Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular System ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Humans ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDInterleukin-13 (IL-13) is recognized to be a key modulator in the pathogenesis of Th2-induced allergic inflammation. Transcription factors GATA3 and NFAT1 have been both implicated in the regulation of Th2 cytokines. We previously demonstrated the GATA3-NFAT1 association during human T cell activation. However, the function of the GATA3-NFAT1 complex in Th2 cytokines regulation is still unknown. Small interference RNA (siRNA) was constructed to knock down GATA3 expression in Hut-78 cells to investigate the possible role of GATA3-NFAT1 complex in IL-13 transcription.

METHODSCells were stimulated with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 antibodies to mimic in vivo antigen-mediated co-stimulation; the expression of IL-13 mRNA was determined by real-time PCR; chromation immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay was employed to investigate the NFAT1 binding to IL-13 promoter.

RESULTSGATA3 siRNA suppressed the expression of GATA3 both in mRNA and protein levels in Hut-78 cells. The binding of NFAT1 to IL-13 promoter was inhibited by GATA3 siRNA in activated T cells, which was followed by the reduction of IL-13 transcription.

CONCLUSIONGATA3-NFAT1 complex may play an important role in the regulation of IL-13 transcription in human T cells.

Cells, Cultured ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells -2 (NFAT2) in release of high mobility protein box-1 (HMGB1) from human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe level of HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was examined by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of LPS stimulation on NFAT2 and HMGB1 interaction in the cytoplasm was observed by immunoprecipitation assay. HMGB1 production and release was detected in cells with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated suppression of NFAT2 expression.

RESULTSLPS stimulated HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells. As LPS stimulation prolonged, HMGB1 concentration increased in the cell culture supernatant and decreased in the cytoplasm, and the binding between NFAT2 and HMGB1 was not detected in the cell nuclei. NFAT2 suppression by the siRNA plasmid resulted in increased HMGB1 level in the cell culture supernatant.

CONCLUSIONNFAT2 can inhibit HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells in vitro.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of OX40/OX40L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in ApoE-/- mice.

METHODSLymphocytes were prepared from mouse spleens after Collar-treated Surgery, then incubated with a range of agonistic anti-OX40 mAbs and inhibitory anti-OX40L mAb to stimulate or inhibit OX40-OX40L interaction in vitro. The expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice was measured by Real Time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS(1) After stimulating OX40-OX40L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice was significantly increased, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40 mAb-stimulated, and peaked at 24 h at any concentration (P < 0.01). (2) Anti-OX40L mAb significantly suppressed the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40L mAb, and peaked at 24 h (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSOX40-OX40L interaction can regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Receptors, OX40 ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

To investigate the effects of interleukin (IL)-17-mediated autophagy on the TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) were cultured with a medium containing 30 ng/mL macrophage colony stimulating factor and 50 ng/mL receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligard (RANKL), and IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10 ng/mL) was added for intervention (IL-17 group). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to observe TRAP positive multinucleated cells; phalloidin fluorescent staining was used to detect actin ring circumference; toluidine blue staining was used to analyze bone resorption lacuna formation. To further examine the mechanism of the effect of IL-17-mediated autophagy on the differentiation of osteoclasts, the control group used RANKL medium to culture mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, while the IL-17 group was treated with IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, /mL). Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and osteoclast-related proteins c-fos and nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATc1) after treatment with different concentrations of IL-17. The expression of LC3, NFATc1, TRAF6/ERK/p38 signaling pathway related proteins were detected in IL-17 and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group. The number of TRAP positive multinucleated cells, the circumference of the actin ring and the area of bone resorption lacuna in IL-17 group treated with IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, were significantly higher than those in the control group. In IL-17 treated RAW264.7 cells, the expression of c-fos, NFATc1, Beclin-1, LC3, TRAF6, p-ERK, and p-p38 was all significantly up-regulated (all 0.05). After treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, the expression levels of LC3, NFATc1, TRAF6, p-ERK, and p-p38 all decreased significantly (all 0.05). IL-17 can promote the expression of autophagy proteins and enhance the differentiation ability of osteoclast precursor cells, and the TRAF6/ERK/p38 signaling pathway may be involved in this process.
Animals ; Autophagy ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Differentiation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Interleukin-17 ; Mice ; NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the role and mechanism of calcineurin (CaN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway in the myoblast apoptosis induced by cyclic tensile strain.

METHODSMyoblasts were cultured using an in vitro-mechanical stimulation model and imposed with tension for different hours with a multi-channel cell stress loading system. Cyclosporine (CsA) was used as CaN inhibitor to clarify the role of CaN in the apoptosis induced by cyclic stress. Hochest 33258 staining and flow cytometry detection were performed to detect the apoptotic cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of CaN and NFAT. Protein levels of NFAT3 were evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTSThe apoptosis rate increased with the extension of loading time. The mRNA expression of the CaN subunits, CnA and CnB, and the protein levels of NFAT3 also increased. When the myoblasts were incubated with CsA, the apoptosis rate decreased, the mRNA expression of CnA and NFAT3 significantly decreased, and the NFAT3 protein expression levels became significantly lower than those of the groups without CsA.

CONCLUSIONContinuous cyclic tensile stress can induce myoblast apoptosis. The CaN-NFAT signaling pathway may be involved in the cyclic stretch-induced apoptosis of myoblasts.

Apoptosis ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; Cyclosporine ; Flow Cytometry ; Myoblasts ; physiology ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; T-Lymphocytes

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of icariin(ICA) on thioacetamide(TAA)-induced femoral osteolysis in rats. RAW264.7 cells were treated with TAA and ICA. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell proliferation, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) staining to examine the formation of osteoclasts. The expression of TRAP, cathepsin K, c-FOS, and NFATc1 in RAW264.7 cells was determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence method. Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into the control group, TAA group(intraperitoneal injection of TAA at 300 mg·kg~(-1)), ICA group(gavage of ICA at 600 mg·kg~(-1)) and TAA + ICA group(intraperitoneal injection of TAA at 300 mg·kg~(-1) and gavage of ICA at 600 mg·kg~(-1)). Administration was performed every other day for 6 weeks. Body weight and length of femur were recorded at execution. Pathological injury and osteoclast differentiation of femur were observed based on hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and TRAP staining, and the changes of bone metabolism-related indexes alkaline phosphatase(ALP), calcium(Ca), phosphorus(P), magnesium(Mg), and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(NTX-Ⅰ) in serum were detected. Three-point bending test and micro-CT were applied to evaluate the quality of femur, and Western blot to detect the levels of osteoclast-related proteins TRAP, cathepsin K, RANK, RANKL, p38, p-p38, ERK, p-ERK, JNK, p-JNK, c-Fos, and NFATc1. The results showed ICA could inhibit TAA-induced production of TRAP-positive cells, the expression of osteoclast-related proteins, and nuclear translocation of NFATc1. ICA alleviated the weight loss, reduction of femur length, and growth inhibition induced by TAA in SD rats. ICA ameliorated the decline of femur elastic modulus caused by TAA and significantly restored trabecular bone mineral density(BMD), trabecular pattern factor(Tb.Pf), trabecular number(Tb.N), trabecular thickness(Tb.Th), and structure model index(SMI), thus improving bone structure. Western blot results showed ICA suppressed femoral osteoclast differentiation induced by TAA through RANKL-p38/ERK-NFATc1 signaling pathway. ICA inhibits osteoclast differentiation and prevents TAA-induced osteolysis by down-regulating RANKL-p38/ERK-NFAT signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Osteoclasts ; Cathepsin K/pharmacology* ; Thioacetamide/pharmacology* ; Bone Resorption/pathology* ; Osteolysis/pathology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NFATC Transcription Factors/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (HS) on the negatively regulation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the relationship between the effect of HS with miRNA-133a-mediated Ca/calcineurin/NFATc4 signal pathway. METHODS: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by isoproterenol (ISO). The cell surface area was measured by image analysis system (Leica). The expression of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), cystathionase (CSE), miRNA-133a, calcineurin (CaN) were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expressions of CaN、nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATc4) were detected by Western blot. The concentration of HS in the cardiomyocyte was detected by Elisa. The concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by calcium imaging using confocal microscope. The nuclear translocation of NFATc4 was checked by immuno-fluorescence cell staining technique. RESULTS: ①The level of system of CSE/HS and expression of miRNA-133a were significantly reduced in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Pretreatment with NaHS increased the concentration of HS and the expression of miRNA-133a mRNA in cardiomyocytes, and suppressed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. ②The concentration of intracellular calcium, the expression of CaN and nulear protein NFATc4 were significantly increased, and the nuclear translocation of NFATc4 were obviously enhanced in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. NaHS pretreatment markedly inhibited these effects of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. ③Application of antagomir-133a reversed the inhibitory effects of NaHS on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and increased the influx of intracellular calcium, and elevated the expression of CaN and nuclear protein NFATc4, and enhanced the nuclear translocation of NFATc4. CONCLUSIONS HS can negatively regulate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The effects might be associated with HS increasing expression of miRNA-133a and inhibiting inactivation of Ca/calcineurin/NFATc4 signal pathway.
Animals ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Cardiomegaly ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; metabolism ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDHow the transcriptional factors regulated the innate and adaptive immune system in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia are less understood. Nevertheless, what the plasma work in the development of this disease was not sure. The present study was design to evaluate what the transcriptional factors change in innate and adaptive immune system and what the plasma do in this filed.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from non-pregnant women (n = 18), women with clinically normal pregnancies (n = 23) and women with pre-eclampsia (n = 20) were separated from peripheral blood to isolate monocytes and T cells. The purity of monocytes and T cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Monocytes and T cells were stimulated in either lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA), respectively. Transcription Factor Arrays were used to screen the transcription factors of interest in comparing of different groups. PBMC were isolated from another 8 non-pregnant samples were co-incubated with different groups of plasma. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using whole cell extractions of the samples.

RESULTSNuclear factor of activated T-cells-1 (NFAT-1), signal transducers and activators of transcription-1 (STAT-1) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) are up-regulated in monocytes in pregnancy and more so in pre-eclampsia. On the the contrary, NFAT-1, STAT-1 and AP-1 are down-regulated in T cells in pregnancy and more so in pre-eclampsia. A reduction was observed in interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-4 expression in T cells incubated with pre-eclamptic plasma. An elevation was observed in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1 and IL-12 expression in monocytes incubated with pre-eclamptic plasma.

CONCLUSIONSInnate immunity is over activated and adaptive immunity is over suppressed in the development of pre-eclampsia. NFAT-1, STAT-1 and AP-1 might be the central transcription factors in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. They induced some changes in plasma and "educate" the monocytes and T cells for relevant cytokine production. Successful completion of this study will enhance our understanding of pre-eclampsia and will discover new knowledge beyond pregnancy. The work will inform future therapies for the treatment of a wide range of condition such as transplantation immunology and a wide range of immune and inflammatory conditions.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; physiology ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pre-Eclampsia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Adseverin is a Ca2+-dependent actin filament-severing protein that has been reported to regulate exocytosis via rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton in secretory cells. However, the role of adseverin in bone cells has not yet been well characterized. Here, we investigated the role of adseverin in osteoclastogenesis using primary osteoclast precursor cells. Adseverin expression was upregulated during RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, genetic silencing of adseverin decreased the number of osteoclasts generated by RANKL. Adseverin knockdown also suppressed the RANKL-mediated induction of nuclear factor of activated T-cell c1 (NFATc1), which is a key transcription factor in osteoclastogenesis. In addition, adseverin knockdown impaired bone resorption and the secretion of bone-degrading enzymes from osteoclasts. These effects were accompanied by decreased NFATc1 expression and the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. Collectively, our results indicate that adseverin has a crucial role in osteoclastogenesis by regulating NFATc1.
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; Animals ; Bone Resorption/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gelsolin/genetics/*metabolism ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B/metabolism ; NFATC Transcription Factors/*metabolism ; Osteoclasts/*cytology/metabolism/pathology ; RANK Ligand/*metabolism