Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Receptors, Immunologic ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Smad3 Protein/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Dexmedetomidine (DEX), the most specific α ₂-adrenergic receptor agonist widely used for its sedative and analgesic properties, has been reported to upregulate HIF-1α expression to protect hypoxic and ischemic tissues. However, it is largely unclear whether DEX can also upregulate Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression and its downstream vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) in cancer tissues with oxygen-deficient tumor microenvironment. METHODS: We used SMMC-7721 cells, MHCC97-H cells, and a mouse model of orthotopic hepatic carcinoma to explore the effect of DEX on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and its mechanism. Under normoxic (20% O ₂) and hypoxic (1% O ₂) conditions, DEX was used to intervene cells, and yohimbine was used to rescue them. RESULTS: The results showed that DEX promoted angiogenesis and VM in human liver cancer cells within a certain dose range, and the addition of yohimbine inhibited this effect. DEX could activate HIF-1α/VEGFA pathway, which was further verified by silencing HIF-1α. Consistently, in vivo results also showed that DEX can up-regulate HIF-1α/VEGFA expression, and enhance the number of VM channels and microvessel density (MVD). CONCLUSION We believe that HIF-1α/VEGFA might be an important signaling pathway by which DEX promotes angiogenesis and VM formation in human hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas α ₂-adrenergic receptor mediation might be the critical mechanisms.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists/pharmacology* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena ; Dexmedetomidine/pharmacology* ; Hypoxia ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Oxygen ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/metabolism*

Squamous cell lung cancer (SqCLC) is a unique clinical and histologic category of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most of patients with SqCLC tend to be older, typically at advanced stage, associated with smoking and have more complications. With progress of targeted therapy of lung cancer, we identified several potential actionable genetic abnormalities such as FGFR. Several FGFR inhibitors have been approved for clinical use in different cancers. And some of these agents are currently under investigation in clinical trials for SqCLC. This article summarizes the current knowledge about FGFR aberrations, the relative inhibitors in development and clinical data in SqCLC.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; methods ; Mutation ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

The present study was designed to elucidate whether the mechanism by which osthole decreases collagenI/III contents and their ratio is regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in TGF-β1-overexpressed mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). These CFs were cultured and treated with different concentrations of osthole. Our results showed that the TGF-β1 expression in the CFs transfected with that the recombinant expression plasmids pcDNA3.1(+)-TGF-β1 was significantly enhanced. After the CFs were treated with 1.25-5 μg·mL of osthole for 24 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of collagensIand III were reduced. The collagen I/III ratio was also reduced. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β1, TβRI, Smad2/3, P-Smad2/3, Smad4, and α-SMA were decreased, whereas the expression level of Smad7 was increased. These effects suggested that osthole could inhibit collagen I and III expression and reduce their ratio via the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in TGF-β1 overexpressed CFs. These effects of osthole may play beneficial roles in the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis.
Actins ; genetics ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) plays a central role in telomere lengthening for continuous cell proliferation, but it remains unclear how extracellular cues regulate telomerase lengthening of telomeres. Here we report that the cytokine bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) induces the hTERT gene repression in a BMPRII receptor- and Smad3-dependent manner in human breast cancer cells. Chonic exposure of human breast cancer cells to BMP7 results in short telomeres, cell senescence and apoptosis. Mutation of the BMPRII receptor, but not TGFbRII, ACTRIIA or ACTRIIB receptor, inhibits BMP7-induced repression of the hTERT gene promoter activity, leading to increased telomerase activity, lengthened telomeres and continued cell proliferation. Expression of hTERT prevents BMP7-induced breast cancer cell senescence and apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that BMP7 induces breast cancer cell aging by a mechanism involving BMPRII receptor- and Smad3-mediated repression of the hTERT gene.
Actin-Related Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Activin Receptors, Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cellular Senescence ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomere Homeostasis

BACKGROUNDDecoy receptor 3 (DcR3) binds to Fas ligand (FasL) and inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis. The receptor is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with the growth and metastatic spread of tumors. DcR3 holds promises as a new target for the treatment of HCC, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic properties of DcR3. The present work, therefore, examined the role of DcR3 in regulating the growth and invasive property of liver cancer cell HepG2.

METHODSHepG2 cells were stably transfected with lentivirus-based short hairpin RNA vector targeting DcR3. After the knockdown of DcR3 was confirmed, cell proliferation, clone formation, ability of migrating across transwell membrane, and wound healing were assessed in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP 9) and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D expressions of the DcR3 knockdown were also studied. Comparisons between multiple groups were done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while pairwise comparisons were performed using Student's t test. P< 0.05 was regarded statistically significant.

RESULTSDcR3 was overexpressed in HepG2 compared to other HCC cell lines and normal hepatocyte Lo-2. Stable knockdown of DcR3 slowed down the growth of HepG2 (P < 0.05) and reduced the number of clones formed by 50% compared to those without DcR3 knockdown (P < 0.05). The knockdown also reduced the migration of HepG2 across transwell matrix membrane by five folds compared to the control (P < 0.05) and suppressed the closure of scratch wound (P < 0.05). In addition, the messenger RNA levels of MMP 9, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D were significantly suppressed by DcR3 knockdown by 90% when compared with the mock control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLoss of DcR3 impaired the growth and invasive property of HCC cell line of HepG2. Targeting DcR3 may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC.

Analysis of Variance ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 6b ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

The relationship between Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the Notch pathway was determined to investigate the effect of KLF4 on the activation of hepatic stellate cells and underlying mechanisms. Fifty SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups. A liver fibrosis model was established in 25 mice as the experimental group, and the remaining 25 mice served as controls. On the day 0, 7, 14, and 35, liver tissues were removed for immunofluorescent detection. The Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT was added to the primary original hepatic stellate cells, and KLF4 and Notch-associated factor expression was detected by qRT-PCR. Additionally, the hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was used to establish control and experimental groups, and was cultured in vitro. LX-2 cells in the experimental groups were treated with DAPT and the Notch activator transforming growth factor-beta 1 separately, whereas those in the control group were given isotonic culture medium. After 48 h, KLF4 expression was examined by Western blotting. After transient transfection of LX-2 cells to increase KLF4, the expression of Notch factor was examined. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that, with the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the absorbance (A) values of KLF4 were decreased (day 0: 980.73±153.19; day 7: 1087.99±230.23; day 14: 390.95±93.56; day 35: 245.99±87.34). The expression of Notch pathway- related factors (Notch-1, Notch-2, and Jagged-1) in the hepatic stellate cell membrane was negatively correlated to KLF4 expression. With the increase of KLF4 expression, Notch-2 (0.73±0.13) and Jagged-1 (0.43±0.12) expression decreased, whereas Notch-1 level was not detectable. When the Notch pathway was inhibited, KLF4 levels generally increased (18.12±1.31). Our results indicate that KLF4 expression is negatively correlated to the Notch pathway in hepatic stellate cells, which may provide a reference for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

To investigate the effect of the jianpi-jiedu formula (JPJD) on the expression of angiogenesis-relevant genes in colon cancer.
 Methods: Crude extract was obtained from JPJD by water extract method. The effect of JPJD crude extract on colon cancer cell proliferation capacity was determined by MTT assays. The IC50 value was calculated by GraphPad Prism5 software. Affymetrix gene expression profiling chip was used to detect significant differences in expressions of genes after JPJD intervention, and pathway enrichment analysis was performed to analyze the differentially expressed genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software was applied to analyze differentially expressed genes relevant to tumor angiogenesis based on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and then the network diagram was built. Western blot was used to verify the protein levels of key genes related to tumor angiogenesis.
 Results: JPJD crud extract inhibited the proliferation capacity in colon cancer cells. The IC50 values in 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment were 13.060, 9.646 and 8.448 mg/mL, respectively. The results of chip showed that 218 genes significantly upgraded, and 252 genes significantly downgraded after JPJD treatment. Most of the genes were related to the function of biosynthesis, metabolism, cell apoptosis, antigen extraction, angiogenesis and so on. There were 12 differentially expressed angiogenesis genes. IPA software analysis showed that the JPJD downregulated expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 (SMPD3), VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), integrin subunit alpha 1 (ITGA1), cathepsin B (CTSB), and cathepsin S (CTSS) genes, while upregulated expressions of GAB2 and plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (PLAUR) genes in the colorectal cancer cell. Western blot results demonstrated that JPJD obviously downregulated expressions of phospho-mTOR (P-mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and VEGF proteins, while obviously upregulated the level of phospho-P53 (P-P53) protein.
 Conclusion: JPJD may inhibit colorectal tumor angiogenesis through regulation of the mTOR-HIF-1α-VEGF signal pathway.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cathepsin B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cathepsins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Integrin alpha Chains ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; genetics ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator ; drug effects ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase ; drug effects ; metabolism ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nuclear factor I-C (NFI-C) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced up-regulation of TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) in dermal fibroblasts.

METHODSA lentiviral vector containing NFI-C sequence (Lenti-GFP-NFI-C) was transfected into a human foreskin fibroblast cell line (HFF-1). Cultured HFF-1 cells, cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C, and cells transfected with a negative virus were stimulated with PDGF-BB, and Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression levels of TβRII in the treated cells.

RESULTSPDGF treatment significantly increased the expression level of TβRII in HFF-1 cells (P<0.05). The cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C expressed a significantly lower level of TβRII than non-transfected cells in response to PDGF stimulation (P<0.05), but the negative virus showed no such inhibitory effect (P>0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression level of TβRII protein between cells transfected with Lenti-GFP-NFI-C-transfection before PDGF stimulation and the blank control cells.

CONCLUSIONNFI-C can inhibit PDGF-induced up-regulation of TβRII and thus reduce the sensitivity of the dermal fibroblasts to TGF-β.

Cell Line ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; NFI Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of blocking two sites of TGF-β/Smads signaling on the formation of scar-related proteins in human skin fibroblasts.

METHODSTwo lentivirus vectors encoding soluble TGF-β receptor II (sTβRII) and mutant Smad 4-Smad 4ΔM4 were respectively transfected into human skin fibroblast cell line human foreskin fibroblast 1 (HFF-1) cells with the optimum multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50. The protein expressions of sTβRII and Smad 4ΔM4 of the two types of transfected cells were determined by Western blotting so as to compare with those of the untransfected cells. The HFF-1 cells were divided into 6 groups as named below according to the random number table, with 6 dishes in each group, 1×10(4) cells per dish. Co-transfection group, transfected with the two previous lentivirus vectors, mixed with the ratio of 1:1 and MOI of 50, and then stimulated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h; sTβRII group, transfected with lenti-sTβRII with MOI of 50, with the other treatment as above; Smad 4ΔM4 group, transfected with lenti-Smad 4ΔM4 with MOI of 50, with the other treatment as above; negative virus group, transfected with empty lentivirus vector, with the other treatment as above; positive control group, stimulated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h; and blank control group, conventionally cultured without any other treatment. After stimulation, Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR were respectively used to determine the protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin in cells of each group. ELISA and Sircol collagen assay were respectively used to determine the protein expressions of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and total collagen in the cell culture supernate of each group. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and SNK-(q test).

RESULTS(1) HFF-1 cells transfected with lenti-sTβRII and HFF-1 cells transfected with lenti-Smad 4ΔM4 respectively expressed higher levels of sTβRII protein and Smad 4ΔM4 protein compared with those of untransfected cells, confirming that HFF-1 cells transfected with the two lentivirus vectors can efficiently express the target proteins. (2) There were statistically significant differences in the protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin in cells of the 6 groups (with F values respectively 53.536 and 24.365, P values below 0.001). The protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin in cells of positive control group (respectively 1.60 ± 0.18 and 1.99 ± 0.40) were similar with those of negative virus group (respectively 1.60 ± 0.15 and 1.94 ± 0.28, with q values respectively 0.091 and 0.419, P values above 0.05), and they were significantly higher than those of the rest 4 groups (with q values from 5.245 to 18.228, P values below 0.05). The protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin in cells of co-transfection group (respectively 0.60 ± 0.05 and 0.70 ± 0.11) were significantly lower than those of sTβRII group (respectively 0.89 ± 0.13 and 1.24 ± 0.17) and Smad 4ΔM4 group (respectively 0.91 ± 0.14 and 1.28 ± 0.19, with q values from 3.964 to 4.294, P values below 0.05). (3) There were statistically significant differences in the protein expressions of CTGF and total collagen in the cell culture supernate of the 6 groups (with F values respectively 107.680 and 38.347, P values below 0.001). The protein expressions of CTGF and total collagen in the cell culture supernate of positive control group were similar with those of negative virus group (with q values respectively 1.106 and 0.491, P values above 0.05), and they were significantly higher than those of the rest 4 groups (with q values from 6.414 to 26.420, P values below 0.05). The protein expressions of CTGF and total collagen in the cell culture supernate of co-transfection group were significantly lower than those of sTβRII group and Smad 4ΔM4 group (with q values from 3.424 to 7.143, P values below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn human skin fibroblasts, blockage of two sites of TGF-β/Smad signaling can reduce the expression of scar related proteins which are up-regulated by TGF-β1 to a greater extent than that of blocking one single site.

Cicatrix ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad Proteins, Inhibitory ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factors