Sinensetin attenuates oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced neurotoxicity by MAPK pathway in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

Sinensetin is a polymethoxylated flavone with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. This work aimed to explore the function and mechanism of sinensetin in oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced neurotoxicity. The overlapping target genes of cerebral stroke and sinensetin were determined according to GeneCards and ParmMapper tools and were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were stimulated with OGD/R. Neurotoxicity was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, qRT-PCR, and TUNEL analysis. The proteins (p38, JNK, and ERK) in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were measured using Western blotting. Total of 50 overlapping target genes of cerebral stroke and sinensetin were predicted. Pathway analysis showed they might be involved in the MAPK pathway. Sinensetin attenuated OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity by mitigating viability reduction, LDH release, ROS generation, inflammatory response, and apoptosis in HCMECs. Sinensetin weakened OGD/R-induced activation of the MAPK pathway via decreasing the phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and ERK. The pathway inhibitors mitigated the activation of the MAPK signaling, and sinensetin exacerbated this effect. The inhibitors reversed OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity in HCMECs, and sinensetin contributed to this role. Overall, sinensetin prevents OGD/R-induced neurotoxicity through decreasing the activation of MAPK pathway.     

BMP/TGF-β signaling as a modulator of neurodegeneration in ALS

This commentary focuses on the emerging intersection between BMP/TGF-β signaling roles in nervous system function and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease state. Future research is critical to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of this intersection of the cellular processes disrupted in ALS and those influenced by BMP/TGF-β signaling, including synapse structure, neurotransmission, plasticity, and neuroinflammation. Such knowledge promises to inform us of ideal entry points for the targeted modulation of dysfunctional cellular processes in an effort to abrogate ALS pathologies. It is likely that different interventions are required, either at discrete points in disease progression, or across multiple dysfunctional processes which together lead to motor neuron degeneration and death. We discuss the challenging, but intriguing idea that modulation of the pleiotropic nature of BMP/TGF-β signaling could be advantageous, as a way to simultaneously treat defects in more than one cell process across different forms of ALS.     

补骨脂酚通过MAPK途径诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的研究

目的:研究补骨脂酚对人肝癌细胞凋亡的影响及其作用机制。方法:应用噻唑蓝法（MTT法）和倒置显微镜技术考察补骨脂酚对HepG2细胞生长的影响；采用荧光显微镜观察补骨脂酚处理后细胞凋亡；利用蛋白免疫印迹法检测补骨脂酚对HepG2细胞中凋亡相关蛋白及MAPK家族蛋白表达的影响；引入MAPK家族蛋白抑制剂考察生长抑制率和凋亡相关蛋白表达的变化。结果:补骨脂酚可以剂量依赖性地抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞增殖，其生长抑制作用明显强于临床上常用的抗肿瘤药5-氟尿嘧啶，并且补骨脂酚对人正常肝L02细胞具有较低的毒性。进一步研究发现，补骨脂酚可以诱导HepG2细胞发生凋亡。此外，MAPK家族参与到补骨脂酚诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡过程中，补骨脂酚可以剂量依赖性激活JNK的表达发挥促凋亡的作用，同时抑制了ERK促存活通路，然而对p38无明显影响。结论:本研究首次阐明了补骨脂酚诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞生长抑制作用机制，为进一步的临床应用提供了理论依据。     

BRCA1-associated protein induced proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells through MAPK pathway

BRCA1-associated protein (BRAP) was first found to bind to the nuclear localization signal motifs of BRCA1. In this study, we investigated the role of BRAP in gastric cancer. The cancer genome atlas(TCGA) data were obtained from UALCAN. We downregulated and upregulated the level of BRAP in gastric cancer cells by transfection with shRNAs and plasmids. Then, we evaluated the expression of BRAP by qRT-PCR and investigated the expression of important proteins by Western blot analysis. We conducted a microarray analysis to identify the function of BRAP in gastric cancer cells. Then, we investigated the effect of BRAP on proliferation and migration by CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, wound healing assays and an extreme limiting dilution analysis. The analysis of TCGA data showed that BRAP was significantly overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues compared to that in normal gastric mucosal tissues (P < 0.001). A hybridization-based microarray assay was used to analyze MGC-803 cells and BRAP-downregulated MGC-803 cells. We found 22,199 protein-coding RNAs that were differentially expressed. The genes in the two groups were analyzed with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, and both the focal adhesion and MAPK pathways were significantly enriched. The results of Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) assays, colony formation assays, wound healing assays and the extreme limiting dilution analysis showed that the knockdown of BRAP reduced gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration and inhibited the process of epithelial-mesenehymal transition (EMT). The overexpression of BRAP induced gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and the process of EMT. To verify the function of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, we performed a Western blot analysis. The results showed that the downregulation of BRAP decreased the levels of p-ERK and p-Raf1, thereby decreasing the activity of the MAPK signaling pathway. The use of Honokiol increased the levels of p-ERK and p-Raf1, rescuing the function of BRAP downregulation in the MAPK pathway. Xenograft tumor transplantation experiments in nude mice further confirmed the role of BRAP in gastric cancer progression and metastasis.     

Excess salt intake promotes M1 microglia polarization via a p38/MAPK/AR-dependent pathway after cerebral ischemia in mice

A high salt diet (HSD) is among the most important risk factors for many diseases. One mechanism by which HSD aggravates cerebral ischemic injury is independent of blood pressure changes. The direct role of HSD in inflammation after cerebral ischemia is unclear. In this research, after twenty-one days of being fed a high salt diet, permanent focal ischemia was induced in mice via operation. At 12 h and 1, 3 and 5 days postischemia, the effects of HSD on the lesion volume, microglia polarization, aldose reductase (AR) expression, and inflammatory processes were analyzed. We report that in mice, surplus dietary salt promotes inflammation and increases the activation of classical lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia/macrophages (M1). This effect depends on the expression of the AR protein in activated microglia after permanent middle cerebral artery ligation (pMCAL) in HSD mice. The administration of either the AR inhibitor Epalrestat or a p38-neutralizing antibody blocked the polarization of microglia and alleviated stroke injury.In conclusion, HSD promotes polarization in pro-inflammatory M1 microglia by upregulating the expression of the AR protein via p38/MAPK, thereby exacerbating the development of ischemia stroke.     

化浊清解愈溃煎对溃疡性结肠炎大鼠p38MAPK、TNF-α、IL-4的影响

目的观察化浊清解愈溃煎对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)大鼠血清及结肠组织p38MAPK、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)含量的影响。方法清洁级Wistar雄性大鼠50只按随机数字表法分为两组,空白组8只,其余大鼠均为造模组。采用TNBS/乙醇联合造模法构建UC大鼠模型。造模成功后按照随机数字表法将模型大鼠分为模型组、西药组(予美沙拉嗪肠溶片混悬液0.42 g/kg)及中药高、中、低剂量组。中药高、中、低剂量组予化浊清解愈溃煎中药混悬液,剂量分别为22、11、5.5 g/(kg·d),每日灌胃1次,疗程14 d。采用免疫组化法检测各组大鼠结肠组织内p38MAPK的蛋白表达量。ELISA法检测各组大鼠血清内TNF-α、IL-4含量。结果与空白组比较,模型组一般情况较差,血清中TNF-α含量显著升高(P<0.05),IL-4含量则明显降低(P<0.05),结肠组织中p38MAPK水平明显升高(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,西药组、中药各剂量组大鼠一般生存状况改善明显,血清中TNF-α含量下降,IL-4含量明显升高,尤以中药高剂量组和西药组疗效显著(P<0.05)。结论化浊清解愈溃煎高、中剂量可改善UC大鼠一般生存状况,并通过调节血清中IL-4含量,下调TNF-α表达水平和结肠组织中p38MAPK蛋白表达水平而达到保护结肠黏膜和治疗UC的作用。     

基于p38 MAPK信号通路探讨苍膝通痹胶囊对KOA大鼠关节软骨的保护作用

目的:观察苍膝通痹胶囊治疗膝骨关节炎(KOA)模型大鼠的疗效及相关作用机制。方法:将60只4周龄SPF级健康雄性SD大鼠,随机分为空白组,模型组,二甲基亚砜(DMSO)组,苍膝通痹胶囊组,SB203580组以及苍膝通痹胶囊联合SB203580组,每组10只。除正常组外,其余各组采用改良Hulth法建立KOA模型,造模成功后,苍膝通痹胶囊组每日给予0.25 g·kg~(-1)苍膝通痹胶囊溶液灌胃,SB203580组每日给予0.015 g·kg~(-1)的SB203580溶液灌胃,苍膝通痹胶囊联合SB203580组组每日给予含0.015 g·kg~(-1)SB203580及0.25 g·kg~(-1)苍膝通痹胶囊的混合溶液灌胃,DMSO组给予1%DMSO溶液灌胃,模型组和空白组给予生理盐水灌胃,用药干预4周后处死、取材。苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察软骨组织形态学改变,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)检测外周血上清液中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β),肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)表达水平,实时荧光定量PCR(Real-tine PCR)及蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测软骨组织中p38 MAPK信号通路中相关因子p38,p-p38,基质金属蛋白酶-13(MMP-13),Ⅱ型胶原蛋白(CollagenⅡ)mRNA及蛋白的表达水平,免疫组化法检测p-p38的定位表达。结果:与正常组比较,模型组关节软骨中p38,p-p38,MMP-13表达水平显著上调(P0.01),CollagenⅡ表达水平显著下调(P0.01),血清IL-1β,TNF-α表达水平显著上调(P0.01);与模型组比较,苍膝通痹胶囊组,SB203580组以及苍膝通痹胶囊联合SB203580组关节软骨中p38,p-p38,MMP-13表达水平显著下调(P0.01),CollagenⅡ表达水平显著上调(P0.01),血清IL-1β,TNF-α表达水平显著下调(P0.01)。结论:苍膝通痹胶囊可有效保护KOA大鼠软骨组织,其机制可能与靶向阻断p38 MAPK信号通路有关。     

IGF-1R pathway activation as putative biomarker for linsitinib therapy to revert tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer

Preclinical studies indicate that activated IGF-1R can drive endocrine resistance in ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, but its clinical relevance is unknown. We studied the effect of IGF-1R signaling on tamoxifen benefit in patients and we searched for approaches to overcome IGF-1R-mediated tamoxifen failure in cell lines. Primary tumor blocks from postmenopausal ER+ breast cancer patients randomized between adjuvant tamoxifen versus nil were recollected. Immunohistochemistry for IGF-1R, p-IGF-1R/InsR, p-ERα(Ser118), p-ERα(Ser167) and PI3K/MAPK pathway proteins was performed. Multivariate Cox models were employed to assess tamoxifen efficacy. The association between p-IGF-1R/InsR and PI3K/MAPK pathway activation in MCF-7 and T47D cells was analyzed with Western blots. Cell proliferation experiments were performed under various growth-stimulating and -inhibiting conditions. Patients with ER+, IGF-1R-positive breast cancer without p-IGF-1R/InsR staining (n = 242) had tamoxifen benefit (HR 0.41, p = 0.0038), while the results for p-IGF-1R/InsR-positive patients (n = 125) were not significant (HR 0.95, p = 0.3). High p-ERα(Ser118) or p-ERα(Ser167) expression was associated with less tamoxifen benefit. In MCF-7 cells, IGF-1R stimulation increased phosphorylation of PI3K/MAPK proteins and ERα(Ser167) regardless of IGF-1R overexpression. This could be abrogated by the dual IGF-1R/InsR inhibitor linsitinib, but not by the IGF-IR-selective antibody 1H7. In MCF-7 and T47D cells, stimulation of the IGF-1R/InsR pathway resulted in cell proliferation regardless of tamoxifen. Abrogation of cell growth was regained by addition of linsitinib. In conclusion, p-IGF-1R/InsR positivity in ER+ breast cancer is associated with reduced benefit from adjuvant tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients. In cell lines, stimulation rather than overexpression of IGF-1R is driving tamoxifen resistance to be abrogated by linsitinib.     

PTPN6通过抑制SP1/p38 MAPK信号通路促进前列腺癌细胞的化疗敏感性

目的:研究PTPN6对前列腺癌细胞PC3的作用及其作用机制。方法:RT-PCR和Western blot实验检测前列腺癌组织和细胞以及癌旁组织和人前列腺上皮细胞中PTPN6的表达量；CCK-8和EDU染色实验检测PTPN6对前列腺癌细胞PC3增殖的影响；Western blot实验检测耐药相关蛋白P-gp和MRP-1的蛋白表达水平。结果:RT-PCR和Western blot结果显示，PTPN6在前列腺癌组织和细胞中的表达量显著低于癌旁组织和人前列腺上皮细胞中的表达量；过表达PTPN6显著抑制前列腺癌PC3细胞的增殖，并降低PC3细胞的耐药性；进一步的研究结果表明PTPN6可通过抑制SP1，并抑制p38 MAPK通路抑制PC3细胞的增殖和耐药。结论:PTPN6能够抑制前列腺癌细胞PC3的增殖和耐药，提高其化疗敏感性，作用机制是通过调控SP1/p38 MAPK信号通路来实现的，这一结果能够为临床上前列腺癌的诊断和治疗提供分子基础。