Rosmarinic Acid Induces Proliferation Suppression of Hepatoma Cells Associated with NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Author(s):  
Yanjun An ◽  
Jiandong Zhao ◽  
Yourui Zhang ◽  
Wen Wu ◽  
Jiangtao Hu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural phenolic compound that acts as a Fyn inhibitor by 53 homology modeling of the human Fyn structure. Therefore, the apoptosis mechanism related to NF-κB signaling pathway induced by RA in HepG2 was investigated. Methods: The cell growth, apoptosis, and proliferation of HepG2 regulated by various concentrations of RA were studied. The proteins expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, PI3K, AKT, NF-κB, and apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 were detected. Results: RA significantly reduced proliferation rates, inhibited migration and invasion, and decreased the expressions of invasion-related factors, such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. TUNEL staining revealed that RA resulted in a dose-dependent increase of HepG2 cell apoptosis. In line with this finding, the expression of apoptosis suppressor protein Bcl-2 was downregulated and that of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3 was increased. In addition, we found that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway was involved in RA-mediated inhibition of HepG2 cell metastasis. Conclusion: Our study identified that RA as a drug candidate for the treatment of HCC.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyue Zhu ◽  
Haipeng Feng ◽  
Bo Lin ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Yifeng Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Vincosamide(Vinco) was first identified in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Psychotria leiocarpa, and Vinco has important anti-inflammatory effects and activity against cholinesterase, Vinco also has a trait to ant-tumor. However, whether Vinco is able to inhibit the malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the role of Vinco in suppressing the malignant behaviors of HCC cells.Methods: MTT, trypan blue exclusion assay and the Cell Counting Kit(CCK)-8 analysis were applied to detect the proliferation and death of HCC cells; electron microscopy was performed to observe the change of cellular mitochondrial morphology; scratch repair and Transwell assays were used to analyze the migration and invasion of HCC cells; the expression and localization of proteins were detected by laser confocal microscopy and Western blotting; and the growth of the cancer cells in in vivo was assessed in a mouse tumorous model.Results: At a dose of 10-80 mg/ml, Vinco inhibited the proliferation and promoted death of HCC cells in a dose-independent manner, but had low cytotoxcity effect on normal liver cells. Additionally, 80 mg/ml of Vinco could significantly disrupt the morphology of mitochondria, suppress the migration and invasion of HCC cells. The growth of HCC cells in the animal tumorous model was significantly inhibited after treatment with Vinco (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. The results of the present study indicated that Vinco (10-80 mg/ml) played a role in activating caspase-3, promoting the expression of PTEN, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT(Ser473) and mTOR(Thr2448), Vinco also has a trait for suppressing the expression of CXCR4, Src, MMP9, EpCAM, Ras and Oct4 in HCC cells.Conclusions: Vinco has a role in inhibiting the malignant behaviors of HCC cells; the role molecular mechanism of Vinco maybe involve in restraining expression of the growth-, metastasis-related factors Src, Ras, MMP9, EpCAM and CXCR4, and activating the activity of caspase-3. Vinco also could block PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Vinco is an available chemotherapy for HCC patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haoqi Zhao ◽  
Lan Wang ◽  
Shufang Wang ◽  
Xihua Chen ◽  
Min Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Metastasis and invasion are crucial in determining the mortality of cervical carcinoma (CC) patients. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is now a universal explanation for the mechanisms of tumor metastasis. Α-chimeric protein (α-chimaerin, CHN1) plays an important role in the regulation of signal transduction and development. However, the molecular regulatory relationships between CHN1 and CC progression in relation to EMT have not yet been identified. Methods The expression of CHN1 in CC tissues, adjacent tissues, and lymph node metastases from CC patients was detected by immunohistochemistry. Upregulation and knockdown of CHN1 were achieved by transfection of CC cells. The effect of CHN1 on cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 and plate clone formation assays. Changes in migration and invasion capabilities were evaluated using scratch migration and transwell invasion assays. The effect of CHN1 overexpression and interference on xenograft tumor growth was determined by tumor weight and pathological analyses. The expression of EMT-related mRNAs was measured by qRT-PCR in transfected CC cells. EMT-related proteins and Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway-related proteins were also evaluated by western blotting. Results CHN1 was overexpressed in CC tissues and was associated with lymph node metastasis and low survival in CC patients. Overexpression of CHN1 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in CC cells. In contrast, silencing of CHN1 inhibited these phenomena. Overexpression of CHN1 promoted tumor formation in an in vivo xenograft tumor mouse model, with increased tumor volumes and weights. In addition, CHN1 induced the expression of EMT-related transcription factors, accompanied by the decreased expression of epithelial markers and increased expression of mesenchymal markers. The Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway was activated by overexpression of CHN1 in vitro, and activation of this pathway was inhibited by the signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion These results suggest that CHN1 promotes the development and progression of cervical carcinoma via the Akt/GSK-3β/Snail pathway by inducing EMT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 205873841881434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genglong Zhu ◽  
Xialei Liu ◽  
Haijing Li ◽  
Yang Yan ◽  
Xiaopeng Hong ◽  
...  

Liver cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers in human digestive system, which kills more than half a million people every year worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of kaempferol, a flavonoid compound isolated from vegetables and fruits, on hepatic cancer HepG2 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, as well as microRNA-21 (miR-21) expression. Cell viability was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation was measured using 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed using Guava Nexin assay. Cell migration and invasion were determined using two-chamber migration (invasion) assay. Cell transfection was used to change the expression of miR-21. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze the expressions of miR-21 and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Expression of key proteins involved in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase 3/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway were evaluated using western blotting. Results showed that kaempferol significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis. Kaempferol remarkably reduce the expression of miR-21 in HepG2 cells. Overexpression of miR-21 obviously reversed the effects of kaempferol on HepG2 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Moreover, miR-21 negatively regulated the expression of PTEN in HepG2 cells. Kaempferol enhanced the expression of PTEN and inactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, kaempferol inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells by down-regulating miR-21 and up-regulating PTEN, as well as inactivating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhou ◽  
Cheng Xing Yang ◽  
Lin Chun Fang ◽  
You Yuan Bao ◽  
Zhi Gang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective:Craniopharyngiomas are rare, histologically benign but clinically challenging neoplasms. Here, we aimed to interrogate the effect and significance of Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway on papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP) cell growth and survival.Methods: We used Western blotting (WB) experiments to evaluate the expression of the PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) in Craniopharyngiomas tissues, relative to health tissues. Primary tumor cells were obtained from fresh PCP samples by cell culture and then determined by cell morphology, immunofluorescence staining and expression of specific cell markers. In this study, PCP cell lines, isolated from fresh PCP samples, were treated with different concentrations of LY294002, a PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitor, to evaluate their proliferation, migration and invasion. We determined the cell proliferation using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation. We then used flow cytometry to evaluate cell apoptosis and cell cycle. In addition, cell migration and invasion levels were determined by wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively.Results: Our data demonstrated that the expression of phosphorylated-PI3K/AKT was upregulated in human craniopharyngioma tissues compared to the normal control tissues. Immunofluorescence assays showed the presence of cytokeratin (pan CK) and vimentin protein (VIM) in the PCP primary cells. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling blocks the proliferation, migration and invasion of the PCP primary cells.Conclusions:Taken together, our data robustly demonstrates that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mediates the proliferation, migration and invasion of the PCP cells.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuli Yan ◽  
Xingyu Liu ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Yin Wu ◽  
Yuxin Li

Background: Dracocephalum peregrinum L., a traditional Kazakh medicine, has good expectorant, anti-cough, and to some degree, anti-asthmatic effects. Diosmetin (3′,5,7-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone), a natural flavonoid found in traditional Chinese herbs, is the main flavonoid in D. peregrinum L. and has been used in various medicinal products because of its anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of diosmetin on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma cells, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), scratch wound, and Transwell assays were used to demonstrate the effects of diosmetin in glioma. Protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), E-cadherin, and phosphorylated and unphosphorylated smad2 and smad3 were determined by Western blots. U251 glioma cell development and progression were measured in vivo in a mouse model. Results: Diosmetin inhibited U251 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, the TGF-β signaling pathway, and Bcl-2 expression. In contrast, there was a significant increase in E-cadherin, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Furthermore, it effectively reduced the tumorigenicity of glioma cells and promoted apoptosis in vivo. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that diosmetin suppresses the growth of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, possibly by activating E-cadherin expression and inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Ling He ◽  
Yun-Cui Wang ◽  
Ya-Ting Ai ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Si-Meng Gu ◽  
...  

Qiangji Decoction (QJD), a classic formula, has been widely used to treat brain aging–related neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying QJD’s improvement in cognitive impairment of neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. In this study, we employed D-galactose to establish the model of brain aging by long-term D-galactose subcutaneous injection. Next, we investigated QJD’s effect on cognitive function of the model of brain aging and the mechanisms that QJD suppressing neuroinflammation as well as improving neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis. The mice of brain aging were treated with three different dosages of QJD (12.48, 24.96, and 49.92 g/kg/d, respectively) for 4 weeks. Morris water maze was used to determine the learning and memory ability of the mice. HE staining and FJB staining were used to detect the neurodegenerative changes. Nissl staining and TUNEL staining were employed to detect the hippocampal neuron apoptosis. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the hippocampus were detected by using ELISA. Meanwhile, we employed immunofluorescence staining to examine the levels of GFAP and IBA1 in the hippocampus. Besides, the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, AMPKα, p-AMPKα-Thr172, SIRT1, IκBα, NF-κB p65, p-IκBα-Ser32, and p-NF-κB p65-Ser536 in the hippocampus of different groups were detected by Western blot (WB). Our findings showed that the QJD-treated groups, especially the M-QJD group, mitigated learning and memory impairments of the model of brain aging as well as the improvement of neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Moreover, the M-QJD markedly attenuated the neuroinflammation by regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, QJD alleviated neurodegenerative changes and hippocampal neuron apoptosis in the model of brain aging via regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Xu ◽  
Xin Miao ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Haofei Chen ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: It is reported that lncRNA SNHG16 is significantly highly expressed in pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the functions and mechanisms of SNHG16 are not clear. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of SNHG16 in PC.Methods: qRT-PCR analyze was applied to detect the expression levels of SNHG16, miR-302b-3p and SLC2A4 in PC tissues and cells. CCK8 and EdU assays were used to determine the proliferation of PC cells. Transwell assay were used to measure the capacities of PC cells migration and invasion. Apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis related proteins (including Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9), which were tested by western blot. The interactions between miR-302b-3p and SNHG16 or miR-302b-3p and SLC2A4 mRNA 3’UTR were clarified by Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation.Results: SNHG16 was significantly elevated in PC tissues and cell lines, which was associated with poor prognosis of PC patients. Knockdown of SNHG16 reduced PC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. SNHG16 acted as a sponge to regulate miR-302b-3p expression in PC cells. And miR-302b-3p targeted SLC2A4 directly. Conclusions: SNHG16 promoted the progression of PC via miR-302b-3p/SLC2A4 axis and was expected to be a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of PC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyue Zhu ◽  
Haipeng Feng ◽  
Bo Lin ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Yifeng Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vincosamide(Vinco) was first identified in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Psychotria leiocarpa, and Vinco has important anti-inflammatory effects and activity against cholinesterase. However, whether Vinco inhibits the malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the role of Vinco in suppressing the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. Methods MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays were applied to detect the proliferation and death of HCC cells; electron microscopy was performed to observe change in cellular mitochondrial morphology; scratch repair and Transwell assays were used to analyze the migration and invasion of HCC cells; the expression and localization of proteins were detected by laser confocal microscopy and Western blotting; and the growth of the cancer cells in vivo was assessed in a mouse tumor model. Results At a dose of 10–80 µg/ml, Vinco inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells and promoted their apoptosis in a time- and dose-independent manner but had little effect on normal liver cells. Additionally, 80 µg/ml Vinco significantly disrupted the morphology of mitochondria and suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells. The growth of HCC cells in the animal tumor model was significantly inhibited after treatment with Vinco (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. The results of the present study indicate that Vinco (10–80 µg/ml) plays novel roles in activating caspase-3, promoting the expression of PTEN, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT(Ser 473) and mTOR (Thr2448) and that Vinco was able to also suppress the expression of CXCR4, Src, MMP9, EpCAM, Ras and Oct4 in HCC cells. Conclusions Vinco plays a role in inhibiting the malignant behaviors of HCC cells, and the molecular mechanism may involve in suppressing the expression of the growth-, metastasis-related factors Src, Ras, MMP9, EpCAM and CXCR4 and activating the activity of caspase-3. Vinco also blocks the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Vinco is an available chemotherapy for HCC patients.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yu Li ◽  
Guangle Qin ◽  
Jinyun Du ◽  
Peng Yue ◽  
Yanling Zhang ◽  
...  

Circular RNA LDLRAD3 behaved as an oncogene in several malignancies, but its effects in NSCLC and the involvement of downstream molecules and activation of signaling pathways had not been fully reported. We planned to explore how LDLRAD3 facilitated the malignancy of NSCLC. QRT-PCR was performed to evaluate the expression levels of LDLRAD3, miR-20a-5p, and SLC7A5 in NSCLC tissues and cells. si-LDLRAD3 was transfected to A549 and H1299 cells to knock down intrinsic LDLRAD3 to determine its oncogenic roles. CCK-8 assay and transwell assay were executed to assess cell proliferative, migrative, and invasive abilities. Dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay was manipulated to verify the ENCORI-predicted relationships between LDLRAD3 and miR-20a-5p and between miR-20a-5p and SLC7A5. Western blot, immunofluorescent assay, and immunohistochemistry were applied to explore the expression levels of SLC7A5, and the levels of mTORC1 pathway-related proteins were evaluated using western blot. Rescue experiments were conducted by transfecting si-LDLRAD3, miR-20a-5p inhibitor, and si-SLC7A5 to explore the influence of the LDLRAD3-miR-20a-5p-SLC7A5 axis on the malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells. The expression levels of LDLRAD3 and SLC7A5 were boosted, whereas miR-20a-5p was impeded in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of LDLRAD3 weakened the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells. LDLRAD3 was verified to sponge miR-20a-5p and miR-20a-5p targeted SLC7A5. LDLRAD3 activated the mTORC1 singling pathway via the miR-20a-5p-SLC7A5 axis to strengthen the malignant properties of A549 and H1299 cells. We concluded that LDLRAD3 exerted oncogenic effects via the miR-20a-5p-SLC7A5 axis to activate the mTORC1 signaling pathway in NSCLC. Our findings enlightened that LDLRAD3 could become a potential therapeutic target in the treatment and management of NSCLC.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yinlong Zhao ◽  
Shirui Liu ◽  
Yu Wen ◽  
Lili Zhong

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of this study is to explore the role of miR-210 in the growth of ovarian cancer cells and the correlation with radiotherapy and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Human ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR3 and SKOV3 were cultured in vitro, and miR-210 over-expression and low-expression ovarian cancer cell models were established by cell transfection. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activity. Transwell was used to detect the migration and invasion abilities. Western blot measured the expression of proteins related to cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The cells were treated with different doses of ionizing radiation, and then the cell proliferation activity was detected by MTT. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot. The Caspase-Glo<sup>®</sup> Kit was used to detect the activity of cellular caspase 3/7 enzymes. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of miR-210 over-expression ovarian cancer cells were increased (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05), the expressions of PTEN and E-cadherin were decreased, and the expression of p-Protein kinase B (AKT), N-cadherin, Snail, and Vimentin were elevated. After ionizing radiation, the sensitivity of miR-210 over-expression cells to radiotherapy was decreased, the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax was decreased, the expression of Bcl-2 was increased, and the activity of cellular caspase 3/7 enzyme was reduced (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> miR-210 can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway and regulating the expression of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. miR-210 can reduce the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to radiotherapy by inhibiting apoptosis, which might serve as a potential target for the treatment of ovarian tumors.


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