OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective role of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling associated with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a mouse model. METHODS Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, LPS, LPS-cyclopamine group and cyclopamine group. ALI was induced by LPS ip injection (5 mg/kg). The sonic hedgehog inhibitor cyclopamine (50 mg/...

The release of cytokines and chemokines from activated immune-competent cells plays a crucial role in determining the pathology of the atherogenic progress. We investigated the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cytokine/chemokine expression in carotid lesions and normal renal arteries. The lesions or renal arteries were incubated for 6 h at 37 degrees C in serum-free media treated...

OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of CD14 and TLR4 in type I, type III collagen expression, synthesis and secretion in LPS-induced normal human skin fibroblasts. The secondary aim was to provide theoretical basis for the molecular mechanisms of scar formation induced by LPS. METHODS The normal skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro were randomly divided into fou...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in the regulation of expression of target mRNAs expression. They have been associated with diverse biological processes, and recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play a role in inflammatory responses. We reported previously that LPS-activated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients express IL-18 m...

BACKGROUND Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) overproduction plays important roles in stone formation and recurrence of hepatolithiasis. We aim to investigate the involved mechanism and the potential target to block this process. METHODS 42 bile duct samples from hepatolithiasis and 15 normal bile duct samples from hemangioma patients were collected for detecting MUC5AC expression by immunohistochemistry. MU...

The object of this study was to characterise synovial fluid dendritic cells (SFDCs) with regard to morphology, phenotype and responses to 1,25hydroxy-cholecalciferol (1,25D) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to compare these characteristics with those of peripheral blood (PB) monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs). SF was aspirated from knees with inflammatory effusions. PB samples were obtained contempo...

BACKGROUND Although many therapeutic strategies have been developed clinically, the mortality associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome remains very high. OBJECTIVES In this research, we used a cytomechanical method to elucidate the reason for this. METHODS A549 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 or 100 ng/ml) and/or mechanical stretch (5, 15, 30%) in varying fr...

BACKGROUND Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid mainly extracted from Rhizoma Coptidis and has been shown to possess a potent inhibitory activity against bacterial. However, the role of berberine in anti-bacterial action has not been extensively studied. METHODS The animal model was established to investigate the effects of berberine on bacterial and LPS infection. Docking analysis, Molecula...

OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the influence of transient receptor potential channel 3 (TRPC3) on lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS) preterm delivery mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were randomly assigned to the four groups: an unpregnant group, a mid-pregnancy group (E15), a term delivery group, and an LPS-induced preterm delivery group (intraperitoneal injection LPS at 15 days). Uterine ...

Lipopolysaccharides Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are a major component of the cell surface of gram-negative bacteria and are typically thought to be a protective barrier against host defense molecules. Mutational analysis of a LPS biosynthesis gene (waaL) in Spiraeoideae-infecting strains of E. amylovora has shown LPS to be involved in virulence [1]. Comparison of the LPS biosynthetic gene cluster...