Role of ROS/PKC/p38 MAPK pathway in protective effects of polysaccharide from Fructus cornion rat cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of polysaccharide from Fructus corni(PFC) on cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and its possible relationship with ROS/PKC/p38 MAPK pathway.METHODS: Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal SD rats and randomly divided into normal group, H/R group, PFC (20 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) preconditioning+H/R groups, chelerythrine+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group and SB203580+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group. The cell viability was measured by inverted microscopic observation. Apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the cell culture supernatants, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells were also measured by microplate reader. The protein levels of PKC, p-p38 MAPK and HSP70 in the cells were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: Compared with normal group, the cell viability and beating frequency were decreased in H/R group. LDH and ROS contents, apoptotic rate and p-p38 MAPK level increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with H/R group, PFC preconditioning increased beating frequency, SOD activity and the protein level of PKC and HSP70, and decreased ROS production, the protein level of p-p38 MAPK and cell apoptotic rate. However, the effect of PFC was inhibited by chelerythrine or SB203580.CONCLUSION: PFC may protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Its mechanism is possibly involved in the inhibition of ROS via increasing the activity of SOD and the activation of PKC, and suppression of excessive activation of p38 MAPK.     

Astragaloside IV attenuates apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes induced by angiotensin II

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of astragaloside IV (ASIV) on angiotensin II (Ang II)- induced apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes. METHODS: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with different concentrations of Ang II and ASIV. The effects of Ang II and ASIV on the viability of H9c2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The optimum concentration of Ang II was 1 μmol/L and the concentrations of ASIV were 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L. The H9c2 cells was divided into 6 groups:control group, ASIV group, Ang II group, Ang II+ASIV (25 μmol/L) group, Ang II+ASIV 50 (μmol/L) group and Ang II+ASIV (100 μmol/L) group. The morphological changes of the H9c2 cells were observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by DCFH-DA staining. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was determined by Western blot. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were transfected with negative control shRNA (NC) or Nrf2-shRNA (shRNA), and the cells were divided into 8 groups:NC+control group, NC+AngⅡgroup, NC+ASIV group, NC+AngⅡ+ASIV group, shRNA+control group, shRNA+AngⅡgroup, shRNA+ASIV group and shRNA+AngⅡ+ASIV group. ROS level was detected by ROS detection kit. The protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Ang II decreased the viability of H9c2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). ASIV reversed the effect of Ang II on the viability of H9c2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate, the level of ROS and the protein expression of Bax in Ang II group were increased significantly, while the protein expression of Bcl-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with Ang II group, ASIV reversed the increase in apoptotic rate of H9c2 cells induced by Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced ROS level, down-regulated the protein expression of Bax and up-regulated the protein expression of Bcl-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 (P<0.05). After shRNA transfection, the effects of ASIV decreasing ROS production induced by Ang II and up-regulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were eliminated. CONCLUSION: ASIV protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by Ang II, which may be related to reducing ROS generation and mediating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.     

Role of voltage-dependent anion channel in cardiomyocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation

AIM: To investigate the role of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R).METHODS: The shRNAs targeting VDAC1 mRNA were inserted into pSUPER plasmid.H9c2 cells were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows: control group, A/R group, anoxia preconditioning (APC) group, pSUPER-VDAC1-A/R group and pSUPER-A/R group. The expression of VDAC1 was detected by Western blotting. Cellular injury was evaluated by measuring the cell viability and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). The mitochondria membrane potential was determined by flow cytometry.RESULTS: VDAC1 expression was up-regulated in A/R group and was inhibited in APC group. Similarly, down-regulation of VDAC1 expression by shRNA protected H9c2 cells from A/R injury. Moreover, we found that, with silencing VDAC1 expression, mitochondrial membrane potential was well preserved in H9c2 cells subjected to A/R.CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of VDAC1 protects H9c2 cells against A/R injury and its possible mechanism appears to be related to the regulation of mitochondial permeability transition pore opening.     

Protective role of 14-3-3γ in burn and LPS-induced rat myocardial injury

AIM: To study the protective role of 14-3-3γ in burn or LPS-induced myocardial injury. METHODS: The rat model of burn or LPS-induced injury was established. The heart functions and 14-3-3γ protein expression were detected 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after treatment. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were used in vitro. pFLAG-14-3-3γ plasmid was constructed and transfected into the cardiomyocytes 24 h before LPS-induced injury. The injury in the cardiomyocytes was evaluated by measuring the cell viability and the level of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH). Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was detected by flow cytometry. Opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) was also determined by Ca²⁺-induced swelling of isolated myocardial mitochondria. RESULTS: The expression of 14-3-3γ was elevated following the burn or LPS-induced myocardial injury in vivo. In vitro, transfection with pFLAG-14-3-3γ plasmid in to the cardiomyocytes significantly protected against LPS-induced injury. Compared with the cardiomyocytes without transfection with pFLAG-14-3-3γ plasmid, higher cell viability rate and lower LDH release, cell apoptosis and mPTP opening were observed in the cardiomyocytes transfected with pFLAG-14-3-3γ plasmid. CONCLUSION: The 14-3-3γ protein protects the heart against burn or LPS-induced injury by inhibiting the mPTP opening.     

Effect of L-carnitine on apoptosis and oxidant damage of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in vitro

AIM: To examine the effects of L-carnitine on apoptosis and oxidant injury in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into three groups， control， A/R group （anoxia for 120 min, reoxygenation for 240 min） and L-carnitine treatment group, in which cells were exposed to 20 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L L-carnitine respectively at 2 h before anoxia. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined, and the apoptosis was determined by flow of cytometry (FCM). In addition, the ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: In A/R group, SOD and SDH activities were lower, the apoptosis rate and MDA content were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In L-carnitine treatment group, SOD and SDH activities were higher, the apoptosis rate and MDA content were lower than those in A/R group, a L-carnitine concentration-dependent effect was found. Moreover, impairment of myocardial ultrastructure was more severe in A/R group than L-carnitine treatment group. CONCLUSION: L-carnitine can protect cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner.     

Panax quinquefolium saponins attenuate hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in rat cardiomyocytes

AIM： To investigate the effects of Panax quinquefolium saponins (PQS) and calcineurin (CaN) signal pathway on cardiomyocyte injury induced by myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R). METHODS：Cultured cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the H/R model. The cells were transfected with pCDB-CaN plasmid to overexpress CaN, or exposed to the CaN inhibitor FK506 to interfere the CaN expression. The cardiomyocytes were divided into control group, H/R group, PQS+H/R group, CaN+PQS+H/R group, pCDB+PQS+H/R group and FK506+PQS+H/R group. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The activity of CaN in the cardiomyocytes was detected. The protein expression of CaN was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS：Compared with control group, the apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes in CaN group was significantly increased. Compared with PQS+H/R group, the cell apoptosis, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, the activity of CaN and its protein expression in FK506 group were not significantly different. CONCLUSION：Inhibition of CaN activity reduces the H/R injury in cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanism of PQS protecting cardiomyocytes from H/R injury may not be associated with the CaN signaling pathway.     

Over-expression of SIRT1 gene inhibits high glucose-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ROS level through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effects of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) over-expression on the apoptosis and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes. METHODS: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were transfected with empty plasmid (pcDNA3.1-NC) and SIRT1 over-expression plasmid (pcDNA3.1-SIRT1), and then stimulated by high glucose. The H9c2 cells were divided into control group, high glucose group, high glucose + pcDNA3.1-NC group and high glucose + pcDNA3.1-SIRT1 group. The expression of SIRT1 at mRNA and protein levels in each group was determined by qPCR and Western blot. The viability of the cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated PI3K, AKT and phosphorylated AKT were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: SIRT1 was significantly decreased in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes, the cell viability was significantly decreased compared with control group, while the ROS levels and apoptotic rate were increased, and the phosphorylated PI3K and AKT protein levels were down-regulated (P<0.05). Over-expression of SIRT1 significantly promoted the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes induced by high glucose, decreased the ROS levels and apoptotic rate, and up-regulated phosphorylated PI3K and AKT protein levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SIRT1 over-expression reverses the decrease in the viability of high glucose-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocytes, and the increases in apoptotic rate and oxidative stress by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

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.     

Effects of HSP90 on complement-mediated hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of H9c2 cardiomyocytes during hypoxic postconditioning

AIM To investigate the effects and mechanisms of heat shock protein 90 （HSP90） on complement-mediated hypoxia/reoxygenation （H/R） injury of rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes during hypoxic postconditioning （HPC）. METHODS Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into 7 groups according to different treatments： （1） control group （cultured for 10 h under normal oxygen）; （2） H/R group （hypoxia for 4 h and reoxygenation for 6 h）; （3） HPC group （3 cycles of 5 min H/R after hypoxia for 4 h, followed by reoxygenation for 6 h）; （4） HPC+geldanamycin （GA） group （1 μmol/L HSP90 inhibitor GA was added 20 min before HPC）; （5） negative control group （empty plasmid was transfected before HPC）; （6） C3 over-expression group （C3a plasmid was transfected before HPC）; （7） C5 over-expression group （C5a plasmid was transfected before HPC）. Morphological changes of the H9c2 cells were detected by Hoechst 33242 staining. The effects of HPC on the apoptosis of H9c2 cells were examined by flow cytometry. The protein levels of HSP90, C3a, C5a, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS With up-regulation of HSP90, HPC significantly reduced H/R-induced apoptosis of the H9c2 cells, inhibited the expression of C3a, C5a, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and Bax, and increased the expression of Bcl-2. These effects were blocked by GA. The inhibitory effects of HPC on NF-κB p65 expression and H9c2 cell apoptosis were offset after over-expression of C3a or C5a. CONCLUSION HSP90 attenuates H/R injury of H9c2 cardiomyocytes by inhibiting complement-NF-κB signaling pathway during HPC.     

Effect of CREB-shRNA on mitochondrial morphology and cell apoptosis in OGD/R-induced cortical neurons

AIM: To construct recombinant lentiviral vector with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of CREB gene, and to investigate the effect of CREB gene silencing on mitochondrial morphology and cell apoptosis in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced cortical neurons. METHODS: Three lentiviral vectors pLentiLox3.7 (PLL) inserted shRNA fragments targeting CREB gene were co-transfected with the packaging plasmids psPAX2 and pMD2.G to the 293T cells, and the virus particles, which was infected with the primary cortical neurons, was encapsulated. The protein expression of CREB was detected by Western blot. The mitochondrial morphology, cell apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated by the methods of MitoTracker red, TUNEL and Western blot in OGD/R induced cortical neurons after CREB gene silencing. RESULTS: The pLL-CREB-shRNA1 was the most effective shRNA, which inhibited 80% CREB gene expression in the cortical neurons. The mitochondrial was appeared dot and fragment morphology in OGD/R induced cortical neurons with transfected pLL-CREB-shRNA1 plasmid. In addition, the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased, the expression of Bax, and the apoptosis of the neurons were increased by tranfected with pLL-CREB-shRNA1. CONCLUSION: CREB shRNA recombinant lentiviral vector specifically inhibits the expression of CREB gene. CREB gene silencing promotes the cell apoptosis and mitochondrial morphological changes in the cortical neurons induced by OGD/R.     

Role of glycine receptor in protection of glycine against anoxia/reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes

AIM:To investigate whether glycine receptor is involved in the protection of glycine against anoxia/reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes by detecting oxygen free radical metabolism, apoptosis and intracellular calcium overload. METHODS:The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and exposed to anoxia and reoxygenation (A/R) in the presence of glycine receptor antagonist, glycine or in free chloride buffer. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), the intracellular free calcium concentration and the apoptotic rate in the cardiomyocytes were determined. RESULTS:SOD activity and NO content in cardiomyocytes were lower, but MDA content, intracellular free calcium concentration and apoptotic rate in cardiomyocytes were higher in A/R group than those in control. Pretreatment with glycine inhibited the above changes caused by A/R, which was reversed by strychnine treatment and in the free chloride medium. CONCLUSIONS:Glycine inhibits free radical production, attenuates calcium overload, decreases apoptotic rate and increases SOD activity and NO release in cardiomyocytes exposed to A/R. These findings suggest that glycine exerts a protective effect against A/R injury via glycine receptor and glycine protects the neonatal rat cardiomycytes from A/R-induced injury in a chloride-dependent manner.     

Effects of lentivirus-mediated transfection of shRNA targeting Adra1d gene on calcium and calmodulin in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated transfection of shRNA targeting α_1D-adrenergic receptor (Adra1d) gene on calcium ion (Ca²⁺) and calmodulin (CaM) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of rat aorta. METHODS:Single oligonucleotide sequences of shRNA targeting rat Adra1d gene were design and synthesized, and then the shRNA was constructed and cloned into GV248 vector. The U6-shRNA carrier and expression vector were transfected into 293T cells together and packed with lentivirus, and the supernatant was collected and concentrated by overspeed centrifugation. The VSMCs of rat aorta were transfected with recombinant lentivirus vector. The interference effects were identified by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The concentration of Ca²⁺ in VSMCs was detected by laser confocal inspection, and the expression of CaM at mRNA and protein levels in the VSMCs was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS:The lentiviral shRNA expression vector was successfully constructed. The titer of the concentrated virus was 3×10¹¹ TU/L. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Adra1d in the rat aortic VSMCs were significantly reduced after transfection. The interference efficiency of Lv-shRNA4-Adr to Adrald gene was greater than 85%. After target silencing of Adra1d gene, compared with scrambled group, the Ca²⁺ fluorescence intensity of rat aortic VSMCs was significantly increased. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CaM were also increased significantly. CONCLUSION:A lentiviral shRNA expression vector targeting rat Adra1d gene was successfully constructed, which significantly increased Ca²⁺ concentration and CaM expression in rat aortic VSMCs.     

Effects of MAGEA3 inhibition by shRNA on apoptosis in human hepatocellular cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of vector-based RNA interference ( RNAi) on the expression of melanoma associated antigen A3 (MAGEA3) protein in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and on apotposis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS:A vector for transcribing specific small hairpin RNA ( shRNA) targeting MAGEA3 gene was constructed ,introduced into hepatocellular carcinoma MEL-ED1 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The MAGEA3 protein and mRNA expression levels of MEL-ED1 cells were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The cell apoptosis was studied by DNA fragmentation, electron microscopy ，TUNEL assay, and annexin V/PI staining. RESULTS:The vector of RNA interference was successfully constructed and MAGEA3 expression was descreased significantly in MEL-ED1 cells. After the shRNA expression vector was transfected into the MEL-ED1 cells, the expression of MAGEA3 gene was inhibited significantly ( by 90% ). DNA fragmentation，electron microscopy and TUNEL assay showed classic apoptosis characters in the MEL-ED1 cells transfected with pSilencer-MAGEA3 plasmid with an apoptosis rate of 21.41% ±1.98%, significantly higher than those in the negative control group transfected with pSilencer-neo and in the non-transfected group (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION:The specific small hairpin RNA targeting MAGEA3 mRNA can inhibit the expression of MAGEA3 and cause apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells , which suggests inhibitory effect of MAGEA3 on apoptosis in cancer and provides an experimental basis for treating human tumors with RNAi.     

Construction of shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting PERK gene and effect of PERK gene knockdown on apoptosis in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced L02 hepatocytes

AIM: To construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vectors targeting the gene of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase ( PERK ), and to observe the effect of PERK gene knockdown on apoptosis of human normal hepatic L02 cells treated with thapsigargin. METHODS: Three shRNA expression vectors targeting PERK gene, named PERK1-shRNA, PERK2-shRNA and PERK3-shRNA, and one non-homologous negative control expression vector (HK-shRNA) were constructed based on the nucleotide sequence of PERK and the criteria of designing small interfering RNA (siRNA), and were identified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis. After L02 hepatocytes were transfected with the plasmids, the PERK expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the plasmid with the best inhibitory effect on PERK expression was screened. The cell viability and apoptotic rate of L02 hepatocytes transfected with PERK-shRNA under endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) were measured by the methods of MTT and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS: Four shRNA expression vectors were constructed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PERK gene decreased significantly in L02 hepatocytes transfected with PERK1-shRNA, PERK2-shRNA and PERK3-shRNA as compared with those in control cells (P<0.05). The interfering effect of PERK1-shRNA on PERK gene expression was the best. PERK knockdown by PERK1-shRNA increased the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of L02 cells under ERS.CONCLUSION: The shRNA expression vectors targeting PERK gene are constructed, and PERK gene knockdown may inhibit apoptosis in L02 hepatocytes under ERS.     

Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate endothelial cell injury caused by homocysteine via AMPK pathway

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by homocysteine (Hcy) and its mechanism. METHODS:HUVECs cultured in vitro were divided into 4 groups:control group, APS group[APS (200 mg/L) treatment for 24 h], Hcy group[Hcy (1 mmol/L) treatment for 24 h], and Hcy+APS group[Hcy (1 mmol/L) and APS (200 mg/L) co-treatment for 24 h]. The cell viability were measured by MTT assay. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in HUVECs were detected by the commercial kits. The mRNA expression of SOD1, catalase (CAT) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) and phosphorylated AMPKα (p-AMPKα) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the cell viability, the activity of SOD, and the mRNA expression of SOD1 and CAT in the HUVECs were decreased, but the activity of LDH, the content of MDA, and the mRNA expression of NOX2 were increased significantly in Hcy group(P<0.05). APS inhibited the decrease in cell viability, and the increases in LDH acti-vity and MDA content induced by Hcy. APS increased SOD activity and the mRNA expression of SOD1 and CAT, but reduced the mRNA expression of NOX2. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, reduced the protective effect of APS on HUVECs injured by Hcy. CONCLUSION:APS protects HUVECs from Hcy-induced injury via AMPK signaling pathway to regulate intracellular oxidative stress.     

Effect of KLF4 on viability,apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and chemosensitivity to cisplatin

AIM:To investigate the effect of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) on the viability, apoptosis and cisplatin chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells. METHODS:KLF4 expression in colorectal cancer cell lines Caco2, SW480 and HCT116 was detected by Western blot. The SW480 cells were divided into pcDNA3.1 group (transfected with pcDNA3.1 empty plasmid), pcDNA3.1-KLF4 group (transfected with pcDNA3.1-KLF4 expression plasmid) and pcDNA3.1-KLF4+cisplatin group (treated with 1 mg/L cisplatin for 48 h after pcDNA3.1-KLF4 was transfected into SW480 cells). The protein levels of KLF4, p-IκBα, cyclin D1 and survivin were determined by Western blot. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured by DCFH-DA probe. RESULTS:The expression of KLF4 in the colorectal cancer cells were significantly lower than that in the human colon mucosal epithelial NCM460 cells (P<0.05). Compared with pcDNA3.1 group, the protein expression of KLF4 in pcDNA3.1-KLF4 group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with pcDNA3.1 group, the cell viability and the protein expression of cyclin D1 and survivin were significantly decreased, and the apoptotic rate, the content of ROS and the protein level of p-IκBα were significantly increased in pcDNA3.1 group (P<0.05). Compared with pcDNA3.1-KLF4 group, the cell viability and the expression of cyclin D1 and survivin proteins were significantly decreased, and the apoptotic rate, the content of ROS and the protein level of p-IκBα were significantly increased in pcDNA3.1-KLF4+cisplatin group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Upregulation of KLF4 gene expression in colorectal cancer cells reduces the cell viability, induces apoptosis and increases the chemosensitivity of the cells to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the enhancement of intracellular ROS content and down-regulaton of the phosphorylation level of IκBα, the key molecule of NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Caspase-8 small hairpin RNA attenuates apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia

AIM：To investigate the effect of caspase-8 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) on attenuating apoptosis of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). METHODS：Two recombinant plasmids for over-expression of caspase-8 shRNA, pAd-Cap8 shRNA1 and pAd-Cap8 shRNA2, were constructed. Caspase-8 mRNA was determined in pAd-Cap8 shRNA-transfected human HEK293 cells by Q-PCR. The screened pAd-Cap8 shRNA was used to construct the recombinant adenovirus plasmid, which was linearized and transfected into HEK293 cells for packaging and amplification of the recombinant adenovirus rAd-Cap8 shRNA. The expression of caspase-8 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Q-PCR and Western blotting. Annexin V/PI staining and determination of caspase-8 activity were performed to assess apoptosis of hMSCs under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL was analyzed by Q-PCR. RESULTS：The pAd-Cap8 shRNA, which efficiently inhibited caspase-8 expression, was screened by Q-PCR. The recombinant adenovirus plasmid for caspase-8 shRNA was constructed and used to package and amplify the recombinant adenovirus (rAd)-Cap8 shRNA successfully. rAd-Cap8 shRNA-mediated caspase-8 shRNA markedly inhibited caspase-8 expression in hMSCs. Over-expression of caspase-8 shRNA by infection of rAd-Cap8 shRNA also efficiently decreased the apoptotic rate and caspase-8 activity in hMSCs under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia, with up-regulation of the mRNA expression of HGF, IGF-1 and Bcl-2. CONCLUSION：Caspase-8 shRNA attenuates hMSC apoptosis under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia.     

Improving effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on glucose metabolism in cardiomyocytes under hypoxia by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α

AIM: To elucidate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 (Gs-Rb1) on the glucose metabolism to improve the viability of the cardiomyocytes under hypoxia, and whether hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and/or AMPKα are involved in the process.METHODS: The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured, and randomly divided into control group, hypoxia (1% O₂, 94% N₂ and 5% CO₂) group, Gs-Rb1 (200 μmol/L) group, Ara-A (500 μmol/L) group, Gs-Rb1+Ara-A group, YC-1 (5 μmol/L) group, Gs-Rb1+YC-1 group, Ara-A+YC-1 group and Gs-Rb1+YC-1+Ara-A group. After the intervention for 8 h, the cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. The protein levels of AMPK, HIF-1α and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) were determined by Western blot. The activities of heterophosphatase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured by ELISA.RESULTS: Gs-Rb1 significantly improved the viability of hypoxic cardiomyocytes, which was significantly inhibited by YC-1 and Ara-A. In addition, YC-1 and Ara-A had a synergistic effect. Gs-Rb1 increased the protein levels of AMPK and HIF-1α in the hypoxic cardiomyocytes, which was significantly inhibited by Ara-A and YC-1. Gs-Rb1 significantly increased the expression of GLUT-4 on the cytomembrane of hypoxic cardiomyocytes, which was significantly inhibited by YC-1 or Ara-A, especially Ara-A+YC-1. Gs-Rb1 significantly increased the activities of HK, PFK and LDH, all those were significantly inhibited by YC-1 or Ara-A. Besides, YC-1 and Ara-A had a synergistic effect.CONCLUSION: Gs-Rb1 improves the viability of hypoxic cardiomyocytes, which may be related to the regulation of glucose uptake and enhancement of glycolysis by synergy of both HIF-1α and AMPK.