Effects of berberine and red yeast on proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity is a condition associated with chronic or acute inflammatory response characterized by an increase of proinflammatory cytokine levels. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) migrate in adipose tissue inducing synthesis and secretion of adipocytokines as IL-6 and TNF-α. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of berberine (a natural alkaloid) and red yeast (a natural antioxidant) on IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines release and gene expression, in circulating lipopolisaccarides (LPS) stimulated PBMCs. METHODS AND RESULTS: PBMCs isolated from whole blood of healthy donors were stimulated with LPS to induce cytokines production; simultaneously cells were treated with increasing doses of berberine and red yeast. The substances were administered alone or in association. IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels in the culture medium and their mRNA levels were assessed by ELISA and real time PCR, respectively. Berberine and red yeast treatment prevented the LPS induction of IL-6 release in the culture medium of PBMCs. In addition, berberine plus red yeast treatment showed a synergic inhibitory effect on IL-6 release at low concentration. Berberine and red yeast showed an inhibitory effect also on LPS induction of TNF-α release exerting a synergic effect mainly at high concentrations. On the contrary, berberine and red yeast did not significantly affect IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels induced by LPS. In this case, only concomitant treatment of PBMCs with high doses of berberine and red yeast inhibits LPS induced IL-6 or TNF-α mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that both berberine and red yeast were able to carry out anti-inflammatory action through an inhibition of proinflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α protein release. Moreover, when given in combination these substances were able to inhibit IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in PBMCs activated by LPS. Therefore, these substances could represent a useful pharmacological treatment to reduce the proinflammatory status accompanied with obesity.

Validation of microarray data in human lymphoblasts shows a role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and NF-kB in the pathogenesis of Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome (DS) is a complex disorder caused by the trisomy of either the entire, or a critical region of chromosome 21 (21q22.1-22.3). Despite representing the most common cause of mental retardation, the molecular bases of the syndrome are still largely unknown. METHODS: To better understand the pathogenesis of DS, we analyzed the genome-wide transcription profiles of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from six DS and six euploid individuals and investigated differential gene expression and pathway deregulation associated with trisomy 21. Connectivity map and PASS-assisted exploration were used to identify compounds whose molecular signatures counteracted those of DS lymphoblasts and to predict their therapeutic potential. An experimental validation in DS LCLs and fetal fibroblasts was performed for the most deregulated GO categories, i.e. the ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and the NF-kB cascade. RESULTS: We show, for the first time, that the level of protein ubiquitination is reduced in human DS cell lines and that proteasome activity is increased in both basal conditions and oxidative microenvironment. We also provide the first evidence that NF-kB transcription levels, a paradigm of gene expression control by ubiquitin-mediated degradation, is impaired in DS due to reduced IkB-alfa ubiquitination, increased NF-kB inhibitor (IkB-alfa) and reduced p65 nuclear fraction. Finally, the DSCR1/DYRK1A/NFAT genes were analysed. In human DS LCLs, we confirmed the presence of increased protein levels of DSCR1 and DYRK1A, and showed that the levels of the transcription factor NFATc2 were decreased in DS along with a reduction of its nuclear translocation upon induction of calcium fluxes. CONCLUSIONS: The present work offers new perspectives to better understand the pathogenesis of DS and suggests a rationale for innovative approaches to treat some pathological conditions associated to DS.

Computational analysis and in vivo validation of a microRNA encoded by the IBTK gene, a regulator of B-lymphocytes differentiation and survival.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded RNA molecules that play an essential role in the regulation of gene expression and cell physiology. Gene rearrangements occurring in the miRNA sequence are associated with cancer. The IBTK genetic locus is located in the genomic sequence 6q14.1 that undergoes chromosomal aberration in lymphoproliferative disorders. The IBTK gene encodes the proteins IBtk-alpha, beta and gamma that regulate the B cell receptor signalling through Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which promotes B cell survival and differentiation. Pro-MirII-based analysis predicted four precursors of microRNAs (pre-miR) encoded by introns 17, 21, 26 and the 3' un-translated region of the IBTK gene. Pre-miR-IBTK3, which was encoded by intron 26, was the effective substrate of RNase III Dicer in vitro as well as the precursor of an IBtk miRNA generated in vivo. By CLUSTALW-based analysis, pre-miR-IBTK3 homologues were found in Pan troglodytes, Pongo pygmaeus and Macaca mulatta, suggesting an evolutionary conserved function in primates.

Physical and functional characterization of the genetic locus of IBtk, an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase: evidence for three protein isoforms of IBtk.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for B-cell development. Btk deficiency causes X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Btk lacks a negative regulatory domain and may rely on cytoplasmic proteins to regulate its activity. Consistently, we identified an inhibitor of Btk, IBtk, which binds to the PH domain of Btk and down-regulates the Btk kinase activity. IBtk is an evolutionary conserved protein encoded by a single genomic sequence at 6q14.1 cytogenetic location, a region of recurrent chromosomal aberrations in lymphoproliferative disorders; however, the physical and functional organization of IBTK is unknown. Here, we report that the human IBTK locus includes three distinct mRNAs arising from complete intron splicing, an additional polyadenylation signal and a second transcription start site that utilizes a specific ATG for protein translation. By northern blot, 5'RACE and 3'RACE we identified three IBTKalpha, IBTKbeta and IBTKgamma mRNAs, whose transcription is driven by two distinct promoter regions; the corresponding IBtk proteins were detected in human cells and mouse tissues by specific antibodies. These results provide the first characterization of the human IBTK locus and may assist in understanding the in vivo function of IBtk.

Heat shock induces preferential translation of ERGIC-53 and affects its recycling pathway.

ERGIC-53 is a lectin-like transport receptor protein, which recirculates between the ER and the Golgi complex and is required for the intracellular transport of a restricted number of glycoproteins. We show in this article that ERGIC-53 accumulates during the heat shock response. However, at variance with the unfolded protein response, which results in enhanced transcription of ERGIC-53 mRNA, heat shock leads only to enhanced translation of ERGIC-53 mRNA. In addition, the half-life of the protein does not change during heat shock. Therefore, distinct signal pathways of the cell stress response modulate the ERGIC-53 protein level. Heat shock also affects the recycling pathway of ERGIC-53. The protein rapidly redistributes in a more peripheral area of the cell, in a vesicular compartment that has a lighter sedimentation density on sucrose gradient in comparison to the compartment that contains the majority of ERGIC-53 at 37 degrees C. This effect is specific, as no apparent reorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum, intermediate compartment and Golgi complex is morphologically detectable in the cells exposed to heat shock. Moreover, the anterograde transport of two unrelated reporter proteins is not affected. Interestingly, MCFD2, which interacts with ERGIC-53 to form a complex required for the ER-to-Golgi transport of specific proteins, is regulated similarly to ERGIC-53 in response to cell stress. These results support the view that ERGIC-53 alone, or in association with MCFD2, plays important functions during cellular response to stress conditions.