This study elucidates the mechanism of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma(RCRR) in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD) injury and reveals the modern pharmacological mechanism of RCRR's traditional use in nourishing Qi and promoting blood circulation to protect endothelial cells. The scratch assay was employed to assess the migratory capacity of endothelial cells. Immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were employed to assess the protein expression of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), occludin, claudin-5, and proteins of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta(GSK3β) pathway. The results demonstrated that 63 bioactive components and 125 potential core targets of RCRR were identified from the ETCM, TCMBank, and SwissTargetPrediction databases, as well as from the literature. A total of 1 708 brain microvascular endothelial cell-related targets were identified from the GeneCards and OMIM databases, and 52 targets were obtained by intersecting drug components with cell targets. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis revealed that AKT1, epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), estrogen receptor 1(ESR1), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG), GSK3β, and matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2) were considered hub genes. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified the PI3K/AKT pathway as the primary signaling pathway. Cell experiments demonstrated that RCRR-containing serum could enhance the migratory capacity of brain microvascular endothelial cells and the expression of tight junction proteins following OGD injury, which may be associated with the downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. This study elucidates the pharmacological mechanism of RCRR in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells through network pharmacology, characterized by multiple components and targets. These findings were validated through in vitro experiments and provide important ideas and references for further research into the molecular mechanisms of RCRR in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells.
Endothelial Cells/cytology* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Microvessels/metabolism* ; Brain Ischemia/drug therapy*

Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses one of the most urgent medical challenges in the 21st century as it affects millions of people. Unfortunately, the etiopathogenesis of AD is not yet fully understood and the current pharmacotherapy options are somewhat limited. Here, we report a novel inhibitor, Compound 44, for targeting cholinesterases, amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) simultaneously with the aim of achieving symptomatic relief and disease modification in AD therapy. We found that Compound 44 had good inhibitory effects on all intended targets with IC₅₀s of submicromolar or better, significant neuroprotective effects in cell models, and beneficial improvement of cognitive deficits in the triple transgenic AD (3 × Tg AD) mouse model. Moreover, we showed that Compound 44 acts as an autophagy regulator by inducing nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB through GSK-3β inhibition, enhancing the biogenesis of lysosomes and elevating autophagic flux, thus ameliorating the amyloid burden and tauopathy, as well as mitigating the disease phenotype. Our results suggest that triple-target inhibition via Compound 44 could be a promising strategy that may lead to the development of effective therapeutic approaches for AD.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/pathology* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*

Objective To investigate the role and possible mechanism of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in regulating macrophage pyroptosis in the pathogenesis and development of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into control group, DFU group and GSK-3β inhibited group, with 10 rats in each group. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was detected by dynamic blood glucose detector. The wound healing of each group was observed and recorded. The histopathologic changes of the wound were detected by HE staining. The level of wound fibrosis was detected by Masson staining. The protein levels of GSK-3β, CREB, gasdermin E (GSDME) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in wound tissue were detected by Western blotting. The co-expression of F4/80, GSDME and NLRP3 in wound tissue was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with the control group, FBG in DFU group was increased. Compared with DFU group, FBG in GSK-3β inhibition group was decreased. The wound healing rate of rats in the inhibited GSK-3β group was higher than that in the DFU group from day 3 to day 14, and the difference was significant on day 14. Therefore, samples from day 14 were used in the follow-up experiment. Compared with the control group, the wound tissue of rats in DFU group was significantly damaged with collagen deposition defect, and the expressions of GSK-3β, CREB and apoptosis-related proteins GSDME and NLRP3 were increased, and the co-expressions of F4/80 and GSDME, F4/80 and NLRP3 were increased. Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased. Compared with DFU group, most of the wound tissues of rats in GSK-3β group were healed. Collagen deposition at the fracture was increased. The expressions of GSK-3β, CREB and GSDME, NLRP3 were decreased. The expression levels of F4/80 and GSDME were reduced, along with a decrease in the co-expression of F4/80 and NLRP3. Additionally, there was a reduction in serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18. Conclusion GSK-3β/CREB signaling pathway and macrophage pyroptosis are significantly up-regulated in DFU rats. Inhibition of this pathway can promote DFU healing and down-regulate macrophage pyroptosis level.
Animals ; Pyroptosis ; Diabetic Foot/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Rats ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wound Healing ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by sicca syndrome and/or systemic manifestations. The treatment is still challenging. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic role and mechanism of exosomes obtained from the supernatant of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED-exos) in sialadenitis caused by SS. METHODS: SHED-exos were administered to the submandibular glands (SMGs) of 14-week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an animal model of the clinical phase of SS, by local injection or intraductal infusion. The saliva flow rate was measured after pilocarpine intraperitoneal injection in 21-week-old NOD mice. Protein expression was examined by western blot analysis. Exosomal microRNA (miRNAs) were identified by microarray analysis. Paracellular permeability was evaluated by transepithelial electrical resistance measurement. RESULTS: SHED-exos were injected into the SMG of NOD mice and increased saliva secretion. The injected SHED-exos were taken up by glandular epithelial cells, and further increased paracellular permeability mediated by zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1). A total of 180 exosomal miRNAs were identified from SHED-exos, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway might play an important role. SHED-exos treatment down-regulated phospho-Akt (p-Akt)/Akt, phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK-3β)/GSK-3β, and Slug expressions and up-regulated ZO-1 expression in SMGs and SMG-C6 cells. Both the increased ZO-1 expression and paracellular permeability induced by SHED-exos were abolished by insulin-like growth factor 1, a PI3K agonist. Slug bound to the ZO-1 promoter and suppressed its expression. For safer and more effective clinical application, SHED-exos were intraductally infused into the SMGs of NOD mice, and saliva secretion was increased and accompanied by decreased levels of p-Akt/Akt, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and Slug and increased ZO-1 expression. CONCLUSION Local application of SHED-exos in SMGs can ameliorate Sjögren syndrome-induced hyposalivation by increasing the paracellular permeability of glandular epithelial cells through Akt/GSK-3β/Slug pathway-mediated ZO-1 expression.
Mice ; Animals ; Humans ; Sjogren's Syndrome/therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Tight Junctions/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Xerostomia ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; MicroRNAs/genetics*

This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of acetylalkannin from Arnebia euchroma on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells. A375 cells were divided into a blank group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose acetylalkannin groups(0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μmol·L~(-1)). The MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell scratch and transwell migration assays were used to detect cell migration ability, and the transwell invasion assay was used to detect cell invasion ability. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of migration and invasion-related N-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteina-se-9(MMP-9), and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related Wnt1, Axin2, glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), phosphorylated GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β), β-catenin, cell cycle protein D_1(cyclin D_1), and p21. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of E-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), N-cadherin, vimentin, β-catenin, snail-1, and CD44. MTT results showed that the cell inhibition rates in the acetylalkannin groups significantly increased as compared with that in the blank group(P<0.01). The results of cell scratch and transwell assays showed that compared with the blank group, the acetylalkannin groups showed reduced cell migration and invasion, and migration and invasion rates(P<0.05, P<0.01) and weakened horizontal and vertical migration and invasion abilities. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the high-dose acetylalkannin group showed increased expression of Axin2 protein(P<0.05), and decreased expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-9, Wnt1, p-GSK-3β, β-catenin, cyclin D_1, and p21 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of GSK-3β protein did not change significantly. PCR results showed that the overall trend of MMP-2, N-cadherin, vimentin, β-catenin, snail-1, and CD44 mRNA expression was down-regulated(P<0.01), and the expression of E-cadherin mRNA increased(P<0.01). Acetylalkannin can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Vimentin/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Melanoma/genetics* ; Cyclin D/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Boraginaceae/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger ; Cell Movement

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of hippocampal neurodevelopment in the antidepressant effect of baicalin. METHODS: Forty male Institute of Cancer Research mice were divided into control, corticosterone (CORT, 40 mg/kg), CORT+baicalin-L (25 mg/kg), CORT+baicalin-H (50 mg/kg), and CORT+fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) groups according to a random number table. An animal model of depression was established by chronic CORT exposure. Behavioral tests were used to assess the reliability of depression model and the antidepressant effect of baicalin. In addition, Nissl staining and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the effect of baicalin on hippocampal neurodevelopment in mice. The protein and mRNA expression levels of neurodevelopment-related factors were detected by Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: Baicalin significantly ameliorated the depressive-like behavior of mice resulting from CORT exposure and promoted the development of dentate gyrus in hippocampus, thereby reversing the depressive-like pathological changes in hippocampal neurons caused by CORT neurotoxicity. Moreover, baicalin significantly decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and upregulated the expression levels of cell cycle protein D1, p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), doublecortin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences between baicalin and fluoxetine groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Baicalin can promote the development of hippocampal neurons via mTOR/GSK3β signaling pathway, thus protect mice against CORT-induced neurotoxicity and play an antidepressant role.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Corticosterone ; Fluoxetine/metabolism* ; Depression/chemically induced* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology* ; Hippocampus ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Behavior, Animal ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mammals/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Physical exercise, a common non-drug intervention, is an important strategy in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Due to the importance of hypoxia and cancer stemness in the development of HCC, the present study investigated whether the anti-HCC effect of physical exercise is related to its suppression on hypoxia and cancer stemness. METHODS: A physical exercise intervention of swimming (30 min/d, 5 d/week, for 4 weeks) was administered to BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous human HCC tumor. The anti-HCC effect of swimming was assessed in vivo by tumor weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. The expression of stemness transcription factors, including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), v-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A hypoxia probe was used to explore the intratumoral hypoxia status. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and proteins related to protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The IHC analysis of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and the immunofluorescence co-location of CD31 and desmin were used to analyze tumor blood perfusion. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with nude mice serum. The inhibition effect on cancer stemness in vitro was detected using suspension sphere experiments and the expression of stemness transcription factors. The hypoxia status was inferred by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α. Further, the expression of proteins related to Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected. RESULTS: Swimming significantly reduced the body weight and tumor weight in nude mice bearing HCC tumor. HE staining and IHC results showed a lower necrotic area ratio as well as fewer PCNA or Ki67 positive cells in mice receiving the swimming intervention. Swimming potently alleviated the intratumoral hypoxia, attenuated the cancer stemness, and inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, the desmin⁺/CD31⁺ ratio, rather than the number of CD31⁺ vessels, was significantly increased in swimming-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that treating cells with the serum from the swimming intervention mice significantly reduced the formation of SMMC-7721 cell suspension sphere, as well as the mRNA expression level of stemness transcription factors. Consistent with the in vivo results, HIF-1α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway were also inhibited in cells treated with serum from swimming group. CONCLUSION Swimming alleviated hypoxia and attenuated cancer stemness in HCC, through suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia was related to the increase in blood perfusion in the tumor. Please cite this article as: Xiao CL, Zhong ZP, Lü C, Guo BJ, Chen JJ, Zhao T, Yin ZF, Li B. Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 184-193.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics* ; beta Catenin/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Desmin/therapeutic use* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hypoxia ; RNA, Messenger/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE: Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6), a Ca ²⁺-binding protein, has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in all kinds of tumors. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of PDCD6 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). METHODS: The expression levels of PDCD6 in liver cancer patients and HCC cell lines were analyzed using bioinformatics and Western blotting. Cell viability and metastasis were determined by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and transwell assays, respectively. And Western blotting was used to test related biomarkers and molecular pathway factors in HCC cell lines. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor inhibiting AKT, was used to suppress the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway to help evaluate the role of this pathway in the HCC carcinogenesis associated with PDCD6. RESULTS: The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Database suggested that high PDCD6 expression levels were relevant to liver cancer progression. This was consistent with our finding of higher levels of PDCD6 expression in HCC cell lines than in normal hepatocyte cell lines. The results of MTT, transwell migration, and Western blotting assays revealed that overexpression of PDCD6 positively regulated HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conversely, the upregulation of PDCD6 expression in the presence of an AKT inhibitor inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, PDCD6 promoted HCC cell migration and invasion by epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The mechanistic investigation proved that PDCD6 acted as a tumor promoter in HCC through the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, increasing the expression of transcription factors and cellular proliferation and metastasis. CONCLUSION PDCD6 has a tumor stimulative role in HCC mediated by AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling and might be a potential target for HCC progression.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) regulates chondrocyte hypertrophy and bone formation. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of HDAC4 on Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced chondrocyte extracellular matrix degradation and whether it is regulated through the WNT family member 3A (WNT3A)/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS: Primary chondrocytes (CC) and human chondrosarcoma cells (SW1353 cells) were treated with IL-1β and the level of HDAC4 was assayed using Western blotting. Then, HDAC4 expression in the SW1353 cells was silenced using small interfering RNA to detect the effect of HDAC4 knockdown on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and MMP13 induced by IL-1β. After transfection with HDAC4 plasmids, the overexpression efficiency was examined using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the levels of MMP3 and MMP13 were assayed using Western blotting. After incubation with IL-1β, the translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus was observed using immunofluorescence staining in SW1353 cells to investigate the activation of the WNT3A/β-catenin signaling pathway. Finally, treatment with WNT3A and transfection with glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) plasmids were assessed for their effects on HDAC4 levels using Western blotting. RESULTS: IL-1β downregulated HDAC4 levels in chondrocytes and SW1353 cells. Furthermore, HDAC4 knockdown increased the levels of MMP3 and MMP13, which contributed to the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Overexpression of HDAC4 inhibited IL-1β-induced increases in MMP3 and MMP13. IL-1β upregulated the levels of WNT3A, and WNT3A reduced HDAC4 levels in SW1353 cells. GSK-3β rescued IL-1β-induced downregulation of HDAC4 in SW1353 cells. CONCLUSION HDAC4 exerted an inhibitory effect on IL-1β-induced extracellular matrix degradation and was regulated partially by the WNT3A/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics* ; Histone Deacetylases/genetics* ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/pharmacology* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; Repressor Proteins ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; Wnt3A Protein/genetics* ; beta Catenin/metabolism*

The recombinant adenoviruses expressing miR-22 (Ad-miR-22) was constructed and the effect of Ad-miR-22 on insulin signal pathway and glucose uptake in HepG2 cells was analyzed. MiR-22 gene was amplified by PCR from human hepatocytes and cloned into the pAdTrack-CMV vector to generate the shuttle plasmid pAdT-22. The positive colonies were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. The resultant shuttle plasmid was linearized with Pme I, followed by co-transformation into competent BJ5183 cells containing an adenoviral backbone plasmid (pAdEasy-1) to create the recombinant plasmid pAd-miR-22. After digested with Pac I, the linearized pAd-miR-22 was transfected into 293A packaging cell line to generate recombinant adenoviruses Ad-miR-22. HepG2 cells were infected with Ad-miR-22 or control Ad-GFP (adenoviruses expressing green fluorescent protein), and then the miR-22 expression levels were analyzed by qPCR. The result shows that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of miR-22 significantly decreased insulin-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-22 markedly decreased insulin-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3β. miR-22 also increased the mRNA levels of gluconeogenic genes in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, Western blotting results indicate that the protein expression of SIRT1 decreased in Ad-miR-22 infected HepG2 cells as compared with Ad-GFP infected HepG2 cells. In summary, overexpressing of miR-22 significantly increased gluconeogenesis while decreased glucose uptake in HepG2 cells. The effect of miR-22 on glucose metabolism may be mediated by SIRT1.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Transfection