or inflammatory p...Opioids,such as morphine,are the most potent drugs used to treat pain.Long-term use results in high tolerance to morphine.High mobility group box-1(HMGB1) has been shown to participate in neuropathic or inflammatory pain,but its role in morphine tolerance is unclear.In this study,we established rat and mouse models of morphine tolerance by intrathecal injection of morphine for 7 consecutive days.We found that morphine induced rat spinal cord neurons to release a large amount of HMGB1.HMGB1 regulated nuclear factor κB p65 phosphorylation and interleukin-1β production by increasing Toll-like receptor 4receptor expression in microglia,thereby inducing morphine tolerance.Glycyrrhizin,an HMGB1 inhibito r,markedly attenuated chronic morphine tole rance in the mouse model.Finally,compound C(adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor) and zinc protoporphyrin(heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor)alleviated the morphine-induced release of HMGB1 and reduced nuclear factor κB p65 phosphorylation and interleukin-1β production in a mouse model of morphine tolerance and an SH-SY5Y cell model of morphine tole rance,and alleviated morphine tolerance in the mouse model.These findings suggest that morphine induces HMGB1 release via the adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway,and that inhibiting this signaling pathway can effectively reduce morphine tole rance.展开更多
Objective:To explore the role that ceramide plays in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Rats were subjected to ischemia by the four-vessel oc...Objective:To explore the role that ceramide plays in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Rats were subjected to ischemia by the four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. The sphingomyelinase inhibitor TPCK was administered to the CA1 subregion of the rat hippocampus before inducing ischemia. Western blot was used to examine the activity of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) using antibodies against ERK, JNK and diphosphorylated ERK and JNK. Results: At 1h reperfusion post-ischemia, JNK reached its peak activity while ERK was undergoing a sharp inactivation (P<0.05). The level of diphosphorylated JNK was significantly reduced but the sharp inactivation of ERK was visibly reversed (P<0.05) by the sphingomyelinase inhibitor. Conclusion: The ceramide signaling pathway is up-regulated through sphingomyelin hydrolysis in brain ischemia, promoting JNK activation and suppressing ERK activation, culminating in the ischemic lesion.展开更多
AIM To investigate the antioxidant effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) in hepatic stellate cell-T6(HSC-T6) cells cultured in vitro and the potential mechanisms.METHODS HSC-T6 cells were cultured in vitro and ...AIM To investigate the antioxidant effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) in hepatic stellate cell-T6(HSC-T6) cells cultured in vitro and the potential mechanisms.METHODS HSC-T6 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations of CAPE for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Cell proliferation was investigated using the MTT assay, and cell ultrastructural alterations were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of CAPE on apoptosis and the levels of reactive oxygen species in HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. An enzyme immunoassay instrument was used to evaluate antioxidant enzyme expression. The effect on α-smooth muscle actin was shown using immunofluorescence. Gene and protein levels of Nrf2, related factors, and mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPKs), in HSC-T6 cells were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS CAPE inhibited the proliferation and activation of HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. CAPE increased the antioxidant levels and the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in HSC-T6 cells. Moreover,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in cells decreased in response to CAPE. Interestingly, CAPE-induced oxidative stress in the cells was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with MAPKs inhibitors.CONCLUSION CAPE inhibits cell proliferation and up-regulates the antioxidant levels in HSC-T6 cells partly through the Nrf2-MAPKs signaling pathway.展开更多
Acute pancreatitis(AP) is an inflammatory disease characterized by acute inflammation and necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. AP is often associated with organ failure, sepsis, and high mortality. The pathogenesis ...Acute pancreatitis(AP) is an inflammatory disease characterized by acute inflammation and necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. AP is often associated with organ failure, sepsis, and high mortality. The pathogenesis of AP is still not well understood. In recent years several papers have highlighted the cellular and molecular events of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is initiated by activation of digestive enzymes within the acinar cells that are involved in autodigestion of the gland, followed by a massive infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and release of inflammatory mediators, responsible for the local and systemic inflammatory response. The hallmark of AP is parenchymal cell necrosis that represents the cause of the high morbidity and mortality, so that new potential therapeutic approaches are indispensable for the treatment of patients at high risk of complications. However, not all factors that determine the onset and course of the disease have been explained. Aim of this article is to review the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.展开更多
Alcoholic liver injury comprises of interactions of various intracellular signaling events in the liver. Innate immune responses in the resident Kupffer cells of the liver, oxidative stress-induced activation of hepat...Alcoholic liver injury comprises of interactions of various intracellular signaling events in the liver. Innate immune responses in the resident Kupffer cells of the liver, oxidative stress-induced activation of hepatocytes, fibrotic events in liver stellate cells and activation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells all contribute to alcoholic liver injury. The signaling mechanisms associated with alcoholic liver injury vary based on the cell type involved and the extent of alcohol consumption. In this review we will elucidate the oxidative stress and signaling pathways affected by alcohol in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in the liver by alcohol. The toll-like receptors and their down-stream signaling events that play an important role in alcohol-induced inflammation will be discussed. Alcohol-induced alterations of various intracellular transcription factors such as NFκB, PPARs and AP-1, as well as MAPK kinases in hepatocytes and macrophages leading to induction of target genes that contribute to liver injury will be reviewed. Finally, we will discuss the significance of heat shock proteins as chaperones and their functional regulation in the liver that could provide new mechanistic insights into the contributions of stress-induced signaling mechanisms in alcoholic liver injury.展开更多
To investigate the protective effect of retinoic acid (RA) on hyperoxic lung injury and the role of RA as a modulator on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), gastation 21 d Sprague-Dawley (SD) fetuses (term = 22...To investigate the protective effect of retinoic acid (RA) on hyperoxic lung injury and the role of RA as a modulator on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), gastation 21 d Sprague-Dawley (SD) fetuses (term = 22 d) were delivered by hysterotomy. Within 12-24 h of birth, premature rat pups were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12 each): air-exposed control group (group Ⅰ); hyperoxia-exposed group ( groupⅡ), air-exposed plus RA group (group Ⅲ), hyperoxia-exposed plus RA group (group Ⅳ). Group Ⅰ, Ⅲ were kept in room air, and group Ⅱ, Ⅳ were placed in 85 % oxygen. The pups in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were intraperitoneally injected with RA (500 μg/kg every day). All lung tissues of premature rat pups were collected at the 4th day after birth. Terminal transferase d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used for the detection of cell apoptosis. The expression of PCNA was immunohistochemically detected. Western blot analysis was employed for the determination of phosphorylated and total nonphosphorylated ERKs, JNKs or p38. Our results showed that lungs from the pups exposed to hyperoxia for 4 d exhibited TUNEL-positive nuclei increased markedly throughout the parenchyma (P<0.01), and decreased significantly after RA treatment (P<0.01). The index of PCNA-positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and was significantly increased by RA treatment (P<0.01). The air-space size was significantly enlarged, secondary crests were markedly decreased in hyperoxia-exposed animals. RA treatment improved lung air spaces and secondary crests in air-exposed pups, but had no effect on hyperoxia-exposure pups. Western blotting showed that the amounts of JNK, p38 and ERK proteins in hyperoxia-exposure or RA-treated lung tissues were same as those in untreated lung tissues (P>0.05), whereas activation of these MAPKs was markedly altered by hyperoxia and RA. After hyperoxia exposure, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 were dramatically increased (P<0.01), whereas p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 were markedly declined and p-ERK1/2 was further elevated by RA treatment (P<0.01). It is concluded that RA could decrease cell apoptosis and stimulate cell proliferation under hyperoxic condition. The protection of RA on hyperoxia-induced lung injury was related to the regulation of MAP kinase activation.展开更多
SNF1-related protein kinase 2(SnRK2)family members are essential components of the plant abscisic acid(ABA)signaling pathway initiated by osmotic stress and triggering a drought stress response.This study characterize...SNF1-related protein kinase 2(SnRK2)family members are essential components of the plant abscisic acid(ABA)signaling pathway initiated by osmotic stress and triggering a drought stress response.This study characterized the molecular properties of TaSnRK2.4 and its function in mediating adaptation to drought in Triticum aestivum.Transcripts of TaSnRK2.4 were upregulated upon drought and ABA signaling and associated with drought-and ABA-responsive cis-elements ABRE and DRE,and MYB and MYC binding sites in the promoter as indicated by reporter GUS protein staining and activity driven by truncations of the promoter.Yeast two-hybrid,BiFC,and Co-IP assays indicated that TaSnRK2.4 protein interacts with TaPP2C01 and an ABF transcription factor(TF)TaABF2.The results suggested that TaSnRK2.4 forms a functional TaPP2C01-TaSnRK2.4-TaABF2 module with its upstream and downstream partners.Transgene analysis revealed that TaSnRK2.4 and TaABF2 positively regulate drought tolerance whereas TaPP2C01 acts negatively by modulating stomatal movement,osmotic adjustment,reactive oxygen species(ROS)homeostasis,and root morphology.Expression analysis,yeast one-hybrid,and transcriptional activation assays indicated that several osmotic stress-responsive genes,including TaSLAC1-4,TaP5CS3,TaSOD5,TaCAT1,and TaPIN4,are regulated by TaABF2.Transgene analysis verified their functions in positively regulating stomatal movement(TaSLAC1-4),proline accumulation(TaP5CS3),SOD activity(TaSOD5),CAT activity(TaCAT1),and root morphology(TaPIN4).There were high correlations between plant biomass and yield with module transcripts in a wheat variety panel cultivated under drought conditions in the field.Our findings provide insights into understanding plant drought response underlying the SnRK2 signaling pathway in common wheat.展开更多
The effects of tacrolimus postconditioning on protein-serine-threonine kinases(Akt) phosphorylation and apoptotic cell death in rats after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury were investigated.Ninety male SD rats ...The effects of tacrolimus postconditioning on protein-serine-threonine kinases(Akt) phosphorylation and apoptotic cell death in rats after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury were investigated.Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,ischemia-reperfusion group and tacrolimus postconditioning group.The model of spinal cord ischemia was established by means of catheterization through femoral artery and balloon dilatation.The spinal cord was reperfused 20 min after ischemia via removing saline out of balloon.The corresponding spinal cord segments were excised and determined for Akt activity in spinal cord tissue by using Western blotting at 5,15,and 60min after reperfusion respectively.Spinal cord tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for detection of the phosphorylated Akt expression at 15 min after reperfusion.Flow cytometry was applied to assess apoptosis of neural cells,and dry-wet weights method was employed to measure water content in spinal cord tissue at 24 h after reperfusion.The results showed that the activities of Akt in tarcolimus postconditioning group were significantly higher than those in ischemia-reperfusion group at 5,15,and60 min after reperfusion(P<0.05,P<0.01).The Akt activities reached the peak at 15 min after reperfusion in ischemia-reperfusion group and tacrolimus postconditioning group.The percentage of apoptotic cells and water content in spinal cord tissue were significantly reduced(P<0.01) in tacrolimus postconditioning group as compared with those in ischemia-reperfusion group at 24 h after reperfusion.It is concluded that tacrolimus postconditioning can increase Akt activity in spinal cord tissue of rats,inhibit apoptosis of neural cells as well as tissue edema,and thereby alleviate spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.展开更多
基金supported by the Department of Science and Technology of Henan Province,Nos.192102310084(to HCZ),222102310143(to DXD)the Youth Fund of School of Basic Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University,No.JCYXY2017-YQ-07(to DXD)。
文摘We previously showed that death-associated protein kinase 1(DAPK1)expression is increased in hippocampal tissue in a mouse model of major depressive disorde and is related to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.In addition,depression is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease,as well as an early clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.Meanwhile,cognitive dysfunction is a distinctive feature of major depressive disorder.Therefore,DAPK1 may be related to cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.In this study,we established a mouse model of major depressive disorder by housing mice individually and exposing them to chronic,mild,unpredictable stressors.We found that DAPK1 and tau protein levels were increased in the hippocampal CA3 area,and tau was hyperphosphorylated at Thr231,Ser262,and Ser396 in these mice.Furthermore,DAPK1 shifted from axonal expression to overexpression on the cell membrane.Exercise and treatment with the antidepressant drug citalopram decreased DAPK1 expression and tau protein phosphorylation in hippocampal tissue and improved both depressive symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.These results indicate that DAPK1 may be a potential reason and therapeutic target of cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFD1200503)Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology Innovation Fund[Grant Nos.SCX(22)3215],Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.JCQY201901)the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System(Grant No.CARS-28).
文摘The mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascade is crucial to plant growth,development,and stress responses.MAPK kinases(MAPKK)play a vital role in linking upstream MAPKK kinases(MAPKKK)with the downstream MAPK.Black spot is one of the most serious fungal diseases of pear which is an important part of the fruit industry in China.The MAPKK genes have been identified in many plants,however,none has been reported in pear(Pyrus bretschneideri).In order to explore whether MAPK gene of pear is related to black spot disease,we designed this experiment.The present study investigated eight putative PbrMAPKK genes obtained from the Chinese white pear genome.The phylogenetic analysis revealed that PbrMAPKK genes were divided into A,B,C,and D groups.These PbrMAPKK genes are randomly distributed on 7 out of 17 chromosomes and mainly originated from the whole-genome duplication(WGD)event.The expression analysis of PbrMAPKK genes in seven pear tissues and the leaves of susceptible and resistant varieties after Alternaria alternata infection by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)identified seven candidate genes associated with resistance.Furthermore,virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)indicated that PbrMAPKK6 gene enhanced resistance to pear black spot disease in pear.
基金supported by the Natural Nature Science Foundation of China,Nos.82030071,81874004the Science and Technology Major Project of Changsha,No.kh2103008(all to JZH).
文摘Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury.However,its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear.Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process,we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells,thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury.In this study,we established young and aged mouse models of contusive spinal cord injury using a modified Allen method.We found that aging hindered the recovery of neurological function and the formation of blood vessels in the spinal cord.Treatment with metformin promoted spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation in vitro.Furthermore,intraperitoneal injection of metformin in an in vivo model promoted endothelial cell proliferation and increased the density of new blood vessels in the spinal cord,thereby improving neurological function.The role of metformin was reversed by compound C,an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor,both in vivo and in vitro,suggesting that the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway likely regulates metformin-mediated angiogenesis after spinal cord injury.These findings suggest that metformin promotes vascular regeneration in the injured spinal cord by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway,thereby improving the neurological function of aged mice after spinal cord injury.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province,China(2008085QC158)the University Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Province(KJ2019A0165)。
文摘In mammals,microRNAs(miRNAs)play key roles in multiple biological processes by regulating the expression of target genes.Studies have found that the levels of miR-370-5p expression differ significantly in the skins of sheep with different hair colors;however,its function remains unclear.In this study,we investigated the roles of miR-370-5p in sheep melanocytes and found that the overexpression of miR-370-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation(P<0.01),tyrosinase activity(P=0.001)and significantly reduced(P<0.001)melanin production.Functional prediction revealed that the 3′-untranslated region(UTR)of MAP3K8 has a putative miR-370-5p binding site,and the interaction between these two molecules was confirmed using luciferase reporter assays.In situ hybridization assays revealed that MAP3K8 is expressed in the cytoplasm of melanocytes.The results of quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that overexpression of miR-370-5p in melanocytes significantly inhibits(P<0.01)MAP3K8 expression via direct targeting of its 3′UTR.Inhibition of MAP3K8 expression by siRNA-MAP3K8 transfection induced a significant inhibition(P<0.01)of melanocyte proliferation and significant reduction(P<0.001)in melanin production,which is consistent with our observations for miR-370-5p.Target gene rescue experiments indicated that the expression of MAP3K8 in melanocytes co-transfected with miR-370-5p and MAP3K8-cDNA(containing sites for the targeted binding to miR-370-5p)was significantly rescued(P≤0.001),which subsequently promoted significant increases in cell proliferation(P<0.001)and melanin production(P<0.01).Collectively,these findings indicate that miR-370-5p plays a functional role in inhibiting sheep melanocyte proliferation and melanogenesis by downregulating the expression of MAP3K8.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province,No.2020-MS-148。
文摘BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors,such as imatinib,have been used as first-line therapy for the treatment of GISTs.Although these drugs have achieved considerable efficacy in some patients,reports of resistance and recurrence have emerged.Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)protein,as a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)family,is a core molecule of this signaling pathway.Nowadays,research reports on the important clinical and prognostic value of phosphorylated-ERK(P-ERK)and phosphorylated-MAPK/ERK kinase(P-MEK)proteins closely related to raf kinase inhibitor protein(RKIP)have gradually emerged in digestive tract tumors such as gastric cancer,colon cancer,and pancreatic cancer.However,literature on the expression of these downstream proteins combined with RKIP in GIST is scarce.This study will focus on this aspect and search for answers to the problem.AIM To detect the expression of RKIP,P-ERK,and P-MEK protein in GIST and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this disease.Try to establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and PERK in combination with analysis and its prognosis evaluation efficacy.METHODS The research object of our experiment was 66 pathologically diagnosed GIST patients with complete clinical and follow-up information.These patients received surgical treatment at China Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of RKIP,PERK,and P-MEK proteins in GIST tissue samples from these patients.Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of 63 patients with complete follow-up data.A Nomogram was used to represent the new prognostic evaluation model.The Cox multivariate regression analysis was conducted separately for each set of risk evaluation factors,based on two risk classification systems[the new risk grade model vs the modified National Institutes of Health(NIH)2008 risk classification system].Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used for evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of the two prognostic evaluation systems.RESULTS In GIST tissues,RKIP protein showed positive expression in the cytoplasm and cell membrane,appearing as brownish-yellow or brown granules.The expression of RKIP was related to GIST tumor size,NIH grade,and mucosal invasion.P-ERK protein exhibited heterogeneous distribution in GIST cells,mainly in the cytoplasm,with occasional presence in the nucleus,and appeared as brownish-yellow granules,and the expression of P-ERK protein was associated with GIST tumor size,mitotic count,mucosal invasion,and NIH grade.Meanwhile,RKIP protein expression was negatively correlated with P-ERK expression.The results in COX multivariate regression analysis showed that RKIP protein expression was not an independent risk factor for tumor prognosis.However,RKIP combined with P-ERK protein expression were identified as independent risk factors for prognosis with statistical significance.Furthermore,we establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and P-ERK in combination and obtained the nomogram of the new prognosis evaluation model.ROC curve analysis also showed that the new evaluation model had better prognostic performance than the modified NIH 2008 risk classification system.CONCLUSION Our experimental results showed that the expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins in GIST was associated with tumor size,NIH 2008 staging,and tumor invasion,and P-ERK expression was also related to mitotic count.The expression of the two proteins had a certain negative correlation.The combined expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins can serve as an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of GIST patients.The new risk assessment model incorporating RKIP and P-ERK has superior evaluation efficacy and is worth further practical application to validate.
文摘Objective:To identify the role of protein kinase in male reproduction in animal models and human spermatogenic function.Methods:This study assessed the protein kinase of male reproduction in animal models and human using different reviewed paper indexed in PubMed,Science Direct,EBSCO,Scopus,Cochrane Library,Sage Journals,and Google Scholar.Data were charted based on author,year of publication published between 1893 and 2023,country,purpose,data collection,key findings,and research focus/domain.Results:The MAPK pathway contributed to the growth,maturation,and functionality of male germ cells.We also found out that certain influencing factors categorized into hormonal/non hormonal factors and chemotoxicant,as well as heat stress expressed an inhibitory mechanism on protein kinase,thus affecting spermatogenic functions and maintenance/remodeling of the blood testis barrier,as well as the physiology of the Sertoli cells necessary for nutritional support of spermatogenesis.However,activating protein kinases pathway like the mTOR pathway as well as increased expression of peroxiredoxin-4 and L-carnitine mediated protein kinases may be useful for treating or managing male reproductive dysfunction.Conclusions:Protein kinase plays an important role in spermatogenic functions and blood testis remodeling in animal and human.Its assessment provides essential information that can guide treatment strategies aimed at improving male reproductive potential.Taken together,these recent advances highlight a future therapeutic intervention in assessing male reproductive potential.It might also be possible to look at potential targets for male contraceptives in the MAPK pathway.
基金Supported by Youth Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81803575,No.31902287Kaifeng Science and Technology Development Plan Project,No.2203008+2 种基金Key Specialized Research and Promotion Project of Henan Province in 2023,No.232102311205Henan Medical Science and Technology Research Program Project,No.LHGJ20210801College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Henan University,No.20231022007.
文摘BACKGROUND Trastuzumab constitutes the fundamental component of initial therapy for patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-positive gastric cancer(GC).However,the efficacy of this treatment is hindered by substantial challenges associated with both primary and acquired drug resistance.While S-phase kinase associated protein 2(Skp2)overexpression has been implicated in the malignant progression of GC,its role in regulating trastuzumab resistance in this context remains uncertain.Despite the numerous studies investigating Skp2 inhibitors among small molecule compounds and natural products,there has been a lack of successful commercialization of drugs specifically targeting Skp2.AIM To discover a Skp2 blocker among currently available medications and develop a therapeutic strategy for HER2-positive GC patients who have experienced progression following trastuzumab-based treatment.METHODS Skp2 exogenous overexpression plasmids and small interfering RNA vectors were utilized to investigate the correlation between Skp2 expression and trastuzumab resistance in GC cells.Q-PCR,western blot,and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the regulatory effect of thioridazine on Skp2 expression.A cell counting kit-8 assay,flow cytometry,a amplex red glucose/glucose oxidase assay kit,and a lactate assay kit were utilized to measure the proliferation,apoptosis,and glycolytic activity of GC cells in vitro.A xenograft model established with human GC in nude mice was used to assess thioridazine's effectiveness in vivo.RESULTS The expression of Skp2 exhibited a negative correlation with the sensitivity of HER2-positive GC cells to trastuzumab.Thioridazine demonstrated the ability to directly bind to Skp2,resulting in a reduction in Skp2 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels.Moreover,thioridazine effectively inhibited cell proliferation,exhibited antiapoptotic properties,and decreased the glucose uptake rate and lactate production by suppressing Skp2/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/glucose transporter type 1 signaling pathways.The combination of thioridazine with either trastuzumab or lapatinib exhibited a more pronounced anticancer effect in vivo,surpassing the efficacy of either monotherapy.CONCLUSION Thioridazine demonstrates promising outcomes in preclinical GC models and offers a novel therapeutic approach for addressing trastuzumab resistance,particularly when used in conjunction with lapatinib.This compound has potential benefits for patients with Skp2-proficient tumors.
基金This study was supported by the Key Scientific Research Project of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning(No.201640014)the project of Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi(No.20171BAB205019)the Special Diseases Program of Pudong New Area Health System(No.PWZzb2017-06).
文摘Objective:Deleted in liver cancer 1(DLC1)is a GTPase-activating protein that is reported as a suppressor in certain human cancers.However,the detailed biological function of DLC1 is still unclear in human prostate cancer(PCa).In the present study,we aimed to explore the function of DLC1 in PCa cells.Methods:Silencing and overexpression of DLC1 were induced in an androgen-sensitive PCa cell line(LNCaP)using RNA interference and lentiviral vector transduction.The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to determine cell proliferation.The cell cycle was examined by performing a propidium iodide staining assay.Results:Our results indicated that DLC1 overexpression markedly suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression of LNCaP cells.Moreover,DLC1 expression was negatively correlated with Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)expression in LNCaP cells.Importantly,this study showed that the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 restored the function of DLC1 in LNCaP cells and reduced the tumorigenicity of LNCaP cells in vivo.Conclusion:Our results indicated that DLC1 overexpression markedly suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression of PCa cells and negatively correlated with ROCK expression in PCa cells and tissue.
基金supported by Research Start-up Funding of Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital,No.2021-07(to FB)Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen,No.SZZYSM 202111011(to XDQ and FB)+1 种基金Key Discipline Established by Zhejiang Province,Jiaxing City Jointly-Pain Medicine,No.2019-ss-ttyx(to LSX)Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Neurology and Pain Medicine,No.[2014]81(to LSX)。
文摘Ischemic stroke can cause blood-brain barrier(BBB)injury,which worsens brain damage induced by stroke.Abnormal expression of tight junction proteins in endothelial cells(ECs)can increase intracellular space and BBB leakage.Selective inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase,the negative regulatory substrate of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase(MKP)-1,improves tight junction protein function in ECs,and genetic deletion of MKP-1 aggravates ischemic brain injury.However,whether the latter affects BBB integrity,and the cell type-specific mechanism underlying this process,remain unclear.In this study,we established an adult male mouse model of ischemic stroke by occluding the middle cerebral artery for 60 minutes and overexpressed MKP-1 in ECs on the injured side via lentiviral transfection before stroke.We found that overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs reduced infarct volume,reduced the level of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and chemokine C-C motif ligand-2,inhibited vascular injury,and promoted the recovery of sensorimotor and memory/cognitive function.Overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs also inhibited the activation of cerebral ischemia-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 and the downregulation of occludin expression.Finally,to investigate the mechanism by which MKP-1 exerted these functions in ECs,we established an ischemic stroke model in vitro by depriving the primary endothelial cell of oxygen and glucose,and pharmacologically inhibited the activity of MKP-1 and ERK1/2.Our findings suggest that MKP-1 inhibition aggravates oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced cell death,cell monolayer leakage,and downregulation of occludin expression,and that inhibiting ERK1/2 can reverse these effects.In addition,co-inhibition of MKP-1 and ERK1/2 exhibited similar effects to inhibition of ERK1/2.These findings suggest that overexpression of MKP-1 in ECs can prevent ischemia-induced occludin downregulation and cell death via deactivating ERK1/2,thereby protecting the integrity of BBB,alleviating brain injury,and improving post-stroke prognosis.
文摘BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effects of OPN on the proliferation,invasion and migration of GC cells and its possible mechanism.METHODS The mRNA and protein expression of OPN in the GC cells were analyzed by realtime quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting,and observe the effect of varying degree expression OPN on the proliferation and other behaviors of GC.Next,the effects of OPN knockdown on GC cells migration and invasion were examined.The short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and negative control shRNA targeting OPN-shRNA were transfected into the cells according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Non transfected cells were classified as control in the identical transfecting process.24 h after RNA transfection cell proliferation activity was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay,and cell invasiveness and migration were detected by Trans well assay.Meanwhile,the expression of protein kinase B(AKT),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the human GC cell lines was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS The results of this study revealed that OPN mRNA and protein expression levels were highly expressed in SGC-7901 cells.OPN knockdown by specific shRNA noticeably reduced the capabilities of proliferation,invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells.Moreover,in the experiments of investigating the underlying mechanism,results showed that OPN knockdown could down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF,it also decreased the phosphorylation of AKT.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of MMP-2,VEGF and phosphorylated AKT was noticeable lower than that in control group in the GC cells after they were added to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(LY294002).CONCLUSION These results suggested that OPN though PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signal pathway to upregulate MMP-2 and VEGF expression,which contribute SGC-7901 cells to proliferation,invasion and migration.Thus,our results demonstrate that OPN may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkers as well as a potential therapeutic targets for GC.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82172182 and 82102311)Social Development Projects of Jiangsu Province(BE2017720)+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20190247)Science Foundation of Jiangsu Health Commission(H2018039)Jiangsu Postdoctoral Research Foundation(2018K048A and 2020Z193).
文摘BACKGROUND:Paraquat(PQ)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and pulmonary fi brosis are common diseases with high mortality but without eff ective antidotes in emergency medicine.Our previous study has proved that arctigenin suppressed pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ.We wondered whether arctigenin could also have a protective eff ect on PQ-induced ALI.METHODS:A PQ-induced A549 cell injury model was used,and the effect of arctigenin was determined by a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)cell viability assay.In addition,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling(TUNEL)staining assays and mitochondrial membrane potential assays were performed to evaluate the level of cell apoptosis.The generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was refl ected by dihydroethidium(DHE)staining and a 2’,7’-dichlorodihy drofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)assay.Moreover,immunoblotting studies were used to assess the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)and p38 MAPK.RESULTS:Arctigenin attenuated PQ-induced inhibition of A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.Arctigenin also significantly reduced PQ-induced A549 cell apoptosis,as refl ected by the TUNEL assay and mitochondrial membrane potential assay,which may result from suppressed ROS/p38 MAPK signaling because we found that arctigenin dramatically suppressed ROS generation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Arctigenin could attenuate PQ-induced lung epithelial A549 cell injury in vitro by suppressing ROS/p38 MAPK-mediated cell apoptosis,and arctigenin might be considered a potential candidate drug for PQ-induced ALI.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNos.81971047 (to WTL) and 82073910 (to XFW)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK20191253 (to XFW)Key R&D Program (Social Development) Project of Jiangsu Province,No.BE2019 732 (to WTL)Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University) Clinical Capacity Enhancement Project,No.JSPH-511B2018-8 (to YBP)。
文摘Opioids,such as morphine,are the most potent drugs used to treat pain.Long-term use results in high tolerance to morphine.High mobility group box-1(HMGB1) has been shown to participate in neuropathic or inflammatory pain,but its role in morphine tolerance is unclear.In this study,we established rat and mouse models of morphine tolerance by intrathecal injection of morphine for 7 consecutive days.We found that morphine induced rat spinal cord neurons to release a large amount of HMGB1.HMGB1 regulated nuclear factor κB p65 phosphorylation and interleukin-1β production by increasing Toll-like receptor 4receptor expression in microglia,thereby inducing morphine tolerance.Glycyrrhizin,an HMGB1 inhibito r,markedly attenuated chronic morphine tole rance in the mouse model.Finally,compound C(adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor) and zinc protoporphyrin(heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor)alleviated the morphine-induced release of HMGB1 and reduced nuclear factor κB p65 phosphorylation and interleukin-1β production in a mouse model of morphine tolerance and an SH-SY5Y cell model of morphine tole rance,and alleviated morphine tolerance in the mouse model.These findings suggest that morphine induces HMGB1 release via the adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway,and that inhibiting this signaling pathway can effectively reduce morphine tole rance.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30871200)the Practice and Innovation Training Program for Students in Colleges and Universities of Jiangsu Province (NO.20090370)
文摘Objective:To explore the role that ceramide plays in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Rats were subjected to ischemia by the four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. The sphingomyelinase inhibitor TPCK was administered to the CA1 subregion of the rat hippocampus before inducing ischemia. Western blot was used to examine the activity of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) using antibodies against ERK, JNK and diphosphorylated ERK and JNK. Results: At 1h reperfusion post-ischemia, JNK reached its peak activity while ERK was undergoing a sharp inactivation (P<0.05). The level of diphosphorylated JNK was significantly reduced but the sharp inactivation of ERK was visibly reversed (P<0.05) by the sphingomyelinase inhibitor. Conclusion: The ceramide signaling pathway is up-regulated through sphingomyelin hydrolysis in brain ischemia, promoting JNK activation and suppressing ERK activation, culminating in the ischemic lesion.
基金Supported by the Liver Fibrosis Foundation of Wang BaoEn of China,No.20100033the Science and Technology Foundation of Shaanxi Province of China,No.2010K01-199
文摘AIM To investigate the antioxidant effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) in hepatic stellate cell-T6(HSC-T6) cells cultured in vitro and the potential mechanisms.METHODS HSC-T6 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations of CAPE for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Cell proliferation was investigated using the MTT assay, and cell ultrastructural alterations were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of CAPE on apoptosis and the levels of reactive oxygen species in HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. An enzyme immunoassay instrument was used to evaluate antioxidant enzyme expression. The effect on α-smooth muscle actin was shown using immunofluorescence. Gene and protein levels of Nrf2, related factors, and mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPKs), in HSC-T6 cells were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS CAPE inhibited the proliferation and activation of HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. CAPE increased the antioxidant levels and the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in HSC-T6 cells. Moreover,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in cells decreased in response to CAPE. Interestingly, CAPE-induced oxidative stress in the cells was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with MAPKs inhibitors.CONCLUSION CAPE inhibits cell proliferation and up-regulates the antioxidant levels in HSC-T6 cells partly through the Nrf2-MAPKs signaling pathway.
文摘Acute pancreatitis(AP) is an inflammatory disease characterized by acute inflammation and necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. AP is often associated with organ failure, sepsis, and high mortality. The pathogenesis of AP is still not well understood. In recent years several papers have highlighted the cellular and molecular events of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is initiated by activation of digestive enzymes within the acinar cells that are involved in autodigestion of the gland, followed by a massive infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and release of inflammatory mediators, responsible for the local and systemic inflammatory response. The hallmark of AP is parenchymal cell necrosis that represents the cause of the high morbidity and mortality, so that new potential therapeutic approaches are indispensable for the treatment of patients at high risk of complications. However, not all factors that determine the onset and course of the disease have been explained. Aim of this article is to review the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.
文摘Alcoholic liver injury comprises of interactions of various intracellular signaling events in the liver. Innate immune responses in the resident Kupffer cells of the liver, oxidative stress-induced activation of hepatocytes, fibrotic events in liver stellate cells and activation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells all contribute to alcoholic liver injury. The signaling mechanisms associated with alcoholic liver injury vary based on the cell type involved and the extent of alcohol consumption. In this review we will elucidate the oxidative stress and signaling pathways affected by alcohol in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in the liver by alcohol. The toll-like receptors and their down-stream signaling events that play an important role in alcohol-induced inflammation will be discussed. Alcohol-induced alterations of various intracellular transcription factors such as NFκB, PPARs and AP-1, as well as MAPK kinases in hepatocytes and macrophages leading to induction of target genes that contribute to liver injury will be reviewed. Finally, we will discuss the significance of heat shock proteins as chaperones and their functional regulation in the liver that could provide new mechanistic insights into the contributions of stress-induced signaling mechanisms in alcoholic liver injury.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the NationalKey Science and Technology Program of the Tenth Five-years-Plan (No .2004BA720A11) ,and a grant from Nation-al Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No .30471824)
文摘To investigate the protective effect of retinoic acid (RA) on hyperoxic lung injury and the role of RA as a modulator on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), gastation 21 d Sprague-Dawley (SD) fetuses (term = 22 d) were delivered by hysterotomy. Within 12-24 h of birth, premature rat pups were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12 each): air-exposed control group (group Ⅰ); hyperoxia-exposed group ( groupⅡ), air-exposed plus RA group (group Ⅲ), hyperoxia-exposed plus RA group (group Ⅳ). Group Ⅰ, Ⅲ were kept in room air, and group Ⅱ, Ⅳ were placed in 85 % oxygen. The pups in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were intraperitoneally injected with RA (500 μg/kg every day). All lung tissues of premature rat pups were collected at the 4th day after birth. Terminal transferase d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used for the detection of cell apoptosis. The expression of PCNA was immunohistochemically detected. Western blot analysis was employed for the determination of phosphorylated and total nonphosphorylated ERKs, JNKs or p38. Our results showed that lungs from the pups exposed to hyperoxia for 4 d exhibited TUNEL-positive nuclei increased markedly throughout the parenchyma (P<0.01), and decreased significantly after RA treatment (P<0.01). The index of PCNA-positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and was significantly increased by RA treatment (P<0.01). The air-space size was significantly enlarged, secondary crests were markedly decreased in hyperoxia-exposed animals. RA treatment improved lung air spaces and secondary crests in air-exposed pups, but had no effect on hyperoxia-exposure pups. Western blotting showed that the amounts of JNK, p38 and ERK proteins in hyperoxia-exposure or RA-treated lung tissues were same as those in untreated lung tissues (P>0.05), whereas activation of these MAPKs was markedly altered by hyperoxia and RA. After hyperoxia exposure, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 were dramatically increased (P<0.01), whereas p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 were markedly declined and p-ERK1/2 was further elevated by RA treatment (P<0.01). It is concluded that RA could decrease cell apoptosis and stimulate cell proliferation under hyperoxic condition. The protection of RA on hyperoxia-induced lung injury was related to the regulation of MAP kinase activation.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1200202)State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation(NCCIR2022ZZ-7)Graduate Student Innovation Ability Training Funding Project of Hebei Province(CXZZBS2023073)。
文摘SNF1-related protein kinase 2(SnRK2)family members are essential components of the plant abscisic acid(ABA)signaling pathway initiated by osmotic stress and triggering a drought stress response.This study characterized the molecular properties of TaSnRK2.4 and its function in mediating adaptation to drought in Triticum aestivum.Transcripts of TaSnRK2.4 were upregulated upon drought and ABA signaling and associated with drought-and ABA-responsive cis-elements ABRE and DRE,and MYB and MYC binding sites in the promoter as indicated by reporter GUS protein staining and activity driven by truncations of the promoter.Yeast two-hybrid,BiFC,and Co-IP assays indicated that TaSnRK2.4 protein interacts with TaPP2C01 and an ABF transcription factor(TF)TaABF2.The results suggested that TaSnRK2.4 forms a functional TaPP2C01-TaSnRK2.4-TaABF2 module with its upstream and downstream partners.Transgene analysis revealed that TaSnRK2.4 and TaABF2 positively regulate drought tolerance whereas TaPP2C01 acts negatively by modulating stomatal movement,osmotic adjustment,reactive oxygen species(ROS)homeostasis,and root morphology.Expression analysis,yeast one-hybrid,and transcriptional activation assays indicated that several osmotic stress-responsive genes,including TaSLAC1-4,TaP5CS3,TaSOD5,TaCAT1,and TaPIN4,are regulated by TaABF2.Transgene analysis verified their functions in positively regulating stomatal movement(TaSLAC1-4),proline accumulation(TaP5CS3),SOD activity(TaSOD5),CAT activity(TaCAT1),and root morphology(TaPIN4).There were high correlations between plant biomass and yield with module transcripts in a wheat variety panel cultivated under drought conditions in the field.Our findings provide insights into understanding plant drought response underlying the SnRK2 signaling pathway in common wheat.
基金supported by the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.2012FFB04406)
文摘The effects of tacrolimus postconditioning on protein-serine-threonine kinases(Akt) phosphorylation and apoptotic cell death in rats after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury were investigated.Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,ischemia-reperfusion group and tacrolimus postconditioning group.The model of spinal cord ischemia was established by means of catheterization through femoral artery and balloon dilatation.The spinal cord was reperfused 20 min after ischemia via removing saline out of balloon.The corresponding spinal cord segments were excised and determined for Akt activity in spinal cord tissue by using Western blotting at 5,15,and 60min after reperfusion respectively.Spinal cord tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for detection of the phosphorylated Akt expression at 15 min after reperfusion.Flow cytometry was applied to assess apoptosis of neural cells,and dry-wet weights method was employed to measure water content in spinal cord tissue at 24 h after reperfusion.The results showed that the activities of Akt in tarcolimus postconditioning group were significantly higher than those in ischemia-reperfusion group at 5,15,and60 min after reperfusion(P<0.05,P<0.01).The Akt activities reached the peak at 15 min after reperfusion in ischemia-reperfusion group and tacrolimus postconditioning group.The percentage of apoptotic cells and water content in spinal cord tissue were significantly reduced(P<0.01) in tacrolimus postconditioning group as compared with those in ischemia-reperfusion group at 24 h after reperfusion.It is concluded that tacrolimus postconditioning can increase Akt activity in spinal cord tissue of rats,inhibit apoptosis of neural cells as well as tissue edema,and thereby alleviate spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.
