Evidence for JNK-dependent up-regulation of proteoglycan synthesis and for activation of JNK1 following cyclical mechanical stimulation in a human chondrocyte culture model

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in human chondrocytes, to investigate whether selective activation of MAPKs is involved in up-regulation of proteoglycan (PG) synthesis following cyclical mechanical stimulation (MS), and to examine whether MS is associated with integrin-dependent or independent activation of MAPKs. METHODS: The C-28/I2 and C-20/A4 human chondrocyte cell lines were mechanically stimulated in monolayer cell culture. PG synthesis was assessed by [(35)S]-sulphate incorporation in the presence and absence of the p38 inhibitor SB203580, and the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD98059. Kinase expression and activation were assessed by Western blotting using phosphorylation status-dependent and independent antibodies, and by kinase assays. The Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 and the anti-beta(1) integrin (CD29) function-blocking antibody were used to assess JNK activation and integrin dependence, respectively. RESULTS: Increased PG synthesis following 3 h of cyclic MS was abolished by pretreatment with 10 microM SB203580, but was not affected by 50 microM PD98059. The kinases p38, ERK1/ERK2 and JNKs were expressed in both stimulated and unstimulated cells. Phosphorylated p38 was detected at various time points following 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h MS in C-28/I2, but not detected in C-20/A4 cell lines. Phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2 was not significantly affected by MS. Phosphorylation of the 54 and 46 kDa JNKs increased following 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h of MS, and following CO(2) deprivation. MS-induced JNK phosphorylation was inhibited by SB203580 at concentrations > or =5 microM and activation of JNK1 following MS was blocked by SP600125 and partially inhibited by anti-CD29. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest JNK, rather than p38 or ERK dependent increases in PG synthesis, and selective, partially integrin-dependent, activation of JNK kinases in human chondrocyte cell lines following cyclical MS. JNK activation is also very sensitive to changes in CO(2)/pH in this chondrocyte culture model.     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶类和蛋白激酶C在转化生长因子β1诱导肾小管细胞结缔组织生长因子表达中的作用

目的了解转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）诱导肾小管细胞结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）表达的机制，特别是蛋白激酶C（PKC）和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）在CTGF基因表达中的作用及其对Smad磷酸化的影响。方法分别应用PKC抑制剂G06850以及MAPK的3个组成成分ERK、JNK和p38MAPK的抑制剂PD98059、U0126、SP600125和SB203580阻断相应通路，观察其对TGF．131诱导的CTGF表达以及Smad2／Smad3磷酸化的影响。结果TGF-β1（5μg／L）以时间依赖方式诱导HK-2细胞中Smad2／Smad3的磷酸化，从基础值0．87±0．09上升至2h时高峰2．350±0.11。PKC抑制剂G06850（5μmol／L）和ERK抑制剂PD98059（10μmol／L）、U0126（10μmol／L）可部分抑制TGF-β1诱导的CTGF表达，而p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580（20μmol／L）和JNK抑制剂SP600125（10μmol／L）对TGF-β1诱导的CTGF的表达无影响。PKC抑制剂G06850（5μmol／L）可减少TGF-β1诱导的Smad2／Smad3磷酸化，而ERK抑制剂PD98059（10μmol／L）和U0126（10μmol／L）对Smad2／Smad3的磷酸化没有影响。结论在肾小管上皮细胞中，TGF-β1诱导CTGF的表达需要PKC和Ras／MEK／ERK的参与。PKC以Smad依赖的方式参与肾小管上皮细胞中TGF-β1诱导的CTGF的表达，而Ras／MEK／ERK对CTGF表达的调节不依赖于Smads。     

c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor ��B mediate nitric oxide-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) induced by nitric oxide (NO). Human chondrocytes (HCs) were stimulated with a NO donor (MAHMA-NONOate), then mitogen-activated protein kinases’ (MAPKs) and nuclear factor κB’ (NF-κB) activations and MMP-13′ expression were assayed by Western blot analysis. Additionally, the intracellular signalling of NO was investigated using the inhibitors of MAPKs and NF-κB. NO-induced MMP-13 expression was not suppressed by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (PD98059) or inhibitors of p38 kinase (SB203580), but was inhibited by a c-jun terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) and inhibitors of NF-κB (SN-50). Additionally, SP600125 treatment reduced NF-κB activation, but SN-50 treatment did not significantly affect JNK activation. These results suggest that NO induces MMP-13 expression by JNK and NF-κB activation in HCs.     

Secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 after mechanical trauma injury in rat cortical cultures and involvement of MAP kinase

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in the pathophysiology of brain injury. We recently showed that knockout mice deficient in MMP-9 expression were protected against traumatic brain injury. However, the cellular sources of MMP activity after trauma remain to be fully defined. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that resident brain cells secrete MMP after mechanical trauma injury in vitro, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathways are involved in this response. Rat primary cortical neurons, astrocytes, and co-cultures were subjected to needle scratch mechanical injury, and levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in conditioned media were assayed by zymography. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased in cortical astrocytes and co-cultures, whereas only MMP-2 was increased in neurons. Western blots showed that phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 were rapidly upregulated in co-cultures after mechanical injury. No change in phosphorylated c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was observed. In-gel kinase assays confirmed this lack of response in the JNK pathway. Treatment with either 10 microM of U0126 (a MAP kinase/ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor) or 10 microM of SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) had no detectable effect on MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels after mechanical injury. However, combination treatment with both inhibitors significantly reduced secretion of MMP-9. Herein, we demonstrate that (1) resident brain cells secrete MMP after mechanical injury, (2) astrocytes are the main source of MMP-9 activity, and (3) ERK and p38 MAP kinases are upregulated after mechanical injury, and mediate the secretion of MMP-9.     

In vitro evidence for role of ERK, p38, and JNK in exocrine pancreatic cytokine production

Elucidation of mechanisms of acinar cell cytokine production is essential for a better understanding of acute pancreatitis pathogenesis. We hypothesize that the stress kinases ERK, p38, and JNK play an important role in acinar cell cytokine production. Rat pancreatic fragments were incubated with 100 nM concentration of the cholecystokinin analog caerulein or 100 nM caerulein and specific ERK inhibitor (100 μM PD98059), specific p38 inhibitor (10 μM SB203580), or specific JNK inhibitor (20 μM SP600125). After 3 hours of caerulein treatment, pancreatic fragments were homogenized and assayed for total and phosphorylated ERK, p38, and JNK, and for tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1β concentrations (ELISA). Pancreatic fragments stimulated with caerulein showed activation of ERK, p38, and JNK and increased cytokine concentrations (ANOVA, P<0.05). Specific stress kinase inhibitors significantly attenuated caerulein-induced activation of the corresponding stress kinase and cytokine production; however, the effect of the JNK inhibitor was comparatively less convincing. Increased activation of ERK, p38, and JNK in pancreatic fragments was not associated with significant increases in total ERK, total p38, or total JNK concentrations. The stress kinases ERK and p38 play an important role in caerulein-stimulated exocrine pancreatic overproduction of cytokines. The role of JNK needs further evaluation in this experimental model. This work was presented at the Forty-Seventh Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Los Angeles, CA, May 22, 2006. Dr. Samuel was supported for this research by an American College of Surgeons Faculty Research Fellowship (2003–2005) and a National Institutes of Health NIDDK Career Development Award (grant K08-DK062805).     

七氟烷诱导大鼠海马HO－1基因表达信号转导通路的研究

目的：探讨七氟烷诱导大鼠海马血红素氧合酶－1（NO－1）表达的信号转导通路。 方法：40只Wistar大鼠随机分为5组（n=8）：正常培养组（C组）、0．6MAC七氟烷组（s组）．0．6MAC七氟烷＋SB203580组（SB组）、0．6MAC七氟烷＋U-0126组（u组）、0．6MAC七氟烷＋SP600125（SP组）。C组大鼠正常喂养。S组大鼠吸入0．6MAC七氟烷60min后继续培养24h。SB组、U组和SP组在大鼠吸入0．6MAC七氟烷时分别腹腔注100mg／kg SB203580、100mg／kg U-0126或1mg／kg SP600125后同S组处理。检测大鼠海马组织中HO－1－mRNA和磷酸化ERK1／2（p^ERK1／2）、磷酸化P^38（PP^38）．磷酸化JNK（P^JNK）、磷酸化HO-1（P^HO-1）蛋白的表达。 结果：与C组比较，S组大鼠海马HO-1～mRNA的表达增加（P〈0．05），p^ERK1／2（P〈0．05），PP38（P〈0．05）和HO^-1（p〈0.05）蛋白表达增加。与S组比较，SB组大鼠海马HO^-1 -mRNA的表达减少（P〈0．05），PP^38（p〈0．05）和PHO^-1（P〈0．05）蛋白表达减少，P^ERK1／2（p〈0．05）和P^JNK（p〈0．05）蛋白表达变化不明显（P〉0．05）。与S组比较，U组大鼠海马HO^-1-mRNA的表达减少（p〈0．05），P^ERK1／2（P〈0．05）和PHO^-1（P〈-．05）蛋白表达减少．PP^38（p〉0．05）和P^JNK（p〉0．05）蛋白表达变化不明显。与S组比较，SP组大鼠海马HO^-1-mRNA的表达变化不明显（p〉0．05），p^JNK蛋白表达减少（P〈0．01）．P^ERK1／2（p〉0．05），PP^38（p〉0.05）和PHO^-1（P〉0．05）蛋白表达变化不明显。 结论：七氟烷通过^ERK1／2和P^38信号转导通路诱导大鼠海马HO－1－mRNA的表达。     

JNK对转化生长因子β1所致大鼠腹膜间皮细胞转分化的调控作用

目的 探讨c-Jun 氨基末端激酶(JNK)在转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)诱导大鼠腹膜间皮细胞（RPMC）转分化中的调控作用。 方法 采用腹腔注射胰蛋白酶法分离培养RPMC，取第2代腹腔间皮细胞用于实验研究。观察TGF-β1对α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、Ⅰ型胶原(ColⅠ)、E钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)以及磷酸化(p)JNK表达的影响；应用JNK特异性抑制剂SP600125预处理细胞后，观察其对TGF-β1所致上述作用的影响。RT-PCR法检测α-SMA、ColⅠ及E-cadherin mRNA表达；Western印迹法检测α-SMA、ColⅠ、E-cadherin及p-JNK蛋白表达；间接免疫荧光检测α-SMA在细胞内的表达和分布。 结果 TGF-β1刺激RPMC能导致α-SMA、ColⅠ蛋白表达上调，E-cadherin蛋白表达下调，呈时间依赖性。TGF-β1刺激RPMC 5 min出现p-JNK表达上调，10 min达高峰(P < 0.01)。SP600125能够抑制JNK的磷酸化(P < 0.05)，也能抑制TGF-β1诱导的α-SMA、ColⅠmRNA和蛋白的高表达以及E-cadherin表达的下调 (均P < 0.05)。间接免疫荧光结果显示，TGF-β1刺激RPMC 48 h，胞内α-SMA表达明显增多，SP600125能有效抑制其高表达。 结论 JNK在TGF-β1诱导大鼠腹膜间皮细胞转分化中具有重要的调控作用，JNK特异性抑制剂的应用可能为临床防治腹膜纤维化提供新的途径。     

c-Jun氨基末端激酶抑制剂减轻烫伤后胰岛素抵抗的实验研究

目的探讨c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)抑制剂SP600125对烫伤后胰岛素抵抗的作用及机制。方法24只SD大鼠以表格随机法分为假伤组、烫伤对照组和烫伤 SP600125组。将大鼠制成30％TBSAⅢ度烫伤模型(其中假伤组以常温模拟烫伤过程)。伤后第4天进行葡萄糖钳夹实验(烫伤 SP600125组在实验开始前2 h给予拮抗剂SP600125),检测肌肉组织胰岛素受体底物(IRS)1磷酸化丝氨酸307(Ser307)和酪氨酸的活性变化,并比较各组磷酸化JNK表达水平。结果(1)葡萄糖钳夹实验:假伤组、烫伤对照组和烫伤 SP600125组100 g／L葡萄糖输注率分别为(12．33±0．42)、(6．61±0．27)、(11．11±0．68)mg·kg-1·min-1,各组间比较,差异有统计学意义(P< 0．01)。(2)烫伤对照组与假伤组比较,肌肉组织IRS-1磷酸化Ser307和磷酸化JNK活性明显升高, IRS-1磷酸化酪氨酸活性明显降低(P<0．05)。烫伤 SP600125组与烫伤对照组比较,肌肉组织中IRS-1磷酸化Ser307和磷酸化JNK活性降低而IRS-1磷酸化酪氨酸活性增加。结论SP600125通过抑制JNK磷酸化而降低IRS-1磷酸化Ser307活性,可部分减轻烫伤后胰岛素抵抗发生。     

Effect of JNK inhibition on cisplatin-induced renal damage.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin therapy is effective against many tumours, however, the nephrotoxicity of this drug is a dose-limiting factor. Apoptosis and necrosis of tubular cells and inflammatory events contribute to the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin promotes increased production of reactive oxygen species, which can activate c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) that is a mediator of apoptosis and can lead to increased expression of proinflammatory mediators that could intensify the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin. In this study, we evaluated the effect that SP600125, a selective inhibitor of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), has on the renal damage caused by cisplatin use. METHODS: A total of 33 male Wistar rats received SP600125 (15 mg/kg/day, s.c., diluted in polyethylene glycol) for 4 days. At 24 h after the first dose, those 33 rats, plus an additional 30, were injected with cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, 18 control rats were injected with saline, and 12 rats with polyethylene glycol. At 2 and 5 days after saline or cisplatin injection, blood and urine samples were collected for measurement of creatinine, sodium and potassium, and the kidneys removed for histological, immunohistochemical and Western blot studies. RESULTS: Cisplatin-treated rats presented higher plasma creatinine, as well as greater immunostaining for ED1 (macrophages/monocytes), p-JNK, apoptotic cells, and tubular cell necrosis in the renal cortices and outer medullae. The increase of p-JNK expression was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. All of these alterations were attenuated by treatment with SP600125. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of SP600125 on cisplatin-induced renal damage seems to be related to the reduction in the apoptotic cell death and to the restriction of renal inflammation.     

Prostaglandin-dependent activation of ERK mediates cell proliferation induced by transforming growth factor beta in mouse osteoblastic cells

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF(beta)) is a major coupling factor for bone turnover and is known to stimulate osteoblastic proliferation. Recent information indicates that, in addition to the Smad pathway, TGF(beta) also activates MAP kinases in osteoblastic cells. The role of these signaling cascades in cell proliferation induced by TGF(beta) as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms of their activation by TGF(beta) has been investigated in this study. In MC3T3-E1 cells, TGF(beta) enhanced cell proliferation by about 2-fold and induced activation of the three MAP kinases, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Surprisingly, however, whereas activation of Smad2 was rapid and maximal after 15-min incubation, activation of MAP kinases was delayed with p38 stimulation detected after 1-h exposure and activation of ERK and JNK after 3 h, suggesting indirect activation of MAP kinases by TGF(beta). Among factors known to be released in response to TGF(beta) in osteoblastic cells and influence their growth, prostaglandins (PGs) were good candidates that were further investigated for mediating TGF(beta)-induced activation of MAP kinases and cell proliferation. Indomethacin, a selective inhibitor of PG synthesis, completely blunted cell proliferation induced by TGF(beta) and markedly reduced activation of MAP kinases without influencing Smad2 phosphorylation. EP4A, a specific PGE2 receptor antagonist, also blunted TGF(beta)-induced osteoblastic proliferation. In addition to these effects, PGE2 rapidly activated MAP kinases in MC3T3-E1 cells and increased cell proliferation by about 2-fold. The role of each MAP kinases in mediating TGF(beta)- and PGE2-induced cell proliferation was investigated using selective inhibitors. U0126, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, completely blocked both TGF(beta)- and PGE2-induced cell proliferation whereas SB203580 and SP600125, which are selective inhibitors of, respectively, p38 and JNK pathways, had no effect. Finally, the effect of PGE2 on activation of ERK was mimicked by phorbol esters and not by forskolin, and was associated with activation of protein kinase C. This latter effect and the stimulation of ERK induced by PGE2 were completely blocked by a specific inhibitor of PKC. In conclusion, data presented in this study strongly suggest that the local release of PGE2 is involved in cell proliferation induced by TGF(beta) in osteoblastic cells. This effect is mediated by the ERK pathway activated by a PKC-dependent mechanism.     

Modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell alignment by cyclic strain is dependent on reactive oxygen species and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to determine whether cyclic strain induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) alignment via the ROS system. We assessed stretch-induced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase activation and the redox sensitivity of cyclic strain-stimulated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. METHODS: SMCs were seeded on flexible collagen I-coated plates and exposed to cyclic strain. NAD(P)H oxidase activation was measured with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescent detection of superoxide. Activation of MAPK was detected by determining phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2), and p38 MAPK with immunoblotting. In other experiments, SMCs were exposed to diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an NAD(P)H inhibitor, 30 minutes before stretch. MAPK activation and cell orientation were then assessed. RESULTS: Cyclic strain elicits a rapid increase in intracellular NADH/NADPH oxidase in SMCs. There was also a rapid and robust phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 MAPK. Cyclic strain-induced intracellular NAD(P)H generation was almost completely blocked with DPI. DPI also inhibited the strain-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 MAPK. Both the p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, SB 202190, and DPI blocked cyclic strain-induced cell alignment, but PD98059, an ERK1/2-specific inhibitor, and SP600125, an anthrazolone inhibitor of JNK, did not. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that p38 MAPK is a critical component of the oxidant stress ROS-sensitive signaling pathway and plays a crucial role in vascular alignment induced by cyclic stain.     

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导通路在严重烧伤大鼠枯否细胞肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素1β产生中的作用

目的 探讨p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号转导通路在严重烧伤大鼠枯否细胞(KCs)促炎性细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)产生中的作用。方法 健康成年的雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分为：假烫组;假烫 SB203580组;烧伤对照组;烧伤 SB203580组,每组8只。假烫或烧伤24h后分离出肝脏KCs,培养18h后加入50ng／ml的LPS进行刺激,18h后取上清液,用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定TNF-α和IL-1β的含量,并收集KCs,实时逆转录聚合酶链反应检测KCs内TNF-α和IL-1β mRNA表达的改变,蛋白印迹(Western blot)法检测KCs中p38MAPK和JNK活性的变化。结果 烧伤大鼠分离出的KCs培养上清液中TNF-α和IL-1β含量、KCs中TNF-α和IL-1β mRNA的表达均较假烫组的明显增强,同时KCs中p38 MAPK活性和JNK活性升高,SB203580能显著抑制大鼠KCs上清液中TNF-α和IL-1β含量、KCs中TNF-α和IL-1β mRNA的表达和p38MAPK活性的升高,对JNK活性无影响。结论p38MAPK信号转导通路介导了严重烧伤大鼠KCs促炎性细胞因子TNF-α和IL-1β的产生。     

白蛋白诱导的肾小管细胞凋亡与丝裂素激活蛋白激酶信号通路

目的 探讨白蛋白诱导肾小管上皮细胞凋亡以及诱导凋亡的信号传导机制&#65377; 方法 将培养的大鼠肾小管细胞NRK-52E分别与不同浓度(10&#65380; 20&#65380; 30 mg/ml)的去脂无内毒素牛血清白蛋白(BSA)共同孵育6&#65380; 12&#65380; 18和24 h&#65377;透射电镜&#65380;共聚焦激光显微镜和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡&#65377;BSA 20 mg/ml刺激NRK-52E细胞15&#65380; 30&#65380; 60和120 min后, Westen印迹测定p38&#65380;氨基末端激酶(JNK)和细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)活性&#65377;将SB202190(20 μmol/L, p38抑制剂)&#65380;SP600125(10 μmol/L, JNK抑制剂)和PD98059(20 μmol/L, ERK抑制剂)分别与白蛋白和NRK-52E细胞共同孵育24 h后检测细胞凋亡&#65377;结果 白蛋白以时间和剂量依赖方式诱导肾小管细胞凋亡&#65377;白蛋白与NRK-52E细胞共孵育后,p38和JNK活性明显升高,ERK活性显著降低&#65377;SB202190和SP600125可分别抑制白蛋白诱导NRK-52E细胞凋亡,而PD98059促进白蛋白诱导的NRK-52E细胞凋亡&#65377;结论 白蛋白以时间和剂量依赖方式诱导肾小管细胞凋亡,而p38和JNK激活与ERK抑制介导了白蛋白诱导的肾小管细胞凋亡&#65377;