Metformin and lipopolysaccharide regulate transcription of NFATc2 gene via the transcription factor RUNX2 / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a luciferase reporter gene vector carrying human nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATc2) gene promoter and examine the effects of metformin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the transcriptional activity of NFATc2 gene.@*METHODS@#The promoter sequence of human NFATc2 gene was acquired from UCSC website for PCR amplification. NFATc2 promoter fragment was inserted into pGL3-basic plasmid double cleaved with Kpn Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ. The resultant recombinant plasmid pGL3-NFATC2-promoter was co-transfected with the internal reference plasmid pRL-TK in 293F cells, and luciferase activity in the cells was detected. Reporter gene vectors of human NFATc2 gene promoter with different fragment lengths were also constructed and assayed for luciferase activity. The changes in transcription activity of NFATc2 gene were assessed after treatment with different concentrations of metformin and LPS for 24 h. We also examined the effect of mutation in RUNX2-binding site in NFATC2 gene promoter on the regulatory effects of metformin and LPS on NFATc2 transcription.@*RESULTS@#We successfully constructed pGL3-NFATc2-promoter plasmids carrying different lengths (2170 bp, 2077 bp, 1802 bp, 1651 bp, 1083 bp, 323 bp) of NFATc2 promoter sequences as verified by enzymatic digestion and sequencing. Transfection of 293F cells with the plasmid carrying a 1651 bp NFATc2 promoter (pGL3-1651 bp) resulted in the highest transcriptional activity of NFATc2 gene, and the luciferase activity was approximately 3.3 times that of pGL3-2170 bp (1.843 ± 0.146 vs 0.547 ± 0.085). Moderate (5 mmol/L) and high (10 mmol/L) concentrations of metformin significantly upregulated the transcriptional activity of pGL3-1651 bp by up to 2.5 and 3 folds, respectively. LPS at different doses also upregulated the transcriptional activity of pGL3-1651 bp by at least 1.6 folds. The mutation in the RUNX2 binding site on pGL3-1651 bp obviously reduced metformin- and LPS-induced enhancement of pGL3-1651bp transcription by 1.7 and 2 folds, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#pGL3-NFATc2-promoter can be transcribed and activated in 293F cells, and LPS and metformin can activate the transcription of pGL3- NFATc2-promoter in a RUNX2-dependent manner.

TRAF6/ERK/p38 pathway is involved in interleukin-17-mediated autophagy to promote osteoclast precursor cell differentiation / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To investigate the effects of interleukin (IL)-17-mediated autophagy on the TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) were cultured with a medium containing 30 ng/mL macrophage colony stimulating factor and 50 ng/mL receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligard (RANKL), and IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10 ng/mL) was added for intervention (IL-17 group). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to observe TRAP positive multinucleated cells; phalloidin fluorescent staining was used to detect actin ring circumference; toluidine blue staining was used to analyze bone resorption lacuna formation. To further examine the mechanism of the effect of IL-17-mediated autophagy on the differentiation of osteoclasts, the control group used RANKL medium to culture mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, while the IL-17 group was treated with IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, /mL). Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and osteoclast-related proteins c-fos and nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATc1) after treatment with different concentrations of IL-17. The expression of LC3, NFATc1, TRAF6/ERK/p38 signaling pathway related proteins were detected in IL-17 and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group. The number of TRAP positive multinucleated cells, the circumference of the actin ring and the area of bone resorption lacuna in IL-17 group treated with IL-17 (0.01, 0.1, were significantly higher than those in the control group. In IL-17 treated RAW264.7 cells, the expression of c-fos, NFATc1, Beclin-1, LC3, TRAF6, p-ERK, and p-p38 was all significantly up-regulated (all 0.05). After treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, the expression levels of LC3, NFATc1, TRAF6, p-ERK, and p-p38 all decreased significantly (all 0.05). IL-17 can promote the expression of autophagy proteins and enhance the differentiation ability of osteoclast precursor cells, and the TRAF6/ERK/p38 signaling pathway may be involved in this process.

Zoledronate regulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in high glucose through p38 MAPK pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of zoledronate (ZOL) on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption under high glucose, and the regulation mechanism of p38 mitogen activated kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in this process.@*METHODS@#RAW264.7 cells were divided into four groups: low group, high group, low+ZOL group and high+ZOL group after induced into osteoclasts. Cell proliferation activity was determined by MTT assay. The migration of RAW264.7 cells were examined Optical microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to observe the cytoskeleton and sealing zones of osteoclasts. After adding group 5: high + ZOL + SB203580 group, trap staining was used to identify the number of positive osteoclasts in each group. The number and area of resorption lacunae were observed by SEM. The mRNA and protein expression of osteoclast related factors were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#The cells in the 5 groups showed similar proliferative activity. High glucose promoted the migration of RAW264.7 cells (@*CONCLUSIONS@#High glucose inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. ZOL inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in high-glucose conditions by regulating p38 MAPK pathway, which can be a new pathway for ZOL to regulate diabetic osteoporosis.

Notum attenuates HBV-related liver fibrosis through inhibiting Wnt 5a mediated non-canonical pathways

BACKGROUND: Non-canonical Wnt pathways play important roles in liver fibrosis. Notum is a newly discovered inhibitor to Wnt proteins. This study was to investigate anti-fibrotic effects of Notum. METHODS: 53 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as well as a cell co-culture system of LX-2 and Hep AD38 cells were engaged in this study. Clinical, biological and virological data of each patient were analyzed. Cell viability was detected at different time points. mRNA and protein levels of NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells), Jnk, α-SMA, Col1A1 and TIMP-1 were detected both in LX-2 and liver tissue. Protein levels of NFATc1 and Jnk in liver tissue and their correlations with fibrosis score were analyzed. RESULTS: Hepatitis B virus replication up-regulated Wnt5a induced NFATc1 and Jnk activity in Hep AD38. Notum suppressed NFATc1, Jnk and fibrosis genes expression, reduced cell viability in co-cultured LX-2 cells induced by HBV. Interestingly, Patients with HBV DNA > 5log copies/ml had higher mRNA levels of NFATc1 and fibrosis genes than patients with HBV DNA < 5log copies/ml. Most importantly, protein expressions of NFATc1 and pJnk have positive correlations with liver fibrosis scores in HBV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that Notum inhibited HBV-induced liver fibrosis through down-regulating Wnt 5a mediated non-canonical pathways. This study shed light on anti-fibrotic treatment.

Simvastatin promotes murine osteoclasts apoptosis through NFATc1 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism by which simvastatin (SIM) regulates osteoclast apoptosis.@*METHODS@#Murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups, namely group A (control group), group B (sRANKL+ M-CSF), group C (SIM+sRANKL+M-CSF), group D (VIVIT peptide+sRANKL+ M-CSF), and group E (SIM+VIVIT peptide+sRANKL+M-CSF). WST-1 assay was used to assess the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation activity of the osteoclasts, and flow cytometry was performed to analyze the effects of SIM and VIVIVIT peptide (a NFATc1 pathway inhibitor) on apoptosis of the osteoclasts. The translocation of NFATc1 into the nucleus was investigated using immunofluorescence assay, and Western blotting was employed to assess the effect of SIM on the phosphorylation of NFATc1 in the nucleus.@*RESULTS@#WST-1 assay showed that SIM (1×10 mol/L) treatment for 24 and 48 h significantly inhibited the proliferation of the osteoclasts (=0.039 and 0.022, respectively). Compared with the control group, the SIM-treated osteoclasts exhibited significantly reduced cell percentage in G0/G1 phase (=0.041) and increased cells in sub-G1 phase (=0.028) with obvious cell apoptosis. DAPI staining and flow cytometry showed that both SIM and VIVIVIT peptide alone significantly promoted osteoclast apoptosis (=0.002 and 0.015, respectively), and their combination produced a similar pro-apoptosis effect (=0.08). Immunofluorescence and Western blotting showed that SIM significantly inhibited the intranuclear translocation of NFATc1 and the phosphorylation of NFATc1 pathway protein (=0.013).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SIM promotes osteoclast apoptosis through NFATc1 signaling pathway.

Role of Ca-NFAT Signaling Pathway in Ph ALL Drug-resistance Mediated by Bone Marrow Stromal Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the role of Ca-NFAT signaling pathway in Ph-ALL drug resistance mediated by bone marrow stromal cells.@*METHODS@#The transcription level of NFAT mRNA in Sup-B15 cells and Ph ALL primary cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The expression of P-glycoprotein in Sup-B15 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The change of NFAT protein in Sup-B15 cells was detected by Western blot. AnnexinV/7-AAD was used to label cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis; Fluo 3-AM dye was used to label cells, and flow cytometry used to detect changes of Ca concentration in leukemia cells.@*RESULTS@#NFAT expression could be detected in both Sup-B15 and Ph ALL primary cells; P-glycoprotein could not be detected by flow cytometry; CAS could significantly inhibit NFAT protein expression in clinically applied drug concentrations (2.5, 5 μmol/L); Clinically applied concentration of CAS (2.5, 5 μmol / L) has no significant effect on the apoptosis of Sup-B15 cells, while higher concentration of CAS (10 μmol / L) could induce apoptosis of Sup-B15 cells. Bone marrow stromal cells OP9 could, decrease the sensitivity of Sup-B15 cells and Ph ALL primary cells to imatinib (IM); After co-culture with bone were marrow stromal cells, the Ca concentration in Sup-B15 cells was enhanced, the levels of NFAT protein and nullear protein in sup-B15 cells also were enhanced. The addition of CAS in co-culture system could inlibit the Ca-NFAT signaling pathway, reduce the protective effect of OP9 on Sup-B15 cells.Conclution:The Ca-NFAT sigualing pathway, contributes to the survival of Ph ALL cells. Bone marrow stromal cells can mediate the resistance of Ph ALL cells to IM by activating Ca-NFAT signaling pathway.

Extracts of Flavoparmelia sp. Inhibit Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand-Mediated Osteoclast Differentiation

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a geriatric disease with diminished bone density. The increase in the number of patients and medical expenses due to a global aging society are recognized as problems. Bone loss is the most common symptom of bone disease, not only osteoporosis but Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma, and other diseases. The main cause of this symptoms is excessive increase in the number and activity of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells that can resorb bone. They are differentiated and activation from monocytes/macrophages in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). METHODS: The effect of extract of Flavoparmelia sp. (EFV), a genus of lichenized fungi within the Parmeliaceae, on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) into osteoclasts was examined by phenotype assay and the cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by cell counting kit-8. The osteoclast differentiation-related genes and proteins were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. The functional activity of osteoclast in response to EFV treatment was evaluated by an Osteo Assay plate. RESULTS: In this study, we found that EFV, a genus of lichenized fungi within the Parmeliaceae, inhibited osteoclast formation. And we investigated its inhibitory mechanism. EFV reduced RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation and activation by inhibiting expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1, a key factor of osteoclastogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results show that EFV is a promising candidate for health functional foods or therapeutic agents that can help treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects through amelioration of NFAT-dependent endothelin-1 production in mice with acute Chagas cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND The anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties of curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, are increasingly considered to have beneficial effects on the progression of Chagas heart disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of oral therapy with Cur on T. cruzi-mediated cardiovasculopathy in acutely infected mice and analyse the in vitro response of parasite-infected human microvascular endothelial cells treated with this phytochemical. METHODS Inflammation of heart vessels from Cur-treated and untreated infected mice were analysed by histology, with benznidazole (Bz) as the reference compound. Parasitaemia was monitored by the direct method. Capillary permeability was visualised by Evans-blue assay. Myocardial ET-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expressions were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microvascular endothelial HMEC-1 cells were infected in vitro with or without addition of Cur or Bz. Induction of the Ca2+/NFAT pathway was assessed by fluorometry, immunoblotting, and reporter assay. FINDINGS Oral Cur therapy of recently infected mice reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of myocardial arteries without lowering parasite levels. Compared to that of the phosphate-buffered saline-receiving group, hearts from Cur-treated mice showed significantly decreased vessel inflammation scores (p < 0.001), vascular permeabilities (p < 0.001), and levels of IL-6/TNF-α (p < 0.01) and ET-1 (p < 0.05) mRNA. Moreover, Cur significantly (p < 0.05 for transcript; p < 0.01 for peptide) downregulated ET-1 secretion from infected HMEC-1 cells. Remarkably, Cur addition significantly (p < 0.05 at 27.0 μM) interfered with T. cruzi-dependent activation of the Ca2+/NFATc1 signalling pathway that promotes generation of inflammatory agents in HMEC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with Cur dampens cardiovasculopathy in acute Chagas mice. Cur impairs the Ca2+/NFATc1-regulated release of ET-1 from T. cruzi-infected vascular endothelium. These findings identify new perspectives for exploring the potential of Cur-based interventions to ameliorate Chagas heart disease.

Effects of hydrogen sulfide (HS) on cardiac hypertrophy and miRNA-133a-mediated Ca/calcineurin/NFATc4 signal pathway in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (HS) on the negatively regulation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the relationship between the effect of HS with miRNA-133a-mediated Ca/calcineurin/NFATc4 signal pathway.@*METHODS@#Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by isoproterenol (ISO). The cell surface area was measured by image analysis system (Leica). The expression of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), cystathionase (CSE), miRNA-133a, calcineurin (CaN) were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expressions of CaN、nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATc4) were detected by Western blot. The concentration of HS in the cardiomyocyte was detected by Elisa. The concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by calcium imaging using confocal microscope. The nuclear translocation of NFATc4 was checked by immuno-fluorescence cell staining technique.@*RESULTS@#①The level of system of CSE/HS and expression of miRNA-133a were significantly reduced in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Pretreatment with NaHS increased the concentration of HS and the expression of miRNA-133a mRNA in cardiomyocytes, and suppressed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. ②The concentration of intracellular calcium, the expression of CaN and nulear protein NFATc4 were significantly increased, and the nuclear translocation of NFATc4 were obviously enhanced in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. NaHS pretreatment markedly inhibited these effects of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. ③Application of antagomir-133a reversed the inhibitory effects of NaHS on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and increased the influx of intracellular calcium, and elevated the expression of CaN and nuclear protein NFATc4, and enhanced the nuclear translocation of NFATc4.@*CONCLUSIONS@#HS can negatively regulate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The effects might be associated with HS increasing expression of miRNA-133a and inhibiting inactivation of Ca/calcineurin/NFATc4 signal pathway.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 protects against high glucose-induced injury in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes by regulating CaN-NFAT3 signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether CaN-NFAT3 pathway mediates the protective effects of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2 in high glucose-treated neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.@*METHODS@#The ventricular myocytes were isolated from the heart of neonatal (within 3 days) SD rats by enzyme digestion and cultured in the presence of 5-Brdu. After reaching confluence, the cultured ventricular myocytes were identified using immunofluorescence assay for -SA protein. The cells were then cultured in either normal (5 mmol/L) or high glucose (30 mmol/L) medium in the presence of ALDH2 agonist Alda-1, ALDH 2 inhibitor Daidzin, or Alda-1 and NFAT3 inhibitor (11R-VIVIT). Fluorescent probe and ELISA were used to detect intracellular Ca concentration and CaN content, respectively; ALDH2, CaN and NFAT3 protein expressions in the cells were detected using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with cells cultured in normal glucose, the cells exposed to high glucose showed a significantly decreased expression of ALDH2 protein ( < 0.05) and increased expressions of CaN ( < 0.05) and NFAT3 proteins with also increased intracellular CaN and Ca concentrations ( < 0.01). Alda-1 treatment significantly lowered Ca concentration ( < 0.05), intracellular CaN content ( < 0.01), and CaN and NFAT3 protein expressions ( < 0.05), and increased ALDH2 protein expression ( < 0.05) in high glucose- exposed cells; Daidzin treatment significantly increased Ca concentration ( < 0.01) and intracellular CaN content ( < 0.05) in the exposed cells. Compared with Alda-1 alone, treatment of the high glucose-exposed cells with both Alda-1 and 11R-VIVIT did not produce significant changes in the expression of ALDH2 protein (>0.05) but significantly reduced the expression of NFAT3 protein ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mitochondrial ALDH2 protects neonatal rat cardiomyocytes against high glucose-induced injury possibly by negatively regulating Ca-CaN-NFAT3 signaling pathway.

Regulação diferencial de expressão gênica, morte e transformação celular pelas isoformas do fator de transcrição NFAT2 / Differential regulation of gene expression, cell death, and transformation by nfat2 transcription factor isoforms

A família de fatores de transcrição NFAT (Fator Nuclear de células T Ativadas) é composta por quatro proteínas responsivas a influxo de cálcio (NFAT1-4) que apresentam diferentes isoformas já descritas. O NFAT2 foi correlacionado com alguns tipos de cânceres como linfomas e carcinomas pancreáticos, sugerindo um papel desta proteína na oncogênese. Duas isoformas do NFAT2 divergem apenas em sua porção N-terminal, apresentando 42 aminoácidos diferenciais no N-terminal da isoforma NFAT2a, codificados pelo éxon 1 do gene e 28 aminoácidos diferenciais no NFAT2b, codificados pelo éxon 2. Em linfócitos T e B naïve, o NFAT2b apresenta níveis basais de expressão,enquanto os níveis de NFAT2a são massivamente aumentados após ativação antigênica. Apesar destes perfis distintos de expressão sugerirem funções diferenciais na regulação gênica, pouco se conhece a respeito de papéis específicos destas isoformas na fisiologia celular. O objetivo destetrabalho foi caracterizar o envolvimento das isoformas NFAT2a e NFAT2b no controle de morte e transformação celular. Para investigar os papéis diferenciais das isoformas do NFAT2, formas constitutivamente ativas (CA) destas proteínas foram expressas em fibroblastos NIH3T3 por transdução retroviral. Nossos dados mostraram que as proteínas CA-NFAT2a e CA-NFAT2b afetam diferencialmente a transformação e a morte celular em células NIH3T3. Células expressando CANFAT2 a apresentaram fenótipos de transformação celular como perda da inibição de crescimento por contato, crescimento independente de ancoragem e formação de tumores em camundongos imunodeficientes após inoculação subcutânea. Em contrapartida, CA-NFAT2b levou a um fenótipo menos intenso de transformação celular e induziu morte celular a partir da regulação positiva dacitocina TNF-a...

NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells) family of transcription factors is composed of four calcium responsive proteins (NFAT1-4) that display different isoforms. NFAT2 were associated to the development of several cancer types such as lymphomas and pancreatic carcinomas. Two of the NFAT2 isoforms diverge only at the N terminus, which contains 42 amino acids in the NFAT2a protein, encoded by exon 1 of the gene, or 28 differential amino acids in the NFAT2b protein, encoded by exon 2. In naïve T and B lymphocytes, NFAT2b has a basal expression level while NFAT2a levels are massively increased after antigenic activation. Although distinct expression patterns suggest differential roles in gene regulation, specific roles in cell physiology for NFAT2 isoforms remainunclear. Then, the aim of this work is to analyze differential roles of NFAT2 isoforms in cell death and transformation. In order to study the roles of NFAT2 isoforms in cell physiology, non-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts were retrovirally transduced with vectors containing constitutively active (CA) formsof NFAT2 proteins. Our data showed that CA-NFAT2a and CA-NFAT2b distinctly affect cell death and transformation in NIH3T3 cells. CA-NFAT2a-expressing cells showed cell transformation phenotypes such as loss of contact growth inhibition, anchorage-independent cell growth, and tumor formation in immunodeficient mice. In contrast, CA-NFAT2b led to a milder cell-transformation phenotype andinduced cell death through up-regulation of TNF-a cytokine. Furthermore, we demonstrated that differential roles for NFAT2 isoforms in NIH3T3 cells depend of alternative N-terminal domains. A NFAT2b-specific N-terminal acidic domain is necessary for cell death induction, whereas its ablation or substitutions of conserved acidic amino acids completely abolish cell death and enhance cell transformation phenotype. CA-NFAT2b expression also induces cell death and increases the levels of FasL and TNF-a in CD4+ T cells...

Novel natural product therapeutics targeting both inflammation and cancer / 中国天然药物

Inflammation is recently recognized as one of the hallmarks of human cancer. Chronic inflammatory response plays a critical role in cancer development, progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Conversely, the oncogenic aberrations also generate an inflammatory microenvironment, enabling the development and progression of cancer. The molecular mechanisms of action that are responsible for inflammatory cancer and cancer-associated inflammation are not fully understood due to the complex crosstalk between oncogenic and pro-inflammatory genes. However, molecular mediators that regulate both inflammation and cancer, such as NF-κB and STAT have been considered as promising targets for preventing and treating these diseases. Recent works have further demonstrated an important role of oncogenes (e.g., NFAT1, MDM2) and tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53) in cancer-related inflammation. Natural products that target these molecular mediators have shown anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical and clinical studies. Sesquiterpenoids (STs), a class of novel plant-derived secondary metabolites have attracted great interest in recent years because of their diversity in chemical structures and pharmacological activities. At present, we and other investigators have found that dimeric sesquiterpenoids (DSTs) may exert enhanced activity and binding affinity to molecular targets due to the increased number of alkylating centers and improved conformational flexibility and lipophilicity. Here, we focus our discussion on the activities and mechanisms of action of STs and DSTs in treating inflammation and cancer as well as their structure-activity relationships.

Role of nuclear factor of activated T cells-2 in high mobility protein box-1 release in human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells -2 (NFAT2) in release of high mobility protein box-1 (HMGB1) from human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The level of HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was examined by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of LPS stimulation on NFAT2 and HMGB1 interaction in the cytoplasm was observed by immunoprecipitation assay. HMGB1 production and release was detected in cells with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated suppression of NFAT2 expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LPS stimulated HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells. As LPS stimulation prolonged, HMGB1 concentration increased in the cell culture supernatant and decreased in the cytoplasm, and the binding between NFAT2 and HMGB1 was not detected in the cell nuclei. NFAT2 suppression by the siRNA plasmid resulted in increased HMGB1 level in the cell culture supernatant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NFAT2 can inhibit HMGB1 release from THP-1 cells in vitro.</p>

Static compression regulates OPG expression in periodontal ligament cells via the CAMK II pathway

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CAMK II pathway in the compression-regulated OPG expression in periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). Material and Methods The PDL tissue model was developed by 3-D culturing human PDLCs in a thin sheet of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds, which was subjected to static compression of 25 g/cm2 for 3, 6 and 12 h, with or without treatment of KN-93. After that, the expression of OPG, RANKL and NFATC2 was investigated through real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Results After static compression, the NFATC2 and RANKL expression was significantly up-regulated, while partially suppressed by KN-93 for 6 and 12 h respectively. The OPG expression was significantly down-regulated by compression in 3 h, started to elevate in 6 h, and significantly up-regulated in 12 h. The up-regulation after 12 h was significantly suppressed by KN-93. Conclusions Long-term static compression increases OPG expression in PDLCs, at least partially, via the CAMK II pathway.

Base of the skull morphology and Class III malocclusion in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the morphological differences in the base of the skull of individuals with cleft lip and palate and Class III malocclusion in comparison to control groups with Class I and Class III malocclusion. METHODS: A total of 89 individuals (males and females) aged between 5 and 27 years old (Class I, n = 32; Class III, n = 29; and Class III individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate, n = 28) attending PUC-MG Dental Center and Cleft Lip/Palate Care Center of Baleia Hospital and PUC-MG (CENTRARE) were selected. Linear and angular measurements of the base of the skull, maxilla and mandible were performed and assessed by a single calibrated examiner by means of cephalometric radiographs. Statistical analysis involved ANCOVA and Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: No significant differences with regard to the base of the skull were found between the control group (Class I) and individuals with cleft lip and palate (P > 0.017). The cleft lip/palate group differed from the Class III group only with regard to CI.Sp.Ba (P = 0.015). Individuals with cleft lip and palate had a significantly shorter maxillary length (Co-A) in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in the mandible (Co-Gn) of the control group and individuals with cleft lip and palate (P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that there are no significant differences in the base of the skull of individuals Class I or Class III and individuals with cleft lip and palate and Class III malocclusion. .

OBJETIVO: o objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar diferenças morfológicas da base do crânio de indivíduos portadores de fissura de lábio e palato e de má oclusão de Classe III, comparado-os com indivíduos controle com má oclusão de Classes I ou III. MÉTODOS: oitenta e nove indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, com idade variando entre 5 e 27 anos, Classe I (n = 32), Classe III não fissurados (n = 29) e Classe III com fissura labiopalatina unilateral (n = 28), oriundos do Centro de Odontologia e Pesquisa da PUC-MG e do Centro de Atendimento de Fissurados do Hospital da Baleia e da PUC-MG (CENTRARE), foram selecionados. Medições lineares e angulares da base do crânio, maxila e mandíbula foram realizadas e avaliadas por um único examinador calibrado, por meio de radiografias cefalométricas. Foram utilizados os testes ANCOVA e correção de Bonferroni para a análise estatística dos dados. RESULTADOS: com relação à base do crânio, os resultados não indicaram diferença estatística entre indivíduos controle (Classe I) e os indivíduos com fissuras (p > 0,017). O grupo com fissura foi diferente do grupo Classe III somente em relação à medida CI.Sp.Ba (p = 0,015). O comprimento maxilar (Co-A) apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa na comparação entre o grupo controle (Classe I) e o grupo com fissuras (p < 0,001), sendo que os fissurados apresentaram uma maxila menor. Não foram encontradas diferenças na mandíbula (Co-Gn) entre indivíduos do grupo controle (Classe I) e indivíduos fissurados (p = 1,000). CONCLUSÃO: os resultados sugerem que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na base do crânio entre indivíduos Classe I e III e indivíduos com fissuras de lábio e palato com má oclusão de Classe III. .

Papel do domínio de transativação C-terminal na apoptose induzidapor NFAT1 e o potencial uso do CA-NFAT1 na terapia gênica contra ocâncer / Role of C-terminal transactivation domain in NFAT1-driven apoptosis andthe putative use of CA-NFAT1 as gene therapy against cancer

A família do fator nuclear de células T ativadas (NFAT) é composta por quatromembros regulados por influxo de cálcio. Embora, os fatores de transcrição NFAT apresentem algumas sobreposições de função na regulação gênica, vários estudos têm mostrado papéis distintos para as proteínas NFAT na regulação da morte celular. O domínio de transativação C-terminal (TAD-C) é a região que apresenta a menor similaridade de sequência entre as proteínas NFAT. O TAD-C é essencial para interação entre o NFAT1 e diferentes proteínas, no entanto, sua contribuição para indução de morte celular pelo fator NFAT1 é pouco conhecida. Recentemente, foi demonstrado também que o NFAT1 pode cooperar com a via oncogênica de Ras-RafMEK-ERK para induzir apoptose. Portanto, temos como objetivos avaliar quais regiões do TAD-C do NFAT1 são necessárias para indução de apoptose e se a forma constitutivamente ativa do NFAT1 (CA-NFAT1) pode ser utilizada como terapia gênica para indução de morte celular em tumores...

The family of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) consists of four calciumregulated members. Although, the NFAT transcription factors display some overlapping functions on gene regulation, several studies has shown different roles for NFAT proteins on cell death regulation. The C-terminal transactivation domain (TAD-C) is theNFAT protein region that shows the lowest similarity among all NFAT factors. The TADC is essential to promote interaction between NFAT1 and other proteins, however, itscontribution to cell death induction by NFAT1 is poorly understood. Recently, it has been described that NFAT1 may cooperate with the oncogenic Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway to induce apoptosis. Thus, we aim to assess which region inside NFAT1 TAD-C is required to induce apoptosis and evaluate whether the constitutivelyactive form of NFAT1 (CA-NFAT1) can be applied as gene therapy to induce cell death in tumors. Here, we described at least two regions of NFAT1 TAD-C that confer proapoptotic activity to NFAT1...

Adseverin mediates RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulating NFATc1

Adseverin is a Ca2+-dependent actin filament-severing protein that has been reported to regulate exocytosis via rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton in secretory cells. However, the role of adseverin in bone cells has not yet been well characterized. Here, we investigated the role of adseverin in osteoclastogenesis using primary osteoclast precursor cells. Adseverin expression was upregulated during RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, genetic silencing of adseverin decreased the number of osteoclasts generated by RANKL. Adseverin knockdown also suppressed the RANKL-mediated induction of nuclear factor of activated T-cell c1 (NFATc1), which is a key transcription factor in osteoclastogenesis. In addition, adseverin knockdown impaired bone resorption and the secretion of bone-degrading enzymes from osteoclasts. These effects were accompanied by decreased NFATc1 expression and the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. Collectively, our results indicate that adseverin has a crucial role in osteoclastogenesis by regulating NFATc1.

Effect of naringin on osteoclast differentiation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the effect of Drynariae Rhizoma's naringin on osteoclasts induced by mouse monocyte RAW264.7.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>RAW264.7 cells were induced by 100 μg x L(-1) nuclear factor-κB receptor activator ligand (RANKL) and became mature osteoclasts, which were identified through TRAP specific staining and bone resorption. MTT method was sued to screen and inhibit and the highest concentration of osteoclasts. After being cultured with the screened medium containing naringin for 5 days, positive TRAP cell counting and bone absorption area analysis were adopted to observe the effect of naringin on the formation of osteoclast sells and the bone absorption function. The osteoclast proliferation was measured by flow cytometry. The effects of RANK, TRAP, MMP-9, NFATc1 and C-fos mRNA expressions on nuclear factor-κB were detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Naringin could inhibit osteoclast differentiation, bone absorption function and proliferation activity of osteoclasts, significantly down-regulate RANK, TRAP, MMP-9 and NFATc1 mRNA expressions in the osteoclast differentiation process, and up-regulate the C-fos mRNA expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Naringin could inhibit osteoclast differentiation, proliferation and bone absorption function. Its mechanism may be achieved by inhibiting the specific gene expression during the osteoclast differentiation process.</p>

Role of calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells signaling pathway in myoblast apoptosis induced by cyclic tensile strain / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study investigated the role and mechanism of calcineurin (CaN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway in the myoblast apoptosis induced by cyclic tensile strain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myoblasts were cultured using an in vitro-mechanical stimulation model and imposed with tension for different hours with a multi-channel cell stress loading system. Cyclosporine (CsA) was used as CaN inhibitor to clarify the role of CaN in the apoptosis induced by cyclic stress. Hochest 33258 staining and flow cytometry detection were performed to detect the apoptotic cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of CaN and NFAT. Protein levels of NFAT3 were evaluated by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptosis rate increased with the extension of loading time. The mRNA expression of the CaN subunits, CnA and CnB, and the protein levels of NFAT3 also increased. When the myoblasts were incubated with CsA, the apoptosis rate decreased, the mRNA expression of CnA and NFAT3 significantly decreased, and the NFAT3 protein expression levels became significantly lower than those of the groups without CsA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Continuous cyclic tensile stress can induce myoblast apoptosis. The CaN-NFAT signaling pathway may be involved in the cyclic stretch-induced apoptosis of myoblasts.</p>

Nuclear factor-κB pathway mediates the effects of CD137 signaling on NFATc1 expression in mice vascular smooth muscle cells / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe whether CD137 signaling could affect the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) expression through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in mice aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adherence methods for tissues explants were used for primary culture of mouse aortic VSMCs. The mRNA expression of CD137 and NFATc1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The VSMCs protein expression of IκB-α, NF-κB p65, phospo-p65 and NFATc1 was determined by Western blot. The level of CD137 was measured by Flow Cytometry (FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The mRNA and protein expression of CD137 in VSMCs was significantly upregulated at 24 h after co-culture with TNF-α (10 ng/ml, all P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, the level of p-NF-κB p65 in cytoplasm and nucleus was significantly increased (8.34 ± 0.28 vs. 1, P < 0.05, and 2.64 ± 0.42 vs. 1, P < 0.05) while the level of IκB-α was reduced (1 vs. 2.70 ± 0.28, P < 0.05) after co-treatment with agonist-CD137 mAb, above effects were partly blocked by adding specific NF-κB inhibitor PDTC (30 µmol/L: 1.15 ± 0.14 vs. 8.34 ± 0.28, P < 0.05, and 2.09 ± 0.12 vs. 2.64 ± 0.42, P < 0.05, and 1.78 ± 0.74 vs. 1, P < 0.05). (3) The mRNA (2.07 ± 0.09 vs. 1, P < 0.05) and protein (1.75 ± 0.07 vs. 1, P < 0.05) expression of NFATc1 was significantly upregulated by agonist CD137mAb compared with the control group, and these effects could be reversed by PDTC (1.15 ± 0.07 vs. 2.07 ± 0.09, P < 0.05, and 0.90 ± 0.11 vs. 1.75 ± 0.07, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD137 signaling could affect the NFATc1expression in VSMCs through NF-kappaB pathway.</p>