Objective To investigate the activation and role of signal transduction pathway of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Human RPE cells were stimulated with 0.1%，10% foetal calfserum (FCS) and EGF(0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml)in 0.1% FCS Dulbeco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) and in 10% FCS DMEM for 3 days, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization were used to observe the expressions of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA，respectively. Activation of MAPK was detected by immunohistochemical method with specific anti-phosphorylated ERK 1/2 antibody. Results The optimal concentrations of EGF were 10 ng/ml in 0.1% FCS DMEM and 1 ng/ml in 10% FCS DMEM. After 3 days of stimulation with EGF, phosphorylated ERK 1/2 staining was detectable in nucleus of RPE cells, whereas cells presented immunostaining for phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in the cytoplasm before stimulation. Conclusions EGF may improve the expression of EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA of RPE cells, and induced MAPK nuclear translocation in a concentration-dependent manner. EGF-EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway may play a key role in RPE cells proliferation, and serum exerts an important acceclerating function in the process. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：67-132)
Objective To study the effect of p38MAPK activity on tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 （ICAM1） mRNA expressions of isolated rabbit liver during early stage of cold preservation and reperfusion period. Methods Based on the cold preservation and reperfusion model of isolated rabbit liver, the animals were divided into inhibition group （n=12） with 3 μmol/L SB202190 (p38MAPK specificity inhibitor) in perfusate and control group （n=12） with no SB202190 in perfusate. Liver tissue samples were harvested at the time points of before resection, end of cold preservation, and different reperfusion period (10, 30, 60 and 120 min). Protein expression and activity of p38MAPK were detected by Western blot and immunoprecipitation respectively, expression of TNF-α mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, and expression of ICAM1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization. Results There was no obvious change of expression of p38MAPK protein in liver tissue both in two groups during the total period （P＞0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups （P＞0.05）. At time points of end of cold preservation, 10, 30 and 60 min of reperfusion, the activity of p38MAPK in control group was significantly higher than that at the time points of before resection and 120 min of reperfusion (P＜0.01), and was also significantly higher than that in inhibition group at the same time points (P＜0.01). There was no significant difference in activity of p38MAPK among all time points in inhibition group (P＞0.05). The expressions of TNF-α mRNA and ICAM1 mRNA at the time points of before resection, end of cold preservation, and 10 and 30 min of reperfusion were significantly lower than those in 60 and 120 min of reperfusion in both two groups (P＜0.05, P＜0.01); The expressions of TNF-α mRNA and ICAM1 mRNA in inhibition group were significantly lower than those in control group at the time points of 60 and 120 min of reperfusion (P＜0.01). The activity of p38MAPK of liver tissue during cold preservation and reperfusion period was significantly correlated with the level of TNF-α mRNA and level of ICAM1 mRNA expression （r=0.996, P＜0.01； r=0.985, P＜0.01）. Conclusions These results suggest that p38MAPK pathway may regulate the expressions of TNF-α and ICAM1 at the level of transcription and the activation of p38MAPK can up-regulate TNF-α and ICAM1 expressions, which may be one of the important mechanisms to cause ischemia-reperfusion injury of isolated liver during cold preservation and reperfusion period.
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis and signal pathway of platelet activation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Thirty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Four groups were intravenously injected with oleic acid (OA, 0.25 ml/kg) to establish ARDS rat model. One group was intravenously injected with normal saline (NS) in same dose as control group. After injection of oleic acid for 2 h, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h in four OA groups, and injection of saline for 2 h in the control group, the rats were sacrificed. Blood was sampled from the abdominal aorta, then platelets were separated for abstracting platelet protein. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) phosphorylation level in platelet was detected by Western blot method, to explore the changes of platelet mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signal transduction pathway in ARDS, and the relationship between the changes and the pathogenesis of ARDS. Results Platelet MKK3 phosphorylation level significantly increased 6-72 h after injection of oleic acid (P＜0.05). It was 2.4 times that of the control group in 6 h group (0.50±0.09vs. 0.21±0.05), peaked and 3.7 times that of the control group in 24 h group (0.78±0.06), then fell slightly but still significantly higher than the control group in 72 h group (0.75±0.13). Conclusion The activation process of platelets is related with MKK3-p38 MAPK signaling pathway in ARDS.
Objective To investigate the mechanism of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in regulating the hyperplasia and hypertrophy of human lumbar ligamentum flavum via transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Methods The lumbar ligamentum flavum tissue taken from patient with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was isolated by collagenase-predigested explant cultures. The ligamentum flavum cells were treated with the extracellular regulated protein kinase pathway blocker PD98059, c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway blocker SP600125, and p38 pathway blocker SB203580, and then the mRNA expressions of CTGF, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The ligamentum flavum cells were divided into 4 groups, and transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA), p38 siRNA, siRNA+3 ng/mL TGF-β1, and p38 siRNA+3 ng/mL TGF-β1 in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. After 24 hours of transfection, immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expressions of p38 and phosphorylation p38 (p-p38); the relative mRNA expressions of CTGF, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ in each group were detected by qRT-PCR; the protein expression of CTGF in each group was detected by Western blot. Results p38 pathway blocker SB203580 could significantly reduce the relative mRNA expressions of CTGF, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ (P<0.05). After 24 hours of transfection, immunofluorescence staining showed positive staining with p38 and p-p38 expressions in groups A, C, and D and negative staining in group B. Compared with group A, the relative mRNA expressions of CTGF, collagen type Ⅰ, and collagen type Ⅲ and relative protein expression of CTGF in group B decreased significantly (P<0.05), while those in groups C and D increased significantly (P<0.05); and those indicators significantly increased in group C than in group D (P<0.05). Conclusion TGF-β1/CTGF based on the p38 MAPK signaling pathway play an important role in the occurance and development of hypertrophy of human lumbar ligamentum flavum.