miR-21通过PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路调控胶质瘤细胞的增殖

探讨miR-21对胶质瘤细胞U87中人第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶及张力蛋白同源的基因/磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/蛋白激酶B(PTEN/PI3K/AKT)信号通路相关影响作用研究。脂质体Lipofectamine~(TM)2000将miR-21 inhibitor和miR-21 NC转入U87细胞中,48 h后,RT-PCR检测miR-21表达,MTT法检测细胞活力,Annexin V/PI流式双染检测细胞凋亡情况,Western blotting检测PTEN/PI3K/AKT激活情况及程序性细胞死亡因子4(PDCD4),Bax及Bcl-2的表达。与miR-21 NC组比较,miR-21 inhibitor组miR-21表达量显著降低,U87细胞活力下降,细胞凋亡率提高,PI3K、Bcl-2及p-AKT表达量下调,PTEN、PDCD4及Bax表达量上调,差异均具有统计学意义(p0.01)。miR-21inhibitor能显著的抑制U87细胞的增殖,与PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。     

PI3K抑制剂LY294002在HPV感染宫颈癌细胞的调节作用

高危型人乳头瘤病毒(Human papiloma virus,HPV)感染是宫颈癌的危险因素,HPV16是常见的高危型HPV,与宫颈癌的发病有关,但具体机制未明确.有临床研究报道,宫颈癌组织中HPV16感染与磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(AKT)表达增加有关,为了阐明PI3K/AKT信号通路及其抑制剂LY294002在HPV感染宫颈癌细胞增殖中的调控作用,本实验培养了 HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞株SiHa、HPV阴性的宫颈癌细胞株C33A、正常宫颈上皮细胞株H8,检测了 p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达水平;SiHa细胞分为对照组、50 μmol/L及100 μmol/L LY294002组,药物干预后检测细胞增殖活力A490值及p-PI3K、p-AKT、c-myc、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)的表达水平;皮下注射SiHa细胞建立移植瘤小鼠模型,分为对照组、25mg/kg、50mg/kg LY294002组,药物干预后取移植瘤称重.结果显示,SiHa细胞中p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达水平均高于C33A、H8细胞;50 μmol/L及100 μmol/L LY294002组 SiHa 细胞的 A490值及 p-PI3K、p-AKT、c-myc、bcl-2的表达水平均低于对照组;25 mg/kg、50 mg/kg LY294002组移植瘤小鼠的移植瘤质量均低于对照组(P＜0.05).以上结果表明HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞中PI3K/AKT信号通路过度激活具有促增殖作用.本实验阐明了 PI3K/AKT通路及其抑制剂LY294002在HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞增殖中的调控作用,PI3K/AKT通路的激活能够促进HPV16感染的宫颈癌细胞增殖及移植瘤的生长,使用信号通路抑制剂能够抑制细胞增殖及移植瘤生长,未来PI3K/AKT通路可能成为HPV16感染引起宫颈癌的防治靶点.     

miR-125b-5p对人血管瘤内皮细胞HemES增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制

目的: 研究miR-125b-5p 对人血管瘤内皮细胞HemECs增殖、凋亡的影响。方法: RT-qPCR检测人血管瘤内皮细胞HemECs及其旁系组织细胞中miR-125b-5p与MCL-1 mRNA的表达;选取HemECs细胞分为对照组、miR-NC组、miR-125b-5p mimic组、miR-125b-5p inhibitor组、pc-MCL-1组、miR-125b-5p+ pc-MCL-1组,每组设9复孔。将100 nmol · L^-1 的miR-NC、miR-125b-5p mimic、miR-125b-5p inhibitor 、pc-MCL-1质粒分别或联合转染进入HemECs细胞。MTT法检测HemECs细胞增殖;流式细胞术检测HemECs细胞凋亡; 双荧光素酶报告检测靶向关系;蛋白印迹法检测Ki67、PCNA、cleaved caspase-3、Bax、Bcl-2、p-p70s6k/ p70s6k、p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/ mTOR蛋白相对表达水平。结果: 通过比较miR-125b-5p在血管瘤组织和细胞中的表达水平,选择下调效果比较明显的HemECs细胞系进行后续实验。与对照组相比,miR-125b-5p mimic组HemECs细胞增殖及Ki67和PCNA表达明显减少(P＜0.01),细胞凋亡率及cleaved Caspase-3、Bax表达明显升高、Bcl-2表达明显降低(P＜0.01),p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/mTOR、p-p70S6K/p70S6K表达明显下调(P＜0.01);miR-125b-5p inhibitor组HemECs细胞增殖及Ki67和PCNA表达明显增加(P＜0.01),细胞凋亡率及cleaved Caspase-3、Bax表达明显降低、Bcl-2表达升高(P＜0.05,P＜ 0.01)。miR-125b-5p靶向下调MCL-1。与miR-125b-5p mimic组相比,miR-125b-5p+ pc-MCL-1组HemECs细胞增殖及Ki67和PCNA表达明显增加(P＜0.01),细胞凋亡率及cleaved Caspase-3、Bax表达明显降低、Bcl-2表达明显升高(P＜0.01), p-AKT/AKT、p-mTOR/mTOR、p-p70S6K/p70S6K表达明显上调(P＜0.01)。结论: miR-125b-5p抑制人血管瘤内皮细胞增殖、诱导细胞凋亡,其机制可能与靶向下调MCL-1表达,抑制AKT / mTOR通路激活等有关。     

microRNA-21在食管癌细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡中的作用

本研究检测了40例食管癌组织和40例癌旁组织中的miR-21、PTEN、PI3K和AKT表达,并通过转染miR-21抑制剂来敲低人食管癌细胞系EC9706的miR-21表达,考察了miR-21对食管癌细胞生长的影响。研究发现,食管癌组织中PTEN蛋白的阳性染色评分低于癌旁组织(p<0.05),而PI3K和AKT蛋白的阳性染色评分高于癌旁组织(p<0.05)。miR-21在人食管癌组织中被上调(3.56 vs 1.21,p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂导致PTEN蛋白表达升高,而PI3K和AKT蛋白表达降低(p<0.05)。转染miR-21抑制剂抑制了EC9706细胞的增殖和迁移,但促进了细胞凋亡(p<0.05)。miR-21的上调可通过激活PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路来促进食道癌细胞的增殖和迁移,并抑制细胞凋亡。     

宫颈癌组织miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与临床病理特征、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨宫颈癌组织微小核糖核酸（miRNA）-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与临床病理特征、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（PI3K/AKT/mTOR）信号通路和预后的关系。方法：选取2016年7月～2019年6月西安市中心医院收治的123例宫颈癌患者,采用定量聚合酶链式反应（qPCR）检测癌组织与癌旁组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p、PI3K信使RNA（mRNA）、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达。分析miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达的相关性及与临床病理特征的关系。采用K-M法绘制不同miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达宫颈癌患者生存曲线。结果：与癌旁组织比较,宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达降低,PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达升高（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达均呈负相关,PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达呈两两相关（P＜0.05）。miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与宫颈癌分化程度、国际妇产科联盟（FIGO）分期和淋巴结转移有关（P＜0.05）。随访3年,123例宫颈癌患者累积生存率为62.60%（77/123）。K-M生存曲线分析显示,miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p高表达组累积生存率分别高于miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p低表达组（P＜0.05）。结论：宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p低表达,与分化程度、FIGO分期、淋巴结转移、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路和预后有关。     

MT1过表达可通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路影响SKOV3细胞的增殖与凋亡

卵巢癌是一种常见的威胁女性健康的恶性肿瘤。然而卵巢癌的发生机制尚不清楚。该研究旨在探讨褪黑激素受体MT1在人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞中的作用及其主要机制。采用MT1-pcDNA3.1质粒(MT1组)与空载体pcDNA3.1(对照组)转染SKOV3细胞,未转染SKOV3细胞作为阴性对照组。转染48 h后,新鲜培养基培养24 h或48 h,观察细胞周期、增殖、凋亡情况,上清液检测褪黑激素表达。此外,在血清缺乏培养基培养细胞并转48 h后,更换新鲜培养基并加入4 μmol/L PF-04691502抑制剂孵化24 h。测定AKT蛋白水平、总mTOR蛋白水平和相应磷酸化蛋白水平。结果显示,与NC组相比,MT1组在细胞周期S期阻滞(P0.05),伴随增殖减少和早期凋亡(P0.05)。3组细胞上清液检测到褪黑激素分泌均随时间增加(P0.05)。Western blot分析显示,MT1过表达抑制了PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路的激活。该研究得出,SKOV3细胞有自行分泌褪黑激素的能力。MT1过表达可与内源性褪黑激素结合,抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路的激活,最终发挥抗癌作用。     

宫颈癌中高危型HPV感染与miR-362-3p、Nemo样激酶表达的相关性研究

高危型人乳头瘤病毒(High-risk human papillomavirus,HPV)感染是宫颈癌发病的重要因素,但高危型HPV感染引起宫颈上皮恶变的机制尚不清楚.微小RNA (micro RNA,miR)-362-3p是具有抑癌活性的miR,在宫颈癌中表达降低;Nemo样激酶(Nemo-like kinase,NLK)是生物信息学预测得到的miR-362-3p靶基因,在宫颈癌中表达增加.但宫颈癌发病过程中高危型HPV感染与miR-362-3p、NLK的关系尚不清楚.本研究检测了miR-362-3p、NLK在宫颈癌组织及宫颈癌细胞株中的变化,并通过转染miR-362-3p模拟物、NLK表达质粒的方式验证了miR-362-3p靶向NLK调节高危型HPV阳性宫颈癌细胞增殖的作用.结果 显示:与癌旁组织比较,宫颈癌组织中miR-362-3p的表达明显降低、NLK的表达明显增加且与高危型HPV阴性的宫颈癌组织比较,高危型HPV阳性的宫颈癌组织中miR-362-3p的表达明显降低、NLK的表达明显增加;与正常宫颈上皮细胞比较,HPV16感染的SiHa细胞、HPV18感染的HeLa细胞及HPV阴性的C33A细胞中miR-362-3p的表达明显降低、NLK的表达明显增加且SiHa细胞中miR-362-3p表达降低、NLK表达增加最明显;在SiHa细胞中,过表达miR-362-3p能够降低细胞活力及NLK的表达,同时也使NLK双荧光素酶报告基因的荧光活力降低;过表达NLK能够逆转miR-362-3p降低细胞活力及NLK表达的作用.以上结果表明宫颈癌中高危型HPV感染与miR-362-3p低表达、NLK高表达有关,过表达miR-362-3p通过靶向抑制NLK降低高危型HPV感染宫颈癌细胞的增殖活力.本研究的创新点在于初步探索了高危型HPV感染促进宫颈癌细胞增殖的作用及机制,在高危型HPV感染的宫颈癌中miR-362-3p表达减少并靶向引起NLK表达增加,进而促进了宫颈癌细胞的增殖,这为将来深入认识高危型HPV引起宫颈癌发病的机制提供依据.     

IGF-1 基因转染对脂肪间充质干细胞活性的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨携带IGF-1基因慢病毒转染脂肪间充质干细胞(ADMSCs)的可行性,对其引起的细胞凋亡机制做出初步研究,并讨论其与PI3K/Akt通路的关系。方法:分离培养ADMSCs,利用脂质体将携带IGF-1基因的慢病毒载体转染入ADMSCs。实验分为Blank组,Lv-non和Lv-IGF-1三组,转染后用MTT法测定各组细胞的生长情况并绘制生长曲线,流式细胞术测定各组细胞凋亡,Western blot测定各组中IGF-1、Akt、p-Akt及凋亡相关蛋白的表达。结果:成功分离、培养了大鼠脂肪间充质干细胞;携带IGF-1慢病毒载体转染ADMSCs后,流式细胞术检测发现Lv-non和Blank组凋亡率明显高于Lv-IGF-1组(P0.05)。同时发现Lv-IGF-1组中促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白和Bax的表达水平显著下调(P0.01),抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2显著上调(P0.01)。MTT法结果显示Lv-IGF-1能促进细胞生长,在5到6天时显著高于其他两组(P0.05)。通过检测PI3K/Akt通路发现,Lv-IGF-1组PI3K和p-Akt水平显著高于Blank和Lv-non组(P0.05),通路被激活。结论:携带IGF-1基因慢病毒载体成功转染ADMSCs。在ADMSCs中过表达IGF-1蛋白可以促进细胞生长,同时抑制细胞凋亡,其机制可能与PI3K/Akt通路蛋白磷酸化相关。     

Toll样受体4通过Akt/FoxO3a/Bim信号通路参与海马神经元凋亡

为了探讨海马神经元中是否有Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)介导的Akt/FoxO3a/Bim信号通路,及该通路在海马神经元凋亡中的作用和机制,本实验运用脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)作用于原代培养的大鼠海马神经元,利用不同的工具药,以减弱或加强TLR4/Akt/FoxO3a/Bim通路的作用。应用CCK-8法检测细胞活力,Western blot法检测神经元p-Akt(Ser473)、Akt、p-FoxO3a(Thr32)、FoxO3a、Bim、活化的Caspase-3蛋白的表达变化,real-time PCR法检测海马神经元Bim的mRNA表达变化,免疫荧光法观察FoxO3a核易位情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果显示:LPS作用于海马神经元不同时间后,各组细胞活力均下降(P0.05),且具有一定的时间依赖性;LPS作用后p-Akt(Ser473)、p-FoxO3a(Thr32)表达减少,FoxO3a易位进入胞核,而促凋亡蛋白Bim及活化的Caspase-3表达增加,且海马神经元的凋亡率也增加(P0.05);PI3K特异性抑制剂LY294002预处理后p-Akt(Ser473)、p-FoxO3a(Thr32)表达较LPS组降低,而促凋亡蛋白Bim及活化的Caspase-3表达升高,细胞凋亡率也明显升高(P0.05);TLR4抗体预处理后p-Akt(Ser473)、p-FoxO3a(Thr32)较LPS组增多,FoxO3a易位进入胞核的活动减弱,而促凋亡蛋白Bim、活化的Caspase-3及细胞的凋亡率均减少(P0.05)。以上结果表明,海马神经元中有TLR4介导的Akt/FoxO3a/Bim通路;神经元可通过该通路引起自身的凋亡。     

miR-20a靶向CCND1作用PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制皮肤鳞状细胞癌的发展

摘要 目的：探究miR-20a与CCND1蛋白在皮肤鳞状细胞癌（CSCC）中的作用关系,以及其可能涉及的信号通路分子机制。方法：分别收集皮肤鳞状细胞癌患者的皮肤癌组织及其邻近正常皮肤组织,采用qRT-PCR分析组织中miR-20a和CCND1基因表达水平。为探究miR-20a对CSCC细胞的影响,将SCL-1细胞分为对照组（不转染）、miR-NC组（转染miR-NC）和miR-20a mimics组（转染miR-20a mimics）;为探究CCND1与PI3K/AKT信号通路的关系,将SCL-1细胞分为对照组（不转染）、si-NC组（转染si-NC）和si-CCND1组（转染si-CCND1）;为探究miR-20a与CCND1间的作用关系及对CSCC细胞的影响,将SCL-1细胞分为miR-NC组（转染miR-NC）、miR-20a mimics组（转染miR-20a mimics）、mimics+pcDNA组（共转染miR-20a mimics和pcDNA）和mimics+CCND1组（共转染miR-20a mimics和pcDNA-CCND1）。采用Western blot分析p-AKT、AKT、p-PI3K、PI3K和GSK-3β蛋白表达水平;采用MTT检测细胞增殖情况;采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况;采用Transwell分析细胞迁移和侵袭情况;采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测分析miR-20a与CCND1的靶向关系。结果：CSCC癌组织和SCL-1中miR-20a均低表达,CCND1高表达。与对照组和miR-NC组比较,miR-20a mimics组SCL-1细胞增殖水平以及侵袭和迁移数量均降低（P<0.05）,SCL-1细胞凋亡水平升高（P<0.05）,PI3K和AKT蛋白磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。TargetScanHuman数据库分析和双荧光素酶报告基因检测结果显示miR-20a与CCND1存在靶向作用关系。与对照组和si-NC组比较,si-CCND1组SCL-1细胞中CCND1和GSK-3β蛋白表达水平以及PI3K和AKT蛋白磷酸化水平均降低（P<0.01）。与miR-20a mimics组或mimics+pcDNA组比较,mimics+CCND1组SCL-1细胞增殖水平以及侵袭和迁移数量均升高（P<0.05）,SCL-1细胞凋亡水平降低（P<0.05）,PI3K和AKT蛋白磷酸化水平均升高（P<0.05）。结论：过表达miR-20a可能通过靶向抑制CCND1的表达而抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路的激活,从而抑制CSCC细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移,并促进癌细胞凋亡。     

Retracted: MicroRNA-99b suppresses human cervical cancer cell activity by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Cervical cancer is common cancer among women with high morbidity. MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in the progression and development of cervical cancer. This study aimed to explore the effect of miR-99b-5p (miR-99b) on invasion and migration in cervical cancer through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. The microarray-based analysis was used to screen out differentially expressed miRNAs. Expression of miR-99b, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) was determined in both cervical cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues. Next, alteration of miR-99b expression in cervical cancer was conducted to evaluate levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, p70S6K matrix metallopeptidase 2, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, as well as the effect of miR-99b on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that miR-99b expression was decreased and levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and p70S6K were elevated in cervical cancer tissues. More important, overexpressed miR-99b repressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, blocked cell cycle entry, and promoted apoptosis in cervical cancer. These results indicate that miR-99b attenuates the migration and invasion of human cervical cancer cells through downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which provides a therapeutic approach for cervical cancer treatment.     

ABT-737 Induces Bim Expression via JNK Signaling Pathway and Its Effect on the Radiation Sensitivity of HeLa Cells

ABT-737 is a BH3 mimetic small molecule inhibitor that can effectively inhibit the activity of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins including Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w, and further enhances the effect of apoptosis by activating the proapoptotic proteins (t-Bid, Bad, Bim). In this study, we demonstrate that ABT-737 improved the radiation sensitivity of cervical cancer HeLa cells and thereby provoked cell apoptosis. Our results show that ABT-737 inhibited HeLa cell proliferation and activated JNK and its downstream target c-Jun, which caused the up-regulation of Bim expression. Blockade of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway resulted in significant down-regulation of ABT-737-induced Bim mRNA and protein expression level. Also, ABT-737 could evoke the Bim promoter activity, and enhance the radiation sensitivity of HeLa cells via JNK/c-Jun and Bim signaling pathway. Our data imply that combination of ABT-737 and conventional radiation therapy might represent a highly effective therapeutic approach for future treatment of cervical cancer.     

紫丁香苷调控PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的 研究紫丁香苷的抗乳腺癌作用及分子机制，为紫丁香苷的临床应用提供理论依据。方法 MTT检测紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用；台盼蓝、TUNEL和Annexin V-FITC/PI染色检测细胞的凋亡状况，Western bolt检测Caspase-3的活化情况，判断细胞凋亡是否发生；检测凋亡相关蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤2（Bcl-2）的表达，结合JC-1染色探讨紫丁香苷对线粒体凋亡途径的影响；运用PI3K激动剂Recilisib做对比，qRT-PCR和Western bolt检测紫丁香苷调控PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路诱导癌细胞凋亡的作用。结果 紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞的增殖具有时间和剂量依赖的抑制作用，能诱导癌细胞发生凋亡。进一步研究发现，紫丁香苷处理后，细胞内Caspase-3被激活，Bcl-2表达下降，线粒体膜电位明显丧失，PI3K、Akt和mTOR的mRNA与蛋白质水平表达无明显变化，但蛋白质磷酸化水平明显下降；Recilisib处理后部分抵消了紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞凋亡的作用。结论 紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231和MCF-7具有良好的抑制作用，其通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路的活化来抑制细胞增殖并诱导细胞发生线粒体途径的凋亡。紫丁香苷是具有开发潜力的抗乳腺癌药物。     

Retracted: Long noncoding RNA HAGLROS regulates apoptosis and autophagy in colorectal cancer cells via sponging miR-100 to target ATG5 expression

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the expression of HOXD antisense growth-associated long noncoding RNA (HAGLROS) and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the roles and regulatory mechanism of HAGLROS in CRC development. The HAGLROS expression in CRC tissues and cells was detected. The correlation between HAGLROS expression and survival time of CRC patients was investigated. Moreover, HAGLROS was overexpressed and suppressed in HCT-116 cells, followed by detection of cell viability, apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and autophagy markers. Furthermore, the association between HAGLROS and miR-100 and the potential targets of miR-100 were investigated. Besides, the regulatory relationship between HAGLROS and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was elucidated. The results showed that HAGLROS was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells. Highly expression of HAGLROS correlated with a shorter survival time of CRC patients. Moreover, knockdown of HAGLROS in HCT-116 cells induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-9, and inhibited autophagy by decreasing the expression of LC3II/LC3I and Beclin-1 and increasing P62 expression. Furthermore, HAGLROS negatively regulated the expression of miR-100, and HAGLROS controlled HCT-116 cell apoptosis and autophagy through negatively regulation of miR-100. Autophagy related 5 (ATG5) was verified as a functional target of miR-100 and miR-100 regulated HCT-116 cell apoptosis and autophagy through targeting ATG5. Besides, HAGLROS overexpression activated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway. In conclusion, a highly expression of HAGLROS correlated with shorter survival time of CRC patients. Downregulation of HAGLROS may induce apoptosis and inhibit autophagy in CRC cells by regulation of miR-100/ATG5 axis and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.     

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on pneumocyte apoptosis and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in lung ischemia/reperfusion injury

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on pneumocyte apoptosis and apoptosis-related protein, as well as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, I/R group and PNS group. The unilateral lung I/R model was replicated by obstruction of left lung hilus for 30 min and reperfusion for 120 min in vivo. The rats in PNS group were given intraperitoneal injection of PNS at 60 min before ischemia and 10 min before reperfusion. Some lung tissues sampled at the end of the experiment were assayed for wet/dry weight ratio (W/T). The expressions of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) and JNK protein were detected by Western blot. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 protein were detected by immunocytochemistry techniques. The pneumocyte apoptotic index (AI) was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidy1 transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The morphological and ultrastructure changes were observed under light microscope and electron microscope, and the injured alveolus rate (IAR) was counted as well. The results showed that compared to control group, I/R group showed increased expressions of p-JNK, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 protein (all P < 0.01), decreased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax (P < 0.05), and increased values of AI, W/T and IAR (all P < 0.01). Moreover, light microscope and electron microscope showed serious morphological and ultrastructure injury in I/R group. Compared to I/R group, PNS group showed markedly decreased expressions of p-JNK, Bax and Caspase-3 protein (all P < 0.01), increased expression of Bcl-2 protein and ratio of Bcl-2/Bax (both P < 0.01), and lower values of AI, W/T and IAR (all P < 0.01). Meanwhile, light morphological and ultrastructure injury was found to be alleviated in PNS group. These results suggest that PNS can protect lung tissue from I/R injury, and the mechanism may correlate with suppressing JNK signal pathway, up-regulating the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax which results in inhibition of Caspase-3 dependent apoptosis.     

p38 MAP kinase mediates apoptosis through phosphorylation of BimEL at Ser-65

The stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (p38) regulate apoptosis induced by several forms of cellular insults. Potential targets for these kinases include members of the Bcl-2 family proteins, which mediate apoptosis generated through the mitochondria-initiated, intrinsic cell death pathway. Indeed, the activities of several Bcl-2 family proteins, both pro- and anti-apoptotic, are controlled by JNK phosphorylation. For example, the pro-apoptotic activity of Bim(EL), a member of the Bcl-2 family, is stimulated by JNK phosphorylation at Ser-65. In contrast, there is no reported evidence that p38-induced apoptosis is due to direct phosphorylation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Here we report evidence that sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells may be due to direct phosphorylation of Bim(EL) at Ser-65 by p38. This conclusion is supported by data showing that ectopic expression of a wild type, but not a non-phosphorylatable S65A mutant of Bim(EL), potentiates sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis and by experiments showing direct phosphorylation of Bim(EL) at Ser-65 by p38 in vitro. Furthermore, sodium arsenite induced Bim(EL) phosphorylation at Ser-65, which was blocked by p38 inhibition. This study provides the first example whereby p38 induces apoptosis by phosphorylating a member of the Bcl-2 family and illustrates that phosphorylation of Bim(EL) on Ser-65 may be a common regulatory point for cell death induced by both JNK and p38 pathways.     

Polyphyllin VII Induces an Autophagic Cell Death by Activation of the JNK Pathway and Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in HepG2 Cells

Polyphyllin VII (PP7), a pennogenyl saponin isolated from Rhizoma Paridis, exhibited strong anticancer activities in various cancer types. Previous studies found that PP7 induced apoptotic cell death in human hepatoblastoma cancer (HepG2) cells. In the present study, we investigated whether PP7 could induce autophagy and its role in PP7-induced cell death, and elucidated its mechanisms. PP7 induced a robust autophagy in HepG2 cells as demonstrated by the conversion of LC3B-I to LC3B-II, degradation of P62, formation of punctate LC3-positive structures, and autophagic vacuoles tested by western blot analysis or InCell 2000 confocal microscope. Inhibition of autophagy by treating cells with autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine) abolished the cell death caused by PP7, indicating that PP7 induced an autophagic cell death in HepG2 cells. C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was activated after treatment with PP7 and pretreatment with SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, reversed PP7-induced autophagy and cell death, suggesting that JNK plays a critical role in autophagy caused by PP7. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that PP7 increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and Bcl-2, and inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT and mTOR, suggesting their roles in the PP7-induced autophagy. This is the first report that PP7 induces an autophagic cell death in HepG2 cells via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and activation of JNK pathway, which induces phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and dissociation of Beclin-1 from Beclin-1/Bcl-2 complex, leading to induction of autophagy.