PURPOSETo investigate the effects of estrogen G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) agonist G1 on hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and microglial polarization in rat traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODSMale SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, TBI + vehicle group, TBI + G1 group. Experimental moderate TBI was induced using Feeney's weigh-drop method. G1 (100μg/kg) or vehicle was intravenously injected from femoral vein at 30 min post-injury. Rats were sacrificed at 24 h after injury for detection of neuronal apoptosis and microglia polarization. Neuronal apoptosis was assayed by immunofluorescent staining of active caspase-3. M1 type microglia markers (iNOS and IL-1β) and M2 type markers (Arg1 and IL-4) were examined by immunoblotting or ELISA. Total protein level of Akt and phosphorylated Akt were assayed by immunoblotting.

RESULTSG1 significantly reduced active caspase-3 positive neurons in hippocampus. Meanwhile G1 increased the ratio of Arg1/iNOS. IL-1β production was decreased but IL-4 was increased after G1 treatment. G1 treatment also increased the active form of Akt.

CONCLUSIONSGPR30 agonist G1 inhibited neuronal apoptosis and favored microglia polarization to M2 type.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Polarity ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Microglia ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; agonists

OBJECTIVETo study the ability of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mushroom in the treatment of nerve injury following peroneal nerve crush in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSAqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus was given by daily oral administration following peroneal nerve crush injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways; and c-Jun and c-Fos genes were studied in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) whereas the activity of protein synthesis was assessed in peroneal nerves by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSPeripheral nerve injury leads to changes at the axonal site of injury and remotely located DRG containing cell bodies of sensory afferent neurons. Immunofluorescence studies showed that DRG neurons ipsilateral to the crush injury in rats of treated groups expressed higher immunoreactivities for Akt, MAPK, c-Jun and c-Fos as compared with negative control group (P <0.05). The intensity of nuclear ribonucleoprotein in the distal segments of crushed nerves of treated groups was significantly higher than in the negative control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONH. erinaceus is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Potential signaling pathways include Akt, MAPK, c-Jun, and c-Fos, and protein synthesis have been shown to be involved in its action.

Agaricales ; chemistry ; Animals ; Axons ; pathology ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Glucans ; analysis ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Peripheral Nerves ; enzymology ; physiology ; Peroneal Nerve ; physiology ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: In the gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected patients with gastritis or adenocarcinoma, proliferation of gastric epithelial cells is increased. Hyperproliferation is related to induction of oncogenes, such as β-catenin and c-myc. Even though transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 are activated in H. pylori-infected cells, whether NF-κB or AP-1 regulates the expression of β-catenein or c-myc in H. pylori-infected cells has not been clarified. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 mediates the expression of oncogenes and hyperproliferation of gastric epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric epithelial AGS cells were transiently transfected with mutant genes for IκBα (MAD3) and c-Jun (TAM67) or treated with a specific NF-κB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or a selective AP-1 inhibitor SR-11302 to suppress activation of NF-κB or AP-1, respecively. As reference cells, the control vector pcDNA was transfected to the cells. Wild-type cells or transfected cells were cultured with or without H. pylori. RESULTS: H. pylori induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1, cell proliferation, and expression of oncogenes (β-catenein, c-myc) in AGS cells, which was inhibited by transfection of MAD3 and TAM67. Wild-type cells and the cells transfected with pcDNA showed similar activities of NF-κB and AP-1, proliferation, and oncogene expression regardless of treatment with H. pylori. Both CAPE and SR-11302 inhibited cell proliferation and expression of oncogenes in H. pylori-infected cells. CONCLUSION: H. pylori-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 regulates transcription of oncogenes and mediates hyperproliferation in gastric epithelial cells.
Blotting, Western ; Caffeic Acids ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Epithelial Cells/*metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/*metabolism/pathology ; Gastritis/pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Helicobacter Infections/metabolism/pathology/physiopathology ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity/physiology ; Humans ; NF-kappa B/antagonists & inhibitors/*biosynthesis/metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; Phenylethyl Alcohol/analogs & derivatives ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; Repressor Proteins ; Transcription Factor AP-1/*biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors/*metabolism ; beta Catenin/*metabolism

The BCL6 (B-Cell Lymphoma 6) gene is a proto-oncogene that is often expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). BCL6 loss of function can kill DLBCL cells, demonstrating that BCL6 is necessary for the survival of DLBCL cells and could be a therapeutic target. In this study, we found that BCL6 protein levels were consistently upregulated in DLBCL tissues, whereas its mRNA levels varied randomly in tissues, suggesting that a post-transcriptional mechanism was involved in BCL6 regulation. We used bioinformatics analysis to search for miRNAs, which potentially target BCL6, and identified specific targeting sites for miR-10a in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of BCL6. We further identified an inverse correlation between miR-10a levels and BCL6 protein levels, but not mRNA levels, in DLBCL tumor tissue samples. By overexpressing or knocking down miR-10a in DLBCL cells, we experimentally validated that miR-10a directly recognizes the 3'-UTR of the BCL6 transcript and regulated BCL6 expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that negatively regulating BCL6 by miR-10a suppressed the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of DLBCL cells.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenshuai Yingyang Capsule (SSYYJN) in ameliorating muscle atrophy in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore the role of Wnt7a-Akt/mTOR signal pathway in mediating this effect.

METHODSMale rats were randomly assigned to 5/6 nephrectomy group and sham-operated group, and the former group was further randomly divided into CRF model group, KA group, and SSYYJN group. The size of anterior tibia muscle was examined microscopically with HE staining. Protein synthesis in the soleus muscle was investigated by (14)C-phenylalanine experiment, and the expression of Wnt7a, frizzled-7, phospho-Akt, phospho-mTOR and GAPDH were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSThe body weight, the wet and dry weight, cross-sectional area, and muscle protein synthesis of the anterior tibia muscles, and expressions of the proteins in the Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway all increased significantly in SSYYJN and KA groups as compared with those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONSSYYJN can effectively improve muscle atrophy in the rat model of CRF possibly by reversing the reduction in the expressions of Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway proteins in the skeletal muscles.

Animals ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; Male ; Muscle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Muscle, Skeletal ; drug effects ; Muscular Atrophy ; drug therapy ; Nephrectomy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Metformin on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of the human keloids fibroblasts as well as the effect on phosphorylation of Akt/FoxO1 signal transduction pathway.

METHODSFibroblasts of keloid were divided into control group treated with medium solution and experimental groups treated with different concentrations of Metformin. 48 h later CCK-8 assay was adopted to evaluate cell survival; Western blot was performed to detect the Akt and FoxO1 phosphorylation; and Hydroxyproline reagent kit was used to detect the collagen synthesis.

RESULTSWith different concentrations (30, 60, 90, 120 mmol/L) of Metformin, the absorbance of cultured keloid fibroblasts detected by CCK8 assay decreased by (13.30 ± 2.04)%, (22.64 ± 4.70)%, (54.00 ± 5.34)% and (63.12 ± 3.48)%. The growth of fibroblasts was suppressed by Metformin in a dose-dependent manner. It showed that the level of phoshpo-akt and phoshpo-foxOl in keloids fibroblasts in experimental groups was lower than that in the control group and the collagen synthesis were also decreased in experimental groups, all in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMetformin can effectively inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of the human keloids fibroblasts in vitro, which may be associated with the suppression of phosphorylation of Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Forkhead Box Protein O1 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keloid ; pathology ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

HPV16 L2E7 is a fusion protein used for therapeutical vaccine targeting HPV virus. To increase its expression in Escherichia coli, we optimized the codon usage of HPV16 l2e7 gene based on its codon usage bias. The optimized gene of HPV16 sl2e7 was cloned into three different vectors: pGEX-5X-1, pQE30, ET41a, and expressed in JM109, JM109 (DE3) and BL21 (DE3) lines separately. A high expression line was selected with pET41a vector in BL21 (DE3) cells. After optimization of the growth condition, including inoculation amount, IPTG concentration, induction time and temperature, the expression level of HPV16 L2E7 was increased from less than 10% to about 28% of total protein. HPV16 L2E7 protein was then purified from 15 L culture by means of SP Sepharose Fast Flow, Q Sepharose Fast Flow and Superdex 200 pg. After renaturing, HPV16 L2E7 protein with ≥ 95% purity was achieved, which was confirmed via SDS-PAGE gel and Western blotting. The combined use of purified HPV16 L2E7 and CpG helper has shown clear inhibition of tumor growth in mice injected with tumor cells, with six out of eight mice shown no sign of tumor. This study lays a solid foundation for a new pipeline of large-scale vaccine production.
Animals ; Capsid Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Codon ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; Genetic Vectors ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Mice ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; prevention & control ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; biosynthesis ; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis

The hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor, which produces multiple biological effects by binding to the c-Met acceptor. This article reviews the biological properties of HGF, particularly those correlated with male reproduction, including its abilities to promote testis embryonic development, spermatogenesis, and testosterone synthesis of Leydig cells. HGF may provide a new insight into the treatment of male hypogonadism and infertility.
Embryonic Development ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; physiology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; metabolism ; Reproduction ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; embryology ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) exerts apoptotic effects on various types of malignant cells, including liver cancer cells. However, the precise mechanisms by which TGF-β induces apoptosis remain poorly known. In the present study, we have showed that threonine 32 (Thr32) residue of FoxO3 is critical for TGF-β to induce apoptosis via Bim in hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. Our data demonstrated that TGF-β induced FoxO3 activation through specific de-phosphorylation at Thr32. TGF-β-activated FoxO3 cooperated with Smad2/3 to mediate Bim up-regulation and apoptosis. FoxO3 (de)phosphorylation at Thr32 was regulated by casein kinase I-ε (CKI-ε). CKI inhibition by small molecule D4476 could abrogate TGF-β-induced FoxO/Smad activation, reverse Bim up-regulation, and block the sequential apoptosis. More importantly, the deregulated levels of CKI-ε and p32FoxO3 were found in human malignant liver tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest that there might be a CKI-FoxO/Smad-Bim engine in which Thr32 of FoxO3 is pivotal for TGF-β-induced apoptosis, making it a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer treatment.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Forkhead Box Protein O3 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Threonine ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics

This study aimed to explore Semaphrin4D (Sema4D) expression and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to define the roles and mechanisms of Sema4D in regulating the malignant behaviors of A549 cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Firstly, immunohistochemistry revealed that Sema4D was more frequently expressed in NSCLC than in lung benign lesion (P<0.05) and its overexpression was associated with low differentiation (P<0.05), poor pTNM staging (P<0.05) and occurrence of lymph node (LN) metastasis (P<0.05). Endogenous Sema4D expression was suppressed by Sema4D siRNA in A549 cells overexpressing Sema4D. Protein levels of Sema4D, total Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were measured by MTT assay and Transwell assay respectively. Results showed that Sema4D siRNA significantly suppressed phosphorylation of AKT in A549 cells, but it did not alter total AKT expression. In addition, efficient down-regulation of SemaD significantly inhibit cell proliferation (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) in A549 cells. These findings suggest that Sema4D might serve as a reliable tool for early prediction of NSCLC poor prognosis. Sema4D could play an important role in promoting tumor proliferation, migration and metastasis in the NSCLC, by influencing the Akt protein phosphorylation. Inhibition of Sema4D may be a useful approach for the treatment of NSCLC.
Aged ; Antigens, CD ; biosynthesis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Semaphorins ; biosynthesis ; Survival Rate