To investigate the expression of the subunit p65 of NF-kappaB and inhibitor kappa B alpha (IkappaBalpha) in mouse uterus during peri-implantation, thereby investigating whether transient activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) takes place during embryo implantation in mice. Immunohistochemical technique was used to examine the expression and localization of p65 in endometrium or deciduas, and Western blot analysis was employed to detect the levels of IkappaBalpha protein in mouse endometrium or deciduas. P65 protein was detected in stromal cells, epithelial cells of endometrium as well as in myometrium. Staining was predominately seen in the cytoplasm of the cells. Staining intensity for p65 was stronger in the epithelial compartment than the stromal compartment and myometrium. Staining intensity increased slightly during pregnancy, and it reached a high level on pregnancy day 5 and day 8. In contrast to p65, the level of IkappaBalpha protein was lowest on pregnancy day 5 in all groups. Our results suggested that NF-kappaB may regulate embryo implantation by its transient activation in mice.
Decidua/metabolism ; Embryo Implantation/*physiology ; Endometrium/metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins/*biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B/*biosynthesis ; Time Factors ; Uterus/*metabolism ; Uterus/physiology

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the cytotoxicity of bromoxynil on SH-SY5Y cells and its effect on the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-&kappa;B) and I kappa B alpha (I&kappa;Bα) in SH-SY5Y cells.

<b>METHODSb>SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to bromoxynil (10, 50, or 100 µmol/L) for 24 and 48 h, and other SH-SY5Y cells, which were used as a control, were exposed only to dimethyl sulfoxide. After 24 and 48 h of exposure, the morphological changes of these cells were observed under an inverted microscope, and the cytotoxicity of bromoxynil was measured by MTT assay. The cellular proliferation was examined by cell counting after 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of exposure. After 24 h of exposure, the expression of NF-&kappa;B was evaluated by Western blot and immunocytochemistry, and the expression of I&kappa;Bα was evaluated by Western blot.

<b>RESULTSb>The cellular proliferation inhibition rates (CPIRs) of 50 and 100 µmol/L groups were significantly higher than that of the control group after 24 and 48 h of exposure (P < 0.05); the CPIR was significantly higher after 48 h than after 24 h in the two groups (P < 0.05). The growth curve revealed that these groups began to show differences in cell count at the 24th of exposure and that the differences were even more marked as the exposure went on (F = 17.15, P < 0.05). The control group had a significantly increased cell count at the 48th, 72nd, and 96th h of exposure (P < 0.05); the 10 and 50 µmol/L groups had a significantly increased cell count at the 72nd and 96th h of exposure (P < 0.05); the 100 µmol/L group showed no significant change in cell count during 96h of exposure. The 50 and 100 µmol/L groups hada significantly longer cell doubling time than the control group (P < 0.05). The immunocytochemistry showed that as the dose of bromoxynil increased, the brownish yellow particles in the cytoplasm and nuclei became darker, the expression of NF-&kappa;B was upregulated, and the nuclear translocation of NF-&kappa;B was increased. The Western blot showed that the 100 µmol/L group had significantly higher expression of NF-&kappa;B in the nuclei than the control group (P < 0.05) and that the 50 and 100 µmol/L groups had significantly lower expression of I&kappa;Bα in total proteins than the control group (P < 0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Bromoxynil can inhibit the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells under this experimental condition, which may be related to activation of NF-&kappa;B.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitriles ; toxicity

NF-kappaB, a collective name of dimeric transcription factors, is composed of members of the Rel family proteins that recognize and bind a specific DNA sequence. It is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm of non-stimulated cells by associating with a family of inhibitor proteins called IkappaBs. Exposure of cells to a variety of extra-and intra-cellular stimuli leads to the rapid proteolytic degradation of IkappaBs, which frees NF-kappaBs allowing them to translocate to the nucleus where it regulates gene transcription. NF-kappaB is involved in a lot of physiological processes such as immunity, inflammation, cell proliferation, apoptosis and even tumorigenesis by regulating the transcription of a larger number of genes. This review introduces the various mechanisms of NF-kappaB activation including a recently reported alternative activation pathway mediated by lymphotoxin alpha/beta, B cell activating factor and CD40 ligand. The signal transduction pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation via IKK in response to proinflammatory factors like TNF-alpha and IL-1 is addressed in more detail concerning the regulation of IKK activity, mechanism of IkappaB degradation and regulation of transactivation activity of NF-kappaB on different levels. Considering the important role of NF-kappaB in cell proliferation and regulation of various genes participating in apoptosis, the involvement of NF-kappaB in tumorigenesis and drug screening is also discussed.
Animals ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription, Genetic ; physiology

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 (IK&kappa;β) Ser181/IKKβ and the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-&kappa;B) 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-&kappa;B 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>BACKGROUNDb>Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) overactivation, requiring phosphorylation and degradation of its inhibitor IkappaBalpha, is the basis for chronicity of airway inflammation in asthma. Based on our previous plasmid pShuttle-IkappaBalpha, carrying an IkappaBalpha gene from human placenta, we optimized a novel IkappaBalpha mutant (IkappaBalphaM) gene, constructed and characterized its replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus (AdIkappaBalphaM), and tested whether AdIkappaBalphaM-mediated overexpression of IkappaBalphaM could inhibit the NF-kappaB activation in endothelial cells.

<b>METHODSb>IkappaBalphaM gene (203 - 1003 bp) encoding 267 amino acids, acquired by site-directed deleting N-terminal phosphorylation sites of serine 32/36, was subcloned into the pShuttle and pGEM-T vectors for further polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digestion, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing and homology analyses. Subsequent to inserting the expression unit of pShuttle-IkappaBalphaM, containing cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, IkappaBalphaM complementary DNA (cDNA) and polyadenylic acid (PolyA) signals, into the type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) vector, the resultant AdIkappaBalphaM was packaged in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells by cotransfection with lipofectamine. Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were utilized to detect the AdIkappaBalphaM-mediated overexpression of IkappaBalphaM in HEK293 cells and its suppressive effect on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced NF-kappaB activation in human umbilical vein endothelial (ECV304) cells, respectively.

<b>RESULTSb>The relevant nucleotides and deduced amino acids of 801 bp IkappaBalphaM gene were consistent with those of IkappaBalpha gene (GenBank accession number: M69043). The titer of the prepared AdIkappaBalphaM was 4.0 x 10 (12) plaque-forming units (pfu)/L. Moreover, the IkappaBalphaM gene was overexpressed in HEK293 cells, and potently inhibited the PMA-induced NF-kappaB activation in ECV304 cells dose-dependently.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>AdIkappaBalphaM is a novel vector for both efficient transfer and specific overexpression of IkappaBalphaM gene, as well as potent inhibition of NF-kappaB activity, providing a promising strategy for gene therapy of asthma.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology

<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 role of NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway in mediating the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental rat glomerulonephritis.

<b>METHODSb>Nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) was induced by injection of anti-GBM antibody into the tail veins of rats. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western Blot were used to detect the activation of NF-kappaB, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit and degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta in rat renal tissue. MCP-1 expression in glomeruli and renal tubules was also assessed by immunohistochemistry and ribonuclease protection assay. This was further correlated with the activation of NF-kappaB.

<b>RESULTSb>There was an obvious expression of MCP-1 in glomeruli and renal tubules. Significant up-regulation of NF-kappaB activation, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit, and degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta were also observed in NTN rat renal tissue, as compared to the control group. A positive correlation was noted between NF-kappaB activation and MCP-1 expression.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway may play an important pathogenetic role in glomerulonephritis, with mediating the expression of MCP-1.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glomerulonephritis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the effects of burn sera on the nuclear translocation of endothelial NF-kappaB heterodimers p50/p65 and on the degradation of inhibiting kappaB (IkappaBalpha), in order to explore the role of burn sera on activation of the endothelium.

<b>METHODSb>Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (ECV-304 strain) were employed as the target cells. The cells were stimulated by sera from healthy volunteers and from burn patients and burn sera together with PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbarnate). The normal cultured cells were taken as the control. The nuclear translocation of endothelial p50/p65 at 30, 60, 120 and 480 mins after the stimulation was observed with laser confocal microscopy, and the endothelial IkappaBalpha protein degradation at 30, 60, 90 and 120 mins after the stimulation was determined by Western blotting.

<b>RESULTSb>When compared to that in control group, the nuclear translocation of p50/p65 took place 30 mins after the endothelial cells were stimulated by burn sera, and it reached the summit at 30 - 60 mins, but recovered to pre-stimulation state at 2hrs. In addition, IkBalpha degradation occurred 30 mins after the cells were stimulated by burn sera (P < 0.01) and peaking at 45 - 60 mins after the stimulation and recovered at 2hrs after the stimulation. The nuclear translocation of endothelial p50/p65 and IkBalpha degradation at 30 and 60 mins after the stimulation by burn sera could be effectively inhibited by PDTC.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Burn sera might induce the nuclear translocation of endothelial NF-kappaB p50/p65 and IkappaBalpha degradation and activate NF-kappaB, which ultimately lead to the secretion of cytokines from the endothelium.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit ; Transcription Factor RelA

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To observe the histopathological features, nuclear factor-&kappa;B (NF&kappa;B) and IKB expressions as well as calcium deposition of atherosclerosis plaques (AS) in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) knockout mice (ApoE(-/-), LDLR(-/-)fed high-fat diet.

<b>METHODSb>Eight C57BL/6J mice fed with normal diet were used as control, 32 ApoE(-/-) mice and LDLR(-/-) mice were divided into normal diet and high-fat diet groups (n = 8 each). After 4 months, aorta was collected for morphologic (HE, Oil Red O, Von Kossa) and immunohistochemistry (nuclear factor-&kappa;B, IKB, macrophage surface molecule-3, α-smooth action protein) analysis.

<b>RESULTSb>Degree of AS in ApoE(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) mice fed with high-fat diet were significantly severer than those fed with normal diet and AS was more significant in ApoE(-/-) mice than in LDLR(-/-) mice. NF&kappa;B and IKB expressions in high-fat diet group were significantly higher than the normal diet group (P < 0.05). Double-labeling of NF&kappa;B revealed dominant expression in smooth muscle cells. Calcium deposition was significantly more in ApoE(-/-) mice fed with high-fat diet than mice fed with normal diet (P < 0.05) and was similar in LDLR(-/-) mice fed with high and normal diet (P > 0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>High-fat diet contributes to the formation of AS plagues in ApoE(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) mice joined by upregulated NF&kappa;B and IKB expressions and calcium deposition.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, LDL ; genetics ; 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