Ginseng fermentation solution affects the gut microbiota in zebrafish with alcoholic liver disease via PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND

Ginsenosides have received increased amounts of attention due to their ability to modulate the intestinal flora, which may subsequently alleviate alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The effects of ginseng fermentation solution (GFS) on the gut microbiota and metabolism in ALD patients have not been explored.

PURPOSE

This research aimed to explore the regulatory effect of GFS on ALD both in vitro and in vivo.

METHOD

This study assessed the anti-ALD efficacy of GFS using an LO2 cell model and a zebrafish model. Untargeted metabolomics was used for differentially abundant metabolite analysis, and high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing was used to examine the effect of GFS on ALD.

RESULTS

The LO2 cell line experiments demonstrated that GFS effectively mitigated alcohol-induced oxidative stress and reduced apoptosis by upregulating PI3K and Bcl-2 expression and decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. In zebrafish, GFS improved morphological and physiological parameters and diminished oxidative stress-induced ALD. Meanwhile, the results from Western blotting indicated that GFS enhanced the expression of PI3K, Akt, and Bcl-2 proteins while reducing Bax protein expression, thereby ameliorating the ALD model in zebrafish. Metabolomics data revealed significant changes in a total of 46 potential biomarkers. Among them, metabolites such as prostaglandin F2 alpha belong to arachidonic acid metabolism. In addition, GFS also partly reversed the imbalance of gut microbiota composition caused by alcohol. At the genus level, alcohol consumption elevated the presence of Flectobacillus, Curvibacter, among others, and diminished Elizabethkingia within the intestinal microbes of zebrafish. Conversely, GFS reversed these effects, notably enhancing the abundance of Proteobacteria and Archaea. Correlation analyses further indicated a significant negative correlation between prostaglandin F2 alpha, 11,14,15-THETA, Taurocholic acid and Curvibacter.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights a novel mechanism by which GFS modulates anti-ALD activity through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway by influencing the intestinal flora-metabolite axis. These results indicate the potential of GFS as a functional food for ALD treatment via modulation of the gut flora.

Progression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by a slow progression and caused by the inhalation of harmful particulate matter. Cigarette smoke and air pollutants are the primary contributing factors. Currently, the pathogenesis of COPD remains incompletely understood. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has recently emerged as a critical regulator of inflammation and oxidative stress response in COPD, playing a pivotal role in the disease's progression and treatment. This paper reviews the association between the PI3K/Akt pathway and COPD, examines effective PI3K/Akt inhibitors and novel anti-COPD agents, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets for clinical intervention in this disease.

XB130 inhibits healing of diabetic skin ulcers through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Diabetic skin ulcers, a significant global healthcare burden, are mainly caused by the inhibition of cell proliferation and impaired angiogenesis. XB130 is an adaptor protein that regulates cell proliferation and migration. However, the role of XB130 in the development of diabetic skin ulcers remains unclear.

AIM

To investigate whether XB130 can regulate the inhibition of proliferation and vascular damage induced by high glucose. Additionally, we aim to determine whether XB130 is involved in the healing process of diabetic skin ulcers, along with its molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

We conducted RNA-sequencing analysis to identify the key genes involved in diabetic skin ulcers. We investigated the effects of XB130 on wound healing using histological analyses. In addition, we used reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, immunofluorescence, wound healing, and tubule formation experiments to investigate their effects on cellular processes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with high glucose. Finally, we performed functional analysis to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic skin ulcers.

RESULTS

RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the expression of XB130 was up-regulated in the tissues of diabetic skin ulcers. Knockdown of XB130 promoted the healing of skin wounds in mice, leading to an accelerated wound healing process and shortened wound healing time. At the cellular level, knockdown of XB130 alleviated high glucose-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenic impairment in HUVECs. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway removed the proliferative effects and endothelial protection mediated by XB130.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicated that the expression of XB130 is up-regulated in high glucose-stimulated diabetic skin ulcers and HUVECs. Knockdown of XB130 promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, which accelerates the healing of diabetic skin ulcers.

Paeoniae Radix Rubra extract attenuates cerebral ischemia injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and activating autophagy through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR), the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch, has been widely used to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis in Chinese clinical practice, but its effect on cerebral ischemia is still rarely reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic possibilities of the extract of PRR (PRRE) on cerebral ischemia, further exploring the underlying mechanism, and preliminary screening of the corresponding active components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The neuroprotective effects of PRRE in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) injury and mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22 cell line) following oxidative stress were confirmed. The mechanism was investigated using immunohistochemical staining, western blotting, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunofluorescence. The active components of PRRE were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and molecular docking.

RESULTS

The in vivo study showed that PRRE reduced infarct volume and improved neurological deficits in rats, and the expression of GPX4, FTH1, Beclin1, LC3 II, and p-Akt was upregulated in the rat hippocampi. In addition, the vitro research indicated that PRRE can also alleviate H₂O₂-induced HT22 cell damage by regulating cytokines such as malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expressions of GPX4 and Beclin1 were observed to be elevated. The PI3K/Akt signalling pathway was inhibited by LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Furthermore, the effective components of PRRE in regulating ferroptosis and autophagy are mainly defined as albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin, oleanolic acid, and hederagenin.

CONCLUSION

PRRE exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischaemic injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and activating autophagy through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. This study provides an experimental basis for the potential application of PRRE as a novel therapeutic drug, and PI3K/Akt-associated ferroptosis and autophagy as therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia.

Protective effect of ischaemic postconditioning combined with nicorandil on myocardial ischaemia‒reperfusion injury in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

The diabetic heart exhibits a high sensitivity to ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect the efficacy of cardioprotective interventions and reduce the therapeutic potential of existing treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of shifting from monotherapy to combination therapy in diabetic myocardial I/R injury.

METHODS

6-8 week rats were randomized into 10 groups: sham, I/R, ischaemia postconditioning (I-Post), nicorandil (Nic), combination therapy (I-Post + Nic), DM sham, DM I/R, DM I-Post, DM Nic and DM I-Post + Nic. The extent of myocardial injury was clarified by measuring CK-MB and NO levels in plasma, ROS content in myocardial tissues, and TTC/Evans Blue staining to assess the area of myocardial infarction. Pathological staining of cardiac tissue sections were performed to clarify the structural changes in myocardial histopathology. Finally, Western blotting was performed to detect the phosphorylation levels of some key proteins in the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in myocardial tissues.

RESULTS

We confirms that myocardial injury in diabetic I/R rats remained at a high level after treatment with I-Post or nicorandil alone. I-Post combined with nicorandil showed better therapeutic effects in diabetic I/R rats, and the combined treatment further reduced the area of myocardial injury in diabetic I/R rats compared with I-Post or nicorandil treatment alone (P < 0.001), as well as the levels of the myocardial injury markers CK-MB and ROS (P < 0.001); it also significantly increased plasma NO levels. Pathological staining also showed that diabetic rats benefited significantly from the combination therapy. Further mechanistic studies confirmed this finding. The protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in the heart tissue of diabetic I/R rats were significantly higher after the combination treatment than after one treatment alone (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

I-Post combined with nicorandil treatment maintains effective cardioprotection against diabetic myocardial I/R injury by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

Network pharmacology identification and in Vivo validation of key pharmacological pathways of Phyllanthus reticulatus (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extract in liver cancer treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phyllanthus reticulatus (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been used in Zhuang medicine since ancient times. Traditionally, it has the effect of removing toxins and detumescence and can be used to treat hepatitis in China and India. Our previous studies have proved that the ethyl acetate extract of its leaves (PRPE) has an anti-hepatoma effect.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To predict targets of an ethyl acetate extract of Phyllanthus reticulatus leaves (PRPE) in hepatoma treatment via network pharmacology and verify the predictions in a mouse model of liver cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical constituents and therapeutic targets of P. reticulatus (PRP) were searched and predicted via public databases. A protein-protein interaction network comprising common targets was constructed, and the key gene targets were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for biological function and pathway enrichment analyses. The effects of PRP on BEL-7404 and HepG₂ cells were determined by MTT assay, apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and hoechst44432/PI. And a nude mouse xenograft model was established to verify the anti-tumour effect in vivo. The histopathology of tumours was observed by staining with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the gene and protein expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt1, p53, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax, respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven chemical components and 567 potential therapeutic targets of PRP were identified. GO analysis indicated that these targets are mainly associated with peptidyl-tyrosine phosphorylation and steroid metabolic process. KEGG analysis showed that the targets are mainly located in the PI3K/Akt, apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Ras and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathways. According to the p-adjust value, the PI3K/Akt pathway is the core pathway. In vitro, PRPE could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells. IC₅₀ values of PRPE were 2.48 and 6.34 mg/mL for BEL-7404 and hepG₂ cells, respectively. PRPE significantly reduced tumour volume and weight. H&E results showed that PRPE repaired necrotic areas in hepatoma cells. PRPE reduced the protein expression of PI3K, Akt1 and Bcl-2 and increased the protein expression of p53 and Bax. Meanwhile, PRPE reduced the mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT1 and BCL₂ and increased the mRNA expression of TP53, CASP3 and BAX.

CONCLUSION

The targets of PRPE are the PI3K/Akt, apoptosis, MAPK, Ras and VEGF signalling pathways. Passing through the PI3K/Akt pathway to induce apoptosis is the main mechanism of PRPE.

Explore the effects of pulmonary fibrosis on sperm quality and the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway based on rat model

Researches were reported that respiratory diseases can lead to male infertility; however, it is unclear whether there is a relationship between pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and male infertility. This study examined the influence of PF on sperm quality and its mechanisms. The key signalling pathway of male infertility caused by PF was predicted based on bioinformatics research. After modelling, we evaluated semen quality. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure the protein and mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylation-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) in rat testicular cells. Compared with group A (48.77 ± 4.67; 59.77 ± 4.79), the sperm concentration and total sperm viability of group B (8.44 ± 1.71; 15.39 ± 3.48) showed a downward trend (p < 0.05). Western blotting showed that the protein expressions of PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl2 in the testes of group B (0.30 ± 0.06; 0.27 ± 0.05; 0.15 ± 0.03) was significantly lower than those of group A (0.71 ± 0.07; 0.72 ± 0.06; 0.50 ± 0.06) (p < 0.05). The hypoxic environment induced by PF can inhibit the expression of PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl2 protein and eventually cause dysfunctional spermatogenesis.

Erzhi pills ameliorate cognitive dysfunction and alter proteomic hippocampus profiles induced by d-galactose and Aβ1-40 injection in ovariectomized Alzheimer's disease model rats

CONTEXT

Erzhi pills are a classic Chinese medicine prescription, but their effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not clear.

OBJECTIVE

The protective effects of Erzhi pills in AD rats and their potential mechanisms were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An AD rat model was established by ovariectomy combined with d-galactose and Aβ_1-40 injection. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated, model, oestradiol valerate (0.80 mg/kg), Erzhi pills high-dose (1.50 g/kg), and Erzhi pills low-dose (0.75 g/kg). Learning and memory abilities were evaluated with the Morris water maze test, oestrogen levels with an ELISA kit, and hippocampal neuron morphology and Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm with H&E and Nissl staining. The expression of ERβ, Aβ_1-40, and p-tau⁴⁰⁴ was determined by immunohistochemistry. Nano LC-LTQ-Orbitrap Proteomics determined potential targets and related signalling pathways. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the related proteins.

RESULTS

Erzhi pills (1.5, 0.75 g/kg) markedly reduced escape latencies on the MWM, increased numbers of platform crossings, numbers of neurons, Nissl bodies, oestrogen levels (100.18, 43.04 pg/mL), and ERβ-positive cells (57.42, 39.83); Aβ_1-40 (18.85, 36.83)- and p-tau⁴⁰⁴ (14.42, 29.71)-positive cells were significantly decreased. Proteomics identified more than 100 differentially expressed proteins involved in 48 signalling pathways, five of which are involved in the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Western blotting showed decreased expression of GSK3β and Bad, while Akt, PI3K, 14-3-3, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-2 were upregulated.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Erzhi pills may serve as a potential agent for AD therapeutics by improving learning and memory.

Telomerase enhances osteogenic ifferentiation of sheep bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by up-regulating PI3K/Akt pathway in vitro

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) vectors were transfected into bone marrow mesen- chymal stem cells (BMSCs) which were then cultured and selected to establish TERT-BMSC cell lines whilst sequencing BMSCs and TERT-BMSCs via transcriptome in this study to explore their regulatory mechanism and effect on osteogenic differentiation after TERT ectopic expres- sion in sheep BMSCs. After sequencing and analysing differential genes, PI3K/Akt signalling pathway related to osteogenic differentiation was investigated. Western blot was used before and after applying the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway inhibitor LY294002 to detect protein expression levels of AKT and p-AKT. On the twenty-first day of osteogenic differentiation, RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of RUNX2 and OPN and alizarin red staining was utilised to analyse calcium salt deposition. Results showed that pro- tein expression levels of AKT and p-AKT were significantly up-regulated, mRNA and protein expression levels of RUNX2 and OPN increased and calcium salt deposition increased after ectopic expression of TERT. After applying LY294002, the protein expression of AKT and p-AKT was down-regulated, mRNA and protein expression levels of RUNX2 and OPN were reduced and calcium salt deposition was reduced. These results confirmed the stable integration and expression of the exogenous TERT gene in BMSCs to promote the differentiation of BMSC osteoblasts, which may be mediated by the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

Overexpression of microRNA-23a-5p induces myocardial infarction by promoting cardiomyocyte apoptosis through inhibited of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway

Myocardial infarction (MI) leads to cardiac remodelling and heart failure. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is considered a critical pathological phenomenon accompanying MI, but the pathogenesis mechanism remains to be explored. MicroRNAs (miRs), with the identity of negative regulator of gene expression, exist as an important contributor to apoptosis. During the experiment of this study, MI mice models were successfully established and sequencing data showed that the expression of miR-23a-5p was significantly enhanced during MI progression. Further steps were taken and it showed that apoptosis of cardiac cells weakened as miR-23a-5p was downregulated and on the contrary that apoptosis strengthened with the overexpression of miR-23a-5p. To explore its working mechanisms, bioinformatics analysis was conducted by referring to multi-databases to predict the targets of miR-23a-5p. Further analysis suggested that those downstream genes enriched in several pathways, especially in the PI3K/Akt singling pathway. Furthermore, it demonstrated that miR-23a-5p was negatively related to the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt, which plays a critical role in triggering cell apoptosis during MI. Recilisib-activated PI3K/Akt singling pathway could restrain apoptosis from inducing miR-23a-5p overexpression, and Miltefosine-blocked PI3K/Akt singling pathway could restrict apoptosis from inhibiting miR-23a-5p reduction. In conclusion, these findings revealed the pivotal role of miR-23a-5p-PI3K/Akt axis in regulating apoptosis during MI, introducing this novel axis as a potential indicator to detect ischemic heart disease and it could be used for therapeutic intervention.

CLDN4 silencing promotes proliferation and reduces chemotherapy sensitivity of gastric cancer cells through activation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? What is the influence of the interaction between the matrix protein CLDN4 and the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway on tumour progression and chemotherapy sensitivity in gastric cancer? What is the main finding and its importance? Silencing of CLDN4 can promote the growth and proliferation of gastric cancer cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, and thus reduce the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a high mortality rate, accompanied by metastasis. Claudins (CLDNs) are major tight-junction proteins that mediate cellular polarity and differentiation. In the present study, we investigated the role of claudin 4 (CLDN4) in modulating cell proliferation and chemotherapeutic sensitivity in GC. Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were initially used to detect the expression of CLDN4 in cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues collected from GC patients. GC cell lines with the highest and the lowest CLDN4 expression were selected for subsequent experiments. The effects of CLDN4 on GC cell chemosensitivity, proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis and tumourigenic capacity were evaluated by conducting gain- and loss-of-function studies of CLDN4. Expression of CLDN4 was significantly decreased in GC tissues and cell lines compared to adjacent normal tissues or gastric epithelial cells. Silencing of CLDN4 increased the extent of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation, and also the proliferation, migration, invasion and tumourigenesis of GC cells; at the same time apoptosis and the sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapy were reduced. In conclusion, CLDN4 may play a pivotal role in attenuating GC cell proliferation and enhancing sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapy by inactivating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

Long non-coding RNA Gas5 potentiates the effects of microRNA-21 downregulation in response to ischaemic brain injury

Brain ischaemia, which can cause severe nerve injury, is a global health challenge. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth-arrest specific 5 (Gas5) has been documented to exert tumour suppressive effects in several cancers. However, its role in cerebrovascular disease still requires further investigation. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the role of lncRNA regulatory signalling related to lncRNA Gas5 in ischaemic brain injury. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was employed as a model of ischaemic brain injury in rats. The expression of lncRNA Gas5 and microRNA-21 (miR-21) was altered in neurons to elucidate their effects in ischaemic brain injury and to identify the interactions among lncRNA Gas5, miR-21 and Pten. The neuronal survival rate, apoptosis and the expression of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathway-related genes were also evaluated in vitro to determine the effects of lncRNA Gas5. In the brains of rats subjected to MCAO, the expression of lncRNA Gas5 and Pten was upregulated, while miR-21 was downregulated. LncRNA Gas5 inhibited miR-21 expression, leading to elevated levels of Pten. In vitro experiments revealed that lncRNA Gas5 depletion and miR-21 elevation resulted in the suppression of neuronal apoptosis, thus promoting neuronal survival via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. These findings demonstrate that lncRNA Gas5 increases miR-21 and activates Pten, contributing to the development of ischaemic brain injury, supporting the silencing of lncRNA Gas5 as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of ischaemic brain injury.

EGF-activated PI3K/Akt signalling coordinates leucine uptake by regulating LAT3 expression in prostate cancer

Background

Growth factors, such as EGF, activate the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signalling pathway, which regulates a distinct program of protein synthesis leading to cell growth. This pathway relies on mTORC1 sensing sufficient levels of intracellular amino acids, such as leucine, which are required for mTORC1 activation. However, it is currently unknown whether there is a direct link between these external growth signals and intracellular amino acid levels. In primary prostate cancer cells, intracellular leucine levels are regulated by L-type amino acid transporter 3 (LAT3/SLC43A1), and we therefore investigated whether LAT3 is regulated by growth factor signalling.

Methods

To investigate how PI3K/Akt signalling regulates leucine transport, prostate cancer cells were treated with different PI3K/Akt inhibitors, or stable knock down of LAT3 by shRNA, followed by analysis of leucine uptake, western blotting, immunofluorescent staining and proximity ligation assay.

Results

Inhibition of PI3K/Akt signalling significantly reduced leucine transport in LNCaP and PC-3 human prostate cancer cell lines, while growth factor addition significantly increased leucine uptake. These effects appeared to be mediated by LAT3 transport, as LAT3 knockdown blocked leucine uptake, and was not rescued by growth factor activation or further inhibited by signalling pathway inhibition. We further demonstrated that EGF significantly increased LAT3 protein levels when Akt was phosphorylated, and that Akt and LAT3 co-localised on the plasma membrane in EGF-activated LNCaP cells. These effects were likely due to stabilisation of LAT3 protein levels on the plasma membrane, with EGF treatment preventing ubiquitin-mediated LAT3 degradation.

Conclusion

Growth factor-activated PI3K/Akt signalling pathway regulates leucine transport through LAT3 in prostate cancer cell lines. These data support a direct link between growth factor and amino acid uptake, providing a mechanism by which the cells rapidly coordinate amino acid uptake for cell growth.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0400-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Silencing UHRF1 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Promotes Cell Apoptosis in Retinoblastoma Via the PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effect of silencing ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma (RB) cells and to clarify the molecular mechanism of the UHRF1 gene in the development of RB. Human RB WERI-Rb-1 cells were selected and assigned into a blank group (WERI-Rb-1 cells with no transfection), NC-shRNA group (WERI-Rb-1 cells infected with NC-shRNA virus) and UHRF1-shRNA group (WERI-Rb-1 cells infected with pGC-UHRF1-shRNA-LV-GFP# (39-1) virus). The mRNA and protein expression of UHRF1 was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. The effect of silencing UHRF1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of WERI-Rb-1 cells was assessed by MTT assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, and Hoechst staining. Furthermore, the expression of cell cycle-related factor (cyclin D1), apoptosis-related factors (caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax), and PI3K/Akt signalling pathway-related factors (p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt and Akt) were measured via Western blot analysis. The RNA interference plasmid UHRF1-shRNA was successfully constructed. After WERI-Rb-1 cells were infected with UHRF1-shRNA, decreased mRNA and protein expression of UHRF1 was found. WERI-Rb-1 cells infected with UHRF1-shRNA showed inhibited proliferative ability and increased apoptosis. In the UHRF1-shRNA group, more cells arrested at the G0/G1 phase and less cells at the S and G2/M phases. WERI-Rb-1 cells infected with UHRF1-shRNA had increased expression of caspase-9 and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 expression and decreased levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that silencing UHRF1 could inhibit the proliferation of RB cells and promote apoptosis. The mechanism may be caused by the downregulation of the proportion of Bcl-2/Bax expression and the promotion of the expression of caspase-9 through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

LncRNA LINC01305 silencing inhibits cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical cancer by inhibiting TNXB-mediated PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

Cervical cancer (CC) remains one of the leading malignancies afflicting females worldwide, with its aetiology associated with long‐term papillomavirus infection. Recent studies have shifted their focus and research attention to the relationship between long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and CC therapeutic. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of lncRNA LINC01305 on the cell invasion, migration and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CC cells via modulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway by targeting tenascin‐X B (TNXB). The expressions of LINC01305, TNXB, MMP2, MMP9, E‐cadherin, vimentin, PI3K, Akt, p‐PI3K, p‐Akt and TNXB were detected in this study. After which, the cell invasion and migration abilities of the CC cells were determined respectively. Bioinformatics and the application of a dual luciferase reporter gene assay provided verification indicating that TNXB is the target gene of lncRNA LINC01305. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot analysis methods revealed that the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, vimentin, PI3K, Akt, p‐PI3K and p‐Akt were decreased following the down‐regulation of LncRNA LINC01305 or overexpression of TNXB. LncRNA LINC01305 silencing or TNXB overexpression was noted to decrease the migration and invasion of SiHa cells. Taken together, the key findings of the current study present evidence suggesting that lncRNA LINC01305 silencing suppresses EMT, invasion and migration via repressing the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway by means of targeting TNXB in CC cells, which ultimately provides novel insight and identification of potential therapeutic targets for CC.

Isoliquiritigenin Suppresses Osteosarcoma U2OS Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating the PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway

AIMS

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid, that has been shown to have antioxidant, vasorelaxant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. This study aimed to explore the antitumor effect of ISL on human osteosarcoma U2OS cells and investigate the mechanism of this effect.

METHODS

The effect of ISL on osteosarcoma U2OS cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were determined by a CCK8 assay, a transwell invasion assay, a transwell migration assay, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, respectively. In addition, the protein expression levels of Bcl2, Bax, active Caspase-3, Akt, mTOR, p70, and Cyclin D1 were detected by western blotting.

RESULTS

ISL suppressed cell proliferation, inhibited invasion and migration, and promoted apoptosis in U2OS cells. After treatment with ISL, the protein expression levels of Bax and active Caspase-3 increased, while the level of Bcl-2 declined significantly. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR declined significantly compared with that of the control.

CONCLUSION

ISL could retard proliferation and promote apoptosis of U2OS cells possibly by suppressing the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, indicating that it might be a potential therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma treatment.