Elucidation of colon-protective efficacy of diosgenin in experimental TNBS-induced colitis: inhibition of NF-κB/IkB-α and Bax/Caspase-1 signaling pathways

ABSTRACT

The aim of present investigation was to elucidate the unrevealed beneficial role of diosgenin against an experimental model of TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesufonic acid)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intrarectal administration of TNBS (in 50% ethanol). Then animals were treated with diosgenin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for 14 days. Various biochemical, behavioral, molecular, and histological analysis was performed. Diosgenin significantly decreased (p < 0.05) TNBS-induced elevated colonic oxido-nitrosative damage, myeloperoxidase, hydroxyproline, mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ) and inflammatory markers (iNOs and COX-2) induced by TNBS. Western blot analysis relevated that TNBS-induced up-regulated protein expressions of NF-κB, IκBα, Bax, and Caspase-1 were markedly decreased (p < 0.05) by diosgenin treatment. It also markedly ameliorated the histological insults induced in the colon by TNBS. In conclusion, diosgenin exerts its colon-protective efficacy probably through the inhibition of NF-κB/IkB-α and Bax/Caspase-1 signaling pathways to experimental TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis.     

The TRAF3 adaptor protein drives proliferation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways

T cells devoid of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor-3 (Traf3) exhibit decreased proliferation, sensitivity to apoptosis, and an improper response to antigen challenge. We therefore hypothesized that TRAF3 is critical to the growth of malignant T cells. By suppressing TRAF3 protein in different cancerous T cells, we found that anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) cells require TRAF3 for proliferation. Since reducing TRAF3 results in aberrant activation of the noncanonical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, we prevented noncanonical NF-κB signaling by suppressing RelB together with TRAF3. This revealed that TRAF3 regulates proliferation independent of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. However, suppression of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) along with TRAF3 showed that high levels of NIK have a partial role in blocking cell cycle progression. Further investigation into the mechanism by which TRAF3 regulates cell division demonstrated that TRAF3 is essential for continued PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling. In addition, we found that while NIK is dispensable for controlling JAK/STAT activity, NIK is critical to regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Analysis of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) showed that NIK modulates PI3K/AKT signaling by altering the localization of PTEN. Together our findings implicate TRAF3 as a positive regulator of the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT pathways and reveal a novel function for NIK in controlling PI3K/AKT activity. These results provide further insight into the role of TRAF3 and NIK in T cell malignancies and indicate that TRAF3 differentially governs the growth of B and T cell cancers.     

Dendrobium huoshanense Polysaccharides Prevent Inflammatory Response of Ulcerative Colitis Rat through Inhibiting the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The polysaccharides of the Chinese herbal medicine Dendrobium huoshanense exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in multiple organs through regulating the immune responses. In the present study, we constructed ulcerative colitis (UC) model rats using dextran sulfate sodium to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of D. huoshanense polysaccharides (DHP). After oral administration of DHP for two weeks, the indices of UC symptoms, including the ratio of colon weight to length, Disease Activity Index (DAI), and Colon Mucosal Damage Index (CMDI), all decreased significantly compared with the UC model group. The histological sections also revealed better cell orders in DHP treatments than in the UC model rats. Moreover, in treatment with high dose of DHP (200 mg/kg), the treatment efficacy arrived the similar levels to those in the treatment with 300 mg/kg sulfasalazine, which is a typical medicine to treat UC. These results indicated that DHP has a high efficacy to treat UC in model rats. Furthermore, serum levels of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-17, and transforming growth factor-β were assessed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and the levels of nuclear factor-κB in colon tissue sections were determined using the immunohistochemical method. The results showed that all these indices decreased significantly after administration of DHP in UC model rats, which might be the mechanisms underlying the DHP-suppressed UC inflammation. Overall, this study indicated that DHP might be directly used to treat UC and is a promising source to develop novel drugs against UC.     

藻蓝蛋白对非小细胞肺癌细胞移植瘤生长的抑制及促凋亡作用的机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨藻蓝蛋白对非小细胞肺癌细胞移植瘤生长的抑制及促凋亡作用的机制研究。方法：4~6周龄30只无胸腺BALB/c裸鼠随机分为移植瘤组和藻蓝蛋白组。每5天用卡尺测量裸鼠肿瘤体积。通过RT-PCR检测裸鼠肿瘤中凋亡相关因子MMP-2、MMP-9、Bcl-2、Bax的mRNA表达。通过流式细胞术分析细胞周期。通过蛋白印迹分析EMT相关蛋白的表达。通过ELISA检测血浆细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β和TGF-β的浓度。通过蛋白印迹分析STAT3/NF-κB信号通路的表达。结果：第13天时,移植瘤组和蓝藻蛋白组肿瘤大小比较无差异（P>0.05）,第18天和第25天时,藻蓝蛋白组肿瘤体积较移植瘤组减小（P<0.05）。藻蓝蛋白组MMP-2、MMP-9和Bcl-2的mRNA表达较移植瘤组降低（P<0.05）,藻蓝蛋白组Bax mRNA表达较移植瘤组升高（P<0.05）。藻蓝蛋白组G1期占比较移植瘤组升高（P<0.05）,藻蓝蛋白组G1期占比较移植瘤组升高（P<0.05）,藻蓝蛋白组S期和G2期占比较移植瘤组降低（P<0.05）。藻蓝蛋白组N-钙粘蛋白和VEGF蛋白表达较移植瘤组降低（P<0.05）,藻蓝蛋白组E-钙粘蛋白表达较移植瘤组升高（P<0.05）。藻蓝蛋白组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β和TGF-β的浓度较移植瘤组降低（P<0.05）。藻蓝蛋白组p-STAT3、p-IκBα和p-NF-κB p65蛋白表达较移植瘤组降低（P<0.05）。结论：藻蓝蛋白通过调控STAT3/ NF-κB信号通路抑制炎性细胞因子的分泌和EMT发生,促进肿瘤细胞凋亡,抑制裸鼠体内移植瘤的生长。     

中药治疗溃疡性结肠炎所涉信号通路研究进展

溃疡性结肠炎是一种非特异性、病因未明的结肠黏膜慢性炎症性疾病,由遗传易感性、环境因素、异常免疫应答等多种因素所致。目前治疗溃疡性结肠炎的药物以氨基水杨酸类、皮质类固醇、免疫抑制剂等为主,但其长期使用存在药物毒性、过敏反应等副作用,而我国传统中药治疗溃疡性结肠炎表现出疗效显著、复发率低、毒副作用小等明显优势。综述中药治疗溃疡性结肠炎涉及6 种关键信号通路（NF-κB、TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB、MAPK、JAK/STAT、PI3K-AKT-mTOR 以及Wnt 和Notch）及相关新信号通路的研究进展,为中药治疗溃疡性结肠炎作用机制的深入研究提供新的思路。     

Lycopene inhibits IL-1β-induced inflammation in mouse chondrocytes and mediates murine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic degenerative condition in the elderly, in which inflammation plays a key role in disease pathology. Lycopene (Lye), a member of the carotenoid family, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Lye on the inflammation of chondrocytes and the mouse OA model. Chondrocytes were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β, and the mouse OA model was induced by the surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). The results showed that Lye could inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and alleviate the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Additionally, Lye could activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and reverse the activations of NF-κB and STAT3 signal pathway induced by IL-1β, suggesting that its anti-inflammatory effect may be mediated via these pathways. The animal experiments showed that Lye could decrease the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores of the knee, indicating that it could inhibit the occurrence and development of OA in mouse. Overall, our results indicated that Lye might be used as a novel drug for OA treatment.     

党参总皂苷对TNBS诱导的大鼠溃疡性结肠炎的保护作用及其机制

目的: 探讨党参总皂苷(TSC)对大鼠实验性溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的治疗作用及其作用机制。方法: 50只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为5组:对照组、模型组、柳氮磺胺嘧啶(SASP)阳性对照组(0.3 g/kg)、TSC高剂量组(1.2 g/kg)、TSC低剂量组(0.4 g/kg),用三硝基苯磺酸(TNBS)/乙醇联合灌肠制作大鼠UC模型,给药21 d后,通过观察大鼠症状和体征、疾病活动指数(DAI)、结肠粘膜损伤指数(CMDI)、结肠组织形态;测定结肠组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、炎症因子白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的含量;检测结肠组织中细胞核内核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)蛋白表达;最终评价TSC的治疗效果。结果: 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠DAI、CMDI评分显著升高,结肠粘膜损伤严重,说明造模成功。与模型组比较,TSC高低剂量组均能显著降低UC大鼠DAI评分、CMDI评分(P＜0.05);改善结肠黏膜形态;升高结肠组织中SOD活力,降低MDA含量(P＜0.05),抑制结肠组织中IL-6、TNF-α mRNA水平,促进IL-10 mRNA表达(P＜0.01);同时降低结肠中NF-κB蛋白表达(P＜ 0.01),且TSC高剂量组优于低剂量组(P＜0.05)。结论: TSC对UC大鼠结肠黏膜损伤具有显著保护作用,以高剂量组为佳;其机制可能与抗脂质过氧化,抑制NF-κB信号通路从而调控炎性因子的释放有关。     

Regulation of adult mammalian intrinsic axonal regeneration by NF-κB/STAT3 signaling cascade

The inflammatory response is a critical regulator for the regeneration of axon following nervous system injury. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is characteristically known for its ubiquitous role in the inflammatory response. However, its functional role in adult mammalian axon growth remains elusive. Here, we found that the NF-κB signaling pathway is activated in adult sensory neurons through peripheral axotomy. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB in peripheral sensory neurons attenuated their axon growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results also showed that NF-κB modulated axon growth by repressing the phosphorylation of STAT3. Furthermore, activation of STAT3 significantly promoted adult optic nerve regeneration. Taken together, the findings of our study indicated that NF-κB/STAT3 cascade is a critical regulator of intrinsic axon growth capability in the adult nervous system.     

Bromodomain-containing protein 7 deficiency augments atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE−/− mice

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is characterized by the persistence of lipid-laden macrophages on the inner walls of arteries. Chronic inflammation and imbalanced macrophage function are likely to play a critical role. Herein, we investigated whether bromodomain-containing protein 7 (Brd7), a member of the bromodomain-containing protein family, regulates atherosclerosis, and if so, which mechanisms are responsible for the process. We found that Brd7 is expressed in mouse atherosclerotic plaques, and mostly in macrophages. Inhibition of Brd7 accelerates atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE^?/? mice by promoting NF-κB–mediated inflammation. Furthermore, Brd7 inhibition alters the phenotype of macrophages and promotes plaque instability, at least partly via STAT6 signaling. Our data define a previously undescribed role of Brd7 in the development of atherosclerosis.     

Nuclear factor-kappa B-independent regulation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated interleukin-6 biosynthesis

The possible involvement of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B in mediating the regulation of interleukin (IL)-6 biosynthesis in response to E. coli-derived lipopolysaccharide-endotoxin (LPS) was investigated in vitro. In alveolar epithelial cells, irreversible inhibition of the proteasome complex by carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal (MG-132; 1-50 muM) did not affect LPS-mediated IL-6 secretion. Whereas the selective inhibition of the NF-kappa B pathway by the action of caffeic acid phenyl ethyl ester (CAPE; 1-100 microM) attenuated LPS-dependent IL-6 production at 100 muM, sulfasalazine (SSA; 0.1--10 mM), a potent and irreversible inhibitor of NF-kappa B, did not inhibit LPS-dependent IL-6 secretion. Incorporation of a selectively permeant inhibitor of NF-kappa B, SN-50 (1-20 microM), a peptide which contains the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for the p50 NF-kappa B subunit and the amino-terminal sequence of Kaposi fibroblast growth factor to promote cell permeability, did not reduce LPS-mediated release of IL-6. These data indicate a NF-kappa B-independent pathway mediating LPS-dependent regulation of IL-6 biosynthesis in the airway epithelium.     

基于NF-κB信号通路的益生菌治疗溃疡性结肠炎的研究进展

溃疡性结肠炎（UC）是一种肠道非特异性炎症性疾病,迁延不愈,严重影响患者的生活质量。目前认为,肠道菌群的改变是诱发和维持结肠炎症的主要原因。临床上应用益生菌制剂作为UC患者的辅助治疗,可平衡患者肠道菌群,减轻炎症反应。UC患者免疫调节功能紊乱,TLR4及其信号传导通路是UC发病的重要环节。易感人群肠道中的菌群突破肠上皮屏障,免疫系统被各种微生物抗原激活,炎症细胞活化从而导致结肠黏膜组织产生炎症反应,该过程可由TLR4-NF-κB信号传导通路介导。本研究就益生菌基于TLR4-NF-κB信号通路对溃疡性结肠炎的治疗进行综述。     

溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠道通透性改变与TNF-α及NF-κB P65的关系

目的：采用2.5%葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）定量灌胃诱导小鼠溃疡性结肠炎（UC）,观察小鼠结肠通透性改变与肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）及NF-κB p65的关系。方法：48只ICR小鼠随机分为2组（n=24）：对照组和模型组。模型组小鼠给予2.5% DSS定量灌胃诱发小鼠急性UC,对照组小鼠予同体积的蒸馏水灌胃代替。记录两组小鼠疾病活动指数（DAI）,9 d后测定两组小鼠结肠组织病理学评分、结肠通透性、TNF-α及NF-κB p65。统计分析DAI、结肠通透性、TNF-α与NF-κB p65之间的相关性。结果：与对照组比较,模型组小鼠DAI、结肠病理学评分、结肠通透性、TNF-α、NF-κB p65均显著增高（P均<0.01）。小鼠DAI增高与结肠通透性密切相关（P均<0.01）,结肠通透性增高与TNF-α、NF-κB p65密切相关（P均<0.01）。结论：与对照组小鼠相比,DSS造模小鼠的结肠通透性显著增高,并与TNF-α、NF-κB p65增高呈正相关。TNF-α、NF-κB p65增高导致结肠通透性增高,进而导致炎症免疫反应过度增强,可能是UC发病的重要环节。