Functional of tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase with implications in innate immune reponse depend on CXXC active site.

The enzyme gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays an important role in promoting the processing and presentation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted antigens. It is also involved in MHC I-restricted antigens catalyzing disulfide bond reduction in fishes' adaptive immunity. The open reading frame of tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) GILT (tsGILT) gene is 771 bp long, encoding 257 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 28.

Curcumol enhances cisplatin sensitivity of gastric cancer: involvement of and the nuclear factor-kappa B/snail family transcriptional repressor 1 axis.

Cisplatin is a primary chemotherapeutic drug for gastric cancer (GC) patients, but the drug resistance remains the leading cause of treatment failure and high mortality. Curcumol is a bioactive sesquiterpenoid that has reportedly been linked to cisplatin sensitivity in GC. This study focuses on the exact functions of curcumol in the cisplatin sensitivity of GC cells and the molecules of action.

Jianpiyiqi formula ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis in rats by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Jianpiyiqi formula is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription and is used for the clinical treatment of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). The aim of the present study was to examine the underlying mechanisms of Jianpiyiqi formula treatment for CAG via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatogram of Jianpiyiqi formula was constructed.

The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Long Chai Fang on chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Long Chai Fang (LCF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in clinical settings; however, its related mechanism remains unclear.

Methods: To address this issue, network pharmacology and an integrative method that combines dot-blot hybridization and metabolomics analysis were employed. Network pharmacology was performed to investigate the material basis and potential mechanisms of LCF against CHB.

Costunolide induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human gastric adenocarcinoma BGC-823 cells.

Background: Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from Radix Aucklandiae, has the activity against multiple cancers. However, the effect of costunolide on gastric cancer (GC) have remained to be ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis induced by costunolide in human gastric adenocarcinoma BGC-823 cells in vitro and in vivo.

Molecular structure, expression, and bioactivity of B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and its receptor BAFF-R in cats (Felis catus).

B-cell survival depends on signals induced by binding of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) to its receptor (BAFF-R). In this study, the full-length cDNAs of cat BAFF (cBAFF) and BAFF-R (cBAFF-R) were amplified from the spleen by reverse transcription PCR. The open reading frame of cBAFF cDNA encodes a protein of 285 amino acids containing a predicted transmembrane domain and a furin protease cleavage site, similar to mammalian, avian, and reptile BAFFs.

Cloning and high-level SUMO-mediated fusion expression of a serine protease inhibitor from Hyphantria cunea Drury that exhibits activity against papain.

Insect-derived serine protease inhibitors (serpins) exhibit multiple inhibitory activities. Todate some functional roles for serpins in Hyphantria cunea Drury have been identified. Here, new functional features of the H.

[Injury of human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells by MNNG and its effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway].

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of mono-functional alkylating agent MNNG to damage human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells and roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process. The GES-1 cells were treated with MNNG (2 × 10 mol/L) for 24 h. The morphological changes of the GES-1 cells were observed under inverted microscope 2 d after treatment.

Solamargine derived from induces apoptosis of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells.

Solamargine, an active ingredient of , has been previously revealed to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the effect of solamargine on human cholangiocarcinoma cells and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unknown. In the present study, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-cancer effect of solamargine was assessed in human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells.

Glutathione -Transferase Pi Prevents Sepsis-Related High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein Translocation and Release.

Glutathione -transferase Pi (GSTP) was originally identified as one of cytosolic phase II detoxification enzymes and also was considered to function its non-catalytic, ligand-binding activity. We have reported that GSTP played an anti-inflammatory role in macrophages, suggesting that GSTP may have a protective role in inflammation. In this study, we deleted the murine gene cluster and found that GSTP significantly decreased the mortality of experimental sepsis and reduced related serum level of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1).

A Rationally Designed TNF-α Epitope-Scaffold Immunogen Induces Sustained Antibody Response and Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice.

The TNF-α biological inhibitors have significantly improved the clinical outcomes of many autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis. However, the practical uses are limited due to high costs and the risk of anti-drug antibody responses. Attempts to develop anti-TNF-α vaccines have generated encouraging data in animal models, however, data from clinical trials have not met expectations.

Risk factors of uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis: An observational study.

Background: Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The prevalence and characteristics of uveitis in AS have been studied in previous literatures, whereas its associated risk factors have not been clarified. Therefore, this study analyzed the risk factors of uveitis in patients with AS.

In vitro refolding and functional analysis of polyhistidine-tagged Buthus martensii Karsch antitumor-analgesic peptide produced in Escherichia coli.

Objectives: To identify an efficient in vitro refolding method to generate highly active His6-tagged scorpion toxin antitumor-analgesic peptide (AGAP) isolated from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies.

Results: N- and C-Terminal His6-tagged recombinant (r) AGAP (NHis6-rAGAP and CHis6-rAGAP, respectively) were expressed in E. coli; the purification and refolding conditions were optimized.

3-(3-pyridylmethylidene)-2-indolinone reduces the severity of colonic injury in a murine model of experimental colitis.

Nrf2 is the key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant response which is crucial for cytoprotection against extracellular stresses. Numerous in vivo studies indicate that Nrf2 plays a protective role in anti-inflammatory response. 3-(3-Pyridylmethylidene)-2-indolinone (PMID) is a synthesized derivative of 2-indolinone compounds.

Banxia xiexin decoction protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced chronic ulcerative colitis in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD), one of a traditional Chinese medicine chronicled in Shang Han Lun, is commonly used to treat gastroenteritis, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea. In our study, we used current biomedical approaches to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of BXD and possible protective mechanism involved in inhibiting dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic ulcerative colitis model.

Materials And Methods: Chronic DSS colitis was induced in C57BL/6 male mice by three cycles of 5 days of 2% DSS in drinking water, alternating with 5 days of normal water, totaling 30 days.

Identification and characterization of anticancer compounds targeting apoptosis and autophagy from Chinese native Garcinia species.

Natural compounds from medicinal plants are important resources for drug development. Active compounds targeting apoptosis and autophagy are candidates for anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we collected Garcinia species from China and extracted them into water or ethanol fractions.

Elemene injection induced autophagy protects human hepatoma cancer cells from starvation and undergoing apoptosis.

Elemene, a compound found in an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promising anticancer effects against a broad spectrum of tumors. In an in vivo experiment, we found that apatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits VEGFR2, combined with elemene injection (Ele) for the treatment of H22 solid tumor in mice resulted in worse effectiveness than apatinib alone. Moreover, Ele could protect HepG2 cells from death induced by serum-free starvation.

Inherent dynamics of head domain correlates with ATP-recognition of P2X4 receptors: insights gained from molecular simulations.

P2X receptors are ATP-gated ion channels involved in many physiological functions, and determination of ATP-recognition (AR) of P2X receptors will promote the development of new therapeutic agents for pain, inflammation, bladder dysfunction and osteoporosis. Recent crystal structures of the zebrafish P2X4 (zfP2X4) receptor reveal a large ATP-binding pocket (ABP) located at the subunit interface of zfP2X4 receptors, which is occupied by a conspicuous cluster of basic residues to recognize triphosphate moiety of ATP. Using the engineered affinity labeling and molecular modeling, at least three sites (S1, S2 and S3) within ABP have been identified that are able to recognize the adenine ring of ATP, implying the existence of at least three distinct AR modes in ABP.

Chemoprevention of dietary digitoflavone on colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis through inducing Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of inflammation.

Background: Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has emerged as a novel target for the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). Many chemopreventive compounds associated with Nrf2 activation are effective in preclinical systems and many on-going clinical trials are showing promising findings. In present study we evaluated the cytoprotective effect and chemopreventive properties of dietary digitoflavone.

Guizhi fuling capsule, an ancient Chinese formula, attenuates endometriosis in rats via induction of apoptosis.

Objective: The guizhi fuling (GZFL) capsule has been a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of gynecological inflammation for the past thousands of years. However, as a formula, its therapeutic mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of apoptosis during GZFL capsule therapy for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.

The aqueous extract of Lycopus lucidus Turcz ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage via inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Purpose: Renal fibrosis characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix protein results in chronic renal diseases including diabetic nephropathy. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway plays a key role in mediating renal fibrosis. Hence, agents that antagonize TGF-β signaling could be candidate for kidney disease therapy.

5,7-Dihydroxyflavone Enhances the Apoptosis-Inducing Potential of TRAIL in Human Tumor Cells via Regulation of Apoptosis-Related Proteins.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising candidate for the treatment of cancer, because it preferentially induces apoptosis in numerous cancer cells with little or no effect on normal cells. 5,7-Dihydroxyflavone is a dietary flavonoid commonly found in many plants. Here we show that the combined treatment with 5,7-dihydroxyflavone and TRAIL at subtoxic concentrations induced strong apoptotic response in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells, acute leukemia Jurkat T cells, and cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.

A new cytotoxic dinaphthofuran-7,12-dione derivatives from the seeds of Impatiens balsamina.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of seeds of Impatiens balsamina.

Methods: The chemical constituents of the plant were isolated and purified by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral date.

Results: A new dinaphthofuran-7,12-dione derivative, named balsaminone C(1), with another two known dinaphthofuran-7,12-dione derivatives, balsaminone A (2), balsaminone B (3) were isolated.

[Mechanism of growth inhibition effect of 3', 4', 5, 7-tetrahydroxyflavone on A549 cells].

Objective: To study luteolin-induced non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 apoptosis and the molecular mechanism for inhibiting its cycle arrest (G2 stage).

Method: MTT assay showed that luteolin had obvious inhibitory effect on A549 and indicated the half inhibition ratio (IC50). Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry.