Regulation of Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Vascular Assembly through Distinct mTORC2 Signaling Pathways

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates a diverse array of cellular processes, including cell growth, survival, metabolism, and cytoskeleton dynamics. mTOR functions in two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, whose activities and substrate specificities are regulated by complex specific cofactors, including Raptor and Rictor, respectively. Little is known regarding the relative contribution of mTORC1 versus mTORC2 in vascular endothelial cells. Using mouse models of Raptor or Rictor gene targeting, we discovered that Rictor ablation inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced endothelial cell proliferation and assembly in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo, whereas the loss of Raptor had only a modest effect on endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanistically, the loss of Rictor reduced the phosphorylation of AKT, protein kinase Cα (PKCα), and NDRG1 without affecting the mTORC1 pathway. In contrast, the loss of Raptor increased the phosphorylation of AKT despite inhibiting the phosphorylation of S6K1, a direct target of mTORC1. Reconstitution of Rictor-null cells with myristoylated AKT (Myr-AKT) rescued vascular assembly in Rictor-deficient endothelial cells, whereas PKCα rescued proliferation defects. Furthermore, tumor neovascularization in vivo was significantly decreased upon EC-specific Rictor deletion in mice. These data indicate that mTORC2 is a critical signaling node required for VEGF-mediated angiogenesis through the regulation of AKT and PKCα in vascular endothelial cells.     

LRP-1 Promotes Cancer Cell Invasion by Supporting ERK and Inhibiting JNK Signaling Pathways

Background

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1) is an endocytic receptor mediating the clearance of various extracellular molecules involved in the dissemination of cancer cells. LRP-1 thus appeared as an attractive receptor for targeting the invasive behavior of malignant cells. However, recent results suggest that LRP-1 may facilitate the development and growth of cancer metastases in vivo, but the precise contribution of the receptor during cancer progression remains to be elucidated. The lack of mechanistic insights into the intracellular signaling networks downstream of LRP-1 has prevented the understanding of its contribution towards cancer.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Through a short-hairpin RNA-mediated silencing approach, we identified LRP-1 as a main regulator of ERK and JNK signaling in a tumor cell context. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that LRP-1 constitutes an intracellular docking site for MAPK containing complexes. By using pharmacological agents, constitutively active and dominant-negative kinases, we demonstrated that LRP-1 maintains malignant cells in an adhesive state that is favorable for invasion by activating ERK and inhibiting JNK. We further demonstrated that the LRP-1-dependent regulation of MAPK signaling organizes the cytoskeletal architecture and mediates adhesive complex turnover in cancer cells. Moreover, we found that LRP-1 is tethered to the actin network and to focal adhesion sites and controls ERK and JNK targeting to talin-rich structures.

Conclusions

We identified ERK and JNK as the main molecular relays by which LRP-1 regulates focal adhesion disassembly of malignant cells to support invasion.     

miR-101 Inhibiting Cell Proliferation,Migration and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Downregulating Girdin

miR-101 is considered to play an important role in hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we aimed to confirm whether Girdin is a target gene of miR-101 and determine the tumor suppressor of miR-101 through Girdin pathway. In our previous studies, we firstly found Girdin protein was overexpressed in HCC tissues, and it closely correlated to tumor size, T stage, TNM stage and Edmondson-Steiner stage of HCC patients. After specific small interfering RNA of Girdin was transfected into HepG2 and Huh7.5.1 cells, the proliferation and invasion ability of tumor cells were significantly inhibited. In this study, we further explored the detailed molecular mechanism of Girdin in HCC. Interestingly, we found that miR-101 significantly low-expressed in HCC tissues compared with that in matched normal tissues while Girdin had a relative higher expression, and miR-101 was inversely correlated with Girdin expression. In addition, after miR-101 transfection, the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of HepG2 cells were weakened. Furthermore, we confirmed that Girdin is a direct target gene of miR-101. Finally we confirmed Talen-mediated Girdin knockout markedly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC while down-regulation of miR-101 significantly restored the inhibitory effect. Our findings suggested that miR-101/Girdin axis could be a potential application of HCC treatment.     

Reduced CTGF Expression Promotes Cell Growth,Migration, and Invasion in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background

The role of CTGF varies in different types of cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of CTGF in tumor progression and prognosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Experimental design

CTGF expression levels were examined in NPC tissues and cells, nasopharynx (NP) tissues, and NP69 cells. The effects and molecular mechanisms of CTGF expression on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle were also explored.

Results

NPC cells exhibited decreased mRNA expression of CTGF compared to immortalized human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP69. Similarly, CTGF was observed to be downregulated in NPC compared to normal tissues at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, reduced CTGF was negatively associated with the progression of NPC. Knocking down CTGF expression enhanced the colony formation, cell migration, invasion, and G1/S cell cycle transition. Mechanistic analysis revealed that CTGF suppression activated FAK/PI3K/AKT and its downstream signals regulating the cell cycle, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and MMPs. Finally, DNA methylation microarray revealed a lack of hypermethylation at the CTGF promoter, suggesting other mechanisms are associated with suppression of CTGF in NPC.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that reduced expression of CTGF promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle progression through FAK/PI3K/AKT, EMT and MMP pathways in NPC.     

巢蛋白基因沉默通过激活细胞周期依赖性激酶（cdk5）促进大鼠神经胶质瘤细胞C6的迁移和增殖

中间纤维蛋白巢蛋白(nestin)在各种胚胎前体细胞及成熟组织中均有表达.近年一些研究显示,巢蛋白的表达上调和一些恶性肿瘤的病理特征有相关性.但是,巢蛋白在干细胞分化及肿瘤发生中的作用还不为人知.在本研究中,我们运用短发卡状的RNA为工具,以大鼠神经胶质瘤细胞系C6为模型,对巢蛋白的功能进行了研究.划痕实验和迁移实验的结果均显示,巢蛋白基因沉默可以促进C6细胞的迁移.同时,BrdU渗入实验显示,此过程伴随着细胞增殖的增加.进一步研究显示,细胞周期依赖性激酶cdk5的活性在此过程中有显著的增加.此外,巢蛋白基因沉默所引起的迁移改变可以被cdk5特异性抑制剂roscovitine所回复, 而对细胞增殖则没有显著影响.综上所述,本研究揭示了巢蛋白基因沉默与神经胶质瘤细胞的迁移和增殖相关,而cdk5是此过程的重要调节因子.     

PTK6 Promotes Cancer Migration and Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Dependent on ERK Signaling

Protein Tyrosine Kinase 6 (PTK6) is a non-receptor type tyrosine kinase that may be involved in some cancers. However, the biological role and expression status of PTK6 in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore in this study, we evaluated the functional role of PTK6 on pancreatic cancer invasion. Five pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed PTK6 at varying levels. PTK6 expression was also observed in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. PTK6 suppression by siRNA significantly reduced both cellular migration and invasion (0.59/0.49 fold for BxPC3, 0.61/0.62 for Panc1, 0.42/0.39 for MIAPaCa2, respectively, p<0.05 for each). In contrast, forced overexpression of PTK6 by transfection of a PTK6 expression vector in Panc1 and MIAPaCa2 cells increased cellular migration and invasion (1.57/1.67 fold for Panc1, 1.44/1.57 for MIAPaCa2, respectively, p<0.05). Silencing PTK6 reduced ERK1/2 activation, but not AKT or STAT3 activation, while PTK6 overexpression increased ERK1/2 activation. U0126, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, completely abolished the effect of PTK6 overexpression on cellular migration and invasion. These results suggest that PTK6 regulates cellular migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer via ERK signaling. PTK6 may be a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.     

大黄酸调节Ras/ERK信号通路对肝细胞癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

摘要 目的：探讨大黄酸调节大鼠肉瘤蛋白（Ras）/胞外信号调控激酶（ERK）信号通路对肝细胞癌（HCC）细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法：使用不同浓度（0、12.50、25、50、100、150、200 mol/L）大黄酸处理HepG2细胞,检测细胞活性,筛选最佳大黄酸浓度。将细胞分为对照组、大黄酸低、中、高浓度组、大黄酸高浓度+Ras/ERK激活剂组（大黄酸高浓度+ML-099组）,分别检测各组细胞集落形成数、划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和Ras、p-ERK、ERK蛋白表达。结果：大黄酸以浓度和时间依赖性降低HepG2细胞活性（P<0.05）,选用25、50、100 mol/L处理HepG2细胞24 h用于后续实验;与对照组比较,大黄酸低、中、高浓度组细胞集落形成数、G0/G1细胞比例、细胞划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和原癌基因（c-Myc）、细胞周期蛋白D1（CyclinD1）、Ras、p-ERK/ERK蛋白表达呈浓度依赖性降低,S期和G2/M细胞比例、p53蛋白表达呈浓度依赖性增加（P<0.05）;与大黄酸高浓度组比较,大黄酸高浓度+ML-099组细胞集落形成数、G0/G1细胞比例、细胞划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和c-Myc、CyclinD1、Ras、p-ERK/ERK蛋白表达显著增加,S期和G2/M细胞比例、p53蛋白表达显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：大黄酸可能通过抑制Ras/ERK信号通路抑制HCC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

NOTCH3 Is a Prognostic Factor That Promotes Glioma Cell Proliferation,Migration and Invasion via Activation of CCND1 and EGFR

Using a GWA analysis of a comprehensive glioma specimen population, we identified whole gain of chromosome 19 as one of the major chromosomal aberrations that correlates to patients’ outcomes. Our analysis of significant loci revealed for the first time NOTCH3 as one of the most significant amplification. NOTCH3 amplification is associated with worse outcome compared to tumors with non-amplified locus. NOTCH receptors (NOTCH1-4) are key positive regulators of cell-cell interactions, angiogenesis, cell adhesion and stem cell niche development which have been shown to play critical roles in several human cancers. Our objective is to determine the molecular roles of NOTCH3 in glioma pathogenesis and aggressiveness. Here we show for the first time that NOTCH3 plays a major role in glioma cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion and apoptosis. Therefore, our study uncovers the prognostic value and the oncogenic function of NOTCH3 in gliomagenesis and supports NOTCH3 as a promising target of therapy in high grade glioma. Our studies allowed the identification of a subset of population that may benefit from GSI- or anti-NOTCH3- based therapies. This may lead to the design of novel strategies to improve therapeutic outcome of patients with glioma by establishing medical and scientific basis for personalized chemotherapies.     

Irisin Promotes Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Proliferation through the ERK Signaling Pathway and Partly Suppresses High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis

Irisin is a newly discovered myokine that links exercise with metabolic homeostasis. It is involved in modest weight loss and improves glucose intolerance. However, the direct effects and mechanisms of irisin on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are not fully understood. In the current study, we demonstrated that irisin promoted Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) proliferation. It was further demonstrated that this pro-proliferation effect was mediated by irisin-induced activation of extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. Inhibition of ERK signaling with U0126 decreased the pro-proliferation effect of irisin on HUVECs. It was also demonstrated that irisin reduced high glucose-induced apoptosis by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression and down-regulating Bax, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 expression. In summary, these results suggested that irisin plays a novel role in sustaining endothelial homeostasis by promoting HUVEC proliferation via the ERK signaling pathway and protects the cell from high glucose-induced apoptosis by regulating Bcl-2,Bax and Caspase expression.     

S100A9促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭依赖于RAGE

目的:探讨S100A9对人肝癌细胞系HepG2生物学行为的影响及可能机制。方法:采用免疫组织化学法与Western blot方法检测人肝癌组织与癌旁组织中S100A9蛋白表达水平;原核表达重组蛋白的方法构建重组蛋白GST-S100A9,用GST-S100A9处理肝癌细胞HepG2和肝正常细胞L02,然后用MTT法检测细胞存活能力,Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭力;Western blot方法检测肝癌细胞HepG2与肝正常细胞L02中晚期糖基化终末产物受体(RAGE)的表达水平。结果:S100A9在人肝癌组织中的表达较癌旁组织显著增高;GST-S100A9可以促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭,但对肝正常细胞L02无作用;RAGE的表达在HepG2细胞中较在L02细胞中显著升高;RAGE阻断抗体可阻断GST-S100A9对HepG2细胞的促存活与促侵袭作用,表明这些作用是通过RAGE介导的。结论:S100A9促进肝癌细胞HepG2的存活与侵袭依赖于RAGE。     

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Promotes Extravillous Trophoblast Cell Invasion by Activating MEK/ERK/MMP-2 Signaling Pathways via S1P/S1PR1 Axis Activation

Successful placentation depends on the proper invasion of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells into maternal tissues. Previous reports demonstrated that S1P receptors are expressed in the EVT cells and S1P could regulate migration and function of trophoblast cells via S1P receptors. However, little is known about roles of S1P in the invasion of EVT cells. Our study was performed to investigate S1P effect on the invasion of EVT cells. We used the extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo cells to evaluate the effect. In vitro invasion assay was employed to determine the invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells induced by S1P. MMP-2 enzyme activity and relative level in the supernatants of HTR8/SVneo was assessed by gelatin zymography and western blot. Based on the above, siRNA and specific inhibitors were used for the intervention and study of potential signal pathways, and Real-time qPCR and western blot were used to test the mRNA and protein level of potential signal targets. We found that S1P could promote HTR8/SVneo cell invasion and upregulates activity and level of MMP-2. The promotion requires activation of MEK-ERK and is dependent on the axis of S1P/S1PR1. Our investigation of S1P may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of EVT invasion.     

Down-Regulation of miR-126 Is Associated with Colorectal Cancer Cells Proliferation,Migration and Invasion by Targeting IRS-1 via the AKT and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways

Background

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) play important roles in carcinogenesis. MiR-126 has been shown to be down-regulated in CRC. In this study, we identified the potential effects of miR-126 on some important biological properties of CRC cells and clarified the regulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and its possible signaling pathway by miR-126.

Methods

The effect of miR-126 on IRS-1, AKT, and ERK1/2 expression was assessed in the CRC cell lines HT-29 and HCT-116 with a miR-126 mimic or inhibitor to increase or decrease miR-126 expression. Furthermore, the roles of miR-126 in regulation of the biological properties of CRC cells were analyzed with miR-126 mimic or inhibitor-transfected cells. The 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of IRS-1 regulated by miR-126 was analyzed by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results

We found that IRS-1 is the functional downstream target of miR-126 by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of IRS-1. Endogenous miR-126 and exogenous miR-126 mimic inhibited IRS-1 expression. Furthermore, gain-of-function or loss-of-function studies showed that over-expression of miR-126 down-regulated IRS-1, suppressed AKT and ERK1/2 activation, CRC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and caused cell cycle arrest, but had no effect on cell apoptosis. Knockdown of miR-126 promoted these processes in HCT-116 cells and promoted AKT and ERK1/2 activation by up-regulating the expression of the IRS-1 protein.

Conclusions

MiR-126 may play roles in regulation of the biological behavior of CRC cells, at least in part, by targeting IRS-1 via AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.     

microRNA-215异常激活抑制Dicer1促进肝癌细胞迁移和转化

microRNA异常表达促进癌症的发生发展.本研究通过microRNA表达谱分析2个肝癌细胞和2个正常细胞microRNA的表达,寻找与肝癌相关的microRNA,发现microRNA-215在肝癌细胞中高表达,q RT-PCR验证microRNA-215在肝癌细胞呈显著高表达.进一步研究发现,microRNA-215直接靶向Dicer1基因的3′UTR并抑制Dicer1蛋白表达,Dicer1是microRNA加工成熟过程中必需的蛋白.过表达microRNA-215抑制Dicer1从而促进肝癌细胞迁移和转化,而抑制microRNA-215表达起相反作用.Dicer1抑制后,许多抑癌microRNA表达被抑制,从而促进迁移和转化.相对于癌旁组织,Dicer1在肝癌组织呈明显低表达.本研究揭示,microRNA-215异常活化并抑制Dicer1表达与肝癌发展相关.     

Ginsenoside Compound K Promotes Proliferation,Migration and Differentiation of Schwann Cells via the Activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT Pathways

The proliferation and differentiation of Schwann cells are critical for the remyelination of injured peripheral nerve. Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a metabolite produced from ginsenoside Rb1 which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, the potential effects of CK on Schwann cells have not been studied systematically before. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore the functions of CK in Schwann cell proliferation, migration and differentiation and its potential regulatory mechanism. Primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were treated with or without CK at different doses. The proliferation and migration of primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. The mRNA expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin basic protein (MBP) was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The levels of all proteins were examined by Western blot. CK could promote cell proliferation, migration and induce MAG and MBP expression in primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells. Furthermore, CK activated MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways, and the beneficial effects of CK on primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells were distinctly suppressed by inhibitor PD98059 or LY294002. Ginsenoside compound K induced cell proliferation, migration and differentiation via the activation of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways in cultured primary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells.

     

Exendin-4 Prevents Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration by Angiotensin II via the Inhibition of ERK1/2 and JNK Signaling Pathways

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a main pathophysiological culprit peptide for hypertension and atherosclerosis by causing vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration. Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is currently used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, and is believed to have beneficial effects for cardiovascular diseases. However, the vascular protective mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists remain largely unexplained. In the present study, we examined the effect of exendin-4 on Ang II-induced proliferation and migration of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). The major findings of the present study are as follows: (1) Ang II caused a phenotypic switch of RASMC from contractile type to synthetic proliferative type cells; (2) Ang II caused concentration-dependent RASMC proliferation, which was significantly inhibited by the pretreatment with exendin-4; (3) Ang II caused concentration-dependent RASMC migration, which was effectively inhibited by the pretreatment with exendin-4; (4) exendin-4 inhibited Ang II-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK in a pre-incubation time-dependent manner; and (5) U0126 (an ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) also inhibited both RASMC proliferation and migration induced by Ang II stimulation. These results suggest that exendin-4 prevented Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation and migration through the inhibition of ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation caused by Ang II stimulation. This indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists should be considered for use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in addition to their current use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.