A positive feedback loop of lncRNA-RMRP/ZNRF3 axis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates the progression and temozolomide resistance in glioma

Drug resistance strikingly limits the therapeutic effect of temozolomide (TMZ) (a common drug for glioma). Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RMRP has been found to be implicated in glioma progression. However, the effect of RMRP on TMZ resistance along with related molecular mechanisms is poorly defined in glioma. In the present study, RMRP, ZNRF3, and IGF2BP3 were screened out by bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of lncRNAs and mRNAs were measured by RT-qPCR assay. Protein levels of genes were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence assays. ZNRF3 mRNA stability was analyzed using Actinomycin D assay. Cell proliferative ability and survival rate were determined by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptotic pattern was estimated by flow cytometry. The effect of RMRP knockdown on the growth of TMZ-treated glioma xenograft tumors was explored in vivo. The relationships of IGF2BP3, RMRP, and ZNRF3 were explored by bioinformatics prediction analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase, and RNA pull-down, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The results showed that RMRP was highly expressed in glioma. RMRP knockdown curbed cell proliferation, facilitated cell apoptosis and reduced TMZ resistance in glioma cells, and hindered the growth of TMZ-treated glioma xenograft tumors. RMRP exerted its functions by down-regulating ZNRF3 in glioma cells. IGF2BP3 interacted with RMRP and ZNRF3 mRNA. IGF2BP3 knockdown weakened the interaction of Argonaute 2 (Ago2) and ZNRF3. RMRP reduced ZNRF3 expression and mRNA stability by IGF2BP3. RMRP knockdown inhibited β-catenin expression by up-regulating ZNRF3. The inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by XAV-939 weakened RMRP-mediated TMZ resistance in glioma cells. β-catenin promoted RMRP expression by TCF4 in glioma cells. In conclusion, RMRP/ZNRF3 axis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling formed a positive feedback loop to regulate TMZ resistance in glioma. The sustained activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by RMRP might contribute to the better management of cancers.Subject terms: Drug regulation, Long non-coding RNAs     

白藜芦醇对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的影响*

目的:研究白藜芦醇通过调节Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抗溃疡性结肠炎的作用机制。方法:①葡聚糖硫酸钠盐(DSS)诱发溃疡性结肠炎实验:28只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为4组(n=7):control组、 DSS组、DSS+白藜芦醇(DSS+Res)组和Res组。实验周期为3周,小鼠饮用DSS水诱导溃疡性结肠炎并给予白藜芦醇灌胃。实验期间每天称小鼠体重并观察小鼠活动和粪便情况。处理结束后,安乐死小鼠,取小鼠脾脏称重,取小鼠结肠测量长度。苏木精-伊红染色法(H&E)染色观察小鼠结肠组织病理改变;实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)检测小鼠结肠组织miRNA-31的表达;Western Blot检测小鼠结肠组织β-catenin、Cyclin D1蛋白的表达。②离体实验:以10 mg/ml浓度的白藜芦醇处理HCT 116细胞,检测HCT 116细胞β-catenin、低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白6(LRP-6)、卷曲蛋白3(FZD3)、c-Myc蛋白的表达;HCT 116细胞转染miRNA-31 mimic和inhibitor,检测β-catenin蛋白的表达。结果:①DSS组小鼠实验期间体重下降明显,精神萎靡,活动减少,出现血便;处理结束后小鼠的结肠长度缩短,脾脏增大。而给予白藜芦醇后小鼠的以上情况得到改善。②白藜芦醇抑制了溃疡性结肠炎小鼠结肠组织miRNA-31的表达及β-catenin、Cyclin D1蛋白的表达。③白藜芦醇下调HCT 116细胞β-catenin、LRP-6、FZD3、c-Myc蛋白的表达。转染miRNA-31 inhibitor后,HCT 116细胞中β-catenin蛋白表达减少。结论:白藜芦醇能够抑制DSS诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎,这种作用与下调Wnt信号通路有关,其对Wnt 信号的下调作用与miRNA-31有关。     

TMPyP4-regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in SW480 cells

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of the 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (1-methylpyridinium-4-yl) porphyrin (TMPyP4) on the proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells and the underlying mechanisms by which TMPyP4 exerted its actions. Methods: After treated with different doses of TMPyP4, cell viability was determined by MTT method, the apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry (FCM) and the expression of Wnt, GSK-3β, β-catenin and cyclinD1 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Results: The analysis revealed that TMPyP4 potently suppressed cell viability and induced the apoptosis of SW480 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the downregulation of Wnt, β-catenin and cyclinD1 expression levels was detected in TMPyP4-treated SW480 cells. However, followed by the block of Wnt signaling pathway using siRNA methods, the effects of TMPyP4 on proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells were significantly reduced. Conclusion: It indicates that the TMPyP4-inhibited proliferation and -induced apoptosis in SW480 cells was accompanied by the suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, TMPyP4 may represent a potential therapeutic method for the treatment of colon carcinoma.     

Enhanced Anti-Tumor Effect of Zoledronic Acid Combined with Temozolomide against Human Malignant Glioma Cell Expressing O6-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase

Temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA methylating agent, is widely used in the adjuvant treatment of malignant gliomas. O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltranferase (MGMT), a DNA repair enzyme, is frequently discussed as the main factor that limits the efficacy of TMZ. Zoledronic acid (ZOL), which is clinically applied to treat cancer-induced bone diseases, appears to possess direct anti-tumor activity through apoptosis induction by inhibiting mevalonate pathway and prenylation of intracellular small G proteins. In this study, we evaluated whether ZOL can be effectively used as an adjuvant to TMZ in human malignant glioma cells that express MGMT. Malignant glioma cell lines, in which the expression of MGMT was detected, did not exhibit growth inhibition by TMZ even at a longer exposure. However, combination experiment of TMZ plus ZOL revealed that a supra-additive effect resulted in a significant decrease in cell growth. In combined TMZ/ZOL treatment, an increased apoptotic rate was apparent and significant activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase were observed compared with each single drug exposure. There were decreased amounts of Ras-GTP, MAPK and Akt phosphorylation and MGMT expression in the ZOL-treated cells. Subcutanous xenograft models showed significant decrease of tumor growth with combined TMZ/ZOL treatment. These results suggest that ZOL efficaciously inhibits activity of Ras in malignant glioma cells and potentiates TMZ-mediated cytotoxicity, inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of malignant glioma cells that express MGMT and resistant to TMZ. Based on this work, combination of TMZ with ZOL might be a potential therapy in malignant gliomas that receive less therapeutic effects of TMZ due to cell resistance.     

Astragaloside IV suppresses transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells

ABSTRACT

Astragaloside IV (AS#IV) has previously demonstrated antitumoractivity. We investigated the effect and mechanisms of AS#IV in relation to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), viainterference with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gliomaU251 cells. Induction of glioma U251 cells by transforming growthfactor (TGF)#β1 activated EMT, including switching E#cadherin toN-cadherin and altering the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signalingpathway components such as vimentin, β-catenin, and cyclin-D1.AS-IV inhibited the viability, invasion, and migration of TGF-β1-induced glioma U251 cells. AS-IV also interfered with the TGF#β1-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in glioma U251 cells.These findings indicate that AS#IV prohibits TGF#β1-induced EMTby disrupting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells. AS#IV may thus be a potential candidate agent for treating glioma andother central nervous system tumors.     

microRNA-383 regulates cell viability and apoptosis by mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in non–small cell lung cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of microRNA-383 (miRNA-383) in progression of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the potential mechanism. The expressions of miR-383 and Wnt1 protein were detected in lung cancer tissues and cells by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. After the transfection of miR-383 mimics, si-Wnt1 or miR-383+Wnt1, the viability and apoptosis of NSCLC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, respectively. The interaction between miR-383 and Wnt1 was investigated by luciferase activity and Western blot analysis. Cells stably transfected with miR-383 mimics were inoculated into the right axillary of nude mice by subcutaneous injection. The tumor volume and weight were measured, and the expressions of miR-383, Wnt1, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The expression of miR-383 was significantly decreased, and the level of Wnt1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in lung cancer tissues and cells. Upregulation of miR-383 or inhibition of Wnt1 expression inhibited the cell viability and induce apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Moreover, Wnt1 was the target gene of miR-383, and its overexpression weakened the regulatory effect of miR-383 on cell viability and apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Besides, the addition of miR-383 decreased the tumor volume and size and inhibited the expressions of Wnt1, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 at the protein level in nude mice. Collectively, miR-383 induced apoptosis and inhibited cell viability as well as tumorigenic capacity in nude mice via regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Convergence of Wnt and Notch signaling controls ovarian cancer cell survival

In the last 40 years ovarian cancer mortality rates have slightly declined and, consequently, it continues to be the fifth cause of cancer death in women. In the present study, we showed that β-catenin signaling is involved in the functions of ovarian cancer cells and interacts with the Notch system. Wnt and Notch systems showed to be prosurvival for ovarian cancer cells and their inhibition impaired cell proliferation and migration. We also demonstrated that the inhibition of β-catenin by means of two molecules, XAV939 and ICG-001, decreased the proliferation of the IGROV1 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines and that ICG-001 increased the percentage of IGROV1 cells undergoing apoptosis. The simultaneous inhibition of β-catenin and Notch signaling, by using the DAPT inhibitor, decreased ovarian cancer cell proliferation to the same extent as targeting only the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. A similar effect was observed in IGROV1 cell migration with ICG-001 and DAPT. ICG-001 increased the Notch target genes Hes-1 and Hey-1 and increased Jagged1 expression. However, no changes were observed in Dll4 or Notch 1 and 4 expressions. Our results suggest that Notch and β-catenin signaling co-operate in ovarian cancer to ensure the proliferation and migration of cells and that this could be achieved, at least partly, by the upregulation of Notch Jagged1 ligand in the absence of Wnt signaling. We showed that the Wnt pathway crosstalks with Notch in ovarian cancer cell functions, which may have implications in ovarian cancer therapeutics.     

Down-regulation of Wnt10a by RNA interference inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in this disorder. Here, we investigated the function of Wnt10a in proliferation and apoptosis of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal (MEPM) cells. Expression of Wnt10a was down-regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in transfected MEPM cells containing Wnt10a-specific small hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid. Down-regulation of Wnt10a inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase in MEPM cells. Moreover, apoptosis was significantly increased in MEPM cells of Wnt10a gene silencing. Finally, the expression of β-catenin was markedly reduced in MEPM cells transfected with shRNA plasmid, indicating that the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was involved in the alterations of cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by Wnt10a knockdown. Thus, our findings reveal that Wnt10a regulates proliferation and apoptosis of MEPM cells at least partially through the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

LY294002对CML急变期细胞中Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的影响及其效应

β-catening在慢性粒细胞白血病急变过程中发挥着重要作用,而其受BCR／ABLTL其下游信号通路调控的具体分子机制尚未完全阐明。该研究旨在探讨PI3K-AK聪号通路对慢粒急变期细胞的影响及其对Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的调控作用。采用P13K-AKT信号通路的靶向抑制剂LY294002作用于慢粒急变期K562细胞,MTT法检测其对细胞增殖的影响,甲基纤维素克隆形成实验检测细胞的克隆形成能力,Western blot检测pAKT（Thr308）的表达变化,RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测β-catenin及其下游靶基因c—myc、cyclinD1的mRNA和蛋白表达情况。结果显示,10,20,40μmol/L的LY294002作用细胞24h后,抑制了K562细胞的增殖以及克隆形成能力。该效应呈浓度依赖的方式。3种浓度的LY294002处理细胞后,PI3K—AKT信号通路明显被抑制,pAKT（Thr308）的蛋白表达明显减少;β-catenin的mRNA表达无明显改变,但其蛋白水平依次减少;β-catenin的下游靶基因c-myc、cyclin D1的mRNA和蛋白水平均明显降低。综上所述,抑制PI3K-AKT信号通路可抑制白血病K562细胞的增殖和克隆形成能力,其机制可能与抑制Wnt／β-catenin信号通路相关。     

EGCG通过抑制wnt/β-catenin信号通路调节猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的增殖和分化

为了阐明Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在猪骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖分化中的作用,利用Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制剂(-)-表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)处理猪骨骼肌卫星细胞,采用MTT、流式细胞术、免疫荧光和Western印迹等方法检测了细胞增殖和分化情况.结果显示,与对照组相比,EGCG以时间、浓度依赖方式抑制猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的增殖.流式细胞术检测细胞周期结果表明,与对照组相比,经EGCG处理后,猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的G1期细胞比例上升,而G2和S期细胞比例下降,这说明细胞被阻滞在G1期,细胞的增殖受到抑制.免疫荧光检测分化过程中MyHC的表达,与对照组相比,EGCG促进猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的分化,并降低增殖标志基因MyoD以及细胞周期蛋白D的表达量,而提高了分化标志基因MyoG和MyHC的表达量.在猪骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖分化过程中,EGCG降低β-联蛋白的表达量,且核内的β-联蛋白明显减少.结果表明,EGCG通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的增殖,促进其分化.     

miR-218 promoted the apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cells via suppression of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway

MicroRNA-218 (miR-218) is a short, noncoding RNA, with multiple biological functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of miR-218 on the apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cells and the underlying mechanisms by which miR-218 exerted its actions. After over-expressing miR-218 in human ovarian carcinoma (OVCAR3) cells, cell viability was determined by MTT method, cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry (FCM), mRNA expression of miR-218, Bcl2, Bax was measured by RT-PCR and protein expression levels of Wnt, tankyrase and β-catenin were quantified by Western blots. Over-expression of miR-218 potently suppressed cell viability and promoted the apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cells in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the down-regulation of tankyrase expression level was detected in miR-218-over-expressed cells. Following the block of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway using the inhibitor XAV-939, the effects of miR-218 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cells were significantly suppressed. Augmenting expression of miR-218 and/or miRNA-218 mimicking therapeutics may provide viable avenue for the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

Retracted: PRC1 gene silencing inhibits proliferation,invasion, and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells through the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Retinoblastoma is an ocular malignancy occurring in childhood. The current study evaluates the ability of silenced PRC1 on retinoblastoma cell proliferation, and angiogenesis via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. A total of 36 cases of retinoblastoma tissues (n = 36) and normal retinal tissues (n = 10) were selected in the current study. Retinoblastoma cells presenting with the high PRC1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were selected among the WERI-Rb-1, HXO-RB44, Y79, SO-Rb50, and SO-Rb70 cells lines, and were transfected with siRNA-PRC1 and LiCl (the activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway). The expressions of PRC1, VEGF, Wnt1, β-catenin, CyclinD1, extent of β-catenin, and GSK-3β phosphorylation were evaluated. Cell proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, and cell invasion of retinoblastoma cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. The angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells was detected by tube formation assay. HXO-RB44 and WERI-Rb-1 cells were selected owing to the highest PRC1 mRNA expression. Meanwhile, PRC2 gene silencing presented lower expression levels of PRC1, VEGF, Wnt1, β-catenin, CyclinD1, extent of β-catenin and GSK-3β phosphorylation, decreased proliferation and invasion abilities, extended G0/G1 phase, and shortened S and G2/M phases of HXO-RB44 and WERI-Rb-1 cells, suggesting the silenced PRC2 inactivated Wnt/β-catenin pathway, so as to further restrain the retinoblastoma cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. These results support the view that PRC1 gene silencing could suppress the proliferation, and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells by repressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.     

Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用

目的探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用。方法体外培养人近端肾小管上皮细胞（HKC）,分为正常糖组、甘露醇对照组及高糖组。采用免疫细胞化学观察β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）表达情况;Westernblot检测Wnt4、β-catenin、E-钙粘蛋白（E-cadherin）和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）表达水平;逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测Wnt4和β-cateninmRNA表达水平。结果高糖组较正常糖及渗透浓度对照组Wnt4蛋白及mRNA、α-SMA蛋白表达增高,E-cadherin表达降低,β-catenin总蛋白及mRNA水平无明显变化,细胞浆及核内蛋白表达增强。高糖刺激肾小管上皮细胞Wnt4及核β-catenin蛋白表达呈时间依赖性,于高糖刺激后12h增强,24h达到高峰。结论Wnt/β-catenin信号通路可能参与了高糖介导的肾小管上皮细胞转分化过程。