scholarly journals 2-Arachidonoylglycerol effects in cytotrophoblasts: metabolic enzymes expression and apoptosis in BeWo cells

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Costa ◽  
B M Fonseca ◽  
E Keating ◽  
N A Teixeira ◽  
G Correia-da-Silva

The major endocannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a member of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that participates in cell proliferation and apoptosis, important events for the homoeostasis of biological systems. The formation of placenta is one of the most important stages of pregnancy and its development requires highly regulated proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of trophoblasts. Anomalies in these processes are associated with gestational pathologies. In this work, we aimed to study the involvement of 2-AG in cytotrophoblast cell turnover. We found that 2-AG biosynthetic (diacylglycerol lipase A) and degradative (monoacylglycerol lipase) enzymes are expressed in human cytotrophoblasts and in BeWo cells. We also found that 2-AG induces a decrease in cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and exerts antiproliferative effects. The loss of cell viability induced by a 48-h treatment with 2-AG (10 μM) was accompanied by chromatin fragmentation and condensation, morphological features of apoptosis. Additionally, 2-AG induced an increase in caspase 3/7 and 9 activities, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generation, suggesting the activation of the mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, whereas Δψm loss and ROS/RNS generation were significantly attenuated by the antagonists of both the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), the increase in caspase 3/7 and 9 activities and loss of cell viability were reversed only by the antagonist of CB2 receptor; the blockage of the eCB membrane transporter and the depletion of cholesterol failed to reverse the effects of 2-AG. Therefore, this work supports the importance of cannabinoid signalling during cytotrophoblast cell turnover and that its deregulation may be responsible for altered placental development and poor pregnancy outcomes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Zhen-Dong Zhang ◽  
Ya-Jun Yang ◽  
Zhe Qin ◽  
Xi-Wang Liu ◽  
Shi-Hong Li ◽  
...  

Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a new pharmaceutical compound esterified by aspirin and eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of AEE on paraquat- (PQ-) induced cell damage of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and its potential molecular mechanism. There was no significant change in cell viability when AEE was used alone. PQ treatment reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. However, AEE reduced the PQ-induced loss of cell viability. Flow cytometry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and 4 ′ 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining were used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Compared with the PQ group, AEE pretreatment could significantly inhibit PQ-induced cell damage. AEE pretreatment could reduce the cell damage of SH-SY5Y cells induced by PQ via reducing superoxide anion, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) and increasing the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential ( Δ Ψ m ). At the same time, AEE could increase the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decrease the activity of malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, while the expression of caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased in the PQ group. In the AEE group, AEE pretreatment could upregulate the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Bcl-2 and downregulate the expression of caspase-3 and Bax in SH-SY5Y cells. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the silencing of PI3K by shRNA could weaken the protective effect of AEE on PQ-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Therefore, AEE has a protective effect on PQ-induced SH-SY5Y cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signal pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.


Author(s):  
Elham Hoveizi ◽  
Fatemeh Fakharzadeh Jahromi

Background: The development of effective anticancer drugs is a significant health issue. Previous studies showed that members of the benzimidazole family have anticancer effects on several cancers Objectives: The present study investigated the cytotoxic effect of flubendazole on A549 human lung cancer cells. Methods: The A549 cells were treated with flubendazole at 1, 2, 5, and 10 µM concentrations for three days. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay and Acridine orange staining. Also, the expressions of P62 and Beclin -1 were analyzed by qRT-PCR analysis. Results: Cell viability of A549 cells, in a concentration-dependent manner, showed significant differences between the treatment and control groups, and the IC50 value was determined to be 2 µM. Also, flubendazole reduced the expression of P62 and increased the expression of Beclin 1 in treated cells. Conclusions: Flubendazole induces cell death in A549 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner and can offer new factors in lung cancer therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prisca Bustamante Alvarez ◽  
Alexander Laskaris ◽  
Alicia A. Goyeneche ◽  
Yunxi Chen ◽  
Carlos M. Telleria ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Uveal melanoma (UM), the most prevalent intraocular tumor in adults, is a highly metastatic and drug resistant lesion. Recent studies have demonstrated cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects of the antiprogestin and antiglucocorticoid mifepristone (MF) in vitro and in clinical trials involving meningioma, colon, breast, and ovarian cancers. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective approach to bring approved drugs with good safety profiles to the clinic. This current study assessed the cytotoxic effects of MF in human UM cell lines of different genetic backgrounds. Methods The effects of incremental concentrations of MF (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 μM) on a panel of human UM primary (MEL270, 92.1, MP41, and MP46) and metastatic (OMM2.5) cells were evaluated. Cells were incubated with MF for up to 72 h before subsequent assays were conducted. Cellular functionality and viability were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, trypan blue exclusion assay, and quantitative label-free IncuCyte live-cell analysis. Cell death was analyzed by binding of Annexin V-FITC and/or PI, caspase-3/7 activity, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the release of cell-free DNA was assessed by droplet digital PCR, while the expression of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Results MF treatment reduced cellular proliferation and viability of all UM cell lines studied in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in cell growth was observed at lower concentrations of MF, with evidence of cell death at higher concentrations. A significant increase in Annexin V-FITC and PI double positive cells, caspase-3/7 activity, DNA fragmentation, and cell-free DNA release suggests potent cytotoxicity of MF. None of the tested human UM cells expressed the classical progesterone receptor in the absence or presence of MF treatment, suggesting a mechanism independent of the modulation of the cognate nuclear progesterone receptor. In turn, all cells expressed non-classical progesterone receptors and the glucocorticoid receptor. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MF impedes the proliferation of UM cells in a concentration-dependent manner. We report that MF treatment at lower concentrations results in cell growth arrest, while increasing the concentration leads to lethality. MF, which has a good safety profile, could be a reliable adjuvant of a repurposing therapy against UM.


Author(s):  
Berenice Aranda-Cuevas ◽  
Jorge Tamayo- Cortez ◽  
Lourdes Vargas y Vargas ◽  
Ignacio Islas- Flores ◽  
Víctor Arana- Argáez ◽  
...  

The present study evaluates the immunomodulatory effect of high molecular weight fractions of Aloe vera polysaccharides harvested during the dry season (March-April) and the rainy season (August-September). Peritoneal macrophages (MΦs) secluded from Balb/c mice underwent treatment with A. vera leaves extract and acemannan standard (the major component found in A. vera) and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Macrophage cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. Phagocytic activity was also evaluated in peritoneal macrophages, such as the production of nitric oxide and interleukin 6 (IL-6). In the results, found that the A. vera polysaccharides harvested during the rainy season stimulated the phagocytic activity with greater intensity than dry season and improvement NO and IL-6 production. No cytotoxic effect was found on cell viability and they cause a significant proliferative effect on macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. It can be concluded that the A. vera polysaccharides harvested during the rainy season possessed a stronger immunostimulatory effect compared to the extracts from leaves obtained during dry seasons in a concentration-dependent manner without aff at the cell viability of macrophages.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Chan Kim ◽  
Sook Jahr Park ◽  
Jong Rok Lee ◽  
Jung Cheol Seo ◽  
Chae Ha Yang ◽  
...  

Licorice,Glycyrrhizae radix, is one of the herbal medicines in East Asia that has been commonly used for treating various diseases, including stomach disorders. This study investigated the effect of licorice on arsenite (As)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line. Cell viability was significantly diminished in As-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay and DNA laddering in H4IIE cells showed that As treatment induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3. Licorice (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml−1) treatment significantly inhibited cell death and the activity of caspase-3 in response to As exposure. These results demonstrate that licorice induced a cytoprotective effect against As-induced cell death by inhibition of caspase-3.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 030006052094976
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Jixing Wang

Objective Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common complication of sepsis, and excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is closely correlated with the cell injury caused by sepsis. This study aimed to analyze the possible role of ER stress in SAE cell models. Methods PC12 and MES23.5 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect cell viability and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to assess cell apoptosis. In addition, the protein expression levels of ER stress markers [GRP78, CHOP, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), and PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)] and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3) were analyzed using western blotting. Results LPS treatment activated ER stress markers in both the PC12 and MES23.5 cells. The overexpression of GRP78 significantly reduced cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. An ER stress inhibitor, 4-PBA, significantly enhanced cell viability and inhibited the cell apoptosis induced by LPS. Therefore, an enhanced unfolded protein response (UPR) and UPR suppression may regulate cell apoptosis. Conclusions UPR was shown to be involved in regulating LPS-induced neuron injury. UPR could be a potential therapeutic target in SAE.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1451-1455
Author(s):  
Ramalingam Mahesh ◽  
Hyo Won Jung ◽  
Jun Hong Park ◽  
Yong-Ki Park

Ostericum koreanummaximowicz (Umbelliferae), a medicinal herb in Korean Oriental Medicine, has been applied to treat cold, headache, neuralgia and arthralgia. The ethyl acetate fraction ofO. koreanumroot was subjected toin vitroantioxidant activity with different methods for free radical scavenging activities. In addition, the cell viability and nitric oxide release assays were performed here for the first time in neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cell cultures. Among all the tested methods, the ethyl acetate fraction was expressed very active, exhibiting a good Trolox equivalent values and IC50, comparable to that of the commercial antioxidants, Trolox and ascorbic acid, respectively. The results showed that there was a reduction of cell viability by the fraction in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest thatO. koreanumshows good antioxidant activitiesin vitroby inhibiting free radicals. These findings provide a rationale for thein vivotesting. Also, the major constituents behind the antioxidant mechanisms of this fraction warrant further study.


2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (4) ◽  
pp. F376-F381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo B. Silva ◽  
Douglas K. Atchison ◽  
Luis I. Juncos ◽  
Néstor H. García

The energy required for active Na chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb (TAL) depends on oxygen consumption and oxidative phosphorylation (OXP). In other cells, Na transport is inhibited by the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide through the activation of the cannabinoid receptors (CB) type 1 and 2. However, it is unclear whether anandamide alters TAL transport and the mechanisms that could be involved. We hypothesized that anandamide inhibits TAL transport via activation of CB1 receptors and NO. For this, we measured oxygen consumption (QO2) in TAL suspensions to monitor the anandamide effects on transport and OXP. Anandamide reduced QO2 in a concentration-dependent manner. During Na-K-2Cl cotransport and Na/H exchange inhibition, anandamide did not inhibit TAL QO2. To test the role of the cannabinoid receptors, we used specific agonists and antagonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1-selective agonist WIN55212–2 reduced QO2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant blocked the effect of anandamide on QO2. In contrast, the CB2-selective agonist JHW-133 had no effect on QO2, while the CB2 receptor antagonist AM-630 failed to block the anandamide effects on QO2. To confirm these results, we measured CB1 and CB2 receptor expression and only CB1 expression was detected. Because CB1 receptors are strong nitric oxide synthase (NOS) stimulators and NO inhibits transport in TALs, we evaluated the role of NO. Anandamide stimulated NO production and the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester blocked the anandamide effects on QO2. We conclude that anandamide inhibits TAL Na transport-related QO2 via activation of CB1 receptor and NOS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Ni Wang ◽  
Ling-Ling Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Yun Fan ◽  
Sha-Sha Wu ◽  
Sheng-Quan Zhang

Cationic protein is a cytotoxic protein secreted by eosinophils and takes part in the damage of airway epithelium in asthma. Poly-L-arginine (PLA), a synthetic cationic protein, is widely used to mimic the biological function of the natural cationic protein in vitro. Previous studies demonstrated the damage of the airway epithelial cells by cationic protein, but the molecular mechanism is unclear. The purpose of this study aimed at exploring whether PLA could induce apoptosis of human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) and the underlying mechanism. Methods. The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The rate of apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The expressions of the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Bcl-2/Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were assessed by western blot. Results. PLA can induce apoptosis in NCI-H292 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 and the unbalance of Bcl2/Bax, as well as the activation of caspase-3, were involved in the PLA-induced apoptosis. Conclusions. PLA can induce the apoptosis in NCI-H292 cells, and this process at least involved the ERK1/2 and mitochondrial pathway. The results could have some indications in revealing the apoptotic damage of the airway epithelial cells. Besides, inhibition of cationic protein-induced apoptotic death in airway epithelial cells could be considered as a potential target of anti-injury or antiremodeling in asthmatics.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (5) ◽  
pp. E1296-E1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Antony ◽  
John J. Bass ◽  
Christopher D. McMahon ◽  
Murray D. Mitchell

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily, known for its ability to inhibit muscle growth. It can also regulate metabolism and glucose uptake in a number of tissues. To determine the mechanism of myostatin's effect on glucose uptake, we evaluated its actions using choriocarcinoma cell lines that are widely used as models for placental cells. Protein and mRNA were determined using immunoblotting and RT-PCR/PCR, respectively. Glucose uptake was assessed by uptake of radiolabeled deoxyglucose in vitro. All choriocarcinoma cell lines tested i.e., BeWo, JEG, and Jar, are used as models of placental cells, and all expressed myostatin protein and mRNA. Treatment of BeWo cells with myostatin resulted in inhibition of glucose uptake in a concentration-dependent manner ( P < 0.01). At all concentrations tested, follistatin, a functional inhibitor of myostatin, completely blocked the inhibitory effect of myostatin (40 nM) on glucose uptake by BeWo cells (0.4 nM, P < 0.05). Follistatin treatment alone also increased glucose uptake (0.4 and 4 nM, P < 0.001; 40 nM, P < 0.05). Because BeWo cells proliferated and greater cell densities were achieved, glucose uptake declined irrespective of treatment. Myostatin treatment of BeWo cells did not alter the levels of myostatin receptor, ActRII A/B proteins. The levels of glucose transport proteins also remained unaltered in BeWo cells with myostatin treatment. This study has shown that myostatin specifically inhibits glucose uptake into BeWo cells, suggesting that locally produced myostatin may control glucose metabolism within the placenta.


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