Stress-related hormone norepinephrine induces interleukin-6 expression in GES-1 cells

In the current literature, there is evidence that psychological factors can affect the incidence and progression of some cancers. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress and is also involved in oncogenesis and cancer progression. However, the precise mechanism of IL-6 induction by the stress-related hormone norepinephrine (NE) is not clear, and, furthermore, there are no reports about the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in gastric epithelial cells. In this study, we examined the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in immortalized human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1 cells). Using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunoassay, we demonstrated that NE can induce IL-6 mRNA and protein expression in GES-1 cells. The induction is through the β-adrenergic receptor-cAMP-protein kinase A pathway and mainly at the transcriptional level. Progressive 5′-deletions and site-directed mutagenesis of the parental construct show that, although activating-protein-1 (AP-1), cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBP-β), and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) binding sites are all required in the basal transcription of IL-6, only AP-1 and CREB binding sites in the IL-6 promoter are required in NE-induced IL-6 expression. The results suggest that chronic stress may increase IL-6 secretion of human gastric epithelial cells, at least in part, by the stress-associated hormone norepinephrine, and provides basic data on stress and gastric cancer progression.

Involvement of Src tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C in the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor induced by H2O2 in HL-1 mouse cardiac muscle cells

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation; however, the upstream regulation of MIF in atrial myocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether and how MIF is regulated in response to the renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress in atrium myocytes (HL-1 cells). MIF protein and mRNA levels in HL-1 cells were assayed using immunofluorescence, real-time PCR, and Western blot. The result indicated that MIF was expressed in the cytoplasm of HL-1 cells. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but not angiotensin II, stimulated MIF expression in HL-1 cells. H2O2-induced MIF protein and gene levels increased in a dose-dependent manner and were completely abolished in the presence of catalase. H2O2-induced MIF production was completely inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and PP1, as well as by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X, suggesting that redox-sensitive MIF production is mediated through tyrosine kinase and PKC-dependent mechanisms in HL-1 cells. These results suggest that MIF is upregulated by HL-1 cells in response to redox stress, probably by the activation of Src and PKC.

Experimental study on the atlanto-axial joint and related structures with regional anatomy and medical imaging / Estudio experimental de la articulación atlanto-axial y las estructuras relacionadas con la anatomía regional y la imagen médica

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomy and medical imaging characteristics in a study observing the atlanto-axial joint (AAJ) and related structures. METHODS: Eight cadaveric specimens of the AAJ segment were studied with both anatomical and imaging methods. The vertebral arteries of the AAJ segment (VA-A), the first and second cervical nerves (CN1, CN2) and synovial fold (SF) of the AAJ were observed and measured. RESULT: After extending from the vertebral canal, the CN1 goes between the posterior arch of the atlas and VA-A, and the CN2 passes between the posterior arch of the atlas and axis, and is posterior to VA-A. Among the eight cases, six were found in the SF in the central anterior AAJ and five in lateral. The vertebral arteries of the AAJ segment go along the AAJ with four curves, of which the second and fourth are away from the bone structure of the AAJ. The distance from CN1, CN2 to VA-A and that from the second, fourth curve of VA-A to AAJ is 0.0-2.2 mm, 0.0-3.6 mm and 0.0-4.8 mm, 2.0-7.9 mm respectively. There is no significant difference between the measurements made anatomically and those by the imaging method (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anatomical method has advantages in observing the CN and SF, while the imaging method shows clearly and directly the VA-A and AAJ. Both are mutually complementary with consistent measurements. The combined use of the two provides a new way to study the complicated anatomy in this region.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las características del método anatómico y el uso de la imagen médica en un estudio de observación de la articulación atlanto-axial (AAA) y estructuras relacionadas. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron ocho especimenes cadavéricos del segmento de la AAA tanto con métodos anatómicos como con métodos de imaginología médica. Las arterias vertebrales del segmento de AAA (AV-A), el primer y el segundo nervios cervicales (NC1, NC2) y los pliegues sinoviales (PS) fueron observados y medidos. RESULTADO: Tras de extenderse desde el canal vertebral, el NC1 se extiende entre el arco posterior del atlas, y el NC2 pasa entre el arco posterior del atlas y el axis, y es posterior a las AV-A. Entre los ocho casos, se encontraron seis en los PS en la AAA anterior central, y cinco en la lateral. Las arterias vertebrales del segmento AAA van junto con la AAA con cuatro curvas, de las cuales la segunda y la cuarta están separadas de la estructura ósea de la AAA. La distancia del NC1 y NC2, a las AV-A, y la de la segunda y cuarta curvas de las AV-A a la AAA es 0.0-2.2 mm, 0.0-3.6 mm y 0.0-4.8 mm, 2.0-7.9 mm respectivamente. No hay ninguna diferencia significativa entre las mediciones realizadas anatómicamente y las hechas mediante métodos de imaginología (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIÓN: El método anatómico tiene ventajas al observar el NC y los PS, mientras que el método imaginológico muestra clara y directamente las AV-A y la AAA. Ambos son mutualmente complementarios con las mediciones. El uso combinado de los dos proporciona una nueva manera de estudiar la complicada anatomía de esta región.