OBJECTIVEDifferent from primary membranous nephropathy, hepatitis B virus associated membranous nephropathy (HBV-MN) shows lower deposits of membrane attack complex (C5b-9) in glomerular subepithelium. The causes of relatively low complement activation in this disease remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hepatitis B x protein (HBx) on the expression of CD59 and Crry in mouse podocytes.

METHODCultured mouse podocytes were divided into adenovirus vector hepatitis B virus X gene (Ad-HBx) transfected group (Ad-X group), blank podocytes group (B group) and adenovirus vector transfected group (Ad group). CD59 and Crry mRNA expression were assayed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. CD59 and Crry expression were tested by flow cytometry. The effect of HBx on complement activation was evaluated with MTT method. And then, the effects of P38MAPK, PI-3K and ERK1/2 pathway inhibitors (SB203580, LY294002, U0126) and DMSO on CD59 and Crry expression were respectively detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTProteins CD59 and Crry expression rates (%) in group B, Ad group and Ad-X group were 17.71 ± 3.81, 18.29 ± 3.36 and 45.7 ± 9.01; 18 ± 2.31, 21.78 ± 2.01 and 47.45 ± 9.95, respectively. Compared with group B, CD59 and Crry expression in group Ad was not significantly different (P values for both > 0.05), but CD59 and Crry protein expression in Ad-X group was significantly higher than that in groups B and Ad (P values for both < 0.005); CD59 and Crry gene expression in group Ad was not significantly different from that in group B (P values for both > 0.05). However, CD59 and Crry gene expression of Ad-X group was significantly higher than that in groups B and Ad (P values for both < 0.05). Flow cytometry detected CD59 protein expression rates (%) were 17.35 ± 1.24, 46.19 ± 9.77, 43.03 ± 6.83 and 40.04 ± 6.39 and Crry protein expression rates (%) were 18.14 ± 3.56, 31.95 ± 1.68, 31.95 ± 1.69 and 37.14 ± 3.92 after SB203580, LY294002, U0126 and DMSO were added to Ad-X group respectively. P38 pathway inhibition resulted in significantly lower CD59 and Crry expression than Ad-X group (P values for all < 0.005), but PI-3K, ERK1/2 pathway inhibitors and DMSO had no significant effect on the expression of CD59 and Crry (P values for all > 0.05). The inhibition rates of cell lysis were significantly higher in Ad-X group than in groups B and Ad at each serum dilution point (P values for all < 0.05), while groups B and Ad had no significant difference in cell viability.

CONCLUSIONHBx can up-regulate CD59 and Crry expression in podocytes through activating P38 pathway, resulting in decreased complement activation, which may facilitate latent HBV infection in podocytes and play a role in development of hepatitis B virus associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).

Animals ; CD59 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Mice ; Podocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

CD137, which is expressed on activated T cells, plays a critical role in inflammatory responses. However, the exact role that CD137 plays in monocytes is not fully known. Here we studied the expression and function of CD137 in human monocytic THP-1 cells, which we found constitutively expresses CD137 at the mRNA and protein level. Cross-linking of CD137 increased the secretion of IL-8 and TNF-alpha, promoted the expression of CD54 and CD11b, and increased adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In particular CD137-induced adhesion of THP-1 cells was inhibited by an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), but not by a p38 kinase inhibitor. Taken together, these results show that the adhesion and cytokine production of THP-1 cells induced by CD137 occur via activation of MEK, which results in the activation of ERK-1/2 signaling pathways. Therefore, this study suggests that CD137 induces an activating and migrating signal during inflammatory processes.
Antigens, CD/biosynthesis/*immunology ; Antigens, CD11/biosynthesis ; *Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/biosynthesis ; Cell Line ; Cytokines/*biosynthesis ; Enzyme Activation ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Natural ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/biosynthesis ; Interleukin-8/biosynthesis ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Monocytes/metabolism/*physiology ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/biosynthesis/*immunology ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/biosynthesis/*immunology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of andrographolide on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in macrophage foam cells.

METHODSThe mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured in the media in the presence of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), ox-LDL+andrographolide, or neither (control). The phosphorylation of MAPK molecules (p38MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2) and the expressions of NK-κB p65 were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSAs compared with cells in the control group, the expressions of phospho-p38 and NF-κB p65 were increased in the cells cultured with either ox-LDL or ox-LDL+andrographolide (P<0.01), but attenuated significantly in the presence of ox-LDL+ andrographolide when compared with ox-LDL (P<0.05). The phospho-JNK increased in the presence of either ox-LDL or ox-LDL+andrographolide when compared with control cells (P<0.01), but no significant difference existed between ox-LDL and ox-LDL+andrographolide (P>0.05). The expression of phospho-ERK1/2 was increased in the presence of ox-LDL compared with the control cells (P<0.01), but no significant differences existed between the cells cultured in the presence of ox-LDL+andrographolide and the control medium (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAndrographolide could inhibit the activation of ERK1/2, p38MAPK and NK-κB induced by ox-LDL in macrophage foam cells, which might be one of its mechanisms in preventing atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; immunology ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Vasculitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important enzyme in inflammation. In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of the synergistic effect of rottlerin on interleukin1beta (IL-1beta)-induced COX-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Treatment with rottlerin enhanced IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Combined treatment with rottlerin and IL-1beta significantly induced COX-2 expression, at least in part, through the enhancement of COX-2 mRNA stability. In addition, rottlerin and IL-1beta treatment drove sustained activation of p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is involved in induced COX-2 expression. Also, a pharmacological inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB 203580) and transient transfection with inactive p38 MAPK inhibited rottlerin and IL-1beta-induced COX-2 upregulation. However, suppression of protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) expression by siRNA or overexpression of dominant-negative PKC delta (DN-PKC-delta) did not abrogate the rottlerin plus IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression. Furthermore, rottlerin also enhanced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 expression. Taken together, our results suggest that rottlerin causes IL-1beta-induced COX-2 upregulation through sustained p38 MAPK activation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.
Acetophenones/*pharmacology ; Benzopyrans/*pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy/*genetics/immunology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2/*genetics ; Enzyme Activation/drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/*drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/*immunology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects ; Mallotus Plant/chemistry ; NF-kappa B/immunology ; Protein Kinase C-delta/antagonists & inhibitors ; Reactive Oxygen Species/immunology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*immunology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-kappa B p65), nuclear factor-kappa B1 p50 (NF-kappa B p50) have been shown to play a role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine production, and oncogenesis. Recently, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ NF-kappa B/ cyclin D1 signaling pathway has been shown to play an important part in the pathogenesis of human cancers. This study was designed to investigate the expression of NF-kappa B p65, NF-kappa B p50, p38 MAPK alpha, and cyclin D1 proteins in premalignant lesions of colon and colorectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Paraffin sections of 20 normal mucosa, 20 low-grade tubular adenoma, 20 high-grade tubular adenoma and 64 adenocarcinoma tissues were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of NF-kappa B p65, NF-kappa B p50, p38 MAPK alpha, and cyclin D1 proteins. RESULTS: The expression of NF-kappa B p65, NF-kappa B p50, and p38 MAPK alpha proteins were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma tissue in comparison with that in normal mucosa, low-grade tubular adenoma, and high-grade tubular adenoma tissues. Expression of NF-kappa B p50 was more frequent in poorly differentiated histologic grade, presence of nodal metastasis, and advanced stage. Expression of p38 MAPK alpha protein was higher in advanced tumor stage, presence of nodal metastasis and advanced stage. Synchronous expression of NF-kappa B p65, NF-kappa B p50, p38 MAPK alpha, and cyclin D1 proteins were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma tissue. CONCULSIONS: With the increased expression of NF-kappa B p65, NF-kappa B p50, and p38 MAPK alpha proteins, p38 MAPK/ NF-kappa B/ cyclin D1 signaling pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma/enzymology/*metabolism/pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms/enzymology/*metabolism/pathology ; Cyclin D1/immunology/*metabolism ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B/immunology/*metabolism ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit/immunology/metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; Precancerous Conditions/enzymology/*metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA/immunology/metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sapindus saponins on myocardial inflammation mediated by Ang II/ p38MAPK signal pathway and cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats. And also to explore the correlation of cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation.

METHODThirty-two 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly divided into four groups, one with placebo as model group, one with captopril tablets (27 mg x kg(-1)) as positive control, one with low-dose sapindus saponins (27 mg x kg(-1)), one with high-dose (108 mg x kg(-1)). And another eight healthy Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) rats were used as the normal group. The animals were treated for eight weeks, and the indicators detected were as follows: (1) left ventricular mass index (LVMI); (2) the content of Ang II and hs-CRP in plasma were determined by ELISA; (3) the protein expression of AT1R and VEGF were determined by immunohistochemical method; (4) the protein expression of p-p38MAPK in myocardial cells was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSapindus saponins reduced LVMI, and blocked the expression level of Ang II, AT1R, p-p38MAPK, VEGF and hs-CRP in myocardial tissue. Vs the SHR model group, there were significant differences (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggested that sapindus saponins could inhibited cardiac hypertrophy, the possible mechanisms may be related to the inhibition on inflammatory response mediated by Ang II/p38MAPK pathway.

Angiotensin II ; immunology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Rats, Wistar ; Sapindus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; immunology

Previously, we reported that CD40-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase requires the TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 3, as well as the activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Rac1. Here we investigated the possible mechanisms of the production of ROS after CD40 ligation in B cells. We describe an alternative ROS production pathway that is triggered by CD40 ligation, involves 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and results in activation of p38 MAPK. Our studies in Raji human B lymphomas revealed that CD40-induced ROS production by 5-LO also requires the activities of PI3K and Rac1. In contrast to the NADPH oxidase pathway, however, TRAF molecules are not required for the CD40-induced ROS production by 5-LO. The association of CD40 with 5-LO is dependent on CD40 ligation in Raji B cells, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments using epitope-tagged proteins transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293T cells revealed the role of the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, in this association. Collectively, these data suggest a separate pathway for the CD40-induced ROS production in B cells and demonstrate that this pathway requires 5-LO via direct association of p85 with both CD40 and 5-LO.
Antigens, CD40/*metabolism ; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase/*metabolism ; B-Lymphocytes/*enzymology/immunology ; CD40 Ligand/metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; *Enzyme Activation ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; *Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*metabolism ; rac GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of cytokines related to T-helper (Th) 17 cells in serum and signal transducers in the psoriatic lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome (BHS) and blood-stasis syndrome (BSS).

METHODSSixty patients with psoriasis vulgaris were divided into the BHS and BSS groups according to the syndrome differentiation of Chinese medicine (CM). Ten healthy subjects were considered as the control group. Cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23 and IL-6 in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and STAT6 in the psoriatic lesions were determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTSProduction of IL-17, IL-23 and IL-6 in the BHS group and BSS group were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in the BHS group were higher than those in the BSS group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, IHC positive expressions and protein expressions of STAT3 and p38-MAPK, and the STAT3 mRNA expressions in the BHS and BSS groups were significantly higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The protein expression of STAT3 in the BHS group was significantly higher than that in the BSS group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCytokines in serum and signal transducers in the psoriatic lesions alter with various CM syndromes of psoriasis. The results provide scientific basis for the treatment based on syndrome differentiation of CM in treating psoriasis vulgaris.

Adult ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-23 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Psoriasis ; blood ; enzymology ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Syndrome ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

This study is to investigate the anti-allergic effect of anthocyanidin and to explore its possible mechanism. The experiments of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction (PCA) and colorimetry were used to determine the effect of anthocyanidin on degranulation of mast cells in vivo. For in vitro study, various concentrations of anthocyanidin (100, 50 and 25 micromol x L(-1)) were added to the culture medium of mast cells cultured with 100 microg x L(-1) of dinitrophenyl (DNP) specific IgE overnight. The azelastine (100 micromol x L(-1)) was selected as the positive control. The antigen (DNP-human serum albumin, DNP-HAS)-induced release of degranulation was measured by enzymatic assay, histamine was determined by EIA, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by Western blotting, separately. In addition, the effects of anthocyanidin on phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt were observed by Western blotting. The results showed that treatments with anthocyanidin (100 and 50 mg x kg(-1)) were followed by a decrease in PCA of rats. Anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) obviously suppressed the degranulation from mast cells, whereas results from anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) group indicated significant inhibitory effect on histamine, the calcium uptake, TNF-alpha, IL-6, phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt of mast cells induced by antigen. Anthocyanidin may suppress the anaphylactic reaction by inhibiting the action of mast cells. NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt at least in part contribute to this event.
Animals ; Anthocyanins ; pharmacology ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Degranulation ; drug effects ; Histamine Release ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mast Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the interaction between p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB/IkappaB system on the proinflammatory cytokines release after burn trauma.

METHODSHuman monocyte line THP-1 were incubated with serum from eight healthy controls, burn sera, burn sera pretreatment with SB203580, and burn sera pretreatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). After 24 hours incubation with serum, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels in THP-1 culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The activities of p38 MAPK and expressions of IkappaBalpha in THP-1 were measured by Western blot analysis. The EMSA method was used to characterize the binding activities of NF-kappaB and activating protein (AP)-1 in THP-1.

RESULTSIn comparison with normal controls, burn sera resulted in a significant higher level release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in THP-1 [(7.30 +/- 0.84) ng/ml vs (2.20 +/- 0.28) ng/ml, P < 0.05; (2.88 +/- 0.38) ng/ml vs (0.81 +/- 0.14) ng/ml, P < 0.05], which were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with SB203580 or PDTC. Burn sera showed increased activities of p38 MAPK and AP-1 in THP-1 (4728 +/- 582 vs 1291 +/- 163, P < 0.05; 946 +/- 137 vs 361 +/- 40, P < 0.05), which were abolished by pretreatment with SB203580 but not PDTC. The expression of IkappaBalpha in THP-1 incubated with burn sera was significantly decreased than those incubated with control sera (1211 +/- 115 vs 2658 +/- 318, P < 0.05), which were abolished by pretreatment with PDTC but not SB203580. Burn sera also leaded to an increased activity of NF-kappaB in THP-1 (1636 +/- 170 vs 317 +/- 32, P < 0.05), which were abolished by pretreatment with PDTC but not SB203580.

CONCLUSIONSThere are no direct interaction between p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway and NF-kappaB/IkappaB pathway. These two pathways, which regulate the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in monocyte following burn trauma, are parallel and independent.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; physiology ; Immune Sera ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; physiology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; physiology