1.Unveiling the molecular features and diagnosis and treatment prospects of immunothrombosis via integrated bioinformatics analysis.
Yafen WANG ; Xiaoshuang WU ; Zhixin LIU ; Xinlei LI ; Yaozhen CHEN ; Ning AN ; Xingbin HU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(3):228-235
Objective To investigate the common molecular features of immunothrombosis, thus enhancing the comprehension of thrombosis triggered by immune and inflammatory responses and offering crucial insights for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Methods Differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on datasets of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The intersection of differentially expressed genes in SLE and VTE with those of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) yielded cross-talk genes (CG) for SLE-NET and VTE-NET interaction. Further analysis included functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network assessments of these CG to identify hub genes. Venn diagrams and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to pinpoint the most effective shared diagnostic CG, which were validated using a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) dataset. Results Differential expression genes in SLE and VTE were associated with distinct biological processes, whereas SLE-NET-CG and VTE-NET-CG were implicated in pathways related to leukocyte migration, inflammatory response, and immune response. Through PPI network analysis, several hub genes were identified, with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) emerging as the best shared diagnostic CG for SLE (AUC: 0.936 and 0.832) and VTE (AUC: 0.719 and 0.759). Notably, MMP9 exhibited good diagnostic performance in the GVHD dataset (AUC: 0.696). Conclusion This study unveils the common molecular features of SLE, VTE, and NET, emphasizing MMP9 and S100A12 as the optimal shared diagnostic CG, thus providing valuable evidence for the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies related to immunothrombosis. Additionally, the expression of MMP9 in GVHD highlights its critical role in the risk of VTE associated with immune system disorders.
Humans
;
Computational Biology/methods*
;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology*
;
Protein Interaction Maps/genetics*
;
Venous Thromboembolism/therapy*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Gene Regulatory Networks
;
Thrombosis/immunology*
;
Graft vs Host Disease/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Profiling
2.ADAR1 Regulates the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 Pathway to Drive the Proliferation and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.
Li ZHANG ; Xue PAN ; Wenqing YAN ; Shuilian ZHANG ; Chiyu MA ; Chenpeng LI ; Kexin ZHU ; Nijia LI ; Zizhong YOU ; Xueying ZHONG ; Zhi XIE ; Zhiyi LV ; Weibang GUO ; Yu CHEN ; Danxia LU ; Xuchao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):647-657
BACKGROUND:
Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) binds to double-stranded RNA and catalyzes the deamination of adenosine (A) to inosine (I). The functional mechanism of ADAR1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of ADAR1 in NSCLC and to elucidate its potential role in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS:
Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and cBioPortal were analyzed to assess the correlation between high ADAR1 expression and clinicopathological features as well as prognosis in lung cancer. We performed Western blot (WB), cell proliferation assays, Transwell invasion/migration assays, and nude mouse xenograft modeling to examine the phenotypic changes and molecular mechanisms induced by ADAR1 knockdown. Furthermore, the ADAR1 p150 overexpression model was utilized to validate the proposed mechanism.
RESULTS:
ADAR1 expression was significantly elevated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (LUAD: P=3.70×10-15, LUSC: P=0.016). High ADAR1 expression was associated with poor prognosis (LUAD: P=2.03×10-2, LUSC: P=2.81×10-2) and distant metastasis (P=0.003). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated that elevated ADAR1 was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway activation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and cell adhesion. ADAR1 and MMP-9 levels showed a strongly positive correlation (P=6.45×10-34) in 10 lung cancer cell lines, highest in H1581. Knockdown of ADAR1 in H1581 cells induced a rounded cellular morphology with reduced pseudopodia. Concomitantly, it suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis. It also suppressed ERK phosphorylation and downregulated cellular Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (c-FOS), MMP-9, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Conversely, ADAR1 p150 overexpression in PC9 cells enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased c-FOS and MMP-9 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
High ADAR1 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis and distant metastasis in NSCLC patients. Mechanistically, ADAR1 may promote proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis in lung cancer cells via the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 axis.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/physiopathology*
;
Cell Movement
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Mice, Nude
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*
3.Involvement of interferon γ-producing mast cells in immune responses against melanocytes in vitiligo requires Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 activation.
Zhikai LIAO ; Yunzhu YAO ; Bingqi DONG ; Yue LE ; Longfei LUO ; Fang MIAO ; Shan JIANG ; Tiechi LEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(11):1367-1378
BACKGROUND:
Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis.
METHODS:
Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8 + T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2 -/- ) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation.
RESULTS:
IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8 + T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs . lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs . 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs . 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs . 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ + mast cell and CD8 + T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2 -/- mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs . KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs . 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.
Vitiligo/metabolism*
;
Mast Cells/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Interferon-gamma/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Melanocytes/metabolism*
;
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Female
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
;
Stem Cell Factor/metabolism*
4.Morin, a matrix metalloproteinase 9 inhibitor, attenuates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis by downregulating Notch-1 signaling.
Yuan HE ; Xiao-Xuan QIN ; Ming-Wei LIU ; Wei SUN
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2024;22(6):683-695
OBJECTIVE:
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease poses a significant health challenge globally. Recent findings highlight the pivotal role of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in atherosclerosis. Morin is a bioflavonoid mainly extracted from white mulberry, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study examines whether morin can alleviate atherosclerosis by suppressing EndMT and seeks to elucidate the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
We induced an in vitro EndMT model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by stimulating the cells with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (10 ng/mL) for 48 h. The in vivo experiments were performed in an atherosclerosis model using apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice in the intervention group were given morin (50 mg/kg) orally for 4 weeks. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis were assayed to understand the interactions between morin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).
RESULTS:
Morin inhibited the expression of EndMT markers in a dose-dependent manner in TGF-β1-treated HUVECs. Administering 50 μmol/L morin suppressed the upregulation of MMP-9 and Notch-1 signaling in TGF-β1-induced EndMT. Moreover, the overexpression of MMP-9 activated Notch-1 signaling, thereby reversing morin's inhibitory effect on EndMT. In the HFD-induced atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice, morin notably reduced aortic intimal hyperplasia and plaque formation by suppressing EndMT. Furthermore, morin demonstrated a strong binding affinity for MMP-9.
CONCLUSION
Morin acts as an MMP-9 inhibitor to disrupt EndMT in atherosclerosis by limiting the activation of Notch-1 signaling. This study underscores morin's potential utility in the development of anti-atherosclerotic medication. Please cite this article as: He Y, Qin XX, Liu MW, Sun W. Morin, a matrix metalloproteinase 9 inhibitor, attenuates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis by downregulating Notch-1 Signaling. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 684-696.
Flavonoids/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Atherosclerosis/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Receptor, Notch1/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects*
;
Down-Regulation/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Flavones
5.Mechanism of Qilongtian Capsules in treatment of acute lung injury based on network pharmacology prediction and experimental validation.
Ying XIE ; Xue-Rong SU ; Tong ZHOU ; Yi-Yao LIANG ; Yang-Qian WU ; Yi WAN ; Tu-Lin LU ; Xiao-Li ZHAO ; Zheng-Yan LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(15):4187-4200
This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qilongtian Capsules in treating acute lung injury(ALI) based on network pharmacology prediction and in vitro experimental validation. Firstly, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to analyze the main chemical components of Qilongtian Capsules, and related databases were used to obtain its action targets and ALI disease targets. STRING database was used to build a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. Metascape database was used to conduct enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). AutoDock software was used to perform molecular docking verification on the main active components and key targets. Then, the RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) for in vitro experiments. Cell viability was measured by MTT and ROS level was measured by DCFH-DA. NO content was measured by Griess assay, and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. The predicted targets were preliminarily verified by investigating the effect of Qilongtian Capsules on downstream cytokines. Eighty-four compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Through database retrieval, 44 active components with 589 target genes were screened out. There were 560 ALI disease targets, and 65 intersection targets. PPI network topology analysis revealed 10 core targets related to ALI, including STAT3, JUN, VEGFA, CASP3, and MMP9. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Qilongtian Capsules mainly exerted an anti-ALI effect by regulating cancer pathway, AGE-RAGE, MAPK, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that the main active components in Qilongtian Capsules, including crenulatin, ginsenoside F_1, ginsenoside Rb_1, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Rg_3, notoginsenoside Fe, notoginsenoside G, notoginsenoside R_1, notoginsenoside R_2, and notoginsenoside R_3, had good binding affinities with the corresponding protein targets STAT3, JUN, VEGFA, CASP3, and MMP9. Cellular experiments showed that Qilongtian Capsules at 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg·mL~(-1) reduced the release of NO, while Qilongtian Capsules at 0.25 and 0.5 mg·mL~(-1) reduced ROS production, down-regulated mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and inhibited the inflammatory cascade. In summary, Qilongtian Capsules may exert therapeutic effects on ALI through multiple components and targets.
Humans
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
Ginsenosides
;
Caspase 3
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
;
Interleukin-6
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Reactive Oxygen Species
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Acute Lung Injury/genetics*
;
Capsules
;
RNA, Messenger
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
6.Effect of acetylalkannin from Arnebia euchroma on proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells.
Ying-Ying KANG ; Qian QIAN ; Ya YANG ; Ying YANG ; Fang XU ; Min LI ; Jian-Guang LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(18):5049-5055
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
7.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore Mechanism of Tetrahydropalmatine on Acute Myocardial Ischemia.
Po-Li LIN ; Jun-Ling CAO ; Ping REN ; Jia-Li CHEN ; Bo-Ya CAO ; Ping HE ; Chang-Hui ZHENG ; Qi-Wen LI ; Wei WANG ; Jian ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(12):1087-1098
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the potential molecular mechanism of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) on acute myocardial ischemia (AMI).
METHODS:
First, the target genes of THP and AMI were collected from SymMap Database, Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform, and Swiss Target Prediction, respectively. Then, the overlapping target genes between THP and AMI were evaluated for Grene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis. The binding affinity between the protein and THP was assessed by molecular docking. Finally, the protective effects of THP on AMI model and oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model of H9C2 cardiomyocyte were explored and the expression levels of target genes were detected by RT-qPCR in vivo and in vitro.
RESULTS:
MMP9, PPARG, PTGS2, SLC6A4, ESR1, JAK2, GSK3B, NOS2 and AR were recognized as hub genes. The KEGG enrichment analysis results revealed that the potential target genes of THP were involved in the regulation of PPAR and hormone pathways. THP improved the cardiac function, as well as alleviated myocardial cell damage. Furthermore, THP significantly decreased the RNA expression levels of MMP9, PTGS2, SLC6A4, GSK3B and ESR1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) after AMI. In vitro, THP significantly increased H9C2 cardiomyocyte viability (P<0.05, P<0.01) and inhibited the RNA expression levels of PPARG, ESR1 and AR (P<0.05, P<0.01) in OGD model.
CONCLUSIONS
THP could improve cardiac function and alleviate myocardial injury in AMI. The underlying mechanism may be inhibition of inflammation, the improvement of energy metabolism and the regulation of hormones.
Humans
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Cyclooxygenase 2
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
PPAR gamma
;
Myocardial Ischemia/genetics*
;
Glucose
;
RNA
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
8.Apolipoprotein E enhances migration of endometrial cancer cells byactivating the ERK/MMP9 signaling pathway.
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(2):232-241
OBJECTIVE:
To study the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) in regulating endometrial cancer metastasis and explore the signaling pathway in the regulatory mechanism.
METHODS:
Human endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1B was transfected with a control siRNA (siCtrl) or a specific siRNA targeting APOE (siAPOE) or with either pEGFP-N1 plasmid or an APOEoverexpressing plasmid. The changes in migration, proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells were examined using wound healing assay, Transwell migration assay, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Hoechst staining. The activity of the ERK/MMP9 signaling pathway in the transfected cells was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The expression level of APOE in clinical specimens of endometrial cancer tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and its correlation with differentiation of endometrial cancer tissues was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay showed that compared with those in siCtrl group, HEC-1B cells transfected with siAPOE showed significantly reduced migration ability (P < 0.05), whereas APOE overexpression significantly promoted the migration of the cells (P < 0.05). Neither APOE knockdown nor overexpression produced significant effects on HEC-1B cell proliferation as shown by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Hoechst staining revealed that transfection with siAPOE did not significantly affect apoptosis of HEC-1B cells. APOE knockdown obviously reduced and APOE overexpression enhanced ERK phosphorylation and MMP9 expression in HEC-1B cells (P < 0.05). Treatment with U0126 partially reversed the effects of APOE overexpression on ERK phosphorylation, migration and MMP9 expression in HEC-1B cells (P < 0.05). APOE is highly expressed in clinical samples of endometrial cancer tissues as compared with the adjacent tissues.
CONCLUSION
APOE is highly expressed in endometrial cancer tissues to promote cancer cell migration by enhancing ERK phosphorylation and MMP9 expression.
Female
;
Humans
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Signal Transduction
;
Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Apoptosis
;
Cell Movement
;
RNA, Small Interfering
;
Apolipoproteins E
;
Apolipoproteins/pharmacology*
9.Mechanism of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides in improving atherosclerosis by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Xiao-Yu MA ; Hao-Ran ZHAO ; Hui-Lin QIAO ; You-Cheng ZENG ; Xuan-Ming ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(2):465-471
The present study observed the regulatory effect of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides on autophagy and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathways in ApoE~(-/-) mice and explored the mechanism of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides against atherosclerosis(AS). ApoE~(-/-) mice were fed on a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce an AS model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group, a positive control group, and low-, medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides, while C57BL/6J mice fed on a common diet were assigned to the blank group. The serum and aorta samples were collected after intragastric administration for 12 weeks, and the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), and matrix metalloprotei-nase-9(MMP-9) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Oil red O staining was used to observe the aortic plaque area in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the aortic plaque and pathological changes in mice. The expression of P62 and LC3 in the aorta was detected by the immunofluorescence method. The protein expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin-1, P62, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the aorta of mice was detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the content of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.05), intra-aortic plaque area was enlarged(P<0.01), the expression of LC3 in the aorta was significantly down-regulated, P62 expression was up-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the expressions of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the aortic lysate were significantly down-regulated, and the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 were significantly increased(P<0.01). The medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could reduce the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in AS model mice(P<0.01 or P<0.05), and increase the content of HDL-C(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The aortic plaque area of mice after middle and high doses of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides was significantly reduced(P<0.01), the content of foam cells decrease, and the narrowing of the lumen decreased. The total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides significantly increased the expression of LC3 in the aorta and the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the lysate, and decreased the expression of P62 in the aorta and the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 in the lysate(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The results showed that the total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could improve the content of blood lipids and inflammatory factors, and reduce the generation of foam cells and plaques in aortic tissue, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Apolipoproteins E
;
Atherosclerosis/genetics*
;
Beclin-1
;
Cholesterol, LDL
;
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics*
10.Neutrophil extracellular traps activates focal adhesion kinase by upregulating MMP9 expression to promote proliferation and migration of mouse colorectal cancer cells.
Yi HE ; Songlin HOU ; Changyuan MEMG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2023;39(5):416-422
Objective To investigate how the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) affect the proliferation and migration of mouse MC38 colorectal cancer cells and its mechanism. Methods Spleen neutrophils were extracted in mouse, followed by collection of NETs after ionomycin stimulation in vitro. The proliferation of MC38 cell was detected by CCK-8 assay, and migration ability were detected by TranswellTM and cell scratch assay, after co-incubation with MC38 cells. The mRNA expression of cellular matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the expression of MMP2, MMP9 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated FAK protein were detected by Western blot. After silencing MMP9 using small interfering RNA (siRNA), the effect of NETs on the proliferation and migration ability of MC38 cells and the altered expression of related molecules were examined by previous approach. Results NETs promoted the proliferation and migration of MC38 cells and up-regulated the MMP9 expression and FAK phosphorylation. Silencing MMP9 inhibited the promotion of MC38 proliferation and migration by NETs and suppressed FAK phosphorylation. Conclusion NETs up-regulates MMP9 expression in MC38 cells, activates FAK signaling pathway and promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Cell Movement
;
Cell Proliferation
;
RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor

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