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Hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor promotes vascular adhesion molecule-1 expression via the PI-3K/Akt-NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

Hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor (HIMF), also known as FIZZ1 (found in inflammatory zone 1), is an important player in lung inflammation. However, the effects of HIMF on cell adhesion molecules involved in lung inflammation remain largely unknown. In the present work, we tested whether HIMF modulates vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression, and dissected the possible signaling pathways that link HIMF to VCAM-1 upregulation. Recombinant HIMF protein, instilled intratracheally into adult mouse lungs, results in a significant increase of VCAM-1 production in vascular endothelial, alveolar type II, and airway epithelial cells. In cultured mouse endothelial SVEC 4-10 and lung epithelial MLE-12 cells, we demonstrated that HIMF induces VCAM-1 expression via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K)/Akt-nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling pathway. Knockdown of HIMF expression by small interference RNA attenuated LPS-induced VCAM-1 expression in vitro. We showed that HIMF induced phosphorylation of the IkappaB kinase signalsome and, subsequently, IkappaBalpha, leading to activation of NF-kappaB. Meanwhile, VCAM-1 production was correspondingly upregulated. Blocking NF-kappaB signaling pathway by expression of dominant-negative mutants of IkappaB kinase and IkappaBalpha suppressed HIMF-induced VCAM-1 upregulation. HIMF also strongly induced phosphorylation of Akt. A dominant-negative mutant of PI-3K, Deltap85, as well as PI-3K inhibitor, LY294002, also blocked HIMF-induced NF-kappaB activation and attenuated VCAM-1 production. Furthermore, LY294002 pretreatment abolished HIMF-enhanced mononuclear cells adhesion to endothelial and epithelial cells. Our findings connect HIMF to signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, and thus reveal the critical roles that HIMF plays in lung inflammation.

Animals↗

The Arabidopsis mutant cev1 has constitutively active jasmonate and ethylene signal pathways and enhanced resistance to pathogens.

Jasmonates (JAs) inhibit plant growth and induce plant defense responses. To define genes in the Arabidopsis JA signal pathway, we screened for mutants with constitutive expression of a luciferase reporter for the JA-responsive promoter from the vegetative storage protein gene VSP1. One mutant, named constitutive expression of VSP1 (cev1), produced plants that were smaller than wild type, had stunted roots with long root hairs, accumulated anthocyanin, had constitutive expression of the defense-related genes VSP1, VSP2, Thi2.1, PDF1.2, and CHI-B, and had enhanced resistance to powdery mildew diseases. Genetic evidence indicated that the cev1 phenotype required both COI1, an essential component of the JA signal pathway, and ETR1, which encodes the ethylene receptor. We conclude that cev1 stimulates both the JA and the ethylene signal pathways and that CEV1 regulates an early step in an Arabidopsis defense pathway.

Arabidopsis↗

Desensitization of the JAK2/STAT5 GH signaling pathway associated with increased CIS protein content in liver of pregnant mice.

Chronic exposure to growth hormone (GH) was related to the desensitization of the JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway in liver, as demonstrated in cells, female rats, and transgenic mice overexpressing GH. The cytokine-induced suppressor (CIS) is considered a major mediator of this desensitization. Pregnancy is accompanied by an increment in GH circulating levels, which were reported to be associated with hepatic GH resistance, although the molecular mechanisms involved in this resistance are not clearly elucidated. We thus evaluated the JAK2/STAT5b signaling pathway and its regulation by the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)/CIS family and the JAK2-interacting protein SH2-Bbeta in pregnant mouse liver, a model with physiological prolonged exposure to high GH levels. Basal tyrosyl phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT5b in pregnant mice were similar to values obtained for virgin animals, in spite of the important increment of GH they exhibit. Moreover, these signaling mediators were not phosphorylated upon GH stimulation in pregnant mice. A 3.3-fold increase of CIS protein content was found for pregnant mice, whereas the abundance of the other SOCS proteins analyzed and SH2-Bbeta did not significantly change compared with virgin animals. The desensitization of the JAK2/STAT5b GH signaling pathway observed in pregnant mice would then be mainly related to increased CIS levels rather than to the other regulatory proteins examined.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of TLR9 gene expression by LPS in mouse macrophages via activation of NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are critical in the activation of macrophages by bacterial products. It has been shown that TLR2 and TLR4 mediate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoproteins signal transduction, respectively. Regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 expression by LPS was considered to be one of the mechanisms to control the overall responses of immune cells to bacteria. However, little is known about whether the other members of TLR family are regulated by LPS. Recently, TLR9 was demonstrated to be essential for CpG DNA signaling. Given the effective immune modulation by CpG DNA, regulation of TLR9 expression might play important role in controlling the overall responses of immune cells to bacteria. In this study, regulation of TLR9 gene expression in mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 by LPS was investigated. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine gene expression of TLR9. Following LPS stimulation, TLR9 gene expression was upregulated within 1 h and reached peak level at about 3 h. LPS stimulation activated NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways. Pretreatment of macrophages with inhibitors of NF-kappaB, ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of TLR9 mRNA expression. Our results demonstrated that LPS stimulation could upregulate gene expression of TLR9 via NF-kappaB, ERK, and p38 MAPK signal pathways in macrophages, indicating that macrophages with increased TLR9 expression induced by LPS might respond to invading bacteria more effectively.

Animals↗

Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor subtypes and signalling pathways involved in relaxation of human stomach.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) relaxes smooth muscle by interacting with receptors coupled to cAMP- or cGMP-signalling pathways. Their relative contribution to human gastric relaxation is unknown. This study aimed at investigating, in terms of biological activity, receptor expression and related signalling pathways, the action of VIP separately on the human fundus and the antrum. VIP caused greater relaxation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and strips of the antrum presenting on the former a higher efficacy and potency (ED(50): 0.53 +/- 0.17 nmol L(-1)) than on the fundus (ED(50): 3.4 +/- 1.4 nmol L(-1)). On both fundus and antrum strips, its effect was tetrodotoxin insentitive. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the sole expression of VPAC2 and natriuretic peptide clearance receptors, with VPAC2 being more abundant in the antrum. Functional regional differences in receptor-related signalling pathways were found. Activation of the cAMP-pathway by forskolin or its inhibition by adenylate cyclase (2'5'-dideoxyadenosine) or kinase (Rp-cAMPs) inhibitors had more pronounced effects on antrum SMC. Activation of the cGMP-pathway by sodium nitroprusside or its inhibition by guanylate cyclase (LY83583) or kinase (KT5823) inhibitors had more effects on fundus SMC, on which a higher expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was found. In conclusion, regional differences in VIP action on human stomach are related to distinct myogenic properties of SMC of the antrum and the fundus.

Adult↗

Multiple signaling pathways must be targeted to overcome drug resistance in cell lines derived from melanoma metastases.

Although >66% of melanomas harbor activating mutations in BRAF and exhibit constitutive activity in the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway, it is unclear how effective MEK inhibition will be as a sole therapeutic strategy for melanoma. We investigated the anticancer activity of MEK inhibition in a panel of cell lines derived from radial growth phase (WM35) and vertical growth phase (WM793) of primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas (1205Lu, 451Lu, WM164, and C8161) in a three-dimensional spheroid model and found that the metastatic lines were completely resistant to MEK inhibition (U0126 and PD98059) but the earlier stage cell lines were not. Similarly, these same metastatic melanoma lines were also resistant to inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway (LY294002 and wortmannin). Under adherent culture conditions, the MEK inhibitors blocked growth through the induction of cell cycle arrest and up-regulation of p27, but this was readily reversible following inhibitor washout. However, when the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and MEK inhibitors were combined, the growth and invasion of the metastatic melanoma three-dimensional spheroids were blocked. Taken together, these results suggest that the most aggressive melanomas are resistant to strategies targeting one signaling pathway and that multiple signaling pathways may need to be targeted for maximal therapeutic efficacy. It is further suggested that BRAF mutational status is not predictive of response to MEK inhibition under three-dimensional culture conditions.

Butadienes↗

The combined action of two intercellular signaling pathways specifies three cell fates during vulval induction in C. elegans.

Each of the six C. elegans vulval precursor cells (VPCs) has three potential fates (1 degree, 2 degrees, or 3 degrees). The fate of each VPC depends on two types of signals: a graded inductive signal that acts at a distance and a short-range lateral signal among the VPCs. We describe interactions among mutations that cause different misspecifications of VPC fates. Particular combinations of mutations cause all six VPCs to have a single fate independent of their positions. Our results suggest that specification of the three VPC fates is accomplished by two binary decisions, each effected by one of the two signaling pathways. The gene lin-12 acts in the lateral signaling pathway and specifies 2 degrees. The "vulvaless" and "multivulva" genes act in the inductive signaling pathway and specify 1 degree independently of lin-12 and 2 degrees via lin-12. We describe a model for the regulatory circuitry underlying VPC determination that includes a role for lin-12 in both autocrine and paracrine VPC signaling.

Animals↗

Fibroblast growth factor receptors display both common and distinct signaling pathways.

We compared the mitogenic and signaling pathways of three Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs), FGFR1, KGFR and FGFR4 in the same cell line. Each receptor was expressed in L6E9 rat myoblasts that do not normally express detectable levels of FGFRs and clones that express comparable levels of each receptor were selected. Our results show that FGFs induce an effective survival and growth of FGFR1 and KGFR expressing cells. In addition, these cells exhibit a morphology that is reminiscent of that of malignantly transformed cells and display anchorage independent growth in a ligand dependent manner. Unlike KGFR and FGFR1, FGFR4 mediates a less effective growth, and cells overexpressing this receptor do not undergo any morphological changes nor do they display an anchorage independent growth in response to FGFs. All three receptors exhibit both quantitative and qualitative differences in their ability to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates. Both FGFR1 and KGFR induce strong phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma and a 90 kDa protein, while FGFR4 induces a relatively weak phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma and completely fails to induce phosphorylation of the 90 kDa. The three receptors also induce phosphorylation of the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) but the effect of FGFR1 is far stronger than that of the other two receptors. Since FGFR4 is expressed in myoblasts in vivo, we examined whether this receptor can function in the differentiation pathway of myoblasts. Contrary to its weak mitogenic activity, FGFR4 effectively mediates the inhibition of myogenic differentiation in L6E9 cells and also suppresses the expression of the myogenic regulatory protein myogenin. Taken together, our results suggest that the signaling mechanism of FGFR4 differs from that of FGFR1 and KGFR, and that the primary role of FGFR4 in myoblasts may be the maintenance of their non differentiated state.

Animals↗

Identification of novel target proteins of cyclic GMP signaling pathways using chemical proteomics.

For deciphering the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway, we employed chemical proteomics to identify the novel target molecules of cGMP. We used cGMP that was immobilized onto agarose beads with linkers directed at three different positions of cGMP. We performed a pull-down assay using the beads as baits on tissue lysates and identified 9 proteins by MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight) mass spectrometry. Some of the identified proteins were previously known cGMP targets, including cGMP-dependent protein kinase and cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase. Surprisingly, some of the coprecipitated proteins were never formerly reported to associate with the cGMP signaling pathway. The competition binding assays showed that the interactions are not by nonspecific binding to either the linker or bead itself, but by specific binding to cGMP. Furthermore, we observed that the interactions are highly specific to cGMP against other nucleotides, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 5\'-GMP, which are structurally similar to cGMP. As one of the identified targets, MAPK1 was confirmed by immunoblotting with an anti-MAPK1 antibody. For further proof, we observed that the membrane-permeable cGMP (8-bromo cyclic GMP) stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 signaling in the treated cells. Our present study suggests that chemical proteomics can be a very useful and powerful technique for identifying the target proteins of small bioactive molecules.

Animals↗

Induction of beta3-integrin gene expression by sustained activation of the Ras-regulated Raf-MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway.

Alterations in the expression of integrin receptors for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are strongly associated with the acquisition of invasive and/or metastatic properties by human cancer cells. Despite this, comparatively little is known of the biochemical mechanisms that regulate the expression of integrin genes in cells. Here we demonstrate that the Ras-activated Raf-MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway can specifically control the expression of individual integrin subunits in a variety of human and mouse cell lines. Pharmacological inhibition of MEK1 in a number of human melanoma and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines led to reduced cell surface expression of alpha6- and beta3-integrin. Consistent with this, conditional activation of the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in NIH 3T3 cells led to a 5 to 20-fold induction of cell surface alpha6- and beta3-integrin expression. Induced beta3-integrin was expressed on the cell surface as a heterodimer with alphav-integrin; however, the overall level of alphav-integrin expression was not altered by Ras or Raf. Raf-induced beta3-integrin was observed in primary and established mouse fibroblast lines and in mouse and human endothelial cells. Consistent with previous reports of the ability of the Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway to induce beta3-integrin gene transcription in human K-562 erythroleukemia cells, Raf activation in NIH 3T3 cells led to elevated beta3-integrin mRNA. However, unlike immediate-early Raf targets such as heparin binding epidermal growth factor and Mdm2, beta3-integrin mRNA was induced by Raf in a manner that was cycloheximide sensitive. Surprisingly, activation of the Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway by growth factors and mitogens had little or no effect on beta3-integrin expression, suggesting that the expression of this gene requires sustained activation of this signaling pathway. In addition, despite the robust induction of cell surface alphavbeta3-integrin expression by Raf in NIH 3T3 cells, such cells display decreased spreading and adhesion, with a loss of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers. These data suggest that oncogene-induced alterations in integrin gene expression may participate in the changes in cell adhesion and migration that accompany the process of oncogenic transformation.

3T3 Cells↗

TAK1, but not TAB1 or TAB2, plays an essential role in multiple signaling pathways in vivo.

TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the MAPKKK family, is thought to be a key modulator of the inducible transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and, therefore, plays a crucial role in regulating the genes that mediate inflammation. Although in vitro biochemical studies have revealed the existence of a TAK1 complex, which includes TAK1 and the adapter proteins TAB1 and TAB2, it remains unclear which members of this complex are essential for signaling. To analyze the function of TAK1 in vivo, we have deleted the Tak1 gene in mice, with the resulting phenotype being early embryonic lethality. Using embryonic fibroblasts lacking TAK1, TAB1, or TAB2, we have found that TNFR1, IL-1R, TLR3, and TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation are severely impaired in Tak1(m/m) cells, but they are normal in Tab1(-/-) and Tab2(-/-) cells. In addition, Tak1(m/m) cells are highly sensitive to TNF-induced apoptosis. TAK1 mediates IKK activation in TNF-alpha and IL-1 signaling pathways, where it functions downstream of RIP1-TRAF2 and MyD88-IRAK1-TRAF6, respectively. However, TAK1 is not required for NF-kappaB activation through the alternative pathway following LT-beta signaling. In the TGF-beta signaling pathway, TAK1 deletion leads to impaired NF-kappaB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation without impacting Smad2 activation or TGF-beta-induced gene expression. Therefore, our studies suggests that TAK1 acts as an upstream activating kinase for IKKbeta and JNK, but not IKKalpha, revealing an unexpectedly specific role of TAK1 in inflammatory signaling pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Effect of endurance training on the sphingomyelin-signalling pathway activity in the skeletal muscles of the rat.

The sphingomyelin signalling pathway has been shown to function in different skeletal muscle types. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of endurance training on the functioning of the pathway in the muscles. The experiments were carried out on two groups of male Wistar rats: sedentary and trained for six weeks. 24h after cessation of the training rats were anaesthetized and samples of the soleus, red and white section of the gastrocnemius were taken. The content and composition of sphingomyelin-fatty acids and ceramide - fatty acids was determined by means of gas-liquid chromatography. The content of sphingosine and sphinganine was determined by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography. The activity of neutral Mg(++)-dependent sphingomyelinase was determined spectophotometrically using trinitrophenylaminolauroyl-sphingomyelin as the substrate. It has been found that training reduces the total content of sphingomyelin- and ceramide-fatty acids, increases the content of sphinganine and does not affect the content of sphingosine in individual muscle types. The activity of the enzyme in the muscles is also elevated. It is concluded that training affects functioning of the sphingomyelin -signalling pathway in skeletal muscles. The reduction in the content of ceramide may contribute to elevation in glucose uptake in skeletal muscles observed after training.

Animals↗

Regulation of the dorsal morphogen by the Toll and torso signaling pathways: a receptor tyrosine kinase selectively masks transcriptional repression.

The dorsal (dl) nuclear gradient initiates the differentiation of the mesoderm, neuroectoderm, and dorsal ectoderm by activating and repressing gene expression in the early Drosophila embryo. This gradient is organized by a Toll signaling pathway that shares many common features with the mammalian IL-1 cytokine pathway. Here we present evidence that a second signaling pathway, controlled by the torso (tor) receptor tyrosine kinase, also modulates dl activity. Evidence is presented that the tor pathway selectively masks the ability of dl to repress gene expression but has only a slight effect on activation. Intracellular kinases that are thought to function downstream of tor, such as D-raf and the rolled MAP kinase, mediate this selective block in repression. Normally, the Toll and tor pathways are both active only at the embryonic poles, and consequently, target genes (zen and dpp) that are repressed in middle body regions are expressed at these sites. Constitutive activation of the tor pathway causes severe embryonic defects, including disruptions in gastrulation and mesoderm differentiation, as a result of misregulation of dl target genes. These results suggest that RTK signaling pathways can control gene expression by antirepression, and that multiple pathways can fine-tune the activities of a single transcription factor.

Animals↗

Convergent, RIC-8-dependent Galpha signaling pathways in the Caenorhabditis elegans synaptic signaling network.

We used gain-of-function and null synaptic signaling network mutants to investigate the relationship of the G alpha(q) and G alpha(s) pathways to synaptic vesicle priming and to each other. Genetic epistasis studies using G alpha(q) gain-of-function and null mutations, along with a mutation that blocks synaptic vesicle priming and the synaptic vesicle priming stimulator phorbol ester, suggest that the G alpha(q) pathway generates the core, obligatory signals for synaptic vesicle priming. In contrast, the G alpha(s) pathway is not required for the core priming function, because steady-state levels of neurotransmitter release are not significantly altered in animals lacking a neuronal G alpha(s) pathway, even though these animals are strongly paralyzed as a result of functional (nondevelopmental) defects. However, our genetic analysis indicates that these two functionally distinct pathways converge and that they do so downstream of DAG production. Further linking the two pathways, our epistasis analysis of a ric-8 null mutant suggests that RIC-8 (a receptor-independent G alpha guanine nucleotide exchange factor) is required to maintain both the G alpha(q) vesicle priming pathway and the neuronal G alpha(s) pathway in a functional state. We propose that the neuronal G alpha(s) pathway transduces critical positional information onto the core G alpha(q) pathway to stabilize the priming of selected synapses that are optimal for locomotion.

Animals↗

Activin signaling pathways in ovine pituitary and LbetaT2 gonadotrope cells.

In the pituitary, activin stimulates the synthesis and release of FSH. However, the activin receptor signaling pathways that mediate these effects are poorly known. We investigated these mechanisms in primary ovine pituitary cells (POP) and in the murine LbetaT2 gonadotrope cell line. POP cells and LbetaT2 cells express the different activin receptors (types IA, IB, IIA, and IIB) and the Smad proteins (Smad-2, -3, -4, and -7). In both POP and LbetaT2 cells, activin activated several signaling pathways: Smad-2, extracellular regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 were stimulated (3- to 6-fold) rapidly in 5 min, whereas activation of both Smad-2 and Akt (3- to 5-fold) occurred later, in 60 min. Activin also increased the association of activin receptor IIB with PI3K. Using specific inhibitors, we demonstrated that the activation of Smad-2 was partially blocked by the inhibition of PI3K but not by the inhibition of ERK1/2 or p38, suggesting a cross-talk between the Smad and PI3K/Akt pathways. In both POP and LbetaT2 cells, FSH expression and secretion in response to activin were not altered by the inhibition of PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2, or p38 pathways, whereas they were reduced by about 2-fold by expression of a dominant negative of Smad-2 or the natural inhibitory Smad-7 in LbetaT2 cells. These results indicate that activin activates several signaling pathways with different time courses in both POP and LbetaT2 cells, but only the Smad-2 pathway appears to be directly implicated in FSH expression and release in LbetaT2 cells.

Activin Receptors↗

Similarities between the Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways.

Hedgehog and Wnt proteins are signaling molecules that direct many aspects of metazoan development through signal transduction pathways that are just beginning to be understood. Recently, the common use of glycogen synthase kinase 3 and casein kinase 1 has been added to a growing list of straightforward similarities between Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways. These kinases silence both pathways by labeling a key transcription factor (Cubitus interruptus) or co-activator (beta-catenin) for proteolysis, and it is possible that reversal of these phosphorylation events is, in each case, central to pathway activation. This review compares the two pathways to explore whether our more extensive knowledge of Wnt pathways can be of predictive value for investigating Hedgehog signaling.

Animals↗

Overview of cell death signaling pathways.

Apoptosis plays an important role in development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Intensive efforts have been made to explore the molecular mechanisms of the apoptotic signaling pathways including the initiation, mediation, execution and regulation of apoptosis. Caspases are central effectors of apoptosis. Cells undergo apoptosis through two major pathways, namely the extrinsic pathway (death receptor pathway) or the intrinsic pathway (the mitochondrial pathway). Finally, the contents of dead cells are packaged into apoptotic bodies, which are recognized by neighboring cells or macrophages and cleared by phagocytosis. Cellular apoptosis is tightly controlled by a complex regulatory networks including balancing pro-survival signals. De-regulation of apoptosis may lead to pathological disorders such as developmental defects, autoimmune diseases, neurodegeneration or cancer. Increasing attention is being focused on alternative signaling pathways leading to cell death including necrosis, autophagy, and mitotic catastrophe. Understanding of cell death signaling pathways is relevant to understanding cancer and to developing more effective therapeutics.

Animals↗

[Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental rat glomerulonephritis is mediated by NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway in mediating the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental rat glomerulonephritis. METHODS: Nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) was induced by injection of anti-GBM antibody into the tail veins of rats. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western Blot were used to detect the activation of NF-kappaB, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit and degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta in rat renal tissue. MCP-1 expression in glomeruli and renal tubules was also assessed by immunohistochemistry and ribonuclease protection assay. This was further correlated with the activation of NF-kappaB. RESULTS: There was an obvious expression of MCP-1 in glomeruli and renal tubules. Significant up-regulation of NF-kappaB activation, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit, and degradation of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta were also observed in NTN rat renal tissue, as compared to the control group. A positive correlation was noted between NF-kappaB activation and MCP-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway may play an important pathogenetic role in glomerulonephritis, with mediating the expression of MCP-1.

Animals↗