Wip1 phosphatase positively modulates dendritic spine morphology and memory processes through the p38MAPK signaling pathway

Dendritic spine morphology is modulated by protein kinase p38, a mitogen-activated protein (MAPK), in the hippocampus. Protein p38MAPK is a substrate of wip1, a protein phosphatase. The role of wip1 in the central nervous system (CNS) has never been explored. Here, we report a novel function of wip1 in dendritic spine morphology and memory processes. Wip1 deficiency decreases dendritic spine size and density in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region. Simultaneously, impairments in object recognition tasks and contextual memory occur in wip1 deficient mice, but are reversed in wip1/p38 double mutant mice. Thus, our findings demonstrate that wip1 modulates dendritic morphology and memory processes through the p38MAPK signaling pathway. In addition to the well-characterized role of the wip1/p38MAPK in cell death and differentiation, we revealed the novel contribution of wip1 to cognition and dendritic spine morphology, which may suggest new approaches to treating neurodegenerative disorders.     

Wip1 phosphatase positively modulates dendritic spine morphology and memory processes through the p38MAPK signaling pathway

Dendritic spine morphology is modulated by protein kinase p38, a mitogen-activated protein (MAPK), in the hippocampus. Protein p38MAPK is a substrate of wip1, a protein phosphatase. The role of wip1 in the central nervous system (CNS) has never been explored. Here, we report a novel function of wip1 in dendritic spine morphology and memory processes. Wip1 deficiency decreases dendritic spine size and density in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region. Simultaneously, impairments in object recognition tasks and contextual memory occur in wip1 deficient mice, but are reversed in wip1/p38 double mutant mice. Thus, our findings demonstrate that wip1 modulates dendritic morphology and memory processes through the p38MAPK signaling pathway. In addition to the well-characterized role of the wip1/p38MAPK in cell death and differentiation, we revealed the novel contribution of wip1 to cognition and dendritic spine morphology, which may suggest new approaches to treating neurodegenerative disorders.     

Effects of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway on articular cartilage defect recovery by BMSCs tissue based on the rabbit articular cartilage defect models

ObjectiveThe objective is to clarify the effects of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway on articular cartilage defect recovery by BMSCs tissue and provide a basis for clinical treatments of articular cartilage defects.MethodsA total of 96 healthy male rabbits (weighed 1.5–2.0 kg) that were fully-grown were selected and grouped as the no-treatment group, the model group, and the treatment group in a random manner. Each group included 32 rabbits in total. The no-treatment group was fed without any interventions. The model group and the treatment group were constructed into rabbit knee-joint articular cartilage defect models. In addition, rabbits in the treatment group were given intervention treatments with Notch inhibitor (DAPT) combined with p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). The general conditions of rabbits in each group and the conditions of the stained articular cartilage tissue samples were observed, the proliferation of chondrocytes of rabbits in each group was compared.Results(1) After drug interventions, in contrast to the rabbits in the model group, the general conditions and the chondrocyte recovering situations of rabbits in the treatment group were obviously improved; (2) 8 weeks after model construction, the articular cartilage empty bone lacuna rate of rabbits in the treatment group was (12.13 ± 1.81)%, which was obviously lower than the synchronous (21.55 ± 3.07)% articular cartilage empty bone lacuna rate of rabbits in the model group, and there was a statistical significance in the differences (P < 0.05); (3) the absorbance value (OD value) of chondrocytes in the treatment group was (0.34 ± 0.015), which was obviously higher than the (0.10 ± 0.020) OD value of chondrocytes in the model group, and there was a statistical significance in the differences (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe inhibition of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway can promote the recovery of articular cartilage by BMSCs tissue, accelerate the proliferation of chondrocytes, and contribute to the recovery of knee-joint injuries in rabbits, which provides a reliable basis for clinical treatments of articular cartilage defects.     

Activation and signaling of the p38 MAP kinase pathway

The family members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases mediate a wide variety of cellular behaviors in response to extracellular stimuli. One of the four main sub-groups, the p38 group of MAP kinases, serve as a nexus for signal transduction and play a vital role in numerous biological processes. In this review, we highlight the known characteristics and components of the p38 pathway along with the mechanism and consequences of p38 activation. We focus on the role of p38 as a signal transduction mediator and examine the evidence linking p38 to inflammation, cell cycle, cell death, development, cell differentiation, senescence and tumorigenesis in specific cell types. Upstream and downstream components of p38 are described and questions remaining to be answered are posed. Finally, we propose several directions for future research on p38.     

Paeoniflorin attenuated bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells via suppression of the p38 MAPK pathway

Bupivacain, a common local anesthetic, can cause neurotoxicity and permanent neurological disorders. Paeoniflorin has been widely reported as a potential neuroprotective agent in neural injury models. However, the roles and molecular basis of paeoniflorin in bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity are still undefined. In the current study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to detect cell viability. Apoptotic rate was measured through double-staining of Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide on a flow cytometer. Western blot assay was carried out to examine the protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphorylated-p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), Bcl-2, and Bax. caspase-3 activity was determined using a caspase-3 activity assay kit. We found that paeoniflorin dose-dependently attenuated bupivacaine-induced viability inhibition and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, paeoniflorin inhibited bupivacaine-induced activation of p38 MAPK pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. Paeoniflorin alone showed no significant effect on cell viability, apoptosis and p38 MAPK signaling in SH-SY5Y cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling by SB203580 or small interfering RNA targeting p38 (si-p38) abated bupivacaine-induced viability inhibition and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, paeoniflorin alleviated bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells via suppression of the p38 MAPK pathway, highlighting the potential values of paeoniflorin in relieving bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity.     

白念珠菌MAPK信号通路研究进展

白念珠菌是人类最常见的条件致病菌。促分裂素原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK链）是真核生物信号传递网络中的重要途径之一,在基因表达调控和细胞质功能活动中发挥关键作用。在白念珠菌中主要有4条MAPK途径：Mkcl途径、Cekl途径、Cek2途径和HOG途径。其中HOG途径在白念珠菌MAPK信号通路起着重要的作用。对于白念珠菌MAPK信号通路的作用及相关调控机制的了解,可以为寻找新的药物作用靶点,治疗念珠菌病提供帮助。     

Annexin1 regulates the erythroid differentiation through ERK signaling pathway

K562 cells can be used as a model of erythroid differentiation on being induced by hemin. We found that the level of annexin1 gene expression was notably increased during this indicated process. To test the hypothesis that annexin1 can regulate erythropoiesis, K562 cell clones in which annexin1 was stably increased and was knocked down by RNAi were established, respectively. With analysis by hemoglobin quantification, benzidine staining, and marker gene expression profile determination, we confirmed that hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells was modestly stimulated by overexpression of annexin1 while it was significantly blocked by knock down of annexin1. Further studies revealed that the mechanisms of annexin1 regulation of the erythroid differentiation was partially related to the increased ERK phosphorylation and expression of p21(cip/waf), since specific inhibitor of MEK blocked the function of annexin1 in erythroid differentiation. We concluded that annexin1 exerted its erythropoiesis regulating effect by ERK pathway.     

MicroRNA-9 overexpression suppresses vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and enhances vascular remodeling through negative regulation of the p38MAPK pathway via OLR1 in acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque rupture with a high incidence of recurrent ischemic events. Several microRNAs are found to be aberrantly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. This study aims to investigate the effects of microRNA-9 (miR-9) on vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and vascular remodeling in ACS and underlying mechanisms. Microarray-based gene expression profiling was used to identify differentially expressed genes related to ACS and regulatory miRNAs. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (lectin-like) receptor 1 (OLR1) was identified to be aberrantly activated in ACS and regulated by miR-9. OLR1 was verified as a target gene of miR-9 by bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The atherosclerotic models were induced in ApoE^−/− mice, in which the agomir or antagomir of miR-9, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against OLR1 were separately introduced. Serum lipid levels and expression of vascular remodeling and inflammatory response-related factors were determined, respectively. On the basis of the obtained results, in the atherosclerosis mice treated with the agomir of miR-9 and siRNA against OLR1, the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway was inhibited; levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor were reduced, but the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was increased, along with decreased vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque area and enhanced vascular remodeling. Taken together, these findings suggested an inhibitory role miR-9 acts in the formation of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in ACS mice, along with a promoted vascular remodeling, via a negative feedback regulation of OLR1-mediated p38MAPK pathway.     

The p38 MAPK inhibitor, PD169316, inhibits transforming growth factor beta-induced Smad signaling in human ovarian cancer cells

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) can signal through a variety of Smad-independent pathways, including the p38 MAPK pathway. Recent work has shown that inhibitors of p38 MAPK, such as SB203580 and SB202190, can inhibit signaling induced by TGFbeta. Here we show that another p38 MAPK inhibitor, PD169316, abrogates signaling initiated by both TGFbeta and Activin A, but not bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4. Inhibition of TGFbeta signaling is dose dependent and results in reduced Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and up-regulation of the TGFbeta target gene Smad7. Reduced TGFbeta signaling is not due to abrogation of p38 MAPK activity, since blocking p38 MAPK activity with a dominant negative form of p38 MAPK has no effect on TGFbeta/Smad signaling. Our results show that use of PD169316 at 5 MICROM or higher can block TGFbeta signaling activity and thus caution must be used when attributing cellular activities exclusively to p38 MAPK signaling when these inhibitors are used experimentally.     

Genistein enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis through inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling in human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells

The cytotoxic effect of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is limited in some carcinoma cancer cells. However, it was found that treatment with TRAIL in combination with nontoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized TRAIL-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL-induced chromatin condensation and sub-G1 phase DNA content. These indicators of apoptosis were correlated with the induction of caspase activity that resulted in the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Both cell viability and the cleavage of PARP induced by combined treatment were significantly inhibited by caspase-3, -8 and -9 inhibitors, which demonstrates the important roles of caspases in the observed cytotoxic effects. Genistein treatment also triggered the inhibition of p38-β mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Pretreatment with SB203580 resulted in significantly increased sub-G1 population and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in TRAIL-induced apoptosis. By contrast, overexpression of p38 MAPK protected apoptosis by co-treatment with genistein and TRAIL, suggesting that the p38 MAPK act as key regulators of apoptosis in response to treatment with a combination of genistein and TRAIL in human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells.     

五灵胶囊对LPS诱导鼠枯否细胞p38MAPK信号转导通路的影响

目的:探讨五灵胶囊对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠枯否细胞(Kupffer cells,KC)p38MAPK信号转导通路的影响。方法:分离纯化KCs,60ng/ml LPS刺激建立LPS的肝细胞损伤模型;40只SD大鼠药物处理后,分离制备含药血清。实验分为四组:空白血清组、LPS+空白血清组、含药血清Ⅰ组(10.0g/kg)+LPS、含药血清Ⅱ组(6.25g/kg)+LPS。KCs产生促炎因子(I125放免法测定TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8,比色法测定NO生成量),采用Western blot法检测ERK、p-ERK、p38、p-p38、TNF-α和STAT3的蛋白水平。结果:1、空白血清+LPS组,TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8和NO浓度明显高于空白血清组;2、同空白血清+LPS组比较,含药血清Ⅰ、Ⅱ组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8和NO水平明显降低;3、与空白血清组比较,空白血清+LPS组能上调KCs对p-ERK、P38、p-P38、STAT3和TNF-α表达(p<0.01,p<0.05),对ERK表达无影响(p>0.05)4、同空白血清+LPS组比较,含药血清Ⅰ+LPS、含药血清Ⅱ+LPS组p-p38、S...     

Isoquinoline alkaloids from Coptis japonica stimulate the myoblast differentiation via p38 MAP-kinase and Akt signaling pathway

To overcome the muscle atrophy, such as cachexia and sarcopenia, we tried to find myogenic agents from medicinal plants. From myogenic extract of Coptis japonica, we purified six isoquinoline alkaloids and evaluated their effects on transactivation of myoD and MHC expression in C2C12 cells during differentiation process. Among obtained compounds, magnoflorine most efficiently enhanced the myoblast differentiation by activating the p38 MAP kinase and Akt pathway, and also increased the number of multinucleated and cylinder-shaped myotubes. These results propose that magnoflorine from Coptis japonica might be a promising lead compound for the development of anti-muscle atrophy drug.     

Emodin suppresses interleukin-1beta induced mesangial cells proliferation and extracellular matrix production via inhibiting P38 MAPK

Previous findings indicate that emodin has anti-proliferation and anti-fibrosis effects on several cell lines. In this study, we investigated the effects of emodin on IL-1β induced proliferation of mesangial cells (MCs) and on their production of extracellular matrix (ECM), and explored the possible mechanisms. To test the therapeutic effect of emodin on progressive renal disease, we administered emodin to rats in renal failure models induced by subtotal nephrectomy, the renal function was analyzed. Our results showed emodin significantly suppressed IL-1β induced MC proliferation and arrested the cell-cycle progress in vitro. Fibronectin and collagen IV production by MC were significantly reduced after emodin treatment. P38 mRNA, protein levels of P-P38, P-MKK3/6 and P-MKK4 were quantified. We observed no alterations of P38 expression and P-MKK4 protein content; however, protein levels of P-P38 and P-MKK3/6 significantly decreased after emodin treatment. In the renal failure models, after administration of emodin for eight weeks, the rat renal lesions were significantly ameliorated, as evidenced by the decreased blood creatinine, urea, and the 24-hour urine protein. In conclusion, emodin suppresses IL-1β induced MC proliferation and ECM production in vitro. We hypothesize that this is achieved by inactivating MKK3/6 and P38. Emodin ameliorates renal failure in subtotal nephrectomized rats, which suggests a potential role of emodin in the treatment of progressive renal diseases.     

p38 MAPK反义寡聚脱氧核苷酸阻断肢体缺血预处理诱导的脑缺血耐受

目的:观察p38MAPK反义寡聚脱氧核苷酸(As-ODN)对肢体缺血预处理(LIP)诱导的脑缺血耐受的影响。方法:48只永久凝闭双侧椎动脉的Wistar大鼠分为8组(n=6):sham组、LIP组、脑缺血损伤组、LIP+脑缺血损伤组、双蒸水+LIP+脑缺血损伤组、p38MAPKAs-ODN组和p38MAPKAs-ODN+LIP+脑缺血损伤组,p38MAPKAs-ODN的剂量又分为5nmol/5μl和10nmol/5μl。所有动物均在sham手术后或末次全脑缺血/再灌注后7天断头取脑,硫堇染色观察海马CA1区锥体神经元迟发性死亡情况。结果:sham组和LIP组均未见延迟性神经元死亡(DND)。与sham、LIP组相比,脑缺血损伤组出现了明显的DND,表现为组织学分级(HG)升高和锥体神经元密度(ND)下降(P0.05)。LIP可显著抑制脑缺血损伤引起的DND。与LIP+脑缺血损伤组相比,p38MAPKAs-ODN+LIP+脑缺血损伤组出现了显著的DND,表现为HG升高、ND降低(P0.05),且此种变化与p38MAPKAs-ODN的注射剂量呈明显正相关。结论:p38MAPKAs-ODN可阻断LIP诱导的脑缺血耐受,进一步证实了p38MAPK表达上调参与了LIP诱导的脑缺血耐受。