Focal adhesion kinase antisense oligodeoxynucleotide promotes apoptosis in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate whether focal adhesion kinase (FAK) takes part in the intracellular signaling pathway involved in apoptosis of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). METHODS: Cultured HPASMCs stimulated by fibronection (40 mg/L) were passively transfected with antisense-FAK oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). Expression of FAK and caspase-3 proteins was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. In addition, apoptosis were measured by TUNEL. RESULTS: The protein expression of FAK in HPASMCs decreased and caspase-3 expression upregulated in HPASMCs in antisense-FAK ODNs group. At the same time, antisense-FAK ODNs transfection increased the rate of cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FAK may be related with the apoptosis of HPASMCs. Antisense-FAK ODNs inhibit HPASMC proliferation and may facilitate their apoptosis via caspase-3 signaling pathway.     

Induction of apoptosis with Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 via downregulating focal adhesion kinase in H2O2-stimulated hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of IH764-3 on the apoptosis of H₂O₂-stimulated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) and the alteration of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). METHODS: The proliferation of HSCs was examined by direct cell count and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin-V/PI labeling, while the morphological change was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, FAK mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: H₂O₂ promoted the proliferation of HSCs. IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The HSC apoptotic rates of different groups were 6. 35%,9. 28%,15. 10%,19. 69%,respectively, after treated with different concentrations of IH764-3 for 48 h while H₂O₂ group showed 2. 30%. In 30 mg/L group, the apoptosis rates were 6. 73%、10. 34%、15. 10% for the indicated time periods(12 h, 24 h, 48 h). In the presence of IH764-3, FAK mRNA decreased. The FAK mRNA reduction began at 2 h after adding IH764-3. CONCLUSION: IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs. Down-regulating the expression of FAK mRNA may be one of its mechanisms.     

Effects of SphK1 and FAK on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colon cancer HCT116 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of sphingosine kinase l(SphK1) and focal adhesion kinase(FAK) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. METHODS: Human colon cancer HCT116 cells were divided into 3 groups. N, N-dimethylsphingosine(DMS) was used to suppress the activity of SphK1. PF573228 was used to suppress the activation of FAK. The cells treated with equal volume of culture medium severed as control group. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The protein expression of SphK1, FAK and the EMT relative protein E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) 2 was analyzed by Western blot. The mRNA expression of SphK1, sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P), FAK, E-cadherin and vimentin was detected by real-time PCR. The ability of tumor cell migration was measured by wound-healing assay. RESULTS: The cell viability of HCT116 cells was suppressed by DMS and PF573228 in dose and time dependent manners. DMS significantly suppressed the expression of SphK1, FAK, N-cadherin, vimentin and MMP2, meanwhile enhanced the expression of E-cadherin. PF573228 reduced the expression of FAK, SphK1, N-cadherin, vimentin and MMP2, meanwhile increased the expression of E-cadherin(P<0.01). In addition, the migration ability of HCT116 cells was significantly decreased by treating with DMS and PF573228(P<0.01). Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of FAK, SphK1, S1P and vimentin was decreased, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased significantly in PF573228 group and DMS group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SphK1 and FAK signaling pathways may play an important role in the occurrence of EMT in the colon cancer HCT116 cells.     

FAK gene silencing enhances chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in leukemic cells XU Lü-hong1,

AIM: To investigate the effect of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene silencing on chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in leukemic cells. METHODS: Lentiviral-FAK-shRNA was transfected into BCR/ABL-BaF3 leukemic cells. The protein expression of FAK was detected by Western blotting. BCR/ABL-BaF3 leukemic cells were treated with different concentrations of imatinib in vitro, and the apoptosis was determined by labeling with Annexin V. A murine model of leukemia was established and the mice were treated with FAK shRNA and imatinib. Survival time and distribution of leukemic cells in bone marrow and spleen of the mice were monitored. RESULTS: FAK shRNA was successfully constructed and effectively inhibited FAK gene expression. With 5 μmol/L imatinib treatment, the percentages of apoptotic cells in vector control group and FAK shRNA group were (9.76±1.97)% and (21.90±3.20)%, respectively, and significant difference between these 2 groups (P<0.05) was observed. With 50 μmol/L imatinib treatment, the percentages of apoptotic cells in vector control group and FAK shRNA group were (56.10±6.00)% and (82.10±5.70)%, respectively,also with significant difference between these 2 groups (P<0.05). Compared with vector control group, the mice in FAK gene silencing group displayed significantly prolonged survival time. Moreover, 60 days after injection of leukemic cells, the percentages of leukemic cells in bone marrow and spleen of the mice were significantly decreased in FAK gene silencing group as compared with those in vector control group. CONCLUSION: FAK gene silencing promotes the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drug in leukemic cells, indicating that FAK gene silencing might be considered as a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia.     

Construction of FAK-shRNA retroviral vector and screening of stable HCC-LM3 cell line with persistent knockdown of FAK

AIM: To construct a recombinant retroviral vector of short interfering RNA targeting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene and to establish a cell line with stable knockdown of FAK.METHODS: The oligonucleotides that transcribed to short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting FAK gene were synthesized in vitro, cloned into retroviral vector pSuper.retro and transfected into Phoenix cell line. The stable clones were screened and high-titer virus was produced. The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HCC-LM3 was infected with the virus-rich supernatant. The stable LM3 cell line, which showed significantly to silence FAK and associated proteins, was selected by puromycin.RESULTS: The recombinant retroviral vector was successfully constructed. Persistent knockdown of FAK in the LM3 cell line infected with the supernatant containing the retrovirus was confirmed by Western blotting. Down-regulation of FAK resulted in the inhibition of p-Akt and p-MAPK1/2 expression and led to decreased migration and invasion of the cells. The cell cycle was blocked at G₀/G₁ phase, and apoptosis was increased. The proliferation rate also decreased significantly.CONCLUSION: FAK-shRNA virus generated by recombinant retroviral vector pSuper-FAK can inhibit the protein expression of FAK and phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK1/2 in HCC-LM3 cells. Down-regulation of FAK shows a significant impact on biological behaviors of tumor cells.     

Role of focal adhesion kinase expression in renal tissues of type 2 diabetic rats

AIM：To explore the dynamic change of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in renal tissues of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS：The rat model of T2DM was established and the diabetic rats were randomly divided into 8-week DM (DM8), 12-week DM (DM12) and 16-week DM (DM16) groups. Meanwhile, normal control (NC) and high-fat high-sucrose control (HC) groups were also established. The protein expression of FAK, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2 and fibronectin (FN) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of FAK and p-FAK (Tyr397) were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA level of FAK in the renal cortex was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS：The expression of FAK protein in renal tubular epithelial cells in DM12 and DM16 groups was significantly higher than that in NC, HC and DM8 groups (P<0.05). Moreover, TGF-β1, p-ERK1/2 and FN protein expression in DM groups was significantly increased compared with NC and HC groups (P<0.05). The levels of FAK and p-FAK (Tyr397) in the renal cortex in DM12 and DM16 groups were significantly up-regulated compared with NC, HC and DM8 groups (P<0.05), and the expression trend of p-FAK in different groups was in accordance with that of total FAK. The FAK protein expression was positively correlated with the expression of TGF-β1, p-ERK1/2 and FN proteins (P<0.01). Compared with NC, HC and DM8 groups, the expression of FAK mRNA increased remarkably in DM12 and DM16 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a possibility that FAK is activated as a downstream effector of TGF-β1 in T2DM, which enhances the expression of FN protein through activating ERK1/2, and therefore plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.     

FAK shRNA inhibits growth of leukemic cell line BCR/ABL-BaF3

AIM: To investigate the effect of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) shRNA on the growth of leukemic cells.METHODS: Lentiviral-FAK-shRNA was transfected into BCR/ABL-BaF3 cells, while empty vector was transfected into the same cells for control. The proteins of FAK and other molecules were detected by Western blotting. Cell growth was observed by culturing the leukemic cells in RPMI-1640 medium in vitro, and colony formation was observed by culturing the leukemic cells in methylcellulose medium. To establish a murine model of leukemia, BCR/ABL-BaF3 cells were injected into BALB/c mice through tail vein. Survival time of the leukemic mice was monitored, and the distribution of the leukemic cells in spleen of the mice was also detected. RESULTS: FAK shRNA inhibited the protein expression of FAK, reduced STAT5 phosphorylation and induced caspases-3 activation in BCR/ABL-BaF3 cells. FAK shRNA inhibited the cell growth in vitro. Colony formation experiment showed that the number of colony in vector control group and FAK shRNA group was 215.60±13.01 and 125.00±9.06, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The mice in vector control group died between day 21 and day 27, while the mice in FAK shRNA group died between day 52 and day 60, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Moreover, 25 days after injection of leukemic cells, the percentage of leukemic cells in spleen of the leukemic mice in vector control group and FAK shRNA group was (82.40±6.13)% and (14.50±3.70)%, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: FAK shRNA inhibits the growth of leukemic cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating that FAK gene silencing might be a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia.     

Integrin β3-FAK pathway is involved in neointima formation

AIM: To investigate whether the expression of integrin β₃ and the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are involved in neointima formation after de-endothelium.METHODS: The model of intima hyperplasia was prepared by balloon injury.The levels of osteopontin (OPN), integrin β₃ and FAK in vascular tissue were detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: There were similar expression patterns in OPN, integrin β₃ and FAK following balloon injury.The levels of three proteins were markedly increased 3 days after operation and reached the peak at 7th day.The increased FAK was mainly the phosphorylated form.The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells was associated with the increase in the expression of integrin β₃ and FAK, and was parallel with rapid turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM).CONCLUSION: The interaction of cells with ECM mediated by OPN and integrin β₃ is essential for migration.The integrin β₃-FAK pathway is involved in neointima formation.     

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.     

Oxidative stress plays an important role in acetaldehyde-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of alcoholic myocardiopathy (AHMD) by exploring the role of ROS mediated oxidative stress in acetaldehyde-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis. METHODS: Cultured rat cardiomyocytes were stimulated with acetaldehyde (100 μmol/L) for 24 h, then the cell apoptotic index were examined and compared to that with alcohol (100 μmol/L) stimulation. The changes of ROS levels and SOD activities were explored by a time-dependent model in acetaldehyde-induced cardiomyocytes. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation changes of ROS mediated MAPK signaling pathway correlated proteins were also detected, with which compared that changes both in pre-adding NAC acetaldehyde-induced cardiomyocytes, and in H2O2 (100 μmol/L) induced cardiomyocytes, respectively. RESULTS: Acetaldehyde had more obvious apoptotic effect than alcohol through caspase 3 activating (P<0.05, vs control), both cellular ROS level and SOD activity increased in a time-dependent way, and reached the peak value of (78.84%±4.33%) for ROS and (0.55±0.02) for SOD among 18 to 24 h, respectively. Meanwhile, JNK and ERK protein phosphorylation upregulated in acetaldehyde-induced cardiomyocytes, and was reversed by NAC anti-oxidative effect. However all the phosphorylation levels were weaker than that in H2O2-induced group. CONCLUSION: Acetaldehyde causes oxidative damage in cardiomyocytes through enhancing cellular ROS level, and induces cardiocytes apoptosis by activating ROS mediated JNK pathway. The novel way of depressing cellular ROS level or blocking the special apoptotic pathway may have effects on AHMD preservation and therapy.     

The action of recombinant human nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (rhNDPK-A) on the growth of S180,H22,Lewis and H460 tumors in vivo

AIM:To study the action of nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NDPK-A) on the growth of S180,H22,Lewis and H460.METHODS:S180 or H22 cell (5×106) were inoculate subcutaneously into the right armpit of 85 Kunming mice,which were randomized into 8 groups.Lewis lung carcinoma cells (2×105) were inoculate subcutaneously into the right armpit of 85 C57BL/6 mice,which were randomized as Kunming mice.From the 2nd day,the treated groups were given different dose of rhNDPK-A once a day for 8 days (for S180 or H22 by iv) or for 10 days (for Lewis by ip),and the control group was given physiological saline only.H460 tissue pieces about 1.5 mm×1.5 mm×1.5 mm each were inoculated subcutaneously into the armpit of 38 Balb/c/neu mice.After the volume of xenograft become 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm,the nude mice were randomized into 5 groups and given different dose of rhNDPK-A once a day for 17 days.2 days after above treatments,the mice were killed and dissected.The knubs were peeled off and weighted.RESULTS:The growth of S180,H22 and H460 were inhibited by rhNDPK and the growth of H22 was inhibited by rhNDPK at dose of 20 mg/kg combined with cisplatin (0.5 mg/kg).But the growth of Lewis lung cancer was not inhibited.CONCLUSION:rhNDPK-A inhibited the growth of S180,H22 and H460.rhNDPK-A (20 mg/kg) potentiated the antitumor action of cisplatin on H22.     

Effects of lipoxin A4 on proliferation and IL-2/IL-2 receptor expression in Jurkat T cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of lipoxin A4 on the proliferation and IL-2 production in Jurkat T cells. METHODS: Jurkat T cells were activated in vitro with anti-CD3 (2 mg/L) and anti-CD28 (2 mg/L) antibodies in the absence or presence of lipoxin A4 (0.1 nmol/L-100 nmol/L) for 24 h, then ［3H］-TdR was added into the medium and radioactivities were measured by scintillation counting. The concentrations of IL-2 in the supernants were determined by ELISA. Cells were harvested and the expression of CD25 was assessed by FCM. For analysing the cell cycle, the cells were stained with PI and DNA contents were detected by FCM. RESULTS: Lipoxin A4 suppressed the proliferation of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies activated Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with reduced proportion of S phase cells. Furthemore, lipoxin A4 significantly inhibited the production of IL-2 but had no obvious effect on CD25 expression. CONCLUSION: Lipoxin A4 can suppress proliferation of activate Jurkat cells and IL-2 production, through which lipoxin A4 might negatively regulate immune response.     

Effects of apolipoprotein (a) on vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and cell signal transduction pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect and the mechanism of apolipoprotein (a) ［apo (a)］ on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: All VSMCs used in experiments were serial subcultured from primary cells and were identified by immunohistochemistry staining of α-actin. Cell growth assay was observed as cell counting and MTT assay. Western blotting was also employed to detect the related mechanism. RESULTS: All cells used in experiments were confirmed as VSMCs. Although apo (a) enhanced VSMCs proliferation, this effect was attenuated by anti-integrin αⅤβ3, LM609. Use these reagents alone had no effect on VSMCs growth. The results of Western blotting demonstrated that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was activated by apo (a) and the expression of total or phosphorylated transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was also decreased. However, these effects described above were all blocked by LM609. CONCLUSION: Apolipoprotein (a) enhances VSMCs proliferation and this effect is mediated by integrin αⅤβ3, which activates FAK and attenuates TGF-β1 and phospho-TGF-β1 expression.     

NIH3T3 cell proliferation and cell cycle in the conditions of hypoxia or low nutrition and its response to bFGF

AIM: To investigate NIH3T3 cell proliferation and cell cycle in the condition of hypoxia or low nutrition and its response to bFGF, and to explore the pathophysiological changes of fibroblast under hypoxic or low nutrional conditions.METHODS: The cells were placed in anaerobic workstation where the mixture gas was given to simulate hypoxic environment. Partial oxygen pressure (PO2) of medium was controlled in 27 mmHg, 44 mmHg and 175mmHg. NIH3T3 cells were cultured with low nutritional medium contained new bovine serum (NCS) less than 10% to simulate low nutritional environment. MTT assay was used for observing cell activity and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis.RESULTS: Under 44 mmHg PO2, no obvious difference was shown between hypoxia group and normal group. Under 27 mmHg PO2, the proliferation activity of NIH3T3 cells was significantly lower than that in normal group (P<0.01), as well as the cell numbers in G0-G1 phase increased (P<0.05), S phase decreased (P<0.01). bFGF had no effect on cell proliferation. In 0.5% NCS medium, the NIH3T3 cell proliferation speed decreased (P<0.01) and cell cycle was arrested at G0-G1 (P<0.01). The proliferation speed was improved by bFGF (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: In lower PO2 or lower nutrinal condition, fibroblast proliferation activity is inhibited by cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. However the decreasing proliferation in low nutritional medium could be improved by external bFGF.     

Role of focal adhsion kinase in vascular endothelial cell migration

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) that can localize indirectly to sites of clustering integrin family of heterodimeric receptors. As an important structure and signaling molecule in the adhesive complexes, which are large and stable referred as 'focal adhesions’ or relatively small and transient within filopodia and lamellipodia named 'focal complexes’, FAK is closely related with cell death, proliferation and migration. In this review, we discuss the function of FAK in the regulation of endothelial cell migration based on current data.     

Oxidative stress induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells

AIM: Direct exposure of cells to reactive oxygen species can induce apoptosis. In this study we investigate how oxidative stress induces cell death in HepG2 cells and characterize the molecular events involved.METHODS: Oxidative stress was created by exposing HepG2 cells to 2 mmol/L H2O2. Apoptosis was determined by analysis of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electorphoresis. The mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed using DePsipher fluorescent staining and the expression of cytochrome c in the cytosolic fraction was measured by Western blotting analysis. The caspase activity was detected using fluorometric assay kit by a fluorescence microplate reader.RESULTS: When HepG2 cells were treated with 2 mmol/L H2O2, the cells displayed DNA fragmentation, a typical feature of apoptosis, after 12 h. The mitochondrial membrane potential appeared different in two group of cells. H2O2-treated cells appeared green fluorescence as early as 4 h, which represents de-energized mitochondria, the untreated cells appeared red fluorescence, a feature of mitochondria with intact membrane potential. In treated cells, the expression of cytochrome c increased and accumulated in cytosolic fraction with treatment time, caspase-3 activity increased by 6.7-fold (P<0.01) at 8 h and caspase-9 activity increased by 3.6-fold (P<0.01) at 12 h, respectively, however, the activity of caspase-8 remained unchanged.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that oxidative stress can induce apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells, and the mechanism is related to mitochondrial pathway, which activates caspase-9 and-3, but not caspase-8.     

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces the proliferation of astrocytes in rat via pathway of protein kinase C-α and calcium ion in vitro

AIM: To determine if lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) regulates the proliferation of astrocytes (AS) and to approach the mechanism of the process.METHODS: The cerebral AS of the neonatal SD rats were cultured in vitro and divided randomly into control group, PKC excitomotor (PMA) group, LPA group, PKC-α inhibitor (Ro31-8220) group, Ro31-8220+PMA group and Ro31-8220+LPA group. The proliferation of the cells was detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The concentration of intra-cellular calcium ion of the cells (［Ca2＋］i) which were labeled with Fura-2/AM was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The change of PKC-α inside the cells was observed by Western blotting.RESULTS: LPA and PMA stimulated the proliferation of AS, they also enhanced the expression of PKC-α and increased the concentration of ［Ca2＋］i. After pretreated with Ro31-8220, the abilities of LPA that mentioned above were decreased. The change of ［Ca2＋］i was associated with the diversity of PKC-α.CONCLUSION: LPA promotes the proliferation of AS via the way of PKC-α and Ca2＋.     

Intracellular signal transduction pathway of integrin and hepatic stellate cell behavior

Integrins are the main mediators of the complicated interaction between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Signal transduction by integrins is initiated by both occupancy and crosslinking of integrins by ECM components. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which are the downstream molecules, involve in integrin-mediated cellular behaviors. In this review, we briefly summarize the integrin's structure, intracellular signaling cascades and its role in HSC behaviors, such as activation, proliferation and apoptosis.