scholarly journals Autophagy blockade synergistically enhances nanosonosensitizer-enabled sonodynamic cancer nanotherapeutics

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqiang Zhou ◽  
Minfeng Huo ◽  
Xiaoqin Qian ◽  
Li Ding ◽  
Luodan Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Protoporphyrin Ix ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Autophagy Inhibition

AbstractUltrasound-triggered sonodynamic therapy (SDT) represents an emerging therapeutic modality for cancer treatment based on its specific feature of noninvasiveness, high tissue-penetrating depth and desirable therapeutic efficacy, but the SDT-induced pro-survival cancer-cell autophagy would significantly lower the SDT efficacy for cancer treatment. Here we propose an “all-in-one” combined tumor-therapeutic strategy by integrating nanosonosensitizers-augmented noninvasive SDT with autophagy inhibition based on the rationally constructed nanoliposomes that co-encapsulates clinically approved sonosensitizers protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and early-phase autophagy-blocking agent 3-methyladenine (3-MA). It has been systematically demonstrated that nanosonosensitizers-augmented SDT induced cytoprotective pro-survival autophagy through activation of MAPK signaling pathway and inhibition of AMPK signaling pathway, and this could be efficaciously inhibited by 3-MA in early-phase autophagy, which significantly decreased the cell resistance to intracellular oxidative stress and complied a remarkable synergistic effect on SDT medicated cancer-cell apoptosis both in vitro at cellular level and in vivo on tumor-bearing animal model. Therefore, our results provide a proof-of-concept combinatorial tumor therapeutics based on nanosonosensitizers for the treatment of ROS-resistant cancer by autophagy inhibition-augmented SDT.

scholarly journals HOXB4 inhibits the proliferation and tumorigenesis of cervical cancer cells by downregulating the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Lei ◽  
Wen-Ting Yang ◽  
Peng-Sheng Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Cervical Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses

AbstractHomeobox B4 (HOXB4), which belongs to the homeobox (HOX) family, possesses transcription factor activity and has a crucial role in stem cell self-renewal and tumorigenesis. However, its biological function and exact mechanism in cervical cancer remain unknown. Here, we found that HOXB4 was markedly downregulated in cervical cancer. We demonstrated that HOXB4 obviously suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenic potential in nude mice. Additionally, HOXB4-induced cell cycle arrest at the transition from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase. Conversely, loss of HOXB4 promoted cervical cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analyses and mechanistic studies revealed that HOXB4 inhibited the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by direct transcriptional repression of β-catenin. Furthermore, β-catenin re-expression rescued HOXB4-induced cervical cancer cell defects. Taken together, these findings suggested that HOXB4 directly transcriptional repressed β-catenin and subsequently inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to significant inhibition of cervical cancer cell growth and tumor formation.

scholarly journals An Integration of Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification to Investigate the Mechanism of Guizhi to Treat Nephrotic Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan He ◽  
Qiang Li ◽  
Guangli Du ◽  
Guofeng Meng ◽  
Jijia Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Experimental Verification ◽  
Active Component ◽  
Mapk Signaling

Background: Guizhi has the pharmacological activity of anti-inflammatory. However, the effect mechanism of Guizhi against nephrotic syndrome (NS) remains unclear. A network pharmacological approach with experimental verification in vitro and in vivo was performed to investigate the potential mechanisms of Guizhi to treat NS.Methods: Active compounds and potential targets of Guizhi, as well as the related targets of NS were obtained from the public databases. The intersecting targets of Guizhi and NS were obtained through Venny 2.1.0. The key targets and signaling pathways were determined by protein-protein interaction (PPI), genes ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis. And the overall network was constructed with Cytoscape. Molecular docking verification was carried out by AutoDock Vina. Finally, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to verify the mechanism of Guizhi to treat NS.Results: 63 intersecting targets were obtained, and the top five key targets mainly involed in NF- Kappa B and MAPK signaling pathway. In the overall network, cinnamaldehyde (CA) was the top one active compound with the highest degree value. The molecular docking showed that the top five key targets were of good binding activity with the active components of Guizhi. To in vitro experiment, CA, the main active component of Guizhi, inhibited the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in LPS challenged RAW264.7 cells, and down regulated the protein expression of p-NF-κB p65 and p-p38 MAPK in LPS challenged RAW264.7 cells. In vitro experiment showed that, 24 urinary protein and renal function were increased in ADR group. To western blot, CA down regulated the protein expression of p-p38 MAPK in rats of adriamycin-induced nephropathy.Conclusion: CA might be the main active component of Guizhi to treat NS, and the underlying mechanism might mainly be achieved by inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Anti-Breast Cancer Effect of 2-Dodecyl-6-Methoxycyclohexa-2,5-Diene-1,4-Dione in vivo and in vitro Through MAPK Signaling Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 2667-2684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Zhou ◽  
Xingchun Wu ◽  
Luhui Qin ◽  
Shunyu Lu ◽  
Hongliang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway

scholarly journals MAPK-directed activation of the whitefly transcription factor CREB leads to P450-mediated imidacloprid resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (19) ◽  
pp. 10246-10253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Yang ◽  
Shun Deng ◽  
Xuegao Wei ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Qiannan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Bzip Transcription Factor ◽  
Camp Response Element ◽  
Response Element

The evolution of insect resistance to pesticides poses a continuing threat to agriculture and human health. While much is known about the proximate molecular and biochemical mechanisms that confer resistance, far less is known about the regulation of the specific genes/gene families involved, particularly by trans-acting factors such as signal-regulated transcription factors. Here we resolve in fine detail the trans-regulation of CYP6CM1, a cytochrome P450 that confers resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-directed activation of the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Reporter gene assays were used to identify the putative promoter of CYP6CM1, but no consistent polymorphisms were observed in the promoter of a resistant strain of B. tabaci (imidacloprid-resistant, IMR), which overexpresses this gene, compared to a susceptible strain (imidacloprid-susceptible, IMS). Investigation of potential trans-acting factors using in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that the bZIP transcription factor CREB directly regulates CYP6CM1 expression by binding to a cAMP-response element (CRE)-like site in the promoter of this gene. CREB is overexpressed in the IMR strain, and inhibitor, luciferase, and RNA interference assays revealed that a signaling pathway of MAPKs mediates the activation of CREB, and thus the increased expression of CYP6CM1, by phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction. Collectively, these results provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of xenobiotic responses in insects and implicate both the MAPK-signaling pathway and a transcription factor in the development of pesticide resistance.

scholarly journals Icariin Promotes the Migration of BMSCs In Vitro and In Vivo via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Jiao ◽  
Wang Tang ◽  
He Huang ◽  
Zhaofei Zhang ◽  
Donghua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Stress Fiber ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber ◽  
Stress Fiber Formation ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber Formation

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are widely used in tissue engineering for regenerative medicine due to their multipotent differentiation potential. However, their poor migration ability limits repair effects. Icariin (ICA), a major component of the Chinese medical herb Herba Epimedii, has been reported to accelerate the proliferation, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. However, it remains unknown whether ICA can enhance BMSC migration, and the possible underlying mechanisms need to be elucidated. In this study, we found that ICA significantly increased the migration capacity of BMSCs, with an optimal concentration of 1 μmol/L. Moreover, we found that ICA stimulated actin stress fiber formation in BMSCs. Our work revealed that activation of the MAPK signaling pathway was required for ICA-induced migration and actin stress fiber formation. In vivo, ICA promoted the recruitment of BMSCs to the cartilage defect region. Taken together, these results show that ICA promotes BMSC migration in vivo and in vitro by inducing actin stress fiber formation via the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, combined administration of ICA with BMSCs has great potential in cartilage defect therapy.

scholarly journals Cimifugin Suppresses NF-κB Signaling to Prevent Osteoclastogenesis and Periprosthetic Osteolysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Duan ◽  
Xuantao Hu ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
Gen Wu ◽  
Pengcheng Dou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Resorption ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Osteoclast Differentiation ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Periprosthetic Osteolysis

Background: Aseptic loosening of prosthesis (ALP) is one of the most common long-term complications of knee and hip arthroplasty. Wear particle-induced osteoclastogenesis and subsequent periprosthetic osteolysis account for the morbidity of ALP. Here, we investigate the potential of cimifugin (CIM), a natural extract from Cimicifuga racemosa and Saposhnikovia divaricata, as a bone-protective drug in the treatment of ALP.Method: First, we performed cell viability and osteoclast formation assays to assess the effect of noncytotoxic CIM on osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Bone slice resorption and F-actin ring immunofluorescence assays were adopted to assess the effects of CIM on bone-resorption function. Then, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) analysis was performed to further assess the repressive effects of CIM on osteoclastogenesis at the gene expression level. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the above findings, Western blot and luciferase reporter gene assays were used to assess the regulatory effects of CIM on the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, a Ti particle-induced murine calvarial osteolysis model and subsequent histomorphometric analysis via micro-CT and immunohistochemical staining were used to elucidate the effect of CIM on periprosthetic osteolysis in vivo.Result: CIM dose-dependently inhibited both bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMM)- and RAW264.7 cell-derived osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption pit formation in vitro, which was further supported by the reduced expression of F-actin and osteoclast-specific genes. According to the Western blot analysis, inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation in the NF-κB signaling pathway, not the phosphorylation of MAPKs, was responsible for the suppressive effect of CIM on osteoclastogenesis. Animal experiments demonstrated that CIM alleviated Ti particle-induced bone erosion and osteoclast accumulation in murine calvaria.Conclusion: The current study suggested for the first time that CIM can inhibit RANKL-induced osetoclastogenesis by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and prevent periprosthetic osteolysis in vivo. These findings suggest the potential of CIM as a therapeutic in ALP.

scholarly journals Effect of Total Flavones from Cuscuta Chinensis on Anti-Abortion via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-wang Wu ◽  
Yi-hui Feng ◽  
Dong-ying Wang ◽  
Wei-yu Qiu ◽  
Qing-ying Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Chinese Herb ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Cuscuta Chinensis

For centuries, the Chinese herb Cuscuta chinensis has been applied clinically for abortion prevention in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Total flavones extracted from Cuscuta chinensis (TFCC) are one of the active components in the herb and also display anti-abortion effect similar to the unprocessed material. However, how TFCC exerts the anti-abortion effect remains largely unknown. In this study, we aim at characterizing the anti-abortion effects of TFCC and its underlying molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo using human primary decidua cells and a mifepristone-induced abortion model in rat, respectively. The damage to the decidua caused by mifepristone in vivo was reversed by TFCC treatment in a dosage-dependent manner. High dosage of TFCC significantly upregulated the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in decidua tissue but downregulated the expression of p-ERK. Furthermore, we detected higher level of p-ERK and p-p38 in primary decidua cells from spontaneous abortion while treatment by TFCC downregulated their expression. Our results suggest TFCC mediates its anti-abortion effect by interfering with MAPK signaling pathway.

scholarly journals tRNA-Derived Fragment tRF-Glu-TTC-027 Regulates the Progression of Gastric Carcinoma via MAPK Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiguo Xu ◽  
Bin Zhou ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Li Tang ◽  
Qing Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Carcinoma ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Transfer RNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) belong to non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) discovered in most carcinomas. Although some articles have demonstrated the characteristics of tRFs in gastric carcinoma (GC), the underlying mechanisms still need to be elucidated. Meanwhile, it was reported that the MAPK pathway was momentous in GC progression. Thus we focused on investigating whether tRF-Glu-TTC-027 could act as a key role in the progression of GC with the regulation of the MAPK pathway. We collected the data of the tRNA-derived fragments expression profile from six paired clinical GC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal samples in this study. Then we screened tRF-Glu-TTC-027 for analysis by using RT-PCR. We transfected GC cell lines with tRF-Glu-TTC-027 mimics or mimics control. Then the proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were performed to assess the influence of tRF-Glu-TTC-027 on GC cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay was conducted to confirm the cell distribution of tRF-Glu-TTC-027. We confirmed the mechanism that tRF-Glu-TTC-027 influenced the MAPK signaling pathway and observed a strong downregulation of tRF-Glu-TTC-027 in clinical GC samples. Overexpression of tRF-Glu-TTC-027 suppressed the malignant activities of GC in vitro and in vivo. MAPK signaling pathway was confirmed to be a target pathway of tRF-Glu-TTC-027 in GC by western blot. This is the first study to show that tRF-Glu-TTC-027 was a new tumor-suppressor and could be a potential object for molecular targeted therapy in GC.

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