OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the renoprotective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) signaling pathway and expression of its downstream molecules including activator protein 1 (AP-1) and transformation growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). METHODS: The rat GMCs line (HBZY-1) were cultured and randomly divided into 5 groups, including control, LPS (100 ng/mL), and 5, 10, 20 µmol/L RSV-treated groups. In addition, SphK1 inhibitor (SK-II) was used as positive control. GMCs were pretreated with RSV for 2 h and treated with LPS for another 24 h. GMCs proliferation was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The proteins expression of SphK1, p-c-Jun and TGF-β1 in GMCs were detected by Western blot, and DNA-binding activity of AP-1 was performed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The binding activity between RSV and SphK1 protein was detected by AutoDock Vina and visualized by Discovery Studio 2016. RESULTS: LPS could obviously stimulate GMCs proliferation, elevate SphK1, p-c-Jun and TGF-β1 expression levels and increase the DNA-binding activity of AP-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas these effects were significantly blocked by RSV pretreatment. It was also suggested that the effect of RSV was similar to SK-II (P>0.05). Moreover, RSV exhibited good binding affinity towards SphK1, with docking scores of -8.1 kcal/moL and formed hydrogen bonds with ASP-178 and LEU-268 in SphK1. CONCLUSION RSV inhibited LPS-induced GMCs proliferation and TGF-β1 expression, which may be independent of its hypoglycemic effect on preventing the development of mesangial cell fibrosis and closely related to the direct inhibition of SphK1 pathway.
Animals ; Rats ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Mesangial Cells ; Resveratrol/pharmacology* ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of Yougui pill (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on the related factors of Wnt signal pathway of rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and explore its protective mechanism. METHODS: Sixty SPF SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, model group, glucosamine sulfate group, high-dose, middle-dose, low-dose of Yougui pill treated group (=10). KOA model was established by modified Hulth method for six weeks. The rats in the high, middle and low-dose of Yougui pill group were treated with Yougui pills at the doses of 20,10 and 5 g/kg respectively by gastrogavage once a day for 8 weeks, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham and model control group and an equal volume of glucosamine sulfate (1.7 g/kg·d) was given to those in glucosamine sulfate group for 8 weeks. The knee joint was removed after the last dose of drug. The pathological changes of cartilaginous tissues were observed under a microscope. The mRNA levels of Dickkopf homolog 1(DKK1), Wnt induced secreted protein 1(WISP1), Wnt1, low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 5(LRP5) and beta -catenin in rats cartilaginous tissues were analyzed by using RT-PCR method, and the protein contents of DKK1, WISP1, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin in cartilaginous tissues were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the articular cartilage was severely damaged, the Mankin score was increased significantly (<0. 05), the mRNA and protein expression levels of DKK1 in cartilaginous tissue were markedly decreased(<0.05), while those of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin were increased significantly in model group(<0.05). Compared with model group, the articular cartilage lesions was light (<0.05), the Mankin Score was decreased significantly(<0.05), and the mRNA and protein levels of DKK1 in cartilaginous tissue were increased(<0.05), while those of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin were decreased in Yougui pill high-dose group and glucosamine sulfate group (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Yougui pill has protective effects on the KOA by inhibiting the expressions of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5, beta-catenin and increasing the expression of DKK1 cytokine in the Wnt signaling pathway.
Animals ; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosamine ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; Wnt1 Protein ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective: To explore the effect of the AXL expression on the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer PC-3 and DU145 cells to docetaxel and possible mechanisms. METHODS: Using Western blot, we examined the expressions of the AXL protein, p-AXL and Gas6 in the docetaxel-resistant PC-3 (PC-3-DR) and DU145 (DU145-DR) cells stimulated with gradually increased concentrations of docetaxel. We transfected the PC-3 and DU145 cells with negative NC ShRNA and AXL-ShRNA, respectively, which were confirmed to be effective, detected the proliferation, apoptosis and cycle distribution of the cells by CCK8, MTT and flow cytometry after treated with the AXL-inhibitor MP470 and/or docetaxel, and determined the expression of the ABCB1 protein in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells after intervention with the AXL-inhibitor R428 and/or docetaxel. RESULTS: The expression of the AXL protein in the PC-3 and DU145 cells was significantly increased after docetaxel treatment (P <0.05). The expressions AXL and p-AXL were remarkably higher (P <0.05) while that of Gas6 markedly lower (P <0.05) in the PC-3 and DU145 than in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells. The inhibitory effect of docetaxel on the proliferation and its enhancing effect on the apoptosis of the PC-3 and DU145 cells were significantly decreased at 48 hours after AXL transfection (P <0.05). MP470 obviously suppressed the growth and promoted the apoptosis of the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells, with a higher percentage of the cells in the G2/M phase when combined with docetaxel than used alone (P <0.05). R428 markedly reduced the expression of ABCB1 in the PC-3-DR and DU145-DR cells, even more significantly in combination with docetaxel than used alone (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The elevated expression of AXL enhances the docetaxel-resistance of PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells and AXL intervention improves their chemosensitivity to docetaxel, which may be associated with the increased cell apoptosis in the G2/M phase and decreased expression of ABCB1.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Docetaxel ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Taxoids ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the promoter methylation status of SFRP genes and the effect of 5- aza- 2'- deoxycytidine (5- Aza- CdR)induced apoptosis via Wnt/β- catenin pathway by demethylation in Jurkat cells.

METHODSJurkat cells were treated with different concentrations of 5- Aza- CdR. The cell proliferation level of Jurkat cells was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Methylation- spcific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation status of SFRP genes. The expressions of SFRP genes were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The mRNA expression levels of survivin, c- myc and cyclin- D1 were analyzed by RT- PCR. Western blot was used to detect the levels of β-catenin protein.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the different concentrations of 5-Aza-CdR could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a time-dose dependent manner (P<0.05). After being treated by 5- Aza- CdR for 48 hours, the cell early apoptosis rate in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The promoters of SFRP1, SFRP2, SFRP4, SFRP5 genes were hypermethylation state in the control group, after being treated by 5-Aza-CdR for 72 hours, the brightness of SFRP1, SFRP2, SFRP4, SFRP5 genes' methylation strips weakened in a dose- dependent manner. SFRP mRNA expression increased (P<0.05) when 5- Aza- CdR concentration increased, and the level of β- catenin protein was dampened in a dose- dependent manner (P<0.05). As compared to the control group, the mRNA expressions of associated apoptosis genes survivin, c-myc and cyclin- D1, respectively were obviously down- regulated in a dose- dependent manner (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of demethylation could up- regulate SFRP genes expressions by reversing its hypermethylation and induced apoptosis by down-regulation of β-catenin and associated apoptosis genes.

Apoptosis ; Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Methylation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Jurkat Cells ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH)(1-34) on the expression of matrix Gla protein (MGP) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and elucidate the possible molecular mechanism of PTH (1-34) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

METHODSMG63 cells treated with PTH (1-34) at 10(-9), 10(-8), and 10(-7) mol/L, alone or in combination with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors DKK-1 (200 ng/ml) were examined for mRNA and protein expressions related with Wnt/β-catenin signaling with real-time PCR and Western blotting. The cell differentiation after the treatment was assessed with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and cell viability assay.

RESULTSPTH (1-34) significantly increased the expression of MGP in a dose-dependent manner in MG63 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PTH treatment obviously enhanced ALP activity in the cells, and this effect was suppressed by DKK-1. Combined treatment with DKK-1 partially blocked PTH-induced enhancement of ALP activity (P<0.05). PTH promoted the expression of MGP and enhanced LRP5, β-catenin, and Runx2 expressions in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway at both protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DKK-1 partially blocked the effect of PTH (1-34) on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.05) without affecting MGP expression.

CONCLUSIONPTH (1-34) significantly increases the expressions of MGP and proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and MGP mediate the regulation of osteogenosis by PTH.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; pharmacology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of ghrelin on learning and memory abilities and expressions of DKK-1 and β-catenin in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.

METHODSSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups, namely the control group, diabetic group, ghrelin-treated diabetic group (DM1 group), and ghrelin- and D-lys3-GHRP-6 (a GHSR-1a receptor antagonist)-treated diabetic group (DM2 group). Diabetic rat models were established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed with Morris water maze (MWM) test. The ultrastructure of the hippocampal CA1 area of the rats were observed with electron microscopy. Serum levels of DKK-1 were examined by ELISA, and the expressions of DKK-1 and β-catenin in the hippocampus were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the diabetic rats exhibited significantly impaired learning and memory abilities (P<0.05), increased expression of DKK-1 and lowered β-catenin expression in the hippocampus (P<0.05), significant ultrastructural injuries and disordered arrangement of neurons with the nuclear pycnosis in the hippocampal CA1 area. Ghrelin treatment of the diabetic rats obviously improved their learning and memory abilities (P<0.05), reduced DKK-1 and increased β-catenin expressions (P<0.05), ameliorated ultrastructural damages in the hippocampal CA1 area and restored normal neuronal alignment with clear cell layers. Such effects of ghrelin were antagonized by treatment with D-lys3-GHRP-6 in the diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONGhrelin can alleviate learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats possibly by down-regulating the expressions of DKK-1 and activating the WNT signaling pathways.

Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cognition ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Ghrelin ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Neurons ; pathology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Streptozocin ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of decitabine on Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) gene expression level and its downstream Wnt signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line HL-60.

METHODSFlow cytometry and DNA ladder analysis were performed to detect apoptosis in HL-60 cell treated with different concentration of decitabine. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) was used to examine the methylation status of DKK1 gene. The expressions of mRNA and protein were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSFlow cytometric detection showed that after treating HL-60 cell line with decitabine of different concentrations for 48 h, the early apoptosis of HL-60 cells increased significantly as compared with control group (P < 0.05). DNA ladder analysis showed that the DNA ladder and demethylation of DKK1 gene appeared. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expressions of mRNA and protein increased. The protein expressions of β-catenin and C-MYC decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe decitabine can promote the apoptosis of HL-60 cells throngh demethylation of DDK1 gene and inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway.

Apoptosis ; Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genes, myc ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of triptolide on Notch receptor and ligand expressions in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA).

METHODSForty rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, model (MC) group, methotrexate group and triptolide groups. Rat models of AA were established by an intradermal injection of 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant into the right paw. Twelve days after the injection, the rats were treated with corresponding drugs for 30 days; the rats in NC group and MC group were given saline only. Paw edema volume (E), arthritis index (AI), pulmonary function, histomorphologies, and Notch receptor/ ligand expression in the lung tissue were analyzed after the treatments.

RESULTSCompared with the NC group, E, AI, Notch3, Notch4, and Delta1 expressions in the lung tissues significantly increased while pulmonary function and pulmonary expressions of Notch1, Jagged1, and Jagged2 significantly decreased the model rats (P<0.01). Compared with the MC group, triptolide-treated rats showed significantly improved pulmonary functions, increased expressions of Notch1, Jagged1, and Jagged2 and decreased expressions of Notch3, Notch4, and Delta1 in the lungs (P<0.05, P<0.01); the therapeutic effect of triptolide was better than that of methotrexate.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide can reduce inflammatory reaction and immune complex deposition to improve joint and pulmonary symptoms in rats with AA possibly by up-regulating the expressions of Notch3, Notch4, and Delta1 and down-regulating the expressions of Jagged1, Jagged2, and Notch1.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Jagged-2 Protein ; Ligands ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptor, Notch3 ; Receptor, Notch4 ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; drug therapy ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of Apelin-13 on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSFocal transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in male SD rats using modified suture occlusion technique. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Sham group, Model group, Apelin-low dose (A) group, Apelin-middle dose (B) group and Apelin-high dose (C) group. Apelin-13 was injected into lateral cerebral ventricle, and the neurological function score, brain edema, infarct volume, apoptosis, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) protein were measured.

RESULTSNeurological function scores, percentage of brain water content, infarct volumes and TUNEL-positive cells in B and C groups were lower than those in Model group (P<0.05). The level of MDA in the tissue bomogenate of brain tissue in the surrounding area of ischemia of B and C groups was lower than that of Model group, while the activity of SOD was higher (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ERK1/2 protein expression among the groups (P>0.05). P-ERK1/2 increased in Model group and A, B, and C groups compared with Sham group (P<0.05), and that of A, B, and C group was higher than that of Model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApelin-13 may play an important role by inhibiting oxidative stress to protect against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be involved in the protective mechanism of Apelin-13.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Edema ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Signal Transduction ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

In order to investigate the roles of Wnt signal pathway in transformation of cardiac valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype, the primary cultured porcine aortic valve myofibroblasts were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 50 mg/L), and divided into four groups according to the ox-LDL treatment time: control group, ox-LDL 24-h group, ox-LDL 48-h group, and ox-LDL 72-h group. Wnt signal pathway blocker Dickkopf-1 (DDK-1, 100 μg/L) was added in ox-LDL 72-h group. The expression of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteogenic transcription factor Cbfa-1 was detected by Western blotting, and that of β-catenin, a key mediator of Wnt signal pathway by immunocytochemical staining method. The Wnt/β-catenin was observed and the transformation of myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype was examined. The expression of α-SMA, BMP2, ALP and Cbfa-1 proteins in the control group was weaker than in the ox-LDL-treated groups. In ox-LDL-treated groups, the protein expression of a-SMA, BMP2, ALP, and Cbfa-1 was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group, and there was significant difference among the three ox-LDL-treated groups (P<0.05 for all); β-catenin protein was also up-regulated in the ox-LDL-treated groups in a time-dependent manner as compared with the control group (P<0.05), and its transfer from cytoplasm to nucleus and accumulation in the nucleus were increased in the same fashion (P<0.05). After addition of DKK-1, the expression of α-SMA, bone-related proteins and β-catenin protein was significantly reduced as compared with ox-LDL 72-h group (P<0.05). The Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway may play an important role in transformation of valvular myofibroblasts to the osteoblast-like phenotype.
Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aortic Valve ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Myofibroblasts ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Swine ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism