Metformin exerts anti-tumor effects via Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway by targeting AMPK in HepG2 cells

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ang Hu ◽  
Zeming Hu ◽  
Jianming Ye ◽  
Yuwen Liu ◽  
Zhonghong Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Sonic Hedgehog ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Shh Pathway ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
Proliferation And Metastasis

Metformin, a traditional first-line pharmacologic treatment for type 2 diabetes, has recently been shown to impart anti-cancer effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanism of metformin on its antitumor activity is still not completely clear. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is closely associated with the initiation and progression of HCC. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of metformin on the biological behavior of HCC and the underlying functional mechanism of metformin on the Shh pathway. The HCC cellular was induced in HepG2 cells by recombinant human Shh (rhShh). The effects of metformin on proliferation and metastasis were evaluated by proliferation, wound healing and invasion assays in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression levels of proteins related to the Shh pathway were measured by western blotting, quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Metformin inhibited rhShh-induced proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, metformin decreased mRNA and protein expression of components of the Shh pathway including Shh, Ptch, Smo and Gli-1. Silencing of AMPK in the presence of metformin revealed that metformin could exert its inhibitory effect via AMPK. Our findings demonstrate that metformin can suppress the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells via AMPK-mediated inhibition of the Shh pathway.

T-cadherin deficiency promotes endometriosis progression through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
yutao guan ◽  
Fu-bin Zhang ◽  
Yan-qing Huang ◽  
Ling-ling Zhou ◽  
Wei-feng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Benign Disease ◽  
Mtor Signaling ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mtor Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Migration And Invasion ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression

Abstract Background: Endometriosis is a progressive and benign disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Though endometriosis is a benign disease, it has the characteristics of malignant tumour growth. Abnormal expression of T-cadherin is involved in the occurrence and progression of many tumours. We aimed to investigate whether T-cadherin promotes the migration and invasion of endometriosis cells through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Methods: Ectopic and eutopic endometrial samples from 62 female patients with endometriosis and endometrial samples from 51 female patients without endometriosis were collected. The immortalized endometrial stromal cell line hEM15A was cultured. Real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of T-cadherin, phospho-PI3K/Akt/mTOR and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). Transfection technology was employed to upregulate T-cadherin expression. The migration and invasion abilities of hEM15A cells were measured by the transwell assay with uncoated or Matrigel-coated membranes. Results: The mRNA and protein expression of T-cadherin was significantly decresed in the ectopic tissues of the patients with endometriosis, while the mRNA and protein expression in the eutopic endometrial tissues of the same patients did not significantly differ from that in the patients without endometriosis. The migration and invasion ability and phospho-PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MMP-2 expression levels were decreased in hEM15A cells with high T-cadherin expression compared with the corresponding parameters in the normal control group. However, everolimus and BEZ235 inhibited cell migration and invasion in cells with low T-cadherin expression, and weakened overexpression of T‑cadherin significantly attenuated MMP-2 protein expression. Conclusion: Loss of T-cadherin promotes cell migration and invasion in endometriosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway.

scholarly journals Potential Simultaneous Inhibitors of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 and Transmembrane Protease, Serine 2

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Yuan Wu ◽  
Yu-Shih Lin ◽  
Yao-Hsu Yang ◽  
Li-Hsin Shu ◽  
Yu-Ching Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Herbal Formula ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Lung And Kidney

Outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 occurred in Wuhan and has rapidly spread to almost all parts of world. GB-1, the herbal formula from Tian Shang Sheng Mu of Chiayi Puzi Peitian Temple, is used for the prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 in Taiwan. In this study, we investigated that the effect of GB-1 and the index compounds of GB-1 on the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression through in vitro and in vivo study. In our result, GB-1 can inhibit ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein expression in HepG2 cells, 293T cells, and Caco-2 cells without cytotoxicity. For the mouse model, GB-1 treatment could decrease ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels of the lung and kidney tissue without adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. In the compositions of GB-1, 0.5–1 mg/ml of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. extract could not inhibit ACE2 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells. In addition, theaflavin-3-gallate could inhibit protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 without significant cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that GB-1 and theaflavin-3-gallate could act as potential candidates for prophylaxis or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection through inhibiting protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 for the further study.

scholarly journals Propofol affects the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells via ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-238
Author(s):  
Ruchang Yin ◽  
Chunyan Zhang ◽  
Aizhi Gen ◽  
Yanxiao Li ◽  
Hailei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Fat Emulsion ◽  
Skov3 Cells

Purpose: To investigate the effect of propofol on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells, and the mechanism of action involved. Methods: SKOV3 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control group, fat emulsion group, low-dose propofol group (LDPG, 25 μmol/L), medium-dose propofol group (MDPG) (50 μmol/L) and high-dose propofol group (HDPG) (100 μmol/L). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, while Transwell assay was used to measure the migration and invasion abilities of the cells. The protein levels of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were assayed with Western blotting. Moreover, the cells were transfected with siERK, and the regulatory effect of propofol on ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway was determined. Results: Apoptosis in HDPG was significantly reduced, relative to MDPG, while migration and invasion were enhanced, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). Moreover, MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 proteins were significantly higher in MDPG and HDPG than in control, fat emulsion and LDPGs (p < 0.05), and were upregulated in HDPGs, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). In contrast, propofol did not up-regulate these proteins in siRNA-treated cells. Conclusion: Propofol enhances the migration, proliferation, and invasive ability SKOV3 cells, and upregulates the expressions of MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 in these cells, via a mechanism related to the activation of ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling route. These properties provide novel leads for the development of new drugs for ovarian cancer Keywords: Propofol, ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signal route, Ovarian cancer, Biological behavior

Effects and Mechanisms of Tripartite Motif Containing 14 Downregulation on Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Cancerous Pancreatic PANC-1 Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-406
Author(s):  
Huaping Gong ◽  
Long Chen ◽  
Ruipeng Dong
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Sirna Transfection ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of TRIM14 downregulation on the apoptosis, migration, and invasion of cancerous pancreatic PANC-1 cells. PANC-1 cells cultured in vitrowere classified to a control (normal culture), negative (neutral siRNA transfection), and siTRIM14 group (TRIM14 siRNA transfection). RT-PCR was adopted to test TRIM14 mRNA expression. Cellular proliferation was determined by CCK-8, and transwell chamber invasion and apoptosis by flow cytometry. AKT signaling pathway related proteins CyclinD1, MMP-2, Bcl-2, and AKT phosphorylation, and TRIMI14 protein expression, were determined by western blotting. Compared with the control group, TRIMI14 expression, cellular proliferation ability, infiltration, transfer AKT phosphorylation, and TRIMI14, CyclinD1, MMP-2, and Bcl-2 protein expression were greatly reduced in siTRIM14 cells, and the apoptotic ability was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). However, no striking differences were detected between the negative and control groups (P > 0.05). Downregulating TRIM14 expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PANC-1 cells, and promote apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of AKT signaling pathway activation.

scholarly journals Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Increase tPA Expression and Concomitantly Decrease PAI-1 Expression in Astrocytes through the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway after Stroke (in vitro Study)

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 2181-2188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongqi Xin ◽  
Yi Li ◽  
Li Hong Shen ◽  
Xianshuang Liu ◽  
Ann Hozeska-Solgot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Sonic Hedgehog ◽  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Shh Pathway ◽  
Pai 1

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) increase tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity in astrocytes of the ischemic boundary zone, leading to increased neurite outgrowth in the brain. To probe the mechanisms that underlie MSC-mediated activation of tPA, we investigated the morphogenetic gene, sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway. In vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation and coculture of astrocytes and MSCs were used to mimic an in vivo ischemic condition. Both real-time-PCR and western blot showed that MSC coculture significantly increased the Shh level and concomitantly increased tPA and decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels in astrocytes. Inhibiting the Shh signaling pathway with cyclopamine blocked the increase of tPA and the decrease of PAI-1 expression in astrocytes subjected to MSC coculture or recombinant mouse Shh (rm-Shh) treatment. Both MSCs and rm-Shh decreased the transforming growth factor- β1 level in astrocytes, and the Shh pathway inhibitor cyclopamine reversed these decreases. Both Shh-small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and Glil-siRNA downregulated Shh and Gli1 (a key mediator of the Shh transduction pathway) expression in cultured astrocytes and concomitantly decreased tPA expression and increased PAI-1 expression in these astrocytes after MSC or rm-Shh treatment. Our data indicate that MSCs increase astrocytic Shh, which subsequently increases tPA expression and decreases PAI-1 expression after ischemia.

scholarly journals Cyclocarya paliurus Polysaccharide Inhibits Glioma Cell U251 Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion and Promotes Apoptosis via the GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Du ◽  
Kai Guo ◽  
Yongqian Ma ◽  
Jianyong Chang
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cyclocarya Paliurus ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
U251 Cells

Objective. To investigate the effects of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide (CPP) on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human glioma U251 cells and further explore the underlying mechanism. Methods. U251 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μmol/L) of CPP for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the activity of cell proliferation. Wound-healing assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to measure the effects of CPP on the migration, invasion, and apoptosis of U251 cells, respectively. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression involved in the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and its downstream genes related to proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis including Cyr61, CCND1, Vimentin, and Slug. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of Cyr61, CCND1, Vimentin, and Slug. Results. We found that CPP not only could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of U251 cells but also promote its apoptosis in vitro. Besides, CPP could significantly inhibit the phosphorylation and decrease the protein levels of GSK3 β at ser9 site (p<0.05), and thus increasing the phosphorylation of β-Catenin at ser33/37 site (p<0.05), resulting in β-Catenin degradation. In addition, we also found that CPP could downregulate the mRNA (p<0.05) and protein expression (p<0.05) of downstream genes of GSK3 β/β-catenin signaling pathway including Cyr61, CCND1, Vimentin, and Slug, which are related to proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Conclusion. CPP could inhibit the expression of GSK3β, promote the degradation of β-catenin, and downregulate the levels of GSK3β/β-catenin downstream genes including Cyr61, CCND1, Vimentin, and Slug, which regulate the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of glioma cells.

scholarly journals Ginsenoside Rg3 Inhibit The Proliferation And Metastasis of Cervical Cancer Cells in Vitro By Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Ginsenoside Rg3 ◽  
Cervical Cancer Cells ◽  
Proliferation And Metastasis

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 on the proliferation and metastasis of cervical. Methods: Cervical cancer cells HeLa were treated with different concentrations (0, 0.12, 0.24, 0.48 mmol/L) of ginsenoside Rg3, and then the survival rate of HeLa cells was detected by CCK-8 method, and the migration and invasion of HeLa cells were assessed using Transwell test, and expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Toll receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor κB p65 (P-NF-κB p65) proteins were calculated by Western blot. Results: After ginsenoside Rg3 (0.12, 0.24, 0.48 mmol/L) treatment, the survival rate, migration number, invasion number, and N-cadherer number, and N-cadherin, Vimentin, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65 protein expression of HeLa cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05) Ginsenoside protein expression was significantly increased (P<0.05), and showed a concentration-dependent relationship. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer cells in vitro, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Inhibition of Migration and Invasion of Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells by Dietary Saponins via Targeting HIF-1α

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1025-1031
Author(s):  
Cheng Luo ◽  
Di Wu ◽  
Meiling Chen ◽  
Wenhua Miao ◽  
Changfeng Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Mtt Assay ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression ◽  
Simulated Hypoxia

Background: Different saponins from herbs have been used as tonic or functional foods, and for treatment of various diseases including cancers. Although clinical data has supported the function of these saponins, their underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well defined. Methods: With the simulated hypoxia created by 8 hours of Cu++ exposure and following 24 hour incubation with different concentration of saponins in HepG2 cells for MTT assay, migration and invasion assays, and for RT-PCR, and with each group of cells for immunofluorescence observation by confocal microscopy. Results： ZC-4 had the highest rate of inhibition of cell proliferation by MTT assay, and the highest inhibition of migration rate by in vitro scratch assay, while ZC-3 had the highest inhibition of invasion ratio by transwell assay. Under the same simulated hypoxia, the molecular mechanism of saponin function was conducted by measuring the gene expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-1α through RT-PCR, in which ZC-3 showed a potent inhibition of gene HIF-1α. For the protein expression by immunofluorescence staining with confocal microscopy, HIF-1α was also inhibited by saponins, with the most potent one being ZC-4 after eight hours’ relatively hypoxia incubation. Conclusion: Saponins ZC-4 and ZC-3 have the potential to reduce HepG2 cell proliferation, migration and invasion caused by hypoxia through effectively inhibiting the gene and protein expression of HIF-1α directly and as antioxidant indirectly

scholarly journals Upregulation of ETV2 Expression Promotes Endothelial Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 096368972097873
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Youming Zhu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Tao Wu ◽  
Xianyu Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Dental Pulp ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Endothelial Differentiation ◽  
Cell Source ◽  
Lentiviral Infection ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
Human Dental Pulp

The lack of vasculogenesis often hampers the survivability and integration of newly engineered tissue grafts within the host. Autologous endothelial cells (ECs) are an ideal cell source for neovascularization, but they are limited by their scarcity, lack of proliferative capacity, and donor site morbidity upon isolation. The objective of this study was to determine whether differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) into the endothelial lineage can be enhanced by recombinant ETV2 overexpression. DPSCs were extracted from fresh dental pulp tissues. ETV2 overexpression in DPSCs was achieved by lentiviral infection and cellular morphological changes were evaluated. The mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific markers were assessed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. The tube formation assay and Matrigel plug assay were also performed to evaluate the angiogenic potential of the ETV2-transduced cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed to analyze global changes in protein expression following ETV2 overexpression. After lentiviral infection, ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs showed endothelial-like morphology. Compared with control DPSCs, significantly higher mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial-specific genes, including CD31, VE-Cadherin, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2, were detected in ETV2-overexpressing DPSCs. Moreover, ETV2 overexpression enhanced capillary-like tube formation on Matrigel in vitro, as well as neovascularization in vivo. In addition, comparative proteomic profiling showed that ETV2 overexpression upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, which was indicative of increased VEGF signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that ETV2 overexpression significantly enhanced the endothelial differentiation of DPSCs. Thus, this study shows that DPSCs can be a promising candidate cell source for tissue engineering applications.

scholarly journals Diaphanous related formin 3 knockdown suppresses cell proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehua Zhang ◽  
Fei Dai ◽  
Fei Luo ◽  
Wenjie Wu ◽  
Shuai Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Therapy ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Osteosarcoma Cell ◽  
Proliferation And Metastasis ◽  
New Biomarkers

AbstractOsteosarcoma is a malignant osteoblastic tumor that can gravely endanger the lives and health of children and adolescents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new biomarkers for osteosarcoma and determine new targeted therapies to improve the efficacy of osteosarcoma treatment. Diaphanous related formin 3 (DIAPH3) promotes tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting that DIAPH3 may be a target for tumor therapy. To date, there have been no reports on the function of DIAPH3 in osteosarcoma. DIAPH3 protein expression in osteosarcoma tissues and healthy bone tissues adjacent to cancer cells was examined by immunohistochemical staining. DIAPH3 mRNA expression correlates with overall survival and reduced disease-free survival. DIAPH3 protein is upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues, and its expression is significantly associated with tumor size, tumor stage, node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Functional in vitro experiments revealed that DIAPH3 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and suppressed cell migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cell lines MG-63 and HOS. Functional experiments demonstrated that DIAPH3 knockdown inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. In conclusion, DIAPH3 expression can predict the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma. In addition, DIAPH3 is involved in the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma, and as such, DIAPH3 may be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

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