KR-31378 protects cardiac H9c2 cells from chemical hypoxia-induced cell death via inhibition of JNK/p38 MAPK activation

Using a metabolic inhibition buffer as an ischemic model, we show here that KR-31378, a cardioselective ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, protects H9c2 cells from chemical hypoxia (CH)-induced cell death. Our previous study showed that CH downregulated caspase activities, but led to differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in H9c2 cells. The repression of CH-induced c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 MAPK activation resulted in partial protection against CH- induced cell death, implying JNK/p38 MAPK's causative role in CH-induced cell death. This study furthers that research and examines if KR-31378's protective effect came from modulating MAPK activity and/or caspase activity in H9c2 cells. Although KR-31378 did not restore downregulated caspase-3 activity, it did block the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK in a dose-dependent manner. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was not recovered by KR-31378 treatment. CH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was suppressed by KR-31378. Thus our results indicate that the cardioprotective effect of KR-31378 in CH is due, at least in part, to the differential inhibition of MAPKs.     

Phosphatase inhibition potentiates IL-6 production by mast cells in response to FcepsilonRI-mediated activation: involvement of p38 MAPK

Mast cells are crucial effector cells in the immune response through mediator secretion and release of cytokines. A coordinated balance between protein kinases and phosphatases plays an essential role in the regulation of mast cell mediator secretion. We have previously shown that treatment of mast cells with okadaic acid (OA), a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor, results in a dose-dependent increase in interleukin (IL)-6 production. We show here for the first time a synergism between OA and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated IL-6 secretion by murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC). Selective p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibition reduces OA and IgE-mediated IL-6 production. Regulation of p38 MAPK by PP2A was demonstrated, as OA treatment caused a dose-dependent increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Antigen-mediated activation of murine mast cells also resulted in an increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which was potentiated by cotreatment of the cells with OA. Lastly, in two mast cell lines (human mast cell-1 5C6 and murine MC/9) and primary-cultured murine BMMC, we show by coimmunoprecipitation an interaction between p38 MAPK and PP2A. These data support a role for PP2A through interaction with p38 MAPK in the regulation of IgE-dependent mast cell activation.     

TPX2通过p38 MAPK信号通路诱导直肠癌HR-8348细胞凋亡

目的:研究下调非洲爪蟾驱动蛋白样蛋白2靶蛋白(TPX2)对直肠癌细胞凋亡的影响及机制。方法:用TPX2小干扰RNA(si RNA)转染直肠癌HR-8348细胞,记为TPX2 si RNA组;以不做转染的细胞作为正常对照(control)组;以转染si RNA阴性对照(si RNA-NC)的细胞作为si RNA-NC组;用p38 MAPK抑制剂处理敲减TPX2表达后的直肠癌HR-8348细胞记为TPX2 si RNA+SB203580组。RT-qPCR和Western blot测定TPX2的表达水平,MTT法测定细胞存活率,流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡,Western blot测定细胞中p38 MAPK、p-p38 MAPK、cleaved caspase-3和Bcl-2的蛋白水平。结果:TPX2 si RNA转染后HR-8348细胞中TPX2的m RNA和蛋白表达水平显著下降(P 0. 05),而转染si RNA-NC对HR-8348细胞中TPX2的m RNA和蛋白水平没有影响。敲减TPX2表达后的直肠癌HR-8348细胞存活率降低,凋亡率升高,细胞中的cleaved caspase-3、p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK蛋白水平明显升高,Bcl-2水平水平降低,与control组比较,差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。与TPX2 si RNA组相比,TPX2 si RNA+SB203580组的HR-8348细胞凋亡率、cleaved caspase-3水平和p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK蛋白水平明显降低,存活率明显升高(P 0. 05)。结论:TPX2表达下调可以通过激活p38 MAPK促进直肠癌HR-8348细胞凋亡。     

p38MAPK信号通路在雨蛙素诱导的胰腺AR42J细胞炎症反应中的作用

目的: 探讨p38 MAPK信号通路在急性胰腺炎体外模型中的作用。方法: AR42J细胞随机分为3组:正常对照组、雨蛙素组(10^-8mol/L雨蛙素)和SB203580组(10 μmol/L SB203580+10^-8mol/L雨蛙素)。于3 h收集细胞,检测淀粉酶分泌率;免疫荧光染色观察p-p38 MAPK核移位;Western blotting印迹检测p-p38 MAPK和TNF-α蛋白表达;EMSA检测NF-κB活性。结果: 与正常对照组比较,雨蛙素组淀粉酶分泌率和TNF-α蛋白水平增高(P<0.01),p-p38 MAPK表达及NF-κB活性表达增加(P<0.01);免疫荧光示雨蛙素组p-p38 MAPK发生了核移位。而与雨蛙素组相比,SB203580组明显降低淀粉酶分泌率和TNF-α蛋白表达(P<0.01),p-p38 MAPK和NF-κB的活性表达也下降(P<0.05);SB203580还抑制了p-p38 MAPK核移位。结论: p38 MAPK通路参与了胰腺细胞内的炎症反应,其机制可能涉及NF-κB通路的活化。     

p38 MAPK signaling mediates retinoic acid-induced CD103 expression in human dendritic cells

Retinoic acid (RA) is an active derivative of vitamin A and a key regulator of immune cell function. In dendritic cells (DCs), RA drives the expression of CD103 (integrin α_E), a functionally relevant DC subset marker. In this study, we analyzed the cell type specificity and the molecular mechanisms involved in RA-induced CD103 expression. We show that RA treatment caused a significant up-regulation of CD103 in differentiated monocyte-derived DCs and blood DCs, but not in differentiated monocyte-derived macrophages or T cells. DC treatment with an RA receptor α (RARα) agonist led to an increase in CD103 expression similar to that in RA treatment, whereas RARA gene silencing with small interfering RNA blocked RA-induced up-regulation of CD103, pointing to a major role of RARα in the regulation of CD103 expression. To elucidate RA-induced signaling downstream of RARα, we used Western blot analysis of RA-treated DCs and showed a significant increase of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. In addition, DCs cultured with RA and a p38 MAPK inhibitor had a significantly reduced expression of CD103 compared with DCs cultured with RA only, indicating that p38 MAPK is involved in CD103 regulation. In summary, these findings suggest that the RA-induced expression of CD103 is specific to DCs, is mediated primarily through RARα and involves p38 MAPK signaling.     

屋尘螨提取物激活气道上皮细胞EphA2-STAT3/p38 MAPK信号通路介导气道炎症

目的 探讨受体酪氨酸激酶肝配蛋白A型受体2(EphA2)对屋尘螨提取物(HDM)诱导气道上皮细胞表达炎症细胞因子的作用及其机制.方法 用EphA2小干扰RNA(siRNA)转染气道上皮细胞株16HBE细胞建立EphA2敲减的细胞模型,HDM刺激16HBE细胞后,采用实时定量PCR检测EphA2、白细胞介素6(IL-6)...     

p38 MAPK as a negative regulator of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in serum deprived human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells

Evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediates neuroprotection to prevent an apoptotic cell death. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is implicated as an important mediator of neuronal apoptosis but its role in VEGF-mediated neuroprotection is unclear. Herein, we show that treatments with the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB202190, enhanced VEGF-mediated survival in serum deprived SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells by decreasing caspase-3/7 activation while increasing the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and Akt signaled through the VEGF receptor, VEGFR2. A blockade of VEGFR2 signaling with a selective inhibitor, SU1498 or gene silencing with VEGFR2 siRNA in SB202190 treated cells abrogated this prosurvival response and induced high activation levels of caspase-3/7. These findings suggested that the protection elicited by p38 MAPK inhibition in serum starved cells was dependent on a functional VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway. However, p38 MAPK inhibition attenuated caspase-3 cleavage in SU1498/SB202190 treated cells, indicating that p38 MAPK and caspase-3 only contributed in part to the total levels of caspase-3/7 induced by VEGFR2 inhibition. Pretreatments with the pan caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, prevented the apoptosis induced by VEGFR2 inhibition and promoted survival in serum starved cells irrespective of p38 MAPK inhibition. Collectively, our findings suggest that p38 MAPK exerts a negative effect on VEGF-mediated signaling through VEGFR2 in serum starved neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, VEGF signals protection against a caspase-mediated cell death that is regulated by p38 MAPK-dependent and -independent mechanisms.     

Age-associated changes in SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK signaling in response to the generation of ROS by 3-nitropropionic acid

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a major source of oxidative stress in aged tissues. In this study we asked whether activities of components of the SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK stress response signaling pathways are indicative of oxidative stress in aged mouse livers and whether these pathways are responsive to oxidative stress generated by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), an inhibitor of complex II (succinic dehydrogenase). We asked whether (a) aging affects the basal activity of the SAPK/JNK stress signaling pathway; (b) specific isoforms of JNK, i.e. 46 or 54 kDa JNKs are activated by 3-NPA; (c) aging affects the response of this signaling pathway to 3-NPA; (d) there is a cross pathway activation of JNK or p38 MAPK by upstream activators. Our studies have shown that although their protein pool levels are not altered, the basal JNK activities using c-Jun as substrate is elevated. Furthermore, in aged livers, JNK activity is induced to a greater extent and takes longer to recover from 3-NPA treatment. The activities of the upstream activators of JNKs, MAP kinase kinase (MKK) 4 and 7, are also elevated in livers of aged C57BL/6 male mice. These activator kinases, which are induced (phosphorylated) by 3-NPA in young livers, are not inducible by this inhibitor in aged livers. In fact, these proteins are highly phosphorylated in the control aged livers and are dephosphorylated in response to 3-NPA. Finally, we demonstrate for the first time that MKK7 serves as an upstream activator of p38 MAPK and that MKK3 and MKK6 activates 54 kDa JNK2 in aged liver. Our studies suggest that failure to respond to 3-NPA may be indicative of the susceptibility of aged tissue to oxidative stress, supporting our hypothesis that aged tissues (especially liver) develop a state of chronic stress even in the absence of a challenge.     

二甲双胍抑制p38MAPK/ATF2信号通路改善糖尿病大鼠认知功能障碍

目的 探索二甲双胍对糖尿病大鼠认知功能障碍的保护作用,探讨p38 MAPK/ATF2信号通路的作用。方法 30只SD大鼠随机分成空白组、模型组及二甲双胍组,每组10只。除空白组外均给予高糖高脂饲料,50 d后腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ, 30 mg/kg）建立2型糖尿病脑病模型。模型制备成功后,二甲双胍组大鼠腹腔注射100 mg/kg二甲双胍,连续给药6周,空白组和模型组给予等体积蒸馏水。Morris水迷宫检测各组大鼠认知能力;HE染色观察海马区形态学变化;TUNEL染色检测神经元凋亡;Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2、Cleaved-caspase3以及p38 MAPK、p-p38 MAPK、ATF2蛋白的表达情况。结果 二甲双胍组大鼠逃避潜伏期明显缩短,目标象限停留时间延长,穿越平台次数相应增加,海马区神经细胞结构改善、神经元凋亡数量显著降低,Bax/Bcl-2比值和Cleaved-caspase3蛋白表达水平显著降低,二甲双胍还能够抑制p-p38 MAPK、ATF2蛋白的表达。结论 二甲双胍改善糖尿病大鼠认知功能,与抑制p38 MAPK/ATF2信号通路有关。     

p38MAPK信号通路与应力介导成肌细胞的凋亡

背景：在体内条件下,细胞力学的功能研究因其所处生理环境的复杂性、实验条件的不易控制而很难得到满意结果。 目的：在成功构建成肌细胞体外培养-力学刺激模型的基础上,研究p38MAPK信号通路在成肌细胞凋亡中的作用及其机制。 方法：将体外培养的C2C12细胞分为对照组和SB203580组,SB203580组中加入  20 mmol/L的p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580。应用细胞应力加载装置Flecell Strain Unit-5000T给细胞提供15%的力值,分别施加0,6,12,24 h的周期性张应力。每分钟10个循环,每循环包括3 s牵张,3 s松弛。Hoechst 33258染色观察细胞的形态学变化;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况;RT-PCR法检测促凋亡基因bax mRNA的表达;Western blot检测信号通路中p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：随着加力时间的延长,细胞逐渐出现核固缩及凋亡小体,凋亡率增加(P < 0.05),bax mRNA表达增多(P < 0.05);细胞p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白均在加力6 h达到最低,此后逐渐升高。p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580可抑制加力引起的细胞凋亡,减少bax mRNA及p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达(P < 0.05)。说明p38MAPK信号通路在应力介导的成肌细胞凋亡中起到重要的作用。     

Over-expression of caveolin-1 aggravate LPS-induced inflammatory response in AT-1 cells via up-regulation of cPLA2/p38 MAPK

Objective and design

The aim of this study was to study the effect of caveolin-1 on the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in mouse lung alveolar type-1 cells' (AT-1 cells) inflammatory response induced by LPS.

Materials and methods

Gene clone technique was used to over-express caveolin-1 in AT-1 cells by lentivirus vector. The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), cPLA2, p38 MAPK and NF-κB was measured by ELISA, western blotting and EMSA.

Treatment

AT-1 cells were treated with LPS.

Results

Over-expression of caveolin-1 not only increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-6, but also enhanced the expression of the cPLA2, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that over-expression of caveolin-1 aggravates the AT-1 injury induced by LPS, involving in modulation of the cPLA2 mediated by the cPLA2/p38 MAPK pathway.     

Ubiquitin-like polypeptide inhibits cAMP-induced p38 MAPK activation in Th2 cells

Ubi-L, an isoform of the monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor (MNSF), is an 8.5-kDa ubiquitin-like polypeptide. Ubi-L exhibits an antigen-nonspecific immunosuppressive function on various target cells including murine T helper type 2 (Th2) clone, D10 cells. Ubi-L specifically binds to cell surface receptors on D10 cells. In this study, we observed that Ubi-L inhibited cAMP-induced IL-5 mRNA expression in D10 cells but not in thymoma cell line EL4. In addition, Ubi-L effectively inhibited cAMP-induced p38 MAPK activation in D10 cells. Ubi-L also showed inhibitory activity on IL-5 and IL-13 production by D10 cells stimulated with phorbol ester plus dibutyryl cAMP. Furthermore, Ubi-L inhibited IL-4 production in Th2 cells derived from primary CD4⁺ T cells.     

活性氧与丝裂原激活蛋白激酶通路的相互作用介导高糖引起的心肌细胞损伤

目的探讨活性氧(ROS)与丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路的相互作用在高糖损伤H9c2心肌细胞中的作用。方法应用细胞计数盒(CCK-8)检测细胞存活率;Hoechst 33258核染色检测凋亡细胞形态及数量的改变;双氯荧光素(DCFH-DA)染色荧光显微镜照相检测细胞内ROS水平;Western blot测定蛋白质表达水平。结果高糖(35 mmol/L葡萄糖)处理H9c2心肌细胞24 h可引起明显的损伤,表现为细胞存活率下降,凋亡细胞数量及ROS水平明显升高。另方面,高糖可明显地上调磷酸化(p)p38MAPK、细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶1/2(ERK1/2)及c-Jun N端激酶(JNK)(为MAPK家族的3个成员)的表达水平。N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC,为ROS清除剂)能抑制高糖引起的心肌细胞毒性和细胞凋亡,也能阻断高糖对p-p38MAPK、p-ERK1/2及p-JNK表达的上调作用。此外,p38MAPK、ERK1/2和JNK的选择性抑制剂均能抑制高糖引起的心肌损伤,并能抑制ROS生成增多。结论在高糖损伤H9c2心肌细胞中,存在ROS与MAPK通路的正相互作用,这种相互作用可能在高糖引起的心肌细胞损伤中起着重要的作用。     

利拉鲁肽通过p38 MAPK通路改善高同型半胱氨酸血症诱导的大鼠海马氧化应激及炎症损伤

目的:探讨胰高血糖素样肽1(GLP-1)类似物利拉鲁肽(Lir)对高同型半胱氨酸血症(Hhcy)大鼠海马损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法:40只SD大鼠随机分为对照(Ctrl)组、模型(Hhcy)组、Lir低剂量(12.5μg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1))组、Lir中剂量(25.0μg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1))组和Lir高剂量(37.5μg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1))组,采用Western blot法检测大鼠海马组织内丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路中p38、JNK和ERK1/2的蛋白表达及活性依赖的磷酸化水平,同时采用Western blot和免疫组织化学法检测内质网应激标志蛋白免疫球蛋白重链结合蛋白(BIP)和C/EBP同源蛋白(CHOP)的表达水平;采用酶标法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量;酶联免疫吸附法检测炎症因子白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平。结果:Hhcy可明显上调p-p38、BIP和CHOP的蛋白表达量,降低SOD和GSH的活性,升高MDA含量及IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平;腹腔注射Lir可浓度依赖性地改善Hhcy引起的上述内质网应激和炎症反应,并伴有p38 MAPK通路的抑制。结论:Lir可改善Hhcy诱导的大鼠海马组织氧化应激和炎症损伤,其机制可能与抑制p38 MAPK信号通路的过度激活有关。     

Serum amyloid A induces CCL20 secretion in mononuclear cells through MAPK (p38 and ERK1/2) signaling pathways

Although the serum levels of SAA had been reported to be upregulated during inflammatory/infectious process, the role of this acute-phase protein has not been completely elucidated. In previous studies, we demonstrated that SAA stimulated the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, NO, and ROS by neutrophils and/or mononuclear cells. Herein we demonstrate that SAA induces the expression and release of CCL20 from cultured human blood mononuclear cells. We also focus on the signaling pathways triggered by SAA. In THP-1 cells SAA promotes phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2. Furthermore, the addition of SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) and PD98059 (ERK 1/2 inhibitor) inhibits the expression and release of CCL20 in mononuclear cells treated with SAA. Our results point to SAA as an important link of innate to adaptive immunity, once it might act on the recruitment of mononuclear cells.     

P38 MAPK信号通路参与BMP-13诱导C3H10T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞分化

 目的 探讨P38MAPK对BMP-13诱导C3H10T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞分化的影响。方法 实验4个部分分组如下：1.BMP-13腺病毒（Ad-BMP-13）对P38MAPK的作用：Ad-BMP-13转染组、Ad-GFP转染组和C3H10空白组。Western blot检测磷酸化P38MAPK（p-P38MAPK）和总P38MAPK（t-P38MAPK）的表达变化,免疫荧光技术定位p-P38MAPK;2.P38MAPK干扰腺病毒（Ad-si-P38）对P38MAPK的作用：si-P38干扰组、si-NC干扰对照组和C3H10空白组。Western blot检测t-P38MAPK的表达;3.Ad-si-P38阻断P38MAPK后对BMP-13诱导分化的影响：si-P38+Ad-BMP-13转染组、si-NC+Ad-BMP-13转染组、si-NC+Ad-GFP转染组和C3H10空白组。Western blot检测cTnT和Cx43的表达,荧光定量PCR检测GATA-4和MEF-2C的mRNA表达;4.SB203580阻断P38MAPK后对BMP-13诱导分化的影响： DMSO+Ad-BMP-13转染组、SB203580(2、5和10μmol/L)+Ad-BMP-13转染组 。荧光定量PCR检测GATA-4和MEF-2C的mRNA表达。结果 BMP-13促进P38MAPK的磷酸化。Ad-si-P38可以有效降低P38MAPK表达水平。Ad-si-P38阻断P38MAPK后BMP-13诱导组cTnT、Cx43表达有明显降低（P<0.05）,GATA-4和MEF-2C的表达也有显著降低（P<0.05）。随P38MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580浓度增加,BMP-13诱导组GATA-4和MEF-2C的表达降低（P<0.05）。结论 Ad-BMP-13可以通过激活P38MAPK信号通路来调控C3H10T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞分化。     

Protective effect of sauchinone against regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: inhibition of p38 MAPK and JNK death signaling pathways

Sauchinone has been known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We determined whether sauchinone is beneficial in regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Rats were subjected to 20 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 2 hr reperfusion. Sauchinone (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before the onset of ischemia. The infarct size was measured 2 hr after resuming the perfusion. The expression of cell death kinases (p38 and JNK) and reperfusion injury salvage kinases (phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinases-Akt, extra-cellular signal-regulated kinases [ERK1/2])/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β was determined 5 min after resuming the perfusion. Sauchinone significantly reduced the infarct size (29.0% ± 5.3% in the sauchinone group vs 44.4% ± 6.1% in the control, P < 0.05). Accordingly, the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was significantly attenuated, while that of ERK1/2, Akt and GSK-3β was not affected. It is suggested that sauchinone protects against regional myocardial I/R injury through inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 and JNK death signaling pathways.     

神经病理性疼痛中星形胶质细胞被激活后的p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导通路

目的:探索神经性病理痛中星形胶质细胞被激活后的p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)信号转导通路.方法:SD大鼠分为坐骨神经慢性结扎模型组(CCI组)和假手术组(Sham组),并于术前ld和术后1、3、7、14d取第4～5腰段脊髓做石蜡切片,免疫荧光组织化学标记p38MAPK的表达,免疫荧光双标技术检测其与脊髓神经细胞之间的关系.结果:CCI组术后术侧脊髓背角p38MAPK免疫阳性细胞数量增多;p38MAPK平均荧光强度明显增高并在术后第7天显示为最高.p38MAPK和小胶质细胞在CCI组脊髓背角术侧的分布有较好的一致性.结论:在神经病理性疼痛巾,p38MAPK信号转导通路被激活但未参与星形胶质细胞的痛觉信号转导.