Inhibitory effect of quercetin on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by rotenone

AIM: To observe the effects and mechanisms of quercetin on the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by rotenone. METHODS: PC12 cells were used in the study. Quercetin at the concentration of 300 μmol/L was added into the PC12 cells cultured in DMEM-F12 medium with 10% fetal calf serum. The morphological changes of the cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. The apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry assay. The protein levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting, and the mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by ratiometric probe JC-1.RESULTS: In the cells treated with rotenone+quercetin, the morphology of the cells was significantly improved, and the apoptotic rate was decreased to 6.7%, significantly lower than that in the cells treated with rotenone alone (P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated and Bax was down-regulated in rotenone+quercetin group (P<0.01), while the mitochondrial membrane potential was also increased (P<0.01) as compared to those in rotenone group.CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of quercetin inhibits the development of apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by rotenone. One of the mechanisms may be correlated with up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulating the expression of Bax, thus maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Ferulic acid protects against apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by kainic acid

AIM：To investigate the effect of ferulic acid (FA) on the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by kainic acid (KA) in vitro. METHODS：In order to establish an Alzheimer disease neuronal cell model, the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 was treated with KA at a concentration of 50 μmol/L. These model neurons were divided into KA model group and 3 groups treated with FA at doses of 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L, respectively. At the same time, normal group was established without KA pretreatment. The viability of the PC12 cells was detected by MTT assay. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome C (Cyt C) was determined by immunocytochemical method. Apoptotic rate of the PC12 cells was measured by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI double staining. The protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax and Cyt C were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS：The cell survival rate, the expression of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax in KA model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01),while the expression of Bax and Cyt C was obviously increased compared with normal control group (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate in KA model group was obviously increased compared with normal control group (P<0.01) After the intervention of FA, the cell survival rates were increased and the apoptotic rates were decreased. Furthermore, the positive rate and expression of Bcl-2, and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax in each dose of FA treatment group were significantly increased, while the expression of Bax and Cyt C in each dose group was significantly reduced as compared with KA model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION：KA obviously induces apoptosis of PC12 cells. FA had obvious protective effect on PC12 cells against the toxicity of KA. FA blocks endogenous apoptic pathway through inhibiting the expression of Bax and Cyt C and increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, thus improving the survival rate of PC12 cells.     

Molecular mechanism of miR-29a inhibiting malignant phenotypes in prostate cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the biological functions of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) in prostate cancer and the molecular mechanism of miR-29a over-expression inhibiting malignant phenotypes of prostate cancer cells. METHODS:The levels of miR-29a expression in the prostate cancer tissues and cells were detected and analyzed using gene microarray and bioinformatics. The expression levels of miR-29a and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 4B (KDM4B) mRNA in prostate cancer tissues, paracarcinomatous tissues, 4 prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145, LNCaP and ArCaP) and normal prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1) were measured by real-time PCR. PC3, DU145, LNCaP and ArCaP cells were transfected with pGenesil-1-miR-29a plasmid using transient transfection. The cell viability, colony formation rate and apoptotic rate were analyzed by MTT assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively. The protein expression of KDM4B was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The results of gene microarray and bioinformatic analysis indicated that differential expression of miR-29a was found in the prostate cancer tissues and the paracarcinomatous tissues. The levels of miR-29a in the prostate cancer tissues and prostate cancer cells were significantly decreased, while the mRNA levels of KDM4B were notably increased compared with the paracarcinomatous tissues and RWPE-1 cells, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with negative control (pGenesil-1) group, the cell viability and colony formation rate were significantly decreased, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased, and the protein expression of KDM4B was notably inhibited in the prostate cancer cells with miR-29a over-expression (P<0.05). The cell viability was significantly enhanced, and the apoptosis was significantly inhibited in the prostate cancer cells with KDM4B over-expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Low expression of miR-29a was found in the prostate cancer tissues and cells. miR-29a over-expression inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells and induces apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the protein expression of KDM4B.     

Role of miR-486-5p in apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) in the apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The hMSCs were cultured in vitro and exposed to serum-free medium and H₂O₂ (10 mmol/L). The changes of miR-486-5p expression in oxidative stress-related apoptosis of hMSCs were measured by real-time PCR. The hMSCs were transfected with miR-486-5p mimic or inhibitor at concentration of 30 nmol/L by Lipofectamine RNAiMAX. The effect of miR-486-5p on H₂O₂-induced decrease in cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry were applied to determine the role of miR-486-5p in the apoptosis of hMSCs. The protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was determined using a caspase-3 activity kit. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of miR-486-5p significantly decreased after treated with H₂O₂ (P<0.05). In addition, over-expression of miR-486-5p in the hMSCs reduced the cell viability, accelerated apoptosis, down-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio, caspase-3 enzyme precursor content and phosphorylation of Akt, and activated caspase-3 activity. Conversely, down-regulation of miR-486-5p significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced cell apoptosis and the caspase-3 activity, increased cell viability and up-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio and phosphorylation level of Akt. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of miR-486-5p promotes H₂O₂-induced hMSCs apoptosis, and repression of miR-486-5p protects hMSCs from H₂O₂-induced cellular apoptosis, which may be mediated by regulating Akt signaling pathway.     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells protect against hypoxia-induced injury and apoptosis of PC12 cells via up-regulation of erythropoietin expression

AIM： To investigate the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced injury and apoptosis of PC12 cells. METHODS：PC12 cells were divided into control group, CoCl2 group, BM-MSCs-siCTL+CoCl2 group and BM-MSCs-siEPO+CoCl2 group. The viability of the PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to determine the apoptotic rate and the changes of chromatin distribution in PC12 cells. The expression of erythropoietin (EPO) in BM-MSCs was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in PC12 cells was detected by RT-PCR. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 assay kits were used to detect the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. RESULTS：The viability of PC12 cells treated with CoCl2 for 24 h and 48 h decreased to （43.0±6.4）% and （33.8±5.7）%, respectively, while 1∶15 ratio of BM-MSCs co-culture increased the cell viability to （77.9±3.8）% and （75.2±9.7）%,respectively. The expression of EPO in BM-MSCs was up-regulated after treated with 0.6 mmol/L CoCl2 for 24 h and 48 h, while EPO siRNA significantly abrogated the EPO expression in BM-MSCs. BM-MSCs-siCTL co-culture significantly inhibited the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by CoCl2. However, EPO siRNA the protective effect of BM-MSCs. Compared with CoCl2 treatment group, BM-MSCs co-culture induced remarkable increase in the expression of Bcl-2 and decrease in the expression of Bax in PC12 cells, which was reversed by EPO siRNA. BM-MSCs-siCTL co-culture remarkably abrogated the CoCl2 induced up-regulation of caspase-9 and -3, while BM-MSCs-siEPO co-culture significantly reversed the down-regulation of caspase-9 and -3 induced by BM-MSCs-siCTL co-culture. CONCLUSION：BM-MSCs protect PC12 cells from apoptosis induced by CoCl2. The protective effect of BM-MSCs might be executed by up-regulating the expression of EPO.     

Effects of miR-130a on viability and apoptosis of rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of microRNA (miR)-130a on the biological characteristics of rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The expression of miR-130a in rat BASMCs was measured by real-time PCR. After knockdown of miR-130a with inhibitor in the BASMCs, the cell viability, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle-and apoptosis-related molecules, such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), p21, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 at protein levels was determined by Western blot. The growth arrest-specific homeobox protein (Gax) expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: AngiotensionⅡ (AngⅡ) up-regulated the expression of miR-130a and down-regulated the expression of Gax (P<0.05). Transfection with miR-130a inhibitor partly reversed the increase in AngⅡ-induced cell viability and promoted the Gax expression. Furthermore, the early cell apoptotic rate was significantly increased after down-regulation of miR-130a (P<0.05), and the protein levels of cyclin D1, CDK2, Bcl-2 and p-Rb were significantly decreased, accompanied with the up-regulation of p21 and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of miR-130a restrains the viability and promotes the apoptosis of BASMCs by promoting Gax expression and regulating cell cycle-and apoptosis-related molecules, suggesting that miR-130a may be a potential therapeutic target of brain vascular remodeling during hypertension.     

Relationship between morphological changes of autophagy and apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation

AIM: To investigate the relationship between morphological changes of autophagy and apoptosis in the PC12 cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation. METHODS: The PC12 cells were randomly divided into normal control group, oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation group, autophagy inhibitor group and autophagy activator group. The cells in oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation group, autophagy inhibitor group and autophagy activator group were exposed to reoxygenation (12 h) after 3 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation, and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and autophagy activator rapamycin were added into the cells at the same time. Using transmission electron microscope and monodansylcadaverine fluorescence staining, the morphological changes of autophagosome were observed. The apoptosis of the PC12 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and TUNEL method. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the numbers of autophagosomes and the apoptotic rates increased in oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation group (P<0.05). Compared with oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation group, the numbers of autophagosomes decreased obviously (P<0.05) and the apoptotic rates increased markedly in autophagy inhibitor group (P<0.05). The numbers of autophagosomes increased obviously (P<0.05), the apoptotic rates decreased markedly (P<0.05), the autophagosomes became bigger in size, and autolysosomes was also found in autophagy activator group. CONCLUSION: Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation induce autophagy in PC12 cells, and autophagy inhibits cell apoptosis to play a protective role.     

miR-24-3p targeting KLF6 gene affects viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells via IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) on the viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. METHODS: The expression of miR-24-3p and KLF6 mRNA in the esophageal cancer cells TE11, Eca109 and EC9706 were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of KLF6 was determined by Western blot. EC9706 cells were transfected with anti-miR-24-3p and KLF6 siRNA. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the proliferation, apoptosis and IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathways related proteins were determined by Western blot. The level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the relationship between miR-24-3p and KLF6. RESULTS: The levels of miR-24-3p were up-regulated in the esophageal cancer cells TE11, Eca109 and EC9706 (P < 0.05), and the expression of KLF6 at mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated (P < 0.05). Knock-down of miR-24-3p expression inhibited the cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited the protein levels of CDK4, cyclin D1, CDC25A, p-STAT3, Bcl-2 and IL-6, and promoted the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax in EC9706 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-24-3p targets KLF6 gene to affect the viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells by regulating IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.     

Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on PC12 cells injured by ATP

AIM: To prove the purinergic signaling mechanism of the neuroprotective action of hydrogen sulfide by observing the effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of hydrogen sulfide, on the cell viability, intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and the change of membrane permeability in the PC12 cells injured by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). METHODS: PC12 cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into 4 groups. In control group, the cells were cultured without ATP treatment. In ATP group, the cells were treated with ATP after cultured for 24 h. In NaHS+ATP group, the cells were incubated with NaHS for 30 min before treated with ATP, and NaHS always existed in the reaction system. In KN-62+ATP group, the cells were pretreated with KN-62 for 30 min, and the other treatments were as the same as those in NaHS+ATP group. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The [Ca²⁺]_i was detected by Fura-2/AM staining. The membrane permeability was observed by staining with fluorescent dye YO-PRO-1.RESULTS: ATP at concentration of 0.3 mmol/L showed no injury effect on the cells. However, the cell viability was dropped gradually in a dose-dependent manner as the ATP at doses of 1, 3, 5 and 10 mmol/L. The decline of cell viability by ATP was obviously reversed by 200 μmol/L of NaHS in the PC12 cells (P<0.05), but exasperated by 800 μmol/L of NaHS (P<0.05). At the same time, ATP evoked the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by NaHS (P<0.05). Furthermore, the YO-PRO-1 uptake induced by ATP in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner was also reduced by NaHS (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydrogen sulfide has protective effect on the PC12 cells injured by ATP. The mechanism may be related to the reverse of the increased [Ca²⁺]_i and YO-PRO-1 uptake.     

Effects of iPSC-MSCs on mitochondria of PC12 cells injured by CoCl2

AIM: To investigate the effects of induced pluripotent stem cells-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs) on cobalt chloride (CoCl₂)-induced injuries of PC12 cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: PC12 cells were exposed to CoCl₂ to set up a chemical-induced cellular injury model and were cocultured with iPSC-MSCs. The cell viability was tested by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was analyzed by flow cytometry using JC-1 staining. Immunofluorescence was employed to observe mitochondrial transfer from iPSC-MSCs to PC12 cells. RESULTS: Apoptosis of PC12 cells was increased and MMP of PC12 cells was decreased after exposed to CoCl₂ at concentration of 400 μmol/L for 24 h. Coculture of PC12 cells with iPSC-MSCs reduced the apoptosis and recovered the MMP of the PC12 cells. Tunneling nanotubes were formed between iPSC-MSCs and PC12 cells, through which the iPSC-MSCs transferred the mitochondria to the PC12 cells. CONCLUSION: iPSC-MSCs protect PC12 cells from CoCl₂-induced injuries, which may be associated with the mitochondrial transfer from iPSC-MSCs to PC12 cells.     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides attenuate oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To study the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The EA.hy926 cell model of oxidative stress injury was established by H₂O₂ treatment. The EA.hy926 cells were divided into 5 groups:control group, damage (H₂O₂ at 50 mmol/L) group, LBP (100 mg/L) group, anti-damage groups (LBP at 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L or 200 mg/L+50 mol/L H₂O₂), and LY294002 (20 μmol/L) group. The effect of LBP at different concentrations on the cell viability of EA.hy926 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the optimum concentration of LBP was screened out. The apoptotic of EA.hy926 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining was used to observe the morphological characteristics of the apoptotic cells. The cell migration ability was detected by scratch method. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cell culture medium were examined. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), p-eNOS and p-Akt were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: LBP at concentration of 100 mg/L significantly attenuated the injury of EA.hy926 cells induced by H₂O₂, as indicated by improved cell viability (P<0.05) and decreased apoptosis (P<0.05). Pretreatment with LBP elevated the levels of NO and VEGF (P<0.05), and promoted the migration ability of EA.hy926 cells. LBP also increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, down-regulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated the protein levels of eNOS and p-eNOS. The protective effect of LBP were abolished by pretreatment of the EA.hy926 cells with the inhibitor of PI3K (P<0.05). As a result, the protein level of p-Akt was down-regulated, and the level of NO was also significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: LBP has protective effect on H₂O₂ -induced EA.hy926 cells by attenuating apoptosis of the cells. The mechanism is closely related to the activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Effects of JAK-STAT signaling pathway,IL-1β and IL-6 on injury of PC12 cells with X-ray irradiation

AIM: To investigate the role of JAK-STAT pathway, IL-1β and IL-6 in the PC12 cells with X-ray irradiation.METHODS: The PC12 cells were irradiated with X-ray at doses of 2, 4 and 8 Gy. After 24 h, the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. The protein levels of p-JAK1, p-JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3 and p-STAT5 were measured by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 increased. The protein levels of p-JAK1, p-JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3 and p-STAT5 increased with the doses of X-ray exposed.CONCLUSION: JAK-STAT signaling pathway, IL-1β and IL-6 play a role in the injury of PC12 cells with X-ray irradiation.     

Effect of miRNA-21 on protection of PC12 cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation damage

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA (miRNA)-21 on the PC12 cells with hypoxic-ischemic damage.METHODS: The PC12 cells were cultured in vitro, and the cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was established. In accordance with the following requirements, the cells were randomly divided into control group, OGD group, negative control sequence+OGD group, miRNA-21 inhibitor+OGD group and miRNA-21 mimic+OGD group. The effects and mechanism of miRNA-21 on the protection of PC12 cells from OGD damage were determined by CCK-8 assay, real-time PCR and Western blot.RESULTS: Decrease in the expression of miRNA-21 by transfection with miRNA-21 inhibitor inhibited the viavility of the PC12 cells subjected to OGD damage. Increase in the expression of miRNA-21 by transfection with miRNA-21 mimic promoted the viability of the PC12 cells subjected to OGD damage. It was further confirmed that miRNA-21 promoted the AKT phosphorylation in OGD-damaged PC12 cells.CONCLUSION: miRNA-21 significantly increases the viability of PC12 cells subjected to OGD damage, which may be related to the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

Minocycline suppresses sodium nitroprusside-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling

AIM：To explore the role of PI3K/Akt signaling in the anti-apoptotic effect of minocyline (MC) on the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). METHODS：PC12 cells were divided into 4 groups: blank control group, SNP (500 μmol/L) group, MC (10 μmol/L)+SNP group and LY294002+MC+SNP group. The cell viability was observed by MTT assay. The expression of Akt and p-Akt was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS： The viability of the PC12 cells decreased after exposed to 500 μmol/L SNP for 24 h. Meanwhile, MC at concentration of 10 μmol/L significantly blocked the effect of SNP, such as decreasing the cell viability. Pretreatment with LY294002 for 60 min prior to exposure of the PC12 cells to MC and SNP down-regulated the expression of p-Akt induced by SNP. CONCLUSION：Minocycline regulates PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to restrain the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by SNP.     

miR-485-5p inhibits viability and migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5

AIM: To investigate the effects of microRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) on the viability, migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The expression levels of sex determining region Y-box 5 (SOX5) mRNA and miR-485-5p in the hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells were detected by RT-qPCR with normal hepatocyte THLE-3 as control. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of SOX5, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). The viability of Hep3B cells was measured by MTT assay. The migration and invasion abilities of the Hep3B cells were detected by Transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay system was applied to verify the relationship between miR-485-5p and SOX5. RESULTS: Compared with the control cells, the expression level of miR-485-5p was decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Hep3B, Huh7 and HCCLM3 (P<0.05), while the expression of SOX5 at mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-485-5p inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. miR-485-5p targeted the 3′-UTR of SOX5 and negatively regulated the expression of SOX5. Knocking-down of SOX5 expression inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. Over-expression of SOX5 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-485-5p over-expression on the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. CONCLUSION: miR-485-5p inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5 gene. miR-485-5p is a potential molecular target for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

miR-556-3p regulates viability,migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells by targeting SASH1

AIM To investigate whether microRNA-556-3p （miR-556-3p） regulates the viability, migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells by targeting SASH1 gene. METHODS The expression of miR-556-3p, and the mRNA and protein levels of SASH1 in endometrial cancer tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Anti-miR-556-3p or pcDNA-SASH1 was transfected into endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells. The cell viability was detected by MTT assay, the migration and invasion abilities of the cells were detected by Transwell chamber method, and the protein expression levels of cyclin D1, p21, matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2） and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot. StarBase prediction and dual-luciferase reporter experiments were used to analyze the targeting relationship between miR-556-3p and SASH1. Anti-miR-556-3p and si-SASH1 were co-transfected into the Ishikawa cells, and their effects on cell viability, migration and invasion were examined by the methods described above. RESULTS Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of miR-556-3p in endometrial cancer tissues was increased significantly, and the expression of SASH1 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased significantly （P<0.05）. Inhibition of miR-556-3p expression or induction of SASH1 over-expression obviously reduced the viability of Ishikawa cells, the number of migratory cells, the number of invasive cells and the protein levels of cyclin D1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and dramatically increased the protein level of p21 （P<0.05）. miR-556-3p targeted SASH1 and negatively regulated its expression. Knock-down of SASH1 expression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-556-3p expression inhibition on the viability, migration and invasion of Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSION Inhibition of miR-556-3p expression suppresses the viability, migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells. The mechanism is related to the regulation of its target gene SASH1.     

Role of mtCLIC/CLIC4 in injured C6 glioma cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To explore the changes and the possible function of mtCLIC/CLIC4 (mitochondrial chloride intracellular channel 4) proteins in malignant C6 glioma cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The viability of C6 cells was measured by MTT assay, LDH release rate was detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, CLIC4 mRNA level was determined by RT-PCR and CLIC4 protein level was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the cell viability was constant, the LDH release rate increased obviously, and the CLIC4 protein level also increased significantly in 500 μmol/L H2O2 treated group (P<0.05, respectively). However, the cell viability decreased, LDH release rate increased significantly (P<0.01, respectively), and the CLIC4 protein level increased obviously in 1 000 μmol/L H₂O₂ treated group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The CLIC4 protein may be involved in the process of C6 injuries induced by H₂O₂.     

miR-129-3p targets Smad3 to inhibit viability and migration of NIH3T3 cells during TGF-β-induced transformation into myofibroblasts

AIM: To explore the effects of microRNA-129-3p (miR-129-3p) on the viability and migration of NIH3T3 cells during transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced transformation into myofibroblasts and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to examine the relative expression of miR-129-3p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)-adjacent tissues and fibrotic renal tissue. NIH3T3 cells were stimulated with TGF-β to transform into myofibroblasts, and miR-129-3p expression level was detected. After transfection with miR-129-3p mimics for 48 h in vitro, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the protein expression level of Ki-67 was determined by Western blot, and the cell migration was observed by wound healing assay. The direct target of miR-129-3p was predicted by online database TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression level of target protein was further confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the RCC-adjacent tissues, the expression of miR-129-3p was down-regulated in fibrotic renal tissue (P<0.01). In TGF-β-induced NIH3T3 cell transformation into myofibroblasts, the expression of miR-129-3p was also decreased (P<0.01). Transfection with miR-129-3p mimics followed by TGF-β stimulation in the NIH3T3 cells inhibited the viability, Ki-67 expression and migration. TargetScan analysis showed miR-129-3p had binding sites in the 3'-UTR of Smad3, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The results of Western blot further confirmed that miR-129-3p affected the expression of Smad3. CONCLUSION: miR-129-3p inhibits the viability and migration ability of NIH3T3 cells during TGF-β-induced transformation into myofibroblasts by directly targeting Smad3.     

Protective effect of progesterone on PC12 cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation

AIM: To investigate the effects of progesterone on the cell viability and expression of glucose transporter type 3(GLUT3) in PC12 cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in attempt to prove the neuroprotection of progesterone (PROG) against the hypoxic-ischemic injury in cultured cells in vitro. METHODS: Well-differentiated PC12 cells induced by nerve growth factor were randomly divided into 3 groups. In normal group, the cells were cultured without OGD treatment. In OGD group, the culture medium was replaced by glucose-free medium and the cells were transferred to a humidified incubation chamber flushed by a gas mixture of 95% N₂ and 5% CO₂ for 30 min. After that, the cells were fed with glucose-supplemented medium and cultured under normoxic condition for 24 h. In PROG+OGD group, the cells were given the same treatments as those in OGD group except that the medium contained progesterone at concentration of 10 nmol/L. Cellular morphological changes were observed after OGD for 30 min. The cell viability was assessed by WST-8 assay. The degree of the cell damage was evaluated by determining lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. The expression of GLUT3 at mRNA and protein levels was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Progesterone attenuated the cellular swelling, decreased the leakage of LDH and improved the viability of PC12 cells injured by OGD (P<0.01). The expression of GLUT3 at mRNA and protein levels in PC12 cells in PROG+OGD group was significantly higher than that in OGD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Progesterone has protective effect on in vitro cultured PC12 cells injured by OGD. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of GLUT3 protein.