PI3K抑制剂LY294002在HPV感染宫颈癌细胞的调节作用

高危型人乳头瘤病毒(Human papiloma virus,HPV)感染是宫颈癌的危险因素,HPV16是常见的高危型HPV,与宫颈癌的发病有关,但具体机制未明确.有临床研究报道,宫颈癌组织中HPV16感染与磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(AKT)表达增加有关,为了阐明PI3K/AKT信号通路及其抑制剂LY294002在HPV感染宫颈癌细胞增殖中的调控作用,本实验培养了 HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞株SiHa、HPV阴性的宫颈癌细胞株C33A、正常宫颈上皮细胞株H8,检测了 p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达水平;SiHa细胞分为对照组、50 μmol/L及100 μmol/L LY294002组,药物干预后检测细胞增殖活力A490值及p-PI3K、p-AKT、c-myc、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)的表达水平;皮下注射SiHa细胞建立移植瘤小鼠模型,分为对照组、25mg/kg、50mg/kg LY294002组,药物干预后取移植瘤称重.结果显示,SiHa细胞中p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达水平均高于C33A、H8细胞;50 μmol/L及100 μmol/L LY294002组 SiHa 细胞的 A490值及 p-PI3K、p-AKT、c-myc、bcl-2的表达水平均低于对照组;25 mg/kg、50 mg/kg LY294002组移植瘤小鼠的移植瘤质量均低于对照组(P＜0.05).以上结果表明HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞中PI3K/AKT信号通路过度激活具有促增殖作用.本实验阐明了 PI3K/AKT通路及其抑制剂LY294002在HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞增殖中的调控作用,PI3K/AKT通路的激活能够促进HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞增殖及移植瘤的生长,使用信号通路抑制剂能够抑制细胞增殖及移植瘤生长,未来PI3K/AKT通路可能成为HPV16感染引起宫颈癌的防治靶点.     

哈蟆油通过激活PI3K/Akt/NF-κB途径保护氧化应激损伤的大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞

本文探讨哈蟆油含药血清对H_2O_2致大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用与分子机制。将大鼠原代卵巢颗粒细胞分为6组:正常对照组、H_2O_2模型组、阳性药对照组、哈蟆油含药血清低、中、高剂量组。CCK-8法检测哈蟆油含药血清对H_2O_2致颗粒细胞氧化应激损伤细胞活力的影响;实时荧光RT-PCR法检测PI3K、AKT3 mRNA的表达水平;Western blot检测p-Akt(Ser473)、NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白的表达。结果发现与正常对照组相比,H_2O_2刺激后细胞活性明显下降,哈蟆油含药血清能够提高颗粒细胞存活率。机制研究发现,哈蟆油含药血清通过恢复H_2O_2诱导细胞增殖相关PI3K、AKT3 mRNA水平,上调p-Akt(Ser473)、IKKβ、NF-κB(p65)蛋白的表达,下调IκBα蛋白的表达。以上结果表明,哈蟆油对H_2O_2诱导卵巢颗粒细胞氧化应激损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与调控PI3K/Akt/NF-κB信号通路密切相关。这可能是其抗氧化的作用机制之一。     

MyD88抑制乙型肝炎病毒复制依赖活化NF-κB信号通路

目的 研究髓样细胞分化蛋白(MyD88)抗乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)效应的作用机制。方法 构建MyD88的截短突变体,获得核因子kappa B(NF-κB)超抑制剂IkBa-SR或者NF-κB信号通路激活剂IKKα/IKKβ的表达质粒,分别与HBV复制型质粒瞬时转染Huh7细胞,检测细胞上清液中HBeAg,HBsAg的表达以及胞质中HBV复制中间体DNA的含量,并以NF-κB依赖的荧光素酶报道系统检测它们活化NF-κB的程度。结果 MyD88全长蛋白和2个截短突变体M(1-151)、M(151-296)活化NF-κB的程度与其抑制HBV蛋白以及复制中间体DNA合成的能力相一致。与空载相比,表达NF-κB信号通路激活剂IKKα/IKKβ的质粒共同瞬转细胞后,转染MyD88和HBV表达质粒的细胞中NF-κB的通路明显活化,同时HBV core蛋白的合成显著降低;而NF-κB的超抑制剂IκBα-SR共同瞬转的细胞中core蛋白的表达量显著增加,检测细胞培养上清液中HBeAg和HBsAg及胞质中HBV复制中间体DNA的合成,得到相似结果。结论 NF-κB信号通路的活化在MyD88抑制HBV复制中发挥了关键作用     

PD-L1对细菌脓毒症免疫抑制的影响及其机制*

目的:探讨在脂多糖(LPS)所致细菌脓毒症免疫抑制中树突状细胞(DCs)程序性细胞死亡配体-1(PD-L1)的表达情况及其相关信号通路。方法:细菌脂多糖刺激骨髓来源树突状细胞诱导淋巴细胞免疫抑制模型,实验分为5组:对照组(Con)、脂多糖组(LPS)、2-(4-吗啉基)-8-苯基-4H-1-苯并吡喃-4-酮+脂多糖组(LY294002+LPS)、吡咯烷二硫代甲酸铵盐+脂多糖组(PDTC+LPS)和脂多糖+封闭PD-L1组(LPS+αPD-L1)。小鼠骨髓来源单核细胞用含粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rmGM-CSF 10 ng/ml)和白介素4(rmIL-4 1 ng/ml)的10%胎牛血清1640培养基于CO₂培养箱37℃静置培养4 d后,LPS(10 ng/ml)处理DCs静置12 h获得PD-L1高表达的DCs作为免疫抑制刺激细胞。通路抑制剂LY294002(10 μmol/L)、PDTC (20 μmol/L)作用1 h阻断PI3K和NF-κB信号。采用流式细胞分析、激光共聚焦显微成像检测LPS诱导树突状细胞PD-L1表达及磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶B (PI3K/AKT) 信号通路活化情况;BrdU细胞增殖实验和γ-干扰素酶联免疫斑点实验检测LPS诱导树突状细胞PD-L1表达上调对抗原特异性T细胞增殖反应及细胞毒性T细胞杀伤作用的影响。结果:与对照组比较,LPS组DCs表面PD-L1阳性细胞百分比升高(P＜0.01),PD-L1荧光信号强度增强,且主要分布于细胞表面和细胞质,DCs介导的T细胞增殖水平降低(P＜0.01),γ-干扰素斑点形成细胞数下降(P＜0.01)。与LPS组比较,LY294002+LPS组、PDTC+LPS组和LPS+αPD-L1组PD-L1荧光信号强度降低,T细胞增殖水平升高(P＜0.01),γ-干扰素斑点形成细胞数上升(P＜0.01),改善树突状细胞介导的T细胞免疫抑制现象。 结论:PD-L1是介导脂多糖所致细菌脓毒症免疫抑制的关键分子,PI3K信号、NF-κB信号也参与此免疫抑制过程。     

胰岛素在巨噬细胞泡沫化过程中对Toll样受体4表达的影响及其机制

目的:观察胰岛素对巨噬细胞破泡沫化过程中Toll样受体4(TLR4)表达及IL-6、TNF-α分泌的影响.方法:采用体外培养小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7,氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导建立泡沫细胞模型,分为对照组、ox-LDL组、用胰岛素组、PI3K-AKT抑制剂组.油红O染色观察泡沫细胞模型的建立,取细胞上清用ELISA法检测白介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的水平;流式细胞术检测膜蛋白TLR4表达量,Western-blot检测TLR4、核因子-κB (NF-κB)的表达水平.结果:与对照组相比,ox-LDL处理过的巨噬细胞可向泡沫细胞转换,同时TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达水平以及IL-6、TNF-α水平显著增加(P＜0.05);而使用胰岛素干预后ox-LDL的作用显著减弱,TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达水平以及IL-6、TNF-α水平显著降低(P ＜0.05 vs ox-LDLgroup);而使用PI3K-AKT抑制剂干预后,抑制剂显著降低胰岛素的作用,TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达水平以及IL-6、TNF-α水平显著升高(P ＜0.05 vs ox-LDL+ insulin).结论:ox-LDL可诱导巨噬细胞向泡沫细胞转化,同时上调TLR4及NF-κB蛋白表达,增加炎性因子分泌,促进了AS进程,而胰岛素可使ox-LDL的作用显减弱,减少TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达及炎性因子分泌,从而减轻AS进程,其机制可能与胰岛素通过PI3K-AKT抑制TLR4-NF-κB通路有关.     

胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-I）通过PI-3K/Akt 途径对结肠癌细胞 凋亡的影响

目的:探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-I)通过磷酯酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI-3K/Akt)信号通路对结肠癌细胞株SW480凋亡率的影响及其凋亡抑制蛋白survivin表达水平的变化。方法:培养结肠癌SW480细胞株,实验分成三组:未加IGF-I空白组、IGF-I刺激组、IGF-I+LY294002阻断组,检测阻断剂LY294002是否阻断PI-3K/Akt通路(Western Blot检测三组P-Akt表达情况);Western Blot及免疫荧光观察三组survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果:Western blot结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的p-Akt的表达(P<0.05);阻断IGF-I诱导的PI-3K/Akt通路后MTT显示结肠癌细胞SW480增殖抑制率升高(P<0.05),流式细胞术分析显示凋亡率明显上升(P<0.05);Western blot及免疫荧光结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的survivin的表达(P<0.05)。结论:IGF-I可通过PI-3K/Akt通路诱导survivin表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞SW480的凋亡。     

眼镜蛇毒NGF通过PI3K/AKT信号通路对肝星状细胞的影响

为探讨PI3K/Akt信号通路在眼镜蛇毒神经生长因子(NGF)诱导肝星状细胞凋亡中的作用,本实验分别采用CCK8和流式细胞术检测NGF对HSC-T6细胞增殖及凋亡作用,从而找出NGF作用HSC-T6细胞的最小有效浓度,同时应用Western Blot法分析NGF对细胞蛋白Akt磷酸化水平的影响。结果发现NGF浓度为4μg/m L时为诱导HSC-T6细胞凋亡的最小有效浓度,并且在作用HSC-T6细胞后,P-Akt的表达水平降低,Akt的表达量却增加。将该浓度NGF与信号通路抑制剂LY294002联合使用则协同作用增强。因此,眼镜蛇毒神经生长因子诱导HSC-T6细胞凋亡作用与PI3K/Akt信号通路有关。     

胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-I）通过PI-3K/Akt途径对结肠癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-I）通过磷酯酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI-3K/Akt）信号通路对结肠癌细胞株SW480凋亡率的影响及其凋亡抑制蛋白survivin表达水平的变化。方法：培养结肠癌SW480细胞株,实验分成三组：未加IGF-I空白组、IGF-I刺激组、IGF-I＋LY294002阻断组,检测阻断剂LY294002是否阻断PI-3K/Akt通路（Western Blot检测三组P-Akt表达情况）;Western Blot及免疫荧光观察三组survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果：Western blot结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的p-Akt的表达（P〈0.05）;阻断IGF-I诱导的PI-3K/Akt通路后MTT显示结肠癌细胞SW480增殖抑制率升高（P〈0.05）,流式细胞术分析显示凋亡率明显上升（P〈0.05）;Western blot及免疫荧光结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的survivin的表达（P〈0.05）。结论：IGF-I可通过PI-3K/Akt通路诱导survivin表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞SW480的凋亡。     

PI3K/AKT途径在大肠埃希菌诱导U937细胞凋亡中的作用

目的探讨PI3K/AKT信号转导通路在大肠埃希菌（Escherichia coli,E.coli）诱导的人巨噬细胞系U937细胞凋亡中的作用。方法利用Western blot分析检测E.coli感染不同时间后磷酸化及非磷酸化AKT的表达;预先用不同浓度的LY294002（PI3K途径抑制剂）处理U937细胞60min,观察E.coli感染30min后U937细胞的凋亡情况。结果随着感染时间的延长,磷酸化AKT的表达逐渐下降。加入PI3K的抑制剂LY294002后,U937细胞的凋亡率逐渐升高。结论PI3K/AKT信号转导通路参与了E. coli诱导的U937细胞凋亡过程。LY294002通过特异性地抑制PI3K/AKT活性增加E.coli诱导的U937细胞凋亡率。     

PI3K通路抑制剂LY294002对人脑胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞衰老和凋亡的影响

目的:PI3K/Akt信号通路是与胶质瘤发生发展密切相关的核心通路之一,LY294002是该通路的特异性抑制剂。本研究通过探讨PI3K通路抑制剂LY294002对U87胶质瘤细胞系细胞衰老及凋亡的影响,从而为胶质瘤患者治疗的新策略奠定理论基础。方法:将体外培养的人脑胶质瘤U87细胞株分为DMSO处理的对照组和LY294002(100μM)处理的实验组,采用β-半乳糖苷酶染色和流式细胞术的方法,分别检测并比较两组肿瘤细胞衰老和凋亡的情况。结果:LY294002处理组U87胶质瘤细胞的衰老指数(32.20±4.46%)显著高于DMSO对照组(3.40±1.61%,t=6.254,P0.001)。另外,与DMSO对照组相比,凋亡蛋白caspase-3mRNA的表达在LY294002处理组胶质瘤细胞中显著上调(t=8.923,P0.05)。LY294002处理组肿瘤细胞的凋亡指数(80.10±4.832%)明显高于DMSO对照组(4.260±1.073%,t=8.923,P0.05)。结论:LY294002既能够诱导肿瘤细胞衰老,又能够诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,然而其诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡的能力占据主导地位,为其发挥抗胶质瘤效应的主要途径。另外,在LY294002的持续作用下,部分衰老的肿瘤细胞或许会发生凋亡。这些结论为为临床增强胶质瘤患者的联合化疗奠定了理论基础。     

Degradation of IkappaBalpha in activated RAW264.7 cells is blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002

The mechanism by which lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induces production of proinflammatory cytokines in murine macrophages, and the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) have not been well investigated. Activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is initiated by the phosphorylation of the inhibitory subunit, IκB, which targets IκB for degradation and leads to the release of active NF-κB. In this study we demonstrate that 2- (4-morpholinyl)-8-phenylchromone (LY294002), which inhibits PI3-kinase, specifically inhibited degradation of IκBα in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) plus LPS or IFN-γ plus PMA. To elucidate the importance of this activity in RAW264.7 cells, we examined tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin IL)-6 production in the activated cells. Pretreatment of the cells with LY294002 resulted in the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with IFN-γ plus LPS or IFN-γ plus PMA. Furthermore, LY294002 inhibited the production of nitric oxide NO) in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with IFN-γ plus LPS or IFN-γ plus PMA. LY294002 also inhibited inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in the activated RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, the present results suggest that PI3-kinase is involved in the signal transduction pathway responsible for LPS- or PMA-mediated TNF-α and IL-6 production, and that LY294002 inhibits NO generation through blocking the degradation of IκBα in activated RAW264.7 cells. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

mTORC1 Regulates Flagellin-Induced Inflammatory Response in Macrophages

Bacterial flagellin triggers inflammatory responses. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulate the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that are induced by extrinsic antigens, but the function of mTORC1 in flagellin-induced inflammatory response is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the role and the mechanism of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in flagellin-induced cytokine expression in mouse macrophages. We observed that flagellin upregulated TNF-α time- and dose-dependently. Flagellin stimulated rapid (<15 min) PI3K/Akt/mTOR phosphorylation that was mediated by TLR5. Inhibition of PI3K with {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 and wortmannin, and of mTORC1 with rapamycin decreased flagellin-induced TNF-α and IL-6 expression and cell proliferation. The activation of NF-κB p65 and STAT3 was regulated by mTORC1 via degradation of IκBα and phosphorylation of STAT3 in response to flagellin, respectively. Thus, the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway regulates the innate immune response to bacterial flagellin. Rapamycin is potential therapy that can regulate host defense against pathogenic infections.     

Down-Regulation of MicroRNA-223 Promotes Degranulation via the PI3K/Akt Pathway by Targeting IGF-1R in Mast Cells

Background

Mast cells play a central role in allergic and inflammatory disorders by inducing degranulation and inflammatory mediator release. Recent reports have shown that miRNAs play an important role in inflammatory response regulation. Therefore, the role of miR-223 in mast cells was investigated.

Methods

The expression of miR-223 was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated mast cells. After successful miR-223 inhibition by transfection, degranulation was detected in IgE-mediated mast cells. The phosphorylation of IκB-α and Akt were examined using western blotting. NF-κB was tested using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. PI3K-inhibitor (LY294002) was used to investigate whether the PI3K/Akt pathway was essential for mast cell activation. The TargetScan database and a luciferase reporter system were used to identify whether insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a direct target of miR-223.

Results

MiR-223 expression was up-regulated in IgE-mediated mast cells, whereas its down-regulation promoted mast cell degranulation. Levels of IκB-α and Akt phosphorylation as well as NF-κB were increased in miR-223 inhibitor cells. LY294002 could block the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and rescue the promotion caused by suppressing miR-223 in mast cells. IGF-1R was identified as a direct target of miR-223.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that down-regulation of miR-223 promotes degranulation via the PI3K/Akt pathway by targeting IGF-1R in mast cells.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-Propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in H9c2 cells involved in a hydrogen sulfide-dependent mechanism

The present study attempts to investigate the effects of S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), a sulfur-containing amino acid, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in H9c2 cardiac myocytes. We found that SPRC prevented nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation assessed by NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and IκBα degradation, suppressed LPS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, incubation of H9c2 cells with SPRC induced phosphorylation of Akt in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, SPRC attenuated LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The effects of SPRC were abolished by cystathionine γ-lyase [CSE-an enzyme that synthesizes hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)] inhibitor, dl-propargylglycine (PAG), SPRC-induced Akt phosphorylation and TNF-α release was also abolished by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Furthermore, SPRC also increased LPS-induced down-regulation expression of CSE and H₂S level in H9c2 cells. PAG abolished SPRC-induced up-regulation of H₂S level. Therefore, we concluded that SPRC produced an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated H9c2 cells partly through the CSE/H₂S pathway by impairing IκBα/NF-κB signaling and by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulates Nuclear Factor-κB Activation and Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression via c-Src,NADPH Oxidase,PI3K,and Akt in Human Colon Cancer Cells

Previous report showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes tumor progression. Several studies demonstrated that growth factors can induce heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression, protect against cellular injury and cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the c-Src, NADPH oxidase, reactive oxygen species (ROS), PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways in EGF-induced HO-1 expression in human HT-29 colon cancer cells. Treatment of HT-29 cells with EGF caused HO-1 to be expressed in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Treatment of HT-29 cells with AG1478 (an EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitor), small interfering RNA of EGFR (EGFR siRNA), a dominant negative mutant of c-Src (c-Src DN), DPI (an NADPH oxidase inhibitor), glutathione (an ROS inhibitor), {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), and an Akt DN inhibited EGF-induced HO-1 expression. Stimulation of cells with EGF caused an increase in c-Src phosphorylation at Tyr406 in a time-dependent manner. Treatment of HT-29 cells with EGF induced an increase in p47^phox translocation from the cytosol to membranes. The EGF-induced ROS production was inhibited by DPI. Stimulation of cells with EGF resulted in an increase in Akt phosphorylation at Ser473, which was inhibited by c-Src DN, DPI, and LY 294002. Moreover, treatment of HT-29 cells with a dominant negative mutant of IκB (IκBαM) inhibited EGF-induced HO-1 expression. Stimulation of cells with EGF induced p65 translocation from the cytosol to nuclei. Treatment of HT-29 cells with EGF induced an increase in κB-luciferase activity, which was inhibited by a c-Src DN, LY 294002, and an Akt DN. Furthermore, EGF-induced colon cancer cell proliferation was inhibited by Sn(IV)protoporphyrin-IX (snPP, an HO-1 inhibitor). Taken together, these results suggest that the c-Src, NADPH oxidase, PI3K, and Akt signaling pathways play important roles in EGF-induced NF-κB activation and HO-1 expression in HT-29 cells. Moreover, overexpression of HO-1 mediates EGF-induced colon cancer cell proliferation.     

CCN4 induces IL-6 production through αvβ5 receptor,PI3K,Akt, and NF-κB singling pathway in human synovial fibroblasts

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease that is involved in the degradation of articular cartilage. The exact etiology of OA is not completely understood. CCN4 is related to up-regulation in the cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis. Previous studies have shown that CCN4 might be associated with the pathogenesis of OA, but the exact signaling pathways in CCN4-mediated IL-6 expression in synovial fibroblasts (SF) are largely unknown. Therefore, we explored the intracellular signaling pathway involved in CCN4-induced IL-6 production in human synovial fibroblast cells.

Methods

CCN4-induced IL-6 production was assessed with quantitative real-time qPCR and ELISA. The mechanisms of action of CCN4 in different signaling pathways were studied by using Western blotting. Neutralizing antibodies of integrin were used to block the integrin signaling pathway. Luciferase assays were used to study IL-6 and NF-κB promoter activity. Immunocytochemistry was used to examine the translocation activity of p65.

Results

Osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) showed significant expression of CCN4 and the expression was higher than in normal SFs. OASF stimulation with CCN4 induced concentration- and time-dependent increases in IL-6 production. Pretreatment of OASFs with αvβ5 but not α5β1 and αvβ3 integrin antibodies reduced CCN4-induced IL-6 production. CCN4-mediated IL-6 production was attenuated by PI3K inhibitor ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 and Wortmannin), Akt inhibitor (Akti), and NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC and TPCK). Stimulation of cells with CCN4 also increased PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB activation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that CCN4 activates αvβ5 integrin, PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB pathways, leading to up-regulation of IL-6 production. According to our results, CCN4 may be an appropriate target for drug intervention in OA in the future.     

Vitamin D Receptor Inhibits Nuclear Factor κB Activation by Interacting with IκB Kinase β Protein

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D₃) is known to suppress NF-κB activity, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we show that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) physically interacts with IκB kinase β (IKKβ) to block NF-κB activation. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ rapidly attenuates TNFα-induced p65 nuclear translocation and NF-κB activity in a VDR-dependent manner. VDR overexpression inhibits IKKβ-induced NF-κB activity. GST pull-down assays and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that VDR physically interacts with IKKβ and that this interaction is enhanced by 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Protein mapping reveals that VDR-IKKβ interaction occurs between the C-terminal portions of the VDR and IKKβ proteins. Reconstitution of VDR^−/− cells with the VDR C terminus restores the ability to block TNFα-induced NF-κB activation and IL-6 up-regulation. VDR-IKKβ interaction disrupts the formation of the IKK complex and, thus, abrogates IKKβ phosphorylation at Ser-177 and abolishes IKK activity to phosphorylate IκBα. Consequently, stabilization of IκBα arrests p65/p50 nuclear translocation. Together, these data define a novel mechanism whereby 1,25(OH)₂D₃-VDR inhibits NF-κB activation.