Effects of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways in lung tissues of rats with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)-infected rat lung tissues and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: SD rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank control group, model group, Jiedu-Qingfei group and positive control group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in experimental groups were slowly dripped with 1×10⁹ CFU/L MP solution into their nostrils for 4 d. One rat in each group was sacrificed for MP nucleic acid detection at the second day after inoculation, and the other rats were given gavage therapy. The rats in blank control group and model group were intragastrically given the same volume of normal saline, the rats in Jiedu-Qingfei group were given 8 mL/kg Jiedu-Qingfei mixture daily for 4 weeks, and the rats in psoitive control group were given dexmethasone sodium phosphate (0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1). After the experiment, the rats were killed. The serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for detecting the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-13 and TNF-α by ELISA. The right lung tissues were used for pathological observation and HE staining, while the left lung tissues were used to detect the expression of NF-κB p50, I-κBα and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) at mRNA and protein levels. RESULTS: The results of MP nucleic acid detection showed that all the rats except blank control group were MP nucleic acid positive, indicating that the rat model of MP infection was successfully established. On the 1st day of the treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in model group and Jiedu-Qingfei group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in mo-del group were significantly higher than those in blank control group and Jiedu-Qingfei group. The levels of IL-12 in the serum and BALF in model group were significantly lower than those in blank control group after MP infection (P<0.05), while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly higher than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-13 and TNF-α in the serum and BALF of MP-infected rats were increased significantly, while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in model group were increased significantly (P<0.01). After treatment, the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK were decreased significantly compared with model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in control group. After treatment, the mRNA expression of I-κBα in Jiedu-Qingfei group was significantly higher than that in model group (P<0.05). The protein levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in the lung tissues of model group were significantly higher than those of blank control group. After treatment, the protein expression of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. The protein level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in blank control group, and after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture, the protein expression level of I-κBα was increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jiedu-Qingfei mixture may attenuate lung tissue inflammation caused by MP through NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways.     

β-carotene attenuates weaning-induced apoptosis via inhibition of PERK-CHOP and IRE1-JNK/p38 MAPK signalling pathways in piglet jejunum

Weaning may cause oxidative injury, immune response impairment, apoptosis and other injuries in piglets. Oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) can elicit inflammatory responses, and persistent oxidative and ERS also may lead to apoptotic cascades, which is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. β-carotene, a natural carotenoid, has potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. However, the effect of β-carotene on apoptosis in weaned piglets and the detailed molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we found that β-carotene decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in piglet serum. β-carotene could inhibit the mRNA levels of caspase-3 significantly, but had no significant inhibitory effect of the mRNA levels of caspase-9 and caspase-12 in the piglet jejunum. In addition, β-carotene decreased the activation of GRP78, CHOP, and JNK/p38 MAPK and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Furthermore, β-carotene had a significant influence on the activation of ERS and apoptosis-related signals in TG-induced IPEC-J2. In the present study, β-carotene pre-treatment attenuated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and prevented TG-induced increases in the level of PERK-CHOP and IRE1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathway activation in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, these findings indicate that β-carotene may protect weaning-induced apoptosis through inhibiting ERS.     

Overload of ferric ammonium citrate triggers MAPK pathways by producing high level of reactive oxygen species and induces apoptosis of human hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells

AIM：To investigate the role of reative oxygen species (ROS) generated by iron overload in activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and apoptosis. METHODS：Cultured human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 was treated with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) at concentrations of 0~500 μmoL/L. The proliferation of hFOB1.19 cells was analyzed by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining. The expression levels of p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 were determined by Western blotting 24 h after treatment with FAC. RESULTS：After treated with FAC, the cell proliferation was inhibited. The early apoptosis and total cell death were significantly increased. The levels of ROS were increased to (35.73±2.52)%, (62.89±4.24)% and (76.06±3.55)% with the increasing doses of FAC treatmen,respectively. The expression levels of p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 were also remarkably elevated in FAC groups. CONCLUSION：Iron overload increases intracellular ROS level, thus triggering the MAPK pathways and inducing apoptosis of human hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells.     

microRNA-146a通过靶向MAPK4和Myosin Va基因调控羊驼黑色素细胞增殖、迁移

旨在研究microRNA-146a(miR-146a)对羊驼黑色素细胞增殖和迁移的调控及其分子机制。本研究使用双荧光素酶试验验证MAPK4和Myosin Va是miR-146a的靶基因;利用荧光定量PCR和蛋白质免疫印迹试验检测在羊驼黑色素细胞中过表达miR-146a对相关下游基因表达的影响;利用CCK8和Transwell检测miR-146a过表达对羊驼黑色素细胞增殖和迁移的影响。结果显示,与对照组相比,将miR-146a和MAPK4或Myosin Va共转染293T细胞,双荧光素酶活性分别极显著下降36%和30%(P<0.001);MAPK4和Myosin Va基因转录水平分别极显著下调67%和47%(P<0.001,P<0.01);蛋白质水平的表达量分别显著或极显著下调38%和69%(P<0.05,P<0.01);增殖和迁移相关的基因CREB、MITF、MLPH和Rab27a在转录水平和蛋白水平的表达均极显著下调(P<0.01,P<0.001);CCK8和Transwell结果显示,过表达miR-146a使羊驼黑色素细胞的增殖和迁移能力极显著下调(P<0.01)。综上所述,miR-146a通过靶向调控MAPK4和Myosin Va,使增殖和迁移相关的基因MEK1、CREB、MITF、MLPH和Rab27a的表达下调,从而对羊驼黑色素细胞的增殖和迁移起抑制作用。     

Highly recurrent BRAF p.V595E mutation in canine papillary oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral epithelial malignancy in dogs. It exhibits locally aggressive biological behaviour with the potential to metastasize, and a reported 1-year survival rate of 0% when left untreated. Expression studies suggest that aberrant MAPK signalling plays a key role in canine OSCC tumorigenesis, which is consistent with BRAF and HRAS MAPK-activating mutations reported in some tumours. Several morphological subtypes of canine OSCC have been described, with papillary, conventional, and basaloid as the most common patterns. We hypothesized that mutational differences may underlie these phenotypic variations. In this study, targeted Sanger sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays demonstrate that up to 85.7% of canine papillary OSCC (n = 14) harbour a BRAF p.V595E mutation. Assessment of neoplastic epithelial cell proliferation using Ki67 immunolabelling (n = 10) confirmed a relatively high proliferation activity, consistent with their known aggressive clinical behaviour. These findings underscore a consistent genetic feature of canine papillary OSCC and provide a basis for the development of novel diagnostic and targeted therapeutic approaches that can improve the quality of veterinary care.     

黄芪多糖在LPS诱导的DF-1细胞炎症反应中的抗炎作用及其调节机制

为探讨黄芪多糖(Astragalus polysaccharide,APS)在LPS(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的鸡胚成纤维细胞系DF-1(chicken embryonic fibroblast cell line,DF-1)炎症模型中对IL-1β和TNF-α表达的影响,以及细胞因子信号转导抑...     

猪MAPK12基因cDNA的克隆及序列分析

目的 克隆新的猪MAPK12基因全长ORF，分析其生物特性，为进一步研究该酶的功能提供信息资料。方法：以已报道的人及小鼠MAPK12基因cDNA序列为依据，利用电脑克隆策略获得的ESTs设计引物，RT-PCR技术扩增新的猪MAPK12基因ORF序列，将PCR产物直接进行序列测定。分析此蛋白的特性并预测其结构。结果 分离的ORF全长1101bp，编码367个氨基酸，与人鼠氨基酸序列92%同源；利用生物信息学软件分析出此蛋白的理化特性并预测了其一级、二级和高级结构。结论 研究分离的基因片段可命名为猪ERK6，通过分析，获取了该酶的基本信息特征，并与现有的报道结果进行对比分析，为进一步开展猪MAPK12基因的结构功能、表达调控的相关研究奠定了基础。     

All-trans retinoic acid attenuates blood-brain barrier injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats through JNK/P38 MAPK signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) injury in rats and its possible role mechanism.METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, model (CIR) group and CIR+ATRA (10, 30 and 90 mg/kg) groups. The rat model of CIR injury was established by MCAO thread occlusion method. After ischemia for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h, the neurological functional behavioral score, cerebral infarction volume, brain water content and Evans blue content were determined. The activity of matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) was measured by gelatin zymography. The protein levels of claudin-5, occludin, ZO-1, JNK, p-JNK, P38, p-P38 and MMP-9 in the brain tissues were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with CIR model group, ATRA at 30 mg/kg significantly improved neurological function, and decreased cerebral infarction volume, brain water content, Evans blue content and the degradation of tight junction proteins in ischemic area (P<0.01). The activity and protein expression of MMP-9 in ischemic brain tissue were decreased (P<0.01). The phosphorylation of JNK and P38 was inhibited and the protein levels of p-JNK and p-P38 were decreased (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: ATRA reduces the damage of brain tissue and the destruction of blood-brain barrier induced by CIR in rats. The protective effect may be related to inhibiting the activation of JNK/P38 MAPK signaling pathway and MMP-9.     

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein up-regulates endothelin receptors in mouse mesenteric artery through p38 MAPK pathway

AIMTo investigate whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) affects the quantity and activity of endothelin （ET） type A (ET_A) and type B (ET_B) receptors in mouse mesenteric artery by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathway. METHODSThe KM mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group (injection of NS via caudal vein), mmLDL group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein), LDL group (injection of LDL via caudal vein), mmLDL+SB 203580 group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of p38 MAPK pathway specific inhibitor SB 203580) and mmLDL+DMSO group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of DMSO). Mesenteric artery ring segment vasoconstriction dose-response curves affected by sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1 were recorded by the myography system. The mRNA levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor, IL-6, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NF-κB and p-NF-κB were determined by Western blot. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTSThe contractile responses of the blood vessel segments to S6c and ET-1 were significantly increased by mmLDL (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ET_A receptor, ET_B receptor, and IL-6 significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum level of IL-6 was significantly increased (P<0.01). These effects of mmLDL were inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION mmLDL increses the serum concentration of IL-6, up-regulates the expression of IL-6, ET_A receptor and ET_B receptor in mouse mesenteric artery, and enhances the vasoconstriction function medi?ated by ET_A and ET_B receptors, which is related to the activation of p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway and downstream NF-κB pathway.     

加味丹参饮预处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨加味丹参饮（JDSH）预处理对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤（IRI）的保护作用及机制。方法 采用结扎大鼠冠状动脉左前降支30 min后再灌注30/60 min模型,将56只SD雄性大鼠随机分为7组：假手术组、缺血/再灌注（I/R）30 min组、I/R 60 min组、p38MAPK阻断剂SB203580+I/R 30 min组、SB203580+I/R 60 min组、JDSH+I/R 30 min组、JDSH+I/R60 min组。各组干预2 d后,HE染色心肌组织标本,全自动生化分析仪测定血清CK、LDH,免疫组化法检测p38MAPK、COX-2和ICAM-1蛋白的表达。结果 经JDSH预处理或p38MAPK阻断剂SB203580处理后心肌细胞形态结构保持更好。与假手术组比较,I/R30 min组和I/R 60min组大鼠血清中的CK、LDH明显升高（P<0.01）;与I/R 30/60 min比较,SB203580＋I/R 30/60 min组和JDSH＋I/R 30/60 min组均明显降低（P<0.01）。与假手术组比较,I/R使大鼠心肌组织的p38MAPK、COX-2、ICAM-1蛋白表达增加（P<0.01）,且随再灌注时间的延长而增加;与I/R 30/60 min组比较,SB203580和JDSH均能减少其蛋白表达（P<0.01）。结论 大鼠心肌IRI时,激活了p38MAPK信号通路,且与再灌注时间（30~60 min）呈正相关。JDSH通过抑制p38MAPK信号通路,降低其下游基因COX-2和ICAM-1的表达,降低CK、LDH,减轻心肌损伤,起到保护心肌作用。