Differential Changes in Akt and AMPK Phosphorylation Regulating mTOR Activity in the Placentas of Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Growth Restriction and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus With Large-For-Gestational Age Infants

Background: Dysregulation of placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of pregnancies complicated by idiopathic fetal growth restriction (FGR) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Methods: We obtained placentas from women with normal pregnancies (n = 11) and pregnancies complicated by FGR (n = 12) or GDM with LGA infants (n = 12) to compare the levels of total and phosphorylated forms of Akt, AMPK, TSC2, and mTOR among the three groups and used primary cytotrophoblast cells isolated from 30 normal term placentas to study the effects of oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and increasing glucose concentrations on the changes of these factors in vitro.Results: Placentas from FGR pregnancies had lower phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) levels (P < 0.05), higher p-AMPKα levels (P < 0.01), and lower mTOR phosphorylation (P < 0.05) compared to that of normal pregnant women. Conversely, women with GDM and LGA infants had higher p-Akt (P < 0.001), lower p-AMPKα (P < 0.05), and higher p-mTOR levels (P < 0.05) in the placentas than normal pregnant women. Furthermore, primary cytotrophoblast cells subjected to OGD had lower p-Akt and p-mTOR (both P < 0.05) and higher p-AMPKα levels (P < 0.05) than those cultured under standard conditions, but increasing glucose concentrations had opposite effects on the respective levels. Administering compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, did not significantly affect Akt phosphorylation but partially reversed mTOR phosphorylation. Administering LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, decreased p-mTOR levels, but did not change the levels of total and phosphorylated AMPKα.Conclusion: These results suggest that Akt and AMPK are involved in the regulation of trophoblast mTOR activity in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by FGR and GDM with LGA infants.

Metformin abrogates pathological TNF-α-producing B cells through mTOR-dependent metabolic reprogramming in polycystic ovary syndrome

B cells contribute to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Clinically, metformin is used to treat PCOS, but it is unclear whether metformin exerts its therapeutic effect by regulating B cells. Here, we showed that the expression level of TNF-α in peripheral blood B cells from PCOS patient was increased. Metformin used in vitro and in vivo was able to reduce the production of TNF-α in B cells from PCOS patient. Administration of metformin improved mouse PCOS phenotypes induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and also inhibited TNF-α expression in splenic B cells. Further, metformin induced metabolic reprogramming of B cells in PCOS patients, including the alteration in mitochondrial morphology, the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production and glucose uptake. In DHEA-induced mouse PCOS model, metformin altered metabolic intermediates in splenic B cells. Moreover, the inhibition of TNF-α expression and metabolic reprogramming in B cells of PCOS patients and mouse model by metformin were associated with decreased mTOR phosphorylation. Together, TNF-α-producing B cells are involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS, and metformin inhibits mTOR phosphorylation and affects metabolic reprogramming, thereby inhibiting TNF-α expression in B cells, which may be a new mechanism of metformin in the treatment of PCOS.

Neuregulin 4 Downregulation Induces Insulin Resistance in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes through Inflammation and Autophagic Degradation of GLUT4 Vesicles

The adipokine Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) protects against obesity-induced insulin resistance. Here, we analyze how the downregulation of Nrg4 influences insulin action and the underlying mechanisms in adipocytes. Validated shRNA lentiviral vectors were used to generate scramble (Scr) and Nrg4 knockdown (KD) 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Adipogenesis was unaffected in Nrg4 KD adipocytes, but there was a complete impairment of the insulin-induced 2-deoxyglucose uptake, which was likely the result of reduced insulin receptor and Glut4 protein. Downregulation of Nrg4 enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Anti-inflammatory agents recovered the insulin receptor, but not Glut4, content. Proteins enriched in Glut4 storage vesicles such as the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP) and Syntaxin-6 as well as TBC1D4, a protein involved in the intracellular retention of Glut4 vesicles, also decreased by Nrg4 KD. Insulin failed to reduce autophagy in Nrg4 KD adipocytes, observed by a minor effect on mTOR phosphorylation, at the time that proteins involved in autophagy such as LC3-II, Rab11, and Clathrin were markedly upregulated. The lysosomal activity inhibitor bafilomycin A1 restored Glut4, IRAP, Syntaxin-6, and TBC1D4 content to those found in control adipocytes. Our study reveals that Nrg4 preserves the insulin responsiveness by preventing inflammation and, in turn, benefits the insulin regulation of autophagy.

AKT-mTOR Signaling-Mediated Rescue of PRKAG2 R302Q Mutant-Induced Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by Treatment with β-AR Blocker Metoprolol

PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome, as a common form of metabolic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) caused by mutations in PRKAG2 gene, often shows myocardial hypertrophy and abnormal glycogen deposition in cardiomyocytes. However, it remains incurable due to lacking of a management guideline for treatment. Herein, a β1-AR blocker Metoprolol was applied to 5 patients with PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome identified from a PRKAG2 R302Q mutant family, resulting in significantly postponed progression of cardiac hypertrophy. Overexpression of PRKAG2 R302Q in primary cardiomyocytes increased the activity of AMPK, induced cellular hypertrophy and glycogen storage, and promoted the phosphorylation levels of AKT-mTOR signaling. Application of either β1-AR blocker metoprolol or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 to the cardiomyocytes rescued the HCM-like phenotypes induced by PRKAG2 R302Q, including suppression of both AKT-mTOR phosphorylation and AMPK activity. In conclusion, the current study not only determined the mechanism regulating HCM induced by PRKAG2 R302Q mutant, but also demonstrated a therapeutic strategy using β1-AR blocker to treat the patients with PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome.

Anticancer properties of dried-pericarp water extracts of Camellia japonica L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae through regulation of IGFBP-2/mTOR pathway

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of dried-pericarp water extract of fermented C. japonicus (CJ). The dried-pericarp water extracts of CJ were fermented using Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 30 °C and 35 °C. The anticancer activities of both water extracts fermented at 30 °C and 35 °C using A. oryzae against FaDu cells were remarkably changed compared with unfermented dried-pericarp water extract of CJ, which has no anticancer activity. Cleaved-PARP, caspase 3, and apoptotic cells stained with annexin V/PI were significantly increased by treatment with A. oryzae extracts fermented at 30 °C. The insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) protein level and mTOR phosphorylation by A. oryzae fermented extracts (AOFE) were dramatically reduced, and the expression levels of IGFBP-2 and phosphorylated mTOR were significantly increased depending on the glucose concentrations in FaDu cells. These results suggested that the cell viabilities in AOFE were restored as the glucose concentrations increased. Furthermore, it was confirmed LC/MS/MS that the content of gallic acid was increased by fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (5.596 ± 0.1746 μg/mg) compared to the unfermented extract (1.620 ± 0.0432 μg/mg). Based on these results, the anticancer effect of AOFE was achieved through inhibition of the IGFBP-2/mTOR signaling pathway. These results suggest that AOFE may be a potential treatment for head and neck cancer.

Neuroblastoma Cell Death Induced by eEF1A2 Knockdown Is Possibly Mediated by the Inhibition of Akt and mTOR Phosphorylation

Background The protein kinase B/mammalian target of the rapamycin (Akt/mTOR) pathway is one of the most potent prosurvival signaling cascades that is constitutively active in neuroblastoma. The eukaryotic translation elongation factor-1, alpha-2 (eEF1A2) protein has been found to activate the Akt/mTOR pathway. However, there is a lack of data on the role of eEF1A2 in neuroblastoma. The present study investigated the effect of eEF1A2 silencing on the viability of neuroblastoma cells and its possible signaling. Materials and Methods: Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against eEF1A2. After 48 h of transfection, cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay. The mRNA expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and members of the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR pathway was determined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of Akt and mTOR was measured using Western blot analysis. Results: eEF1A2 knockdown significantly decreased the viability of neuroblastoma cells. No significant changes were observed on the expression of p53, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and caspase-3 mRNAs; however, the upregulated trends were noted for the p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. eEF1A2 knockdown significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of both Akt and mTOR. Almost all of the class I (PIK3CA, PIK3CB, and PIK3CD) and all of the class II PI3K genes were slightly increased in tumor cells with eEF1A2 knockdown. In addition, a slightly decreased expression of the Akt2, mTORC1, and mTORC2 was observed. Conclusion: eEF1A2 knockdown induced neuroblastoma cell death, in part through the inhibition of Akt and mTOR, suggesting a potential role of eEF1A2 as a molecular target for neuroblastoma therapy.

Acute Valproate Exposure Induces Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Autophagy with FOXO3a Modulation in SH-SY5Y Cells

Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug found to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy in cancer cell lines. We treated the SH-SY5Y cell line with various concentrations of VPA (1, 5, and 10 mM). The treatment decreased cell viability, ATP production, and mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species production. In addition, the mitochondrial DNA copy number increased after VPA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that the levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins (PGC-1α, TFAM, and COX4) increased, though estrogen-related receptor expression decreased after VPA treatment. Further, VPA treatment increased the total and acetylated FOXO3a protein levels. Although SIRT1 expression was decreased, SIRT3 expression was increased, which regulated FOXO3 acetylation in the mitochondria. Furthermore, VPA treatment induced autophagy via increased LC3-II levels and decreased p62 expression and mTOR phosphorylation. We suggest that VPA treatment induces mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy via changes in FOXO3a expression and posttranslational modification in the SH-SY5Y cell line.

Serine Mutations in Hsp27 abrogate its ability to inhibit p53 dependent apoptosis and Doxorubicin-induced Heart Failure in mice

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) protect the heart from chemotherapeutics-induced heart failure, by inhibiting p53-dependant apoptosis. However, mechanism of such protection has not been elucidated yet. Here we test a hypothesis that serine phosphorylation of sHsps is essential to inhibit the Doxorubicin-induced p53-dependent apoptotic pathway. Three transgenic mice (TG) lines with cardiomyocyte specific overexpression of human heat shock protein 27 (hHsp27), namely, wild type (MHC-hHsp27), S82A single mutant (MHC-mut-hHsp27(S82A) and tri-mutant (MHC-mut-hHsp27(S15A/S78A/S82A)) were generated. TG mice were treated with Dox (6mg/kg body weight; once in a week; 4 weeks) along with age-matched non-transgenic (Non-TG) controls. The Dox-treated MHC-hHsp27 mice showed improved survival and cardiac function (both MRI and echocardiography), in terms of contractility (%EF) and left ventricular inner diameter (LVID), compared to the Dox-treated Non-TG mice. However, both MHC-mut-hHsp27(S82A) and MHC-mut-hHsp27(S82A/S15A/S76A) mutants overexpressing TG mice did not show such a cardioprotection. Furthermore, transactivation of p53 was found to be attenuated only in Dox-treated MHC-hHsp27 mice-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro, as low p53 was detected in the nuclei, not in mutant hHsp27 overexpressing cardiomyocytes. Similarly, only in MHC-hHsp27 overexpressing cardiomyocytes, low Bax, higher mTOR phosphorylation and low apoptotic PARP-1 cleavage (89kDa fragment) were detected. Pharmacological inhibition of p53 was more effective in mutant-TG mice, compared to MHC-hHsp27 mice. We conclude that phosphorylation of overexpressed Hsp27 at S82 and its association with p53 is essential for the overall cardioprotective effect of Hsp27 against Dox-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Only phosphorylated Hsp27 protect the heart by inhibiting p53 transactivation.

Co-treatment With Everolimus, an mTOR-Specific Antagonist, or Downregulation of ELK1 Enhances the Sensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Genistein

Genistein is a natural isoflavone with pharmacological or potentially anti-tumor properties. However, the resistance of cancer cells to genistein remains a major obstacle. This study focused on the mechanism implicated in the resistance of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells to genistein and the mechanism of action. First, key molecules and signaling pathways related to genistein resistance in PC cells were explored using bioinformatics tools. DEP domain containing MTOR interacting protein (DEPTOR), a typical inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, was predicted to be poorly expressed in the genistein-resistant PC cells. Thereafter, genistein-resistant PC cells (Panc-1 and PaCa) were constructed. Altered expression of DEPTOR was introduced in cells, and everolimus (ELM), an mTOR-specific antagonist, was administrated in cells as well to examine their roles in genistein resistance. The cell apoptosis was examined in vitro and in vivo in mouse xenograft tumors. The upstream regulator of DEPTOR was predicted via bioinformatic tools. The bioinformatic analyses showed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated in the setting of DEPTOR downregulation in genistein-resistant PC cells. DEPTOR overexpression reduced the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) of genistein in PC cells and suppressed mTOR phosphorylation, and it increased caspase-3 activity, LDH release and apoptosis in PC cells. ELM treatment enhanced the sensitivity of PC cells to genistein in vitro and it strengthened the tumor-eliminating role of genistein in mice. ETS transcription factor ELK1 (ELK1), a transcription factor that negatively regulated DEPTOR transcription, was suppressed by genistein. Upregulation of ELK1 suppressed DEPTOR transcription and reduced the genistein sensitivity of cells, and it also blocked the genistein-sensitizing roles of ELM in PC cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ELK1 reduces DEPTOR transcription, leading to mTOR phosphorylation and the drug resistance of PC cells.

Abstract 09: Mtor Inhibition Decreases Ligand-induced Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation

Introduction: ULK1 phosphorylates the MR at S843, decreasing its ligand binding and transcriptional activity. Angiotensin II-induced mTOR phosphorylation of ULK1 inactivates ULK1, preventing its phosphorylation of MR. Aim: Further elucidate the role of mTOR in the regulation of MR transcriptional activity. Methods: M1 mouse cortical collecting duct cells stably transduced with the rat MR cDNA and a MMTV- Gaussia luciferase reporter gene, were incubated with an mTOR activator and several inhibitors, +/- aldosterone or corticosterone. Similar studies were done after lentiviral transduction of CRISPR/gRNA for raptor and rictor genes or mutated MR (mu/S843A) cDNA. Results: mTOR inhibition significantly decreased ligand activation of the MR reporter gene, while the mTOR activator MHY1485 had no effect suggesting that mTOR is tonically active. MR activation induced by aldosterone and corticosterone was also decreased by CRISPR/gRNA gene knockdown of raptor and rictor, the adaptors of mTOR complex 1 and 2, respectively, supporting a role for mTOR. The mTOR inhibitor AZD8055 (AZD) reduced phospho-ULK1 and attenuated ligand-mediated MR transactivation in a dose-dependent manner. The ULK1 inhibitor MRT68921 increased MR transactivation. We speculated that mTOR decreased ULK1 activity by phosphorylating it, thereby preventing ULK1 phosphorylation of the MR at Serine (S843). However, when M1 cells were transduced with an MR cDNA in which S843 was replaced with Alanine that cannot be phosphorylated, ligand-induced activation of the mu/S843A MR was still decreased by AZD, but unchanged by MRT68921. This suggests that mTOR has an additional effect on MR activity unrelated to ULK1 activity. AZD also decreased P70S6K and AKT phosphorylation in these cells. Conclusions: mTOR phosphorylation of ULK1 prevents its phosphorylation of the MR and reduction of MR transcriptional activity. mTOR inhibitors and deletion of raptor and rictor decreased MR transcriptional activity. mTOR has additional positive effects on MR activity possibly related to its phosphorylation of AKT and P70S6K. Inhibition of mTOR action may be a useful target for mitigating excessive MR activation.