Low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) induced cell death in PC12 cells through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) but not via extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)

Nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive gaseous molecule, has been previously reported to induce apoptosis-like cell death even at a low concentration in PC12 cells. In this study, we examined NO-induced activation of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, i.e., p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK). Following the exposure of PC12 cells to an NO donor, (+)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexenamide (NOR3; 100 muM), the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK increased time dependently from 2 to 6 h, but that of both ERK1/2 and JNK did not. Treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 partially blocked the NOR3-induced cell death. Neither PD98059, U0126 (inhibitors of ERK1/2) nor SP600125 (a specific inhibitor of JNK) treatments had any significant effect on the NOR3-induced cell death. These findings suggest that the activation of a p38 MAPK pathway, but not that of ERK1/2 or JNK, plays an essential role in the apoptosis-like cell death induced by low concentrations of NO.     

尿酸诱导树突状细胞成熟的信号转导机制研究

目的: 观察树突状细胞(DCs)成熟过程中MAPKs和NF-κB信号分子表达情况,探讨尿酸刺激DCs成熟的分子机制。方法: 用尿酸体外刺激大鼠未成熟 DCs,在不同时点(0~45 min),免疫印迹方法检测p- p38、p-ERK1/2、p-JNK和NF-κB p65表达情况;以MAPKs和NF-κB信号分子抑制剂分别联合尿酸刺激DCs 48 h后,用流式细胞术检测表面分子CD83、CD86、IA/IE的表达;ELISA法测定IL-12 p70的水平。结果: (1)尿酸刺激后15 min,DCs p- p38、p-ERK1/2、p-JNK和NF-κB p65表达量明显增加,30 min时达到最大值;使用相应信号分子抑制剂后,相关蛋白表达均不能测出。(2)经p38、JNK、NF-κB p65等信号通路抑制剂预处理后,与单独尿酸刺激相比,DCs CD83、CD86、IA/IE等表面分子表达及IL-12 p70分泌水平均出现下降(P＜0.05或P<0.01),ERK1/2抑制剂预处理者,则出现表达上升(P＜0.05)。结论: 尿酸可以调节DCs p38、ERK1/2、JNK、 NF-κB等信号分子的活化,从而促进DCs表面分子表达及IL-12 p70分泌。这可能为尿酸能诱导DCs成熟及提高免疫功能的分子机制之一。     

Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase on lipopolysaccharide induced maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a pivotal role in the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. Immature DCs obtained from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes by culture with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) differentiate into mature DCs upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At least three families of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), that is, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 MAPK, are involved in the DC maturation process. We report investigations of the role of JNK in the maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs. SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK, inhibited the LPS-induced up-regulation of CD80, CD83, CD86 and CD54, but augmented the up-regulation of HLA-DR. SP600125 slightly inhibited the down-regulation of FITC-dextran uptake during DC maturation. However, SP600125 did not affect the LPS induced up-regulation of allostimulatory capacity of DCs. SP600125 inhibited the release of IL-12 p70 and TNF-alpha from mature DCs. Although autologous T cells primed by the ovalbumin (OVA)-pulsed mature DCs produced IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, OVA-pulsed SP600125-treated mature DCs could initiate IL-4 production from autologous T cells. In contrast, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, profoundly inhibited the phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs, while an ERK inhibitor, PD98059, had little or no effect. Taken together, the JNK signaling pathway appears to have a role that is distinct from the p38 MAPK and ERK cascades in the maturation process of DCs, and may be involved in the augmentation of Th2-prone T cell responses when it is suppressed.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha up-regulates the expression of CCL2 and adhesion molecules of human proximal tubular epithelial cells through MAPK signaling pathways

Both circulating and urinary tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels have been shown to increase in inflammatory chronic kidney diseases and TNF-alpha can induce secretion of other inflammatory mediators from many cell types. Chemokine, mononuclear chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2/MCP-1), and cell surface adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) are important for promoting recruitment and adhesion of infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes to inflamed renal tissue. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha on the expression of these inflammation-related molecules of human PTEC and the underlying intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) regulatory signaling mechanisms. Cytokine expression profile of TNF-alpha-activated PTEC was assayed by protein array. The concentration of CCL2 was analyzed by ELISA, while the expression of cell surface ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and intracellular phosphorylated p38 MAPK, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was assessed using flow cytometry. TNF-alpha could significantly induce CCL2, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression of PTEC. Selective inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB203580), JNK (SP600125) and ERK (PD98059) could suppress TNF-alpha-induced CCL2 and ICAM-1 expression, while only p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors could suppress TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression. JNK inhibitor was found to up-regulate VCAM-1 expression but did not elicit any additive effect with TNF-alpha on VCAM-1 expression. Moreover, p38 MAPK inhibitor was found to abrogate the TNF-alpha-induced ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that there was a one-way interaction between p38 MAPK and ERK pathways during the TNF-alpha activation. TNF-alpha can play a crucial role in the immunopathogenesis of nephritis by the induction of CCL2, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression via the activation of the intracellular MAPK signaling pathway, which may contribute to macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration.     

Ethanol-induced oxidative stress is mediated by p38 MAPK pathway in mouse hippocampal cells

It has been known that ethanol causes neuronal cell death through oxidative stress. Ethanol itself and reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by ethanol modulate intracellular signaling pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. This study was conducted to examine the impact of ethanol on MAPK signaling in HT22 cells. Ethanol (100 and 400 mM) caused activation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. ERK activation occurred in early time and p38 MAPK activation was evident when ERK activation was diminished. Specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580) protected HT22 cells against ethanol, which was accompanied by an inhibition of ROS accumulation. However, inhibitors of ERK (U0126) and JNK (SP600125) had no effects on ethanol-induced neuronal cell death when they are treated with ethanol for 24 h. These results suggest that p38 MAPK may have important roles in ROS accumulation during ethanol-induced oxidative stress in HT22 cells.     

细胞外信号调节激酶在TPPB促进PC12产生可溶性淀粉样前体蛋白中的作用

目的：观察在蛋白激酶C(PKC)激动剂TPPB促进可溶性淀粉样前体蛋白(sAPPα)释放过程中参与的信号转导通路。方法:以1 μmol/L的TPPB作用于PC12细胞3 h，同时加入信号转导通路的抑制剂，Western印迹法检测上清液内sAPPα的含量和细胞外信号调节激酶(p42/44MAPK)及磷酸化的p42/44MAPK的表达。结果:1 μmol/L的TPPB作用于PC12细胞3 h可以显著增加上清液内sAPPα的含量，细胞外信号调节激酶抑制剂U0126、c-Jun氨基末端激酶抑制剂SP600125和蛋白酪氨酸激酶抑制剂genistein可以部分消除此作用；而p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580对sAPPα的含量无显著影响。1 μmol/L的TPPB可以使磷酸化的p42/44MAPK表达增加，而对总的p42/44MAPK无显著影响。结论:细胞外信号调节激酶、c-Jun氨基末端激酶和蛋白酪氨酸激酶可能参与TPPB促进sAPPα生成的过程。     

p38 MAPK- Pim-3通路可能介导预处理对抗心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤

目的： 研究MAPK通路在原癌基因Pim-3抗心肌急性缺氧复氧损伤中的作用。方法：采用原代培养新生大鼠的心肌细胞,随机分为4组：正常对照组（control）、缺氧复氧组(A/R)、缺氧预适应组(APC+A/R)、阻断剂组。在缺氧预处理前分别用终浓度为10 μmol/L SB203850(p38 MAPK阻断剂)、U0126（ERK1/2阻断剂）、SP600125（SAPK/JNK阻断剂）与细胞孵育30 min。实验结束后测定MAPKs通路中ERK1/2、JNK、p38 MAPK 磷酸化蛋白表达水平及Pim-3蛋白的表达水平,同时检测培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH) 活性、四唑盐（MTT）比色试验测定细胞存活率、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。结果： SB203850、U0126、SP600125能分别取消由APC或A/R所诱导ERK1/2、JNK、p38 MAPK的磷酸化水平的升高;由APC所诱导的Pim-3表达的升高在p38 MAPK通路被阻断后明显下调(P<0.01),并且心肌细胞LDH值升高,细胞存活率则下降,心肌细胞的凋亡指数升高。结论： p38 MAPK的激活可上调原癌基因Pim-3的表达,从而可能对心肌细胞起到保护作用。     

Specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI3-K pathways impair immune responses by hemocytes of trematode intermediate host snails

To characterize molecular mechanisms regulating snail cellular immune responses, the contributions of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) were examined in hemocytes of the trematode intermediate host snails Biomphalaria glabrata and Lymnaea stagnalis. Simultaneous measurement of phagocytosis/encapsulation and H2O2 production by hemocytes in the presence or absence of specific signal transduction inhibitors was used to assess the role of extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38, JNK and PI3-K. Hemocyte spreading was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the ERK inhibitor, PD098059, and by wortmannin, a potent PI3-K inhibitor. The JNK inhibitor, SP600125, and the p38 kinase inhibitor, SB203580, had no effect on hemocyte spreading. Sheep red blood cell phagocytosis was significantly impaired by PD098059, SP600125, and SB203580. Hydrogen peroxide production during phagocytosis was severely inhibited by PD098059. Additionally, PD098059, but not the other inhibitors, significantly impaired the cellular encapsulation of trematode larvae and H2O2 production during encapsulation. These results suggest that MAPK and PI3-K signal transduction pathways play a pivotal role in the immune responses of snail hemocytes. PI3-K and ERK appear to strongly regulate cell motility. ERK, JNK and p38 contribute to phagocytosis-mediated signal transduction. ERK also play a major role in oxidative burst activation and the encapsulation of trematode larvae by snail hemocytes.     

The specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 targets tumour necrosis factor-alpha production and epithelial cell apoptosis in acute murine colitis

Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) are activated in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently it has been demonstrated that p38MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibition using SB203580 is effective in reducing disease in both dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced murine colitides, underscoring the importance of this pathway in gastrointestinal inflammation. However, the contribution of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in intestinal inflammation is unknown. Based on the known involvement of JNK in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression and in mediating the effects of oxidant stress, we hypothesized that JNK inhibition would also affect colitis. Our studies in mice with DSS-induced colitis treated with the JNK inhibitor SP600125, indicate that there is a significant reduction in wasting as well as a significant reduction in histological damage scores. Both total colonic and mesenteric lymphocyte CD3/CD28-stimulated TNF-alpha levels were dramatically reduced under the same circumstances. This was associated with a reduction in JNK protein expression and activity, as well as a reduction in AP-1 DNA binding with SP600125. Interestingly, there were no apparent changes in either p38MAPK or p42/44ERKs. Immunofluorescence of the colon for the active form of JNK revealed a prominent signal arising from the infiltrating inflammatory cells. SP600125 reduced this as well as, specifically, macrophage infiltration. Strikingly, we also demonstrate reduced epithelial cell apoptosis in response to treatment with SP600125. We conclude that specific inhibition of JNK is beneficial in the DSS model of colitis, and may be of value in human IBD.     

Close association of p38 and JNK with plasminogen-dependent upregulation of PAI-1 in rat astrocytes in vitro

As reported previously, stimulation of astrocytes with plasminogen (PLGn) remarkably enhances their production/release of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). In addition, both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) are activated in these astrocytes. However, it remains to be determined whether the MAPK activation is associated with the PAI-1 induction in PLGn-stimulated astrocytes. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between MAPK activity and PAI-1 induction in PLGn-stimulated astrocytes. PLGn stimulation led to definitive phosphorylation of three MAPKs: external signal regulated kinase (ERK), JNK and p38. These results suggest that all of these MAPKs, either alone or in combination, are involved in PAI-1 induction. To verify this association, an inhibition experiment was carried out by using inhibitors specific for each MAPK. The results of the immunoblotting analysis indicated that 20 μM SB203580 (the p38 inhibitor) or SP600125 (the JNK inhibitor) suppressed approximately 85% or 40% of PLGn-inducible PAI-1, respectively. Only 20% inhibition was achieved by pretreatment of astrocytes with 20 μM PD98059 (the inhibitor of MEK1/2, an upstream kinase of ERK). In conclusion, p38 and JNK were shown to be the major MAPKs involved in the signaling cascade leading to PAI-1 induction in astrocytes stimulated with PLGn.     

Secreted beta-amyloid precursor protein activates microglia via JNK and p38-MAPK

Reactive microglia are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are localized to the senile plaques that are associated with cognitive decline. The beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) is over-expressed in the dystrophic neurites near such plaques, and secreted forms of betaAPP (sAPPalpha) activate inflammatory responses in microglia. To characterize the mechanisms by which sAPPalpha activates microglia, we assayed its effects on MAP kinases, including c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK), and p38-MAPK. sAPPalpha was found to rapidly activate JNKs, ERKs and p38-MAPK in a dose-dependent manner. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 independently reduced both nitrite accumulation and induction of inflammatory nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). By contrast, inhibition of the ERK pathway with U0126 did not appreciably affect either outcome measure. These findings suggest that sAPP activates the ERK, JNK and p38 classes of MAP kinases but that only JNK and p38-MAPK are critical for activation of microglia by sAPPalpha, a process that compromises neuronal function and survival.     

柚皮苷在促大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞骨向分化过程中对MAPK信号通路的影响

目的: 研究中药单体柚皮苷(NG)对体外培养的大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)向成骨细胞分化过程中MAPK信号通路的影响。方法: 观察在正常、加入p38、ERK和JNK通路抑制剂SB203580、PD98059、SP600125及3种抑制剂全部加入的情况下,各组碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、骨钙素(BGP)、I型胶原(Col I)等骨向分化指标的差异。用Western blotting技术检测各组p38、ERK1/2和JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平,用荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞因子转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁)、骨形成蛋白2(BMP-2)和核心结合因子α1(Cbfα1) mRNA的表达。结果: (1)10^-7mol/L为本实验中NG的最佳促骨向分化浓度。(2) NG最佳浓度组的ALP和BGP含量比其它各组都高(P<0.05),Col I含量无明显差异(P>0.05);与NG组相比,加入不同抑制剂组的ALP、BGP和ColⅠ表达量出现不同程度的降低。(3)与空白组相比,NG组JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平升高(P<0.05),p38蛋白的磷酸化水平降低(P<0.01),ERK1/2蛋白的磷酸化水平无明显差异(P>0.05)。与NG组相比,加入不同抑制剂组的p38、ERK1/2和JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平有升高也有降低。(4) NG组上调BMP-2的表达(P<0.05),下调Cbfα1的表达(P<0.05),而对TGF-β₁的表达无明显影响(P>0.05)。与NG组相比,加入不同抑制剂组的TGF-β₁、BMP-2和Cbfα1 mRNA表达量出现不同程度的降低。结论: NG主要通过激活MAPK信号通路中ERK通路、JNK通路以及上调BMP-2的表达,促进MSCs的骨向分化。NG上调BMP-2的表达受MAPK通路中p38通路的影响较大。     

TLR4/MAPKs信号通路在ox-LDL诱导的血管平滑肌细胞分泌MCP-1中的作用

目的:探讨Toll样受体4/丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(TLR4/MAPKs)信号通路在氧化性低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的血管平滑肌细胞分泌单核细胞趋化因子-1(MCP-1)中的作用。方法:在ox-LDL刺激下采用逆转录聚合酶链技术(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血管平滑肌细胞MCP-1的表达,用Western blotting检测细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)、p38促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)磷酸化水平的变化。同时,分别应用TLR4中和抗体(TLR4单克隆抗体、TLR4阻断剂)、PD98059(ERK1/2特异性抑制剂)、SB23015(p38MAPK特异性抑制剂)、SP600125(JNK特异性抑制剂),观察其对ox-LDL诱导的MCP-1的表达和ERK1/2、p38MAPK磷酸化水平的影响。结果:ox-LDL刺激血管平滑肌细胞上调MCP-1mRNA和其蛋白的表达(P0.05);用TLR4中和抗体、PD98059、SB23015预孵育后MCP-1mRNA和其蛋白的表达较单独ox-LDL刺激情况下降低(P0.05),而用SP600125预孵育后降低不明显(P0.05);TLR4调节了ERK1/2和p38MAPKs的磷酸化水平。结论:ox-LDL是TLR4的内源性配体;ox-LDL通过或部分通过TLR4/ERK1/2和TLR4/p38MAPK信号通路介导血管平滑肌细胞MCP-1的表达。     

Place preference induced by nucleus accumbens amphetamine is impaired by antagonists of ERK or p38 MAP kinases in rats

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a role in conditioned place preference (CPP). The authors tested the hypothesis that inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) would inhibit NAc-amphetamine-produced CPP. Results confirmed that NAc amphetamine increased levels of the MAPK extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In CPP studies, NAc injections (0.5 microl per side) of the ERK inhibitor PD98059 (1.0-2.5 microg) or the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (15-500 ng) dose dependently impaired CPP. The c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 (1.0-2.5 microg) failed to block the CPP effect. The drugs did not block amphetamine-induced motor activity. Results suggest that ERK and p38, but not JNK, MAPKs may be necessary for the establishment of NAc amphetamine-produced CPP and may also mediate other forms of reward-related learning dependent on NAc.     

Involvement of p38MAPK and reactive oxygen species in icariin-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells in vitro

We previously reported that treatment of icariin could significantly induce cardiomyocyte differentiation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro. In the present study, the exact activity initiated by icariin was further confirmed and the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated. We found that cardiomyocyte differentiation was efficiently stimulated only if icariin was administrated between days 5 and 8 in differentiation course, which indicated with elevated percentage of embryoid bodies (EB) and with beating areas and up- regulated expression of alpha-actinin and troponin T. Exposure of icariin triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of EBs in 3 h, which was abolished in the presence of either NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI or antioxidant Trolox. Meanwhile, expression of NOX4, a membrane combined enzyme responsible for ROS generation, was promoted by icariin in a dose-dependent manner. Although p38MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were spontaneously activated in early differentiation, only the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was enhanced and prolonged when icariin was present, whereas both ERK and JNK showed no response to icariin treatment. Moreover, the inducible effect of icariin was blunted by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38MAPK. On the contrary, neither UO126 nor SP600125, the specific inhibitor of ERK and JNK, could abolish icariin-stimulated differentiation. Nuclear location of MEF2C, which played a critical role in cardiomyocyte differentiation and could be activated by p38MAPK, was stimulated after icariin exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that ROS generation and the subsequent activation of p38MAPK are essential for the inducible function of icariin on cardiomyocyte differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells in vitro.     

Interleukin-25-induced chemokines and interleukin-6 release from eosinophils is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and nuclear factor-kappaB

Interleukin (IL)-25, a novel Th2 cytokine, is capable of amplifying allergic inflammation. We investigated the modulation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways in IL-25-activated eosinophils, the principal effector cells of allergic inflammation, for the in vitro release of chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Gene expression of chemokines and IL-6 was evaluated by RT-PCR, and concentrations of chemokines and cytokine were measured by cytokine protein array, cytometric bead array, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-kappaB, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK activities in eosinophils were assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot. IL-25 was found to upregulate the gene expression of chemokines MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and IL-8, and cytokine IL-6, in eosinophils, and to significantly increase the release of the above chemokines and IL-6 from eosinophils. IL-25 could also activate the JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB activities of eosinophils, while inhibitor of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation (BAY11-7082), JNK (SP600125), and p38 MAPK (SB203580) could suppress the release of IL-8, MIP-1alpha, MCP-1, and IL-6. Together, the above results showed that the induction of MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, IL-8, and IL-6 in IL-25-activated eosinophils are regulated by JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB pathways.     

MAPKs在anti-β2GPI/β2GPI刺激THP-1细胞表达TF过程中的作用探讨

目的:探讨丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(Mitogen-activated protein kinases,MAPKs)在anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物诱导单核细胞株THP-1表达组织因子(TF)中的活化及其作用。方法:利用荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)、TF活性试剂盒等分别检测anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物诱导THP-1细胞表达TF mRNA及TF活性,Western blot检测细胞表达p38、磷酸化-p38(p-p38)、ERK1/2、磷酸化-ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2)、JNK、磷酸化-JNK(p-JNK)的情况。进一步采用p38、ERK1/2、JNK抑制剂(SB203580、U0126、SP600125)观察是否能阻断anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物诱导THP-1细胞表达TF。结果:Anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物(100μg/ml)能够显著增强THP-1细胞表达TF,并使p-p38、p-ERK1/2、p-JNK水平显著升高(P<0.05 vs control);其引发的MAPKs磷酸化具有时间效应性,均在刺激30分钟时达到高峰;对应的特异抑制剂SB203580(10μmol/L)、U0126(5μmol/L)、SP600125(90 nmol/L)单独或合并处理THP-1细胞后,anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物诱导细胞TF mRNA表达及TF活性的效应明显被阻断(P<0.01 vs control)。结论:Anti-β2 GPI/β2 GPI复合物诱导THP-1细胞表达TF过程中,MAPKs被激活进而发挥重要作用。     

Effects of KGF on alveolar epithelial cell transdifferentiation are mediated by JNK signaling

Rat alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in primary culture transdifferentiate from a type II (AT2) toward a type I (AT1) cell-like phenotype, a process that can be both prevented and reversed by keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Microarray analysis revealed that these effects of KGF are associated with up-regulation of key molecules in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. To further explore the role of three key MAPK (i.e., extracellular signal-related kinase [ERK] 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK] and p38) in mediating effects of KGF on AEC phenotype, primary rat AEC cultivated in minimal defined serum-free medium (MDSF) were treated with KGF (10 ng/ml) from Day 4 for intervals up to 48 hours. Exposure to KGF activated all three MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2, and p38. Inhibition of JNK, but not of ERK1/2 or p38, abrogated the ability of KGF to maintain the AT2 cell phenotype, as evidenced by loss of expression of lamellar membrane protein (p180) and increased reactivity with the AT1 cell-specific monoclonal antibody VIIIB2 by Day 6 in culture. Overexpression of JNKK2, upstream kinase of JNK, increased activation of endogenous c-Jun in association with increased expression of p180 and abrogation of AQP5, suggesting that activation of c-Jun promotes retention of the AT2 cell phenotype. These results indicate that retention of the AT2 cell phenotype by KGF involves c-Jun and suggest that activation of c-Jun kinase may be an important determinant of maintenance of AT2 cell phenotype.     

The p38 MAPK and JNK Pathways Protect Host Cells against Clostridium perfringens Beta-Toxin

Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin is an important agent of necrotic enteritis and enterotoxemia. Beta-toxin is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) that causes cytotoxicity. Two mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK]-like) provide cellular defense against various stresses. To investigate the role of the MAPK pathways in the toxic effect of beta-toxin, we examined cytotoxicity in five cell lines. Beta-toxin induced cytotoxicity in cells in the following order: THP-1 = U937 > HL-60 > BALL-1 = MOLT-4. In THP-1 cells, beta-toxin formed oligomers on lipid rafts in membranes and induced the efflux of K⁺ from THP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK occurred in response to an attack by beta-toxin. p38 MAPK (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125) inhibitors enhanced toxin-induced cell death. Incubation in K⁺-free medium intensified p38 MAPK activation and cell death induced by the toxin, while incubation in K⁺-high medium prevented those effects. While streptolysin O (SLO) reportedly activates p38 MAPK via reactive oxygen species (ROS), we showed that this pathway did not play a major role in p38 phosphorylation in beta-toxin-treated cells. Therefore, we propose that beta-toxin induces activation of the MAPK pathway to promote host cell survival.