他汀对EPCs增殖力影响的PI3和ERK信号通道机制研究

目的:观察他汀对冠心病患者内皮祖细胞(EPCs)增殖力的影响及与PI3/Akt和ERK信号通道的相关性.方法:冠心病和非冠心病患者各16例纳入实验,非冠心病患者的10mL外周血来源的单个核细胞纳入正常组,冠心病患者的40mL外周血来源的单个核细胞均分纳入10μmol/L阿托伐他汀组、10 μmol/L阿托伐他汀+PI3/Akt通道阻滞剂LY294002组和10μmol/L阿托伐他汀+ ERK信号通道阻滞剂PD98059组,均向EPCs方向分化,以VEGFR2、CD34和AC133流式鉴定;观察冠心病患者EPCs增殖力的变化及他汀的影响,观察LY294002和PD98059分别阻断PI3/Akt和ERK通道后他汀对冠心病患者EPCs增殖力作用的变化.结果:与非冠心病人对比,冠心病患者EPCs的增殖(0.23± 0.02 to 0.14± 0.02,P＜0.001)功能下降,阿托伐他汀明显提高冠心病患者EPCs的增殖力(0.14± 0.02 to 0.20± 0.02,P＜0.05);该作用可为Pl3/Akt通道阻滞剂LY294002阻断(0.20± 0.02 t0 0.16±0.02,P＜0.001),但ERK信号通道阻滞剂PD98059无此作用(0.20±0.02比0.20±0.02,P＞0.05).结论:阿托伐他汀可通过PI3/Akt通道而非ERK信号通道上调冠心病患者外周血来源EPCs的增殖力.     

低浓度哇巴因对负鼠肾小管上皮细胞增殖的影响

目的:用低血清培养液来模拟肾脏供血不足的营养不良状态,研究低浓度哇巴因对低血清培养下OK细胞(负鼠肾小管上皮细胞)增殖的影响。方法:用低浓度哇巴因(1-30n M)处理0.2%血清培养下OK细胞,MTT实验和Brdu掺入法检测哇巴因对OK细胞增殖的影响;Western blot检测Akt和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平;用LY294002和PD98059分别抑制PI3K/Akt和ERK1/2蛋白激酶活性,观察抑制PI3K/Akt和ERK1/2对哇巴因促进OK细胞增殖的影响。结果:低浓度哇巴因(1-30n M)促进OK细胞的增值,上调OK细胞中Akt和ERK1/2磷酸化水平。用LY294002和PD98059特异抑制Akt和ERK1/2的活化能够抑制哇巴因的促增殖作用。结论:低浓度哇巴因(1-10n M)能够促进OK细胞的增值,PI3K/Akt和ERK1/2信号通路参与哇巴因对OK细胞促增殖作用的调节。     

TLR2和TLR4对新生儿免疫细胞中Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响

为了探讨TLR2和TLR4对新生儿免疫细胞中Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响,本研究采用LPS和PGN刺激新生儿脐带血单个核细胞、成人外周血单个核细胞和人肥大细胞,并用特异性信号分子抑制剂PD98059处理单核细胞和肥大细胞,测定不同处理组ERK的磷酸化强度、IL-6、IL-12、IL-13和RANTES细胞因子水平以及HMC-1细胞脱颗粒情况。研究显示,经过LPS或PGN刺激后,单核细胞和肥大细胞中ERK的磷酸化强度与对照组相比均显著升高(p0.05);通过LPS和PGN共同刺激后,脐带血单个核细胞中ERK的磷酸化高于单个配体刺激。在添加了ERK特异性抑制剂PD98059后,LPS和PGN共刺激的脐带血单个核细胞中IL-6、IL-12和IL-13浓度显著下降,而RANTES未显示明显抑制。经PGN刺激后HMC-1细胞的β-hexosaminidase释放率高于LPS,并且LPS+PGN共刺激的β-hexosaminidase释放率高于单一配体刺激。本研究表明,TLR2/TLR4与LPS/PGN结合后,通过激活ERK信号通路来调节新生儿免疫细胞中Th1/Th2细胞因子,LPS和PGN共刺激对调节新生儿免疫细胞中IL-6、IL-12和IL-13细胞因子具有协同作用。     

人外周血活化淋巴细胞survivin基因的转录激活和表达相关的信号转导通路研究

Survivin是与细胞增殖和细胞凋亡调控密切相关的重要功能蛋白质,也是肿瘤临床诊断的分子标志物及治疗研究的理想靶标.由于发现人外周血活化淋巴细胞存在Survivin蛋白的显著表达,故以植物血凝素(PHA)和IL-2共刺激培养的正常人外周血单个核细胞为实验材料,采用RT-PCR、蛋白质印迹以及细胞周期分析等实验方法,观察淋巴细胞活化与Survivin蛋白表达之间的相互关系,并利用3种激酶抑制剂探索了淋巴细胞活化所致Survivin蛋白表达相关的信号转导通路.实验结果表明：人外周血单个核细胞在刺激培养36 h前后出现survivin基因的明显转录激活和蛋白质的起始表达,表达产物的水平随培养时间的延长而增加,且具有明显的细胞周期和周期时相依赖性.JAK2的抑制剂AG490阻断细胞周期的运行,且强烈抑制survivin基因的转录激活和蛋白质表达,PI3K和MEK的抑制剂Wortmannin和PD98059也有一定程度的抑制作用.所得实验结论是：survivin基因的转录激活和蛋白质表达与淋巴细胞活化相关联,代表细胞处在增殖状态.JAK2介导的JAK-STAT信号通路是淋巴细胞活化,Survivin蛋白表达必需和最重要的信号转导通路,PI3K和MEK介导的信号通路也具有一定的影响作用.     

雷公藤红素对过氧化氢诱导肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型氧化损伤的保护作用

本研究旨在探讨在H2O2诱导氧化应激损伤条件下,雷公藤红素对肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型SOD1G93ANSC34的保护作用及其相关分子机制。用不同剂量H2O2、雷公藤红素处理表达人突变SOD1G93A基因的NSC34细胞24h后,CCK-8试剂检测细胞存活率;丙二醛试剂盒检测细胞内丙二醛水平;real-time PCR检测细胞谷氨酸半胱氨酸连接酶催化亚基(glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, GCLC)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(glutathione S-transferases, GST)的表达水平;Western blot检测药物处理后细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt细胞信号通路的激活。结果显示,50 nmol/L雷公藤红素预处理可提高H2O2 (10 μmol/L)损伤后SOD1G93ANSC34细胞的生存率,并使细胞内MDA生成减少,逆转H2O2诱导的SOD1G93ANSC34细胞内谷胱甘肽合成相关酶GCLC和GST mRNA表达下调。雷公藤红素处理0.5 h、1 h分别激活SOD1G93ANSC34细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt信号通路达峰值,且MEK抑制剂PD98059和Akt抑制剂MK2206可阻断雷公藤红素对相关信号通路的激活效应。PD98059、MK2206预处理30 min均抑制雷公藤红素引起的SOD1G93ANSC34细胞内GCLC和GST上调。以上研究结果提示,雷公藤红素对肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型SOD1G93ANSC34细胞有抗氧化应激的保护作用,该神经保护作用与雷公藤红素调节SOD1G93ANSC34细胞内谷胱甘肽合成相关酶类生成有关,细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt信号通路参与此调节过程。     

PBK/TOPK在乳腺癌细胞中介导MEK非依赖性ERK激活中作用机制分析

该文探讨了乳腺癌细胞中表皮生长因子(EGF)介导的MEK非依赖性ERK激活通路。Western blot检测EGF刺激下,siRNA抑制MEK1/2后的T47D细胞的p-ERK水平,以验证T47D细胞中存在EGF介导的MEK非依赖性ERK激活的通路。接着使用可能参与MEK非依赖性ERK激活的激酶的小分子抑制剂抑制相关激酶(AC、PKC、Src、PI3K、PDK1和Akt)活性后,检测T47D细胞EGF介导ERK的磷酸化水平。siRNA抑制MEK1/2表达后,T47D细胞在EGF刺激后的仍保留部分p-ERK,即在T47D细胞中,存在EGF介导的MEK非依赖性的ERK磷酸化通路。小分子抑制剂抑制AC、PKC、Src对MEK非依赖性ERK激活途径影响不大。而使用小分子抑制剂抑制PI3K、PDK1和Akt后,ERK的磷酸化水平显著降低,提示PI3K/Akt通路下游的激酶参与T47D中EGF介导的MEK非依赖性ERK激活途径。siRNA干扰PI3K/Akt通路下游PBK/TOPK后并使用U0126抑制MEK功能后,几乎检测不到p-ERK,提示PBK/TOPK参与T47D细胞中EGF介导的MEK非依赖性ERK激活途径。乳腺癌抗雌激素药物耐药株T47D细胞存在EGF介导的MEK非依赖性ERK激活途径,且该途径受PI3K/Akt下游的PBK/TOPK调控。     

雷公藤红素对抗过氧化氢诱导肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型氧化损伤的保护作用

本研究旨在探讨在H_2O_2诱导氧化应激损伤条件下,雷公藤红素对肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型SOD1~(G93A)NSC34的保护作用及其相关分子机制。用不同剂量H_2O_2、雷公藤红素处理表达人突变SOD1~(G93A)基因的NSC34细胞24 h后,CCK-8试剂检测细胞存活率;丙二醛试剂盒检测细胞内丙二醛水平;real-time PCR检测细胞谷氨酸半胱氨酸连接酶催化亚基(glutamatecysteine ligase catalytic subunit,GCLC)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(glutathione S-transferases,GST)的表达水平;Western blot检测药物处理后细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt细胞信号通路的激活。结果显示,50 nmol/L雷公藤红素预处理可提高H_2O_2(10μmol/L)损伤后SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞的生存率,并使细胞内MDA生成减少,逆转H_2O_2诱导的SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞内谷胱甘肽合成相关酶GCLC和GST mRNA表达下调。雷公藤红素处理0.5 h、1 h分别激活SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt信号通路达峰值,且MEK抑制剂PD98059和Akt抑制剂MK2206可阻断雷公藤红素对相关信号通路的激活效应。PD98059、MK2206预处理30 min均抑制雷公藤红素引起的SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞内GCLC和GST上调。以上研究结果提示,雷公藤红素对肌萎缩性侧索硬化症细胞模型SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞有抗氧化应激的保护作用,该神经保护作用与雷公藤红素调节SOD1~(G93A)NSC34细胞内谷胱甘肽合成相关酶类生成有关,细胞内MEK/ERK和PI3K/Akt信号通路参与此调节过程。     

bFGF对卵巢癌CAOV3细胞Bcl-2、Bcl-xl、Bax、Bad表达的影响

目的 研究bFGF调控卵巢癌CAOV3凋亡的信号通路及对Bcl-2、Bcl-xl、Bax、Bad表达的影响.方法 无血清饥饿诱导细胞凋亡.分为饥饿对照、bFGF、bFGF ＋ PD98059、bFGF ＋ Wortmannin组.流式细胞术、DNA Ladder检测细胞凋亡;Western印迹法检测ERK、PKB、Bad活性以及Bcl-2、Bax表达,RTPCR检测Bcl-2、Bcl-xl mRNA变化.结果 bFGF促进p-ERK、p-PKB、p-Bad、Bcl-2表达,抑制Bax表达及饥饿诱导的细胞凋亡.激酶抑制剂PD98059可抑制bFGF对ERK、Bcl-2、Bax的调节作用,Wortmannin可抑制bFGF对PKB、Bad、Bax的调控作用,二者均可阻断bFGF对凋亡的抑制作用.bFGF对Bcl-xl表达无影响.结论 bFGF可能通过激活MEK/ERK、P13K/PKB信号途径通路调节Bcl-2、Bax、Bad表达,抑制饥饿诱导的卵巢癌CAOV3细胞凋亡.     

褪黑素对小鼠MFC前胃癌细胞ERK、Akt及NF-κB表达的影响

目的探讨褪黑素对小鼠MFC前胃癌细胞ERK、Akt及NF-κB表达的影响。方法建立褪黑素在不同时间点干预胃癌细胞的体外模型,免疫印迹法观察褪黑素对小鼠MFC前胃癌细胞p-ERK/ERK、p-Akt/Akt,NF-κB表达的影响,CCK-8检测PI3K抑制剂Wortmannin对MFC细胞增殖的作用。结果①2mmol/L褪黑素作用24h、48h后明显下调MFC细胞ERK1/2、Akt的磷酸化,但对ERK1/2、Akt表达无影响;②Wortmannin明显抑制MFC细胞增殖活性,与MLT作用有明显协同效应;③褪黑素对NF-κB表达无影响。结论褪黑素可通过抑制ERK1/2、Akt的磷酸化从而抑制胃癌细胞增殖。     

在fMLP刺激的HL-60细胞中PI3-K介导的肌动蛋白聚合

趋化肽fMLP能够诱导中性粒细胞粘附、游走和吞噬.为了澄清这种趋化反应的发生机理,将HL-60细胞诱导分化为中性粒细胞样细胞,然后利用激酶特异性抑制剂研究了在fMLP刺激下细胞内PI3-K、p38和ERK激酶在肌动蛋白聚合中的作用.结果0.1 μmol/L的PI3-K抑制物Wortmannin抑制fMLP诱导的肌动蛋白聚合;而50 μmol/L的p38激酶抑制物SB203580和50 μmol/L的ERK激酶抑制物PD098059对fMLP诱导的肌动蛋白聚合没有影响, 但p38和ERK在不同程度上受到PI3-K的调节.这说明PI3-K介导的肌动蛋白聚合信号传导途径不同于PI3-K介导的p38和ERK激活途径.     

Participation of PI3K and ERK1/2 pathways are required for human brain vascular smooth muscle cell migration

Human brain vascular smooth muscle cell (HBVSMC) migration contributes to angiogenesis and several pathological processes in the brain. However, the molecular mechanism of angiogenesis, in which smooth muscle cell contributes, remains unclear. Our study investigates the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the HBVSMC migration and elucidates the chemotactic signaling pathway mediating this action. We used the in vitro 'scratch' wound method to detect the HBVSMC migration. VEGF(165) (1-40ng/ml) induced the HBVSMC migration in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). VEGF(165) does not induce HBVSMC proliferation. Wortmannin, a specific phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, significantly inhibited serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation and reduced HBVSMC migration into the wound edge following VEGF(165) stimulation (P<0.05). PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, also significantly inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduced the numbers of SMC migration. Parallel distance measurement showed that VEGF(165) induced HBVSMC migration significantly reduced due to inhibition of PI3K or ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P<0.05). Our results demonstrate that VEGF(165) could induce HBVSMC migration but not proliferation in vitro. Inhibiting Akt/PKB or ERK1/2 phosphorylation could reduce VEGF(165) induced HBVSMC migration. We provide the first evidence that activation of PI3K or ERK1/2 pathways are a crucial event in VEGF(165) mediated signal transduction leading to HBVSMC migration.     

IGF-I-induced oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation requires PI3K/Akt, MEK/ERK, and Src-like tyrosine kinases

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is required for the growth of oligodendrocytes, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Our aim was to investigate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1), and Src family tyrosine kinases in IGF-I-stimulated proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitors. IGF-I treatment increased the proliferation of cultured oligodendrocyte progenitors as determined by measuring incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine and bromodeoxy-uridine (BrdU). IGF-I stimulated a transient phosphorylation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) (targets of MEK1), as well as a rapid and sustained activation of Akt (a target of PI3K). Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002 and Wortmannin), MEK1 (PD98059 and U0126), and Src family tyrosine kinases (PP2) decreased IGF-I-induced proliferation, and blocked ERK1/2 activation. LY294002, Wortmannin and PP2 also blocked Akt activation. To further determine whether Akt is required for IGF-I stimulated oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation, cultures were infected with adenovirus vectors expressing dominant-negative mutants of Akt or treated with pharmacological inhibitors of Akt. All treatments reduced IGF-I-induced oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation. Our data indicate that stimulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation by IGF-I requires Src-like tyrosine kinases as well as the PI3K/Akt and MEK1/ERK signaling pathways.     

Overexpression of fucosyltransferase IV promotes A431 cell proliferation through activating MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Lewis Y (LeY) is a carbohydrate tumor‐asssociated antigen. The majority of cancer cells derived from epithelial tissue express LeY type difucosylated oligosaccharide. Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of LeY oligosaccharide. Our previous studies have shown that FUT4 overexpression promotes A431 cell proliferation, but the mechanism is still largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the role of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphoinositide‐3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways on FUT4‐induced cell proliferation. Results show that overexpression of FUT4 increases the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt. Inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002 and Wortmannin) prevented the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Akt PI3K). Moreover, phosphorylation of Akt is abolished by inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059) and p38 MAPK (SB203580). These data suggested that FUT4 not only activates MAPK and PI3K/Akt signals, but also promotes the crosstalk among these signaling pathways. In addition, FUT4‐induced stimulation of cell proliferation correlates with increased cell cycle progression by promoting cells into S‐phase. The mechanism involves in increased expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK 2, CDK 4, and pRb, and decreased level of cyclin‐dependent kinases inhibitors p21 and p27, which are blocked by the inhibitors of upstream signal molecules, MAPK and PI3K/Akt. In conclusion, these studies suggest that FUT4 regulates A431 cell growth through controlling cell cycle progression via MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 612–619, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Icariin stimulates angiogenesis by activating the MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways in human endothelial cells

We investigated the molecular effect and signal pathway of icariin, a major flavonoid of Epimedium koreanum Nakai, on angiogenesis. Icariin stimulated in vitro endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis, which are typical phenomena of angiogenesis, as well as increased in vivo angiogenesis. Icariin activated the angiogenic signal modulators, ERK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased NO production, without affecting VEGF expression, indicating that icariin may directly stimulate angiogenesis. Icariin-induced ERK activation and angiogenic events were significantly inhibited by the MEK inhibitor PD98059, without affecting Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. The PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin suppressed icariin-mediated angiogenesis and Akt and eNOS activation without affecting ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, the NOS inhibitor NMA partially reduced the angiogenic activity of icariin. These results suggest that icariin stimulated angiogenesis by activating the MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways and may be a useful drug for angiogenic therapy.     

Initiation of cell locomotility is a morphogenetic checkpoint in thyroid epithelial cells regulated by ERK and PI3-kinase signals.

Epithelial locomotility is a fundamental determinant of tissue patterning that is subject to strict physiological regulation. The current study sought to identify cellular signals that initiate cell migration in cultured thyroid epithelial cells. Porcine thyroid cells cultured as 3-dimensional follicles convert to 2-dimensional monolayers when deprived of agents that stimulate cAMP/PKA signaling. This morphogenetic event is driven by the activation of cell-on-substrate locomotility, providing a convenient assay for events that regulate the initiation of locomotion. In this system, the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway became activated as follicles converted to monolayer, as demonstrated by immunoblotting for activation-specific phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of ERK. Inhibition of ERK activation using the drug PD98059 effectively prevented cells from beginning to migrate. PD98059 inhibited cell spreading, actin filament reorganization and the assembly of focal adhesions, cellular events that mediate the initiation of thyroid cell locomotility. Akt (PKB) signaling was also activated during follicle-to-monolayer conversion and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor, wortmannin, also blocked the initiation of cell movement. Wortmannin did not, however, block activation of ERK signaling. These findings, therefore, identify the ERK and PI3-kinase signaling pathways as important stimulators of thyroid cell locomotility. These findings are incorporated into a model where the initiation of thyroid cell motility constitutes a morphogenetic checkpoint regulated by coordinated changes in stimulatory (ERK, PI3-kinase) and tonic inhibitory (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathways.     

Ghrelin stimulates angiogenesis via GHSR1a-dependent MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways in rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is thought to exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, specifically by promoting vascular endothelial cell function such as cell proliferation, migration, survival and angiogenesis. However, the effect of ghrelin on angiogenesis and the corresponding mechanisms have not yet been extensively studied in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from left ventricular myocardium of adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In our study, we found that ghrelin and GHSR are constitutively expressed in CMECs. Ghrelin significantly increases CMECs proliferation, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis. The ghrelin-induced angiogenic process was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK and Akt. MEK inhibitor PD98059 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, but had no effect on Akt phosphorylation. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of Akt, but had no effect on ERK phosphorylation. Ghrelin-induced angiogenesis was partially blocked by treatment with PD98059 or LY294002. In addition, this angiogenic effect was almost completely inhibited by PD98059+LY294002. Pretreatment with GHSR1a blocker [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, Akt and in vitro angiogenesis. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that ghrelin stimulates CMECs angiogenesis through GHSR1a-mediated MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways, indicating that two pathways are required for full angiogenic activity of ghrelin. This study suggests that ghrelin may play an important role in myocardial angiogenesis.     

Activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt by IGF-1 on GAP-43 Expression in DRG Neurons with Excitotoxicity Induced by Glutamate In Vitro

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a neurotrophic factor and plays an important role in promoting axonal growth from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Whether IGF-1 influences growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) expression and activates the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways in DRG neurons with excitotoxicity induced by glutamate (Glu) remains unknown. In this study, embryonic 15-day-old rat DRG explants were cultured for 48 h and then exposed to IGF-1, Glu, Glu + IGF-1, Glu + IGF-1 + PD98059, Glu + IGF-1 + LY294002, Glu + IGF-1 + PD98059 + LY294002 for additional 12 h. The DRG explants were continuously exposed to growth media as control. The levels of GAP-43 mRNA were detected by real time-PCR analysis. The protein levels of GAP-43, phosphorylated ERK1/2, phosphorylated Akt, total ERK1/2, and total Akt were detected by Western blot assay. GAP-43 expression in situ was determined by immunofluorescent labeling. Apoptotic cell death was monitored by Hoechst 33342 staining. IGF-1 alone increased GAP-43 and its mRNA levels in the absence of Glu. The decreased GAP-43 and its mRNA levels caused by Glu could be partially reversed by the presence of IGF-1. IGF-1 rescued neuronal cell death caused by Glu. Neither the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 nor the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked the effect of IGF-1, but both inhibitors together were effective. To validate the impact of GAP-43 expression by IGF-1, GAP-43 induction was blocked by administration of dexamethasone (DEX). IGF-1 partially rescued the decrease of GAP-43 and its mRNA levels induced by DEX. DEX induced an increase of cell apoptosis. IGF-1 may play an important role in neuroprotective effects on DRG neurons through regulating GAP-43 expression with excitotoxicity induced by Glu and the process was involved in both ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.     

Angiogenic activity of sesamin through the activation of multiple signal pathways

The natural product sesamin has been known to act as a potent antioxidant and prevent endothelial dysfunction. We here found that sesamin increased in vitro angiogenic processes, such as endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, as well as neovascularization in an animal model. This compound elicited the activation of multiple angiogenic signal modulators, such as ERK, Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), NO production, FAK, and p38 MAPK, but not Src. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 and the PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin specifically inhibited sesamin-induced activation of the ERK and Akt/eNOS pathways. These inhibitors reduced angiogenic events, with high specificity for MEK/ERK-dependent cell proliferation and migration and PI3K/Akt-mediated tube formation. Moreover, inhibition of p38 MAPK effectively inhibited sesamin-induced cell migration. The angiogenic activity of sesamin was not associated with VEGF expression. Furthermore, this compound did not induce vascular permeability and upregulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, which are hallmarks of vascular inflammation. These results suggest that sesamin stimulates angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo through the activation of MEK/ERK-, PI3K/Akt/eNOS-, p125^FAK-, and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways, without increasing vascular inflammation, and may be used for treating ischemic diseases and tissue regeneration.