Colon cancer is the 3rd common malignancy and 4th common cause of cancer death in Korea. Recent studies have shown that abnormal inflammatory response plays a critical role in colon carcinogenesis. A striking example of connection between inflammation and cancer is NF-kappaB, in which key regulator of inflammation and immune response is associated with target for colon cancer treatment. Constitutive NF-kappaB expression in colon cancer is 40-80% in vivo as well as in vitro, and the inactivation of IKKbeta subunit can reduce tumor multiplicity. The possible mechanisms by which NF-kappaB can contribute to colon carcinogenesis include the activator of antiapoptotic gene expression, enhanced cell survival and proliferation, regulation of angiogenesis and promotion of metastasis of cancer cells. Recent insights into the role of NF-kappaB involved in colon cancer development as well as their relevance as therapeutic targets are herein discussed.
Colonic Neoplasms/*etiology/metabolism ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase/metabolism/physiology ; Inflammation ; NF-kappa B/metabolism/*physiology

In recent years, it is found that the classical IKKα and IKKβ pathway were closely relates with hematological tumors, except the classical pathogenesis, moreover the classical IKKβ pathway is deeply studied. The studies indicated that the IKKβis activated to phosphorylate the NF-κB through multiple cascades under the effect of extracellular IL-6, TNF-α and other stimulating factors. At the cellular level, the classical IKKβcan promote the tumor cell survival and proliferation, reduce the cell apoptosis, and promote the angiogenesis and cell transfer. Although the classical IKKα plays a role in regulating IKKβ activity, but its role in non-classical pathway is more prominent. This review briefly summarizes the latest advance of researches on the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies in term of IKKα and IKKβpathway, so as to provide the theoretic basis for deeply understanding and studying the pathogenesis of hematologic tumors. At present, blocking the classical IKKα and IKKβ pathway has become a new target for treatment of hematological tumors, moreover, some specific inhibitor for IKKα and IKKβpathway have been developed, for example, LY2409881, BMS 345541 and so on. Most of these drugs are in clinical trials and display some good anti-tumor effects.
Cell Survival ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and has been used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China. The development of T2DM is often associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. In this study, we examined whether BBR attenuated glucose uptake dysfunction through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in HepG2 cells. Cellular glucose uptake, quantified by the 2-[N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG), was inhibited by 21% after HepG2 cells were incubated with insulin (10(-6) mol/L) for 36 h. Meanwhile, the expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) protein was reduced without the change of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the culture supernatant, the ratio of phosphorylated I-kappa-B kinase-β (IKκβ) Ser181/IKKβ and the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein were also increased. However, the treatment with BBR enhanced the glucose uptake, increased the expression of α7nAChR protein and inhibited AChE activity. These changes were also accompanied with the decrease of the ratio of pIKKβ Ser181/IKKβ, NF-κB p65 expression and IL-6 level. Taken together, these results suggest that BBR could enhance glucose uptake, and relieve insulin resistance and inflammation in HepG2 cells. The mechanism may be related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and the inhibition of AChE activity.
Berberine ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To explore the functional role of protein kinase D1 (PKD1) in the activation of nuclear factor-&kappa;B (NF-&kappa;B) signal pathway and NF-&kappa;B transcription mediated by Aspergillus fumigatus.

<b>METHODSb>A549 cells and HEK293 cells were transfected with green fluorescence protein (GFP) or GFP-PKD1 followed by treatment with 1×10(5) CFU/ml Aspergillus fumigatus conidia for different time lengths. The phosphorylation levels of PKD1, I&kappa;B and p65 (pS276) in the transfected cells were measured by Western blotting. A549 cells were transfected with GFP-PKD1 or siRNA-PKD1, and the phosphorylation of I&kappa;B and p65 (pS276) was examined. Finally, NF-&kappa;B-luc and renilla luciferase reporter pRL-SV40 were cotransfected into GFP- or GFP-PKD1-transfected A549 cells before exposure of the cells to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia for 24 h, and NF-&kappa;B transcriptional activity in the cells was determined using dual-luciferase reporter assay.

<b>RESULTSb>Overexpression of PKD1 significantly increased Aspergillus fumigatus conidia-stimulated phosphorylation of PKD1, I&kappa;B and p65 (pS276), whereas PKD1 knockdown by siRNA-PKD1 suppressed I&kappa;B and p65 (pS276) phosphorylation. Dual luciferase assay demonstrated that PKD1 overexpression markedly enhanced Aspergillus fumigatus-induced NF-&kappa;B transcription in A549 cells.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>PKD1 may contribute to the activation of NF-&kappa;B signal pathway and NF-&kappa;B transcription induced by Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transfection

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the regulatory effects of lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor (I&kappa;B) kinase beta (IKKβ) induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).

<b>METHODSb>(1) Hela cells were cultured routinely in vitro. One portion of cells were collected and divided into TNF-α group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 20 ng/mL TNF-α for 30 min), low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, LaCl3 group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 100 µmol/L LaCl3 for 30 min), and control group (cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium for 30 min) according to the random number table. Cells in low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group were first cultured with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 5, 25, 100 µmol/L LaCl3 for 4 h, and then stimulated with serum-free RMPI 1640 medium containing 20 ng/mL TNF-α for 30 min. There were 3 samples in each group. Cells were collected for detection of intracellular location of NF-&kappa;B/p65 protein by immunofluorescence staining. (2) Another portion of cells were collected and divided into TNF-α group, low-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, high-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, and control group with the same treatment as above. There were 3 samples in each group. The protein levels of NF-&kappa;B/p65 in nuclei, and the protein levels of I&kappa;Bα, phosphorylated I&kappa;Bα (p-I&kappa;Bα) as well as IKKβ and phosphorylated IKKβ (p-IKKβ) in cytoplasm were determined by Western blotting. The binding activity between NF-&kappa;B/p65 in the nuclear and target gene was determined by NF-&kappa;B/p65 transcription factor kit (denoted as absorption value). Data were processed with analysis of variance or LSD-t test.

<b>RESULTSb>(1) High expression of NF-&kappa;B/p65 was observed in cytoplasm of control group. High expression of NF-&kappa;B/p65 was observed in nuclei of TNF-α group. The expression of NF-&kappa;B/p65 in cytoplasm of LaCl3 group was lower than that of control group. In groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α, NF-&kappa;B/p65 expression levels in nuclei and cytoplasm were decreased along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3, which were all lower than those in TNF-α group. (2) There was certain amount of NF-&kappa;B/p65 protein expressed in nuclei of control group. The expression of NF-&kappa;B/p65 protein in nuclei of TNF-α group was higher than that of control group. In groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α, the expressions of NF-&kappa;B/p65 protein in nuclei were decreased along with an increase in the concentration of LaCl3. The level of I&kappa;Bα in TNF-α group was significantly decreased but that of p-I&kappa;Bα increased as compared with those in control group. Along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3, the levels of I&kappa;Bα gradually increased and the levels of p-I&kappa;Bα gradually decreased in groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α. There were no statistical differences in expression levels of IKKβ among the 5 groups. The expression of p-IKKβ could be hardly observed in control group, but it was obviously increased in TNF-α group. The expression levels of p-IKKβ in groups treated with LaCl3 and TNF-α were gradually decreased along with the increase in the concentration of LaCl3. The absorption value in TNF-α group was 0.39 ± 0.03, which was higher than that in control group (0, t = -7.23, P<0.01). The absorption values in low-dose LaCl3 +TNF-α group, moderate-dose LaCl3 + TNF-α group, and high-dose LaCl3 +TNF-α group were respectively 0.17 ± 0.03, 0.15 ± 0.03, and 0, which were obviously lower than that in TNF-α group (with t values respectively -6.54, -5.92, -7.23, P values all below 0.01).

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>LaCl3 can block the activation of NF-&kappa;B signaling pathway by blocking the phosphorylation of IKKβ of Hela cells.

Culture Media ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Lanthanum ; pharmacology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the influence and significance of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist rosiglitazone on the expression of I kappa B kinase-beta(IKK-beta) mRNA and protein induced by LPS in Kupffer cells (KCs) cultured in vitro and to investigate the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) together with the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in livers of rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

<b>METHODSb>(1) KCs from healthy Wistar rats were isolated and purified with IV collagenase digestion and gradient centrifugalization, and then were incubated in the presence or absence of LPS (1 microg/ml) together with two different concentrations of rosiglitazone (10 nmol/L and 50 nmol/L). (2) Thirty-eight healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal blank control group (10 rats) fed with a normal diet and a NASH model group (28 rats) fed with a fat-rich diet (10% lard + 2% cholesterol + 5% corn oil). After the NASH model was established successfully and confirmed by pathological examination of the livers of 4 rats, 24 rats that continued with the high fat-rich diet, were divided into three groups (8 rats in each group): a control group fed normal saline (NS), a lower dose rosiglitazone group (1 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and a higher dose rosiglitazone group (4 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) for 12 weeks. The mRNA expression of IKK-beta in KCs and COX-2 in livers were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The IKK-beta protein in KCs and the NF-kappa B activity of hepatic tissues were determined respectively by Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the supernatant of KCs cultures and serum of the rats was quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

<b>RESULTSb>LPS significantly increased the expression of IKK-beta mRNA and protein in the KCs and the concentration of TNF alpha in the supernatant of the KCs cultures. The expressions of COX-2 mRNA and protein were more obvious in rats with NASH than those in the normal control group, and the binding activity of NF-kB correlated positively with the expression of COX-2 in the livers and the level of serum TNF alpha of model rats as well. Rosiglitazone blocked the expression of IKK-beta mRNA and protein induced by LPS in KCs, and also inhibited NF-kappa B activation and reduced COX-2 expression in the rats.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>PPAR-gamma specific agonist rosiglitazone can play an anti-inflammatory role by IKK-beta/I kappa B/NF-kappa B/TNF alpha signal ways, and minimize inflammatory reaction at cellular and molecular levels. This may help to provide a new idea for treating NASH effectively.

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

This study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. The cytotoxicity of kaempferol to HMC-1 mast cells were analyzed by using MTT assay and then the administration concentrations of kaempferol were established. Histamine, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA assay in activated HMC-1 mast cells after incubation with various concentrations of kaempferol (10, 20 and 40 µmol.L-1). Western blot was used to test the protein expression of p-IKKβ, I&kappa;Bα, p-I&kappa;Bα and nucleus NF-&kappa;B of LPS-induced HMC-1 mast cells after incubation with different concentrations of kaempferol. The optimal concentrations of kaempferol were defined as the range from 5 µmol.L-1 to 40 µmol.L-1. Kaempferol significantly decreased the release of histamine, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α of activated HMC-1 mast cells (P<0.01). After incubation with kaempferol, the protein expression of p-IKKβ, p-IKBa and nucleus NF-&kappa;B (p65) markedly reduced in LPS-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells (P<0.01). Taken together, we concluded that kaempferol markedly inhibit mast cell-mediated inflammatory response. At the same time, kaempferol can inhibit the activation of IKKβ, block the phosphorylation of I&kappa;Bα, prevent NF-KB entering into the nucleus, and then decrease the release of inflammatory mediators.
Cells, Cultured ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Kaempferols ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To study if the expression of maspin protein in respiratory epithelial cells was downregulated through I&kappa;B kinase-α (IKKα)-controlled mechanism in an Aspergillus fumigatus-induced model in rat.

<b>METHODSb>Inactivated Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae (AFH) suspension was used to induce respiratory epithelial cells (REC) cultured in vitro in rat, with PBS buffer as control. By RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of maspin was quantified, and by immunocytochemistry, the expression of maspin and IKKα in REC was observed. Furthermore AFH (from level 1 to level 3) suspension was prepared to induce REC. Then Western blot hybridization technique was used to detect the expression of maspin and IKKα protein. All data were processed by analysis of variance and two-variable correlation analysis.

<b>RESULTSb>By RT-PCR, a statistically significant (t = 2.463, P < 0.05) expression of maspin mRNA was found (0.128 ± 0.059 in AFH group, 2.972 ± 0.353 in control group). By Immunocytochemistry, the difference of maspin protein color in different groups was shown statistically significant in integrated scoring (t = 3.721, P < 0.05, weak positive in AFH group, moderately positive in control group). While in IKKα color study, the difference between the two groups was also statistically significant (t = 6.825, P < 0.05) in integrated scoring, with a moderate positive in AFH group and weak positive in control group. By Western Blot hybridization, grayscale ratio of maspin and β-actin was 0.912 ± 0.023 in control group, 0.607 ± 0.030, 0.476 ± 0.019, 0.416 ± 0.017 in AFH 1-3 groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference within the four groups (F = 281.91, P < 0.05); While grayscale ratio of IKKα and β-actin was 0.624 ± 0.012 in control group, 0.739 ± 0.020, 0.778 ± 0.010, 0.927 ± 0.017, respectively, in AFH 1-3 groups; with a statistically significant difference within the four groups(F = 200.91, P < 0.05). Moreover, the difference between any two groups from both AFH group (including subgroup 1, 2 and 3) and control group was statistically significant. Two-variable correlation analysis indicated a negative correlation between expression of maspin and IKKα (r = -0.911, P < 0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>Induced by Aspergillus fumigatus, the rat respiratory epithelia might upregulate the expression of IKKα with a downregulated expression of maspin protein.

Animals ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Respiratory System ; cytology ; Serpins ; metabolism

The NF-kappaB pathway regulates the expression of over 150 target genes, e.g., cytokines, chemokines, leukocyte adhesion molecules and inducible effector enzymes. Consequently, it plays a crucial role in innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammatory response, stress responses, apoptosis and so on. IkappaB kinase (IKK) is the key of this pathway, and it owns a special structure which consists of catalytic subunit and regulatory subunit. Naturally, the activation of IKK needs the interaction of the two subunits and phosphorylation by its upstream kinases. Actually, there are two methods of activation of the NF-kappaB pathway, and both of the methods need the IKK complex. Given to the crucial role of IKK, researchers have isolated and synthesized amounts of IKK inhibitors, and these provide a great convenience to develop novel anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor drugs.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the effect of Kiss-1 gene suppression on the metastatic capacity of HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro and the involvement of nuclear factor-&kappa;B (NF-&kappa;B) signaling pathway.

<b>METHODSb>A recombinant lentiviral vector of Kiss-1 gene pGC-LV-Kiss-1-EGFP or the empty vector was transfected in HCT116 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and Transwell chamber assay were used to detect the changes in cell proliferation, invasion and migration ability after the transfection. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of I-&kappa;B, the inhibitive protein of NF-&kappa;B signal pathway, and the expression of the downstream effector MMP-9 before and after transfection.

<b>RESULTSb>In cells over-expressing Kiss-1, I-&kappa;B expression increased and MMP-9 expression decreased significantly compared to those in the blank control and vector-transfected cells (P<0.05). Kiss-1 gene over-expression resulted in significant inhibition of HCT116 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration as compared to the control cells (P<0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Lentivirus-mediated Kiss-1 gene over-expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCT116 cells via the NF-B signaling pathway.

Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Genetic Vectors ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; Kisspeptins ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection