Synergy between adiponectin and interleukin-1β on the expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes

To determine whether adiponectin may have synergistic effects in combination with the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β regarding the production of proinflammatory mediators during arthritic joint inflammation, synovial cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were treated with adiponectin, IL-1β, and their combination for 24 h. Culture supernatant was collected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for levels of IL-6, IL-8, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Adiponectin-mediated intracellular signaling pathways were investigated to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their synergy. The association of proinflammatory mediators with adiponectin was investigated in the synovial fluid of arthritis patients. Adiponectin functioned synergistically with IL-1β to activate IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 expression in RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes; Levels of VEGF, MMP-1, and MMP-13 were not synergistically stimulated. Adiponectin and IL-1β each increased the expression of both adiponectin receptor 1 and IL-1 receptor 1. However, adiponectin and IL-1β did not synergistically support the degradation of IκB-α or the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Synergistically increased gene expression was significantly inhibited by MG132, an NF-κB inhibitor. Supporting the in vitro results, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were positively associated with adiponectin in synovial joint fluid from patients with RA, but not osteoarthritis (OA). In conclusion, adiponectin and IL-1β may synergistically stimulate the production of proinflammatory mediators through unknown signaling pathways during arthritic joint inflammation. Adiponectin may be more important to the pathogenesis of RA than previously thought.     

T-CAM, a fastatin-FIII 9-10 fusion protein, potently enhances anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity via alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrins

We made fusion protein of fastatin and FIII 9-10, termed tetra-cell adhesion molecule (T-CAM) that can interact simultaneously with alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrins, both playing important roles in tumor angiogenesis. T-CAM can serve as a cell adhesion substrate mediating adhesion and migration of endothelial cells in alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 integrin-dependent manner. T-CAM showed pronounced anti-angiogenic activities such as inhibition of endothelial cell tube formation, endothelial cell proliferation, and induction of endothelial cell apoptosis. T-CAM also inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in mouse xenograft model. The anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral activity of molecule like fastatin could be improved by fusing it with integrin-recognizing cell adhesion domain from other distinct proteins. The strategy of combining two distinct anti-angiogenic molecules or cell adhesion domains could facilitate designing improved anticancer agent of therapeutic value.     

β-MnO2和α-Mn2O3纳米棒的自牺牲模板法制备、 表征和应用

在150 ℃下, 仅以高锰酸钾溶液和无水乙醇为原料, 通过水热反应合成前驱体γ-MnOOH纳米棒. 以γ-MnOOH纳米棒为自牺牲模板, 分别在350和600 ℃下煅烧90 min, 制备出高纯度的β-MnO₂和α-Mn₂O₃纳米棒. 采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及热重分析(TGA)等对所制备的样品进行表征. 结果表明, 前驱物γ-MnOOH为高纯度的纳米棒状晶体, 直径约100~300 nm, 长度可达数微米, 且终产物β-MnO₂和α-Mn₂O₃均具有较高的纯度, 也很好地保持了前驱物的纳米棒状结构. 以二者为锰源, 通过固相反应合成出尖晶石LiMn₂O₄正极材料. 当充放电倍率为0.5 C时, 其首次放电比容量分别可达到120.4和123.9 mA·h/g, 而且表现出良好的循环性能和倍率性能.     

水相介质中碳酸钾/硫脲联合促进邻位氨基溴转变成α,β-脱氢氨的研究

建立了在水相介质中, 在碳酸钾/硫脲联合促进下, 具有邻位氨基溴的酯和邻位氨基溴的酮在室温下发生溴化氢消除反应, 高收率地制备α,β-脱氢氨(功能化烯胺)的新方法. 共考察了23种不同结构α,β-邻位氨基溴的酯和α,β-邻位氨基溴的酮的反应情况, 证明该方法具有广泛的适应性. 实验发现, 无论底物为α-氨基-β-溴结构还是α-溴-β-氨基结构, 反应过程中都要经过一个氮丙啶过程, 而氮丙啶的开环是区域专一的, 因此产物具有区域专一性(烯键上的氨基均处在羰基的α-位). 所有产物的结构均经过核磁共振波谱及高分辩率质谱确证. 克量级放大实验结果表明, 该方法具有一定的用于工业化生产的可行性.     

镍催化α,β-不饱和醛的选择性α,β-双芳基化反应

三组分双官能化反应是一种高效、简便构建C―C键、C―X键的方式. 双键广泛存在于众多有机化合物中, 对双键的双官能化反应研究有巨大的应用潜力. 本工作以Ni(COD)₂为催化剂, 以芳基溴化镁、芳基溴化物为芳基化试剂, 实现了3-芳基-2-丙烯醛亚胺中碳碳双键的双芳基化反应. 该反应建立了一个新的镍催化α,β-不饱和醛的α,β-双芳基化方法, 可以高度区域选择性地向底物分子中引入两个不同取代的芳环, 得到多种2,3,3-三芳基丙醛骨架的产物. 利用这一反应作为核心步骤实现了天然产物Quebecol的简便合成. 机理研究表明, 该反应可能经历了亲核加成、金属交换、还原消除的历程.     

基于乙酸为溶剂和催化剂的芳乙酮Mannich反应

采用乙酸作溶剂和催化剂, 将芳乙酮与甲醛和二级胺进行Mannich反应及热解反应, 并未得到预期的Mannich碱或α,β-不饱和酮(2), 而是以较高产率(65%~73%)生成了乙酸(2-芳甲酰基)烯丙酯(3a~3o). 通过核磁共振波谱、 高分辨质谱和红外光谱表征了化合物3a~3o的结构, 研究了此“异常”反应的发生条件, 并提出了可能的反应机理. 结果表明, 芳乙酮的特殊结构及反应中过量的乙酸是产生化合物3a~3o的决定因素.     

Rottlerin enhances IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression through sustained p38 MAPK activation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important enzyme in inflammation. In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of the synergistic effect of rottlerin on interleukin1β (IL-1β)-induced COX-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Treatment with rottlerin enhanced IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Combined treatment with rottlerin and IL-1β significantly induced COX-2 expression, at least in part, through the enhancement of COX-2 mRNA stability. In addition, rottlerin and IL-1β treatment drove sustained activation of p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is involved in induced COX-2 expression. Also, a pharmacological inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB 203580) and transient transfection with inactive p38 MAPK inhibited rottlerin and IL-1β-induced COX-2 upregulation. However, suppression of protein kinase C δ (PKC δ) expression by siRNA or overexpression of dominant-negative PKC δ (DN-PKC-δ) did not abrogate the rottlerin plus IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression. Furthermore, rottlerin also enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced COX-2 expression. Taken together, our results suggest that rottlerin causes IL-1β-induced COX-2 upregulation through sustained p38 MAPK activation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.     

左氧氟沙星的噻唑并均三唑衍生物的合成及抗肿瘤活性

为进一步发展抗菌药氟喹诺酮向抗肿瘤活性转化的有效结构修饰策略,基于药效团骨架的迁越药物设计原理,用噻唑并均三唑稠环取代左氧氟沙星(1)C-3羧基的等排体,α,β-不饱和酮为其修饰基,设计合成了C-3噻唑并均三唑稠杂环目标化合物(6a-6l)。 体外抗肿瘤活性结构表明,所合成的12个化合物的活性均强于母体左氧氟沙星,化合物6e、6i、6j的活性与对照抗肿瘤药阿霉素相当。 因此,α,β-不饱和酮修饰的均三唑骨架替代C-3羧基有利于提高氟喹诺酮的抗肿瘤活性。     

Lysophosphatidylglycerol inhibits formyl peptide receptor like-1-stimulated chemotactic migration and IL-1�� production from human phagocytes

In this study, we observed that lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG) completely inhibited a formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL1) agonist (MMK-1)-stimulated chemotactic migration in human phagocytes, such as neutrophils and monocytes. LPG also dramatically inhibited IL-1β production by another FPRL1 agonist serum amyloid A (SAA) in human phagocytes. However, LPG itself induced intracellular calcium increase and superoxide anion production in human phagocytes. Keeping in mind that phagocytes migration and IL-1β production by FPRL1 are important for the induction of inflammatory response, our data suggest that LPG can be regarded as a useful material for the modulation of inflammatory response induced by FPRL1 activation.     

Synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis induces ��-smooth muscle actin in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells through a TGF-��1-dependent mechanism

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a secreted protein that promotes differentiation of synovial fibroblasts to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts to repair the damaged joints. Synovial fluid from patients with RA (RA-SF) induced expression of α-SMA in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs). RA-SF-induced α-SMA expression was abrogated by immunodepletion of TGF-β1 from RA-SF with anti-TGF-β1 antibody. Furthermore, pretreatment of hASCs with the TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor SB431542 or lentiviral small hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of TGF-β type I receptor expression in hASCs blocked RA-SF-induced α-SMA expression. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of Smad2 or adenoviral overexpression of Smad7 (an inhibitory Smad isoform) completely inhibited RA-SF-stimulated α-SMA expression. These results suggest that TGF-β1 plays a pivotal role in RA-SF-induced differentiation of hASCs to α-SMA-positive cells.     

Polymorphisms in two genes, IL-1B and ACE, are associated with erythropoietin resistance in Korean patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Genetic polymorphisms may be linked to inter-individual differences in erythropoietin (EPO) resistance. We investigated the -511C/T polymorphism of the IL-1B gene and the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene for any association with EPO resistance index (ERI) in maintenance hemodialysis patients (n=167). Because EPO responsiveness is multi-factorial, we also included other possible influences (age, sex, time on dialysis, ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use, ferritin, transferrin saturation, intact PTH, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, albumin, Kt/V, and presence of diabetes mellitus) on ERI in our analyses. Multiple regression analysis showed significant association of the IL-1B-511CC and ACE DD polymorphisms with ERI (P=0.038 and P=0.004 in the recessive model, respectively). The combination (C) of alleles of two loci showed that C1 (I-T) was significantly associated with ERI in the co-dominant and recessive models (P=0.005 and P=0.0001, respectively). Subjects who did not carry C1 showed significantly decreased ERI (10.10+/-5.15 IU/kg weight/g hemoglobin) compared to other study subjects (C1/C1 and C1/-; 12.97+/-4.90 and 15.12+/-7.43 IU/kg weight/g hemoglobin, respectively). Our study indicates that the IL-1B-511C/T and ACE I/D polymorphisms may be useful genetic markers of EPO requirement in hemodialysis patients. These findings might also provide a new perspective on therapeutic approaches to the treatment of end stage renal disease patients with anemia.     

白山毛桃根抗脑胶质瘤活性成分及其纳米胶束的制备

采用溶剂提取和萃取方法得到白山毛桃根乙酸乙酯、 正丁醇和水层萃取物. 通过噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法考察了各萃取物对脑胶质瘤细胞U87MG活性的抑制作用. 采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)指纹图谱法比对确认活性部位的主要化学成分为2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸. 采用溶剂挥发法制备了2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束, 对其包封率、 粒径及ζ电位等进行了表征, 并考察了其抗肿瘤活性. 体外细胞实验结果表明, 白山毛桃根乙酸乙酯萃取物对脑胶质瘤细胞U87MG具有抑制作用, 通过与标准品比对确认2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸为乙酸乙酯部位的主要成分, 且该成分对脑胶质瘤细胞活性具有较强抑制作用. 通过溶剂挥发法制备的2α,3α,4-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束包封率为64.7%, 粒径为20 nm, 粒径分布宽度(PDI)为0.246, ζ电位为-5.7 mV. 细胞实验结果进一步证明, 与单体化合物相比, 2α,3α,24-三羟基-12-烯-28-乌苏酸纳米胶束对脑胶质瘤细胞活性具有更强的抑制作用, 为白山毛桃根在脑胶质瘤治疗中的应用提供了实验依据.     

α-氨基酸及其酯化物侧链对其β-环糊精复合物稳定常数的影响

为了探索α-氨基酸及其酯化物的侧链R基团对其与环糊精非共价复合物结合强度的影响, 将一定摩尔比的β-环糊精(β-CD)分别与L型正缬氨酸(n-Val)、 亮氨酸(Leu)、 苯丙氨酸(Phe)、 天冬氨酸(Asp)、 天冬氨酸-4-苄酯(Asp-4-benzyl ester)和天冬氨酸-4-叔丁酯(Asp-4-t-butyl ester)在室温下混合, 反应平衡后采用电喷雾电离质谱进行竞争反应检测, 并以改进的质谱滴定结合曲线拟合法计算结合常数. 结果表明, 它们均可形成摩尔比为1∶1的非共价复合物. 在2组竞争反应中, 复合物的结合强度顺序分别为[β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺以及[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺>[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺. 质谱滴定曲线拟合法测得[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺和[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺的稳定常数(lgK_st)分别为1.81, 2.54, 3.14, 3.26, 3.36和3.67, 结合强度依次增强. 竞争反应的定性分析结果与质谱滴定定量法测得结合强度结果的趋势一致. 由于所选用的α-氨基酸及其酯化物客体的羧基端(—COOH)和氨基端(—NH₂)均相同, 且都为亲水基团, 仅有侧链R基团不同, 因此在溶液中客体分子受疏水驱动与β-CD主体靠近并结合时, 侧链R基团的疏水力和极性2个因素起重要作用. 由于客体分子体积小, 其碳端的羧基还可与β-CD大口或小口边缘的羟基形成氢键, 使复合物更加稳定.     

α-芳基-α-羟基酮(酯)与全氟烷基磺酰氟/甲基三乙氧基硅烷/碱体系不期望的氧化反应

研究了全氟烷基磺酰氟/甲基三乙氧基硅烷/碱体系与α-芳基-α-羟基酮(酯)化合物不期望的氧化反应, 以中等到优良的收率生成了相应的1,2-二酮(α-酮酸酯)产物. 所用全氟烷基磺酰氟为全氟正丁基磺酰氟或全氟正辛基磺酰氟; 碱为1,8-二氮杂二环[5.4.0]十一碳-7-烯(DBU). 提出了一种可能的反应机理. 为制备芳基取代的1,2-二酮(或α-酮酸酯)化合物提供了一种新方法.     

Interleukin-1�� promotes the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human aorta smooth muscle cells via multiple signaling pathways

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) plays a key role in monocyte/macrophage infiltration to the sub-endothelial space of the blood vessel wall, which is a critical initial step in atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the intracellular signaling pathway of IL-1β-induced MCP1 expression using various chemical inhibitors. The pretreatment of a phosphatidylcholine (PC)-specific PLC (PC-PLC) inhibitor (D609), PKC inhibitors, or an NF-κB inhibitor completely suppressed the IL-1β-induced MCP1 expression through blocking NF-κB translocation to the nucleus. Pretreatment with inhibitors of tyrosine kinase or PLD partially suppressed MCP1 expression and failed to block nuclear NF-κB translocation. These results suggest that IL-1β induces MCP1 expression through activation of NF-κB via the PC-PLC/PKC signaling pathway.     

α,ω-双烯烃的配位聚合: 催化剂对聚合物微观结构的调控

在聚烯烃行业蓬勃发展的几十年中, 如何合成具有独特结构和功能的聚烯烃一直是高分子化学家不断追求的目标. 时至今日, 科学家们已经可以通过调控单体结构、催化剂中心金属、配体结构以及聚合条件等来合成丰富多彩的聚烯烃. 在这品类繁多的聚烯烃中, 主链上含有脂肪环的聚烯烃因具有良好的热稳定性和透明度受到了广泛的关注. α,ω-双烯烃的配位聚合是获得主链含脂肪环的聚合物的一种高效手段, 这种方法具有单体易得且易修饰、聚合物微观结构可以被催化剂高效调控等优点. 根据第一次插入反应后的中间体发生的不同双键的插入反应可得到交联、含悬挂双键或含脂肪环的聚合物. 根据所得环化聚合物的环内两根支链的相对朝向将其分为顺反立构体; 再通过环与环之间的相对构型分为等规或间规立构体; 根据催化剂与单体发生第一次插入反应的 1,2-插入或 2,1-插入方式可以得到结构单元为单亚甲基环或二亚甲基环的聚合物; 根据催化剂的绝对构型不同可以得到旋光度大小一致、方向相反的手性聚合物. 上述这些聚合物的微观结构对于其聚集状态、热力学以及机械力学性能等可能会有明显的影响, 而这些均可以通过改变催化剂的中心金属和配体结构来进行精细的调控. 这篇综述着眼于α,ω-双烯烃的聚合物的精细结构, 着重介绍了如何通过变换催化剂结构来调控聚合物的结构, 并对该领域未来可能的发展方向进行了预测, 从而推动该类聚合物在构效关系、实际应用等方面的长足发展.     

β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶荧光底物试卤灵葡萄糖醛酸苷的高效制备

以猴肝微粒体(CyLM)为酶源, 采用生物制备法实现了荧光底物试卤灵(Resorufin)向试卤灵葡萄糖醛酸苷(Resorufin β-D-glucuronide)的高效转化, 同时借助新型色谱分离材料C18WAX及固相萃取技术实现了Resorufin β-D-glucuronide的高效富集及选择性洗脱, 最终获得纯度大于98%的目标产物. 所得产物结构经LC-MS, ¹H NMR和¹³C NMR等手段进行了表征. 在此基础上, 以该葡萄糖醛酸产物为探针底物建立了β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶活性检测及抑制剂高通量筛选的方法.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor �� agonist attenuates hepatic steatosis by anti-inflammatory mechanism

Although peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-γ agonist have been developed as chemical tools to uncover biological roles for the PPARs such as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, PPAR-δ has not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of the PPAR-δ agonist GW0742 on fatty liver changes and inflammatory markers. We investigated the effects of PPAR-δ agonist GW0742 on fatty liver changes in OLETF rats. Intrahepatic triglyceride contents and expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and also, PPAR-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α gene were evaluated in liver tissues of OLETF rats and HepG2 cells after GW0742 treatment. The level of TNF-α and MCP-1 was also examined in supernatant of Raw264. 7 cell culture. To address the effects of GW0742 on insulin signaling, we performed in vitro study with AML12 mouse hepatocytes. Rats treated with GW0742 (10 mg/kg/day) from 26 to 36 weeks showed improvement in fatty infiltration of the liver. In liver tissues, mRNA expressions of TNF-α, MCP-1, and PGC-1α were significantly decreased in diabetic rats treated with GW0742 compared to diabetic control rats. We also observed that GW0742 had inhibitory effects on palmitic acid-induced fatty accumulation and inflammatory markers in HepG2 and Raw264.7 cells. The expression level of Akt and IRS-1 was significantly increased by treatment with GW0742. The PPAR-δ agonist may attenuate hepatic fat accumulation through anti-inflammatory mechanism, reducing hepatic PGC-1α gene expression, and improvement of insulin signaling.     

重组嗜热β-葡萄糖苷酶转化稀有人参皂苷Rd和CK

利用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法, 对重组嗜热β-葡萄糖苷酶(Fpglu1)转化稀有人参皂苷(Rd和CK)进行研究, 并表征了其催化动力学参数. 利用同源模建和分子动力学模拟等生物信息学技术, 探究了Fpglu1转化人参皂苷的结构基础及其相互作用. 结果表明, Fpglu1能够水解人参总皂苷生成稀有皂苷Rd和CK, 其催化人参皂苷Rb₁, Rb₂和Rc的K_m值分别为0.318, 1.840和5.269 mmol/L; 酶的转换数(k_cat)值分别为144.191, 0.572和0.011 s^-1. 当转化时间分别为6和102 h时, Rd和CK的产率达到最大, 分别为60%和93%. 通过对该酶的结构预测及皂苷分子的对接研究发现, 底物位于由疏水性氨基酸构成的底物口袋中, 氨基酸残基Glu194和Glu367是参与催化作用的关键, 且实验测得的酶促反应动力学参数(K_m)与对接的相互作用能量值存在线性关系.