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Eriobotryae folium (EF), the dried leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. has been traditionally used to treat various diseases such as chronic bronchitis, cough, inflammation, skin diseases, and diabetes. In this study, we examined the effects of Eriobotryae folium extract (EFE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in RAW264 murine macrophage cells. EFE suppressed LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations, EFE reduced the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, EFE significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB binding activity, which was associated with the inhibition of IκB-α degradation. EFE also attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of EF might result from inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression through the downregulation of NF-κB activation and MAPK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW264 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that plays fundamental roles in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Its upregulation in the brain can effectively prevent and treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including depression, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). BDNF is synthesized in various peripheral tissues as well as in the brain and can be transported from peripheral circulation into the brain through the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, foods that upregulate BDNF in peripheral tissues may be beneficial in preventing and treating these CNS diseases. Previously, we revealed that treatment with Chinpi (Citrus unshiu peel) and Citrus natsudaidai increased BDNF levels in the human renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN. Here, we evaluated the effects of 21 citrus cultivars on BDNF production in ACHN cells by measuring BDNF levels in the cell culture medium. We found that treatment with peels and pulps of 13 citrus varieties increased BDNF levels in ACHN cells. Treatment with Aurantium, Acrumen, and their hybrids citrus varieties showed a potent BDNF-upregulating effect but not with varieties belonging to Limonellus, Citrophorum, and Cephalocitrus. In addition, treatment with some of those Acrumen and its hybrid citrus species resulted in elevated levels of BDNF transcripts in ACHN cells. These results suggest that peels of many citrus cultivars contain ingredients with a potential BDNF-upregulating ability, which may be novel drug seeds for treating depression, AD, and PD. Furthermore, many citrus cultivars could be used as BDNF-upregulating foods.

Background: A reduction in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in the brain causes depression, whereas an increase in its level has therapeutic benefits against depression. BDNF is synthesized in various peripheral tissues and transported to the brain via the peripheral circulation across the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, substances that upregulate peripheral BDNF level may be used to prevent and treat depression. Previously, we demonstrated that Citrus unshiu peel (Chinpi) and C. natsudaidai increased BDNF level in a human renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN, which has BDNF-producing ability. Here, we evaluated whether Shiikuwasha (C. depressa Hayata), a citrus species cultivated in East Asia, can upregulate BDNF level in ACHN cells., Methods: We evaluated the effects of test samples on BDNF production by measuring BDNF level in the medium of ACHN cells after a 24 h cultivation in the presence of test samples. The BDNF mRNA level was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the phosphorylation level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor regulating BDNF expression, was determined using Western blotting., Results: We found that methanol extracts of Shiikuwasha peel, pulp, and seed increased the BDNF level in the culture medium of ACHN cells. Shiikuwasha peel and pulp extracts also upregulated BDNF mRNA level and phosphorylation of CREB., Conclusions: These results suggest that Shiikuwasha includes the candidate antidepressant substances with peripheral BDNF-upregulation effect., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain is beneficial for the treatment of depression, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD); BDNF can cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, foods that elevate BDNF concentration in peripheral tissues may increase BDNF in the brain and thereby induce preventive and therapeutic effects against depression, AD, and PD. In this study, we aimed to determine whether Citrus natsudaidai extracts can increase BDNF concentration using the human kidney adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN, which has BDNF-producing and -secreting abilities. As test samples, methanol extracts of C. natsudaidai peel and pulp, and their n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions were prepared. The BDNF concentrations in culture medium of ACHN cells were assayed after 24 h cultivation in the presence of test samples. Compared with that of control (non-treated) cells, the BDNF concentration increased in the culture medium of ACHN cells treated with the methanol extract of C. natsudaidai peel and its hexane, butanol, and water fractions, as well as the butanol and water fractions of the pulp extract. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that ACHN cells treated with the butanol fractions of the peel and pulp extracts showed elevated levels of BDNF mRNA compared with those of non-treated cells. C. natsudaidai may increase BDNF concentration by acting on peripheral tissues and could be a medication for the prevention and treatment of depression, AD, and PD.

Upregulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain can help in the prevention and treatment of depression. BDNF is synthesized in various peripheral tissues, as well as in the brain, and can reach the brain via the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, foods that upregulate peripheral BDNF levels may aid in depression management. We previously showed the BDNF-upregulating effect of white foxtail millet (WFM) using the human renal adenocarcinoma ACHN cell line, capable of producing and secreting BDNF. However, whether other varieties of foxtail millet can also upregulate BDNF is unclear. Herein, we examined the effects of red foxtail millet (RFM) on BDNF production in vitro and in vivo. RFM methanol extracts significantly increased BDNF levels in the culture medium of ACHN cells, and the levels were higher than those with WFMtreatment. Serum BDNF concentrations in rats fed a standard diet containing 20% RFM for 5 weeks were significantly higher than those in the control. Furthermore, the butanol fraction of the RFM methanol extract significantly increased BDNF levels in the culture medium of ACHN cells and upregulated BDNF mRNA expression in ACHN cells. Our results suggest that RFM has potential as a food material with BDNF-inducing activity.

The neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, that is, a deficiency in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) leads to depression, has gained widespread acceptance. BDNF is synthesized in various peripheral tissues such as the lung, kidney, liver, heart and testis, besides the brain. Peripheral BDNF can traverse the blood-brain barrier and reach the hippocampus; accordingly, substances that upregulate BDNF production in peripheral tissues may be useful in the treatment of depression. The Mediterranean diet, containing high amounts of whole grains including unrefined wheat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and olive oil, reportedly reduces the risk of depression. The association between the high consumption of unrefined wheat in the Mediterranean diet and BDNF production in peripheral tissues is unclear. In this study, we investigated the BDNF production capacity of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and the effect of wheat on BDNF production in the cells. Methanol extracts of whole-wheat flour and wheat bran, which are forms of unrefined wheat, increased the BDNF level in the culture medium of A549 cells. However, methanol extract of wheat endosperm had no effect on the BDNF level in these cells. Our findings suggest that wheat bran contains ingredients that upregulate BDNF production in peripheral tissues, and unrefined wheat potentially contributes to the elevation in peripheral BDNF level.

The neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, which suggests that decreased hippocampal brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels cause depression, has become increasingly popular. BDNF, a member of the neurotrophin family, promotes neuronal differentiation and survival. BDNF is synthesized in various peripheral tissues, as well as in the brain. Considering that peripheral BDNF can be transported into the brain across the blood‑brain barrier, substances with the ability to upregulate BDNF activity in peripheral tissues may be useful in the management of depression. Previously, we demonstrated that the human kidney adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN produces BDNF; hence, this cell line was employed for screening upregulators of peripheral BDNF. Here, we aimed to identify Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicines and their crude drug components that upregulate BDNF levels using ACHN cells. Chotosan, Hochuekkito, Kososan, and Ninjinyoeito, Kampo medicines used in treating psychiatric disorders, increased BDNF levels in the culture media of ACHN cells. Furthermore, Chinpi (Citrus unshiu peel), a crude drug contained in these four Kampo medicines, as well as Onji (Polygala tenuifolia root), and Saiko (Bupleurum falcatum root) elevated BDNF levels in ACHN cells. Chinpi, showing strong BDNF elevating effect, increased BDNF mRNA expression. Inhibitors of protein kinase B, mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase, and cAMP‑dependent protein kinase, involved in the transcription of BDNF, attenuated Chinpi‑induced BDNF elevation. Our results suggest that Chinpi and Kampo medicines containing Chinpi can promote the production of BDNF in peripheral tissues, potentially alleviating depression symptoms.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays important roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal differentiation. The neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, which suggests that reduced BDNF in the hippocampus underlies depression, has attracted increasing attention. Stress, a major cause of depression, leads to decreased BDNF levels, and administration of BDNF into the hippocampus shows an antidepressant effect. BDNF is synthesized in peripheral tissues as well as in the brain. Since BDNF crosses the blood-brain barrier, intake of food ingredients that elevate BDNF in peripheral tissues may be useful for the prevention and treatment of depression. However, no screening method for BDNF up-regulators in peripheral tissues has been reported. In this study, we revealed that ACHN human kidney adenocarcinoma cells secreted BDNF. In addition, we demonstrated that the methanol extract of foxtail millet up-regulated BDNF levels in ACHN cells. Our results indicate that ACHN cells could be useful in the screening for peripheral-BDNF up-regulators, and that foxtail millet may have the potential to elevate BDNF levels in peripheral tissues.

Ghrelin is a stomach-derived peptide hormone with an appetite-stimulating effect. Octanoylation on the serine-3 residue of ghrelin by ghrelin O-acyl transferase (GOAT) is essential for its orexigenic effect. Mature octanoylated ghrelin is generated by the C-terminal cleavage of octanoylated proghrelin via prohormone convertases (furin, PC1/3, or PC2). We previously established an AGS-GHRL8 cell line that produces octanoylated ghrelin in the presence of octanoic acid, and found that oleanolic acid suppresses octanoylated ghrelin production in AGS-GHRL8 cells. Here, we investigated the effects of oleanolic acid in C57BL/6J mice fed a standard, high-fat, or high-glucose diet. Oral administration of oleanolic acid for seven days (20 or 40 mg/kg) reduced plasma octanoylated ghrelin levels and body weight gain in the standard diet-fed mice but not in other two diet-fed mice. There were no significant differences in ghrelin, GOAT, furin, PC1/3, and PC2 gene expression levels between the vehicle- and oleanolic acid-treated mice fed a standard diet. Octanoyl-CoA is a substrate for ghrelin octanoylation by GOAT. We found that oleanolic acid did not affect octanoyl-CoA production in vitro. Hence, the inhibitory effect of oleanolic acid on octanoylated ghrelin production may not be related to the decrease in octanoyl-CoA. The results of this study may provide valuable knowledge for the development of anti-obesity agents with an inhibitory effect on octanoylated ghrelin production.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone produced in the stomach. The major active form is octanoylated ghrelin, which is modified with an n-octanoic acid at the serine-3 residue. Inhibition of octanoylated ghrelin production is useful for the prevention and improvement of obesity. We previously developed a cell-based assay system employing a ghrelin-expressing cell line, AGS-GHRL8, and found various compounds that decreased octanoylated ghrelin levels using this system. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is a bioactive catechin in green tea and reportedly has an anti-obesity effect; however, it remains unclear whether EGCG inhibits octanoylated ghrelin production. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on octanoylated ghrelin levels in AGS-GHRL8 cells and C57BL/6J mice. EGCG significantly reduced the octanoylated ghrelin level in AGS-GHRL8 cells. In mice, three days of treatment with TEAVIGO ® , which contains 97.69% EGCG, lowered the plasma octanoylated ghrelin level by 40% from that in control mice. In addition, TEAVIGO ® reduced the mRNA expression of ghrelin and prohormone convertase 1/3, an enzyme responsible for the processing of proghrelin to mature ghrelin, in the mouse stomach, suggesting that the reduced expression of these genes may contribute to the inhibition of octanoylated ghrelin production. These results suggest a decrease in the octanoylated ghrelin level to be involved in the anti-obesity effect of EGCG, which thus has potential for the development of anti-obesity agents with ghrelin-lowering effect.

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a well-known medicinal herb in the oriental medicine. The current study on bioactive triterpenoid in the root of S. miltiorrhiza led to the isolation of a new highly hydroxylated ursane-type triterpene, urs-12-ene-2α,3β,7β,16α-tetraol (1) and five known ones including 2β-hydroxypomolic acid (2), maslinic acid (3), asiatic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), and oleanolic acid (6). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature data. The antiproliferative testing against HL-60 cells revealed that the new compound 1 and ursolic acid (5) showed weak and moderate activities with IC 50 values of 42.2 and 11.7 μM. In addition, compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory effect on ghrelin activity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating peptide hormone with an octanoyl modification at serine 3 that is essential for its orexigenic effect. Ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) is the enzyme that catalyzes ghrelin acylation using fatty acyl-coenzyme A as a substrate. We previously developed an assay system based on the AGS-GHRL8 cell line that produces octanoylated ghrelin in the presence of octanoic acid, and demonstrated that some fatty acids suppressed octanoylated ghrelin production. Recent studies have reported that triterpenes have anti-obesity effect. Since such triterpenes, like fatty acids, have a carboxyl group, we speculated that they can suppress octanoylated ghrelin production. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of triterpenes on octanoylated ghrelin production. Asiatic acid, corosolic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid suppressed octanoylated ghrelin levels in AGS-GHRL8 cells without decreasing transcript expression of GOAT or furin, a protease required for ghrelin maturation. β-amyrin had no effect on octanoylated ghrelin level, which was only slightly inhibited by uvaol; the fact that both these triterpenes lack a carboxyl group indicates that this group is important for suppressing octanoylated ghrelin production. These results suggest that triterpenes may have the potential as obesity-preventing agents with suppressive effect on octanoylated ghrelin production.

Background: Dabigatran (DT) is a direct thrombin inhibitor used to prevent venous and arterial thromboembolism due to atrial fibrillation. DT is the active form of the commercially available prodrug DT etexilate. Although DT has many clinical advantages over warfarin, it increases the incidence of bleeding in patients with renal dysfunction. Circulating levels of DT are increased in such patients because it is mainly eliminated by renal excretion. Therapeutic drug monitoring may therefore help to prevent adverse DT effects, but no method for measuring circulating DT levels has been reported, except for an analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This study sought to develop a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure DT concentrations., Methods: Mice were immunized with a DT-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate to generate an anti-DT antibody. Immunized mouse splenocytes and myeloma cells (SP2/0) were fused to obtain an anti-DT monoclonal antibody (DT-mAb). DT-mAb and DT solutions were added to microplate wells coated with a DT-human serum albumin conjugate. DT concentrations were determined based on the principles of ELISA., Results: DT-mAb was successfully purified from a hybridoma, and the competitive ELISA developed using this DT-mAb could evaluate DT concentrations ranging from 7.8 to 125 ng/mL. The ELISA signal was not linear using DT-spiked serum; however, it was linear when serum ultrafiltrate was used. Weak cross-reactivity with DT etexilate was detected, but no cross-reactivity was observed with other structurally related drugs or drugs commonly used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation., Conclusions: The developed competitive ELISA is a valuable and specific tool to analyze free DT in serum ultrafiltrate for therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies.

Contactin-associated protein 4 (Caspr4), also known as contactin-associated protein-like protein (CNTNAP4), is expressed in various regions of the brain. Recent reports suggest that CNTNAP4 is a susceptibility gene of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the molecular function of Caspr4 in the brain has yet to be identified. In this study, we show an essential role of Caspr4 in neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Caspr4 is expressed in NPCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ), a neurogenic region in the developing cortex. Knocking down of Caspr4 enhances the proliferation of NPCs derived from the SVZ of embryonic day 14 mouse. Neuronal differentiation is increased by overexpression of Caspr4, but decreased by knocking down of Caspr4 in cultured mouse NPCs. Transfection of the intracellular domain of Caspr4 (C4ICD) rescues the abnormal decreased neuronal differentiation of Caspr4-knocking down NPCs. Ligand of Numb protein X2 (LNX2), a binding partner of Numb, interacts with Caspr4 in a PDZ domain-dependent manner and plays a similar role to Caspr4 in NPCs. Moreover, transfection of LNX2 rescues the decreased neuronal differentiation in Caspr4-knocking down NPCs. In contrast, transfection of C4ICD fails to do so in LNX2-knocking down NPCs. These results indicate that Caspr4 inhibits neuronal differentiation in a LNX-dependent manner. Therefore, this study reveals a novel role of Caspr4 through LNX2 in NPCs, which may link to the pathogenesis of ASDs.

Ghrelin is a growth hormone-releasing peptide that also displays orexigenic activity. Since serine-3 acylation with octanoylate (octanoylation) is essential for the orexigenic activity of ghrelin, suppression of octanoylation could lead to amelioration or prevention of obesity. To enable the exploration of inhibitors of octanoylated ghrelin production, we developed a cell-based assay system using AGS-GHRL8 cells, in which octanoylated ghrelin concentration increases in the presence of octanoic acid. Using this assay system, we investigated whether fatty acids contained in foods or oils, such as acetic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid, have inhibitory effects on octanoylated ghrelin production. Acetic acid did not suppress the increase in octanoylated ghrelin production in AGS-GHRL8 cells, which was induced by the addition of octanoic acid. However, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid significantly suppressed octanoylated ghrelin production, with the effect of oleic acid being the strongest. Additionally, oleic acid decreased the serum concentration of octanoylated ghrelin in mice. The serum concentration of des-acyl ghrelin (without acyl modification) was also decreased, but the decrease was smaller than that of octanoylated ghrelin. Decreased octanoylated ghrelin production likely resulted from post-translational ghrelin processing, as there were no significant differences in gene expression in the stomach between oleic acid-treated mice and controls. These results suggest that oleic acid is a potential inhibitor of octanoylated ghrelin production and that our assay system is a valuable tool for screening compounds with suppressive effects on octanoylated ghrelin production.

KCP-4 is a cisplatin-resistant cell line established from human epidermoid carcinoma KB-3-1 cells. Although our previous study revealed that one of the mechanisms for cisplatin resistance in KCP-4 cells is the activation of NF-κB, its high resistance is considered to be induced by multiple mechanisms. In the present study, we explored other factors involved in the development of cisplatin resistance in KCP-4 cells. Since it has been reported that an unknown efflux pump exports cisplatin from KCP-4 cells in an ATP-dependent manner, we examined 48 types of ATP-binding cassette proteins as candidate cisplatin efflux transporters. The mRNA expression levels of ABCA1, ABCA3, ABCA7 and ABCB10 in KCP-4 cells were higher when compared to those in KB-3-1 cells. These expression levels in cisplatin-sensitive revertant KCP-4 cells (KCP-4R cells), were reduced in parallel with the sensitivity of these cells to cisplatin and their intracellular accumulation of cisplatin. Next, we investigated the occurrence of mutations in p53 in KCP-4 cells. We found a heterozygous missense mutation at codon 72 (p.Pro72Arg) in p53 of both KCP-4 and KB-3-1 cells, but the protein expression level of p53 in KCP-4 cells was higher when compared to that in KB-3-1. These results suggest that ABCA1, ABCA3, ABCA7 and ABCB10 are candidate genes for the cisplatin efflux transporter that is involved in the cisplatin resistance of KCP-4 cells, and that the mutation at codon 72 of p53 may contribute to the development of cisplatin resistance.

Ghrelin, a gastric hormone, is a growth hormone-releasing peptide. Its serine-3 acylation with octanoic acid is essential for its orexigenic activity, and therefore, inhibition of the acylation of ghrelin may help in decreasing appetite and preventing obesity. This study aimed to establish a human gastric cell-based assay system to evaluate candidate inhibitors of octanoylated ghrelin production. In human gastric carcinoma AGS cells, obligatory factors for the posttranslational modification of ghrelin, such as certain prohormone convertases responsible for processing of proghrelin to the mature ghrelin and the enzyme-catalyzing acyl-modification of ghrelin, were well expressed, but ghrelin was expressed at low levels. Accordingly, we transfected a ghrelin-expressing vector into AGS cells and isolated a stable ghrelin-expressing cell line (AGS-GHRL8). AGS-GHRL8 cells secreted octanoylated ghrelin in accordance with the concentrations of octanoic acid in the culture medium. Given that ingested heptanoic acid is used for the acyl-modification of ghrelin, we evaluated whether heptanoic acid inhibits production of octanoylated ghrelin in AGS-GHRL8 cells. Butyric acid was used as a control. Indeed, heptanoic acid predictably decreased the secretion of octanoylated ghrelin, whereas butyric acid did not. The AGS-GHRL8 line established in this study will facilitate the screening of inhibitors of octanoylated ghrelin production.

Eriobotrya japonica leaf is a traditional herbal medicine that contains numerous triterpenes, which have various pharmacological properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity of four triterpenes derived from E. japonica, including corosolic acid (CA), ursolic acid (UA), maslinic acid (MA) and oleanolic acid (OA), in human leukemia cell lines. CA showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity in all of the leukemia cell lines tested, but not in normal human skin fibroblast cell lines. To determine the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of CA, we examined the effect of CA on molecular events known as apoptosis induction. CA induced chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, sub-G(1) phase DNA, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9 and the cleavage of PARP in HL-60. CA also activated Bid and Bax, leading to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψ(m)) and cytochrome c release into the cytosol, whereas Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were unaffected by CA. These results suggest that CA has an anti-proliferative effect on leukemia cells via the induction of apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation. CA may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human leukemia.

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin) is one of the most potent antitumor agents for the treatment of various types of cancer. In spite of its therapeutic usefulness, the intrinsic resistance acquired under continuous treatment limits its benefit in cancer therapy. KCP-4, a cisplatin-resistant cell line, was derived from human epidermoid carcinoma KB-3-1 cells. Since the accumulation of cisplatin in KCP-4 cells is markedly reduced by the presence of an efflux pump, this pump is thought to be related to cisplatin resistance of the KCP-4 cells. However, given that KCP-4 cells are tremendously resistant to cisplatin compared with KB-3-1 cells, it is possible that another mechanism exists. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) contributes to the cisplatin resistance of KCP-4 cells. We used the level of translocated NF-κB into the nucleus, determined by immunoblot analysis, as the indicator of NF-κB activation. The activation level of NF-κB was higher in KCP-4 cells than in KB-3-1 cells. KCP-4 cells were treated with a combination of cisplatin and curcumin, an inhibitor of NF-κB activation, and the cell viabilities were subsequently determined by the MTT assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. In the presence of 10 µmol/l curcumin, we found that the sensitivity of KCP-4 cells to 100 and 300 µmol/l cisplatin was augmented. Additionally, curcumin reduced the activation levels of NF-κB in KCP-4 cells, and suppressed the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin, which are apoptosis-related proteins regulated by NF-κB. Our results suggest that the high cisplatin resistance of KCP-4 cells compared with KB-3-1 cells results from multiple mechanisms other than increased cisplatin efflux, including the activation of NF-κB.

Eriobotryae folium (EF), the dried leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. has been traditionally used to treat various diseases such as chronic bronchitis, cough, inflammation, skin diseases, and diabetes. In this study, we examined the effects of Eriobotryae folium extract (EFE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in RAW264 murine macrophage cells. EFE suppressed LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations, EFE reduced the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, EFE significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB binding activity, which was associated with the inhibition of IkappaB-alpha degradation. EFE also attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of EF might result from inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression through the downregulation of NF-kappaB activation and MAPK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW264 cells.

To identify proteins interacting with the intracellular domain of the neural cell adhesion molecule contactin-associated protein 2 (Caspr2), yeast two-hybrid screening was performed. We identified carboxypeptidase E (CPE) as a Caspr2-interacting candidate protein. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down and immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that Caspr2 was associated with CPE in vitro and in vivo. Both Caspr2 and CPE were expressed predominantly in the CNS. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that both Caspr2- and CPE-like immunoreactivities were found to co-localize in the apical dendrites and cell bodies of rat cortical neurons. In subcellular localization analysis, Caspr2- and CPE-like immunoreactivities were co-migrated in the fractions of Golgi/ER. Additionally, in COS-7 cells co-transfected with CPE and Caspr2 cDNAs, Caspr2- and CPE-immunoreactivities were co-localized in both Golgi and membrane, whereas it was only observed in Golgi of either COS-7 cell transfected with CPE or Caspr2 cDNA alone. It is known that the membrane-bound form of CPE functions as a sorting receptor of prohormones in the trans-Golgi network. Taken together, our data suggest that CPE may be a key molecule to regulate Caspr2 trafficking to the cell membrane.

Paclitaxel-induced painful peripheral neuropathy is a major dose-limiting factor. Recently, it has been reported that macrophages accumulated in the dorsal root ganglion of paclitaxel-treated rats, and their activation is suggested to contribute to generation and development of the neuropathy. However, the mechanism for macrophage activation is still unknown. In this study, to explore candidate genes involved in the mechanism for macrophage activation in the dorsal root ganglion of paclitaxel-treated rats, we developed model rats for paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain and performed a microarray assay to analyze the changes of gene expressions in the dorsal root ganglion. Among the genes with changed expression levels, we focused on matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3, stromelysin-1) and CD163, a macrophage marker. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, the expression levels of MMP-3 and CD163 were markedly up-regulated in paclitaxel-treated dorsal root ganglion. As a result of immunohistochemical study, large ganglion neurons, but neither Schwann cells nor macrophages, predominantly expressed MMP-3. This MMP-3 up-regulation occurred prior to macrophage accumulation in the dorsal root ganglion. In addition, recombinant MMP-3 led to the activation of RAW264 macrophages in vitro. Taken together, the up-regulation of MMP-3 and following macrophage activation caused in the dorsal root ganglion might be a significant event to trigger a series of reactions developing paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.

Myoblasts respond to growth factor deprivation either by diffentiation into multinucleated myotubes or by undergoing apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis and differentiation in myogenic lineage may use overlapping cellular mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the expression of the small heat shock protein alphaB-crystallin as well as MyoD and myogenin is induced during myogenic differentiation in C2C12 cells, and these inductions occur at an early stage in the differentiation in vitro. To investigate the effect of alphaB-crystallin on myogenic differentiation and apoptosis, C2C12 cells were infected with adenovirus vector bearing full-length alphaB-crystallin cDNA. Overexpression of alphaB-crystallin in C2C12 cells suppressed differentiation-induced apoptosis and activation of caspase 3, and also decreased the expression of MyoD and myogenin during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells induced by the differentiation medium. Our findings suggest that stress such as growth factor deprivation plays an important role in triggering apoptosis associated with myogenic differentiation and alphaB-crystallin suppressed the differentiation, apoptosis and caspase 3 activity.

An angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP), stimulates the chemotaxis of endothelial cells and confers resistance to apoptosis induced by hypoxia. 2-Deoxy-D-ribose, a degradation product of thymidine generated by TP enzymatic activity, partially prevented hypoxia-induced apoptosis. TP was expressed at higher levels in tumor tissuses compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues in a variety of human carcinomas. High expression of TP is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. To investigate the effect of TP on cisplatin-induced apoptosis, human leukemia Jurkat cells were transfected wild-type or mutant (L148R) TP cDNA. TP inhibits a number of steps in the cisplatin-induced apoptotic pathway, activation of caspase 3, 9 and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These findings suggest a mechanism by which TP confers the resistance to apoptosis by cisplatin. Moreover, mutant TP that has no enzymatic activity also suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that TP has cytoprotective functions against cytotoxic agents which are independent of its enzymatic activity.

The structures of the adducts derived from the reactions of substituted ketenes with dihydropyridine derivatives have been clarified by single crystal X-ray analyses and the formation mechanism is discussed on the basis of the reaction-path calculations by semiempirical and density functional theory (DFT) molecular orbital methods.

An angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP), stimulates the chemotaxis of endothelial cells and confers resistance to apoptosis induced by hypoxia. 2-Deoxy-D-ribose, a degradation product of thymidine generated by TP, partially prevents hypoxia-induced apoptosis. TP is expressed at higher levels in tumor tissues compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues in a variety of human carcinomas. High expression of TP is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. To investigate the effect of TP on cisplatin-induced apoptosis, human leukemia Jurkat cells were transfected with wild-type or mutant (L148R) TP cDNA. TP inhibited a number of steps in the cisplatin-induced apoptotic pathway, activation of caspases 3 and 9 and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These findings suggest a mechanism by which TP confers resistance to apoptosis induced by cisplatin. Moreover, mutant TP that has no enzymatic activity also suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that TP has cytoprotective functions against cytotoxic agents which are independent of its enzymatic activity.

The structure of the product derived from the reaction of a dihydropyridine derivative with phenylsulfinylallene has been clarified by a single crystal X-ray analysis and the formation mechanism is discussed on the basis of the reaction-path calculations by semiempirical and ab initio molecular orbital methods.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of an assay using two polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping methods in the practical surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)., Methods: Nosocomial infection and colonization were surveyed monthly in a university hospital in Japan for 20 months. Genotyping with mec-HVR is based on the size of the mec-associated hypervariable region amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Toxin genotyping uses a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method to amplify eight staphylococcal toxin genes., Results: Eight hundred nine MRSA isolates were classified into 49 genotypes. We observed differing prevalences of genotypes for different hospital wards, and could rapidly demonstrate the similarity of genotype for outbreak isolates. The incidence of genotype D: SEC/TSST1 was significantly higher in isolates causing nosocomial infections (49.5%; 48 of 97) than in nasal isolates (31.4%; 54 of 172) (P = .004), suggesting that this genotype may represent the nosocomial strains., Conclusion: The combined use of these two genotyping methods resulted in improved discriminatory ability and should be further investigated.