Indirubin enhances tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis through modulation of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway

Although indirubin is known to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, very little is known about its mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated whether indirubin mediates its effects through interference with the NF-kappaB pathway. As examined by the DNA binding of NF-kappaB, we found that indirubin suppressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced NF-kappaB activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Indirubin also suppressed the NF-kappaB activation induced by various inflammatory agents and carcinogens. Further studies showed that indirubin blocked the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB alpha through the inhibition of activation of IkappaB alpha kinase and phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65. NF-kappaB reporter activity induced by TNFR1, TNF receptor-associated death domain, TRAF2, TAK1, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, and IKKbeta was inhibited by indirubin but not that induced by p65 transfection. We also found that indirubin inhibited the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated gene products involved in antiapoptosis (IAP1, IAP2, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and TRAF1), proliferation (cyclin D1 and c-Myc), and invasion (COX-2 and MMP-9). This correlated with enhancement of the apoptosis induced by TNF and the chemotherapeutic agent taxol in human leukemic KBM-5 cells. Indirubin also suppressed cytokine-induced cellular invasion. Overall, our results indicate that anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities previously assigned to indirubin may be mediated in part through the suppression of the NF-kappaB activation pathway.     

Targeted deletion of MKK4 gene potentiates TNF-induced apoptosis through the down-regulation of NF-kappa B activation and NF-kappa B-regulated antiapoptotic gene products

MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4) is a dual-specificity kinase that activates both JNK and p38 MAPK. However, the mechanism by which MKK4 regulates TNF-induced apoptosis is not fully understood. Therefore, we used fibroblasts derived from MKK4 gene-deleted (MKK4-KO) mice to determine the role of this kinase in TNF signaling. We found that when compared with the wild-type cells, deletion of MKK4 gene enhanced TNF-induced apoptosis, and this correlated with down-regulation of TNF-induced cell-proliferative (COX-2 and cyclin D1) and antiapoptotic (survivin, IAP1, XIAP, Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), and cFLIP) gene products, all regulated by NF-kappaB. Indeed we found that TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation was abrogated in MKK4 gene-deleted cells, as determined by DNA binding. Further investigation revealed that TNF-induced I kappaB alpha kinase activation, I kappaB alpha phosphorylation, I kappaB alpha degradation, and p65 nuclear translocation were all suppressed in MKK4-KO cells. NF-kappaB reporter assay revealed that NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF, TNFR1, TRADD, TRAF2, NIK, and I kappaB alpha kinase was modulated in gene-deleted cells. Overall, our results indicate that MKK4 plays a central role in TNF-induced apoptosis through the regulation of NF-kappaB-regulated gene products.     

Iron status and lipopolysaccharide regulate Ndfip1 by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B

Nedd4 family interacting protein 1 (Ndfip1) is an adaptor protein for the Nedd4 family of ubiquitin ligases that target proteins for degradation. Recent studies confirmed the role of Ndfip1 as a regulator of iron metabolism and pointed out that Ndfip1 was involved in iron homeostasis by regulating the degradation of iron importer divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). However, little is known about how Ndfip1 is regulated. The aim of this article was to investigate the regulation of Ndfip1 levels and the possible mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effect of various stimuli, including iron status and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on Ndfip1 expression in MES23.5 dopaminergic cell lines. Results showed that Ndfip1 expression in these cells was enhanced by ferrous iron overload, but not ferric iron overload, and decreased after iron deprivation by deferoxamine. In addition, LPS could significantly increase the expression of Ndfip1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the regulation of Ndfip1 expression by these various stimuli was achieving by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. We speculate that iron status and LPS may contribute to the changes of Ndfip1 expression by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B.     

Alpha-tomatine induces apoptosis and inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation on human prostatic adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells

Background

Alpha-tomatine (α-tomatine) is the major saponin in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). This study investigates the chemopreventive potential of α-tomatine on androgen-independent human prostatic adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Treatment of highly aggressive human prostate cancer PC-3 cells with α-tomatine resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth with a half-maximal efficient concentration (EC₅₀) value of 1.67±0.3 µM. It is also less cytotoxic to normal human liver WRL-68 cells and normal human prostate RWPE-1 cells. Assessment of real-time growth kinetics by cell impedance-based Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) showed that α-tomatine exhibited its cytotoxic effects against PC-3 cells as early as an hour after treatment. The inhibitory effect of α-tomatine on PC-3 cancer cell growth was mainly due to induction of apoptosis as evidenced by positive Annexin V staining and decreased in mitochondrial membrane potential but increased in nuclear condensation, polarization of F-actin, cell membrane permeability and cytochrome c expressions. Results also showed that α-tomatine induced activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, suggesting that both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways are involved. Furthermore, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation was inhibited, which in turn resulted in significant decreased in NF-κB/p50 and NF-κB/p65 in the nuclear fraction of the treated cells compared to the control untreated cells. These results provide further insights into the molecular mechanism of the anti-proliferative actions of α-tomatine.

Conclusion/Significance

α-tomatine induces apoptosis and inhibits NF-κB activation on prostate cancer cells. These results suggest that α-tomatine may be beneficial for protection against prostate cancer development and progression.     

Absence of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 alters nuclear factor-kappa B activation and gene expression of apoptosis regulators after reperfusion injury

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is activated in response to DNA injury in eukaryotic cells and has been implicated in cell dysfunction in reperfusion injury. In this study we investigated the role of PARP-1 on apoptosis in early myocardial reperfusion injury. Mice genetically deficient of PARP-1 (PARP-1-/-) and wild-type littermates were subjected to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Myocardial injury was assessed by measuring the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase and oligonucleosomal DNA fragments in the infarcted area. Expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, and the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, was analyzed by Western blot. Activation of caspases, important executioners of apoptosis, and activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway were evaluated. Gene expression profiles for apoptotic regulators between PARP-1-/- and wild-type mice also were compared. Myocardial damage in PARP-1-/- mice was reduced significantly, as indicated by lower serum creatine phosphokinase levels and reduction of apoptosis, as compared with wild-type mice. Western blot analyses showed increased expression of Bcl-2, which was associated with reduction of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activation. This cardioprotection was associated with significant reduction of the activation of I kappa B kinase complex and NF-kappa B DNA binding. Microarray analysis demonstrated that the expression of 29 known genes of apoptotic regulators was significantly altered in PARP-1-/- mice compared with wild-type mice, whereas 6 known genes were similarly expressed in both genotypes. The data indicate that during reperfusion absence of PARP-1 leads to reduction of myocardial apoptosis, which is associated with reduced NF-kappa B activation and altered gene expression profiles.     

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     

Hydrogen inhalation reduced epithelial apoptosis in ventilator-induced lung injury via a mechanism involving nuclear factor-kappa B activation

Entry of enveloped viruses into cells is initiated by binding of their envelope glycoproteins (Envs) to cell surface-associated receptors. The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) has two Envs, Gn and Gc, with poorly understood role in binding to susceptible cells. We expressed codon optimized Gn and Gc, and identified independently folded soluble Env fragments, one of which (Gc residues 180–300) bound CCHFV susceptible cells supposedly by interacting with a putative receptor. This receptor binding domain (RBD) was used to identify its interacting partner by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Thus we identified the human cell surface nucleolin as a putative CCHFV entry factor. Nucleolin was expressed on all susceptible cells tested but not on the surface of cells resistant to CCHFV infection. Further studies are needed to explore the nucleolin function as a plausible CCHFV receptor and the molecular mechanisms of the Gc-nucleolin interactions. The identification of the CCHFV RBD and its binding partner could provide novel targets for therapy and tools for prevention as well as more complete understanding of the mechanisms of CCHFV entry and pathogenesis.     

Synergistic activation of the serotonin-1A receptor by nuclear factor-kappa B and estrogen

Estrogen exerts profound effects on mood and mental state. The ability of estrogen to modulate serotonergic function raises the possibility that it may play a role in the mechanism associated with depression and its treatment. A cellular mechanism for estrogen to influence mood might be through the regulation of genes involved at various levels of the serotonin system. Here we report that estrogen can up-regulate the expression of the serotonin-1A receptor via a new mechanism involving synergistic activation by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) with estrogen receptor alpha. Interestingly, we observed that only estrogen receptor-alpha, and not -beta, was able to mediate this effect of estrogens. The partial antiestrogen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, had the same effect as estrogen. In addition, mutation analysis showed that both the transactivation function of p65 and activation function 1 of estrogen receptor-alpha were essential for this synergistic regulation. Therefore, we propose that NF-kappa B complexes cooperate with estrogen receptor-alpha to recruit cofactors into the complex and thereby synergistically activate the serotonin-1A receptor promoter through nonclassical estrogen response elements by a mechanism that does not involve direct receptor binding to DNA.     

Hydrogen inhalation reduced epithelial apoptosis in ventilator-induced lung injury via a mechanism involving nuclear factor-kappa B activation

We recently demonstrated the inhalation of hydrogen gas, a novel medical therapeutic gas, ameliorates ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI); however, the molecular mechanisms by which hydrogen ameliorates VILI remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether inhaled hydrogen gas modulates the nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway. VILI was generated in male C57BL6 mice by performing a tracheostomy and placing the mice on a mechanical ventilator (tidal volume of 30 ml/kg or 10 ml/kg without positive end-expiratory pressure). The ventilator delivered either 2% nitrogen or 2% hydrogen in balanced air. NFκB activation, as indicated by NFκB DNA binding, was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hydrogen gas inhalation increased NFκB DNA binding after 1 h of ventilation and decreased NFκB DNA binding after 2 h of ventilation, as compared with controls. The early activation of NFκB during hydrogen treatment was correlated with elevated levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and decreased levels of Bax. Hydrogen inhalation increased oxygen tension, decreased lung edema, and decreased the expression of proinflammatory mediators. Chemical inhibition of early NFκB activation using SN50 reversed these protective effects. NFκB activation and an associated increase in the expression of Bcl-2 may contribute, in part, to the cytoprotective effects of hydrogen against apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathway activation during VILI.     

脑组织核因子-κB激活对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎的作用

为探讨脑组织核因子－κB（NF－κB）对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎（EAE）的作用,分别用凝胶电泳迁移分析和NF－κB p65免疫组化方法测定了CFA－GPSCH诱导大鼠EAE1、7、14和21d时脑组织NF－κB活性和蛋白表达的动态变化,并观察了这些变化与EAE症状之间的关系。结果表明;对照组大鼠脑组织仅有少量NF－κB蛋白表达,其活性也很低;诱导EAE后,伴随着大鼠EAE症状及脑组织病理损伤的出现和进行性加重,其NF－κB活性和蛋白表达量逐渐增高;在免疫后14d达到高峰,NF－κB阳性细胞主要位于脉络丛、穹隆下器、血管“套袖样”病灶的周围,与EAE病变部位一致,此时大鼠EAE发病率最高、病情最重、体重减轻最显著、脑组织病理改变也最明显;21h脑组织NF－κB活性和蛋白表达量逐渐下降,大鼠EAE症状也逐渐恢复。应用NF－κB特异性抑制剂PDTC以抑制脑内组织NF－κB活性和蛋白表达量逐渐下降,大鼠EAE症状也逐渐恢复。应用NF－κB特异性抑制剂PDTC以抑制脑内NF－κB蛋白表达后,大鼠EAE症状和脑组织损伤明显减轻,说明脑组织NF－κB的动态变化与EAE症状及脑组织损伤程度密切相关。结论：脑组织NF－κB的激活对EAE的发病起着关键的作用,应用NF－κB抑制剂可能是防治该病的有效方法之一。     

A20 inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines by suppressing the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway in osteoarthritic fibroblast-like synoviocytes

A growing number of studies suggest that synovitis plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). As a negative mediator of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, the zinc finger protein A20 has significant anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the differential expression of A20 was investigated at the mRNA and protein levels in human normal OA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and normal FLSs pretreated with TNF-α. We then measured the activation of the NF-κB pathway and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the above three groups by western blotting, a human cytokine array and ELISA. We found that TNF-α activated the NF-κB pathway, increased the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and A20 expression in human normal FLSs. However, the role of A20 in FLSs was unclear. To clarify this, we investigated the effect of A20 overexpression in human normal FLSs. The results indicate that A20 inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway activation and OA-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines release. The results of this study indicate that A20 has anti-inflammatory effects in FLSs, which makes it a potential target for OA synovitis treatment.     

核因子-κB在脂多糖诱导大鼠心肌血红素加氧酶-1基因表达中的作用

目的：观察核因子-κB（NF-κB）在脂多糖（LPS）诱导大鼠心肌血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）表达中的作用,探讨其对内毒素休克（ES）的影响。方法：用生理多导仪监测大鼠静脉注射LPS（8mg／Kg）后12h平均动脉压（MAP）变化：用免疫组化方法检测心肌组织NF-κBp65和HO-1蛋白表达的变化;用逆转录多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测心肌组织HO-1基因表达的变化。结果：①LPS组MAP较对照组快速持续降低（P〈0．01）：②LPS可诱导大鼠心肌间质血管内皮细胞和心肌细胞NF-κB阳性表达增强,1／2h和2h表达明显升高,6h和12h逐渐降低;③LPS可诱导大鼠心肌HO-1基因表达上调,2h开始增加,6h达到高峰,12h表达下调;LPS组大鼠心肌间质血管内皮细胞和心肌细胞HO-1蛋白表达在6h明显增强,12h表达减弱。④应用PDTC可明显减轻ES大鼠心肌损伤,并抑制心肌HO-1蛋白和基因表达。结论：LPS活化的心肌NF-κB参与LPS诱导心肌HO-1蛋白和基因高表达的信号转导,可能是导致ES顽固性低血压的机制之一。     

Simvastatin potentiates TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent antiapoptotic gene products: role of IkappaBalpha kinase and TGF-beta-activated kinase-1

Numerous recent reports suggest that statins (hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors) exhibit potential to suppress tumorigenesis through a mechanism that is not fully understood. Therefore, in this article, we investigated the effects of simvastatin on TNF-alpha-induced cell signaling. We found that simvastatin potentiated the apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha as indicated by intracellular esterase activity, caspase activation, TUNEL, and annexin V staining. This effect of simvastatin correlated with down-regulation of various gene products that mediate cell proliferation (cyclin D1 and cyclooxygenase-2), cell survival (Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), cellular FLIP, inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1, inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2, and survivin), invasion (matrix mellatoproteinase-9 and ICAM-1), and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor); all known to be regulated by the NF-kappaB. We found that simvastatin inhibited TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation, and l-mevalonate reversed the suppressive effect, indicating the role of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Simvastatin suppressed not only the inducible but also the constitutive NF-kappaB activation. Simvastatin inhibited TNF-alpha-induced IkappaBalpha kinase activation, which led to inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation, suppression of p65 phosphorylation, and translocation to the nucleus. NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression induced by TNF-alpha, TNFR1, TNFR-associated death domain protein, TNFR-associated factor 2, TGF-beta-activated kinase 1, receptor-interacting protein, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, and IkappaB kinase beta was abolished by simvastatin. Overall, our results provide novel insight into the role of simvastatin in potentially preventing and treating cancer through modulation of IkappaB kinase and NF-kappaB-regulated gene products.