Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Oil Elicits Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Laryngeal Tumor Cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Author(s):  
Yun’e Bai ◽  
Jing Hou ◽  
Xiao Ting Zhang ◽  
Jian Ping Gao ◽  
Jiang Tao Zhou

Background: Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed oil (ZBSO) is a main extract of the edible drug Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds. Recently reports proved that it has a significant cytotoxic effect on various cancer cells. However, systematic investigation on the roles of ZBSO in laryngeal carcinoma (LC) is rare. Objective: To reveal the function of ZBSO on human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells (Hep-2) and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. Methods: In this study, the chemical composition analysis of ZBSO was done using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), and the anti-tumor effect of ZBSO on Hep-2 cells was evaluated by cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle experiments. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting were used for mechanistic investigation at the molecular level. Results: The main compound of ZBSO was identified as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, as compared with normal cells, significant inhibitory activities of ZBSO was observed on Hep-2 cells with dose- and time-dependency, which induced apoptosis, blocked cell cycle at the S phase, and inhibited cell proliferation. In addition, IHC results showed difference in the level of protein expression of ZBSO-induced autophagy-related markers. At last, Western blotting results indicated that ZBSO could inhibit the expression and phosphorylation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein. Conclusions: The anti-LC effect of ZBSO might be intimately associated with the induction of autophagy and the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. ZBSO may be a potential anti-laryngocarcinoma agent.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jianwen Long ◽  
Xianming Pi

To investigate whether Polyphyllin I (PPI) might induce the autophagy and apoptosis of melanoma cells by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Melanoma A375 cells were incubated with different concentrations of Polyphyllin I (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/L) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activator IGF-1(20 mg/L). CCK-8 assay was utilized to detect cell proliferation; Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were measured by flow cytometry; Western blot was used to examine the expressions of proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to evaluate autophagy of A375 cells; In addition, xenograft-bearing nude mice were applied to study the role of Polyphyllin I on melanoma development, melanoma cell proliferation, as well as melanoma cell apoptosis in vivo. The outcomes represented that Polyphyllin I promoted A375 cell apoptosis via upregulating Bax level and cleaved caspase-3 level and downregulating Bcl-2 level, inhibited the growth of A375 cells at the G0/G1 phase, and enhanced cell autophagy via regulating the levels of Beclin 1, LC3II, and p62. However, IGF-1 (an activator of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway) attenuated these changes that Polyphyllin I induced. Furthermore, the xenograft model experiment confirmed that Polyphyllin I treatment suppressed xenograft tumor growth, increased apoptotic index evaluated by the TUNEL method, and reduced the level of Ki67 in tumor tissues in vivo. In conclusion, Polyphyllin I treatment enhanced melanoma cell autophagy and apoptosis, as well as blocked melanoma cell cycle via suppressing PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Meanwhile, Polyphyllin I treatment suppressed the development of melanoma in vivo. Therefore, Polyphyllin I possibly is a promising molecular targeted agent used in melanoma therapy.


Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Xuemei Wang ◽  
Zhen Zhen ◽  
Yanbo Yu ◽  
Youwen Qiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a member of the HSP70 protein family and a key endoplasmic reticulum chaperone. It has been revealed to play important roles both in the maturation, folding and transport of proteins and in cellproliferation. However, its involvement in milk biosynthesis or the proliferation of bovine primary mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) has yet to be established. Methods The expressions of GRP78 in BMECs stimulated with methionine, leucine, estrogen and prolactin were determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. To explore the function of GRP78 in BMECs, the protein was overexpressed or knocked down, respectively using an overexpression vector or an siRNA mixture transfected into cells cultured in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell proliferation and cell activity. The contents of lactose and triglyceride (TG) secreted from the treated BMECs were measured using lactose and TG assay kits, respectively. Western blotting analysis was used to measure the β-casein content and the protein levels of the signaling molecules known to be involved in milk biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Results GRP78overexpression significantly stimulated milk protein and milk fat synthesis, enhanced cell proliferation, positively regulated the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and increased the amount of protein of cyclinD1andsterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). GRP78 knockdown after siRNA transfection had the opposite effects. We further found that GRP78 was located in the cytoplasm of BMECs, and that stimulating methionine, leucine, estrogen and prolactin expression led to a significant increase in the protein expression of GRP78 in BMECs. Conclusions These data reveal that GRP78 is an important regulator of milk biosynthesis and the proliferation of BMECs through the mTOR signaling pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 1221-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisi Zeng ◽  
Quanxing Liao ◽  
Zhaowei Zou ◽  
Yuefeng Wen ◽  
Jingshu Wang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The development of multidrug resistance (MDR), which results in disease recurrence and metastasis, is a crucial obstacle to successful chemotherapy for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play various roles in cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of XLOC_006753 on the development of MDR in GC cells. Methods: The expression levels of XLOC_006753 in GC patients and MDR GC cell lines (SGC-7901/5-FU and SGC-7901/DDP cell line) were assessed by qRT-PCR. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between XLOC_006753 expression and clinical features and to assess the prognostic value of XLOC_006753 for overall survival and progression-free survival. Then, a CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation ability and chemosensitivity. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and cell apoptosis. A wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect cell migration. The expression of markers for MDR, G1/S transition, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PI3K/ AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were examined by western blot. Results: XLOC_006753 was highly expressed in GC patients and MDR GC cell lines (SGC-7901/5-FU and SGC-7901/DDP cell lines), and its high expression was positively associated with metastasis, TNM stage, tumor size, and poor survival in GC patients. Moreover, XLOC_006753 was an independent prognostic biomarker of overall survival and progression-free survival for gastric cancer patients. Knocking down XLOC_006753 in the two MDR GC cell lines significantly inhibited cell proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle G1/S transition, and migration. XLOC_006753 knockdown also promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, western blots showed that XLOC_006753 knockdown decreased some markers of MDR, G1/S transition, and EMT expression, while increasing caspase9 expression and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in SGC-7901/5-FU and SGC-7901/DDP cells. Conclusion: High expression of XLOC_006753 promoted the development of MDR, which was activated by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in GC cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382199007
Author(s):  
Wenlin Liu ◽  
Jiandong Zhan ◽  
Rong Zhong ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
Xiaoli Sheng ◽  
...  

Background: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among head and neck cancers. Accumulating studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in laryngeal cancer occurrence and progression, however, the functional roles and relative regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in laryngeal cancer progression remain unclear. Methods: The expression of lncRNA GAS5 in both laryngeal cancer tissues and cell lines was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The relationships between lncRNA GAS5 expression and clinical parameters were also analyzed. To determine the biological function of lncRNA GAS5, a lncRNA GAS5-specific plasmid was first transfected into laryngeal cancer cells using lentiviral technology. Cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays were used to detect in vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle distribution, and metastasis abilities, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo cell growth experiments were also performed using nude mice. Additionally, western blotting was performed to identify the underlying regulatory mechanism. Results: In the current study, lncRNA GAS5 was downregulated in laryngeal cancer tissues and its low expression was closely associated with poor tumor differentiation, advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall survival time. In addition, lncRNA GAS5 upregulation significantly inhibited laryngeal cancer cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in response to lncRNA GAS5 overexpression, more laryngeal cancer cells were arrested at the G2/M stage, accompanied by increased cell apoptosis rates and suppressed migration and invasion capacities. Mechanistically, our data showed that the overexpression of lncRNA GAS5 significantly regulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion: LncRNA GAS5 might act as a suppressor gene during laryngeal cancer development, as it suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway; thus, lncRNA GAS5 is a promising therapeutic biomarker for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.


Tumor Biology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 101042831769756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Shi ◽  
Jin Pu ◽  
Xiao-Li Zhou ◽  
Yun-Ye Ning ◽  
Chong Bai

This study aimed to investigate the effects of long non-coding RNA ROR (regulator of reprogramming) on cisplatin (DDP) resistance in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Human cisplatin-resistant A549/DDP cell lines were selected and divided into control group, negative control group, si-ROR group, ROR over-expression group, Wortmannin group, and ROR over-expression + Wortmannin group. MTT assay was used to determine the optimum inhibitory concentration of DDP. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were applied to detect expressions of long non-coding RNA ROR, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. Colony-forming assay, scratch test, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to detect cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Tumor-formation assay was performed to detect the growth of transplanted tumors. Long non-coding RNA ROR expression was high in human A549/DDP cell lines. Compared with the control and negative control groups, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and bcl-2 decreased, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of bax and the sensitivity of cells to DDP significantly increased. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities decreased in the si-ROR and Wortmannin groups. In comparison with control and negative control groups, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and bcl-2 increased, whereas the mRNA and protein expressions of bax decreased, the sensitivity of cells to DDP significantly increased, and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities decreased in the ROR over-expression group. For nude mice in tumor-formation assay, compared with control and negative control groups, the tumor weight was found to be lighter (1.03 ± 0.15) g, the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and bcl-2 decreased, and the protein expression of bax increased in the si-ROR group. Long non-coding RNA ROR may affect the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to DDP by targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.


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.


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