OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of activated AKT on murine myeloid precursor cells (32D cells), and the effects of IFN-γ on 32D cells and its mechanisms.

METHODSPlasmid transduction was used to enhance the expression of AKT on 32D cells. After the transfected cells treated with IFN-γ for 24 hours, proliferation rate was tested by WST-1, apoptosis by flow cytometry, expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2, Stat3 and phosphorylated Stat3 was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) IFN-γ at low concentration (100 U/ml) enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration (1000 U/ml) suppressed them. (2) Compared with control groups, low concentration IFN-γ increased (1124 ± 13) Stat3 phosphorylation in 32D-cell, while it high concentration IFN-γ decreased (601 ± 13). 32D cells transfected with activated Akt grew rapidly (0.287 ± 0.010) and had a low apoptotic rate [(9.57 ± 0.17)% (P < 0.05)]. (3) The expression of p-Erk1/2 in transfected 32D-cell was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (4) Apoptosis rate of IFN-γ treated group was significantly decreased in transfected 32D cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIFN-γ has dual effects on 32D cells, namely, at low concentration enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration suppressed them. Its mechanisims is possibly through Stat3 pathway. Activated Akt can significantly promote the growth and proliferation of 32D cell and significantly inhibit apoptosis and IFN-γ can regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis through AKT. AKT activation can inhibit the Erk signal pathway, which may be affected by inhibition the modificaton of Raf1.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been recognized as an independent risk factor for systemic hypertension. The study investigated the functional consequences of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on aortic constriction induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and the possible signaling involving ERK1/2 and contractile proteins such as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC).

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into CIH group and normoxia group and exposed to either CIH procedure or air-air cycles. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, MYPT1 and MLC was assessed by Western blotting following constrictor studies in the presence or absence of PD98059 (10 µmol/L).

RESULTSCIH-exposure resulted in more body weight gain and elevated blood pressure, which could be attenuated by pretreatment with PD98059. Endothelium-removed aortic rings from CIH rats exhibited higher constrictor sensitivity to Ang II (Emax: (138.56 ± 5.78)% versus (98.45±5.31)% of KCl; pD2: 7.98 ± 0.14 versus 8.14 ± 0.05, respectively). CIH procedure exerted complex effects on ERK expressions (total ERK1/2 decreased whereas the ratio of phosphorylated to total ERK1/2 increased). CIH aortas had higher MLCK mRNA and basal phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC. In parallel to greater increases in phosphorylation of ERK1/2, MYPT1 and MLC, Ang II-induced aortic constriction was significantly enhanced in CIH rats, which was largely reversed by PD98059. However vascular constriction of normoxia rats remained unchanged despite similar but smaller changing tendency of proteins phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that CIH exposure results in aortic hyperresponsiveness to Ang II, presumably owing to more activated ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of exogenous carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 2 (CORM-2) on formation of human neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) stimulated by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its relevant mechanism.

METHODSVenous blood samples were collected from a healthy adult volunteer to isolate neutrophils. The neutrophils were divided into normal control (NC) group, LPS group, LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 group, LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 group, and LPS+ inactive CORM-2 (iCORM-2) group according to the random number table. No treatment was given to the neutrophils in NC group. The neutrophils in LPS group underwent LPS stimulation (1 μL, 1 μg/mL). The neutrophils in LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 group, LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 group, and LPS+ iCORM-2 group underwent the same LPS stimulation as that in LPS group and treatment of 10 μmol/L CORM-2, 50 μmol/L CORM-2, and 50 μmol/L iCORM-2, respectively, with the volune of 1 μL. After conventional culture for 1 h, the number of NETs was determined with propidium iodide staining method; the early cell apoptosis rate was determined with flow cytometer; the generation level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed with dihydrogenrhodamine 123 fluorescent probe staining method (denoted as mean fluorescence intensity); the expression level of phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was determined by Western blotting. The sample numbers of each group in the 4 experiments were all 5. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and SNK test.

RESULTS(1) The numbers of NETs per 400-time visual field in cells of LPS and LPS+ iCORM-2 groups were close to the number in NC group (with P values above 0.05). The number of NETs per 400-time visual field was significantly larger in cells of LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 and LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 groups than in NC and LPS groups (with P values below 0.05). The number of NETs per 400-time visual field in cells of LPS+ iCORM-2 group was close to that of LPS group (P>0.05). (2) The early cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased in LPS, LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2, LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2, and LPS+ iCORM-2 groups than in NC group (with P values below 0.05). The early cell apoptosis rates in LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2, LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2, and LPS+ iCORM-2 groups were close to the rate in LPS group (with P values above 0.05). (3) The generation level of ROS was significantly higher in cells of LPS, LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2, and LPS+ iCORM-2 groups than in NC group (with P values below 0.05). The generation level of ROS in cells of LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 group was close to that of NC group (P>0.05). The generation level of ROS was lower in cells of LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 and LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 groups than in LPS group (with P values below 0.05), while the generation level of ROS in cells of LPS+ iCORM-2 group was close to that of LPS group (P>0.05). (4) The expression levels of p-ERK1/2 in cells of LPS and LPS+ iCORM-2 groups (respectively 0.0311±0.001 and 0.0309±0.0018) were close to the level in NC group (0.0304±0.0046, with P values above 0.05). The expression level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly higher in cells of LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 and LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 groups (respectively 0.7891±0.0201 and 1.2970±0.0056) than in NC group (with P values below 0.05). The expression level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly higher in cells of LPS+ 10 μmol/L CORM-2 and LPS+ 50 μmol/L CORM-2 groups than in LPS group (with P values below 0.05). The expression level of p-ERK1/2 in cells of LPS+ iCORM-2 group was close to that of LPS group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCORM-2 can obviously increase the production of NETs in LPS-induced neutrophils, and it might be attributable to the promotion of inhibition of ROS generation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Apoptosis ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; Extracellular Traps ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Organometallic Compounds ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a classic protein tyrosine kinase receptor, which plays an important role in cell proliferation, survival, adhesion, differentiation and apoptosis. Abnormality of EGFR and its signaling are closely associated with tumor initiation and development. Many environmental physical and chemical agents can interfere with EGFR and its signal transduction pathways via affecting its phosphorylation, conformation and function, or distribution on cell membrane, finally influencing gene expression and cell fate. This review focuses on the recent progress of above aspects for further understanding of epigenetic mechanisms of cellular stress and carcinogenesis related with environmental agents.
Carcinogens ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the down-regulation of fibroblast proliferation in normal skin (NFb) and hyperplastic scar (SFb) by adrenaline.

METHODSHuman NFb and SFb cells were cultured in vitro. Phentolamine (in final concentrations of 0 and 3 x 10(-6) micromol/L) was added to the culture medium. One hour later, adrenaline in different final concentrations (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 micromol/L) was added to the culture medium and incubated for 24 hours. The cellular proliferation activity and cell viability rate were determined with MTT. The cell culture supernatant was harvested for the determination of LDH activity to assess the toxicity of phentolamine and adrenaline. The phosph-PKC activity was determined with Western-blotting and was semiquantitatively analyzed.

RESULTS(1) After stimulation with adrenaline alone, or combined 0.20 micromol/L adrenaline with 3 x 10(-6) micromol/L phentolamine, the cell viability of both NFb and SFb decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.01). (2) There was no difference in the LDH activity between the cells either stimulated by adrenaline in all concentrations or by combination of adrenaline and phentolamine (P > 0.05). (3) The phosphorylation of PKC in NFb and SFb cells stimulated by 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 micromol/L adrenaline was obviously higher than that before stimulation (P < 0.01). When phentolamine in the concentration of 3 x 10(-6) micromol/L was used alone for stimulation, the phosphorylation of PKC in NFb cells (123 +/- 5) was also evidently higher than that before stimulation (80 +/- 5, P < 0.01). But there was no such effect on SFb cells (P > 0.05). When adrenaline in the concentration of 0.05, 0.10 or 0.20 micromol/L was separately added together with phentolamine in the dose of 3 x 10(6) micromol/L for the stimulation, the phosphorylation of PKC in NFb and SFb cells was evidently lower than that when 3 different concentrations of adrenaline was used alone for stimulation (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdrenaline can inhibit the proliferation of NFb and SFb by activating PKC through binding alpha adrenaline receptor.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Epinephrine ; adverse effects ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Phentolamine ; adverse effects ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Skin ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of TGF-beta on the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) and Cx43-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in rat Leydig cells, and investigate the association of its effects on Leydig cells with its ability of changing GJIC.

METHODSPrimarily cultured purified Leydig cells were divided into a blank control group, a positive control group (treated with the GJIC inhibitor Carbenoxolone), and four TGF-beta1 groups (treated with TGF-beta1 at the concentration of 1, 2, 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively, for 20 hours). The localization and expression of Cx43 were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot, and the changes in GJIC analyzed by FRAP assay.

RESULTSCx43 was expressed as scattered bright spots in the cytoplasm and membrane of Leydig cells. TGF-beta1 significantly elevated the expression of Cx43 in the cytoplasm, but caused no evident change in the membrane. Western blot showed an evident increase in the phosphorylation of Cx43 with the increased concentration of TGF-beta1 as compared with that of the blank control group (P < 0.05). After 20 hours of treatment with TGF-beta1 at 5 ng/ml, the fluorescence intensity of Leydig cells was markedly reduced (P < 0.01), with a mean fluorescence recovery rate of merely (43.58 +/- 1.87)%.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1 could significantly down-regulate GJIC between adjacent Leydig cells, and this inhibitory effect may be achieved by promoting the expression of Cx43 in the cytoplasm and elevating the phosphorylation of Cx43.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the cellular gap junctional communication(GJIC) down-regulation in alveolar epithelial cells (CCL-64 cells) induced by silica-stimulated pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) supernatant is related with the phosphorylation states of connexin 43(Cx43) protein.

METHODWestern-blot analysis was used to identify phosphorylated Cx43 species.

RESULTSWestern-blot analyses of SiO2- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(TPA)-treated CCL-64 cells showed the same phosphorylation states of Cx43 as the control group. There were no Cx43 protein in nucleus of CCL-64 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition on GJIC induced by SiO2 and TPA in CCL-64 cells may not be brought about by altering the phosphorylation states of Cx43.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mink ; Phosphorylation ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether cellular gap-junctional communication(GJIC) down-regulation and the internalization of connexin 43(Cx43) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CHL) induced by silica-stimulated pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) supermatant is related with the phosphorylation states of Cx43 protein.

METHODSWestern-blot analysis was used to identify phosphorylated Cx43 species.

RESULTSSamples from membrane protein, total protein and nucleoprotein in CHL cells with 50-500 micrograms/ml doses of silica-stimulated PAM supernatants showed NP, P1, P2, P3 four immunoreactive bands of Cx43 protein by contrast with the control group and 0 microgram/ml SiO2 group. And with the dose of SiO2 increased, the increment of the levels of P2 and P3 was observed. Moreover, the groups treated with SiO2 and protein kinase C inhibitor, Palmitoyl-DL-Camitine chloride (PMC), simutaneously showed reduced level of P2 and P3, as compared with the groups treated with SiO2 only.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition of GJIC and the internalization of Cx43 by SiO2 in CHL cells may relate to the changes of phosphorylation states of Cx43, and its mechanism may be similar to that of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), i.e. via PKC activation pathway.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Cricetinae ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, on growth and apoptosis of MCL Jeko-1 cell line and its mechanism. The proliferation inhibitory rate of Jeko-1 cells treated by different doses of LY294002 was assayed by MTT method; the level of apoptosis of Jeko-1 cells was detected by flow cytometry; the expression level of apoptosis-related protein Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, procaspase-3 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway protein phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), phosphorylated-TOR (p-mTOR), phosphorylated-P70S6K (p-P70S6K) phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) in Jeko-1 cells were determined by Western blot. The results showed that the growth of Jeko-1 cell line was inhibited by LY294002. The apoptosis rates of Jeko-1 cells treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 µmol/L of LY294002 for 24 hours were (3.25 ± 1.27)%, (11.34 ± 2.35)%, (22.81 ± 2.74)%, (43.61 ± 3.48)% respectively, the difference between them was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Phosphorylation levels of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway protein p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-P70S6K decreased, the expression of apoptosis-related protein cyclin D1, Bcl-2, procaspase-3 was down-regulated.It is concluded that the LY294002 can inhibit Jeko-1 cell proliferation, which may be realized through down-regulating the phosphorylation level of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-P70S6K, inhibiting the P13k/Akt signaling pathway, and promoting the cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThis study measures the glutaredoxin (Grx) gene and protein expression in umbilical vein endothelial cells upon exposure to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The involvement of the Akt-signaling pathway is also determined.

METHODSEA-hy926 cells were pretreated with 1,000 ng · mL⁻¹ P. gingivalis LPS for 4, 12, 18, and 24 h, and then real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect Grx1 expression. The effect of Grx on Akt activity was investigated using Western blot for the control, LPS (1,000 ng · mL⁻¹ LPS), and carmus- tine (BCNU) groups (1,000 ng · mL⁻¹ LPS, and the EA-hy926 cells were pretreated with 25 μmol · ml⁻¹ BCNU for 30 min).

RESULTSGene expression of Grx1 significantly increased in LPS group compared with that in the control group. The Grx1 expression reached the peak level in 12 h, and the variation between the expression in 4 and 12 h was significant (P < 0.05). After 12 h, the protein levels of Grx and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) significantly increased in the LPS group (P < 0.05), whereas the BCNU group showed a considerable decrease in both Grx and p-Akt expression levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, a slight difference was observed in the total Akt protein levels in the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGrx expression increased upon exposure of EA-hy926 cells to the LPS. Akt activity could be inhibited by BCNU (a Grx inhibitor), which indicated that Akt might act as a downstream regulator of Grx.

Endothelial Cells ; Glutaredoxins ; genetics ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; pathogenicity ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Umbilical Veins