scholarly journals VEGF Mediates Retinal Müller Cell Viability and Neuroprotection through BDNF in Diabetes

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Yun-Zheng Le ◽  
Bei Xu ◽  
Ana J. Chucair-Elliott ◽  
Huiru Zhang ◽  
Meili Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Specific Protein ◽  
Müller Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vascular Abnormalities ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Muller Cell ◽  
Protein Kinase Akt ◽  
Sirna Knockdown ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Dose Dependent

To investigate the mechanism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Müller cell (MC) viability and neuroprotection in diabetic retinopathy (DR), we examined the role of VEGF in MC viability and BDNF production, and the effect of BDNF on MC viability under diabetic conditions. Mouse primary MCs and cells of a rat MC line, rMC1, were used in investigating MC viability and BDNF production under diabetic conditions. VEGF-stimulated BDNF production was confirmed in mice. The mechanism of BDNF-mediated MC viability was examined using siRNA knockdown. Under diabetic conditions, recombinant VEGF (rVEGF) stimulated MC viability and BDNF production in a dose-dependent manner. rBDNF also supported MC viability in a dose-dependent manner. Targeting BDNF receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TRK-B) with siRNA knockdown substantially downregulated the activated (phosphorylated) form of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), classical survival and proliferation mediators. Finally, the loss of MC viability in TrkB siRNA transfected cells under diabetic conditions was rescued by rBDNF. Our results provide direct evidence that VEGF is a positive regulator for BDNF production in diabetes for the first time. This information is essential for developing BDNF-mediated neuroprotection in DR and hypoxic retinal diseases, and for improving anti-VEGF treatment for these blood–retina barrier disorders, in which VEGF is a major therapeutic target for vascular abnormalities.

scholarly journals Biphasic Dose–Response Induced by PCB150 and PCB180 in HeLa Cells and Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 155932582091004
Author(s):  
Ainy Zehra ◽  
Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi ◽  
Abdul Majid Khan ◽  
Tariq Malik ◽  
Zaigham Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Hela Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Genotoxic Effects ◽  
Species Formation ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Dose Dependent

The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and their dose-dependent toxicities studies are not well-established. In this study, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of PCB150 and PCB180 in HeLa cells were studied. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay indicated that the cell proliferation was stimulated at low doses (10−3 and 10−2 µg/mL for 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours) and inhibited at high doses (10 and 15 µg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 hours) for both PCBs. Increase in reactive oxygen species formation was observed in the HeLa cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase showed increased levels at high concentrations of PCBs over the time. Glutathione peroxidase expression was downregulated after PCBs exposure, suggested that both PCB congeners may attributable to cytotoxicity. Comet assay elicited a significant increase in genotoxicity at high concentrations of PCBs as compared to low concentrations indicating genotoxic effects. PCB150 and PCB180 showed decrease in the activity of extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase at high concentrations after 12 and 48 hours. These findings may contribute to understanding the mechanism of PCBs-induced toxicity, thereby improving the risk assessment of toxic compounds in humans.

Involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway in amylin's eating inhibitory effect

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (3) ◽  
pp. R340-R351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina Soares Potes ◽  
Christina Neuner Boyle ◽  
Peter John Wookey ◽  
Thomas Riediger ◽  
Thomas Alexander Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Area Postrema ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Anorectic Effect ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Dose Dependent

Peripheral amylin inhibits eating via the area postrema (AP). Because amylin activates the extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) pathway in some tissues, and because ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK) leads to acute neuronal responses, we postulated that it may be involved in amylin's eating inhibitory effect. Amylin-induced ERK phosphorylation (pERK) was investigated by immunohistochemistry in brain sections containing the AP. pERK-positive AP neurons were double-stained for the calcitonin 1a/b receptor, which is part of the functional amylin-receptor. AP sections were also phenotyped using dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) as a marker of noradrenergic neurons. The effect of fourth ventricular administration of the ERK cascade blocker U0126 on amylin's eating inhibitory action was tested in feeding trials. The number of pERK-positive neurons in the AP was highest ∼10–15 min after amylin treatment; the effect appeared to be dose-dependent (5–20 μg/kg amylin). A portion of pERK-positive neurons in the AP carried the amylin-receptor and 22% of the pERK-positive neurons were noradrenergic. Pretreatment of rats with U0126 decreased the number of pERK-positive neurons in the AP after amylin injection. U0126 also attenuated the ability of amylin to reduce eating, at least when the animals had been fasted 24 h prior to the feeding trial. Overall, our results suggest that amylin directly stimulates pERK in AP neurons in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Part of the AP neurons displaying pERK were noradrenergic. At least under fasting conditions, pERK was shown to be a necessary part in the signaling cascade mediating amylin's anorectic effect.

scholarly journals VEGF Promotes Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Stem-Like Cells through VEGF Receptor 2

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengshi Xu ◽  
Xing Wu ◽  
Jianhong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Glioblastoma Multiforme ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Tumor Initiating Cells ◽  
Atp Assay ◽  
Human Glioblastoma Multiforme ◽  
Human Gbm ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Dose Dependent

Cancer stem-like cells, which have been described as tumor-initiating cells or tumor-propagating cells, play a crucial role in our fundamental understanding of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and its recurrence. GBM is a lethal cancer, characterized by florid vascularization and aberrantly elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF promotes tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of human GBM stem-like cells (GBSCs). However, whether and how VEGF contributes to GBSCs proliferation remain largely uncertain. In this study, human GBSCs were isolated from surgical specimens of glioblastoma and cultured in medium favored for stem cell growth. Neural Colony-Forming Cell Assay and ATP assay were performed to measure GBSC proliferation under normoxia (20% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2). Our observations demonstrate that exogenous VEGF stimulates GBSC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner via VEGF Receptor 2 (VEGFR2); while VEGF Receptor 1 (VEGFR1) has a negative feedback effect on VEGFR2 when cells were exposed to higher concentration of VEGF. These results suggest that suppressing VEGFR2-dependent GBSC proliferation is a potentially therapeutic strategy in GBM.

scholarly journals Tropisetron Protects Against Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury via Suppressing Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Modulating the Activation of JNK/ERK MAPK Pathways

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-Chao Liu ◽  
Hung-Chen Lee ◽  
Chia-Chih Liao ◽  
Allen H. Li ◽  
Huang-Ping Yu
Keyword(s):  
Liver Injury ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Terminal Protein ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Hepatic Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Dose Dependent

Objectives. To investigate the protective effects of tropisetron on acetaminophen- (APAP-) induced liver injury in a mice model.Methods. C57BL/6 male mice were given tropisetron (0.3 to 10 mg/kg) 30 minutes before a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Twenty hours after APAP intoxication, sera alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, hepatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and liver histopathological changes were examined. The MAP kinases were also detected by western blotting.Results. Our results showed that tropisetron pretreatment significantly attenuated the acute elevations of the liver enzyme ALT level, hepatic MPO activity, and hepatocytes necrosis in a dose-dependent manner (0.3–10 mg/kg) in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity mice. Tropisetron (1 and 3 mg/kg) suppressed APAP-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation expression and alleviated GSH and SOD depletion. Administration of tropisetron also attenuated the phosphorylation of c-Jun-NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) caused by APAP.Conclusion. Our data demonstrated that tropisetron’s hepatoprotective effect was in part correlated with the antioxidant, which were mediated via JNK and ERK pathways on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.

scholarly journals Almost nontoxic tetrodotoxin analog, 5,6,11-trideoxytetrodotoxin, as an olfactory chemoattractant for the grass puffer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhisa Noguchi ◽  
Takehisa Suzuki ◽  
Keigo Matsutani ◽  
Ryota Nakahigashi ◽  
Yoshiki Satake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Olfactory Sensory Neurons ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Defense Substance ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Fluorescent Dextran

Toxic puffers contain the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX). Although TTX is considered to serve as a defense substance, previous behavioral studies have demonstrated that TTX (extracted from the ovary) acts as an attractive pheromone for some toxic puffers. To determine the putative pheromonal action of TTX, we examined whether grass puffers (Takifugu alboplumbeus) can detect TTX using electrophysiological, morphological, and behavioral experiments. Electroolfactogram results suggest that the olfactory epithelium of grass puffers responded in a dose-dependent manner to a type of TTX analog (5,6,11-trideoxyTTX), although it did not respond to TTX. We also examined the attractive action of 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX on grass puffers by recording their swimming behavior under dark conditions. Grass puffers preferred to stay on the side of the aquarium where 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX was administered, and their swimming speed decreased. Additionally, odorant-induced labeling of olfactory sensory neurons using a fluorescent dextran conjugate or immunohistochemistry against phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (pERK) revealed that labeled olfactory sensory neurons were localized in the region surrounding "islets" where there was abundant cilia on the olfactory lamella. 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX has been known to accumulate in grass puffers, but its toxicity is much lower (almost nontoxic) than TTX. Our results suggest that grass puffers can detect 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX using their nose and may positively use this functionally unknown TTX analog as an olfactory chemoattractant.

scholarly journals Polyphenols from Broussonetia papyrifera Induce Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells via Inactivation of ERK and AKT Signaling Pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Chen-Zhuo Dou ◽  
Yan-Fen Liu ◽  
Lu-Lu Zhang ◽  
Shao-Hong Chen ◽  
Chuan-Yin Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Broussonetia Papyrifera ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Apoptosis Ratio

The extract of Broussonetia papyrifera has been proved to have antitumor activity. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by polyphenols from Broussonetia papyrifera (PBPs). The results revealed that PBPs inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PBPs increased the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells significantly. PBPs increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) level of HepG2 cells. PBPs induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Western blotting showed that PBPs upregulated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the expression level of Caspase-3, and activated p53 in HepG2 cells. The inhibition of proliferative relative signals (protein kinase B, PKB/AKT) and survival relative signals (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ERK) were also observed in PBP-treated HepG2 cells. Our findings suggest that apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by PBPs is mitochondria-mediated via inactivation of ERK and AKT signaling pathways.

Effect of somatolactin and related hormones on phosphate transport by flounder renal tubule primary cultures

1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (3) ◽  
pp. R577-R582 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lu ◽  
P. Swanson ◽  
J. L. Renfro
Keyword(s):  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Phosphate Transport ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Ussing Chambers ◽  
Cyclic Monophosphate ◽  
Primary Monolayer ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Primary Monolayer Cultures

Winter flounder renal proximal tubule primary monolayer cultures mounted in Ussing chambers were used to determine the effect of salmon somatolactin (sSL) on transepithelial Pi and Ca2+ transport. sSL stimulated Pi reabsorption in a dose-dependent manner at physiological levels of the hormone (12.5 ng/ml). Net Pi transport was significantly altered by sSL (200 ng/ml) within 2 h after the initial exposure. Ca2+ fluxes were unchanged by the addition of 200 ng/ml sSL. The sSL-induced Pi reabsorption was abolished by 10 microM H-89, a highly specific protein kinase A inhibitor. Moreover the production and release of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were significantly increased after 1 and 2 h of exposure to sSL. The data indicate that sSL directly stimulates net renal Pi reabsorption by an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent pathway. In addition to sSL, flounder SL and rat prolactin greatly, and salmon growth hormone (2.3 micrograms/ml) slightly, increased net Pi reabsorptive flux, whereas salmon prolactin had no effect.

Curcumin Induces Cross-Regulation Between Autophagy and Apoptosis in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Li ◽  
Takashi Takeda ◽  
Kenji Tsuiji ◽  
Tze Fang Wong ◽  
Mari Tadakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Uterine Leiomyosarcoma ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase ◽  
Sequestosome 1 ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
Dose Dependent

ObjectiveUterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) has an unfavorable response to standard chemotherapy. A natural occurring compound, curcumin, has been shown to have inhibitory effects on cancers. We previously demonstrated that curcumin reduced uterine LMS cell proliferation by targeting the AKT-mTOR pathway and activating apoptosis. To further explore the anticancer effect of curcumin, we investigated the efficacy of curcumin on autophagy in LMS cells.MethodsCell proliferation in human uterine LMS cell lines, SKN and SK-UT-1, was assessed after exposure to rapamycin or curcumin. Autophagy was detected by Western blotting for light chain 3 and sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) expression. Apoptosis was confirmed by Western blotting for cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).ResultsBoth rapamycin and curcumin potently inhibited SKN and SK-UT-1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin induced autophagy and apoptosis in SKN and SK-UT-1 cells, whereas rapamycin, a specific mTOR inhibitor, did not. Curcumin increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activity in both SKN and SK-UT-1 cells, whereas PD98059, an MEK1 inhibitor, inhibited both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway and curcumin-induced autophagy.ConclusionsThese experimental findings suggest that curcumin is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation in uterine LMS and provide new insights about ongoing signaling events leading to the possible development of a new therapeutic agent.

scholarly journals Levetiracetam Ameliorates L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Hemiparkinsonian Rats Inducing Critical Molecular Changes in the Striatum

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Du ◽  
Shuke Nie ◽  
Guiqin Chen ◽  
Kai Ma ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Abnormal Involuntary Movements ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine ◽  
Long Term Therapy ◽  
Dose Dependent

L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias (LID) remain a major problem of long-term therapy of Parkinson’s disease. Levetiracetam, a new antiepileptic drug, has been shown to reduce LID, but the mechanisms underlying its effects are unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of levetiracetam on key mediators of LID in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. Following chronic administration of L-DOPA (12 mg/kg, twice daily for 14 days), rats developed abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs), but co-administration of levetiracetam (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) with equivalent L-DOPA dosing significantly reduced AIMs scores in a dose dependent manner. The effects of levetiracetam were associated with changes in striatal expression ofΔFosB, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), and phosphorylated cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (p-DARPP-32). These data support that levetiracetam acts at multiple sites in the pathogenetic cascade of LID, and that further understanding of these actions of antiepileptics may contribute to developing new LID therapies.

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