Knockdown of IK1 potassium channel inhibits expression and function of ClC-3 chloride channel

AIM: To investigate whether the ClC-3 chloride channel is an acting target of the IK1 potassium channel, and to study the action of IK1 potassium channel on the functional activities and expression of ClC-3 chloride channels. METHODS: IK1 gene was silenced by IK1 siRNA in poorly-differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE-2Z). Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of ClC-3 at mRNA and protein levels. The distribution of ClC-3 protein in the cells was observed under confocal immunofluorescence microscope. The chloride current was recorded by the patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: IK1 siRNA was successfully transfected into the CNE-2Z cells and knocked down the expression of IK1 potassium. The mRNA expression of ClC-3 was increased by the IK1 siRNA. IK1 siRNA inhibited the expression of ClC-3 protein. A chloride current was activated by hypotonic challenges, and the hypotonicity-induced current was reduced in the cells which successfully transfected with IK1 siRNA. CONCLUSION: The knockdown of IK1 potassium channels inhibits the expression and function of ClC-3 chloride channel.     

Expression and distribution of C1C-3 in human glioma specimen

AIM: To investigate the expression of voltage-gated chloride channels (ClC)-3 protein and mRNA in human glioma specimen and its biological function. METHODS: The expression of C1C-3 was observed by immunohistochemical staining in 24 cases of human glioma, 4 cases of brain metastic cancer specimens and 5 cases of normal brain tissue as control; The C1C-3 mRNA expression were detected in the specimens with positive expression of ClC-3 protein by RT-PCR. RESULTS: ClC-3 protein was found negative in 4 cases of normal brain tissues and positive in 19 cases of human glioma and 4 cases of brain metastic cancer specimens. ClC-3 protein was mainly expressed in the membrane or cytoplasm of neoplastic cells and microvascular endothelial cells. The expression of ClC-3 mRNA was detected in 16 cases of human glioma and 4 cases of brain metastasis cancer specimens among the tissues with the positive expression of ClC-3 protein. The level of protein and RNA of ClC-3 in high malignant oligodendrogliomas was higher than that in low malignant ones. CONCLUSION: ClC-3 is generally expressed in human glioma and brain metastic cancer and is probably correlated with the classification of its pathological malignance.     

Role of ClC-3 chloride channel in inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell cycle by metformin

AIM: To study the roles of ClC-3 chloride channel in the inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell cycle by metformin. METHODS: The CNE-2Z cells were treated with metformin at different concentrations. The viability of CNE-2Z cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression of ClC-3 was determined by Western blot. The Cl^- currents was record by the patch-clamp technique. In addition, the cell cycle distribution was analyzed in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells which over-expressed ClC-3 by pEZ-M03-ClC-3 plasmid transfection. RESULTS: Metformin inhibited the viability of CNE-2Z cells at 5, 10 and 20 mmol/L. Metformin at 10 mmol/L prevented the activation of chloride currents induced by hypotonicity, inhibited the protein expression of ClC-3 chloride channel and arrested the nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells at G₀/G₁ phases. ClC-3 chloride channel protein over-expression reversed the effect of metformin on the cell cycle distribution of CNE-2Z cells. CONCLUSION: Metformin inhibits the CNE-2Z cell cycle, which may be related to the inhibition of ClC-3 chloride channel function and protein expression.     

Mitochondria associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes in cisplatin induced ovarian cancer cell apoptosis

AIM: To explore the structural change of mitochondria associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) in SKOV3 cells exposed to cisplatin. METHODS: The SKOV3 cells were treated with cisplatin at concentration of 6 mg/L. The protein levels of active caspase-3, as well as the colocalization of B-cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BAP31) and voltage-dependent anion channel protein 1 (VDAC1) in the SKOV3 cells were determined by the method of indirect immunofluorescence. The apoptotic rate of the SKOV3 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The structural change of MAMs was observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Under the confocal microscope, we found that cisplatin increased the protein levels of active caspase-3 as well as colocalization of BAP31 and VDAC1 in the SKOV3 cells. The results of flow cytometry demonstrated that cisplatin increased the apoptotic rate of the SKOV3 cells (P<0.05). The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that cisplatin induced increase in mitochondrial-associated membrane structures (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Cisplatin induces SKOV3 cell apoptosis with increased MAMs contacts. MAMs may play a role in cisplatin induced SKOV3 cell apoptosis.     

Progress in ClC-3 chloride channel phosphorylation and functions

ClC-3 channel is one of voltage-gated chloride channels for chloride ion transmembrane, and participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as cell volume regulation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, organic release and acidification of synaptic vesicle. The ClC-3 channel is controlled by many factors, including phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, to regulate the opening and closing. PKA(protein kinase A), PKB, PKC and calcium calmodulin kinaseⅡ are the key kinases in cell signal transduction pathway, which take part in the processes of ClC-3 channel phosphorylation and regulate their functions. The study of ClC-3 phosphorylation and functions are helpful to understand the importance of ClC-3 in physiological and pathological processes and are premise to exploit the channel drugs for clinical therapy.     

Effect of ClC-3 siRNA on cell cycle of HeLa cells

AIM: To investigate the roles of ClC-3 chloride channels in the regulation of cell cycle and the relationship between ClC-3 chloride channels and the cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4, CDK6, P21 and P27 in the HeLa cells.METHODS: ClC-3 genes were silenced by the siRNA technique in the HeLa cells. The transfection efficiency of ClC-3 siRNA was detected by real-time PCR. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by the flow cytometry. The protein expression of ClC-3, P21, P27, CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS: ClC-3 was knocked down by ClC-3 siRNA in the HeLa cells. Transfection of the cells with ClC-3 siRNA arrested the cells at G₀/G₁ phases, decreased the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6, and increased the expression of P21 and P27.CONCLUSION: ClC-3 plays an important role in the cell cycle of HeLa cells through the G₁-S transition point. ClC-3 may regulate the cell cycle progression by up-regulation of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6 expression and/or by down-regulation of P21 and P27 expression.     

Effect of p38 MAPK on cisplatin-induced renal tubular cell apoptosis

AIM:To investigate the role of p38 MAPK in cisplatin-induced rat renal proximal tubular cell (RPTC) apoptosis. METHODS:To determine the optimal concentration of cisplatin to induce RPTC apoptosis, the cells were treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L cisplatin for 24 h, and then the cell lysates were collected for Western blot analysis of cleaved PARP, p38 and phosphor ylated p38 (p-p38). To determine the role of p38 MAPK in cisplatin-induced RPTC apoptosis, the cells were divided into control group, cisplatin group (the cells were treated with cisplatin for 24 h) and cisplatin+p38 MAPK inhibitor group (the cells were treated with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 for 1 h, and then treated with cisplatin for another 24 h). The morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed under phase-contrast fluorescence microscope. The apoptotic rate of the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The caspase activity of RPTC lysates was examined using Ac-DEVD-AFC kit. The protein levels of p-p38, p38, cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. The pH value of extracellular environment of the cells was measured by pH meter. RESULTS:Cisplatin at 20 μmol/L obviously induced apoptosis of RPTC. The p38 MAPK was phosphorylated and its phosphorylation peaked at 15 min after cisplatin treatment. The apoptotic rate of RPTC was 12.08% after cisplatin induction. Cisplatin treatment also enhanced caspase activity, and increased cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 proteins (P<0.05). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, down-regulated the RPTC apoptosis rate and caspase activity, and reduced the cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 proteins. The pH value change in RPTC culture medium was also inverted by SB203580. CONCLUSION:The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK is involved in cisplatin-induced apoptosis of RPTC. The apoptosis induced by cisplatin results in the change of acidic extracellular environment, which is inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580.     

Changes and significance of Fas and cFLIP in apoptosis of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells induced by combination of TRAIL and cisplatin

AIM: To investigate the synergistic induction of apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells by the combination of TRAIL or TRAIL gene with cisplatin. METHODS: Rhabdomyosarcoma cells were treated with TRAIL, Ad／GT-TRAIL, cisplatin, respectively or the combination for 3 days. The cytotoxicity was observed by MTT assay. The apoptotic rates and the expression rates of Fas protein were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of cFLIP mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Rhabdomyosarcoma cells were treated with Ad／ GT-TRAIL and TRAIL (100.0 μg/L), the cytotoxicity index were 52.5% and 43.5%, the percentage of apoptotic cells were 12.95% and 10.26%, respectively. Combined with cisplatin, the cytotoxicity index and the percentage of apoptotic cells were increased significantly (P<0.05). The expression of Fas protein in rhabdomyosarcoma cells was up-regulated and the expression of cFLIP was down-regulated with cisplatin, which were paralleled by the apoptotic rates. CONCLUSION: Combinatiion of Ad／GT-TRAIL or TRAIL and cisplatin has synergistic apoptosis-inducing effects on rhabdomyosacoma cells.     

Effects of ClC-3 knockdown-induced TNF-α/IL-10 imbalance in rat DRG on voltage-gated sodium channel expression and mechanical allodynia

AIM To investigate the effect of ClC-3 chloride channel/antiporter knockdown in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) on voltage-gated sodium channel expression in neurons and mechanical allodynia in rats. METHODS Adeno-associated virus carrying ClC-3 shRNA (AAV-ClC-3 shRNA) was injected intrathecally to knock down ClC-3 expression in DRG tissues of adult SD rats. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ClC-3, cytokines and voltage-gated sodium channels were detected by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot. The mechanical sensitivity was assessed using von Frey hairs and up-down method. RESULTS Intrathecal injection of AAV-ClC-3 shRNA decreased ClC-3 expression in the DRG tissues and induced mechanical allodynia in the rats. Knockdown of ClC-3 up-regulated the expression levels of Nav1.3, Nav1.7, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 in the DRG tissues. Knockdown of ClC-3 increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and decreased interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the DRG tissues. CONCLUSION Knockdown of ClC-3 in rat DRG tissues induces TNF-α/IL-10 imbalance and increases expression of voltage-gated sodium channels, thus contributing to mechanical allodynia.     

Effects of ClC-3 gene overexpression on bone mass and structure in mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of the overexpression of voltage-gated chloride channel family protein 3(ClC-3) gene on bones of mice. METHODS: The tail gene detection assay was used to confirm the overexpression of ClC-3. The male FVB mice of three months old were divided into two groups, the wild type(WT) group and the ClC-3 overexpressed(ClC-3 transgene) group. The body weight, length and weight of the right tibias were measured. The upper and middle parts of the tibias were dissected, decalcified, paraffin-imbed, sectioned and stained with HE staining. The bone morphology metrology was used to analyze the changes of bone structures. The percent trabecular area(%Tb.Ar), trabecular number(Tb.N), trabecular width(Tb.Wi) and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp) of cancellous bone in the upper part of the tibia were measured. The total tissue area(T.Ar), cortical area(Ct.Ar), percent cortical area(%Ct.Ar), marrow area(Ma.Ar) and percent marrow area(%Ma.Ar) of the cortical bone in the middle part of the tibia were detected. RESULTS: The wild type mice and the ClC-3-overexpressed mice were verified by the tail gene detection assay. Compared with WT group, the body weight and the length and weight of the tibia were decreased in ClC-3 transgene mice(P<0.05). In the cancellous bones of ClC-3 transgene mice, the%Tb.Ar and Tb.Wi were decreased(P<0.05), the Tb. Sp was increased(P<0.05) and the Tb. N was not significantly changed. In the cortical bones of ClC-3 transgene mice, the T.Ar, Ct. Ar and %Ct.Ar were decreased(P<0.05), the %Ma.Ar was increased(P<0.05), and the Ma.Ar was not significantly changed. CONCLUSION: ClC-3 overexpression may lead to the reduction of the bone mass and the destructure of the cancellous and cortical bones. The results suggest that ClC-3 may be involved in the regulation of bone resorption and/or formation.     

Effect of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin on regulation of glioma cell growth

AIM: To explore the effect of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin on the growth of glioma cells. METHODS: Glioma C6 cells were cultured and divided into control and 10, 20 and 40 μg/L Vaccinium vitis procyanidin groups. The influence of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin on the growth of C6 cells was measured by MTT assay and the observation under inverted microscope. The apoptotic rate was detected by Annexin V/PI staining. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was determined by immunocytochemistry. The protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were also examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The growth of C6 glioma cells was inhibited by Vaccinium vitis procyanidin at concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 μg/L. The growth was significantly inhibited in 40 μg/L Vaccinium vitis procyanidin group at 24 h and 48 h, and in 20 and 40 μg/L Vaccinium vitis procyanidin groups at 72 h (P<0.01). The density of the cells was decreased when the concentration of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin increased. The apoptotic rate was increased when the concentration of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin increased either. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased and Bax was increased after 10, 20 and 40 μg/L Vaccinium vitis procyanidin treatments. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased when the dose of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased (P<0.01), and Bax and caspase-3 were increased after 10, 20 and 40 μg/L Vaccinium vitis procyanidin treatments. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased when the dose of Vaccinium vitis procyanidin increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Vaccinium vitis procyanidin inhibits the growth of glioma cells by down-regulating Bcl-2 protein and up-regulating Bax protein to activate caspase-3, thus inducing apoptosis.     

Molecular mechanism underlining ethanol-induced chloride currents in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM：To study the effects and mechanisms of ethanol on chloride channels in poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells. METHODS：The effect of ethanol on the cell growth was analyzed by MTT assay. The technique of whole-cell patch-clamp was used to detect the chloride current. The characteristics of the chloride current were analyzed by using the chloride channel blockers. The siRNA technique was used to analyze the molecular basis of the ethanol-sensitive chloride channels. RESULTS：Under isotonic conditions, the background current was weak and stable. Ethanol at concentrations of 0.17~170 mmol/L activated a chloride current in a concentration-dependent manner (an inverted U-shape), with a maximum effect at the concentration of 17 mmol/L. The currents showed obviously outward rectification and were susceptible to extracellular hypertonicity and the chloride channel blocker, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB). ClC-3 siRNA obviously decreased the currents activated by ethanol. CONCLUSION：Extracellular ethanol induces chloride currents through activating the ClC-3 chloride channels.     

Effects of leptin on BSEP protein expression and signaling pathway in HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of leptin on the expression of bile salt export pump (BSEP) and signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. METHODS: HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro. Leptin at concentrations of 10^-8, 10^-7 and 10^-6 mol/L was used as a stimulating factor. The protein levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha subunit (AMPKa), phosphorylated AMPKa (p-AMPKa) and BSEP in the HepG2 cells at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were detected by Western blotting. The optimal culture time and leptin concentration were selected, and compound C at concentration of 10 μmol/L was added to this group. The protein expression of BSEP was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Intervention of HepG2 cells with leptin for 72 h increased the protein expression of AMPKa gradually in a concentration-dependent manner, and leptin at concentration of 10^-6 mol/L induced the strongest AMPKa expression (P<0.01). Intervention of HepG2 cells with leptin for 24 h increased the phosphorylation level of AMPKa gradually in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). The effect of leptin on the increase in the protein expression of p-AMPKa was also in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01). After intervention with different concentrations of leptin for 24 h, the protein expression of BSEP in the HepG2 cells was gradually increased by the stimulation of leptin in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P<0.01). Compared with NC group, the protein expression of BSEP in 10^-6 mol/L leptin group and 10^-6 mol/L leptin+10 μmol/L compound C group was increased at 72 h (P<0.01), and that in 10^-6 mol/L leptin+10 μmol/L compound C group was lower than that in 10^-6 mol/L leptin group at 72 h (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Leptin promotes the protein expression of BSEP in HepG2 cells by leptin-AMPK-BSEP signaling pathway. Leptin promotes the increases in AMPKa protein and the level of phosphorylation of AMPKa in HepG2 cells.     

Effect of glibenclamide on viability and acid-base equilibrium of glioblastoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of glibenclamide (Glib) on the viability and acid-base equilibrium of glioblastoma cells. METHODS: U251 cells and U87 cells were treated with Glib at different concentrations. The inhibitory rates were detected by CCK-8 assay. The effective dose was screened and the experiment was divided into control group and drug treatment groups. The migration ability was monitored by wound healing assay, and intracellular pH was detected by pH indicator fluorescent probe. The protein expression levels of inwardly-rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) and monocarboxylate transport protein 1 (MCT1) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of Glib for 48 h exposure of U251 cells and U87 cells were 400.20 μmol/L and 553.70 μmol/L, respectively. The effective inhibition doses of Glib for U251 cells were from the ranges of 100 μmol/L to 1 600 μmol/L, and those for U87 cells were from 50 μmol/L to 1 600 μmol/L in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Glib not only inhibited the migration (P<0.05) of U251 cells and U87 cells, which was negatively correlated with drug concentration (P<0.05), but also reduced the intracellular fluorescence intensity in experimental group (P<0.05), suggesting that with the increase in drug concentration, the intracellular pH decreased gradually (P<0.05). The protein expression of Kir4.1 and MCT1 was down-regulated by treatment with Glib, and was negatively correlated with concentration of Glib. CONCLUSION: Glib, a kind of potassium channel blocker, induces intracellular acidification via down-regulating the expression of Kir4.1 and MCT1, thus inhibiting the growth of glioblastoma in a certain dose range.     

miR-134 regulates cisplatin resistance of human lung adenocarcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the roles of microRNA-134 (miR-134) in the cisplatin resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: miRNA microarray was applied to compare the miRNA expression profile between A549/CDDP and A549 cells. Real-time PCR was used to confirm the expression of miR-134. miR-134 mimics and inhibitors were transfected into A549/CDDP and A549 cells, respectively. MTT assay was used to detect the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to cisplatin. Western blot was applied to test whether miR-134 regulated forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) and multidrug-associated protein 1 (MRP1) expression. RESULTS: Based on the data of miRNA microarray, 13 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in A549/CDDP cells compared with A549 cells, among which miR-134 was the most significantly down-regulated one. Compared with control group, A549/CDDP cells transfected with miR-134 mimics showed greatly enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin as indicated by IC₅₀ values (P<0.01). In contrast, suppression of the miR-134 level in the A549 cells resulted in a decreased sensitivity to cisplatin (P<0.01). FOXM1 siRNA down-regulated the protein levels of FOXM1. A549/CDDP cells transfected with si-FOXM1 showed enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin (P<0.01). In addition, the result of Western blot showed that miR-134 repressed MRP1 protein expression. CONCLUSION: miR-134 effectively increases the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin, and this effect of miR-134 may be partly due to its regulation of FOXM1 and MRP1 expression.     

Cisplatin induces apoptosis of human renal tubular epithelial cells through p66Shc-mitochondrial signal pathway

AIM:To evaluate the roles of p66Shc-mitochondrial signal pathway in apoptosis of human renal tubular epithelial cells induced by cisplatin. METHODS:The human renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The levels of p66Shc and phospho-p66Shc(Ser36) protein were detected by Western blotting. The cells were divided into control group, cisplatin group and cisplatin+p66ShcS36A(p66Shc with Ser mutating into Ala at position 36) group. The effects of p66Shc on cisplatin-induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial ROS and apoptosis were measured by confocal microscopy. The expression of the proteins related to apoptosis mitochondrial signal transduction pathway was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS:Cisplatin induced p66Shc phosphorylation, but did not affect the expression of p66Shc. Cisplatin enhanced apoptosis and production of both cellular and mitochondrial ROS, release of cytochrome C and expression of caspase-9, which were inhibited by the transfection of p66ShcS36A. CONCLUSION: Cisplatin induces apoptosis of human renaltubular epithelial cells through p66Shc-mitochondrial signal pathway.     

Quercetin inhibits endothelin-1-induced T-type Ca2+ channel expression in human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of quercetin on endothelin-1-induced T-type calcium channel(TCC) expression in primary cultured human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells for exploring the protective role of quercetin in cardiovascular system. METHODS: Human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells were verified by immunocytochemistry. The cells in 2-3 passages were used and randomly divided into control group, quercetin alone group, model group and experimental group. The cells in control group were cultured without any drugs for 24 h. The cells in quercetin alone group were cultured with 80 μmol/L quercetin for 24 h. The cells in model group were cultured with ET-1 at the concentration of 100 nmol/L for 24 h. The cells in experimental groups were pretreated with quercetin for 1 h, then coincubated with 100 nmol/L ET-1 for 24 h. The concentrations of quercetin used in this study were 20, 40and 80 μmol/L, respectively. The expression of α_1G, a TCC major subunit, was assayed at mRNA and protein levels by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The TCC currents(I_caT) were detected by the technique of whole-cell patch-clamp. RESULTS: Compared with control and experimental group, I_CaT density (P<0.01) and the expression of α_1G at mRNA (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.01) levels in model group were significantly increased. No significant difference in the results of quercetin alone group and control group was observed. CONCLUSION: The protective roles of quercetin in cardiovascular functions are related to the depressive effects of quercetin on ET-1-induced increase in both I_CaT density and the expression of α_1G at mRNA and protein levels in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Effect of luteolin on TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung cancer A549 cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of luteolin on the invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS:The effect of luteolin at 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 μmol/L on the viability of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay. The invasion ability was analyzed by Transwell method. The morphological changes of the A549 cells were observed under microscope.The protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin in the A549 cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The viability of the A549 cells was significantly inhibited by luteolin in a dose-time dependent manner (P<0.05). The IC₅₀ of luteolin for the A549 cells (24 h) was 68.79 μmol/L, while that (48 h) was 47.86 μmol/L. TGF-β1 induced morphological alteration of the A549 cells from epithelial to mesenchymal forms. Luteolin significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced invasion of the A549 cells (P<0.01). The protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated and the protein expression of vimentin was significantly up-regulated in the presence of TGF-β1 at 5 μg/L (P<0.01). However, luteolin reversed TGF-β1-induced EMT, up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of vimentin (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Lu-teolin reverses TGF-β1-induced EMT in the lung cancer A549 cells.     

Effects of ClC-3 over-expression on structure and function of thyroid in mice

AIM: To study the effect of ClC-3 gene over-expression on thyroid structure and function in mice.METHODS: Three-months-old FVB mice were used to study the difference of thyroid structure and function between wild-type (WT) mouse and ClC-3 transgene mice. The expression and distribution of ClC-3 in the thyroid of mice were determined by the methods of qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. Behavioral monitoring was performed on the daily activities of mice. Serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured by ELISA.RESULTS: Compared with the WT group, the expression of ClC-3 in the thyroid of ClC-3 transgene group was significantly increased (P<0.05). The thyroid gland showed obvious hyperplasia and the folliculi glandulae thyreoideae was significantly bigger in ClC-3 transgene mice (P<0.05). The weight loss was increased in ClC-3 transgene mice (P<0.05). The expression of TT3 and TT4 were significantly higher than that of WT group (P<0.05), but the change of TSH was not obvious.CONCLUSION: ClC-3 over-expression results in thyroid hyperplasia and thyroid hormone secretion. This study suggests that ClC-3 is likely to be involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones.     

Dexmedetomidine reduced isoflurane-induced neuroapoptosis by inhibiting activation of p38 and JNK proteins in hippocampus of neonatal rats

AIM：To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on neuronal apoptosis induced by isoflurane (Iso) and its relationship with the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) proteins in the hippocampus of neonatal rats. METHODS：Forty-eight neonatal SD rats at postnatal day 7 were randomly divided into control group (Con), Dex group, Iso group and Iso combined with Dex (Iso+Dex) group. Rats in Iso and Iso+Dex groups were exposed to 0.75% Iso for 6 h, while rats in Con and Dex groups were exposed to air for 6 h. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 25 μg·kg-1 Dex (Dex and Iso+Dex groups) or 150 μL saline (Con and Iso groups) 20 min before exposure and 2 and 4 h after exposure. After the termination of anesthesia, the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by TUNEL staining, and the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, phospho-p38 (p-p38), p38, phospho-JNK (p-JNK) and JNK in hippocampal tissues was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS：The number of TUNEL positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region of the rats in Iso group was increased by 447.57% (P<0.01) compared with Con group, while Dex significantly inhibited the increased TUNEL positive cells in Iso group by 75.18% (P<0.01). The expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein in Iso group was increased by 126.29% (P<0.01) compared with Con group, while Dex reversed the increased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression (P<0.01). Iso significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK proteins (P<0.01), while Dex reversed the increased p-p38 and p-JNK proteins (P<0.01). CONCLUSION：Dex attenuates Iso-induced neuroapoptosis in the hippocampus of neonatal rats through inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK proteins.