Cepharanthine inhibits in vitro VSMC proliferation and migration and vascular inflammatory responses mediated by RAW264.7

Background/Aims: The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key steps in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential roles of salusin-α in the functions of VSMCs during the development of atherosclerosis. Methods: In vivo, the effects of salusin-α on atherogenesis were examined in rabbits fed a cholesterol diet. The aortas were en face stained with Sudan IV to evaluate the gross atherosclerotic lesion size. The cellular components of atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods. In vitro, Cell Counting Kit-8 and wound-healing assays were used to assess the effects of salusin-α on VSMC proliferation and migration. In addition, western blotting was used to evaluate the total and phosphorylated levels of Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in VSMCs. Results: Salusin-α infusion significantly reduced the aortic lesion areas of atherosclerosis, with a 39% reduction in the aortic arch, a 71% reduction in the thoracic aorta, and a 71% reduction in the abdominal aorta; plasma lipid levels were unaffected. Immunohistochemical staining showed that salusin-α decreased both macrophage- and VSMC-positively stained areas in atherosclerotic lesions by 54% and 69%, cell proliferative activity in the intima and media of arteriosclerotic lesions, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 expression in plaques. Studies using cultured VSMCs showed that salusin-α decreased VSMC migration and proliferation via reduced phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. Conclusion: Our data indicate that salusin-α suppresses the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting VSMC proliferation and migration through the Akt/mTOR pathway.

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Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 (nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1) is critical for phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1803725115 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 115 (37) ◽

pp. E8660-E8667 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Abu Shufian Ishtiaq Ahmed ◽

Kunzhe Dong ◽

Jinhua Liu ◽

Tong Wen ◽

Luyi Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Noncoding Rna ◽

Phenotypic Switching ◽

Specific Gene ◽

Neointima Formation ◽

Vsmc Proliferation ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

In response to vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may switch from a contractile to a proliferative phenotype thereby contributing to neointima formation. Previous studies showed that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 is critical for paraspeckle formation and tumorigenesis by promoting cell proliferation and migration. However, the role of NEAT1 in VSMC phenotypic modulation is unknown. Herein we showed that NEAT1 expression was induced in VSMCs during phenotypic switching in vivo and in vitro. Silencing NEAT1 in VSMCs resulted in enhanced expression of SM-specific genes while attenuating VSMC proliferation and migration. Conversely, overexpression of NEAT1 in VSMCs had opposite effects. These in vitro findings were further supported by in vivo studies in which NEAT1 knockout mice exhibited significantly decreased neointima formation following vascular injury, due to attenuated VSMC proliferation. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that NEAT1 sequesters the key chromatin modifier WDR5 (WD Repeat Domain 5) from SM-specific gene loci, thereby initiating an epigenetic “off” state, resulting in down-regulation of SM-specific gene expression. Taken together, we demonstrated an unexpected role of the lncRNA NEAT1 in regulating phenotypic switching by repressing SM-contractile gene expression through an epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Our data suggest that NEAT1 is a therapeutic target for treating occlusive vascular diseases.

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Luteolin Inhibits Angiotensin II-Stimulated VSMC Proliferation and Migration through Downregulation of Akt Phosphorylation

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/931782 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tongda Xu ◽

Hong Zhu ◽

Dongye Li ◽

Yasong Lang ◽

Lijuan Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Nuclear Antigen ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Proliferative Cell Nuclear Antigen ◽

Vsmc Proliferation ◽

Akt Phosphorylation ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants that possesses cardioprotective properties. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of luteolin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration induced by Angiotensin II (Ang II) and to investigate the mechanism(s) of action of this compound. Rat VSMCs were culturedin vitro, and the proliferation and migration of these cells following Ang II stimulation were monitored. Different doses of luteolin were added to VSMC cultures, and the proliferation and migration rate were observed by MTT and Transwell chamber assays, respectively. In addition, the expressions of p-Akt (308), p-Akt (473), and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in VSMCs were monitored by Western blotting. This study demonstrated that luteolin has an inhibitory effect on Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Further, the levels of p-Akt (308), p-Akt (473), and PCNA were reduced in VSMCs treated with both Ang II and luteolin compared to VSMCs treated with only Ang II. These findings strongly suggest that luteolin inhibits Ang II-stimulated proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which is partially due to downregulation of the Akt signaling pathway.

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MiR-377-3p inhibits atherosclerosis-associated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via targeting neuropilin2

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20193425 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Haijun Wang ◽

Zheng Wei ◽

Hulun Li ◽

Yinghui Guan ◽

Zhiyang Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽

Smooth Muscle Cell ◽

Muscle Cell ◽

Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell ◽

Vsmc Proliferation ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Abstract Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration are vital to atherosclerosis (AS) development and plaque rupture. MicroRNA-377-3p (miR-377-3p) has been reported to inhibit AS in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice. Herein, the mechanism underlying the effect of miR-377-3p on alleviating AS is explored. In vivo experiments, ApoE−/− mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to induce AS and treated with miR-377-3p agomir or negative control agomir (agomir-NC) on week 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 after HFD feeding. MiR-377-3p was found to restore HFD-induced AS lesions and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, α-smooth muscle actin (α-actin) and calponin. In in vitro experiments, human VSMCs were tranfected with miR-377-3p agomir or agomir-NC, followed by treatment with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). MiR-377-3p was observed to significantly inhibit ox-LDL-induced VSMC proliferation characterized by inhibited cell viability, expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and cyclin E and cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase accompanied with less 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive cells. Furthermore, MiR-377-3p significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced VSMC migration characterized by inhibited wound closure and decreased relative VSMC migration. Besides, neuropilin2 (NRP2) was verified as a target of miR-377-3p. MiR-377-3p was observed to inhibit NRP2 expressions in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, miR-377-3p significantly inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions in human VSMCs. Additionally, miR-377-3p-induced inhibition of VSMC proliferation and migration could be attenuated by NRP2 overexpression. These results indicated that miR-377-3p inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration via targeting NRP2. The present study provides an underlying mechanism for miR-377-3p-based AS therapy.

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Fisetin Alleviates Neointimal Hyperplasia via PPARγ/PON2 Antioxidative Pathway in SHR Rat Artery Injury Model

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2021/6625517 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Fang Pei ◽

Hua Pei ◽

Chunhua Su ◽

Lin Du ◽

Jifen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Neointimal Hyperplasia ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Vsmc Proliferation ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

The phenotypic transformation of proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from media to intima is the basic pathology of neointimal hyperplasia after angioplasty in hypertensive patients. Angiotensin II (AngII) stimulates oxidative stress in VSMC, inducing VSMC proliferation and migration, which is a critical factor in both developments of hypertension and angioplasty-induced arterial restenosis. Fisetin, a plant flavonoid polyphenol, has been reported to be antioxidative and potent senolytic. It is unknown whether fisetin would inhibit neointimal hyperplasia. Therefore, we investigated the role of fisetin in neointimal formation in vitro and in vivo. The rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells (A10 cells) stimulated by AngII were used as the in vitro neointimal hyperplasia model, where AngII significantly induced the proliferation and migration in A10 cells. We found that fisetin could dose-dependently inhibit the effect of AngII via inducing the expression of an antioxidant, paraoxonase-2 (PON2), whose overexpression could inhibit the proliferation and migration of A10 cells and downexpression by siRNA had the opposite effect. Furthermore, we found the mechanism of fisetin’s inducing PON2 expression involved PPARγ. Rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, could increase PON2 expression in A10 cells, while the PPARγ inhibitor prevented the effect of fisetin on PON2. The in vivo neointimal hyperplasia model was established 2 weeks after the carotid artery balloon injury in SHR rats. Administration of fisetin (ip 3 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks) right after the injury significantly increased PON2 expression in the artery, inhibiting ROS production, and efficiently reduced carotid neointimal hyperplasia. These results indicate that fisetin increases the expression of antioxidant PON2 via activation of PPARγ, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting VSMC proliferation and migration, and alleviates neointimal hyperplasia after intimal injury. PON2 may be a potential therapeutic target to reduce arterial remodeling after angioplasty in hypertensive patients.

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Hypoxic glioma-derived exosomes promote M2-like macrophage polarization by enhancing autophagy induction

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03664-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Jianye Xu ◽

Jian Zhang ◽

Zongpu Zhang ◽

Zijie Gao ◽

Yanhua Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Macrophage Polarization ◽

Autophagy Induction ◽

Antitumor Immunotherapy ◽

Novel Biomarkers ◽

And Migration ◽

Immunosuppressive Microenvironment ◽

Proliferation And Migration ◽

Glioma Progression

AbstractExosomes participate in intercellular communication and glioma microenvironment modulation, but the exact mechanisms by which glioma-derived exosomes (GDEs) promote the generation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of GDEs on autophagy, the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and glioma progression. Compared with normoxic glioma-derived exosomes (N-GDEs), hypoxic glioma-derived exosomes (H-GDEs) markedly facilitated autophagy and M2-like macrophage polarization, which subsequently promoted glioma proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo. Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that interleukin 6 (IL-6) and miR-155-3p were highly expressed in H-GDEs. Further experiments showed that IL-6 and miR-155-3p induced M2-like macrophage polarization via the IL-6-pSTAT3-miR-155-3p-autophagy-pSTAT3 positive feedback loop, which promotes glioma progression. Our study clarifies a mechanism by which hypoxia and glioma influence autophagy and M2-like macrophage polarization via exosomes, which could advance the formation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our findings suggest that IL-6 and miR-155-3p may be novel biomarkers for diagnosing glioma and that treatments targeting autophagy and the STAT3 pathway may contribute to antitumor immunotherapy.

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Cyr61 promotes Schwann cell proliferation and migration via αvβ3 integrin

BMC Molecular and Cell Biology ◽

10.1186/s12860-021-00360-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhenghui Cheng ◽

Yawen Zhang ◽

Yinchao Tian ◽

Yuhan Chen ◽

Fei Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nerve Injury ◽

Peripheral Nerves ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Αvβ3 Integrin ◽

Promoting Effect ◽

Ccn Family ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Abstract Background Schwann cells (SCs) play a crucial role in the repair of peripheral nerves. This is due to their ability to proliferate, migrate, and provide trophic support to axon regrowth. During peripheral nerve injury, SCs de-differentiate and reprogram to gain the ability to repair nerves. Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) is a member of the CCN family of matrix cell proteins and have been reported to be abundant in the secretome of repair mediating SCs. In this study we investigate the function of Cyr61 in SCs. Results We observed Cyr61 was expressed both in vivo and in vitro. The promoting effect of Cyr61 on SC proliferation and migration was through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. SCs expressed αvβ3 integrin and the effect of Cyr61 on SC proliferation and migration could be blocked via αvβ3 integrin. Cyr61 could influence c-Jun protein expression in cultured SCs. Conclusions In this study, we found that Cyr61 promotes SC proliferation and migration via αvβ3 integrin and regulates c-Jun expression. Our study contributes to the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SC’s function during nerve injury, and thus, may facilitate the regeneration of peripheral nerves after injury.

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Effect of Slit/Robo signaling on regeneration in lung emphysema

Experimental & Molecular Medicine ◽

10.1038/s12276-021-00633-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jin-Soo Park ◽

RyeonJin Cho ◽

Eun-Young Kang ◽

Yeon-Mok Oh

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Lung Epithelial Cells ◽

Mouse Lung ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Irreversible Damage ◽

Lung Epithelial ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

AbstractEmphysema, a pathological component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, causes irreversible damage to the lung. Previous studies have shown that Slit plays essential roles in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and organ development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Slit2 on the proliferation and migration of mouse lung epithelial cells and its role in regeneration in an emphysema lung mouse model. Here, we have shown that Slit2/Robo signaling contributes to the regeneration of lungs damaged by emphysema. Mouse epithelial lung cells treated with Slit2 exhibited increased proliferation and migration in vitro. Our results also showed that Slit2 administration improved alveolar regeneration in the emphysema mouse model in vivo. Furthermore, Slit2/Robo signaling increased the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt, which was mediated by Ras activity. These Slit2-mediated cellular signaling processes may be involved in the proliferation and migration of mouse lung epithelial cells and are also associated with the potential mechanism of lung regeneration. Our findings suggest that Slit2 administration may be beneficial for alveolar regeneration in lungs damaged by emphysema.

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Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Alters Proliferative, Migratory, and Invasive Properties of Human Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094297 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4297

Author(s):

Matthew Thomas Ferreira ◽

Juliano Andreoli Miyake ◽

Renata Nascimento Gomes ◽

Fábio Feitoza ◽

Pollyana Bulgarelli Stevannato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Migration ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Gelatin Zymography ◽

Viable Cell ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Gelatinolytic Activity ◽

Ep4 Receptor ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to increase glioblastoma (GBM) cell proliferation and migration while cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition decreases proliferation and migration. The present study investigated the effects of COX inhibitors and PGE2 receptor antagonists on GBM cell biology. Cells were grown with inhibitors and dose response, viable cell counting, flow cytometry, cell migration, gene expression, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography studies were performed. The stimulatory effects of PGE2 and the inhibitory effects of ibuprofen (IBP) were confirmed in GBM cells. The EP2 and EP4 receptors were identified as important mediators of the actions of PGE2 in GBM cells. The concomitant inhibition of EP2 and EP4 caused a significant decrease in cell migration which was not reverted by exogenous PGE2. In T98G cells exogenous PGE2 increased latent MMP2 gelatinolytic activity. The inhibition of COX1 or COX2 caused significant alterations in MMP2 expression and gelatinolytic activity in GBM cells. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of PGE2 signalling through the EP2 and the EP4 receptor in the control of GBM cell biology. They also support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between COX1 and MMP2 in GBM cells which merits further investigation as a novel therapeutic target for drug development.

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Targeting mTOR-CCL20 Signaling May Improve Response to Docetaxel in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22063046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 3046

Author(s):

Ming-Huei Chou ◽

Hui-Ching Chuang ◽

Yu-Tsai Lin ◽

Ming-Hsien Tsai ◽

Ying-Hsien Kao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Mtor Inhibitors ◽

Cell Proliferation And Migration ◽

And Migration ◽

Hnscc Cell ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually show a dismal prognosis. It is this worthwhile to develop new, effective therapeutic regimens for these patients, such as molecular targeted therapy, which is promising as an alternative or combination treatment for HNSCC. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of HNSCC, is the most frequently activated, and is thus worthy of further investigation. In this study, two human HNSCC cell lines, FaDu and SAS, were evaluated for cell growth with trypan blue staining and tumor growth using an orthotopic xenograft model. The immunohistochemical expression of mTOR in the subcutaneous xenograft model and the inhibitory effects of docetaxel on the growth and state of activation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway were also evaluated and examined by colony formation and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration were measured by water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) and OrisTM cell migration assay, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of rapamycin and BEZ235, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) and mTOR inhibitor in combination with docetaxel or CCL20 were evaluated in the FaDu and SAS cells. The results showed that the expression of mTOR was significantly higher in the SAS and FaDu xenograft models than in the control. Docetaxel treatment significantly suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro via the PI3K/mTOR/CCL-20 signaling pathway. Additionally, when administered in a dose-dependent fashion, mTOR inhibitors inhibited the growth and migration of the HNSCC cells. This combination was synergistic with docetaxel, resulting in almost complete cell growth and migration arrest. In conclusion, docetaxel significantly inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro via the PI3K/mTOR/CCL-20 signaling pathway. The synergistic and additive activity of mTOR inhibitors combined with docetaxel shows potential as a new treatment strategy for HNSCC.

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