Irisin Induces Angiogenesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells In Vitro and in Zebrafish Embryos In Vivo via Activation of the ERK Signaling Pathway

As a link between exercise and metabolism, irisin is assumed to be involved in increased total body energy expenditure, reduced body weight, and increased insulin sensitivity. Although our recent evidence supported the contribution of irisin to vascular endothelial cell (ECs) proliferation and apoptosis, further research of irisin involvement in the angiogenesis of ECs was not conclusive. In the current study, it was found that irisin promoted Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) angiogenesis via increasing migration and tube formation, and attenuated chemically-induced intersegmental vessel (ISV) angiogenic impairment in transgenic TG (fli1: GFP) zebrafish. It was further demonstrated that expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 were also up-regulated in endothelial cells. We also found that irisin activated extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. Inhibition of ERK signaling by using U0126 decreased the pro-migration and pro-angiogenic effect of irisin on HUVEC. Also, U0126 inhibited the elevated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 when they were treated with irisin. In summary, these findings provided direct evidence that irisin may play a pivotal role in maintaining endothelium homeostasis by promoting endothelial cell angiogenesis via the ERK signaling pathway.     

CTSB 对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞系增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:探索组织蛋白酶B(CTSB)对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞系(HUVEC)增殖及凋亡的影响。方法:采用细胞转染法得到慢病毒空载体转染HU-MOCK细胞及CTSB过表达的HU-CTSB细胞,与正常的HUVEC细胞进行比较。采用MTT法检测HUVEC增殖情况;流式细胞仪检测各组细胞凋亡情况;采用蛋白免疫印迹法检测Bal-2/Bax及Caspase家族(Caspase-3/9)的表达情况。结果:HU-CTSB组各时间点HUVEC的增殖率明显低于其他两组,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);HU-CTSB组的HUVEC早期凋亡率(右下象限)和晚期凋亡率(右上象限)显著高于HUVEC组和HU-MOCK组,且组间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);HU-CTSB组的抑制凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达量明显低于其他两组,且促凋亡蛋白Bax表达量显著高于其他两组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);HU-CTSB组caspases-3和caspases-9的活化片段显著高于其他两组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:CSTB通过激活Caspase-3/9信号通路来上调Bax,并下调Bal-2,显著抑制HUVEC的增殖,并促进其凋亡,进而影响心血管疾病的发展。。     

Smac调控Caspase-3对耐药肺腺癌细胞株生物活性及相关信号的研究

摘要 目的：探讨Smac基因调控Caspase-3表达对紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株生物活性及经典凋亡信号通路的作用机制。方法：取构建好的耐药A549细胞,将其分为A549细胞（LC）组、A549细胞+Smac-NC（SN）组、A549细胞+Smac抑制剂（SI）组、A549细胞+Smac激动剂（SM）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3-NC（CN）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3抑制剂（CI）组、A549细胞+Caspase-3激动剂（CM）组、A549细胞+Smac激动剂+Caspase-3激动剂（MM）组;Real-time PCR法检测正常肺上皮细胞及4种肺腺癌细胞系中Smac、Caspase-3表达水平,将阴性对照、Smac、Caspase-3类似物转染至紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株,MTT法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,免疫印迹法检测经典凋亡信号通路表达,并分析Smac与Caspase-3的相关性。结果：肺腺癌细胞系中的Smac、Caspase-3 mRNA表达量显著低于正常肺上皮细胞系BEAS-2B（P＜0.05）,其中A549的Smac、Caspase-3 mRNA值最小（P＜0.05）,因此选取其作为此次实验细胞;LC组与SN组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与SN组相比,SI组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,与SI组相比,SM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;LC组与CN组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与CN组相比,CI组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,与CI组相比,CM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;SM组与CM组相比,细胞增殖率、凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达基本无差异（P＞0.05）,与CM组相比,MM组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3、Bax、Cyto-C蛋白表达明显升高（P＜0.05）,增殖率、Bcl-2表达明显降低（P＜0.05）;Smac与Caspase-3呈现正相关（r=0.470,P=0.002）,组间具有显著差异。结论：Smac基因可显著改善紫杉醇耐药肺腺癌细胞株细胞生物活性,并激活经典凋亡信号通路,其作用机制可能与调控Caspase-3表达有关。     

Rho protein inactivation induced apoptosis of cultured human endothelial cells

Small GTP-binding Rho GTPases regulate important signaling pathways in endothelial cells, but little is known about their role in endothelial cell apoptosis. Clostridial cytotoxins specifically inactivate GTPases by glucosylation [Clostridium difficile toxin B-10463 (TcdB-10463), C. difficile toxin B-1470 (TcdB-1470)] or ADP ribosylation (C. botulinum C3 toxin). Exposure of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to TcdB-10463, which inhibits RhoA/Rac1/Cdc42, or to C3 toxin, which inhibits RhoA, -B, -C, resulted in apoptosis, whereas inactivation of Rac1/Cdc42 with TcdB-1470 was without effect, suggesting that Rho inhibition was responsible for endothelial apoptosis. Disruption of endothelial microfilaments as well as inhibition of p160ROCK did not induce endothelial apoptosis. Exposure to TcdB-10463 resulted in activation of caspase-9 and -3 but not caspase-8 in HUVEC. Moreover, Rho inhibition reduced expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 and increased proapoptotic Bid but had no effect on Bax or FLIP protein levels. Caspase-3 activity and apoptosis induced by TcdB-10463 were abolished by cAMP elevation. In summary, inhibition of Rho in endothelial cells activates caspase-9- and -3-dependent apoptosis, which can be antagonized by cAMP elevation.     

瘦素对卵巢癌细胞 SKOV3 增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:探讨瘦素对人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞增殖及凋亡的影响及其作用机制。方法:用不同浓度的瘦素(0、50、100、200 ng/m L)处理人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞48 h后,采用MTT法检细胞的生长;以血清饥饿诱导细胞凋亡,同时给予瘦素刺激,Annexin V/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡的变化;western blotting分析p21、cyclin D1、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达水平和ERK1/2通路的活化情况。结果:瘦素以剂量依赖性的方式促进人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞的增殖,同时抑制血清饥饿诱导的细胞凋亡。瘦素处理可下调p21和上调cyclin D1的表达,抑制促凋亡分子Bax的表达和上调抗凋亡分子Bcl-2的表达。瘦素可诱导细胞中ERK1/2通路的活化,其抑制剂PD98059可明显抑制瘦素诱导的促细胞增殖和抗凋亡作用,同时伴随有cyclin D1、Bcl-2蛋白表达的下调和Bax的上调。结论:瘦素可能通过活化ERK1/2通路调节细胞有丝分裂进程,进而促进卵巢癌细胞的增殖;同时通过调节凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的表达抑制卵巢癌细胞的凋亡。     

A phosphoramidon-sensitive metalloprotease induces apoptosis of human endothelial cells by Group B Streptococcus

We explored Group B Streptococcus (GBS)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the role of phosphoramidon, a zinc metalloprotease inhibitor, in this process. GBS 90186 strain (serotype V, a blood isolate) and concentrated supernatant (CS) were used to investigate the viability and morphological alterations in HUVEC by Trypan blue uptake, electrophoresis in 2 % agarose gel and scanning electron microscopy assays. Apoptosis before and after phosphoramidon-treatment were verified by flow cytometry using annexin V-FITC labeling. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05 using unpaired Student’s t test. GBS and CS induced HUVEC death by apoptosis (76.5 and 32 %, respectively) with an increasing pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decreasing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Caspase-3 was activated during GBS-induced endothelial apoptosis. Phosphoramidon reduced 89.3 and 100 % of GBS and CS cell death by apoptosis, respectively. Some GBS strains may induce cell death by apoptosis with involvement of metalloproteases and signaling through the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, which may contribute to GBS survival during sepsis of adults and neonates.     

Cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis in A431 cells is inhibited by fucosyltransferase IV

Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of difucosylated oligosaccharide LeY which is overexpressed in the cancers derived from the epithelial tissues. Our previous studies have shown that FUT4 overexpression promotes A431 cell proliferation through the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, but the relationship between FUT4 and apoptosis remained unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of FUT4 overexpression on cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced apoptosis in A431 cells. Western blot analysis showed that FUT4 overexpression decreased expression of Bax, Caspase 3, and PARP proteins, and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein in A431 cells. The anti-apoptosis effect of FUT4 was confirmed both by Annexin-V/PI and JC-1 assays. The results showed that FUT4 overexpression up-regulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt which was inhibited by CPA in dose-dependent manner. By blocking the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways with specific inhibitors, we demonstrated that these two pathways were required in mediating the anti-apoptosis effect of FUT4. We concluded that FUT4 inhibited cell apoptosis induced by CPA through decreasing the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax, Caspase 3, and PARP and increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 via the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in A431 cells.     

肝细胞生长因子抑制糖基化终产物诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞的凋亡作用

目的探讨肝细胞生长因子(HGF)抑制糖基化终产物(AGEs)诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡的作用及其相关分子机制。方法体外培养ECV-304人脐静脉内皮细胞,采用噻唑蓝(MTT)法测定HGF对AGEs作用后ECV-304细胞生长抑制率的影响;通过Hoechst33258荧光染色观察细胞形态学改变、流式细胞术测定AnnexinV-FITC/PI双染标记的细胞凋亡率,检测HGF对AGEs诱导ECV-304细胞凋亡的影响;Western印迹法检测Bax、Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果HGF能明显降低AGEs对ECV-304细胞生长的抑制作用;AGE诱导培养的ECV-304细胞出现明显的凋亡形态学改变,在一定浓度范围内,ECV-304细胞凋亡率与AGEs的浓度和作用时间呈依赖关系,加入HGF处理后可显著降低不同时间的内皮细胞凋亡率;HGF作用ECV-304细胞后Bcl-2蛋白表达明显升高,而Bax蛋白表达无明显变化。结论AGEs能诱导内皮细胞凋亡,而HGF能部分抑制AGEs诱导的内皮细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与上调Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平有关。     

Down-regulated LAMA4 inhibits oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells through the MAPK signaling pathway in rats with glaucoma

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder that is generally accepted as the main cause of vision loss. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that laminin α4 (LAMA4) is implicated in glaucoma development by controlling apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Expression profiles and genes associated with glaucoma were searched to determine the objective gene. Intraocular pressure (IOP) rats model were established and IOP was measured. The mRNA and protein expression of LAMA4, JNK, p38 MAPK, ERK, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, and p53 was determined in concert with the treatment of H₂O₂, si-NC, or si-LAMA4 in cultured RGCs. Viability of RGCs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis was also measured. LAMA4 was selected as the study object because of its significant difference in two expression profiles. IOP of rats with glaucoma increased significantly after model establishment, and the LAMA4 protein expression in retinal tissue of rats with glaucoma was elevated. Down-regulation of LAMA4 could inhibit the mRNA and protein expression of LAMA4, JNK, p38 MAPK, ERK, Bax, Caspase-9, and p53, as well as restrain the apoptosis and ROS of RGCs, but improve Bcl-2 expression and viability of RGCs. Collectively, the obtained data supported that downregulated LAMA4 might reduce the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of glaucoma RGCs by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.     

镉诱导小鼠睾丸细胞凋亡与Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax mRNA的表达

一个月大雄性小鼠24只,随机分为6组,用30 μmol/kg CdCl2作用小鼠睾丸不同的时间(3 h、6 h、12 h、18 h、24 h)后,利用DNA电泳、免疫组化和半定量RT-PCR技术,分析生殖细胞凋亡过程中三种关键物质Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白和mRNA的表达量变化.结果显示:1) DNA各组 (除对照组外)均出现不同程度断裂.2)Caspase-3蛋白表达量一直上升,与对照组相比差异极显著;Bax蛋白在12 h前一直上升,与对照组相比差异显著,12 h后又开始下降,且与对照组相比无显著差异;Bcl-2蛋白在下降,与对照组相比差异显著.3)RT-PCR结果显示Caspase-3基因表达量减少;Bax基因表达量逐渐上升;Bcl-2基因表达量波动很大.综上所述,Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax三个基因可能参与了镉应激状态下小鼠睾丸组织细胞的凋亡过程.     

Critical effect of VEGF in the process of endothelial cell apoptosis induced by high glucose

The underlying molecular mechanism whereby hyperglycemia causes endothelial cell apoptosis is not well understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of survival factor VEGF involved in the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by elevated glucose. The present study confirmed that high concentration of glucose (25 mmol/l) significantly increased the apoptotic cell number in cultured primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase-3 induced by high glucose suggested that mitochondria apoptosis pathway was involved. High glucose significantly reduced VEGF expression in HUVEC both at mRNA and protein levels. p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation was transitory attenuated when exposed to high glucose and preceded VEGF reduction, thus suggesting down-regulation of VEGF through inhibition of p42/44 MAPK. Addition of VEGF prevented HUVEC apoptosis from high glucose exposure. Moreover, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, calcium overload, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 activation in HUVEC induced by high glucose were reversed by pre-challenge with VEGF. This may represent a mechanism for the anti-apoptotic effect of VEGF. These results suggest that down-regulation of VEGF plays a critical role in apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by high glucose and restoration of VEGF might have benefits in the early stage of diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Zhonghan Yang, Xuehua Mo, and Qing Gong have contributed equally to this study.     

蝎毒多肽提取物的抗血管生成作用

用不同浓度的东亚钳蝎素的多肽提取物PESV(4～20μg／ml)作用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC),观察HUVEC增殖活性和凋亡变化,增殖活性检测采用BrdU掺入的ELISA法,凋亡水平和凋亡相关基因Bcl-2和Bax表达的检测采用流式细胞术检测;用鸡胚尿囊膜(CAM)显示PESV对血管生成的抑制作用。结果显示,PESV抑制HUVEC的增殖,而对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖无明显影响;PESV作用72h后,HUVEC凋亡相关基因Bcl-2表达降低,Bax表达增加,凋亡细胞比例增至10．5％,明显高于对照组;0．5mgPESV能明显抑制CAM新生血管的形成。因此,PESV具有良好的体外抗肿瘤血管生成活性,PESV作为一种肿瘤血管抑制剂的天然药物来源,其有效成分和药理作用有待进一步研究。     

罗汉果醇抗肿瘤活性及其作用机制研究

罗汉果醇是罗汉果皂苷的苷元,有研究报道罗汉果皂苷V具有防癌抑癌作用。该研究采用噻唑蓝实验( MTT法)检测罗汉果醇对不同肿瘤细胞增殖的抑制情况,以及不同浓度的罗汉果醇对CNE1细胞的增殖抑制率;应用细胞克隆形成实验进一步验证罗汉果醇对CNE1细胞增殖的抑制作用;采用Annexin V/PI 双染法检测罗汉果醇对CNE1细胞凋亡的影响;以实时定量PCR技术检测罗汉果醇对CNE1细胞中Caspase-3、Sur-vivin、Bax和Bcl-2基因的mRNA 表达水平的影响。结果表明：罗汉果醇能显著抑制DU145、HepG2、A549、CNE1、CNE2细胞的增殖,其中对CNE1细胞增殖的抑制作用最为显著,并呈剂量依赖性,其半数抑制浓度IC50为(81.48±4.73)μmol·L-1;通过对CNE1细胞进一步的克隆形成实验,也验证了这一点;Annexin V/PI 双染法可见随着浓度的增加,凋亡比例增加;实时定量PCR技术检测显示罗汉果醇处理后,促凋亡基因Caspase-3、Bax的表达增加,抗凋亡基因Survivin、Bcl-2的表达减少。因此,罗汉果醇可能是通过促进Caspase-3、Bax等促凋亡基因和抑制Survivin、Bcl-2等抗凋亡基因的表达,来诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,进而发挥抗肿瘤活性。     

白藜芦醇对人子宫内膜癌细胞系AN3CA增殖和凋亡效应及其机制探讨

目的：探讨白藜芦醇（resveratrol,Res）对人子宫内膜癌细胞AN3CA的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导效应及可能存在的机制。方法：应用噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测Res对AN3CA的增殖影响;流式细胞术检测Res对细胞周期分布和凋亡影响：荧光实时定量PCR检测Res对细胞Bcl-2、Bax和MMP-9mRNA表达水平的影响;WesternBlot方法检测Res对PCNA、Bcl-2、Bax及ERK1／2、P—ERK1／2蛋白表达水平的影响。结果：Res对子宫内膜癌细胞AN3CA具有显著的生长抑制作用（P〈0．01）,呈时间-剂量依赖性;不同浓度Res处理细胞G0／G1期比例显著增加伴随S期细胞数的减少;细胞凋亡率明显增高,200Dmol／lRes处理48h凋亡率可达30．96％±2．041％（P〈0．01）。与对照组相比,Res能抑制PCNA的蛋白表达量,增加Bax和降低Bcl-2转录和蛋白水平的表达量。Res在短时间内（0．5—1h）激活ERK1／2的磷酸化表达但随着作用时间延长（4—48h）其表现为抑制效应。结论：Res具有抑制AN3CA细胞增殖,诱导细胞G0／G1期阻滞和凋亡的效应。Res诱导凋亡可能是通过上调Bax,下调Bcl-2发挥作用,其抗癌作用机制可能与ERK1／2通路失调相关。     

绞股蓝总皂苷对光老化人皮肤成纤维细胞凋亡及Caspase-3信号通路的影响

目的:探讨绞股蓝总皂苷(Gyp)对光老化人皮肤成纤维细胞(HSF细胞)凋亡以及Caspase-3信号通路的影响。方法:分别以80、160、320 mg/d剂量的Gyp生理盐水溶液灌胃大鼠7d后取血并分离血清,长波紫外线(UVA)照射方法(照射剂量36 J/cm3)构建光老化HSF细胞模型以得到低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组,同时以空白对照组(未照射细胞)、UVA模型组、正常组为对照。UVA诱导的细胞活性氧表达采用二氯荧光素(DCF)法测定,细胞凋亡情况采用TUNEL法测定,HSF细胞活性采用四甲基偶氮唑盐微量酶反应比色法(MTT法)测定,Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3基因和蛋白表达分别采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western-blotting方法进行测定。结果:与空白对照组比较,其余5组的OD值、HSF细胞凋亡数、活性氧(平均荧光强度)、活性氧水平、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白表达水平差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与UVA模型组和正常组比较,低、中、高剂量组OD值、HSF细胞凋亡数、活性氧(平均荧光强度)、活性氧水平、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白表达水平差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);低、中、高剂量组随着剂量增加OD值、Bcl-2mRNA和蛋白表达水平逐渐升高,细胞凋亡数、活性氧(平均荧光强度)、活性氧水平、Bax、Caspase-3 mRNA和蛋白表达水平逐渐降低(P0.05)。结论:Gyp通过抑制细胞内活性氧的产生以及Bax的表达,以及激活Bcl-2、Caspase-3信号通路而逆转UVA诱导的HSF细胞凋亡,进而延缓HSF细胞的光老化现象。     

Connexin43 siRNA promotes HUVEC proliferation and inhibits apoptosis induced by ox-LDL: an involvement of ERK signaling pathway

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), one of the most important risk factors of atherosclerosis, is a highly antigenic, potent chemoattractant that facilitates the development of atherosclerosis. Gap junctions also play an important in the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ox-LDL on connexin43 and the mechanisms of connexin43 siRNA-inhibited apoptosis induced by ox-LDL in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), to clarify the role of connexin43 in atherosclerosis. Our results showed that ox-LDL significantly inhibited the growth and promoted apoptosis of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Also, ox-LDL upregulated the expression of connexin43. Furthermore, knockdown connexin43 by siRNA promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in ox-LDL-stimulated HUVEC. Moreover, the level of phosphor-ERK1/2 and connexin43 was remarkably attenuated by a ERK pathway inhibitor (PD98059). These results suggest that connexin43 siRNA promotes HUVEC proliferation and inhibits apoptosis induced by ox-LDL, and ERK signaling pathway appears to be involved in these processes.     

急性铅应激诱导肝肾损伤及其分子机制初探

利用腹腔注射醋酸铅方法构建了铅染毒小鼠(Mus muscculus)模型,观察了染毒小鼠肝、肾的组织学变化,并通过免疫组织化学方法检测了染毒小鼠肝、肾组织中Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达量.结果发现,急性铅染毒可诱导肝和肾组织学损伤,且在诱导肝细胞和肾细胞凋亡、损伤过程中,随时间的延长,Caspase-3的表达量逐渐增加,而Bcl-2与Bax两蛋白表达量的比值呈逐渐下降趋势,有一定的时效性,染毒48 h后,与对照组相比,均差异极显著,表明铅可能通过影响Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax的表达而诱导肝和肾细胞异常凋亡.     

Quercetin induces apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and regulating Bcl-2 and cyclooxygenase-2 pathways in human HL-60 cells

Quercetin is one of the naturally occurring dietary flavonol compounds. It is present abundantly in plants and has chemopreventive and anticancer effects. To investigate its anticancer mechanism, we examined the activity of quercetin against acute leukemia cell line, HL-60. Our results showed that quercetin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, quercetin down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptosis protein Bax. Caspase-3 was also activated by quercetin, which started a caspase-3-depended mitochodrial pathway to induce apoptosis. It was also found that quercetin inhibited the expression of the cycloocygenase-2 (Cox-2) mRNA and Cox-2 protein. Taken together, these findings suggested that quercetin induces apoptosis in a caspase-3-dependent pathway by inhibiting Cox-2 expression and regulates the expression of downstream apoptotic components, including Bcl-2 and Bax. Quercetin can be a potent and promising medicine which might be safely used in leukemia therapy.     

Silencing of PTGS2 exerts promoting effects on angiogenesis endothelial progenitor cells in mice with ischemic stroke via repression of the NF-κB signaling pathway

The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of PTGS2 on proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in mice with ischemic stroke through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in mice. EPCs were identified, in which ectopic expression and depletion experiments were conducted. The mRNA and protein expression of related factors in tissues and cells were measured. Besides, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, as well as cell cycle distribution, of cells were determined. MCAO mice showed overexpression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17, and IL-23, and increased positive protein expression of PTGS2, as well as expression of PTGS2, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor suppressor region 1 (TSP-1) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), but underexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S-phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Moreover, ectopic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α significantly elevated the expression of PTGS2, NF-κB, TSP-1, and Bax, as well as cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, but decreased the expression of VEGF, Skp2, and Bcl-2, as well as proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs, and the PTGS2-siRNA group showed an opposite trend. Taken together, we conclude that the specific knockdown of PTGS2 expression could repress the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs, providing protective effect on mice with ischemic stroke.