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。     

缺氧后处理对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞的保护作用及其机理研究

目的缺血后处理(ischemic postconditioning,I-postC)是近年发现的机体重要内源性保护机制。本实验在心肌细胞缺氧/复氧(hypoxia/reoxygenation,H/R)模型上观察H/R及缺氧后处理(hy-poxic postconditioning,H-postC)对GRP78、CRT表达以及caspase-12活化的影响,探讨内质网应激(endo-plasmic reticulum stress,ERS)在H-postC保护机制中的意义及其细胞信号转导机制。方法原代培养的Sprague-Dawley乳鼠心肌细胞随机分为6组:H/R组、H/R H-postC组、HPC H/R组、SB203580组、SP600125组和对照组。以细胞存活率、乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)漏出及流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡率反映细胞损伤情况;RT-PCR检测GRP78mRNA表达水平;Western blot方法检测CRT表达和caspase-12活化以及p38MAPK、JNK磷酸化水平。结果(1)H-postC具有细胞保护作用,与H/R组比较,H/R H-postC组细胞凋亡率和LDH漏出分别低3.3%和62.2%,存活率高10.3%;H-postC前以特异性p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580预孵育减弱H-postC的保护作用,与H/R H-postC组相比,细胞凋亡率和LDH漏出分别高1.9%和2.8倍,存活率降低11.0%,JNK特异性抑制剂SP600125预孵育对H-postC的保护作用无明显影响。(2)H/R可明显上调GRP78mRNA水平(较对照组高1.6倍)、CRT蛋白水平(较对照组高3.0倍)和caspase-12活化(较对照组高7.9倍);H-postC减低CRT过表达程度(较H/R低34.6%)及caspase-12活化水平(较H/R低50.1%)。(3)缺氧后H-postC前应用p38MAPK抑制剂,可轻度增高caspase-12的活化水平,并抑制CRT表达上调;应用SP600125抑制JNK活化可明显减低caspase-12活化水平(较H/R H-postC组低68.4%),并减低H-postC对H/R诱导CRT过表达的抑制作用(其CRT蛋白相对水平较H/R H-postC组高47.2%)。结论H-postC可调控ERS反应程度,抑制H/R诱导的过度ERS,减轻内质网凋亡信号介导的细胞凋亡的发生。p38MAPK及JNK信号途径在H/R诱导ERS反应及H-postC减轻H/R后ERS反应过激程度中具有重要意义。     

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。     

多发性骨髓瘤中MAPK信号通路对BLyS表达的调控研究

目的 研究多发性骨髓瘤(MM)细胞中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路的表达及活化情况,探讨MAPK信号通路对MM细胞B淋巴细胞刺激因子(BLyS)表达变化的影响及对MM细胞增殖与存活的影响,并初步探讨MAPK信号通路在IFN-γ(MM重要的促生长因子)上调MM细胞BLyS表达过程中的作用.方法 应用Western blot方法检测MM细胞中蛋白ERK、p-ERK、JNK、p-JNK、p38及p-p38的表达情况;应用RT-PCR及Western blot检测MAPK信号通路对BLyS表达的影响;应用WST-1法检测靶向JNK的MAPK信号通路抑制剂SP600125对MM细胞增殖与存活的影响.结果 MM细胞株中,除了ERK、JNK及p38的表达外,还有活化蛋白p-JNK的表达;靶向JNK的MAPK信号通路抑制剂SP600125可下调MM细胞BLyS的表达,其激动剂茴香霉素(anisomycin)可上调BLyS的表达;IFN-γ可上调MM细胞BLyS的表达,SP600125可部分抵消IFN-γ对BLyS的上调作用;SP600125可抑制MM细胞的增殖与存活.结论 MM细胞中有JNK/SAPK信号通路的活化;JNK/SAPK信号通路的活化程度与BLyS的表达高低呈正相关;JNK/SAPK信号通路在IFN-γ上调MM细胞BLyS表达过程中发挥重要作用.     

p38MAPK信号传导通路在人绒毛滋养层细胞EMMPRIN表达和体外侵袭中的作用

目的 研究人绒毛滋养层细胞中调节细胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导因子（EMMPRIN）表达的信号通路及p38MAPK信号通路在滋养细胞体外侵袭中的作用.方法 体外无血清培养人绒毛滋养细胞,分别加入p38MAPK抑制剂（SB203580）,JNK抑制剂（SP600125）,ERK抑制剂（PD098059）,用RT-PCR及Western blot方法观察阻断剂对EMMPRIN表达的影响.用不同浓度的佛波酯（PMA）作用于滋养细胞,ELISA方法检测滋养细胞中p38MAPK的活性变化,用transwell细胞侵入系统检测滋养细胞的侵袭作用;加入不同浓度的SB203580,观察阻断剂对滋养细胞侵袭性的影响.结果 JNK抑制剂、ERK抑制剂对滋养细胞分泌EMMPRIN无影响,p38MAPK抑制剂以时间剂量依赖的方式抑制滋养细胞表达EMMPRIN,SB203580浓度为5、10、15及20μmol/L作用24h后,EMMPIRN的抑制率分别为7.3%、24.6%、31.8%及39%;加入10μmol/L的SB203580培养24h后即可抑制EMMPRIN基因和蛋白的表达,抑制率为22%,培养48h和72h抑制率分别为45%和76%.向培养的细胞中加入浓度为0.1、1、10mmol/L的PMA作用30min,PMA以时间剂量依赖的方式激活p38MAPK,而SB203580以时间剂量依赖的方式抑制PMA对p38MAPK的激活.PMA可以促进滋养细胞体外侵袭作用,5mmol/L的SB203580能明显的抑制滋养细胞的体外侵袭能力,也能抑制PMA对滋养细胞侵袭活性的激活.结论 p38MAPK信号传导途径参与了人绒毛滋养细胞中EMMPRIN的表达.p38MAPK通路在人滋养细胞的侵袭行为中有重要的作用,p38MAPK激动剂可能会为子痫前期-子痫的防治提供新的途径.     

p38MAPK参与高糖刺激大鼠肾小管上皮细胞产生细胞外基质胶原Ⅲ

目的：探讨p38MAPK信号通路在高糖刺激大鼠肾小管上皮细胞产生细胞外基质胶原Ⅲ中的作用。 方法： 采用体外培养和Western blotting等方法，以不同浓度D-葡萄糖、p38MAPK信号通路特异性阻断剂SB203580以及用不同时间刺激正常大鼠肾小管上皮细胞NRK52E，分别检NRK52E细胞p38MAPK磷酸化水平和细胞外基质胶原Ⅲ的表达。 结果： 随D-葡萄糖浓度增加，p38MAPK磷酸化水平、胶原Ⅲ的产生也增加，SB203580可有效阻断高糖引起p38MAPK磷酸化水平的升高和细胞外基质胶原Ⅲ的表达的增高。 结论： 高糖引起p38MAPK磷酸化水平的升高可能在糖尿病肾病的肾间质纤维化中发挥重要作用。SB203580有潜在的糖尿病肾病防治的临床应用价值。     

MAPK和caspase-3在异基因CD8+T淋巴细胞诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡中的作用

目的： 探讨MAPK和caspase-3在异基因CD8+T细胞诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：免疫磁珠阳性分选异基因CD8+T细胞,AnnexinⅤ/FITC试剂盒检测异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的HUVECs和HDMECs凋亡率,Western blotting检测血管内皮细胞内caspase-3、MAPK表达。观察SB203580 (p38MAPK抑制剂)、SP600125 (JNK抑制剂)、PD98059（ERK抑制剂）、Z-DEVD-FMK（caspase-3抑制剂）对内皮细胞凋亡的影响。结果：异基因CD8+T细胞作用24 h和48 h后,HUVECs凋亡率分别为41.7％±10.1％和29.4％±8.3％,HDMECs凋亡率分别为28.9％±7.2％和15.2％±4.8％,与对照组相比均具有显著差异（P<0.01）。异基因CD8+T细胞作用后,HUVECs和HDMECs内磷酸化p38MAPK表达、caspase-3裂解增强,而磷酸化JNK、ERK无明显变化。Z-DEVD-FMK和SB203580可显著抑制异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的HUVECs和HEMEC凋亡,并降低内皮细胞caspase-3表达。结论：p38MAPK和caspase-3介导了异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的血管内皮细胞凋亡。     

p38MAPK参与千金藤素诱导的心肌细胞凋亡

目的: 探讨千金藤素(CEP)致Sprague-Dawley(SD)乳大鼠心肌细胞的凋亡作用及其信号途径。方法: 应用MTT法检测千金藤素对心肌细胞活性的抑制作用;利用Hoechst 33342染色及Western blotting方法检测凋亡相关信号分子caspase-3,观察CEP致心肌细胞凋亡的作用;采用Western blotting法观测 CEP对有丝分裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPKs)家族3个主要信号分子c-Jun氨基端激酶(JNK)、细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)、p38 MAPK磷酸化水平的影响,并利用ERK和p38 MAPK的特异性抑制剂,分别验证两种分子所介导的信号通路在CEP致心肌细胞凋亡中的作用。结果: (1)CEP能够剂量依赖和时间依赖地抑制心肌细胞的活性。(2)CEP作用于心肌细胞,出现细胞核碎裂现象和caspase-3激活。(3)CEP作用下p38 MAPK和ERK磷酸化水平显著增强,JNK的磷酸化状态未发生显著改变。(4)p38 MAPK磷酸化抑制剂SB203580显著减轻CEP对心肌细胞活性的抑制作用;ERK磷酸化抑制剂PD98059不能影响CEP对心肌细胞活性的抑制作用。结论: p38 MAPK参与CEP致心肌细胞凋亡作用。     

红景天苷通过细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)通路诱导树突状细胞抗肿瘤作用

目的探讨丝裂原活化蛋白激酶/细胞外信号调节激酶(MAPK/ERK)信号通路在红景天苷(SAL)调控树突状细胞(DC)抗肿瘤的作用。方法建立Lewis肺癌荷瘤小鼠模型,分别体内给予生理盐水(0.2 mL/d)、 SAL[500 mg/(kg·d)]和环磷酰胺(CTX)[10 mg/(kg·d)]治疗。检测Lewis肺癌荷瘤小鼠的生存期和肿瘤质量。同时,体外分离Lewis肺癌荷瘤小鼠骨髓来源的DC诱导培养。经磁珠分选后,分别与PBS、 0.05 mg/mL SAL、 200 ng/mL脂多糖(LPS)或0.05 mg/mL SAL联合ERK抑制剂U0126共培养48 h,流式细胞术检测磷酸化的ERK(p-ERK)水平。另外,将DC分别与PBS、 0.05 mg/mL SAL或200 ng/mL LPS共培养48 h,流式细胞术检测磷酸化的p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)和磷酸化的JNK(p-JNK)表达量。此外,收取磁珠分选后DC与PBS、 0.05 mg/mL SAL、 200 ng/mL LPS或0.05 mg/mL SAL联合ERK抑制剂U0126共培养后的细胞上清, ELISA检测DC分泌IL-12p70的能力。最后,将Lewis肺癌荷瘤小鼠骨髓来源的致敏DC经SAL刺激后与尼龙毛柱吸附纯化的C57BL/6正常小鼠脾T淋巴细胞共培养作为效应细胞,再按照10∶1、 25∶1、 50∶1效靶比加入3LL靶细胞, CCK-8法检测体外细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)活性。结果 SAL可以显著抑制Lewis肺癌荷瘤小鼠肿瘤的生长并提高其生存期;与PBS处理的DC相比, SAL组DC中ERK磷酸化水平显著升高,使用ERK抑制剂U0126后,磷酸化ERK的表达量显著降低; SAL对p38MAPK通路和JNK通路的磷酸化无明显影响; SAL组DC的IL-12p70分泌水平显著升高,使用ERK阻断剂U0126后DC分泌IL-12p70水平显著上升; SAL增强CTL的杀伤能力。结论 SAL抑制Lewis肺癌荷瘤的肿瘤生长,激活ERK信号通路,促进DC分泌IL-12p70并增强CTL杀伤能力。     

丙泊酚减轻缺氧/复氧诱导的心肌细胞损伤

目的 探讨丙泊酚(Pro)通过调控JNK/p38 MAPK通路对缺氧/复氧诱导的心肌细胞损伤的影响.方法 将细胞分为对照(control)组、缺氧/复氧(A/R)组、缺氧/复氧+Pro低、中、高剂量(A/R+Pro-L、A/R+Pro-M、A/R+Pro-H)组、缺氧/复氧+Pro+p38 MAPK通路抑制剂(A/R+...     

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.     

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.     

Inhibition of the ERK/MAP kinase pathway attenuates heme oxygenase-1 expression and heme-mediated neuronal injury

Hemin is an oxidant that accumulates in intracranial hematomas. Its neurotoxicity is increased by its breakdown, which is catalyzed by the heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes. In this study we tested the hypothesis that inhibiting signaling events mediating HO-1 induction would protect cultured cortical neurons from hemin. A fivefold increase in HO-1 expression was observed in mixed neuron-astrocyte cultures 4 h after hemin exposure. This was markedly reduced by the ERK pathway inhibitor U0126. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 had a weak but statistically significant effect, while the p38 inhibitor SB239063 was ineffective. Hemin neurotoxicity, as assessed by LDH release, propidium iodide staining, and malondialdehyde assay, was also prevented by U0126 but not by SB239063; SP600125 had little or no effect. Consistent with reduced iron release, ferritin expression was also attenuated by U0126, while cell hemin accumulation was increased. These results suggest that targeting the ERK pathway may prevent HO-1 induction in response to hemin, and reduce neuronal injury.     

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。     

Activin A通过JNK/ERK信号通路调控皮肤成纤维细胞肌动蛋白重组的研究

目的探讨Activin A对成纤维细胞微丝肌动蛋白的作用以及其信号机制。方法出生24 h内的C57BL/6乳鼠皮肤成纤维细胞分离培养。实验分为PBS组、Activin A组以及JNK特异性抑制剂SP600125组、ERK特异性抑制剂SL327组、p38特异性抑制剂SB202190组。3~5代成纤维细胞,提取细胞总蛋白,Western blot检测JNK、ERK、p38的磷酸化活性并且通过Phallotoxins染色观察成纤维细胞肌动蛋白变化。结果 Activin A可诱导成纤维细胞肌动蛋白聚集,给予JNK特异性抑制剂SP600125后,成纤维细胞肌动蛋白聚集现象完全被抑制;给予ERK特异性抑制剂SL327后,成纤维细胞肌动蛋白聚集现象减弱,但是尚未完全被抑制;而p38特异性抑制剂SB202190处理后,成纤维细胞肌动蛋白聚集未被抑制。结论 Activin A通过JNK和ERK信号通路诱导成纤维细胞肌动蛋白重组聚集。     

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.     

MAP kinase subtypes and Akt regulate diosgenin-induced apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial cells in association with COX-2 expression and prostanoid production

In the present study, we investigated the signalling pathways involved in diosgenin-induced apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in vitro with particular interest on Akt and MAPKs activation in relation to arachidonic acid metabolism via COX-2 pathway. MAPK activation was measured by ELISA quantification in diosgenin-treated human RA FLS. Expression of Akt and phospho-Akt was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) translocation was evaluated by electromobility shift assay. The prostanoid production (COX-2 activity) was measured by quantitative ELISA. Diosgenin-induced apoptosis in the presence of MAPK or Akt inhibitors was detected by a quantitative determination of DNA fragmentation. Treatment of human RA FLS with 40 microM diosgenin caused an activation of p38 and JNK and an inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. Akt and NF-kappaB are potentially required for diosgenin-induced apoptosis in human RA FLS because 40 microM diosgenin abrogated Akt phosphorylation which correlated with an inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. SB203580 and SP600125 (p38 and JNK inhibitors) reduced diosgenin-induced DNA fragmentation whereas U0126 and LY294002 (MEK and PI3 kinase/Akt inhibitors) caused an amplification of proapoptotic effect of diosgenin. Diosgenin increased COX-2 activity resulting in PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha overproduction in human RA FLS. All MAPK inhibitors markedly reduced diosgenin-induced PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha synthesis except for SP600125 on 6-keto-PGF1alpha production. These results provide, for the first time, strong evidence that a combined association implicating a MEK inhibitor (U0126) and diosgenin is the most effective in inducing very strong apoptosis with down-regulation of COX-2 expression and activity in human RA FLS.     

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.