circRNA-42398 inhibits activation of hepatic stellate cells via TGF-?β1/Smads signaling pathway modulation

AIM To study the effect of mouse circular RNA-42398 (mmu_circ_42398) over-expression on the activation of hepatic stellate cells. METHODS Mouse hepatic stellate JS1 cells were cultured and randomly divided into control group, vector group and mmu_circ_42398 over-expression group.mmu_circ_42398 over-expression plasmid vector was constructed, and then transiently transfected into JS1 cells using Lipofectamine 2000. The cells were collected 48 h after transfection. Expression of mmu_circ_42398 was detected by RT-qPCR.The backsplice site of PCR products was verified by sequencing. The protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I （Col I), transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 in the cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of mmu_circ_42398 was significantly increased after mmu_circ_42398 over-expression vector was transiently transfected into the JS1 cells (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of α-SMA and Col I were significantly decreased(P<0.01), and the phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3 were decreased significantly in mmu_circ_42398 over expression group (P<0.01). However, the protein expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 had no significant change (P>0.05). CONCLUSION mmu-circ-42398 inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells via TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway modulation.     

Mangiferin attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury of human myocardial cells

AIM To investigate the effect of mangiferin on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury of human myocardial cells and its mechanism. METHODS Human myocardial AC16 cells were divided into normal group, H/R group and H/R + mangiferin (50, 100 and 200 μmol/L) treatment groups. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 (Keap-1), Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) in nucleus was determined by Western blot. The expression of microRNA-432-3p (miR-432-3p) was detected by RT-qPCR. The generation of reactive oxygen speciess (ROS) in the cells was measured by DCFH-DA probing. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS No significant difference in the expression of miR-432-3p and Keap-1 between normal group and H/R group was observed. Compared with normal group, the nuclear translocation of Nrf-2, the ROS level, and the mRNA and protein expression of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were significantly increased in H/R group （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression of SOD2 and Bcl-2, and the cell viability significantly decreased in H/R group compared with normal group, while the apoptosis was increased significantly （P<0.05）. Treatment with mangiferin resulted in an increase in the miR-432-3p expression and a decrease in the ROS level, and the expression of Keap-1, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 was also inhibited as compared with H/R group （P<0.05）. The Nrf-2 nuclear translocation, and the protein levels of SOD2 and Bcl-2 in mangiferin treatment groups were significantly increased as compared with H/R group （P<0.05）. The cell viability was increased significantly, and the apoptosis was decreased significantly in mangiferin treatment groups as compared with H/R group （P<0.05）. The effects of mangiferin in middle- and high-dose groups were better than those in low-dose group, and no significant difference between middle- and high-dose groups was found. CONCLUSION Mangiferin inhibits the decrease in myocardial cell viability and the apoptosis induced by H/R injury. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of Nrf-2 antioxidant stress effect via enhancing the expression of miR-432-3p.     

Alleviating effect of exenatide on ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice is independent on reducing body weight

AIM To investigate the alleviating effect of exenatide （Exe）, a glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1） receptor agonist, on the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice and its mechanism. METHODS Eight-week-old male ob/ob mice and their wild-type （WT） littermates were randomly divided into 3 groups, ob/ob group, ob/ob+Exe group and WT group, and treated with Exe at 24 nmol/kg or the same volume of saline intraperitoneally once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight, fasting blood glucose （FBG） and fat content were measured after the 4-week treatment. The oil red O staining and the quantification of triglyceride （TG） were performed on the skeletal muscle. The serum levels of TG, total cholesterol and free fatty acid （FFA） were also measured by ELISA. The expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined by Western blot. Mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were used as an in vitro model to further investigate the effects of Exe. RESULTS As compared with the ob/ob mice treated with saline, 4-week Exe treatment did not reduce body weight, FBG, food intake and fat content in ob/ob mice （P>0.05）. However, serum FFA was decreased （P<0.05）. Oil red O staining and the quantification of TG showed that 4-week Exe treatment significantly attenuated the ectopic lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that the levels of phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK） and lipolysis-related proteins were up-regulated, while the lipid synthesis-related proteins were down-regulated by Exe （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe alleviated the lipid accumulation in the C2C12 cells induced by sodium palmate （P<0.05）, and the effects of Exe on the levels of p-AMPK and lipid metabolism-related proteins in the C2C12 cells were consistent with those in the ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe also up-regulated the protein expression of glucose transporter 4 and improved the ability of glucose uptake in the C2C12 cells （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Short-term Exe treatment attenuates the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice by up-regulating lipolysis-related proteins and down-regulating lipid synthesis-related proteins, which is independent on body weight loss.     

Procaine regulates CXCR7 and affects AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit viability,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells

AIM To investigate the effects of procaine (PCA) and CXC chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) on the viability, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells and its potential mechanism. METHODS Human bladder cancer RT4 cells were treated with PCA at different concentrations， and were divided into PBS group (without PCA treatment), PCA group (treated with 4 mmol/L PCA), siRNA negative control (si-Con) group (transfected with si-Con), CX?CR7 siRNA (si-CXCR7) group (transfected with si-CXCR7), PCA+pcDNA group (treated with 4 mmol/L PCA and transfected with pcDNA) and PCA+pcDNA-CXCR7 group (treated with 4 mmol/L PCA and transfected with pcDNA-CX?CR7). The siRNA and pcDNA were transfected into the RT4 cells by liposome method. The mRNA expression of CX?CR7 in the RT4 cells was detected by RT-qPCR. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The invasion and migration abilities of the cells were detected by Transwell assays. The protein levels of CXCR7, AKT, STAT3, p-AKT and p-STAT3 were determined by Western blot . RESULTS Compared with PBS group, the viability, migration ability and invasion ability of the RT4 cells treated with PCA at different concentrations were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expression of CXCR7 at mRNA and protein levels in PCA group was also significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with si-Con group, the expression of CXCR7 at mRNA and protein levels in si-CXCR7 group was significantly decreased, and the viability, migration ability and invasion ability of the cells were also significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with PCA+pcDNA group, the expression of CXCR7 at mRNA and protein levels in PCA+pcDNA-CXCR7 group was significantly increased, and the viability, migration ability and invasion ability of the cells were also significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with PBS group, the protein levels of p-AKT and p-STAT3 in PCA group were significantly decreased(P<0.05). Compared with PCA+pcDNA group, the protein levels of p-AKT and p-STAT3 in PCA+pcDNA-CX?CR7 group were significantly increased (P<0.05). No significant difference in the protein levels of AKT and STAT3 among the groups was observed. CONCLUSION Treatment with PCA inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of CXCR7. Over-expression of CXCR7 reverses this effect of PCA. Its mechanism may be related to AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway.     

SUMO-specific protease 3 aggravates CaPO4-induced mouse abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by promoting macrophage polarization

AIMTo investigate the role of SUMO-specific protease 3 (SENP3) in macrophage polarization and calcium phosphate (CaPO₄)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in mice. METHODS（1） Bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) in Senp3^flox/flox (wild-type, WT) mice and Senp3^flox/flox; Lyz2-Cre (monocyte-specific SENP3 knockout, i.e. conditioned knockout, cKO) mice were isolated and induced for M1 and M2 polarization. The mRNA and protein expression level of SENP3 were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunocytofluorescence, and the differential distribution of M1/M2 BMDMs from WT and cKO mice was analyzed. （2） CaPO₄ was administrated to induce AAA model in 8~12-week-old male WT and cKO mice. The AAA incidence, survival rate and maximal aortic diameter were analyzed between the 2 groups. Aortic aneurysm tissues were collected for pathological analysis, and the expression levels of SENP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL-6 and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Dihydroethidium staining in situ in frozen sections was used to analyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). （3） To explore the potential mechanisms, Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation were used to verify the de-SUMO modification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) induced by SENP3. Besides, BMDMs were transfected with Flag-MKK7 wild type (Flag-MKK7 WT) and SUMO-modified site K18 mutant (Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant), and then M1 polarization of the cells was induced. The protein levels of p-JNK and MMP-9 in the 2 groups were determined by Western blot. RESULTS(1) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in M1 polarized macrophages (P<0.01), but was down-regulated in M2 polarized macrophages (P<0.01). The expression of SENP3 was decreased during the transformation of M1 to M2 in the macrophages (P<0.01), but was significantly up-regulated during the opposite process (P<0.01). Besides, more M1 macrophages and less M2 macrophages after induction were observed in the BMDMs from cKO mice than those from WT mice. (2) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in AAA tissues (P<0.05). The AAA incidence of cKO mice was significantly reduced after CaPO₄ induction (P<0.01), the survival rate was significantly improved (P<0.05), and maximal aortic diameter was significantly reduced in cKO group (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, and the production of ROS were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), meanwhile MMP-9 expression was also down-regulated in cKO mice (P<0.05). (3) the SUMO2/3 modification of MKK7 was reduced during M1 polarization, and MKK7 interaction with SENP3 was enhanced. Significantly up-regulated protein level of p-JNK and MMP-9 were verified in the M1 macrophages transfected with Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SENP3 activates the MAPK/JNK pathway via de-SUMOylation of MKK7, regulates the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages and promotes the protein level of MMP-9, thus aggravating AAA formation.     

Inhibitory effect of Wendan decoction on formation of foam cells induced by ox-LDL

AIM To explore the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of Wendan decoction based on formation of foam cells. METHODS The optimal concentrations of Wendan decoction without cytotoxity to cells were selected by MTT assay. After Wendan decoction treatment, the formation of foam cells was examined by oil red O staining. The cholesterol efflux, cholesterol level, free cholesterol level and cholesterol esterification rate were analyzed using cholesterol efflux assay, total cholesterol assay and free cholesterol assay. The expression levels of macrophage membrane proteins, including CD36, scavenger receptor class A （SR-A）, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1） and scavenger receptor class B type I （SR-BI）, were quantified by Western blot. RESULTS The optimal concentrations of Wendan decoction without cytotoxity to the cells were 0~6 g/L. Wendan decoction at the concentrations of 1.5, 3 and 6 g/L were selected for the experiments. Wendan decoction at these concentrations inhibited the formation of foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）, and reduced the accumulation of intracellular lipids in a concentration-dependent manner （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Wendan decoction also reduced intracellular total cholesterol level, cholesterol ester level and cholesterol esterification rate （P<0.05 or P<0.01）, promoted efflux of intracellular cholesterol （P<0.01）, and decreased the protein level of CD36 in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. Wendan decoction at the concentration of 6 g/L significantly reduced the protein level of SR-A in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.05）. At the concentrations of 3 and 6 g/L, Wendan decoction significantly increased the protein levels of ABCA1 and SR-BI in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. CONCLUSION Wendan decoction significantly inhibits ox-LDL-induced formation of foam cells by reducing cholesterol deposition and promoting cholesterol efflux, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of CD36 and SR-A and the up-regulation of ABCA1 and SR-BI.     

Effect of inhibiting lncRNA LINC01503 on viability,migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeted regulation of miR-335-5p

AIM To investigate the effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01503 on the viability, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells and its mechanism. METHODS Human lung carcinoma H1299 cells were divided into si-NC group (transfected with si-NC), si-LINC01503 group (transfected with si-LINC01503), pcDNA group (transfected with pcDNA), pcDNA-LINC01503 group (transfected with pcDNA-LINC01503), miR-NC group (transfected with miR-NC), miR-335-5p group (transfected with miR-335-5p mimics), si-LINC01503+anti-miR-NC group (co-transfected with si-LINC01503 and anti-miR-NC), si-LINC01503+anti-miR-335-5p group (co-transfected with si-LINC01503 and anti-miR-335-5p), miR-NC+WT-LINC01503 group (co-transfected with miR-NC and WT-LINC01503), miR-NC+MUT-LINC01503 group (co-transfected with miR-NC and MUT-LINC01503), miR-335-5p+WT-LINC01503 group (co-transfected with miR-335-5p and WT-LINC01503) and miR-335-5p+MUT-LINC01503 group (co-transfected with miR-335-5p and MUT-LINC01503). The expression of miR-335-5p and LINC01503 was detected by RT-qPCR. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. MTT assay was used to detect cell viability. Transwell assay was used to detect the migration and invasion abilities. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the targeted relationship between LINC01503 and miR-335-5p. RESULTS Compared with normal tissues, the expression of LINC01503 was significantly increased in the lung cancer tissues, and the expression of miR-335-5p was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with stage I/II , the expression level of LINC01503 in the lung cancer tissues of stage III/IV was significantly increased, and the expression of miR-335-5p was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The patients with high expression of LINC01503 had lower short-term survival rates than those with low expression of LINC01503 (P<0.05). Compared with normal human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, the expression of miR-335-5p in lung cancer cell lines H1299, A549 and SPC-A-1 were significantly decreased, and the expression of LINC01503 was significantly increased (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-335-5p and inhibition of LINC01503 expression inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of H1299 cells, and inhibited the protein expression of cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） and MMP-9 (P<0.05). LINC01503 targeted and regulated miR-335-5p expression, and interfering with miR-335-5p expression reversed the inhibitory effect of inhibiting LINC01503 expression on the viability, migration and invasion of H1299 cells. CONCLUSION Inhibition of lncRNA LINC01503 inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to the targeted regulation of miR-335-5p.     

Expression relevance of GATA-1 and miR-451a in erythroid differentiation of K562 cells under hypoxia

AIM To investigate the expression relevance of GATA binding protein-1 (GATA-1) and microR?NA-451a (miR-451a) in erythroid differentiation of human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells under hypoxia. METHODS The K562 cells were divided into 2 groups: normoxia group and hypoxia (1% O₂) group, and 40 μmol/L hemin chloride was used to induce K562 cell differentiation for 48 and 72 h. The mRNA expression of γ-globin was detected by RT-qPCR, hemoglobin production was observed by benzidine staining, and flow cytometry was used to detect CD235a expression for verifying erythroid differentiation model. The protein expression of GATA-1 during K562 cell differentiation under normoxia and hypoxia was determined by Western blot. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of GATA-1 and the expression level of miR-451a, and their correlation was analysis. The K562 cells were infected by lentivirus for over-expression or knock-down of GATA-1. Meanwhile, the morphological changes of the cells in the above groups were analyzed by Wright-Giemsa staining method to clarify the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. The expression miR-451a was detected by RT-qPCR after GATA-1 over-expression or knock-down. REULTS: Under normoxia and hypoxia conditions, the expression levels of γ?-globin and CD235a and the positive rate of benzidine staining at 48 and 72 h were significantly higher than those at 0 h (P<0.05).At 72 h, the expression levels of γ?-globin and CD235a and the benzidine staining positive rate in hypoxia group were significantly higher than normoxia group (P<0.05). The expression of GATA-1 mRNA and miR-451a under hypoxia showed an upward trend during the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, and was significantly higher than that in normoxia group at 72 h (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the mRNA expression of GATA-1 was positively correlated with miR-451a expression under hypoxia (P<0.01). After over-expression of GATA-1 under hypoxia, the expression of γ-globin and CD235a, the positive rate of benzidine staining, and the cell counts of size augmentation, nuclear deflection and nuclear shrinkage at 72 h were significantly higher than those in negative control group (P<0.05). After knock-down of GATA-1 under hypoxia, the expression of γ-globin and CD235a, the benzidine staining positive rate, and the cell counts of size augmentation, nuclear deflection and nuclear shrinkage at 72 h were significantly lower than those in negative control group (P<0.05). Compared with negative control group under hypoxia, the expression of miR-451a was significantly increased after GATA-1 over-expression (P<0.05), while the expression of miR-451a was significantly decreased after GATA-1 knock-down (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Hypoxia increases the expression of GATA-1 and then up-regulates miR-451a to promote erythroid differentiation of K562 cells.     

Effect of formononetin on viability,migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro

AIM To observe the effect of formononetin on the viability, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS Human ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells were cultured in vitro. The cells were treated with formononetin at 0, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The migration and invasion abilities of the SKOV-3 cells were detected by scratch wound assay and Transwell assay. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). RESULTS The viability of SKOV-3 cells was decreased with the increase in the formononetin concentration compared with control group (P<0.01). The wound migration distance of the cells in 50 μmol/L formononetin group was less than that in control group (P<0.01). The number of invasive SKOV-3 cells across the Transwell sub-compartment was significantly decreased in 50 μmol/L formononetin group compared with control group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin in 50 μmol/L formononetin group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-9 in 50 μmol/L formononetin group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Formononetin inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells by increasing expression of E-cadherin and decreasing expression of MMP-9.     

Ligustilide inhibits angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human hemangioendothelial cells by reducing VEGF levels

AIM To investigate the effect of ligustilide on human hemangioendothelial cells (HemECs) and to analyze its mechanism. METHODS The effect of ligustilide at different concentrations on the viability of HemECs was measured by CCK-8 assay. The HemECs were divided into control group and ligustilide （10, 25 and 50 μmol/L） treatment groups, and the proliferation of HemECs was detected by EdU staining. The effects of ligustilide on the angiogenesis of HemECs was tested by microtubule formation experiment. The protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in HemECs cells was determined by Western blot. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the viability of the cells treated with ligustilide at the concentrations between 0.1~50 μmol/L compared with control cells. Compared with control group, ligustilide at 25 and 50 μmol/L significantly reduced the number of EdU-positive cells and microtubule-like structures (P<0.05), reduced the protein expression level of VEGF (P<0.05), increased the protein expression of E-cadherin, and decreased the protein expression of vimentin and β-catenin (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of VEGF and vimentin was significantly up-regulated, and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated in VEGF overexpression group (P<0.05). Compared with VEGF overexpression group, the expression of VEGF and vimentin in 50 μmol/L ligustilide-treated VEGF-overexpressing cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ligulide inhibits the proliferation of HemECs, and also inhibits the angiogenesis and EMT process of HemECs by reducing the level of VEGF.     

High expression of BIRC5 enhances cell viability,inhibits apoptosis and is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer

AIM To investigate the expression of baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein repeat-containing protein 5 （BIRC5） in gastric cancer tissue and its relationship with prognosis of gastric cancer patients, and to explore the effect of BIRC5 knock-down on the viability and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. METHODS The expression of BIRC5 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 67 cases of gastric cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues for analyzing the relationships with clinicopathological characteristics. The mRNA and protein expression levels of BIRC5 in gastric carcinoma cell lines （AGS, MKN-1 and MGC-803） and normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The AGS cells were divided into blank group （no treatment）, Ctr-sh group （blank plasmid transfection） and BIRC5-sh group （BIRC5-shRNA plasmid transfection）. The interference efficiency of BIRC5-shRNA was evaluated by Western blot. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS BIRC5 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, and the positive expression rate of BIRC5 in the gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in the adjacent tissues （P<0.01）. The positive rates of BIRC5 in the gastric cancer patients at TNM Ⅲ~Ⅳ stages and with lymph node metastasis were higher than those in the patients at TNM Ⅰ~Ⅱ stages and without lymph node metastasis, respectively （P<0.05）. The survival time of the patients with positive BIRC5 expression was shorter than that of the patients with negative BIRC5 expression （P=0.011 2）. The cell viability in BIRC5-sh group was lower than that in blank group and Ctr-sh group at time points of 48, 72 and 96 h. The apoptotic rate in BIRC5-sh group was increased compared with blank group and Ctr-sh group. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax in BIRC5-sh group were higher than those in blank group and Ctr-sh group, while the protein expression of Bcl-2 in BIRC5-sh group was lower than that in blank group and Ctr-sh group （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION High expression of BIRC5 in gastric cancer indicates poor prognosis. BIRC5 promotes the growth of gastric cancer cells and inhibits apoptosis.     

Effect of andrographolide on osteosarcoma 143B cells and its mechanism

AIM To investigate the inhibitory effect of andrographolide （AG） on human osteosarcoma 143B cells and its underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS Osteosarcoma 143B cells were cultured in vitro and treated with AG at different concentrations (0~20 μmol/L), and the effect of AG on the proliferation of 143B cells was determined by crystal violet staining, MTT assay and colony formation assay. The wound-healing assay was performed to detect the migration ability of osteosarcoma 143B cells. Transwell assay was performed to analyze the invasive capacity of osteosarcoma 143B cells. The effect of AG on the apoptosis of osteosarcoma 143B cells was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. After treatment with of AG at different concentrations, the protein levels of the molecules related to proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of osteosarcoma 143B cells were determined by Western blot. The expression of β-catenin and its related molecule c-Myc in the Wnt signaling pathway was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with blank group, the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma 143B cells in AG treatment group were significantly inhibited (P<0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression levels of invasion- and migration-related proteins matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), vimentin and Snail were all down-regulated (P<0.05). AG also increased the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, and the levels of apoptosis-related protein caspase-3 was decreased but cleaved caspase-3 was increased. At the same time, the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related proteins β-catenin and c-Myc were significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Andrographolide may inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma 143B cells and promote their apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of Wnt signaling pathway.     

Mouse melanoma cell exosomes promote expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the effect of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells on the expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) protein in fibroblasts. METHODS Ultracentrifugation was adopted to separete exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells. The morphological structure of exosomes was observed by negative-staining electron microscopy. The size distribution of exosomes was determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2), were identified by Western blot. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the process that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) took in exosomes during co-culture. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Rac1 protein in MEF. RESULTS B16-F10 cell exosomes showed a typical tea tray-like structure, with a size range of 141~255 nm, and expressed protein markers Tsg101 and Tyrp2. The results of laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, a small number of exosomes appeared in the MEF at 12 h, and a large number of exosomes accumulated in the MEF after co-cultured for 24 and 36 h. Western blot analysis showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the expression of Rac1 protein in the MEF was significantly increased at 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.01). The results of immunocytochemical staining showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the positive expression level of Rac1 in the MEF cells was significantly increased at 12 h, 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Intake of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells promotes the expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts.     

Effect of wogonoside on inflammatory response in mice with viral myocarditis induced by Coxsackie virus B3

AIM: To investigate the effect of wogonoside on the inflammatory response of mice with Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis and its possible regulatory mechanism. METHODS: A mouse model of viral myocarditis was constructed by infecting BALB/c mice with CVB3. BALB/c mice (n=40) were randomized into 4 groups: normal group, CVB3-induced viral myocarditis group, CVB3-induced viral myocarditis combined with wogonoside treatment group and CVB3-induced viral myocarditis combined with wogonoside plus AKT agonist treatment group. All the mice were sacrificed 7 days after treatment. In the first 3 groups, HE staining was applied to detect the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the myocardium, ELISA was applied to detect the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6, while Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of inflammatory factors and the activation of AKT/NF-κB pathway. Inaddition, the activation of AKT/NF-κB pathway in the 4 groups was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: HE staining showed that there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardium of CVB3-induced viral myocarditis mice, as compared with the normal group, which was significantly reduced by wogonoside treatment (P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the mice after CVB3 infection were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05), which was also significantly reduced by wogonoside treatment (P<0.05). Western blot analysis indicated that wogonoside treatment significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6, and the phosphorylation of AKT/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in the myocardial tissue (P<0.05). After administration of AKT agonist, the inhibitory effect of wogonoside on NF-κB phosphorylation and inflammatory factors expression was significantly eliminated (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Wogonoside attenuates the inflammatory response of mice with viral myocarditis by inhibiting the AKT/NF-κB pathway.     

Effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cells by regulating miR-363-3p expression

AIM To investigate the mechanism of long noncoding RNA （lncRNA） FEZF1-AS1 regulating microRNA-363-3p （miR-363-3p） on the viability and apoptosis of lipopolysaocharide （LPS）-induced vascular endothelial cells. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cultured in vitro. pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1, anti-miR-NC, anti-miR-363-3p, miR-NC and miR-363-3p mimics were transfected into the HUVECs and LPS stimulation was applied for 24 h. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to verify the targeted regulation of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. Western blot was used to determined the expression of cyclin D1, Ki67 and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression level of FEZF1-AS1 in LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the expression level of miR-363-3p was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with pcDNA-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with anti-miR-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in anti-miR-363-3p+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 targeted miR-363-3p. Compared with miR-NC+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group, the cell viability in miR-363-3p+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FEZF1-AS1 promotes the viability and inhibits apoptosis of LPS induced vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting the expression of miR-363-3p.     

FBW7 inhibits ox-LDL-induced granulosa cell apoptosis by promoting NOX1 degradation

AIM To investigate the effect of F-box and WD repeat domain containing protein 7 （FBW7） on the injury of granulosa cells （GCs） induced by oxidized low-density lipopretion （ox-LDL） stimulation and its potential mechanism. METHODS The GCs isolated from women of reproductive age with different obesity levels, the GCs isolated from high fatty diet （HFD）-fed rats, and the ox-LDL-treated rat GCs were collected, and the expression of FBW7 was detected by Western blot. After the rat GCs were infected with adenovirus encoding FBW7 （Ad-FBW7）, the cells were treated with ox-LDL （80 mg/L） for 48 h, and then the cell viability, apoptosis, NADPH oxidase （NOX） activity and the key subunit proteins of NOX were detected by CCK-8 assay, Annexin V/PI staining, lucigenin chemiluminescence and Western blot, respectively. The effect of FBW7 over-expression on NOX1 degradation was evaluated by cycloheximide （CHX） chase assay. RESULTS The expression of FBW7 was lower in the GCs isolated from obese women of reproductive age, the GCs isolated from HFD-fed rats, and the ox-LDL-treated rat GCs （P<0.05）. Over-expression of FBW7 inhibited ox-LDL-induced injury of GCs, NOX activity, and NOX1 expression （P<0.05）. The results of CHX chase assay showed that over-expression of FBW7 accelerated the degradation of NOX1 protein under ox-LDL condition （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FBW7 reduces ox-LDL-induced injury of GCs by accelerating NOX1 degradation and then weakening NOX activity.     

Effect of NLRC3 expression knock-down on growth of normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

AIM To investigate the effect of NOD-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing 3 (NLRC3) expression knock-down on the viability and apoptosis of normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and its mechanism. METHODS The small interfering RNA (siRNA) fragments of NLRC3 gene were transfected into BEAS-2B cells using Lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent to knock down the NLRC3 expression. The interference fragment was screened by RT-qPCR. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 staining. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS The interference segment 3 of NLRC3 gene (siNLRC3-3) displayed the best interference effect on NLRC3 expression in BEAS-2B cells (P<0.01). Knock-down of NLRC3 expression in BEAS-2B cells enhanced the cell viability (P<0.01). Knock-down of NLRC3 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). Moreover, knock-down of NLRC3 significantly up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression and significantly down-regulated Bax protein expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Knock-down of NLRC3 expression enhances the viability and inhibits the apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells, which may be related to increase in the expression of Bcl-2 protein and decrease in the expression of Bax protein.     

Paeonol affects viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by up-regulating miR-424-3p and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

AIM To investigate the effect of paeonol on the viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS Human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells was treated with paeonol at different concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L). The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay to determine the optimal drug concentration. The Hep3B cells were divided into normal control (NC) group, paeonol group, miR-NC group, miR-424-3p group, paeonol+anti-miR-NC and paeonol+anti-miR-424-3p group. The expression level of miR-424-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. The migration ability was detected by Transwell assay. The protein levels of cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related molecules were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Paeonol intervention inhibited the viability of Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The concentration of paeonol at 200 mg/L was selected for the following study. Paeonol intervention inhibited the protein expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in the Hep3B cells, and inhibited the migration ability of the Hep3B cells. Paeonol intervention promoted the expression of miR-424-3p in the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-424-3p inhibited the expression of cyclin D1, MMP2 and MMP9 in the Hep3B cells and inhibited cell viability and migration ability (P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-424-3p reversed the effect of paeonol on the viability and migration ability of the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). Paeonol inhibited phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in the Hep3B cells and inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-424-3p reversed the effect of paeonol on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Paeonol inhibits the viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by up-regulating miR-424-3p and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

Effect of abnormal expression of PDK4 on glycolysis and proliferation in prostate cancer cells

AIM To investigate the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 （PDK4） in prostate cancer tissue and its effect on glycolysis and growth of prostate cancer cells. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to compare the expression differences of PDK4 protein in benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） and prostate cancer tissues. The expression levels of PDK4 in normal prostatic epithelial cells （RWPE-1） and different prostate cancer cell lines （PC3, LNCaP, DU145 and C4-2） were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Recombinant plasmid carrying PDK4-shRNA was constructed, and the expression of PDK4 in prostate cancer PC3 cells was down-regulated by transfection with PDK4-shRNA. The changes in glycolysis level of PC3 cells before and after transfection were determined by cell glycolysis kit, and the effects of PDK4 on the viability and cell cycle distribution of PC3 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS In prostate cancer tissues, the expression level of PDK4 protein was significantly higher than that in BPH tissues （P<0.05）, and the analysis of immunohistochemical score showed that prostate cancer tissues with high Gleason score displayed significantly higher PDK4 expression than those with low Gleason score （P<0.05）. Compared with normal prostatic epithelial cells, RT-qPCR and Western blot results indicated that the expression level of PDK4 was also significantly increased in prostate cancer cell lines （P<0.05）. In addition, CCK-8 assay results showed that the viability of prostate cancer PC3 cells was significantly decreased after knockdown of PDK4 expression （P<0.05）. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that knockdown of PDK4 expression in PC3 cells resulted in a notable increase in G₀/G₁ phase arrest （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION PDK4 is highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines, and significantly increases in prostate cancer with high Gleason score. In addition, down-regulation of PDK4 expression significantly inhibits glycolysis and growth of prostate cancer cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ phase.