3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid protects H9C2 cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a crucial factor leading to myocardial dysfunction. Adiponectin (APN) has a cardiomyocyte-protective impact. Studies have shown that the connexin43 (Cx43) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways play an important role in the heart, but whether APN plays a protective role by regulating these pathways is unclear. Our study aimed to confirm whether APN protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and to explore whether it plays an important role through regulating the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In addition, our research aimed to explore the relationship between the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In vitro experiments: Before H9c2 cells were treated with LPS for 24 h, they were pre-treated with APN for 2 h. The cytotoxic effect of APN on H9c2 cells was evaluated by a CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Cx43, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and the apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry. APN attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by LPS. LPS upregulated Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 and downregulated Bcl2 in H9c2 cells; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, LPS upregulated Cx43 expression, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LPS induced apoptosis and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in H9c2 cells, and these effects were attenuated by Gap26 (a Cx43 inhibitor). Moreover, the preservation of APN expression was reversed by LY294002 (a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor). In vivo experiments: In C57BL/6J mice, a sepsis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and APN was injected into enterocoelia. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, and Cx43 were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect Cx43 expression and localization in myocardial tissue. LPS upregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulated Bcl2 in sepsis; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, the expression of Cx43 was upregulated in septic myocardial tissue, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression in septic myocardial tissue. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo, the data demonstrated that APN can protect against LPS-induced apoptosis during sepsis by modifying the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

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Gambogic acid protects LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in a cell model of neonatal pneumonia through the regulation of TrkA/Akt signaling pathway

BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s40360-021-00496-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xu Gao ◽

Jingya Dai ◽

Guifang Li ◽

Xinya Dai

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Cell Model ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Gambogic Acid ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Western Blot Assay ◽

A Cell ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Apoptosis And Inflammation

Abstract Objective In this work, we investigated the effects of gambogic acid (GA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis and inflammation in a cell model of neonatal pneumonia. Method Human WI-38 cells were maintained in vitro and incubated with various concentrations of GA to examine WI-38 survival. GA-preincubated WI-38 cells were then treated with LPS to investigate the protective effects of GA on LPS-induced death, apoptosis and inflammation. Western blot assay was utilized to analyze the effect of GA on tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) signaling pathway in LPS-treated WI-38 cells. In addition, human AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt) gene was knocked down in WI-38 cells to further investigate the associated genetic mechanisms of GA in protecting LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Results Pre-incubating WI-38 cells with low and medium concentrations GA protected LPS-induced cell death, apoptosis and inflammatory protein productions of IL-6 and MCP-1. Using western blot assay, it was demonstrated that GA promoted TrkA phosphorylation and Akt activation in LPS-treated WI-38 cells. Knocking down Akt gene in WI-38 cells showed that GA-associated protections against LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation were significantly reduced. Conclusions GA protected LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation, possibly through the activations of TrkA and Akt signaling pathway. This work may broaden our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of human neonatal pneumonia.

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Maresin 1 protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury via the ALXR/Akt signaling pathway

Molecular Medicine ◽

10.1186/s10020-021-00280-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Da Tang ◽

Guang Fu ◽

Wenbo Li ◽

Ping Sun ◽

Patricia A. Loughran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Serum Aminotransferase ◽

Primary Mouse ◽

Maresin 1

Abstract Background Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can be a major complication following liver surgery contributing to post-operative liver dysfunction. Maresin 1 (MaR1), a pro-resolving lipid mediator, has been shown to suppress I/R injury. However, the mechanisms that account for the protective effects of MaR1 in I/R injury remain unknown. Methods WT (C57BL/6J) mice were subjected to partial hepatic warm ischemia for 60mins followed by reperfusion. Mice were treated with MaR1 (5-20 ng/mouse), Boc2 (Lipoxin A4 receptor antagonist), LY294002 (Akt inhibitor) or corresponding controls just prior to liver I/R or at the beginning of reperfusion. Blood and liver samples were collected at 6 h post-reperfusion. Serum aminotransferase, histopathologic changes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress were analyzed to evaluate liver injury. Signaling pathways were also investigated in vitro using primary mouse hepatocyte (HC) cultures to identify underlying mechanisms for MaR1 in liver I/R injury. Results MaR1 treatment significantly reduced ALT and AST levels, diminished necrotic areas, suppressed inflammatory responses, attenuated oxidative stress and decreased hepatocyte apoptosis in liver after I/R. Akt signaling was significantly increased in the MaR1-treated liver I/R group compared with controls. The protective effect of MaR1 was abrogated by pretreatment with Boc2, which together with MaR1-induced Akt activation. MaR1-mediated liver protection was reversed by inhibition of Akt. Conclusions MaR1 protects the liver against hepatic I/R injury via an ALXR/Akt signaling pathway. MaR1 may represent a novel therapeutic agent to mitigate the detrimental effects of I/R-induced liver injury.

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Melatonin inhibits embryonic rat H9c2 cells growth through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway

Birth Defects Research ◽

10.1002/bdr2.1938 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anda Zhao ◽

Kena Zhao ◽

Yuanqing Xia ◽

Jiajun Lyu ◽

Yiting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Cycle Arrest ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

H9c2 Cells ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Cycle Arrest ◽

Induction Of Apoptosis

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Protective Effects of Gintonin on Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced HT22 Cell Damages: Involvement of LPA1 Receptor-BDNF-AKT Signaling Pathway

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26144138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (14) ◽

pp. 4138

Author(s):

Yeon-Jin Cho ◽

Sun-Hye Choi ◽

Ra-Mi Lee ◽

Han-Sung Cho ◽

Hyewhon Rhim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Atp Depletion ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Lpa1 Receptor

Gintonin is a kind of ginseng-derived glycolipoprotein that acts as an exogenous LPA receptor ligand. Gintonin has in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective effects; however, little is known about the cellular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection. In the present study, we aimed to clarify how gintonin attenuates iodoacetic acid (IAA)-induced oxidative stress. The mouse hippocampal cell line HT22 was used. Gintonin treatment significantly attenuated IAA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, ATP depletion, and cell death. However, treatment with Ki16425, an LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, suppressed the neuroprotective effects of gintonin. Gintonin elicited [Ca2⁺]i transients in HT22 cells. Gintonin-mediated [Ca2⁺]i transients through the LPA1 receptor-PLC-IP3 signaling pathway were coupled to increase both the expression and release of BDNF. The released BDNF activated the TrkB receptor. Induction of TrkB phosphorylation was further linked to Akt activation. Phosphorylated Akt reduced IAA-induced oxidative stress and increased cell survival. Our results indicate that gintonin attenuated IAA-induced oxidative stress in neuronal cells by activating the LPA1 receptor-BDNF-TrkB-Akt signaling pathway. One of the gintonin-mediated neuroprotective effects may be achieved via anti-oxidative stress in nervous systems.

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Gambogenic acid mediated apoptosis through the mitochondrial oxidative stress and inactivation of Akt signaling pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 cells

European Journal of Pharmacology ◽

10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.11.018 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 652 (1-3) ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Fenggen Yan ◽

Mei Wang ◽

Hui Chen ◽

Jingjing Su ◽

Xiaoshan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress ◽

Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

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HSP20 Exerts a Protective Effect on Preeclampsia by Regulating Function of Trophoblast Cells Via Akt Pathways

Reproductive Sciences ◽

10.1177/1933719118802057 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (7) ◽

pp. 961-971 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fanfan Li ◽

Yin Xie ◽

Yuanyuan Wu ◽

Mengzhou He ◽

Meitao Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Extravillous Trophoblast ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Trophoblast Cells ◽

Heat Shock Protein 20 ◽

Apoptosis Index ◽

Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽

Associated Proteins

Preeclampsia (PE) remains the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Excessive apoptosis of the placenta and poor remodeling of spiral arteries caused by insufficient invasion of trophoblast cells into uterus have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PE. Accumulating evidence showed that heat shock protein 20 (HSP20) is closely associated with the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of tumor cells. However, little is known about whether HSP20 plays a role in the development of PE. In this study, we detected the apoptosis index and the expressions of HSP20 and apoptosis-associated proteins in the placentas from PE and normal pregnancies. We found that HSP20 was reversely related to the apoptosis rate and the levels of proapoptotic proteins. Moreover, we identified that HSP20 could suppress the proliferation and apoptosis of trophoblast cells, turning them into a more invasive phenotype. Additionally, H2O2-induced oxidative stress was significantly alleviated, and several key proteins on the Akt signaling pathway were upregulated in HSP20-overexpressing trophoblast cells. These findings strongly suggested that HSP20 might play a role in the remodeling of spiral arteries through affecting the invasiveness of extravillous trophoblast cells via Akt signaling pathway, and the dysregulation of it might contribute to the pathophysiology of PE.

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