Angptl2 gene knockdown is critical for abolishing angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Haiying Yang ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Xue Chen ◽  
Guobin Li

Angiopoietin-like 2 (Angptl2) is reported to be correlated with cardiovascular diseases, but its role in hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanism of Angptl2 in hypertension. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to detect the expression of Angptl2. Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to mimic hypertension in vitro. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were determined using CCK-8, cell colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of Ki67 was determined by immunofluorescence, and protein expression was measured using western blotting. Angptl2 was found to be elevated in hypertensive rats in vivo and in VSMCs upon Ang II stimulation in vitro. Angptl2 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, and invasion as well as the downregulation of Ki67. Additionally, Angptl2 knockdown hindered cell cycle progression and downregulated protein expression of CDK2/4 and cyclin D1, but upregulated p21 expression. Furthermore, Angptl2 knockdown inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our findings suggest that Angptl2 knockdown suppresses VSMC proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by Ang II. Angptl2 may be a new target for vascular remodeling in hypertension.

Chemotherapy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinghu He ◽  
Junjie Xing ◽  
Xiaohong Yang ◽  
Chenxin Zhang ◽  
Yixiang Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 2 (PSMC2) plays vital roles in regulating cell cycle and transcription and has been confirmed to be a gene potentially associated with some human tumors. However, the expression correlation and molecular mechanism of PSMC2 in CRC are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of PSMC2 in malignant behaviors in CRC. Methods: The high protein levels of PSMC2 in CRC samples were identified by tissue microarray analysis. Lentivirus was used to silence PSMC2 in HCT116 and RKO cells; MTT and colony formation assay were performed to determine cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assay were used to detect cell migration and invasion. Flow cytometry assay was applied to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. Result: The results showed that, among the 96 CRC patients, the expression of PSMC2 was a positive correlation with the clinicopathological features of the patients with CRC. Furthermore, the low PSMC2 expression group showed a higher survival rate than the high PSMC2 expression group. The expression levels of PSMC2 in cancer tissue were dramatically upregulated compared with adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, shPSMC2 was designed to inhibit the expression of PSMC2 in CRC cells. Compared with shCtrl, silencing of PSMC2 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, decreased single cell colony formation, enhanced apoptosis, and accelerated G2 phase and/or S phase arrest. Conclusion: Survival analysis indicated that high expression of PSMC2 in the CRC samples was associated with poorer survival rate than low expression of PSMC2, while the anti-tumor effect of PSMC2 silencing was also confirmed at the cellular level in vitro. Our results suggested that PSMC2 potentially worked as a regulator for CRC, and the silencing of PSMC2 may be a therapeutic strategy for CRC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jiang Liu ◽  
Chengtong Zhai ◽  
Degan Liu ◽  
Jianhua Liu

Objective. To investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA lysyl oxidase-like 1-antisense 1 (LOXL1-AS1) in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and its effect on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Methods. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze the expression of LOXL1-AS1 RNA in tumor tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and cell lines. MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis, transwell assays, and lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) technology were used to evaluate cell proliferation and migration. Results. In the present study, we observed that the expression level of LOXL1-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent nontumor tissues, and its expression in three hepatic carcinoma cell lines was obviously higher than that in a normal cell line. In addition, in the Hep-G2 cell line, LOXL1-AS1 downregulation significantly inhibited cell proliferation in the light of the MTT and colony formation assays in vitro, which was consistent with animal experiment in vivo. What is more, cell migration was also inhibited in vitro in Matrigel Transwell Assay by LOXL1-AS1 knockdown, which might be partly attributed to the reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expressions. Finally, cell cycle analysis revealed that knockdown of LOXL1-AS1 induced significantly a G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, which might be partly attributed to the downregulation of Cdc2, Cdc25A, and cyclin B1 protein expression. Conclusion. In conclusion, we demonstrated that reduced LOXL1-AS1 expression could inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The application of RNAi targeting LOXL1-AS1 might be a potential treatment strategy in advanced cases.


Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarianna Stewart-Hutto ◽  
Sharon Francis

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent vasoconstrictor that activates vascular smooth muscle and in excess amounts is an important contributing factor in the development of hypertension. However, the downstream signaling pathways mediating the effects of Ang II in the vasculature is not fully known. The present study examines the regulation of serum- and glucocorticoid inducible kinase (SGK1) a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in hyperglycemia- and salt-induced hypertension. We hypothesized that SGK1 is up-regulated in pathologically remodeled blood vessels in the context of Ang II-induced hypertension and by Ang II in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro . Therefore, we examined SGK1 protein expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASM) stimulated with increasing doses of Ang II (0-100nM) in vitro. Our results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in SGK1 protein expression. SGK1 expression was increased approximately 10-fold following 60 minutes of stimulation with 100nM Ang II. Next, we examined SGK1 expression in the vasculature in vivo in a mouse model of Ang II-induced hypertension. Based on immunohistochemistry, our data indicated that SGK1 was up-regulated in the medial layer of the aorta in mice infused with 0.7mg/kg/day Ang II, a dose that significantly increases blood pressure. Overall, these results indicate that Ang II up-regulates SGK1 in both smooth muscle cells and blood vessels. Our results also suggest that SGK1 may be responsible for the increase in blood pressure and remodeling of the blood vessels.


2014 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  
pp. E1163-E1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Qiang ◽  
Yuan Zhao ◽  
Qi Yang ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Haixia Guan ◽  
...  

Context: ZIC1 has been reported to be overexpressed and plays an oncogenic role in some brain tumors, whereas it is inactivated by promoter hypermethylation and acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric and colorectal cancers. However, until now, its biological role in thyroid cancer remains totally unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the biological functions and related molecular mechanism of ZIC1 in thyroid carcinogenesis. Setting and Design: Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate mRNA expression of investigated genes. Methylation-specific PCR was used to analyze promoter methylation of the ZIC1 gene. The functions of ectopic ZIC1 expression in thyroid cancer cells were determined by cell proliferation and colony formation, cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as cell migration and invasion assays. Results: ZIC1 was frequently down-regulated by promoter hypermethylation in both primary thyroid cancer tissues and thyroid cancer cell lines. Moreover, our data showed that ZIC1 hypermethylation was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Notably, restoration of ZIC1 expression in thyroid cancer cells dramatically inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by blocking the activities of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathways, and enhancing FOXO3a transcriptional activity. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that ZIC1 is frequently inactivated by promoter hypermethyaltion and functions as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer through modulating PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways and transcription factor FOXO3a.


2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhewen Zheng ◽  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Jian Bai ◽  
Long Long ◽  
Di Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPhosphoglucomutase 1(PGM1) is known for its involvement in cancer pathogenesis. However, its biological role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. Here, we studied the functions and mechanisms of PGM1 in CRC.Methods We verified PGM-1 as a DEG by a comprehensive strategy of the TCGA-COAD dataset mining and computational biology. Relative levels of PGM-1 in CRC tumors and adjoining peritumoral tissue were identified by qRT-PCR, WB, and IHC staining in a tissue microarray. PGM1 functions were analyzed using CCK8, EdU, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and Transwell migration and invasion assays. The influence of PGM1 was further investigated using tumor formation in vivo.ResultsPGM1 mRNA and protein were both reduced in CRC and the reduction was related to CRC pathology and overall survival. PGM1 knockdown stimulated both proliferation and colony formation, promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis while overexpression has opposite effects in CRC cells both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we lined the actions of PGM1 to the PI3K/ AKT pathway. ConclusionWe verified that PGM1 suppresses CRC through the PI3K/ AKT pathway. These results suggest the potential for targeting PGM1 in CRC therapies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunzhao Yang ◽  
Shaoqun Tang ◽  
Chunchun Zhai ◽  
Xin Zeng ◽  
Qingjian Liu ◽  
...  

Background. Multiple interleukin (IL) family members were reported to be closely related to hypertension. We aimed to investigate whether IL-9 affects angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced hypertension in mice. Methods. Mice were treated with Ang II, and IL-9 expression was determined. In addition, effects of IL-9 knockout (KO) on blood pressure were observed in Ang II-infused mice. To determine whether the effects of IL-9 on blood pressure was mediated by the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, Ang II-treated mice were given S31-201. Furthermore, circulating IL-9 levels in patients with hypertension were measured. Results. Ang II treatment increased serum and aortic IL-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner; IL-9 levels were the highest in the second week and continued to remain high into the fourth week after the treatment. IL-9 KO downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression, whereas it upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, relieved vascular dysfunction, and decreased blood pressure in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 also reduced smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression and increased osteopontin (OPN) levels both in mice and in vitro. The effects of IL-9 KO on blood pressure and inflammatory response were significantly reduced by S31-201 treatment. Circulating IL-9 levels were significantly increased in patients with the hypertension group than in the control group, and elevated IL-9 levels positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Conclusions. IL-9 KO alleviates inflammatory response, prevents phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle, reduces vascular dysfunction, and lowers blood pressure via the STAT3 pathway in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 might be a novel target for the treatment and prevention of clinical hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-796
Author(s):  
Moon Jain ◽  
Hina Iqbal ◽  
Pankaj Yadav ◽  
Himalaya Singh ◽  
Debabrata Chanda ◽  
...  

Purpose: To determine the effects of lysosomal inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CHQ) onhypertension-associated changes in the endothelial functions. Method: Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated human endothelial cell line EA.hy926 and renovascularhypertensive rats were subjected to CHQ treatment (in vitro: 0.5, 1, and 2.5 μM; in vivo: 50 mg/kg/dayfor three weeks). Changes in the protein expressions of LC3b II (autophagosome formation marker) andp62 (autophagy flux marker) were assessed using immunoblotting. Cell migration assay, tubuleformation assay (in vitro), and organ bath studies (in vivo) were performed to evaluate the endothelialfunctions. Hemodynamic parameters were measured as well. Results: A higher expression of LC3b II and a reduced expression of p62 observed in the Ang II-treatedendothelial cells, as well as in the aorta of the hypertensive rats, indicated enhanced autophagy.Treatment with CHQ resulted in reduced autophagy flux (in vitro as well as in vivo) and suppressed AngII-induced endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis (in vitro). The treatment with CHQ was alsoobserved to prevent increase in blood pressure in hypertensive rats and preserved acetylcholineinducedrelaxation in phenylephrine-contracted aorta from the hypertensive rats. In addition, chloroquineattenuated Ang II-induced contractions in the aorta of normotensive as well as hypertensive rats. Conclusion: These observations indicated that CHQ lowers the blood pressure and preserves thevascular endothelial function during hypertension. Keywords: Angiotensin II, Autophagy, Chloroquine, Endothelial function, Hypertension, Vasculardysfunction


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. H1625-H1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle Morand-Contant ◽  
Madhu B. Anand-Srivastava ◽  
Réjean Couture

Oxidative stress upregulates the kinin B1 receptor (B1R) in diabetes and hypertension. Since angiotensin II (ANG II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are increased in these disorders, this study aims at determining the role of these two prooxidative peptides in B1R expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In the A10 cell line and aortic VSMC, ANG II enhanced B1R protein expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (maximal at 1 μM and 6 h). In A10 cells, ANG II (1 μM) also increased B1R mRNA expression at 3 h and the activation of induced B1R with the agonist [Sar-d-Phe8]-des-Arg9-BK (10 nM, 5 min) significantly enhanced mitogen -activated protein kinase (MAPK1/2) phosphorylation. The enhancing effect of ANG II on B1R protein expression in A10 cells was normalized by the AT1 (losartan) but not by the AT2 (PD123319) receptor antagonist. Furthermore, it was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (wortmannin) and NF-κB (MG132) but not of MAPK (PD098059). Whereas the ETB receptor antagonist (BQ788) had no effect, the ETA receptor antagonist (BQ123) blocked the effect of ANG II at 6–8 h but not at an early time point. BQ123 and BQ788 also blocked the increasing effect of ET-1 on B1R protein expression. Antioxidants ( N-acetyl-l-cysteine and diphenyleneiodonium) abolished ANG II- and ET-1-increased B1R protein expression. In conclusion, B1R induction is linked to oxidative stress and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NF-κB. The newly synthesized B1R is functional and can activate MAPK signaling in VSMC. The effect of ANG II is mediated by the AT1 receptor and the subsequent activation of ETA through ET-1 release.


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