Effects of Mcl-1 silencing on apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with different virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of inhibiting Mcl-1 gene expression on apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with different virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using a technique of RNA interference. METHODS: The BALB/c mice were infected with prepared bacterium of the virulence strains of Xinjiang, H37Rv, H37Ra and BCG. Mcl-1-shRNA was applied to the mouse model of infection, and the control groups were set up. On 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d, the mouse peritoneal macrophages were collected. The expression of Mcl-1 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The apoptotic rate of peritoneal macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of Mcl-1 at mRNA and protein levels was up-regulated in the peritoneal macrophages from the mice infected with different virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the cells from the mice infected with virulence strains of Xinjiang and H37Rv expressed higher level of Mcl-1 than the uninfected control cells (P<0.05). The expression of Mcl-1 at mRNA and protein levels was reduced by RNA interference as compared with control group (P<0.05). Inhibition of Mcl-1 expression induced apoptosis of peritoneal macrophages in the mice. CONCLUSION: The Mcl-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels in mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with different virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was effectively suppressed by Mcl-1-shRNA, which can induce macrophage apoptosis.     

Preliminary mechanism of Mcl-1 silencing in regulating apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with MTB

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) silencing in regulating the apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) by observing the changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. METHODS: The suspensions of MTB strains with different virulence, BCG, H37Ra, H37Rv and XJ-MTB, were prepared to infect BALB/c mice. The transfection of Mcl-1-shRNA plasmid was used to establish a mouse model, and a corresponding control group at the same time was set up. The mice were executed and their peritoneal macrophages were collected 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d after the treatment. The apoptosis of the macrophages treated with diffe-rent virulence of MTB strains at different time points was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The apoptotic rate of mouse peritoneal macrophages increased to some extent after transfection with Mcl-1-shRNA plasmid compared with control group. The order of apoptotic rates was BCG > H37Ra > H37Rv≈XJ-MTB (P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased, while the expression of Bax at mRNA and protein levels was significantly increased. The changes in BCG infection group were the most significant, and the negative correlation between the Bcl-2/Bax ratio at mRNA level and the virulence of the MTB strains was observed (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of Mcl-1 expression significantly promotes the apoptosis of peritoneal macrophages in mice infected with different virulence of MTB strains. The regulatory mechanism may be closely related to the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and the virulence of MTB strains.     

Effects of intracellular expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse macrophages

AIM：To establish Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10)-early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT6) eukaryotic expression vector and investigate the effect of intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein on the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). METHODS：The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1/CFP10-ESAT6 was constructed by inserting CFP10-ESAT6 fusion gene into eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1, and then transfected into RAW264.7 cells to express CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein. The viability of RAW264.7 cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the apoptotic rate and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression in RAW264.7 cells treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein or staurosporine. RESULTS：The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1/CFP10-ESAT6 was successfully constructed and transfected into RAW264.7 cells. Compared with the control cells, intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein did not affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells, but could inhibit the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein. Moreover, CFP10-ESAT6-expressing macrophages had markedly lower expression of TLR2 on the surface. CONCLUSION：Intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein has no cytotoxicity on mouse macrophages, but can inhibit the apoptosis of the macrophages treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein through down-regulating the expression of TLR2.     

Pilot study on the function of anti-bacterium immunity of the genome DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain

AIM: To determine whether the celiac macrophages are activated and the production of nitric oxide, and expression of the anti- tuberculous cytokines after macrophage activation by immunized intracutaneously with the genome DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain and mycobacterium bovis-bacille Calmette-Guerin(BCG). METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were immunized intracutaneously with the genome DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain and BCG. The production of NO and H₂O₂, the expression levels of IL-12 and TNF-α by mouse celiac macrophages with or without IFN-γ stimulation were determined by Griesss method, chemical method and ELISA assay respectively. RESULTS: 30 d and 60 d after intracutaneous vaccination, the genome DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain effectively induced the secretion of IL-12 and TNF-α in macrophages, a significant difference was observed compared to that in the un-immunized group, but without any difference compared with BCG-immunized group of mice. In addition, it also induced macrophages to produce NO and H₂O₂ with significant difference to the un-immunized group, but without any difference with BCG -immunized group of mice. IFN-γ demonstrated an intensive effect on the production of nitric oxide and cytokines from macrophages. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the intracutaneous vaccination with the genome DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain induces activation of macrophages and generates strong immune responses, and this effect is not significant difference from immunizing with BCG.     

Metoprolol inhibits norepinephrine-induced rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis and connexin 43 phosphorylation

AIM: To study the effects of metoprolol (Meto) on the apoptosis of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and the phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43) induced by norepinephrine (NE). METHODS: Neonatal SD rat cardiomyocytes were divided into the following five groups (n=6 in each group): (1) control (Con) group: no treatment; (2) NE group: treatment with NE at 0.1 μmol/L for 24 h; (3) NE+Meto group: simultaneous treatment with NE and Meto both at 01 μmol/L for 24 h; (4) NE+Meto+PD98059 group: pretreatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation inhibitor PD98059 at 10 μmol/L for 30 min and then treatment with NE and Meto both at 01 μmol/L for 24 h; (5) NE+PD98059 group: pretreatment with PD98059 at 10 μmol/L for 30 min and then treatment with NE at 01 μmol/L for 24 h. The beating rates of cardiomyocytes in various groups were calculated, and the viability of cardiomyocytes was assayed by MTT method. The Cx43 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: (1) Separate NE treatment could significantly increased the beating rate of cardiomyocytes and reduced cell viability, while Meto showed the opposite effects. PD98059 treatment had no significant effect on cardiomyocyte beating rate, but suppressed Meto to improve cell viability to some extent. (2) Compared with Con group, separate NE treatment significantly increased the Cx43 mRNA expression (P<001). Compared with NE group, Meto or PD98059 intervention could significantly inhibited Cx43 mRNA expression (both P<001), and simultaneous treatment with Meto and PD98059 could further suppress Cx43 mRNA expression up-regulated by NE (P<001). (3) Compared with NE group, Meto significantly inhibited the increased p-Cx43, p-ERK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 expression induced by NE (P<001), and simultaneous treatment with Meto and PD98059 could further enhance the inhibition of p-Cx43, p-ERK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 expression by Meto (P<001). PD98059 treatment had no significant effect on the increased p-Cx43 and cleaved caspase-3 expression induced by NE (P>005). CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of Meto on NE-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is related to the inhibition of Cx43 phosphorylation, which may be partly mediated via ERK1/2 pathway.     

p38 MAPK involves in cepharanthine-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes

AIM: To investigate the apoptotic effect of cepharanthine (CEP) on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs) and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect the viability of the cells. CEP-induced apoptosis in NRCMs was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining and the expression of activated caspase-3. The phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs),such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK,were examined by Western blotting. The specific inhibitors of ERK and p38 MAPK were applied for identifying the roles of the corresponding signal pathways in CEP-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: CEP inhibited the viability of NRCMs in a dose-and time-dependent manners. Positive nuclear fragmentation and activated caspase-3 were found in CEP-treated NRCMs. The phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 MAPK were significantly elevated in CEP-treated NRCMs, but the change of JNK was not obvious. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, significantly alleviated the apoptotic effect induced by CEP. However, PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2, did not significantly reduce the apoptotic effect.CONCLUSION: p38 MAPK is involved in CEP-induced apoptosis in NRCMs.     

Akt and ERK1/2 are involved in brain derived neurotrophic factor-induced angiogenesis of endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the role of PI3K/Akt and MEK1/ERK pathway in the brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)-induced angiogenesis in vitro and to explore the further molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The phosphorylations of Akt and ERK1/2 were detected in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) by Western blotting. The angiogenic activity in vitro was evaluated by transwell migration assay and tubule formation assay. Cell proliferation was determined by crystal violet staining. Cell apoptosis was analysed by FITC-Annexin-V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: BDNF activated the PI3K/Akt and MEK1/ERK pathway in a time-dependent manner. Ly294002 and PD98059 blocked the activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in response to BDNF. BDNF at concentration of 100 μg/L significantly increased HUVECs tube formation, migration and proliferation in vitro to a degree similar to those induced by 25 μg/L VEGF. Furthermore, tube formation and migration of HUVECs toward BDNF were significantly inhibited by treatment with 20 μmol/L Ly294002 and 20 μmol/L PD98059. BDNF-induced survival was only blocked by Ly294002 and BDNF-induced proliferation was only inhibited by PD98059. CONCLUSION: BDNF promotes angiogenesis of HUVECs in vitro. The ERK and Akt are two crucial events in BDNF-mediated signal transduction leading to HUVECs angiogenesis by different mechanisms. Moreover, the latter is more important.     

Role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating HSP70 through ERK1/2 signaling pathway in PC12 cells

AIM:To study the role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and inhibiting apoptosis induced by oxidative stress through extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in the PC12 cells. METHODS:Sodium nitoprusside (SNP) was used to induce oxidative stress injury in the PC12 cells. The cultured PC12 cells were divided into SNP-injured group (incubated with SNP at 0.5 mmol/L for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h), ghrelin pretreatment group (ghrelin at 100 nmol/L was given 30 min before adding SNP); HSP70 inhibitor group (quercetin at 10 μmol/L was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment), ERK inhibitor group (ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment) and control group (added same amount of culture medium only). The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells in SNP-injured group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with SNP-injured group, ghrelin (100 nmol/L) pretreatment significantly inhibited SNP-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells (P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated the protein expression of HSP70 (P<0.05). Time-effect analysis showed that ghrelin had the most significant effect at 18 h after SNP injury. Quercetin, an inhibitor of HSP 70, significantly reduced the anti-apoptotic effect of ghrelin (P<0.05). Ghrelin pretreatment promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited the effects of ghrelin on up-regulation of HSP70 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Ghrelin upregulates the expression of HSP70 and inhibits the apoptosis in the PC12 cells induced by oxidative stress by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.     

Inducing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by insulin involves in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and ERK1/2

AIM: To investigate the effect of insulin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways involved.METHODS: VSMCs separated from Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The proliferation of VSMCs induced by insulin was assayed by ［3H］-thymidin incorporation. The protein expression and activity of p-ERK1/2 were determined by immunblot and ［γ-32P］ATP incorporation.RESULTS: Insulin induced cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The proliferative effect of insulin on VSMCs was inhibited partly by LY294002 (48.8%), an inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, and the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (43.6%), respectively. Moreover, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activity of ERK1/2 induced by insulin were also inhibited partly by LY294002.CONCLUSION: PI-3 kinase and ERK1/2 are involved in insulin induced VSMCs proliferation.     

Contributions of cardiotrophin-1 to cardiac fibroblast proliferation

AIM: To investigated the role of CT-1 in the hypertensive ventricular remodeling. METHODS: The cardiac fibroblasts in 3-4 passages were cultured in vitro, and divided into eight groups according to the different intervention factors: group C (control); group DM: dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO); group P: cultured under high hydrostatic pressure (160 mmHg); group ASODN: interfered with CT-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (10 μmol/L); group SODN: incubated with CT-1 sense oligodeoxynucleotides (10 μmol/L); group AG: interfered with AG490 (25 μmol/L); group PD: interfered with PD98059 (20 μmol/L); group LY: interfered with LY 294002 (10 μmol/L). Western blotting was employed to assess the expression of STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-K respectively at protein level. Cell proliferation was quantified by MTT. RESULTS: High hydrostatic pressure stimulated the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, upregulated the expression of CT-1. CT-1ASODN inhibited the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (0.132±0.013 vs 0.154±0.011, P<0.05). ASODN extensively inhibited the expression of STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-k respectively at protein level (2.09±0.25 vs 2.47±0.28, P<0.05), (1.13±0.19 vs 1.61±0.22, P<0.05), (1.25±0.23 vs1.71±0.25, P<0.05). AG490, a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor, reversed the increase in the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure and the expression of ERK1 phosphorylation (0.118±0.018 vs 0.155±0.010, P<0.05). PD98059, a MAPK-ERK1/2 inhibitor, increased the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure (0.185±0.011 vs 0.155±0.010, P<0.05) and the expression of STAT3 phosphorylation (1.83±0.23 vs 1.58±0.22, P<0.05). LY294002, a PI3-K inhibitor, had no effect on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure (0.157±0.015 vs 0.155±0.010, P>0.05). No difference of the expression of the above factors was observed in SOND (0.151±0.010 vs 0.154±0.011, P>0.05) and DMSO (0.141±0.017 vs 0.155±0.010, P>0.05) groups as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Under high hydrostatic pressure, the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts is essentially mediated by STAT3, independent of PI3-K and the action is negatively regulated by ERK1/2 via inhibiting STAT3.The interaction between STAT3 and ERK1/2 may assist CT-1 in developing adequate cardiac fibroblast proliferation.     

Role of TGF-β1-activated p38 MAPK in up-regulation of PAI-1 expression by TGF-β1 in human ovarian cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the relationship between up-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) expression and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) pathways by TGF-β1 in human ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: PAI-1 expression in human ovarian cancer cells treated with TGF-β1(10 μg/L)was assayed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The activation of p38 MAPK and ERK was determined by Western blotting using phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated ERK antibodies. Specific p38 MAPK inhibitor(SB203580) or ERK inhibitor(PD98059) was used to inhibit their activation. RESULTS: TGF-β1 up-regulated the expression of PAI-1, and activated p38 MAPK and ERK pathways in the ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by SB203580 resulted in significant inhibition of the mRNA expression of PAI-1 induced by TGF-β1. However, inhibition of ERK activation did not significantly alter TGF-β1-induced increase in PAI-1 mRNA level. CONCLUSION: TGF-β1-activated p38 MAPK pathway contributes to the up-regulation of PAI-1 expression by TGF-β1 in ovarian cancer cells.     

Hydrogen sulfide suppresses the increase in reactive oxygen species in neurons induced by angiotensin II via ERK1/2 signal pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in medullary neurons induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). METHODS: Primarily cultured rat medullary neurons were divided into 5 groups as follows: control group, Ang II group, sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS) group, NaHS with Ang II group, and PD98059 (an inhibitor of p-ERK1/2) with Ang II group. ROS production was measured with dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 was determined by Western blotting. The activity of neurons was detected by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: Ang II at concentration of 100 nmol/L significantly increased ROS level in the neurons, but the effect was inhibited by NaHS at concentrations of 50~200 μmol/L, while NaHS alone had no influence on the ROS level in neurons. Additionally, PD98059 also depressed the ROS level in neurons induced by Ang II. Furthermore, the enhanced expression of p-ERK1/2 in the neurons induced by Ang II was significantly reduced by NaHS. CONCLUSION: H₂S remarkably inhibits the ROS level in the neurons induced by Ang II via activation of MAPK signal pathways, especially p-ERK1/2, indicating that H₂S rescues neurons from oxidative stress through declining the enhanced expression of p-ERK1/2.     

Effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signal pathway on proliferation in hypoxic pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC); and to evaluate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), iNOS, P-ERK1/2 protein expression in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) pathogenesis.METHODS: Cultured rat PASMC were divided into normoxic group; hypoxic group; hypoxia+ADM(adrenomedulin) group, hypoxia+L-NAME(iNOS inhibitor) group; hypoxia+PD98059 group. Proliferation was investigated by MTT and PCNA. Apoptosis was examined by flow-cytometry. Westen blotting was used to measure protein expression of HIF-1α, P-ERK1/2 and iNOS. RESULTS: (1) A value of 24 h-hypoxia was significantly higher than that in the normoxic group (P<0.01). In the hypoxia+PD98059 group, ADM was significantly lower than that in hypoxia group, whereas A value of the hypoxia+L-NAME was significantly higher than that in hypoxic group and normoxic group (P<0.01). (2) PCNA was positive in PASMC after 24 h hypoxia (P<0.01). PD98059, ADM inhibited the expression of PCNA significantly (P<0.01), whereas L-NAME increased the expression of PCNA significantly (P<0.01). (3) Apoptosis index was not significantly difference among the different groups (P>0.05). (4) HIF-1α, iNOS and P-ERK1/2 expression was poorly positive in normoxic group, positive after hypoxia for 4h (P<0.01), reaching its peak at 8 h hypoxia (P<0.01), HIF-1α, P-ERK1/2 expression declined after 24 h hypoxia. L-NAME promoted the expression of HIF-1α, PD98059 inhibited the expression of HIF-1α, iNOS and P-ERK1/2 partly. ADM inhibited the expression of HIF-1α partly, promoted the expression of iNOS. CONCLUSION: (1) Hypoxia stimulates the proliferation of PASMC, and has no obvious effects on the apoptosis of PASMC. (2) HIF-1 plays an importent role in the proliferation of hypoxic PASMC.     

p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis

AIM: To investigate the role of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the receptor-mediated endocytosis. METHODS: The effects of p38 MAPK on the receptor-mediated endocytosis were observed by using Alexa 594-conjugated Transferrin, in the presence of p38 specific inhibitor SB203580 or ERK pathway specific inhibitor PD98059, or using p38 knockout techniques. RESULTS: In the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis, p38 was activated by phosphorylation. Furthermore, the receptor-mediated endocytosis was inhibited by pretreatment with SB203580 or p38 knockout, while pretreatment with PD98059 had no effect on this process.CONCLUSION: p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays a role in the regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis.     

Effects of sodium valproate on RPMI8226 and U266 cell proliferation and IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) on the proliferation of multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 and U266 and the regulation of IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling pathway. METHODS: The cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA for 12 h and 24 h. The growth of RPMI8226 cells and U266 cells was detected by MTT assay. Apoptotic rates and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of STAT3, STAT5 and STAT target genes Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, c-Myc, CCND1 and VEGF was measured by RT-PCR. Western blotting analysis was used to determine the total proteins and protein phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT5. RESULTS: VPA inhibited the growth and induced the apoptosis of RPMI8226 cells and U266 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The levels of IL-6 in the culture supernatants of RPMI8226 cells and U266 cells treated with VPA were significantly higher than that in negative control group. VPA down-regulated the mRNA expression of STAT3, STAT5, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, c-Myc, CCND1 and VEGF. After treated with VPA, the protein levels of p-JAK2, JAK2, p-STAT5 and STAT5 in RPMI8226 cells and U266 cells were significantly lower than those in control group. CONCLUSION: VPA inhibits the proliferation of PRMI8226 cells and U266 cells in vitro. The modulation of IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling pathway may be involved in its potential mechanisms.     

Urotensin Ⅱinduces pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and up-regulates Egr-1 expression through ERK1/2 pathway in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of urotensinⅡ (UⅡ) on the proliferation of cultured rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and to explore whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) involved in the regulation of the PASMCs proliferation stimulated by UⅡ. METHODS: The rat PASMCs were isolated and cultured in vitrowith explant culture technique. The proliferation of cultured PASMCs stimulated by different doses of UⅡwas detected by BrdU incorporation. The mRNA expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), p38 MAPK and Egr-1 in cultured PASMCs treated with UⅡ, UⅡ-specific antagonist urantide, and ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), p-SAPK, p-p38 and Egr-1 in cultured PASMCs were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: UⅡ at concentrations of 1 μmol/L, 0.1 μmol/L and 0.01 μmol/L increased the proliferation of cultured PASMCs in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01 or P<0.05), with the maximal effect at a concentration of 1 μmol/L. However, urantide inhibited the promotion effect of UⅡ on PASMC proliferation (P<0.05). UⅡ up-regulated the mRNA expression of ERK1/2, SAPK and Egr-1 (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but not the p38 MAPK. However, the up-regulatory effect of UⅡ on ERK1/2 and Egr-1 expression was inhibited by PD98059 and/or urantide (P<0.01 or P<0.05). UⅡ also increased the protein levels of p-ERK1/2, p-SAPK and Egr-1 (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but the promotion effect was also inhibited by PD98059 and/or urantide (P<0.01 or P<0.05).CONCLUSION: UⅡ increases the proliferation of PASMCs, and U Ⅱand Egr-1 participates in UⅡ-mediated proliferation of cultured PASMCs through activation of ERK1/2 signal pathway.     

Puerarin pretreatment protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via increasing protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

AIM: To investigate the protective effects of puerarin (PUE) pretreatment on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as its possible mechanism and the signal transduction pathways involved. METHODS: HUVECs were randomly divided into normal control group, H/R group, PUE pretreatment group and PUE+H/R group (1.0×10^-3 mol/L, PUE pretreated the cells for 24 h before H/R). The protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was measured by Western blot. The activity of constitutive NOS (cNOS) was determined via chemical colorimetric methods. Apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by TUNEL assay. In addition, the cells were treated with ERK inhibitor U0126 (1.0×10^-5 mol/L) or PKB/Akt inhibitor LY294002 (5.0×10^-5 mol/L) for 1 h before PUE pretreatment, and then H/R was performed.RESULTS: Compared with control group, H/R decreased the protein expression of eNOS (P<0.05), and PUE pretreatment up-regulated it (P<0.05). This effect of PUE was inhibited by U0126 or LY294002 (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the activity of cNOS decreased in H/R group (P<0.05), while it increased after PUE pretreatment (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptotic index significantly increased in H/R group (P<0.01). PUE pretreatment reduced the apoptotic index (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: H/R decreases the protein expression and enzyme activity of eNOS in HUVECs, and induces apoptosis of HUVECs. PUE pretreatment up-regulates the protein expression and enzyme activity of eNOS, and reduces the apoptosis of HUVECs with H/R injury. The protective effect of PUE might be through increasing eNOS protein expression via ERK1/2 and PKB/Akt signaling pathways.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide triggers proliferation in HaCaT keratinocytes by ERK1/2 signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the proliferative potential of HaCaT keratinocytes and whether CGRPR and ERK1/2 pathway is involved in this progress.METHODS: ［³H］^-TdR test was used to estimate the CGRP-induced proliferative potential of HaCaT keratinocytes and the influence of CGRP8-37 (CGRP receptor 1 antagonist) and PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) on this effect.Western blotting was used to test the activation of ERK1/2 pathway.RESULTS: Exposure of HaCaT keratinocytes to CGRP induced proliferation through the CGRP receptor and ERK1/2 pathway.CGRP 8-37 and PD98059 inhibited CGRP-induced proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes.Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was activated by CGRP in a time-dependent manner,which was inhibited by CGRP 8-37 and PD98059.CONCLUSION: This study indicates that CGRP triggers the proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes by CGRP receptor and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

Role of p38 MAPK in cyclic mechanical stretch induced HMGB1 expression in alveolar macrophages

AIM: To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in cyclic mechanical stretch induced the expression of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in alveolar macrophages (AMs). METHODS: AMs were cultured and seeded at 1×108 cells/L in 6-well Bioflex cell culture plates. Subsequently, the cells were exposed to cyclic mechanical stretch at 20% (group B) elongation using Flexercell 4000T cell stretching unit. In group C, cells were pre-treated with SB203580 (40 μmol/L) for 2 h before mechanical stretch. Group A served as control. The expression of HMGB1 mRNA in alveolar macrophages was detected by RT-PCR. p38 MAPK activity and the expression of HMGB1 protein were measured by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: The expression of HMGB1 mRNA and protein, and the activity of p38 MAPK in AMs were significantly increased in group B than those in group A (P<0.05). SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, significantly inhibited the inducing effect of mechanical stretch (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mechanical stretch regulates the expression of HMGB1 mRNA and protein in alveolar macrophages by activating p38 MAPK signal pathway.