The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway suppresses Bax translocation to mitochondria

E4orf1: The triple agent of adenovirus - Unraveling its roles in oncogenesis, infectious obesity and immune responses in virus replication and vector therapy

Human Adenoviruses (HAdV) are nearly ubiquitous pathogens comprising numerous sub-types that infect various tissues and organs. Among many encoded proteins that facilitate viral replication and subversion of host cellular processes, the viral E4orf1 protein has emerged as an intriguing yet under-investigated player in the complex interplay between the virus and its host. E4orf1 has gained attention as a metabolism activator and oncogenic agent, while recent research is showing that E4orf1 may play a more important role in modulating cellular pathways such as PI3K-Akt-mTOR, Ras, the immune response and further HAdV replication stages than previously anticipated. In this review, we aim to explore the structure, molecular mechanisms, and biological functions of E4orf1, shedding light on its potentially multifaceted roles during HAdV infection, including metabolic diseases and oncogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss the role of functional E4orf1 in biotechnological applications such as Adenovirus (AdV) vaccine vectors and oncolytic AdV. By dissecting the intricate relationships between HAdV types and E4orf1 proteins, this review provides valuable insights into viral pathogenesis and points to promising areas of future research.

The role of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 in cellular signaling: Implications for drug development

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein belonging to the Ser/Thr kinase family. It regulates diverse physiological processes, including epithelial sodium channel activity, hypertension, cell proliferation, and insulin sensitivity. Due to its significant role in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, SGK1 can be exploited as a potential therapeutic target to address challenging health problems. SGK1 is associated with the development of obesity, and its overexpression enhances the sodium-glucose co-transporter 1 activity, which absorbs intestinal glucose. This review highlighted the detailed functional significance of SGK1 signaling and role in different diseases and subsequent therapeutic targeting. We aim to provide deeper mechanistic insights into understanding the pathogenesis and recent advancements in the SGK1 targeted drug development process. Small-molecule inhibitors are being developed with excellent binding affinity and improved SGK1 inhibition with desired selectivity. We have discussed small molecule inhibitors designed explicitly as potent SGK1 inhibitors and their therapeutic implications in various diseases. We further addressed the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of these SGK1 inhibitors and provided a strong scientific foundation for developing effective therapeutics.

Melatonin Exerts an Anti-Panoptoic Role in Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injured Rats

Paraplegia is a serious consequence of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (SCIR) injury, which leads to neuron death and permanent loss of motor function. However, there is no effective treatment for SCIR. Melatonin exerts a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis (PANoptosis) is the primary cause of the massive neural death in SCIR is unknown, and if melatonin exhibits anti-PANoptotic effect in rescuing the disastrous damage is to be decided. This study indicates that melatonin confers neuroprotection in SCIR, attenuating the loss of Nissl body and improving Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores. Specifically, the apoptotic hallmarks in neurons are increased in SCIR injured spinal cord compared to the sham group. The upregulated trend is reversed by melatonin while the effect of melatonin is abolished by the administration of luzindole, a selective melatonin receptor antagonist. Moreover, similar patterns are found in the necroptotic markers in neurons, the pyroptotic indicators, and the interleukin-1β staining in microglia. In conclusion, PANoptosis may underlie the mass neural death and paraplegia in SCIR, and melatonin confers neuroprotection to the spinal cord via inhibiting PANoptosis.

A network pharmacology approach to investigate dehydrocostus lactone inhibits the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human gastric cancer cells via regulating the PI3K/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases/mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways

OBJECTIVES

Dehydrocostus lactone (DHE), a sesquiterpene lactone, has been proven the significant inhibition of multiple cancer cells. However, there are limited reports on the activity of DHE in gastric cancer (GC). In this research, Network pharmacology predicted the anti-GC mechanism of DHE, and the prediction was verified by in-vitro experiments.

METHODS

Network pharmacology confirmed the major effect signalling pathway of DHE in treating GC. Cell viability assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, cell migration and invasion assay, apoptosis assay, western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction verified the mechanism of DHE in GC cell lines.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that DHE inhibited the growth and metastasis of MGC803 and AGS GC cells. Mechanistically, the analysis results indicated that DHE significantly induced the apoptosis process by suppressing the PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) signalling pathway, and inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition by suppressing the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/MAPK signalling pathway. The Akt activator (SC79) inhibited DHE induced apoptosis, and DHE had similar effects with the ERK inhibitor (FR180204).

CONCLUSIONS

All results suggested that DHE was a potential natural chemotherapeutic drug in GC treatment.

Bavachinin Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation via PPARG/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Bavachinin (BVC) is a natural small molecule from the Chinese herb Fructus Psoraleae. It exhibits numerous pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and immunomodulatory properties. BVC may serve as a novel drug candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, the effects and mechanisms of BVC against RA are still unknown. BVC targets were selected by Swiss Target Prediction and the PharmMapper database. RA-related targets were collected from the GeneCards, OMIM, DrugBank, TTD, and DisGeNET databases. PPI network construction and enrichment analysis were conducted by taking the intersection target of BVC targets and RA-related targets. Hub targets were further screened using Cytoscape and molecular docking. MH7A cell lines and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were used to confirm the preventive effect of BVC on RA and its potential mechanism. Fifty-six RA-related targets of BVC were identified through databases. These genes were primarily enriched in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway according to KEGG enrichment analysis. Molecular docking analysis suggested that BVC had the highest binding energy with PPARG. The qPCR and western blotting results showed that BVC promoted the expression of PPARG at both the mRNA level and protein level. Western blotting indicated that BVC might affect MH7A cell functions through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, treatment with BVC inhibited the proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory cytokines in MH7A cells and induced cell apoptosis to a certain extent. In vivo, BVC alleviated joint injury and inflammatory response in CIA mice. This study revealed that BVC may inhibit the proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory cytokines in MH7A cells, as well as cell apoptosis through the PPARG/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for RA therapy.

A Role of PI3K/Akt Signaling in Oocyte Maturation and Early Embryo Development

A serine/threonine-specific protein kinase B (PKB), also known as Akt, is a key factor in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway that regulates cell survival, metabolism and proliferation. Akt phosphorylates many downstream specific substrates, which subsequently control the nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD), centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis. In vertebrates, Akt is also an important player during oogenesis and preimplantation development. In the signaling pathways regulating mRNA translation, Akt is involved in the control of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and thereby regulates the activity of a translational repressor, the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). In this review, we summarize the functions of Akt in mitosis, meiosis and early embryonic development. Additionally, the role of Akt in the regulation of mRNA translation is addressed with respect to the significance of this process during early development.

RAS-targeted cancer therapy: Advances in drugging specific mutations

Rat sarcoma (RAS), as a frequently mutated oncogene, has been studied as an attractive target for treating RAS-driven cancers for over four decades. However, it is until the recent success of kirsten-RAS (KRAS)^G12C inhibitor that RAS gets rid of the title "undruggable". It is worth noting that the therapeutic effect of KRAS^G12C inhibitors on different RAS allelic mutations or even different cancers with KRAS^G12C varies significantly. Thus, deep understanding of the characteristics of each allelic RAS mutation will be a prerequisite for developing new RAS inhibitors. In this review, the structural and biochemical features of different RAS mutations are summarized and compared. Besides, the pathological characteristics and treatment responses of different cancers carrying RAS mutations are listed based on clinical reports. In addition, the development of RAS inhibitors, either direct or indirect, that target the downstream components in RAS pathway is summarized as well. Hopefully, this review will broaden our knowledge on RAS-targeting strategies and trigger more intensive studies on exploiting new RAS allele-specific inhibitors.

Akt1 is involved in renal fibrosis and tubular apoptosis in a murine model of acute kidney injury-to-chronic kidney disease transition

Maladaptive repair after acute kidney injury (AKI) can predispose patients to chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the AKI-to-CKD transition remains unclear. The Akt signaling pathway has been reported to be involved in the pathological processes of both AKI and CKD. In this study, we investigated the role of Akt1 in a murine model of the AKI-to-CKD transition. Wild-type (WT) and Akt1^-/- mice were subjected to unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (UIRI), with their kidneys harvested after two days and two, four, and six weeks after UIRI. The dynamic changes in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, markers of tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tubular apoptosis were investigated. Akt1 of the three Akt isoforms was activated during the AKI-to-CKD transition. After UIRI, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular EMT were significantly increased in WT mice, but were attenuated in Akt1^-/- mice. The expression of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad was increased in both WT and Akt1^-/- mice, but was not different between the two groups. The levels of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, Snail, and β-catenin in the Akt1^-/- mice were lower than those in the WT mice. The number of apoptotic tubular cells and the expression of cleaved caspase-3/Bax were both lower in Akt1^-/- mice than in WT mice. Genetic deletion of Akt1 was associated with attenuation of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, tubular EMT, and tubular apoptosis during the AKI-to-CKD transition. These findings were associated with TGF-β1/Akt1/GSK-3β/(Snail and β-catenin) signaling independent of TGF-β1/Smad signaling. Thus, Akt1 signaling could serve as a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting the AKI-to-CKD transition.

A network pharmacology approach and experimental validation to investigate the anticancer mechanism and potential active targets of ethanol extract of Wei-Tong-Xin against colorectal cancer through induction of apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wei-Tong-Xin (WTX), derives from the Chinese herbal decoction (CHD) of Wan-Ying-Yuan in ancient China, has been shown to be effective therapeutic herbal decoction for treating gastrointestinal diseases. Present studies have demonstrated that WTX had potential to alleviate the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, gastric ulcer and improve gastric motility.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study primarily focused on exploring the therapeutic effect and possible pharmacological mechanism of WTX on colorectal cancer (CRC) based on network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, colorectal cancer and WTX associated with targets were searched from GeneCards database and TCM Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network also was constructed to screening key targets. In addition, the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were applied to predict the underlying biological function and mechanism involving in the anti-colorectal cancer effect of WTX. Next, CCK-8, colony formation and transwell assays were performed to verify the influence of proliferation and metastasizing ability of HCT116 cells after treated with WTX. Cell cycle, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analysis by flow cytometry. Hoechst 33258 staining was conducted to observe nuclear morphology changes. Protein expression of apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling as well as mRNA expression of ferroptosis and apoptosis were determined by Western Blotting and RT-qPCR. The effects of WTX and LY294002 combination on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were measured by Western Blotting. Finally, the xenograft tumor mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of CT26 cells to measure tumors volume and weight. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical analysis were used to observe the pathological changes and the protein expression in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

There were 286 potential treatment targets from 130 bioactive compounds in WTX, 1349 CRC-related targets were identified. Eleven core targets (TP53, AKT1, STAT3, JUN, TNF, HSP90AA1, IL-6, MAPK3, CASP3, EGFR, MYC) were found by PPI network analysis constructed of 142 common targets. The results of KEGG enrichment displayed PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as core pathway. After the treatment of WTX, the inhibitory of viability, metastases and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase were observed in HCT116 cells. Moreover, WTX induced an increase in the expression of apoptosis proteins (Bak, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3) and the levels of ROS and MDA, a decrease in the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling related proteins (PI3K, p-PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR) and the level of SOD. WTX treatment significantly reduced the tumor weight, increased cleaved caspase-3 positive area and decreased that of ki67 in xenograft mouse model.

CONCLUSION

Through a network pharmacology approach and in vitro experiments, we predicted and verified the effect of WTX on colorectal cancer cells mainly depended on the regulation of intrinsic apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and further animal experiments proved that WTX has a good anti-colon cancer effect in vivo.

Neuroprotective effects of pravastatin in cerebral venous infarction in a rat model

Objectives

Pravastatin sodium is reported to have multiple beneficial effects in cerebral atherosclerosis and neuronal injury; however, the preventive effects on cerebral venous ischemia are still unknown. Herein, we aimed to examine the neuroprotective effects of transoral prior administration of pravastatin sodium against cerebral cortical venous ischemia with suppression of apoptosis.

Methods

Thirty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were divided equally into two study groups (n = 15 vs. n = 15); the pravastatin group was fed 1% pravastatin sodium with their usual diet for 2 weeks, while the control group only received the usual diet. Two-vein occlusion (2VO) model was applied for this study, and two adjacent cortical veins in each animal were permanently occluded photochemically with rose bengal dye. During photo-thrombosis, regional changes of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) in area of the venous ischemia were recorded. At 48-h after 2VO, animals were euthanized using perfusion fixation, and we histologically measured ratios of infarcted area to contralateral hemisphere, and counted Bax- and Bcl-2-positive cells in the penumbra to investigate the implications for apoptosis.

Results

The ratio of infarcted area was significantly decreased in the pravastatin group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The number of Bax-positive cells also decreased significantly in the pravastatin group (P < 0.01). In contrast, immunolabeling for Bcl-2 was essentially negative in all areas in both groups. There were also no significant differences in regional CBF changes after 2VO between the two groups (P = 0.13).

Conclusions

Pre-emptive administration of pravastatin sodium mixed in the food has neuroprotective effects against cerebral cortical venous ischemia with suppression of apoptosis associated with inhibition of Bax expression but has little influence on regional CBF.

Using ΔK280 TauRD Folding Reporter Cells to Screen TRKB Agonists as Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Strategy

Misfolded aggregation of the hyperphosphorylated microtubule binding protein Tau in the brain is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau aggregation downregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomycin receptor kinase B (TRKB) signaling and leads to neurotoxicity. Therefore, enhancement of BDNF/TRKB signaling could be a strategy to alleviate Tau neurotoxicity. In this study, eight compounds were evaluated for the potential of inhibiting Tau misfolding in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing the pro-aggregator Tau folding reporter (ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed). Among them, coumarin derivative ZN-015 and quinoline derivatives VB-030 and VB-037 displayed chemical chaperone activity to reduce ΔK280 Tau_RD aggregation and promote neurite outgrowth. Studies of TRKB signaling revealed that ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 treatments significantly increased phosphorylation of TRKB and downstream Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) and AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT), to activate ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Subsequently, p-CREB enhanced the transcription of pro-survival BDNF and BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), accompanied with reduced expression of anti-survival BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) in ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed-expressing cells. The neurite outgrowth promotion effect of ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 was counteracted by a RNA interference-mediated knockdown of TRKB, suggesting the role of these compounds acting as TRKB agonists. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching analysis showed that ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 interacted directly with a Pichia pastoris-expressed TRKB extracellular domain, indirectly supporting the role through TRKB signaling. The results of up-regulation in TRKB signaling open up the therapeutic potentials of ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 for AD.

Non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 induces autophagy to enhance its replication

BACKGROUND

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an important viral pathogen that has an economic impact on the livestock industry worldwide. Autophagy is one of the earliest cell-autonomous defence mechanisms against microbial invasion, and many types of viruses can induce autophagy by infecting host cells.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of non-cytopathic (ncp) BVDV2 infection.

METHODS

Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were treated with ncp BVDV2, rapamycin, or 3-methyladenine (MA) and ncp BVDV2 and then incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Cells were harvested, and the effects of autophagy were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser microscopy, western blotting and qRT-PCR. Apoptotic analysis was also performed using western blotting and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In ncp BVDV2-infected MDBK cells, more autophagosomes were observed by TEM, and the number of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) with green fluorescent protein puncta was also increased. The ncp BVDV2-infected cells showed significantly enhanced conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, as well as upregulation of autophagy-related proteins, including ATG5 and Beclin 1, and substantial degradation of p62/SQSTM1. These results are similar to those induced by rapamycin, an autophagy inducer. E2 protein expression, which is associated with viral replication, increased over time in ncp BVDV2-infected cells. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA in ncp BVDV2-infected MDBK cells downregulated the expressions of LC3-II, ATG5 and Beclin 1 and prevented the degradation of p62/SQSTM1. Moreover, the expressions of phosphorylated Akt and procaspase-3 were significantly increased in ncp BVDV2-infected cells. In addition, the mRNA level of protein kinase R (PKR) was significantly reduced in ncp BVDV2-infected cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that ncp BVDV2 infection induced autophagy in MDBK cells via anti-apoptosis and PKR suppression. Therefore, autophagy may play a role in establishing persistent infection caused by ncp BVDV.

Anti-Tumor Effects of Engineered VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-mPD-1 Strain in Melanoma Mice via Combining the Oncolytic Therapy and Immunotherapy

Programmed cell death protein 1/Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most promising treatments for malignant tumors currently, but the low response rate limits their further clinical utilization. To address this problem, our group constructed an engineered strain of VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-mPD-1 [V-A-mPD-1 (mPD-1, murine PD-1)] to combine oncolytic bacterial therapy with immunotherapy. Further, we evaluated its growth performance and mPD-1 expression ability in vitro while establishing the melanoma mice model to explore its potential anti-cancer effects in tumor therapy. Our results indicated that the V-A-mPD-1 strain has superior growth performance and can invade B16F10 melanoma cells and express PD-1. In addition, in the melanoma mice model, we observed a marked reduction in tumor volume and the formation of a larger necrotic area. V-A-mPD-1 administration resulted in a high expression of mPD-1 at the tumor site, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation via the down-regulation of the expression of rat sarcoma (Ras), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MEK)/MEK, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)/ERK expression significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Tumor cell apoptosis was promoted by down-regulating phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways, as evidenced by an increased Bcl-2-associated X protein/B cell lymphoma-2 (Bax/Bcl-2) expression ratio. Meanwhile, the expression levels of systemic inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were substantially reduced. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that V-A-mPD-1 has an excellent anti-tumor effect, prompting that the combined application of microbial therapy and immunotherapy is a feasible cancer treatment strategy.

Ubiquitous toxicity of Mercuric Chloride in target tissues and organs: Impact of Ubidecarenone and liposomal-Ubidecarenone STAT 5A/ PTEN /PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Mercuric chloride (HgCl3) is categorized as class II B hazardous metal that is present in many occupational and environmental conditions. In the meantime, Hg exists in the environment in such an abundant manner, it is virtually impossible for humans to avoid exposure to different forms of Hg. In addition to environmental exposure, individuals may be exposed to Hg from dental amalgams, medicinal treatments and dietary sources. Nevertheless, Liposomal drug delivery system is a promising era in the field of Nano-medicine and have the advantageous of increasing drug bioavailability and retention phenomena in addition to targeting organ for all mentioned the present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that messenger RNA gene expression of Signal transducer and activator of transcription- 5 A (STAT-5A), Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphoinositol kinase (PI3K) and alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) can trigger HgCl3 induced nephrotoxicity post Ubidecarenone and liposomal Ubidecarenone therapy.

METHODS

HgCl3 toxicity was induced in rats via a dose of 5 mg/kg BW for one week followed by Ubidecarenone and liposomal Ubidecarenone therapy in a dose of 10 & 3 mg/kg BW for one month, respectively. Then kidney function tests, Glutathione and gene expression for PI3K, AKT, PTEN and STAT-5A was investigated.

RESULTS

HgCl3 intoxication significantly up regulated PI3K, AKT, PTEN and STAT-5A signaling pathways meanwhile, Ubidecarenone and liposomal- Ubidecarenone treatment significantly reduced PI3K, AKT, PTEN and STAT-5A gene expression post HgCl3 intoxication with the liposomal regimen revealing the most significant impact. Furthermore, renal toxicity was confirmed via monitoring urea and creatinine which were modulated post Ubidecarenone and liposomal-Ubidecarenone treatment. Wide evidence declared that mercuric S-conjugates of small endogenous thiols (such as Hcy, NAC and Cys) are probably the main transportable forms of Hg²⁺ to the kidneys thus reduced glutathione was investigated which reflected a significant down regulation post Hgcl3 toxicity.

CONCLUSION

liposomal drug delivery system including liposomal-Ubidecarenone can be considered as a prospective candidate for treating HgCl3 renal toxicity via modulating STAT-5A, PTEN, PI3K and AKT signaling pathways and via increasing retention time, bioavailability, shielding from macrophage recognition and targeting organs.

Antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of quercetin against ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity in broiler chickens

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is produced by the fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium. The flavonoid quercetin (QUE) is distinguished by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. This study was designed to determine whether QUE can protect broiler chickens against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty broiler chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups: control, OTA, QUE, and OTA + QUE. For 6 weeks, OTA (0.5 mg/kg) and/or QUE (0.5 g/kg) were added to the diet of chickens. The results demonstrated that OTA exposure increased serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen. OTA exposure also increased renal malondialdehyde content but decreased renal antioxidants. OTA-exposed chickens exhibited multiple pathological kidney lesions. Moreover, OTA exposure induced apoptosis in renal tissue, which was manifested by the up-regulation of proapoptotic genes and down-regulation of antiapoptotic genes via the suppression of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition, coadministration of QUE and OTA mitigated most of these nephrotoxic effects.

SERPINA5 promotes tumour cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in gastric cancer

SERPINA5 belongs to the serine protease inhibitor superfamily and has been reported to be lowly expressed in a variety of malignancies. However, few report of SERPINA5 in gastric cancer has been found. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of SERPINA5 in GC and to investigate potential tumorigenic mechanisms. We performed qPCR to determine the level of SERPINA5 expression in GC. We used public databases to evaluate whether SERPINA5 could be utilized to predict overall survival and disease‐free survival in GC patients. We also knocked down the expression of SERPINA5 and evaluated its effect on cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, we explored the signal pathways and regulatory mechanisms related to SERPINA5 functions. According to our findings, SERPINA5 was shown to exhibit high expression in GC. Notably, SERPINA5 was prognostic in GC with high expression being unfavourable. SERPINA5 was further observed to promote GC tumorigenesis by modulating GC cell proliferation ability. Mechanically, SERPINA5 could inhibit CBL to regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway, thereby promoting GC carcinogenesis progression. These results highlight the important role of SERPINA5 in GC cell proliferation and suggest that SERPINA5 could be a novel target for GC treatment and a predictor for GC prognosis.

Deciphering the pharmacological mechanisms of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on oral leukoplakia by combining network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental evaluations

BACKGROUND

Oral leukoplakia (OLK), an uncharacterized pathological condition that occurs as a white patch in the oral mucosa, is the most common precancerous condition. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) is a medicinal plant with a wide range of pharmacological effects. Increased evidence shows that SBG has potential therapeutic effects on OLK. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of SBG against OLK have not yet been completely elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to clarify the active components and multi-target mechanisms of SBG against OLK via network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental evaluations.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The active components and related targets of SBG were screened by the TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction database. Potential therapeutic targets of OLK were collected using the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Then, we established protein-protein interaction (PPI), compound-target-disease (C-T-D), and compound-target-pathway (C-T-P) networks by Cytoscape to identify the main components, core targets, and pharmacological pathways of SBG against OLK via applying data mining techniques and topological parameters. Metascape database was utilized for GO and KEGG pathway analysis. Molecular docking techniques were used to estimate the binding force between the components and the hub genes. Subsequently, a series of in vitro experiments, specifically CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, wound healing assay, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR and western blotting were conducted for further verification.

RESULTS

There were 25 active components and 31 related target genes in SBG against OLK. PPI analysis showed that Akt1, VEGFA, EGFR, HIF1A and PTGS2 shared the highest centrality among all target genes. KEGG pathway analysis found that PI3K-Akt signaling pathway may occupy core status in the anti-OLK system. Molecular docking results showed that the main active components of SBG had a strong binding affinity to the hub genes. In vitro experiments showed that the leading component baicalein may inhibit proliferation, block cells in the S phase, induce DOK cell apoptosis, and downregulate the mRNA expression of 5 hub genes by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

CONCLUSION

The most predominant component of SBG against OLK was baicalein and the key pathway was PI3K/Akt. The main components and hub genes had robust binding abilities. In vitro experiments showed that baicalein could inhibit the proliferation of DOK cells, induce apoptosis, block the cell cycle, and inhibit the mRNA expression level of the hub genes by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Ketone Body Improves Neurological Outcomes after Cardiac Arrest by Inhibiting Mitochondrial Fission in Rats

Ketone bodies including β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) have been proved the therapeutic potential in diverse neurological disorders. However, the role of β-HB in the regulation of neurological injury after cardiac arrest (CA) remains unclear. We investigated the effect of β-HB on brain mitochondrial dysfunction and neurological function after CA. A rat model of CA was established by asphyxia. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, control group, and β-HB group. Animals received 200 mg/kg β-HB or same volume vehicle at 10 minutes after return of spontaneous circulation by intraperitoneal injection. Neurological function was evaluated by neurologic deficit score and Y-maze. Neuronal cell loss and apoptosis were detected through hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl staining, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Oxidative stress levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining of 4-hydoxynonenal and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. Furthermore, mitochondrial ultrastructure of brain cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the protein expression levels of Bak, caspase 3, gasdermin D, caspase 1, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phospho-Drp1 (ser616) were measured. We found that neurological function and survival rate were significantly higher in the β-HB group compared with the control group. β-HB also reduced neurons death and neurological oxidative stress after CA. Moreover, β-HB reduced neurological injury from apoptosis and pyroptosis after CA. In addition, β-HB maintained the structural integrity of brain mitochondria, prevented mitochondrial fission, and increased brain energy metabolism after CA. In conclusion, β-HB beneficially affected the neurological function of rats after global cerebral ischemia, associated with decreased mitochondrial fission, and improved mitochondrial function. Our results suggest that β-HB might benefit patients suffering from neurological dysfunction after CA.

Gliomas: Genetic alterations, mechanisms of metastasis, recurrence, drug resistance, and recent trends in molecular therapeutic options

Glioma is the most common intracranial tumor with poor treatment outcomes and has high morbidity and mortality. Various studies on genomic analyses of glioma found a variety of deregulated genes with somatic mutations including TERT, TP53, IDH1, ATRX, TTN, etc. The genetic alterations in the key genes have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in gliomagenesis by modulating important signaling pathways that alter the fundamental intracellular functions such as DNA damage and repair, cell proliferation, metabolism, growth, wound healing, motility, etc. The SPRK1, MMP2, MMP9, AKT, mTOR, etc., genes, and noncoding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, etc) were shown mostly to be implicated in the metastases of glioma. Despite advances in the current treatment strategies, a low-grade glioma is a uniformly fatal disease with overall median survival of ∼5-7 years while the patients bearing high-grade tumors display poorer median survival of ∼9-10 months mainly due to aggressive metastasis and therapeutic resistance. This review discusses the spectrum of deregulated genes, molecular and cellular mechanisms of metastasis, recurrence, and its management, the plausible causes for the development of therapy resistance, current treatment options, and the recent trends in malignant gliomas. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms and advances in molecular genetics would aid in the novel diagnosis, prognosis, and translation of pathogenesis-based treatment opportunities which could pave the way for precision medicine in glioma.

Purified PTEN-Long Induces Liver Cancer Cells to Undergo Autophagy and Apoptosis

Background

PTEN-Long is a translational variant of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN). This tumor suppressor is frequently lost or mutated and even it has been shown as the determinant in several human tumors. Therefore, we will determine the significant roles of PTEN-Long in the development of liver cancer.

Methods

In the present study, we characterized the antitumor effects of PTEN-Long and PTEN in proliferation, migration of HepG2 cells, apoptosis and autophagy in liver cancer cells. To extends, we have also measured the effects of purified PTEN and PTEN-Long in the above index of HepG2 cells.

Results

PTEN and PTEN-Long were ectopic-expressed in HepG2 cells, and their phenotypic effects were recorded. As expected, there was less expression of PTEN-Long and PTEN in liver cancer samples than in paired normal tissues. Ectopic expression of PTEN-Long or PTEN significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and increased apoptosis. PTEN ectopic-expression increased the number of GFP-/RFP+-LC3 puncta and levels of beclin-1 and LC3BII/LC3BI, suggesting autophagy induction. Purified PTEN-Long freely entered cells, decreased proliferation, and increased autophagy and apoptosis, while purified PTEN did not.

Conclusions

Our results identify an antitumor function of purified PTEN-Long and suggest its potential utility for liver cancer treatment.

Co-treatment with Esculin and erythropoietin protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury via P2X7 receptor inhibition and PI3K/Akt activation

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (RI/R) is a critical clinical outcome with slightly reported improvement in mortality and morbidity. Effective therapies are still crucially required. Accordingly, the therapeutic effects of esculin (ESC, LCESI-MS/MS-isolated compound from Vachellia farnesiana flowers extract, with reported P2X7 receptor inhibitor activity) alone and in combination with erythropoietin (EPO) were investigated against RI/R injury and the possible underlying mechanisms were delineated. ESC and EPO were administered for 7 days and 30 min prior to RI, respectively. Twenty-four hour following reperfusion, blood and kidney samples were collected. Results revealed that pretreatment with either ESC or EPO reduced serum nephrotoxicity indices, renal oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptosis markers. They also ameliorated the renal histopathological injury on both endothelial and tubular epithelial levels. Notably, ESC markedly inhibited P2X7 receptors and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling (downregulated NLRP3 and Caspase-1 gene expressions), whereas EPO significantly upregulated PI3K and Akt gene expressions, also p-PI3K and p-Akt levels in renal tissues. ESC, for the first time, demonstrated effective protection against RI/R-injury and its combination with EPO exerted maximal renoprotection when compared to each monotherapy, thereby representing an effective therapeutic approach via inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, renal tubular and endothelial injury, apoptosis, and P2X7 receptors expression, and activating PI3K/Akt pathway.

Pathogenic signaling in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a common hematological malignancy of plasma cells, the terminally differentiated B cells that secrete antibodies as part of the adaptive immune response. Significant progress has been made in treating multiple myeloma, but this disease remains largely incurable, and most patients will eventually suffer a relapse of disease that becomes refractory to further therapies. Moreover, a portion of patients with multiple myeloma present with disease that is refractory to all treatments from the initial diagnosis, and no current therapeutic approaches can help. Therefore, the task remains to advance new therapeutic strategies to help these vulnerable patients. One strategy to meet this challenge is to unravel the complex web of pathogenic signaling pathways in malignant plasma cells and use this information to design novel precision medicine strategies to assist these patients most at risk.

Pleiotropic effects of BDNF on the cerebellum and hippocampus: Implications for neurodevelopmental disorders

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain, essential not only to the development of the central nervous system but also to synaptic plasticity. BDNF is present in various brain areas, but highest levels of expression are seen in the cerebellum and hippocampus. After birth, BDNF acts in the cerebellum as a mitogenic and chemotactic factor, stimulating the cerebellar granule cell precursors to proliferate, migrate and maturate, while in the hippocampus BDNF plays a fundamental role in synaptic transmission and plasticity, representing a key regulator for the long-term potentiation, learning and memory. Furthermore, the expression of BDNF is highly regulated and changes of its expression are associated with both physiological and pathological conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the BDNF biology and its neurotrophic role in the proper development and functioning of neurons and synapses in two important brain areas of postnatal neurogenesis, the cerebellum and hippocampus. Dysregulation of BDNF expression and signaling, resulting in alterations in neuronal maturation and plasticity in both systems, is a common hallmark of several neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder, suggesting that neuronal malfunction present in these disorders is the result of excessive or reduced of BDNF support. We believe that the more the relevance of the pathophysiological actions of BDNF, and its downstream signals, in early postnatal development will be highlighted, the more likely it is that new neuroprotective therapeutic strategies will be identified in the treatment of various neurodevelopmental disorders.

Fluroxypyr-1-methylheptyl ester causes apoptosis of bovine mammary gland epithelial cells by regulating PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Fluroxypyr-1-methylheptyl ester (FPMH) is an auxin herbicide that is widely applied to crops and pastures to block growth of post-emergence weeds. Several studies have reported the toxicity of FPMH in aquatic vertebrates. However, the adverse impacts of FPMH on mammals, including domestic animals, have not been reported. The purpose of our current study is to assess the impact of FPMH on the bovine mammary system and milk production. To evaluate the toxicity of FPMH on the mammary glands of lactating cows, the bovine mammary gland epithelial cell line, MAC-T, was exposed to various concentrations (0, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 μM) of FPMH for 24 h, and then various assessments were performed. The results showed that FPMH dose-dependently reduced MAC-T cell viability following exposure to FPMH and induced mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis. FPMH also modulated signaling through the PI3K and MAPK pathways. In addition, the expression levels of proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were upregulated, indicating induction of ER stress, and calcium homeostasis was disrupted following FPMH treatment. In conclusion, our investigation suggests that FPMH may be toxic to the bovine mammary system and may decrease dairy production.

SRPK1 promotes cell proliferation and tumor growth of osteosarcoma through activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway

To explore the expression and the functions of SRPK1 in osteosarcoma, we retrieved transcription profiling dataset by array of human bone specimens from patients with osteosarcoma from ArrayExpress (accession E-MEXP-3628) and from Gene Expression Omnibus (accession GSE16102) and analyzed expression level of SRPK1 and prognostic value in human osteosarcoma. Then we examined the effect of differential SRPK1 expression levels on the progression of osteosarcoma, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and investigated its underlying molecular mechanism using in vitro osteosarcoma cell lines and in vivo nude mouse xenograft models. High expression level of SRPK1 was found in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines as compared to the normal bone tissues and osteoblast cells, and predicted poor prognosis of human osteosarcoma. Overexpression of SRPK1 in osteosarcoma U2OS cells led to cell proliferation but inhibition of apoptosis. In contrast, knockdown of SRPK1 in HOS cells impeded cell viability and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, silencing SRPK1 inhibited osteosarcoma tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that SRPK1 promoted cell cycle transition in osteosarcoma cells and activation of NF-κB is required for SRPK1 expression and its pro-survival signaling. SRPK1 promoted human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and tumor growth by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Role of Rab GTPases in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The Rab GTPase family contains almost 70 genes in the human genome and acts as the key regulator of intracellular membrane trafficking in human cells. The dysregulation of Rab GTPase has been shown to be associated with multiple human diseases, ranging from neurodegeneration, and infection to cancer. Rab GTPases not only play important roles in genome replication, morphogenesis and the release of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), but also contribute to hepatitis-related hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. The alteration of Rab GTPase expression in HCC plays an important role in tumour cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Notably, the expression of Rab genes can be regulated by some noncoding RNAs, such as miRNAs and circRNAs. Thus, Rab GTPases can serve as promising rational and therapeutic targets for HCC treatments. In this review, we summarized recent advancements in this field focusing on Rab GTPases in HCC.

Implications of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the foremost type of dementia that afflicts considerable morbidity and mortality in aged population. Several transcription molecules, pathways, and molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and immune system interact in a multifaceted way that disrupt physiological processes (cell growth, differentiation, survival, lipid and energy metabolism, endocytosis) leading to apoptosis, tauopathy, β-amyloidopathy, neuron, and synapse loss, which play an important role in AD pathophysiology. Despite of stupendous advancements in pathogenic mechanisms, treatment of AD is still a nightmare in the field of medicine. There is compelling urgency to find not only symptomatic but effective disease-modifying therapies. Recently, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt are identified as a pathway triggered by diverse stimuli, including insulin, growth factors, cytokines, and cellular stress, that link amyloid-β, neurofibrillary tangles, and brain atrophy. The present review aims to explore and analyze the role of PI3K-Akt pathway in AD and agents which may modulate Akt and have therapeutic prospects in AD. The literature was researched using keywords "PI3K-Akt" and "Alzheimer's disease" from PubMed, Web of Science, Bentham, Science Direct, Springer Nature, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases including books. Articles published from 1992 to 2021 were prioritized and analyzed for their strengths and limitations, and most appropriate ones were selected for the purpose of review. PI3K-Akt pathway regulates various biological processes such as cell proliferation, motility, growth, survival, and metabolic functions, and inhibits many neurotoxic mechanisms. Furthermore, experimental data indicate that PI3K-Akt signaling might be an important therapeutic target in treatment of AD.

Natural substances derived from herbs or plants are promising sources of anticancer agents against colorectal cancer via triggering apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Nowadays, one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers is colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemotherapy is still one of the main methods to treat cancer. However, the currently available synthetic chemotherapy drugs often cause serious adverse reactions. Apoptosis is generally considered as an ideal way for induction the death of tumour cells without the body's inflammatory response, and it is reported that lots of natural agents could trigger various cancer cells to apoptosis. The overarching aim of this project was to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which natural substances induce apoptosis in CRC cells and to be used as an alternative therapeutic option in the future.

KEY FINDINGS

The mechanisms for the pro-apoptotic effects of natural substances derived from herbs or plants include death receptor pathway, mitochondrial pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway, related signal transduction pathways (PI3K/Akt, MAPK, p53 signalling), and so on.

SUMMARY

This paper updated this information regarding the anti-tumour effects of natural agents via induction of apoptosis against CRC, which would be beneficial for future new drug research regarding natural products from herbs or plants.

The Chlamydia psittaci Inclusion Membrane Protein 0556 Inhibits Human Neutrophils Apoptosis Through PI3K/AKT and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Inclusion membrane proteins (Incs) play an important role in the structure and stability of chlamydial inclusion and the interaction between Chlamydia spp. and their hosts. Following Chlamydia infection through the respiratory tract, human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (hPMN) not only act as the primary immune cells reaching the lungs, but also serve as reservoir for Chlamydia. We have previously identified a Chlamydia psittaci hypothetical protein, CPSIT_0556, as a medium expressed inclusion membrane protein. However, the role of inclusion membrane protein, CPSIT_0556 in regulating hPMN functions remains unknown. In the present study, we found that CPSIT_0556 could not only inhibit hPMN apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways by releasing IL-8, but also delays procaspase-3 processing and inhibits caspase-3 activity in hPMN. Up-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and down-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax could also inhibit the translocalization of Bax in the cytoplasm into the mitochondria, as well as induce the transfer of p65 NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CPSIT_0556 could inhibit hPMN apoptosis through PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways and provide new insights towards understanding a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and immune escape mechanisms of C. psittaci.

The Importance of Being PI3K in the RAS Signaling Network

Ras proteins are essential mediators of a multitude of cellular processes, and its deregulation is frequently associated with cancer appearance, progression, and metastasis. Ras-driven cancers are usually aggressive and difficult to treat. Although the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first Ras G12C inhibitor is an important milestone, only a small percentage of patients will benefit from it. A better understanding of the context in which Ras operates in different tumor types and the outcomes mediated by each effector pathway may help to identify additional strategies and targets to treat Ras-driven tumors. Evidence emerging in recent years suggests that both oncogenic Ras signaling in tumor cells and non-oncogenic Ras signaling in stromal cells play an essential role in cancer. PI3K is one of the main Ras effectors, regulating important cellular processes such as cell viability or resistance to therapy or angiogenesis upon oncogenic Ras activation. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the understanding of Ras-dependent activation of PI3K both in physiological conditions and cancer, with a focus on how this signaling pathway contributes to the formation of a tumor stroma that promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and spread.

Effects of neoadjuvant therapies on genetic regulation of targeted pathways in ER+ primary ductal breast carcinoma: A meta-analysis of microarray datasets

Breast cancer arises as a result of multiple interactions between environmental and genetic factors. Conventionally, breast cancer is treated based on histopathological and clinical features. DNA technologies like the human genome microarray are now partially integrated into clinical practice and are used for developing new "personalized medicines" and "pharmacogenetics" for improving the efficiency and safety of cancer medications. We investigated the effects of four established therapies-for ER+ ductal breast cancer-on the differential gene expression. The therapies included single agent tamoxifen, two-agent docetaxel and capecitabine, or combined three-agents CAF (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil) and CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil). Genevestigator 8.1.0 was used to compare five datasets from patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, untreated or treated with selected drugs, to those from the healthy control. We identified 74 differentially expressed genes involved in three pathways, i.e., apoptosis (extrinsic and intrinsic), oxidative signaling, and PI3K/Akt signaling. The treatments affected the expression of apoptotic genes (TNFRSF10B [TRAIL], FAS, CASP3/6/7/8, PMAIP1 [NOXA], BNIP3L, BNIP3, BCL2A1, and BCL2), the oxidative stress-related genes (NOX4, XDH, MAOA, GSR, GPX3, and SOD3), and the PI3K/Akt pathway gene (ERBB2 [HER2]). Breast cancer treatments are complex with varying drug responses and efficacy among patients. This necessitates identifying novel biomarkers for predicting the drug response, using available data and new technologies. GSR, NOX4, CASP3, and ERBB2 are potential biomarkers for predicting the treatment response in primary ER+ ductal breast carcinoma.

SOD2 Alleviates Hearing Loss Induced by Noise and Kanamycin in Mitochondrial DNA4834-deficient Rats by Regulating PI3K/MAPK Signaling

Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2)-mediated gene therapy has significant protective effects against kanamycin-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss in the inner ear, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, an in vivo aging model of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)4834 deletion mutation was established using D-galactose, and the effects of noise or kanamycin on inner ear injury was investigated. Rats subjected to mtDNA4834 mutation via D-galactose administration showed hearing loss characterized by the disruption of inner ear structure (abnormal cell morphology, hair cell lysis, and the absence of the organ of Corti), increased SOD2 promoter methylation, and an increase in the degree of apoptosis. Exposure to noise or kanamycin further contributed to the effects of D-galactose. SOD2 overexpression induced by viral injection accordingly counteracted the effects of noise and kanamycin and ameliorated the symptoms of hearing loss, suggesting the critical involvement of SOD2 in preventing deafness and hearing-related conditions. The PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways were also regulated by noise/kanamycin exposure and/or SOD2 overexpression, indicating that they may be involved in the therapeutic effect of SOD2 against age-related hearing loss.

Hansenia weberbaueriana (Fedde ex H.Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov Extract Suppresses Proliferation of HepG2 Cells via the PTEN-PI3K-AKT Pathway Uncovered by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Iin Vitro Experiments

Previous studies have shown that Hansenia weberbaueriana (Fedde ex H.Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov extracts (HWEs) have antitumor activity, but their mechanism in vitro is still unclear. In this study, we first combined network pharmacology with experimental evaluation and applied a comprehensive strategy to explore and prove the therapeutic potential and potential mechanism of HWE. The mRNA expression profiles of PTEN, PIK3A, and AKT1 are from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) of the Broad Institute. Our results showed that HWE has a good inhibition on HepG2 cells, and a slight inhibition on other cells. The results of the CCLE database showed that PTEN/PIK3A/AKT1 mRNA expression was up-regulated in HepG2 cells. Through further study, it was found that HWE increased the release of LDH, induced early and late apoptosis, and increased ROS levels in HepG2 cells. Western blot showed that HWE regulates the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins. Meanwhile, the expression of PTEN was increased, and the expression of phosphorylated PI3K and Akt was down-regulated after HWE treatment. Our results show that HWE promotes HepG2 cell apoptosis via the PTEN-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. This study is the first to report the potential role of HWE in the treatment of liver cancer.

Maresin 1 protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury via the ALXR/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can be a major complication following liver surgery contributing to post-operative liver dysfunction. Maresin 1 (MaR1), a pro-resolving lipid mediator, has been shown to suppress I/R injury. However, the mechanisms that account for the protective effects of MaR1 in I/R injury remain unknown.

METHODS

WT (C57BL/6J) mice were subjected to partial hepatic warm ischemia for 60mins followed by reperfusion. Mice were treated with MaR1 (5-20 ng/mouse), Boc2 (Lipoxin A4 receptor antagonist), LY294002 (Akt inhibitor) or corresponding controls just prior to liver I/R or at the beginning of reperfusion. Blood and liver samples were collected at 6 h post-reperfusion. Serum aminotransferase, histopathologic changes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress were analyzed to evaluate liver injury. Signaling pathways were also investigated in vitro using primary mouse hepatocyte (HC) cultures to identify underlying mechanisms for MaR1 in liver I/R injury.

RESULTS

MaR1 treatment significantly reduced ALT and AST levels, diminished necrotic areas, suppressed inflammatory responses, attenuated oxidative stress and decreased hepatocyte apoptosis in liver after I/R. Akt signaling was significantly increased in the MaR1-treated liver I/R group compared with controls. The protective effect of MaR1 was abrogated by pretreatment with Boc2, which together with MaR1-induced Akt activation. MaR1-mediated liver protection was reversed by inhibition of Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

MaR1 protects the liver against hepatic I/R injury via an ALXR/Akt signaling pathway. MaR1 may represent a novel therapeutic agent to mitigate the detrimental effects of I/R-induced liver injury.

Stigmasterol Simultaneously Induces Apoptosis and Protective Autophagy by Inhibiting Akt/mTOR Pathway in Gastric Cancer Cells

Background

Stigmasterol (SS) has been proven to possess potential anticancer activities in several cancer cell lines, but its molecular mechanism is still unknown. Thus, we investigated whether SS has the capabilities of inducing autophagy and its molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer cells.

Methods

We used CCK8 assay, clone formation assay, and EdU proliferation assay to assess the effects of SS on cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in vitro, and its inhibition on the tumor growth of gastric cancer was observed in vivo. Apoptosis induced by SS was demonstrated using Hoechst and TUNEL staining, annexin V-FITC/PI assay. Immunofluorescence staining is used to detect the formation of autophagosomes triggered by SS. Apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were analyzed by western blot.

Results

The results indicated that SS treatment inhibited cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Furthermore, SS treatment induced apoptosis and autophagy by blocking Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The pretreatment with the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 could promote apoptosis and autophagy induced by SS, predicting that Akt/mTOR pathway is involved in SS-induced apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, blockade of autophagy with 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy) enhanced SS-induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells, implying that autophagy mediated by SS plays a cytoprotective role against apoptosis. Finally, an in vivo study demonstrated that tumor growth of gastric cancer was suppressed by SS in a xenograft model.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate for the first time that SS simultaneously induces apoptosis and protective autophagy by inhibiting Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer cells, and SS may become a potential anticancer drug in treating gastric cancer in the future.

Dysregulated autophagy is linked to BAX oligomerization and subsequent cytochrome c release in 6-hydroxydopmaine-treated neuronal cells

Autophagy and apoptosis are essential physiological pathways that are required to maintain cellular homeostasis. Therefore, it is suggested that dysregulation in both pathways is linked to several disease states. Moreover, the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis plays an important role in pathophysiological processes associated with several neurodegenerative disorders. We have previously reported that 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces dysregulated autophagy, and that a dysregulated autophagic flux contributes to caspase-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Based on our previous findings, we specifically aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the potential role of dysregulated autophagy in apoptotic neurodegeneration. The disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) cross-linking assay and immunological analyses indicated that exposure of several types of cells to 6-OHDA resulted in BAX activation and subsequent oligomerization. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic perturbation of autophagy prevented 6-OHDA-induced BAX oligomerization and subsequent release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol and caspase activation. These events were independent of expression levels of XIAP. Taken together, our results suggest that BAX oligomerization comprises a critical step by which 6-OHDA-induced dysregulated autophagy mediates neuronal apoptosis.

Reversine, a selective MPS1 inhibitor, induced autophagic cell death via diminished glucose uptake and ATP production in cholangiocarcinoma cells

Reversine is a selective inhibitor of mitotic kinase monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) and has been reported as an anticancer agent in various cancers. The effects of reversine on bile duct cancer, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a lethal cancer in Northeastern Thailand, were investigated. This study reports that reversine inhibited cell proliferation of CCA cell lines in dose- and time-dependent manners but had less inhibitory effect on an immortalized cholangiocyte cell line. Reversine also triggered apoptotic cell death by decreasing anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1, increasing Bax pro-apoptotic protein and activating caspase-3 activity. Moreover, reversine induced autophagic cell death by increasing LC3-II and Beclin 1 while decreasing p62. Reversine activated autophagy via the AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, this study demonstrated for the first time that reversine could diminish the expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1- alpha (HIF-1α) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), resulting in a reduction of glucose uptake and energy production in CCA cell lines. These findings suggest that reversine could be a good candidate as an alternative or supplementary drug for CCA treatment.

(S)-(-)-N-[2-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-acetamide inhibits melanoma cell growth through inducing apoptosis and autophagy

PURPOSE

Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer with the incidence drastically increasing over the past several decades. (S)-(-)-N-[2-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-acetamide (SA) was a new compound isolated from the leaves of Selaginella pulvinata, with potent activities to inhibit the proliferation of SK-mel-110 cells. This study was to further investigate effects of SA against melanoma and explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

B16 cells were treated with different concentrations of SA. Tumour model was established by injecting B16 cells into C57 mice subcutaneously. MTT and LDH assays were used to detect effects of SA on cell viability. ELISA assay, Annexin V/PI staining and TUNEL assay were used to detect apoptosis. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins, respectively.

RESULTS

SA significantly inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells and induced the apoptosis as well as autophagy, which may be associated with PI3K/Akt and MAPK signal pathways. Moreover, SA treatment significantly slowed melanoma tumour growth, evidenced by decreased tumour volume and tumour weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that SA could be developed as a potential anti-tumour drug against melanoma.

The Flavonol Isoquercitrin Promotes Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in SK-Mel-2 Melanoma Cell via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Isoquercitrin (IQ), a major flavonol present in Prunus mume fruit, has gained much attention in recent studies because of its superior bioavailability and physiological effects. In this study, the anti-cancer mechanism of IQ against human melanoma, particularly its effect on the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, was investigated. Treatment with IQ at 25 μM concentration effectively inhibited the proliferation of SK-MEL-2 skin cancer cells while the same concentration did not exhibit cytotoxicity against human keratinocytes HaCaT. Morphological analysis and clonogenic assay also showed that IQ can alter the growth and long-term survival of SK-MEL-2 cells. IQ also induced apoptosis in the melanoma cells as manifested in the nuclear morphology changes, DNA fragmentation, increase in the apoptosis rate (17.69% at 25 μM) and accumulation of sub-G1 cell cycle phase population (19.55% at 25 μM). Western blot analysis revealed the involvement of the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway in the anti-cancer property of IQ. Treatment with IQ resulted in the decrease in the levels of procaspase-8 and -9, and Bcl-2 protein, and an increase in the expression of cleaved PARP and Bax. Moreover, AIF and Endo G protein expression increased, indicating a caspase-independent mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. The anti-proliferative activity of IQ against SK-MEL-2 can also be attributed to the downregulation of the PI3K/AktmTOR signaling pathway. These findings showed that IQ can be developed into a chemopreventive therapeutic agent against the melanoma cells.

Akt1 is involved in tubular apoptosis and inflammatory response during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). Although Akt is involved in renal IRI, it is unclear as to which Akt isoform plays an important role in renal IRI. In this study, we investigated the role of Akt1 in renal IRI. We subjected the C57BL/6 male mice to unilateral IRI with contralateral nephrectomy. Two days after IRI, IRI-kidneys were harvested. The mice were divided into four groups: wild type (WT) IRI, Akt1^-/- IRI, WT sham, and Akt1^-/- sham. We found that Akt1, not Akt2 or Akt3, was markedly activated in WT IRI than in WT sham mice. The histologic damage score and serum creatinine level significantly increased in WT IRI mice, the increase being the highest in Akt1^-/- IRI mice. The number of TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive tubular cells and expression of cleaved caspase-3/Bax were higher in Akt1^-/- IRI mice than in WT IRI mice. The expression of Bcl-2 was lower in Akt1^-/- IRI mice than in WT IRI mice. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-6/interleukin-1β and number of F4/80-positive macrophages were markedly higher in Akt1^-/- IRI than in WT IRI mice. The expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 was also higher in Akt1^-/- IRI mice than in WT IRI mice. Our results show that Akt1 deletion exacerbates kidney damage as it increases tubular apoptosis and inflammatory response during renal IRI. Akt1 could be a potential therapeutic target for developing treatments against IRI-induced AKI.

Pro-apoptotic properties and mitochondrial functionality in platelet-like-particles generated from low Aspirin-incubated Meg-01 cells

Long-term therapy with low Aspirin (ASA) dose is basis to prevent thrombotic acute events. However, the anti-platelet mechanisms of ASA remain not completely known. The aim was to analyze if in vitro exposure of human megakaryocytes to low ASA concentration may alter the apoptotic features of the newly formed platelets. Cultured Meg-01 cells, a human megakaryoblastic cell line, were stimulated to form platelets with 10 nmol/L phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in the presence and absence of ASA (0.33 mmol/L). Results revealed that platelet-like particles (PLPs) derived from ASA-exposed Meg-01 cells, showed higher content of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak than PLPs from non-ASA incubated Meg-01 cells. It was accompanied of reduced cytochrome C oxidase activity and higher mitochondrial content of PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 in PLPs from ASA-incubated Meg-01 cells. However, only after calcium ionophore A23187 stimulation, caspase-3 activity, the cytosolic cytochrome C content, and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential were higher in PLPs from ASA-incubated megakaryocytes than in those from Meg-01 without ASA. Nitric oxide synthase 3 content was higher in PLPs from ASA-exposed Meg-01 cells than in PLPs from non-ASA incubated Meg-01 cells. The L-arginine antagonist, NG-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester, reduced caspase-3 activity in A23187-stimulated PLPs generated from ASA-incubated Meg-01 cells. As conclusions exposure of megakaryocyte to ASA promotes that the newly generated PLPs have, under stimulating condition, higher sensitivity to go into apoptosis than those PLPs generated from Meg-01 cells without ASA. It could be associated with differences in mitochondrial functionality and NO formation.

Faster and More Specific: Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer-Based Dyes for High-Fidelity Dynamic Imaging of Lipid Droplets within Cells and Tissues

Lipid droplets (LDs), a type of dynamic organelle residing at the center of cellular lipid storage, have been identified to play important roles in multiple biological processes, metabolic disorders, and diseases. The highly dynamic characters of LDs were found to correspond to their physiological and pathological functions. Hence, the fluorescent probes which enable dynamic tracking of LDs should be very helpful for better understanding the mechanisms of LDs involved biological processes and diseases. Herein we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first class of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorescence dyes (Flp-(11-13, 19)) for dynamic imaging of LDs based on 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) derivatives. Flp-(11-13, 19) display strong fluorescence from yellow to NIR in lipid but exhibit almost nonfluorescence in aqueous solution. Besides, they also show large Stokes shifts (>150 nm), narrow absorption and emission peaks, and good oil-water separation efficiency, which makes them specifically target and stain LDs with very low background noisy in both living cells and fixed cells. They stain intracellular LDs quite quickly (within 30 s) with very low dosage (as low as 500 nM). Benefitting from these advantages, Flp-(11-13, 19) are applied successfully in tracking the dynamic nature of LDs and accumulation of LDs in both aqueous solution and living cells, 3D imaging of LDs for visualization of their repartition within the cells, and visualizing LDs in tissues of diseases mice models including adipose, skeletal muscle, and fatty liver tissues, underscoring the potential utility of these dyes in both LDs biology research and medical diagnosis of LDs involved diseases.

Cytokine-Mediated Dysregulation of Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic disorder of B lymphocytes characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow. The altered plasma cells overproduce abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulins and also stimulate osteoclasts. The host’s immune system and microenvironment are of paramount importance in the growth of PCs and, thus, in the pathogenesis of the disease. The interaction of MM cells with the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment through soluble factors and cell adhesion molecules causes pathogenesis of the disease through activation of multiple signaling pathways, including NF-κβ, PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT. These activated pathways play a critical role in the inhibition of apoptosis, sustained proliferation, survival and migration of MM cells. Besides, these pathways also participate in developing resistance against the chemotherapeutic drugs in MM. The imbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in MM leads to an increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which in turn play a significant role in dysregulation of signaling pathways and proliferation of MM cells; however, the association appears to be inadequate and needs more research. In this review, we are highlighting the recent findings on the roles of various cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of MM and the potential therapeutic utility of aberrantly activated signaling pathways to manage the MM disease.

Ziziphora clinopodioides flavonoids based on network pharmacology attenuates atherosclerosis in rats induced by high-fat emulsion combined with vitamin D3 by down-regulating VEGF/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway

Ziziphora clinopodioides flavonoids (ZCF) is a major bioactive total flavonoids compound isolated from Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. It has been long used as an anti-atherosclerosis (AS) in clinics. However, anti-AS effects of ZCF have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study is to further investigate the anti-AS activities and mechanisms of ZCF in vivo. The main chemical components, action targets and signal pathways of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam were predicted and analyzed by network pharmacology technology. The main bioactive components of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam were identified using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). In vivo experiments, atherosclerosis in rats induced by high-fat emulsion combined with vitamin D₃ and treated with simvastatin (0.45 mg/kg/d), ZCF (6.25, 12.5, 25 g/kg/d) for 7 weeks. We found that ZCF significantly reduced blood lipid levels (TG, TC, and LDL-C), and decreased lipid deposition in the aorta and atherosclerotic lesion size, inhibited mitochondrial mem- brane potential (MMP2/9/12/13) impairment. Meanwhile, ZCF may down-regulated the levels of VEGF, AKT, NF-κB, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins, indicating ZCF may play an anti-atherosclerotic role by down-regulating the VEGF/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Results from this study demonstrated that ZCF have an anti-AS ability to lower lipid concentrations and protect endothelial function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and suggested that ZCF might be a potential therapeutic drug in the prevention of AS.

Dityrosine suppresses the cytoprotective action of thyroid hormone T3 via inhibiting thyroid hormone receptor-mediated transcriptional activation

Dityrosine (Dityr) is the most common oxidized form of tyrosine. In the previous studies of mice treated with dityrosine, cell death in the pancreas, kidneys, and liver was detected in the presence of enhanced plasma triiodothyronine (T3) content. Due to its structural similarity with the thyroid hormone T3, we hypothesized that dityrosine might disrupt T3-dependent endocrine signaling. The cytotoxic effect of dityrosine was studied in C57BL/6 mice by gavage with a dityrosine dose of 320 μg per kg per day for 10 weeks. Cell death in the liver was detected in the presence of enhanced plasma thyroid hormone content in mice treated with dityrosine. The antagonistic effect of dityrosine on T3 biofunction was studied using HepG2 cells. Dityrosine incubation reduced T3 transport ability and attenuated the T3-mediated cell survival via regulation of the PI3k/Akt/MAPK pathway. Furthermore, dityrosine inhibited T3 binding to thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and suppressed the TR-mediated transcription. Dityrosine also downregulated the expressions of T3 action-related factors. Taken together, this study demonstrates that dityrosine inhibits T3-dependent cytoprotection by competitive inhibition, resulting in downstream gene suppression. Our findings offer insights into how dityrosine acts as an antagonist of T3. These findings shed new light on cellular processes underlying the energy metabolism disorder caused by dietary oxidized protein, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diet-health axis at a cellular level.

Astragaloside IV protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from apoptosis by upregulating miR‑128 expression in diabetic rats

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects exerted by astragaloside‑IV (AIV) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM), and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, a rat model of DM was established by injecting rats with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. AIV was then intragastrically administered. An electroretinogram (ERG) was used to assess retinopathy and TUNEL staining was used to detect the level of apoptosis of RPE cells. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression in RPE cells in vitro and in vivo. AIV was found to be able to significantly increase body weight and decrease blood glucose levels in rats with DM in a dose‑dependent manner. Compared with the rats with DM, the rat rod cell response a wave, b wave, maximum response b wave, photopic (photo)‑ERG b wave and oscillatory potential (OP) p4 wave latency significantly decreased and the amplitude of OP Os1 wave increased significantly in the rats with DM treated with AIV for 11 weeks. In addition, AIV significantly decreased the apoptotic levels of RPE cells from rats with DM and significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Bax/Bcl‑2, Fas/FasL, active caspase‑3, active caspase‑8, active caspase‑9, homeobox B3 (HOXB3), p‑phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K)/PI3K, p‑AKT/AKT and p‑p70S6K1/p70S6K1, whereas it significantly increased miR‑128 expression in the RPE cells from rats with DM. In vitro, AIV significantly inhibited the high glucose (HG)‑induced apoptosis of RPE cells by increasing miR‑128 expression and Bcl‑2 and FasL protein expression in vivo. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that AIV treatment protects RPE cells of diabetic rats from apoptosis, and that these effects may be associated with the upregulation of miR‑128 expression.