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Cancers Nov 2021The Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau is expressed in several cancers, including low-grade gliomas and glioblastomas. We have previously shown that Tau is crucial for...
The Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau is expressed in several cancers, including low-grade gliomas and glioblastomas. We have previously shown that Tau is crucial for the 2D motility of several glioblastoma cell lines, including U87-MG cells. Using an RNA interference (shRNA), we tested if Tau contributed to glioblastoma in vivo tumorigenicity and analyzed its function in a 3D model of multicellular spheroids (MCS). Tau depletion significantly increased median mouse survival in an orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft model. This was accompanied by the inhibition of MCS growth and cell evasion, as well as decreased MCS compactness, implying N-cadherin mislocalization. Intracellular Signaling Array analysis revealed a defective activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in Tau-depleted cells. Such a defect in PI3K/AKT signaling was responsible for reduced MCS growth and cell evasion, as demonstrated by the inhibition of the pathway in control MCS using LY294002 or Perifosine, which did not significantly affect Tau-depleted MCS. Finally, analysis of the glioblastoma TCGA dataset showed a positive correlation between the amount of phosphorylated Akt-Ser473 and the expression of RNA encoding Tau, underlining the relevance of our findings in glioblastoma disease. We suggest a role for Tau in glioblastoma by controlling 3D cell organization and functions via the PI3K/AKT signaling axis.
PubMed: 34830972
DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225818 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2021Metastatic brain tumors are regarded as the most advanced stage of certain types of cancer; however, chemotherapy has played a limited role in the treatment of brain...
Metastatic brain tumors are regarded as the most advanced stage of certain types of cancer; however, chemotherapy has played a limited role in the treatment of brain metastases. Here, we established murine models of brain metastasis using cell lines derived from human brain metastatic tumors, and aimed to explore the antitumor efficacy of perifosine, an orally active allosteric Akt inhibitor. We evaluated the effectiveness of perifosine by using it as a single agent in ectopic and orthotopic models created by injecting the DU 145 and NCI-H1915 cell lines into mice. Initially, the injected cells formed distant multifocal lesions in the brains of NCI-H1915 mice, making surgical resection impractical in clinical settings. We determined that perifosine could distribute into the brain and remain localized in that region for a long period. Perifosine significantly prolonged the survival of DU 145 and NCI-H1915 orthotopic brain tumor mice; additionally, complete tumor regression was observed in the NCI-H1915 model. Perifosine also elicited much stronger antitumor responses against subcutaneous NCI-H1915 growth; a similar trend of sensitivity to perifosine was also observed in the orthotopic models. Moreover, the degree of suppression of NCI-H1915 tumor growth was associated with long-term exposure to a high level of perifosine at the tumor site and the resultant blockage of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, a decrease in tumor cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis. The results presented here provide a promising approach for the future treatment of patients with metastatic brain cancers and emphasize the importance of enriching a patient population that has a higher probability of responding to perifosine.
PubMed: 34804943
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754365 -
Bioengineered Dec 2021Chronic skin ulcers are a primary global health problem. Velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) regulates endothelial cell migration and angiogenic sprout. Adipose-derived stem...
Chronic skin ulcers are a primary global health problem. Velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) regulates endothelial cell migration and angiogenic sprout. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are reported to make pivotal impacts upon wound healing. This study aimed to explore the role of VAP combined with ADSCs in wound healing of chronic skin ulcers. The effect of VAP on phenotypes of ADSCs, and VAP (PLGA microspheres) combining with ADSCs on wound healing of chronic skin ulcers was evaluated. VAP generally promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of ADSCs, and ADSC-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway. VAP-PLGA (PLGA microspheres) enhanced the promoting effect of ADSCs on wound healing, pathological changes, and angiogenesis in chronic skin ulcers . VAP-PLGA intensified the effect of ADSCs on up-regulating the levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), angiopoietin-4 (Ang-4), VEGF receptor (VEGFR), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and down-regulating the levels of interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), IL-18 and IL-6 in wound tissues in chronic skin ulcers . Collectively, VAP promoted the growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of ADSCs through activating PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway, and VAP-PLGA enhanced the function of ADSCs in promoting wound healing , which was associated with angiogenesis, inflammation inhibition, and dermal collagen synthesis.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Antlers; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Shape; Chromones; Chronic Disease; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Male; Mice; Microspheres; Morpholines; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Peptides; Phenotype; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylcholine; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Skin Ulcer; Stem Cells; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34720043
DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1990193 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Excessive host inflammation following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with severity and mortality in...
Standardized Extract of Stem Attenuates SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced IL-6 and IL-1β Production by Suppressing p44/42 MAPK and Akt Phosphorylation in Murine Primary Macrophages.
Excessive host inflammation following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with severity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recently reported that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit (S1) induces pro-inflammatory responses by activating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in macrophages. A standardized extract of stem (EAS) is a unique functional food that elicits anti-photoaging effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory signaling in hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet B-exposed skin fibroblasts. To elucidate its potential in preventing excessive inflammation in COVID-19, we examined the effects of EAS on pro-inflammatory responses in S1-stimulated macrophages. Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages were co-treated with EAS and S1. Concentrations and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Expression and phosphorylation levels of signaling proteins were analyzed using western blotting and fluorescence immunomicroscopy. EAS significantly attenuated S1-induced secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 in a concentration-dependent manner without reducing cell viability. EAS also markedly suppressed the S1-induced transcription of IL-6 and IL-1β. However, among the TLR4 signaling proteins, EAS did not affect the degradation of inhibitor κBα, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit, and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase p54 subunit after S1 exposure. In contrast, EAS significantly suppressed S1-induced phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt. Attenuation of S1-induced transcription of IL-6 and IL-1β by the MAPK kinase inhibitor U0126 was greater than that by the Akt inhibitor perifosine, and the effects were potentiated by simultaneous treatment with both inhibitors. These results suggest that EAS attenuates S1-induced IL-6 and IL-1β production by suppressing p44/42 MAPK and Akt signaling in macrophages. Therefore, EAS may be beneficial in regulating excessive inflammation in patients with COVID-19.
Topics: Animals; Asparagus Plant; Butadienes; Cell Survival; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Nitriles; Phosphorylation; Plant Extracts; Plant Stems; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Transcription, Genetic
PubMed: 34684771
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206189 -
Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao = Journal... Aug 2021To investigate neuregulin 2 (NRG2) expression in gliomas and its role in glioma development.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate neuregulin 2 (NRG2) expression in gliomas and its role in glioma development.
METHODS
We compared the expression levels of NRG2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with those in normal control samples using GEPIA database.The correlation between NRG2 and GFAP expression and their association with the overall survival of patients with LGG and GBM were analyzed.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect NRG2 protein expression levels in a tissue microarray consisting of human gliomas of different grades, and potential co-localization of NRG2 and GFAP was analyzed using a double-labeling immunofluorescence assay.Western blotting was used to investigate the effect of perifosine (an AKT inhibitor) on the regulation of GFAP expression by NRG2 in human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells.
RESULTS
Both LGG and GBM tissues, especially the former, exhibited high expressions of NRG2 ( < 0.01).In GBM samples, patients with low NRG2 levels had slightly higher overall survival after 30 months than patients with high NRG2 levels.The expression level of NRG2 mRNA was negatively correlated with that of GFAP in LGG samples ( < 0.01) but positively correlated with GFAP expression in GBM samples ( < 0.01).Immunofluorescence assay showed that NRG2 and GFAP were co-expressed in the same tumor cells of LGG tissues but were separately expressed in different tumor cells in GBM tissues.In U-87 MG cells, treatment with recombinant human NRG2 obviously promoted the expression of GFAP, and this effect was significantly inhibited by perifosine ( < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
NRG2 is highly expressed in gliomas of different grades and regulates GFAP expression in glioma cells at least partly the Akt signaling pathway to affect the survival of glioma patients.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Nerve Growth Factors; Neuregulins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34549707
DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2021.08.07 -
Molecular Biology Reports Sep 2021Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer, including lung cancer (LC). Transforming growth factor...
BACKGROUNDS
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer, including lung cancer (LC). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is one of factors capable of inducing EMT. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C), a synthetic agonist for toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, can enhance immune responses and has been used as an adjuvant for cancer vaccines; however, it remains unclear whether it influences other process, such as EMT. In the present study, we examined the effects of polyI:C on TGF-β-treated A549 human LC cells.
METHODS AND RESULTS
By in vitro cell proliferation assay, polyI:C showed no effect on the growth of A549 cells treated with TGF-β1 at the concentration range up to 10 μg/ml; however, it markedly suppressed the motility in a cell scratch and a cell invasion assay. By Western blotting, polyI:C dramatically decreased TGF-β1-induced Ak strain transforming (Akt) phosphorylation and increased phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) expression without affecting the Son of mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) 3 phosphorylation or the expression level of E-cadherin, N-cadherin or Snail, indicating that polyI:C suppressed cell motility independently of the 'cadherin switching'. The Akt inhibitor perifosine inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell invasion, and the PTEN-specific inhibitor VO-OHpic appeared to reverse the inhibitory effect of polyI:C.
CONCLUSION
PolyI:C has a novel function to suppress the motility of LC cells undergoing EMT by targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway partly via PTEN and may prevent or reduce the metastasis of LC cells.
Topics: A549 Cells; Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar; Cell Movement; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Organometallic Compounds; PTEN Phosphohydrolase; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; Phosphorylation; Phosphorylcholine; Poly I-C; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Recombinant Proteins; Signal Transduction; Toll-Like Receptor 3; Transforming Growth Factor beta1
PubMed: 34390443
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06625-1 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2021Chemotherapy resistance is the major cause of failure in neuroblastoma (NB) treatment. ATXN3 has been linked to various types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases;...
Downregulation of ATXN3 Enhances the Sensitivity to AKT Inhibitors (Perifosine or MK-2206), but Decreases the Sensitivity to Chemotherapeutic Drugs (Etoposide or Cisplatin) in Neuroblastoma Cells.
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy resistance is the major cause of failure in neuroblastoma (NB) treatment. ATXN3 has been linked to various types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases; however, its roles in NB have not been established. The aim of our study was to explore the role of ATXN3 in the cell death induced by AKT inhibitor (perifosine or MK-2206) or chemotherapy drugs (etoposide or cisplatin) in NB cells.
METHODS
The expressions of ATXN3 and BCL-2 family members were detected by Western blot. Cell survival was evaluated by CCK8, cell confluence was measured by IncuCyte, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. AS and BE2 were treated with AKT inhibitors or chemotherapeutics, respectively.
RESULTS
Downregulation of ATXN3 did not block, but significantly increased the perifosine/MK-2206-induced cell death. Among the BCL-2 family members, the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BIM and anti-proapoptotic protein Bcl-xl expression increased significantly when ATXN3 was down-regulated. Downregulation of BIM protected NB cells from the combination of perifosine/MK-2206 and ATXN3 downregulation. Downregulation of ATXN3 did not increase, but decrease the sensitivity of NB cells to etoposide/cisplatin, and knockdown of Bcl-xl attenuated this decrease in sensitivity.
CONCLUSION
Downregulation of ATXN3 enhanced AKT inhibitors (perifosine or MK-2206) induced cell death by BIM, but decreased the cell death induced by chemotherapeutic drugs (etoposide or cisplatin) Bcl-xl. The expression of ATXN3 may be an indicator in selecting different treatment regimen.
PubMed: 34322387
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.686898 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Jul 2021Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is considered one of the most common complications of thoracic radiation. Recent studies have focused on stem cell properties to...
BACKGROUND
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is considered one of the most common complications of thoracic radiation. Recent studies have focused on stem cell properties to obtain ideal therapeutic effects, and Sox9 has been reported to be involved in stem cell induction and differentiation. However, whether Sox9-expressing cells play a role in radiation repair and regeneration remains unknown.
METHODS
We successfully obtained Sox9, Rosa and Rosa mice and identified Sox9-expressing cells through lineage tracing. Then, we evaluated the effects of the ablation of Sox9-expressing cells in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanism of Sox9-expressing cells during lung regeneration via an online single-cell RNA-seq dataset.
RESULTS
In our study, we demonstrated that Sox9-expressing cells promote the regeneration of lung tissues and that ablation of Sox9-expressing cells leads to severe phenotypes after radiation damage. In addition, analysis of an online scRNA-Seq dataset revealed that the PI3K/AKT pathway is enriched in Sox9-expressing cells during lung epithelium regeneration. Finally, the AKT inhibitor perifosine suppressed the regenerative effects of Sox9-expressing cells and the AKT pathway agonist promotes proliferation and differentiation.
CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, the findings of our study suggest that Sox9-expressing cells may serve as a therapeutic target in lung tissue after RILI.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Lung; Lung Injury; Mice; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Radiation Injuries; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Signal Transduction; Suppressor Factors, Immunologic
PubMed: 34215344
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02465-9 -
Computational and Mathematical Methods... 2021To research the molecular mechanism of ghrelin in apoptosis, migratory, and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells.
AIM
To research the molecular mechanism of ghrelin in apoptosis, migratory, and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells.
METHODS
After GC AGS cells were handled with ghrelin (10 M), cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS398 (100 M), and Akt inhibitor perifosine (10uM), the rates of apoptosis were detected by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry assay. We assessed the expressions of PI3K, p-Akt, and COX-2 proteins by making use of Western blot analysis. The cell migratory and invasion were detected by using wound-healing and transwell analysis.
RESULTS
The migratory and invasion were increased in ghrelin-treated cells, while the rates of apoptosis were decreased. GC AGS cells treated with ghrelin showed an increase in protein expression of p-Akt, PI3K, and COX-2. After cells were treated with Akt inhibitor perifosine, the protein expression of p-Akt, PI3K, and COX-2 and the cell migratory, invasion, and apoptosis were partly recovered. After cells were treated with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS398, the protein expression of COX-2 and the cell migratory and invasion were decreased, while the rates of apoptosis were increased.
CONCLUSION
Ghrelin regulates cell migration, invasion, and apoptosis in GC cells through targeting PI3K/Akt/COX-2. Ghrelin increases the expression of COX-2 in GC cells by targeting PI3K/Akt. Ghrelin is suggested to be one of the molecular targets in GC.
Topics: Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Computational Biology; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Disease Progression; Ghrelin; Humans; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Nitrobenzenes; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Stomach Neoplasms; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 34122616
DOI: 10.1155/2021/5576808 -
Cardiovascular Toxicology Aug 2021Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an enzyme for tryptophan metabolism, involved in immune cell differentiation/maturation and cancer biology. IDO1 is also...
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an enzyme for tryptophan metabolism, involved in immune cell differentiation/maturation and cancer biology. IDO1 is also expressed in cardiomyocytes, but its roles in the cardiovascular system are not fully understood. Here, we reported the functions of IDO1 during cardiac hypertrophy. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot experiments demonstrated the upregulation of IDO1 mRNA and protein levels in human and hypertrophic mouse hearts, as well as in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophic rat cardiomyocytes. IDO1 activity and metabolite product kynurenine were upregulated in rodent hypertrophic hearts and cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of IDO1 activity with PF-06840003 reduced Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and rescued cardiac function in mice. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Ido1 repressed Ang II-induced growth in cardiomyocyte size and overexpression of hypertrophy-associated genes atrial natriuretic peptide (Anp or Nppa), brain natriuretic peptide (Bnp or Nppb), β-myosin heavy chain (β-Mhc or Myh7). By contrast, adenovirus-mediated rat Ido1 overexpression in cardiomyocytes promoted hypertrophic growth induced by Ang II. Mechanism analysis showed that IDO1 overexpression was associated with PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling to activate the ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), which promoted protein synthesis in Ang II-induced hypertrophy of rat cardiomyocytes. Finally, we provided evidence that inhibition of PI3K with pictilisib, AKT with perifosine, or mTOR with rapamycin, blocked the effects of IDO1 on protein synthesis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in Ang II-treated cells. Collectively, our findings identify that IDO1 promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy partially via PI3K-AKT-mTOR-S6K1 signaling.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Cardiomegaly; Case-Control Studies; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase; Kynurenine; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Myocytes, Cardiac; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Rats
PubMed: 34021461
DOI: 10.1007/s12012-021-09657-y