Effects of Nrf2 overexpression on proliferation,activation and collagen type I synthesis in cultured hepatic stellate cells stimulated by ethanol

AIM：To investigate the effects of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) overexpression on the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, collagen type I (Col I) synthesis and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in cultured hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 stimulated by ethanol. METHODS：Cultured HSC-T6 cells were transfected with pEGFP-Nrf2 or pEGFP-N1 (empty vector) plasmid by liposome transient transfection. The cells were divided into control group, ethanol group, ethanol+pEGFP-Nrf2 group and ethanol+pEGFP-N1 group. The mRNA expression of Nrf2, α-SMA and Col I was determined by RT-PCR, and their protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS：The pEGFP-Nrf2 plasmid was successfully transfected into HSC-T6 cells, and the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 was higher than other three groups 48 h after transfection (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the cell proliferation and the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA and Col I in ethanol group and ethanol+pEGFP-N1 group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the numbers of HSC-T6 cells were decreased in G1 phase and increased in S phase (P<0.05), without significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the cells in ethanol+pEGFP-Nrf2 group showed significantly decreased proliferation level, down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA and Col I, higher numbers in G1 phase and lower numbers in S phase compared with ethanol group and ethanol+pEGFP-N1 group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Nrf2 overexpression could significantly down-regulate the expression of α-SMA and Col I and cause G1/S phase arrest in HSC-T6 cells cultured with ethanol, thus inhibiting the proliferation and activation of the cells.     

Expression and prognostic significance of cyclin D1, RBL2/p130 and MCM7 in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of cyclin D1, retinoblastoma-like protein 2(RBL2/p130) and minichromosome maintenance protein 7(MCM7) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). METHODS: The expression of cyclin D1, RBL2/p130 and MCM7 in 44 HCC specimens, 26 adjacent noncancerous cirrhotic liver specimens and 18 normal liver specimens were detected by the method of immunohistochemistry. The correlations of cyclin D1, RBL2/p130 and MCM7 with the clinical parameters of HCC patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of cyclin D1 and MCM7 in HCC were 68.2% and 72.7%, higher than those in normal livers and adjacent noncancerous cirrhotic livers(P<0.01). The positive expression rate of RBL2/p130 in HCC was 34.1%, lower than that in normal livers and adjacent noncancerous cirrhotic livers(P<0.01). The expression of MCM7 in HCC was positively correlated with the expression of cyclin D1(r=0.349, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the expression of RBL2/p130(r=-0.421, P<0.01). The expression of cyclin D1 in HCC was negatively correlated with the expression of RBL2/p130(r=-0.435, P<0.01). The expression of MCM7 and cyclin D1 was associated with the integrity of tumor capsule, differentiation degree and TNM stage(P<0.05). The expression of MCM7 was also associated with tumor size and the value of alpha fetoprotein(AFP). The tumor size, the expression levels of MCM7 and cyclin D1 were correlated with the prognosis determined by multivariable analysis. The patients with positive expression of MCM7 and cyclin D1 had lower survival rate than those with negative expression(P<0.05). The patients with positive expression of RBL2/p130 had higher survival rate than those with negative expression(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The abnormal expression of cyclin D1, RBL2/ p130 and MCM7 plays an important role in the development of HCC, indicating that monitoring their expression in HCC patients may be helpful to the judgment of prognosis.     

Effects of ERK1/2/PPARα/SCAD signal pathways on physiological cardiac hypertrophy and pathological cardiac hypertrophy

AIM：To investigate the different effects of ERK1/2/PPARα/SCAD (short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) signal pathways on the cardiac hypertrophy induced by insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF-1) or phenylephrine (PE). METHODS：The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1 were used as the model of physiological cardiac hypertrophy, and those induced by PE were used as the model of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The surface area of the cardiomyocytes, the expression of p-ERK1/2, PPARα and SCAD, the activity of SCAD and the content of free fatty acid in the cardiomyocytes were measured. RESULTS：Compared with the control cells, the surface area of the cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1 and PE were both increased. Compared with the controls, the expression of SCAD and PPARα, and the activity of SCAD in the cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1 were increased, while the expression of p-ERK1/2 was decreased. However, the cardiomyocytes treated with PE showed decreased expression of SCAD and PPARα, decreased activity of SCAD and increased expression of p-ERK1/2. Meanwhile, the decrease in free fatty acid in IGF-1-induced cardiomyocytes and the increase in PE-induced cardiomyocytes indicated that the fatty acid utilization was increased in the cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1, but decreased in the cardiomyocytes induced by PE. CONCLUSION：The changes of p-ERK1/2, PPARα and SCAD in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by IGF-1 or PE indicate that the effects of ERK1/2/PPARα/SCAD signal pathways are different between physiological cardiac hypertrophy and pathological cardiac hypertrophy, and that SCAD may be a molecular marker of these 2 different cardiac hypertrophies and a potential therapeutic target for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.     

Effects of isorhapontigenin on cell cycle arrest and down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression in bladder cancer cells

AIM：To explore the inhibitory mechanism of isorhapontigenin (ISO) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of UMUC3 bladder cancer cells. METHODS：Human UMUC3 bladder cancer cells were pretreated with ISO, and the proliferation of the cells was observed under phase-contrast microscope and by ATPase assay. The expression of cyclin D1 was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The cell cycle alteration was detected by flow cytometry, and the cell migration was examined by wound-healing assay. RESULTS：Over 20 μmol/L of ISO significantly inhibited the proliferation of UMUC3 cells with the IC50 of (22.5±2.8) μmol/L. The mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 in UMUC3 cells were markedly decreased after treatment with ISO. Exposure of UMUC3 cells to low dose (5 μmol/L) of ISO led to significant induction of G0/G1 growth arrest at both 12 h (58.82%) and 24 h (63.94%), compared with the negative control cells (47.33%) without inducing obvious apoptosis. ISO at dose of 5 μmol/L also markedly inhibited the cell migration. CONCLUSION：ISO significantly exhibits inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of human bladder cancer cells by down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression accompanying with G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.     

Role of TGF-β1-activated p38 MAPK in up-regulation of PAI-1 expression by TGF-β1 in human ovarian cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the relationship between up-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) expression and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) pathways by TGF-β1 in human ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: PAI-1 expression in human ovarian cancer cells treated with TGF-β1(10 μg/L)was assayed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The activation of p38 MAPK and ERK was determined by Western blotting using phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated ERK antibodies. Specific p38 MAPK inhibitor(SB203580) or ERK inhibitor(PD98059) was used to inhibit their activation. RESULTS: TGF-β1 up-regulated the expression of PAI-1, and activated p38 MAPK and ERK pathways in the ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by SB203580 resulted in significant inhibition of the mRNA expression of PAI-1 induced by TGF-β1. However, inhibition of ERK activation did not significantly alter TGF-β1-induced increase in PAI-1 mRNA level. CONCLUSION: TGF-β1-activated p38 MAPK pathway contributes to the up-regulation of PAI-1 expression by TGF-β1 in ovarian cancer cells.     

Effects of hepatitis C virus core protein on cell cycle of HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection by studying the effect of its core protein on cell growth and the expression of cell cycle regulators such as cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in HepG2 cells. METHODS: A eukaryotic expression vector that carried a gene encoding HCV-core-1b was constructed. The cDNA of HCV core protein was subcloned into pBabe-Flag-puro vector to generate pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b. The plasmid was transfected into Pheonix 293T packaging cells to produce retroviruses. The virus-containing supernatant collected from the cell culture was used to infect HepG2 cells and subsequently the cell line that stably expressed the core protein of HCV was obtained.The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b vector was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The expression of HCV gene type 1b core protein was verified by Western blotting. The overexpression of HCV gene type 1b core protein impaired the cell cycle progression in G₀/G₁ phase and significantly reduced the levels of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in the cells. CONCLUSION: A eukaryotic expression plasmid that contains the cDNA of HCV core protein is successfully constructed, and a HepG2 cell line which stably expressed the core protein of HCV is also established. HCV gene type 1b core protein inhibits the cell cycle possibly through down-regulation of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 proteins in the cells.     

Sphingosine kinase 1 enhances invasion and migration of non-small-cell lung cancer cells by ERK1/2 signaling pathway

AIM To explore the effects of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) on the migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and its mechanism. METHODS Thirty-one tumor specimens, which were surgically resected and routinely histologically confirmed as NSCLC, and matched adjacent lung tissues were selected. Immunohistochemical staining and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of SphK1. The pcDNA3.1-SphK1 vector (SphK1 group), empty pcDNA3.1 vector control (NC group), SphK1 siRNA (siSphK1 group) or control siRNA (siNC group) was transfected into human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and the protein levels of SphK1, E-cadherin, fibronectin and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. The effects of over-expression of SphK1 and inhibition of ERK1/2 on migration and invasion of A549 cells were evaluated by Transwell assays. RESULTS SphK1 was highly expressed in the NSCLC tissues and was associated with tumor stage. SphK1 over-expression significantly promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cells, increased the protein levels of p-ERK1/2 and fibronectin, and decreased the protein expression of E-cadherin (P<0.05), but the opposite result was observed after SphK1 interference. The ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 significantly inhibited the up-regulation of p-ERK1/2 and fibronectin levels and the down-regulation of E-cadherin expression induced by SphK1 over-expression, and also inhibited the invasion and migration of A549 cells promoted by SphK1 over-expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SphK1 may reduce E-cadherin protein levels, increase fibronectin protein levels, and promote the invasion and migration of NSCLC cells through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

Role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating HSP70 through ERK1/2 signaling pathway in PC12 cells

AIM:To study the role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and inhibiting apoptosis induced by oxidative stress through extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in the PC12 cells. METHODS:Sodium nitoprusside (SNP) was used to induce oxidative stress injury in the PC12 cells. The cultured PC12 cells were divided into SNP-injured group (incubated with SNP at 0.5 mmol/L for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h), ghrelin pretreatment group (ghrelin at 100 nmol/L was given 30 min before adding SNP); HSP70 inhibitor group (quercetin at 10 μmol/L was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment), ERK inhibitor group (ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment) and control group (added same amount of culture medium only). The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells in SNP-injured group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with SNP-injured group, ghrelin (100 nmol/L) pretreatment significantly inhibited SNP-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells (P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated the protein expression of HSP70 (P<0.05). Time-effect analysis showed that ghrelin had the most significant effect at 18 h after SNP injury. Quercetin, an inhibitor of HSP 70, significantly reduced the anti-apoptotic effect of ghrelin (P<0.05). Ghrelin pretreatment promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited the effects of ghrelin on up-regulation of HSP70 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Ghrelin upregulates the expression of HSP70 and inhibits the apoptosis in the PC12 cells induced by oxidative stress by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.     

Effects of PI3K/PKB signaling pathway on expression of osteopontin in human hepatic stellate cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of phosphatylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB) signaling pathway on the expression of osteopontin (OPN) in transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁)-induced human hepatic stellate cells. METHODS: Human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was cultured in DMEM and stimulated by TGF-β₁ at the final concentration of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μg/L for 24 h or at final concentration of 10 μg/L for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. LX-2 cells were pretreated with wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K/PKB signaling pathway, at final concentration of 0.1 μmol/L for 1 h, followed by incubation with TGF-β₁ at final concentration of 10 μg/L for 24 h. The cells were collected. The expression of OPN was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: In LX-2 cells, the expression of OPN was apparently elevated when incubated with TGF-β₁. With the increase in TGF-β₁ concentration or the extension of incubation hours, the expression of OPN was increased gradually in a dose-and time-dependent manner with certain limits. LX-2 cells pretreated with wortmannin and incubated with TGF-β₁ had a significant decrease in the OPN expression as compared with control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of OPN in TGF-β₁-induced LX-2 cells is regulated by the PI3K/PKB signaling pathway.     

Effects of matrine on apoptosis and related protein expression in human medulloblastoma D341 cells

AIM: To investigate matrine-induced apoptosis of human medulloblastoma D341 cells and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, serine/threonine kinase Akt and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in vitro. METHODS: D341 cells were divided into experimental groups (added with matrine at different concentrations) and control group (under the same conditions without matrine). The proliferation of D341 cells was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Akt and p-Akt was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Matrine significantly inhibited the proliferation of D341 cells and increased the apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The cell apoptosis was characterized by chromatin condensation with margination of chromatin to the nuclear membrane, increased when and larger cytoplasmic vacuoles, and formation of apoptotic body after treatment with matrine. The expression of Bax increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 and p-Akt decreased when the drug concentration gradually increased. CONCLUSION: Matrine induces the apoptosis of human medulloblastoma D341 cells in vitro by activation of Bax, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and reduction of p-Akt expression level in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Pharmaceutical inactivation of Erk1/2 does not affect function of FGF21 to regulate glucose and lipid metabolic hemostasis

AIM: To investigate whether inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) will affect the function of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. METHODS: Male db/db mice (8 weeks old) were treated with U0126 (an inhibitor of Erk1/2 kinase) for 1 week, and then treated with recombinant human FGF21 protein and adenovirus-mediated FGF21 (Ad-FGF21). The profile changes of blood glucose and blood lipid were evaluated at 120 min or 4 weeks after FGF21 administration. Meanwhile, the molecular mechanism was explored by in vitro study. RESULTS: Treatment of db/db mice with recombinant human FGF21 protein significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels at 120 min after FGF21 administration, but these changes were comparable in U0126-treated mice. Furthermore, abnormal glucose and triglyceride levels, and glucose and insulin tolerance were strongly improved in db/db mice as accompanied with decreasing body fat content after 4 weeks of ad-FGF21 administration. Interestingly, treatment with or without U0126 did not influence these effects of FGF21. Mechanically, treatment with Ad-FGF21 significantly upregulated the protein levels of p-Erk1/2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as well as the expression of adiponectin at mRNA and protein levels in adipose tissues. However, treatment with or without U0126 did not change the profiles. On the other hand, in vitro experiments also indicated that treatment of adipocytes with recombinant human FGF21 protein significantly activated Erk1/2 phosphorylation, and upregulated the expression levels of PPARγ and adiponectin (P<0.05). However, pre-administration of U0126 did not affect the profiles. CONCLUSION: Pharmaceutical inactivation of Erk1/2 by U0216 does not affect the biological function of FGF21 to regulate blood glucose balance and improve abnormal blood lipids in vivo.     

Role of MAPK inhibition in decrease of hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction mediated by Panax notoginseng saponin R1 in rats

AIM：To investigate the role of Panax notoginseng saponin R1 in the pathological process of hypo-xia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HHPV) and to observe the relationship with MAPK signal pathway in rats. METHODS：The model of pulmonary artery ring perfusion in vitro was used, and the rings were divided randomly into the following groups: normoxia group (N group); hypoxia hypercapnia group (H group); H+DMSO incubation group (HD group); H+R1 group, which was divided into 3 subgroups: low-concentration R1 group (RL group), middle-concentration R1 group (RM group) and high-concentration R1 group (RH group); H+SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) incubation group (S group); H+U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) incubation group (U group); H+R1+SB203580 incubation group (RS group); H+R1+U0126 (RU group). Under acute hypoxia hypercapnia condition, the effects of different concentrations of R1 or R1 at the optimal concentration combined with U0126 or SB203580 on the 3 stages of HHPV were observed. At the same time, the changes of ring tension were recorded via the method of hypoxia hypercapnia condition reactivity. RESULTS：Under the hypoxia hypercapnia condition, a biphasic pulmonary artery contractile response (phase I acute vasoconstriction, phase I vasodilation and phase II persistent vasoconstriction) in the secondary pulmonary artery rings was observed. The treatments in HD group and RL group distinctly relieved the early phase I acute vasoconstriction of HHPV and reversed the phase II persistent vasoconstriction, but the effect in RM group was not obvious. The treatment in RH group enhanced both the early phase I acute vasoconstriction and the phase II persistent vasoconstriction of HHPV. RL and RH groups had significant differences compared with HD group. In contrast to HD group, the values of systolic peak in RS and RU groups decreased dramatically, and the phase II persistent vasoconstriction reversed to relaxation state. The HHPV in RS and RU groups was significantly relieved as compared with RL group. The HHPV in RS and RU groups was relieved as compared with S group and U group. CONCLUSION：R1 at concentration of 8 mg/L relieves acute HHPV in rats. The mechanism may be associated with p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

Yiqi-Yangyin recipe attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats by activation of ERK/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

AIM: To explore the effect of Yiqi-Yangyin recipe on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) and the possible mechanism. METHODS: The rats were divided into normal group (control group), DM sham operation (DM-S) group, DM+MIRI group, low-, medium-and high-dose Yiqi-Yang-yin recipe (TL, TM and TH) groups (7.5, 15 and 30 g/kg decoction of Yiqi-Yangyin recipe by gavage), and Nrf2 inhibitor (bardoxolone methyl) group (30 mg/kg bardoxolone methyl by intragastric administration). The gavage volume was 1 mL/kg. There were 15 rats in each group, and they were administered continuously for 7 d. The tail vein blood was collec-ted after the last administration to detect the blood sugar and lipid levels in the rats. The serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Echocardiography was used to detect the changes of cardiac function in the rats after blood collection. After cardiac function test, the rats were sacrificed to obtain cardiac tissues, and the volume changes of myocardial infarction were assessed by triphenylte-trazole chloride staining. The histopathological changes of myocardium was observed by HE staining. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. The protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the myocardium were determined by Western blot. The myocardial activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by nitro blue tetrazolium method, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was tested by thiobarbituric acid method, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by iron ion reduction method. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in DM-S group and DM+MIRI group were significantly elevated, while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lowered (P<0.05). Compared with DM-S group and DM+MIRI group, the levels of FBG, TC, TG in TL, TM, TH and bardoxolone methyl groups were significantly decreased, while HDL-C level was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with control group and DM-S group, heart rate (HR) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were increased in DM+MIRI group, mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were decreased, serum levels of cTnI, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were increased, the myocardial infarction volume percentage was increased, the myocardial cell breakage and necrosis were increased, the myocardial cell apoptotic rate was increased, the protein levels of p-ERK1/2, Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased, MDA and ROS levels were increased, and the activity of SOD was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with DM+MIRI group, HR and LVEDP were decreased in TL, TM, TH and bardoxolone methyl groups, MAP, LVSP and LVEF were increased, the serum levels of cTnI, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were decreased, the myocardial infarction volume percentage was decreased, myocardial cell breakage and necrosis were decreased, myocardial cell apoptotic rate was decreased, the protein levels of p-ERK1/2, Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased, the MDA and ROS levels were decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Yiqi-Yangyin recipe protects the myocardial tissue of DM+MIRI rats from injury and reduces the oxidative stress level, which may be achieved by activating ERK/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.     

Effect of RYR1 gene expression knock-down by siRNA on mitochondria in C2C12 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) down-regulation on mitochondria in mouse myoblast C2C12 cell line and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: The expression of RYR1 in the C2C12 cells was knocked down by the targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA). The mitochondrial number and morpholo-gical changes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and the stereoscopic analysis. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), respectively. RESULTS: The expression of RYR1 was significantly down-regulated by siRNA transfection (P<0.01), with fragmentized mitochondria in the C2C12 cells in knock-down (KD) group. Although no statistical difference of the mitochondrial number was observed, the mitochondria area and circumference were significantly lowered in KD group (P<0.05). In KD group, the mRNA and protein expression of Mfn2 was significantly reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA level of PGC-1α was also reduced (P<0.01), but no significant change at protein level was observed. No change of ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylated ERK1/2 level was detected. CONCLUSION: Knock-down of RYR1 expression leads to morphological changes of mitochondria, and down-regulation of Mfn2 expression may be involved in the underlying mechanism. While PGC-1α and ERK1/2-associated oxidative stress pathway may not play an important role in the process.     

Effect of miR-181b on cell proliferation and expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 in HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of miR-181b in the expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 at mRNA and protein levels in the human hepatoma G2 cells (HepG2), and to explore the effect of miR-181b on the regulation of HepG2 cell proliferation. METHODS: The synthetic double-strand complementary DNA based on the sequence of miR-181b was inserted into the vector of miRNASelect^TM pEGP-miR. The microRNA high-expression plasmid was cloned, and the sequences were identified. The miR-181b plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cells with liposomes. The stable cell line was screened by puromycin. The mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and SP1 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to analyze the proliferation of HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The Western blotting results showed that miR-181b inhibited the protein expression of Bcl-2 and SP1. The result of RT-PCR also indicated that the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 was suppressed. Compared with the control, the growth rate of HepG2 with high expression of miR-181b was significantly decreased.CONCLUSION: miR-181b inhibits the proliferation of HepG2, which may be related to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and SP1.     

Study on COX activity and its mRNA expression,and PGE2 release from cerebral microvascular endothelial cells stimulated by IL-1β

AIM: To study the cyclooxygenase(COX) activity and its mRNA expression, and PGE₂ release from rats cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (rCEMC) stimulated by IL-1β(30 μg/L) at different times. METHODS: rCMEC were cultured, and identified by immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor (Ⅷ factor, a marker for all endothelial cells) in cytoplasm of the cells. After rCEMC grew to confluency, they were stimulated with IL-1β for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h, respectively. Activity of COX-1 and COX-2 in rCEMC and production of PGE₂ in the conditioned media were detected by ELISA. COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA expressions were measured by real-time quantity PCR. The amplification product was tested by melting curve and identified by electrophoretic gel. RESULTS: ① Positive immunostaining for Ⅷ factor was present diffusely in the cytoplasm in more than 90% rCMEC. ② Compared to the cells without IL-1β stimulation, the production of PGE₂ increased significantly (P<0.05) at 4 h after rCEMC were incubated with IL-1β and reached the top level at 12 h (P<0.01), then declined thereafter at 24 h (P<0.05). ③ There was no significant difference on COX-1 activity between IL-1β group and non-IL-1β group. COX-2 activity increased significantly compared with those in non-IL-1β (P<0.05) at 8 h after rCEMC were incubated with IL-1β and reached the top level at 12 h (P<0.01), then declined thereafter at 24 h (P<0.05). ④ There was no significant difference on COX-1 mRNA expression between IL-1β group and non-IL-1β group. COX-2 mRNA was induced and became detectable at 1 h, and reached the top level at 4 h, then declined thereafter at 8 h and became undetectable by 12 h and 24 h after incubation with IL-1β. The melting curve showed there was no nonspecific amplification and electrophoretic gel showed the lengths of amplification products accorded with the predicted lengths. CONCLUSION: While rCEMC are stimulated by IL-1β, the excretion of PGE₂ increases and reaches the top level at 12 h, which is related with its induction on COX-2 mRNA expression and COX-2 activity.     

Eeffect of HMGB1 on expression of NF-κB in BV-2 cells stimulated with Aβ25-35

AIM: To investigate the effect of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) on the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in BV-2 cells stimulated with amyloid β-protein (Aβ)_25-35. METHODS: Cultured BV-2 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into 4 groups:normal cell group (without any treatment), model group (treated with Aβ_25-35 at 40 μmol/L), RNA interference (RNAi) group (conducted with HMGB1-siRNA followed by Aβ_25-35 stimulation) and solvent control group (treated with 0.1% DMSO). After treatment with Aβ_25-35 for 24 h, the protein levels of HMGB1 and NF-κB in BV-2 cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Aβ_25-35 at 40 μmol/L was used to stimulate BV-2 cells. The GFP fluorescence-tagged HMGB1-siRNA (30 nmol/L) was used to transfect BV-2 cells and its transfection efficiency was about 80%~90%. The results of Western blot showed that the protein level of HMGB1 was significantly decreased after the interference of siRNA fragment (P<0.05). The protein levels of HMGB1 and nucleic NF-κB p65 were dramatically increased in BV-2 cells stimulated with Aβ_25-35 (P<0.05). After RNA interference with HMGB1, the expression of HMGB1 and nucleic NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased in BV-2 cells stimulated with Aβ_25-35 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: RNA interference with HMGB1 reduces the expression of nucleic NF-κB in BV-2 cells stimulated with Aβ_25-35.     

Effect of rhEGF activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase on the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 protein in human amniotic cells

AIM: To explore the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the ERK1/2 pathway and its safety in use when the proliferation of cultured FL cells (human amnion epithelial cells) were promoted by rhEGF.METHODS: FL cells were stimulated by rhEGF at various concentrations.The proliferation rate of FL cells was evaluated by MTT assay.Western blotting was used to detect phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and the change of Bcl-2 and P53 protein.RESULTS: The proliferation rate FL cells reached the maximum when the concentration of rhEGF was 10 μg/L (42.4％，P<0.01).Western blotting showed that the activity of p-ERK1/2 increased significantly when rhEGF ranged in 10 μg/L to 60 μg/L.Level of Bcl-2 was unchanged in each groups.Level of P53 decreased significantly when the concentration of rhEGF was 60 μg/L.CONCLUSION: It is safe when rhEGF presents in optimization concentration of 10 μg/L.The capability of apoptosis may be depressed when rhEGF is in larger dose.