OBJECTIVES: To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining. RESULTS: The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models. CONCLUSIONS Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Rats ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism* ; Cholestasis/drug therapy* ; Rats, Wistar ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the effects of different doses of X-rays on DNA damage and JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation in A549 cells. The A549 cells were radiated with X-rays at doses of 2, 4, and 8 Gy. The proliferation of A549 cells was detected by CCK8 method. The content of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in culture medium at different time points after irradiation was detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the expression levels of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) were detected by immunofluorescent staining. The expression levels of JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that, compared with the control group, X-ray irradiation reduced the cellular proliferation, up-regulated the expression of 53BP1, increased the IL-6 content in the medium supernatant, and up-regulated the protein expression levels of IL-6R, JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3. The above effects of X-ray irradiation were dose-dependent. These results suggest that the mechanism by which X-rays cause DNA damage in A549 cells may involve activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
A549 Cells ; DNA Damage ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Suppressor p53-Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is a disabling disorder of unknown aetiology, lacking definite diagnostic method and cure. A reliable biological marker of schizophrenia is highly demanded, for which traceable immune mediators in blood could be promising candidates. We aimed to gather the best findings of neuroinflammatory markers for first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: We performed an extensive narrative review of online literature on inflammation-related markers found in human FEP patients only. RESULTS: Changes to cytokine levels have been increasingly reported in schizophrenia. The peripheral levels of IL-1 (or its receptor antagonist), soluble IL-2 receptor, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α have been frequently reported as increased in FEP, in a suggestive continuum from high-risk stages for psychosis. Microglia and astrocytes establish the link between this immune signalling and the synthesis of noxious tryptophan catabolism products, that cause structural damage and directly hamper normal neurotransmission. Amongst these, only 3-hydroxykynurenine has been consistently described in the blood of FEP patients. CONCLUSION: Peripheral molecules stemming from brain inflammation might provide insightful biomarkers of schizophrenia, as early as FEP or even prodromal phases, although more time- and clinically-adjusted studies are essential for their validation.
Astrocytes ; Biomarkers ; Encephalitis ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Metabolism ; Methods ; Microglia ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Psychotic Disorders ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; Schizophrenia ; Synaptic Transmission ; Tryptophan

This paper aimed to investigate the effects of Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract on the IL-17/STAT3 signals in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts(RASF). The primary RASFs were cultured by tissue piece method ， and divided into blank control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe low dose group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe middle dose group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe high dose group， and tripterygium glycosides control group. They were then treated with corresponding serum free medium， different doses of Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract(0.06， 0.6， 6.0 g·L⁻¹)， and tripterygium glycosides(0.03 g·L⁻¹) respectively for 24 hours. The gene expression levels of RORα， RORγt， and STAT3 mRNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)， and the protein activity of IL-17R and pSTAT3 were measured by Western blot assay. The results showed that as compared with blank control group， the expression levels of RORα， RORγt， IL-17R and STAT3 mRNA in RASF were significantly declined(<0.01). As compared with tripterygium glycosides control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract middle dose group and high dose group can down-regulate the expression levels of RORα， RORγt， IL-17R and STAT3 mRNA(<0.05)， and the effect was more obvious in high dose group(<0.01). As compared with blank control group， the protein expression levels of IL-17R and pSTAT3 in each treatment group were obviously decreased(<0.01). As compared with tripterygium glycosides control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe high dose group had more obvious effect in down-regulating the protein expression of pSTAT3(<0.01). Therefore， Miao medicine Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract can down-regulate the expressions of RORα， RORγt， and STAT3 mRNA， and inhibit the protein activity of IL-17R and pSTAT3 in RASF.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Synovial Membrane ; Synoviocytes ; drug effects

The innate immune system provides a first line of defense against invading pathogens, in which the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and initiate the downstream signaling pathways to eliminate the encountered pathogens. There are two main classes of such signaling pathways: NOD-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The microbial pathogens under selective pressure have evolved numerous mechanisms to avoid and/or manipulate the NLR and TLR signal transduction for survival and replication. To evade the NLR signaling pathway, pathogens interfere and/or inhibit inflammasome activation in innate immune cells by producing virulence factors or reducing PAMPs expression. The mechanisms for pathogens to evade TLR signaling pathway include: inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascade reaction, inhibition of NF-КB activation, and interference of down-stream signal transduction by producing Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR)-containing proteins which bind directly with TLRs or adaptor proteins in the signaling pathway.
Immunity, Innate ; NLR Proteins ; immunology ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; immunology

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is reported that IL-2R, TNFR1, elafin (for skin GVHD) and REG-3α (for gastrointestinal GVHD) can be used in the early diagnosis of acute GVHD, but they cannot predict the response to therapy independently. Therefore, it is urgent to find a biomarker to predict GVHD and glucocorticoid resistance. ST2 is a member of IL-1 receptor family and specially binds to IL-33. Researchers have found that higher ST2 level is associated with increased GVHD risk, glucocorticoid resistance and transplantation-related mortality. This review focuses on the structure, function, signal transduction pathway of ST2/IL-33, and its roles in diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases and GVHD.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Biomarkers ; Early Diagnosis ; Graft vs Host Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Homologous

ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions of substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in the posterior horn of the L5－S2 spinal cord in the rat model of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) at different time points of modeling.

METHODSForty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number, control, 45 d model, 60 d model, and 90 d model, and proteins were obtained from the prostatic tissue of another 30 rats. The CNP model was made by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml DPT vaccineand intradermal injection of mixed solution of 1 ml prostatein extract and complete adjuvant at a 1∶1 ratio, while the control rats were injected with the same volume of normal saline. At 45, 60, and 90 days after modeling, we measured the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) of the rats, determined the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-10 in the prostate tissue by ELISA, observed the histomorphological changes in the prostate by transmission electron and light microscopy, and detected the expressions of SP and NK1-R in the L5－S2 spinal cord by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe model rats showed significantly increased sensitivity to pain, with remarkably lowered PWT at 45, 60, and 90 days after modeling. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-10 in the prostate tissue were markedly elevated in the CNP models as compared with those in the controls (all P<0.05), most significantly at 90 days (all P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of SP and NK-1R were remarkably higher in the CNP model groups than in the control (all P<0.05), the highest at 90 days. Light microscopy revealed no inflammatory cell infiltration in the prostate tissue of the control rats, and obvious edema and increased lymphocytes were observed with the prolonged time of modeling.Transmission electron microscopy showed inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue of the model rats and that peritubular interstitial edema was most obvious at 90 days, with widened intervals between peritubular cells and the epithelial base and increased numbers of fibroblasts and collagen fibrils.

CONCLUSIONSThe synthesis of SP and the level of NK-1R were increased in the posterior horn of the L5－S2 spinal cord in the rat model of CNP.

Animals ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Pain ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Neurokinin-1 ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

This study investigated the relationship between IL-33/ST2 signal pathway gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction (MI) in Han Chinese. A case-control association analysis was performed on a total of 490 MI patients (MI group) and 929 normal subjects (NC group). Sequenom Mass Array and Taqman genotyping technique were used to analyze the tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding IL-33, ST2, and IL-1RaP (rs11792633, rs1041973 and rs4624606). The results showed that the frequencies of rs4624606 genotypes AA, TT, AT were 0.031, 0.647, 0.322 in MI group and 0.026, 0.712, 0.263 in NC group, and the allele frequencies of A and T were 0.192, 0.808 in MI group and 0.157, 0.843 in NC group. There were significant differences in rs4624606 genotypes and allele frequencies between MI group and NC group (P<0.05). For rs11792633, the allele frequencies of C and T were 0.45, 0.55 in MI group and 0.454, 0.546 in NC group with no significant differences found between the two groups. Compared with genotype CC+TC, rs11792633 genotype TT had an increased risk of hypertension (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of rs11792633 genotypes between the two groups. No significant differences were noted in the frequencies of rs1041973 genotype and allele between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that rs4624606 genotypes AT and AA+AT were both significantly associated with MI (AT: OR=1.325, P=0.029, 95% CI=1.03-1.705; AA+AT: OR=1.316, P=0.028, 95% CI=1.03-1.681) after factors such as age, gender, smoking, drinking, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol were adjusted. Those carrying rs4624606 genotype AT or AA+AT had an increased risk of MI. No associations were found between the polymorphisms of the other two loci with MI. It was concluded that, in the IL33/ST2 signal pathway, the A allele of rs4624606 polymorphism of IL-1RaP gene is a potential independent risk factor for MI, and the genotypes AA+AT and AT are associated with the incidence of MI.
China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein ; Interleukin-33 ; Interleukins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)l in ankle joint synovial tissue of acute gouty arthritis (AGA) rats.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal, AGA, medication and EA group, 10 rats in each group. AGA model was established by induced monosodium urate (MSU) method, except the normal group. Tow days before AGA model was established, normal and AGA groups were lavaged with normal saline (20 ml/kg), medication group was lavaged with colchicine solution (20 ml/kg), EA(1.5-2 Hz, D.-D.wave, 9v; 1-3 rnA) was applied to "Sanyinjiao" (SP6), "jiexi" (ST41) and "Kunlun" (BL60) for 20 min, once daily;continuously for 9 days. Then observed the changes in dysfunction, and the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ detected by ELISA, the expression of TREM-l detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot.

RESULTSCompared to the normal group, the AGA group of the dysfunction index increased significantly (P<0.01), the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ increased significantly (P<0.05), the expression of TREM-l in synovial tissue increased significantly (P<0.05); the medication and EA groups compared to the AGA group, the dysfunction index decreased significantly (P<0.01), the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ decreased significantly (P<0.05), the expression of TREM-l in synovial tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05); there were not statistically significant between the medication and EA group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA treating AGA may be through down-regulating the expression of TREM -1 in synovial tissue.

Animals ; Ankle Joint ; metabolism ; pathology ; Arthritis, Gouty ; metabolism ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism ; Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), dexamethasone (Dex), and insulin on the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line in vitro.

METHODSMCF7 breasr cancer cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L). Those treated with culture fluid only served as controls. The mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the blank con- trol, LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L) significantly increased the expressions of GPR54 mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLPS, TNFα, IL-6, Dex, and insulin evidently increase the expression of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line, indicating their influence on the function of gonads by regulating the GPR54 level.

Blotting, Western ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Kisspeptin-1 ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology