siRNA干扰 BMI-1 基因对膀胱癌EJ细胞增殖的调控作用及其机制

目的: 对比观察膀胱癌EJ细胞及人膀胱移行上皮细胞中 BMI-1 基因及下游 p16^INK4a、p14^ARF 基因的mRNA及蛋白表达水平,探讨siRNA干扰 BMI-1 基因后对EJ细胞增殖的影响及其调控机制。方法: 细胞免疫荧光观察BMI-1、p16^INK4a和p14^ARF蛋白在EJ细胞中表达情况及定位。Real-time RT-PCR检测EJ细胞及膀胱正常移行上皮细胞中3种基因的表达水平,Western blotting检测蛋白水平。构建干扰 BMI-1 基因siRNA,通过脂质体转染导入EJ细胞中,设立空白对照和阴性干扰对照组,检测 BMI-1 及下游 p16、p14 基因表达水平及蛋白表达水平的变化;以CCK-8检测细胞生长观察siRNA干扰 BMI-1 表达对EJ细胞增殖的抑制作用;用流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡的改变。结果: BMI-1mRNA及蛋白水平在EJ细胞表达高于膀胱移行上皮细胞,而p16^INK4a和p14^ARFmRNA及蛋白在EJ细胞表达水平稍低于膀胱移行上皮细胞。siRNA干扰 BMI-1 后可以上调EJ细胞中其下游p16和p14 mRNA及蛋白水平,使EJ细胞增殖能力下降,细胞凋亡增多。结论: siRNA干扰 BMI-1 基因表达对EJ细胞的体外生长具有明显的抑制作用,其作用机制与上调其下游 p16^INK4a、p14^ARF 基因的表达有关。     

转铁蛋白结合镱跨膜转运及镱对U-87MG细胞增殖的影响

目的:研究转铁蛋白/转铁蛋白受体转运系统对转铁蛋白结合镱(Yb₂Tf)跨膜转运进入神经胶质瘤U-87MG细胞,以及转铁蛋白结合镱和非转铁蛋白结合镱对U-87MG细胞增殖的影响。方法:细胞培养及ICP-MS镱测定法。结果:随Yb₂Tf浓度增加,细胞镱摄入量增加。当浓度达2μmol/L时,细胞摄取镱基本达到饱和状态。细胞摄入镱量也随镱:apoTf摩尔比增大而增加,当摩尔比达到1.5时,摄入量达到最高水平。0.4μmol/LYb₂Tf可显著抑制U-87MG细胞增殖,而Yb³⁺浓度高达10μmol对细胞增殖仅有轻微影响。结论:转铁蛋白/转铁蛋白受体介导的膜转运可能是镱跨越U-87MG细胞的机制之一。转铁蛋白结合Yb³⁺可以有效地抑制U-87MG细胞的增殖。     

BCL-6在经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤细胞株L428和过表达CD99的L428中的表达差异及其意义

目的: 探究BCL-6在经典型霍奇金淋巴瘤(classical Hodgkin's lymphoma,cHL)细胞株L428和过表达CD99的L428(L428-CD99⁺)中的表达差异及其意义。方法: 应用免疫细胞化学和免疫荧光共聚焦检测BCL-6和CD99在cHL细胞株L428和L428-CD99⁺中的表达;运用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting检测细胞株L428和L428-CD99⁺中BCL-6和CD99的表达水平;MTT实验检测L428和L428-CD99⁺细胞增殖能力的差异;流式细胞术检测L428和L428-CD99⁺细胞的凋亡差异。结果: 免疫细胞化学和免疫荧光共聚焦显示CD99在L428细胞中为阴性表达,在L428-CD99⁺细胞中为阳性表达,并定位于细胞膜;BCL-6在L428细胞为阴性表达,在L428-CD99⁺细胞株中为阳性表达,并定位于细胞核。Western blotting显示CD99和BCL-6在L428细胞为阴性表达,在L428-CD99⁺细胞为阳性表达。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,与L428细胞相比,CD99和BCL-6 mRNA在L428-CD99⁺细胞中的表达量增高(P<0.01)。MTT显示L428细胞增殖能力强于L428-CD99⁺细胞(P<0.01);流式细胞术显示L428-CD99⁺细胞凋亡较L428细胞增多(P<0.01)。结论: 过表达CD99诱发BCL-6表达增高,可导致L428细胞增殖能力下降及凋亡增加。     

洛伐他汀对NB4细胞ras基因p21Ras膜结合作用影响的体外试验

目的:探讨洛伐他汀(LOV)对人白血病NB4细胞的作用及其机制。方法:以MTT比色法首先观察LOV对NB4细胞增殖的影响;利用逆转录-聚合酶链反应半定量测定LOV作用于NB4细胞不同时间H-ras、K-ras、N-ras癌基因mRNA表达水平;同时采用流式细胞术测定NB4细胞p21^Ras总蛋白、膜蛋白的表达。结果:①LOV抑制NB4细胞增殖,IC50为12.59μmol/L。②NB4细胞H、K、N-ras基因表达均为阳性。③LOV处理不同时间的NB4细胞H、K、N-ras基因转录水平无明显变化;p21^Ras总蛋白水平也无变化,而细胞膜表面p21^Ras蛋白水平随时间进行性下降。结论:LOV抑制NB4细胞增殖。LOV靶向HMG-CoA还原酶,抑制p21^Ras蛋白异戊二烯化、阻滞p21^Ras蛋白与细胞膜结合;不影响ras癌基因以及p21^Ras总蛋白的表达。     

盐霉素抑制耐格列卫的人慢性粒细胞白血病细胞株K562/Glv增殖并诱导其凋亡

目的: 探讨盐霉素对耐格列卫的人慢性粒细胞白血病细胞株K562/Glv抑制增殖和诱导凋亡的作用及其机制。方法: 采用CCK-8的方法检测盐霉素对K562/Glv细胞生长的抑制作用;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡、活性氧、细胞内Ca²⁺浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)和线粒体膜电位(ΔΨ_m);比色法检测caspase-3、-8和-9活性;Western blotting 分析细胞色素C、Bcl-2、Bax、β-catenin和磷酸化低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白6(p-LRP6)蛋白水平。结果: 盐霉素对K562/Glv细胞生长具有剂量依赖性抑制作用,0.2 μmol/L时细胞增殖抑制率为(36.70±2.31)%,细胞凋亡率为(19.66±2.43)%;0.2 μmol/L盐霉素作用于K562/Glv细胞,ΔΨ_m显著下降,24 h时下降至对照组的(19.8±2.4)%,细胞内活性氧和[Ca²⁺]_i在短期显著升高。Caspase-3、-8和-9活性均显著增加,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。Bcl-2 的表达下调,Bax 的表达明显增加,Bcl-2/Bax 比值显著降低。同时,盐霉素也减少K562/Glv细胞内β-catenin和p-LRP6蛋白水平。结论: 盐霉素不仅通过Bcl-2/Bax途径和线粒体凋亡途径诱导耐格列卫人慢性粒细胞白血病细胞K562/Glv的凋亡,而且通过抑制Wnt信号途径抑制K562/Glv细胞增殖。     

慢病毒介导沉默P75神经营养因子受体联合神经生长因子过表达促进大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖

文题释义：P75神经营养因子受体(P75 Neurotrophin receptor,P75^NTR)：属于一种Ⅰ型糖蛋白,在非神经系统组织及多种肿瘤细胞中表达。p75^NTR与Trk受体通过不同的信号传递对细胞增殖与凋亡发挥着双重的生物效应。神经生长因子：在神经生长因子信号通路中,p75^NTR可以与神经生长因子相结合,引起神经酰胺的释放而激活JNK通路来调节细胞的增殖和凋亡。  摘要背景：P75神经营养因子受体(P75 Neurotrophin receptor,P75^NTR)是神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)的受体之一。在各种细胞组织中发挥着促进增殖或凋亡的双重作用,且P75^NTR在骨折不愈合处存在高表达,而过量的NGF可关闭P75^NTR受体,从而挽救受损的细胞。因此研究沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达共转染对骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响,可为临床治疗骨折不愈合提供新思路。目的：观察慢病毒介导沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达共转染对SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响。方法：体外培养至第3代SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分为空白对照组、阴性对照组、沉默p75^NTR组、NGF过表达组、沉默p75^NTR联合NGF过表达组。将慢病毒介导沉默P75^NTR、过表达NGF转染至大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,倒置荧光学显微镜观察慢病毒转染第3天细胞形态变化,流式细胞仪检测转染效率及Western blot方法检测P75^NTR和NGF的表达,最后用MTT法和CCK-8法检测各组细胞增殖活性。结果与结论：①共转染慢病毒后的细胞生长、分布良好;双基因慢病毒载体的转染效率已超过70%;②与空白对照组和阴性对照组比较,沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达组P75^NTR蛋白表达明显下调,NGF蛋白表达明显增加;③与空白对照组与阴性对照组相比,沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达组、沉默P75^NTR组、NGF过表达组细胞增殖明显加快,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),其中沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达组增殖最快;④结果显示：沉默P75^NTR联合NGF过表达共转染可促进SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖。ORCID: 0000-0003-3826-7213(王宁) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

顺铂和阿霉素诱导肝细胞肝癌细胞凋亡阈值研究

目的:了解抗癌药物顺铂(CDDP)、阿霉素(ADM)诱导肝细胞肝癌 (HCC)的细胞凋亡阈值。方法:采用肿瘤细胞原代培养技术、活细胞萤光染色法和流式细胞仪定量分析。结果:顺铂或阿霉素与细胞共同培养后,荧光显微镜下见正常细胞核呈弥散均匀荧光,凋亡细胞核内颗粒状荧光。随抗癌药物(ADM、CDDP)剂量的增加,诱导人肝癌细胞的细胞凋亡率也增加,但以ADM 1.0μg/mL和2.0μg/mL及CDDP 1.5μg/mL和3.0μg/mL作用明显。ADM 2.0 μg/mL可导致HCC细胞凋亡75%,CDDP 3.0μg/mL 可致HCC细胞凋亡75%。25例未经治疗的HCC细胞和Hep G-2细胞的ADM、CDDP敏感性检测表明,ADM的凋亡阈值为1.0μg/mL,CDDP的凋亡阈值为1.5μg/mL。临床凋亡敏感剂量分别为ADM 20 mg/m²,CDDP 30mg/m² 。结论:本文获得的ADM和CDDP诱导HCC细胞凋亡的临床阈值对临床肿瘤化疗有一定的指导意义。     

亚硒酸钠对子宫内膜癌细胞增殖能力的影响

目的: 研究亚硒酸钠(Na₂SeO₃)对子宫内膜癌细胞增殖能力的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法: 用Na₂SeO₃作用于子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞和HEC-1A细胞,MTT法检测细胞增殖能力,流式细胞法测定Na₂SeO₃作用后细胞周期的变化及凋亡情况,Western blotting检测周期蛋白cyclin A的表达。结果: Na₂SeO₃对子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞和HEC-1A细胞的增殖均有抑制作用,抑制率在一定浓度范围内与Na₂SeO₃浓度呈正相关,对Ishikawa细胞作用48 h的IC₅₀为3.26 μmol/L,对HEC-1A细胞作用48 h的IC₅₀为4.77 μmol/L。Na₂SeO₃作用后两种细胞G₀/G₁期减少,S期细胞增多,G₂/M期细胞有所增加。作用48 h后两种细胞凋亡率增加。Na₂SeO₃使子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞和HEC-1A细胞的cyclin A表达增加。结论: 亚硒酸钠对子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞和HEC-1A细胞增殖有抑制作用,其作用机制与上调cyclin A表达,引起细胞周期阻滞和诱导凋亡有关。     

siRNA沉默p75神经营养因子受体逆转胶质瘤恶性表型

目的 利用小干扰RNA(siRNA)技术沉默与胶质瘤细胞凋亡和侵袭密切相关的p75神经营养因子受体(p75NTR)基因,观察其逆转胶质瘤恶性表型的治疗效果.方法 设计靶向p75NTR基因的siRNA片段,脂质体转染人U251胶质瘤细胞系,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫细胞化学方法 检测p75NTR的mRNA和蛋白表达;Transwell细胞侵袭实验检测U251细胞的侵袭力;软琼脂集落形成实验检测细胞集落形成能力;建立裸鼠颅内U251胶质瘤荷瘤模型,原位重复注射siRNA-p75NTR/脂质体复合物3次,MRI检测颅内瘤体积,免疫细胞化学SP法检测p75NTR、神经生长因子(NGF)和细胞周期蛋白(cyclin)D2表达,用TUNEL法做移植瘤细胞原位细胞凋亡检测.结果 转染siRNA基因片段的U251细胞p75NTR mRNA和蛋白质表达水平显著下降(P<0.05),细胞侵袭能力及软琼脂集落形成能力均显著降低(P<0.05);体内实验显示p75NTR的表达程度与NGF的表达呈正相关,与cyclin D2表达及原位细胞凋亡数量呈负相关,MRI示瘤体积增长缓慢,边界轮廓清晰,动物生存期明显延长(P<0.05).结论 靶向p75NTR的siRNA技术可有效降低胶质瘤细胞的侵袭及增殖能力,诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.     

siRNA沉默p75神经营养因子受体逆转胶质瘤恶性表型

目的 利用小干扰RNA(siRNA)技术沉默与胶质瘤细胞凋亡和侵袭密切相关的p75神经营养因子受体(p75NTR)基因,观察其逆转胶质瘤恶性表型的治疗效果.方法 设计靶向p75NTR基因的siRNA片段,脂质体转染人U251胶质瘤细胞系,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫细胞化学方法 检测p75NTR的mRNA和蛋白表达;Transwell细胞侵袭实验检测U251细胞的侵袭力;软琼脂集落形成实验检测细胞集落形成能力;建立裸鼠颅内U251胶质瘤荷瘤模型,原位重复注射siRNA-p75NTR/脂质体复合物3次,MRI检测颅内瘤体积,免疫细胞化学SP法检测p75NTR、神经生长因子(NGF)和细胞周期蛋白(cyclin)D2表达,用TUNEL法做移植瘤细胞原位细胞凋亡检测.结果 转染siRNA基因片段的U251细胞p75NTR mRNA和蛋白质表达水平显著下降(P<0.05),细胞侵袭能力及软琼脂集落形成能力均显著降低(P<0.05);体内实验显示p75NTR的表达程度与NGF的表达呈正相关,与cyclin D2表达及原位细胞凋亡数量呈负相关,MRI示瘤体积增长缓慢,边界轮廓清晰,动物生存期明显延长(P<0.05).结论 靶向p75NTR的siRNA技术可有效降低胶质瘤细胞的侵袭及增殖能力,诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.     

Nerve growth factor survival signaling in cultured hippocampal neurons is mediated through TrkA and requires the common neurotrophin receptor P75

The role of the common neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) in neuronal survival and cell death remains controversial. On the one hand, p75NTR provides a positive modulatory influence on nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling through the high affinity neurotrophin receptor TrkA, and hence increases NGF survival signaling. However, p75NTR may also signal independently of TrkA, causing cell death or cell survival, depending on the cell type and stage of development. Here we demonstrate that TrkA is expressed in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons and is activated by NGF within 10 min of exposure. In primary hippocampal cultures neuroprotection by NGF against glutamate toxicity was mediated by NF-kappaB and accompanied by an increased expression of neuroprotective NF-kappaB target genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. In mouse hippocampal cells lacking p75NTR (p75NTR-/-) activation of TrkA by NGF was not detectable. Moreover, neuroprotection by NGF against glutamate toxicity was abolished in p75NTR-/- neurons, and the expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xl was markedly reduced as compared to wildtype cells. NGF increased TrkA phosphorylation in hippocampal neurons and provided protection that required phosphoinositol-3-phosphate (PI3)-kinase activity and Akt phosphorylation, whereas the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), extracellular-regulated kinases (Erk) 1/2, were not involved. P75NTR signaling independent of TrkA, such as increased neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase) activity causing enhanced levels of ceramide, were not detected after exposure of hippocampal neurons to NGF. Interestingly, inhibition of sphingosine-kinase blocked the neuroprotective effect of NGF, suggesting that sphingosine-1-phosphate was also involved in NGF-mediated survival in our cultured hippocampal neurons. Overall, our results indicate an essential role for p75NTR in supporting NGF-triggered TrkA signaling pathways mediating neuronal survival in hippocampal neurons.     

p75 Neurotrophin Receptor-Mediated Signaling Promotes Human Hair Follicle Regression (Catagen)

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its apoptosis-promoting low-affinity receptor (p75NTR) regulate murine hair cycling. However, it is unknown whether human hair growth is also controlled through p75NTR, its high-affinity ligand pro-NGF, and/or the growth-promoting high-affinity NGF receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA). In microdissected human scalp anagen hair bulbs, mRNA for NGF, pro-NGF, p75NTR, and TrkA was transcribed. Immunohistomorphometry and in situ hybridization detected strong NGF and pro-NGF expression in terminally differentiating inner root sheath keratinocytes, whereas TrkA was co-expressed with p75NTR in basal and suprabasal outer root sheath keratinocytes. During spontaneous catagen development of organ-cultured human anagen hair follicles, p75NTR mRNA levels rose, and p75NTR and pro-NGF immunoreactivity increased dramatically in involuting compartments primarily devoid of TrkA expression. Here, TUNEL(+) apoptotic cells showed prominent p75NTR expression. Joint pro-NGF/NGF administration inhibited hair shaft elongation and accelerated catagen development in culture, which was antagonized by co-administration of p75NTR-blocking antibodies. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta2 increased early during spontaneous catagen development, and its neutralization blocked pro-NGF/NGF-dependent hair growth inhibition. Our findings suggest that pro-NGF/NGF interacts with transforming growth factor-beta2 and p75NTR to terminate anagen in human hair follicles, implying that p75NTR blockade may alleviate hair growth disorders characterized by excessive catagen development.     

P162对食管癌细胞株Eca109的放射增敏作用及其对p75NTR表达的影响

 目的：研究靶向Ras-GTP酶激活蛋白SH3功能区结合蛋白(G3BP)的新药P162对人食管癌细胞株Eca109的放射增敏作用及其对p75神经营养因子受体(p75NTR)表达的影响。方法：CCK-8法检测P162对食管癌细胞株Eca109增殖抑制的影响;集落形成实验检测P162对Eca109细胞的放射增敏效应,单击多靶模型拟合细胞存活曲线并计算放射增敏比;倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学改变;流式细胞术检测p75NTR的表达。结果：P162对食管癌细胞株Eca109有增殖抑制作用,且呈时间和剂量依赖性,2.5、5.0、10 μmol/L P162对Eca109细胞的放射增敏比分别为1.54、2.35和2.33。随着照射剂量的增加,食管癌细胞中p75NTR的表达增加,经5 μmol/L P162处理的实验组中p75NTR的表达明显低于未经处理的对照组。结论：P162对Eca109细胞有放射增敏作用,并且能抑制食管癌干细胞p75NTR的表达。P162的增敏作用可能与抑制食管癌干细胞有关。     

Transforming growth factor-β induces nerve growth factor expression in pancreatic stellate cells by activation of the ALK-5 pathway

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a survival factor for neurons enforces pain by sensitizing nociceptors. Also in the pancreas, NGF was associated with pain and it can stimulate the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) respond to NGF with apoptosis.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, one of the strongest pro-fibrogenic activators of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) induced NGF and its two receptors in an immortalized human cell line (ihPSC) and primary rat PSC (prPSC) as determined by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. In contrast to HSC, PSC expressed both NGF receptors, although p75^NTR expression was weak in prPSC. In contrast to ihPSC TGF-β activated both Smad signaling cascades in prPSC. NGF secretion was diminished by the activin-like kinase (ALK)-5 inhibitor SB431542, indicating the predominant role of ALK5 in activating the NGF system in PSC. While NGF did not affect proliferation or survival of PSC it induced expression of Inhibitor of Differentiation-1.

We conclude that under conditions of upregulated TGF-β, like fibrosis, NGF levels will also increase in PSC which might contribute to pancreatic wound healing responses.     

siRNA沉默p75神经营养因子受体逆转胶质瘤恶性表型

目的 利用小干扰RNA(siRNA)技术沉默与胶质瘤细胞凋亡和侵袭密切相关的p75神经营养因子受体(p75NTR)基因,观察其逆转胶质瘤恶性表型的治疗效果.方法 设计靶向p75NTR基因的siRNA片段,脂质体转染人U251胶质瘤细胞系,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫细胞化学方法 检测p75NTR的mRNA和蛋白表达;Transwell细胞侵袭实验检测U251细胞的侵袭力;软琼脂集落形成实验检测细胞集落形成能力;建立裸鼠颅内U251胶质瘤荷瘤模型,原位重复注射siRNA-p75NTR/脂质体复合物3次,MRI检测颅内瘤体积,免疫细胞化学SP法检测p75NTR、神经生长因子(NGF)和细胞周期蛋白(cyclin)D2表达,用TUNEL法做移植瘤细胞原位细胞凋亡检测.结果 转染siRNA基因片段的U251细胞p75NTR mRNA和蛋白质表达水平显著下降(P<0.05),细胞侵袭能力及软琼脂集落形成能力均显著降低(P<0.05);体内实验显示p75NTR的表达程度与NGF的表达呈正相关,与cyclin D2表达及原位细胞凋亡数量呈负相关,MRI示瘤体积增长缓慢,边界轮廓清晰,动物生存期明显延长(P<0.05).结论 靶向p75NTR的siRNA技术可有效降低胶质瘤细胞的侵袭及增殖能力,诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.     

TLR4 signaling induces functional nerve growth factor receptor p75NTR on mouse dendritic cells via p38MAPK and NF-kappa B pathways

Many neuropeptides that are produced by immune cells have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of immunological disorders. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors are found to be widely expressed in the immune system and regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NGF contributes to pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases remain to be fully understood. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent initiator for inflammatory and immune responses upon recognization and activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). In this study, we demonstrated that stimulation with TLR ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not lipoteichoic acid (LTA), Poly (I:C) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), could significantly induce expression of NGF and NGF receptor p75(NTR) on mouse bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) in vitro in dose- and time-dependent manners. The expression of NGF and NGF receptor p75(NTR) also increased on splenic DCs isolated from the mice injected with LPS in vivo. However, there was no such effect on DCs derived from TLR4-deficient mice, indicating the LPS-induced upregulation of NGF and p75(NTR) was TLR4 pathway-dependent. Furthermore, LPS-induced upregulation of NGF and p75(NTR) could be inhibited by p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and NF-kappaB inhibitor PDTC, suggesting TLR4-triggered activation of p38MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways are responsible for the process. Interestingly, NGF could markedly promote LPS-pretreated BMDCs to secret IL-12p40 and TNF-alpha, which could be abolished by pretreatment with p75(NTR) antagonist or the specific small interference RNA duplex targeting p75(NTR) (p75-siRNA), suggesting the inducible p75(NTR) is critical for the TLR4-initiated inflammatory effect of NGF on BMDCs. Thus, TLR4 signaling can induce expression of NGF and p75 (NTR) on DCs via activation of p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways, suggesting that NGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.     

Infusion of nerve growth factor (NGF) into kitten visual cortex increases immunoreactivity for NGF, NGF receptors, and choline acetyltransferase in basal forebrain without affecting ocular dominance plasticity or column development.

Intracerebroventricular or intracortical administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to block or attenuate visual cortical plasticity in the rat. In cats and ferrets, the effects of exogenous NGF on development and plasticity of visual cortex have been reported to be small or nonexistent. To determine whether locally delivered NGF affects ocular dominance column formation or the plasticity produced by monocular deprivation in cats at the height of the critical period, we infused recombinant human NGF into the primary visual cortex of kittens using an implanted cannula minipump. NGF had no effect on the normal developmental segregation of geniculocortical afferents into ocular dominance columns as determined both physiologically and anatomically. The plasticity of binocular visual cortical responses induced by monocular deprivation was also normal in regions of immunohistochemically detectable NGF infusion, as measured using intrinsic signal optical imaging and single-unit electrophysiology. Immunohistochemical analysis of the basal forebrain regions of the same animals demonstrated that the NGF infused into cortex was biologically active, producing an increase in the number of NGF-, TrkA-, p75(NTR)-, and choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons in basal forebrain nuclei in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the NGF minipump compared to the contralateral basal forebrain neurons.We conclude that NGF delivered locally to axon terminals of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons resulted in increases in protein expression at the cell body through retrograde signaling.