血管紧张素Ⅱ促进内皮细胞凋亡和NOX4表达

目的分析高浓度血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）刺激人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）时细胞内活性氧（ROS）、NOX4mRNA水平和细胞凋亡的变化。方法倒置显微镜下观察人脐静脉内皮细胞形态;免疫组化法检测人脐静脉内皮细胞Ⅷ因子相关抗原的表达;RT—PCR检测HUVECs中NOX4的表达;流式细胞仪检测各组细胞内ROS生成量和细胞凋亡率,Hoechst染色分析细胞凋亡。结果高AngⅡ刺激HUVECs时,NOX4mRNA表达上调,细胞内ROS生成增加,细胞凋亡增加。结论高AngⅡ上调HUVCEs内NOX4mR—NA表达并促进细胞内ROS生成和细胞凋亡。     

抗氧化肽SS-31抑制高糖诱导的心肌细胞凋亡

该文探讨了抗氧化肽SS-31对高糖诱导的大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响,体外培养大鼠心肌细胞(H9C2),给予高糖(30 mmol/L)进行刺激,并利用抗氧化肽SS-31进行治疗后,采用Western blot检测Bax、Bcl-2、Cleaved caspase-3、Nox1、Nox4和Txnip的表达;利用荧光实时定量PCR(Real-time PCR)检测Bax、Bcl-2、Nox1、Nox4和Txnip mRNA的表达;采用原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)观察H9C2细胞凋亡情况;应用MitoSOX~(TM )Red染色检测H9C2细胞线粒体ROS产生情况。结果显示,与正常对照组相比,高糖组H9C2细胞凋亡明显增加,Bax、 Cleaved caspase-3、Nox1、Nox4和Txnip蛋白表达明显上调,Bcl-2蛋白表达减少,线粒体ROS产生增加;SS-31治疗后能够抑制高糖诱导的H9C2细胞的凋亡,下调Bax、Cleaved caspase-3、Nox1、Nox4、Txnip表达,上调Bcl-2表达并减少线粒体ROS的产生。以上研究结果提示,抗氧化肽SS-31抑制高糖诱导的大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的同时抑制Txnip/ROS产生,表明抗氧化肽SS-31可能对糖尿病心肌病变具有一定的改善作用。     

MFN1介导的线粒体融合在心肌细胞凋亡中的作用研究

目的:探讨线粒体融合关键蛋白MFN1介导的线粒体融合在调控心肌细胞凋亡中的作用。方法:通过si RNA降低体外培养H9C2心肌细胞中MFN1的表达后,采用Western blot检测线粒体细胞色素c(Cyto c)释放及其下游凋亡效应分子Caspase9与Caspase3活性,流式细胞术检测细胞内活性氧(ROS)的产生情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡的情况。结果:干扰MFN1可显著促进H9C2心肌细胞内细胞色素c由线粒体释放至胞浆,促进Caspase9与Caspase3的激活,增加细胞内活性氧ROS产生并提高细胞凋亡率(均P0.05)。结论:MFN1介导的线粒体融合可保护心肌细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制ROS产生与细胞色素C释放有关。     

CTRP3通过调节Sirt1参与高糖条件下肾小管细胞的胆固醇转运

该文探究了C1q/肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白-3(C1q/TNF-related protein 3, CTRP3)在高糖条件下肾小管细胞胆固醇转运中的作用及机制。体外培养人肾小管上皮细胞HK-2,随机分为正常糖对照组(NG)、正常糖+CTRP3干预组(NG+CT)、高糖培养组(HG)、高糖培养+CTRP3干预组(HG+CT)、高糖培养+CTRP3干预组+siRNA转染组(HG+CT+siRNA)和高糖培养+CTRP3干预组+Sirt1 siRNA转染组(HG+CT+siSirt1)。试剂盒检测细胞内胆固醇含量及胆固醇流出情况; Filipin染色观察细胞内胆固醇蓄积情况;试剂盒检测Sirt1酶活性; Western blot检测CTRP3、Sirt1、ABCA1及LXRα的蛋白表达;实时定量PCR检测CTRP3的mRNA表达。结果显示,重组CTRP3蛋白干预能够抑制高糖条件下HK-2细胞胆固醇蓄积,上调ABCA1及LXRα的表达从而促进胆固醇外流;同时增强Sirt1的蛋白表达及活性;应用Sirt1 siRNA抑制Sirt1的表达后CTRP3的上述调控作用均消失了。以上结果提示, CTRP3对高糖条件下的肾小管细胞的保护作用,可能是部分通过调控Sirt1的表达促进高糖条件下肾小管细胞的胆固醇外流实现的。     

MitoQ对高糖诱导的心肌细胞线粒体功能影响

目的:探讨MitoQ对高糖诱导的心肌细胞线粒体功能影响。方法:常规获取与纯化SD大鼠新生仔鼠心肌细胞,分为对照组、高糖组、实验组。对照组用含10%血清的DMEM培养基(5.5 mmol/L葡萄糖)培养;高糖组用含血清的高糖DMEM培养基(33mmol/L葡萄糖)培养;实验组用含血清的高糖DMEM培养基(33 mmol/L葡萄糖)和MitoQ。MTT法检测心肌细胞存活率,氯离子荧光探针检测细胞内氯离子浓度,流式细胞术检测各组心肌细胞凋亡率,超氧化物阴离子荧光染色检测心肌细胞活性氧(reactive oxygen,ROS)含量,利用ATP检测试剂盒检测心肌细胞中的ATP水平,Western blot法检测心肌细胞胱天蛋白酶3(caspase-3)蛋白水平。结果:与对照组相比,高糖组的心肌细胞增凋亡率、ROS产生、氯离子相对浓度均明显增加,ATP显著降低(P0.05),细胞内caspase-3蛋白表达显著上升(P0.05);与高糖组相比,实验组凋亡率降低,ROS产生、细胞内caspase-3蛋白表达均显著降低(P0.05)。结论:高糖会引起心肌细胞线粒体障碍,造成心肌细胞凋亡,MitoQ可降低细胞内ROS和caspase-3水平,抑制心肌细胞凋亡,改善心肌细胞线粒体功能。     

热量限制通过HNF3γ下调NOX4表达来抑制内皮细胞的衰老

为了观察热量限制对主动脉内皮细胞中HNF3γ及NOX4基因表达的影响, 揭示HNF3γ-NOX4-活性氧通路介导热量限制抗内皮细胞衰老的分子机制, 文章将主动脉内皮细胞分为5组：对照组、高热量组、低热量组、siRNA+低热量组、siRNA+高热量组。应用逆转录实时定量PCR(Real-time quantitative PCR, RT-qPCR)、Western blotting分析各组HNF3γ、NOX4 mRNA及蛋白水平变化, 并检测各组细胞内活性氧产量及细胞衰老程度变化。采用染色质免疫共沉淀分析HNF3γ蛋白与NOX4基因启动子区域结合情况, 萤光素酶报告基因检测HNF3γ蛋白结合后对NOX4基因启动子活性的影响。结果显示：与对照组比较, 低热量组HNF3γ mRNA和总HNF3γ蛋白表达水平、磷酸化/总HNF3γ比值显著升高(P<0.05), NOX4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平、细胞内活性氧产量及细胞衰老程度显著降低(P<0.05); 高热量组HNF3γ mRNA和总HNF3γ蛋白表达水平、磷酸化/总HNF3γ比值显著降低(P<0.05), NOX4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平、细胞内活性氧产量及细胞衰老程度显著升高(P<0.05); siRNA+低热量组及siRNA+高热量组中NOX4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平、细胞内活性氧水平及细胞衰老程度显著升高(P< 0.05)。染色质免疫共沉淀证实HNF3γ蛋白可与NOX4基因启动区域4个结合位点(-6 bp、-76 bp、-249 bp、-954 bp)结合。萤光素酶报告基因检测显示HNF3γ蛋白与NOX4启动子区域1个位点(-6 bp)、2个位点(-6、-76 bp)、3个位点(-6、-76、-249 bp)、4个位点(-6、-76、-249、-954 bp)结合, 可使NOX4启动子活性分别降低至对照组的80.15±4.64%、40.02.±2.15%、16.46±2.24%、12.13±1.46%, P<0.05。上述结果提示热量限制可上调HNF3γ基因表达, 增强HNF3γ蛋白活性, 促进HNF3γ蛋白同NOX4基因启动子区域结合, 抑制NOX4基因表达, 进而减少细胞内活性氧产生而延缓动脉内皮细胞衰老。     

KDR靶向RNA干扰对MCF一7细胞凋亡的影响

目的：研究KDR靶向RNA干扰对MCF-7细胞凋亡的影响,探讨其可能的机制。方法：采用阳离子脂质体Lipofecta．mine2000TM作为转染试剂将人KDR基因的siRNA转染人类乳腺细胞株MCF-7,诱RNAi,采用Hoechst33258染色和半定量RT—PCR检测Caspase-3、survivin的mRNA表达及细胞凋亡变化;比色法检测Caspase．3的活性;利用免疫组织化学方法检测survivin的表达,并用图像分析仪分析蛋白表达强度。结果：靶向KDR的siRNA转染MCF-7后,Caspase-3的mRNA表达上调,survivin基因mRNA及蛋白表达水平下调（P〈0．05）。结论：KDRsiRNA通过减少乳腺癌细胞survivin的表达,增加Caspase．3表达来促进肿瘤细胞凋亡,发挥其抗肿瘤作用。     

山奈酚调控AMPK/NOX4通路抑制高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞氧化应激和胞外基质积聚

本文研究山奈酚(kaempferol, KAE)对高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞(GMCs)增殖、氧化应激的保护作用及其机制。建立GMCs体外高糖模型,对细胞增殖、ROS、NADPH氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)含量进行检测。qRT-PCR和Western blot检测GMCs中相关因子表达。运用siNOX4、sip22phox和compound C研究KAE对高糖诱导的细胞内信号通路影响。采用分子对接方法研究KAE与Sestrin2、AMPK之间相互作用。结果表明KAE显著抑制高糖诱导的GMCs细胞增殖、ROS产生、NOX活性和MDA水平,增强细胞内SOD活性。qRT-PCR和Western blot结果显示,KAE可以抑制细胞中TGF-β1、Col IV、NOX4和p22phox的表达,并且增加Sestrin2和AMPK细胞因子的表达。siNOX4和sip22phox抑制HG诱导的ROS、TGF-β1和Col IV的产生,提示其可能是由NOX4/p22phox信号通路介导的。Compound C显著逆转KAE对HG诱导的细胞增殖、ROS、NOX4、TGF-β1和Col IV的保护作用。KAE能够减弱高糖诱导的GMCs细胞氧化应激和ECM积聚,其作用机制可能是通过调控AMPK/NOX4信号通路。     

黄精凝集素PCL-2诱导人前列腺癌LNCap细胞凋亡及机制研究

研究黄精凝集素PCL-2对人前列腺癌LNCap细胞生物活性和可能的抗肿瘤机制。从黄精药材中提取分离得到黄精凝集素PCL-2,体外培养LNCap细胞,采用WST-1和集落形成实验评价PCL-2对LNCap细胞的增殖作用;2,7-二氯荧光黄双乙酸盐(DCFH-DA)荧光探针法检测LNCap细胞内ROS含量;qRT-PCR和Western blot法检测PCL-2对LNCap细胞中相关基因和蛋白表达的影响。研究结果显示PCL-2能显著抑制LNCap细胞的增殖,促进细胞中ROS生成;PCL-2通过上调LNCap细胞中Bax、Caspase-3及Caspase-9基因mRNA和蛋白表达并下调Bcl-2基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平诱导LNCap细胞凋亡。本研究结果表明PCL-2诱导LNCap细胞凋亡活性作用显著,可作为抑制前列腺癌的潜在药物。     

人肾脏相关基因Nox4过表达慢病毒载体的构建与定位检测

目的:克隆Nox4基因入pLenti6.3慢病毒表达载体,为探索Nox4基因在ROS产生中的作用提供实验基础。方法:根据NCBI人Nox4 mRNA序列设计引物,再利用酶切连接反应将Nox4插入到入门载体pENTR3C中,成功构建pENTR3C-Nox4后,通过LR反应,将Nox4和EGFP tag插入到慢病毒表达载体pLenti6.3中,经酶切和测序验证正确后,将重组表达质粒转染入人Hela细胞,通过Western-Blot验证Nox4的表达情况,免疫荧光验证Nox4在细胞内的定位情况。结果:入门载体及表达质粒测序比对完全正确,转染Hela细胞后可见明显的表达条带,并且主要定位于细胞器内质网中。结论:成功构建了带有EGFP tag的Nox4基因慢病毒重组表达载体,转染Hela细胞后,其能正确表达并定位于内质网中,为研究Nox4在调节ROS产生中的作用奠定了基础。     

Thioredoxin-interacting Protein Mediates High Glucose-induced Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Mitochondria and the NADPH Oxidase,Nox4, in Mesangial Cells

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TxNIP) is up-regulated by high glucose and is associated with oxidative stress. It has been implicated in hyperglycemia-induced β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis. As high glucose and oxidative stress mediate diabetic nephropathy (DN), the contribution of TxNIP was investigated in renal mesangial cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and collagen synthesis. To determine the role of TxNIP, mouse mesangial cells (MC) cultured from wild-type C3H and TxNIP-deficient Hcb-19 mice were incubated in HG. Confocal microscopy was used to measure total and mitochondrial ROS production (DCF and MitoSOX) and collagen IV. Trx and NADPH oxidase activities were assayed and NADPH oxidase isoforms, Nox2 and Nox4, and antioxidant enzymes were determined by immunoblotting. C3H MC exposed to HG elicited a significant increase in cellular and mitochondrial ROS as well as Nox4 protein expression and NADPH oxidase activation, whereas Hcb-19 MC showed no response. Trx activity was attenuated by HG only in C3H MC. These defects in Hcb-19 MC were not due to increased antioxidant enzymes or scavenging of ROS, but associated with decreased ROS generation. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of TxNIP in Hcb-19 MC and TxNIP knockdown with siRNA in C3H confirmed the specific role of TxNIP. Collagen IV accumulation in HG was markedly reduced in Hcb-19 cells. TxNIP is a critical component of the HG-ROS signaling pathway, required for the induction of mitochondrial and total cell ROS and the NADPH oxidase isoform, Nox4. TxNIP is a potential target to prevent DN.     

Rutaecarpine prevents hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced myocardial cell apoptosis via inhibition of NADPH oxidases

It is proposed that myocardial cell apoptosis causes ventricular remodeling and heart failure. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of rutaecarpine (Rut) on hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R)-induced apoptosis in myocardial cell line H9c2, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Cultured H9c2 cells were exposed to hypoxia for 24 h, followed by 12 h reoxygenation. Rut (in concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 μmol/L) was added 1 h prior to H-R. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase were measured to evaluate the cell injuries. Apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. NADPH oxidase activity was measured by assay kit; intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was detected by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate; and Nox2, Nox4, and p47(phox) mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that H-R significantly decreased cell viability and increased the lactate dehydrogenase release, as well as the apoptotic rate, concomitantly with enhanced NADPH oxidase activity. H-R also upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Nox2, Nox4, and p47(phox) and increased ROS production. Treatment with Rut markedly reversed these effects introduced by H-R. These results suggest that the protective effects of Rut against H-R-induced myocardial cell injury and apoptosis might, at least partly, be due to the inhibition of the NADPH oxidase - ROS pathway.     

内质网过度应激在肺缺血/再灌注小鼠心肌损伤中的作用

目的：探讨内质网过度应激与肺缺血/再灌注小鼠心肌损伤的关系。方法：雄性健康SPF级C57BL/6J小鼠40只,随机将其分为4组（n=10）：假手术组（Sham组）、肺缺血/再灌注组（I/R组）、ERS通路激动剂衣霉素（TM）组、ERS通路抑制剂4-苯基丁酸（4-PBA）组。采用夹闭左侧肺门30 min再灌注180 min的方法制备肺缺血/再灌注损伤模型。Sham组仅行开胸处理,不夹闭肺门,机械通气210 min;TM组、4-PBA组分别于造模前30 min腹腔注射衣霉素1 mg/kg和4-苯基丁酸400 mg/kg。于再灌注180 min时眼眶取血行心肌酶检测,处死后取心肌组织,行光镜、TUNEL Caspase 3酶活性、RT-PCR和Western blot检测。结果：与Sham组比较,光镜下I/R组、TM组和4-PBA组心肌细胞均有损伤性变化,肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性及心肌细胞凋亡指数、天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase 3）酶活性升高,p-Jun氨基末端激酶（p-JNK）、Caspase 12、CCAAT增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白（CHOP）、葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）及其mRNA表达上调（P<0.01）;与I/R组比较,TM组光镜下心肌细胞损伤加重,血清CK-MB、LDH活性及心肌细胞凋亡指数、Caspase 3酶活性升高,p-JNK、Caspase 12、CHOP和GRP78蛋白及mRNA表达增加（P<0.01）,4-PBA组以上指标均下降,光镜下心肌细胞损伤减轻（P<0.01）;与TM组比较,4-PBA组光镜下心肌细胞损伤减轻,血清CK-MB、LDH活性及心肌细胞凋亡指数、Caspase 3酶活性降低,p-JNK、Caspase 12、CHOP和GRP78蛋白及mRNA表达下降（P<0.01）。结论：内质网过度应激参与肺I/R诱发的心肌损伤,抑制内质网过度应激能减轻心脏损伤。     

caspase抑制剂z-VAD-fmk对阿霉素损伤乳鼠心肌细胞calumenin、caspase-3、GRP78及GRP94表达的影响

目的：研究细胞凋亡限速酶caspase广谱抑制剂z-VAD-fmk对阿霉素损伤心肌细胞calumenin、caspase-3、GRP78及GRP94表达的影响,探讨心肌细胞网腔钙结合蛋白与内质网应激及心肌细胞凋亡是否存在相互调控关系。方法：原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞实验分为3组：对照组（正常细胞）、阿霉素组（3 mg/L阿霉素+心肌细胞）、Z-VAD-fmk组（3 mg/L阿霉素+ 0.1μmol/L Z-VAD-fmk +心肌细胞）,每组细胞设3个复孔,分别处理后置37℃、CO₂培养箱中培养24 h阿霉素组、z-VAD-fmk组。采用免疫组化方法检测培养乳鼠心室肌细胞α-SMA蛋白。采用Westernblot技术检测各组心肌细胞Calumenin、内质网应激伴侣蛋白GRP78、GRP94及caspase-3表达。结果：与对照组相比较,阿霉素组心肌细胞calumenin表达明显减少（P < 0.01）,GRP78、GRP94及caspase-3表达增加（P < 0.01）。与阿霉素组相比较,z-VAD-fmk组心肌细胞calumenin表达增加（P < 0.01）,而GRP7,GRP94及caspase-3减少（P < 0.01）。结论：caspase广谱抑制剂z-VAD-fmk增加阿霉素损伤心肌细胞calumenin表达进而缓解内质网应激。     

间歇运动对心梗大鼠心肌氧化应激和炎症的影响及其机制

目的: 探讨间歇运动激活心肌梗死(MI)大鼠SIRT1-Nox4-ROS通路抑制心脏氧化应激和炎症的作用。方法: 选取雄性SD 大鼠30 只,随机分为假手术对照(C)组,心肌梗死(MI) 组和心梗+间歇运动(ME)组,每组10 只。MI 组采用心脏左冠状动脉前降支(LAD) 结扎法,建立MI 模型。C组大鼠实施假手术,ME 组大鼠在MI 手术后1 周进行4 周跑台运动。第一周为适应性训练(10～15 m/min,30 min/d,共5 d)。正式训练起始训练速度10 m/min,时间为10 min。速度逐渐增至25 m/min,运动7 min后,间歇3 min,其速度为15 m/min,之后依次交替进行,运动总时间为60 min,5 d/周 ×4 周。训练结束后测定各组大鼠心电图变化,开胸摘取心脏。HE染色检测心肌组织结构,紫外分光光度法测定心脏MDA含量和SOD活性,微量酶标法测定心脏LDH活性,RT-qPCR 检测心肌SIRT1 mRNA表达,Western blot 检测心肌SIRT1、Nox4、TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白表达,DHE 法检测心肌活性氧(ROS)水平。结果: 与C组比较,MI组大鼠心肌组织出现代替性纤维化,心脏Nox4蛋白表达显著增加 (P＜0.01),MDA含量、LDH活性和ROS水平显著升高(P＜0.01),SOD活性显著降低 (P＜0.01),TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白表达显著增加 (P＜0.01),SIRT1 mRNA和蛋白表达显著降低 (P＜0.01)。与MI组比较,ME组大鼠心肌纤维化降低,心脏Nox4蛋白、MDA含量、LDH活性和ROS水平显著降低 (P＜0.01),SOD活性显著增强 (P＜0.01),TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白表达显著降低 (P＜0.01),SIRT1 mRNA和蛋白表达明显增多 (P＜0.01)。且发现SIRT1与Nox4及ROS 水平均呈显著负相关(r分别为-0.925和-0.899,P均＜0.01)。结论: 间歇运动抑制心梗心脏氧化应激和炎症反应,改善心功能,其机制与SIRT1-Nox4-ROS信号通路激活密切相关。     

SiRNA‐Mediated Down‐Regulation of CLIC4 Gene Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Accelerates Cell Apoptosis of Mouse Liver Cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P Cells

This study explored the effects involved in silencing CLIC4 on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse liver cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. A CLIC4‐target small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed to compound into two individual complementary oligonucleotide chains. A process of annealing and connection to a pSilencer vector was followed by transfection with Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting techniques were used to determine CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were employed for analysis of the survival and apoptosis rate as well as the cell cycle in an octreotide‐induced apoptosis model. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 9, and cleaved PARP were measured using Western blotting. The CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions in Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells transfected by pSilencer‐CLIC4 siRNA plasmid in the blank group displayed remarkably decreased levels of expression, when compared with both the control and negative control (NC) groups. Decreased survival rates and cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rate,expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 in Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells were detected in groups that had been cultured in a medium containing octreotide. The pSilencer‐CLIC4 siRNA‐2 group when compared with the control and NC groups exhibited decreased survival rates, cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rates, and increased expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 of Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. The results demonstrated that siRNA‐induced down‐regulation of CLIC4 could proliferation, while in turn promoting apoptosis of mouse liver cancer Hca‐F and Hca‐P cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 659–668, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Proopiomelanocortin gene delivery induces apoptosis in melanoma through NADPH oxidase 4-mediated ROS generation

Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment triggers differential signaling pathways for tumor survival. In this study, we characterize the involvement of hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the antineoplastic mechanism of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene delivery in a mouse B16-F10 melanoma model in vivo and in vitro. Histological analysis revealed increased TUNEL-positive cells and enhanced hypoxic activities in melanoma treated with adenovirus encoding POMC (Ad-POMC) but not control vector. Because the apoptotic cells were detected mainly in regions distant from blood vessels, it was hypothesized that POMC therapy might render melanoma cells vulnerable to hypoxic insult. Using a hypoxic chamber or cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), we showed that POMC gene delivery elicited apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in cultured B16-F10 cells only under hypoxic conditions. The apoptosis induced by POMC gene delivery was associated with elevated ROS generation in vitro and in vivo. Blocking ROS generation using the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine abolished the apoptosis and caspase-3 activities induced by POMC gene delivery and hypoxia. We further showed that POMC-derived melanocortins, including α-MSH, β-MSH, and ACTH, but not γ-MSH, contributed to POMC-induced apoptosis and ROS generation during hypoxia. To elucidate the source of ROS generation, application of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium attenuated α-MSH-induced apoptosis and ROS generation, implicating the proapoptotic role of NADPH oxidase in POMC action. Of the NADPH oxidase isoforms, only Nox4 was expressed in B16-F10 cells, and Nox4 was also elevated in Ad-POMC-treated melanoma tissues. Silencing Nox4 gene expression with Nox4 siRNA suppressed the stimulatory effect of α-MSH-induced ROS generation and cell apoptosis during hypoxia. In summary, we demonstrate that POMC gene delivery suppressed melanoma growth by inducing apoptosis, which was at least partly dependent on Nox4 upregulation.     

The inhibition of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway enhances TGF-beta-induced apoptosis in rat hepatoma cells through inducing oxidative stress coincident with a change in the expression pattern of the NADPH oxidases (NOX) isoforms

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces apoptosis in hepatocytes, through a mechanism mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Numerous tumoral cells develop mechanisms to escape from the TGF-beta-induced tumor suppressor effects. In this work we show that in FaO rat hepatoma cells inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with the tyrphostin AG1478 enhances TGF-beta-induced cell death, coincident with an elevated increase in ROS production and GSH depletion. These events correlate with down-regulation of genes involved in the maintenance of redox homeostasis, such as gamma-GCS and MnSOD, and elevated mitochondrial ROS. Nonetheless, not all the ROS proceed from the mitochondria. Emerging evidences indicate that ROS production by TGF-beta is also mediated by the NADPH oxidase (NOX) system. TGF-beta-treated FaO cells induce nox1 expression. However, the treatment with TGF-beta and AG1478 greatly enhanced the expression of another family member: nox4. NOX1 and NOX4 targeted knock-down by siRNA experiments suggest that they play opposite roles, because NOX1 knockdown increases caspase-3 activity and cell death, whilst NOX4 knock-down attenuates the apoptotic process. This attenuation correlates with maintenance of GSH and antioxidant enzymes levels. In summary, EGFR inhibition enhances apoptosis induced by TGF-beta in FaO rat hepatoma cells through an increased oxidative stress coincident with a change in the expression pattern of NOX enzymes.