查找使用阿拉丁产品的科研文献

Interfering with Dusp2 alleviates high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction by promoting p38 MAPK pathway activation

Xinmiao Jiang,Qiong Yan,Jiaqi He,Zeqi Zheng,Xiaoping Peng,Xiaoyan Cao,Fangbin Zhou,Jungang Nie,Ting Kang

Background Hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is a major factor contributing to diabetic lower extremity ischemia. We intend to investigate the role of Dusp2 in hyperglycemia-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and related mechanisms. Methods The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with high glucose (HG) as the cell model. Streptozotocin injection was performed to induce diabetes and femoral artery ligation was to induce hind limb ischemia in mice. The levels of Dusp2, p-p38 MAPK, E2F4, and p38 MAPK were evaluated by Western blot or quantitative real-time PCR. The laser Doppler perfusion imaging was conducted to measure blood flow recovery. The cell counting kit-8, transwell, and tube formation assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, respectively. CD31 immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the capillary density of gastrocnemius. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were executed to explore the interaction between E2F4 and Dusp2. Results Dusp2 was highly expressed in HG-induced HUVECs and diabetic lower extremity ischemia model mice. Interference with Dusp2 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, as well as alleviated mouse diabetic hindlimb ischemia. Dusp2 knockdown up-regulated p-p38 MAPK levels. We verified the binding between E2F4 and Dusp2. Overexpressing E2F4 suppressed Dusp2 levels and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, co-overexpression of Dusp2 reversed the results. Conclusions Overexpressing E2F4 promotes endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by inhibiting Dusp2 expression and activating p38 MAPK to alleviate vascular endothelial cell dysfunction under HG stimulation.

PP2A protects podocytes against Adriamycin-induced injury and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via suppressing JIP4/p38-MAPK pathway

Lu Zhihong,Zhu Xiujuan,Ye Yuhong,Fu Haidong,Mao Jianhua

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is one of the major protein serine/threonine phosphatases (PPPs) with regulatory effects on several cellular processes, but its role and function in Adriamycin (ADR)-treated podocytes injury needs to be further explored. Mice podocytes were treated with ADR and PP2A inhibitor (okadaic acid, OA). After transfection, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Expressions of podocytes injury-, apoptosis- and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)- and JNK-interacting protein 4/p38-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (JIP4/p38-MAPK) pathway-related factors were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot as needed. Interaction between PP2A and JIP4/MAPK pathway was confirmed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-Ip) assay. In podocytes, ADR inhibited PP2A, Nephrin and Wilms’ tumor (WT) 1 expressions yet upregulated apoptosis and Desmin expression, and suppressing PP2A expressionenhanced the effects. PP2A overexpression reversed the effects of ADR on PP2A and podocyte injury-related factors expressions and apoptosis of podocytes. JIP4 was the candidate gene interacting with both PP2A and p38-MAPK pathway, and PP2A overexpression alleviated the effects of ADR on p38-MAPK pathway-related factors expressions. Additionally, in ADR-treated podocytes, PP2A suppression enhanced the effects of ADR, yet silencing of JIP4 reversed the effects of PP2A suppression on regulating p38-MAPK pathway-, apoptosis- and EMT-related factors expressions and apoptosis, with upregulations of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and E-cadherin and down-regulations of Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax), cleaved (C)-casapse-3, N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail. PP2A protects ADR-treated podocytes against injury and EMT by suppressing JIP4/p38-MAPK pathway, showing their interaction in podocytes.

Inhibition of p38 MAPK increases the sensitivity of 5‑fluorouracil‑resistant SW480 human colon cancer cells to noscapine

Zheng Han,Liu Meng,Xiaodong Huang,Jie Tan,Weijie Liu,Wei Chen,Yanli Zou,Yishan Cai,Shasha Huang,Aifang Chen,Ting Zhan,Min Huang,Xiaoli Chen,Xia Tian,Qingxi Zhu

A major cause of treatment failure in advanced colon cancer is resistance to chemotherapy. p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been associated with cellular apoptosis and plays an important role in multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. In the present study the effect of p38 MAPK on the sensitivity of 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU)‑resistant SW480 (SW480/5‑FU) human colon cancer cells to noscapine was investigated. Following p38 MAPK interference, the inhibitory effect of noscapine on cell viability and proliferation was increased in the SW480/5‑FU cells and there was also a decrease in the expression level of minichromosome maintenance proteins, recombinant Ki‑67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Inhibition of p38 MAPK also enhanced noscapine‑induced G1‑phase cell cycle arrest in the SW480/5‑FU cells and there was also a decrease in the protein and mRNA expression level of cyclin D, cyclin E and cyclin‑dependent kinase 2, and an increase in the expression level of P57. Furthermore, p38 MAPK interference increased noscapine‑induced apoptosis of the SW480/5‑FU cells and there was an increase in the protein and mRNA expression level of caspases‑3 and 8 and Bax, and decreased Bcl‑2 expression level. The sensitivity of the SW480/5‑FU cells to noscapine was also increased following p38 MAPK interference, as demonstrated by MDR inhibition via decreased Akt activity and reduced protein expression level of the MDR proteins P‑glycoprotein, multidrug resistance protein 1 and ATP‑binding cassette G2. These observations indicated that inhibition of p38 MAPK increased the sensitivity of the SW480/5‑FU cells to noscapine by suppressing proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and reversal of MDR in the SW480/5‑FU cells.

Dioscin inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma by inducing G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and GSDME-dependent cell death in vitro and in vivo

Qiuyue Ding,Wenda Zhang,Cheng Cheng,Fengbo Mo,Lei Chen,Guangfu Peng,Xianyi Cai,Jinglong Wang,Shuhua Yang,Xianzhe Liu

Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death (PCD) that plays a vital role in immunity and diseases. Although it was recently reported that chemotherapy drugs can induce pyroptosis through caspase-3-dependent cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME), the role of pyroptosis in osteosarcoma (OS) with dioscin is less understood. In this study, we explored the effects of dioscin on OS in vitro and in vivo and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms and found that dioscin-triggered pyroptosis in GSDME-dependent cell death and that GSDME-N was generated by caspase-3. Furthermore, dioscin inhibited cancer cell growth by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis through the JNK/p38 pathway. In vivo, dioscin significantly inhibited OS proliferation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that dioscin can induce apoptosis through the JNK/p38 pathway and GSDME-dependent pyroptosis in OS, identifying it as a potential therapeutic drug for treatment of this disease. HIGHLIGHTS Dioscin triggers pyroptosis in osteosarcoma. Gasdermin E is a mediator of dioscin-induced osteosarcoma (OS) cell death. Dioscin induces apoptosis and G2/M arrest. Dioscin inhibits OS proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

Apoptosis Signal-Regulated Kinase-1 Promotes Nucleus Pulposus Cell Senescence and Apoptosis to Regulate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Mingxiang Zou,Wenkang Chen,Jing Li,Xin Qi,Xiaobin Wang,Fubing Liu,Jiarui Hu,Qianshi Zhang

This study investigated the role of apoptosis signal-regulated kinase-1 ( ASK1 ) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues of non-IDD and IDD patients were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin O–fast green, and immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess the ASK1 mRNA level within NP tissue samples and cells. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and then flow cytometry were conducted, respectively, to assess the viability, senescence, and apoptosis of NP cells. The extracellular matrix–related factors were detected using Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the effect of ASK1 on the IDD rat model was evaluated through nuclear magnetic resonance imaging analysis, hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin O–fast green staining, and immunohistochemical staining. Finally, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors were used to verify the effect of the JNK/p38 signaling on IDD. ASK1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated within NP tissue samples from the IDD group, IL-1β–stimulated NP cells, and IDD rats. ASK1 inhibition promoted cell viability and repressed the senescence and apoptosis of NP cells; promoted collagen II and aggrecan; inhibited matrix metalloproteinase 3, matrix metalloproteinase 9, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 protein levels; and increased NP cells in rat intervertebral disc tissues. ASK1 overexpression exerted the opposite effects of ASK1 inhibition on NP cells. Additionally, JNK/p38 signaling suppression could reverse the ASK1 up-regulation–induced dysfunction. In conclusion, ASK1 facilitated the senescence and apoptosis of NP cells in promoting IDD progression, which may be mediated by the JNK/p38 pathway.

TGF-β1 impairs IgA class switch recombination and production in porcine Peyer's patches B cells

Caiying Wang,Yue Zhang,Yabin Lu,Xin Huang,Huazheng Jiang,Guohui Chen,Yongheng Shao,Huub F.J. Savelkoul,Christine A. Jansen,Guangliang Liu

Secretory IgA is crucial for preventing the invasion of entero-pathogens via intestinal mucosa. While it is well-established that Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) regulates IgA production in human and mouse B cells, our previous investigation revealed different functions of TGF-β1 in IgA generation in pigs compared with humans and mice, with the underlying mechanism remaining elusive. In this study, IgM + B cells from porcine Peyer's patches (PPs) were isolated and stimulated with recombinant porcine TGF-β1 to evaluate the effect of TGF-β1 on pigs. The results showed that antibody production from B cells of PPs was impaired by TGF-β1 ex vivo. Furthermore, TGF-β1 treatment led to a decrease in the expression of germ-line transcript αand postswitch transcript α. Moreover, we observed that TGF-β1 predominantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), confirming the involvement of the p38-MAPK pathway in porcine IgA generation and IgA class switch recombination. The application of p38-MAPK inhibitor resulted in decreased B-cell differentiation levels. Collectively, this study demonstrates that exogenous TGF-β1 restrains the production and class switch recombination of IgA antibodies by inhibiting p38-MAPK signaling in porcine PPs B cells, which may constitute a component of TGF-β1-mediated inhibition of B-cell activation.

Propofol Protects against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Down-Regulating Long Noncoding RNA SNHG14

Bei Sun,Hao Ou,Fei Ren,Yujiao Guan,Ye Huan,Hongwei Cai

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury is a serious central nervous system disease. Propofol (PPF) exerts a neuroprotective effect in CI/R injury; the underlying cause is still unclear. Here, we cultured mouse hippocampal neuron (HT22 cells) in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) conditions to mimic CI/R injury in vitro. PPF treatment promoted cell viability and reduced apoptotic cells in the OGD/R-treated HT22 cells, which was effectively abrogated by SNHG14 overexpression. Moreover, we constructed a CI/R injury mouse model on C57BL/6J mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R), followed by administration of PPF. PPF reduced neuronal damage and loss, enhanced glial cell hyperplasia, and ameliorated cerebral cortex tissue damage and brain infarct in MCAO/R-induced mice. SNHG14 overexpression aggravated MCAO/R-induced CI/R injury in mice. Furthermore, SNHG14 promoted the expression of Atg5 and Beclin 1 via competitively binding miR-30b-5p, which contributed to activate autophagy and apoptosis in HT22 cells. In addition, the levels of p-p38 and p-SP1 were reduced in the OGD/R-treated HT22 cells in the presence of PPF. SP1 interacted with the promoter of SNHG14 and elevated the expression of SNHG14. PPF treatment inhibited the SP1-mediated up-regulation of SNHG14. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that PPF inhibits SNHG14 expression though the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. SNHG14 promotes Atg5 and Beclin 1 expression by sponging miR-30b-5p and thus activates autophagy and aggravates CI/R injury.

Salicylate Sodium Suppresses Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production by Directly Inhibiting Phosphodiesterase 3B in TNF-α-Stimulated Adipocytes

Xiaoyu Zhang,Yuan Gao,Zhuangzhuang Liu,Wenjing Li,Yuan Kang,Ximeng Li,Zhenlu Xu,Cheng Peng,Yun Qi

As a worldwide health issue, obesity is associated with the infiltration of monocytes/macrophages into the adipose tissue causing unresolved inflammation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) exerts a crucial effect on obesity-related monocytes/macrophages infiltration. Clinically, aspirin and salsalate are beneficial for the treatment of metabolic diseases in which adipose tissue inflammation plays an essential role. Herein, we investigated the effect and precise mechanism of their active metabolite salicylate on TNF-α-elevated MCP-1 in adipocytes. The results indicated that salicylate sodium (SAS) could lower the level of MCP-1 in TNF-α-stimulated adipocytes, which resulted from a previously unrecognized target phosphodiesterase (PDE), 3B (PDE3B), rather than its known targets IKKβ and AMPK. The SAS directly bound to the PDE3B to inactivate it, thus elevating the intracellular cAMP level and activating PKA. Subsequently, the expression of MKP-1 was increased, which led to the decrease in p-EKR and p-p38. Both PDE3B silencing and the pharmacological inhibition of cAMP/PKA compromised the suppressive effect of SAS on MCP-1. In addition to PDE3B, the PDE3A and PDE4B activity was also inhibited by SAS. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized pathway through which SAS is capable of attenuating the inflammation of adipocytes.Keywords:cAMP;MKP-1;p-ERK;p-p38;metaflammation

Integrated Identification of Macrophage NF-κB, p38 MAPK and AKT1 Signalling as Candidate Targets of Zerumbone in Experimental Periodontitis

Characterised by progressive alveolar bone loss, periodontitis arises from immune dysregulation and is classified as a chronic inflammatory condition. Zerumbone (Zer) has anti-inflammatory properties; however, its mechanism within the periodontal context remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic effects and potential molecular targets of Zer by integratingin vivoefficacy assessment (using male C57BL/6 mice), network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, together with analysis of public single-cell transcriptomic data, with mechanistic validation using RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with LPS. In vivo, Zer attenuated bone resorption, preserved collagen integrity, reduced the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts, and mitigated inflammation without hepatorenal toxicity. Network pharmacology predictedNFKB1,MAPK14, andAKT1as potential core targets, while IL-17 pathway enrichment suggested the involvement ofIL17A; single-cell data localisedNFKB1/MAPK14/AKT1to macrophages and showed thatIL17Ais predominantly expressed in T cells. In vitro, Zer dose-dependently suppressed LPS-driven phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, p38 MAPK and AKT1, correlating with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release and an M1-to-M2 phenotypic shift. In vivo, Zer also reduced gingival IL-17A expression. However, as IL-17A is primarily produced by T cells and our in vitro experiments were conducted exclusively in macrophages, this observation remains correlative and does not establish a direct T-cell-mediated effect. Collectively, these findings suggest that Zer ameliorates periodontitis partly through suppression of macrophage NF-κB and p38 MAPK signalling, with reduced AKT1 phosphorylation observed alongside these effects; however, whether AKT1 causally contributes to these effects remains to be determined. In addition, the potential impact on T-cell-associated IL-17A responses warrants further investigation.

Piperlonguminine and Piperine Analogues as TrxR Inhibitors that Promote ROS and Autophagy and Regulate p38 and Akt/mTOR Signaling

Peng Zhu,Jianqiang Qian,Zhongyuan Xu,Chi Meng,Ji Liu,Wenpei Shan,Weizhong Zhu,Yongjun Wang,Yumin Yang,Wei Zhang,Yanan Zhang,Yong Ling

The natural products piperlongumine and piperine have been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation through elevation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and eventually cell death, but only have modest cytotoxic potencies. A series of 14 novel phenylallylidenecyclohexenone analogues based on piperlongumine and piperine therefore were designed and synthesized, and their pharmacological properties were evaluated. Most of the compounds produced antiproliferative activities against five human cancer cells with IC50 values lower than those of piperlongumine and piperine. Among these, compound 9m exerted the most potent antiproliferative activity against drug-resistant Bel-7402/5-FU human liver cancer 5-FU resistant cells (IC50 = 0.8 μM), which was approximately 10-fold lower than piperlongumine (IC50 = 8.4 μM). Further, 9m showed considerably lower cytotoxicity against LO2 human normal liver epithelial cells compared to Bel-7402/5-FU. Mechanistically, compound 9m inhibited thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity, increased ROS levels, reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP), and induced autophagy in Bel-7402/5-FU cells via regulation of autophagy-related proteins LC3, p62, and beclin-1. Finally, 9m activated significantly the p38 signaling pathways and suppressed the Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. In conclusion, 9m could be a promising candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells and, as such, warrants further investigation.

Silibinin A decreases statin‑induced PCSK9 expression in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells

Zhewen Dong,Wenxiang Zhang,Siyu Chen,Chang Liu

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors for the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. The most common drugs used to treat hypercholesterolemia are 3‑hydroxy‑3‑methyl‑glutaryl‑CoA reductase inhibitors, known as statins. Statins induce a beneficial increase in the levels of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and additionally upregulate proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which leads to LDLR degradation. This process causes a negative feedback response that attenuates the lipid lowering effects of statins. Therefore, the development of PCSK9 inhibitors may increase the lipid‑lowering functions of statins. In the present study, a drug‑screening assay was developed using the human PCSK9 promoter, based on data from a dual‑luciferase reporter assay, and the efficacies of various compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine were examined. Among the compounds examined, SIL was demonstrated to function by targeting PCSK9. It was identified that SIL treatment decreased the expression levels of PCSK9 in HepG2 cells by decreasing the activity of the PCSK9 promoter in a dose‑and time‑dependent manner. Notably, SIL antagonized the statin‑induced phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The present study suggested that SIL may be developed as a novel PCSK9 inhibitor that may increase the efficiency of statin treatment.

Neuroprotective Effect of Radix Trichosanthis Saponins on Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Ying Chen,Haiyan Sun,Liyong Huang,Juxiang Li,Wenke Zhou,Jingling Chang

Redox homeostasis has been implicated in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). As a result, antioxidants and/or free radical scavengers have become an important therapeutic modality. Considering that radix trichosanthis (RT) saponins exhibited strong antioxidant ability both in vivo and in vitro, the present study aimed to reveal whether the neuroprotective activities of RT saponins were mediated by p38/p53 signal pathway after SAH. An established SAH model was used and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), p-p38, and p53 activation were detected after 48 h of SAH. The results showed that RT saponins inhibited iNOS expression to restore NO to basal level. Moreover, compared with Cu/Zn-SOD, RT saponins (2 mg/kg/d dosage) significantly increased Mn-SOD activity after SAH. Accompanied with lowered NO and elevated SOD, decreased p38 phosphorylation and p53 activities were observed, especially for RT saponins at 2 mg/kg/d dosage. In this setting, the neurological outcome was also improved with less neuronal cells damage after RT saponins pretreatment. Our findings demonstrated the beneficial effects of RT saponins in enhancing neuroprotective effects by deducing iNOS activity, normalizing SOD level, and inhibiting p-p38 and p53 expression, hence offering significant therapeutic implications for SAH.