二甲双胍抑制H1299细胞迁移及其机制研究

该文主要研究二甲双胍(metformin, Met)对肺腺癌H1299细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡的影响,并探讨其可能作用机制。利用显微镜观察二甲双胍处理后细胞形态,划痕实验检测二甲双胍对细胞迁移的影响; Annexin V/PI标记,流式检测二甲双胍对细胞凋亡的影响; 5-乙炔基-2’脱氧尿嘧啶(Edu)法检测二甲双胍对细胞增殖的影响。结果表明,二甲双胍能改变H1299细胞形态且能显著抑制细胞迁移;二甲双胍不能诱导H1299细胞凋亡;二甲双胍能抑制H1299细胞增殖。进一步研究发现,二甲双胍能下调p-ERK和p-MEK蛋白水平,同时增加E-Cadherin和减少FAK、vimentin蛋白表达,说明二甲双胍主要通过抑制ERK信号通路抑制H1299细胞增殖和迁移,并通过上调E-Cadherin、下调FAK、vimentin使H1299细胞迁移受到明显抑制,为二甲双胍应用于肺腺癌的预防及治疗提供了指导依据。     

基于PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路探讨二甲双胍对结肠癌HCT116细胞的作用

摘要 目的：研究二甲双胍通过磷脂酰肌醇3激酶（PI3K）/蛋白激酶 B(Akt)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）信号通路对结肠癌HCT116 细胞的作用。方法：体外培养结肠癌HCT116细胞,分别加入二甲双胍(20,40,80 μmol/L)处理HCT116细胞48 h,另设对照组。MTT法检测各组细胞增殖能力。Transwell实验检测各组细胞侵袭能力的变化。Annexin-FITC/PI 双染法分别检测各组处理48 h后细胞凋亡情况。免疫印迹法检测48 h后PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路蛋白表达水平。结果：相比于对照组,二甲双胍20,40,80 μmol/L各处理组对HCT116细胞的增殖具有明显的抑制作用,且呈浓度依赖效应,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。与对照组比较,二甲双胍20,40,80 μmol/L各处理组细胞凋亡率明显较高,且呈浓度依赖效应,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。相比于对照组,二甲双胍20,40,80 μmol/L各处理组HCT116细胞侵袭能力明显减弱,且呈浓度依赖效应,差异具有统计学意义(P <0.05)。与对照组比较,二甲双胍20,40,80 μmol/L各处理组Bax蛋白表达水平明显升高,而Bcl-2、p-Akt及p-mTOR蛋白表达水平明显降低,且呈浓度依赖效应,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：二甲双胍在体外可抑制人结肠癌HCT-116细胞的增殖,促进其凋亡,抑制其侵袭能力,其抗肿瘤机制可能与抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR 信号通路激活相关。     

二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：MTT法分别检测二甲双胍、阿霉素和二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用;平板克隆实验检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞仪检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的影响。结果：二甲双胍和阿霉素分别对MDA-MB-231细胞生长有抑制作用,二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用更加显著,并且随着药物浓度的增加而增加;二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够明显降低MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成率,并且促进细胞凋亡。结论：二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够显著抑制人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231细胞的增值,促进其凋亡,可见两药联用对肿瘤细胞的杀伤具有协同性。     

CPSF6在胶质母细胞瘤进展中的作用及相关调控机制研究*

目的: 研究mRNA前体切割和多聚腺苷酸化特异性因子6(polyadenylation specific factor 6,CPSF6)对人胶质母细胞瘤(glioblastoma,GBM)细胞系U87和U251的增殖、迁移、侵袭以及ATP水平的影响,进一步探究其相关调控机制。方法: 通过Western blot和免疫组化检测CPSF6在GBM组织中的表达水平,利用在线数据库分析CPSF6在GBM组织和配对的非肿瘤组织中的表达水平,同时分析CPSF6与GBM的组织学级别和患者预后的关系。构建敲低CPSF6的U87和U251稳定表达细胞株,并采用RT-qPCR和Western blot方法分别验证U87和U251细胞中CPSF6的敲低效率;利用CCK8和Transwell实验分别检测CPSF6敲降对细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响;ATP实验检测细胞内的ATP水平变化,确定CPSF6在GBM中的致癌作用。通过RNA-seq分析敲低CPSF6后GBM内mRNA 3'UTR变化情况,KEGG富集分析差异靶基因相关的信号通路。在富集出的信号通路指示下,利用透射电镜和Western blot实验进一步验证敲低CPSF6后GBM自噬的发生情况。 结果: CPSF6在GBM组织中呈现出高表达,其表达水平随组织学级别的增加而升高,且与患者不良预后相关。在U87和U251中敲低CPSF6后,细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力均明显降低,细胞内ATP水平下降。对RNA-seq结果分析表明,敲低CPSF6后发生3'UTR缩短事件的基因远多于3'UTR延长事件的基因;KEGG富集到自噬信号通路与肿瘤进展密切相关,透射电镜和Western blot实验验证敲低CPSF6可以促进自噬通路的激活。结论: CPSF6在GBM中高表达,且与GBM的组织学级别和患者不良预后呈正相关,CPSF6可能通过抑制自噬通路的激活来促进U87和U251细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭以及ATP的生成,进而促进GBM发生、发展。     

SDF-1α对胶质瘤细胞U87 过氧化氢损伤的保护作用

目的:探讨基质细胞衍生因子1α(SDF-1α)对过氧化氢(H2O2)损伤人脑胶质瘤细胞U87的保护作用及机制。方法:双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测胶质瘤细胞U87自分泌SDF-1α;细胞增殖实验研究外源SDF-1α对U87细胞增殖的影响;SDF-1α作用U87 12小时后,0.7 mM H2O2处理6小时,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;蛋白质免疫印记实验(western blot)检测SDF-1α对U87细胞中蛋白激酶B(Akt)和细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)磷酸化的影响。结果:胶质瘤细胞U87自身几乎不分泌SDF-1α,24小时内外源性SDF-1α对U87细胞增殖无明显影响;H2O2损伤后,SDF-1α预处理组细胞存活率高于对照组,凋亡率和死亡率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义;Western blot显示SDF-1α处理能够诱导U87细胞Akt和ERK1/2的快速磷酸化。结论:SDF-1α能够提高H2O2损伤的U87细胞存活率,降低凋亡率和死亡率,其机制可能与磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)-Akt和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)-ERK1/2通路的激活有关。     

SDF-1α对胶质瘤细胞U87过氧化氢损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨基质细胞衍生因子1α（SDF-1α）对过氧化氢（H2O2）损伤人脑胶质瘤细胞U87的保护作用及机制。方法：双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测胶质瘤细胞U87自分泌SDF-1α;细胞增殖实验研究外源SDF-1α对U87细胞增殖的影响;SDF-1α作用U87 12小时后,0.7 mM H2O2处理6小时,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;蛋白质免疫印记实验（western blot）检测SDF-1α对U87细胞中蛋白激酶B（Akt）和细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERK1/2）磷酸化的影响。结果：胶质瘤细胞U87自身几乎不分泌SDF-1α,24小时内外源性SDF-1α对U87细胞增殖无明显影响;H2O2损伤后,SDF-1α预处理组细胞存活率高于对照组,凋亡率和死亡率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义;Western blot显示SDF-1α处理能够诱导U87细胞Akt和ERK1/2的快速磷酸化。结论：SDF-1α能够提高H2O2损伤的U87细胞存活率,降低凋亡率和死亡率,其机制可能与磷脂酰肌醇3激酶（PI3K）-Akt和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）-ERK1/2通路的激活有关。     

二甲双胍联合放射线照射对鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的影响

目的:探讨二甲双胍联合放射线照射对鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的影响。方法:分别给予鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1二甲双胍(5m M)、2Gy放射线照射、二甲双胍(5 m M)联合2Gy放射线照射处理后,采用MTT实验、克隆形成实验检测和比较其细胞增殖抑制率和克隆形成抑制率。结果:MTT实验结果显示:与二甲双胍组或2Gy放射线照射组相比,二甲双胍联合放射线照射组细胞增殖抑制率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);克隆形成实验结果显示,与二甲双胍组或2Gy放射线照射组相比,二甲双胍联合放射线照射组细胞克隆形成抑制率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:二甲双胍联合放射线照射能够有效的抑制鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1的增殖。     

二甲双胍(Metformin)在少突胶质前体细胞分化中的作用和机制*

目的：研究二甲双胍(metformin)在少突胶质前体细胞(oligodendrocyte precursor cell, OPC)分化过程中的作用,并对其分子机制进行初步探讨。方法：使用免疫吸附法直接分离纯化OPC后诱导培养,通过免疫荧光染色对细胞进行鉴定。在不同浓度二甲双胍处理OPC后,使用CCK8检测细胞活性;通过免疫荧光染色、流式细胞分析、实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白质印迹检测二甲双胍对OPC分化中细胞数量、mRNA和蛋白质水平的影响。结果：使用免疫吸附法可分离出高纯度OPC;CCK8检测结果显示在100 μmol/L浓度以内,二甲双胍对细胞无毒性;免疫荧光染色结果显示,二甲双胍处理OPC后,PDGFRα ⁺ OLIG2⁺阳性细胞数明显增加,且MBP⁺细胞数显著增加;流式细胞分析结果显示,PDGFRα⁺细胞数显著增加;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,OPC分化相关基因Mag、Mbp等的mRNA水平显著增加;蛋白质印迹结果显示,分化相关蛋白OLIG2和MBP表达增加。机制上,少突胶质细胞系Oli-neu、OPC分别经二甲双胍处理5 min后,RAS、p-MEK、p-ERK蛋白量显著增加。结论：二甲双胍通过RAS-MEK-ERK信号通路促进少突胶质前体细胞的分化。     

二甲双胍对人膀胱癌细胞能量代谢的调控作用分析

目的:检测二甲双胍对人膀胱肿瘤细胞能量代谢的作用及分子机制。方法:将膀胱肿瘤细胞分为4组,分别用终浓度为0、20、40、60 mmol/L的二甲双胍处理,比色法检测各组葡萄糖的消耗和乳酸的生成,用ATP检测试剂盒检测各组ATP水平,用JC-1膜电位检测试剂盒检测二甲双胍对膀胱肿瘤细胞膜电位的影响,通过real-time PCR检测己糖激酶2(HK2)和电压依赖性阴离子通道(VDAC)的mRNA表达水平,采用Western印迹检测每组中HK2、VDAC、磷酸化信号转导与转录激活因子3(p-STAT3)的蛋白表达水平变化。结果:在20 mmol/L二甲双胍下,膀胱肿瘤细胞葡萄糖消耗增加,乳酸产生受到抑制,ATP产生和细胞线粒体膜电位降低,HK2、VDAC和p-STAT3的表达降低。结论:二甲双胍可能通过抑制HK2、VDAC和p-STAT3的表达来阻断膀胱肿瘤的糖酵解和线粒体功能,这为研究二甲双胍对肿瘤的抑制作用机制奠定了理论和实验基础。     

二甲双胍联合卡铂对三阴性乳腺癌细胞增殖的影响

目的:探讨二甲双胍联合卡铂对三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖的影响。方法:体外培养三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,分别给予不同浓度(0、2.5、5、10 mmol/L)二甲双胍和20μmol/L卡铂处理后,采用MTT实验、平板克隆实验检测二甲双胍联合卡铂对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响。结果:MTT实验结果显示:二甲双胍抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,5、10mM组细胞OD490值均显著低于对照组(P0.05),且10 mM组细胞OD490值明显低于其他各组(P0.05);与单药相比,二甲双胍和卡铂联用组细胞生长抑制率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。平板克隆实验结果显示:与单药相比,二甲双胍和卡铂联用组细胞的克隆形成抑制率率显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:二甲双胍联合卡铂能够有效的抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖。     

Selective elimination of neuroblastoma cells by synergistic effect of Akt kinase inhibitor and tetrathiomolybdate

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour of infancy. Pathological activation of glucose consumption, glycolysis and glycolysis‐activating Akt kinase occur frequently in neuroblastoma cells, and these changes correlate with poor prognosis of patients. Therefore, several inhibitors of glucose utilization and the Akt kinase activity are in preclinical trials as potential anti‐cancer drugs. However, metabolic plasticity of cancer cells might undermine efficacy of this approach. In this work, we identified oxidative phosphorylation as compensatory mechanism preserving viability of neuroblastoma cells with inhibited glucose uptake/Akt kinase. It was oxidative phosphorylation that maintained intracellular level of ATP and proliferative capacity of these cells. The oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors (rotenone, tetrathiomolybdate) synergized with inhibitor of the Akt kinase/glucose uptake in down‐regulation of both viability of neuroblastoma cells and clonogenic potential of cells forming neuroblastoma spheroids. Interestingly, tetrathiomolybdate acted as highly specific inhibitor of oxygen consumption and activator of lactate production in neuroblastoma cells, but not in normal fibroblasts and neuronal cells. Moreover, the reducing effect of tetrathiomolybdate on cell viability and the level of ATP in the cells with inhibited Akt kinase/glucose uptake was also selective for neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, efficient elimination of neuroblastoma cells requires inhibition of both glucose uptake/Akt kinase and oxidative phosphorylation activities. The use of tetrathiomolybdate as a mitochondrial inhibitor contributes to selectivity of this combined treatment, preferentially targeting neuroblastoma cells.     

Swelling‐induced chloride current in glioblastoma proliferation,migration, and invasion

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains as the most common and aggressive brain tumor. The survival of GBM has been linked to the aberrant activation of swelling‐induced chloride current I_Cl,swell. In this study, we investigated the effects of I_Cl,swell on cell viability, proliferation, and migration in the human GBM cell lines, U251 and U87, using a combination of patch clamp electrophysiology, MTT, colony formation, wound healing assays and Western immunoblotting. First, we showed that the specific inhibitor of I_Cl,swell, DCPIB, potently reduced the I_Cl,swell in U87 cells. Next, in both U87 and U251 cells, we found that DCPIB reduced GBM viability, proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. In addition, our Western immunoblot assay showed that DCPIB‐treated U251 cells had a reduction in JAK2, STAT3, and Akt phosphorylation, thus, suggesting that DCPIB potentially suppresses GBM functions through inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Therefore, the I_Cl,swell may be a potential drug target for GBM.     

Intracranial implantation with subsequent 3D in vivo bioluminescent imaging of murine gliomas

The mouse glioma 261 (GL261) is recognized as an in vivo model system that recapitulates many of the features of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The cell line was originally induced by intracranial injection of 3-methyl-cholantrene into a C57BL/6 syngeneic mouse strain (1); therefore, immunologically competent C57BL/6 mice can be used. While we use GL261, the following protocol can be used for the implantation and monitoring of any intracranial mouse tumor model. GL261 cells were engineered to stably express firefly luciferase (GL261-luc). We also created the brighter GL261-luc2 cell line by stable transfection of the luc2 gene expressed from the CMV promoter. C57BL/6-cBrd/cBrd/Cr mice (albino variant of C57BL/6) from the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD were used to eliminate the light attenuation caused by black skin and fur. With the use of albino C57BL/6 mice; in vivo imaging using the IVIS Spectrum in vivo imaging system is possible from the day of implantation (Caliper Life Sciences, Hopkinton, MA). The GL261-luc and GL261-luc2 cell lines showed the same in vivo behavior as the parental GL261 cells. Some of the shared histological features present in human GBMs and this mouse model include: tumor necrosis, pseudopalisades, neovascularization, invasion, hypercellularity, and inflammation (1). Prior to implantation animals were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (50 mg/kg), xylazine (5 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg), placed in a stereotactic apparatus and an incision was made with a scalpel over the cranial midline. A burrhole was made 0.1 mm posterior to the bregma and 2.3mm to the right of the midline. A needle was inserted to a depth of 3mm and withdrawn 0.4 mm to a depth of 2.6 mm. Two μl of GL261-luc or GL261-luc2 cells (10(7) cells/ml) were infused over the course of 3 minutes. The burrhole was closed with bonewax and the incision was sutured. Following stereotactic implantation the bioluminescent cells are detectable from the day of implantation and the tumor can be analyzed using the 3D image reconstruction feature of the IVIS Spectrum instrument. Animals receive a subcutaneous injection of 150 μg luciferin /kg body weight 20 min prior to imaging. Tumor burden is quantified using mean tumor bioluminescence over time. Tumor-bearing mice were observed daily to assess morbidity and were euthanized when one or more of the following symptoms are present: lethargy, failure to ambulate, hunched posture, failure to groom, anorexia resulting in >10% loss of weight. Tumors were evident in all of the animals on necropsy.     

Clozapine, a neuroleptic agent, inhibits Akt by counteracting Ca2+/calmodulin in PTEN-negative U-87MG human glioblastoma cells

Clozapine (CZP), a dibenzodiazepine derivative with a piperazinyl side chain, is in clinical use as an antipsychotic drug. This study investigated the effect of CZP on the modulation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3beta pathway in PTEN-negative U-87MG glioblastoma cells. Treatment with CZP rapidly inhibited the basal and EGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt. The inhibition of Akt resulted in the dephosphorylation of GSK-3beta and increased GSK-3beta kinase activity. A voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel blocker and calmodulin (CaM) antagonists inhibited Akt phosphorylation, whereas elevation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration prevented CZP-induced dephosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta, suggesting that Ca(2+)/CaM participates in the inhibition of Akt by CZP in U-87MG cells. In addition, similar to LY294002, CZP arrested cell cycle progression at G0/G1 phase, which was accompanied by decreased expression of cyclin D1. The reduction in the cyclin D1 level induced by CZP was abrogated by the inhibition of GSK-3beta, the inhibition of proteasome-dependent proteolysis, or an increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. These results suggest that the antipsychotic drug CZP modulates the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3beta pathway by counteracting Ca(2+)/CaM in PTEN-negative U-87MG glioblastoma cells.     

Characterization of ATP‐induced cell death in the GL261 mouse glioma

Gliomas have one of the worst prognosis among cancers. Their resistance to cell death induced by endogenous neurotoxic agents, such as extracellular ATP, seems to play an important role in their pathobiology since alterations in the degradation rate of extracellular ATP drastically affects glioma growth in rats. In the present work we characterized the mechanisms of cell death induced by extracellular ATP in a murine glioma cell line, GL261. ATP and BzATP, a P2X7 agonist, induced cell death at concentrations that are described to activate the P2X7 receptor in mouse. oATP, an antagonist of P2X7, blocked the ATP‐induced cell death. Agonists of purinergic receptors expressed in GL261 such as adenosine, ADP, UTP did not cause any cell death, even at mM concentrations. A sub‐population of cells more sensitive to ATP expressed more P2X7 when compared to a less sensitive subpopulation. Accordingly, RNA interference of the P2X7 receptor drastically reduced ATP‐induced cell death, suggesting that this receptor is necessary for this effect. The mechanism of ATP‐induced cell death is predominantly necrotic, since cells presented shrinkage accompanied by membrane permeabilization, but not apoptotic, since no phosphatidylserine externalization or caspase activity was observed. These data show the importance of P2X7 in ATP‐induced cell death and shed light on the importance of ATP‐induced cell death in glioma development. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 983–991, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Calcium regulates the PI3K-Akt pathway in stretched osteoblasts

Mechanical loading plays a vital role in maintaining bone architecture. The process by which osteoblasts convert mechanical signals into biochemical responses leading to bone remodeling is not fully understood. The earliest cellular response detected in mechanically stimulated osteoblasts is an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). In this study, we used the clonal mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 to show that uniaxial cyclic stretch induces: (1) an immediate increase in [Ca(2+)](i), and (2) the phosphorylation of critical osteoblast proteins that are implicated in cell proliferation, gene regulation, and cell survival. Our data suggest that cyclic stretch activates the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway including: PI3K, Akt, FKHR, and AFX. Moreover, cyclic stretch also causes the phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Attenuation in the level of phosphorylation of these proteins was observed by stretching cells in Ca(2+)-free medium, using intra- (BAPTA-AM) and extracellular (BAPTA) calcium chelators, or gadolinium, suggesting that influx of extracellular calcium plays a significant role in the early response of osteoblasts to mechanical stimuli.     

Zerumbone suppresses IKKα, Akt,and FOXO1 activation,resulting in apoptosis of GBM 8401 cells

Background

Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene compound isolated from subtropical ginger, Zingiber zerumbet Smith, has been documented to exert antitumoral and anti- inflammatory activities. In this study, we demonstrate that zerumbone induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM8401) cells and investigate the apoptotic mechanism.

Methods

We added a caspase inhibitor and transfected wild-type (WT) IKK and Akt into GBM 8401 cells, and measured cell viability and apoptosis by MTT assay and flow cytometry. By western blotting, we evaluated activation of caspase-3, dephosphorylation of IKK, Akt, FOXO1 with time, and change of IKK, Akt, and FOXO1 phosphorylation after transfection of WT IKK and Akt.

Results

Zerumbone (10∽50 μM) induced death of GBM8401 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry studies showed that zerumbone increased the percentage of apoptotic GBM cells. Zerumbone also caused caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) production. N-benzyloxycarbonyl -Val-Ala-Asp- fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk), a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, hindered zerumbone-induced cell death. Transfection of GBM 8401 cells with WT IKKα inhibited zerumbone-induced apoptosis, and zerumbone significantly decreased IKKα phosphorylation levels in a time-dependent manner. Similarly, transfection of GBM8401 cells with Akt suppressed zerumbone-induced apoptosis, and zerumbone also diminished Akt phosphorylation levels remarkably and time-dependently. Moreover, transfection of GBM8401 cells with WT IKKα reduced the zerumbone-induced decrease in Akt and FOXO1 phosphorylation. However, transfection with WT Akt decreased FOXO1, but not IKKα, phosphorylation.

Conclusion

The results suggest that inactivation of IKKα, followed by Akt and FOXO1 phosphorylation and caspase-3 activation, contributes to zerumbone-induced GBM cell apoptosis.     

PDGF stimulation of Müller cell proliferation: Contributions of c-JNK and the PI3K/Akt pathway

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has a critical role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) as a chemoattractant and mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and retinal glial cells. Here, we investigated the potential effects of PDGF on the proliferation of Müller cells and the intracellular signaling pathway mediating these changes. PDGF induced Müller cell proliferation and increased phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor (PDGFR), as shown by an MTT assay and immunoprecipitation analyses. Both effects were blocked by JNJ, a PDGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor. PDGF also stimulated phosphorylation of c-JNK and Akt. PDGF-induced Müller cell proliferation was significantly reduced by pre-treatment with SP600125 and LY294002, inhibitors of c-JNK and Akt phosphorylation, respectively. Our findings collectively indicate that PDGF-stimulated Müller cell proliferation occurs via activation of the c-JNK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These data provide useful information in establishing the role of Müller cells in the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.