This study was designed to evaluate ERK5 expression in lung cancer and malignant melanoma progression and to ascertain the involvement of ERK5 signaling in lung cancer and melanoma. We show that ERK5 expression is abundant in human lung cancer samples, and elevated ERK5 expression in lung cancer was linked to the acquisition of increased metastatic and invasive potential. Importantly, we observed a significant correlation between ERK5 activity and FAK expression and its phosphorylation at the Ser
A549 Cells ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics* ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/metabolism* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism*

ObjectiveTo explore the inhibitory effect of polyphyllin Ⅰ (PPⅠ) on the proliferation of castration-resistant prostate cancer PC3 cells and its molecular mechanism.

METHODSWe cultured human prostate cancer PC3 cells in vitro and treated them with PPⅠ at the concentrations of 0 (blank group), 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4 μmol/L for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Then we detected the proliferation of the cells by MTT assay, measured their apoptosis by flow cytometry, and determined the expressions of p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, NF-κB/p65 and DNMT1 proteins as well as the level of NF-κB/p65 in the cells additionally treated with the ERK1/2 inhibitor SP600125 by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the PPⅠ-treated PC3 cells showed a concentration- and time-dependent reduction of the survival rate (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 0.85 ± 0.05, P < 0.01) at 0.4 μmol/L after 48 hours of intervention, concentration-dependent early apoptosis at 0.8 μmol/L (4.83 ± 0.95 vs 13.83 ± 2.97, P < 0.01), time-dependent increase of the expressions of p-ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.73 ± 0.17, P < 0.01) and ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.36 ± 0.12, P < 0.01) at 2 hours, and concentration-dependent decrease of the expressions of NF-κB/p65 and DNMT1 at 1.2 μmol/L (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 0.78 ± 0.10 and 0.63 ± 0.06, P < 0.01) and 1.6 μmol/L (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 0.67 ± 0.11 and 0.52 ± 0.09, P<0.01). Inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with PD98059 markedly reversed PPⅠ-induced decrease of the NF-κB/p65 expression as compared with that in the PPⅠ group (0.86 ± 0.18 vs 0.43 ± 0.09, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPPⅠ induces the early apoptosis and suppresses the proliferation of PC3 cells, probably by activating the ERK1/2 pathway and inhibiting the expressions of the NF-κB/p65 and DNMT1 proteins.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; metabolism ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; PC-3 Cells ; Phosphorylation ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDSurfactant protein-A (SP-A) contributes to the regulation of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the expression of SP-A in the human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells can be stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present study evaluated the possible signal-transducing mechanisms of LPS-induced SP-A biosynthesis in the HK-2 cells.

METHODSTetrazolium salt colorimetry (MTT) assay was used to detect cell viability of HK-2 cells after LPS stimulation on different time points. HK-2 cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of LPS for different durations to determine the effects of LPS on SP-A and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, as well as phosphorylation of mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) 1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor-alpha (IkB-α). Then, HK-2 cells were pretreated with CLI-095, a TLR4 inhibitor, to analyze mRNA and protein levels of SP-A and TLR4 and expression of NF-κB in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HK-2 before LPS exposure.

RESULTSHK-2 cells exposed to 100 ng/ml of LPS for 1, 6, and 24 h did not affect cell viability which showed no toxic effect of 100 ng/ml LPS on cells (P = 0.16); however, the biosynthesis of SP-A mRNA and protein in HK-2 cells was significantly increased (P = 0.02). As to the mechanism, LPS enhanced transmembrane receptor TLR4 protein expression. Sequentially, LPS time dependently augmented phosphorylation of MEK1, ERK1/2, and p38MAPK. In addition, levels of phosphorylated IκB-α and nuclear NF-κB were augmented with LPS exposure for 2 h. LPS-induced SP-A and TLR4 mRNA as well as NF-κB expression were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with CLI-095.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study exhibited that LPS can increase SP-A synthesis in human renal epithelial cells through sequentially activating the TLR4-related MEK1-ERK1/2-NF-κB-dependent pathway.

Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; physiology ; Colorimetry ; Humans ; Kidney ; cytology ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Tetrazolium Salts ; chemistry ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resistance greatly limits the clinical therapeutic efficacy of TRAIL. Elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying TRAIL resistance will be fundamental to resolving this problem.

METHODSNuclear and cytoplasmic protein extraction and immuno？uorescence (IF) assay were used to detect changes in heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) localization in H1299 cells. The evaluation of cell apoptosis in cells transfected with GFP-hnRNPK, GFP-hnRNPK S284/353A, or GFP-hnRNPK S284/353D mutant was performed using cleaved caspase-3 antibody. The gene expression of XIAP was tested by quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSPreviously, we reported that hnRNPK antagonized TRAIL-induced apoptosis through inhibition of PKC-mediated GSK3β phosphorylation. In this study, we further demonstrate that TRAIL treatment induces cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNPK in H1299 cells. The hnRNPK localized in the cytoplasm has a higher capacity to antagonize TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Both ERK1/2 signaling inhibitor U0126 and ERK-phosphoacceptor-site mutant (GFP-hnRNPK S284/353A) diminish cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNPK induced by TRAIL. Moreover, we show that XIAP is involved in hnRNPK-mediated TRAIL resistance in H1299 cells.

CONCLUSIONTaken together, these results give new insights into the understanding of the molecular mechanism associated with TRAIL resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; physiology ; X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of salvianolate on myocardial infarction in a murine in vivo model of ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSMyocardial I/R injury model was constructed in mice by 30 min of coronary occlusion followed by 24 h of reperfusion and pretreated with salvianolate 30 min before I/R (SAL group). The SAL group was compared with SHAM (no I/R and no salvianolate), I/R (no salvianolate), and ischemia preconditioning (IPC) groups. Furthermore, an ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (1 mg/kg), and a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor, LY294002 (7.5 mg/kg), were administered intraperitoneal injection (i.p) for 30 min prior to salvianolate, followed by I/R surgery in LY and PD groups. By using a double staining method, the ratio of the infarct size (IS) to left ventricle (LV) and of risk region (RR) to LV were compared among the groups. Correlations between IS and RR were analyzed. Western-blot was used to detect the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation changes.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between RR to LV ratio among the SHAM, I/R, IPC and SAL groups (P>0.05). The SAL and IPC groups had IS of 26.1%±1.4% and 22.3%±2.9% of RR, respectively, both of which were significantly smaller than the I/R group (38.5%±2.9% of RR, P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). Moreover, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased in SAL group (P<0.05), while AKT had no significant change. LY294002 further reduced IS, whereas the protective role of salvianolate could be attenuated by PD98059, which increased the IS. Additionally, the IS was not linearly related to the RR (r=0.23, 0.45, 0.62, 0.17, and 0.52 in the SHAM, I/R, SAL, LY and PD groups, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSalvianolate could reduce myocardial I/R injury in mice in vivo, which involves an ERK1/2 pathway, but not a PI3-K signaling pathway.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Staining and Labeling

Objective: To investigate the expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p-ERK in benign and malignant prostate tissues, and whether it can be used as a marker for the prognosis of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Using immunohistochemical Envision, we detected the expressions of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in 20 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 40 cases of advanced PCa and analyzed their correlation with PCa metastasis, Gleason score, PSA level, and prognosis. RESULTS: The expression of ERK1/2 was remarkably higher in the advanced PCa than in the BPH cases (82.5% vs 55%, P<0.05), which was not associated with cancer metastasis, Gleason score, PSA level, or survival time of the patients with advanced PCa, and so was that of p-ERK1/2 (75.0% vs 35%, P<0.05), which was not associated with the Gleason score or PSA level of the PCa patients, either. The expression rates of p-ERK in the metastasis, non-metastasis, survival >5 yr, and survival ≤ 5 yr groups were 61.9%, 89.5%, 57.9%, and 90.5%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among these groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins are highly expressed in advanced PCa and p-ERK1/2 is associated with the metastasis and prognosis of advanced PCa.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; enzymology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; enzymology ; mortality ; pathology

PURPOSE: Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Rutin is a major representative of the flavonol subclass of flavonoids and has various pharmacological activities. Currently, data are lacking regarding its effects on VSMC proliferation induced by intermittent hyperglycemia. Here, we demonstrate the effects of rutin on VSMC proliferation and migration according to fluctuating glucose levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cultures of male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat VSMCs were obtained from enzymatically dissociated rat thoracic aortas. VSMCs were incubated for 72 h with alternating normal (5.5 mmol/L) and high (25.0 mmol/L) glucose media every 12 h. Proliferation and migration of VSMCs, the proliferative molecular pathway [including p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), p38 MAPK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), and Akt], the migratory pathway (big MAPK 1, BMK1), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptotic pathway were analyzed. RESULTS: We found enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs when cells were incubated in intermittent high glucose conditions, compared to normal glucose. These effects were lowered upon rutin treatment. Intermittent treatment with high glucose for 72 h increased the expression of phospho-p44/42 MAPK (extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2), phospho-MEK1/2, phospho-PI3K, phospho-NF-kappaB, phospho-BMK1, and ROS, compared to treatment with normal glucose. These effects were suppressed by rutin. Phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-Akt, JNK, and apoptotic pathways [B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-xL, Bcl-2, phospho-Bad, and caspase-3] were not affected by fluctuations in glucose levels. CONCLUSION: Fluctuating glucose levels increased proliferation and migration of OLETF rat VSMCs via MAPK (ERK1/2), BMK1, PI3K, and NF-kappaB pathways. These effects were inhibited by the antioxidant rutin.
Animals ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; Cell Movement/*drug effects ; Cell Proliferation/*drug effects ; Flavonoids/*pharmacology ; Glucose/*metabolism/pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; MAP Kinase Kinase 1 ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology/*drug effects/enzymology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism ; NF-kappa B/metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Rats, Long-Evans ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Rutin/*pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis paper aims to investigate the apoptotic effect of inactivated Sendai virus (hemagglutinating virus of Japan-enveloped, HVJ-E) on murine melanoma cells (B16F10) and the possible mechanisms involved in the putative apoptotic reactions.

METHODSB16F10 cells were treated with HVJ-E at various multiplicities of infection (MOI), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell viability, and apoptosis were measured. Next, the roles of ROS in the regulation of Bcl-2/Bax and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in HVJ-E-treated B16F10 cells were analyzed. To further evaluate the cytotoxic effect of HVJ-E-generated ROS on B16F10 cells, HVJ-E was intratumorally injected, both with and without N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), into melanoma tumors on BALB/c mice. Tumor volume was then monitored for 3 weeks, and the tumor proteins were separated for immunoblot assay.

RESULTSTreatment of B16F10 cells with HVJ-E resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell-viability and an induction of apoptosis. The latter effect was associated with the generation of ROS. Inhibition of ROS generation by NAC resulted in a significant reduction of HVJ-E-induced Erk1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK activation. Additionally, ROS inhibition caused a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio as well as promoting activation of apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that HVJ-E possesses potential anticancer activity in B16F10 cells through ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction involving the MAPK pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Respirovirus Infections ; virology ; Sendai virus ; physiology ; Virus Inactivation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether angiotensin III (Ang III) is involved in monocyte recruitment through regulation of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells). METHODS: We measured MCP-1 levels in HK-2 cells that had been treated with various concentrations of Ang III and Ang II type-1 (AT1) receptor antagonists at various time points. The phosphorylation states of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases were measured in Ang III-treated cells to explore the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. MCP-1 levels in HK-2 cell-conditioned media were measured after pre-treatment with the transcription factor inhibitors curcumin or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. RESULTS: Ang III increased MCP-1 protein production in dose- and time-dependent manners in HK-2 cells, which was inhibited by the AT1 receptor blocker losartan. p38 MAPK activity increased significantly in HK-2 cells exposed to Ang III for 30 minutes, and was sustained at higher levels after 60 minutes (p < 0.05). Total phosphorylated JNK protein levels tended to increase 20 minutes after stimulation with Ang III. Pre-treatment with a p38 inhibitor, a JNK inhibitor, or curcumin significantly inhibited Ang III-induced MCP-1 production. CONCLUSIONS: Ang III increases MCP-1 synthesis via stimulation of intracellular p38 and JNK MAPK signaling activity and subsequent activated protein-1 transcriptional activity in HK-2 cells.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/pharmacology ; Angiotensin III/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2/*metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epithelial Cells/*drug effects/metabolism ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal/*drug effects/metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Time Factors ; Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism

The epithelial cytokine response, associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), is important in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced inflammation. H. pylori induces the production of ROS, which may be involved in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/Stat), and oxidant-sensitive transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB), and thus, expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in gastric epithelial cells. alpha-lipoic acid, a naturally occurring thiol compound, is a potential antioxidant. It shows beneficial effects in treatment of oxidant-associated diseases including diabetes. The present study is purposed to investigate whether alpha-lipoic acid inhibits expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-8 by suppressing activation of MAPK, Jak/Stat, and NF-kappaB in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Gastric epithelial AGS cells were pretreated with or without alpha-lipoic acid for 2 h and infected with H. pylori in a Korean isolate (HP99) at a ratio of 300:1. IL-8 mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR analysis. IL-8 levels in the medium were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Phospho-specific and total forms of MAPK and Jak/Stat were assessed by Western blot analysis. ROS levels were determined using dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. As a result, H. pylori induced increases in ROS levels, mRNA, and protein levels of IL-8, as well as the activation of MAPK [extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), p38], Jak/Stat (Jak1/2, Stat3), and NF-kappaB in AGS cells, which was inhibited by alpha-lipoic acid. In conclusion, alpha-lipoic acid may be beneficial for prevention and/or treatment of H. pylori infection-associated gastric inflammation.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/*drug effects/metabolism/microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Helicobacter Infections/immunology/*metabolism ; Helicobacter pylori/drug effects/*pathogenicity ; Humans ; Interleukin-8/genetics/*metabolism ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Janus Kinase 1 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B/*metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification/metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; Stomach/metabolism/*microbiology ; Thioctic Acid/*pharmacology