TLR signalling can modify the mineralization of tooth germ.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to investigate the possible role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) during the development of mouse tooth germ. TLR4 is well known to inhibit mineralization and cause inflammation in mature odontoblasts and dental pulp cells. However, unlike these pathological functions of TLR4, little is known about the developmental function(s) of TLR4 during tooth development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TLR4 expression was studied via Western blot in developing lower mouse incisors from E13.5 to E18.5. To generate functional data about the effects of TLR4, a specific agonist (LPS) was applied to the medium of in vitro tooth germ cultures, followed by Western blot, histochemical staining, ELISA assay, in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Increased accumulation of biotin-labelled LPS was detected in the enamel organ and in preodontoblasts. LPS treatment induced degradation of the inhibitor molecule (IκB) of the NF-κB signalling pathway. However, no morphological alterations were detected in cultured tissue after LPS addition at the applied dosage. Activation of TLR4 inhibited the mineralization of enamel and dentin, as demonstrated by alizarin red staining and as decreased levels of collagen type X. mRNA expression of ameloblastin was elevated after LPS administration. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that TLR4 may decrease the mineralization of hard tissues of the tooth germ and may trigger the maturation of ameloblasts; it can give valuable information to understand better congenital tooth abnormalities.

Doxycycline Attenuates Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis by Prostaglandin E2-EP4 Signaling.

PURPOSE: We explored the anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline in experimental uveitis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rats with endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) received doxycycline (1.5 mg/kg) or the control vehicle via intraperitoneal injection. Clinical scores were graded under a slit lamp. Rat peritoneal macrophages were used in vitro to further explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of doxycycline. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-1ß, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, I kappa B-α (IκB-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Akt, caspase-3, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment with doxycycline dramatically reduced the clinical scores of EIU (P < 0.001), with significant decreases in inflammatory cell infiltration, protein concentrations, and the production of NO, TNF-α, and IL-1ß in the aqueous humor (AqH). In vitro, doxycycline significantly inhibited the production of NO, IL-1ß, and TNF-α in peritoneal macrophages by modulating the PI3K/Akt/IκB-α/NF-κB pathway. Importantly, we found that doxycycline significantly enhanced COX2 expression and PGE2 production both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, blockade of the EP4 receptor of PGE2 significantly reversed the doxycycline-mediated inhibition of macrophages and the PI3K/Akt pathway in vitro. Furthermore, simultaneous injection of an EP4 antagonist and doxycycline significantly blocked the doxycycline-mediated attenuation of EIU. CONCLUSIONS: Doxycycline can ameliorate EIU, and PGE2-EP4 signaling is essential for the anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline in vitro and in vivo.

4(α-L-RHAMNOSYLOXY)-BENZYL ISOTHIOCYANATE, A BIOACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL THAT DEFENDS CEREBRAL TISSUE AND PREVENTS SEVERE DAMAGE INDUCED BY FOCAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION.

Natural compounds are a promising source to treat several pathologies. The present study shows the in vivo pharmacological beneficial effect of 4(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate (glucomoringin isothiocyanate; GMG-ITC) obtained from glucomoringin (GMG; 4(α;-L-rhamnosyloxy)- benzyl glucosinolate), purified from Moringa oleifera seeds and hydrolyzed by myrosinase enzyme (β-thioglucoside glucohydrolase; E.C. 3.2.1.147). Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CIR) was induced in rats according to a classic model of carotid artery occlusion for a time period of 1 h and the reperfusion time was prolonged for seven days. GMG-ITC (3.5 mg GMG/ml plus 30 µl enzyme/rat; one ml i.p./rat) was administered 15 min after the beginning of ischemia and daily. The results clearly show that GMG-ITC possesses the capability to counteract the CIR-induced damage reducing TNF-alpha release, IκB-alpha cytosolic degradation/NFκBp65 nuclear translocation, as well as several other direct or indirect markers of inflammation (phospho-ERK p42/44, p-selectin) and oxidative stress (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), MMP-9). GMG-ITC was shown to exert neuroprotective properties in preventing CIR-induced damage and the related cascade of inflammatory and oxidative mediators that exacerbate the progression of this disease in an experimental rat model. Our results clearly show that the tested phytochemical GMG-ITC possesses the capability to counteract CIR-induced damage.

Silenced expression of NFKBIA in lung adenocarcinoma patients with a never-smoking history.

Nuclear factor of κ-light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor α (NFKBIA), which is a tumor suppressor gene, was found to be silenced in lung adenocarcinomas. We examined NFKBIA expression, mutations in the EGFR and K-ras genes, and EML4-ALK fusion in 101 resected lung adenocarcinoma samples from never-smokers. NFKBIA expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. NFKBIA expression was negative in 16 of the 101 samples (15.8%). EGFR and K-ras mutations and EML4-ALK fusion were detected in 61 (60.5%), 1 (1.0%), and 2 (2.0%) of the 101 samples, respectively, in a completely mutually exclusive manner. Negative NFKBIA expression was observed significantly more frequently among the tumors with none of the three genetic alterations compared to those with such alterations (p = 0.009). In addition, negative NFKBIA expression was significantly more frequent among the EGFR-wild type samples compared to the EGFR-mutant samples (p = 0.013). In conclusion, NFKBIA expression was silenced in adenocarcinomas without EGFR/K-ras mutations or EML4-ALK fusion, suggesting that the silencing of NFKBIA may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of adenocarcinomas independent of EGFR/K-ras mutations or EML4-ALK fusion.

Detecting modification of biomedical events using a deep parsing approach.

BACKGROUND: This work describes a system for identifying event mentions in bio-molecular research abstracts that are either speculative (e.g. analysis of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, where it is not specified whether phosphorylation did or did not occur) or negated (e.g. inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, where phosphorylation did not occur). The data comes from a standard dataset created for the BioNLP 2009 Shared Task. The system uses a machine-learning approach, where the features used for classification are a combination of shallow features derived from the words of the sentences and more complex features based on the semantic outputs produced by a deep parser. METHOD: To detect event modification, we use a Maximum Entropy learner with features extracted from the data relative to the trigger words of the events. The shallow features are bag-of-words features based on a small sliding context window of 3-4 tokens on either side of the trigger word. The deep parser features are derived from parses produced by the English Resource Grammar and the RASP parser. The outputs of these parsers are converted into the Minimal Recursion Semantics formalism, and from this, we extract features motivated by linguistics and the data itself. All of these features are combined to create training or test data for the machine learning algorithm. RESULTS: Over the test data, our methods produce approximately a 4% absolute increase in F-score for detection of event modification compared to a baseline based only on the shallow bag-of-words features. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that grammar-based techniques can enhance the accuracy of methods for detecting event modification.

The effect of indomethacin on paclitaxel sensitivity and apoptosis in oral squamous carcinoma cells: the role of nuclear factor-κB inhibition.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate new strategies to intensify chemosensitivity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Oral squamous carcinoma cells were examined for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and binding activity by paclitaxel, an agent currently used in head and neck cancer chemotherapy. Electromobility shift assays were used to assess the effect of indomethacin on NF-κB binding activity. Cell proliferation assays were used to study cell sensitivity to paclitaxel. To examine whether cytotoxicity could be increased by specifically inhibiting NF-κB, a dominant negative cell line, inhibitor kappa B-alpha (IκBα), was stably expressed in CA-9-22 cells. RESULTS: Paclitaxel possessed the capacity to functionally activate NF-κB, as demonstrated by luciferase reporter gene assays and electromobility shift assay. Indomethacin was able to inhibit paclitaxel-mediated NF-κB activation and promote apoptosis of paclitaxel-treated cells at 24 hours. Indomethacin augmented the paclitaxel cell-killing effect. The dominant negative IκBα cell line exhibited increased chemosensitization to paclitaxel by 2- to 10-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel has the capacity to activate NF-κB in oral squamous carcinoma cells. Indomethacin can reverse this activation to decrease cell proliferation and increase apoptosis. Treatment strategies that combine paclitaxel with indomethacin may have therapeutic benefits attributable to paclitaxel chemosensitization through NF-κB inhibition.

Activation of adenosine A2A receptors inhibits neutrophil transuroepithelial migration.

Adenosine has been identified as a significant inhibitor of inflammation by acting on adenosine A(2A) receptors. In this study, we examined the role of adenosine and A(2A) receptors in the transmigration of human neutrophils across an in vitro model of the transitional bladder urothelium. Human uroepithelial cells (UROtsa) were grown on transwell inserts; uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and neutrophils were added to the transwell system; and the number of migrating neutrophils was evaluated. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the expression of adenosine receptors, the epithelial adhesion molecule ICAM-1, and the neutrophil integrin CD11b. Levels of proinflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8) and phosphorylated IκBα were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Luminex assays, respectively. The neutrophils expressed all four adenosine receptor subtypes (A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3) receptors), but A(3) receptors were not expressed by UROtsa cells. UPEC stimulated neutrophil transuroepithelial migration, which was significantly decreased in response to the specific A(2A) receptor agonist CGS 21680. The inhibitory effect of CGS 21680 on neutrophil migration was reversed by the A(2A) receptor antagonist SCH 58261. The production of chemotactic IL-8 and the expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 or CD11b were not significantly affected by CGS 21680. However, a significant decrease in the level of phosporylated IκBα was revealed in response to CGS 21680. In conclusion, UPEC infection in vitro evoked neutrophil migration through a multilayered human uroepithelium. The UPEC-evoked neutrophil transmigration decreased in response to A(2A) receptor activation, possibly through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways.

Nuclear factor-kappa-B-inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA) is a developmental marker of NF-κB/p65 activation during in vitro oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) requires a co-ordinated transcriptional programme acting through evolutionarily conserved events, and transcription factors (TFs) are known to control these processes. Here, we focus on nuclear factor (NF)-κB, a TF involved in several cellular processes, studying NFκB-inhibitor (NFKBIA) mRNA and its protein product, IκBα, during OET. NFKBIA and IκBα are part of a regulatory loop, as IκBα is the major down-regulator of NF-κB activation while NFKBIA transcription is activated by NF-κB. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found a dynamic correlation between NFKBIA transcript, expression of IκBα-protein and activation of NF-κB/p65 in bovine oocyte and embryo. During the transition from immature to in vitro matured bovine oocyte, we observed a decrease in maternal NFKBIA mRNA and a parallel increase of the IκBα-protein (both P < 0.05). In the embryo, NFKBIA neo-synthesis is activated as a consequence of embryo genome activation (EGA), and IκBα decreases. NF-κB/p65-binding activity was detectable at low levels in immature oocyte, disappeared in dormant metaphase II oocyte and was strong in the embryo, during embryonic NFKBIA synthesis. The level of NF-κB/p65 DNA binding correlates with the timing of meiotic silencing during bovine oocyte maturation and embryonic transcription reprogramming. CONCLUSIONS: The IκBα/NF-κB circuit appears to be a tightly stage-controlled mechanism that could govern OET, being activated at EGA. Our findings represent the first characterization of NFKBIA and IκBα as maternal effectors in both the bovine oocyte and embryo. We suggest a role for NFKBIA as a marker of NF-κB/p65 activation in the human oocyte and early embryo.

Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide alters atherosclerotic-related gene expression in oxidized low-density-lipoprotein-induced macrophages and foam cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The molecular mechanism linking atherosclerosis formation and periodontal pathogens is not clear, although a positive correlation between periodontal infections and cardiovascular diseases has been reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether stimulation with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affected the expression of atherosclerosis-related genes, during and after the formation of foam cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Macrophages from human THP-1 monocytes were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) to induce the formation of foam cells. P. gingivalis LPS was added to cultures of either oxLDL-induced macrophages or foam cells. The expression of atherosclerosis-related genes was assayed by quantitative real-time PCR, and the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10 and IL-12 proteins was determined using ELISA. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) P(65) was detected by immunocytochemistry, and western blotting was used to evaluate inhibitory kappa B-α (IκΒ-α) degradation to confirm activation of the NF-κB pathway. RESULTS: P. gingivalis LPS stimulated atherosclerosis-related gene expression in foam cells and increased the oxLDL-induced expression of chemokines, adhesion molecules, growth factors, apoptotic genes and nuclear receptors in macrophages. Transcription of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1ß and IL12 was elevated in response to LPS in both macrophages and foam cells, whereas transcription of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL10, was not affected. Increased activation of the NF-κB pathway was also observed in macrophages costimulated with LPS + oxLDL. CONCLUSION: P. gingivalis LPS appears to be an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis by stimulation of atherosclerosis-related gene expression in both macrophages and foam cells via activation of the NF-κB pathway.

dsRNA-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in asthmatic epithelial cells is inhibited by a small airway relaxant.

RATIONALE: Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is considered a hub cytokine that activates dendritic cells and T-cells producing asthma-like Th2-inflammation. Viral stimuli, a major cause of asthma exacerbations, have been shown to induce overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic epithelium. Capsazepine has multiple effects and is of interest because it relaxes human small airways. Here we have explored effects of capsazepine on viral surrogate (dsRNA)-induced TSLP and other cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) from healthy and asthmatic donors. METHODS: HBEC obtained from healthy and asthmatic subjects were grown and stimulated with dsRNA. Cells pre-treated with capsazepine (3-30 µM), dexamethasone (0.1-10 µM) or an IkappaB-kinase inhibitor (PS1145, 30 µM) were also exposed to dsRNA (10 µg/ml). Cells and supernatants were harvested for analyses of gene expression (RT-qPCR) and protein production (ELISA,Western blot). RESULTS: dsRNA-induced TSLP, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 in asthmatic and non-asthmatic HBEC. Dexamethasone attenuated gene expression and protein release whereas capsazepine dose-dependently, and similar to a non-relaxant NFkB inhibitor (PS1145), completely inhibited dsRNA-induced TSLP and TNF-alpha in both healthy and asthmatic HBEC. Capsazepine reduced dsRNA-induced IL-8 and it prevented dsRNA-induced loss of the NF-κB repressor protein IkBα. CONCLUSION: Additional to its human small airway relaxant effects we now demonstrate that capsazepine has potent anti-inflammatory effects on viral stimulus-induced cytokines in HBEC from healthy as well as asthmatic donors. Based on these data we suggest that exploration of structure-activity amongst the multifaceted capsazepinoids is warranted in search for compounds of therapeutic value in viral-induced, steroid-resistant asthma.

p65 controls NF-κB activity by regulating cellular localization of IκBß.

NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) controls diverse cellular processes and is frequently misregulated in chronic immune diseases or cancer. The activity of NF-κB is regulated by IκB (inhibitory κB) proteins which control nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling and DNA binding of NF-κB. In the present paper, we describe a novel role for p65 as a critical regulator of the cellular localization and functions of NF-κB and its inhibitor IκBß. In genetically modified p65-/- cells, the localization of ectopic p65 is not solely regulated by IκBα, but is largely dependent on the NLS (nuclear localization signal) and the NES (nuclear export signal) of p65. Furthermore, unlike IκBα, IκBß does not contribute to the nuclear export of p65. In fact, the cellular localization and degradation of IκBß is controlled by the p65-specific NLS and NES. The results of our present study also reveal that, in addition to stimulus-induced redistribution of NF-κB, changes in the constitutive localization of p65 and IκBß specifically modulate activation of inflammatory genes. This is a consequence of differences in the DNA-binding activity and signal responsiveness between the nuclear and cytoplasmic NF-κB-IκBß complexes. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate that the p65 subunit controls transcriptional competence of NF-κB by regulating the NF-κB/IκBß pathway.

Characterization of polyamine homeostasis in l-ornithine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

OBJECTIVES: l-Ornithine is a precursor of polyamine synthesis that is essential for cell survival. In contrast, intraperitoneal (IP) administration of a large dose of l-ornithine results in death of pancreatic acinar cells in rats. We investigated changes in pancreatic and extrapancreatic polyamine homeostasis after injection of l-ornithine and tested the effects of the stable polyamine analogue methylspermidine (MeSpd) on l-ornithine-induced pancreatitis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were injected IP with 3 g/kg l-ornithine and were untreated, pretreated, or treated with 50 mg/kg MeSpd IP. Rats were killed after 0 to 168 hours for determinations of polyamines and activities of ornithine decarboxylase and spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT). Pancreatitis severity was assessed by measuring standard laboratory and histological parameters. RESULTS: Injection of l-ornithine paradoxically induced pancreatic spermidine catabolism, possibly via activation of SSAT, after (>6 hours) appearance of the first histological signs of acute pancreatitis. Polyamine levels generally increased in the lung and liver with the exception of lung spermidine levels, which decreased. Methylspermidine did not influence polyamine levels and SSAT activity and did not ameliorate the severity of l-ornithine-induced pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: l-Ornithine-induced pancreatitis was associated with activation of pancreatic polyamine catabolism. However, administration of a metabolically stable polyamine analogue did not affect disease severity.

Regulation of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by 2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin involves down-regulation of NF-kappaB and MAPK expression.

2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin, a flavone, was isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum for the first time. In our previous study, we have carried out a screening program to identify the anti-inflammatory potentials of 2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin. In the present study, we further found that this compound regulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced levels of nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) (**p<0.01 or *p<0.05), and reduced levels of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. We further investigated signal transduction mechanisms to determine how 2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin affects RAW264.7 macrophages pretreated with 0.5, 2.5, or 12.5mg/L of 2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin 1h prior to treatment with 1mg/L of LPS. Thirty minutes later, cells were harvested and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation and I kappaB alpha were measured by western blotting. Alternatively, the macrophages were fixed and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation was measured by immunocytochemical analysis. Signal transduction studies showed that the flavone significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation protein expression. The flavone also inhibited p65-NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus by I kappaB alpha degradation. Therefore, 2''-hydroxy-3''-en-anhydroicaritin may inhibit LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines by blocking NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling in RAW264.7 cells.

Cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucoside inhibits LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators through decreasing IkappaBalpha phosphorylation in THP-1 cells.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: As a common phytochemical, cyanidin 3-O-beta-glucoside (C3G) has a role in inhibiting inflammatory mediators; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of C3G on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated TNFalpha and IL-6 expression in the human monocyte/macrophage cell line THP-1, and to explore the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Differentiated THP-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of C3G (0.005, 0.05, 0.5,10 microM) in the absence or presence of 1 ng/mL LPS. mRNA expression levels were detected by real time PCR, and secretion of TNFalpha and IL-6, phosphorylated IkappaBalpha, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) P65 were monitored by ELISA or Western blotting analysis. The role of an inhibitor of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, BAY 11-7082, in C3G inhibition of LPS-induced cytokines expression was investigated. RESULTS: C3G (0.05-0.5 microM) treatment significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated TNFalpha and IL-6 mRNA expression and secretion of these proteins by THP-1 cells. Phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation could be blocked by 0.5 microM C3G. BAY 11-7082 treatment abolished C3G-induced reduction of TNFalpha and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that C3G exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through inhibiting IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, thereby suppressing NF-kappaB activity in THP-1 cells.

Dexamethasone enhances trichosanthin-induced apoptosis in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line.

AIMS: Trichosanthin (TCS) is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) with antitumor activities for various cancers. In this paper, we aimed to investigate whether dexamethasone, an important synthetic member of the glucocorticoid steroids, in combination with TCS can be a potential therapy in treating hepatoma. MAIN METHODS: Cell viability was investigated using MTT assay, and apoptosis was evaluated with Hoechst 33258 staining. Western blot analysis was used to examine the changes in the expression levels of IkappaB-alpha, NF-kappaB p65 subunit and Cox-2. Additionally, we took advantage of dominant-negative IkappaB (IkappaB-DM) over-expression and chemical inhibitor PDTC to inhibit NF-kappaB activation. KEY FINDINGS: Our results demonstrated that dexamethasone could enhance TCS-induced apoptosis in the hepatoma cell line HepG2, decreasing IC50 values from in excess of 200microg/ml to 50microg/ml. In addition, our results demonstrated that TCS could induce rapid degradation of IkappaB-alpha, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and decrease of COX-2 expression in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of NF-kappaB by biological (IkappaB-DM) or chemical inhibitor (PDTC) increased HepG2 cells' sensitivity to TCS, resulting in cell viability rate decreasing and apoptotic rate increasing. Simultaneously, dexamethasone increased the level of IkappaB-alpha protein and effectively inhibited TCS-induced degradation of IkappaB-alpha. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that dexamethasone could enhance trichosanthin-induced apoptosis in the HepG2, at least in part, by inhibiting the NF-kappaB signaling pathway and thus strengthening the antitumor effects of TCS, which highlights the possibility of combined drug application of TCS and dexamethasone in the clinical treatment of hepatoma.

A synthetic peptide derived from A1 module in CRD4 of human TNF receptor-1 inhibits binding and proinflammatory effect of human TNF-alpha.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine, which has been shown to be a causative factor in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and septic shock. Proinflammatory effect of TNF-alpha is activated mainly through human TNF receptor-1 (TNF-R1). However, the role of the fourth cystein-rich domain (CRD4) of TNF-R1 extracellular portion in the interaction of TNF-alpha with TNF-R1 is still unclear. In the present study, binding activity of TNF-alpha to TNF-R1 and protein levels of IkappaB-alpha and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 subunit in HeLa cells were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western-blot analysis. Pep 3 (LRENECVS) which was derived from the hydrophilic region of A1 module in CRD4 remarkably inhibited the binding of TNF-alpha to TNF-R1, and also reversed TNF-alpha-induced degradation of IkappaB-alpha and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 subunit in HeLa cells. Our results confirmed that the hydrophilic region of A1 module in CRD4 participated in the interaction of TNF-alpha with TNF-R1, and demonstrated the potential of small-molecule TNF-alpha extracellular inhibitors targeting at A1 module in CRD4 of TNF-R1 in suppressing proinflammatory effect of TNF-alpha.

Growth control of multiple myeloma cells through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3.

Anti-apoptotic pathways play a central role in the survival of multiple myeloma cells. The contribution of PI3-kinase and Akt kinase in mediating myeloma cell survival is well established although the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is less defined. In this study we determined the contribution of GSK3 in growth regulation of myeloma cells. We treated six different multiple myeloma cell lines with a Thiadiazolidinone (TDZD), a non-competitive inhibitor of GSK3 and determined its effects on proliferation and apoptosis. In addition we determined the activation of forkhead transcription factors (FOXO) in response to TDZD. TDZD inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of all myeloma cell lines. TDZD was also effective in inducing apoptosis of primary myeloma cells whereas CD34 positive normal hematopoietic cells were protected from apoptosis. Furthermore, TDZD-mediated inhibition of GSK3 resulted in dephosphorylation and activation of FOXO3a. In primary myeloma cells FOXO transcription factors were highly phosphorylated where as the levels of GSK3 phosphorylation was quite low. The levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Fas ligand (FasL) and IkappaBalpha increased after treatment with TDZD in myeloma cell lines. These studies provide the basis for further testing of GSK3 inhibitors in the clinical setting.

Expression of nuclear factor-kappaB in human astrocytomas: relation to pI kappa Ba, vascular endothelial growth factor, Cox-2, microvascular characteristics, and survival.

Although NF-kappaB has been reported to be constitutively activated in various neoplasms, little information is available about its clinical significance in astrocytomas. In this study, we investigated the association of NF kappa B1/p50 and pI kappa Ba immunohistochemical expression with clinicopathologic features, vascular endothelial growth factor, Cox-2, and microvascular parameters in paraffin-embedded tissue from 82 patients with astrocytomas. pI kappa Ba expression was positively correlated with nuclear (P = .0010) and negatively with cytoplasmic (P = .0008) NF kappa B1/p50 expression. Nuclear NF kappa B1/p50 and pI kappa Ba expression increased with tumor grade (P = .0001 and P < .0001). Nuclear NF kappa B1/p50 was associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (P = .0079), Cox-2 (P = .0500), and total vascular surface area (P = .0430), although the latter was significant only in grades II and III. pI kappa Ba was also positively correlated with microvessel caliber (pI kappa Ba/area; P = .0087). Multivariate analysis selected NF kappa B/p50 expression as an independent prognosticator not only for the entire cohort (P = .0220), but also for grades II and III (P = .0029) and grade IV cases (P = .0310). Our results suggest that nuclear NF kappa B1/p50 expression is dictated by its interaction with I kappa Ba in astrocytomas and is associated with tumor grade and angiogenic factors, denoting the importance of nuclear NF kappa B/p50 expression in patients' prognosis.

Modulation of signalling nuclear factor-kappaB activation pathway by polyphenols in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Recent studies support beneficial effects of polyphenols in various chronic inflammatory diseases, for example, the inflammatory bowel diseases. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by polyphenols could explain part of their anti-inflammatory properties, but few data are available on the intestine. The purpose of the present study was thus to investigate the effects of some polyphenols on NF-kappaB activation using human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Effects of standard polyphenols (50 mumol/l) were studied on different cellular events associated with NF-kappaB activation: (i) NF-kappaB activity using cells transiently transfected with a NF-kappaB-luciferase construct and stimulated by inflammatory agents (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha or lipopolysaccharides (LPS)); (ii) phosphorylation of the inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB-alpha) analysed by Western blot; (iii) secretion of IL-8 quantified by ELISA assay. Results showed that chrysin and ellagic acid inhibited NF-kappaB activity, whereas genistein and resveratrol increased it. These effects were independent of the nature of the inducer, indicating that polyphenols may modulate NF-kappaB activation by acting on a common event to the cytokine- and LPS-mediated cascades. Chrysin strongly reduced (2.5-fold) IL-1beta-induced IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation, whereas ellagic acid increased it (1.7-fold). Ellagic acid, genistein and epigallocatechin gallate reduced (4- to 8-fold) IL-1beta-induced IL-8 secretion, while resveratrol promoted (1.7-fold) the secretion. Chrysin also diminished IL-8 secretion by 1.6-fold (but P>0.05). The data indicate that polyphenols can modulate the NF-kappaB activation pathway in the intestine. Chrysin could block NF-kappaB activation via the inhibition of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation. The other molecular targets of the active polyphenols are still to be identified.

Potential biomarkers involving IKK/RelA signal in early stage non-small cell lung cancer.

The clinical relevance of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and its regulatory molecules on prognosis of patient with early stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted biomarker analyses with survival in patients with stages I and II NSCLC. Tumor samples were collected from 88 patients with early-stage NSCLC (stages I, II). A minimum follow-up period of 5 years was required. RelA, phosphorylated I kappaB (pI kappaB alpha), pIKK alpha/beta were detected by immunostaining. NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Association of clinical and pathologic variables (e.g. sex, age, pathologic stage) with relevant molecules was determined by Pearson's chi(2) test or Fisher's exact test. Survival analysis based on single expression of RelA, pI kappaB alpha, pIKK alpha/beta as well as composite expressions were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models, and log rank test followed Kaplan-Meier estimates. RelA, pI kappaB alpha, pIKK alpha/beta were observed as increased expression in NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal lung tissues. These molecules were associated with tumor-node-metastasis stages, T stages and histological status, respectively. Among the molecules analyzed, RelA and pI kappaB alpha-positive were statistically significant predictors of patient death in the entire patient population adjusted by age, gender and smoking status; furthermore both RelA and pI kappaB alpha-positive was the strongest prognostic indicators of poor prognosis by univariate and multivariate analyses. Borderline positive correlations were observed between RelA and pI kappaB alpha or pIKK alpha/beta expression. In this cohort of early-stage NSCLC patients, molecular markers, especially composite application of multiple biomarkers (both nuclear RelA and cytoplasmic pI kappaB-alpha expression) that independently predict overall survival have been identified.