Effects of interleukin-18 on asthmatic airway inflammation and nuclear fa ctor kappa-B in murine models

Objective To investigate the effects of Interleukin-18 (IL-18) on asthmatic airway infla mmation and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in a murine asthmatic model. Methods BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups: group A(control group,n=10) ; group B (asthmatic model group, n=10); group C (IL-18 injection group, n=10) . The asthmatic model was established in group B and C by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) killed by ultraviolet light. Saline solution (0.1 ml) and IL-18 (0.1 ml, 1 μg) was injected in groups B and C at seven time points (1, 2, 7, 8 , 9, 21, 22 d). The symptoms and the numbers of eosinophils and plasmacytes in the airways were observed and the expression of NF-κB activation in the lung w as analyzed by Immohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Results The symtoms of group C were more severe than in groups A and B. Group A did no t have EOS and plasmacytes in the airway submucosal while the numbers of eosinop hils ［15±3 (average cell counts per microscopic visual field, the same below) ］ and plasmacytes (10±2) in group B were found to have increased significantly . But the numbers of eosinophils and plasmacytes in group C were decreased sig nificantly when compared with group B (6±2 and 2±1, respectively, both P<0 .05). ISH showed that the expression of NF-κB activation in group B was stro nger than that in groups A and C. The amount of NF-κB inhibitor (IκB) in gro up A and group C were 3.5 times and 2.5 times more than that of group B respec tively via Western blot. Conclusion IL-18 can inhibit asthmatic airway inflammation in mice and its mechamism may b e due to the fact that IL-18 can inhibit the activation of NF-κB in the murin e asthmatic model.     

Local immune regulatory effects of Bangdeyun on the endometrium of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction during the implantation time

This study examined the effects of Bangdeyun on the expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB （NF-κB）, interferon-gamma （IFN-y） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in the endometrium of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction （EID） during the implantation time （namely on pregnancy day 5, 6, 7 and 8） and explored the local immune regulatory effects of Bangdeyun. The gestational mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Bangdeyun-treated group. EID models of mice were established by using indomethacin. The endometrial expression of NF-κB was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. IFN-γ and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The results showed that in the normal group, NF-κB and IFN-γ were weakly expressed and IL-10 was strongly expressed in the endometrium during the whole implantation period. In the model group, the expressions of NF-κB and IFN-T were increased on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7, and IL-10 expression decreased during the whole implantation time when compared with those in the normal group （P〈0.01 for all）. In the Bangdeyun-treated group, little amount of NF-κB and IFN-γ was expressed and IL-10 expression was strong, much the way they were expressed in the normal group （P〉0.05）. The expressions of NF-κB and IFN-T were much lower in the Bangdeyun-treated group than those in the model group on pregnancy day 5, 6 and 7 （P〈0.01 for all）, while the expression of IL-10 was much higher than in the model group during the whole implantation time （P〈0.01）. It was suggested Bangderun may favor a shift from Thl- to Th2-type immune response, therefore inhibiting the maternal immune rejection, inducing the immune tolerance and improving the fetal implantation.     

Increased expression and activity of MMP-9 in C-reactive protein- induced human THP-1 mononuclear cells is related to activation of nuclear factor kappa-B

The relation between the expression and activity of MMP-9 in C-reactive protein （CRP）-induced human THP-1 mononuclear cells and the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） was studied to investigate the possible role of CRP in plaque destabilization. Human THP-1 cells were incubated in the presence of CRP at 0 （control group）, 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL （CRP groups） for 24 h. In PDTC （a specific NF-κB inhibitor） group, the cells were pre-treated with PDTC at 10 μmol/L and then with 100 μg/mL CRP. The conditioned media （CM） and human THP-1 cells in different groups were harvested. MMP-9 expression in CM and human THP-1 cells was measured by ELISA and Western blotting. MMP-9 activity was assessed by fluorogenic substrates. The expression of NF-κB inhibitor α （IκB-α） and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western blotting and ELISA respectively. The results showed that CRP increased the expression and activity of MMP-9 in a dose-dependent manner in the human THP-1 cells. Western blotting revealed that IiB-α expression was decreased in the cells with the concentrations of CRP and ELISA demonstrated that NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells was increased. After pre-treatment of the cells with PDTC at 10 μmol/L, the decrease in IκB-α expression and the increase in NF-κB p65 expression in the CRP-induced cells were inhibited, and the expression and activity of MMP-9 were lowered too. It is concluded that increased expression and activity of MMP-9 in CRP-induced human THP-1 cells may be associated with activation of NF-κB. Down-regulation of the expression and activity of MMP-9 may be a new treatment alternative for plaque stabilization by inhibiting the NF-κB activation.     

Expression of NF-κB in hRPE Cells Stimulated by PDTC and IL-1β

The constitutive expression of nuclear-factor-κB (NF-κB) in human pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells cultivated in vitro and the possible changes when incubated with PDTC and IL-I were investigated. The synchronized hRPE cells in vitro were divided into two groups. In nonPDTC group, hRPE cells were exposed respectively to IL-1β and NS (for detecting the constitutive expressions of NF-κB in hRPE cells) ; In PDTC group, PDTC-pretreated hRPE cells were exposed respectively to IL-1β?Aand NS. (for detecting the constitutive expression of NF-κB in PDTC-pretreated hRPE cells). The expression of NF-κB in hRPE cells in two groups was detected by immunofluorescence stain and flow cytometry. The results showed that the constitutive expression of NF-κB in hRPE cells in vitro was 8.05 %, and increased to 30.26 % by IL-1β. After PDTC pretreatment, the constitutive expression of NF-κB in hRPE cells was decreased to 3.74%, and 3.66 % by IL-l,respectively. It was concluded that the expressions of NF-κB in hRPE cells could be increased significantly by IL-1βand depressed effectively by PDTC. Also, PDTC could significantly inhibit the activation of NF-κB induced by IL-1β.     

Expression and Significance of NF-κB, IL-1β and COX-2 in the Murine Model of Estrogen-dependent Experimental Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Objective To investigate the possible role of estrogen in the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC). Methods Estrogen-dependent experimental murine model of C. albicans vaginal infection was established by injecting subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate and then 5×106 stationary-phase C. albicans blastoconidia was inoculated intravaginally to mice (group EI), and other 3 groups were set up: estrogen-treated but not infected (group E); estrogen-untreated but infected (group I); normal control (group C). The dynamic change of colony-forming unit (CFU) of cervivovaginal lavage fluid was observed. Vaginal tissues at different time points (d 2, d 4, d 7 and d 14) after inoculation of C. albicans were obtained. In situ hybridization staining was used to detect expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was examined by immuohistochemistry. ELISA was applied to determine the interlenkin-1β (IL-1β) level. Results The constitutional high level expression of COX-2 mRNA in the vaginal tissue of group E was significantly higher than that in group C on d 4 and d 7 (P<0.01), and the optical density (OD) in group EI was higher than that in the other 3 groups (P<0.05). There were higher IL-1a levels in vaginal tissues from d 4 to d 7 postin- oculation in group EI and group I than group C (P<0.01). Furthermore, IL-1β in group EI was markedly elevated on d 4 and d 7 compared with group I (P<0.01). Compared with group C, the expression of NF-κB in group E was increased obviously on d 4 (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between group EI and group Ion d 4 and d 7 (P<0.01). Conclusions In the murine model of estrogen-dependent experimental VVC, estrogen promotes the infection establishment by up-regulating expression of COX-2 via activating NF-κB signal pathway, and the high expression of COX-2 promoted by the interaction of IL-1β and NF-êB after infection formation was involved in persistence of infection.     

Activation of NF-κB and its regulation on IL-6 expression during LPS-induced liver injury

Objective： To explore the kinetics of the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） and its regulation of interleukin-6 （IL-6） expression during LPS induced liver injury. Methods： Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups in order to observe the does effect relationship at 3h： normal saline solution （control） group, low （1 mg/kg）, middle （5 mg/kg）, and high （10 mg/kg） LPS-induced groups; 6 groups in order to observe the time-effect relationship of 5 mg/kg LPS injection： normal saline solution （control） group, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 8 h groups ; pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC） intervened groups （3 h）： normal saline solution （control） group, 5 mg/kg LPS, 200 mg/kg PDTC, and 200 mg/kg PDTC＋5 mg/kg LPS groups. NF-κB activities of Kupffer cells were determined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA） and expression levels of IL-6 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results： Does-effect of NF-κB activities in Kupffer cells after LPS injection 3 h： NF-κB activation could be detected in 1 mg/kg LPS group, reached the highest level in 5 mg/kg LPS group, and persisted in 10 mg/kg LPS group; time-course after 5 mg/kg LPS injection： the DNA-binding activity was observable at 0.5 h after LPS injection, increased significantly at 3 h, and persisted for at least 8 h; in addition, antioxidant PDTC could inhibit the activation of NF-κB significantly. The kinetics of IL-6 level in liver tissues during LPS-induced liver injury were that IL-6 level after 3 h of injection increased first and then reduced; the same trend was observed in the time-course on IL-6 level after LPS injection; PDTC could significantly inhibit the release of IL-6. Correlation analyses revealed that IL-6 level was significantly and positively correlated with the activation of NF-κB. Conclusion ： NF-κB in Kupffer cells can be activitied during LPS-induced liver injury to some extent, and NF-κB may have some regulation on the expression of IL-6.     

The Role of NF-kB and I-kB in Intimal Proliferation Following Balloon Catheter-induced Injury in the Rat Carotid Artery

The aim of our study was to gain insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of post-angioplasty restenosis using balloon catheter-induced injury model in the rat carotid artery. SD rats were subjected balloon catheterization at one side carotid artery as study group and another side as control group. Six rats were killed on the 6 h, and 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th day after balloon-induced injury respectively. The intimal thickness and the expression of NF-κB and I-κB were detected by HE-staining, gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA） and Western-blot methods. The results showed that： （1） The thickening of intima was observed on the 3rd day after balloon-induced injury, and it became more significant on the 7th, 14th and 28th day. The area ratio of intima/media was increased significantly （P〈0.05）; （2） The expression of NF-κB was not detectable in the control group, however, in study group, the expression of NF-κB was detected on the 6th h after balloon-induced injury, reached the peak on the 14th day, and on 28th day, strong expression of NF-κB was observed; （3） The expression of I-κB protein was reduced after balloon-induced injury, and there were significant differences between the study group and the control group （P〈0.05）. It was concluded that the alteration of NF-κB/I-κB system might play an important role in aberrant proliferation within the intima and vascular remodeling following vascular injury. To block NF-κB activation and its role in arterial restenosis initiation may potentially provide a novel therapeutic tool for the treatment and prevention of arterial restenosis.     

Minocycline Attenuates Microglial Response and Reduces Neuronal Death after Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Mice

The possible role of minocycline in microglial activation and neuronal death after cardiac arrest(CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) in mice was investigated in this study. The mice were given potassium chloride to stop the heart beating for 8 min to achieve CA, and they were subsequently resuscitated with epinephrine and chest compressions. Forty adult C57BL/6 male mice were divided into 4 groups(n=10 each): sham-operated group, CA/CPR group, CA/CPR+minocycline group, and CA/CPR+vehicle group. Animals in the latter two groups were intraperitoneally injected with minocycline(50 mg/kg) or vehicle(normal saline) 30 min after recovery of spontaneous circulation(ROSC). Twenty-four h after CA/CPR, the brains were removed for histological evaluation of the hippocampus. Microglial activation was evaluated by detecting the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1(Iba1) by immunohistochemistry. Neuronal death was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that the neuronal death was aggravated, most microglia were activated and TNF-α levels were enhanced in the hippocampus CA1 region of mice subjected to CA/CPR as compared with those in the sham-operated group(P<0.05). Administration with minocycline 30 min after ROSC could significantly decrease the microglial response, TNF-α levels and neuronal death(P<0.05). It was concluded that early administration with minocycline has a strong therapeutic potential for CA/CPR-induced brain injury.     

Effects of Propofol on The mRNA Expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 in BV-2 Cells During Mimic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury In Vitro

This study investigated the effects of propofol on the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in BV-2 cells during mimic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in vitro. BV-2 cells, a mouse microglia line, were cultured and divided into 4 groups at random: control group (group C), ischemia/reperfusion group (group I/R), low-dose propofol (25 μmol/L) intervention group (group PF25) and high-dose propofol (100 μmol/L) intervention group (group PF100). The mRNA expression of TLR4 and NF-κB was measured by means of RT-PCR. TNF-α levels in the supernatants of BV-2 cells were detected by ELISA. The results showed that the mRNA expression of TLR4 and NF-κB was significantly higher in groups I/R, PF25 and PF100 than in group C (P<0.01). And the TNF-α level in the supernatants was elevated in groups I/R, PF25 and PF100 as compared with that in group C (P<0.01). After pre-treatment with propofol, the mRNA expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB and the TNF-α level were significantly decreased in groups PF25 and PF100 in comparison to those in group I/R (P<0.01). And the decrease in those indicators was more significant in group PF100 than in group PF25 (P<0.01). It was concluded that propofol exerted brain-protecting effects during I/R injury by suppressing the mRNA expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB and deceasing the TNF-α level.     

Expression of NF-κB in Schwann cells and its effect on motor neuron apoptosis in spinal cord following sciatic nerves injury in rats

Objective: To explore the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in Schwann cells (SCs) and its effect on motor neuron apoptosis in spinal cord following sciatic nerves injury in adult rats. Methods: Thirty-six adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into normal control group (n=6), and sciatic nerves crushing group (n=30). and the later was further equally randomized into 5 subgroups: 1. 3. 7. 11. and 21 d post-injury groups. The expression of NF-κB of normal and injured nerves were examined by immunohistochemistry staining, and the apoptosis of motor neurons in spinal cord of lumbar 4 to lumbar 6 (L4-L6) was investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNED assay. Both were quantitated by image analysis. Results: In crushing group, except 21 d post-injury group, the expression of NF-κB was markedly higher than that in the normal control group (P<0. 05,P<0. 01). At 1 d after sciatic nerves crushing, the expression of NF-κB was obviously up-regulated, reached peak at 3 d. and recovered at 21 d. The same trend was observed in the time-course on motor neuron apoptosis after sciatic nerves injury. Correlation analyses revealed that motor neuron apoptosis was significantly and positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB following sciatic nerves injury (r=0. 976 0,P<0. 01). Conclusion: After injury of sciatic nerves, the presence and up-regulation of NF-κB in SCs may be involved in motor neuron apoptosis in L4-L6 spinal cord.     

The Effects of PDTC plus Leflunomide and Cyclosporine on the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Mouse-to-rat Cardiac Xenografts

In this study, the effects of pirrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC） plus leflunomide （Lef） and cyclosporine （CsA） on the NF-κB signaling pathway in mouse-to-rat cardiac xeno-transplantation models were investigated. NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively. Mouse-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation was performed. The recipients were divided into 5 groups： group A （the control group）, group B （PDTC group）, group C （PDTC plus CsA group）, group D （PDTC plus Lef group） and group E （PDTC plus Lef and CsA group）. The expressions of IKKa/[3, NF-κB-P65, IκBct, ICAM-1 and NF-κB DNA binding activity in xenograft tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot as well as electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA）. The median survival time of cardiac xenografts in the control group, PDTC group, PDTC plus CsA group, PDTC plus Lef group and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was （2.17±0.41）, （2.33±0.52）, （4.67±1.21）, （7.00±1.79） and （9.00±1.41） days respectively. The survival time of xenografts in the PDTC plus Lef and CsA group was significantly longer than that in other four groups （P〈0.05 for all）, that in the PDTC plus Lef group longer than that in the control group, PDTC group and PDTC plus CsA group （P〈0.05 for all）, that in PDTC plus CsA group longer than the control group and PDTC group （P〈0.05 for all）. The expressions of IKKα/β, NF-κB-P65, IκBα and ICAM-1 and NF-κ3 DNA binding activity were notably increased in mouse-to-rat cardiac xenografts. The expressions were decreased in the control group, PDTC group, PDTC plus CsA group, PDTC plus Lef and PDTC plus Lef and CsA group in turn. It was concluded that PDTC plus Lef and CsA can significantly suppress the expressions of IKKα/β, NF-κB-P65, IκBα, ICAM-1 and NF-κB DNA binding activity, thereby prolonging the survival of the cardiac xenografts.     

Protective effect of diallyl trisulfide on liver in rats with sepsis and the mechanism

The protective effects of diallyl trisulfide on liver were examined in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was reproduced in rats by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (group S, n=8), sepsis model group (group C, n=24), diallyl trisulfide (DATS)-treated group (group D, n=24). Animals in groups C and D were further divided into three subgroups according to different observation time points, with 8 rats in each sub-group.Rats in group D and C were intravenously injected with normal saline or DATS respectively at a dose of 20 mg/kg after the establishment of sepsis model. Eight rats in groups C and D were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 24 h post-CLP and their livers were harvested for detection of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), c-fos, c-jun, malondialdehydethhe (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and for pathological examination. The results showed that the levels of serum IRAK-4, NF-κB and TNF-α in hepatic tissues were higher in group C than group S (control group) (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of IRAK-4 and NF-κB in the hepatic tissues and serum TNF-α in group D were lower than those in group C (P<0.05). The levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were higher in group C than in group S (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were significantly lower in group D than in group C (P<0.05). When compared with group S group, concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues in group C was significantly lower (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues was higher in group D than in group C (P<0.05). These findings suggested that treatment with DATS could ameliorate sepsis-induced liver injury in rats. The protective effect might be related to its ability to inhibit the signal pathway of IRAK-4 and NF-κB, thereby decreasing the production o     

Effect of Dachengqi Decoction on NF-κB p65 Expression in Lung of Rats with Partial Intestinal Obstruction and the Underlying Mechanism

To investigate the effect of Dachengqi decoction on NF-κB p65 expression in lung of rats with partial intestinal obstruction and the underlying mechanism, 30 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operation group, model group and Dachengqi decoction treatment group （Dachengqi group）, with 10 animals in each group. The models were made by partially ligating their large intestines outside the body. The pathological changes were analyzed by HE staining. The expression of NF-κB p65 in rats lung were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry respectively. Moreover, the expression of caveolin-1 in rats lung was also measured to. Increased edema, interstitial thickening, hemorrhage, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were found in the model group. In contrast, this change was significantly reduced in Dachengqi group as compared with model group. In addition, the up-regulated caveolin-1 and NF-κB p65 were also suppressed by Dachengqi decoction in lung of rats with partial intestinal obstruction. We are led to concluded that the caveolin-l-NF-κB pathway plays an important role in the development of lung injury of rats with partial intestinal obstruction and Dachengqi decoction could down-regulate the expression of caveolin-1 and NF-κB p65 in lung of rats with partial intestinal obstruction.     

INTRATHYMIC INOCULATION OF LIVER SPECIFIC ANTIGEN ALLEVIATES LIVER TRANSPLANT REJECTION

Objective To study the effects of liver specific antigen (LSA) on liver allotransplantation rejection. Methods Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in this study. Group Ⅰ: syngeneic control (Wistar-to-Wistar); Group Ⅱ: acute rejection (SD-to-Wistar). Group Ⅲ: thymic inoculation of SD rat LSA day 7 before transplantation. The observation of general condition and survival time, rejection grades and the NF-κB activity of splenocytes were used to analyze severity of acute rejection and immune state of animals in different groups. Results The general condition of group Ⅰ was fair post transplantation with no sign of rejection. All recipients of group Ⅱ died within days 9 to 13 post transplantation with median survival time of 10.7 ±1.37 days. As for group Ⅲ, 5 out of 6 recipients survived for a long period with remarkably better general condition than that of group Ⅱ. Its rejection grades were significantly lower than group Ⅱ (P＜ 0.05).NF-κB activity was only detected in group Ⅰ between days 5 and 7 after transplantation, whereas high activity of NF-κB was detected at all points in group Ⅱ and low NF-κB activity was detected in group Ⅲ which was significantly lower than that of group Ⅱ (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions LSA is an important transplantation antigen directly involved in the immunorejection of liver transplantation. Intrathymic inoculation of LSA can alleviate the rejection of liver allotransplantation,grafts survive for a period of time thereby, allowing a novel way to liver transplantation immunotolerance.