Brain ischemia/reperfusion-induced expression of DP5 and its interaction with Bcl-2, thus freeing Bax from Bcl-2/Bax dimmers are mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway

Our previous studies and those of others have strongly suggested that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway plays a critical role in ischemic brain injury. But the downstream mechanism that accounts for the proapoptotic actions of JNK during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion still remains to be investigated in detail. DP5, one of the mammalian BH3-only proteins, was cloned as a neuronal apoptosis-inducing gene. In this study, we examined the changes of protein level of DP5 and its interaction with Bcl-2 family members in a rat model of global ischemia and reperfusion by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting; furthermore, we investigated the effect of activated JNK on DP5-signaling pathway. We show here that DP5 was induced and interacted with Bcl-2 but not Bax in hippocampal CA1 6 h to 3 days after ischemia, while the interaction of Bcl-2 with Bax decreased. Systemic administration of SP600125, a small molecule JNK-specific inhibitor, diminished the induction of DP5 and its interaction with Bcl-2 after 2 days of ischemia. At the same time, SP600125 increased the interaction of Bax with Bcl-2 after 2 days of reperfusion. Thus, these results indicate that brain ischemia/reperfusion-induced activation of DP5 signaling pathway is mediated by JNK in postischemic rat hippocampal CA1.     

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and JNK interacting protein response in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

c-Jun response is involved in the development of ischemic brain injury, which is activated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1). The activity of JNK-1 is strictly regulated, and only the phosphorylated form of JNK (phospho-JNK) which is translocated to the nucleus has an ability to activate c-Jun response. There is a protein which inhibits JNK-1 activation, and known as JNK interacting protein-1 (JIP-1). In this study, we investigated change in JNK-1, phospho-JNK, and JIP-1 immunoreactivity in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Immunoreactive JNK-1 was scant in the sham-control brain, but it was induced at 1 h after reperfusion, which was slightly increased at 3 h of reperfusion. By contrast, phospho-JNK remained negative till 3 h. At 8 h, JNK-1 and phospho-JNK became distinctly positive, and nuclei as well as cytoplasm were stained. Thereafter, immunoreactivity for JNK-1 and phospho-JNK became furthermore dense, and most neurons revealed positively stained nuclei. Immunoreactivity for JIP-1 remained negative till 8 h of reperfusion, but at 24 and 72 h, cytoplasm of cortical neurons at the MCA boundary area was positively stained. This JIP-1 induction got behind the JNK-1 activation, and therefore, may be a vain effort for neurons to survive. Inhibition of JNK-1 activation might become an innovative means of therapy for stroke treatment in the future.     

Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling in experimentally induced gastric lesions in rats

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) participates in intracellular signalling cascades that mediate inflammatory responses. Therefore, the JNK signalling may be involved in gastric injury and inhibition of this pathway may form the basis of a new strategy for the treatment of gastric injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether JNK participates in the formation of gastric lesions in an experimental model. Acute gastric injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intragastric administration of 100% ethanol. The amount of phospho-JNK in the rat stomach was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western analysis. Animals received subcutaneous injections of a specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 or vehicle and the extent of mucosal damage in the stomach was determined. Western analysis revealed early phosphorylation of JNK and, to a lesser extent, p38 as well as late phosphorylation of the p42/44 extracellular signal-related kinases during the development of gastric lesions. JNK was phosphorylated in epithelial cells and in occasional mononuclear cells present at lesion sites. These cells were rarely found in samples from control specimens. Treatment with SP600125 significantly reduced the extent of gastric lesions. These findings indicate that experimental gastric injury is associated with activation of the JNK signalling pathway, and also suggest that JNK inhibitors may play a role in the treatment of gastric injury in humans.     

JNK/c-Jun信号通路在大鼠胸主动脉瘤模型中的表达及意义

目的 探讨c -Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)及c-Jun在实验性大鼠胸主动脉瘤中的表达及其意义. 方法 将20只成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为两组,即对照组和手术组.采用氯化钙(CaCl2)诱导法制备胸主动脉瘤模型,于术后4周取外敷CaCl2段胸主动脉.用免疫组织化学和Western blotting方法检测动脉瘤壁JNK和c-Jun的表达. 结果 免疫组织化学显示,磷酸化JNK(p-JNK)和磷酸化c-Jun( p-c-Jun)主要表达于动脉瘤中膜,而对照组表达很弱.Western blotting显示,动脉瘤组织中p-JNK和p-c-Jun表达均强于对照组. 结论 p-JNK和p-c-Jun在动脉瘤中表达强于对照组,JNK/c-Jun信号通路可能在动脉瘤形成过程中起重要作用.     

赖氨大黄酸通过激活JNK诱导宫颈癌HeLa细胞凋亡

目的研究赖氨大黄酸(RHL)对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖、凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法用MTT法检测细胞增殖;用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,用Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白及JNK蛋白与蛋白磷酸化水平。结果 RHL能有效抑制宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖,并能诱导其凋亡,随药物浓度的增加,细胞凋亡率也逐渐升高;RHL能够激活caspase-3、caspase-7和PARP,并激活磷酸化的JNK表达,磷酸化的JNK表达增加在RHL的诱导凋亡中起主要作用。结论 RHL通过激活JNK-caspase-PARP信号通路抑制HeLa细胞增殖,并诱导其凋亡,赖氨大黄酸解决了大黄酸不溶于水的问题,有望成为临床肿瘤辅助化疗药物。     

IDO metabolite produced by EBV-transformed B cells inhibits surface expression of NKG2D in NK cells via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway

Natural Killer cells are known to play a major role in the innate immune response against viral infections and tumor cells. Several viruses, such as CMV, EBV and HIV-1, have acquired strategies to escape elimination by NK cells. In this study, we observed that EBV infection increased expression of IDO on B cells. To evaluate the function of IDO associated with EBV infection, we investigated whether EBV-induced IDO could modulate expression of NK cell-activation receptor, NKG2D. When NK cells were co-incubated with EBV transformed B cells, surface expression of NKG2D was significantly reduced in NK cells. Incubation with L-kynurenine, an IDO metabolite, down-modulated NKG2D expression in NK cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Incubation with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 also inhibited NKG2D expression in NK cells. In addition, we observed that the effect of L-kynurenine was blocked by JNK agonist, anisomycin, suggesting the involvement of the JNK pathway in the signal transduction of L-kynurenine-reduced NKG2D expression. Furthermore, IL-18 significantly reduced L-kynurenine-induced down-regulation of NKG2D expression in NK cells. Taken together, these data indicate that down-regulation of NKG2D by EBV-induced IDO metabolite provides a potential mechanism by which EBV escapes NKG2D-mediated attack by immune cells.     

Inhibition of spinal astrocytic c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation correlates with the analgesic effects of ketamine in neuropathic pain

Background  

We have previously reported that inhibition of astrocytic activation contributes to the analgesic effects of intrathecal ketamine on spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced neuropathic pain. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, has been reported to be critical for spinal astrocytic activation and neuropathic pain development after SNL. Ketamine can decrease lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phosphorylated JNK (pJNK) expression and could thus exert its anti-inflammatory effect. We hypothesized that inhibition of astrocytic JNK activation might be involved in the suppressive effect of ketamine on SNL-induced spinal astrocytic activation.     

Neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury by a small peptide inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) via nuclear and non-nuclear pathways

Our previous studies and the others have strongly suggested that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway plays a critical role in ischemic brain injury. Here we reported that Tat-JNK binding domain (JBD) of JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1), a smaller 11-mer peptide corresponding to residues 153-163 of murine JIP-1 conjugated to Tat peptide, perturbed the assembly of JIP-1-JNK3 complexes, thus inhibiting the activation of JNK3 induced by ischemia/reperfusion in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 subregion. As a result, Tat-JBD diminished the increased phosphorylation of c-Jun (a nuclear substrate of JNK) and the increased expression of Fas ligand induced by ischemia/reperfusion in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 subregion. At the same time, through inhibiting phosphorylation of Bcl-2 (a cytosolic target of JNK) and the release of Bax from Bcl-2/Bax dimers, Tat-JBD attenuated Bax translocation to mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, the activation of caspase3 and hydrolyzation of poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase induced by brain ischemia/reperfusion were also significantly suppressed by preinfusion of the peptide Tat-JBD. Importantly, Tat-JBD showed neuroprotective effects on ischemic brain damage in vivo, and administration of the peptide after ischemia also achieved the same effects as preinfusion of the peptide did. Thus, our findings imply that Tat-JBD induced neuroprotection against ischemia/reperfusion in rat hippocampal CA1 region via inhibiting nuclear and non-nuclear pathways of JNK signaling. Taken together, these results indicate that Tat-JBD peptide provides a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic brain injury.     

Protective role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase-2 (JNK2) in ibuprofen-induced acute liver injury

Ibuprofen is a worldwide used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which may cause acute liver injury (ALI) requiring liver transplantation. We aimed to unveil the molecular pathways involved in triggering ibuprofen-induced ALI, which, at present, remain elusive. First, we investigated activation of essential pathways in human liver sections of ibuprofen-induced ALI. Next, we assessed the cytotoxicity of ibuprofen in vitro and developed a novel murine model of ibuprofen intoxication. To assess the role of JNK, we used animals carrying constitutive deletion of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (Jnk1^−/−) or Jnk2 (Jnk2^−/−) expression and included investigations using animals with hepatocyte-specific Jnk deletion either genetically (Jnk1^Δhepa) or by siRNA (siJnk2^Δhepa). We found in human and murine samples of ibuprofen-induced acute liver failure that JNK phosphorylation was increased in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and other non-liver parenchymal cells (non-LPCs) compared with healthy tissue. In mice, ibuprofen intoxication resulted in a significantly stronger degree of liver injury compared with vehicle-treated controls as evidenced by serum transaminases, and hepatic histopathology. Next, we investigated molecular pathways. PKCα, AKT, JNK and RIPK1 were significantly increased 8 h after ibuprofen intoxication. Constitutive Jnk1^−/− and Jnk2^−/− deficient mice exhibited increased liver dysfunction compared to wild-type (WT) animals. Furthermore, siJnk2^Δhepa animals showed a dramatic increase in biochemical markers of liver function, which correlated with significantly higher serum liver enzymes and worsened liver histology, and MAPK activation compared to Jnk1^Δhepa or WT animals. In our study, cytoplasmic JNK activation in hepatocytes and other non-LPCs is a hallmark of human and murine ibuprofen-induced ALI. Functional in vivo analysis demonstrated a protective role of hepatocyte-specific Jnk2 during ibuprofen ALI. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neuroprotection of ethanol against ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury through decreasing c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) activation by enhancing GABA release

Our latest study indicated that ethanol could attenuate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury through activating Ionotropic glutamate receptors Kainate Family (Gluk1)–kainate (KA) receptors and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. However, the possible mechanism of the neuroprotective effects of ethanol remains unclear. In this study we report that ethanol shows neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain injury through enhancing GABA release and then decreasing c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) activation. Electrophysiologic recording indicated that ethanol enhances GABA release from presynaptic neurons and the released GABA subsequently inhibits the KA receptor–mediated whole-cell currents. Moreover, our data show that ethanol can inhibit the increased assembly of the Gluk2–PSD-95–MLK3 (postsynaptic density protein-95, PSD-95 and mixed-lineage kinase 3, MLK3) module induced by cerebral ischemia and the activation of the MLK3-MKK4/7-JNK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4/7, MKK4/7) cascade. Pretreatment of the GABA_A receptor antagonist bicuculline and antagonist of VGCC (a broad-spectrum blocker of the voltage-gated calcium channel [VGCC]) Chromic (CdCl₂) can demolish the neuroprotective effects of ethanol. The results suggest that during ischemia-reperfusion, ethanol may activate presynaptic Gluk1-KA and facilitate Ca²⁺-dependent GABA release. The released GABA activates postsynaptic GABA_A receptors, which suppress the ischemic depolarization and decrease the association of signaling module Gluk2–PSD-95–MLK3 induced by the activation of postsynaptic Gluk2-KA receptors. There is a raised possibility that ethanol inhibiting the JNK3 apoptotic pathway (MLK3/MKK4/7/JNK3/c-Jun/Fas-L) performs a neuroprotective function against ischemic brain injury.     

Interleukin-25-induced chemokines and interleukin-6 release from eosinophils is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and nuclear factor-kappaB

Interleukin (IL)-25, a novel Th2 cytokine, is capable of amplifying allergic inflammation. We investigated the modulation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways in IL-25-activated eosinophils, the principal effector cells of allergic inflammation, for the in vitro release of chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Gene expression of chemokines and IL-6 was evaluated by RT-PCR, and concentrations of chemokines and cytokine were measured by cytokine protein array, cytometric bead array, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-kappaB, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK activities in eosinophils were assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot. IL-25 was found to upregulate the gene expression of chemokines MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and IL-8, and cytokine IL-6, in eosinophils, and to significantly increase the release of the above chemokines and IL-6 from eosinophils. IL-25 could also activate the JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB activities of eosinophils, while inhibitor of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation (BAY11-7082), JNK (SP600125), and p38 MAPK (SB203580) could suppress the release of IL-8, MIP-1alpha, MCP-1, and IL-6. Together, the above results showed that the induction of MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, IL-8, and IL-6 in IL-25-activated eosinophils are regulated by JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB pathways.     

Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-deregulated apoptosis and IL-6 insensitivity in highly malignant myeloma cells

IL-6 is a growth factor which interferes in the apoptosis of malignant plasma cells. Here we explore its role in the spontaneous and Fas/FasL-regulated apoptosis of seven myeloma cell clones (MCC). MCC-2 and -7 were constitutively defective in Fas antigen in the presence of large membrane exposure of FasL, and showed a high rate of cell proliferation irrespective of the presence of IL-6. Cytofluorimetric analysis following propidium iodide (PI) staining revealed a minimal extent of spontaneous apoptosis, as in other IL-6-insensitive, though Fas-positive MCC, namely MCC-3 and -5. By contrast, a regular amplitude of apoptosis occurred in the remaining IL-6-dependent clones. Their propensity to cell death, as well as their FasL membrane expression, were promptly down-modulated by the cytokine, whereas no substantial effect was detected in IL-6-independent MCC. Furthermore, we investigated the quantitative secretion of FasL. Both [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) cytotoxicity assay and PI staining of WC8 lymphoblasts from a Fas-transfected mouse lymphoma, incubated with supernatants from MCC, showed a variable cytocidal property, thus confirming the cellular release of FasL. However, a significant elevation of FasL secretion occurred in both Fas^? MCC, whereas molecular cloning and sequencing of Fas revealed the presence of a splicing variant, namely Fas Exo4,6Del, in the cDNA from both MCC-3 and -5, which were previously demonstrated to be unresponsive to Fas stimulation. Taken together, these data provide evidence that concurrence of IL-6 insensitivity and deregulation of apoptosis in myeloma cells reflects a high malignancy grade. It is suggested that the secretion of Fas splicing variants in Fas⁺ plasma cells, as well as the over-production of FasL in Fas^? myelomas, are differential mechanisms by which myeloma cells escape host immune surveillance.     

脲原体感染大鼠Leydig细胞时IL-6、Fas和FasL表达的变化

目的 研究Leydig细胞在抗感染中的免疫调节作用。方法 SD大鼠的睾丸经Ⅱ型胶原酶消化、过滤及Percoll分离获得高纯度、高活率的Leydig细胞。体外培养的Leydig细胞经溶脲脲原体(UU)感染后，观察其细胞培养上清液中IL-6含量(ELISA法)的变化和细胞表达Fas、FasL的变化（FACS法和RT-PCR法）。结果 UU感染可下调Leydig细胞分泌IL-6和Leydig细胞表达Fas的水平，并上调Leydig细胞表达FasL的水平，且与UU的感染剂量有关。结论 大鼠Leydig细胞在抗感染免疫中，可通过改变IL-6的分泌和Fas、FasL分子的表达而发挥免疫调节作用。     

6-羟多巴胺制备的帕金森病大鼠脑内神经递质的变化

目的:研究6-羟多巴胺(6-0HDA)制备的帕金森病(PD)大鼠脑内神经递质的变化.方法:6-OHDA微量注射建立大鼠PD模型,免疫组织化学方法观测注射侧和正常侧黑质酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、突触素(SYN)及纹状体内γ-氨基丁酸(GA-BA)的表达,利用免疫电镜技术观察黑质网状部突触的结构变化.结果:6-OHDA注射侧黑质致密部TH阳性细胞数、GA-BA阳性细胞数量、SYN阳性突触的面积及平均光密度值(D值)较正常侧均显著降低.免疫电镜观察SYN免疫反应产物定位于小圆形或扁形突触囊泡质膜面,电子密度高.正常侧可见密集的SYN免疫反应产物,清晰的突触结构,注射侧SYN免疫反应产物很少见,突触结构少见,结构模糊,线粒体肿胀、空泡样变.结论:6-OHDA制备的PD大鼠神经递质及突触结构发生了显著改变.     

JNK信号通路对亚急性帕金森病MPTP模型小鼠黑质iNOS表达的影响

目的:研究JNK在1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)所致小鼠帕金森病(PD)模型中对诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达的调控作用,探讨PD黑质多巴胺(DA)能神经元变性失活的可能机制.方法:采用神经毒素MPTP制备亚急性PD小鼠模型,健康雄性C57BL/6N小鼠随机分为模型组、JNK抑制剂组和对照组,采用行为学观察、免疫组织化学和免疫印迹法,观察模型小鼠行为学变化及中脑黑质酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、 iNOS和磷酸化c-Jun(p-c-Jun)的表达变化;观察给予JNK通路特异性抑制剂SP600125对上述变化的影响.结果:与对照组相比,模型小鼠出现典型PD样症状.中脑黑质区TH阳性神经元下降约65%,中脑黑质TH表达水平显著降低约75%;黑质区iNOS和p-c-Jun阳性细胞明显增加,且p-c-Jun特异性表达于细胞核,中脑黑质iNOS与p-c-Jun表达水平明显升高.经SP600125处理后,模型小鼠PD样症状减轻,与对照组比较,TH阳性细胞数和TH表达水平仅下降约15%和25%,与模型组比较,黑质区iNOS与p-c-Jun阳性细胞减少,且p-c-Jun仅表达于胞质,中脑黑质iNOS与p-c-Jun表达水平明显下降.结论:JNK通路在MPTP诱导的亚急性PD小鼠黑质iNOS表达中可能起重要的调控作用;JNK通路特异性抑制剂SP600125可能对帕金森病小鼠具有一定的神经保护作用.     

Fas/FasL和Bcl-2在人乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与浸润淋巴细胞的关系

目的通过观察乳腺癌组织中凋亡调节蛋白Fas、FasL、Bcl-2的表达及其与肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞(TIL)的关系,探讨Fas、FasL、Bcl-2与乳腺癌发生、发展的关系,为乳腺癌的生物治疗提供实验依据。方法收集手术切除的人乳腺癌组织和癌旁相对正常乳腺组织。用免疫组织化学方法和图像分析技术对21例乳腺癌标本进行检测。结果乳腺癌组织中Fas的阳性表达率明显低于相对正常乳腺组织(P<0.05),且淋巴细胞浸润性乳腺癌组织中Fas的阳性表达明显低于非浸润性乳腺癌组织(P<0.05);乳腺癌组织中FasL、Bcl-2的阳性表达率明显高于相对正常乳腺组织(P<0.05),且淋巴细胞浸润性乳腺癌组织明显高于非淋巴细胞浸润性乳腺癌组织(P<0.05);乳腺癌组织中Fas阳性淋巴细胞的数量与相对正常乳腺组织相比明显增多(P<0.05);乳腺癌组织Bcl-2阳性淋巴细胞的数量与相对正常乳腺组织相比明显减少(P<0.05)。结论①乳腺癌组织中Fas表达下调和FasL的过度表达,逃避了免疫监视,诱导Fas敏感的TIL凋亡,从而导致肿瘤的生长;②乳腺癌组织中癌基因Bcl-2过度表达及Bcl-2阳性淋巴细胞的低表达,使肿瘤抗凋亡机制过度激活,肿瘤细胞对Fas/FasL易感性较淋巴细胞相对低,导致TIL死亡,而不是肿瘤细胞死亡。