Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Acting at the Locus Coeruleus Disrupts Thalamic and Cortical Sensory-Evoked Responses

Stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, are associated with disruptions in sensory information processing. The neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), coordinates the physiological and behavioral responses to stress, in part, by activating the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) projection system. Although the LC-NE system is an important modulator of sensory information processing, to date, the consequences of CRF activation of this system on sensory signal processing are poorly understood. The current study examined the dose-dependent actions of CRF at the LC on spontaneous and sensory-evoked discharge of neurons within the thalamus and cortex of the vibrissa somatosensory system in the awake, freely moving rat. Peri-LC infusions of CRF resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of sensory-evoked discharge in ventral posterior medial thalamic and barrel field cortical neurons. A concurrent increase in spontaneous activity was observed. This latter action is generally not found with iontophoretic application of NE to target neurons or stimulation of the LC-NE pathway. Net decreases in signal-to-noise of sensory-evoked responses within both regions suggest that under conditions associated with CRF release at the LC, including stress, the transfer of afferent information within sensory systems is impaired. Acutely, a suppression of certain types of sensory information may represent an adaptive response to an immediate unexpected stressor. Persistence of such effects could contribute to abnormalities of information processing seen in sensorimotor gating associated with stress and stress-related psychopathology.     

ERK1/2信号通路在角质细胞生长因子-2诱导角膜基质细胞增殖中的作用

目的观察角质细胞生长因子(keratinocyte growthfactor-2,KGF-2)对角膜基质细胞的增殖作用及ERK1/2信号在角膜基质细胞增殖中的调控作用,探讨KGF-2对角膜基质细胞增殖的可能机制。方法体外培养角膜基质细胞,MTT法检测细胞增殖,Western blot检测磷酸化ERK1/2表达水平。结果 KGF-2在1～100 mg·L-1对角膜基质细胞有明显的促进增殖作用且呈现剂量-效应关系;100 mg·L-1 KGF-2处理角膜基质细胞,5、15、30 min后ERK1/2磷酸化表达水平明显升高,60、90、120、180 min后ERK1/2磷酸化表达水平逐渐减弱;20μmol.L-1 ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059可抑制KGF-2对角膜基质细胞的促增殖作用。结论 KGF-2激活ERK1/2信号通路,提高细胞增殖率,可被抑制剂PD98059阻断;ERK1/2信号通路调控角膜基质细胞的增殖,在角膜基质细胞损伤中发挥作用。     

新型KATP开放剂埃他卡林对原代培养人肺动脉平滑肌细胞ERK1／2磷酸化的影响

目的：研究新型ATP敏感性钾通道（KATP）开放剂埃他卡林（I阴）对内皮素-1（ET-1）诱导的原代培养人肺动脉平滑肌细胞细胞外信号调节激酶1和2（ERK1／2）磷酸化的影响。方法：原代培养人肺动脉平滑肌细胞,用Western blot方法检测磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1和2（p-ERK1／2）。培养液中加入ET-1（10nmol／L）,孵育0、1、2、5、10、30、60min。培养液中加入ET-1（10nmol／L）前30min分别加入0．1、1．0和10．0umol／LIPT．孵育10min。培养液中加入ET-1（10nmol／L）和IPT（10umol／L）前30min加入格列本脲（CU）（10umol／L）,孵育10min。结果：在2min至30min之间,ET-1呈时间依赖性促进人肺动脉平滑肌细胞ERK1／2磷酸化,10min时最明显。IPI、呈浓度依赖性拮抗ET-1对ERK1／2磷酸化的影响。特异性KATP阻断剂GLI逆转IPT的作用。结论：IPT可能通过激活KATP通道,抑制ET-1诱导的原代培养人肺动脉平滑肌细胞ERK1／2磷酸化,可能可用于肺血管重构、肺动脉高压的治疗。     

异氟醚可能通过ERK磷酸化增强肾动脉平滑肌收缩

目的实验观察异氟醚对去内皮肾动脉血管平滑肌收缩增强的作用,并观察肾动脉血管平滑肌细胞在异氟醚的作用下细胞内MAPK通路的激活状态,以探讨异氟醚引发肾动脉血管平滑肌收缩增强的可能信号通路。方法①去内皮肾动脉条,3%皂苷处理使膜通透,咖啡因诱除内质网内贮钙,利用10-6钙离子浓度EGTA缓冲液平衡后,应用接近最大的钙离子浓度的EGTA缓冲液使肾动脉条压缩达平衡,加入不同浓度异氟醚EGTA缓冲溶液,观察动脉条张力变化。②1%、3%、5%异氟醚分别作用于培养的肾动脉血管平滑肌细胞,提取细胞内蛋白,Westenblot检测ERK磷酸化的变化。结果异氟醚能使压缩达平衡的肾动脉环张力进一步增强,且与异氟醚浓度呈剂量依赖性。随异氟醚浓度的增加,培养的肾动脉血管平滑肌细胞内ERK1/2(p44/42)磷酸化逐步增强,并随时间增强,在15min后,逐渐下降。结论异氟醚引起的肾动脉血管条收缩增强可能与异氟醚引起MAPK系统活化有关     

ERK1/2通路在4-AP诱导大鼠肺动脉收缩中的作用

目的探讨细胞外信号调节激酶-1/2(ERK1/2)通路在4-氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridione,4-AP)阻断正常大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMCs)膜上电压依赖性钾通道(KV)所引起的肺动脉收缩中的作用。方法取正常鼠肺动脉制作肺动脉环,分别加入4-AP(KV通道阻断剂),PD98059/U0126+4-AP,比较肺动脉收缩的变化。同时培养肺动脉平滑肌细胞进行Western blot分析4-AP对ERK1/2的影响。结果①在血管环试验中,4-AP引起的肺动脉收缩有浓度依赖性;加入20mmol.L-1PD98059或2μmol.L-1U0126可以抑制4-AP引起的肺动脉收缩。②4-AP可刺激PASMCs ERK1/2蛋白磷酸化;③U0126可抑制4-AP引起的ERK1/2蛋白磷酸化。结论ERK1/2通路参与4-AP阻断正常大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜上电压依赖性钾通道(KV)引起肺动脉收缩。     

右美托咪啶通过ERK1/2 MAPK信号通路缓解七氟醚神经毒性

目的研究右美托咪啶对中枢神经系统发育期七氟醚神经毒性的影响,以及ERK1／2MAPK信号通路在其中所起的作用。方法对离体培养7d的海马神经细胞及出生后7d的Sprague-Dawley幼鼠进行七氟醚处理（3％,6h）,制备七氟醚神经毒性模型。分别给予右美托咪啶或右美托咪啶＋U0126处理后,应用流式细胞仪及TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡;应用免疫印迹检测total ERK1／2、Phospho-ERK1／2、Bax及Bcl-2的蛋白表达水平;应用Morris水迷宫检测实验动物的空间学习记忆功能变化。结果3％七氟醚处理6h使海马神经细胞凋亡增加（P=0．007）,应用右美托咪啶则可明显缓解七氟醚神经毒性（P=0．032）。七氟醚处理可降低Phospho-ERK1／2及Bcl-2的蛋白表达（P〈0．05）,增加Bax的蛋白表达（P〈0．05）;右美托咪啶可增加Phospho-ERK11／2及Bcl-2表达（P〈0．05）,降低Bax表达水平（P〈0．05）。右美托咪啶的神经保护作用可被U0126所逆转。此外,右美托咪啶还明显缓解发育期七氟醚处理引起的空间学习记忆功能异常。结论右美托咪啶可缓解七氟醚神经毒性,其机制可能与ERK1／2MAPK信号通路有关。     

Signaling mechanisms of sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced ERK1/2 activation in cultured feline esophageal smooth muscle cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid, stored and released from activated platelets, macrophages, and other mammalian cells. We previously reported that S1P induces esophageal smooth muscle contraction in freshly isolated intact cells. Here, we measured S1P-induced ERK1/2 activation and upstream signaling in cultured feline esophageal smooth muscle cells. Activation of ERK1/2 by S1P peaked at 5 min, was sustained up to 30 min, and was blocked by PTX. In contrast, S1P did not activate p38 MAPK or JNK. PTX inhibited S1P-induced ERK1/2 activation. We then used phospholipase inhibitors, DEDA for PLA₂, U73122 for PLC, and ρCMB for PLD, to determine that ERK1/2 activation was downstream of PLC activation. The PKC inhibitors, GF109203X and chelerythrine, also suppressed ERK1/2 activation. Whereas the PTK inhibitor, genistein, partially inhibited ERK1/2 activation, the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin 51, had no effect. Taken together, S1P-induced ERK1/2 activation in cultured ESMCs requires a PTX-sensitive G protein, stimulation of the PLC pathway, and subsequent activation of the PKC and PTK pathways.     

Neurons and Astrocytes in Ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray Contribute to Restraint Water Immersion Stress-Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage via the ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

BackgroundThe restraint water immersion stress (RWIS) model includes both psychological and physical stimulation, which may lead to gastrointestinal disorders and cause gastric mucosal damage. The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VLPAG) contributes to gastrointestinal function, but whether it is involved in RWIS-induced gastric mucosal damage has not yet been reported.MethodsThe expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuronal c-Fos, and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 in the VLPAG after RWIS was assessed using western blotting and immunocytochemical staining methods. Lateral ventricle injection of astrocytic toxin L-a-aminoadipate and treatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway inhibitor PD98059 were further used to study protein expression and distribution in the VLPAG after RWIS.ResultsThe expression of c-Fos, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 in the VLPAG significantly increased following RWIS and peaked at 1 hour after RWIS. Lateral ventricle injection of the astrocytic toxin L-a-aminoadipate significantly alleviated gastric mucosal injury and decreased the activation of neurons and astrocytes. Treatment with the ERK1/2 signaling pathway inhibitor PD98059 obviously suppressed gastric mucosal damage as well as the RWIS-induced activation of neurons and astrocytes in the VLPAG.ConclusionsThese results suggested that activation of VLPAG neurons and astrocytes induced by RWIS through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway may play a critical role in RWIS-induced gastric mucosa damage.     

Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate ET-1-Induced Activation of ERK1/2 Signaling in Cultured Feline Esophageal Smooth Muscle Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to play a critical role in propagating the signals of several growth factors, peptide hormones, and cytokines, such as epidermal growth factor, insulin, and interleukin-1. We investigated a possible role for ROS generation in mediating the action of ET-1 on activation of ERK1/2 in cultured feline esophageal smooth muscle cells (ESMC). Confluent layers of ESMC were stimulated by 10nM ET-1; activation of ERK was examined by western blot analysis with phospho-specific antibodies of ERKs. ET-1 induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a dose- and time- dependent manner. ERK1/2 activation by ET-1 reached the maximal levels at 5min showing slight activation up to 20min, and then slowly declined. It was confirmed that the activation of ERK1/2 was reduced by MEK inhibitor PD98059. We observed the dose-dependent inhibitory effect of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase on the ET-1-enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in ESMC. Pretreatment of ESMC with N-acetylcysteine, a ROS scavenger, also attenuated the ET-1-induced ERK1/2 activation. In addition, DPI significantly inhibited the ET-1- induced ROS production when ROS was measured as a function of DCF fluorescence. The results suggest that ROS might be critical mediators of the ET-1-induced ERK1/2 signaling events in ESMC.     

ERK1/2介导H_2O_2预处理对抗氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的探讨H2O2预处理能否激活ERK1/2及ERK1/2在H2O2预处理引起的适应性细胞保护中的作用。方法在PC12细胞,建立H2O2预处理对抗高浓度H2O2诱导细胞损伤的实验模型。应用甲氮甲唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞存活率;碘化丙啶(PI)染色流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定ERK1/2蛋白的表达及procaspase-3的表达。结果100μmol.L-1H2O2预处理PC12细胞90min能明显地保护PC12细胞对抗300μmol.L-1H2O2引起的损伤,使细胞存活率增加,细胞凋亡率降低及procaspase-3增多。H2O2预处理对ERK1/2具有明显的激活作用:诱导胞质ERK1/2磷酸化及促进其核转移。在H2O2预处理前30min应用ERK1/2抑制剂UO126(10μmol.L-1)可明显地阻断H2O2预处理的抗细胞毒性及抗细胞凋亡作用。结论H2O2预处理能激活ERK1/2,ERK1/2介导H2O2预处理的适应性细胞保护作用。     

Euphol from Euphorbia tirucalli selectively inhibits human gastric cancer cell growth through the induction of ERK1/2-mediated apoptosis

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and the main cause of cancer-related death in Asia. The present study assessed the anticancer effects of euphol, a triterpene alcohol with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities on human gastric cancer cells. Euphol showed higher cytotoxicity activity against human gastric CS12 cancer cells than against noncancer CSN cells. In addition, it up-regulated the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and down-regulated the prosurvival protein Bcl-2, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, possibly by caspase-3 activation. The anti-proliferative effects of euphol were associated with the increased p27^kip1 levels and decreased cyclin B1 levels. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by PD98059 reversed euphol-induced pro-apoptotic protein expression and cell death. Taken together, these findings suggest that euphol selectively induced gastric cancer cells apoptosis by modulation of ERK signaling, and could thus be of value for cancer therapy.     

敌百虫经ERK1/2通路影响类固醇激素的合成

目的初步探讨细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)通路在敌百虫抑制小鼠睾丸间质细胞瘤细胞(MLTC-1)类固醇激素合成中的作用。方法运用放射免疫法检测不同浓度敌百虫及加入ERK1/2通路抑制剂UO126后对MLTC-1细胞孕酮合成的影响;采用蛋白质印迹技术(Western-blot)检测敌百虫对ERK1/2磷酸化表达的影响。结果敌百虫显著抑制MLTC-1细胞孕酮的合成,并且随敌百虫剂量的增加,孕酮合成量呈下降趋势;当同时加入UO126后,随敌百虫染毒剂量的升高孕酮合成量的下降趋势更为明显;敌百虫与UO126一样能明显抑制ERK1/2的磷酸化,而对总ERK1/2表达无明显影响。结论在本试验条件下,敌百虫能明显抑制MLTC-1细胞的孕酮合成,其机制可能是通过ERK1/2通路。     

Involvement of ERK1/2 in Cx43 depression induced by macrophage migration inhibitory factor in atrial myocytes

Connexin 43 (Cx43) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study sought to investigate the effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, on Cx43 expression and activity and determine the intracellular signalling pathways. Cx43 protein and mRNA levels were assayed using immunofluorescence, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and western blot. We found that increased MIF and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) expression was accompanied by a significant reduction in Cx43 protein expression in atrial tissues from patients with AF compared with those with sinus rhythm. In cultured atrium‐derived myocytes (HL‐1 cells), mouse recombinant‐MIF (rMIF, 20 or 40 nmol/L, 24 hours) down‐regulated gene and protein expression of Cx43 in a concentration‐dependent manner. U0126, a specific inhibitor of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) could reverse the decrease in expression of Cx43 protein induced by rMIF. Further studies revealed that rMIF (40 nmol/L, 15, 30, and 45 minutes) was able to stimulate phospho‐Erk1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) production in a time‐dependent manner. These results suggest that MIF is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably by down‐regulating the protein and gene expression of Cx43 via ERK1/2 kinase activation. Our findings represent a potential pathogenic mechanism in AF.     

三七皂苷单体R1对低氧高二氧化碳肺动脉平滑肌细胞ERK1/2表达的影响

目的:探讨三七皂苷单体R1减轻低氧高二氧化碳性肺动脉收缩(hypoxia hypercapnia-in-duced pulmonary vasoconstriction,HHPV)的作用及其与细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)1/2信号通路的关系。方法:原代培养雄性SD大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMCs),随机分为6组:常氧组(N组),低氧高二氧化碳组(H组),DMSO对照组(HD组),R1干预组(R8、R40、R100组)。采用免疫印迹法测定ERK1/2磷酸化蛋白表达,半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应技术检测ERK1、ERK2基因表达水平。结果:p-ERK蛋白在N组表达弱,与H、HD组比较,R8、R40、R100组均不同程度下调,以R8组为著,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);ERK1mRNA、ERK2mRNA在N组弱表达,与H、HD组比较,R8、R40、R100组表达均不同程度降低(P<0.01和P<0.05),以R8组为著。结论:ERK1/2信号通路可能介导大鼠低氧高二氧化碳性肺动脉收缩;三七皂苷单体R1可能通过抑制ERK1/2通路减轻低氧高二氧化碳性肺动脉收缩。     

ERK1/2的激活参与七氟醚预处理对大鼠海马脑片缺氧无糖损伤的保护作用

目的观察ERK1/2的激活在七氟醚预处理对大鼠海马脑片缺氧无糖损伤保护中的作用。方法采用脑片灌流及电生理技术,细胞外记录海马CA1区的顺向群锋电位(OPS);利用2,3,5-三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色定量比色方法分析脑片损伤程度。结果用4%七氟醚预处理海马脑片,可延迟OPS的消失时间,提高复氧后OPS的恢复程度和恢复率。以ERK1/2特异性抑制剂PD98059(50μmol.L-1)预处理海马脑片,可以取消七氟醚的作用。单独使用PD98059对OPS无明显影响。七氟醚预处理组组织损伤百分率明显低于其它各组。结论ERK1/2的激活参与了七氟醚预处理对大鼠海马脑片缺氧无糖损伤的保护作用。     

Characterization of the ERK1/2 phosphorylation profile in human and fish liver cells upon exposure to chemicals of environmental concern

We developed phospho-ERK1/2 ELISA for human and rainbow trout liver cells, employing HepG2 and RTL-W1 cell lines as models. The assay was applied to detect changes in ERK1/2 activity for nine chemicals, added over a wide concentration range and time points. Cell viability was measured to separate ERK1/2 regulation from cytotoxicity. Perfluorooctane sulfonate and carbendazim did not change ERK1/2 activity; influence on ERK1/2 due to cytotoxicity was indicated for tributyltin and cypermethrin. Mancozeb, benzo[a]pyrene, and bisphenol A stimulated ERK1/2 up to ∼2- (HepG2) and 1.5 (RTL-W1)-fold, though the kinetics differed between chemicals and cell lines. Bisphenol A and benzo[a]pyrene were the most potent concentration-wise, altering ERK1/2 activity in pM (HepG2) to nM (RTL-W1) range. While atrazine and ibuprofen increased ERK1/2 activity by ∼2-fold in HepG2, they did not initiate an appreciable response in RTL-W1. This assay proved to be a sensitive, medium- to high-throughput tool for detecting unrecognized ERK1/2-disrupting chemicals.     

Suppression of ERCC1 and Rad51 expression through ERK1/2 inactivation is essential in emodin-mediated cytotoxicity in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

Emodin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a natural anthraquinone derivative found in the roots and rhizomes of numerous plants. Emodin exhibits anticancer effects against a variety of cancer cells, including lung cancer cells. ERCC1 and Rad51 proteins are essential for nucleotide excision repair and homologous recombination, respectively. Furthermore, ERCC1 and Rad51 overexpression induces resistance to DNA-damaging agents that promote DNA double-strand breaks. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the role of ERCC1 and Rad51 in emodin-mediated cytotoxicity in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Both ERCC1 and Rad51 protein levels as well as mRNA levels were decreased in four different NSCLC cell lines after exposure to emodin. These decreases correlated with the inactivation of the MKK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway. Moreover, cellular ERCC1 and Rad51 protein and mRNA levels were specifically inhibited by U0126, a MKK1/2 inhibitor. We found that transient transfection of human NSCLC cells with si-ERCC1 or si-Rad51 RNA and cotreatment with U0126 could enhance emodin-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, overexpression of constitutively active MKK1/2 vectors (MKK1/2-CA) was shown to significantly recover reduced phospho-ERK1/2, ERCC1, and Rad51 protein levels and to rescue cell viability upon emodin treatment. These results demonstrate that activation of the MKK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway is the upstream signal regulating the expressions of ERCC1 and Rad51, which are suppressed by emodin to induce cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells.     

牛磺酸对肺动脉平滑肌中活性氧及ERK1/2通路的影响

目的：探讨牛磺酸（Taurine,Tau）对缺氧诱导的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）中活性氧（ROS）及ERK1/2通路的影响。方法：原代培养大鼠PASMCs,选用第2-5代用于实验。Tau给药浓度80 mmol·L-1,作用时间24 h。实验分组为：1、常氧组2、常氧＋Tau组3、缺氧组4、缺氧＋Tau组。DCFH-DA荧光探针检测细胞内ROS含量,Westernblot检测磷酸化ERK1/2（p-ERK1/2）的表达。结果：与常氧组比较,常氧＋Tau组中ROS含量没有显著性变化;缺氧组中ROS显著上升,Tau可逆转缺氧诱导的ROS上升。Tau可以逆转缺氧诱导的ERK1/2磷酸化。结论：Tau可维持正常的PASMCs中ROS水平,并且抑制缺氧诱导的ERK1/2磷酸化。