scholarly journals STX2 Promotes Trophoblast Growth, Migration, and Invasion Through Activation of the PI3K-AKT Pathway in Preeclampsia

Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Xian-li Sun ◽  
Chun-ling Ma ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Ying Zhan ◽  
...  

ObjectivesAbnormal trophoblast behaviors during pregnancy contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE). Syntaxin2 (STX2) has been shown to be a crucial epithelial mediator in numerous diseases. However, the functions of STX2 and the mechanisms underlying its role in PE remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the role of STX2 on trophoblast biology and unravel the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of PE.Materials and MethodsWe first compared the expression of STX2 in placental tissues from women with PE and women with normal pregnancies. Then, we investigated the role of STX2 on trophoblast proliferation, migration and invasion in HTR-8/SVneo and primary human trophoblast cells by loss or gain of function experiments. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation, pulldown and immunofluorescence assays were performed to investigate the co-localization of STX2 with other proteins, and to help clarify the mechanisms underlying STX2-mediated functions on trophoblasts.ResultsWe demonstrated that STX2 expression was downregulated in placental tissues of women with PE compared with those from normal pregnancies. Loss and gain of function experiments further confirmed a role for STX2 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion in trophoblasts. By co-immunoprecipitation, pulldown and immunofluorescence co-localization assays, we revealed that STX2 selectively interacted with p85, a subunit of PI3K, and directly recruited p85 to the cytomembrane, thereby activating the AKT signaling pathway. We further demonstrated that the AKT activation was abolished by the use of a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), which negatively affected STX2-mediated functions on trophoblasts.ConclusionAll together, our findings point to a crucial role for STX2 in PE progression. Our new insights also suggest that STX2 may be a potential diagnostic tool and a novel therapeutic target for treating PE.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqing Fan ◽  
Haoran Yang ◽  
Chenggang Zhao ◽  
Lizhu Hu ◽  
Delong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A large number of preclinical studies have shown that local anesthetics have a direct inhibitory effect on tumor biological activities, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion. There are few studies on the role of local anesthetics in cancer stem cells. This study aimed to determine the possible role of local anesthetics in glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods The effects of local anesthetics in GSCs were investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays (i.e., Cell Counting Kit 8, spheroidal formation assay, double immunofluorescence, western blot, and xenograft model). The acyl-biotin exchange method (ABE) assay was identified proteins that are S-acylated by zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys-type palmitoyltransferase 15 (ZDHHC15). Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer-mass spectrometry assays were used to explore the mechanisms of ZDHHC15 in effects of local anesthetics in GSCs. Results In this study, we identified a novel mechanism through which local anesthetics can damage the malignant phenotype of glioma. We found that local anesthetics prilocaine, lidocaine, procaine, and ropivacaine can impair the survival and self-renewal of GSCs, especially the classic glioblastoma subtype. These findings suggest that local anesthetics may weaken ZDHHC15 transcripts and decrease GP130 palmitoylation levels and membrane localization, thus inhibiting the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling. Conclusions In conclusion, our work emphasizes that ZDHHC15 is a candidate therapeutic target, and local anesthetics are potential therapeutic options for glioblastoma.


Author(s):  
Meiyuan Jin ◽  
Shouying Xu ◽  
Jiayong Li ◽  
Lu Li ◽  
Chao Tang

2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Jae Chang Lee ◽  
Sung Ae Koh ◽  
Kyung Hee Lee ◽  
Jae-Ryong Kim

Introduction: Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is elevated in several types of cancers. However, the role of BAG3 in progression of gastric cancer is unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to find out the role of BAG3 in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)–mediated tumor progression and the molecular mechanisms by which HGF regulates BAG3 expression. Methods: BAG3 mRNA and protein were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in the 2 human gastric cancer cell lines, NUGC3 and MKN28, treated with or without HGF. The effects of BAG3 knockdown on cell proliferation, cell invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the in vitro 2-chamber invasion assay, and flow cytometry in BAG3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)–transfected cells and control cells. The signaling pathways involved in BAG3 that are regulated by HGF were analyzed. The chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to determine binding of Egr1 to the BAG3 promoter. Results: BAG3 mRNA and protein levels were increased following treatment with HGF. HGF-mediated BAG3 upregulation increased cell proliferation and cell invasion; however, it decreased apoptosis. HGF-mediated BAG3 upregulation is regulated by an ERK and Egr1-dependent pathway. BAG3 may have an important role in HGF-mediated cell proliferation and metastasis in gastric cancer through an ERK and Egr1-dependent pathway. Conclusion: This pathway may provide novel therapeutic targets and provide information for further identification of other targets of therapeutic significance in gastric cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lv ◽  
Qiyi Yi ◽  
Ying Yan ◽  
Fengmei Chao ◽  
Ming Li

Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2), a transporter of S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), has been reported to mediate immune response, vascular development, and pathologic processes of diseases such as cancer via S1P signaling pathways. However, its biological functions and expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) is elusive. In this study, we disclosed that SPNS2 expression, which was regulated by copy number variation and DNA methylation of its promoter, was dramatically upregulated in colon adenoma and CRC compared to normal tissues. However, its expression was lower in CRC than in colon adenoma, and low expression of SPN2 correlated with advanced T/M/N stage and poor prognosis in CRC. Ectopic expression of SPNS2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in CRC cell lines, while silencing SPNS2 had the opposite effects. Meanwhile, measuring the intracellular and extracellular level of S1P after overexpression of SPNS2 pinpointed a S1P-independent model of SPNS2. Mechanically, SPNS2 led to PTEN upregulation and inactivation of Akt. Moreover, AKT inhibitor (MK2206) abrogated SPNS2 knockdown-induced promoting effects on the migration and invasion, while AKT activator (SC79) reversed the repression of migration and invasion by SPNS2 overexpression in CRC cells, confirming the pivotal role of AKT for SPNS2’s function. Collectively, our study demonstrated the suppressor role of SPNS2 during CRC metastasis, providing new insights into the pathology and molecular mechanisms of CRC progression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guosen Wang ◽  
Weiwei Sheng ◽  
Jingtong Tang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Jianping Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Serine-arginine protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) is aberrantly expressed in human malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms, and the role of SRPK2 in chemosensitivity remains unexplored in CRC. We recently showed that SRPK2 promotes pancreatic cancer progression by down-regulating Numb and p53. Therefore, we investigated the cooperation between SRPK2, Numb and p53 in the cell migration, invasion and chemosensitivity of CRC in vitro. Here, we showed that SRPK2 expression was higher in CRC tumors than in nontumor tissues. SRPK2 expression was positively associated with clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients, including tumor differentiation, T stage, N stage and UICC stage. Additionally, SRPK2 had no association with mutant p53 (mtp53) in SW480 and SW620 cells, but negatively regulated Numb and wild-type p53 (wtp53) in response to 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin treatment in HCT116 cells. Moreover, SRPK2, Numb and p53 coimmunoprecipitated into a triple complex with or without the treatment of 5-fluorouracil in HCT116 cells, and p53 knockdown reversed the up-regulation of wtp53 induced by SRPK2 silencing with chemical agent treatment. Furthermore, overexpression of SRPK2 increased cell migration and invasion and decreased chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin in HCT116 cells. Conversely, SRPK2 silencing decreased cell migration and invasion and increased chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin, yet these effects could be reversed by p53 knockdown under chemical agent treatment. These results thus reveal a novel role of SRPK2-Numb-p53 signaling in the progression of CRC and demonstrate that SRPK2 is a potential therapeutic target for CRC clinical therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Sun ◽  
Y Ma ◽  
Q Jie ◽  
Q Li

Abstract Study question What is the potential function of Acylglycerol Kinase (AGK) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia(PE). Summary answer AGK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PE by influencing the function of the trophoblast cells. What is known already PE is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The underlying mechanism is still not completely elucidated. Disorder migration, invasion and mitochondria function of trophoblast cells are one of mechanism in preeclampsia. AGK is a subunit of the mitochondrial channel protein complex TIM22, and maintain the stability of mitochondrial structure and function. Studies have shown that AGK is related to the development of various cancers by infecting the cells migration and invasion. It will be interesting to explore the potential function of AGK in the process of early trophoblast development and the pathogenesis of PE. Study design, size, duration Firstly, explore the expression of AGK in PE. Secondly, lentivirus systems was used to generate loss and gain of function models in trophoblast cell line-HTR8/Sneov to study the role of AGK in the pathogenesis of PE. Participants/materials, setting, methods We examined the expression of AGK both in placental tissues from PE patients and normal pregnant patients. Meanwhile, we generated AGK loss and gain of function models in HTR8/Sneov cells by using lentivirus systems. Transwell assays, scratch-wound assays, EDU and plate clone formation assays, cell apoptosis assays, cell cycle assays, ATP concentration, mtDNA level and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the function of AGK in HTR8/Sneov cells model. Main results and the role of chance In this study, AGK was significantly decreased in the extra-villous trophoblast (EVT) cells in placental tissues of PE patients compared with that in control group by immunohistochemistry. And further confirmed the expression of AGK in placental tissues by QPCR, western blot. We demonstrated that knockdown of AGK in HTR8 dramatically decreased the cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It also showed the significantly lower plate clone formation rate in AGK knockdown -HTR8 cells compare with the WT HTR8 cells. While overexpression of AGK in HTR8 dramatically increased the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and higher plate clone formation rate. Further, we demonstrated that AGK regulated the ATP level and mtDNA level in HTR8 cells model. And we found that knockdown AGK decreased the number of mitochondria, and shown the mitochondrial crista disorder, mitochondrial swelling and dissolution and mitochondrial membrane fragmentation. While overexpression AGK increased the number of mitochondria. Limitations, reasons for caution Although we show that AGK played an important role in the function of HTR8, the study of working mechanism of AGK in PE is still very limited. More studies will be performed to explore its underline mechanism. Wider implications of the findings: This study was the first time to explore the role of AGK in PE. It will help us to better understand the pathogenesis of PE, which might be helpful in future application of novel therapeutic targets in PE. Trial registration number Not applicable


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinlan Chen ◽  
Enqing Meng ◽  
Yexiang Lin ◽  
Yujie Shen ◽  
Chengyu Hu ◽  
...  

Background: As we all know, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) affects tumor progression, which has caused a great upsurge in recent years. It can also affect the growth, migration, and invasion of tumors. When we refer to the abnormal expression of lncRNA, we will find it associated with malignant tumors. In addition, lncRNA has been proved to be a key targeted gene for the treatment of some diseases. PART1, a member of lncRNA, has been reported as a regulator in the process of tumor occurrence and development. This study aims to reveal the biological functions, specific mechanisms, and clinical significance of PART1 in various tumor cells. Methods: Through the careful search of PUBMED, the mechanisms of the effect of PART1 on tumorigenesis and development are summarized. Results: On the one hand, the up-regulated expression of PART1 plays a tumor-promoting role in tumors, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer and so on. On the other hand, PART1 is down-regulated in gastric cancer, glioma and other tumors to play a tumor inhibitory role. In addition, PART1 regulates tumor growth mainly by targeting microRNA such as miR-635, directly regulating the expression of proteins such as FUS/EZH2, affecting signal pathways such as the Toll-like receptor pathway, or regulating immune cells. Conclusion: PART1 is closely related to tumors by regulating a variety of molecular mechanisms. In addition, PART1 can be used as a clinical marker for the early diagnosis of tumors and plays an important role in tumor-targeted therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 030006052092535
Author(s):  
Yijun Fan ◽  
Zhen Dong ◽  
Yuchuan Shi ◽  
Shiying Sun ◽  
Bing Wei ◽  
...  

Objective NOD-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain family domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) is involved in the development of cancer. Our objective was to explore the role of NLRC5 in the progression of endometrial cancer (EC). Methods The roles of NLRC5 in migration and invasion of AN3CA EC cells were examined by cell wound-healing assay, Transwell migration, and invasion analysis. Overexpression of NLRC5 was achieved with NLRC5 plasmid, and knockdown of NLRC5 was achieved using small interfering (si)RNA-NLRC5 in AN3CA cells. The expression of NLRC5 was detected by immunohistochemical, western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR. LY294002 was used to inhibit the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway. Results NLRC5 was downregulated in EC tissue compared with normal endometrium. Overexpression of NLRC5 led to upregulation of cell migration and invasion in AN3CA cells and expression of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-9. Inhibition of NLRC5 restricted migration and invasion of AN3CA cells and expression of MMP9. Overexpression of NLRC5 promoted the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by using LY294002 blocked the positive role of NLRC5 in migration and invasion of AN3CA cells and expression of MMP9. Conclusions These results demonstrate that NLRC5 promotes EC progression by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qingmin Chen ◽  
Ludong Tan ◽  
Zhe Jin ◽  
Yahui Liu ◽  
Ze Zhang

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) binds retinoic acid (RA) in the cytoplasm and transports it into the nucleus, allowing for the regulation of specific downstream signal pathway. Abnormal expression of CRABP2 has been detected in the development of several tumors. However, the role of CRABP2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has never been revealed. The current study aimed to investigate the role of CRABP2 in HCC and illuminate the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression of CRABP2 in HCC tissues and cell lines was detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. Our results demonstrated that the expression levels of CRABP2 in HCC tissues were elevated with the tumor stage development, and it was also elevated in HCC cell lines. To evaluate the function of CRABP2, shRNA-knockdown strategy was used in HCC cells. Cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8, EdU staining, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Based on our results, knockdown of CRABP2 by shRNA resulted in the inhibition of tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, followed by increased tumor apoptosis-related protein expression and decreased ERK/VEGF pathway-related proteins expression. CRABP2 silencing in HCC cells also resulted in the failure to develop tumors in vivo. These results provide important insights into the role of CRABP2 in the development and development of HCC. Based on our findings, CRABP2 may be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker, and regulation of CRABP2 in HCC may provide a potential molecular target for the therapy of HCC.


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