Objective To analyze the effects of an inhibitor of the SH3 (Src homology) domains of Grb2 on the growth and proliferation of K562 cells. Methods The peptidimer [(VPPPVPPRRR)2-K], penetratin (RQIKIWFQNRRMKWKK) and peptidimer-c [poptidimer linked to penetratin: (VPPPVPPRRR)2-K-Aha-RQIKIWFQNRRMKWKK] were synthesized by solid-phase synthesis using Fmoc chemistry, and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 column. Purity was evaluated by HPLC, and the identity of the peptides was checked by electrospray mass spectroscopy (MS). A pull-down assay was used to observe the specific binding of peptidimer-c to the Grb2 of K562 cell lysates. The inhibition of peptidimer-c on K562 cell proliferation was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion assay, the cytostatic effect was tested by clonogenic assay, and the cytotoxicity was examined by WST-1 method. A further experiment was performed with clonogenic assay to analyze the co-effect of peptidimer-c respectively combined with Gleevec, Hydroxyurea and Cytarabine by Jing's method. Results The HPLC analysis showed only a simple peak, which means that the peptide is in high purity. MS analysis showed the peptides were coincided with the design. The molecular weight of peptidimer-c was of 4794.0 and that of the penetratin 2246.7. Pull-down assay demonstrated that the peptidimer-c, not the penetratin, could bind to Grb2 specifically. The trypan blue assay showed that the peptidimer-c could inhibit the proliferation of K562 significantly in a dose-dependent manner, even 3～6 h after the cells were exposed to the drug, and penetratin alone did not influence the cell proliferation. Gleevec inhibited the growth of K562 not only in a dose-dependent manner, but also in a time-dependent manner. WST-1 test showed the cytotoxieity of peptidimer-c or Gleevec on K562 cells, the IC50 of peptidimer-c was (17±2) μmol/L and the IC50 of Gleevec was (0.25±0.05) μmol/L. In the methylcellulose semi-solid medium system, the colony formation of K562 was greatly decreased by peptidimer-c as compared to the penetratin, and the colony number decreased as the dose of peptidimer-c increased. The IC50 value ofpeptidimer-c on K562 colony formation was (3.9±0.9) μmol/L, IC50 of Gleevec was (0.03±0.02) μmol/L, IC50 of Hydroxyurea was (15±7) μmol/L, and that of cytarabine was (0.014±0.012) μmol/L. There were synergistic effects of peptidimer-c with Gleevec, Hydroxyurea or Cytarabine on K562 by colonogenic assay. Combination of 1.5 μmol/L peptidimer-c and 0.05 μmol/L Gleevec showed synergistic effect on K562, as well as the combination of 1.5 μmol/L peptidimer-c and 0.006 μmol/L or 0.01 μmol/L Cytarabine. Conclusion These results suggested that peptidimer-c had an inhibitory effect on K562 cells and combination of peptidimer-c with other drugs would increase the anti-cancer effects.

This study is to observe the effect of ilexonin A (IA) on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43), and neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats and explore its possible mechanism of protecting neuronal injury. Models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were established in SD rats. Before and after two hours ischemia-reperfusion, IA (20 and 40 mg x kg(-1)) was injected immediately and on 3, 7, 14, and 28 d once a day. The neurological severity was evaluated by neurological severity scores (NSS); neuronal injury in the boundary zone of the infarction area was evaluated by TUNEL and Niss1 staining. The expressions of bFGF and GAP-43 and neurogenesis were evaluated by Western blotting and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) fluorescence staining, respectively. After treatment with IA, the NSS of treatment groups were lower than that of the models (3 and 7 d). The number of TUNEL positive neurons decreased and Nissl positive neurons increased at the same time (3 d). The expressions of bFGF and GAP-43 increased significantly in the boundary zone of the infarction area when compared to model group. Moreover, IA markedly enhanced the neurogenesis in the brain after ischemia-reperfusion, which revealed an increase of Brdu/NeuN positive cells in the boundary zone of the infarction area. The possible mechanism of protecting neuronal injury of IA may be related to inhibition on neuronal apoptosis, upregulation of bFGF and GAP-43, and neurogenesis in boundary zone of infarction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

To explore the role of methotrexate (MTX) in regulating the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) and the mRNA expression of transcription factor Foxp3.
 Methods: 1) We analyzed the number of Treg and the mRNA expression of Foxp3 by flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) respectively in patients with psoriasis vulgaris, patients with psoriasis vulgaris after the 8-week treatment of MTX, and healthy people. 2) BALB/c female mice were smeared with imiquimod (IMQ) cream for 6 days. We recorded the change of the lesion in mice every day. The morphological changes of lesion in mice were evaluated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and HE staining. 3) The mouse model was randomly divided into a control group and an MTX group. The MTX group was treated with different doses of MTX (38.5 and 77.0 nmol/L) on the third day of this experiment. The morphological changes of lesion in mice were evaluated by PASI and HE staining. We tested the number of Treg and the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA in splenic lymphocytes.
 Results: 1) The number of Treg and the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA were lower in psoriasis vulgaris patients than those in the healthy control group (P<0.05). After 8-week treatment of MTX, the number of Treg was increased (P<0.05) and Foxp3 mRNA level was up-regulated (P<0.01). 2) Typical psoriasis-like skin lesions, such as red scaly skin plaque were found after topical application of IMQ. Both the number of Treg in the splenic lymphocytes of mice and the Foxp3 mRNA level of Treg were reduced by IMQ (P<0.01 and P<0.05). 3) Different doses of MTX for mice showed the ability to improve skin lesion, increase the number of Treg in the spleen of mice and Foxp3 mRNA level in psoriatic dermatitis of mice (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: MTX is able to regulate the number of Treg and Foxp3 mRNA expression in psoriasis.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Aminoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imiquimod ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Psoriasis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Spleen ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism