Protein kinase CK2/PTEN pathway plays a key role in platelet-activating factor-mediated murine anaphylactic shock.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a major mediator in the induction of fatal hypovolemic shock in murine anaphylaxis. This PAF-mediated effect has been reported to be associated with PI3K/Akt-dependent eNOS-derived NO. The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is phosphatidylinositol phosphate phosphatase, which negatively controls PI3K by dephosphorylating the signaling lipid, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate. In this study, we examined the possible involvement of PTEN in PAF-mediated anaphylactic shock. Induction of anaphylaxis or PAF injection resulted in a rapid decrease in PTEN activity, followed by increases in PI3K activity and phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. Systemic administration of adenoviruses carrying PTEN cDNA (adenoviral PTEN), but not the control AdLacZ, not only attenuated anaphylactic symptoms, but also reversed anaphylaxis- or PAF-induced changes in PTEN and PI3K activities, as well as phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. We found that the decreased PTEN activity was associated with PTEN phosphorylation, the latter effect being prevented by the protein kinase CK2 inhibitor, DMAT. DMAT also inhibited anaphylactic symptoms as well as the anaphylaxis- or PAF-mediated PTEN/PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling cascade. CK2 activity was increased by PAF. The present data provide, as the key mechanism underlying anaphylactic shock, PAF triggers the upstream pathway CK2/PTEN, which ultimately leads to the activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS. Therefore, CK2/PTEN may be a potent target in the control of anaphylaxis and other many PAF-mediated pathologic conditions.

A20 attenuates allergic airway inflammation in mice.

TNF receptor 1 can activate signaling pathways leading to the activation of NF-kappaB. A20, an NF-kappaB-inducible protein, negatively regulates these signaling pathways and acts as an anti-inflammatory mediator. Therefore, A20 is viewed as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disease. In this study, we examined the effect of A20 on an OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation model in mice. We used an adenovirus containing A20 cDNA (Ad-A20) that was delivered intratracheally before OVA challenge. Single administration of Ad-A20 reduced airway inflammatory cell recruitment and peribronchiolar inflammation and suppressed the production of various cytokines in bronchoalveolar fluid. In addition, Ad-A20 suppressed mucus production and prevented the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. The protective effect of Ad-A20 was mediated by the inhibition of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that the development of an immunoregulatory strategy based on A20 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic asthma.

Effect of xanthohumol on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

Xanthohumol (XH), the principal prenylflavonoid of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.), dose-dependently inhibited isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells, with little cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations. Decreased melanin content was accompanied by reduced tyrosinase enzyme activity, protein and mRNA expression. The levels of tyrosinase-related protein 1 and 2 mRNAs were decreased by XH. XH also inhibited alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone- or forskolin-induced increases in melanogenesis, suggesting an action on the cAMP-dependent melanogenic pathway. XH downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a master transcriptional regulator of key melanogenic enzymes. These results suggest that XH might act as a hypo-pigmenting agent through the downregulation of MITF in the cAMP-dependent melanogenic pathway.

Effect of scopoletin on lipoprotein lipase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. It is caused by the imbalance between hepatic triglyceride production and peripheral removal. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a central role in the removal of plasma triglyceride. During the screening of possible anti-dyslipidemic drugs, we observed that scopoletin (6-methoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin) significantly increased LPL activity in adipocytes. Scopoletin increased LPL activity in culture medium of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in dose- and time-dependent manners. It did not release LPL from the adipocyte membrane and, instead, increased the LPL mRNA level, suggesting transcriptional control. Scopoletin also partially reversed tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced suppression of LPL activity. These results suggest the possible action of scopoletin as a facilitator of plasma triglyceride clearance.

Phospholipase A as a potent virulence factor of Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus infection has attracted special interest because of its high mortality rate. However, the identification of its major pathogenic determinant still remains obscure. In this study, a cytolysin-negative mutant strain of V. vulnificus CVD707 was used to determine the role of phospholipase A (PLA) in the pathogenesis of this bacterial infection. The mutant strain caused the lysis of erythrocytes in vitro and elevated plasma hemoglobin during the infection in mice. Both the hemolytic and PLA activities were dependent on calcium. Inhibition of hemolysis by PLA inhibitors including tetracyclin and the PLA substrate phosphatidylcholine also supports the possibility of membranous PLA as a major hemolytic factor in the cytolysin-deficient mutant. To identify the role of PLA in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus infection, the effects of tetracycline on bacteria-induced macrophage cytotoxicity and lethality were compared with those of penicillin, an antibiotic with no inhibitory effect on PLA. Both the macrophage cytotoxicity and the lethality of V. vulnificus CVD707 to mice were significantly attenuated by tetracycline, but not by penicillin. However, bacterial counts in culture medium and mouse blood revealed that penicillin was more effective than tetracycline in killing bacteria under our experimental conditions. These results indicate that PLA activity is important in V. vulnificus-induced cytotoxicity and lethality, suggesting a crucial role for PLA in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus infection.

Effect of Angelica gigas extract on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

During the screening of herbs for inhibition of melanogenesis, it was observed that ethanolic extract of Angelicae Gigantis Radix (AGE) effectively inhibited isobutylmethylxanthine-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. The melanin content was significantly decreased by AGE in a dose-dependent manner, and no cytotoxicity was observed at the effective concentrations. Decreased melanin content was accompanied by reduced enzyme activity as well as reduced expression of tyrosinase protein and mRNA. The level of tyrosinase-related protein 1 and 2 mRNAs was also decreased by AGE. Additionally, AGE effectively inhibited alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone- and forskolin-induced melanogenesis, and downregulated the mRNA expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a master transcriptional regulator of melanogenic genes. These results suggest that AGE acts as a putative hypopigmenting agent through downregulation of tyrosinase expression induced via a cAMP-dependent pathway.

Pulmonary malignant melanoma with distant metastasis assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography.

Melanoma is a cutaneous malignant neoplasm of melanocytes. Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the lung is very rare. Although previous reports have described the radiologic features of pulmonary MM, its rarity means that many factors are unknown. Thus, radiologic diagnosis is very difficult. Furthermore, there is little information regarding diagnostic application and/or the usefulness of [(18)F]-fluorine-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET-CT) for primary pulmonary MM. A 69-year-old patient with a productive cough lasting three weeks was admitted to our hospital. Chest CT showed a large single mass with a multi-lobulated margin and homogeneous enhancement in the right upper lobe, which was subsequently diagnosed as a primary pulmonary MM with multiple metastases. On PET-CT images, the pulmonary mass and multiple bone lesions showed very increased uptakes of FDG. Considering that pulmonary metastasis from a mucocutaneous melanoma is the main differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary MM, systemic assessment of the whole body is more important than for other types of lung malignancies. This report introduces PET-CT as a useful diagnostic modality for pulmonary MM, especially in cases of distant multiple metastases.

Kaempferol inhibits IL-1ß-induced proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and the production of COX-2, PGE2 and MMPs.

Inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 released from rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) are involved in the destruction of both articular bone and cartilage. Kaempferol has been reported to act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase and COX enzymes. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of kaempferol on the interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-induced proliferation of RASFs and the production of MMPs, COX and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by RASFs. The proliferation of the RASFs stimulated with IL-1ß and treated with/without kaempferol was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The expression of MMPs, TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1), COXs, PGE2 and that of intracellular MAPK signaling molecules, including p-ERK, p-p38, p-JNK and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was examined by immunoblotting or semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA under the conditions described above. Kaempferol inhibited the proliferation of both unstimulated and IL-1ß­stimulated RASFs, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, COX-2 and PGE2 induced by IL-1ß. Kaempferol also inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, p38 and JNK, as well as the activation of NF-κB induced by IL-1ß. These results indicate that kaempferol inhibits synovial fibroblast proliferation, as well as the production of and MMPs, COX­2 and PGE2, which is involved in articular inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our data suggest that kaempferol may be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.

Sulforaphane protects kidneys against ischemia-reperfusion injury through induction of the Nrf2-dependent phase 2 enzyme.

Reactive oxygen species are important mediators that exert a toxic effect during ischemia-reperfusion injury of various organs. Sulforaphane, which is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate that is present in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, is known to be an indirect antioxidant that acts by inducing Nrf2-dependent phase 2 enzymes. Phase 2 enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase participate in adaptive and protective responses to oxidative stress and various inflammatory stimuli. Therefore, we evaluated the preactivation of Nrf2 by sulforaphane to determine if it could inhibit ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney damage. Treatment of HK2 renal tubular epithelial cells with sulforaphane effectively protected cells against cytotoxicity induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation, and sulforaphane dramatically induced phase 2 enzymes by decreasing the Keap1 protein levels and increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Additionally, a second set of experiments using a renal ischemia-reperfusion model produced results that were essentially the same as those observed when HK2 cells were used; namely, that sulforaphane induced Nrf2-dependent phase 2 enzymes and thereby improved ischemia-reperfusion-induced changes in the lipid hydroperoxides, glutathione, creatinine clearance, kidney weight, and histologic abnormalities. Collectively, these results suggest that sulforaphane can be used as an effective adjunct for the prevention of renal oxidative insults during ischemia-reperfusion injury.