Effects of astragaloside Ⅳ on insulin resistance and MAPK/ERK pathway in obese rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome / 中成药

AIM To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV on improving insulin resistance(IR)in obese rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),and to analyze its effect on ovarian MAPK/ERK pathway as well.METHODS The obese PCOS rat models established by feeding of letrozole combined with high-fat and high-sugar diet were randomly divided into the model group,the metformin(135 mg/kg)group and the low-dose and high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ(25,50 mg/kg)groups,with 8 rats in each group in contrast to those of the control group.After 21 days oral administration,the rats had their body weight recorded;their ovarian index calculated;their levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),serum triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH)and fasting insulin(FINS)measured;their HOMA-IR and LH/FSH values calculated;their ovarian expressions of MAPK/ERK pathway related proteins detected by Western blot;and their ovarian expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group showed increased polycystic pathological changes,levels of body weight,ovarian index,serum TG,TC,LH,FSH,T,FINS,and FBG,values of LH/FSH and HOMA-IR,and ovarian p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,p-MEK1/2/MEK1/2,p-Raf/Raf,and VEGF protein expressions(P<0.01);and decreased serum E2 level(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both astragaloside Ⅳ and metformin groups shared significantly alleviated ovarian polycystic lesions,and decreased body weight,levels of ovarian index,serum TG,TC,LH,FSH,T,FINS,and FBG,values of LH/FSH and HOMA-IR,ovarian p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,p-MEK1/2/MEK1/2,p-Raf/Raf,and VEGF protein expressions(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increased serum E2 level(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Upon the obese PCOS rat models,astragaloside Ⅳ can antagonize their IR,improve their hormone levels and alleviate their ovarian lesions via inhibiting the activation of MAPK/ERK pathway.

ERK mediated C-Myc/PD-L1 synergy to investigate tumor suppression effect of Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin in combination with H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor bearing mice / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the tumor suppressing effect of Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin via ERK-mediated C-Myc/PD-L1 phase-coordinated pathway on H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor-bearing mice and its mechanism.Meth-ods:In 60 SPF-grade male Kunming mice,10 mice were taken as blank group by random number table method,and the other 50 mice were replicated as H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor-bearing mouse model.After successful replication of the model,the model mice were randomly divided into model group,cisplatin group[2.5×10-3 g/(kg·3 d)],Shenqi Yiliu decoction low[13.515 g/(kg·d)],me-dium[27.03 g/(kg·d-1)],and high dose[27.030 g/(kg·d)]combined with cisplatin group[2.5×10-3 g/(kg·3 d)],10 mice in each group were treated for 13 d.After 24 h of the last dose,the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed,and the tumor inhibition rate,spleen index and thymus index of each drug group were determined;HE staining was performed to observe the histopathological changes of tumor in mice;ELISA kit was used to detect the contents of EGF and IFN-γ in tumor tissue homogenate;p-ERK1/2,C-Myc and PD-L1 protein expression in tumor tissue were detected by IHC and Western blot;ERK,C-Myc and PD-L1 mRNA expression levels in tumor tissue were detected by RT-PCR.Results:Compared with blank group,the average body mass and spleen index of mice in model group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the tumor inhibition effect of each treatment group was obvious,and Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin group inhibited tumor growth in liver cancer mice in a dose-dependent way,im-proved the average body mass,spleen index and thymus index of mice,promoted the necrosis of tumor cells and increased the necrotic area.EGF and IFN-γ contents,P-ERK1/2,C-Myc,PD-L1 protein expressions and ERK,C-Myc,PD-L1 mRNA expression levels were decreased in tumor tissues(P<0.05).Compared with cisplatin group,the therapeutic effect of Shenqi decoction combined with cisplatin in medium and high dose groups was significant,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Shenqi Yiliu decoction combined with cisplatin effectively inhibited the tumor growth of H22 liver cancer tumor-bearing mice and significantly reduces the expression of C-Myc and PD-L1 proteins in the tumor tissues,which may be through the regulation of ERK signaling path-way-related protein expression to exert tumor suppressive effect.

Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo Prescription Inhibits Activation of Astrocytes to Relieve Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Rats via ERK Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo prescription （YHTP） in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain （DNP）. MethodNinety SPF-grade SD male rats were randomized into blank， model， low- （2.25 g·kg-1）， medium- （4.5 g·kg-1）， and high-dose （9 g·kg-1） YHTP， and mecobalamin （0.175 mg·kg-1） groups. Except those in the blank group， the rats in the remaining 5 groups were fed with a high-fat and high-glucose diet and subjected to intraperitoneal injection of low-dose （35 mg·kg-1） streptozotocin （STZ） to establish the model of DNP. The sciatic nerve conduction velocity in DNP rats was measured by the neurophysiological method， and the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） in the spinal cord. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of GFAP and phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）， and immunofluorescence staining to measure the fluorescence intensity of GFAP and p-ERK in the spinal cord. In the cell experiments， 100 mmol·L-1 high glucose was used to induce the activation of astrocytes （CTX-TNA2） for the modeling of nerve cell injury. The cells were randomized into the normal， model， drug-containing serum （10% YQHT）， inhibitor ［10 mol·L-1 corynoxeine （COR）］， drug-containing serum + inhibitor （10% YHTP + 10 mol·L-1 COR） groups. The levels of pro-inflammatory factors （TNF-α and IL-1β） and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in CTX-TNA2 cells were determined by ELISA， and the protein levels of GFAP and p-ERK in CTX-TNA2 cells by Western blot. ResultThe animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group presented reduced mechanical withdrawal threshold （MWT）， thermal work limit （TWL）， and nerve conduction velocity， elevated levels of fasting blood glucose， IL-1β， TNF-α， and IL-6， and up-regulated protein levels of GFAP and p-ERK， and mRNA levels of ERK1， ERK2， GFAP （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， YHTP increased the MWT， TWL， and sciatic nerve conduction velocity （P<0.01）， lowered the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of GFAP and p-ERK， and mRNA levels of ERK1， ERK2， GFAP in the spinal cord （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had decreased survival rate， elevated levels of pro-inflammatory factors， and up-regulated protein levels of ERK and GFAP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the YHTP-containing serum lowered the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated the level of IL-10 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of ERK and GFAP （P<0.01）. ConclusionYHTP may inhibit the activation of astrocytes by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway to reduce inflammation and thus relieve DNP.

Effect of Doxycycline on Intrinsic Apoptosis of Myeloma Cell Line H929 and Its Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of the in vitro toxicity of doxycycline to myeloma cell line H929 and also the possible pathway involved its toxicity.@*METHODS@#Myeloma cell line H929 was treated with DOX, MEK inhibitor U0126 or RAS agonist ML-098, either alone or in combination. Then, the expression of p-MEK, caspase-3, caspase-9 and c-Jun in H929 were used to detected by Western blot; the cells proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively.@*RESULTS@#DOX significantly increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, and down-regulated the level of p-MEK in H929 (P<0.05). MEK antagonist U0126 significantly increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, and down-regulated the level of p-MEK (P<0.05). After Dox combined with ML-098 treatment of H929 cells, the apoptosis rate of H929 cells was lower than that of DOX alone treatment group(P<0.05). Compared with DOX alone treatment group, the expressions of p-MEK and p-ERK1/2 in DOX+ML-098 combined treatment group were increased, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3,9 in H929 cells were decreased (P<0.05). The levels of c-Jun mRNA and protein increased in H929 when treated by DOX alone (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#DOX can induce apoptosis of H929 via intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and MEK/ERK pathway and c-Jun possibly play a role in this process.

Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of Kuanxiong Aerosol for Vasodilation and Improvement of Myocardial Ischemia / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rat models.@*METHODS@#Totally 24 rats were radomly divided into control, ISO, KXA low-dose and high-dose groups according to the randomized block design method, and were administered by intragastric administration for 10 consecutive days, and on the 9th and 10th days, rats were injected with ISO for 2 consecutive days to construct an acute myocardial ischemia model to evaluate the improvement of myocardial ischemia by KXA. In addition, the diastolic effect of KXA on rat thoracic aorta and its regulation of ion channels were tested by in vitro vascular tension test. The influence of KXA on the expression of calcium-CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II)/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway has also been tested.@*RESULTS@#KXA significantly reduced the ISO-induced increase in ST-segment, interventricular septal thickness, cardiac mass index and cardiac tissue pathological changes in rats. Moreover, the relaxation of isolated thoracic arterial rings that had been precontracted using norepinephrine (NE) or potassium chloride (KCl) was increased after KXA treatment in an endothelium-independent manner, and was attenuated by preincubation with verapamil, but not with tetraethylammonium chloride, 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, or barium chloride. KXA pretreatment attenuated vasoconstriction induced by CaCl2 in Ca2+-free solutions containing K+ or NE. In addition, KXA pretreatment inhibited accumulation of Ca2+ in A7r5 cells mediated by KCl and NE and significantly decreased p-CaMK II and p-ERK levels.@*CONCLUSION@#KXA may inhibit influx and release of calcium and activate the CaMK II/ERK signaling pathway to produce vasodilatory effects, thereby improving myocardial injury.

Differential Regulation of Integrin α5 and ß4 in Normal and Psoriatic Epidermal Keratinocytes

Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammation, characterized by impaired differentiation, hyperproliferation of keratinocytes involving pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-13/17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ. Among the integrin family, α5 is important for blood vessel formation, and ß4 for proliferation, differentiation of keratinocytes. To investigate the expression and regulation of integrin α5 and ß4 in psoriatic keratinocytes. Skin biopsies were obtained from 14 psoriatic patients and 12 normal volunteers. We compared the immunolocalization and regulation of α5 and ß4 between the psoriatic and normal ones, before and after incubation with MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor U0126 by immunohistochemistry and western blot separately. Immunohistochemistry showed psoriatic keratinocytes had higher α5 than normal ones. According to western blot, IL-17A and IL-13 increased normal keratinocytes' α5 and ß4 respectively, but psoriatic keratinocytes were the exact opposite. Incubated with U0126, normal keratinocytes' α5 was enhanced by the 5 cytokines ; while IL-13/17A, IFN-γ suppressed ß4. Psoriatic keratinocytes' α5 was increased by IL-13/17A, decreased by IFN-γ; but ß4 increased by IL-17A, IFN-γ. IL-13/17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ regulate α5 and ß4 through ERK pathway whether normal or psoriasis. The normal and psoriatic keratinocytes respond to the same cytokines differently

Improvement of bladder function and repair of axonal injury in rats with traumatic spinal cord injury via MAPK/ERK pathway by nerve growth factor / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the effects of nerve growth factor （NGF） on bladder function and axon injury repair in rats with traumatic spinal cord injury （t-SCI） so as to explore its molecular mechanism. 【Methods】 Traumatic spinal cord injury model was constructed in 30 male SD rats by modified Allen’s beating method. The rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group， injury group and NGF group， with 10 rats in each group. We used the BBB score to observe the motor function of the rats’ hind limbs before and after the operation. The BL-420 biometer experimental system detected the urodynamics. Six anterior roots of the left lumbar taken from the distal end of the anastomosis were stained with toluidine blue， and the number of myelinated axons was counted. We used HE to stain rat bladder tissue， TUNEL to stain the rats’ severely injured spinal cord， and observed the spinal cord apoptosis rate. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Raf-1， p-MEK-2， MEK-2， ERK1/2， and p-ERK1/2 in spinal cord tissue. 【Results】 The BBB score results showed that there was no difference in the scores of the sham-operation group， the injury group and the NGF group before the operation. After the operation， the scores of the injury group and the NGF group were significantly lower than those in the sham-operation group （P0.05）. 【Conclusion】 NGF may hinder the conduction of MAPK/ERK pathway， thereby affecting the repair of axon damage and improving the bladder function of t-SCI rats.

Blocking the JAK2/STAT3 and ERK pathways suppresses the proliferation of gastrointestinal cancers by inducing apoptosis / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Dysregulated crosstalk between different signaling pathways contributes to tumor development, including resistance to cancer therapy. In the present study, we found that the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor trametinib failed to suppress the proliferation of PANC-1 and MGC803 cells by activating the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, while the JAK2 inhibitor fedratinib failed to inhibit the growth of the PANC-1 cells upon stimulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. In particular, the most prominent enhancement of the anti-proliferative effect resulted from the concurrent blockage of the JAK2/STAT3 and ERK signaling pathways. Furthermore, the combination of the two inhibitors resulted in a reduced tumor burden in mice. Our evidence suggests novel crosstalk between JAK2/STAT3 and ERK signaling in gastric cancer (GC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and provides a therapeutic strategy to overcome potential resistance in gastrointestinal cancer.

miR-93 activates ERK pathway to promote proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells via targeting EphA4 / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect of miR-93/EphA4 (Eph receptor A4) axis on the proliferation and migration of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H460 and H1299 cells via regulating extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) pathway. Methods: The expression levels of miR-93 in H460 and H1299 cells was detected by qPCR. miR-93 mimics and EphA4 overexpression plasmids were transfected into H460 cells and miR-93 inhibitor was transfected into H1299 cells respectively, after which MTT assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the effects of miR-93 on proliferation and migration of transfected cells. The targeted regulatory relationship betweenmiR-93andEphA4wasverifiedbyDual-luciferasereportergeneassay.Theexpression levels of PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen), EphA4, ERK and p-ERK were detected by Westernblotting.The effects of simultaneous overexpression of miR-93 and EphA4 on proliferation and migration of H460 cells were detected by MTT assay and Transwell assay. Results: The expression of miR-93 in H1299 cells was higher than that in H460 cells (P<0.01). Overexpression of miR-93 promoted proliferation and migration of H460 cells (all P<0.01), and knockdown of miR-93 inhibited proliferation and migration of H1299 cells (all P<0.01). The Dualluciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-93 could target EphA4. Overexpression of miR-93 down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of EphA4(allP<0.05), and promoted proliferation and migration of H460 cells through targeted regulation of EphA4 and activation of ERK pathway (all P<0.01). Conclusion: miR-93 promotes the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells, and its mechanism may be related to the targeted regulation of EphA4 and activation of the ERK pathway.

Screening of monomers from traditional Chinese medicine for specifically inhibiting brafV600E CT26 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim: To screen BRAFV600E CT26 cell inhibitors from monomers of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods CT26 cell line was constructed with lentivirus plasmid to stably express BRAFV6C0E. The proliferation, migration and expression of related proteins in MEK/ERK signaling pathway were detected. The monomers of TCM were detected for biological activities as potential BRAF inhibitors by Discovery Studio 4. 0, and further evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The proliferation and migration of BRAFV6C0E CT26 cells were obviously strengthened compared with wild type control. The expressions of proteins in MEK/ ERK pathway were also activated in BRAFV6C0E CT26 cells. Compared with wild type control, Aloin, Angoroside C and Cyasterone exhibited the potent effect against BRAFV600E in CT26 cells (P <0. 05), and could down-regulate the expression of BRAFV600E. Conclusion: Aloin, Angoroside C, Cyasterone might be the potent inhibitors against BRAF for colon treatment.

Polydatin protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia-induced injury via up-regulating long non-coding RNA DGCR5

Polydatin (PD), a monocrystalline polyphenolic drug mainly found in the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum, has various pharmacological activities. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) was found to participate in the suppression of multiple cancers. Here, we proposed to study the effect of PD on myocardial infarction (MI) by inducing DGCR5. CCK-8 assay was performed to detect the viability of H9c2 cells. Flow cytometry was utilized to test apoptosis of H9c2 cells. These results determined the optimal concentration and effect time of hypoxia as well as PD. Si-DGCR5 was transfected into cells and the expression level was determined by qRT-PCR. Western blot was utilized to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3, as well as autophagy-associated proteins including Beclin-1, p62, and LC3-II/LC3-I. As a result, PD efficiently attenuated hypoxia-induced apoptosis and autophagy in H9c2 cells. The expression of DGCR5 was down-regulated by hypoxia and up-regulated by PD. Besides, knocking-down the expression of DGCR5 inhibited the protection of PD in H9c2 cells. In addition, PD up-regulated the accumulation of DGCR5, DGCR5 decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and p62, raised the expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3, and the proportion of LC3-II/LC3-I. PD stimulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways via up-regulating the expression of DGCR5. Our data demonstrated that PD reduced cell apoptosis and autophagy induced by hypoxia in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, PD activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways by up-regulating the expression of DGCR5.

Effect of MKK34 on airway β-catenin in a HDM-induced mouse asthma / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the role of MKK34 (a peptide spanning a C-terminal α-helical region in TSLP) on airway inflammation and β-catenin of airway epithelium in a HDM-induced mouse asthma.Methods 32 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control,MKK34,asthma and MKK34 + HDM groups.The mice in the asthma group were exposed to HDM for five consecutive days and the MKK34 + HDM group was pretreated with MKK34 1 h prior to the HDM intranasally treated.After 8 weeks' treatment,animal lung function test and pathological staining were performed to evaluate the asthma situation,IL-4,IFN-γin bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and IgE in the serum were detected,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to assess β-catenin and p-ERK,t-ERK levels.Results Airway reactivity,IL-4 and IgE in the asthma group were significantly higher than that in the control group.Treatment with MKK34 significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness,IL-4 and IgE.HE staining demonstrated the chronic bronchitic inflammation in the lungs of asthma group.β-catenin in the control group was distributed evenly at the cytomembrane of epithelial cells.In the asthma group,β-catenin was disordered in epithelial cells and its expression was decreased.Treatment with MKK34 ameliorated the damage of β-catenin and chronic bronchitic inflammation.The protein levels of p-ERK1/2 increased obviously in the asthma group.The pretreated group significantly decreased the expression of p-ERK1/2.Conclusions MKK34 can ameliorate the airway inflammation and the destruction of β-catenin of airway epithelium in a HDM-induced mouse asthma.The ERK pathway may play a role in this process.

miR-25 promotes gastric cancer cells proliferation by directly targeting KLF4 / 实用医学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate whether miR-25 targets KLF4 to regulate the growth of gastric cancer cells and lucidate the mechanism of miR-25 producing functional effects in gastric cancer cells. Methods The expression levels of miR-25 and KLF4 were detected by qRT-PCR in 35 pairs of gastric cancer tissues of patients. Target genes of miR-25 were predicted using Targetscan and verified though dual luciferase activity assay and west-ern blot. MTT assay and clone formation assay were detected after downregulated miR-25 and overexpressed KLF4 respectively. Results miR-25 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues with KLF4 downexpresstion. Downreg-ulated miR-25 and overexpressed KLF4 respectively can significantly reduce the proliferation of gastric cancer cells,the results were opposite when overexpression of KLF4. Conclusion miR-25 promotes gastric cancer cells proliferation by targeting KLF4.

Propofol Inhibiting the Expression of VEGF through MAPK/ERK Signal Pathways in Oesophageal Carcinoma Cells EC9706 / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on the expression of VEGF in Oesophageal carcinoma cells EC9706 and its related molecular mechanism.Methods The expression of VEGF in human Oesophageal carcinoma cells EC9706 and normal esophageal epithelium cells HEEC were compared by immunoblotting.EC9706 was treated with different concentrations of propofol (0,2,6,10μg/L).After incubation,the EC9706 cell lines were detected with MTT,flow cytometry,cell invasion and cell scratch tests.The expression of VEGF,and the phosphorylation of p38 (MAPK) and p44/42 (ERK1/2) were detected by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting in each group.Results The expression of VEGF in EC9706 cells was significantly higher than that in HEEC cells.After propofol intervention,the proliferation,migration and invasion of propofol groups were significantly lower than that of Ctrl group,while the apoptotic rate of propofol groups were significantly higher than that of Ctrl group.The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in propofol groups were significantly lower than that in Ctrl group.The expression and phosphorylation of p38 (MAPK) and p44 / 42 (ERK1 / 2) were inhibited by propofol.Both of these effects were dose-dependent.Conclusion Propofol inhibits the proliferation,invasion and migration of OC cells EC9706 and promotes apoptosis.Its potential mechanism may work by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting VEGF expression.

Advances in research on the modulation of autophagy by Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway / 中国药科大学学报

@#Autophagy is a conserved self-defense mechanism of organism, degrading the necrotic organelles and excess protein into small molecules for recycling. Autophagy plays a role in both physiological and pathological condition, influencing the expression of intracellular substance through multiple signaling pathways. Although it has been demonstrated that Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway was not only extensively involved in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but was also implicated in autophagy and autophagic cell death, though its detailed mechanisms involved in regulation of autophagy has not been fully elucidated yet. This review focused on the advances of autophagy induced by Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, to better understand the role of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in regulation of autophagy.

Induction of Integrin Signaling by Steroid Sulfatase in Human Cervical Cancer Cells

Steroid sulfatase (STS) is an enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of aryl and alkyl sulfates. STS plays a pivotal role in the regulation of estrogens and androgens that promote the growth of hormone-dependent tumors, such as those of breast or prostate cancer. However, the molecular function of STS in tumor growth is still not clear. To elucidate the role of STS in cancer cell proliferation, we investigated whether STS is able to regulate the integrin signaling pathway. We found that overexpression of STS in HeLa cells increases the protein and mRNA levels of integrin β1 and fibronectin, a ligand of integrin α5β1. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), one of the main metabolites of STS, also increases mRNA and protein expression of integrin β1 and fibronectin. Further, STS expression and DHEA treatment enhanced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at the Tyr 925 residue. Moreover, increased phosphorylation of ERK at Thr 202 and Tyr 204 residues by STS indicates that STS activates the MAPK/ERK pathway. In conclusion, these results suggest that STS expression and DHEA treatment may enhance MAPK/ERK signaling through up-regulation of integrin β1 and activation of FAK.

Significance and expression of miR-7 in activated CD4+T cells / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the change of expression of miR-7 in activated CD4+ T cells in vitro, and preliminary explore its possible significance. Methods: CD4+CD62L+T cells was purified from splenocytes of FVB mice by magnetic cell sorting system (MACS). After stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody,the relative expression of miR-7 was examined by Real-time PCR, and the expression level of CD69 molecular was analyzed by FACS. Furthermore,the relative expression of miR-7 in CD4+T cells was detected at different time points during stimulation. With the treatment of ERK inhibitor PD98059,change of miR-7 expression was de-termined by Real-time PCR. Meanwhile, the proliferation of CD4+T cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the expression level of CD69 and CD62L molecular were analyzed by FACS. Finally,the expression of cytokines IL-6,IL-10,and IFN-γ were determined by Real-time PCR. Results:Compared with control group,the relative expression of miR-7 was increased significantly after stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody,as well as expression level of CD69 molecular was augmented(P<0. 05). In contrasted with 0 h and 24 h,the expression of miR-7 was significantly increased after 48 h and 72 h during stimulation(P<0. 05). Furthermore,the relative expression of miR-7 was significantly declined in CD4+T cells in ERK inhibitor PD98059 treatment group. Finally, the expression level of CD69 molecular,as well as cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ, were also decreased significantly ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion: The relative expression of miR-7 was significantly increased in activated CD4+T cells,closely related to ERK pathway,which provided an important foundation for successive research work on exploring the functional role of miR-7 in the CD4+T cells.

Platelet derived growth factor down-regulated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+atpase to promote the phenotype modulation of human airway smooth muscle cells / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate of the effect and mechanisman of SERCA2 on the phenotype modulation of HASMCs. Methods HASMCs were starved for 5 days and divided into different groups ,then we observed morphology change of the cells from the microscope and detected a-actin、SERCA2 and p-ERK by Western Blot,cells proliferation was observed by CCK-8 method. Results Compared with the control group,PDGF could reduce a-actin of HASMCs and increased the cells proliferation ability ,TSG could significantly inhibit the effect (P<0.01), PDGF could also significantly inhibit SERCA2 protein and increased the expression p-ERK (P<0.01), while U0126 significantly inhibited the effect (P < 0.01). Conclusion PDGF may induce HASMCs phenotype modulation through the regulation of SERCA2 and p-ERK.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on retinopathy in diabetic rats / 中国病理生理杂志

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract ( GBE) on diabetic retinopathy ( DR) and its possible mechanism in rats .METHODS:Goto-Kakizaki ( GK) rats were used as a DR model, and were treated with different doses of GBE.Normal Wistar rats were used as the control.Blood glucose and retina barrier injury were analyzed, respectively.Ganglion cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Moreover, the protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2( Nrf2) , ERK, Bcl-2 and P53, and ERK phosphorylation were examined by Western blot.RESULTS:GBE reduced blood glucose in the DR rats, attenuated retina barrier injury, and decreased the apoptosis of ganglion cells. Furthermore, the expression of Nrf2 and Bcl-2, and phosphorylation of ERK were increased after GBE treatment, whereas P53 expression was decreased.CONCLUSION:GBE protects ganglion cells against apoptosis in DR rats, which may be through activation of Nrf2/ERK pathway and regulating Bcl-2 and P53 expression.

Inhibitory effects of the phosphoinostitide-3'-kinase delta inhibitor CAL-101 on Raji and SUDHL-10 lymphoma cells and its relative mechanism / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To detect the inhibitory effects of CAL-101, a selective inhibitor of phosphoinostitide-3'-kinase delta (PI3Kδ), on Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji and diffused large B-cell lymphoma cell line SUDHL-10 and elucidate its relative mechanism. Methods:Raji and SUDHL-10 cells were treated with various concentrations of CAL-101. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to determine the inhibitory effect of CAL-101 on lymphoma cells, and cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V/PI and DAPI staining. Migration assays were performed with transwell to detect the migration of lymphoma cells derived from the stromal cell line HK. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation status of the ERK pathway. MTT and CalcuSyn software analyses were preformed to detect whether or not combining CAL-101 with bortezomib induces synergistic cytoxicity. Results:CAL-101 at con-centrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20μmol/L inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The proliferation rates of the Raji cells treated with 5, 10, 15, and 20μmol/L for 48 h were 29.17%± 1.23%, 38.15%± 1.51%, 46.46%± 1.78%, and 55.8%± 2.01%, respec-tively, which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the control group (1.15% ± 0.02%). Similar results were found in the SUDHL-10 cells after treatment with CAL-101 (P<0.05). CAL-101 also exerted an apoptotic effect on the lymphoma cells. The apop-totic rates of the Raji cells treated with CAL-101 for 21 h were 22.69%± 3.83%and 49.96%± 7.36%, respectively, which were signifi-cantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the control group (5.23%± 2.04%). Similar results were found in the SUDHL-10 cells (P<0.05). Treatment with 5 and 10 μmol/L CAL-101 dose-dependently inhibited the migration activity of lymphoma cells to stromal cells (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression level of ERK phosphorylation protein was significantly downregulated in the cells treated with CAL-101. A synergistic effect between CAL-101 and bortezomib was verified. That is, these two drugs can signifi-cantly inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma cells with CI values less than 1. Conclusion:The PI3Kδ-specific inhibitor CAL-101 sup-pressed the proliferation of Raji and SUDHL-10 cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited stromal cell-derived migration. This inhibitory effect may be induced by blocking the ERK pathway. Overall, our study indicated that CAL-101 is a novel and potential agent in the therapeutic strategy against aggressive B-cell lymphoma.