Sendai Virus V Protein Inhibits the Secretion of Interleukin-1ß by Preventing NLRP3 Inflammasome Assembly.

Inflammasomes play a key role in host innate immune responses to viral infection by caspase-1 (Casp-1) activation to facilitate interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) secretion, which contributes to the host antiviral defense. The NLRP3 inflammasome consists of the cytoplasmic sensor molecule NLRP3, adaptor protein ASC, and effector protein pro-caspase-1 (pro-Casp-1). NLRP3 and ASC promote pro-Casp-1 cleavage, leading to IL-1ß maturation and secretion. However, as a countermeasure, viral pathogens have evolved virulence factors to antagonize inflammasome pathways. Here we report that V gene knockout Sendai virus [SeV V(-)] induced markedly greater amounts of IL-1ß than wild-type SeV in infected THP1 macrophages. Deficiency of NLRP3 in cells inhibited SeV V(-)-induced IL-1ß secretion, indicating an essential role for NLRP3 in SeV V(-)-induced IL-1ß activation. Moreover, SeV V protein inhibited the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasomes, including NLRP3-dependent ASC oligomerization, NLRP3-ASC association, NLRP3 self-oligomerization, and intermolecular interactions between NLRP3 molecules. Furthermore, a high correlation between the NLRP3-binding capacity of V protein and the ability to block inflammasome complex assembly was observed. Therefore, SeV V protein likely inhibits NLRP3 self-oligomerization by interacting with NLRP3 and inhibiting subsequent recruitment of ASC to block NLRP3-dependent ASC oligomerization, in turn blocking full activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and thus blocking IL-1ß secretion. Notably, the inhibitory action of SeV V protein on NLRP3 inflammasome activation is shared by other paramyxovirus V proteins, such as Nipah virus and human parainfluenza virus type 2. We thus reveal a mechanism by which paramyxovirus inhibits inflammatory responses by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome complex assembly and IL-1ß activation.IMPORTANCE The present study demonstrates that the V protein of SeV, Nipah virus, and human parainfluenza virus type 2 interacts with NLRP3 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, potentially suggesting a novel strategy by which viruses evade the host innate immune response. As all members of the Paramyxovirinae subfamily carry similar V genes, this new finding may also lead to identification of novel therapeutic targets for paramyxovirus infection and related diseases.

Poor toe flexor strength, but not handgrip strength, is associated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in middle-aged males.

Previous studies suggested that reduced muscular strength was one of the potential predictor of prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between toe flexor strength (TFS) and handgrip strength (HGS) and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 1,390 Japanese males (35-59 years). TFS and HGS were measured and medical examinations undertaken. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol), and/or current use of anti-diabetes mellitus drugs. A total of 114 participants had diabetes mellitus. TFS in participants with diabetes mellitus was significantly lower than that in persons not suffering from diabetes mellitus but HGS was not. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) per 1-standard deviation-increase in muscular strength measurements for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus were obtained using a multiple logistic regression model. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus was inversely related to TFS (OR 0.769, 95% CI 0.614-0.963), TFS/body mass (BM) (0.696, 0.545-0.889) and TFS/body mass index (BMI) (0.690, 0.539-0.882) after adjustment of covariates. Such associations were not observed in HGS (OR 0.976, 95% CI 0.773-1.232), HGS/BM (0.868, 0.666-1.133) or HGS/BMI (0.826, 0.642-1.062). These results suggested that poor TFS was associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus independent of visceral fat accumulation, but HGS was not, in middle-aged males. TFS may be a better marker for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus than HGS.

Rational design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel exo-methylene butyrolactone salicyloylamide as NF-κB inhibitor.

(-)-Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin ((-)-DHMEQ, 1) is a specific inhibitor of NF-κB. It binds to SH group in the specific cysteine residue of NF-κB components with its epoxide moiety to inhibit DNA binding. In the present research, we have designed and synthesized an epoxide-free analog called (S)-ß-salicyloylamino-α-exo-methylene-Æ´-butyrolactone (SEMBL, 3). SEMBL inhibited DNA binding of NF-κB component p65 in vitro. It inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation, iNOS expression, and inflammatory cytokine secretions. It also inhibited NF-κB and cellular invasion in ovarian carcinoma ES-2 cells. Moreover, its stability in aqueous solution was greatly enhanced compared with (-)-DHMEQ. Thus, SEMBL has a potential to be a candidate for a new anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent.

GSK2656157, a PERK inhibitor, reduced LPS-induced IL-1ß production through inhibiting Caspase 1 activation in macrophage-like J774.1 cells.

IL-1ß is one of the inflammatory cytokines and is cleaved from pro-IL-1ß proteolytically by activated Caspase 1. For the activation of Caspase 1, inflammasome was formed by two signals, what is called, priming and triggering signals. In this study, it was found that mouse macrophage J774.1 cells, when treated by single large amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), produced a significant amount of IL-1ß. On the other hand, IL-1ß production was not detected when treated by a single, small amount of LPS. Then, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response among stress responses induced by a large amount of LPS, when GSK2656157, a PERK inhibitor, was used for inhibition of ER stress, GSK2656157 reduced IL-1ß production dose-dependently. Next, when Thapsigargin, an ER stress reagent, was added with LPS, IL-1ß production increased more than by LPS alone. Thus, these results suggested that ER stress was involved in LPS-induced IL-1ß production. When the activation of Caspase 1 was examined by fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis, it was found that GSK2656157 inhibited LPS-induced Caspase 1 activation. Further, it was confirmed that GSK2656157 did not affect LPS-induced TNF-α production and activation of NF-κB and specifically inhibited the PERK/eIF-2α pathway. Therefore, it was found that GSK2656157 specifically inhibited ER stress induced by large amount of LPS and reduced LPS-induced IL-1ß production through inhibition of Caspase 1 activation.

Early reduction in toe flexor strength is associated with physical activity in elderly men.

[Purpose] To compare the toe flexor, hand grip and knee extensor strengths of young and elderly men, and to examine the association between toe flexor strength and physical activity or inactivity levels. [Subjects and Methods] Young (n=155, 18-23 years) and elderly (n=60, 65-88 years) men participated in this study. Toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor strength were measured. Physical activity (time spent standing/walking per day) and inactivity (time spent sitting per day) were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. [Results] Toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor strength of the elderly men were significantly lower than those of the young men. Standing/walking and sitting times of the elderly men were lower than those of the young men. Toe flexor strength correlated with hand grip and knee extensor strength in both groups. In elderly men, toe flexor strength correlated with standing/walking time. In comparison to the young men's mean values, toe flexor strength was significantly lower than knee extensor and hand grip strength in the elderly group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that age-related reduction in toe flexor strength is greater than those of hand grip and knee extensor strengths. An early loss of toe flexor strength is likely associated with reduced physical activity in elderly men.

Poly I:C enhances production of nitric oxide in response to interferon-γ via upregulation of interferon regulatory factor 7 in vascular endothelial cells.

The effect of poly I:C on interferon (IFN)-γ-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in vascular endothelial cells was examined using murine aortic endothelial END-D cells. Poly I:C augmented IFN-γ-induced NO production although it alone did not induce the NO production. Poly I:C augmented the NO production via enhanced expression of an inducible NO synthase protein. Poly I:C did not affect the activation of Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2, and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 in IFN-γ signaling. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the IFN-γ-induced interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 1 expression between the presence and absence of poly I:C. Poly I:C led to the activation of IRF7 in END-D cells. Inhibition of poly I:C signaling by amlexanox, an inhibitor of TANK-binding kinase (TBK) 1 and IκB kinase (IKK) ε, abolished the augmentation of IFN-γ-induced NO production. Therefore, poly I:C was suggested to augment IFN-γ-induced NO production at the transcriptional level via enhanced IRF7 activation.

Heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase isoform-dependent regulatory effects of heparin on the activities of various proteases in mast cells and the biosynthesis of 6-O-sulfated heparin.

Heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (HS6ST) is an enzyme involved in heparan sulfate (HS) biosynthesis that transfers a sulfate residue to position 6 of the GlcNAc/GlcNSO(3) residues of HS, and it consists of three isoforms. Heparin, the highly sulfated form of HS, resides in connective tissue mast cells and is involved in the storage of mast cell proteases (MCPs). However, it is not well understood which isoform(s) of HS6ST participates in 6-O-sulfation of heparin and how the 6-O-sulfate residues in heparin affect MCPs. To investigate these issues, we prepared fetal skin-derived mast cells (FSMCs) from wild type (WT) and HS6ST-deficient mice (HS6ST-1(-/-), HS6ST-2(-/-), and HS6ST-1(-/-)/HS6ST-2(-/-)) and determined the structure of heparin, the protease activity, and the mRNA expression of each MCP in cultured FSMCs. The activities of tryptase and carboxypeptidase-A were decreased in HS6ST-2(-/-)-FSMCs in which 6-O-sulfation of heparin was decreased at 50% of WT-FSMCs and almost lost in HS6ST-1(-/-)/HS6ST-2(-/-)-FSMCs, which lacked the 6-O-sulfation in heparin nearly completely. In contrast, chymase activity was retained even in HS6ST-1(-/-)/HS6ST-2(-/-)-FSMCs. Each MCP mRNA was not decreased in any of the mutant FSMCs. Western blot analysis showed that tryptase (mMCP-6) was almost absent from HS6ST-1(-/-)/HS6ST-2(-/-)-FSMCs indicating degradation/secretion of the enzyme protein. These observations suggest that both HS6ST-1 and HS6ST-2 are involved in 6-O-sulfation of heparin and that the proper packaging and storage of tryptase, carboxypeptidase-A, and chymase may be regulated differently by the 6-O-sulfate residues in heparin. It is thus likely that 6-O-sulfation of heparin plays important roles in regulating MCP functions.

Lipopolysaccharide impairs insulin sensitivity via activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase in adipocytes.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes were examined by using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Insulin-mediated activation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1/2 was inhibited in LPS-pretreated adipocytes and IRS1/2-mediated Akt activation was also attenuated in those cells. LPS inhibited activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 as a negative regulator of glycogenesis and impaired the glycogen synthesis in response to insulin. LPS-induced activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in adipocytes. Involvement of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in LPS-induced IRS1/2 inhibition was excluded. Considering that both insulin and LPS were able to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, LPS was suggested to impair insulin sensitivity of adipocytes through down-regulating insulin-mediated PI3K/Akt activation.

Spironolactone inhibits production of proinflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide via inactivation of nuclear factor-κB.

The effect of spironolactone (SPIR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory mediators was examined using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages. SPIR significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α and prostaglandin E2. The inhibition was not mediated by cell death. SPIR reduced the expression of an inducible NO synthase mRNA in response to LPS. SPIR significantly inhibited phosphorylation of p65 nuclear factor (NF)-κB in response to LPS. Furthermore, SPIR inhibited phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) as an upstream molecule of NF-κB in response to LPS. LPS did not induce the production of aldosterone in RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, SPIR is suggested to inhibit LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators via inactivation of IKK/NF-κB in LPS signaling.

Glycosaminoglycans in the blood of hereditary multiple exostoses patients: Half reduction of heparan sulfate to chondroitin sulfate ratio and the possible diagnostic application.

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder with wide variation in clinical phenotype and is caused by heterogeneous germline mutations in two of the Ext genes, EXT-1 and EXT-2, which encode ubiquitously expressed glycosyltransferases involved in the polymerization of heparan sulfate (HS) chains. To examine whether the Ext mutation could affect HS structures and amounts in HME patients being heterozygous for the Ext genes, we collected blood from patients and healthy individuals, separated it into plasma and cellular fractions and then isolated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from those fractions. A newly established method consisting of a combination of selective ethanol precipitation of GAGs, digestion of GAGs recovered on the filter-cup by direct addition of heparitinase or chondroitinase reaction solution and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography of the unsaturated disaccharide products enabled the analysis using the least amount of blood (200 µL). We found that HS structures of HME patients were almost similar to those of controls in both plasma and cellular fractions. However, interestingly, although both the amounts of HS and chondroitin sulfate (CS) varied depending on the different individuals, the amounts of HS in both the plasma and cellular fractions of HME patient samples were decreased and the ratios of HS to CS (HS/CS) of HME patient samples were almost half those of healthy individuals. The results suggest that HME patients' blood exhibited reduced HS amounts and HS/CS ratios, which could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for HME.

A Toll-like receptor 2 ligand, Pam3CSK4, augments interferon-γ-induced nitric oxide production via a physical association between MyD88 and interferon-γ receptor in vascular endothelial cells.

The effect of Pam3CSK4, a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand, on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) -induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse vascular endothelial END-D cells was studied. Pre-treatment or post-treatment with Pam3CSK4 augmented IFN-γ-induced NO production via enhanced expression of an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA. Pam3CSK4 augmented phosphorylation of Janus kinase 1 and 2, followed by enhanced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) at tyrosine 701. Subsequently, the enhanced STAT1 activation augmented IFN-γ-induced IFN-regulatory factor 1 expression leading to the iNOS expression. Pam3CSK4 also induced the activation of p38 and subsequent phosphorylation of STAT1 at serine 727. A pharmacological p38 inhibitor abolished the augmentation of IFN-γ-induced NO production by Pam3CSK4. Surprisingly, Pam3CSK4 enhanced a physical association of MyD88 and IFN-γ receptor. Together, these findings suggest that Pam3CSK4 up-regulates IFN-γ signalling in vascular endothelial cells via the physical association between MyD88 and IFN-γ receptor α, and p38-dependent serine 727 STAT1 phosphorylation.

Arsenic trioxide prevents nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide -stimulated RAW 264.7 by inhibiting a TRIF-dependent pathway.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is one of the most potent drugs in cancer chemotherapy, and is highly effective in treating both newly diagnosed and relapse patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Despite a number of reports regarding the molecular mechanisms by which ATO promotes anti-tumor or pro-apoptotic activity in hematological and other solid malignancies, the effects of ATO on immune responses remain poorly understood. To further understand and clarify the effects of ATO on immune responses, we sought to examine whether ATO affects the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Arsenic trioxide was found to prevent NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Arsenic trioxide significantly inhibited the increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, our analyses revealed that the inhibitory effect of ATO on iNOS expression was ascribed to the prevention of IRF3 phosphorylation, interferon (IFN)-ß expression, and STAT1 phosphorylation, but not the prevention of the MyD88-dependent pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that ATO prevents NO production by inhibiting the TIR-domain-containing adaptor protein inducing IFN-ß (TRIF)-dependent pathway, thus highlighting an anti-inflammatory property of ATO in innate immunity.

Lipopolysaccharide prevents valproic acid-induced apoptosis via activation of nuclear factor-κB and inhibition of p53 activation.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on valproic acid (VPA)-induced cell death was examined by using mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. LPS inhibited the activation of caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. LPS inhibited VPA-induced p53 activation and pifithrin-α as a p53 inhibitor as well as LPS prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. LPS abolished the increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which is a critical indicator of p53-mediated mitochondrial damage, in response to VPA. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitors, Bay 11-7082 and parthenolide, abolished the preventive action of LPS on VPA-induced apoptosis. A series of toll-like receptor ligands, Pam3CSK4, poly I:C, and CpG DNA as well as LPS prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. Taken together, LPS was suggested to prevent VPA-induced apoptosis via activation of anti-apoptotic NF-κB and inhibition of pro-apoptotic p53 activation. The detailed inhibitory mechanism of VPA-induced apoptosis by LPS is discussed.

Antiviral activity of acidic polysaccharides from Coccomyxa gloeobotrydiformi, a green alga, against an in vitro human influenza A virus infection.

The extracts prepared from green algae are reported to possess a variety of biological activities including antioxidant, antitumor and antiviral activities. The acidic polysaccharide fraction from a green alga Coccomyxa gloeobotrydiformi (CmAPS) was isolated and the antiviral action on an in vitro infection of influenza A virus was examined. CmAPS inhibited the growth and yield of all influenza A virus strains tested, such as A/H1N1, A/H2N2, A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 pandemic strains. The 50% inhibitory concentration of CmAPS on the infection of human influenza A virus strains ranged from 26 to 70 µg/mL and the antiviral activity of CmAPS against influenza A/USSR90/77 (H1N1) was the strongest. The antiviral activity of CmAPS was not due to the cytotoxicity against host cells. The antiviral activity of CmAPS required its presence in the inoculation of virus onto MDCK cells. Pretreatment and post-treatment with CmAPS was ineffective for the antiviral activity. CmAPS inhibited influenza A virus-induced erythrocyte hemagglutination and hemolysis. Taken together, CmAPS was suggested to exhibit the anti-influenza virus activity through preventing the interaction of virus and host cells. The detailed antiviral activity of CmAPS is discussed.

Increased Impact of Serum Uric Acid on Arterial Stiffness and Atherosclerosis in Females.

AIMS: Serum uric acid increases with metabolic disorders; however, whether the effects of uric acid on atherosclerosis are different in females and males has not been sufficiently evaluated. Therefore, this study compared the impact of uric acid on arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis between females and males. METHODS: We enrolled 10196 untreated middle-aged subjects (46±8 years, 3021 females and 7175 males) who underwent periodic health check-ups. Serum uric acid levels were measured and arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis were assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and plaque, using ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: Females with increased arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥ 8.0) or carotid plaques had higher uric acid than those without (P＜0.0001), but males did not. In multivariable regression analyses including overall participants, uric acid was significantly associated with the CAVI, where sex interacted with uric acid. In sex-specific analyses, uric acid was significantly associated with the CAVI, but not with carotid IMT, in both sexes. However, logistic regression analyses revealed that serum uric acid was independently associated with the presence of carotid plaques in females. The exclusion of subjects with abdominal obesity or metabolic syndrome from the analysis did not alter the results in females. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid was significantly associated with the CAVI in both sexes, but the interaction of sex was confirmed and associated with a carotid plaque only in females. These findings support the increased impact of serum uric acid on arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis in females.

Examination of Large Artery Atherosclerosis could Reveal Small Artery Retinopathy in Untreated Middle-Aged Individuals.

AIMS: Small arteries can be visualized in the ocular fundus, and findings of retinopathy based on Scheie classification are often applied to evaluate the impact of hypertension and atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between damage in the large and small arteries has not been investigated sufficiently, especially in the early stages. The present study investigated possible associations between large artery atherosclerosis and small artery retinopathy in untreated middle-aged individuals. METHODS: Untreated middle-aged workers undergoing periodic health check-ups (n=7,730, 45±8 years) were enrolled in this study. The absence or presence and extent of retinopathy were characterized by ophthalmologists as hypertensive (H0-4) and atherosclerotic grades (S0-4) based on Scheie classification. Large artery atherosclerosis was examined based on functional assessment of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and morphological assessment of the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasound. RESULTS: We found significant differences in CAVI and carotid IMT between individuals with and without hypertensive or atherosclerotic retinopathy. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the presence of hypertensive and atherosclerotic retinopathy was significantly associated with CAVI and carotid IMT. Logistic regression analysis with the endpoint of a hypertensive or atherosclerotic lesion revealed that CAVI and carotid IMT are independent determinants of retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: CAVI and carotid IMT were significantly associated with the presence of retinopathy based on Scheie classification in untreated middle-aged subjects, implying that atherosclerotic examination in large arteries could reveal early-stage small artery retinopathy.

An ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase activating protein negatively regulates the production of proinflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide.

An ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase activating protein (ASAP1) is highly expressed in a variety of tumor cells and is involved in the cell motility, invasion, and metastasis. In order to elucidate the involvement of ASAP1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response, the effect of ASAP1 silencing on LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators production was examined by using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. ASAP1 was constitutively expressed in the cells and the expression was augmented by LPS stimulation. Silencing of ASAP1 with small interfering RNA enhanced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, interferon-ß, and nitric oxide in response to LPS. ASAP1 silencing augmented the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and several mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). On the other hand, ASAP1 silencing did not affect the expression of IRAK4, TRAF6, and Akt as the upstream molecules of NF-κB signaling. A series of toll-like receptor ligands as well as LPS augmented the ASAP1 expression. Taken together, ASAP1 was suggested to negatively regulate LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators production through down-regulating LPS signaling. The feedback function of ASAP1 in LPS-mediated inflammatory response is discussed.

Thalidomide inhibits interferon-γ-mediated nitric oxide production in mouse vascular endothelial cells.

Thalidomide is known as an anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-proliferative agent, widely used in the treatment of some immunological disorders and cancers. The effect of thalidomide on interferon (IFN)-γ induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse vascular endothelial cells was examined in order to elucidate the anti-angiogenic or anti-inflammatory action. Thalidomide inhibited IFN-γ-induced NO production in mouse END-D cells via reduced expression of an inducible type of NO synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA. Since thalidomide did not alter the cell surface expression of IFN-γ receptor, the NO inhibition was suggested to be due to the impairment of IFN-γ-induced intracellular event by thalidomide. Thalidomide inhibited the phosphorylation of IRF1, which was required for the iNOS expression. Moreover, it inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, an upstream molecule of IRF1, in IFN-γ signaling. Thalidomide did not inhibit the JAK activation in response to IFN-γ. A phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, abolished the inhibitory action of thalidomide. Therefore, thalidomide was suggested to inhibit IFN-γ-induced NO production via impaired STAT1 phosphorylation.

Flavopiridol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α production through inactivation of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases in the MyD88-dependent pathway.

Flavopiridol is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and inhibits the growth of various cancer cells. The effect of flavopiridol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory mediator production was examined in RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. Flavopiridol significantly reduced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and, to a lesser extent, nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated cells. Flavopiridol inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB and IκB kinase in response to LPS. Flavopiridol also inhibited the activation of a series of mitogen-activated protein kinases, such as p38, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in response to LPS. However, flavopiridol did not alter the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) or CD14/toll-like receptor (TLR) 4. Flavopiridol inhibited nitric oxide production induced by a MyD88-dependent TLR2 ligand, but not a MyD88-independent TLR3 ligand. Further, flavopiridol did not alter the phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 in the MyD88-independent pathway. Therefore, it was suggested that flavopiridol exclusively inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases in the MyD88-dependent pathway. Flavopiridol might be useful for the prevention of LPS-induced inflammatory response.

A body shape index could serve to identify individuals with metabolic syndrome and increased arterial stiffness in the middle-aged population.

BACKGROUND: A body shape index (ABSI) is a novel anthropometric measure calculated using waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and body height. This study investigated the usefulness of ABSI to identify individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and increased arterial stiffness in the middle-aged population. METHODS: Middle-aged workers who underwent periodic health check-ups and who were without previous cardiovascular events were enrolled (n = 10,182). In addition to ABSI, visceral fat area (VFA) was evaluated using computed tomography. Obesity and MetS were diagnosed on the basis of WC, VFA, and ABSI. Arterial stiffness was examined by measuring the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). RESULTS: ABSI was significantly associated with CAVI in multivariable regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ABSI was independently associated with the presence of MetS diagnosed on the basis of WC or VFA after adjustment for potential confounders, including BMI. Subjects with MetS diagnosed on the basis of each obesity index showed higher CAVI values than those without. Among subjects with MetS diagnosed on the basis of WC or VFA, those with MetS who met the definition of ABSI obesity showed significantly higher CAVI than those who did not. The other logistic regression analysis demonstrated that CAVI was independently associated with MetS defined on the basis of ABSI. CONCLUSIONS: ABSI was significantly associated with CAVI and the presence of MetS in the middle-aged population and helped to discriminate individuals with MetS and increased CAVI. ABSI could serve to identify individuals with MetS and increased arterial stiffness.