BackgroundInterleukin-1β (IL-1β) has been implicated in the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma (GA); however, the molecular mechanisms of action of IL-1β in GA are poorly characterized. P38 and JNK are the major MAPK family members that regulate IL-1β signaling pathways. Here, we investigated the role of both p38 and JNK in IL-1β-induced GA cell migration, invasion and metastatic potential.MethodsThe effects of IL-1β-induced p38 and JNK activation in GA cells were determined using in vitro Transwell migration and invasion assays of MKN-45 and AGS cells, or an in vivo metastasis assay in nude mice. The IL-1β-induced p38 signaling pathway was further characterized in GA cells. Activation of the IL-1β/p38 signaling pathway was also assessed in human primary GA tissues by immunohistochemistry.ResultsIL-1β-induced activation of p38 increased GA cell migration and invasion in vitro and promoted the metastatic potential of GA cells in vivo; these effects were attenuated by p38 siRNA or the p38 inhibitor SB202190. MMP2 or MMP9 siRNAs and the MMP2/9 inhibitor BiPS also inhibited IL-1β-induced GA cell migration and invasion in vitro. IL-1β-induced p38 activation significantly increased MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA and protein expression and activity. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the AP-1 binding sites of the MMP9 promoter (−670/MMP9) were activated by IL-1β-induced p38 activation. Phospho-p38 was significantly upregulated in human GA tissues (compared to matched non-neoplastic tissues), and significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, and invasion beyond the serosa. Expression of phospho-p38 significantly correlated with IL-1β, MMP2, MMP9, and c-fos expression in both human GA tissues and GA cell metastases in the lungs of nude mice. IL-1β was also capable of activating JNK in GA cells, but activation of JNK was not associated with GA cell migration and invasion. Therefore, IL-1β-induced the migration and invasion in GA cells were regulated by p38, but not by JNK.ConclusionsIL-1β-induced p38 activation and the IL-1β/p38/AP-1(c-fos)/MMP2 & MMP9 pathway play an important role in metastasis in GA; this pathway may provide a novel therapeutic target for GA.

The study results demonstrate for the first time that genetic polymorphisms in STAT3, TNFRSF1A and 2p15 are associated with AS in Han Chinese, suggesting common pathogenic mechanisms for the disease in Chinese and Caucasian European populations. Furthermore, previous findings demonstrating that ERAP1, but not IL23R, is associated with AS in Chinese patients were confirmed.

Background:Akt2 is important for cell survival. Results: Akt2 increases cell survival by interacting with GAPDH at Thr-237 and inhibiting GAPDH nuclear translocation in ovarian cancer cells. Akt2 activation in ovarian cancer tissues is associated with decreased GAPDH nuclear localization. Conclusion: Activated Akt2 increases ovarian cancer cell survival via inhibition GAPDH-induced apoptosis. Significance: Reveals a novel prosurvival mechanism of Akt2 in ovarian cancer.

A theory based on classical nucleation theory is developed for bubble nucleation in polymer solutions. The theory requires information on solubility, diffusivity, concentration, surface tension, temperature, and degree of supersaturation. The effects of supersaturation and of the presence of large molecules in a liquid mixture on the free energy of bubble formation are included in the theoretical development. A semiempirical equation for the determination of bubble nucleation rate is developed, with the aid of experimental results reported in part I of this series. Using the experimental data, computer simulations of bubble nucleation in polymer solutions are performed. The consumptions of the volatile component in a liquid mixture, due to bubble nucleation and subsequent growth, and the variation of bubble nucleation rate during the expansion process are included in the simulation of the bubble nucleation process.

Laser light scattering, with the aid of Mie's scattering theory, was used to investigate bubble nucleation in concentrated polymer solutions. Solutions with 40, 50 and 60 wt % polystyrene in toluene were used. A test solution in a high‐pressure optical cell made of strain‐free quartz was heated to a predetermined temperature under pressure. Upon release of the pressure in the cell, both scattered and transmitted light fluxes were measured with photomultipliers, and the variation of system pressure with time was measured using a piezoelectric pressure transducer. The measurement of the light scattering flux and control of the experiment were performed by means of a microcomputer with a general‐purpose data acquisition interface. Data reduction was done using the same microcomputer. The critical bubble size was determined by obtaining a one‐to‐one correspondence between the extrema of the experimental and theoretical scattering curves. While the Mie scattering theory is for monodisperse particles, the experimental scattering curves indicated that the bubbles had a distribution of sizes. Therefore, the log‐normal distribution function was used to represent the size distribution; and theoretical scattering curves were computed by varying the breadth parameter in the log‐normal distribution function, until we had a one‐to‐one correspondence between the extrema of the experimental and theoretical scattering curves. In this way, we were able to determine (a) the size distribution of bubbles in the optical cell, (b) the critical bubble size, (c) the total number of bubbles nucleated, and (d) the critical pressure for bubble nucleation, as functions of temperature, the initial equilibrium pressure in the optical cell, and the concentration of the polymer solution.