Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract inhibits interleukin-17-induced interleukin-6 production via MAPK pathway in human pulmonary epithelial cells.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on interleukin-17 (IL-17)-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in A549 human pulmonary epithelial cells. Cells were treated with IL-17 (10 ng/ml) or GSPE (50 μg/ml), or both. The effects of GSPE on cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated.

Carbamylated albumin stimulates microRNA-146, which is increased in human renal cell carcinoma.

Carbamylation is a post-translational modification, the pathophysiological consequences of which remain poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small ribonucleic acids that have emerged as one of the central players in gene expression regulation. This study was designed to determine the effect of carbamylated albumin (cAlb) on the expression of miRNAs.

Triptolide suppresses interleukin-1beta-induced human beta-defensin-2 mRNA expression through inhibition of transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB in A549 cells.

The immunosuppressive effect of triptolide has been associated with suppression of T-cell activation. However, the immunosuppressive effects of triptolide on innate immunity in the epithelial barrier remain to be elucidated. Human beta-defensin (HBD)-2 is an inducible antimicrobial peptide and plays an important role in the innate immunity.

Inhibitory effects of glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide-induced activation in microglial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular activation in microglia and to evaluate the inhibitory mechanisms involved. Lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL) was used for the activation of primary cultured rat microglial or BV2 microglial cells. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels and outward K+ currents were measured using fura-2/AM and whole-cell patch-clamp methods, respectively.

Catalase induces the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through activation of NF-kappaB and PI3K signaling pathway in Raw 264.7 cells.

It has been reported that macrophages produce substantial amounts of nitrite and nitrate after addition of catalase, but the mechanism associated remains unclear. In present study, we investigated whether catalase modulates the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an enzyme that produces nitric oxide. Exposure of Raw 264.

Leptomycin B-induced apoptosis is mediated through caspase activation and down-regulation of Mcl-1 and XIAP expression, but not through the generation of ROS in U937 leukemia cells.

Leptomycin B (LMB), which is originally isolated from Streptomyces, possesses anti-tumor properties in vivo and in vitro. Though it was previously reported that LMB induces cell cycle arrest and p53-mediated apoptosis in certain cancer cells, however, the mechanism by which LMB induces apoptosis remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by LMB in U937 cells.

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in macrophages by catalase: role of NF-kappaB and PI3K signaling pathways.

Induction of COX-2 by catalase in smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and neuronal cells has been previously reported. However, the mechanism by which catalase up-regulates COX-2 remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of catalase on induction of COX-2 in macrophages.