• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제26권5호
• /
• pp.389-396
• /
• 2022

The increased expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) is known as a key player in the progression of vascular remodeling. However, the precise signal pathways regulating RAGE expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the injured vasculatures are unclear. Given the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in cell proliferation, we investigated the importance of MAPK signaling in high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced RAGE expression in VSMCs. In HMGB1 (100 ng/ml)-stimulated human VSMCs, the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein was increased in association with an increase in AGE-induced VSMC proliferation. The HMGB1-induced RAGE expression was attenuated in cells pretreated with inhibitors for ERK (PD98059, 10 μM) and p38 MAPK (SB203580, 10 μM) as well as in cells deficient in ERK and p38 MAPK using siRNAs, but not in cells deficient of JNK signaling. In cells stimulated with HMGB1, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK was increased. This increase in ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation was inhibited by p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors, respectively, but not by JNK inhibitor. Moreover, AGE-induced VSMC proliferation in HMGB1-stimulated cells was attenuated in cells treated with ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors. Taken together, our results indicate that ERK and p38 MAPK signaling are involved in RAGE expression in HMGB1-stimulated VSMCs. Thus, the ERK/p38 MAPK-RAGE signaling axis in VSMCs was suggested as a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling in the injured vasculatures.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권20호
• /
• pp.8539-8548
• /
• 2014

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is an important signaling pathway in living beings in response to extracellular stimuli. There are 5 main subgroups manipulating by a set of sequential actions: ERK(ERK1/ERK2), c-Jun N(JNK/SAPK), p38 MAPK($p38{\alpha}$, $p38{\beta}$, $p38{\gamma}$ and $p38{\delta}$), and ERK3/ERK4/ERK5. When stimulated, factors of upstream or downstream change, and by interacting with each other, these groups have long been recognized to be related to multiple biologic processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, death, migration, invasion and inflammation. However, once abnormally activated, cancer may occur. Several components of the MAPK network have already been proposed as targets in cancer therapy, such as p38, JNK, ERK, MEK, RAF, RAS, and DUSP1. Among them, alteration of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK-MAPK(RAS-MAPK) pathway has frequently been reported in human cancer as a result of abnormal activation of receptor tyrosine kinases or gain-of-function mutations in genes. The reported roles of MAPK signaling in apoptotic cell death are controversial, so that further in-depth investigations are needed to address these controversies. Based on an extensive analysis of published data, the goal of this review is to provide an overview on recent studies about the mechanism of MAP kinases, and how it generates certain tumors, as well as related treatments.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제21권3호
• /
• pp.367-375
• /
• 2006

We previously identified a novel cancer/testis antigen gene CAGE by screening cDNA expression libraries of human testis and gastric cancer cell lines with sera of gastric cancer patients. CAGE is expressed in many cancers and cancer cell lines, but not in normal tissues apart from the testis. In the present study, we investigated its role in the motility of cells of two human cancer cell lines: HeLa and the human hepatic cancer cell line, SNU387. Induction of CAGE by tetracycline or transient transfection enhanced the migration and invasiveness of HeLa cells, but not the adhesiveness of either cell line. Overexpression of CAGE led to activation of ERK and p38 MAPK but not Akt, and inhibition of ERK by PD98059 or p38 MAPK by SB203580 counteracted the CAGE-promoted increase in motility in both cell lines. Overexpression of CAGE also resulted in a reduction of ROS and an increase of ROS scavenging, associated with induction of catalase activity. Inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK increased ROS levels in cells transfected with CAGE, suggesting that ROS reduce the motility of both cell lines. Inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK reduced the induction of catalase activity resulting from overexpression of CAGE, and inhibition of catalase reduced CAGE-promoted motility. We conclude that CAGE enhances the motility of cancer cells by activating ERK and p38 MAPK, inducing catalase activity, and reducing ROS levels.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.32-36
• /
• 2009

Glutamate causes neurotoxicity through formation of reactive oxygen species and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is one of the phosphatases responsible for dephosphorylation/deactivation of three MAPK families: the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), the c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK-1/2), and the p38 MAPK. In this report, the potential involvement of MKP-1 in neuroprotective effects of curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa), was examined using HT22 cells. Glutamate caused cell death and activation of ERK-1/2 but not p38 MAPK or JNK-1/2. Blockage of ERK-1/2 by its inhibitor protected HT22 cells against glutamate-induced toxicity. Curcumin attenuated glutamate-induced cell death and ERK-1/2 activation. Interestingly, curcumin induced MKP-1 activation. In HT22 cells transiently transfected with small interfering RNA against MKP-1, curcumin failed to inhibit glutamate-induced ERK-1/2 activation and to protect HT22 cells from glutamate-induced toxicity. These results suggest that curcumin can attenuate glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by activating MKP-1 which acts as the negative regulator of ERK-1/2. This novel pathway may contribute to and explain at least one of the neuroprotective actions of curcumin.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제51권4호
• /
• pp.194-199
• /
• 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in treating bone deficiency. Human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential. Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HAMSCs) are capable of promoting osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. In this study, we investigated the effect of HAMSCs on HASCs by a transwell co-culture system. HAMSCs promoted proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, angiogenic potential and adiponectin (APN) secretion of HASCs. Moreover, the positive effect of HAMSCs was significantly inhibited by U0126, a highly selective inhibitor of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. These observations suggested that HAMSCs induced bone regeneration in HASCs via ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제16권6호
• /
• pp.1066-1070
• /
• 2006

Smooth muscle cell (SMC)의 증식은 혈관성장에 의한 질환의 발병기전의 중요한 요소이다. 혈관 손상 후 SMC의 성장조절에 대한 분자적 기작에 대한 연구는 치료제 개발에 있어 중요한 의미를 지닌다. 이에, 본 연구에서는 TNF family인 RANKL가 SMC의 증식을 촉진함을 입증하였다. RANKL는 p21의 발현을 감소시키고 p21의 promoter활성을 저해함으로써 SMC의 성장을 증가시켰다. 또한 ERK와 p38 MAPK의 활성이 RANKL에 의해 증가하였으며, ERK/p38의 저해제는 RANKL에 의해 유도되는 SMC의 성장을 완전히 억제하였다. 이러한 결과는 ERK와 p38 MAPK가 RANKL에 의해 유도되는 SMC의 증식에 중요한 역할을 함을 보여주는 것이다. 즉, RANK-RANKL-ERK/p38이 SMC의 증식을 매개하는 중요 분자이며, 이들 분자는 혈관 질환을 막는 새로운 치료제 개발의 표적분자가 될 수 있음이 입증되었다.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제41권3호
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2008

MSS, a comprising mixture of maesil (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc) concentrate, disodium succinate and Span80 (3.6 : 4.6 : 1 ratio) showed a significant improvement of memory when daily administered (460 mg/kg day, p.o.) into the normal rats for 3 weeks. During the spatial learning of 4 days in Morris water maze test, both working memory and short-term working memory index were significantly increased when compared to untreated controls. We investigated a molecular signal transduction mechanism of MSS on the behaviors of spatial learning and memory. MSS treatment increased hippocampal mRNA levels of NR2B and TrkB without changes of NR1, NR2A, ERK1, ERK2 and CREB. However, the protein levels of pERK/ERK and pCREB/CREB were all significantly increased to $1.5{\pm}0.17$ times. These results suggest that the improving effect of spatial memory for MSS is linked to MAPK/ERK signaling pathway that ends up in the phosphorylation of CREB through TrkB and/or NR2B of NMDA receptor.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.242-250
• /
• 2011

본 연구에서는 C2C12 근육 세포에서 IGF-I이 리간드 비의존적으로 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보았다. 그 결과 IGF-I 이 리간드 비의존적으로 엔드로젠 수용체의 coactivator인 GRIP-1, SRC-1, ARA70 유전자들의 단백질과 mRNA 발현을 증가시켰으며, p38 MAPK와 ERK1/2 신호전달 경로 억제제인 SB203580과 PD98059를 IGF-I과 함께 처리한 결과 IGF-I에 의한 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator 유전자 발현의 증가를 감소시켰음을 알 수 있었다. 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator가 엔드로젠 물질이 없이도 IGF-I에 의해 발현이 증가하였다는 사실은 운동에 의해 근육에서 분비가 증가하는 IGF-I이 리간드 비의존적으로 근육 세포에서 엔드로젠 수용체 활성화 안정에 기여하는 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator를 활성화 시킬 수 있다는 사실을 증명 하였다는데 의의가 있다고 사료된다. 또한, IGF-I의 하부신호전달 경로로 잘 알려진 p38 MAPK와 ERK1/2 신호전달 경로를 차단하였을 때는 발현이 억제되었는데 이를 통해 IGF-I이 근육세포 내에서 p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 경로를 통해 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator 발현에 중요한 역할을 한다는 사실을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 근육에서 중요한 기능을 담당하는 IGF-I이 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator 유전자 발현을 조절하는 기능이 있으며 이러한 IGF-I에 의한 리간드 비의존적인 엔드로젠 수용체 coactivator 유전자 발현 조절에 있어 p38 MAPK와 ERK1/2는 필수적인 신호전달 경로임을 확인하였다는 데서 그 의의가 있다고 할 수 있겠다. 향후 다양한 성장인자들에 의한 coactivator 발현에 관한 연구를 비롯하여, corepressor의 발현 억제 기능 및 신호전달 경로에 관한 연구가 추가적으로 이루어져야 할 것이다.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 2007

고농도 포도당이 뼈모세포와 치주인대세포의 세포자멸사에 미치는 영향과 그 경로를 알아보기 위하여 뼈모세포주인 MC3T3-E1 (E1) 세포와 사람 치주인대로부터 일차배양을 통해 얻은 치주인대세포를 1,000 mg/L 농도의 포도당이 포함된 배양액 (대조군)과 4,500 mg/L 농도의 포도당이 포함된 배양액 (실험군)으로 나누어 24시간과 48시간 배양하였다. 그 후, ELISA assay를 통해 p38 MAPK와 caspase-3의 발현을 평가하고 Western blot을 통해 JNK-1과 ERK-1의 발현을 평가하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 뼈모세포와 치주인대세포 모두 대조군에 비해 실험군에서 caspase-3와 p38 MAPK 발현이 증가하였다. 2. 실험군에서의 caspase-3와 p38 MAPK 발현은 뼈모세포에 비해 치주인대세포에서 더욱 크게 증가하였다. 3. 뼈모세포와 치주인대세포 모두 대조군에 비해 실험군에서 JNK-1 발현이 증가하였다. 4. 뼈모세포와 치주인대세포 모두 ERK-1 발현에는 변화가 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아, 고혈당 조건에 의해 뼈모세포와 치주인대세포의 세포자멸사가 증가하며, 치주인대세포가 고혈당 조건에 더욱 민감하게 반응하여 세포자멸사가 크게 증가하는 것으로 생각된다. 또한 이들 세포의 세포자멸사 과정은 p38 MAPK와 JNK-1 경로가 관여하며 ERK-1 경로는 관여하지 않는 것으로 추정된다.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.227-237
• /
• 2007

Microglial cell activation is known to contribute to neuropathic pain following spinal sensory nerve injuries. In this study, I investigated its mechanisms in the case of trigeminal sensory nerve injuries by which microglial cell and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) would contribute to the facial pain hypersensitivity following mandibular nerve transection (MNT). And also investigated the changes of trigeminal ganglion neurons and ERK, p38 MAPK manifestations. Activation of microglial cells was monitored at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 60 day using immunohistochemical analyses. Microglial cell activation was primarily observed in the superficial laminae of the MDH. Microglial cell activation was initiated at postoperative 1 day, maximal at 3 day, maintained until 14 day and gradually reduced and returned to the basal level by 60 days after MNT. Pain hypersensitivity was also initiated and attenuated almost in parallel with microglial cell activation pattern. To investigate the contribution of the microglial cell activation to the pain hypersensitivity, minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial cell activation by means of p38 MAPK inhibition, was administered. Minocycline dose-dependently attenuated the development of the pain hypersensitivity in parallel with inhibition of microglial cell and p38 MAPK activation following MNT. Mandibular nerve transection induced the activation of ERK, but did not p38 MAPK in the trigeminal ganglion. These results suggest that microglial cell activation in the MDH and p38 MAPK activation in the hyperactive microglial cells play an important role in the development of facial neuropathic pain following MNT. The results also suggest that ERK activation in the trigeminal ganglion contributes microglial cell activation and facial neuropathic pain.