香蜂草苷诱导人肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡及其作用机制

为了研究香蜂草苷对肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制,利用MTT法检测香蜂草苷对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,试剂盒检测caspase-3和caspase-9活性,Western blot检测Bcl-2、Bax、RKIP、ERK、p-ERK蛋白表达。实验结果表明香蜂草苷可抑制HepG2细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,其机制可能与提高caspase-3和caspase-9活性,上调Bax和下调Bcl-2表达有关。此外,我们的研究显示香蜂草苷诱导HepG2细胞凋亡可能还与其增加RKIP表达,抑制ERK/MAPK信号通路有关。     

rBTI联合紫杉醇通过激活NFκB/p65促进MCF-7细胞凋亡

rBTI、紫杉醇均有抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、促进肿瘤细胞凋亡等作用,但两者联合用药对肿瘤细胞的影响尚不明确.本文通过MTT比色法检测rBTI与紫杉醇联合作用对MCF-7细胞增殖的影响;采用流式细胞术分析,对MCF-7细胞凋亡以及ROS水平进行检测;利用qRT-PCR和Western印迹方法,检测rBTI与紫杉醇联合作用后凋亡因子表达情况.结果表明,rBTI(2.5μmol/L)与紫杉醇(0.05~0.5μmol/L)联合作用于MCF-7细胞后,能显著抑制其增殖.将rBTI与紫杉醇进行联合协同用药,诱导了MCF-7细胞凋亡及ROS的产生;同时与rBTI单独作用时相比,联合作用明显上调了p53、Bax的表达,促进了IκBα蛋白的磷酸化以及NFκB/p65的核转位;与rBTI组和紫杉醇单独作用组相比,两者联合用药明显下调了Bcl-2和CyclinD1的表达.本研究证实,rBTI联合紫杉醇通过诱导ROS的产生,激活NFκB/p65信号转导途径,协同促进MCF-7细胞的凋亡.     

半边旗二萜类成分PAG通过ROS诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的作用研究

探讨半边旗二萜类成分Pteisolic acid G(PAG)对人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖和凋亡的影响及作用机制。用不同浓度的PAG处理HepG2细胞后,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率;采用PI单染法检测细胞周期分布;采用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡率;采用RT-PCR和Western Blotting检测细胞内mRNA和蛋白表达情况;采用DCFH-DA法检测细胞内ROS水平,采用ROS抑制剂乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)评价PAG细胞增殖抑制作用对ROS的依赖性。结果表明,在24 h、48 h和72 h时,PAG可剂量依赖性地抑制HepG2细胞的增殖(p0.05),IC_(50)分别为64.8μmol/L,38.5μmol/L和24.8μmol/L;用药24 h时PAG可剂量依赖性地使HepG2细胞阻滞在G_2/M期,同时增加HepG2细胞凋亡率(p0.05);PAG可剂量依赖性地降低HepG2细胞内Bcl-2 mRNA和caspase 3、PARP、Bcl-2蛋白的表达(p0.05),增加Bax mRNA和actived-caspase 3、cleaved-PARP、Bax蛋白的表达(p0.05)。当使用1 mmol/L的ROS抑制剂NAC预处理HepG2细胞时,PAG对HepG2细胞增殖抑制作用被显著阻断。上述结果表明,半边旗二萜类成分PAG可提高Bax/Bcl-2的基因和蛋白表达比值,从而诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡,该作用可能是通过升高细胞内ROS水平来实现的。     

细胞色素c的释放是多巴胺诱导PC12细胞凋亡的重要环节

通过末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导dUTP缺口翻译法和DNA凝胶电泳观察多巴胺(DA)对PC12细胞凋亡的诱导作用, 并经蛋白质印迹法检测胞浆细胞色素c、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白以及活化型半胱氨酸蛋白酶3(caspase-3)水平. 结果表明, 在DA诱导PC12细胞凋亡的过程中, 可见PC12细胞中活化型caspase-3蛋白表达, 胞浆中细胞色素c水平明显增高, 同时Bcl-2蛋白水平下降, 而Bax蛋白水平明显增加. 环孢菌素A预处理对细胞色素c释放和caspase-3激活有明显的抑制作用, 而对Bcl-2和Bax蛋白影响不明显. 结果提示, Bcl-2和Bax蛋白、细胞色素c以及caspase-3可能参与DA诱导PC12细胞凋亡, 线粒体细胞色素c向胞浆释放可能是其中的中心环节.     

南方大斑蝥体内结合斑蝥素对人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的影响

利用水提法从来自罗甸县茂井镇的南方大斑蝥中提取得到结合斑蝥素,作用于人肝癌HepG2细胞后,分别利用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测HepG2细胞的凋亡率,RT-PCR法检测Bax、Bcl-2mRNA相对表达情况,利用Western blot法检测HepG2细胞中Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响。实验结果表明罗甸县茂井镇产的南方大斑蝥体内结合斑蝥素可诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡,其机制可能与上调Bax和下调Bcl-2表达有关。     

迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移能力的影响

研究迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移能力的影响。采用磺酰罗丹明B(SRB)法测定迷迭香酸对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响,Hoechst 33258荧光染色法观察细胞凋亡形态,Annexin VFITC/PI检测细胞凋亡率;同时,细胞划痕实验检测迷迭香酸对MDA-MB-231细胞体外迁移能力的影响,实时荧光PCR(qPCR)法检测Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3、MMP-2和MMP-9基因的表达水平。研究结果显示迷迭香酸能抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,且呈时间剂量依赖性;迷迭香酸处理后的MDA-MB-231细胞出现明显的凋亡形态,且细胞凋亡率明显增加,Bax和caspase-3 mRNA表达水平增加,而Bcl-2 mRNA表达水平降低。另外,迷迭香酸作用后可剂量依赖性地降低MDA-MB-231细胞的体外迁移能力;同时降低MMP-2和MMP-9 mRNA的表达。因此,迷迭香酸能有效的抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,降低细胞迁移能力。     

肝癌细胞Fas-FasL途径反击免疫细胞

为了探讨肝癌细胞反击肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞(TIL)的机制,在体外进行肝癌细胞和TIL混合培养后,检测两种细胞FasL、Fas、caspase-8基因的表达情况,以及肿瘤细胞反击时TIL凋亡比例的变化.将肝癌细胞与TIL按照不同的比例共培养后,流式细胞术检测TIL凋亡率;实时荧光定量PCR检测肝癌细胞与TIL FasL、Fas和caspase-8基因的表达情况;以及Western印迹检测FasL、caspase-8的表达情况.不同浓度的肝癌细胞与TIL共同培养48 h后,随着肝癌细胞接种浓度的增加,TIL凋亡率明显增加(P＜0.01).与正常人肝细胞相比,人肝癌细胞FasL mRNA表达含量明显增高(P＜0.01).与人肝癌细胞共同培养24 h后,TIL Fas、caspase-8基因mRNA的表达也明显升高;TIL caspase-8的表达也明显升高.结果表明,肝癌细胞可以通过Fas系统诱导TIL发生凋亡,这为肝癌的免疫逃逸和肿瘤反击机制提供了依据.     

丙二醛对体外培养下小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡的诱导作用

为了探索丙二醛对小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)凋亡的诱导作用及其机制,在不同浓度的丙二醛培养体系中孵育MSCs 24 h,用TUNEL法、流式细胞术检测MSC凋亡率,并用实时定量RT-PCR、Western印迹检测Bcl-2、Bax及Caspase-3基因的表达水平。结果发现,MDA能浓度依赖性地增加TUNEL阳性细胞百分率、亚G1峰细胞百分率,同时下调Bcl-2 mRNA及蛋白的表达,上调Bax mRNA和Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白的表达.这些结果表明:在体外培养条件下,丙二醛可诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的凋亡,其作用机制与Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3基因表达水平的变化有关。     

Desmosdumotin-C A环衍生物TEP诱导HL-60细胞凋亡作用机制研究

本研究主要探讨毛叶假鹰爪素C(Desmosdumotin C)A环衍生物TEP诱导人急性白血病HL-60细胞凋亡作用及机制。流式细胞技术检测TEP诱导细胞凋亡及其对凋亡细胞中Fas、Fas L、Bax、Bcl-2表达率的影响,透射电镜观察凋亡细胞形态学改变。结果显示40μg/m L TEP作用细胞24 h后,细胞可呈现典型的凋亡形态学变化;40μg/m L TEP可明显提高凋亡细胞中Fas、Fas L、Bax的表达(P0.05),并可明显降低抗凋亡细胞Bcl-2的表达(P0.05)。以上实验结果表明毛叶假鹰爪素C(Desmosdumotin C,Des C)A环衍生物TEP可有效地诱导HL-60细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与上调Fas、Fas L、Bax表达以及下调Bcl-2表达有关。     

斜生褐孔菌多糖诱导人肝癌HepG-2细胞凋亡的研究

研究了斜生褐孔菌多糖对人类肝癌HepG-2细胞凋亡的诱导作用。采用噻唑蓝法(MTT法)观察了斜生褐孔菌多糖对HepG-2细胞生长的影响,用透射电镜观察了细胞形态,用DNA Ladder检测了细胞凋亡,用流式细胞仪检测了细胞凋亡率;同时采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应法(RT-PCR法)研究了不同浓度斜生褐孔菌多糖作用后HepG-2细胞中Bax和Bcl-2基因mRNA转录水平的变化。结果表明斜生褐孔菌多糖能抑制HepG-2细胞增殖,并呈时间剂量依赖关系;电镜观察、DNALadder和流式细胞仪检测均证实了斜生褐孔菌多糖能够诱导HepG-2细胞凋亡;经斜生褐孔菌多糖处理后,HepG-2细胞中Bax基因mRNA转录水平增强,而Bcl-2基因mRNA无明显变化。证明了斜生褐孔菌多糖具有抑制HepG-2细胞生长及诱导HepG-2细胞凋亡的作用,这可能与调节Bcl-2和Bax基因表达水平有关。     

Alveolar epithelial type II cell apoptosis in vivo during resolution of keratinocyte growth factor-induced hyperplasia in the rat

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) induces rapid and transient hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial type II cells. We sought to determine components of the apoptotic process involved in the resolution of this hyperplasia and the fate of the apoptotic cells. Rats received intrabronchial instillation of 5 mg KGF/kg body weight or diluent. Lungs were fixed 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days later. Apoptosis was identified by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), double-labeling for TUNEL and the type II cell marker MNF116, and electron microscopy. Fas, FasL, Bax, Bcl-2, and pro- and active caspase-3 were studied by immunohistochemistry. Changes were quantified by stereology. Cell type specificity was investigated by immunofluorescence double staining. Type II cells exhibited Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and procaspase-3 irrespective of treatment and time. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed Fas at the apical type II cell membrane. Bax staining was prominent in controls (45-95% of type II cell surface fraction), markedly decreased during hyperplasia at days 2 (20-40%) and 3 (0-10%), and reappeared at day 7 (25-45%) when apoptosis was prominent. Remnants of apoptotic type II cells were incorporated in membrane-bound vacuoles of type II cell neighbors as well as alveolar macrophages. The results indicate that type II cells can enter the Fas/FasL/caspase-3 pathway regulated by Bax and Bcl-2. High Bcl-2:Bax levels favor type II cell survival and a low rate of apoptosis during hyperplasia. Low Bcl-2:Bax levels favor type II cell apoptosis during resolution. Because of time-dependent changes that occur within a short time, the KGF-treated rat lung provides a useful in vivo model to investigate apoptosis in the context of tissue remodeling and repair.     

Expression of Bcl—2 inhibited Fas—mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL—7404 cells

Apoptosis plays an important role in embryonic development,tissue remodeling,immune regulation and tumor regression.Two groups of molecules(Bcl-2 family and “Death factor” family) are involved in regulating apoptosis.In order to know about the effect of Bcl-2 on apoptosis induced by Fas,a typical member of “Death factor” family,the transfection experiments with expression vectors pcDNA3-fl and pcDNA3-bcl-2 were performed in BEL-7404 cells,a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line which expresses endogenous Fas,but not FasL and Bcl-2.The data showed that the expression of FasL in pcDNA3-fl transfected hepatoma cells obviously induced the apoptosis of the cells.However,the overexpression of Bcl-2 in pcDNA3-bcl-2 transfected 7404/b-16 cells counteracted pcDNA3-fl transient transfection mediated apoptosis.Further study by cotransfection experiments indicated that Bid but not Bax (both were pro-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family) blocked the inhibitory effect of Bcl-2 on Fas-mediated apoptosis.These results suggested that Fas-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma cells is possibly regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins via mitochondria pathway.     

Swainsonine activates mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway in human lung cancer A549 cells and retards the growth of lung cancer xenografts

Swainsonine (1, 2, 8-trihyroxyindolizidine, SW), a natural alkaloid, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer activity on several mouse models of human cancer and human cancers in vivo. However, the mechanisms of SW-mediated tumor regression are not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of SW on several human lung cancer cell lines in vitro. The results showed that SW significantly inhibited these cells growth through induction of apoptosis in different extent in vitro. Further studies showed that SW treatment up-regulated Bax, down-regulated Bcl-2 expression, promoted Bax translocation to mitochondria, activated mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, which in turn caused the release of cytochrome c, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), resulting in A549 cell apoptosis. However, the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) or caspase-8 activity did not appear significant changes in the process of SW-induced apoptosis. Moreover, SW treatment inhibited Bcl-2 expression, promoted Bax translocation, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity in xenograft tumor cells, resulting in a significant decrease of tumor volume and tumor weight in the SW-treated xenograft mice groups in comparison to the control group. Taken together, this study demonstrated for the first time that SW inhibited A549 cancer cells growth through a mitochondria-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway in vitro and in vivo.     

Osteoprotegerin Induces Apoptosis of Osteoclasts and Osteoclast Precursor Cells via the Fas/Fas Ligand Pathway

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is known to inhibit differentiation and activation of osteoclasts (OCs) by functioning as a decoy receptor blocking interactions between RANK and RANKL. However, the exact role of OPG in the survival/apoptosis of OCs remains unclear. OPG caused increased rates of apoptosis of both OCs and osteoclast precursor cells (OPCs). The expression of Fas and activated caspase-8 was increased by both 20 ng/mL and 40 ng/mL of OPG, but was markedly decreased at 80 ng/mL. Interestingly, we noted that while levels of Fas ligand (FasL) increased with increasing doses of OPG, the soluble form of FasL in the supernatant decreased. The results of a co-immunoprecipitation assay suggested that the decrease of sFasL might be caused by the binding of OPG. This would block the inhibition of the apoptosis of OCs and OPCs. Furthermore, changes in expression levels of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspased-3 and the translocation of cytochrome c, illustrated that OPG induced apoptosis of OCs and OPCs via the classic Fas/FasL apoptosis pathway, and was mediated by mitochondria. Altogether, our results demonstrate that OPG induces OCs and OPCs apoptosis partly by the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.     

Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and Bax in the endometrium of rhesus monkey during the menstrual cycle

To study possible role and regulation of apoptosis occurred in primate endometrium, the expression of apoptosis-related molecules, Fas, FasL, B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2), and Bax were analyzed in relation to occurrence of apoptosis and proliferation in the cycling endometrium of the rhesus monkey using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The cell apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated by means of in situ 3'-end labeling and Ki67 immunostaining, respectively. The results showed that the expressions of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2, and Bax were co-localized predominantly in the epithelial cells of the endometrium. Modest Fas staining with no obvious change was detected throughout the menstrual cycle, while the levels of FasL and Bax protein in the epithelial cells increased in the secretory phase when apoptosis was most prevalent. In contrast, epithelial immunostaining for Bcl-2 was maximal during the proliferative phase and decreased in the secretory phase. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was also detected in some immunocytes. The coordinated expression of Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, and Bax in the cycling endometrium of the rhesus monkey suggests that the cyclic changes in endometrial growth and regression may be regulated by the balance of these factors under the action of ovary steroids.     

Expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas/FasL, Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in rat corpus luteum during luteal regression

Corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine organ formed from the ovulated follicle. CL produces progesterone and estrogen that are important in preparing the uterine environment for implantation and maintaining gestation. Pregnancy maintains the CL function; otherwise, CL re-gresses rapidly. Cycling formation and regression of CL is essential for initiation of new follicular growth and differentiation, and subsequently ovulation and luteinization[1]. Luteal regression could be divided int…     

Induction of cell death in rat small intestine by ischemia reperfusion: differential roles of Fas/Fas ligand and Bcl-2/Bax systems depending upon cell types

Although ischemia reperfusion (I/R) induces apoptotic damage of mammalian small intestine, the molecular mechanism is largely unknown. We investigated the appearance of apoptosis at various time-points (0–24 h) of reperfusion after 1-h ischemia and the expression of various apoptosis-related proteins, such as Bcl-2, Bax, Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), activated caspase-3, and cytochrome c, immunohistochemically in rat small intestine. As assessed by TUNEL and electron microscopy, apoptotic cells were increased at 3 h of reperfusion in all intestinal parts (villous epithelium, crypt epithelium, and stroma of intestine). Moreover, the TUNEL-positive cells in the stroma were later identified as T cells. The expression of Fas and FasL as well as activated caspase-3 was markedly increased at 3 h of reperfusion in the stroma. In the villous epithelium, a transient decrease in Bcl-2 expression was found while in the crypt epithelium, Fas expression was induced. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of leupeptin (an SH-protease inhibitor) after I/R resulted in a significant inhibition of the induction of apoptosis in the stroma and crypt epithelium. Our results indicate that the triggering molecules of apoptosis in the I/R rat small intestine may vary depending on cell type and that the use of a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor may reduce intestinal damage.     

Mechanism of Arctigenin-Induced Specific Cytotoxicity against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines: Hep G2 and SMMC7721

Arctigenin (ARG) has been previously reported to exert high biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer. In this study, the anti-tumor mechanism of ARG towards human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was firstly investigated. We demonstrated that ARG could induce apoptosis in Hep G2 and SMMC7721 cells but not in normal hepatic cells, and its apoptotic effect on Hep G2 was stronger than that on SMMC7721. Furthermore, the following study showed that ARG treatment led to a loss in the mitochondrial out membrane potential, up-regulation of Bax, down-regulation of Bcl-2, a release of cytochrome c, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation and a cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in both Hep G2 and SMMC7721 cells, suggesting ARG-induced apoptosis was associated with the mitochondria mediated pathway. Moreover, the activation of caspase-8 and the increased expression levels of Fas/FasL and TNF-α revealed that the Fas/FasL-related pathway was also involved in this process. Additionally, ARG induced apoptosis was accompanied by a deactivation of PI3K/p-Akt pathway, an accumulation of p53 protein and an inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation especially in Hep G2 cells, which might be the reason that Hep G2 was more sensitive than SMMC7721 cells to ARG treatment.     

Expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas/FasL,Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in rat corpus luteum during luteal regression

Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Western blot and TUNEL methods, we have studied the expression of Fas/FasL, Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3 in the corpora lutea (CL) at various stages of pseudopregnant rat induced by injection of PMSF/hCG. The results showed that no apoptotic signal could be observed until Day 14 after hCG injection. Fas weakly expressed in the CL at all the stages increased when luteolysis took place. FasL signal increased dramatically on Day 14 and reached the maximum level on Day 21. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected in a time-dependent manner. At the early stage of CL development, Bcl-2 expression was stronger, while Bax was low. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the CL was completely reversed. Caspase-3 antigen could be detected throughout all the phases of CL development in a time-dependent fashion, low on Day 2 and reaching the maximum on Day 21. These results suggest that luteal regression at the late phases may be related to cell apoptosis.     

Lung injury after ischemia-reperfusion of small intestine in rats involves apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells mediated by TNF-α and activation of Bid pathway

Although ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of small intestine is known to induce lung cell apoptosis, there is little information on intracellular and extracellular molecular mechanisms. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis including the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Bid, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and activated caspase-3 in the rat lung at various time-points (0–24 h) of reperfusion after 1-h ischemia of small intestine. As assessed by TUNEL, the number of apoptotic epithelial cells, which were subsequently identified as type II alveolar epithelial cells by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical double-staining, increased at 3 h of reperfusion in the lung. However, intravenous injections of anti-TNF-α antibody decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells, indicating involvement of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the induction of lung cell apoptosis. Western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry revealed a marked up-regulation of Fas, FasL, Bid, Bax, cytochrome c and activated caspase-3 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 in lung epithelial and stromal cells at 3 h of reperfusion. Our results indicate that I/R of small intestine results in apoptosis of rat alveolar type II cells through a series of events including systemic TNF-α, activation of two apoptotic signaling pathways and mitochondrial translocation of Bid.