Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Improves Hearing Level Attenuating TLR4/NF-κB Mediated Inflammation in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has demonstrated efficacy in improving hearing levels of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL); however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. HBOT alleviates the inflammatory response, which is mediated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. In this study we investigated whether HBOT attenuates inflammation in ISHHL patients alteration of TLR4 and NF-κB expression.@*Methods@#ISHHL patients ( = 120) and healthy control subjects ( = 20) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into medicine group treated with medicine only ( = 60) and HBO group receiving both HBOT and medicine ( = 60). Audiometric testing was performed pre- and post-treatment. TLR4, NF-кB, and TNF-α expression in peripheral blood of ISSHL patients and healthy control subjects was assessed by ELISA before and after treatment.@*Results@#TLR4, NF-κB, and TNF-α levels were upregulated in ISSHL patients relative to healthy control subjects; the levels were decreased following treatment and were lower in the HBO group than that in the medicine group post-treatment ( < 0.05 and < 0.01).@*Conclusion@#HBOT alleviates hearing loss in ISSHL patients by suppressing the inflammatory response induced by TLR4 and NF-κB signaling.

The transcription factor NF-kB1 regulates miR-195 expression in prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the regulatory effect of the transcription factor NF-kB1 on the expression of miR-195 in prostate cancer (PCa).@*METHODS@#We analyzed the possibility of NF-kB1 binding to the miR-195 promoter and the expression of NF-kB1 in PCa using the JASPAR and Oncomine databases, respectively, and determined the expressions of NF-kB1 and miR-195 in PCa cells by real-time quantitative PCR after inhibiting the former by interfering RNA targeting NF-kB1. We detected the activity of the luciferase reporter gene after constructing its gene plasmid in the miR-195 promoter region and having it co-transfected with the NF-kB1 plasmid. Then we analyzed the correlation between the expressions of miR-195 and NF-kB1 in the prostate tissue.@*RESULTS@#NF-kB1 was overexpressed in PCa. After inhibition of the expression of NF-kB1, that of miR-195 was increased in PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines, with a negative correlation between the NF-kB1 and miR-195 expressions in the PCa tissue. The results of luciferase reporter gene assay showed direct binding of NF-kB1 to the miR-195 promoter zone.@*CONCLUSIONS@#NF-kB1 regulates the expression of miR-195 in prostate cancer.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the effect of keloid surgery and radiotherapy by reducing the recurrence rate / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

OBJECTIVE@#Keloids are exuberant cutaneous scars that form due to abnormal growth of fibrous tissue following an injury. The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to reduce the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy.@*METHODS@#(1) A total of 240 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the HBOT group (O group) received HBOT after surgical excision and radiotherapy. Patients in the other group were treated with only surgical excision and radiotherapy (K group). (2) Scar tissue from recurrent patients was collected after a second operation. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe keloid morphology. Certain inflammatory factors (interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) were measured using immunohistochemical staining.@*RESULTS@#(1) The recurrence rate of the O group (5.97%) was significantly lower than that of the K group (14.15%), P<0.05. Moreover, patients in the O group reported greater satisfaction than those in the K group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the recurrent scar tissue of the K group, the expression levels of the inflammatory factors were lower in the recurrent scar tissue of the O group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Adjunctive HBOT effectively reduces the keloid recurrence rate after surgical excision and radiotherapy by improving the oxygen level of the tissue and alleviating the inflammatory process.

Identification of natural compounds targeting Annexin A2 with an anti-cancer effect

Annexin A2, a multifunctional tumor associated protein, promotes nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation by interacting with NF-κB p50 subunit and facilitating its nuclear translocation. Here we demonstrated that two ginsenosides Rg5 (G-Rg5) and Rk1 (G-Rk1), with similar structure, directly bound to Annexin A2 by molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay. Both Rg5 and Rk1 inhibited the interaction between Annexin A2 and NF-κB p50 subunit, their translocation to nuclear and NF-κB activation. Inhibition of NF-κB by these two ginsenosides decreased the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), leading to caspase activation and apoptosis. Over expression of K302A Annexin A2, a mutant version of Annexin A2, which fails to interact with G-Rg5 and G-Rk1, effectively reduced the NF-κB inhibitory effect and apoptosis induced by G-Rg5 and G-Rk1. In addition, the knockdown of Annexin A2 largely enhanced NF-κB activation and apoptosis induced by the two molecules, indicating that the effects of G-Rg5 and G-Rk1 on NF-κB were mainly mediated by Annexin A2. Taken together, this study for the first time demonstrated that G-Rg5 and G-Rk1 inhibit tumor cell growth by targeting Annexin A2 and NF-κB pathway, and G-Rg5 and G-Rk1 might be promising natural compounds for targeted cancer therapy.

Immune mechanisms of the active ingredients of Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

Chronic prostatitis is a common male disease, and its pathogenesis is not yet clear. Most scholars believe that oxidative stress and immune imbalance are the keys to the occurrence and progression of chronic prostatitis. Currently immunotherapy of chronic prostatitis remains in the exploratory stage. This article relates the active ingredients of 5 Chinese medicinal herbs (total glucosides of paeony, tripterigium wilfordii polglycosidium, curcumin, geniposide, and quercetin) for the treatment of chronic prostatitis and their possible action mechanisms as follows: 1) inhibiting the immune response and activation and proliferation of T-cells, and adjusting the proportion of Th1/Th2 cells; 2) upregulating the expression of Treg and enhancing the patient's tolerability; 3) suppressing the activation of the NF-kB factor, reducing the release of iNOS, and further decreasing the release of NO, IL-2 and other inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to the suppression of the immune response; 4) inhibiting the production of such chemokines as MCP-1 and MIP-1α in order to reduce their induction of inflammatory response. Studies on the immune mechanisms of Chinese medicinal herbs in the treatment of chronic prostatitis are clinically valuable for the development of new drugs for this disease.

The effect of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway on proliferation and apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma 5-8F cells induced by LPS / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of NF-κB activation on the proliferation and apoptosis throughTLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) 5-8F cell lines.@*METHOD@#TLR4 induced by LPS is inhibited by PE anti-human. Real-Time Quantitative PCR and Western blot were employed to evaluate the efficacy of mRNA level and protein expression. The growth inhibition rate of 5-8F by Celecoxib was evaluated with MTT method. The cell cycle and apoptosis were measured with flow cytometric method (FCM).@*RESULT@#By using the specific inhibitor, the protein and gene expression of NF-κB and MyD88 were both significantly lower than the control group (P<. 05). Meanwhile, the down-rugulation of NF-κB could inhibit proliferation of NPC 5-8F cells and promote their apoptosis (P<0. 05).@*CONCLUSION@#By inhibiting TLR4 / MyD88 signaling pathway, the expression of NF-κB in NPC 5-8F cells could decrease, then the cell proliferation was inhibited and cell apoptosis was induced. The results showed that TLR4 / MyD88 / NF-κB induced by LPS is an important pathway in the genesis and development of NPC. This study provides evidence for targeting research of NPC.

Quantitative Analysis of Immuno-fluorescence of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation / 生物医学工程学杂志

Immuno-fluorescence technique can qualitatively determine certain nuclear translocation, of which NF-κB/ p65 implicates the activation of NF-κB signal pathways. Immuno-fluorescence analysis software with independent property rights is able to quantitatively analyze dynamic location of NF-κB/p65 by computing relative fluorescence units in nuclei and cytoplasm. We verified the quantitative analysis by Western Blot. When we applied the software to analysis of nuclear translocation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced (0. 5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h) primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) , we found that nuclear translocation peak showed up at 2h as with calculated Western blot verification results, indicating that the inventive immuno-fluorescence analysis software can be applied to the quantitative analysis of immuno-fluorescence.

Expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB in Patients with Acute Leukemia and Its Significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in patients with acute leukemia and its significance.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>20 samples of bone marrow and peripheral blood from each acute leukemia groups (newly diagnozed, relapsed and complete remission groups) and 20 samples as control from patients with no-hematologic malignancies were collected. The expression level of HMGB1 in peripheral blood plasma was determined by ELISA; HMGB1 and NF-κB level in mononuclear cells were examined by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to determine HMGB1 and NF-κB protein levels. HMGB1 and NF-κB in bone marrow smears were determined by immnohistochemistry method (IHC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression level of HMGB1 obviously increased in patients of newly diagnosed and relapsed groups, as compared with control group there was statistical significance (P < 0.05), but there was no obvious difference in expression level of HMGB1 between complete remission group and control group (P > 0.05). The expression level of HMGB1 and NF-kB in monnuclear cells of bone marrow in newly-diagnosed group and relapsed group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), but the expression levels of HMGB1 and NF-kB in complete remisson group did not change (P > 0.05). The results of immnohistochemistry method indicated that the possitive expression of HMGB1 and NF-kB maily was found in bone marrow smears of newly diagnosed and relapsed groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HMGB1 is overexpressed in acute leukemia, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of acute leukemia by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, HMGB1 may be a important index for observing therapeutic effectiveness and predicting recurrence of acute leukemia.</p>

Relation of MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG Polymorphism with Fever during Neutropenia in Patients with Acute Leukaemia after Chemotherapy / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and fever during neutropenia in patients with acute leukaemia (AL) (except M3) after first chemotherapy in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples obtained from 76 fever patients with AL during neutropenia episodes were detected to analyse single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG gene, and analyse the correlation between above-mentioned 2 polymorphisms and fever during neutropenia of AL patients after chemotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 76 patients, no correlation were found between MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and fever during neutropenia in patients with acute leukaemia after chemotherapy (P > 0.05). No significant relation were found in sex, age, underlying disease, disease status or degrees of neutropenia in febrile neutropenia between MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG polymorphism (P > 0.05). However, patients with MBL ExonI 54 mutation presented longer febrile duration with a median of 5 days compared to 3 days of patients with wildtype MBL ExonI 54 genotype (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is no clear correlation between MBL ExonI 54 and NFκB1-94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and fever during neutropenia in patients with acute leukaemia after chemotherapy. However, the patients with MBL ExonI 54 mutation have been observed to present a longer febrile duration.</p>

Effect of Emodin Combined with AZT on the Proliferation and the Expression of BCL-2, NF-κB, TGF-β in the Leukemia Stem Cells-KG-1a cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Emodin combined with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) on the proliferation and apoptosis of concentrated leukemia stem cells (CLSC)-human acute myeloid leukemia KG-la cells and expression of BCL-2, NF-κB and TGF-β.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The tumor stem cell-like subpopulation in human leukemia cell line KG-1a was enriched with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The CD34⁺ CD38⁻ subpopulation in the KG-1a cells was detected with flow cytometry, the cell proliferation was detected by MTT method to study the of Emodin and AZT in the CLSC. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of NF-κB, BCL-2 and TGF-β mRNA and proteins were measured with RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with cells treated with mentioned above drugs alone, the inhibition of proliferation potential and apoptosis rate of cells in combination group markedly increase with time and concentration dependent member (P < 0.01), the expression of NF-κB, BCL-2 and TGF-β mRNA and proteins decreased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Emodin combined AZT can synergistically inhibit the proliferation, induce cell apoptosis, and down regulate the expression of NF-κB, BCL-2 and TGF-β mRNA and proteins in the CLSC, the possible mechanism of synergistic effect may be associated with inhibiton of BCL-2 activation and down-regulation of the expression of NF-κB, and TGF-β.</p>

Ganoderic acid A suppresses proliferation and invasion and induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of ganoderic acid A (GA-A) on the biological behaviors of human osteosarcoma cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MG63 and HOS cells were treated with 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mmol/L GA-A, and the changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were evaluated using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay, respectively. The expressions of STAT3, p38, and NF-κB1 in the cells were analyzed by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GA-A effectively inhibited the proliferation of human osteosarcoma HOS and MG-63 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and induced obvious cell apoptosis in both cells. Treatment with 0.5 mmol/L GA-A also resulted in significant inhibition of the invasion of both cells. The results of Western blotting showed that GA-A down-regulated the expression level of phosphorylated STAT3 and increased the phosphorylation level of p38 and NF-κB1 expression in both cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GA-A can induce proliferation inhibition, apoptosis and suppression of invasion in human osteosarcoma HOS and MG-63 cells.</p>

Cobalt Chloride Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation through NF-kappaB Inhibition in Human Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells

We evaluated the effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) on TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma-induced-inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells). We treated HK-2 cells with CoCl2 before the administration of TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma. To regulate hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, the cells were treated CoCl2 or HO-1 siRNA. CoCl2 reduced the generation of ROS induced by TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma. TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-treated-cells showed an increase in the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated NF-kappaBp65 protein, the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaBp50 and NF-kappaB transcriptional activity and a decrease in IkappaBalpha protein expression. These changes were restored by CoCl2. We noted an intense increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) production in TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-treated cells. We demonstrated that this effect was mediated through NF-kappaB signaling because an NF-kappaB inhibitor significantly reduced MCP-1 and RANTES production. CoCl2 effectively reduced MCP-1 and RANTES production. The expression of HO-1 was increased by CoCl2 and decreased by HO-1 siRNA. However, knockdown of HO-1 by RNA interference did not affect MCP-1 or RANTES production. We suggest that CoCl2 has a protective effect on TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-induced inflammation through the inhibition of NF-kappaB and ROS in HK-2 cells. However, CoCl2 appears to act in an HO-1-independent manner.

Function of alternative NF-κB activity in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the function of alternative NF-κB activity in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (B-CLL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA expression of individual NF-κB subunits in CD5⁺CD19⁺ cells (CLL B-cells) from bone marrow (BM) of 56 patients with B-CLL was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. An ELISA-based NF-κB family transcription factor activity assay was performed to quantify the κB DNA-binding activity in nuclear extracts from CLL B-cells. Cell death of CLL-B cells was determined by PI staining, RelA and RelB expression at protein level of CLL B-cells by Western blot analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression levels of RelA, p50, RelB and p52 mRNA in CLL B-cells were all higher than that of normal B cells with statistical significance (P<0.05). RelA was activated in almost all the patients detected while RelB activity was induced in part of samples. The average RelA activity in CLL B-cells was increased compared to that in normal B cells while the average RelB activity was similar to that of normal B cells. When cultured in vitro for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the frequencies of cell death of CLL B-cells from RelA⁺/RelB⁻ group were(35.54±4.43)%,(50.92±8.44)%, and(49.24±8.16)%, respectively; that of the RelA⁺/RelB⁺ group were (20.65±2.37)%, (18.17±1.36)%, and (26.55±4.08)%, respectively. When the cells from RelA+/RelB⁻ group were co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs), the frequencies of cell death of CLL B-cells were decreased compared to that of the cells cultured alone, while the frequencies of cell death of RelA⁺/RelB⁻ CLL B-cells were higher than that of CLL B-cells from RelA⁺/RelB⁺ group when co-cultured with hBMSCs. RelA and RelB expression in CLL-B cells from the RelA⁺/RelB⁻ group was induced after co-cultured with hBMSCs for 48 h. RelB was reduced in the cytoplasm and increased in the nucleus in CLL-B cells from the RelA+/RelB+ group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alternative NF-κB was indeed activated and presented heterogeneous in CLL B-cells from BM. Activation of RelB combined with RelA activity could provide the survival advantage to CLL B-cells from BM. Co-culture with hBMSCs could protect CLL-B cells through the induction of RelA and Rel B expressions.</p>

The rescue effect of RANKL on zoledronate induced acid inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and gene expression of NF-kappaB p50 and c-Jun / 生物医学工程学杂志

In this study, the rescue effect of receptor activator for nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) on zoledronate acid (ZOL) induced inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and gene expression of NF-kappaB p50 and c-Jun was investigated. Mice calvarial osteoblasts (OBs) were harvested and co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells and the cells were divided into 4 groups and received treatment with ZOL and RANKL, either single or combined. The formation of multi-nucleated osteoclast (OC) was examined and gene expression of NF-kappaB p50 and c-Jun was detected. Group B (ZOL) showed least multi-nucleated OC and resorption lacunae among the 4 groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and it was followed by group C (ZOL+RANKL). Group D (RANKL) showed highest OC and resorption lacunae while it was similar to Group A (control) (P > 0.05). Gene expression of NF-kappaB p50 and c-Jun was the lowest in group B (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) among the four groups and was significantly increased in group C when compared with group B (P < 0.05). Group A and D showed highest gene expression and they were similar to each other (P > 0.05). This study suggest that RANKL might partly rescue ZOL induced inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, and the effect of RANKL and ZOL on osteoclastogenesis may be mediated by NF-kappaB p50 and c-Jun.

Interleukin-32 expression is induced by hepatitis B virus / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) can induce the expression of the host-encoded cytokine interleukin-32 (IL-32) and its effects on host signaling mechanisms related to HBV pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A eukaryotic expression vector harboring an enhanced green fluorescent protein was constructed with HBV genomic sequences (pIRES2-HBV-EGFP) and transfected into HepG2 cells. In addition, the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) subunits, p50 and p65, were transfected respectively into HepG2 cells. In both cases, 48 hrs after transfection, IL-32 expression was determined at the mRNA and protein levels using real-time PCR and ELISA and western blot, respectively. The HepG2 cells transfected with pIRES2-HBV-EGFP were also treated with the NF-kB inhibitor SN50 at various concentrations, and the effects on IL-32 protein expression 48 hrs later were evaluated by western blot. Significance of between-group differences was assessed by the Student's t-test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Transfection with pIRES2-HBV-EGFP led to significantly higher IL-23 expression than transfection with empty vector (mRNA: 2.8-fold higher and protein: 4.5-fold higher; both P less than 0.05). Transfection of p50 and p65 proteins led to significantly higher IL-32 expression (both P less than 0.05), and NF-kB activation was found to be required for HBV-induced IL-32 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-32 expression is induced by HBV in HepG2 cells. This host-encoded cytokine, and its downstream activation of NF-kB, may be involved in the pathogenesis of HBV, especially in the subsequent liver inflammation that accompanies HBV infection.</p>

Prokaryotic expression of pig nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65/p50 and its impacts on PRRSV proliferation / 病毒学报

This study aims to express pig nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65/p50 fusion protein in E. coli Rosetta, and study its impacts on PRRSV proliferation in vitro. The p65 ORF and mature p50 encoding gene were amplified by RT-PCR, the products were cloned into the pET-21a(+) vector, then transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta, recombinant fusion protein was expressed by IPTG induction, the expressed product was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western-Blot. The purified and re-folded p65/p50 was added to the 2% FBS DMEM, and the cytotoxicity on Marc145 was observed to select the optimum concentration. The effects of optimum concentration of p65/p50 on PRRSV proliferation activity were investigated by detecting PRRSV infection phase in the culture supernatant using real-time FQ-PCR method and drawing PRRSV one-step growth curve. The results showed the p65/p50-pET21a(+) prokaryotic expression vector were successfully constructed , recombinant p50 and p65 fusion protein was expressed abundantly in the form of inclusion body with molecular weight of 70kD, Western-Blot results showed that the rabbit anti-human p50 polyclonal serum, rabbit anti-human p65 purified antibody could bind specifically to p50 and p65 respectively. The optimum concentration of p65/p50 was 0.4 microg/mL. The real-time FQ-PCR results indicated that NF-kappaB p65/p50 could promote CPE appearance and PRRSV proliferation before CPE appeared, and suppress PRRSV proliferation after CPE appeared, and lower the virus titer levels significantly(P < 0.05). These results will provide some new insight of the pathogenic mechanism and treatment strategies of PRRS.

Effect of thalidomide in a mouse model of paraquat-induced acute lung injury and the underlying mechanisms / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the intervention effect of thalidomide on paraquat-induced acute lung injury in mice and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male ICR mice were randomly allocated to negative control group (n = 30), thalidomide control group (n = 30), paraquat poisoning group (n = 30), 50 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), 100 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30), and 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group (n = 30). The negative control group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline; the thalidomide control group was intraperitoneally injected with thalidomide (150 mg/kg); the paraquat poisoning group was intraperitoneally injected with diluted paraquat solution (22 mg/kg); each thalidomide treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of paraquat solution (22 mg/kg) and was injected with thalidomide (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg) 1 h later. All mice were anesthetized and sacrificed at 1, 3, or 7 d after paraquat poisoning, and their lung tissue was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue were measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA; the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was measured by RT-PCR; the protein expression of nuclear NF-kgr;B p65 was measured by Western blot. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope; the wet/dry ratio of the lung was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the negative control group, the paraquat poisoning group had significantly increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratio of the lung (P < 0.05). Compared with the paraquat poisoning group, the thalidomide treatment groups had significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65 and wet/dry ratios of the lung (P < 0.05), and the 150 mg/kg thalidomide treatment group showed the most significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB mRNA, and nuclear NF-κB p65. The observation of pathological changes showed that the paraquat poisoning group had the most marked lung tissue damage at 3 d after poisoning, and the lung tissue damage was lessened in the thalidomide treatment groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thalidomide can reduce paraquat-induced acute lung injury and lung edema. The mechanism may include inhibition of NF-κB activation and expression and downregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.</p>

Analysis of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis signaling pathways based on gene expression patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To pinpoint angiogenesis- and lymphangiogenesis-related genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the reported microarray data which identified 831 differentially expressed genes in NPC tissues and the latest genomic information, we selected 246 genes for analysis with the smallest differential expression threshold of 260. Gene function analysis and network construction was carried out based on literature mining for analysis of the signaling pathways related with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of NPC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 246 genes were related with such keywords as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EB virus, metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and invasion. Particularly, we found that up to 52 genes were associated with angiogenesis (P=0.00001), and 19 genes form 12 related gene pairs (P=0.0042). Twenty-one lymphangiogenesis-related genes were identified (P=0.00001), and 6 of these genes formed a gene network (P=0.0226). Eight genes, including PTGS2, participated in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway, which was closely related to angiogenesis in small cell lung cancer (P=7.87E-07). Five genes, including STAT1 and CXCL10, participated in toll-like receptor signaling pathway (P=0.00176).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PTGS2 and NF-κB promote angiogenesis of NPC, and the role of toll-like receptor signaling pathway in lymphangiogenesis warrants further investigation.</p>

Experimental research on the mechanisms of human multiple myeloma LP-1 cell apoptosis induced by oridonin / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of oridonin (Ori) on human multiple myeloma (MM) cell line LP-1 apoptosis and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The human MM LP-1 cells were incubated in vitro by different concentrations of Ori. The proliferation activities of LP-1 cells were detected using MTT assay. The apoptosis rate of LP-1 cells was detected using Annexin V/PI double staining method. The ultrastructural changes of LP-1 cells were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) after they were treated with Ori. The mRNA expression of apoptosis correlated genes were detected using Real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ori inhibited the proliferation of LP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent way. Results of Annexin V/PI double staining method showed that, along with increased drug concentration and prolonged drug action time, the apoptosis rate of LP-1 cells significantly increased. Under TEM, chromatin margination and mitochondrial swelling could be seen in LP-1 cells after they were treated by Ori. The mRNA expressions of PDCD5 and Bid were up-regulated, and those of Bcl-2 and NK-kappaB were down-regulated after action of Ori.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ori induced cell apoptosis by up-regulating the mRNA expression of Bid and down-regulating the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 to decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential, trigger mitochondrial apoptosis way of LP-1 cells. Ori, also as the inhibitor of NF-kappaB activities, blocked the NF-kappaB activation, induced cell apoptosis, and inhibited the cell proliferation. Of them, it is necessary to further study the role of PDCD5 as an apoptosis promoter.</p>