姜黄素诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞凋亡过程中hnRNP A2/B1表达与定位

姜黄素(curcumin)诱导处理的人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞,在光镜和电镜观察细胞凋亡的基础上,对hnRNP A2/B1在核基质中存在、分布及其与凋亡相关基因产物在MG-63细胞中的共定位关系进行了研究.经姜黄素处理后,细胞出现染色质凝聚、细胞核固缩、凋亡小体等典型的细胞凋亡形态特征;双向凝胶电泳和质谱鉴定结果显示,hnRNP A2/B1存在于MG-63细胞核基质蛋白组分中,在姜黄素处理后细胞核基质蛋白中表达下调.蛋白质印迹杂交结果,证实hnRNP A2/B1在姜黄素处理前后的MG-63细胞核基质蛋白中的存在及其表达下调变化.免疫荧光显微镜观察显示,hnRNP A2/B1定位于MG-63细胞核基质纤维上,经姜黄素处理后出现分布位置与表达水平变化.激光扫描共聚焦显微镜的观察结果显示,hnRNP A2/B1在MG-63细胞凋亡过程中与Bax、Bcl-2、Fas和p53等基因产物具有共定位关系,且其共定位区域发生了变化.研究结果证实了hnRNP A2/B1定位于核基质纤维上,是一种核基质蛋白,在姜黄素诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63凋亡过程中的表达与分布变化及其与凋亡相关基因的关系显然对MG-63细胞凋亡具有重要影响,这为深入揭示肿瘤细胞凋亡的机制提供了重要科学依据和深入探索的新方向.     

人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞在HMBA诱导分化后核基质蛋白表达的变化

HMBA诱导处理人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞分化后,选择性抽提核基质蛋白,经双向凝胶电泳技术分析．共有12个蛋白点表达发生变化,经肽指纹图谱分析鉴定了9个蛋白质,其中,MHCⅡ类抗原、IFN刺激的基因因子3α蛋白、DKFZp434M2221．1蛋白、8-羟基-鸟嘌呤糖基化酶同功酶oggl和波形蛋白表达上调,hnRNP A2/B1和肌动蛋白表达下调,60S核糖体蛋白L21和ST2蛋白仅在分化的MG-63细胞中表达。研究结果表明肿瘤细胞增殖分化过程中伴随核基质蛋白表达的变化,并为深入揭示核基质蛋白与细胞癌变和逆转的关系以及阐明细胞增殖分化的基因表达调控原理提供了依据。     

人参皂甙Rg1组合诱导人成骨肉瘤 MG-63细胞分化过程中Nucleophosmin的表达与定位变化

选择性抽提经中药有效成分人参皂甙Rg1组合(简称RCT)诱导处理前后的人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质,对nucleophosmin(NPM)在核基质中的存在、分布及其与相关基因产物在MG-63细胞中的共定位关系进行了观察研究.双向凝胶电泳和质谱鉴定结果显示NPM存在于MG- 63细胞核基质蛋白组分中,在RCT处理后细胞核基质蛋白中表达下调.蛋白质印迹杂交结果证实了NPM在RCT处理前后的MG-63细胞核基质蛋白中的存在及其表达下调变化.免疫荧光显微镜观察显示NPM定位于MG-63细胞核基质上,经RCT处理后出现分布位置与表达水平的变化.免疫荧光-激光扫描共聚焦显微镜的观察结果显示NPM在MG-63细胞中与c-fos、c-myc、RB、p53 等基因产物具有共定位关系,并在RCT处理后细胞核内其共定位区域发生了变化.研究结果证实了NPM存在于核基质上,是一种核基质蛋白,其在RCT诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63分化过程中的表达与分布变化及其与相关癌基因、抑癌基因的关系显然对MG-63细胞分化具有重要影响,这为深入揭示中药有效成分诱导肿瘤细胞分化的机制提供了重要科学依据和深入探索的新方向.     

人参皂苷Rg1组合诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞分化过程中Prohibitin的表达与定位变化

选择性抽提经人参皂苷Rg1组合（RCT）诱导处理前后的人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质,对prohibitin在核基质中的存在、分布及其与相关基因产物在RCT处理前后MG-63细胞中的共定位关系进行观察研究.蛋白质组学分析结果显示,prohibitin存在于人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质蛋白组分中,并在RCT处理后细胞核基质中表达下调;蛋白质印迹杂交确证了prohibitin在MG-63细胞核基质中的存在及其在RCT处理后下调变化;免疫荧光显微镜观察进一步证实prohibitin定位在核基质上,经RCT处理后出现分布位置与表达水平变化;激光共聚焦显微镜观察可见prohibitin与c-Fos、c-Myc、p53和Rb基因产物均存在共定位关系,并在RCT处理后共定位分布区域出现变化.本研究证实了prohibitin是一种新发现的核基质蛋白,其在核基质上的定位与表达在RCT诱导分化前后发生显著变化,并与相关癌基因、抑癌基因产物存在共定位关系.实验表明RCT处理引起的prohibitin的变化与人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞的诱导分化与调控具有密切关系,为深入揭示RCT等中药有效成分诱导肿瘤细胞分化的机理提供了重要科学依据和深入探索的新方向.     

HMBA诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞分化过程中prohibitin的表达与定位变化

本文以HMBA诱导处理前后的人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞为对象,对prohibitin在核基质中存在、分布及其与相关基因产物在HMBA处理前后MG-63细胞中的共定位关系进行观察研究.蛋白印迹杂交结果确证prohibitin存在于人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质蛋白组分中,并在HMBA处理后细胞核基质中表达下调,免疫荧光显微镜观察显示prohibitin定位在核基质上,经HMBA处理后出现分布位置与表达水平的变化.激光共聚焦显微镜观察可见prohibitin与MG-63细胞中c-fos、c-myc、p53和rb基因产物均存在共定位关系,但在HMBA处理后细胞中其共定位分布区域出现变化.研究结果证实prohibitin是一种核基质蛋白,定位于核基质上,prohibitin在人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞诱导分化过程中的表达分布及其与相关癌基因、抑癌基因产物的共定位现象值得进一步探索和研究.     

hnRNP A2/B1在人永生化表皮HaCaT细胞凋亡过程中的表达及其调控作用研究

该文以姜黄素诱导人永生化表皮HaCaT细胞凋亡为基础,对hnRNP A2/B1在核基质中的存在、分布及其与细胞凋亡相关基因产物的共定位及相互作用关系进行了研究。蛋白质印迹结果显示,hnRNP A2/B1存在于HaCaT细胞核基质蛋白组分中,在经过姜黄素处理后,表达下调;激光共聚焦显微镜观察显示,hnRNP A2/B1在HaCaT细胞中分别与Fas、p53和Bax等基因产物具有共定位关系,姜黄素处理后其共定位区域出现由核膜或核仁向胞质转移的趋势。GST pull-down实验证实,hnRNPA2/B1分别与Fas、p53和Bax有直接相互作用关系。结果表明,hnRNPA2/B1作为一种核基质蛋白,通过与细胞凋亡相关基因产物的相互作用参与HaCaT细胞的凋亡诱导调控过程,这对深入认识核基质蛋白在细胞凋亡过程中的调控机制具有重要意义。     

HMBA诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721 细胞分化过程中 Nucleophosmin 的表达与定位变化

通过选择性抽提经环六亚甲基双乙酰胺（hexamethylene bisacetamide,HMBA）诱导处理前后的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞核基质,并运用亚细胞蛋白质组学等分析技术,研究nucleophosmin (NPM)在核基质上的表达和定位变化,及其与相关基因产物的共定位关系,观察研究了nucleophosmin 在诱导分化前后人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞核基质中的存在、分布及其与相关基因产物的共定位关系.双向凝胶电泳和质谱鉴定结果显示,nucleophosmin 存在于 SMMC-7721 细胞核基质蛋白组分中,在 HMBA 处理后细胞核基质中表达下调.蛋白质印迹杂交实验结果确证了 nucleophosmin 在核基质中的存在及其在诱导处理后细胞核基质中表达下调的变化.免疫荧光显微镜观察显示,nucleophosmin 定位在 SMMC-7721细胞核基质上,经 HMBA处理后出现分布位置与表达水平的变化.激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察结果显示,SMMC-7721细胞中,nucleophosmin与 c-fos、c-myc、rb、p53 等基因产物具有共定位关系,但在诱导处理后细胞内的共定位区域发生了改变.研究结果证实,nucleophosmin 是一种核基质蛋白,定位于核基质纤维上,nucleophosmin 在人肝癌 SMMC-7721 细胞诱导分化过程中的表达分布,及其与相关癌基因、抑癌基因产物的关系对 SMMC-7721 细胞分化具有重要影响.     

视黄酸诱导人神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞分化过程中核基质蛋白组成的变化

在鉴定视黄酸(retinoic acid, RA)诱导人神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞分化的基础上,应用免疫细胞化学、选择性抽提和蛋白质组学分析技术,对SK-N-SH细胞诱导分化过程中核基质蛋白组成变化进行了系统研究.实验结果显示,经1 μmol/L RA处理后SK-N-SH细胞呈极性状,伸出较长的轴突样突起,胞体逐渐变小变圆.免疫细胞化学结果显示,处理后神经细胞特异表达的蛋白synaptophysin、NSE、MAP2的表达量都较对照组有明显增强.双向凝胶电泳分析显示,在RA诱导SK-N-SH细胞分化前后存在52个差异表达的核基质蛋白,经质谱分析,鉴定了其中的41个蛋白.蛋白印迹杂交进一步确证了诱导分化差异表达核基质蛋白中nucleophosmin和prohibitin等的表达变化.研究结果表明,1 μmol/L RA对SK-N-SH细胞具有显著的诱导分化作用,在SK-N-SH细胞分化过程中,其核基质蛋白组成发生了明显变化.这些变化对于揭示人神经母细胞瘤细胞癌变与逆转机制和肿瘤细胞增殖与分化调控机理均有十分重要的意义,从而为研究神经系统正常发育过程及神经系统疾病的发病机理提供科学依据.     

姜黄素对人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞增殖抑制和凋亡相关基因表达的影响

目的:探讨姜黄素对人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞增殖抑制及凋亡相关基因表达的影响.方法:用姜黄素处理MG-63细胞,细胞计数法检测细胞增殖抑制的效果;荧光染色观察细胞的凋亡;流式细胞仪(FCM)进行细胞周期时相分析;免疫细胞化学法和western blotting免疫法检测细胞凋亡相关基因的表达水平.结果:随着姜黄素浓度的增加及其作用时间延长,对细胞的增殖抑制作用增强,最高抑制率可达89.07%;光镜下可观察到细胞发生染色质浓缩,细胞核凝聚和碎裂等典型的凋亡形态学改变;FCM检测结果显示细胞经姜黄素处理后出现明显的凋亡峰;免疫反应结果显示,凋亡相关基因bcl-2和P53表达水平降低,而bax和Fas表达水平升高.结论:姜黄素能显著抑制MG-63细胞增殖并可有效诱导其凋亡,其作用机制可能与bcl-2和bax二者的比值发生变化从而接受了凋亡刺激信号有关.     

凋亡诱导因子在姜黄素诱导的大鼠肺成纤维细胞凋亡中的作用

目的：研究姜黄素对肺纤维化大鼠肺成纤维细胞增殖、凋亡的影响,探讨凋亡诱导因子（AIF）在肺成纤维细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：将体外培养的肺纤维化大鼠成纤维细胞,分别于不同浓度的姜黄素（5、10、20、40μM）和caspase-3抑制剂Z-DEVD-fmk（20μM）孵育,观测细胞生长状态变化。MTT检测成纤维细胞增殖抑制率;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;Western-Blot测定凋亡诱导因子（AIF）蛋白表达及核转位结果：流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,5～40μM姜黄素处理12 h,其凋亡率呈浓度依赖,对照组相比,差异显著;而抑制caspase-3并不能完全阻止细胞凋亡。Western-Blot结果显示,姜黄素处理组出现凋亡诱导因子（AIF）蛋白表达与核转位,抑制caspase-3活性后未检测出AIF表达结论：姜黄素可抑制肺成纤维细胞增殖,其诱导大鼠肺成纤维细胞凋亡,可能与线粒体释放AIF有关。     

B19, a Novel Monocarbonyl Analogue of Curcumin,Induces Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis via Activation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Autophagy Signaling Pathway

Background: The unfolded protein response, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis regulate tumor cell fate and have become novel signaling targets for the development of cancer therapeutic drugs. Curcumin has been used to treat several different cancers, including ovarian cancer, in clinical trials and research; however, the role of ER stress and autophagy in the therapeutic effects of curcumin and new curcumin analogues remains unclear.Methods: Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry with PI/Annexin V-FITC staining. The expression levels of ER stress- and autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The activation of autophagy was detected using immunofluorescence staining.Results: We demonstrated that B19 induced HO8910 cell apoptosis in a dose-responsive manner. We also determined and that this effect was associated with corresponding increases in a series of key components in the UPR and ER stress-mediated apoptosis pathways, followed by caspase 3 cleavage and activation. We also observed that B19 treatment induced autophagy in HO8910 cells. The inhibition of autophagy using 3-methyladenine (3-MA) increased levels of intracellular misfolded proteins, which enhanced ovarian cancer apoptosis.Conclusions: Our data indicate that ER stress and autophagy may play a role in the apoptosis that is induced by the curcumin analogue B19 in an epithelial ovarian cancer cell line and that autophagy inhibition can increase curcumin analogue-induced apoptosis by inducing severe ER stress.     

姜黄素诱导人胰腺癌PANC-1细胞凋亡的机制研究

目的：胰腺癌恶性程度高、进展快、预后差,姜黄素对于抑制恶性肿瘤的发生和进程具有广泛的生物学效应。但姜黄素能否诱导人胰腺癌细胞凋亡,其具体作用机制如何？目前仍无报道。本研究拟观察姜黄素对人胰腺癌PANC．1细胞凋亡的影响,探讨姜黄素诱导PANC．1细胞凋亡的机制。方法：不同浓度姜黄素处理人胰腺癌PANC-1细胞,流式细胞仪检测PANC-1细胞凋亡率,并分析Caspase-9和Caspase-3活性的变化,同时通过RT—PCR和Westemblot分析PANC-1细胞中P53表达的变化。结果：PANC-1细胞经不同浓度的姜黄素处理后,可以显著诱导细胞凋亡,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性,提示姜黄素具有一定抗肿瘤活性。姜黄素能够同时增加Caspase-9和Caspase-3的活性,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性,提示姜黄素可能通过Caspase-9和Caspase-3途径来诱导PANC．1细胞凋亡的发生。RT—PCR和westernblot结果显示,姜黄素可以显著增加PANC-1细胞中P53蛋白表达水平。结论：姜黄素可以显著诱导PANC-1细胞凋亡的发生,提高Caspase-9和Caspase-3的活性,同时增加的P53表达,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性,提示姜黄素诱导PANC-1细胞凋亡的过程可能与增加细胞中Caspase-9,Caspase-3以及P53的表达有关。本研究探讨了姜黄素诱导PANC-1细胞凋亡的分子机制,为姜黄素的进一步应用提供了新的思路和理论支持,在人胰腺癌的临床治疗中具有一定的潜在应用价值。     

MST1 activation by curcumin mediates JNK activation,Foxo3a nuclear translocation and apoptosis in melanoma cells

Different groups including ours have shown that curcumin induces melanoma cell apoptosis, here we focused the role of mammalian Sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) in it. We observed that curcumin activated MST1-dependent apoptosis in cultured melanoma cells. MST1 silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) suppressed curcumin-induced cell apoptosis, while MST1 over-expressing increased curcumin sensitivity. Meanwhile, curcumin induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in melanoma cells, and the ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), almost blocked MST1 activation to suggest that ROS might be required for MST1 activation by curcumin. c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation by curcumin was dependent on MST1, since MST1 inhibition by RNAi or NAC largely inhibited curcumin-induced JNK activation. Further, curcumin induced Foxo3 nuclear translocation and Bim-1 (Foxo3 target gene) expression in melanoma cells, such an effect by curcumin was inhibited by MST1 RNAi. In conclusion, we suggested that MST1 activation by curcumin mediates JNK activation, Foxo3a nuclear translocation and apoptosis in melanoma cells.     

Curcumin sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cell anoikis through reactive oxygen species-mediated Bcl-2 downregulation

Anoikis, an apoptosis triggered by loss of cell anchorage, has been shown to be a principal mechanism of inhibition of tumor metastasis. Recently, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Cav-1 proteins have been demonstrated to be highly associated with tumor metastasis and apoptosis resistance. Curcumin, a major active component of turmeric, Curcuma longa, has been shown to inhibit neoplastic evolution and tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on cell anoikis as a possible mechanism of anti-tumorigenic action of curcumin, and evaluated the potential role of Bcl-2 and Cav-1 in this process. Our results showed that ectopic expression of either Bcl-2 or Cav-1 induced anoikis resistance of lung carcinoma H460 cells. Curcumin downregulated Bcl-2 protein during anoikis and sensitized the cells to detachment-induced apoptosis, whereas it had no significant effect on Cav-1 protein expression. Bcl-2 down-regulation as well as anoikis enhancement by curcumin were inhibited by superoxide anion scavenger, Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride, but were unaffected by other ROS scavengers including catalase and deferoxamine, suggesting that superoxide anion is a key player in the downregulation of Bcl-2 by curcumin. Furthermore, we provided evidence that curcumin decreased Bcl-2 level through ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation which sensitized cells to detachment-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate a novel pathway for curcumin regulation of Bcl-2 and provide a key mechanism of anoikis regulation that may be exploited for metastatic cancer treatment.     

Curcumin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating apoptosis-related proteins

The TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) has promising anti-cancer therapeutic activity, although significant percentage of primary tumors resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis remains an obstacle to the extensive use of TRAIL-based mono-therapies. Natural compound curcumin could potentially sensitize resistant cancer cells to TRAIL. We found that the combination of TRAIL with curcumin can synergistically induces apoptosis in three TRAIL-resistant breast cancer cell lines. The mechanism behind this synergistic cell death was investigated by examining an effect of curcumin on the expression and activation of TRAIL-associated cell death proteins. Immunoblotting, RNA interference, and use of chemical inhibitors of TRAIL-activate signaling revealed differential effects of curcumin on the expression of Mcl-1 and activities of ERK and Akt. Curcumin-induced production of reactive oxygen species did not affect total expression of DR5 but it enhanced mobilization of DR5 to the plasma membrane. In these breast cancer cells curcumin also induced downregulation of IAP proteins. Taken together, our data suggest that a combination of TRAIL and curcumin is a potentially promising treatment for breast cancer, although the specific mechanisms involved in this sensitization could differ even among breast cancer cells of different origins.     

Induction of apoptotic death by curcumin in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma SCC-4 cells is mediated through endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondria-dependent pathways

Curcumin from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant has been noted for its chemo-preventative and chemo-therapy activities, and it inhibits the growth of many types of human cancer cell lines. In this study, the mechanisms of cell death involved in curcumin-induced growth inhibition, including cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in human tongue cancer SCC-4 cells, were investigated. Herein, we observed that curcumin inhibited cell growth of SCC-4 cells and induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of SCC-4 cells with curcumin caused a moderate and promoted the G(2) /M phase arrest, which was accompanied with decreases in cyclin B/CDK1 and CDC25C protein levels. Moreover, curcumin significantly induced apoptosis of SCC-4 cells with a decrease of the Bcl-2 level, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m) ), and promoted the active forms of caspase-3. Curcumin also promoted the releases of AIF and Endo G from the mitochondria in SCC-4 cells by using confocal laser microscope. Therefore, we suggest that curcumin induced apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway in SCC-4 cells. In addition, we also found that curcumin-induced apoptosis of SCC-4 cells was partly through endoplasmic reticulum stress. In conclusion, curcumin increased G(2) /M phase arrest and induced apoptosis through ER stress and mitochondria-dependent pathways in SCC-4 cells.     

Curcumin induces growth-arrest and apoptosis in association with the inhibition of constitutively active JAK-STAT pathway in T cell leukemia

Adult T cell leukemia is an aggressive and frequently fatal malignancy that expressess constitutively activated growth-signaling pathways in association with deregulated growth and resistance to apoptosis. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a naturally occurring yellow pigment, isolated from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa that has traditionally been used in the treatment of injury and inflammation. But the effect and mechanism of action of curcumin on T cell leukemia is not known. To investigate the antitumor activity of curcumin in T cell leukemia, we examined its effect on constitutive phosphorylation of JAK and STAT proteins, proliferation, and apoptosis in HTLV-I-transformed T cell lines. HTLV-I-transformed T cell leukemia lines, MT-2, HuT-102, and SLB-1, express constitutively phosphorylated JAK3, TYK2, STAT3, and STAT5 signaling proteins. In vitro treatment with curcumin induced a dose-dependent decrease in JAK and STAT phosphorylation resulting in the induction of growth-arrest and apoptosis in T cell leukemia. The induction of growth-arrest and apoptosis in association with the blockade of constitutively active JAK-STAT pathway suggests this be a mechanism by which curcumin induces antitumor activity in T cell leukemia.     

Catecholamine-induced cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and mPTP opening: protective effect of curcumin

The present study was designed to characterize the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by catecholamines and to investigate whether curcumin, a natural antioxidant, induces cardioprotective effects against catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity by preserving mitochondrial function. Because mitochondria play a central role in ischemia and oxidative stress, we hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in catecholamine toxicity and in the potential protective effects of curcumin. Male Wistar rats received subcutaneous injection of 150 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) isoprenaline (ISO) for two consecutive days with or without pretreatment with 60 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) curcumin. Twenty four hours after, cardiac tissues were examined for apoptosis and oxidative stress. Expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Isolated mitochondria and permeabilized cardiac fibers were used for swelling and mitochondrial function experiments, respectively. Mitochondrial morphology and permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were assessed by fluorescence in isolated cardiomyocytes. ISO treatment induced cell damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis that were prevented by curcumin. Moreover, mitochondria seem to play an important role in these effects as respiration and mitochondrial swelling were increased following ISO treatment, these effects being again prevented by curcumin. Importantly, curcumin completely prevented the ISO-induced increase in mPTP calcium susceptibility in isolated cardiomyocytes without affecting mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial network dynamic. The results unravel the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity as well as a new cardioprotective effect of curcumin through prevention of mitochondrial damage and mPTP opening.     

Curcumin inhibits 19-kDa lipoprotein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced macrophage apoptosis via regulation of the JNK pathway

Recently, synthetic curcumin analogs are reported as potential active compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). During the process of MTB infection, macrophages show increased apoptosis. The candidate virulence factors such as 19-kDa lipoprotein secreted by the MTB (P19) strongly influences macrophages by activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). It has been reported that curcumin could affect the apoptosis of tumor cells via regulation of MAPKs. However, its effect on the P19-induced apoptosis of macrophages is unclear. This study investigates the effect of curcumin on the MAPKs signaling and apoptosis in human macrophages. The results showed that curcumin and P19 induced macrophage apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner Low doses of curcumin (10 and 20 μM) protected macrophages from P19 induced apoptosis, accompanied by decreased production of cytokines and reduced activation of the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. The protective effect of curcumin on P19 induced apoptosis of macrophages were enhanced by treatment with the JNK-specific inhibitors, whereas SB203580, the inhibitor of p38 MAPK had no effect. Curcumin had no effect on the activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Taken together, our data show that the JNK pathway, but not the p38 or ERK pathway, plays an important role in the protective effect of curcumin against P19 induced macrophage apoptosis, and regulation of the JNK pathway may partially elucidate the anti-tuberculosis activity of curcumin.