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

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongda Xu ◽  
Hong Zhu ◽  
Dongye Li ◽  
Yasong Lang ◽  
Lijuan Cao ◽  
...  

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5602
Author(s):  
Hyeon Young Park ◽  
Mi-Jin Kim ◽  
Seunghyeong Lee ◽  
Jonghwa Jin ◽  
Sungwoo Lee ◽  
...  

Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Glycolysis and glutaminolysis are increased in rapidly proliferating VSMCs to support their increased energy requirements and biomass production. Thus, it is essential to develop new pharmacological tools that regulate metabolic reprogramming in VSMCs for treatment of atherosclerosis. The effects of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), a glutamine antagonist, have been broadly investigated in highly proliferative cells; however, it is unclear whether DON inhibits proliferation of VSMCs and neointima formation. Here, we investigated the effects of DON on neointima formation in vivo as well as proliferation and migration of VSMCs in vitro. DON simultaneously inhibited FBS- or PDGF-stimulated glycolysis and glutaminolysis as well as mammalian target of rapamycin complex I activity in growth factor-stimulated VSMCs, and thereby suppressed their proliferation and migration. Furthermore, a DON-derived prodrug, named JHU-083, significantly attenuated carotid artery ligation-induced neointima formation in mice. Our results suggest that treatment with a glutamine antagonist is a promising approach to prevent progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangfeng Li ◽  
Haiyun Xie ◽  
Yufan Ying ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Huaqing Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in mRNA of humans. Emerging evidence has supported the fact that m6A is comprehensively involved in various diseases especially cancers. As a crucial reader, YTHDF2 usually mediates the degradation of m6A-modified mRNAs in m6A-dependent way. However, the function and mechanisms of m6A especially YTHDF2 in prostate cancer (PCa) still remain elusive. Methods To investigate the functions and mechanisms of YTHDF2 in PCa, in vitro, in vivo biofunctional assays and epigenetics experiments were performed. Endogenous expression silencing of YTHDF2 and METTL3 was established with lentivirus-based shRNA technique. Colony formation, flow cytometry and trans-well assays were performed for cell function identifications. Subcutaneous xenografts and metastatic mice models were combined with in vivo imaging system to investigate the phenotypes when knocking down YTHDF2 and METTL3. m6A RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) sequencing, mRNA sequencing, RIP-RT-qPCR and bioinformatics analysis were mainly used to screen and validate the direct common targets of YTHDF2 and METTL3. In addition, TCGA database was also used to analyze the expression pattern of YTHDF2, METTL3 and the common target LHPP in PCa, and their correlation with clinical prognosis. Results The upregulated YTHDF2 and METTL3 in PCa predicted a worse overall survival rate. Knocking down YTHDF2 or METTL3 markedly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PCa in vivo and in vitro. LHPP and NKX3–1 were identified as the direct targets of both YTHDF2 and METTL3. YTHDF2 directly bound to the m6A modification sites of LHPP and NKX3–1 to mediate the mRNA degradation. Knock-down of YTHDF2 or METTL3 significantly induced the expression of LHPP and NKX3–1 at both mRNA and protein level with inhibited phosphorylated AKT. Overexpression of LHPP and NKX3–1 presented the consistent phenotypes and AKT phosphorylation inhibition with knock-down of YTHDF2 or METTL3. Phosphorylated AKT was consequently confirmed as the downstream of METTL3/YTHDF2/LHPP/NKX3–1 to induce tumor proliferation and migration. Conclusion We propose a novel regulatory mechanism in which YTHDF2 mediates the mRNA degradation of the tumor suppressors LHPP and NKX3–1 in m6A-dependent way to regulate AKT phosphorylation-induced tumor progression in prostate cancer. We hope our findings may provide new concepts of PCa biology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1740-1753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoucui Gao ◽  
Liran Xu ◽  
Yali Zhang ◽  
Qingqing Yu ◽  
Jiayan Li ◽  
...  

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Fei Chiou ◽  
Chien-Chih Chen ◽  
Bai-Luh Wei

We previously reported 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (CQC) protected vascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress and restored impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Here, we further investigated its anti-atherosclerotic effect against angiotensin II (Ang II) evoked proliferation and migration of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (rVSMC). The results showed CQC (1–20μM) clearly inhibited Ang-II-stimulated BrdU incorporation and cell migration of rVSMC in a concentration-dependent manner but without significant cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed Ang II increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs;p38, ERK1/2 and JNK) in rVSMC. In the presence of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin and three individual MAPK inhibitors SB203580, PD98059 and SP600125, both Ang-II-induced cell proliferation and migration were significantly attenuated, although to differing extents, suggesting the PI3K and MAPK signal pathways all participated in regulating rVSMC proliferation and migration. Also, the CQC pretreatment markedly suppressed Ang-II-induced phosphorylation of Akt and JNK rather than ERK1/2, although it failed to affect p38 phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate CQC may act by down-regulating Akt, JNK and part of the ERK1/2 pathways to inhibit Ang-II-induced rVSMC proliferation and migration. The anti-atherosclerotic effect of CQC is achieved either by endothelial cells protection or by VSMC proliferation/migration inhibition, suggesting this compound may be useful in preventing vascular diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (37) ◽  
pp. E8660-E8667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Shufian Ishtiaq Ahmed ◽  
Kunzhe Dong ◽  
Jinhua Liu ◽  
Tong Wen ◽  
Luyi Yu ◽  
...  

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. e180-e181
Author(s):  
Baek-Kyung Kim ◽  
Min Park ◽  
Joo Young Lee ◽  
Dal-Hyun Kim ◽  
Jay Myung ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haijun Wang ◽  
Zheng Wei ◽  
Hulun Li ◽  
Yinghui Guan ◽  
Zhiyang Han ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Zhigang Zeng ◽  
Kaiyan Xiao

Objective. The effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) on the proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (HSC-3) were investigated in this study. Methods. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (HSC-3) were cultured in vitro and were treated with different concentrations of GLP. CCK-8 assay and scratch assay were then used to detect the inhibitory effect of GLP on these cells. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression changes of the genes involved in the miR-188 and β-catenin signaling pathways. Results. GLP had significant cytotoxicity to HSC-3 cells and was capable of inhibiting the proliferation and migration of HSC-3 cells. GLP upregulated the expression of miR-188 in HSC-3 cells and via which inhibited the proliferation and migration of HSC-3 cells. In addition, miR-188 inhibited the activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway through its target BCL9. Conclusions. GLP inhibited the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells (HSC-3) by regulating the miR-188/BCL9/β-catenin signaling pathway. The results in this study provided a theoretical basis for the treatment of OSCC with GLP.


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