Genistein downregulates survivin gene expression and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

AIM: To probe into the role of 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate inositol (IP3) and survivin protein in apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by genistein. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with 60 μmol/L genistein for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. IP3, survivin and apoptosis rate were assayed by IP3-［3H］ Birtrak assay, Western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: IP3 in groups incubated for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h with 60 μmol/L genistein were significantly lower than that in control (P<0.01) ［(12.0±1.4) pmol/106cells, (7.5±0.8) pmol/106 cells, (5.6±0.5) pmol/106cells, (3.3±0.6) pmol/106 cells， vs (29.2±0.6) pmol/106 cells］. V-survivin/ V-β-actin, which was the gray degree multiply area of survivin/the gray degree multiply area of β-actin in groups incubated for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h with 60 μmol/L genistein, were significantly lower than that in control (P<0.01) ［（0.36±0.13, 0.33±0.03, 0.23±0.04, 0.18±0.04）， vs 0.63±0.06］. The apoptosis rate in groups incubated with 60 μmol/L genistein for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h was significantly higher than that in control （P<0.01） ［(7.4%±0.5%, 20.5%±2.0%, 30.7%±1.6%) vs 2.6%±0.1%］. CONCLUSION: Genistein induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by reducing IP3 production and survivin protein expression.     

Quercetin regulates Fas expression and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of 1, 4, 5- trisphosphate inositol (IP3) and Fas gene expression in apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by quercetin. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with quercetin at different concentrations (including 20, 40, 60, 80 μmol/ L) for 72 h and treated with 60 μmol/ L quercetin for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. IP3, Fas mRNA, Fas protein and apoptosis rate were assayed by IP3 - ［3H］ Birtrak assay, RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: When HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of quercetin for 72 h, the IP3 content was lower than those in control. Fas mRNA expression, Fas protein expression and the apoptosis rate were higher than those in control. When HepG2 cells were incubated with quercetin for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, the IP3 contents were lower than those in control incubated with 60 μmol/L quercetin for 12 h. Fas mRNA expression was higher than that in control incubated with 60 μmol/L quercetin for 12 h . Fas protein expression was higher than that in control. The apoptosis rate was significantly higher than that in control incubated with 60 μmol/L quercetin for 24 h (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Quercetin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells by reducing IP3 production and upregulating Fas gene expression.     

Effects of homocysteine on number and activity of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood

AIM: To investigate whether homocysteine (Hcy) has influences on endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) number and activity from peripheral blood. METHODS: Total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes and cultured for 7 days, and then attached cells were stimulated with Hcy or vehicle control for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The adhesion, proliferation, migration and in vitro vasculogenesis activity of EPCs were assayed, respectively. RESULTS: Incubation of isolated human MNCs with Hcy dose and time-dependently decreased the number of EPCs with maximum at 200 μmol/L for 24 hours (35.7±6.7 vs 62.5±10.6， P＜0.01). In addition, Hcy impaired EPC proliferative (0.531±0.061 vs 0.328±0.055， P＜0.05), migratory (26.3±6.4 vs 6.4±3.7， P＜0.01), adhesive (33.1±8.1 vs 17.4±7.5， P＜0.01) and vasculogenesis capacity (25.4±9.1 vs 10.4±4.7， P＜0.01) in a dose and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that Hcy may result in the reduction of EPCs and decrease EPC functional activity.     

Role of homocysteine in tissue factor expression in human vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of tissue factor (TF) induced by homocysteine (Hcy) and the effect of Hcy on activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).METHODS: Human umbilical artery VSMCs were cultured by tissue explanting method,and were incubated with different dosage of Hcy/ PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor) in different time.RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of TF mRNA,and flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of TF on the surface of VSMCs.Western blotting was performed to measure the NF-κB protein level in the nuclear,flow cytometry was used to examine the expression of iNOS and the expression of TF on the surface of VSMCs.RESULTS: Hcy induced VSMCs TF mRNA expression significantly after the VSMCs were incubated with Hcy at concentrations of 10,100,500 μmol/L,respectively.There was low expression level of TF protein on the surface of the control VSMCs and Hcy also induced VSMCs TF protein expressionn on the cell surface at different concentrations.Additionally,Hcy rapidly induced the activation of NF-κB and inhibited this effect significantly by PDTC.Hcy alone did not induce the expression of iNOS in VSMCs.CONCLUSION: Hcy induces human VSMCs expression of TF in mRNA and protein.These effects were partly mediated by NF-κB.These results suggest that Hcy may play an important role in atherosclerosis and thrombosis.     

Thapsigargin inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in human len epithelial cell line HLE-B3 in vitro

AIM: To study the effect of growth inhibition and its mechanism of thapsigargin (TG) on HLE-B3 cell line in vitro. METHODS: MTT assay was performed to detect the growth inhibition effect of TG on HLE-B3 cell line. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation were used to examine cell apoptosis. Western blotting analysis was used to determine the relative protein expression. Furthermore, the concentration of cytoplasm Ca2+ was assessed by fluorescence colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Different concentrations of TG significantly inhibited growth of HLE-B3 cells, and inhibitory concentrations of 50 percent at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were (2.27±0.61) μmol/L, (0.77±0.12) μmol/L and (0.15±0.04) μmol/L, respectively. Moreover, TG induced cell apoptosis, decreased SERCA2 protein expression, and increased greatly the concentration of cytoplasm Ca2+, Bax and caspase 3 protein levels.CONCLUSION: TG inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in HLE-B3 cells in vitro. The mechanism may be through endoplasmic reticulum pathway. These observations may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of posterior capsular opacification.     

Effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on proliferation and cell cycle distribution of NK/T cell lymphoma cells

AIM: To study the influence of MG132 on the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of NK/T cell lymphoma cells, and to investigate the potential role of proteasome inhibitor on the treatment of NK/T cell lymphoma. METHODS: NK/T cell lymphoma cells HANK1 were treated with proteasome inhibitor MG132, and the proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The morphological changes were observed under inverse microscope. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The growth inhibitory rate of HANK1 cells was(57.72±7.44)% after cultured for 24 h with 1 μmol/L MG132 and was just(3.98±0.07)% after cultured for 24 h with 0.1 μmol/L MG132. The positive relationship between the concentration of MG132 and growth inhibitory rate was observed. On the other hand, after cultured for 24 h with 1μmol/L MG132, the cells in G1 and G2 phases were(72.33±3.44)% and(12.86±1.29)%, respectively, much higher than those in control group(63.63%±2.29% and 7.94%±1.91%, respectively). The early and late apoptosis rates in MG132 group were 33.57%±2.10% and 16.66%±0.47%, respectively, much higher than that in control group (7.18%±0.82% and 3.81%±1.06%, respectively). CONCLUSION: MG132 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrested at G1 and G2 phases, and cell apoptosis in NK/T cell lymphoma cells in a concentration dependent manner. Proteasome inhibitor may be a good drug to treat patients with advanced NK/T cell lymphomas.     

Effect of shRNA-mediated survivin gene silencing on sensitivity of lymphoma cells to adriamycin

AIM: This study was designed to use RNA interference technique to down-regulate the expression of survivin gene in human Burkitts lymphoma cell line Daudi and to explore the effect on sensitivity of Daudi cells to adriamycin. METHODS: The survivin-shRNA expression vector was constructed and transfected into Daudi cells. Expression of survivin mRNA and protein were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Apoptosis index of transfected Daudi cells was quantified by flow cytometry. The sensitivity of Daudi cells to adriamycin (ADR) before and after transfection was detected by MTT test. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of survivin were down-regulated by 62.32% and 61.88%, respectively, compared to those in control-shRNA treated group and PBS treated group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the apoptosis index was significantly increased (19.10%±2.15%), compared to that in control group (4.48%±1.54%) and PBS group (4.35%±1.37%, P<0.05). The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of ADM to Daudi cells was significantly decreased (0.25±0.43) μmol/L, compared to that in control group (0.87±0.21) μmol/L and PBS group (0.91±0.36) μmol/L, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of survivin expression in Daudi cells by shRNA effectively induces apoptosis and increases the sensitivity of Daudi cells to ADR.     

Effect of homocysteine on expression of interleukin-8 mRNA and protein in THP-1 macrophages

AIM: To investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and protein in THP-1-derived macrophages (THP-1 macrophages). METHODS: Cultured THP-1 monocytes were induced to macrophages by 0.1 μmol/L PMA treatment for 72 hours, then the differentiated THP-1 macrophages were incubated with homocysteine (0.01 mmol/L-0.20 mmol/L) for 24 hours, or with 0.10 mmol/L Hcy for various time up to 48 hours. IL-8 protein in THP-1 supernatants was measured by ELISA, and IL-8 mRNA expression was detected by semiquantitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with control, Hcy significantly increased the expression of IL-8 protein in a concentration-dependent manner. 0.05 mmol/L, 0.10 mmol/L and 0.20 mmol/L Hcy increased IL-8 production by 1.28 fold, 1.32 fold and 1.55 fold, respectively (P＜0.01). IL-8 production were elevated significantly 3 h after treatment with 0.10 mmol/L Hcy. In addition, Hcy also increased IL-8 mRNA expression in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Hcy may contribute to atherogenesis by inducing IL-8 expression and secretion in THP-1 macrophages.     

Effects of tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside on apoptosis and expression of bcl-2/bax/caspase-3 in HUVECs treated with homocysteine

AIM：To explore the effects of tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) from Polygonum multiflorum on the apoptosis and the mRNA expression of bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with homocysteine (Hcy). METHODS：Cultured HUVECs were treated with Hcy (3 mmol/L) to establish a Hcy-damaged model. HUVECs in TSG treated groups were pre-incubated with TSG at concentrations of 1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L for 2 h before treated with Hcy. Cell nuclear damage was detected by Hoechst 33342 staining. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS： After treatment with Hcy at concentration of 3 mmol/L, the nuclear damage and apoptotic rate of HUVECs were higher than that in normal group. The expression of bcl-2 was lower, and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 was higher than that in normal group. On the other hand, pre-incubation with TSG at concentrations of 1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L decreased the nuclear damage and cell apoptosis, increased the expression of bcl-2, and decreased the expression of bax and caspase-3 as compared with the cells only treated with Hcy. CONCLUSION：TSG reduces the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by Hcy, and the mechanism might be associated with regulating the expression of bcl-2, bax and caspase-3.     

Effects of DHEA and G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on Raji cells

AIM:To investigate the suppressive effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on Raji cells. METHODS:Raji cell line was cultured in vitro in the presence of DHEA at different concentrations ranged from 0.05 μmol/L to 500 μmol/L or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The viability and proliferation of the cells pretreated with dehydroepiandrosterone or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were evaluated. Meanwhile, intracellular activities and mRNA expression of G6PD were analyzed. RESULTS:DHEA and G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides does not influence the viability of cells in culture. Raji cells treated with DHEA at concentration of 50 μmol/L or 500 μmol/L for 72 h or with 10.0 μmol/L G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides for 48 h had significant lower cell numbers compared with control (P<0.01). Raji cells treated with DHEA at concentration more than 5.0 μmol/L for 72 h had significant decreased G6PD activities (P<0.01) but no change in mRNA expression levels was observed. With 10.0 μmol/L G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides pretreatment for 48 h, the G6PD mRNA expression levels and activities were significantly decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:DHEA or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides at specific concentration have suppressive effects on G6PD activities and proliferation in Raji cells to a certain extent, but the suppressive mechanisms are different.     

Effects of folic acid and vitamin B12 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells against homocysteine-induced apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ on homocysteine (Hcy)-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1). ME-THODS: HUVECs were cultured in the absence (control group), or presence of 100 μmol/L Hcy alone (Hcy group) or 100 μmol/L Hcy plus 30 μmol/L folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ (intervention group) for 72 h. The effect of Hcy on the apoptosis of HUVECs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The transfection efficiency of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)-overexpressing adenovirus was observed under fluorescence inverted microscope. The mRNA and the protein levels of DNMT1 and MST1 were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The DNA methylation level of MST1 promoter was detected by methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate (P<0.01) and the expression of MST1 at mRNA (P<0.01) and protein (P<0.05) levels in the HUVECs were significantly increased, while the mRNA levels of DNMT1 was decreased in Hcy group (P<0.01). In addition, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ treatment significantly inhibited Hcy-mediated apoptosis of HUVECs (P<0.01), increase in MST1 mRNA level (P<0.01) and decrease in DNMT1 mRNA level (P<0.01). Meantime, the mRNA level of MST1 was positively correlated with the apoptotic rate of the HUVECs (r=0.943 9, P<0.001). The expression of DNMT1 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly increased after the transfection of DNMT1-overexpressing adenovirus into HUVECs (P<0.01), and a large amount of green fluorescent protein expression was observed. Meanwhile, the DNA methylation level of MST1 promoter was increased (P<0.01), while the protein level of MST1 was decreased (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of MST1 promotes Hcy-induced apoptosis of HUVECs, while folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ exert an anti-apoptosis effect, which might be regulated by hypermethylation of MST1 promoter region.     

Synergistic effect of decitabine and valproic acid on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells

AIM: To investigate the synergistic effect of decitabine (DCA) and valproic acid (VPA) on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ phase in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were used in the study and divided into the following groups according to the treatment with different drugs for 72 h: DCA 1.5 μmol/L,DCA 3.0 μmol/L, VPA 1.5 mmol/L, DCA 1.5 μmol/L+VPA 1.5 mmol/L and DCA 3.0 μmol/L+VPA 1.5 mmol/L. The early and late apoptotic rates were detected by annexin V and PI staining. The cell cycle was also determined by flow cytometry. The relative nm23-H1 mRNA expression level was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The apoptotic rates in VPA 1.5 mmol/L+DCA 1.5 μmol/L group (early: 33.58%±3.88%; late: 31.52%±4.20%) and VPA 1.5 mmol/L+DCA 3.0 μmol/L group (early: 42.61%±4.23%; late: 38.01%±3.86%), the percentages of the cells in G₀/G₁ phase in VPA 1.5 mmol/L+DCA 1.5 μmol/L group (61.55%±2.38%) and VPA 1.5 mmol/L+DCA 3.0 μmol/L group (66.75%±2.48%), and the relative nm23-H1 mRNA expression levels in VPA 1.5 mmol/L +DCA 1.5 μmol/L group (1.84±0.46) and VPA 1.5 mmol/L+DCA 3.0 μmol/L group (3.02±0.36) were all significantly higher than those in the corresponding concentrations of single drug treatment groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Synergistic effect of VPA and DCA on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells is possibly via inactivation of nm23-H1 gene expression.     

Homocysteine promotes rat VSMCs proliferation and phenotypic transformation

AIM: To provide evidence for the molecular mechanism of homocysteine (Hcy) as an independent risk factor in atherosclerosis (AS) by investigating the effect of Hcy on phenotype transformation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) in rats. METHODS: After treated with different concentrations of Hcy for 24 h, the cultured VSMCs were assayed for cell proliferation rate by MTT method, cell cycle by flow cytometry, the expression of SM22-α mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the observation of morphological characteristics and the phenotype transformation by transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS: Hcy increased the cell proliferation rate and gradually reduced the proportion of the cells in G0/G1 phase. Hcy down-regulated the expression of SM22α mRNA and the most significant effect was observed at concentration of 1 000 μmol/L. The observations of transmission electron microscopy revealed an abundant endoplasmic reticulum, Golgis complex, loose nucleus and puffy chromatin in VSMCs treated with high concentration of Hcy. CONCLUSION: Hcy promotes the proliferation and phenotype transformation of VSMCs simultaneously.     

Contributions of cardiotrophin-1 to cardiac fibroblast proliferation

AIM: To investigated the role of CT-1 in the hypertensive ventricular remodeling. METHODS: The cardiac fibroblasts in 3-4 passages were cultured in vitro, and divided into eight groups according to the different intervention factors: group C (control); group DM: dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO); group P: cultured under high hydrostatic pressure (160 mmHg); group ASODN: interfered with CT-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (10 μmol/L); group SODN: incubated with CT-1 sense oligodeoxynucleotides (10 μmol/L); group AG: interfered with AG490 (25 μmol/L); group PD: interfered with PD98059 (20 μmol/L); group LY: interfered with LY 294002 (10 μmol/L). Western blotting was employed to assess the expression of STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-K respectively at protein level. Cell proliferation was quantified by MTT. RESULTS: High hydrostatic pressure stimulated the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, upregulated the expression of CT-1. CT-1ASODN inhibited the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (0.132±0.013 vs 0.154±0.011, P<0.05). ASODN extensively inhibited the expression of STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-k respectively at protein level (2.09±0.25 vs 2.47±0.28, P<0.05), (1.13±0.19 vs 1.61±0.22, P<0.05), (1.25±0.23 vs1.71±0.25, P<0.05). AG490, a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor, reversed the increase in the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure and the expression of ERK1 phosphorylation (0.118±0.018 vs 0.155±0.010, P<0.05). PD98059, a MAPK-ERK1/2 inhibitor, increased the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure (0.185±0.011 vs 0.155±0.010, P<0.05) and the expression of STAT3 phosphorylation (1.83±0.23 vs 1.58±0.22, P<0.05). LY294002, a PI3-K inhibitor, had no effect on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by high hydrostatic pressure (0.157±0.015 vs 0.155±0.010, P>0.05). No difference of the expression of the above factors was observed in SOND (0.151±0.010 vs 0.154±0.011, P>0.05) and DMSO (0.141±0.017 vs 0.155±0.010, P>0.05) groups as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Under high hydrostatic pressure, the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts is essentially mediated by STAT3, independent of PI3-K and the action is negatively regulated by ERK1/2 via inhibiting STAT3.The interaction between STAT3 and ERK1/2 may assist CT-1 in developing adequate cardiac fibroblast proliferation.     

Effect of sodium ferulate on bcl-2 and bax gene expression of apoptotic hippocampal neurons induced by sodium ferulate

AIM: To investigate the protective effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on apoptosis in cultured hippocampal neurons induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and the effect of SF on expression of bcl-2 and bax. METHODS: The primary cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to 50 μmol SNP, a nitric oxide-donor, for 24 h after pretreatment with different concentrations of SF (10-160 μmol/mL) for 6 h. Then neuronal viability was tested by MTT assay. Fluorescent staining with Hoechst 33258 and agarose gel electrophoresis was used to analyze apoptosis. The expressions of bcl-2, bax mRNA and protein were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Pretreatment with SF(10-160 μmol/L) for 6 h increased the survival rate of neurons. SF prevented the neuronal nuclei from shrinkage, condensation and cleavage and blocked neuronal nuclear DNA fragmentation induced by SNP. SF also increased the expressions of bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein and decreased the expressions of bax mRNA and Bax protein. CONCLUSION: SF prevents the cultured hippocampal neurons against SNP neurotoxicity. The mechanism of protection is related to the increase in Bcl-2 level and the decrease in Bax level. As a result, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax is changed.     

Effect of homocysteine on the apoptosis of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of homocysteine(Hcy) on the apoptosis of endothelial cells (EC). METHODS: First-passaged human umbilical vein endothelial cells (hUVEC) were cultured with M199 containing 3 mmol/L Hcy. hUVEC apoptosis was detected as follow: demonstration of nuclear changes by Hoechst 33258 staining, agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments, detection of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry following Annexin V-PI doubled stain, Western blot for P53 and Bax protein detection and colorimetry detecting caspase-3 activity. RESULTS: Compared with control, homocysteine induced characteristic apoptotic changes in hUVEC. The chromosomal DNA of hUVEC appeared "DNA ladder" by agarose gel electrophoresis. Apoptotic cells were increased significantly (P<0.01, n=3). Hcy promoted the expression of protein Bax, P53 (P<0.01, n=3) and enhanced the activity of caspase 3 (P<0.05, n=3). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine induces apoptosis in cultured hUVEC.