Activation and cleavage of SASH1 by caspase-3 mediates an apoptotic response

Blockade of a novel MAP4K4-LATS2-SASH1-YAP1 cascade inhibits tumorigenesis and metastasis in luminal breast cancer

Novel components in the noncanonical Hippo pathway that mediate the growth, metastasis, and drug resistance of breast cancer (BC) cells need to be identified. Here, we showed that expression of SAM and SH3 domain-containing protein 1 (SASH1) is negatively correlated with expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) in a subpopulation of patients with luminal-subtype BC. Downregulated SASH1 and upregulated MAP4K4 synergistically regulated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of luminal-subtype BC cells. The expression of LATS2, SASH1, and YAP1 and the phosphorylation of YAP1 were negatively regulated by MAP4K4, and LATS2 then phosphorylated SASH1 to form a novel MAP4K4-LATS2-SASH1-YAP1 cascade. Dephosphorylation of Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1), YAP1/TAZ nuclear translocation, and downstream transcriptional regulation of YAP1 were promoted by the combined effects of ectopic MAP4K4 expression and SASH1 silencing. Targeted inhibition of MAP4K4 blocked proliferation, cell migration, and ER signaling both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings reveal a novel MAP4K4-LATS2-SASH1-YAP1 phosphorylation cascade, a noncanonical Hippo pathway that mediates ER signaling, tumorigenesis, and metastasis in breast cancer. Targeted intervention with this noncanonical Hippo pathway may constitute a novel alternative therapeutic approach for endocrine-resistant BC.

Carfilzomib relieves pancreatitis-initiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by inhibiting high-temperature requirement protein A1

Pancreatitis is a crucial risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and our previous study had proved high-temperature requirement protein A1 (HTRA1) exacerbates pancreatitis insult; however, the function and mechanism of HTRA1 in pancreatitis-initiated PDAC is still unclear. In the present paper, we clarified the expression of HTRA1 in PDAC using bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry of tissue chip, and found that HTRA1 is significantly upregulated in PDAC. Moreover, the proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion of PANC-1 and SW1990 cells were promoted by overexpression of HTRA1, but inhibited by knockdown of HTRA1. Meanwhile, we found that HTRA1 arrested PANC-1 and SW1990 cells at G2/M phase. Mechanistically, HTRA1 interacted with CDK1 protein, and CDK1 inhibitor reversed the malignant phenotype of PANC-1 and pancreatitis-initiated PDAC activated by HTRA1 overexpression. Finally, we discovered a small molecule drug that can inhibit HTRA1, carfilzomib, which has been proven to inhibit the biological functions of tumor cells in vitro and intercept the progression of pancreatitis-initiated PDAC in vivo. In conclusion, the activation of HTRA1-CDK1 pathway promotes the malignant phenotype of tumor cells by blocking the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, thereby accelerating pancreatitis-initiated PDAC. Carfilzomib is an innovative candidate drug that can inhibit pancreatitis-initiated PDAC through targeted inhibition of HTRA1.

SASH1: A Novel Eph Receptor Partner and Insights into SAM-SAM Interactions

The Eph (erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular) receptor family, the largest subclass of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), plays essential roles in embryonic development and neurogenesis. The intracellular Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) domain presents a critical structural feature that distinguishes Eph receptors from other RTKs and participates in recruiting and binding downstream molecules. This study identified SASH1 (SAM and SH3 domain containing 1) as a novel Eph receptor-binding partner through SAM-SAM domain interactions. Our comprehensive biochemical analyses revealed that SASH1 selectively interacts with Eph receptors via its SAM1 domain, displaying the highest affinity for EphA8. The high-resolution crystal structure of the EphA8-SASH1 complex provided insights into the specific intermolecular interactions between these proteins. Cellular assays confirmed that EphA8 and SASH1 co-localize and co-precipitate in mammalian cells, with cancer mutations (EphA8 R942H or G978D) impairing this interaction. We demonstrated that SAM-SAM interaction is critical for SASH1-mediated regulation of EphA8 kinase activity, shedding new light on the Eph signaling pathway and expanding our understanding of the molecular basis of the tumor suppressor gene SASH1.

The fructose-bisphosphate, Aldolase A (ALDOA), facilitates DNA-PKcs and ATM kinase activity to regulate DNA double-strand break repair

Glucose metabolism and DNA repair are fundamental cellular processes frequently dysregulated in cancer. In this study, we define a direct role for the glycolytic Aldolase A (ALDOA) protein in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. ALDOA is a fructose biphosphate Aldolase that catalyses fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), during glycolysis. Here, we show that upon DNA damage induced by ionising radiation (IR), ALDOA translocates from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, where it partially co-localises with the DNA DSB marker γ-H2AX. DNA damage was shown to be elevated in ALDOA-depleted cells prior to IR and following IR the damage was repaired more slowly. Consistent with this, cells depleted of ALDOA exhibited decreased DNA DSB repair via non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination. In support of the defective repair observed in its absence, ALDOA was found to associate with the major DSB repair effector kinases, DNA-dependent Protein Kinase (DNA-PK) and Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) and their autophosphorylation was decreased when ALDOA was depleted. Together, these data establish a role for an essential metabolic protein, ALDOA in DNA DSB repair and suggests that targeting ALDOA may enable the concurrent targeting of cancer metabolism and DNA repair to induce tumour cell death.

RETRACTED: Tangzhiqing-mediated NRF2 reduces autophagy-dependent ferroptosis to mitigate diabetes-related cognitive impairment neuronal damage

The publisher of Rejuvenation Research officially retracts the article entitled, "Tangzhiqing-mediated NRF2 reduces autophagy-dependent ferroptosis to mitigate diabetes-related cognitive impairment neuronal damage," by Lingyan Qiu, Mr. Kai Chen, Prof. Xu Wang, and Ms. Yun Zhao. (Rejuvenation Res 2023; epub 6 Jun; doi: 10.1089/rej.2023.0013). After the acceptance and Instant Online publication of the paper, the authors were contacted repeatedly regarding their page proofs, and for further clarification of unresolved issues within the paper. All attempts to reach the authors were unsuccessful. Concurrently, the publisher identified a problematic overlap with a paper published in 2023 in Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets.1 This paper was subsequently withdrawn. These troubling details have led the editorial leadership of Rejuvenation Research to lose confidence in the validity of the submission and to retract the paper. All authors were notified of the decision to retract the paper via email. The lead author, Lingyan Qiu, and the corresponding author, Xu Wang, quickly responded and appealed the decision to retract. The appeal was denied. Reference 1. https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/132631. Withdrawn: Experimental study on NRF2 mediated by Chinese medicine tangzhiqing to reduce autophagy-dependent ferroptosis and alleviate neuron damage in HT22 mice with diabetes-related cognitive disorder. 22 June, 2023; DOI: 10.2174/1871530323666230622151649 Diabetes is a chronic condition defined by the body's inability to process glucose. The most common form, diabetes mellitus, reflects the body's insulin resistance, which leads to long-term raised glucose blood levels. These levels can cause oxidative damage, cell stress, and excessive autophagy throughout the body, including the nervous system. Diabetes-related cognitive impairment (DCI) results from chronic elevation of blood glucose, and as diabetes cases continue to rise, so too do comorbidities such as DCI. Although there are medications to address high blood glucose, there are few that can inhibit excessive autophagy and cell death. Therefore, we investigated if the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangzhiqing (TZQ), can reduce the impact of DCI in a high-glucose cell model. We used commercially available kits to evaluate cell viability, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative stress. We found that TZQ treatment increased cell viability, ensured continued mitochondrial activity, and reduced reactive oxygen species. We also found that TZQ functions by increasing NRF2 activity, which decreases the ferroptotic-associated pathways that involve p62, HO-1, and GPX4. Therefore, TZQ should be further investigated for its role in reducing DCI.

The Structural Dynamics, Complexity of Interactions, and Functions in Cancer of Multi-SAM Containing Proteins

SAM domains are crucial mediators of diverse interactions, including those important for tumorigenesis or metastasis of cancers, and thus SAM domains can be attractive targets for developing cancer therapies. This review aims to explore the literature, especially on the recent findings of the structural dynamics, regulation, and functions of SAM domains in proteins containing more than one SAM (multi-SAM containing proteins, MSCPs). The topics here include how intrinsic disorder of some SAMs and an additional SAM domain in MSCPs increase the complexity of their interactions and oligomerization arrangements. Many similarities exist among these MSCPs, including their effects on cancer cell adhesion, migration, and metastasis. In addition, they are all involved in some types of receptor-mediated signaling and neurology-related functions or diseases, although the specific receptors and functions vary. This review also provides a simple outline of methods for studying protein domains, which may help non-structural biologists to reach out and build new collaborations to study their favorite protein domains/regions. Overall, this review aims to provide representative examples of various scenarios that may provide clues to better understand the roles of SAM domains and MSCPs in cancer in general.

Trace Element Interactions, Inflammatory Signaling, and Male Sex Implicated in Reduced Growth Following Excess Oral Iron Supplementation in Pre-Weanling Rats

Iron supplements are frequently provided to infants in high-income countries despite low incidence of iron deficiency. There is growing concern regarding adverse health and development outcomes of excess iron provision in early life. Excess iron may directly damage developing organs through the formation of reactive oxygen species, alter systemic inflammatory signaling, and/or dysregulate trace mineral metabolism. To better characterize the in vivo effects of excess iron on development, we utilized a pre-weanling rat pup model. Lewis rat litters were culled to eight pups (four males and four females) and randomly assigned to daily supplementation groups receiving either vehicle control (CON; 10% w/v sucrose solution) or ferrous sulfate (FS) iron at one of the following doses: 10, 30, or 90 mg iron/kg body weight—FS-10, FS-30, and FS-90, respectively—from postnatal day (PD) 2 through 9. FS-90 litters, but not FS-30 or FS-10, failed to thrive compared to CON litters and had smaller brains on PD 10. Among the groups, FS-90 liver iron levels were highest, as were white blood cell counts. Compared to CON, circulating MCP-1 and liver zinc were increased in FS-90 pups, whereas liver copper was decreased. Growth defects due to excess FS provision in pre-weanling rats may be related to liver injury, inflammation, and altered trace mineral metabolism.

Apoptotic caspase inhibits innate immune signaling by cleaving NF-κBs in both Mammals and Flies

Host organisms use different innate immune mechanisms to defend against pathogenic infections, while tight control of innate immunity is essential for proper immune induction and balance. Here, we reported that apoptotic induction or caspase-3 overexpression caused dramatic reduction of differently triggered cytokine signalings in human cells, murine primary cells and mouse model, while the loss of caspase-3 or inhibiting apoptosis markedly enhances these immune signalings. Furthermore, caspase-3 can mediate the cleavage of NF-κB members p65/RelA, RelB, and c-Rel via its protease activity. And the caspase-3-resistant p65/RelA, RelB, or c-Rel mutant mostly restored the caspase-3-induced suppression of cytokine production. Interestingly, we further uncovered that apoptotic induction also dramatically inhibited Toll immune signaling in Drosophila, and the Drosophila effector caspases, drICE and DCP-1, also mediated the degradation of DIF, the NF-κB of Toll signaling. Together, our findings demonstrate apoptotic effector caspases, including mammalian caspase-3 and fly drICE/DCP-1, can function as repressors of NF-κB-mediated innate immune signalings.

Biosensors for Caspase-3: From chemical methodologies to biomedical applications

Caspase-3 plays irreplaceable roles in apoptosis and related diseases. An imbalance in the measured levels of Caspase-3 is implicated in irreversible apoptosis. Therefore, the detection of Caspase-3 is of great significance for apoptosis imaging and the evaluation effect of early tumor treatment and other diseases. Herein, advances in the recent innovations of Caspase-3 response fluorescence biosensors, including molecular probes and nanoprobes, are systematically summarized in sections corresponding. The performances of various luminescence probes in Caspase-3 detection are discussed intensively in the design strategy of chemical structure, response mechanism and biological application. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of the design of new Caspase-3 responsive fluorescence probes for apoptosis imaging, or similar molecular event are proposed.

The emerging and diverse roles of the SLy/SASH1-protein family in health and disease-Overview of three multifunctional proteins

Intracellular adaptor proteins are indispensable for the transduction of receptor-derived signals, as they recruit and connect essential downstream effectors. The SLy/SASH1-adaptor family comprises three highly homologous proteins, all of them sharing conserved structural motifs. The initial characterization of the first member SLy1/SASH3 (SH3 protein expressed in lymphocytes 1) in 2001 was rapidly followed by identification of SLy2/HACS1 (hematopoietic adaptor containing SH3 and SAM domains 1) and SASH1/SLy3 (SAM and SH3 domain containing 1). Based on their pronounced sequence similarity, they were subsequently classified as one family of intracellular scaffold proteins. Despite their obvious homology, the three SLy/SASH1-members fundamentally differ with regard to their expression and function in intracellular signaling. On the contrary, growing evidence clearly demonstrates an important role of all three proteins in human health and disease. In this review, we systematically summarize what is known about the SLy/SASH1-adaptors in the field of molecular cell biology and immunology. To this end, we recapitulate current research about SLy1/SASH3, SLy2/HACS1, and SASH1/SLy3, with an emphasis on their similarities and differences.

miR‑18a‑5p promotes melanoma cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis and autophagy by targeting EPHA7 signaling

Micro (mi)RNAs serve crucial roles in cancer development although little is known about their cellular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of melanoma. The present study explored the regulatory roles of miR-18a-5p in melanoma cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy, in addition to its target gene in melanoma cells. miRNA and ephrin receptor A7 (EPHA7) mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were performed to examine the cell proliferation rate. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were performed to investigate cell apoptosis. Western blotting was used to estimate the abundance of proteins. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay verified the binding of miRNA with target gene sequences. Melanoma tissues and cell lines exhibited markedly elevated miR-18a-5p expression. miR-18a-5p inhibitor inhibited proliferation rates, and triggered apoptosis and autophagy marker protein expression in WM266-4 and A375 cells. It also negatively regulated EPHA7 expression in WM266-4 and A375 cells by directly binding at the 3′-untranslated region of EPHA7. miR-18a-5p mimics reversed the EPHA7 overexpression-induced suppression of proliferation, and the EPHA7 overexpression-induced promotion of apoptosis and autophagy. miR-18a-5p triggered proliferation of melanoma cells and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy by directly targeting and inhibiting EPHA7 expression. Thus, the present study aided our understanding of miRNA-mediated melanoma pathogenesis.

SASH1 is a prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer

SASH1 (SAM and SH3 domain-containing protein 1) is a tumor suppressor protein that has roles in key cellular processes including apoptosis and cellular proliferation. As these cellular processes are frequently disrupted in human tumours and little is known about the role of SASH1 in the pathogenesis of the disease, we analysed the prognostic value of SASH1 in non-small cell lung cancers using publicly available datasets. Here, we show that low SASH1 mRNA expression is associated with poor survival in adenocarcinoma. Supporting this, modulation of SASH1 levels in a panel of lung cancer cell lines mediated changes in cellular proliferation and sensitivity to cisplatin. The treatment of lung cancer cells with chloropyramine, a compound that increases SASH1 protein concentrations, reduced cellular proliferation and increased sensitivity to cisplatin in a SASH1-dependent manner. In summary, compounds that increase SASH1 protein levels could represent a novel approach to treat NSCLC and warrant further study.

Expression of SASH1 in Preeclampsia and Its Effects on Human Trophoblast

Aim

To explore the involvement of SASH1 in preeclampsia.

Methods

Expression of SASH1 was determined by qPCR, WB, and immunohistochemistry in the placenta of both normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. The SASH1 gene of human HTR-8/SVneo cells was overexpressed by transfection of pEZ-Lv206-SASH1. After that, the CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to examine the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.

Results

Higher expression of SASH1 was detected in placental tissues collected from patients with preeclampsia, compared with those from gestational age-matched control samples. The expression of SASH1 was significantly enhanced by transfection with pEZ-Lv206-SASH1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells. In addition, the HTR-8/SVneo cells transfected with pEZ-Lv206-SASH1 exhibited significantly reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion ability compared to the cells in the empty vector group and normal group. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that the apoptosis rate of cells transfected with pEZ-Lv206-SASH1 was significantly higher than that of cells transfected with empty vector and untreated cells.

Conclusions

SASH1 is significantly upregulated in the placenta of preeclampsia, and overexpression of SASH1 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion, but induce apoptosis of trophoblast cells in vitro.

Identification of the Nrf2 in the fathead minnow muscle cell line: role for a regulation in response to H2O2 induced the oxidative stress in fish cell

The Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) plays a central role in cell protection against a wide variety of environmental stressors through the Nrf2-Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) pathway, but its involvement in modulation of antioxidant system of fish cell is still largely unexplored. The present study focused on the molecular cloning and silencing of the Nrf2 in the fathead minnow muscle cell line (FHM) in response to the oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂. A full-length cDNA of coding Nrf2 was cloned from FHM cells by RT-PCR and RACE approaches. The obtained cDNA covered 2578 bp with an open reading frame (1770 bp) of encoding 589 amino acids. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed a high degree of conservation (51-86%) among 16 fishes. Based on the cloned Nrf2 sequence, the siRNA-242 of targeting Nrf2 with the best knocking down efficiency was designed and detected. Then, the mRNA levels of Keap1, Nrf2, Maf (musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene), and HO-1 (haemoxygenase-1); the activities of T-SOD (total superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GSH-PX (glutathione peroxidase); the levels of GSH (glutathione) and MDA (malonaldehyde); and the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed to investigate the molecular responses after H₂O₂ exposure. These results showed a coordinated transcriptional regulation of Keap1, Maf, and HO-1 and antioxidants (T-SOD, GSH, CAT, and GSH-PX) and MDA levels after H₂O₂ exposure, leading to oxidative damage and apoptosis. These findings provided an insight to understand the mechanisms of Nrf2 against oxidative stress in fish.

SASH1 suppresses triple-negative breast cancer cell invasion through YAP-ARHGAP42-actin axis

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is extremely aggressive and lacks effective therapy. SAM and SH3 domain containing1 (SASH1) has been implicated in TNBC as a candidate tumor suppressor; however, the mechanisms of action of SASH1 in TNBC remain underexplored. Here, we show that SASH1 was significantly downregulated in TNBC patients samples compared with other subtypes of breast cancer. Ectopic SASH1 expression inhibited, while depletion of SASH1 enhanced, the invasive phenotype of TNBC cells, accompanied by deregulated expression of MMP2 and MMP9. The functional effects of SASH1 depletion were confirmed in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane and mouse xenograft models. Mechanistically, SASH1 knockdown downregulated the phosphorylation levels of the Hippo kinase LATS1 and its effector YAP (Yes associated protein), thereby upregulating YAP accumulation together with its downstream target CYR61. Consistently, forced SASH1 expression exhibited opposite effects. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP or knockdown of YAP reversed the enhanced cell invasion of TNBC cells following SASH1 depletion. Furthermore, SASH1-induced YAP signaling was LATS1-dependent, which in reverse enhanced phosphorylation of SASH1. The SASH1 S407A mutant (phosphorylation deficient) failed to rescue the altered YAP signaling by SASH1 knockdown. Notably, SASH1 depletion upregulated ARHGAP42 levels via YAP-TEAD and the YAP-ARHGAP42-actin axis contributed to SASH1-regulated TNBC cell invasion. Therefore, our findings uncover a new mechanism for the tumor-suppressive activity of SASH1 in TNBC, which may serve as a novel target for therapeutic intervention.

MicroRNA-141 participates in milk lipid metabolism by targeting SIRT1 in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Context The regulation of milk lipids is important for the evaluation of dairy cows’ performance. Lipids are produced and secreted by mammary gland under the regulation of steroid hormones, growth factors and microRNAs (miRNAs). MicroRNAs have been verified to be involved in numerous biological processes. Previous studies have shown that miR-141 is expressed at higher levels in dairy cows at peak lactation than in those at early lactation. However, the roles of miR-141 in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and the mechanisms how it affects lipid metabolism are as yet unknown. Aims The aims of this study were to clarify (i) the molecular mechanisms of miR-141 in milk lipid metabolism, and (ii) how miR-141 affects milk lipid metabolism in BMECs. Methods Triglycerides were observed in BMECs using triglyceride analysis after overexpression or inhibition of miR-141; selected potential candidate genes that are targeted by miR-141 using TargetScan. The regulatory relationship among miR-141, SIRT1 gene and lipid metabolism-related genes (SREBF1, FASN and PPARγ) by using the dual luciferase assay, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Key results Through overexpression or inhibition of miR-141 expression, we found that miR-141 promoted lipid metabolism in BMECs and an increase in triglycerides was observed in these cells. Further, miR-141 targets the 3′UTR of SIRT1 mRNA, and negative regulates the expression of SIRT1 gene in BMECs. Also, the expression levels of SREBF1, FASN and PPARγ, which are related to milk lipid metabolism, were also altered after overexpression miR-141. Conclusions Our results have revealed that miR-141 could promote milk lipid metabolism in BMECs by means of negative regulates SIRT1 gene and positive effects lipid metabolism-related genes (SREBF1, FASN and PPARγ) in BMECs. Implications Our research indicates that miR-141 could be considered a marker in cattle breeding to obtain high quality dairy products. It would be useful to study the function of miRNAs in milk lipid metabolism and synthesis. In the long term these findings might be helpful in developing practical means to improve the quality of ruminant milk.

Notoginsenoside R1 protects human keratinocytes HaCaT from LPS-induced inflammatory injury by downregulation of Myd88

Burn injury is a gigantic challenge in public health which brings multiple negative effects to patients both in physical and spiritual aspects. Inflammation plays vital roles in the progression of burn injury, and our study investigated whether notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) alleviated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human keratinocyte HaCaT cell inflammatory injury. Inflammatory injury was induced by LPS in HaCaT cells. Stimulated cells were then treated by NGR1 in different concentrations. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The accumulated levels of apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3 and caspase-9), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signal pathways–related proteins (p65, IκBα, and p38MAPK), and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) were examined by western blot. Transfection was used to alter the expression of MyD88. We found that LPS stimulated HaCaT cells and induced cell inflammation, evidenced by decreasing cell viability, increasing cell apoptosis, and elevating TNF-α and IL-6 expressions. Then, we found that NGR1 reversed the results by enhancing cell viability, inhibiting cell apoptosis, and reducing TNF-α and IL-6 expressions. In addition, NGR1 decreased the phosphorylation of p65, IκBα, and p38MAPK, which increased by LPS. Moreover, NGR1 negatively regulated the expression of MyD88, and transfection with pMyD88 led to the opposite results with what showed by NGR1 in LPS-stimulated HaCaT cells. To sum up, NGR1 alleviates LPS-induced HaCaT cell inflammatory injury by downregulation of MyD88, as well as inactivation of NF-κB and p38MAPK signal pathways.

Follicle-stimulating hormone inhibits cervical cancer via NF-κB pathway

Background

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has multiple biological functions. It is currently considered that FSH can inhibit cervical cancer, and our aim was to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Materials and methods

An in vivo experiment using nude mice injected with HeLa cells was performed. Flow cytometry, western blotting, and real-time quantitative PCR analyses were done.

Results

Twenty one days after injection of HeLa cells, the subcutaneous tumor mass was significantly lower (P<0.01) in mice treated with 20 mIU/mL FSH, but did not disappear. In vitro observations indicated that FSH might inhibit cell proliferation and activate cell apoptosis to induce the reduction of HeLa cells. The mRNA and protein levels of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Caspase 3 changed accordingly as expected in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, FSH inactivated the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in subcutaneous tumors; the NF-κB(p65) activity in HeLa cells was significantly decreased using 20 mIU/mL FSH and was increased when FSH was administered along with lipopolysaccharide, accompanied by the same change of cell number. Further, FSH accelerated protein kinase A (PKA) activity, but inactivated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) activity. Specific inhibition of PKA and/or GSK-3β provided in vitro evidence that directly supported the FSH-mediated inhibition of GSK-3β to inactivate NF-κB via the promotion of PKA activity.

Conclusion

Our data are the first description of the molecular regulatory mechanisms of FSH-mediated inhibition of the development of cervical cancer by decreasing the cell cycle and activating cell apoptosis via the PKA/GSK-3β/NF-κB pathway.

The coordinated effects of Apatinib and Tripterine on the proliferation, invasiveness and apoptosis of human hepatoma Hep3B cells

As a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Apatinib has exhibited antitumor effects in a variety of solid tumors. Extracts of Chinese herbal medicines have emerged as a promising alternative option to increase the sensitivity of patients to chemotherapeutics while alleviating side effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Apatinib and the traditional Chinese herb Tripterine on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of human hepatoma Hep3B cells. The expression of VEGFR-2 in Hep3B cells was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Hep3B cells were then divided into four different groups: Control group, Apatinib group, Tripterine group and Apatinib plus Tripterine group. The proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of these four groups of Hep3B cells were assessed by MTS, wound healing and Transwell assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. Finally, the levels of the proliferation-associated proteins phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and the apoptosis-associated proteins cleaved Caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-associated X protein (Bax) were detected by western blotting. The proliferation, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells were significantly inhibited by Apatinib and Tripterine, compared with the control group (P<0.01). The inhibitory effect of the combination group was markedly stronger than that of the Apatinib and Tripterine groups. The downregulation of p-Akt and p-ERK induced by Apatinib and Tripterine was further inhibited in the combination group (P<0.05), and the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Bax were also significantly increased in the combination group (P<0.05). The combination of Apatinib and Tripterine significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion ability and promoted the apoptosis of Hep3B cells by downregulating the expression of p-Akt and p-ERK, and upregulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax.

EBV and Apoptosis: The Viral Master Regulator of Cell Fate?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was first discovered in cells from a patient with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), and is now known to be a contributory factor in 1-2% of all cancers, for which there are as yet, no EBV-targeted therapies available. Like other herpesviruses, EBV adopts a persistent latent infection in vivo and only rarely reactivates into replicative lytic cycle. Although latency is associated with restricted patterns of gene expression, genes are never expressed in isolation; always in groups. Here, we discuss (1) the ways in which the latent genes of EBV are known to modulate cell death, (2) how these mechanisms relate to growth transformation and lymphomagenesis, and (3) how EBV genes cooperate to coordinately regulate key cell death pathways in BL and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Since manipulation of the cell death machinery is critical in EBV pathogenesis, understanding the mechanisms that underpin EBV regulation of apoptosis therefore provides opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions.