Objective To investigate influence of genders on the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lungs of endotoxemic rats. Methods Twenty female and 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as follow: female control group (n=10), male control group (n=10), male endotoxemic group (n=10), and female endotoxemic group (n=10). The endotoxemic rats model was made by injecting lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg) into the abdominal cavity. Tissue samples were collected from the lungs in different groups and electrophoresis mobility shift assay was used to measure the activity of NF-κB. The levels of serum TNF-α and estrogen were measured at the same time. Results There was no significant difference between the activities of NF-κB in male and female control groups (1.33±0.24 vs 1.47±0.40）, and there was also no significant difference between other items in these groups as well (Pgt;0.05). Yet, the activity of NF-κB (female: 12.10±2.89; male: 19.53±2.12) and the level of TNF-α 〔female: (4.10±0.72) ng/ml; male: (6.37±1.29) ng/ml〕 were significantly increased after injection of lipopolysaccharide (Plt;0.01), and the indices in female group were significantly lower than those in male group (Plt;0.01). Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive relation between the activity of NF-κB in lungs and the level of TNF-α (female: r=0.921 1, P=0.013; male: r=0.907 2, P=0.017), and there was a negative correlation between the activity of NF-κB and the level of estrogen (female: r=-0.887 5, P=0.017; male: r=0.872 3, P=0.022) in both male endotoxemic group and female endotoxemic group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Gender may be one of the factors that influence the activity of NF-κB in the lungs of endotoxemic rats. While on the other hand, endogenous estrogen may protect the lungs of endotoxemic rats from injury by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB.
Objective To observe the effects of exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS) on ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) in rats, and to investigate its possible mechanisms. Methods A total of 40 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups with randomized blocks method: control group, high tidal volume (HV) group, VILI group, and PS group, with 10 rats in each group. The control group was subjected to identical surgical procedure but was never ventilated. After 30 min of mechanical ventilation (MV) with Vt 45 ml/kg, the rats in HV group were killed immediately; rats in the VILI group were continually ventilated for up to 150 min with Vt 16 ml/kg; in the PS group, 100 mg/kg of PS administered intratracheally and with the same settings as VILI group. Mean artery pressure (MAP), blood gas analysis, lung wet to dry weight ratios (W/D), thorax-lung compliance, and cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. Nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) activity in lungs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), interleukin-8(IL-8) in serum and BALF was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Pathological examination of the lung was performed. Results Injurious ventilation significantly decreased MAP and PaO2/FiO2, but increased NF-κB activity and W/D. MAP and PaO2/FiO2 improved, but NF-κB activity, IL-8 in serum and BALF, and cell counts in BALF reduced significantly in PS group compared with those in VILI group. Histological studies showed reduced pulmonary edema and atelectasis in the PS group. Conclusion PS administered intratracheally can suppress the increased activity of NF-κB induced by VILI, exogenous PS can be used to treat VILI.
Behcet's Disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis characterized by disease alternated with recurrent episodes and remissions, involving genital, oral, ocular uvea, cutaneous, and articular manifestations. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway paly an important role in the BD progression. It encompasses diverse gene, protein, and cellular regulatory mechanisms operating across various levels, alongside microbiological and experimental studies involving animals and cells. At the protein research findings, activation of the NF-κB pathway in BD patients is marked by elevated plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand, which stimulates neutrophils to release reactive oxygen species and extracellular traps, thereby promoting inflammation. At the cellular research findings, macrophages in BD patients polarize towards classically activated macrophages phenotype through the NF-κB pathway, exacerbating the inflammatory response. The activation of NF-κB is associated with increased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins in T cells, leading to prolonged inflammation. Microbiological investigations reveal that the decreased gut microbiota diversity in BD patients compromises intestinal barrier integrity. NF-κB pathway involvement in regulating neutrophil and type 1 helper T cell (Th) 1/Th17 cell function worsens inflammation. Genetically, BD patients exhibit polymorphisms in immune regulatory genes, which contribute to inflammation through the NF-κB pathway. Mutations in NF-κB-associated genes elevate the risk of BD, while mutations in the endogenous inhibitor A20 lead to abnormal NF-κB activity, sustaining inflammation. Animal experiments and in vitro experiments corroborate the efficacy of NF-κB inhibitors in attenuating inflammation. Targeting upstream inflammatory factors within the NF-κB pathway yields positive outcomes in BD patients. In summary, the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of BD. Developing NF-κB inhibitors may open new avenues for treating BD. Further research is necessary to comprehensively elucidate the precise mechanisms by which NF-κB operates in the pathogenesis of BD, as well as its potential clinical applications in therapy.
Objective To observed the effect of IL-1β on expression of caudal-related homeobox gene 1 (CDX1) mRNA and mucoprotein 2 (MUC2) mRNA in cultured human gastric epithelial cells GES-1, and to investigate the underlying signal transduction pathways. Methods ①GES-1 cell was activated with IL-1β of different concentrations and time, the expression levels of CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA were detected by using real-time PCR. ②GES-1 cell was pretreated with PDTC, a NF-κB inhibitor, for 1 h prior to the addition of IL-1β, then the expressions of CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA were measured. Results Both CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA were not examined in GES-1 cell under normal culture conditions. But they could be induced by IL-1β with a dose-dependent manner in a concentration range (P＜0.05); 8 h after treatment with IL-1β, the peak values of the expression levels of CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA were reached (P＜0.05), then declined gradually. When pre-incubated with NF-κB inhibitor PDTC, the expression levels of CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA were significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusion IL-1β significantly induces the expressions of CDX1 mRNA and MUC2 mRNA in cultured human gastric epithelial cell GES-1 through the NF-κB signal pathway, which indicates that IL-1β plays a role in the process of intestinal metaplasia.
Objective To explore effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitor ISO-1 on intestinal injury in acute necrotic pancreatitis in pregnancy (ANPIP) rat. Methods Twenty-four pregnant SD rats were randomly averagely divided into three groups: a sham operation (SO) group, an ANP group, and an ANP model plus ISO-1 treatment group (ISO-1 group). A rat model of ANP was induced by the retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. The rats were killed and the inferior vena cava blood and the tissues of pancreas and jejunum were harvested at 12 h after the operation. The serum amylase (AMY), lipase (LIP), diamine oxidase (DAO), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels were measured. The pancreatic and jejunal tissues were taken for the pathological examination scoring. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of the MIF, nuclear factor (NK)-κB, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α protein. Results ① Compared with the SO group, the serum AMY, LIP, DAO, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were increased in the ANP group (P<0.050), which in the ISO-1 group were decreased as compared with the ANP group, the DAO, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels had significant differences (P<0.050), but the AMY and LIP levels had no significant differences (P>0.050). ② The pathological points of the pancreas and jejunum tissues were increased in the ANP group as compared with the SO group, which were significantly decreased in the ISO-1 group as compared with the ANP group (P<0.050). ③ The average integrated optical density divide by area of the NF-κB,TNF-α, and MIF were significantly increased in the ANP group as compared with the SO group, which were significantly decreased in the ISO-1 group as compared with the ANPgroup (P<0.050). Conclusions MIF inhibitor ISO-1 could protect intestinal injury in ANPIP rat. It is suggested that MIF is one of mechanisms in ANPIP with intestinal injury and might be correlated with activities of TNF-α and NF-κB.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in hydrochloric acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice.MethodsWild-type mice (WT) and PSGL-1 knockout mice (PSGL-1 -/-) were randomly subjected to normal saline (NS) or hydrochloric acid (HCl) challenged group. The mice were intratracheally instilled with NS or HCl (1 μl/g weight) into the left lung with a catheter. After 2 hours, respiratory function index enhanced pause (Penh), PaO2 and PaO2 were analyzed. The wet to dry weight ratio (W/D) of the left lung and total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The number of leukocytes in BALF was counted too. Targeted lung tissue was processed for further HE or immunohistochemistry staining. Meanwhile, the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), IκBa and p-IκBa in lung tissue were measured.ResultsThe Penh (4.77±1.22 vs. 5.80±0.84) and PaCO2 [(63.7±3.9) mm Hg vs. (74.4±7.4) mm Hg] in the PSGL-1 knockout mice were significantly lower than those in the WT mice after HCl stimulation (P<0.05), while the PaO2 was higher than that in the WT mice [(81.0±7.1) mm Hg vs. (62.0±8.9) mm Hg, P<0.05)]. The lung W/D ratio (4.86±0.15 vs. 5.22±0.20), protein concentration [(3.71±0.64) μg/μl vs. (4.74±0.98) μg/μl] and total leukocyte count [(13.00±2.18) ×107/L vs. (49.42±3.35) ×107/L] in BALF were significantly lower in the PSGL-1 knockout mice challenged with HCl than those in the WT mice (P<0.05). Besides, the protein expressions of IL-6, IL-1β, p65 and p-IκBa in the PSGL-1 knockout mice were lower than those in the WT mice after HCl instillation, while the IκBa expression was higher than that in the WT mice (P<0.05). More numbers of neutrophils and macrophages were found in the lung of the WT mice than the PSGL-1 knockout mice challenged with HCl. However, the differences of above values between the WT mice and the PSGL-1 knockout mice instilled with NS were not found, all of which were significantly lower than the correspongding HCl group except for IκBa (P<0.05).ConclusionPSGL-1 may play important roles in the development of HCl-induced ALI via the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible protective effect of zerumbone on pancreatic injury in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats, and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention and treatmen of severe acute pancreatitis. MethodsSeventy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group (NC group, n=10), SAP group (n=40), Zerumbone pretreatment group (ZER group, n=10), and Zerumbone drug control group (ZER-CON group, n=10). Rats of SAP group were divided into four time points of 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h (n=10 each time point). SAP models were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (0.1 mL/100 g) in biliopancreatic duct in SAP group and ZER group. Rats were injected isotonic saline solution instead of taurocholate as a control in NC group and ZER-CON group. Zerumbone solution (10 mg/kg) was administered via femoral vein half an hour prior to establishing models in ZER group and ZER-CON group. All rats except SAP group were sacrificed at 12 h time point after the induction of SAP. The rats in SAP group were sacrificed at 1 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h time point after induction of SAP. The mortality, ascites, serum amylase (AMY), phospholipase, and pathological examination of pancreas were observated or detected. The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in pancreatic tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry assay. ResultsThere were no difference of the levels of mortality, ascites, serum AMY, phospholipase, pathological examination, and NF-κB p65 location expression of pancreas between the ZER-CON group and NC group (P>0.05). The above indexes in SAP group were significantly higher than those in NC group (P<0.05). However, those in ZER group were significantly lower than in SAP group (P<0.05), and higher than in NC group (P<0.05). ConclusionsZerumbone can reduce the mortality and ascites, effectively alleviate the enzyme, pathological injury, and NF-κB p65 location expression in pancreatic tissue following SAP. It may indicate that zerumbone can protect pancreatic injury in SAP via NF-κB pathway.
Objective To investigate the expression changes of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the cultured hepatocellular carcinoma cells 9204 (HCC9204) transfected with inhibitory kappa B alpha（IκB-α)vector. Methods After pcDNA3-IκB-α vector and pcDNA3 were transfected into HCC9204 by lipofectamine method, Western-blot and RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expressions of NF-κB and MMP-9. Migration and invasion of tumor cells were assayed by fundus membrane invaded by them. Results When pcDNA3-IκB-α was transfected into HCC9204, the expression of NF-κB was decreased at the protein level, and the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and the invision and metastasis ability of transfected cells were obviously decreased. Conclusion When the activity of NF-κB is inhibited, the ability of invasion and metastasis in HCC9204 cells decrease, which could be related to the decreased the expression of MMP-9.
Objective To observe the protective effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on high-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) induced increased permeability of endothelial cells, and investigate the protective mechanism of UFH on HMGB1 induced defective expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Methods Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were culturedin vitro and divided into 4 groups (n=5), namely a control group, a HMGB1 group (100 ng/ml), a heparin group (UFH 10 U/ml), a HMGB1/heparin group (100 ng/ml HMGB1 + UFH 10 U/ml). Endothelial cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method. Endothelial permeability was determination by Transwell chamber method. Immunofluorescence and laser confocal microscopy were used to assess the distribution of ZO-1. The protein expressions of tight junction protein ZO-1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were detected by Western blot. Results HMGB1 (100 ng/ml) had no inhibitory effect on endothelial cell viability (P＞0.05). UFH pretreatment could reduce the permeability increment of endothelial cells induced by HMGB1. UFH pretreatment could reduce the close loop reduction and damage of ZO-1 induced by HMGB1, enhance the fluorescence intensity and expression of ZO-1, and decrease the NF-κB translocation. Conclusions UFH can protect HMGB1-mediated defect of ZO-1 expression and increased permeability of the endothelial cells. The mechanism may be related to the decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB.
Objective To observe the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the proliferation, adhesion, invasiveness and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression and explore related mechanisms in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods Cell invasion assay, proliferation assay and adhesion assay were used to examine the proliferation, adhesion and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells, respectively. NF-κB activity was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and MMPs protein and mRNA expressions were investigated by gelatin zymography, Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results EGF increased the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cell in a dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05), but did not affect cell proliferation or adhesion. The expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and protein significantly increased after induction by EGF and were highest when EGF concentration was 50 ng/ml, while there was no effect on the expressions of MMP-2 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, NF-κB activity increased with increased concentration of EGF in a concentration-dependent manner (P＜0.05). In addition, NF-κB activity and the expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and protein by pretreatment with both pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and EGF decreased when compared that by pretreatment with EGF alone. The invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cell by pretreatment with both PDTC and EGF decreased when compared that by pretreatment with EGF alone and nothing (P＜0.05).Conclusion The findings indicate that the NF-κB-mediated MMP-9 induction is essential for EGF-induced invasiveness in pancreatic cancer cells, which can be inhibited by PDTC.