Schlafen 1 Inhibits the Proliferation and Tube Formation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the major source of cells that restore the endothelium during reendothelialization. This study was designed to investigate whether Schlafen 1 (Slfn1) has an effect on the proliferation and tube formation of EPCs in vivo. Slfn1 was expressed in rat EPCs. The overexpression of Slfn1 suppressed the proliferation and tube formation of EPCs; conversely, the knockdown of Slfn1 by shRNA promoted the proliferation and tube formation of EPCs. Furthermore, when Slfn1 was overexpressed, the EPCs were arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In contrast, when Slfn1 was knocked down, the EPCs progressed into the S phase of the cell cycle. Additionally, the overexpression of Slfn1 decreased the expression of Cyclin D1, whereas the knockdown of Slfn1 increased the expression of Cyclin D1; these findings suggest that Cyclin D1 is downstream of Slfn1 in Slfn1-mediated EPC proliferation. Taken together, these results indicate a key role for Slfn1 in the regulation of EPC biological behavior, which may provide a new target for the use of EPCs during reendothelialization.     

白藜芦醇通过降低galectin-3 的表达抑制宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖并促进其凋亡

目的：探讨白藜芦醇对人宫颈癌SiHa 细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及galectin-3 在其中的作用。方法：以体外培养的人宫颈癌 SiHa 细胞为研究对象,实验分为对照组、白藜芦醇处理组及[白藜芦醇+galectin-3(5、10、20 ug/mL)]共5 组,分别给予生理盐水、 300 umol/L白藜芦醇及[300 umol/L白藜芦醇+Galectin-3 (5、10、20 ug/mL)]处理。48 小时后,分别收集各组细胞,采用MTT法检 测细胞的增殖情况,Caspase-3 活性试剂盒测定细胞的凋亡情况,Western Blot技术测定细胞内galectin-3 的蛋白表达水平。结果： 300 umol/L的白藜芦醇明显抑制SiHa 细胞的增殖,并显著增加其凋亡水平,同时减少了细胞内galectin-3 的蛋白表达。在白藜芦 醇处理的同时,给予5、10 及20 ug/mL 的Galectin-3,随着Galectin-3 蛋白浓度的增加,SiHa 细胞的增殖抑制率逐渐降低,凋亡水 平也逐渐下降,但是VEGF-R3 受体的磷酸化水平却逐渐升高。结论：白藜芦醇通过降低galectin-3 的表达抑制宫颈癌SiHa 细胞 的增殖并促进其凋亡。     

白藜芦醇通过降低galectin-3的表达抑制宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖并促进其凋亡

目的：探讨白藜芦醇对人宫颈癌SiHa细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及galectin-3在其中的作用。方法：以体外培养的人宫颈癌SiHa细胞为研究对象,实验分为对照组、白藜芦醇处理组及[白藜芦醇＋galectin-3（5、10、20μg/mL）]共5组,分别给予生理盐水、300μmol/L白藜芦醇及[300μmol/L白藜芦醇＋Galectin-3（5、10、20μg/mL）]处理。48小时后,分别收集各组细胞,采用MTT法检测细胞的增殖情况,Caspase-3活性试剂盒测定细胞的凋亡情况,Western Blot技术测定细胞内galectin-3的蛋白表达水平。结果：300μmol/L的白藜芦醇明显抑制SiHa细胞的增殖,并显著增加其凋亡水平,同时减少了细胞内galectin-3的蛋白表达。在白藜芦醇处理的同时,给予5、10及20μg/mL的Galectin-3,随着Galectin-3蛋白浓度的增加,SiHa细胞的增殖抑制率逐渐降低,凋亡水平也逐渐下降,但是VEGF-R3受体的磷酸化水平却逐渐升高。结论：白藜芦醇通过降低galectin-3的表达抑制宫颈癌SiHa细胞的增殖并促进其凋亡。     

沙利度胺通过诱导G1阻滞和凋亡抑制血管内皮细胞增殖

沙利度胺是一种抗血管生成药物,临床上用于治疗多种肿瘤,但其抗肿瘤血管生成机制尚不十分清楚. 本文采用MTT法观察沙利度胺对体外培养的血管内皮细胞增殖的影响. 结果发现,沙利度胺能够抑制血管内皮细胞的增殖,其IC50为16.47 μg/mL;然后采用Hoechst染色和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和细胞周期,发现沙利度胺能够诱导内皮细胞凋亡,并干扰细胞的周期,出现G0/G1期阻滞. 最后,通过Western印迹方法分析沙利度胺对血管内皮细胞Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响,发现抗凋亡的Bcl-2蛋白表达水平随沙利度胺浓度增大而降低. 初步结果提示,沙利度胺可能通过阻遏抗凋亡分子Bcl-2表达,激活诱导G1期阻滞的信号通路而抑制内皮细胞新生,从而抑制肿瘤生长. 诱导内皮细胞凋亡及G1期阻滞的具体分子机制正在研究中.     

rBTI通过上调PTEN的表达抑制Hep G2细胞增殖

磷酸酶及张力蛋白的同源基因(PTEN) 是一种抑癌基因,可以调控细胞的增殖,与癌症的发生和发展息息相关。本研究采用MTT法和流式细胞术分别检测了重组荞麦胰蛋白酶抑制剂(rBTI)对人肝癌细胞株Hep G2细胞的增殖以及周期的影响。免疫荧光及Western印迹法检测了PTEN和p PTEN的亚细胞定位及蛋白表达的变化。采用qRT-PCR及Western印迹法检测了周期相关蛋白的表达。旨在探究PTEN和p PTEN在rBTI抑制Hep G2细胞增殖和周期阻滞中的作用。结果表明,rBTI能显著抑制Hep G2细胞增殖,将细胞周期阻滞在G0/G1期,并呈时间和剂量依赖性;rBTI作用于Hep G2后,可显著上调PTEN和p-PTEN的表达。同时发现,p-PTEN主要分布于细胞核中,能与核仁发生共定位;周期相关蛋白检测表明,细胞内p53、p21转录水平和蛋白水平均增加。综上所述,rBTI通过上调PTEN的表达,使得细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期,进而抑制Hep G2细胞的增殖。     

Silibinin Inhibits HIV-1 Infection by Reducing Cellular Activation and Proliferation

Purified silymarin-derived natural products from the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) block hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and inhibit T cell proliferation in vitro. An intravenous formulation of silibinin (SIL), a major component of silymarin, displays anti-HCV effects in humans and also inhibits T-cell proliferation in vitro. We show that SIL inhibited replication of HIV-1 in TZM-bl cells, PBMCs, and CEM cells in vitro. SIL suppression of HIV-1 coincided with dose-dependent reductions in actively proliferating CD19+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells, resulting in fewer CD4+ T cells expressing the HIV-1 co-receptors CXCR4 and CCR5. SIL inhibition of T-cell growth was not due to cytotoxicity measured by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or necrosis. SIL also blocked induction of the activation markers CD38, HLA-DR, Ki67, and CCR5 on CD4+ T cells. The data suggest that SIL attenuated cellular functions involved in T-cell activation, proliferation, and HIV-1 infection. Silymarin-derived compounds provide cytoprotection by suppressing virus infection, immune activation, and inflammation, and as such may be relevant for both HIV mono-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected subjects.     

IQGAP1-Dependent Signaling Pathway Regulates Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling is an obligate requirement for normal development and pathological angiogenesis such as cancer and age-related macular degeneration. Although autophosphorylation of tyrosine 1173 (Y1173) of VEGFR-2 is considered a focal point for its angiogenic signal relay, however, the mechanism of phosphorylation of Y1173, signaling proteins that are recruited to this residue and their role in angiogenesis is not fully understood.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study we demonstrate that c-Src kinase directly through its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and indirectly via c-Cbl binds to phospho-Y1057 of VEGFR-2. Activation of c-Src kinase by a positive feedback mechanism phosphorylates VEGFR-2 at multi-docking site, Y1173. c-Src also catalyzes tyrosine phosphorylation of IQGAP1 and acts as an adaptor to bridge IQGAP1 to VEGFR-2. In turn, IQGAP1 activates b-Raf and mediates proliferation of endothelial cells. Silencing expression of IQGAP1 and b-Raf revealed that their activity is essential for VEGF to stimulate angiogenesis in an in vivo angiogenesis model of chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).

Conclusions/Significance

Angiogenesis contributes to the pathology of numerous human diseases ranging from cancer to age-related macular degeneration. Determining molecular mechanism of tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and identification of molecules that are relaying its angiogenic signaling may identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention against angiogenesis-associated diseases. Our study shows that recruitment and activation of c-Src by VEGFR-2 plays a pivotal role in relaying angiogenic signaling of VEGFR-2; it phosphorylates VEGFR-2 at Y1173, facilitates association and activation of IQGAP1 and other signaling proteins to VEGFR-2. IQGAP1-dependent signaling, in part, is critically required for endothelial cell proliferation, a key step in angiogenesis. Thus, Y1057 of VEGFR-2 serves to regulate VEGFR-2 function in a combinatorial manner by supporting both diversity of recruitment of angiogenic signaling proteins to VEGFR-2, and its ability to promote angiogenesis.     

VEGF和SDF-1 的协同作用对内皮祖细胞增殖与迁移的影响

目的:研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质衍生因子-1(SDF-1)的协同作用对高血压脑出血患者内皮祖细胞(EPCs)增殖迁移能力的影响。方法:采集急性期高血压脑出血患者与健康对照的外周静脉血,分离培养外周血中的EPCs。用分别含有不同VEGF与SDF-1的培养基处理患者外周血分离的EPCs,Western blot检测各组细胞以及患者和对照中VEGF和SDF-1的蛋白表达。MTT法检测细胞增值能力,Transwell法检测细胞迁移能力,分别转染VEGF-si RNA与SDF-1-si RNA至各组细胞观察抑制VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的影响。结果:VEGF和SDF-1在患者中的表达显著高于健康对照组。VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs的增殖和迁移能力有促进作用,且在其协同作用下效果显著。抑制VEGF或SDF-1显著降低VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的促进作用。结论:VEGF和SDF-1的协同作可促进急性期高血压脑出血患者EPCs的细胞增殖能力和迁移能力,对患者血管修复提供新的治疗方向。     

Knockdown of VEGFR2 Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Hemangioma-Derived Endothelial Cells

Angiogenesis is a process of development and growth of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenic growth factors play important roles in the development and maintenance of some malignancies, of which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR2 interactions are involved in proliferation, migration, and survival of many cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of VEGFR2 in human hemangiomas (HAs). Using immunohistochemistry assay, we examined the expression levels of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and p-ERK in different phases of human HAs. Positive expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, Glut-1, p-AKT and p-ERK was significantly increased in proliferating phase HAs, while decreased in involuting phase HAs (P=0.001; P=0.003). In contrast, cell apoptotic indexes were decreased in proliferating phase HAs, but increased in involuting phase HAs (P<0.01). Furthermore, we used small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated VEGFR2 knockdown in primary HA-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) to understand the role of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling. Knockdown of VEGFR2 by Lv-shVEGFR2 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in primary HemECs companied with decreased expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-p38MAPK and Ki-67 and increased expression of caspase-3 (CAS-3); Overexpression of VEGFR2 promoted cell viability and blocked apoptosis in Lv-VEGFR2-transfected HemECs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that, increased expression of VEGFR2 is involved in the development of primary HemECs possibly through regulation of the AKT and ERK pathways, suggesting that VEGFR2 may be a potential therapeutic target for HAs.Key words: vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, hemangioma, proliferation, apoptosis     

Induction of SENP1 in Endothelial Cells Contributes to Hypoxia-driven VEGF Expression and Angiogenesis

SENP1 (SUMO-specific protease 1) has been shown to be essential for the stability and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) under hypoxia conditions. However, it is unknown how SENP1 activation and hypoxia signaling are coordinated in the cellular response to hypoxia. Here, we report the essential role of SENP1 in endothelial cells as a positive regulator of hypoxia-driven VEGF production and angiogenesis. SENP1 expression is increased in endothelial cells following exposure to hypoxia. Silencing of HIF-1α blocks SENP1 expression in cell response to hypoxia. Mutation of the hypoxia response element (HRE) on the Senp1 promoter abolishes its transactivation in response to hypoxia. Moreover, silencing of SENP1 expression decreases VEGF production and abrogates the angiogenic functions of endothelial cell. We also find that the elongated endothelial cells in embryonic brain section and vascular endothelial cells in embryonic renal glomeruli in Senp1^−/− mice are markedly reduced than those in wild-type. Thus, these results show that hypoxia implies a positive feedback loop mediated by SENP1. This feedback loop is important in VEGF production, which is essential for angiogenesis in endothelial cells.     

干扰NSUN2通过调控细胞周期蛋白表达抑制黑素瘤细胞增殖

为探讨太阳结构域家族蛋白酶2(NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2, Nsun2)RNA甲基化酶在黑素瘤细胞中的生物学功能,本研究以小鼠黑素瘤B16细胞为对象,构建靶向干扰Nsun2基因的shRNA慢病毒干扰载体,包装病毒后感染B16细胞。与对照组相比,干扰组细胞中Nsun2的敲低效率达到80%。EdU染色结果表明,干扰Nsun2显著抑制B16细胞DNA合成能力。转录物组测序技术系统分析干扰组与对照组细胞基因表达水平,共筛选获得1 062个差异表达基因(DEGs),其中678个表达上调,384个表达下调。DEGs主要富集在染色体、着丝粒区、蛋白质结合等GO条目。KEGG分析表明,DEGs显著富集在细胞周期、DNA复制、细胞衰老等通路。荧光定量PCR和转录物组测序结果均发现,Cdk2、Ccna2、Cdc25b等促进细胞分裂的相关基因显著下调,而Gadd45g和Gadd45a等阻滞细胞增殖的基因显著上调。本研究表明,NSUN2通过调控细胞周期和DNA复制等生物学过程,影响黑素瘤细胞增殖,为黑素瘤发生和发展的分子机制研究提供参考。     

敲减VEGFR-1基因抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖的研究

目的:体外水平探讨利用化学修饰的小干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA)敲减VEGFR-1基因治疗乳腺癌的可行性和特异性.方法:采用阳离子脂质Lipofectamine2000TM作为转染试剂将同时针对人和大鼠VEGFR-1基因的小干扰RNA转染人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7和大鼠乳腺癌细胞系SHZ-88,敲减VEGFR-1基因的表达;采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法,半定量RT-PCR,蛋白印迹试验等检测VEGFR-1mRNA和蛋白表达及细胞增殖变化.结果:靶向VEGFR-1基因的siRNA转染细胞后,两种细胞增殖均被抑制,同浓度两细胞株指标无显著差异,VEGFR-1mRNA和蛋白的表达均明显降低.各对照组指标则无显著变化.结论:化学修饰的siRNA介导的RNAi能成功敲减VEGFR-1基因的表达、抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖.     

Expression of VEGF Receptors on Endothelial Cells in Mouse Skeletal Muscle

VEGFR surface localization plays a critical role in converting extracellular VEGF signaling towards angiogenic outcomes, and the quantitative characterization of these parameters is critical for advancing computational models; however the levels of these receptors on blood vessels is currently unknown. Therefore our aim is to quantitatively determine the VEGFR localization on endothelial cells from mouse hindlimb skeletal muscles. We contextualize this VEGFR quantification through comparison to VEGFR-levels on cells in vitro. Using quantitative fluorescence we measure and compare the levels of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 on endothelial cells isolated from C57BL/6 and BALB/c gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior hindlimb muscles. Fluorescence measurements are calibrated using beads with known numbers of phycoerythrin molecules. The data show a 2-fold higher VEGFR1 surface localization relative to VEGFR2 with 2,000–3,700 VEGFR1/endothelial cell and 1,300–2,000 VEGFR2/endothelial cell. We determine that endothelial cells from the highly glycolytic muscle, tibialis anterior, contain 30% higher number of VEGFR1 surface receptors than gastrocnemius; BALB/c mice display ∼17% higher number of VEGFR1 than C57BL/6. When we compare these results to mouse fibroblasts in vitro, we observe high levels of VEGFR1 (35,800/cell) and very low levels of VEGFR2 (700/cell), while in human endothelial cells in vitro, we observe that the balance of VEGFRs is inverted, with higher levels VEGFR2 (5,800/cell) and lower levels of VEGFR1 (1,800/cell). Our studies also reveal significant cell-to-cell heterogeneity in receptor expression, and the quantification of these dissimilarities ex vivo for the first time provides insight into the balance of anti-angiogenic or modulatory (VEGFR1) and pro-angiogenic (VEGFR2) signaling.     

重组福安泰-03抑制人脐静脉血管内皮细胞的迁移和增殖

研究重组福安泰-03(recombinant Fuantai-03,rFAT-03)对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)迁移和增殖的影响.聚碳酸酯膜小室趋化运动模型(transwell model)检测rFAT-03对HUVECs迁移能力的影响;MTT法检测rFAT-03对HUVECs和多种人癌细胞生长的影响;荧光显微镜观察rFAT-03作用下HUVECs的形态变化;膜联蛋白V-异硫氰酸荧光素(annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate,annexinV-FITC)双染检测rFAT-03对HUVECs早期凋亡的影响;流式细胞术分析rFAT-03对HUVECs周期及凋亡的影响;Western印迹检查rFAT-03对HUVECs血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)、Bax和Bcl-2表达的影响.结果显示,rFAT-03明显抑制HUVECs细胞的迁移和增殖,其抑制效果与剂量和作用时间相关.0.20mg/mL恩度(endostar),0.10、0.20mg/mLrFAT-03作用HUVECs24h,对细胞迁移的抑制率分别为32.0%、32.6%、57.1%(P0.01).0.20mg/mL恩度,0.05、0.10、0.20mg/mLrFAT-03作用HUVECs72h,其对细胞生长的抑制率分别为40.9%、63.7%、69.3%、87.0%.但rFAT-03对多种人癌细胞株的生长却无明显影响.rFAT-03处理HUVECs24h,细胞的早期凋亡率增加(P0.05).rFAT-03阻滞HUVECs于G0/G1期,并呈现典型的凋亡峰.终浓度为0.05、0.10、0.20mg/mLrFAT-03作用于HUVECs24h,G0/G1期细胞指数分别为63.4%、67.5%和75.7%(对照组为62.1%),凋亡指数分别为4.2%、8.5%和10.3%.rFAT-03下调HUVECs的VEGF和抑调亡基因Bcl-2的表达,上调促凋亡基因Bax的表达,其效果与剂量相关.结果提示,rFAT-03明显抑制HUVECs细胞的迁移和增殖,诱导其凋亡,它的这些作用与其下调VEGF、Bcl-2表达,上调Bax表达密切相关.     

羽扇豆醇通过抑制RhoA-ROCK1信号通路抑制结肠癌细胞增殖

该文探讨了羽扇豆醇(Lupeol)对人结肠癌HCT116和SW620细胞增殖的影响及相关作用机制。使用不同浓度的Lupeol处理HCT116和SW620细胞后,用MTT法检测细胞活性,CCK8法检测细胞增殖能力,平板克隆实验检测细胞克隆形成能力,流式细胞术检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡,(quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR)和Western blot检测相应mRNA和蛋白表达水平,免疫荧光检测β-Catenin蛋白细胞内分布情况。通过构建shRNA敲低两种结肠癌细胞中RhoA,进一步研究Lupeol影响细胞增殖的分子机制。结果显示,Lupeol处理后,HCT116和SW620细胞增殖能力明显下降,克隆形成能力受到抑制,细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期,细胞内RhoA、ROCK1、β-Catenin、Cyclin D1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著下降,β-Catenin蛋白胞质和胞膜上分布减少。敲低RhoA后抑制了细胞增殖,同时使得RhoA-ROCK1-β-Catenin信号通路蛋白受到抑制,β-Catenin蛋白胞质和胞膜上分布减少。综上所述,Lupeol可通过抑制RhoA-ROCK1信号通路,抑制β-Catenin蛋白表达,进而抑制HCT116和SW620细胞增殖,Lupeol有望成为临床结肠癌治疗的新药物。     

ZFP36L1通过下调细胞周期蛋白D1抑制舌癌细胞增殖

C3H1型的锌指蛋白36 (zinc finger protein 36,C3H type-like 1,ZFP36L1)是一种高度保守且具有CCCH型RNA结合结构域的蛋白质。近年来,ZFP36L1在多种肿瘤中的作用被报道,但是在舌癌中的表达型和作用机制尚不清楚。Western印记结合荧光定量PCR检测发现,ZFP36L1在舌癌细胞中的表达明显低于人永生化表皮细胞Hacat。在相对低表达ZFP36L1的舌癌细胞SCC15和SCC25中,稳定过表达ZFP36L1,细胞计数实验发现,SCC15细胞的数目由(4.768±0.09225)×10~3个降低到(3.089±0.09745)×10~3个,SCC25细胞的数目由(6.274±0.01311)×10~3个降低到(4.037±0.01173)×10~3个;平板克隆实验提示,SCC15和SCC25细胞克隆数目是对照组的0.67倍,0.68倍,0.7倍和0.59倍,0.57倍,0.59倍;过表达ZFP36L1组G_1期的SCC15和SCC25细胞分别由61.82±0.8933%增加到88.72%±0.8378,由56.31%±1.029增加到71.7%±0.9303;而S期的细胞由25.21%±0.9865减少到11.31%±0.6567,由28.58%±0.8182减少到18.61%±0.6798。过表达ZFP36L1能明显下调SCC15和SCC25细胞中细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclinD1)的蛋白质水平。过表达ZFP36L1组的SCC15和SCC25细胞中,细胞周期蛋白D1 mRNA的表达量分别是对照组的0.217倍和0.175倍。在舌癌细胞中,上调细胞周期蛋白D1的表达水平可消除由过表达ZFP36L1引起的细胞增殖能力降低。总之,ZFP36L1在舌癌中呈低表达;可通过下调细胞周期蛋白D1的表达,抑制舌癌细胞增殖。     

Loss of NF1 Expression in Human Endothelial Cells Promotes Autonomous Proliferation and Altered Vascular Morphogenesis

Neurofibromatosis is a well known familial tumor syndrome, however these patients also suffer from a number of vascular anomalies. The loss of NFl from the endothelium is embryonically lethal in mouse developmental models, however little is known regarding the molecular regulation by NF1 in endothelium. We investigated the consequences of losing NF1 expression on the function of endothelial cells using shRNA. The loss of NF1 was sufficient to elevate levels of active Ras under non-stimulated conditions. These elevations in Ras activity were associated with activation of downstream signaling including activation of ERK, AKT and mTOR. Cells knocked down in NF1 expression exhibited no cellular senescence. Rather, they demonstrated augmented proliferation and autonomous entry into the cell cycle. These proliferative changes were accompanied by enhanced expression of cyclin D, phosphorylation of p27^KIP, and decreases in total p27^KIP levels, even under growth factor free conditions. In addition, NF1-deficient cells failed to undergo normal branching morphogenesis in a co-culture assay, instead forming planar islands with few tubules and branches. We find the changes induced by the loss of NF1 could be mitigated by co-expression of the GAP-related domain of NF1 implicating Ras regulation in these effects. Using doxycycline-inducible shRNA, targeting NF1, we find that the morphogenic changes are reversible. Similarly, in fully differentiated and stable vascular-like structures, the silencing of NF1 results in the appearance of abnormal vascular structures. Finally, the proliferative changes and the abnormal vascular morphogenesis are normalized by low-dose rapamycin treatment. These data provide a detailed analysis of the molecular and functional consequences of NF1 loss in human endothelial cells. These insights may provide new approaches to therapeutically addressing vascular abnormalities in these patients while underscoring a critical role for normal Ras regulation in maintaining the health and function of the vasculature.     

Expression of 1N3R-Tau Isoform Inhibits Cell Proliferation by Inducing S Phase Arrest in N2a Cells

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein implicated in neurodegenerative tauopathies. Six tau isoforms are generated from a single gene through alternative splicing of exons 2, 3 and 10 in human brain. Differential expression of tau isoforms has been detected in different brain areas, during neurodevelopment and in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the biological significance of different tau isoforms is not clear. Here, we investigated the individual effect of six different isoforms of tau on cell proliferation and the possible mechanisms by transient expression of eGFP-labeled tau isoform plasmid in N2a cells. Our study showed the transfection efficiency was comparable between different isoforms of tau by examining GFP expression. Compared with other isoforms, we found expression of 1N3R-tau significantly inhibited cell proliferation by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and BrdU incorporation. Flow cytometry analysis further showed expression of 1N3R-tau induced S phase arrest. Compared with the longest isoform of tau, expression of 1N3R-tau induced cyclin E translocation from the nuclei to cytoplasm, while it did not change the level of cell cycle checkpoint proteins. These data indicate that 1N3R-tau inhibits cell proliferation through inducing S phase arrest.     

二氢青蒿素通过诱导铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长

二氢青蒿素（dihydroartemisinin,DHA）是青蒿素的一种衍生物,在多种肿瘤中表现出明显的抗肿瘤活性,但其具体机制不详。本文探讨了DHA对肝癌细胞的毒性作用机制。利用CCK-8试剂检测DHA对肝癌细胞株活力的影响,通过荧光探针染色及流式细胞术分析细胞内ROS及脂质过氧化物水平的变化;通过谷胱甘肽测定试剂盒检测细胞内还原型谷胱甘肽含量的变化,并通过免疫印迹分析DHA作用下细胞内铁死亡通路蛋白质中GPX4的变化。结果发现,DHA能显著抑制SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞活力,其半数抑制浓度分别为23.74 μmol/L及26.92 μmol/L。 在35 μmol/L DHA 处理下,SMMC-7721及Huh-7细胞内ROS分别升高2.6倍和2.1倍,脂质过氧化物升高2.3倍和1.7倍。DHA可诱导细胞内GSH含量下降,并能下调铁死亡相关蛋白质GPX4蛋白水平。通过利用小分子抑制剂进行功能恢复实验发现,ROS抑制剂、铁螯合剂及铁死亡抑制剂都可不同程度恢复DHA引起的细胞活力下降。进一步检测发现,铁死亡抑制剂可抑制DHA诱导的脂质过氧化,并恢复GSH含量及GPX4蛋白水平。结果表明,在肝癌细胞中,DHA可通过诱导细胞发生铁死亡抑制肝癌细胞生长。