Hepassocin activates the EGFR/ERK cascade and induces proliferation of L02 cells through the Src-dependent pathway

Hepassocin (HPS) is a secreted protein with mitogenic activity on primary hepatocytes and protects hepatocytes from chemically-induced injury. Our previous studies showed that HPS stimulates proliferation of hepatocytes in an ERK pathway-dependent manner. However, the molecular mechanism of HPS-induced activation of the ERK pathway remains unclear. In this study, we found that HPS induced the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the human L02 hepatocyte cell line, and this event was concomitant with the activation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src. Specific inhibition of EGFR kinase activity by gefitinib or down-regulation of EGFR by specific EGFR siRNAs prevented HPS-induced activation of the ERK pathway and proliferation of L02 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of Src activity significantly blocked HPS-induced activation of the EGFR, which was suggestive of a ligand-independent transactivation mechanism of EGFR itself as well as ERK phosphorylation and proliferation of L02 cells. These results indicate that EGFR plays an important role in the mitogenic signaling induced by HPS in L02 cell lines and may further stimulate research on the role of HPS in hepatocytes within biological processes in human health and disease.     

Cks1 regulates human hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression through osteopontin expression

Precise cell cycle regulation is critical to prevent aberrant cell proliferation and cancer progression. Cks1 was reported to be an essential accessory factor for SCF^Skp2, the ubiquitin ligase that targets p27^Kip1 for proteasomal degradation; these actions drive mammalian cell transition from G1 to S phase. In this study, we investigated the role played by Cks1 in the growth and progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Silencing Cks1 expression abrogated osteopontin (OPN) expression in a p27^Kip1-dependent manner in Huh7 HCC cells. OPN increased the proliferation, migration and invasion of Huh7 cells. Pharmacological inhibitor studies demonstrated that ERK1/2 signaling is responsible mainly for Cks1-mediated OPN expression. Cks1 appears to regulate ERK1/2 signaling through the expression of dual-specificity phosphatase 16 (DUSP16) because both Cks1 knockdown, which leads to DUSP16 upregulation, and DUSP16 overexpression decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and the resulting OPN expression. The same is true for the Cks1-mediated increases in p27^Kip1, suggesting that Cks1 regulates OPN expression through activating ERK1/2 signaling either by suppressing DUSP16 expression or by a p27^Kip1-dependent mechanism. Cks1 and OPN expression levels were significantly higher, but DUSP16 expression levels were significantly lower in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues. Both Cks1 and OPN expression were negatively correlated with DUSP16 expression, whereas Cks1 expression was positively correlated with OPN expression. Moreover, combined panels for the expression levels of Cks1, DUSP16 and OPN showed significant prognostic power for the risk assessment of HCC patient overall survival. In conclusion, our data propose a novel function for Cks1 as a tumor promoter through the expression of the strongly oncogenic protein OPN in HCC.     

Dis3L2 regulates cell proliferation and tissue growth through a conserved mechanism

Dis3L2 is a highly conserved 3’-5’ exoribonuclease which is mutated in the human overgrowth disorders Perlman syndrome and Wilms’ tumour of the kidney. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we have generated a new dis3L2 null mutant together with wild-type and nuclease-dead genetic lines in Drosophila to demonstrate that the catalytic activity of Dis3L2 is required to control cell proliferation. To understand the cellular pathways regulated by Dis3L2 to control proliferation, we used RNA-seq on dis3L2 mutant wing discs to show that the imaginal disc growth factor Idgf2 is responsible for driving the wing overgrowth. IDGFs are conserved proteins homologous to human chitinase-like proteins such as CHI3L1/YKL-40 which are implicated in tissue regeneration as well as cancers including colon cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. We also demonstrate that loss of DIS3L2 in human kidney HEK-293T cells results in cell proliferation, illustrating the conservation of this important cell proliferation pathway. Using these human cells, we show that loss of DIS3L2 results in an increase in the PI3-Kinase/AKT signalling pathway, which we subsequently show to contribute towards the proliferation phenotype in Drosophila. Our work therefore provides the first mechanistic explanation for DIS3L2-induced overgrowth in humans and flies and identifies an ancient proliferation pathway controlled by Dis3L2 to regulate cell proliferation and tissue growth.     

Caveolin-1 negatively regulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma cells

The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) offers promising therapeutic potential based on its ability to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines without obvious adverse effect to normal cells. However, the mechanism of the differential sensitivity towards TRAIL-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that caveolin-1 directly regulated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ShRNA-mediated caveolin knockdown sensitized TRAIL-induced apoptosis and disruption of caveolae structure by the cholesterol-extracting reagent, methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD), enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Over-expression of caveolin-1 partially blocked TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The engagement of TRAIL with its receptor DR4 reduced the localization of DR4 in caveolae and resulted in its internalization. Blockade of caveolae-mediated internalization of DR4 by filipin III effectively enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our results reveal a new mechanism by which caveolin-1 negatively regulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma cells.     

Achacin induces cell death in HeLa cells through two different mechanisms

Achacin, which belongs to the L-amino acid oxidase group, oxidizes free amino acids and produces hydrogen peroxide in cell culture systems. Morphological changes in cells incubated with achacin were similar to those of cells incubated with H(2)O(2). In both cases, the end result was cell death. To examine the mechanism of achacin-associated cytotoxicity, the H(2)O(2) scavenger catalase was added to culture media. Features typical of apoptosis, including morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and PARP cleavage, were observed when cells were incubated with achacin in the presence of catalase. Moreover, apoptosis was inhibited by Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor. Herein, we present evidence that two pathways are involved in achacin-induced cell death. One is direct generation of H(2)O(2) through the L-amino acid oxidase activity of achacin. The other is the caspase-mediated apoptotic pathway that is induced by depletion of L-amino acids by achacin.     

Salirasib sensitizes hepatocarcinoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through DR5 and survivin-dependent mechanisms

Ras activation is a frequent event in human hepatocarcinoma that may contribute to resistance towards apoptosis. Salirasib is a ras and mTOR inhibitor that induces a pro-apoptotic phenotype in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines. In this work, we evaluate whether salirasib sensitizes those cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Cell viability, cell death and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro in HepG2, Hep3B and Huh7 cells treated with DMSO, salirasib and YM155 (a survivin inhibitor), alone or in combination with recombinant TRAIL. Our results show that pretreatment with salirasib sensitized human hepatocarcinoma cell lines, but not normal human hepatocytes, to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Indeed, FACS analysis showed that 25 (Huh7) to 50 (HepG2 and Hep3B) percent of the cells treated with both drugs were apoptotic. This occurred through activation of the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways, as evidenced by a marked increase in caspase 3/7 (five to ninefold), caspase 8 (four to sevenfold) and caspase 9 (eight to 12-fold) activities in cells treated with salirasib and TRAIL compared with control. Survivin inhibition had an important role in this process and was sufficient to sensitize hepatocarcinoma cells to apoptosis. Furthermore, TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HCC cells pretreated with salirasib was dependent on activation of death receptor (DR) 5. In conclusion, salirasib sensitizes hepatocarcinoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by a mechanism involving the DR5 receptor and survivin inhibition. These results in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines and primary hepatocytes provide a rationale for testing the combination of salirasib and TRAIL agonists in human hepatocarcinoma.     

Panaxydol inhibits the proliferation and induces the differentiation of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2

Panaxydol, a polyacetylene compound isolated from Panax ginseng, exerts anti-proliferative effects against malignant cells. No previous study, however, has been reported on its effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Here, we investigated the effects of panaxydol on the proliferation and differentiation of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2. We studied by electronic microscopy of morphological and ultrastructural changes induced by panaxydol. We also examined the cytotoxicities of panaxydol against HepG2 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and the effect of panaxydol on cell cycle distributions by flow cytometry. We investigated the production of liver proteins in panaxydol-treated cells including alpha-fetoprotein and albumin and measured the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase. We further investigated the effects of panaxydol on the expression of Id-1, Id-2, p21 and pRb by RT-PCR or immunoblotting analysis. We found that panaxydol inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and caused morphological and ultrastructural changes in HepG2 cells resembling more mature forms of hepatocytes. Moreover, panaxydol induced a cell cycle arrest at the G₁ to S transition in HepG2 cells. It also significantly decreased the secretion of alpha-fetoprotein and the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase. By contrast, panaxydol remarkably increased the secretion of albumin and the alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, panaxydol increased the mRNA content of p21 while reducing that of Id-1 and Id-2. Panaxydol also increased the protein levels of p21, pRb and the hypophosphorylated pRb in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that panaxydol is of value for further exploration as a potential anti-cancer agent.     

Substrate rigidity regulates human T cell activation and proliferation

Adoptive immunotherapy using cultured T cells holds promise for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease. Ligands immobilized on surfaces fabricated from hard materials such as polystyrene plastic are commonly employed for T cell culture. The mechanical properties of a culture surface can influence the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells and fibroblasts. We therefore explored the impact of culture substrate stiffness on the ex vivo activation and expansion of human T cells. We describe a simple system for the stimulation of the TCR/CD3 complex and the CD28 receptor using substrates with variable rigidity manufactured from poly(dimethylsiloxane), a biocompatible silicone elastomer. We show that softer (Young's Modulus [E] < 100 kPa) substrates stimulate an average 4-fold greater IL-2 production and ex vivo proliferation of human CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells compared with stiffer substrates (E > 2 MPa). Mixed peripheral blood T cells cultured on the stiffer substrates also demonstrate a trend (nonsignificant) toward a greater proportion of CD62L(neg), effector-differentiated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Naive CD4(+) T cells expanded on softer substrates yield an average 3-fold greater proportion of IFN-γ-producing Th1-like cells. These results reveal that the rigidity of the substrate used to immobilize T cell stimulatory ligands is an important and previously unrecognized parameter influencing T cell activation, proliferation, and Th differentiation. Substrate rigidity should therefore be a consideration in the development of T cell culture systems as well as when interpreting results of T cell activation based upon solid-phase immobilization of TCR/CD3 and CD28 ligands.     

Numbers of cells and cell proliferation in intima of different human arteries

Increased cell proliferation in early atherosclerotic lesions is recognized as an essential event of atherogenesis but the levels of cell proliferation in different stages of atherosclerotic plague formation in different types of human large arteries are still insufficiently studied. In the present work, we studied intima thickness and proliferation of newly "infiltrates" hematogenous and resident cells in atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid and coronary arteries and compared these parameters with those in the aorta, reported by us in earlier publication. Analysis of intima thickness and proliferation in grossly unaffected intima and in different types pf atherosclerotic lesions (initial lesions, fatty streaks, lipofibrous, plaques, and fibrous plaque) revealed that although there were similar tendencies in the change of the infiltration levels of hematogenous cells and proliferation in different types of arteries, there were significant quantitative differences between different types of arteries. Hematogenous cells in lipofibrous plaques of the coronary and carotid arteries were found to account for a third and almost for a half of the total cell population, respectively, while atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, as it has been shown by us earlier, to contain no more than 15% ofhematogenous cells. This suggests that the contribution of hematogenous cells to the development of atherosclerosis in the carotid and the coronary artery appears to be more significant than that in the aorta. Despite the differences in numbers of accumulating hematogenous cells in the intima, a similar "bell-shaped" dependence of cell numbers on the lesion type, involved in the following sequence: unaffected intima-initial lesions-fatty streaks-lipofibrous plaques-fibrous plaques, was detected in the coronary and carotid arteries. The visualization of proliferating cells (PCNA-positive) in atherosclerotic and unaffected zones of the coronary and carotid arteries revealed similar patterns. The maximum numbers of PCNA-positive resident cells were identified in lipofibrous plaques. The changes in the total cell numbers were accompanied by the changes in the numbers of both proliferating resident cells and proliferating hematogenous cells.     

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IVa regulates metastatic potential of mouse hepatocarcinoma cells through glycosylation of CD147

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT)-IV a is a key enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the GlcNAC β1-4 branch on the core structure of complex N-Glycans, which is the common substrate for other N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases, such as GnT-III and GnT-V. Our recent study indicates that the expression of GnT-IVa in Hca-F cells was much higher than that in Hepa1-6 cells, these two mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines have high and no metastatic potential in lymph nodes respectively. To investigate the effects of GnT-IVa on the metastasis of hepatocarcinoma, exogenous GnT-IVa was introduced into Hepa1-6 cells, and on the other hand, the expression of GnT-IVa was down-regulated in Hca-F cells. The engineered overexpression of GnT-IVa in Hepa1-6 cells increased the antennary branches of complex N-glycans and reduced bisecting branches in vitro and in vivo, which leads to the increase in migration and metastatic capability of hepatocarcinoma cells. Conversely, down-regulated expression of GnT-IVa in Hca-F cells showed reduced tetra-antennary branches of N-Glycans, and significantly decreased the migration and metastatic capability. Furthermore, we found that the regulated GnT-IVa converts the heterogeneous N-glycosylated forms of CD147 in Hepa1-6 and Hca-F cells, and significantly changed the antennary oligosaccharide structures on CD147. These results suggest that GnT-IVa could be acting as a key role in migration and metastasis of mouse hepatocarcinoma cells through altering the glycosylation of CD147. These findings should be valuable in delineating the important function of GnT-IVa during the process of hepatocarcinoma growth and metastasis.     

Methylation-mediated miR-214 regulates proliferation and drug sensitivity of renal cell carcinoma cells through targeting LIVIN

LIVIN, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), is reported playing important roles in the development and progression of multiple human cancers. However, its underlined mechanisms in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are still needed to be clarified. In the present study, we reported that inhibition of miR-214 promoted the expression of LIVIN, then facilitated RCC cells growth and reduced the sensitivity of RCC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. In constant, overexpression of miR-214 had contradictory effects. Further investigation showed that miR-214 was down-regulated in RCC because of abnormal methylation. In addition, DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, miR-214 and LIVIN are directly correlated in RCC patients. In conclusion, these results suggest that abnormal miR-214 methylation negatively regulates LIVIN, which may promote RCC cells growth and reduced the sensitivity of RCC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs.     

Acetylation regulates DNA repair mechanisms in human cells

The p300-mediated acetylation of enzymes involved in DNA repair and replication has been previously shown to stimulate or inhibit their activities in reconstituted systems. To explore the role of acetylation on DNA repair in cells we constructed plasmid substrates carrying inactivating damages in the EGFP reporter gene, which should be repaired in cells through DNA mismatch repair (MMR) or base excision repair (BER) mechanisms. We analyzed efficiency of repair within these plasmid substrates in cells exposed to deacetylase and acetyltransferase inhibitors, and also in cells deficient in p300 acetyltransferase. Our results indicate that protein acetylation improves DNA mismatch repair in MMR-proficient HeLa cells and also in MMR-deficient HCT116 cells. Moreover, results suggest that stimulated repair of mismatches in MMR-deficient HCT116 cells is done though a strand-displacement synthesis mechanism described previously for Okazaki fragments maturation and also for the EXOI-independent pathway of MMR. Loss of p300 reduced repair of mismatches in MMR-deficient cells, but did not have evident effects on BER mechanisms, including the long patch BER pathway. Hypoacetylation of the cells in the presence of acetyltransferase inhibitor, garcinol generally reduced efficiency of BER of 8-oxoG damage, indicating that some steps in the pathway are stimulated by acetylation.     

Intracellular chloride regulates cell proliferation through the activation of stress‐activated protein kinases in MKN28 human gastric cancer cells

Recently, we reported that reduction of intracellular Cl^? concentration ([Cl^?]_i) inhibited proliferation of MKN28 gastric cancer cells by diminishing the transition rate from G₁ to S cell‐cycle phase through upregulation of p21, cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, in a p53‐independent manner. However, it is still unknown how intracellular Cl^? regulates p21 expression level. In this study, we demonstrate that mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in the p21 upregulation and cell‐cycle arrest induced by reduction of [Cl^?]_i. Culture of MKN28 cells in a low Cl^? medium significantly induced phosphorylation (activation) of MAPKs (ERK, p38, and JNK) and G₁/S cell‐cycle arrest. To clarify the involvement of MAPKs in p21 upregulation and cell growth inhibition in the low Cl^? medium, we studied effects of specific MAPKs inhibitors on p21 upregulation and G₁/S cell‐cycle arrest in MKN28 cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of p38 or JNK significantly suppressed p21 upregulation caused by culture in a low Cl^? medium and rescued MKN28 cells from the low Cl^?‐induced G₁ cell‐cycle arrest, whereas treatment with an ERK inhibitor had no significant effect on p21 expression or the growth of MKN28 cells in the low Cl^? medium. These results strongly suggest that the intracellular Cl^? affects the cell proliferation via activation of p38 and/or JNK cascades through upregulation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (p21) in a p53‐independent manner in MKN28 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 223:764–770, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

PDZRN4 acts as a suppressor of cell proliferation in human liver cancer cell lines

Recently, some reports show that Ligand of Numb Protein‐X 1 (LNX1) could be a suppressor gene in gliomas, while our current research has firstly shown that PDZ domain containing ring finger 4 (PDZRN4), another member of LNX family, could also be a potential suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PDZRN4, also named LNX4 (Ligand of Numb Protein‐X 4), is a member of the LNX family. We recently found that PDZRN4, but not LNX1, was down‐regulated in HCC samples, and the role of PDZRN4 in the progression of HCC had not been studied before. To address this question, firstly, we evaluated the expression of PDZRN4 in HCC samples and adjacent non‐cancerous tissues. Semi‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that PDZRN4 was down‐regulated in 24/36 (66.7%) HCC samples separately. In addition, our research shows that PDZRN4 is silenced in all of the 12 HCC cell lines tested. Subsequently, cell‐based functional assay exhibited that ectopic expression of PDZRN4 inhibits the proliferation, plate colony formation and anchorage‐independent colony formation of HCC cells. Collectively, our results showed that PDZRN4 might be a potential tumour suppressor gene and had anti‐proliferative effect on HCC cell proliferation, which would be of great significance to the researches on HCC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Levamisole regulates the proliferation of murine liver T cells through Kupffer-cell-derived cytokines

 We have previously shown that levamisole increases the cytotoxic, cytostatic, and proliferative activity of murine nonparenchymal liver cells (NPC) in vitro. We have also shown that the nonadherent subpopulation of NPC, which are composed predominantly of T lymphocytes, is very responsive to this agent when administered to mice. Kupffer cells or immigrant macrophages are also responsive to levamisole but to a lesser extent. These findings prompted us to investigate changes in cytokine production by NPC following-treatment of mice with levamisole (25 mg/kg, i.p.), which may help explain the observed alterations in the immune functions of these cells. We found that levamisole treatment of mice causes a threefold increase in production of interferon (IFN) α/β by adherent NPC (more than 80% – 90% Kupffer cells) in vitro. When IFN α/β was added to cultured cells, it decreased the proliferative capacity of liver T cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the addition of anti-IFNα/β was shown to augment levamisole-induced proliferation of unfractionated NPC and Kupffer cells. NPC production of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro was also increased threefold following treatment of mice with levamisole. IL-6 added in vitro to cells significantly augmented levamisole-induced proliferation of liver T cells while anti-IL-6 reduced proliferative activity to control levels. These findings suggested that IFNα/β, IL-6, and IL-1 play important regulatory roles in controlling the proliferative response of murine liver-associated T lymphocytes to levamisole. Finally, the proliferation of bone marrow cells was increased in mice given 5-fluorouracil (5FU). On the other hand, the proliferation of NPC was dramatically suppressed when 5FU was administered. However, the proliferation of these cells was restored when levamisole was given after 5FU. Received: 27 November 1995 / Accepted: 16 October 1996     

Engagement of alphavbeta3 integrin regulates proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells

Hepatic stellate cells are the major source of the extracellular matrix that accumulates in fibrotic liver. During progressive liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells proliferate, but during resolution of fibrosis there is extensive stellate cell apoptosis that coincides with degradation of the liver scar. We have examined the possibility that the fate of stellate cells is influenced by the extracellular matrix through the intermediary of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. alpha(v)beta(3) integrin was expressed by activated, myofibroblastic rat and human stellate cells in culture. Antagonism of this integrin using neutralizing antibodies, echistatin, or small inhibitory RNA to silence alpha(v) subunit expression inhibited stellate cell proliferation and their expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and activated forms of p44 and p42 MAPK. These alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists also increased apoptosis of cultured stellate cells, and this was associated with an increase in the BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio, induction of nuclear DNA fragmentation, and activation of intracellular caspase-3. Expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 by activated stellate cells was reduced by the alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists, while matrix metalloproteinase-9 synthesis was enhanced. Stellate cells incubated with active recombinant matrix metalloproteinase-9 showed enhanced apoptosis, while cells treated with a synthetic inhibitor of this protease showed increased survival. Our studies suggest that alpha(v)beta(3) integrin regulates the fate of hepatic stellate cells. Degradation of alpha(v)beta(3) ligands surrounding activated stellate cells during resolution of liver fibrosis might decrease alpha(v)beta(3) integrin ligation, suppressing stellate cell proliferation and inducing a fibrolytic, matrix metalloproteinase-secreting phenotype that may prime stellate cells for apoptosis.     

Oestrogen regulates proliferation and differentiation of human islet‐derived precursor cells through oestrogen receptor alpha

E2 (oestradiol‐17β) is an important hormone that regulates various cell functions including insulin production. hIPCs (human islet‐derived precursor cells) are capable of proliferating and differentiating into cells that secrete insulin in response to glucose in vivo and in vitro. However, the effect of E2 on hIPCs is currently unclear. In this study, we found that ERα (oestrogen receptor alpha), but not ERβ, was expressed on hIPCs, and E2 promoted the proliferation and inhibited the differentiation of adult hIPCs. Although fetal hIPCs also express ERα, no effect of E2 on the fetal hIPCs was observed, suggesting differing roles of E2 at different stages of pancreatic development. This study indicates that E2 may be one of the key factors that control the turnover of adult pancreatic β cells by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of adult hIPCs through ERα.