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Fig. 5 | Genes & Nutrition

Fig. 5

From: Curcumin synergizes with resveratrol to stimulate the MAPK signaling pathway in human articular chondrocytes in vitro

Fig. 5

Molecular model outlining the proposed mechanism for the stimulatory effects of resveratrol and curcumin on IL-1β- or U0126-induced MAPK pathway inhibition and apoptosis in primary chondrocytes in vitro. Signal transduction through β1-integrins leads to the activation of the Ras-MAP Kinase signaling pathway. Activation of the MAPK pathway may be one of the mechanisms by which β1-integrins regulate chondrocyte gene expression. Previous studies have shown that activation of the MAPK pathway regulates the activity of a number of intracellular signaling proteins through phosphorylation. Erk1/Erk2, a downstream kinase of the MAPK pathway, regulates the expression and activity of various transcription factors. Specific inhibition of Erk1/Erk2 by U0126 or IL-1β results in cleavage of caspase-3 in human chondrocytes in vitro. Since activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation are common features of apoptosis, the specific inhibition of the Ras-mitogen-activated kinase leads to chondrocyte apoptosis. Resveratrol and curcumin both block the inhibition effect of U0126 or IL-1β on the MAPK pathway in chondrocytes

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