OBJECTIVETo culture osteoblast in vitro and evaluate CCL3 receptor CCR1 expression in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients were cultured in vitro with dexamethasone, β-sodium glycerophosphate and vitamin C, which were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, Von Kossa's staining. The CCL3 receptor expression was evaluated by flow cytometry. The morphology and quantity of osteoblast were observed after exposure to CCL3.

RESULTSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients could be cultured in vitro and be identified by positive staining of alkaline phosphatase and Von Kossa's. MM-derived osteoblasts expressed higher levels of CCR1 (74.48 ± 7.31)%, compared with normal controls (48.35 ± 8.81)%. Calcium deposition of osteoblasts after exposure to CCL3 was less than that of controls.

CONCLUSIONBone marrow osteoblasts could be cultured in vitro from MM Patients. CCL3 may contribute to the development of myeloma bone disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL3 ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand whether endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is able to induce the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODSThe expression of MIP-1alpha mRNA was determined by dot blotting analysis and by in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled MIP-1alpha cDNA probe after exposure of the cultured HUVECs to LPS at different concentrations. The expression of MIP-1alpha mRNA was determined by RT-PCR as well. In addition, the expression of MIP-1alpha protein was tested by cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a goat anti-human monoclonal MIP-1alpha antibody.

RESULTSDot blotting showed that the absorbance values of the dots on the nitrocellulose membrane were 1.490 and 3.310 when exposed to LPS at the concentrations of 1 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ml which were 1.97- and 4.38-fold over that of the control group (0.775), respectively. In situ hybridization revealed that exposure to LPS at a concentration of 1 micro g/ml led to a significant increase in the MIP-1alpha mRNA expression in HUVECs as compared to the control group (F = 142.83, P < 0.01), whereas the MIP-1alpha mRNA in HUVECs was somewhat decreased when exposed to LPS at a concentration of 10 micro g/ml. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of MIP-1alpha mRNA in HUVECs were 1.65-, 2.86- and 1.26-fold over that of the control group when exposed to LPS at the concentrations of 1 micro g/ml, 5 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ml respectively. Cell ELISA showed that after exposure of the HUVECs to LPS at the concentrations mentioned above, the expression of MIP-1alpha protein was strongly increased, especially in the 5 micro g/ml LPS group. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between groups (F = 15.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLPS may induce a high level of MIP-1alpha mRNA and protein expression in HUVECs, and it might, hereby, play an important role in the recruitment of the monocytes/macrophages into the arterial intima.

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL3 ; Chemokine CCL4 ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Umbilical Veins ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Xiaoai Jiedu Recipe (XJR) for fighting against tumors by detecting tumor gene expression profiles of H22 tumor-bearing mice.

METHODSH22 tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, the low dose XJR group, the medium dose XJR group, the high dose XJR group, and the Cisplatin group. The differentially expressed genes of tumor tissues in H22 tumor-bearing mice were detected by using gene chip technique. The antitumor mechanism of XJR associated signaling pathways and gene expressions were found out by pathway analysis. The chemokine signaling pathways were analyzed.

RESULTSXJP could significantly affect multiple signaling pathways associated with tumor growth, apoptosis, and immunity. XJP also could decrease expressions of CCL3 and CXCL2 in the chemokine signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONXJP could inhibit the growth and invasion of tumor cells possibly by affecting expressions of some genes in the chemokine signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemokine CCL3 ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective mechanism of Fengshiqing Recipe (FR) against bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSRats were divided into four groups in the experiment,i.e., the blank control group, the model group, the MTX group (MTX, 1 mg/1 000 g), and the FR group (24 g crude FR/kg). The CIA model was prepared except the blank control group. Medication was started in the MTX group and the FR group from the 14th day after modeling to the 56th day. The toe volume was measured on every Tuesday and Friday. Expression levels of serum IL-17, RANKL, MIP-1alpha were detected after 3-and 6-week intervention. The bone scintigraphy with nuclide (SPECT), bone mineral density (BMD), and the pathological section were observed to assess the intervention of drugs of heat clearing blood activating actions in the bone destruction of CIA rats.

RESULTSFrom the 10th day of modeling, the volume of both toes started to swell and reached the peak at about 21 days. It was obviously shrunk at about 30 days. Of them, the swelling degree was milder in the MTX group and the FR group than in the model group. Compared with the model group at the same phase, the levels of IL-17 and RANKL decreased in the MTX group after 3 weeks of intervention (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The IL-17 level decreased in the FR group after three weeks of intervention (P < 0.05). The RANKL level decreased in the MTX group and the FR group after 6 weeks of intervention (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group and the MTX group, the overall BMD and ankle BMD increased in the FR group after 6 weeks of intervention (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The ankle ROI/mandible and the toe ROI/mandible were elevated in the FR group after 3 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05). Pathological results suggested that the joint lacunae was significantly widened, the hyperplasia of the synovial tissue was so severe, and the bone tissue was destroyed in the model group. Compared with the model group, the aforesaid conditions were significantly improved in the MTX group and the FR group. The cartilage structure was complete.

CONCLUSIONQR could inhibit decreased BMD, prevent bone destruction, which might be achieved by down-regulating expression levels of IL-17, RANKL, and MIP-1alpha through the osteo immunological Th/RANKL system,inhibiting maturation and differentiation of osteoclasts, thereby, inhibiting bone destruction.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL3 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: Obesity is a major risk factor for asthma and it influences airway smooth muscle function and responsiveness. Adiponectin is inversely associated with obesity and its action is mediated through at least 2 cell membrane receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). Leptin is positively associated with obesity. We investigated whether human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells express adiponectin receptors and whether adiponectin and leptin regulate human ASM cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human ASM cells were growth-arrested in serum-deprived medium for 48 hours and then stimulated with PDGF, adiponectin and leptin. After 48 hours of stimulation, proliferation was determined using a cell proliferation ELISA kit. Human AdipoR1 and -R2 mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR using human-specific AdipoR1 and -R2 primers. Concentrations of VEGF, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha in cell culture supernatant were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA were expressed in the cultured human ASM cells. However, adiponectin did not suppress PDGF-enhanced ASM cell proliferation, nor did leptin promote ASM cell proliferation. Leptin promoted VEGF release by human ASM cells, while adiponectin did not influence VEGF release. Neither leptin nor adiponectin influenced MCP-1 secretion from human ASM cells. Adiponectin and MIP-1alpha were not secreted by human ASM cells. CONCLUSION: Human ASM cells expressed adiponectin receptors. However, adiponectin did not regulate human ASM cell proliferation or VEGF release, while leptin stimulated VEGF release by human ASM cells.
Adiponectin/metabolism/*pharmacology/physiology ; Cell Proliferation/*drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism ; Chemokine CCL3/metabolism ; Humans ; Leptin/metabolism/*pharmacology/physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Obesity/metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism ; Receptors, Adiponectin/*metabolism ; Respiratory System/cytology/metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism

Although 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS, dapsone) has been used to treat several dermatologic conditions, including Hansen disease, for the past several decades, its mode of action has remained a topic of debate. We recently reported that DDS treatment significantly extends the lifespan of the nematode C. elegans by decreasing the generation of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, in in vitro experiments using non-phagocytic human fibroblasts, we found that DDS effectively counteracted the toxicity of paraquat (PQ). In the present study, we extended our work to test the protective effect of DDS against PQ in vivo using a mouse lung injury model. Oral administration of DDS to mice significantly attenuated the lung tissue damage caused by subsequent administration of PQ. Moreover, DDS reduced the local expression of mRNA transcripts encoding inflammation-related molecules, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). In addition, DDS decreased the PQ-induced expression of NADPH oxidase mRNA and activation of protein kinase Cmicro (PKCmicro). DDS treatment also decreased the PQ-induced generation of superoxide anions in mouse lung fibroblasts. Taken together, these data suggest the novel efficacy of DDS as an effective protective agent against oxidative stress-induced tissue damages.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL3/drug effects/metabolism ; Dapsone/*administration & dosage ; Endothelin-1/drug effects/metabolism ; Fibroblasts/drug effects ; Herbicides/*antagonists & inhibitors/toxicity ; Lung Injury/chemically induced/*prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oxidative Stress ; Paraquat/*antagonists & inhibitors/toxicity ; Protective Agents/*administration & dosage ; Protein Kinase C/genetics/metabolism ; Superoxides/analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/drug effects/metabolism