p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶在大鼠油酸型急性肺损伤中的作用

目的:研究p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)通路抑制剂SB203580对油酸性急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠炎症反应及肺水清除的影响,探讨油酸性急性肺损伤中p38MAPK的作用机制,为p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580干预脂肪栓塞综合征诱导肺损伤提供新途径。方法:24只SD雄性成年大鼠随机分为对照组(8只)、油酸模型组(8只)和SB203580干预组(8只)。油酸模型组大鼠经右颈静脉注射油酸0.20 ml/kg,造成急性肺损伤模型;SB203580组大鼠在油酸造模前30 min静脉注射SB203580;建模4 h后处死动物,检测血气分析、右下肺湿干重比(W/D)、肺系数(LI)、肺通透指数(PPI),ELISA法检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中TNF-α含量,免疫组化和Western blot法检测肺组织p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK蛋白表达水平,检测肺组织病理变化。结果:与对照组相比,油酸模型组大鼠Pa O2及Pa O2/Fi O2明显降低,右下肺湿干重、肺系数和肺通透指数、BALF中炎症因子TNF-α的含量以及pp38MAPK蛋白表达均明显增加(P0.01),肺组织病理学显示明显的急性肺损伤;与油酸模型组相比,以上指标在SB203580干预组则明显改善(P0.01)。结论:p38MAPK信号通路介导的炎性反应在油酸性肺损伤的发病机制中具有重要作用,p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580显著抑制炎症因子的表达,减轻肺水肿,对油酸性肺损伤具有明显的肺保护作用,意味着对p38MAPK的抑制可望为临床上伴有脂肪栓塞综合征(FES)的ALI的防治提供新途径。     

MAPKs抑制剂对大鼠肝细胞GSH代谢相关酶的影响

目的：观察丝裂原活化的蛋白激酶（MAPKs）抑制剂对大鼠肝细胞谷胱甘肽（GSH）代谢的影响,确定哪条途径与GSH代谢相关。方法：体外培养BRL大鼠肝细胞,以c-Jun NH2-末端激酶（JNK）途径抑制剂SP600125、p38途径抑制剂SB203580、细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERK1/2）途径抑制剂PD98659处理24 h,采用MTT法测定细胞活力,高效液相色谱法测定细胞内GSH含量,Luminex法测定JNK和磷酸化JNK （p-JNK）的蛋白表达,采用试剂盒测定GSH代谢酶活性。结果：SP600125浓度>5 μmol/L,SB203580浓度>20 μmol/L,PD98659浓度>40 μmol/L时,细胞活力受抑制;SP600125能显著减少大鼠肝细胞内还原型GSH的含量,SB203580和PD98659作用不明显;SP600125显著减少磷酸化JNK （p-JNK）蛋白表达,显著增强谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活力。结论：JNK MAPK途径参与了大鼠肝细胞GSH的代谢。     

血小板来源的生长因子通过ERK/p38/PI3K促进人视网膜色素上皮细胞的增殖、迁移

目的:探讨血小板来源的生长因子(PDGF)对体外培养的人视网膜色素上皮细胞(RPE)增殖和迁移的影响,并对参与其中的信号通路做初步研究.方法:体外培养的人视网膜色素上皮细胞与含有重组人血小板来源的生长因子的培养基(含有或不含2％(v/v)胎牛血清)共培养,用MTT法检测PDGF对RPE细胞增殖的影响,利用细胞爬片和免疫荧光技术检测PDGF对RPE细胞迁移等影响;另外分别向细胞培养物中添加PD98059,SB203580和PI3K等不同的信号通路分子抑制剂,判断参与PDGF激活的细胞活动相关的信号通路.结果:外源性PDGF能促进体外培养的人RPE的增殖和迁移.ERK1/2选择性抑制剂PD98059和PI3K抑制剂LY294002能显著的降低PDGF-BB诱导的人RPE细胞的增殖(P＜0.05),p38抑制剂SB203580没有明显的抑制作用.而对PDGF-BB诱导的RPE细胞的迁移,SB203580和LY294002有显著的抑制作用(P＜0.05),PD98059抑制作用不显著.结论:PDGF对RPE细胞的影响提示其在增生性玻璃体视网膜病变(PVR)的发展中有重要的作用,其可能为PVR提供一种新的毒副作用小的治疗手段.     

苯扎贝特对培养的牛主动脉血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的探讨苯扎贝特对体外培养的牛血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMC)增殖的影响,以及可能的信号转导通路.方法采用改良的贴块法培养小牛胸主动脉VSMC,α-actin单克隆抗体免疫组织化学染色鉴定培养细胞.以MTT法反映VSMC增殖情况;用Westem Blot方法检测与细胞增殖有关的丝裂原激动蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号传导通路.结果苯扎贝特呈剂量依赖性抑制VSMC增殖,其抑制增殖的作用主要是通过MAPK传导途径.结论苯扎贝特通过抑制VSMC增殖可能参与延缓动脉粥样硬化及经皮冠状动脉腔内成行术(percutaneous transluminal coronaryangioplasty,PTCA)术后再狭窄的发生、发展.     

α1, 2-岩藻糖转移酶基因转导对人卵巢癌细胞RMG-I p38MAPK信号通路介导的凋亡的影响

以α1,2-岩藻糖转移酶基因转染前后卵巢癌细胞RMG-I、RMG-I-H为细胞模型,用细胞免疫荧光方法检测转染前后细胞p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK的细胞内定位,RT-PCR和Western blot方法从mRNA和蛋白质两个水平检测转染前后细胞p38MAPK表达的变化;以兔抗人IgG抗体处理组为对照,分别利用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测Lewisy单克隆抗体处理前后RMG-I-H细胞p38MAPK mRNA和蛋白质表达水平的变化;以0.1%DMSO为对照,用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测p38MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580处理后RMG-I-H凋亡比率的变化,并利用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测caspase-3的mRNA和蛋白质水平的变化;用RT-PCR方法检测卡铂和SB203580处理后p38MAPK及caspase-3表达的变化.结果表明,RMG-I与RMG-I-H的p38MAPK蛋白主要定位在细胞质,p-p38MAPK蛋白定位在细胞核,转染后p38MAPK的mRNA水平明显高于转染前(P<0.05);Lewisy单克隆抗体处理后RMG-I-H细胞p38MAPK m...     

高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-的机制探讨

目的:初步探讨高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα-)的机制。方法:分别用p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)特异性抑制剂SB203580、核因子-κB(NFκ-B)特异性抑制剂PDTC预刺激肾小球系膜细胞30 min,再以高糖(20 mmol/L)干预48 h后,分别采用RT-PCR法检测系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA水平,Western blot法检测系膜细胞内磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白水平、细胞核及细胞浆NFκ-B p65蛋白水平。结果:与低糖对照组相比,高糖可促进肾小球系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA表达,以及p38MAPK、NFκ-B蛋白活化;SB203580(10 mmol/L)、PDTC(10 mmol/L)预刺激肾小球系膜细胞均可抑制高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-,且SB203580可抑制高糖诱导系膜细胞内NFκ-B蛋白活化。结论:p38MAPK-NFκ-B信号途径参与介导高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-。     

MAPKs介导NMDA诱导的大鼠皮层神经元凋亡(英文)

NMDA诱导兴奋毒造成的神经损伤,包括细胞的凋亡和坏死。本研究旨在探讨神经元凋亡在NMDA兴奋毒所致大鼠皮层神经元死亡中的所占比例,并分析了NMDA致神经元凋亡的信号通路机制。通过使用Caspase抑制剂和测定乳酸脱氢酶活性,研究NMDA(100μmol/L,2h)兴奋毒所致的神经元凋亡;并使用MAPKs选择性抑制剂,分别采用Caspase-3活性检测,TUNEL和Annexin V染色方法,进一步观察MAPKs通路中细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)、c-Jun N-末端激酶(JNK)和p38 MAPK三条不同途径在NMDA所致神经元凋亡中的作用。结果显示:(1)Caspase依赖的凋亡占NMDA所致细胞死亡总数的22.49%;(2)p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA诱导的caspase-3活性降低30.43%(P0.05);而ERK抑制剂PD98059(20μmol/L)和JNK抑制剂SP600125(20 μmol/L)不影响caspase-3的活性;(3)SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA所致的TUNEL阳性细胞数减少33.10%(P0.05);而PD98059(20μmol/L)或SP600125(20μmol/L)都没有作用;(4)Annexin V染色结果显示,SB203580(10μmol/L)使NMDA所致的早期凋亡细胞减少55.56%(P0.05);SP600125(20μmol/L)使NMDA所致的晚期凋亡/死亡细胞减少67.59%(P0.05);PD98059(20μmol/L)对细胞凋亡/死亡没有明显作用。以上结果表明,NMDA介导的大鼠皮层神经元死亡除坏死外,还包含有一小部分神经元凋亡;p38 MAPK途径,而非JNK和ERK途径,介导了NMDA诱导的神经元凋亡,抑制与此相关的凋亡信号通路可发挥神经保护作用;JNK途径可能介导了NMDA所致的神经元坏死而非凋亡。     

AMPK在姜黄素诱导CaOV3人卵巢癌细胞凋亡中的作用

目的:探讨AMPK(腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶)系统在姜黄素诱导CaOV3人卵巢癌细胞凋亡中的作用及姜黄素对AMPK磷酸化水平及其信号通路的影响.方法:实验分为对照组、姜黄素单独作用组、compound C(AMPK抑制剂)预给药组,SB203580(p38抑制剂)预给药组,AMPK抑制剂单独作用组以及p38抑制剂单独作用组.Western blotting法检测AMPK、p38和p53的磷酸化水平,MTT法检测细胞活力.结果:与对照组相比,姜黄素作用组的AMPK和p38磷酸化水平增加(P＜0.05),与姜黄素单独作用组相比,SB203580预处理组的AMPK磷酸化水平下降(P＜0.05).姜黄素作用组的细胞活力低于对照组(P＜0.05),compound C和SB203580预处理组的细胞活力高于姜黄素单独作用组(P＜0.05).与对照组相比,姜黄素作用组的p53磷酸化水平(Ser 15)增加(P＜0.05),与姜黄素单独作用组相比,compound C(AMPK抑制剂)和SB203580预处理组的p53磷酸化水平(Ser 15)下降(P＜0.05).结论:姜黄素能激活CaOV3细胞的AMPK,而AMPK的激活依赖于p38.AMPK和p38调节p53的磷酸化,并介导姜黄素诱导的细胞凋亡.     

绿脓菌素激活MAPKs、NF-KB信号通路诱导呼吸道上皮细胞IL-8表达

采用绿脓杆菌培养上清及绿脓菌素刺激人呼吸道上皮细胞株A549和SPC-A-1,用ELISA方法检测细胞IL-8分泌水平,并使用免疫印迹(Western blot)方法观察绿脓菌素对细胞内重要的炎症信号传导途径NF—κB及丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(MAPKs)的激活作用。实验发现,绿脓杆菌培养上清及绿脓菌素可诱导呼吸道上皮细胞株IL-8分泌增加,且具有剂量依赖效应。绿脓菌素刺激细胞可使细胞内IκB—α发生降解,同时使MAPK家族蛋白分子(ERK1／2、p38、JNK)发生磷酸化。MEK1／2(ERK1／2激酶)抑制剂U0126(10μmol／L)和p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580(10μmol／L)可降低绿脓菌素诱导A549细胞IL-8的合成。以上结果显示绿脓菌素通过MAPK信号传导通路增强呼吸道上皮细胞IL-8的表达;NF-κB通路也参与了绿脓菌素调控细胞IL-8表达的过程。     

白介素-10抑制TNF-α诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖

研究观察了重组人白介素 10 (rhIL 10 )对肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF α)刺激的离体大鼠胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞增殖、细胞周期及对p4 4 /p4 2丝裂素活化蛋白激酶的影响。实验培养大鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞 ,采用MTS/PES法确定血管平滑肌细胞 (vascularsmoothmusclecells,VSMCs)的增殖状态 ;应用流式细胞术测定细胞周期 ;利用p4 4 / 4 2磷酸化抗MAPK抗体的蛋白免疫印迹法测定MAPK蛋白表达。结果显示 :( 1)TNF α处理组与对照组相比 ,TNF α对VSMC增殖具有明显的刺激作用 (P <0 0 5 )。rhIL 10单独应用对VSMCs生长没有影响 (P >0 0 5 )。在TNF α刺激下 ,低至 10ng/ml的rhIL 10可抑制VSMCs的生长 (P <0 0 5 )。流式细胞术测定的结果显示 ,rhIL 10分别可使TNF α作用下的VSMC大部分处于G0 /G1期 ,与对照组相比有明显差异 (P <0 0 1)。 ( 2 )TNF α对p4 4 /p4 2MAPK蛋白表达有显著的增强作用 ,此作用可被rhIL 10抑制。结果提示 ,rhIL 10可抑制TNF α诱导的VSMC增殖及p4 4 /p4 2丝裂素活化蛋白激酶的表达     

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase regulation of endothelial cell migration depends on urokinase plasminogen activator expression

The migration of endothelial cells in response to various stimulating factors plays an essential role in angiogenesis. The p38 MAPK pathway has been implicated to play an important role in endothelial cell migration because inhibiting p38 MAPK activity down-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated migration. Currently, the signaling components in the p38 MAPK activation pathway and especially the mechanisms responsible for p38 MAPK-regulated endothelial cell migration are not well understood. In the present study, we found that p38 MAPK activity is required for endothelial cell migration stimulated by both VEGF and nongrowth factor stimulants, sphingosine 1-phosphate and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule. By using dominant negative forms of signaling components in the p38 MAPK pathway, we identified that a regulatory pathway consisting of MKK3-p38alpha/gamma-MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 participated in VEGF-stimulated migration. In further studies, we showed that a minimum of a 10-h treatment with SB203580 (specific p38 MAPK inhibitor) was needed to block VEGF-stimulated migration, suggesting an indirect role of p38 MAPK in this cellular event. Most interestingly, the occurrence of SB203580-induced migratory inhibition coincided with a reduction of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. Furthermore, agents disrupting uPA and uPA receptor interaction abrogated VEGF-stimulated cell migration. These results suggest a possible association between cell migration and uPA expression. Indeed, VEGF-stimulated migration was not compromised by SB203580 in endothelial cells expressing the uPA transgene; however, VEGF-stimulated migration was inhibited by agents disrupting uPA-uPA receptor interaction. These results thus suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway participates in endothelial cell migration by regulating uPA expression.     

Differential effects of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors SB203580 and SB202190 on growth and migration of human MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) belongs to the MAPK superfamily, phosphorylating serine and/or threonine residues of the target proteins. The activation of p38 MAPK leads to cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, survival or apoptosis. In this study, we tested the effect of two highly specific and potent inhibitors of p38 MAPK (namely, SB203580 and SB202190) on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 to elucidate the controversial role of p38 MAPK on cell proliferation and/or cell migration/metastasis further. It was determined that the IC₅₀ value of SB203580 was 85.1 µM, while that of SB202190 was 46.6 µM, suggesting that SB202190 is slightly more effective than SB203580. To verify the effect of each inhibitor on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity, the cells were treated with various doses of SB203580 and SB202190 and examined using iCELLigence system. No significant effect of 1 and 5 µM of both inhibitors were seen on cell proliferation as compared to the DMSO-treated control cells for up to 96 h. On the other hand, both SB203580 and SB202190 significantly prevented cell proliferation at a concentration of 50 µM. SB202190 was again more effective than SB203580. Afterwards, we tested the effect of each inhibitor on cell migration using wound assay. Both SB203580 and SB202190 significantly reduced cell migration in a time-dependent manner at a concentration of 50 µM. However, interestingly it was observed that a low and noncytotoxic dose of 5 µM of SB203580 and SB202190 also did cause significant cell migration inhibition at 48 h of the treatment, corroborating the fact that p38 MAPK pathway has a critical role in cell migration/metastasis. Then, we tested whether each p38 MAPK inhibitor has any effect on cell adhesion during a treatment period of 3 h using iCELLigence system. A concentration of only 50 µM of SB202190 reduced cell adhesion for about 1.5 h (p < 0.001); after that period of time, cell adhesion in 50 µM SB202190-treated cells returned to the level of the control cells. To determine the mechanism of growth and cell migration inhibitory effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors, the activation/inactivation of various proteins and enzymes was subsequently analyzed by PathScan^® Intracellular Signaling Array kit. The ERK1/2 phosphorylation level was not modified by low concentrations (1 or 5 µM) of SB202190 and SB203580; while a high concentration (50 µM) of both inhibitors caused significant reductions in the ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, it was determined that both p38 MAPK inhibitors caused significant increases on the Ser15 phosphorylation of mutant p53 in MDA-MB-231 under these experimental conditions; while SB202190 was more potent than SB203580.     

Leptin regulates MMP-2, TIMP-1 and collagen synthesis via p38 MAPK in HL-1 murine cardiomyocytes

A clear association between obesity and heart failure exists and a significant role for leptin, the product of the obese gene, has been suggested. One aspect of myocardial remodeling which characterizes heart failure is a disruption in the balance of extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. Here we investigated the effects of leptin on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression, as well as collagen synthesis in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells. Gelatin zymographic analysis of MMP activity in conditioned media showed that leptin enhanced MMP-2 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Leptin is known to stimulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in cardiac cells and utilization of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, demonstrated that this kinase also plays a role in regulating several extracellular matrix components, such that inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling prevented the leptin-induced increase in MMP-2 activation. We also observed that leptin enhanced collagen synthesis determined by both proline incorporation and picrosirius red staining of conditioned media. Pro-collagen type-I and pro-collagen type-III expression, measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting were also increased by leptin, effects which were again attenuated by SB203580. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential for leptin to play a role in mediating myocardial ECM remodeling and that the p38 MAPK pathway plays an important role in mediating these effects.     

Leptin enhances TNF-alpha production via p38 and JNK MAPK in LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells

Leptin is now recognized as a proinflammatory cytokine and thought to be a progressive factor for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Here we showed the effects of leptin on the production of TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) by Kupffer cells (KCs) with signal transduction. Leptin enhanced TNF-alpha production accompanied by a dose-dependent increase of MAPK activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated KCs. SB203580 and JNK inhibitor I, specific inhibitors of P38 and JNK, inhibited TNF-alpha production in KCs but PD98059, an inhibitor of the ERK pathway, did not affect TNF-alpha production by KCs. Recombinant constitutively active adenovirus (Ad)-MKK6 and-MKK7 increased TNF-alpha production in KCs with activation of P38 and JNK without any change by Ad-MEK1 delivery. On the other hand, KCs isolated from the Zucker rat (fa/fa), a leptin receptor-deficient rat, showed reduced production of TNF-alpha on stimulation with LPS. The delivery of Ad-MKK6 and-MKK7, but not Ad-MEK1, increased TNF-alpha production in KCs of Zucker rats with activation of P38 and JNK. Addition of leptin to normal rats increased LPS-induced hepatic TNF-alpha production in vivo and leptin receptor-deficient Zucker rats showed reduced hepatic TNF-alpha production on addition of LPS in vivo. These findings indicate that P38 and JNK pathways are involved in the signal transduction of leptin enhancement of LPS-induced TNF-alpha production.     

Positive regulation of the Egr-1/osteopontin positive feedback loop in rat vascular smooth muscle cells by TGF-β, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK signaling

Previous studies identified a positive feedback loop in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in which early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) binds to the osteopontin (OPN) promoter and upregulates OPN expression, and OPN upregulates Egr-1 expression via the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. The current study examined whether transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activity contributes to Egr-1 binding to the OPN promoter, and whether other signaling pathways act downstream of OPN to regulate Egr-1 expression. ChIP assays using an anti-Egr-1 antibody showed that amplification of the OPN promoter sequence decreased in TGF-β DNA enzyme-transfected VSMCs relative to control VSMCs. Treatment of VSMCs with PD98059 (ERK inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), or SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly inhibited OPN-induced Egr-1 expression, and PD98059 treatment was associated with the most significant decrease in Egr-1 expression. OPN-stimulated VSMC cell migration was inhibited by SP600125 or SB203580, but not by PD98059. Furthermore, MTT assays showed that OPN-mediated cell proliferation was inhibited by PD98059, but not by SP600125 or SB203580. Taken together, the results of the current study show that Egr-1 binding to the OPN promoter is positively regulated by TGF-β, and that the p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK pathways are involved in OPN-mediated Egr-1 upregulation.     

Proliferation‐ and migration‐enhancing effects of ginseng and ginsenoside Rg1 through IGF‐I‐ and FGF‐2‐signaling pathways on RSC96 Schwann cells

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the proliferation‐ and migration‐enhancing effects of ginseng and its component, ginsenoside (Rg1) on RSC96 Schwann cells. We investigated the molecular signaling pathways, which include: (1) survival signaling, IGFs‐IGFIR‐Akt‐Bcl2 and proliferative signaling, cell cycle factors and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, (2) migrating and anti‐scar signaling, FGF‐2‐uPA‐MMPs.We treated RSC96 cells with different concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 µg ml^?1) of ginseng and its constituent, Rg1 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 µg ml^?1). We observed a proliferative effect in a dose‐dependent manner by PCNA western blotting assay, MTT assay, and wound healing test. Furthermore, we also found in the results of western blotting assay, ginseng and Rg1 enhance protein expression of IGF‐I pathway regulators, cell cycle controlling proteins, and MAPK signaling pathways to promote the cell proliferation. In addition, ginseng and Rg1 also stimulated the FGF‐2‐uPA‐MMP 9 migrating pathway to enhance the migration of RSC96 Schwann cells. Using MAPK chemical inhibitors, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125, the proliferative effects of ginseng and Rg1 on RSC96 cells were identified to be MAPK signaling‐dependent. On the basis of the results, applying appropriate doses of ginseng and Rg1 with biomedical materials would be a potential approach for enhancing neuron regeneration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Globular adiponectin decreases leptin-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression by murine macrophages: involvement of cAMP-PKA and MAPK pathways

Several lines of evidence have supported a link between obesity and inflammation. The present study investigated the capacity of leptin and globular adiponectin to affect tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production in murine peritoneal macrophages. Leptin stimulated TNF-alpha production at mRNA as well as protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Intracellular cAMP concentration was increased and protein kinase A (PKA) was activated with the treatment of leptin, subsequently downstream MAPK signal proteins, ERK1/2 and p38, were phosphorylated. Specific inhibitors for the signal proteins, Rp cAMPS, H89, PD98059, and U0126, or SB203580, suppressed the signaling pathway and TNF-alpha expression. Although gAd partially increased cAMP concentration and PKA activity, it directly reduced leptin-induced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation thus inhibiting TNF-alpha production. In conclusion, leptin promotes inflammation by stimulating TNF-alpha production, which is mediated by cAMP-PKA-ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways. gAd inhibited leptin-induced TNF-alpha production through suppressing phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 pathways.     

Falcarindiol inhibits LPS-induced inflammation via attenuating MAPK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanism of total flavone of Desmodium styracifolium (TFDS) in regulating the formation of urinary calculi. Protein levels of KIM-1, LC3-II, p-p38 were measured by Western blot. The effect of different COM concentrations, different TFDS concentrations, SB203580 (specific inhibitor of p38/MAPK), and overexpression of KIM-1 on cell viability were detected by WST-1 assay. The apoptotic cells and FITC positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. HK-2 cell viability decreased with the increase of COM concentration, and the protein levels of KIM-1, LC3-II, and p-p38 increased with the time. Blocking the p38/MAPK pathway or co-cultured with TFDS inhibited the effects of COM on apoptosis and autophagy of HK-2 cells. In addition, blocking the p38/MAPK pathway inhibited the expression of KIM-1. In COM-induced cells, after treated with SB203580, overexpression of KIM-1 could reverse the protection effect of SB203580 on COM-induced cell damage and the inhibition of SB203580 on COM-induced excessive autophagy, suggesting p38/MAPK regulated KIM-1 to regulate COM-induced cell apoptosis and autophagy. Finally, we proved that TFDS inhibited p38/MAPK pathway. And the protection effect of COM-induced cell injury increased with the increase of TFDS concentration, and the adhesion between COM and cells decreased with the increase of TFDS concentration. With the increase of the concentration of TFDS, p38/MAPK pathway was gradually inhibited, and KIM-1 and autophagy related proteins were decreased. TFDS inhibited HK-2 cell apoptosis and autophagy by regulating KIM-1 via p38/MAPK pathway.