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Results for “DEXAMETHASONE”

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At least 19 records

Dexamethasone reduces the formation of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a murine model

Highlights: • Dexamethasone attenuated thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a mouse model. • Dexamethasone reduced infiltration of inflammatory cell and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell and fibroblast. • Dexamethasone partly alleviated degradation of collagen and phenotype switch. • DEX might ameliorate thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening vascular disease with no effective pharmaceutical therapies currently available. Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of aneurysms. Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, has showed alleviating effects on cells in vitro from TAAD patients. Here we performed a study aiming at investigating the protective role of DEX in a β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAAD mouse model. DEX (dose: 0.04 mg/kg/day) treatment significantly reduced the aortic diameter and inhibited TAAD formation. DEX reduced infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), expression of metalloproteinase 2/9, and extracellular matrix degradation in BAPN-treated TAAD mice. Furthermore, DEX therapy downregulated the expression of p-p65 in macrophages and VSMCs, which suggested that DEX might ameliorate BAPN-induced TAAD by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Therefore, DEX therapy attenuates the progression of BAPN-induced TAAD murine model and could be used as an effective adjuvant therapy for treating TAAD.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase by compound 991 protects osteoblasts from dexamethasone

Highlights: • Compound 991 (C991) activates AMPK signaling in osteoblast cells. • C991 attenuates dexamethasone (Dex)-induced osteoblast cell death. • AMPK activation is required for C991-mediated osteoblast protection against Dex. • C991 inhibits Dex-induced oxidative stress in osteoblasts. • Genetic AMPK inhibition reverses C991's anti-oxidant actions in osteoblasts. Dexamethasone (Dex) induces direct cytotoxicity to cultured osteoblasts. The benzimidazole derivative compound 991 (“C991”) is a novel and highly-efficient AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator. Here, in both MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and primary murine osteoblasts, treatment with C991 activated AMPK signaling, and significantly attenuated Dex-induced apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death. AMPKα1 knockdown (by shRNA), complete knockout (by CRISPR/Cas9 method) or dominant negative mutation (T172A) not only blocked C991-mediated AMPK activation, but also abolished its pro-survival effect against Dex in osteoblasts. Further studies showed that C991 boosted nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) activity and induced mRNA expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated genes (heme oxygenase-1 and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1). Additionally, C991 alleviated Dex-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in osteoblasts. Notably, genetic AMPK inhibition reversed the anti-oxidant actions by C991 in Dex-treated osteoblasts. Together, we conclude that C991 activates AMPK signaling to protect osteoblasts from Dex.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

LncRNA EPIC1 protects human osteoblasts from dexamethasone-induced cell death

Highlights: • Dexamethasone (Dex) increases Lnc-EPIC1 expression in human osteoblasts. • Lnc-EPIC1 expression is elevated in necrotic femoral head tissues of Dex-taking patients. • Ectopic Lnc-EPIC1 overexpression protects human osteoblasts from Dex. • Lnc-EPIC1 siRNA potentiates Dex-induced cytotoxicity in human osteoblasts. • Myc is the primary target of Lnc-EPIC1 in human osteoblasts. Dexamethasone (Dex) can induce injury to human osteoblasts. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) EPIC1 (Lnc-EPIC1) is a novel Myc-interacting LncRNA. Its effect on Dex-treated human osteoblasts is studied here. In OB-6 osteoblastic cells and primary human osteoblasts, treatment with Dex increased expression of Lnc-EPIC1. Its expression is also elevated in the necrotic femoral head tissues of Dex-taking patients. Ectopic overexpression of Lnc-EPIC1 inhibited Dex-induced apoptosis and programmed necrosis in OB-6 cells and primary human osteoblasts. Reversely, Lnc-EPIC1 silencing by targeted siRNA potentiated Dex-induced cytotoxicity. Myc is the target of Lnc-EPIC1 in osteoblasts. Exogenous overexpression of Myc protected OB-6 cells from Dex. Conversely, Myc knockout by CRISPR-Cas-9 method abolished Lnc-EPIC1-induced OB-6 cytoprotection against Dex. Together, Lnc-EPIC1 expression protects human osteoblasts from Dex possible via regulation of Myc.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Coadministration of a Clinically Relevant Dexamethasone Dosage With Ablative Radiation Therapy Reduces Peripheral Lymphocytes But Does Not Alter In Vivo Intratumoral Lymphocyte Phenotype or Inhibit Efficacy of Radiation Therapy in a Murine Colorectal Tumor Model

Dexamethasone is commonly given during radiation therapy (RT) to manage toxicities. Our study examines if dexamethasone coadministration with RT inhibits the RT-induced antitumor T cell response in mouse.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Dexamethasone treatment did not exacerbate Seneca Valley virus infection in nursery-age pigs

Background: Senecavirus A, commonly known as Seneca Valley virus (SVV), is a picornavirus that has been infrequently associated with porcine idiopathic vesicular disease (PIVD). In late 2014 there were multiple PIVD outbreaks in several states in Brazil and samples from those cases tested positive for SVV. Beginning in July of 2015, multiple cases of PIVD were reported in the United States in which a genetically similar SVV was also detected. These events suggested SVV could induce vesicular disease, which was recently demonstrated with contemporary US isolates that produced mild disease in pigs. It was hypothesized that stressful conditions may exacerbate the expression of clinical disease and the following experiment was performed. Two groups of 9-week-old pigs were given an intranasal SVV challenge with one group receiving an immunosuppressive dose of dexamethasone prior to challenge. After challenge animals were observed for the development of clinical signs and serum and swabs were collected to study viral shedding and antibody production. In addition, pigs were euthanized 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 days post inoculation (dpi) to demonstrate tissue distribution of virus during acute infection. Results: Vesicular disease was experimentally induced in both groups with the duration and magnitude of clinical signs similar between groups. During acute infection [0–14 days post infection (dpi)], SVV was detected by PCR in serum, nasal swabs, rectal swabs, various tissues, and in swabs from ruptured vesicles. From 15 to 30 dpi, virus was less consistently detected in nasal and rectal swabs, and absent from most serum samples. Virus neutralizing antibody was detected by 5 dpi and lasted until the end of the study. Conclusion: Treatment with an immunosuppressive dose of dexamethasone did not drastically alter the clinical disease course of SVV in experimentally infected nursery aged swine. A greater understanding of SVV pathogenesis and factors that could exacerbate disease can help the swine industry with control and prevention strategies directed against this virus.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Gene expression profiling of osteoblasts subjected to dexamethasone-induced apoptosis with/without GSK3β-shRNA

Glucocorticoids (GCs)-induced osteoblast apoptosis has been identified as an important cause of GCs related osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) has been proved to mediate dexamethasone (Dex)-induced osteoblast apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of GSK3β in Dex-induced osteoblast apoptosis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The contribution of the neuroendocrine system to adaption after repeated daily ozone exposure in rats

Ozone-induced lung injury/inflammation dissipates despite continued exposure for 3 or more days; however, the mechanisms of adaptation/habituation remain unclear. Since ozone effects are mediated through adrenal-derived stress hormones, which also regulate longevity of centrally-mediated stress response, we hypothesized that ozone-adaptation is linked to diminution of neuroendocrine stress-axes activation and glucocorticoid levels. Male Wistar-Kyoto-rats (12-week-old) were injected with vehicle or a therapeutically-relevant dexamethasone dose (0.01-mg/kg/day; intraperitoneal) for 1-month to determine if suppression of glucocorticoid signaling was linked to adaptation. Vehicle- and dexamethasone-treated rats were exposed to air or 0.8-ppm ozone, 4 h/day × 2 or 4 days to assess the impacts of acute exposure and adaptation, respectively. Dexamethasone reduced thymus and spleen weights, circulating lymphocytes, corticosterone and increased insulin. Ozone increased lavage-fluid protein and neutrophils and decreased circulating lymphocytes at day-2 but not day-4. Ozone-induced hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and inhibition of beta-cell insulin release occurred at day-1 but not day-3. Ozone depleted circulating prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing-hormone at day-2 but not day-4, suggesting central mediation of adaptation. Adrenal epinephrine biosynthesis gene, Pnmt, was up-regulated after ozone exposure at both timepoints. However, genes involved in glucocorticoid biosynthesis were up-regulated after day-2 but not day-4, suggesting that acute 1- or 2-day ozone-mediated glucocorticoid increase elicits feedback inhibition to dampen hypothalamic stimulation of ACTH release in response to repeated subsequent ozone exposures. Although dexamethasone pretreatment affected circulating insulin, lymphocytes and adrenal genes, it had modest effect on ozone adaptation. In conclusion, ozone adaptation likely involves lack of hypothalamic response due to reduced availability of circulating glucocorticoids.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Blood Pressure Changes After Exposures Increasing Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity and After Its Normalization with Dihydroquercetin in Male Wistar Rats

Changes in BP and HR were assessed after exposures increasing activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme: ionizing radiation, NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), and dexamethasone. Effects of dihydroquercetin and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on activity of this enzyme, BP, and HR were also evaluated under these exposures. Wistar male rats were subjected to X-ray irradiation in a dose of 2.5 Gy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the aorta sections was determined by Hip-His-Leu hydrolysis. BP and HR were recorded using a non-invasive tail-cuff method and PowerLab 8/35 software. BP and HR were not altered with the increase in activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme after irradiation. In case of prolonged (7 days) treatment with NO synthase inhibitor and dexamethasone, the increase in enzyme activity was accompanied by elevation of BP and, in the case of NO synthase inhibitor, HR reduction. Dihydroquercetin normalized the enzyme activity and lowered BP, but not to the normal level. Enalapril normalized BP, increased by NO synthase inhibitor solution intake; at the same time, the angiotensinconverting enzyme activity decreased more than 2-fold in comparison with the normal.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Influence of glucocorticoids on time-of-day-dependent variations in IgE-, histamine-, and platelet-activating factor-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in different mouse strains

Highlights: • Daily variations in systemic anaphylaxis differed among inbred mouse strains. • The daily variations differed with anaphylaxis-inducing substances. • Glucocorticoid-dependent and -independent mechanisms regulated the variations. A time-of-day-dependent variation in IgE-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis was previously reported in ICR mice. In the present study, we investigated time-of-day-dependent variations in IgE-, histamine-, and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in C57BL/6, BALB/c, and NC/Nga mice at 9:00 h and 21:00 h, and evaluated the potential influence of glucocorticoids (GCs) on these variations. We found significant time-of-day-dependent variations in IgE-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in C57BL/6 mice, and in histamine- and PAF-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in BALB/c mice. Significant daily variations in IgE-, histamine-, and PAF-mediated systemic anaphylaxis were not observed in NC/Nga mice. Pretreatment with dexamethasone and adrenalectomy abolished the daily variations in IgE-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in C57BL/6 mice and in PAF-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in BALB/c mice, suggesting that GCs from adrenal glands are pivotal in regulating these variations. In contrast, pretreatment with dexamethasone and adrenalectomy did not abolish the daily variation in histamine-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in BALB/c mice, suggesting that GC-independent and adrenal gland-independent mechanisms are important for the variation. The present study demonstrated that time-of-day-dependent variations in systemic anaphylaxis differed among inbred mouse strains and with anaphylaxis-inducing substances. Thus, mouse strains, time of experiment, and anaphylaxis-inducing substances used must be considered to obtain appropriate experimental results.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Real-time monitoring of IL-6 and IL-10 reporter expression for anti-inflammation activity in live RAW 264.7 cells

Highlights: • This assay could monitor expression of IL-6 and IL-10 reporters in real-time. • The assay continuously determines expression of reporters in living single cells. • Lipopolysaccharide strongly induces expression of IL-6 and IL-10 reporters. In previous study, we suggested that the interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 could serve as a good biomarker for anti-inflammation that related to chronic inflammatory disease. Recently, we are finding new anti-inflammation compounds from natural products by screening of IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Although, we could measure IL-6 and IL-10 levels by several methods. However, all methods could not measure continuous kinetic of IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Most methods have multiple steps and take a long time. Therefore, there is no a suitable method for screening. To this end, we established IL-6 and IL-10 promoter assay which can monitor with reference gene as Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh) promoter in living single cell. It could determine IL-6 and IL-10 levels continuously in real-time within two steps. We evaluated IL-6 and IL-10 reporter expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells with well-known anti-inflammatory compounds such as quercetin, xanthones, β-D-glucan and dexamethasone. As the results, the expression of IL-6 and IL-10 reporters were strongly induced by LPS. The expression of IL-6 reporter was inhibited by all anti-inflammation compounds in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of IL-10 reporter was inhibited by quercetin, xanthones and dexamethasone in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. While, expression of IL-10 reporter was induced by β-D-glucan. These results indicated that this assay could use for determination of IL-6 and IL-10 reporter expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells for anti-inflammation activity. Moreover, the results showed that natural compounds have an effect on the time course of IL-6 and IL-10 expressions. Therefore, real-time monitoring has a merit for natural compounds screening. We suggested that this assay could serve as a compound screening assay for anti-inflammation activity.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Spatio-temporal control of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis by inducible complementation of a cinnamate 4-hydroxylase mutant

Abstract Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) is a cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase that catalyzes the second step of the general phenylpropanoid pathway. Arabidopsis reduced epidermal fluorescence 3 (ref3) mutants, which carry hypomorphic mutations in C4H, exhibit global alterations in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and have developmental abnormalities including dwarfing. Here we report the characterization of a conditional Arabidopsis C4H line (ref3-2pOpC4H), in which wild-type C4H is expressed in the ref3-2 background. Expression of C4H in plants with well-developed primary inflorescence stems resulted in restoration of fertility and the production of substantial amounts of lignin, revealing that the developmental window for lignification is remarkably plastic. Following induction of C4H expression in ref3-2pOpC4H, we observed rapid and significant reductions in the levels of numerous metabolites, including several benzoyl and cinnamoyl esters and amino acid conjugates. These atypical conjugates were quickly replaced with their sinapoylated equivalents, suggesting that phenolic esters are subjected to substantial amounts of turnover in wild-type plants. Furthermore, using localized application of dexamethasone to ref3-2pOpC4H, we show that phenylpropanoids are not transported appreciably from their site of synthesis. Finally, we identified a defective Casparian strip diffusion barrier in the ref3-2 mutant root endodermis, which is restored by induction of C4H expression.

Plant Sciences↗

Influence of ABCB1 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of lenalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma

Individual diversity in plasma concentrations of lenalidomide occurs despite dosage modifications based on creatinine clearance (CCr), which can lead to unexpected toxicity. We have previously identified a cutoff value of area under the concentration–time curve (AUC{sub 0–24}) for lenalidomide to avoid severe toxicity. Here, we investigated the association between ABCB1 polymorphisms and pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Plasma concentrations of lenalidomide were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Genotyping for ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>A/T, and 3435C>T polymorphisms was performed, and the effects of ABCB1 polymorphisms on AUC{sub 0–24} for lenalidomide were compared in 36 patients with MM who were administered lenalidomide according to the drug label based on CCr. Genotyping analysis showed that although there were no differences in AUC{sub 0–24} in 1236C>T and 2677G>A/T polymorphisms. AUC{sub 0–24} was significantly higher in patients with the T allele of 3435C>T (n = 15) than in those without (n = 21) (median 6324.6 ng h/mL vs. 2857.4 ng h/mL, p = 0.028). The AUC{sub 0–24} value exceeded the aforementioned cutoff value in 95% of the patients with the T allele of 3435C>T but in 60% with C/C genotype (p = 0.013). Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed the significance of T allele of ABCB1 3435C>T as a factor due to which the AUC{sub 0–24} cutoff value was exceeded (hazard ratio of 15.0, p = 0.019). We show that lenalidomide pharmacokinetics is influenced by the ABCB1 3435C>T polymorphism, which could be useful to individualize dosage design and reduce unexpected toxicity.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide plus low dose of corticosteroids in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer across the era of taxanes and new hormonal drugs

The aim of our study is to investigate the efficacy of metronomic cyclophosphamide plus low dose of corticosteroids in advanced or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) before, between, and after standard chemotherapy, such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel, and new hormonal treatments, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. A retrospective analysis was performed on 37 patients. Cyclophosphamide was given orally 50 mg per day together with low dose of corticosteroids, namely dexametasone orally 1 mg per day or prednisone 10 mg per day. Seventeen patients (51%) showed a PSA decline≥ 50%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11 and 28 months, respectively. Median PFS and OS in the subgroup of patients with a PSA decline ≥ 50% were 14 and 35 months, respectively. Treatment was very well tolerated. We suggest that oral metronomic cyclophosphamide plus low dose of oral dexamethasone or prednisone may be a good and safe therapeutic option not only in those CRPC patients unfit for standard treatments but also in those heavily pre-treated patients.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Hydrostatic pressure incubation affects barrier properties of mammary epithelial cell monolayers, in vitro

Highlights: • A modified Ussing chamber was used to apply physiological pressure on HC11 cells. • Pressure was applied to simulate accumulation of milk in the mammary gland. • Dependence of differentiation state and transcellular transport was observed. • Effects on barrier function were attributed to tight junction protein expression. During lactation, accumulation of milk in mammary glands (MG) causes hydrostatic pressure (HP) and concentration of bioactive compounds. Previously, a changed expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins was observed in mice MGs by accumulation of milk, in vivo. The TJ primarily determines the integrity of the MG epithelium. The present study questioned whether HP alone can affect the TJ in a mammary epithelial cell model, in vitro. Therefore, monolayers of HC11, a mammary epithelial cell line, were mounted into modified Ussing chambers and incubated with 10 kPa bilateral HP for 4 h. Short circuit current and transepithelial resistance were recorded and compared to controls, and TJ proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. In our first approach HC11 cells could withstand the pressure incubation and a downregulation of occludin was observed. In a second approach, using prolactin- and dexamethasone-induced cells, a decrease of short circuit current was observed, beginning after 2 h of incubation. With the addition of 1 mM barium chloride to the bathing solution the decrease could be blocked temporarily. On molecular level an upregulation of ZO-1 could be observed in hormone-induced cells, which was downregulated after the incubation with barium chloride. In conclusion, bilateral HP incubation affects mammary epithelial monolayers, in vitro. Both, the reduction of short circuit current and the change in TJ proteins may be interpreted as physiological requirements for lactation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Involuntary swimming exercise in pregnant rats disturbs ERK1/2 signaling in embryonic neurons through increased cortisol in the amniotic fluid

Highlights: • Involuntary swimming exercise (SE) reduced the number of embryos implanted in the uterus. • SE caused a significant reduction in 11β-HSD level in the maternal placenta compared to that in the CTL group. • SE had considerably higher cortisol level in amniotic fluid (AF) of SE group compared to that in the CTL group. • The treatment of AF (SE group) reduced ERK1/2-mediated signaling pathway in the cortical neurons compared to that of CTL. • Cortisol exposure disturbs the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in cortical neurons. Harmful maternal behaviors, such as drinking and smoking, negatively affect embryonic development. In contrast, regular maternal exercise is believed to be beneficial to the fetus. Although it is not surprising that voluntary physical activities are advantageous to fetal development, it remains unclear whether involuntary maternal exercise has similar effects. The constituents of the amniotic fluid (AF) inevitably reflect the maternal plasma. Therefore, it is speculated that exercise-induced changes in maternal plasma can influence fetal development through changes in AF composition. Therefore, we investigated the effect of AF on fetal neurodevelopment and changes in AF composition after involuntary swimming exercise (SE) in an animal model. We found that there was a severe reduction in the number of embryos implanted in the uterus of SE rats. Surprisingly, cortisol level (an inducible stress hormone) was significantly increased in AF from SE rats. In contrast, the growth factors NGF and VEGF were reduced in the AF from SE rats. In the cultured embryonic cortical neurons, the treatment of control (CTL) rat-derived AF significantly increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated signaling that is essential for fetal neurodevelopment. However, the AF extracted from SE rats reversely suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2-mediated signaling in cortical neurons compared to that in CTL rats. Indeed, the co-treatment with control AF and dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner. This finding suggests that the inhibition of ERK1/2 can be attributed to increased cortisol level in AF resulting from involuntary exercise. Therefore, involuntary maternal swimming increases cortisol level in AF, which ultimately hinders the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in embryonic neurons. These findings also suggest that involuntary maternal exercise can have undesirable effects on fetal neurodevelopment, which is potentially mediated by elevated AF cortisol level.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Tracing the dynamic expression of the Nfκb2 gene during inflammatory processes by in vivo bioluminescence imaging in transgenic mice

Highlights: • Construct a mouse transgenic model line which could trace the p100/p50 expression by luciferase in vivo. • Nfκb2 could express in all mouse tissues and the luciferase expression could represent Nfκb2 expression in most tissues. • Lps induced inflammation could increase luciferase expression in certain stage. • In the IBD model, the fluorescence expression in mouse abdomen was coincide with the intestine after DSSfeed. Nfκb2(p52/p100) plays essential roles in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Tracing the dynamic expression of Nfκb2 during different biological processes in vivo can provide valuable clues to understand the biological functions of this gene and develop anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, B6-Tg(Nfκb2-luc){sup Mlit} transgenic mouse line, a mouse model in which the expression of firefly luciferase gene is under the control of a 14.6-kb mouse Nfκb2 promoter, was generated to monitor the expression of p52/p100 in vivo. Bioluminescence imaging was used for tracking the luciferase signal in living mice in a variety of inflammatory processes, including LPS-induced sepsis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The data of in vivo bioluminescence imaging in this mouse model showed that luciferase activity coincided with the endogenous p52/p100 expression. Moreover, dexamethasone or aspirin, two routine anti-inflammatory drugs, could decrease the high-level expression of luciferase induced by LPS. Overall, our results suggest that the B6-Tg(Nfκb2-luc){sup Mlit} mice represent a valuable reporter mouse model not only to monitor the expression of p52/p100 in physiological or pathological processes but also to evaluate the effects of various anti-inflammatory drug treatments in vivo.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Roles of 14-3-3β and γ in regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activation and hepatic gluconeogenesis

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that mediates the effects of glucocorticoids, and plays a crucial role in cell growth, development, inflammation, and gluconeogenesis. The 14-3-3 proteins bind to target proteins via phosphorylation, and influence many cellular events by altering their subcellular localization or by acting as chaperones. However, the mechanisms by which 14-3-3 proteins regulate GR transactivation and their involvement in gluconeogenesis remain uncharacterized. We found that 14-3-3β and γ increased GR transcriptional activity and the promoter activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase in the presence of glucocorticoids. Inhibition of the endogenous 14-3-3β and γ decreased dexamethasone- and cAMP-stimulated PEPCK expression. Further, both 14-3-3β and γ increased glucose production in response to glucocorticoids. Our findings suggest that 14-3-3β and γ function as positive regulators of GR transactivation and glucocorticoid-mediated hepatic gluconeogenesis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗