Spautin-1通过抑制自噬可增强舒尼替尼诱导的肾癌细胞凋亡

目的:研究spautin-1(一种自噬抑制剂)是否能抑制舒尼替尼诱导的肾癌细胞的自噬以及对舒尼替尼诱导的肾癌细胞凋亡的影响。方法:以肾癌细胞系786-O细胞为模型,Western Blot检测spautin-1对舒尼替尼诱导786-O细胞自噬的影响;Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)检测spautin-1和舒尼替尼对786-O细胞增殖的影响;应用流式细胞术,检测spautin-1对舒尼替尼诱导的786-O细胞凋亡的影响;Western Blot检测spautin-1的促凋亡作用与PI3K/AKT/GSK3β信号通路及抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Mcl-1的关系。结果:与舒尼替尼单独处理组相比,spautin-1能通过降低Beclin-1的表达显著抑制舒尼替尼在786-O细胞中诱导的自噬;Spautin-1和舒尼替尼联合作用明显增强舒尼替尼对786-O细胞增殖的抑制作用;Spautin-1能进一步增强舒尼替尼诱导的786-O细胞的凋亡;Spautin-1和舒尼替尼联合处理786-O细胞时,可以显著降低p-AKTSer473和p-GSK3βSer9的蛋白表达水平,增强GSK3β的活性,进而下调Bcl-2、Mcl-1的表达。结论:Spautin-1能通过抑制AKT活性并活化GSK3β,进一步降低抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2、Mcl-1的表达,增强舒尼替尼诱导的肾癌细胞凋亡。     

阿帕替尼对人肝癌细胞增殖及凋亡的作用机制研究

目的:探讨阿帕替尼抑制肝癌细胞增殖促进凋亡的作用机制。方法:选取肝癌细胞系SNU739、HepG2,以CCK-8细胞增殖实验、平板克隆实验测定阿帕替尼对肝癌细胞增殖及克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞术检测阿帕替尼对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响;蛋白免疫印迹法检测阿帕替尼影响肝癌细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2及Caspase3的表达情况。结果:与对照组相比,阿帕替尼可显著抑制肝癌细胞增殖(P0.05)。平板克隆实验提示与对照组相比,10μM和20μM阿帕替尼组肝癌细胞克隆数明显减少(P0.05)。流式细胞术结果提示10μM和20μM阿帕替尼处理组细胞凋亡率明显增加(P0.05)。蛋白免疫印迹法结果显示经阿帕替尼处理的肝癌细胞,促凋亡蛋白Bax及Caspase3的活性片段Cleaved-caspase3表达水平显著上调,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2显著下调(P0.01)。结论:阿帕替尼通过调节肝癌细胞凋亡相关蛋白从而抑制肝癌细胞增殖、促进其凋亡。     

PFKFB3参与了11'-deoxyverticillin A(C42)诱导的HeLa细胞自噬和凋亡

摘要:【目的】明确糖酵解调节基因PFKFB3参与11-脱氧轮枝菌素A(11'-deoxyverticillin A,C42)诱导HeLa细胞自噬和凋亡中的作用。【方法】利用电镜、荧光显微镜、蛋白免疫杂交、转染、MTS 活性检测、siRNA干扰、定量RT-PCR等对C42处理的HeLa 细胞自噬和凋亡情况进行了检测。【结果】C42能够引起HeLa细胞不同的死亡。敲降自噬关键基因BECN1或LC3后,明显增加PARP-1的切割和促进C42引起的细胞活性丢失。尽管高浓度C42能更明显地抑制细胞增殖,但却不能增加细胞的自噬流;C42促进的自噬能被糖酵解调节基因PFKFB3的抑制剂所降低;而过量表达糖酵解调节基因PFKFB3能促进细胞自噬。【结论】糖酵解调节基因PFKFB3直接参与了C42诱导的HeLa细胞自噬,这种自噬的发生抑制了其诱导的细胞凋亡。     

磷酸腺苷激活的蛋白激酶(AMPK)参与了曲格列酮诱导的HeLa细胞自噬和凋亡

【目的】明确磷酸腺苷激活的蛋白激酶(AMPK)在细胞自噬和凋亡中的作用。【方法】利用电镜、荧光显微镜、蛋白免疫杂交、siRNA干扰、流式细胞计数、MTS细胞活性检测等对曲格列酮(troglitazone,TZ)处理的HeLa细胞自噬和凋亡情况进行了检测。【结果】不同检测方法均表明TZ增加了HeLa细胞的自噬,这种自噬的发生伴随着AMPK的磷酸化的降低;抑制AMPK增加基础细胞自噬,而阻断了TZ引起的自噬标记物LC3-II的增加,同时也减少了TZ引起的凋亡分子PARP的切割;用自噬抑制剂3-MA和干扰细胞自噬基因,不仅PARP的切割明显地受到抑制,而且也部分阻断了TZ引起的细胞活性丧失。【结论】AMPK直接参与了TZ引起的HeLa细胞自噬过程,这种自噬发生促进了其诱导的细胞凋亡。     

肿瘤相关巨噬细胞对肾透明细胞癌增殖作用及其分子机制的影响

目的:探讨肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(Tumor Associated Macrophages, TAMs)对肾透明细胞癌的增殖影响及其分子机制。方法:将单核细胞系(THP-1)细胞诱导为TAMs,同时采用细胞共培养方法将TAMs和肾透明细胞癌ACHN共培养,共培养前后舒尼替尼给药处理;CCK-8和克隆形成实验检测共培养前后ACHN细胞增殖能力;TAMs和ACHN细胞共培养,采用皮下接种方法建立裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,舒尼替尼给药处理,观察裸鼠皮下成瘤能力及肿瘤体积大小;Western Blot检测共培养前后磷酸肌醇依赖性蛋白激酶1 (Phosphoinositol Dependent Protein Kinase 1,PDPK1)介导磷酸甘油酸激酶1(Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1, PKG1)的磷酸化作用的影响。结果:显微镜观察结果显示肿瘤相关巨噬细胞促进了ACHN细胞增殖作,而舒尼替尼可以抑制其促增殖作用;CCK-8和克隆形成实验表明TAMs促进了ACHN克隆形成能力,但是其克隆形成能力可以被舒尼替尼抑制;动物实验证明TAMs促进裸鼠皮下成瘤能力和移植瘤的成长;肿瘤相关巨噬细胞可以通过分泌IL-6促进PDPK1介导PKG1的磷酸化。结论:肿瘤相关巨噬细胞通过分泌IL-6促进PDPK1介导PKG1的磷酸化作用,从而促进了肾透明细胞癌的增殖作用。     

曲古抑菌素A对慢性髓细胞白血病细胞增殖与凋亡的作用及机制研究

该文研究了去乙酰化酶抑制剂曲古抑菌素A(trichostatin A,TSA)对慢性髓细胞白血病(chronic myeloid leukemia,CML)细胞株K562及K562/G01增殖和凋亡的影响及机制。采用不同浓度TSA处理K562及K562/G01细胞,CCK8和克隆形成实验检测细胞增殖能力;流式细胞术、蛋白印迹法和DAPI染色检测细胞凋亡;蛋白印迹法检测细胞自噬相关蛋白及BCR-ABL/STAT5/c-Myc信号轴蛋白水平。结果显示,TSA显著抑制K562及K562/G01细胞的增殖;明显促进K562及K562/G01细胞的凋亡;TSA与伊马替尼(imatinib,IM)联用可更有效地杀伤CML细胞。TSA可抑制BCR-ABL/STAT5/c-Myc信号轴,降低c-Myc蛋白水平;增强CML细胞自噬,自噬抑制剂氯喹(chloroquine,CQ)可部分回复TSA引起的凋亡。综上,TSA通过抑制STAT5信号通路,降低c-Myc蛋白水平,抑制CML细胞增殖;增强CML细胞自噬,促进其凋亡。     

PNN促进肾癌的发展并抑制舒尼替尼诱导的细胞凋亡（英文）

桥粒相关蛋白与肿瘤的关系是目前的研究热点之一。传统观点认为,桥粒相关蛋白PNN(pinin)能够促进上皮细胞间的黏附和RNA的选择性剪接;而新近研究发现,PNN在肝癌、乳腺癌等肿瘤的发生发展中扮演着重要角色;但其是否参与肾透明细胞癌(ccRCC)的发生,尚需深入研究。在该研究中,首先发现PNN在肾癌组织和细胞中的表达显著性高于对照组;且其升高程度与肾癌的病理分级密切相关。其次,降低肾癌细胞中PNN的表达后,细胞增殖被显著抑制,细胞周期被阻滞在G_0/G_1期。最后,降低细胞内PNN的表达能显著增强靶向药物舒尼替尼的细胞毒性,增加凋亡细胞的数量,此作用与PI3K/AKT途径密切相关。因此,PNN能激活PI3K/AKT通路促进靶向药物舒尼替尼对肾癌细胞的毒性作用;PNN有望成为肾癌耐药靶向治疗的潜在靶点。     

MKL1靶向CAAP1促进胃癌细胞的自噬并抑制凋亡

[目的]探讨MKL1和CAAP1对胃癌细胞凋亡的影响及其分子机制。[方法]蛋白质印迹和实时荧光定量PCR检测MKL1、CAAP1过表达效果;蛋白质印迹、流式细胞术、自噬检测试剂盒检测细胞的自噬和凋亡情况;荧光素酶报告基因活性测定、染色质免疫共沉淀验证MKL1和CAAP1基因启动子的结合。[结果]在MGC80-3细胞中过量表达MKL1后,凋亡抑制蛋白CAAP1的mRNA和蛋白水平与对照组相比均上调(P 0. 05),自噬标记基因LC3BII表达升高(P 0. 05),促凋亡蛋白Caspase3表达降低(P 0. 05)。敲降MKL1,Caspase3蛋白表达升高(P 0. 05)。敲降CAAP1,Caspase3蛋白表达升高(P 0. 05)。过表达CAAP1拮抗敲降MKL1,LC3BII蛋白表达下降,Caspase3蛋白表达升高(P 0. 05)。荧光素酶活性分析以及染色质免疫共沉淀分析结果表明MKL1促进CAAP1基因的转录活性。[结论]MKL1可通过上调CAAP1的表达进而促进胃癌细胞的自噬并抑制细胞凋亡。     

白藜芦醇经PI3K/Akt/mTOR 信号通路诱导人肾癌786-O细胞自噬

白藜芦醇(resveratrol)可抑制人肾癌786-O细胞增殖,并诱导其凋亡,但是白藜芦醇对786-O细胞自噬(autophagy)的影响及机制尚不清楚。为探究其机制,体外培养786-O细胞,采用CCK-8检测786-O细胞活力;TUNEL染色检测786-O细胞凋亡;透射电子显微镜观察786-O细胞自噬体;吖啶橙染色观察786-O细胞自噬小泡;GFP-LC3质粒转染分析观察786-O细胞自噬体;Western印迹检测LC3、beclin-1、PI3K、p-PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、mTOR和p-mTOR的表达。结果显示,白藜芦醇以浓度和时间依赖性的方式抑制786-O细胞活力,并诱导细胞凋亡;与对照组相比,白藜芦醇使786-O细胞自噬增强;Western印迹结果显示,与对照组相比,白藜芦醇组LC3-II/LC3-I和Beclin-1显著增高(P0.01),表明白藜芦醇导致786-O细胞自噬体积累。与对照组相比,白藜芦醇使786-O细胞的p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt和p-mTOR/mTOR显著降低(P0.01),表明白藜芦醇可通过PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路增强自噬。综上所述,白藜芦醇通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路从而诱导786-O细胞自噬。     

谷氧还蛋白1调节高糖诱导的心肌细胞自噬

谷氧还蛋白1（Grx1）在体内具有广泛的抗氧化、抗凋亡作用,与氧化应激损伤导致的糖尿病和心肌病等多种疾病的发病机制密切相关. 研究表明,糖尿病心血管病与自噬调节异常密切相关,但糖尿病心血管病变时自噬水平如何调节才能够保护受损的心肌还尚未定论.为研究自噬在高糖诱导心肌细胞凋亡中的作用及其与Grx1的关系,以明确Grx1对高糖诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的抑制作用及相关机制,本研究以高糖诱导大鼠心肌细胞H9c2建立高糖损伤模型,采用氧化还原蛋白免疫印迹法检测蛋白质的氧化水平.免疫印迹检测活性caspase 3蛋白和自噬蛋白Beclin1和LC3以及抗凋亡蛋白Bcl 2的表达水平.研究发现,高糖可诱导蛋白质的氧化水平增加,而Grx1可拮抗高糖诱导的H9c2细胞中蛋白质的氧化.并且含血清的高糖（25和50 mmol/L）作用H9c2心肌细胞后,自噬蛋白Beclin 1表达水平在6～48 h显著上调.同时发现,活性caspase 3水平也呈时间依赖性表达上调,caspase 3和自噬蛋白表达水平的同趋势增加,说明升高的自噬水平与心肌细胞凋亡的调节有关.Grx1保护组的自噬蛋白及活性caspase 3表达水平均显著下调,Grx1抑制剂镉组可拮抗Grx1调节的自噬蛋白和凋亡蛋白水平,说明Grx 1通过抑制自噬及caspase 3水平抑制高糖诱导的心肌细胞凋亡.以上研究结果提示,通过提高Grx1/GSH抗氧化系统功能,调节氧化还原稳态,可以有效减少高糖诱导的心肌损伤,保护糖尿病心脏功能.     

PON1 hypermethylation is associated with progression of renal cell carcinoma

In this study, our aim was to exploring the influences of DNA methylation of PON1 on cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of renal cancer cells. The genome‐wide methylation array of renal cell carcinoma samples and adjacent tissues were obtained from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. By analysing the DNA methylation and conducting the CpG islands array, methylation status expressed in renal tumour samples and normal renal tissue samples were detected. Methylation‐specific PCR (MS‐PCR) and qRT‐PCR were employed to detect the methylation level and mRNA expression of PON1. Wound‐healing assay, transwell assay and MTT assay were utilized to detecting the migration, invasion and proliferation abilities, respectively. The cell apoptosis was testified by Tunnel assay. In addition, the effect of PON1 on renal cancer cells was verified by experiments in vivo. The methylation status of different genes in renal cell carcinoma samples was obtained by CpG islands arrays and hypermethylated PON1 was selected for further study. PON1 was down‐regulated in renal cell carcinoma tissues detected by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Both in vitro and vivo experiments indicated that the sunitinib‐resistant in renal cancer cells could be suppressed by treat with 5‐Aza‐dC or TSA, and the effect came out more obvious after 5‐Aza‐dC and TSA co‐treatment. In detail, the demethylation of PON1 inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of renal cancer cells and also arrested more cells in G0/G1 phase. The vivo experiment indicated that demethylated PON1 suppressed the growth of tumour. Hypermethylated PON1 promoted migration, invasion and proliferation of sunitinib‐resistance renal cancer cells and arrested more cells in G0/G1 phase.     

Guttiferone K induces autophagy and sensitizes cancer cells to nutrient stress-induced cell death

BackgroundMedicinal plants have long been an excellent source of pharmaceutical agents. Autophagy, a catabolic degradation process through lysosomes, plays an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy.PurposeThrough a screen designed to identify autophagic regulators from a library of natural compounds, we found that Guttiferone K (GUTK) can activate autophagy in several cancer cell lines. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which GUTK sensitizes cancer cells to cell death in nutrient starvation condition.MethodsCell death analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining with flow cytometry or Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. DCFH-DA staining was used for intracellular ROS measurement. Protein levels were analyzed by western blot analysis. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay.ResultsExposure to GUTK was observed to markedly induce GFP-LC3 puncta formation and activate the accumulation of LC3-II and the degradation of p62 in HeLa cells, suggesting that GUTK is an autophagy inducer. Importantly, hydroxychloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, was found to significantly prevent GUTK-induced cell death in nutrient starvation conditions, suggesting that the cell death observed is largely dependent on autophagy. We further provide evidence that GUTK inhibits Akt phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting the mTOR pathway in cancer cells during nutrient starvation. In addition, GUTK causes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of JNK in EBSS, which may mediate both autophagy and apoptosis.ConclusionThese data indicate that GUTK sensitizes cancer cells to nutrient stress-induced cell death though Akt/mTOR dependent autophagy pathway.     

Testis developmental related gene 1 regulates the chemosensitivity of seminoma TCam‐2 cells to cisplatin via autophagy

We previously identified testis developmental related gene 1 (TDRG1), a gene implicated in proliferation of TCam‐2 seminoma cells. Recent evidence has revealed that autophagy influences the chemosensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, whether TDRG1 protein regulates autophagy in seminoma cells and influences their sensitivity to cis‐dichlorodiammine platinum (CDDP) remains unknown. In this study, we used TCam‐2 cells and male athymic BALB/c nude mice with xenografts of TCam‐2 cells to investigate autophagy, cell viability, apoptosis and the p110β/Rab5/Vps34 (PI3‐kinase Class III) pathway under the conditions of TDRG1 overexpression or knockdown and with or without CDDP treatment. We found that TDRG1 upregulation promoted autophagy in both TCam‐2 cells and seminoma xenografts via p110β/Rab5/Vps34 activation. Inhibition of autophagy reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis during CDDP treatment of TCam‐2 cells. Similarly, TDRG1 knockdown inhibited autophagy, reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis during CDDP treatment of TCam‐2 cells. TDRG1 knockdown inhibited tumour growth and promoted apoptosis in TCam‐2 cell xenografts, whereas TDRG1 overexpression had the opposite effect. According to these results, we propose that high expression of TDRG1 promotes autophagy through the p110β/Rab5/Vps34 pathway in TCam‐2 cells. TDRG1 overexpression promotes autophagy and leads to CDDP resistance, whereas TDRG1 knockdown inhibits autophagy and promotes chemosensitivity to CDDP both in vivo and in vitro. This study has uncovered a novel role of TDRG1 in reducing chemoresistance during CDDP treatment and provides potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human seminoma.     

Circ_0101692 knockdown retards the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma through miR-384/FN1 pathway

PurposeCircular RNA_0101692 (circ_0101692) is overexpressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) by microarray analyses. However, its function and action mechanism in ccRCC tumorigenesis is still elusive.MethodsWestern blotting and qRT-PCR were executed to assess the circ_0101692, miR-384 and FN1 expression in ccRCC cells and tissues. Target relationships among them were determined via dual luciferase reporter and/or RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Caspase-3 activity assay was utilized to analyze cell apoptosis. To find out whether ccRCC cells might migrate, a transwell assay was performed. To assess the effects of circ_0101692 on tumor development in vivo, a mouse xenograft model was used.ResultsHigh expression of circ_0101692 and FN1, and decreased miR-384 were determined in ccRCC. Cell growth, migration and viability were decreased whereas cell apoptosis was stimulated when circ_0101692 was knockdown. miR-384 inhibitor transfection attenuated the inhibiting impacts of circ_0101692 silencing on ccRCC cell progression. FN1 deletion further inverted the cancer-promoting effect of miR-384 downregulation on cell viability and migration. In addition, circ_0101692 could sponge miR-384 to relieve the inhibition of miR-384 on FN1 in ccRCC.ConclusionsCirc_0101692 targeted miR-384/FN1 axis to facilitate cell proliferation, migration and repress apoptosis, thereby accelerating the development of ccRCC. This points out that circ_0101692/miR-384/FN1 axis might be a prospective target implemented for the future treatment of ccRCC.     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌B15抑菌物质对葡萄灰霉病灰葡萄孢的抑菌机理

【目的】利用荧光显微镜和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜技术初步探讨解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloquefaciens)B15菌株发酵液中的抑菌混合物质伊枯草菌素A(iturin A)和芬芥素(fengycin)对葡萄灰霉病病原菌灰葡萄孢(Botrytis cinerea)的抑菌机理。【方法】采用琼脂稀释法讨论解淀粉芽孢杆菌B15发酵液对灰葡萄孢的抑菌活性。利用台盼蓝(trypan blue)染色、4′,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚(DAPI)、双氢罗丹明123(DHR123)、钙离子探针fluo-3/am和Annexin V-PI探针染色来观察解淀粉芽孢杆菌B15发酵液对灰葡萄孢细胞膜和菌丝形态、细胞核、活性氧、钙离子和磷脂酰丝氨酸层的影响。【结果】抑菌活性实验发现解淀粉芽孢杆菌B15发酵液对灰葡萄孢具有良好抑菌效果。荧光显微镜台盼蓝染色观察发现,经B15发酵液处理过的灰葡萄孢出现菌丝畸形、菌丝体粗大、尖端肿胀并被染成蓝色和明显的液泡化现象。同时未在处理组中观察到细胞内容物泄漏,说明处理组菌丝细胞膜未发生破损。该结果表明在此次试验中,B15发酵液中的抑菌有效物质不以破损细胞膜的方式直接导致灰葡萄孢的死亡。激光共聚焦显微镜观察结果发现,处理组的灰葡萄孢菌丝出现典型的细胞凋亡现象、染色质固缩、细胞核裂解、磷脂酰丝氨酸层外翻、活性氧和钙离子积累。【结论】该实验表明解淀粉芽孢杆菌B15发酵液以诱导细胞凋亡的形式来抑制灰葡萄孢菌丝的生长。     

Polyphyllin I induced-apoptosis is enhanced by inhibition of autophagy in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BackgroundPolyphyllin I (PPI), a bioactive phytochemical isolated from the rhizoma of Paris polyphyllin, exerts preclinical anticancer efficacy in various cancer models. However, the effects of PPI on regulatory human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown.PurposeThis study investigated the antiproliferation effect of PPI on HCC cells and its underlying mechanisms.MethodsCell viability was measured by MTT assay. Cell death, apoptosis and acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs) formation were determined by flow cytometry. Protein levels were analyzed by Western blot analysis.ResultsPPI induced apoptosis through the caspase-dependent pathway and activated autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Blockade of autophagy by pharmacological inhibitors or RNA interference enhanced the cytotoxicity and antiproliferation effects of PPI. Moreover, chloroquine (CQ) enhanced the antiproliferation effect of PPI on HCC cells via the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway by inhibiting protective autophagy. Therefore, the combination therapy of CQ and PPI exhibited synergistic effects on HCC cells compared with CQ or PPI alone.ConclusionThe current findings strongly indicate that PPI can induce protective autophagy in HCC cells, thereby providing a novel target in potentiating the anticancer effects of PPI and other chemotherapeutic drugs in liver cancer treatment. Moreover, the combination therapy of CQ and PPI is an effective and promising candidate to be further developed as therapeutic agents in the treatment of liver cancer.     

Inhibiting autophagy by miR-19a-3p/PTEN regulation protected retinal pigment epithelial cells from hyperglycemic damage

ObjectiveThe catabolic process of autophagy is arousing the attention of researchers studying diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the role and molecular mechanism of autophagy in DR are still unclear.MethodsAn in vivo diabetic rat model and in vitro hyperglycemic-exposed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell cultures were established to mimic early DR. Transmission electron microscopy and mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection were applied for autophagic flux analysis. MicroRNA (miR)-19a-3p, members of the phosphate and tensin homolog (PTEN)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and the autophagy-related proteins light chain (LC)3II/I and p62 were detected. Annexin V, transwell, Cell Counting Kit-8, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran monolayer permeability assay, and transepithelial electrical resistance were performed to evaluate the effects of regulating autophagy on RPE cells under the DR condition.ResultsAutophagy was aberrantly activated in DR as evidenced by autophagosome accumulation. Further mechanistic experiments revealed that DR induced PTEN expression, thus inhibiting Akt/mTOR phosphorylation and stimulating aberrant autophagy and apoptosis. Notably, these events could be reversed by miR-19a-3p directly targeting PTEN. Downregulation of autophagy by miR-19a-3p overexpression, PTEN knockdown, or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment inhibited autophagosome formation and thus effectively ameliorated hyperglycemia-induced RPE cell apoptosis, increased migration, inhibited viability, and enhanced monolayer permeability under the DR condition.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that upregulation of miR-19a-3p inhibits aberrant autophagy by directly targeting PTEN, thus protecting RPE cells against DR damage. miR-19a-3p may represent a novel therapeutic target for inducing protective autophagy in early DR.     

Sirtuin 6 protects human retinal pigment epithelium cells from LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis partly by regulating autophagy

ABSTRACT

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced retinal inflammation is an important factor in retinal diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Sirt6 on LPS-induced retinal injury. ARPE-19 cells were incubated with LPS to induce inflammation. The cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assay. The mRNA level and protein expression of corresponding genes was detected using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The production of inflammatory cytokines was measured using ELISA kit. The levels of oxidative stress-related factors were measured using their detection kits. Cell apoptosis was observed using TUNEL assay. The results showed that Sirt6 was downregulated after LPS treatment. Sirt6 strengthened LPS-induced autophagy by promoting the expression of LC3II/I, beclin1 and ATG5. Sirt6 treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, which was then partly abolished by 3 MA. These results suggest Sirt6 to be an important regulator for LPS-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis partly by regulating cell autophagy.