RNA干扰Mcl-1基因表达对淋巴瘤Raji细胞增殖和凋亡的机制研究

目的:探讨抑制Mcl-1基因表达对淋巴瘤Raji细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及机制。方法:NC-siRNA、Mcl-1-siRNA转染Raji细胞,以不作任何处理的细胞作为空白对照组,48h后Western blot检测各组细胞中Mcl-1的蛋白表达;CCK8实验和流式细胞仪分别检测细胞的增殖和凋亡情况;Western blot检测Cleaved caspase3、Notch1、Hes1蛋白表达。结果:转染Mcl-1-siRNA后Mcl-1的蛋白表达显著降低;与对照组及NC-siRNA组比较,Mcl-1-siRNA组细胞存活率显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著升高,Cleaved caspase3蛋白显著上调表达,Notch1和Hes1蛋白显著下调表达。结论:RNA干扰抑制Mcl-1基因表达可显著降低Raji细胞增殖及诱导细胞凋亡,其机制与抑制Notch1信号通路有关。     

黄连素预处理对6-羟基多巴胺所致PC12细胞损伤的影响

目的:观察黄连素(Berberine,BBR)预处理对6-羟基多巴胺(6-hydroxydopamine,6-OHDA)诱导的PC12细胞的影响,并探讨二型超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD,SOD2)是否介导了BBR的保护作用。方法:将PC12细胞分为5组,分别为正常培养的对照组(Control)、25μM的6-OHDA损伤组、1μM的BBR预处理24 h组(BBR+6-OHDA)、SOD2-siRNA干扰组(SOD2-siRNA+BBR+6-OHDA)和乱序siRNA处理组(SC-siRNA+BBR+6-OHDA),孵育24 h后,采用噻唑蓝法(Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide,MTT)检测细胞活力,试剂盒检测培养基乳酸脱氢酶(Lactic Dehydrogenase,LDH)、细胞内活性氧(Reactive Oxygen Species,ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(Glutathione,GSH)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)的含量,使用流式细胞仪检测凋亡率,Western blot检测SOD2和凋亡蛋白Cleaved caspase-3的表达。结果:与Control组相比,6-OHDA诱导PC12细胞24 h后,细胞活力显著降低,SOD2表达、GSH和CAT的含量明显减少,培养基上清液LDH活力、细胞凋亡率、Cleaved caspase-3表达和ROS水平显著增加(P<0.05),而BBR预处理可显著恢复6-OHDA诱导的PC12细胞活力、SOD2表达、GSH和CAT水平,并降低细胞凋亡率、凋亡蛋白表达和细胞ROS水平(P<0.05),而SOD2-siRNA显著逆转了BBR预处理产生的上述保护作用(P<0.05),SC-siRNA则未对BBR预处理产生的上述作用造成明显影响(P>0.05)。结论:黄连素预处理可减轻6-OHDA诱导的PC12细胞损伤,而SOD2分子介导了BBR预处理对暴露于6-OHDA的PC12细胞的保护作用。     

RNA干扰c-maf基因表达对多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨RNA干扰c-maf基因表达对多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡的影响及机制。方法:将人骨髓瘤细胞株NCI-H929分为正常对照组、转染si RNA Control的阴性对照组和转染si RNA c-maf基因的沉默组,转染48 h后,提取细胞中的蛋白,Western blot检测各组细胞中c-maf的蛋白表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Cleaved caspase3及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白β-catenin和Cyclin D1蛋白表达。结果:阴性对照组c-maf的蛋白表达与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),沉默组c-maf的蛋白表达显著低于正常对照组(P0.01),而阴性对照组c-maf的蛋白表达与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与阴性对照组比较,沉默组的细胞凋亡率显著升高,Cleaved caspase3蛋白显著上调表达,β-catenin和Cyclin D1蛋白显著下调表达(P0.01)。结论:RNA干扰c-maf基因表达可诱导多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路有关。     

无花果叶超声提取物体外诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡

为探讨新鲜无花果叶超声提取物(fig leaf extract,FLE)对体外培养的人肝癌细胞株HepG2增殖和凋亡的影响,用不同浓度FLE处理肝癌HepG2细胞.采用细胞形态学观察、细胞活力测定(MTT法)来评价FLE对HepG2细胞体外增殖的影响,应用凋亡相关蛋白caspase3和p53免疫组织化学法及流式细胞术的膜联蛋白V/碘化丙啶法(Annexin V/PI法)来检测细胞凋亡情况.形态学观察发现FLE处理24 h细胞出现明显凋亡,细胞增殖活力显著降低(P0.05或P0.01),流式细胞仪检测到FLE处理12 h所有剂量组细胞平均凋亡率均高于对照组(P0.05或P0.01),免疫组化结果显示caspase3表达增强(P0.05,P0.01),p53蛋白表达减弱(P0.05),以上作用效果呈现剂量依赖性.以上结果说明无花果叶提取物能够通过激活caspase3和p53诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡从而抑制其体外的生长与增殖.     

澳洲茄碱诱导胆管癌QBC939细胞凋亡及作用机制

研究澳洲茄碱对人胆管癌上皮细胞系QBC939凋亡的诱导与作用机制。采用MTT法检测不同浓度澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞的增殖抑制作用;流式细胞术检测澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞的凋亡诱导情况;Western blot检测澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞中凋亡相关蛋白(Bax、Bcl-2、caspase3、caspase7、PARP、cleaved PARP)的表达影响。结果发现澳洲茄碱以浓度依赖方式能够抑制QBC939细胞的增殖;澳洲茄碱能够显著诱导QBC939细胞的凋亡;澳洲茄碱可以上调Bax、caspase3、caspase7和cleaved PARP蛋白表达,下调Bcl-2和PARP蛋白表达。表明澳洲茄碱能够通过改变凋亡相关蛋白表达,诱导胆管癌QBC939细胞的凋亡,这对于研发和治疗胆管癌相关药物具有一定的潜在价值。     

硫利达嗪通过线粒体应激信号通路诱导肺腺癌细胞发生免疫原性死亡

硫利达嗪作为吩噻嗪类抗精神病类药物,具有诱导肿瘤发生免疫原性死亡(ICD)、激活特异性免疫反应的潜力。本研究利用A549和H1299细胞探讨了硫利达嗪诱导肺腺癌细胞免疫原性死亡及其分子机制。将不同浓度的硫利达嗪与A549和H1299细胞共孵育24 h后,利用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞的存活及生长情况,利用流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡率,利用ATP检测试剂盒检测细胞上清中的ATP含量,利用免疫荧光法检测细胞表面钙网蛋白(CRT)的表达,利用蛋白质印迹(Western blot)法检测凋亡相关蛋白裂解的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3(Cleaved caspase 3)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、细胞色素C(Cyt C)的表达水平。结果表明,硫利达嗪能够显著抑制A549和H1299细胞的增殖,促进细胞凋亡,细胞增殖抑制及凋亡呈浓度依赖性。ATP分泌量增加及细胞表面CRT的表达水平上调,表明上述细胞发生了免疫原性死亡。而Bcl-2表达水平下降,Bax和Cyt C以及Cleaved caspase 3表达水平上调,进一步证明了硫利达嗪可诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。上述结果表明,硫利达嗪可通过线粒体应激信号通路诱导肺腺癌细胞发生免疫原性死亡,从而抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖。     

短链脂肪酸作用下伤寒沙门菌诱导巨噬细胞凋亡机制的探讨

目的了解短链脂肪酸(SCFA)作用伤寒沙门菌诱导巨噬细胞凋亡机制。方法将SCFA作用伤寒沙门菌感染巨噬细胞8 h后,检测TNF-α、caspase3、caspase8、caspase9及NO的产生量,同时检测加入caspase3、caspase8、caspase9抑制剂和TNF-α抗体后的细胞凋亡率。结果作用8 h后caspase3、caspase8及NO、TNF-α的产生量均高于对照组(P0.01)。caspase3、caspase8抑制剂和TNF-α抗体均能不同程度抑制SCFA作用伤寒沙门菌诱导的巨噬细胞凋亡(P0.01)。结论 SCFA作用伤寒沙门菌诱导巨噬细胞凋亡可以通过NO及TNF-α介导,caspase3和caspase8参与的外源性凋亡途迳。     

自噬在TXNIP过表达诱导的INS-1胰岛细胞凋亡中的作用

硫氧还蛋白相互作用蛋白(thioredoxin interacting protein,TXNIP)是内源性硫氧还蛋白结合抑制蛋白,在糖尿病患者血清和组织中均高表达。本研究观察TXNIP过表达对正常糖脂浓度下培养的INS-1细胞自噬水平的影响,并分析自噬在TXNIP诱导的细胞凋亡中的作用。常规培养的INS-1胰岛细胞分为正常培养组、空病毒(Ad-eGFP)组和TXNIP过表达(Ad-TXNIP-eGFP)组,后两组转染相应腺病毒,48 h后测定TXNIP mRNA和蛋白的表达情况;用Western blot检测各组自噬相关的Beclin-1、LC3和P62的蛋白表达情况,以cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3比值和流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡情况;用IF/ICC法检测各组细胞内自噬体数量的变化。结果显示,与Ad-eGFP组相比,Ad-TXNIP-eGFP组TXNIP mRNA和蛋白表达量均明显升高;与Ad-eGFP组相比,Ad-TXNIP-eGFP组LC3-II/LC3-I比值和Beclin-1蛋白表达水平升高,P62蛋白表达降低,自噬体荧光强度增强,细胞凋亡率升高,cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3比值上升。使用自噬抑制剂3-MA干预后,与TXNIP过表达组相比,TXNIP过表达+3-MA组自噬明显受到抑制,同时凋亡明显减轻。以上结果提示,在正常糖脂浓度培养下的INS-1细胞过表达TXNIP可以通过诱导自噬促进细胞凋亡。     

SOD2在姜黄素减轻氧糖剥夺所致神经元损伤中的作用

目的:探讨二型超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD,SOD2)是否介导了姜黄素(Curcumin,Cur)对氧糖剥夺模型(Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation,OGD)损伤神经元的保护作用。方法:本研究采用HT22神经元细胞暴露于OGD环境中3 h模拟神经元缺血缺氧损伤,SOD2-si RNA抑制神经元SOD2蛋白表达后,通过噻唑蓝法(Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide,MTT)检测细胞活力,比色法测量培养基乳酸脱氢酶(Lactic Dehydrogenase LDH)水平,流式细胞仪计算细胞凋亡率,Western blot测定凋亡蛋白Cleaved Caspase-3表达,并观察细胞形态和线粒体功能。结果:与正常培养的Control组相比,OGD组细胞活力显著降低,LDH释放明显增加,细胞凋亡率和Cleaved Caspase-3表达显著上升,细胞形态破坏并降低线粒体膜电位(MMP)和线粒体复合物1(Mitochondrial Complex 1 Activity)的活力(P0.05),100 ng/ml的Cur可显著减轻OGD诱导的神经元细胞的上述损伤性改变(P0.05)。而SOD2-si RNA显著逆转Cur对OGD诱导的神经元细胞损伤的保护作用(P0.05),SC-si RNA则未对Cur产生的神经保护作用造成显著干扰(P0.05)。结论:Cur可能通过上调SOD2的表达,减轻OGD对神经元细胞的损伤。     

水飞蓟宾诱导肺腺癌Anip973 细胞凋亡的分子机制研究

目的:探讨水飞蓟宾诱导肺腺癌Anip973细胞系细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法:采用MTT法、倒置显微镜和电子显微镜等形态学检测以及流式细胞仪(FCM)技术检测、DNALadder分析、凋亡分子PARP的表达检测细胞凋亡,同时进行凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3和caspase-9表达活性分析。结果:(1)水飞蓟宾对人肺腺癌Anip973细胞系细胞的增殖有显著抑制作用;(2)水飞蓟宾作用Anip973细胞48h后,随着浓度的增加,倒置显微镜下可见细胞数目减少,胞体变小、变圆,到高浓度时出现较多的死亡细胞;(3)扫描电镜观察发现,随着水飞蓟宾作用浓度的增加,Anip973细胞中出现增多的凋亡细胞,凋亡细胞表现出典型的超微结构特征;(4)流式细胞仪检测的结果发现,随着药物作用时间的延长,Anip973细胞的G1期细胞比例增多,S期细胞明显减少,G2期细胞略有减少,并出现明显的凋亡峰。(5)水飞蓟宾作用后的Anip973细胞出现明显的DNALadder和PARP降解增加等凋亡特征;(6)水飞蓟宾作用后,Anip973细胞中的凋亡相关蛋白Bax表达增加、caspase-3和caspase-9酶活性增加,而Bcl-2表达降低。结论:水飞蓟宾在体外有抑制人肺腺癌细胞Anip973的增殖作用,并通过激活线粒体依赖的caspase凋亡通路,诱导其凋亡。     

Protective effects of intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by 6-formylpterin on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptotic cell injury in cultured rat hepatocytes

The effects of 6-formylpterin on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced apoptotic cell injury were studied in cultured rat hepatocytes. The incubation of the hepatocytes with TNF-alpha and actinomycin D (ActD) induced the apoptotic cell injury. The level of aspartate transaminase (AST) in the culture supernatant increased, and the cell viability, estimated by mitochondrial respiration (MTT assay), decreased. The DNA fragmentation and the caspase 3-like activity, which are characterized to apoptosis, increased. When the hepatocytes were incubated with 100-500 microM 6-formylpterin, the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed, and the ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) of whole cell lysate decreased. The co-incubation of the TNF-alpha/ActD-treated hepatocytes with 100-500 microM 6-formylpterin attenuated the TNF-alpha/ActD-induced apoptotic cell injury. The level of AST decreased and the cell viability increased. Both the DNA fragmentation and the caspase 3-like activity decreased. The caspases, executors of apoptosis, are known to require a reduced cystein in their active site to function, and the intact intracellular GSH/GSSG is essential for the caspase activation. Therefore, our findings suggest that intracellular ROS generated by 6-formylpterin decline the intracellular redox state to an oxidant state, which suppresses the caspase activity and prevents the apoptotic cell injury of hepatocytes.     

Quercetin protected against isoniazide‐induced HepG2 cell apoptosis by activating the SIRT1/ERK pathway

Isoniazid (INH) is one of the most commonly used antituberculosis drugs, but its clinical applications have been limited by severe hepatic toxicity. Quercetin (Que), a natural flavonoid, has been proved to have many medicinal properties. This study aimed to clarify the possible protective effects of Que against INH‐induced hepatotoxicity using HepG2 cells. Our results indicated that Que significantly increased cell viability, superoxide dismutase, and GSH levels, while decreased alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels. Besides, Que significantly abrogated INH‐induced cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression levels of Bcl‐2 and decreasing the levels of Bax, cleaved caspase‐3, and cleaved caspase‐9. Furthermore, Que obviously reversed the inhibition of INH on Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Next, the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 blocked the enhancement of Que upon ERK phosphorylation. Notably, EX527 partially abolished the beneficial effects of Que. In brief, our results provided the first evidence that Que protected against INH‐induced HepG2 cells by regulating the SIRT1/ERK pathway.     

Role of caspase‐9 in the effector caspases and genome expressions,and growth of bovine skeletal myoblasts

Caspase‐9 has been reported as the key regulator of apoptosis, however, its role in skeletal myoblast development and molecular involvements during cell growth still remains unknown. The current study aimed to present the key role of caspase‐9 in the expressions of apoptotic caspases and genome, and cell viability during myoblast growth using RNA interference mediated silencing. Three small interference RNA sequences (siRNAs) targeting caspase‐9 gene was designed and ligated into pSilencer plasmid vector to construct shRNA expression constructs. Cells were transfected with the constructs for 48 h. Results indicated that all three siRNAs could silence the caspase‐9 mRNA expression significantly. Particularly, the mRNA expression level of caspase‐9 in the cells transfected by shRNA1, shRNA2 and shRNA3 constructs were reduced by 37.85%, 68.20% and 58.14%, respectively. Suppression of caspase‐9 led to the significant increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of effector caspase‐3, whereas the reduction in mRNA and protein expressions of caspase‐7. The microarray results showed that the suppression of caspase‐9 resulted in significant upregulations of cell proliferation‐, adhesion‐, growth‐, development‐ and division‐regulating genes, whereas the reduction in the expressions of cell death program‐ and stress response‐regulating genes. Furthermore, cell viability was significantly increased following the transfection. These data suggest that caspase‐9 could play an important role in the control of cell growth, and knockdown of caspase‐9 may have genuine potential in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy.     

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.     

Osteoblastic MG-63 cell differentiation, contraction, and mRNA expression in stress-relaxed 3D collagen I gels

The present study was designed to evaluate the apoptotic efficacy of selenium (Se) under glutathione-deprived conditions. Testicular cells were used as a model to assess the above. For the study, cells were maintained for 4 h under various treatments; control (media only), selenium (0.5 microM and 1.5 microM), BSO (20 nM), selenium + BSO (0.5 microM Se + 20 nM BSO and 1.5 microM Se + 20 nM BSO). The treated cells were harvested for various estimations viz. viability, GSH, GSSG, redox ratio, ROS generation and integrity of DNA. mRNA was extracted for RT-PCR analysis of JNK, p38, caspase 3 and Bcl-2. It was observed that the cell viability decreased concomitant with the decrease in GSH levels, increase in GSSG levels and increase in the generation of ROS in the combined treatment group in comparison to control and individual treatments. Also, there was an increase in the mRNA expression of JNK and p38 MAPK along with an increase in caspase 3 expression and decrease in Bcl-2 expression. The integrity of DNA was also found to be altered in the combined treatment. Thus, the results presented in this work agree with those earlier reports in a notion that sodium selenite causes apoptosis and the toxicity of selenite is mediated by increase of intracellular ROS. Also, reduction in endogenous GSH along with selenite treatment is associated with increased apoptosis, increased expression of p38 and JNK MAPK, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increase in caspase-3 expression. Our data indicates that GSH participates in apoptosis in testicular cells and that depletion of this molecule may be critical in predisposing these cells to apoptotic cell death.     

EPA plays multiple roles in regulating lipid accumulation of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella adipose tissue in vitro and in vivo

This study was conducted to assess the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3, EPA) on lipid accumulation in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella adipose tissue both in vitro and in vivo. EPA was observed to inhibit the adipocyte viability in a time and dose‐dependent manner. EPA was also found to induce reactive oxygen species accumulation in vitro. The mRNA levels of caspase 3a and caspase 3b, as well as the activity of Caspase 3 increased significantly in vitro and in vivo, whereas the value of B cell leukemia 2–Bcl‐2 associated X protein decreased significantly. Besides, the pro‐apoptotic effect was relieved by α‐tocopherol. Dietary 0.52% EPA had no apparent effect on intraperitoneal fat index. Moreover, EPA promoted the hydrolytic gene expressions in vitro and in vivo, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone sensitive lipase‐a. Meanwhile, the lipogenic gene expressions of liver X receptor α, sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c and fatty‐acid synthase were down‐regulated by EPA in vitro and in vivo. However, EPA also acted to promote the marker gene expressions of adipogenesis, including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ and lipoprotein lipase in vitro and in vivo. Contents of EPA increased significantly in the treatment groups in vitro and in vivo. These results support that EPA affects multiple aspects of lipid metabolism, including hydrolysis, lipogenesis, adipogenesis and apoptosis. However, it barely functioned in decreasing the lipid accumulation of Ctenopharyngodon idella under the current culture conditions.     

Metabolic aspects of aspirin-induced apoptosis in yeast

We have previously shown that aspirin induces apoptosis in manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells cultivated in ethanol medium, and that it exhibits a significant antioxidant effect until the onset of overt apoptosis. We here report that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in these cells is not inhibited by aspirin. However, the reducing power, as measured by the NADPH/NADP(+) concentration ratio, is significantly lower than in wild-type cells. With aspirin, the levels of NADPH, NADP(+) and catalase in MnSOD-deficient cells decrease significantly after 72 h of cultivation, without significant decrease of the NADPH/NADP(+) ratio. This ratio is higher when the cells are grown in glycerol or acetate medium. This seems to prevent loss in viability and induction of apoptosis on treatment with aspirin. Additionally, the glutathione (GSH) level is maintained, but the level of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increases, leading to a significant decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio in aspirin-treated cells. This decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio is much less in cells grown in glycerol medium, while there is an increase in the GSH/GSSG ratio of cells grown in acetate medium. Consequently, the decreased reducing power may be linked to apoptotic induction by aspirin. This occurs independently of the level of reactive oxygen species which, as shown in our previous studies, do not play a primary role in the apoptosis of cells exposed to aspirin. The protective effect of MnSOD appears to be related to the cellular reducing power.     

NK4 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cells

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of synovial cells. NK4 is a hepatocyte growth factor antagonist and is implicated in cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis of many tumour cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NK4 in the regulation of human RA synovial cell proliferation and apoptosis. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) isolated from RA patients and MH7A synovial cells were subjected to MTT, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. We found that NK4 suppressed cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis in RA synovial cells. Furthermore, NK4 altered the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins such as cyclin D1, cyclin B1, PCNA, p21, p53, Bcl‐2, Bax, cleaved caspase‐9, and cleaved caspase‐3. Additionally, NK4 reduced the phosphorylation level of NF‐κB p65 and upregulated the expression of sirt1, but did not change the levels of p38 and p‐p38 in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. In conclusion, NK4 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human RA synovial cells. NK4 is a promising therapeutic target for RA. We demonstrated that NK4 inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and arresting cell cycle in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. The apoptotic effects of NK4 may be mediated in part by decreasing Bcl‐2 protein level, increasing Bax and caspase 3 protein levels, and inhibiting NF‐κB signalling in RA‐FLS and MH7A cells. These findings reveal potential mechanism underlying the role of NK4 in RA synovial cells and suggest that NK4 is a promising agent for RA treatment.     

Stimulation of colonic mucosal growth associated with oxidized redox status in rats

Limited data in animal models suggest that colonic mucosa undergoes adaptive growth following massive small bowel resection (SBR). In vitro data suggest that intestinal cell growth is regulated by reactive oxygen species and redox couples [e.g., glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) redox]. We investigated the effects of SBR and alterations in redox on colonic growth indexes in rats after either small bowel transection (TX) or 80% midjejunoileal resection (RX). Rats were pair fed +/- blockade of endogenous GSH synthesis with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Indexes of colonic growth, proliferation, and apoptosis and GSH/GSSG and Cys/CySS redox potentials (E(h)) were determined. RX significantly increased colonic crypt depth, number of cells per crypt, and epithelial cell proliferation [crypt cell bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation]. Administration of BSO markedly decreased colonic mucosal GSH, GSSG, and Cys concentrations in both TX and RX groups, with a resultant oxidation of GSH/GSSG and Cys/CySS E(h). BSO did not alter colonic crypt cell apoptosis but significantly increased all colonic mucosal growth indexes (crypt depth, cells/crypt, and BrdU incorporation) in both TX and RX groups in a time- and dose-dependent manner. BSO significantly decreased plasma GSH and GSSG, oxidized GSH/GSSG E(h), and increased plasma Cys and CySS concentrations. Collectively, these data provide in vivo evidence indicating that oxidized colonic mucosal redox status stimulates colonic mucosal growth in rats. The data also suggest that GSH is required to maintain normal colonic and plasma Cys/CySS homeostasis in these animal models.