Gualou Guizhi Granule Protects against OGD/R-Induced Injury by Inhibiting Cell Pyroptosis via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Pyroptosis is a proinflammatory form of regulated cell death that plays an important role in ischemic stroke. Gualou Guizhi granule (GLGZG) is a classic prescription that has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. In the present study, we examined the involvement of pyroptosis and its associated mechanism in protecting nerve function. Methods. Primary neurons were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) conditions in the presence or absence of GLGZG. Cellular viability was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. The number of apoptoic cells was detected by NeuN and NSE protein expression. The expression levels of the pyroptosis markers, namely, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and IL-1β were determined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, western blot, and ELISA analyses as appropriate. Moreover, the expression levels of the PI3K/Akt pathway key proteins were determined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and western blot assays. To determine the PI3K/Akt pathway involvement in GLGZG-mediated neuroprotection, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (LY, 10 μM) was added. The expression levels of NeuN, Akt, and p-Akt were evaluated. Results. It was found that GLGZG could inhibit OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis, increase neuronal cell viability, decrease the production of IL-18 and IL-1β, and downregulate the expression levels of pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1). Furthermore, GLGZG could modulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K pathway not only abrogated the effects of GLGZG on Akt but also neutralized its prosurvival and antipyroptotic actions. Conclusions. The findings indicated that GLGZG pretreatment effectively reduced OGD/R-induced injury by inhibiting cell pyroptosis and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. These data provide important evidence for the therapeutic applications of this regimen in ischemic stroke.

Download Full-text

Astragaloside positively regulated osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research ◽

10.1186/s13018-021-02690-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei Bing Jing ◽

Hongjuan Ji ◽

Rui Jiang ◽

Jinlong Wang

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Osteogenic Differentiation ◽

Real Time ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Calcium Deposition ◽

Control Group ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Western Blot Assay

Abstract Background Osteoporosis is a widespread chronic disease characterized by low bone density. There is currently no gold standard treatment for osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into control and different dose of Astragaloside (10, 20, 40, 50, and 60 μg/ml). Then, ALP and ARS staining were performed to identify the effects of Astragaloside for early and late osteogenic capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells, respectively. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to assess the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway molecules were then assessed by Western blot. Finally, PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, was implemented to assess the mechanism of Astragaloside in promoting osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Results Astragaloside significantly increased the cell viability than the control group. Moreover, Astragaloside enhanced the ALP activity and calcium deposition than the control groups. Compared with the control group, Astragaloside increased the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression in a dose-response manner. Western blot assay further confirmed the real-time PCR results. Astragaloside could significantly increase the p-PI3K and p-Akt expression than the control group. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on ALP, OCN, and OSX of MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusion The present study suggested that Astragaloside promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Download Full-text

miR-184 Inhibits Hypertrophic Scar Through Regulating Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase B (AKT) Signaling Pathway

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering ◽

10.1166/jbt.2020.2232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 133-138

Author(s):

Peng Zhao ◽

Junxia Qin ◽

Lili Liang ◽

Xinzhong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Western Blot ◽

Real Time ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Hypertrophic Scar ◽

Scar Tissue ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Scar Formation ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a process of tissue repair and healing, and excessive fibrosis of local tissue leads to scar formation. During HS formation, fibroblasts (Fb) proliferate, synthesize and secrete and promote HS development. miR-184 regulates skin formation and tissue development. However, miR-184’s role in HS remains unclear. miR-184 expression in HS patients and normal healthy (Control) tissues was measured by real-time PCR. pAKT expression was analyzed by Western blot. Fb cells from human HS were cultured and divided into 2 groups, siRNA NC group and miR-184 siRNA group followed by analysis of miR-184 expression by real time PCR, cell proliferation by MTT assay, secretion of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 by ELISA, as well as expression of pAKT and AKT by western blot. Compared with control group, miR-184 and pAKT expression was significantly increased in the HS group. Transfection of miR-184 siRNA into Fb significantly downregulated miR-184 expression, inhibited cell proliferation, promoted Caspase 3 activity, decreased IL-1β and IL-6 secretion, and reduced pAKT level (P < 0.05). miR-184 expression is increased in hypertrophic scar tissue. Down-regulation of miR-184 expression in proliferative scar tissue fibroblasts can down-regulate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, inhibit inflammation, promote apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast proliferation, and regulate hypertrophic scar formation.

Download Full-text

Gene-Related Strain Variation of Staphylococcus aureus for Homologous Resistance Response to Acid Stress

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-070 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 77 (10) ◽

pp. 1794-1798 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

SOOMIN LEE ◽

SOOYEON AHN ◽

HEEYOUNG LEE ◽

WON-IL KIM ◽

HWANG-YONG KIM ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Acid Resistance ◽

Transcriptional Analysis ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽

Resistance Response ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Acid Shock

This study investigated the effect of adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus strains to the acidic condition of tomato in response to environmental stresses, such as heat and acid. S. aureus ATCC 13565, ATCC 14458, ATCC 23235, ATCC 27664, and NCCP10826 habituated in tomato extract at 35°C for 24 h were inoculated in tryptic soy broth. The culture suspensions were then subjected to heat challenge or acid challenge at 60°C and pH 3.0, respectively, for 60 min. In addition, transcriptional analysis using quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression level of acid-shock genes, such as clpB, zwf, nuoF, and gnd, from five S. aureus strains after the acid habituation of strains in tomato at 35°C for 15 min and 60 min in comparison with that of the nonhabituated strains. In comparison with the nonhabituated strains, the five tomato-habituated S. aureus strains did not show cross protection to heat, but tomato-habituated S. aureus ATCC 23235 showed acid resistance. In quantitative real-time-PCR analysis, the relative expression levels of acid-shock genes (clpB, zwf, nuoF, and gnd) were increased the most in S. aureus ATCC 23235 after 60 min of tomato habituation, but there was little difference in the expression levels among the five S. aureus strains after 15 min of tomato habituation. These results indicate that the variation of acid resistance of S. aureus is related to the expression of acid-shock genes during acid habituation.

Download Full-text

LianXia Formula Granule Attenuates Cardiac Sympathetic Remodeling in Rats with Myocardial Infarction via the NGF/TrKA/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/5536406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Sai-Sai Li ◽

Nan Kang ◽

Xiang-Lei Li ◽

Jing Yuan ◽

Ruby Ling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Western Blot ◽

Real Time ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Plasma Catecholamines ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Model Group

Sympathetic remodeling may cause severe arrhythmia after myocardial infarction (MI). Thus, targeting this process may be an effective strategy for clinical prevention of arrhythmias. LianXia Formula Granule (LXFG) can effectively improve the symptoms of patients with arrhythmia after MI, and modern pharmacological studies have shown that Coptidis Rhizoma and Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparata, the components of LXFG, have antiarrhythmia effects. Here, we investigated whether LXFG can mitigate sympathetic remodeling and suppress arrhythmia and then elucidated its underlying mechanism of action in rats after MI. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that had undergone a myocardial infarction model were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely, sham, model, metoprolol, and LXFG groups, with high, medium, and low dosages. We exposed the animals to 30 days of treatment and then evaluated incidence of arrhythmia and arrhythmia scores in vivo using programmed electrical stimulation. Moreover, we determined plasma catecholamines contents via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and detected expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at infarcted border zones via western blot, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemical analyses to assess sympathetic remodeling. Finally, we measured key molecules involved in the NGF/TrKA/PI3K/AKT pathways via western blot and real-time PCR. Compared with the model group, treatment with high dose of LXFG suppressed arrhythmia incidence and arrhythmia scores. In addition, all the LXFG groups significantly decreased protein and mRNA levels of TH, improved the average optical density of TH-positive nerve fibers, and reduced the levels of plasma catecholamines relative to the model group. Meanwhile, expression analysis revealed that key molecules in the NGF/TrKA/PI3K/AKT pathways were downregulated in the LXFG group when compared with model group. Overall, these findings indicate that LXFG suppresses arrhythmia and attenuates sympathetic remodeling in rats after MI. The mechanism is probably regulated by suppression of the NGF/TrKA/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Download Full-text

KLK11 promotes the activation of mTOR and protein synthesis to facilitate cardiac hypertrophy

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-02053-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yi Wang ◽

Hongjuan Liao ◽

Yueheng Wang ◽

Jinlin Zhou ◽

Feng Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Synthesis ◽

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽

Western Blot ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Mtor Signaling ◽

Heart Weight ◽

Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽

Quantitative Real Time Pcr

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death worldwide, and cardiac hypertrophy is the core mechanism underlying cardiac defect and heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy are not fully understood. Here we investigated the roles of Kallikrein 11 (KLK11) in cardiac hypertrophy. Methods Human and mouse hypertrophic heart tissues were used to determine the expression of KLK11 with quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. Mouse cardiac hypertrophy was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by angiotensin II. Cardiac function was analyzed by echocardiography. The signaling pathway was analyzed by western blot. Protein synthesis was monitored by the incorporation of [3H]-leucine. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results The mRNA and protein levels of KLK11 were upregulated in human hypertrophic hearts. We also induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice and observed the upregulation of KLK11 in hypertrophic hearts. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated that KLK11 overexpression promoted whereas KLK11 knockdown repressed cardiomyocytes hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II, as evidenced by cardiomyocyte size and the expression of hypertrophy-related fetal genes. Besides, we knocked down KLK11 expression in mouse hearts with adeno-associated virus 9. Knockdown of KLK11 in mouse hearts inhibited TAC-induced decline in fraction shortening and ejection fraction, reduced the increase in heart weight, cardiomyocyte size, and expression of hypertrophic fetal genes. We also observed that KLK11 promoted protein synthesis, the key feature of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, by regulating the pivotal machines S6K1 and 4EBP1. Mechanism study demonstrated that KLK11 promoted the activation of AKT-mTOR signaling to promote S6K1 and 4EBP1 pathway and protein synthesis. Repression of mTOR with rapamycin blocked the effects of KLK11 on S6K1 and 4EBP1 as well as protein synthesis. Besides, rapamycin treatment blocked the roles of KLK11 in the regulation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that KLK11 promoted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by activating AKT-mTOR signaling to promote protein synthesis.

Download Full-text