Trichostatin A,an Inhibitor of Histone Deacetylase,Inhibits the Viability and Invasiveness of Hypoxic Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast‐Like Synoviocytes via PI3K/Akt Signaling

This study was undertaken to explore the effects of trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, on the viability, apoptosis, and invasiveness of hypoxic rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA FLSs). RA FLSs were exposed to hypoxia for 24 h in the presence or absence of 2 μM TSA and tested for cell viability, apoptosis, invasion, and gene expression. The involvement of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway was checked. TSA significantly inhibited the viability and induced apoptosis of hypoxic RA FLSs, compared to vehicle control. TSA blocked hypoxia‐induced invasion of RA FLSs during Matrigel invasion assays and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐2 and MMP‐9) and PI3K and phosphorylation of Akt. Overexpression of constitutively active Akt reversed TSA‐mediated suppression of invasiveness and downregulation of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Our results indicate the antisurvival and antiinvasive activities of TSA in hypoxic RA FLSs, which is associated with inactivation of PI3K/Akt signaling.     

MAPK and PI3K pathways regulate hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic peptide secretion by controlling HIF-1 alpha expression in beating rabbit atria

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways are pivotal and intensively studied signaling pathways in hypoxic conditions. However, the roles of MAPK and PI3K in the regulation of hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion are not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism by which the MAPK/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and PI3K signaling pathways regulate the acute hypoxia-induced ANP secretion in isolated beating rabbit atria. An acute hypoxic perfused beating rabbit atrial model was used. The ANP levels in the atrial perfusates were measured by radioimmunoassay, and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mRNA and protein levels in the atrial tissue were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Acute hypoxia significantly increased ANP secretion and HIF-1α mRNA and protein levels. Hypoxia-induced ANP secretion was markedly attenuated by the HIF-1α inhibitors, rotenone (0.5 μmol/L) and CAY10585 (10 μmol/L), concomitantly with downregulation of the hypoxia-induced HIF-1α mRNA and protein levels. PD098059 (30 μmol/L) and LY294002 (30 μmol/L), inhibitors of MAPK and PI3K, markedly abolished the hypoxia-induced ANP secretion and atrial HIF-1α mRNA and protein levels. The hypoxia-suppressed atrial dynamics were significantly attenuated by PD098059 and LY294002. Acute hypoxia in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria, markedly increased ANP secretion through HIF-1α upregulation, which was regulated by the MAPK/ERK and PI3K pathways. ANP appears to be part of the protective program regulated by HIF-1α in the response to acute hypoxic conditions.     

PI3K and ERK-induced Rac1 activation mediates hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Background

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) expression induced by hypoxia plays a critical role in promoting tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of HIF-1α in tumor cells remain unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we reported that hypoxia could induce HIF-1α and VEGF expression accompanied by Rac1 activation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Blockade of Rac1 activation with ectopic expression of an inactive mutant form of Rac1 (T17N) or Rac1 siRNA downregulated hypoxia-induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression. Furthermore, Hypoxia increased PI3K and ERK signaling activity. Both PI3K inhibitor {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 and ERK inhibitor U0126 suppressed hypoxia-induced Rac1 activation as well as HIF-1α expression. Moreover, hypoxia treatment resulted in a remarkable production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a scavenger of ROS, inhibited hypoxia-induced ROS generation, PI3K, ERK and Rac1 activation as well as HIF-1α expression.

Conclusions/Significance

Taken together, our study demonstrated that hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression involves a cascade of signaling events including ROS generation, activation of PI3K and ERK signaling, and subsequent activation of Rac1.     

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation and interaction with focal adhesion kinase in Escherichia coli K1 invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells

Invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) is a prerequisite for successful crossing of the blood-brain barrier by Escherichia coli K1. We have previously demonstrated the requirement of cytoskeletal rearrangements and activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in E. coli K1 invasion of human BMEC (HBMEC). The current study investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation and PI3K interaction with FAK in E. coli invasion of HBMEC. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC in a dose-dependent manner, whereas an inactive analogue LY303511 had no such effect. In HBMEC, E. coli K1 increased phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector of PI3K, which was completely blocked by LY294002. In contrast, non-invasive E. coli failed to activate PI3K. Overexpression of PI3K mutants Deltap85 and catalytically inactive p110 in HBMEC significantly inhibited both PI3K/Akt activation and E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC. Stimulation of HBMEC with E. coli K1 increased PI3K association with FAK. Furthermore, PI3K/Akt activation was blocked in HBMEC-overexpressing FAK dominant-negative mutants (FRNK and Phe397FAK). These results demonstrated the involvement of PI3K signaling in E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC and identified a novel role for PI3K interaction with FAK in the pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis.     

Hypoxic condition- and high cell density-induced expression of Redd1 is regulated by activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and Sp1 through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway

Redd1, a recently discovered stress-response gene, is regulated by hypoxia via hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and by DNA damage via p53/p63; however, the signaling pathway by which its expression is induced by hypoxia has not been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression of Redd1 in response to hypoxia (1% O(2)), hypoxia-mimetic agent, cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) and high cell density (HCD) requires coactivation of HIF-1alpha and Sp1. CoCl(2) and HCD induced the activation of HIF-1alpha and Sp1 in HeLa cells, and siRNAs targeting HIF-1alpha and Sp1 abrogated Redd1 expression. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by LY294002 and by a dominant-negative PI3K mutant reduced the expression of Redd1 and activation of HIF-1alpha and Sp1 by CoCl(2) and HCD. Also, suppression of Akt activation blocked the expression of Redd1 and the activation of HIF-1alpha and Sp1 by CoCl(2) and HCD. Furthermore, we found that the induction of Redd1 expression by CoCl(2) can be mediated by activation of Sp1 in HIF-1alpha-deficient cells but that a higher level of Redd1 expression is achieved when these cells are transfected with HIF-1alpha. These results demonstrate that hypoxic condition-and HCD-induced expression of Redd1 is mediated by coactivation of Sp1 and HIF-1alpha downstream of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

PI3 kinase/Akt signaling mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hypoxia activates genetic programs that facilitate cell survival; however, in cancer, it may promote invasion and metastasis. Although the exact mechanisms driving hypoxia-induced invasion and metastasis remain elusive, we hypothesized that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play a major role. We investigated this in vitro by treating hepatocellular carcinoma cells under 1.0% O₂. After the hypoxia treatment, the cells exhibited some morphological changes including cell elongation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and junctional disruption. Moreover, expression of the epithelia-specific marker E-cadherin was decreased and expression of the myofibroblast-specific marker vimentin was detected in the treated cells. Cell migration and ECM gel invasion were increased. These findings were consistent with events observed during EMT. Hypoxia-induced EMT is accompanied by increased phosphorylation, activation of Akt and the downstream signaling. Hypoxia-induced EMT was blocked by PI3K inhibitor LY294002. The results suggest that the PI3K/Akt-dependent signaling pathways serve to regulate hypoxia-induced EMT of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.     

Retinoic acid promotes proliferation of chicken primordial germ cells via activation of PI3K/Akt-mediated NF-κB signalling cascade

As embryonic progenitors for the gametes, PGCs (primordial germ cells) proliferate and develop under strict regulation of numerous intrinsic and external factors. As the most active natural metabolite of vitamin A, all-trans RA (retinoic acid) plays pivotal roles in regulating development of various cells. The proliferating action of RA on PGCs was investigated along with the intracellular PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt (protein kinase B; also known as Akt)-mediated NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling cascade. The results show that RA significantly promoted PGC proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, confirmed by BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation and cell cycle analysis. However, this promoting effect was attenuated by sequential inhibitors of LY294002 for PI3K, KP372-1 for Akt and SN50 for NF-κB respectively. Western blot analysis showed increased Akt phosphorylation (Ser473) of PGCs after stimulation with RA, but this was abolished by LY294002 or KP372-1. Treatment with RA increased expression of NF-κB and decreased IκBα (inhibitory κBα) expression, which were inhibited by SN50. Blockade of PI3K or Akt activity inhibited NF-κB translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Finally, mRNA expression of cell cycle regulating genes [cyclin D1 and E, CDK6 (cyclin-dependent kinase 6) and CDK2] was up-regulated in the RA-treated cells. This stimulation was also markedly retarded by combined treatment with LY294002, KP372-1 and SN50. These results suggest that RA activates the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signalling cascade to promote proliferation of the cultured chicken PGCs.     

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂LY294002对缺血缺氧心肌细胞的作用研究

目的:明确P13K/Akt信号通路在缺血缺氧心肌细胞损害中的作用。方法:建立心肌细胞缺血缺氧模型,施加磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂LY294002干预,观察心肌细胞活力、培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量及碘化丙啶(PI)染色阳性细胞比例的变化。结果:模拟缺血缺氧后细胞活力下降,LDH及PI染色阳性细胞比例显著增加。LY294002干预复合缺血缺氧后,细胞活力急剧下降,LDH含量及PI染色阳性细胞比例进一步显著增加(P<0.01)。结论:应用LY294002加重了缺血缺氧对心肌细胞的损伤效应,提示PI3K/Akt通路参与了缺血缺氧心肌细胞的内源性保护反应,减轻了缺血缺氧损害。     

The cardioprotective effect of dihydromyricetin prevents ischemia–reperfusion-induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro via the PI3K/Akt and HIF-1α signaling pathways

Reperfusion therapy is widely used to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, further injury to the heart induced by rapidly initiating reperfusion is often encountered in clinical practice. A lack of pharmacological strategies in clinics limits the prognosis of patients with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is one of the most abundant components in vine tea, commonly known as the tender stems and leaves of Ampelopsis grossedentata. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotection of DMY against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and to further investigate the underlying mechanism. An I/R injury was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion in adult male rats in vivo and a hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R) injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro. We found that DMY pretreatment provided significant protection against I/R-induced injury, including enhanced antioxidant capacity and inhibited apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. This effect correlated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt and HIF-1α signaling pathways. Conversely, blocking Akt activation with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 effectively suppressed the protective effects of DMY against I/R-induced injury. In addition, the PI3K inhibitor partially blocked the effects of DMY on the upregulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, procaspase-3, -8, and -9 protein expression and the downregulation of HIF-1α, Bnip3, Bax, Cyt-c, cleaved caspase-3, -8, and -9 protein expression. Collectively, these results showed that DMY decreased the apoptosis and necrosis by I/R treatment, and PI3K/Akt and HIF-1α plays a crucial role in protection during this process. These observations indicate that DMY has the potential to exert cardioprotective effects against I/R injury and the results might be important for the clinical efficacy of AMI treatment.     

Crosstalk of hypoxia-mediated signaling pathways in upregulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in keloid fibroblasts

Keloids are skin fibrotic conditions characterized by an excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components secondary to trauma or surgical injuries. Previous studies have shown that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) can be upregulated by hypoxia and may contribute to keloid pathogenesis. In this study we investigate the signaling mechanisms involved in hypoxia-mediated PAI-1 expression in keloid fibroblasts. Using Northern and Western blot analysis, transient transfections, and pharmacological agents, we demonstrate that hypoxia-induced upregulation of PAI-1 expression is mainly controlled by hypoxia inducible factors-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and that hypoxia leads to a rapid and transient activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3-K/Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Treatment of cells with PI-3K/Akt inhibitor (LY294002) and tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor (genistein) significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression as well as promoter activation, apparently via an inhibition of the hypoxia-induced stabilization of HIF-1alpha protein, attenuation of the steady-state level of HIF-1alpha mRNA, and its DNA-binding activity. Even though disruption of ERK1/2 signaling pathway by PD98059 abolished hypoxia-induced PAI-1 promoter activation and mRNA/protein expression in keloid fibroblasts, it did not inhibit the hypoxia-mediated stabilization of HIF-1alpha protein and the steady-state level of HIF-1alpha mRNA nor its DNA binding activity. Our findings suggest that a combination of several signaling pathways, including ERK1/2, PI3-K/Akt, and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), may contribute to the hypoxia-mediated induction of PAI-1 expression via activation of HIF-1alpha in keloid fibroblasts.     

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblast proliferation through mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt

A hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the pseudo-tumoral expansion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), and the RA FLS has therefore been proposed as a therapeutic target. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been described as a pro-apoptotic factor on RA FLSs and, therefore, suggested as a potential drug. Here we report that exposure to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a portion (up to 30%) of RA FLSs within the first 24 h. In the cells that survived, TRAIL induced RA FLS proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal proliferation observed at 0.25 nm. This was blocked by a neutralizing anti-TRAIL antibody. RA FLSs were found to express constitutively TRAIL receptors 1 and 2 (TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2) on the cell surface. TRAIL-R2 appears to be the main mediator of TRAIL-induced stimulation, as RA FLS proliferation induced by an agonistic anti-TRAIL-R2 antibody was comparable with that induced by TRAIL. TRAIL activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK and p38, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway with kinetics similar to those of TNF-alpha. Moreover, TRAIL-induced RA FLS proliferation was inhibited by the protein kinase inhibitors PD98059, SB203580, and LY294002, confirming the involvement of the ERK, p38, and PI3 kinase/Akt signaling pathways. This dual functionality of TRAIL in stimulating apoptosis and proliferation has important implications for its use in the treatment of RA.     

Thrombin induces NF-kappaB activation and IL-8/CXCL8 expression in lung epithelial cells by a Rac1-dependent PI3K/Akt pathway

We previously showed that thrombin induces interleukin (IL)-8/CXCL8 expression via the protein kinase C (PKC)α/c-Src-dependent IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β)/NF-κB signaling pathway in human lung epithelial cells. In this study, we further investigated the roles of Rac1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt in thrombin-induced NF-κB activation and IL-8/CXCL8 expression. Thrombin-induced IL-8/CXCL8 release and IL-8/CXCL8-luciferase activity were attenuated by a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), an Akt inhibitor (1-L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol-2-((R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate)), and the dominant negative mutants of Rac1 (RacN17) and Akt (AktDN). Treatment of cells with thrombin caused activation of Rac and Akt. The thrombin-induced increase in Akt activation was inhibited by RacN17 and LY294002. Stimulation of cells with thrombin resulted in increases in IKKα/β activation and κB-luciferase activity; these effects were inhibited by RacN17, LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, and AktDN. Treatment of cells with thrombin induced Gβγ, p85α, and Rac1 complex formation in a time-dependent manner. These results imply that thrombin activates the Rac1/PI3K/Akt pathway through formation of the Gβγ, Rac1, and p85α complex to induce IKKα/β activation, NF-κB transactivation, and IL-8/CXCL8 expression in human lung epithelial cells.     

Folic Acid Represses Hypoxia-Induced Inflammation in THP-1 Cells through Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α Pathway

Though hypoxia has been implicated as a cause of inflammation, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Folic acid has been shown to provide protection against oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with cardiovascular disease and various models approximating insult to tissue via inflammation. It has been reported that hypoxia-induced inflammation is associated with oxidative stress, upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Whether folic acid protects human monocytic cells (THP-1 cells) against hypoxia-induced damage, however, remains unknown. We used THP-1 cells to establish a hypoxia-induced cellular injury model. Pretreating THP-1 cells with folic acid attenuated hypoxia-induced inflammatory responses, including a decrease in protein and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), coupled with increased levels of IL-10. Folic acid also reduced hypoxia-induced Akt phosphorylation and decreased nuclear accumulation of HIF-1α protein. Both {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 (a selective inhibitor of phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase, PI3K) and KC7F2 (a HIF-1α inhibitor) reduced levels of hypoxia-induced inflammatory cytokines. We also found that insulin (an Akt activator) and dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG, a HIF-1α activator) induced over-expression of inflammatory cytokines, which could be blocked by folic acid. Taken together, these findings demonstrate how folic acid attenuates the hypoxia-induced inflammatory responses of THP-1 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway.     

Over-expression of microRNA-494 up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression via PI3K/Akt pathway and protects against hypoxia-induced apoptosis

Background

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one of the key regulators of hypoxia/ischemia. MicroRNA-494 (miR-494) had cardioprotective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury, but its functional relationship with HIF-1α was unknown. This study was undertaken to determine if miR-494 was involved in the induction of HIF-1α.

Results

Quantitative RT-PCR showed that miR-494 was up-regulated to peak after 4 hours of hypoxia in human liver cell line L02. To investigate the role of miR-494, cells were transfected with miR-494 mimic or miR-negative control, followed by incubation under normoxia or hypoxia. Our results indicated that overexpression of miR-494 significantly induced the expression of p-Akt, HIF-1α and HO-1 determined by qRT-PCR and western blot under normoxia and hypoxia, compared to negative control (p < 0.05). While {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 treatment markedly abolished miR-494-inducing Akt activation, HIF-1α and HO-1 increase under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis detection using Annexin V indicated that overexpression of miR-494 significantly decreased hypoxia-induced apoptosis in L02 cells, compared to control (p < 0.05). MiR-494 overexpression also decreased caspase-3/7 activity by 1.27-fold under hypoxia in L02 cells.

Conclusions

Overexpression of miR-494 upregulated HIF-1α expression through activating PI3K/Akt pathway under both normoxia and hypoxia, and had protective effects against hypoxia-induced apoptosis in L02 cells. Thus, these findings suggested that miR-494 might be a target of therapy for hepatic hypoxia/ischemia injury.