scholarly journals N-Phenyl Cinnamamide Derivatives Protect Hepatocytes against Oxidative Stress by Inducing Cellular Glutathione Synthesis via Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Like 2 Activation

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027
Author(s):  
Sou Hyun Kim ◽  
Minwoo Kim ◽  
Doyoung Kwon ◽  
Jae Sung Pyo ◽  
Joo Hyun Kim ◽  
...  

Substituted N-phenyl cinnamamide derivatives were designed and synthesized to confirm activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway by the electronic effect on beta-position of Michael acceptor according to introducing the R1 and R2 group. Compounds were screened using the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven luciferase reporter assay. Compound 1g showed desirable luciferase activity in HepG2 cells without cell toxicity. mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2/ARE target genes such as NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, hemeoxygenase-1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) were upregulated by compound 1g in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with 1g resulted in increased endogenous antioxidant glutathione, showing strong correlation with enhanced GCLC expression for synthesis of glutathione. In addition, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-generated reactive oxygen species were significantly removed by 1g, and the results of a cell survival assay in a t-BHP-induced oxidative cell injury model showed a cytoprotective effect of 1g in a concentration dependent manner. In conclusion, the novel compound 1g can be utilized as an Nrf2/ARE activator in antioxidative therapy.

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
G-L Hong ◽  
Q-Q Cai ◽  
J-P Tan ◽  
X-Z Jiang ◽  
G-J Zhao ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the effects of overexpression of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (NRF2) on lung injury in rats exposed to paraquat (PQ) poisoning. Methods: A mifepristone (RU486)-inducible recombinant adenoviral vector carrying the human NRF2 gene (Ad-RUNRF2) was constructed and transfected via airway into the rats 7 days before the administration of RU486. Rats were orally challenged with PQ at 20 mg/kg 24 h after the injection of RU486. On days 0.5, 3 and 21 after PQ poisoning, the expressions of NRF2 and cytokines related to inflammation and oxidation in lung tissue were examined. Results: RU486 remarkably enhanced NRF2 mRNA and NRF2 protein levels in Ad-RUNRF2-transfected rats in a dose-dependent manner ( p < 0.01). PQ stimulated compensatory overexpression of NRF2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) in lungs on days 0.5 and 3 after exposure ( p < 0.05), but depleted the expression of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH), with an increased malondialdehyde (MDA) ( p < 0.05). However, pretreatment with Ad-RUNRF2 and RU486 strongly enhanced the expression levels of NRF2, HO-1, NQO-1, CAT and GSH-Px in the lungs of PQ intoxicated rats, with increased GSH and decreased MDA ( p < 0.05). Pretreatment with Ad-RUNRF2 and RU486 also strongly suppressed the PQ-induced activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and decreased the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, Ad-RUNRF2 and RU486 induction significantly reduced PQ-induced pathological changes in lungs and attenuated lung oedema and protein leakage caused by PQ ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: RU486-induced overexpression of NRF2 in lungs transfected with Ad-RUNRF2 can ameliorate PQ-induced lung injury by the activation of the NRF2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway.


2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 79-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin F. Majdalawieh ◽  
Hyo-Sung Ro

Background: Foam cell formation resulting from disrupted macrophage cholesterol efflux, which is triggered by PPARγ1 and LXRα, is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Sesamin and sesame oil exert anti-atherogenic effects in vivo. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying such effects are not fully understood. Aim: This study examines the potential effects of sesamin (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 μM) on PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity as well as macrophage cholesterol efflux. Methods: PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity are assessed by luciferase reporter assays. Macrophage cholesterol efflux is evaluated by ApoAI-specific cholesterol efflux assays. Results: The 50 μM, 75 μM, and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin up-regulated the expression of PPARγ1 (p< 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and LXRα (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, 75 μM and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin led to 5.2-fold (p < 0.001) and 6.0-fold (p<0.001) increases in PPAR transcriptional activity and 3.9-fold (p< 0.001) and 4.2-fold (p < 0.001) increases in LXR transcriptional activity, respectively, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner via MAPK signaling. Consistently, 50 μM, 75 μM, and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin improved macrophage cholesterol efflux by 2.7-fold (p < 0.001), 4.2-fold (p < 0.001), and 4.2-fold (p < 0.001), respectively, via MAPK signaling. Conclusion: Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sesamin’s anti-atherogenic effects, which seem to be due, at least in part, to its ability to up-regulate PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity, improving macrophage cholesterol efflux. We anticipate that sesamin may be used as a therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15052-e15052
Author(s):  
Yongxia Zhu ◽  
Xinyi Chen ◽  
Qiangsheng Zhang ◽  
Lihong Shi ◽  
Luoting Yu ◽  
...  

e15052 Background: Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) that regulate downstream target genes expression, and then promotes tumor cell proliferation, metastasis and drug resistance. EZH2 also performs some functions in a PRC2-independent manner. Most of reported EZH2 inhibitors are S-adenosyle-methionine (SAM)-competitive inhibitor, and are less selective for EZH2 close homolog EZH1, which resulted in safety concerns and insufficient efficacy. To obtain irreversible EZH2 inhibitor, a novel covalent inhibitor was developed and characterized. Methods: SKLB-0322 and its derivatives were designed, synthesized and confirmed as EZH2 covalent inhibitor by us. The anti-tumor activities of SKLB-0322 were investigated by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and western blot assay. The reversible analog of SKLB-0322 (SKLB-0322’) was used as negative control. Results: SKLB-0322 inhibited EZH2 methyltransferase activity with nanomolar potency, while the inhibitory activities of SKLB-0322’ was reduced. The mass spectrometry (MS) analyses revealed that SKLB-0322 could efficiently forms a single modified covalent adduct. SKLB-0322 displayed noteworthy potency against ovarian cancer cell lines at low micromolar level and reduced the expression level of H3K27me3 in a concentration-dependent manner, which was about 5-fold more active than the reversible negative control SKLB-0322’. Besides, SKLB-0322 caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in A2780 and PA-1 cells. Furthermore, SKLB-0322 induced A2780 and PA-1 cell apoptosis in a time- and concentration- dependent manner. Conclusions: Our data clarified that SKLB-0322 is an EZH2 covalent inhibitor for ovarian cancer therapy which is worthy of further evaluation.


Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (12) ◽  
pp. 4741-4754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Nicola ◽  
Victoria Peyret ◽  
Magalí Nazar ◽  
Jorge Miguel Romero ◽  
Ariel Maximiliano Lucero ◽  
...  

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule involved in a wide variety of cellular physiological processes. In thyroid cells, NO-synthase III-endogenously produced NO reduces TSH-stimulated thyroid-specific gene expression, suggesting a potential autocrine role of NO in modulating thyroid function. Further studies indicate that NO induces thyroid dedifferentiation, because NO donors repress TSH-stimulated iodide (I−) uptake. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the NO-inhibited Na+/I− symporter (NIS)-mediated I− uptake in thyroid cells. We showed that NO donors reduce I− uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, which correlates with decreased NIS protein expression. NO-reduced I− uptake results from transcriptional repression of NIS gene rather than posttranslational modifications reducing functional NIS expression at the plasma membrane. We observed that NO donors repress TSH-induced NIS gene expression by reducing the transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor-κB subunit p65. NO-promoted p65 S-nitrosylation reduces p65-mediated transactivation of the NIS promoter in response to TSH stimulation. Overall, our data are consistent with the notion that NO plays a role as an inhibitory signal to counterbalance TSH-stimulated nuclear factor-κB activation, thus modulating thyroid hormone biosynthesis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Choul Ryu ◽  
Sang Mi Park ◽  
Min Hwangbo ◽  
Sung Hui Byun ◽  
Sae Kwang Ku ◽  
...  

Artemisia apiaceaHance is one of the most widely used herbs for the treatment of malaria, jaundice, and dyspeptic complaint in oriental medicine. This study investigated the effects of methanol extracts ofA. apiaceaHance (MEAH) on the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory mediators by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Raw264.7 macrophage cells and also evaluated thein vivoeffect of MEAH on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. MEAH treatment in Raw264.7 cells significantly decreased LPS-inducible nitric oxide production and the expression of iNOS in a concentration-dependent manner, while MEAH (up to 100 μg/mL) had no cytotoxic activity. Results from immunoblot analyses and ELISA revealed that MEAH significantly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in LPS-activated cells. As a plausible molecular mechanism, increased degradation and phosphorylation of inhibitory-κBαand nuclear factor-κB accumulation in the nucleus by LPS were partly blocked by MEAH treatment. Finally, MEAH treatment decreased the carrageenan-induced formation of paw edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells in rats. These results demonstrate that MEAH has an anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential that may result from the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activation, subsequently decreasing the expression of proinflammatory mediators.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Xie ◽  
liying Zhang ◽  
Hui Shen ◽  
Hang Wu ◽  
Jiulong Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Exogenous antioxidant materials mimicking endogenous antioxidant systems are commonly used for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced injuries. Thus, artificial enzymes have emerged as promising candidates for balancing and treating the dysregulation of redox homeostasis in vivo. Herein, a one-pot hydrothermal strategy for the facile preparation of MoSe2@polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanoparticles (NPs) is reported. The synthesized NPs were biodegradable due to their exposure to oxygen and exhibited high stability. Moreover, they effectively mimicked various naturally occurring enzymes (including catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase) and scavenged free radicals, such as 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ·OH, ·O2−, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. Further apoptosis detection studies revealed that MoSe2@PVP NPs significantly increased the cell survival probability in H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytoprotective effect of MoSe2@PVP NPs was explored for an animal model of acute pancreatitis, which confirmed its remarkable therapeutic efficacy. Owing to the biodegradable and biocompatible nature of MoSe2@PVP NPs, the findings of this work can stimulate the development of other artificial nanoenzymes for antioxidant therapies.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11591
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Guo ◽  
Yapei Zhu ◽  
Lili Yu ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Jing Guo ◽  
...  

Background Ovarian cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy and is difficult to manage due to the emergence of resistance to various chemotherapeutic drugs. New efforts are urgently awaited. Aspirin, which is traditionally considered a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been reported to exert potential chemopreventive effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anticancer effect and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of aspirin on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. Methods We conducted wound healing, transwell migration, EdU cell proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis detection assays to observe the effects of aspirin on the migration, proliferation and apoptosis of EOC cells (A2870, Caov-3, and SK-OV-3). EOC cells were treated with a combination of aspirin and cisplatin (CDDP) to observe the effect of aspirin on enhancing CDDP sensitivity. Orthotopic xenograft models of ovarian cancer established with A2780-Luciferase-GFP cells were applied to compare tumor growth inhibition in the control, CDDP and CDDP plus aspirin groups through in vivo imaging, which can be used to continuously monitor tumor growth. The expression and acetylation levels of p53 in EOC cells treated with aspirin were determined using western blotting, and p53 acetylation levels were examined in tumors harvested from the transplanted mice. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of p53 target genes. Results Aspirin inhibited migration and proliferation and induced apoptosis in EOC cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. In vitro, aspirin enhanced the sensitivity of EOC cells to CDDP by increasing its inhibitory effect on proliferation and its effect on inducing apoptosis. In vivo, the differences in the tumor growth inhibition rates among the different CDDP experimental groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Aspirin did not affect p53 protein expression but increased the p53 acetylation level in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the mRNA levels of CDKN1A, BAX, FOXF1, PUMA, and RRAD in EOC cells were significantly increased by the aspirin treatment. Conclusions Aspirin inhibits tumor progression and enhances the CDDP sensitivity of EOC cells. These antitumor effects of aspirin might be mediated by p53 acetylation and subsequent activation of p53 target genes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Bhatt ◽  
Akshita Gupta ◽  
Latha Rangan ◽  
Anil Mukund Limaye

Karanjin, an abundantly occurring furanoflavonoid in edible and non-edible legumes, exerts diverse biological effects in vivo, and in vitro. Its potential as an anticancer agent is also gaining traction following recent demonstrations of its anti-proliferative, cell cycle inhibitory, and pro-apoptotic effects. However, the universality of its anticancer potential is yet to be scrutinized, particularly so because flavonoids can act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Even the genomic correlates of its biological activities are yet to be examined in hormone responsive cells. This paper presents the early and direct transcriptomic footprint of 10 μM karanjin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, using next generation sequencing technology (RNA-seq). We show that karanjin-modulated gene-expression repertoire is enriched in several hallmark gene sets, which include early estrogen-response, and G2/M checkpoint genes. Genes modulated by karanjin overlapped with those modulated by 1 nM 17β-estradiol (E2), or 1 μM tamoxifen. Karanjin altered the expression of selected estrogen-regulated genes in a cell-type, and concentration dependent manner. It downmodulated the expression of ERα protein in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, ERα knockdown negatively impacted karanjins ability to modulate the expression of selected E2 target genes. Our data suggest that karanjin exerts its effects on ERα-positive breast cancer cells, at least in part, via ERα. The apparent SERM-like effects of karanjin pose a caveat to the anticancer potential of karanjin. In-depth studies on cell-type and concentration-dependent effects of karanjin may bring out its true potential in endocrine therapies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Guanwen Wang ◽  
Lianjie Niu ◽  
Shaorong Zhao ◽  
Jianjun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, rely on the formation of new blood vessel for growth and frequent intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Therefore, it is important to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis of HCC. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to modulate angiogenic processes by modulating the expression of critical angiogenic factors. However, the potential roles of tumor-derived exosomal microRNAs in regulating tumor angiogenesis remain to be elucidated. Methods: MiRNome sequencing was performed to uncover the miRNAs that are dysregulated in HCC patient serum-derived exosomes. Expression levels of miR-1290 in tissues and cells were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of mir-1290 on proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The angiogenic ability of cells were determined by transwell, wound-healing, tube formation and matrigel plug assays. SMMC-7721 xenograft tumor model was established in NOD-SCID nude mice using miR-1290 and NC antagomirs to determin the angiogenic effect of mir-1290 in vivo. Target protein expression was determined by western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the action of miR-1290 on downstream target genes including SMEK1. Results are reported as means ± S.D. and differences were tested for significance using 2-sided Student’s t-test. Results: In this study, our miRNome sequencing demonstrated that miR-1290 was overexpressed in HCC patient serum-derived exosomes, and we found that delivery of miR-1290 into human endothelial cells enhanced their angiogenic ability. Our results further revealed that SMEK1 is a direct target of miR-1290 in endothelial cells. MiR-1290 exerted its pro-angiogenic function, at least in part, by inhibiting the VEGFR2 signaling pathway in a SMEK1-dependent manner. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings provide evidence that miR-1290 is overexpressed in HCC and promotes tumor angiogenesis via exosomal secretion, implicating its potential role as a therapeutic target for HCC.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Altschmied ◽  
Nicole Büchner ◽  
Sascha Jakob ◽  
Sabrina Farrokh ◽  
Christine Goy ◽  
...  

Grainyhead-like 3 (GRHL3) is a member of the evolutionary conserved Grainyhead family of transcription factors. In humans, three isoforms are derived from differential first exon usage and alternative splicing, which differ only in their N-terminus. Isoform 2, the only variant also present in mouse, is required for endothelial cell (EC) migration and protects against apoptosis. The functions of the human specific isoforms 1 and 3, which are derived from an alternatively spliced pre-mRNA, have not yet been investigated, although all three isoforms are expressed in EC. Therefore, we have assessed their effects on EC migration and apoptosis. Overexpression of the two proteins had opposite effects on EC migration, with isoform 1 acting pro-migratory. This protein also protected EC against apoptosis in an eNOS-dependent manner, whereas isoform 3 had no effect. These opposing outcomes with respect to apoptosis EC were corroborated by isoform-specific knockdowns. With reporter assays using a GRHL3-specific luciferase reporter we demonstrated that both are active transcription factors. Microarray analyses revealed that they induce divergent target gene sets in EC. Two validated targets, Akt2 and Mxi1, which are upregulated by isoform1, are regulators of Akt1-, and thus eNOS-phosphorylation and apoptosis, which could explain the effects of this protein on these processes. In vivo, overexpression of isoform 3 in zebrafish embryos resulted in increased lethality and severe deformations, while isoform 1 had no deleterious effect. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the splice variant derived isoforms 1 and 3 of the human transcription factor GRHL3 induce opposing effects in primary human endothelial cells and in a whole animal model, most likely through the induction of different target genes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document