The Combination of RAD001 and MK-2206 Exerts Synergistic Cytotoxic Effects against PTEN Mutant Gastric Cancer Cells: Involvement of MAPK-Dependent Autophagic,but Not Apoptotic Cell Death Pathway

In the current study, we showed that the combination of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) and Akt inhibitor MK-2206 exerted synergistic cytotoxic effects against low-phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gastric cancer cells (HGC-27 and SNU-601 lines). In HGC-27 cells, RAD001 and MK-2206 synergistically induced G1/S cell cycle arrest, growth inhibition, cell death but not apoptosis. RAD001 and MK-2206 synergistically induced light chain 3B (LC3B) and beclin-1 expression, two important autophagy indicators. Meanwhile, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine inhibited the cytotoxic effects by RAD001 and MK-2206, suggesting that autophagic, but not apoptotic cell death was important for the cytotoxic effects by the co-administration. We observed that the combination of RAD001 and MK-2206 exerted enhanced effects on Akt/mTOR inhibition, cyclin D1 down-regulation and ERK/MAPK(extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinases) activation. Intriguingly, MEK/ERK inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 suppressed RAD001 plus MK-2206-induced beclin-1 expression, autophagy induction and cytotoxicity in HGC-27 cells. In conclusion, these results suggested that the synergistic anti-gastric cancer cells ability by RAD001 and MK-2206 involves ERK-dependent autophagic cell death pathway.     

Effects of Homocysteine on ERK Signaling and Cell Proliferation in Fetal Neural Stem Cells In Vitro

The aim of the present study was to determine if the excitatory amino acid homocysteine (Hcy) alters ERK signaling and cell proliferation in fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. NSCs were isolated from fetal rats and grown in serum-free suspension medium. The cells were identified as NSCs by their expression of immunoreactive Sox2. NSCs were assigned to one of four treatment groups: vehicle control, low-dose Hcy group (Hcy-L, medium contained 30 μmol/L Hcy), middle-dose Hcy group (Hcy-M, 100 μmol/L Hcy) and high-dose Hcy group (Hcy-H, 300 μmol/L Hcy). Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Protein expression levels of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were detected by Western blot. The effects of Hcy on NSC death, including apoptosis, were assessed by using flow cytometry and trypan blue exclusion. The results showed that NSCs grew as neurospheres in the serum-free medium. Hcy decreased ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation and NSC proliferation, but it did not induce cell death or apoptosis within the concentration from 30 to 300 μmol/L. The above results are consistent with the hypothesis that Hcy decreases fetal NSC proliferation by inhibiting ERK signaling.     

人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1、Re对白血病细胞株KG1α增殖的影响

目的:探讨人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1、Re对急性髓系白血病细胞株(KG1α)增殖的影响.方法:取对数生长期KG1α细胞,分设人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1、Re组和常规培养组,以MTT比色法检测作用24h、48h、72h时对KG1α细胞增殖抑制作用,并计算Rb1的IC_(50)值,以此浓度为工作浓度,设常规培养组和处理组,台盼蓝计数法观察对KG1α细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞术测定细胞周期分布的变化.结果:MTT、台盼蓝计数显示人参皂苷单体Rb1、Rg1可抑制KG1α细胞增殖,呈浓度依赖性,以Rb1抑制效应最佳,于作用48h抑制率最高.台盼蓝计数显示人参皂苷单体Rb1-120μmol/L作用48h时抑制率达50.22%;流式细胞术结果提示,与对照组比较,Rb1-120μmol/L组G_2/M期KG1α细胞比例增加(P<0.05).结论:Rb1可抑制KG1α细胞体外增殖,其增殖抑制作用与将KG1α细胞阻滞于G_2/M期有关.     

The signal transduction pathways of heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells

The objective of this study is to investigate the signal transduction pathways that regulate heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) induced by angiotensin II (AngII) and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The activity of HSP27 was evaluated by Western blot with specific phospho-HSP27 antibody. F-actin polymerization was detected by FITC-Phalloidine staining using confocal microscopy. Modified Boyden chamber technique was employed for VSMCs migration assessment. Within a given concentration, the phosphorylation of HSP27 induced by AngII and PDGF-BB was blocked by the specific P38MAPK inhibitor SB202190, the specific PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the specific ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 in a concentration-dependent manner, with a peak inhibition rate at 87.2%, 78.4% and 37.3%, respectively, induced by AngII (P < 0.01), with a peak inhibition rate at 85.0%, 55.3% and 41.0%, respectively, induced by PDGF-BB (P < 0.01).The migration of VSMCs induced by AngII and PDGF-BB was inhibited by 100 μmol/l SB202190, 30 μmol/l LY294002, and 30 μmol/l U0126, with a inhibition rate at 60.1%, 71.7% and 47.3%, respectively, provoked by AngII (P < 0.01), with a inhibition rate at 55.3%, 55.6% and 38.1%, respectively, provoked by PDGF-BB (P < 0.01). P38MAPK and PI3 K/Akt are important pathways that contribute to the phosphorylation of HSP27 and migration of VSMCs in response to AngII and PDGF-BB. ERK1/2 might be involved in HSP27 phosphorylation and migration of VSMCs provoked by AngII and PDGF-BB.     

Rosmarinic Acid Ameliorates Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Rat Model of CUS and Up-Regulates BDNF Levels in the Hippocampus and Hippocampal-Derived Astrocytes

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a primary constituent of a Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to have some therapeutic effects in an animal model of depression, but its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 21 days, and received RA for 14 days from the last week of CUS, then the behavioral changes, hippocampal pERK1/2 and BDNF levels were observed. Rats were further treated with U0126 (an ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor) 30 min before RA treatment to assess the effects of RA and ERK1/2 signaling in depressive-like behavior and hippocampal BDNF levels. In addition, brains of newly born Sprague–Dawley rats were used to harvest and expand hippocampal astrocytes. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of RA (sham, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) or U0126 (2 μM as a final concentration) + RA (sham, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) for 48 h, and the pERK1/2 and BDNF levels were assessed by western and ELISA assays. RA administration (10 mg/kg daily) reversed depressive-like behaviors in rats exposed to a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm and restored pERK1/2 protein expression and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that 20 μg/mL RA increased pERK1/2 and BDNF levels in cultured astrocytes. Interestingly, the effects of RA were inhibited by U0126. RA might be a useful treatment for depression and the changes in ERK1/2 signaling and BDNF levels may play a critical role in the pharmacological action of RA.     

Selenium and Zinc against Aβ<Subscript>25–35</Subscript>-Induced Cytotoxicity and Tau Phosphorylation in PC12 Cells and Inhibits γ-cleavage of APP

Amyloid beta (Aβ) is the main component of the amyloid plaques that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer patients. The present study was conducted to investigate whether the combined treatment with selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) offers more beneficial effects than that provided by either of them alone in reversing Aβ_25–35-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Cells were pretreated with 0.1 μmol/L of Se and Zn for 4 h, after treated with 10 mmol/L Aβ_25–35 for 24 h. Cells were divided into control and five treated groups, and received either 10 mmol/L Aβ_25–35,10 mmol/L Aβ_25–35 + 0.1 μmol/L Se, 10 mmol/L Aβ_25–35 + 0.1 μmol/L Zn, 10 mmol/LAβ_25–35 + 0.1 μmol/L Se + 0.1 μmol/L Zn, or 0.1 μmol/L Se + 0.1 μmol/L Zn. The result showed that cell viability was decreased in MTT metabolic rate; LDH release and MDA, H₂O₂, and NO levels were increased and the GSK-3β and phosphorylated tau protein level were increased in Aβ_25–35-treated group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), which whole changes were attenuated by Se and Zn and Se combined Zn. In order to evaluate whether the Se and Zn have an effect on processing pathway of amyloid precursor protein (APP), we examined the activity of γ-secretase in primary cultured cortical neuron cells. ELISA analysis showed that Se and Zn could inhibit the activity of γ-secretase. Then we also investigated the effect of Se and Zn on the Aβ_1–40 concentration and APP-N-terminal fragment expression from APP695 stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. APP695 stably transfected CHO cells were treated with 0.1 μmol/L Se and Zn; cells were divided into control and four treated groups, which received either 0.5 M DAPT, 0.1 μmol/L Se, 0.1 μmol/L Zn, or 0.1 μmol/L Se + 0.1 μmol/L Zn. Se and Zn could decrease Aβ_1–40 production and increase the APP-N-terminal fragment protein expression. These experiments indicate that Se and Zn have a protective effect on AD pathology that a possible mechanism is inhibiting the activity of γ-secretase to decreasing Aβ_1–40 production further influencing the APP processing. Altogether, our findings may provide a novel therapeutic target to treat AD sufferers.     

下调lncRNA MCF2L-AS1靶向miR-33b-5p抑制胃癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭并促进凋亡

摘要 目的：探讨lncRNA MCF2L-AS1对胃癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响及分子机制。方法：选取45例胃癌患者的癌组织及癌旁正常组织,或培养胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1、胃癌细胞HGC-27,采用RT-qPCR检测MCF2L-AS1和miR-33b-5p的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告实验检测MCF2L-AS1和miR-33b-5p的靶向关系。将HGC-27细胞分为si-NC组、si-MCF2L-AS1组、mimic NC组、miR-33b-5p mimic组、si-MCF2L-AS1+inhibitor NC组、si-MCF2L-AS1+miR-33b-5p inhibitor组,分别转染si-NC、si-MCF2L-AS1、mimic NC、miR-33b-5p mimic或共转染si-MCF2L-AS1+inhibitor NC、si-MCF2L-AS1+miR-33b-5p inhibitor。采用MTT实验检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,克隆形成实验检测细胞克隆形成数,Transwell实验检测迁移和侵袭细胞数。结果：与癌旁正常组织或GES-1细胞相比,胃癌组织或HGC-27细胞中MCF2L-AS1表达水平升高、miR-33b-5p表达水平降低,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。MCF2L-AS1可靶向调控miR-33b-5p。下调MCF2L-AS1或过表达miR-33b-5p,miR-33b-5p表达水平升高,HGC-27细胞凋亡率升高,但细胞增殖、克隆形成数、迁移和侵袭数均减少,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。抑制miR-33b-5p可减弱下调MCF2L-AS1对HGC-27细胞的生物学作用。结论：下调MCF2L-AS1通过上调miR-33b-5p抑制胃癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭并促进凋亡;MCF2L-AS1通过靶向调控miR-33b-5p表达进而参与胃癌细胞的恶性生物学行为。     

Effect of PI3K gene silencing on growth, migration and related proteins expression of CD40 signal-mediated gastric cancer cells

In this study, we investigate effect of PI3K gene silencing on growth, migration and related proteins expression of CD40 signal-mediated gastric cancer cells. We observed that combination of sCD40L with PI3K siRNA could significantly inhibit AGS cells growth, block cells in G1 phase, and promote tumour cells apoptosis after 24 h treatment. Transwell test showed that numbers of cells per visual field in group PI3K siRNA or group sCD40L (after 24 h PI3K siRNA or sCD40L alone treatment) were fewer than that (32.54 ± 4.22) in control group. Numbers of cells per visual field in (after 24 h combination treatment of PI3K siRNA with sCD40L) were significantly fewer than that in group PI3K siRNA or group sCD40L. Compared with group sCD40L, expression level of Fas protein in group sCD40L + PI3K siRNA was significantly increased. The findings suggest that PI3K siRNA may strengthen CD40-induced specific antitumour effect via blocking PI3K/Akt signal pathway, resisting tumour immunoediting regulated by CD40 signal. Combination of sCD40L and PI3K siRNA is an important mechanism of gastric cancer therapy.     

FAM60A,increased by Helicobacter pylori,promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by targeting the PI3K/AKT pathway

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can promote the development of gastric cancer (GC); however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. FAM60A has been found showing high levels in some cancer cells, including lung cancer (A549), and pancreatic cancer (Capan-2) cell lines. Data in oncomine showed that FAM60A overexpression was an critical prognostic factor in GC. In this study, we showed that knockdown of FAM60A could revert the increase of proliferation and the decrease of apoptosis caused by H.pylori infection in HGC-27 and AGS cells. Conversely, FAM60A upregulation promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in HGC-27 and AGS cells. We also found that the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 could revert the changes caused by FAM60A upregulation in HGC-27 and AGS cells. Thus, our study provides evidence that FAM60A act as a carcinogen and suggests that H. pylori-induced upregulation of FAM60A may contribute to the development of gastric cancer.     

白扁豆多糖对人胃癌细胞凋亡的作用及其机制

目的：探讨白扁豆多糖对人胃癌细胞凋亡的作用及其相关机制。方法：胃癌细胞HGC-27和SGC-7901经终浓度为16、8、4、2、1和0 μg/ml的白扁豆多糖作用24、48和72h,各设3个复孔。MTS法检测其增殖活性;分别取经4、0 μg/ml白扁豆多糖作用24h的HGC-27和SGC-7901细胞（各3个复孔）,JC-1染色观察线粒体膜电位,流式细胞仪分析细胞周期和凋亡率,QPCR法探讨Bcl-2、caspase-3和Bax基因的mRNA转录水平。结果：白扁豆多糖作用后,HGC-27和SGC-7901细胞线粒体膜电位降低;细胞增殖显著受抑制（P<0.01）,且效果与药物作用浓度和时间有关;细胞凋亡率分别为53.15%和38.77%,均较PBS处理组（8.07%和6.03%）明显增加（P<0.01）,而细胞周期无显著变化;同时,细胞内Bcl-2基因的转录水平明显受抑制,Bax和caspase-3基因的转录明显上调（P<0.01）。结论：白扁豆多糖可通过调节Bax-Bcl-2-caspase3通路,诱导胃癌细胞HGC-27和SGC-7901凋亡。     

Waterborne copper disrupts circadian rhythm in red seabream (Pagrus major)

We investigated the effect of copper (Cu) on circadian rhythms in red seabream, Pagrus major, under various concentrations of Cu (10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/L). To examine variability in circadian rhythms, we measured changes in the period 2 (Per2), cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), serotonin and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT2) proteins. We found that circadian rhythm-related plasma proteins were significantly lower in a high-Cu environment (30–40 μg/L) than in low-Cu concentration (0, 10, or 20 μg/L). Our results indicate that environmental Cu at concentrations greater than 30 μg/L can have deleterious effects on fish circadian rhythms.     

Sonic hedgehog pathway is essential for maintenance of cancer stem-like cells in human gastric cancer

Abnormal activation of the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway has been described in a wide variety of human cancers and in cancer stem cells (CSCs), however, the role of SHH pathway in gastric CSCs has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the possibility that abnormal activation of the SHH pathway maintained the characteristics of gastric CSCs. First, we identified cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) from human gastric cancer cell lines (HGC-27, MGC-803 and MKN-45) using tumorsphere culture. Compared with adherent cells, the floating tumorsphere cells had more self-renewing capacity and chemoresistance. The cells expressing CSCs markers (CD44, CD24 and CD133) were also significantly more in tumorsphere cells than in adherent cells. More importantly, in vivo xenograft studies showed that tumors could be generated with 2×10⁴ tumorsphere cells, which was 100-fold less than those required for tumors seeding by adherent cells. Next, RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression levels of Ptch and Gli1 (SHH pathway target genes) were significantly higher in tumorsphere cells than in adherent cells. The results of quantitative real-time PCR were similar to those of RT-PCR and Western blot. Further analysis revealed that SHH pathway blocked by cyclopamine or 5E1 caused a higher reduction in self-renewing capacity of HGC-27 tumorsphere cells than that of adherent cells. We also found that SHH pathway blocking strongly enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in HGC-27 tumorsphere cells in vitro and in vivo but had no significant effect in adherent cells. Finally, we isolated the tumorspheres from gastric cancer specimen, these cells also had chemoresistance and tumorigenic capacity, and SHH pathway maintained the gastric CSLCs characteristics of tumorsphere cells from primary tumor samples. In conclusion, our data suggested that SHH pathway was essential for maintenance of CSLCs in human gastric cancer.     

Effects of Cadmium Stress on Leaf Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Photosynthesis of Elsholtzia argyi—A Cadmium Accumulating Plant

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters on a Cd accumulating plant of Elsholtzia argyi. Four weeks-seedlings of E. argyi were treated with 0 (CK) 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 100 μmol L^?1 Cd for 21days. Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, qP, ΦPSП, ETR and Fv′/Fm′ were significantly increased under low Cd (5–15 μmol L^?1 for Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm and qP, 5–10 μmol L^?1 for ΦPSП, ETR and Fv′/Fm′) stress, and these parameters were similar to control under Cd ≤ 50μmol L^?1. All above parameters were significantly decreased at 100 μmol L^?1 Cd. Compared with control, Pn was significantly (P < 0.05) increased under 5–30 μmol L^?1 Cd. However, 50 and 100 μmol L^?1 Cd significantly (P < 0.05) reduced it. Gs and Tr were substantially decreased at 50–100 and 40–100 μmol L^?1 Cd, respectively. Ci was significantly increased at 50 and 100 μmol L^?1 Cd. High Cd-induced decrease of Pn is not only connected to stomatal limitation but also to the inhibition of Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm, ΦPSП, qP, ETR and increase of NPQ. Maintain chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis parameters under its Cd tolerance threshold were one of tolerance mechanisms in E. argyi.     

Effect of epiberberine from Coptis chinensis Franch on inhibition of tumor growth in MKN-45 xenograft mice

Background and purposeGastric cancer is one of the major malignancies worldwide. Epiberberine (EPI) is a major alkaloid from Coptis chinensis Franch and the antitumor property of EPI remains poorly understood.MethodThe inhibition on gastric cancer cells was observed by MTT assays and colony formation experiments. The apoptosis, cell cycle, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in gastric cancer cells were analyzed by Flow cytometry. The anti-tumor effect of EPI was evaluated with the MKN-45-beraring nude mice, and the potential mechanisms were explored by RNA-seq, qPCR, siRNA silencing and western blotting.ResultsEPI inhibited the proliferation of human gastric cancer cell lines MKN-45 (harboring wild-type p53) and HGC-27 (harboring mutant p53) in a dose dependent manner. EPI induced the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in these two cell lines, of which MKN-45 cells are more sensitive to EPI than HGC-27 cells. Further experiments indicated that EPI induced the accumulation of ROS and decreased of ΔΨm in MKN-45 cells. The significant differentially expressed genes obtained by RNA-seq were distinctly enriched in the p53 signaling pathway. The apoptosis induced by EPI in MKN-45 cells would be effectively inhibited with the treatment of p53 siRNA and p53 inhibitor PFT-α. Western blotting demonstrated that EPI diminished the expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP, and increased those of p53, Bax, p21, p27, Cytochrome C and Cleaved-caspase 3. Animal experiments confirmed that EPI significantly alleviated tumor growth in MKN-45 xenograft mice via p53/Bax pathway.ConclusionsThese data indicated that EPI could be a novel anti-tumor candidate against MKN-45-related gastric cancer via targeting p53-dependent mitochondria-associated pathway.     

The effect of combination treatment with docosahexaenoic acid and 5-fluorouracil on the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes, including the novel gene BCL2L12, in gastric cancer cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role in suppressing the growth of cancer. In this paper, the synergetic anticancer effect of combination DHA with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was investigated in gastric carcinoma cells. We found that DHA inhibited the growth of cultured SGC7901 cells at different concentrations in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the growth-inhibition activities of increasing concentration of 5-FU were markedly enhanced when different doses of 5-FU were administered in the combination with dose as low as 40 μg/ml of DHA. The early phase of apoptosis was increased in DHA- and 5-FU-treated cells. In the case of apoptotic genes expression in the combination-treated cells, BAX mRNA expression increased, whereas FAS, BCL-2, BCL2L12, and CASPASE-9 mRNA expression decreased. These results suggest that DHA strongly enhances the anticancer effect of 5-FU. Moreover, the application of both compounds on gastric cancer cells provides a new potential approach for cancer therapy.     

基于UPLC-Q-TOF-MS法分析百合珠芽化学成分及其薯蓣皂苷元抗肿瘤活性研究

为建立超高效液相色谱-四级杆飞行时间质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)快速鉴定百合珠芽中10种化学成分的分析方法,并对薯蓣皂苷元进行抗肿瘤研究。实验采用Thermo Hypersil Gold C₁₈柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.9μm);乙腈(A)-0.5%乙酸(B)为流动相,梯度洗脱;电喷雾离子源(ESI),正负离子同步监测。采用CCK8法进行薯蓣皂苷元抗肺肿瘤A549细胞、胃肿瘤HGC-27细胞的药效筛选。结果表明,通过二级高分辨质谱分析结合相关文献,共鉴定对香豆酸、薯蓣皂苷、槲皮素等10个化合物。药理研究显示,薯蓣皂苷元对肺癌A549细胞增殖只有微弱的抑制活性,而对胃癌HGC-27细胞增殖表现出较强的抑制作用。本试验证实UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS可从保留时间、紫外吸收光谱、精确相对分子质量、分子式和二级结构碎片等方面对百合珠芽的主要成分进行定性分析,为寻找百合珠芽中活性物质提供一种快速准确的分析方法,且揭示百合珠芽中鉴定得到的单体成分可能具有较强的抗肿瘤活性。     

人参皂苷Rg5对胃癌细胞周期和侵袭的影响及其机制

目的:观察ginsenoside-Rg5 (Rg5) 对胃癌细胞周期和侵袭的影响,并探讨其机制。方法:采用不同浓度人参皂苷ginsenoside-Rg3 (Rg3)和Rg5 (10、20、30、40、50 μmol/L) 处理人正常胃粘膜细胞GES-1和胃癌细胞株AGS、MKN-45 24 h,每个浓度设3个复孔。通过CCK-8检测细胞存活率。通过流式细胞仪检测细胞周期、Transwell小室分析迁移和免疫印迹法及ELISA法检测相关蛋白。结果:CCK8 实验结果显示人参皂苷Rg3和Rg5 对GES-1细胞无毒副作用,但可以抑制胃癌细胞AGS和MKN-45的增值。且Rg5抗胃癌细胞的活性强于Rg3。 20 μmol/L Rg5诱导MKN-45细胞发生S期阻滞通过降低CyclinA1/CDK2/PCNA 的表达和升高P21^CIPI蛋白表达。Rg5还可以抑制MKN-45癌细胞的迁移通过降低MMP2和MMP9的表达。WB结果显示Rg5抑制胃癌增殖及迁移主要是通过抑制Notch1蛋白的表达从而调控其下游的周期及侵袭相关蛋白。结论:Rg5抗胃癌细胞活性高于Rg3且通过调控Notch1通路抑制细胞增殖和迁移。     

Effect of All-Trans Retinoic Acid on the Differentiation of U87 Glioma Stem/Progenitor Cells

GSPCs (glioma stem/progenitor cells) were isolated from U87 glioma cell lines by serum-free neural stem cell medium. Four concentrations (1, 2, 4, and 8 μmol/L) of ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid) were used to induce the differentiation of GSPCs in the medium with or without growth factors. The effect of ATRA on the differentiation of GSPCs was analyzed by flow cytometry, real-time-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The differentiation of GSPCs could be induced by 1 or 2 μmol/L ATRA when GSPCs were cultured in growth factor-free medium. The detection of real-time-PCR showed that the level of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) mRNA of differentiated GSPCs in the growth factor-free medium containing 1 μmol/L ATRA group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the level of TUBB-3 mRNA between the two groups. The GSPCs suffered apoptosis in the growth factor-free medium containing 4 or 8 μmol/L ATRA. The differentiation of GSPCs could not be induced by ATRA when GSPCs were cultured in the medium containing growth factors. The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was 84.26 ± 2.24 %, and the percentage of apoptosis was 18.95 ± 2.53 % in experimental groups which was similar to those in the control group. In conclusion, ATRA has certain capacity to induce differentiation of GSPCs, while its effective concentration should be controlled strictly. The differentiation of GSPCs induced by ATRA cannot antagonize the formidable differential inhibition of epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.     

锌指蛋白ZFP580在全反式维甲酸调节大鼠血管平滑肌细胞迁移中的作用及机制

目的:探讨锌指基因ZFP580在全反式维甲酸(ATRA)调节VSMCs迁移功能中的作用及其机制。方法:分离,培养并鉴定大鼠主动脉VSMCs;分别予以0、5、10、20 μmol/L ATRA刺激VSMCs 24h,以0 μmol/L ATRA组为对照组,观察不同溶度ATRA刺激不同时间对VSMCs迁移能力的影响或给予0、20 μmol/L ATRA刺激VSMCs 24、48、72h,观察ATRA刺激不同时间对VSMCs迁移能力的影响;QPCR及Western blot检测ATRA刺激VSMCs后ZFP580的mRNA和蛋白表达变化;应用ERK抑制剂PD98059抑制ERK的蛋白表达,观察ERK信号蛋白表达变化对ATRA刺激后ZFP580蛋白表达的影响;腺病毒转染技术获得过表达或低表达ZFP580的VSMCs,QPCR及Western blot检测MMP-2和MMP-9、ZFP580蛋白和mRNA表达水平。结果:分离的VSMCs在培养10d后,免疫荧光显示平滑肌细胞特异性标记物SM22α抗体阳性。与对照组相比,5、10、20 μmol/L ATRA预刺激分别降低了32%、43%和59%的VSMCs迁移能力;20 μmol/L ATRA刺激VSMCs与对照组相比,在24、48、72h分别降低49%、36%和22%细胞迁移能力。ZFP580的mRNA和蛋白表达随着ATRA刺激溶度的增加和刺激时间的延长而升高。ERK在ATRA刺激15min即显著升高,运用ERK抑制剂PD98059(20 μmol/L)预处理抑制ERK蛋白表达并降低了ATRA诱导ZFP580的蛋白表达。过表达ZFP580降低MMP-2和MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白表达,反之,低表达ZFP580则上调了MMP-2和MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白表达。结论:ATRA可通过ERK信号通路上调ZFP580的表达,而ZFP580通过调控MMP-2和MMP-9的表达参与ATRA对VSMCs迁移的抑制作用。     

Kinetics of manganese transport and gene expressions of manganese transport carriers in Caco-2 cell monolayers

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the kinetics of manganese (Mn) transport in Caco-2 cell monolayers and the gene expressions of Mn transport carriers in apical (AP) and basolateral (BL) membranes. In experiment 1, the cells were treated with the medium containing 146 μmol/L of Mn (MnSO₄·H₂O). Both the uptake and transport of Mn from AP–BL or from BL–AP at different time-points were assessed to determine the optimal time for kinetics of Mn transport. The transport of Mn increased linearly with higher efficiency values in AP–BL than in BL–AP direction, however, the uptake of Mn revealed an asymptotic pattern within 120 min. In experiment 2, the kinetics of Mn transport in AP–BL was determined with media containing Mn concentrations from 0 to 2,500 μmol/L at 40 and 120 min, respectively, and mRNA levels of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin (FPN1) were determined in Caco-2 cells treated with the medium containing 0 or 800 μmol/L of Mn for 120 min. The kinetics of Mn transport showed a carrier-mediated process when Mn concentrations were lower than 1,000 μmol/L and a linear increment when Mn concentrations exceeded 1,000 μmol/L at either 40 or 120 min. Mn treatment decreased (P < 0.01) DMT1 mRNA level and increased (P < 0.01) FPN1 mRNA level. The results from the present study suggested that Mn transport in AP–BL fit both carrier-mediated saturable and non-saturable diffusion processes, and Mn transport carriers DMT1 and FPN1 mediate the apical uptake and basolateral exit of Mn in Caco-2 cells.