Objective(s): This study aims to investigate the pathogenicity and possible mechanisms of S100A9 function in mice models of scleroderma. Materials and Methods: The content of S100A9 in the skin tissues of mice with scleroderma was determined. Different concentrations of bleomycin (BLM) and S100A9 were subcutaneously injected into the backs of mice simultaneously, and then pathological changes i...

Acute lung inflammation is complicated by altered pulmonary surfactant phospholipid and protein composition. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the phorbol ester 12- O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibit expression of surfactant-associated proteins A and B (SP-A and SP-B), both important for normal surfactant function. The transcription factor nuclear fa...

Proteolytic degradation of the C-terminal region of NF-(kappa)B precursors to their active DNA binding forms represents an important regulatory step in the activation of NF-(kappa)B. NF-(kappa)B2(p100) is found ubiquitously in the cytoplasm; however, the site and mechanism of processing to p52 have not previously been defined. We show by deletion mapping that processing of NF-(kappa)B2(p100) te...

In vivo, gastric infection with Helicobacter pylori leads to substantial production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-8. H. pylori strains that contain the cag pathogenicity island (cag+) and are associated with ulceration and gastric carcinoma induce greater cytokine production than cag- strains. Expression of these cytokines is often regulated by the transcription fa...

Cell shape changes exert specific effects on gene expression. It has been speculated that the cytoskeleton is responsible for converting changes in the cytoarchitecture to effects on gene transcription. However, the signal transduction pathways responsible for cytoskeletal-nuclear communication remained unknown. We now provide evidence that a variety of agents and conditions that depolymerize m...