scholarly journals Erianin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cells through down-regulation of PI3K/AKT, p38 and ERK MAPK signaling pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Yang ◽  
Yue Hu ◽  
Guanbao Zhou ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Zhenshun Song

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant pathological type of primary liver cancer and no effective methods are available for its treatment. Erianin is a natural product extracted from Dendrobium, which possesses multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidative and antitumor activity. Objective: To evaluate the anti-HCC activities of erianin and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods: MTT assay and Crystal Violet staining assay were used to select the non-toxic concentrations for the subsequent experiments. The colony formation assay and PCNA fluorescent staining were used to investigate the antiproliferative effects of erianin on human SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells. Wound healing and transwell test were used to analyze cell migration and invasion. Caspase3 and Tunel staining were used to detect apoptosis. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of proteins associated with invasion and key proteins in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), p38 and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Results: Erianin inhibited HCC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased migration rate and invaded cells were observed with erianin supplement. The expression of invasion-associated proteins in the erianin group was also down-regulated. Besides, more apoptotic cells were observed after erianin treatment. For the molecular mechanism, erianin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK and P38 in the PI3K/Akt and ERK/P38 pathway. Conclusion: We demonstrated, for the first time, that erianin inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and induced the apoptosis of HCC through PI3K/Akt, p38 and ERK MAPK signaling pathway, indicating that erianin is a promising agent for the HCC treatment.

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (3) ◽  
pp. H1319-H1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantina Stathopoulou ◽  
Isidoros Beis ◽  
Catherine Gaitanaki

pH is one of the most important physiological parameters, with its changes affecting the function of vital organs like the heart. However, the effects of alkalosis on the regulation of cardiac myocyte function have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, we decided to study whether the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways [c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and p38 MAPK] are activated by alkalosis induced with Tris-Tyrode buffer at two pH values, 8.5 and 9.5, in H9c2 rat cardiac myoblasts. These buffers also induced intracellular alkalinization comparable to that induced by 1 mM NH4Cl. The three MAPKs examined presented differential phosphorylation patterns that depended on the severity and the duration of the stimulus. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE)1 by its inhibitor HOE-642 prevented alkalinization and partially attenuated the alkalosis (pH 8.5)-induced activation of these kinases. The same stimulus also promoted c-Jun phosphorylation and enhanced the binding at oligonucleotides bearing the activator protein-1 (AP-1) consensus sequence, all in a JNK-dependent manner. Additionally, mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1) was transiently phosphorylated by alkalosis (pH 8.5), and this was abolished by the selective inhibitors of either p38 MAPK or ERK pathways. JNKs also mediated Bcl-2 phosphorylation in response to incubation with the alkaline medium (pH 8.5), while selective inhibitors of the three MAPKs diminished cell viability under these conditions. All these data suggest that alkalosis activates MAPKs in H9c2 cells and these kinases, in turn, modify proteins that regulate gene transcription and cell survival.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10260
Author(s):  
Constantin Stefani ◽  
Daniela Miricescu ◽  
Iulia-Ioana Stanescu-Spinu ◽  
Remus Iulian Nica ◽  
Maria Greabu ◽  
...  

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant malignancy worldwide, being the fourth most common cause of mortality and morbidity. The CRC incidence in adolescents, young adults, and adult populations is increasing every year. In the pathogenesis of CRC, various factors are involved including diet, sedentary life, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, gut microbiota, diabetes, and genetic mutations. The CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) involves the complex cooperation between tumoral cells with stroma, immune, and endothelial cells. Cytokines and several growth factors (GFs) will sustain CRC cell proliferation, survival, motility, and invasion. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Insulin-like growth factor -1 receptor (IGF-1R), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor -A (VEGF-A) are overexpressed in various human cancers including CRC. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and all the three major subfamilies of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways may be activated by GFs and will further play key roles in CRC development. The main aim of this review is to present the CRC incidence, risk factors, pathogenesis, and the impact of GFs during its development. Moreover, the article describes the relationship between EGF, IGF, VEGF, GFs inhibitors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-MAPK signaling pathways, and CRC.


2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (21) ◽  
pp. 9743-9757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Finny S. Varghese ◽  
Bastian Thaa ◽  
Siti Naqiah Amrun ◽  
Diane Simarmata ◽  
Kai Rausalu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has infected millions of people in the tropical and subtropical regions since its reemergence in the last decade. We recently identified the nontoxic plant alkaloid berberine as an antiviral substance against CHIKV in a high-throughput screen. Here, we show that berberine is effective in multiple cell types against a variety of CHIKV strains, also at a high multiplicity of infection, consolidating the potential of berberine as an antiviral drug. We excluded any effect of this compound on virus entry or on the activity of the viral replicase. A human phosphokinase array revealed that CHIKV infection specifically activated the major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), p38 and c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK). Upon treatment with berberine, this virus-induced MAPK activation was markedly reduced. Subsequent analyses with specific inhibitors of these kinases indicated that the ERK and JNK signaling cascades are important for the generation of progeny virions. In contrast to specific MAPK inhibitors, berberine lowered virus-induced activation of all major MAPK pathways and resulted in a stronger reduction in viral titers. Further, we assessed the in vivo efficacy of berberine in a mouse model and measured a significant reduction of CHIKV-induced inflammatory disease. In summary, we demonstrate the efficacy of berberine as a drug against CHIKV and highlight the importance of the MAPK signaling pathways in the alphavirus infectious cycle. IMPORTANCE Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe and persistent muscle and joint pain and has recently spread to the Americas. No licensed drug exists to counter this virus. In this study, we report that the alkaloid berberine is antiviral against different CHIKV strains and in multiple human cell lines. We demonstrate that berberine collectively reduced the virus-induced activation of cellular mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The relevance of these signaling cascades in the viral life cycle was emphasized by specific inhibitors of these kinase pathways, which decreased the production of progeny virions. Berberine significantly reduced CHIKV-induced inflammatory disease in a mouse model, demonstrating efficacy of the drug in vivo . Overall, this work makes a strong case for pursuing berberine as a potential anti-CHIKV therapeutic compound and for exploring the MAPK signaling pathways as antiviral targets against alphavirus infections.


2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah N. Chadee

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are composed of a phosphorelay signaling module where an activated MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) phosphorylates and activates a MAPK kinase (MAP2K) that in turn phosphorylates and activates a MAPK. The biological outcome of MAPK signaling is the regulation of cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. The MAP3K mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) phosphorylates MAP2Ks to activate multiple MAPK signaling pathways, and MLK3 also has functions in cell signaling that are independent of its kinase activity. The recent elucidation of essential functions for MLK3 in tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion has drawn attention to the MLKs as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatments. The mounting evidence that suggests a role for MLK3 in tumourigenesis and establishment of the malignant phenotype is the focus of this review.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4211
Author(s):  
Yen-Tze Liu ◽  
Hsin-Yu Ho ◽  
Chia-Chieh Lin ◽  
Yi-Ching Chuang ◽  
Yu-Sheng Lo ◽  
...  

Platyphyllenone is a type of diarylheptanoid that exhibits anti-inflammatory and chemoprotective effects. However, its effect on oral cancer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether platyphyllenone can promote apoptosis and autophagy in SCC-9 and SCC-47 cells. We found that it dose-dependently promoted the cleavage of PARP; caspase-3, -8, and -9 protein expression; and also led to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Platyphyllenone up-regulated LC3-II and p62 protein expression in both SCC-9 and SCC-47 cell lines, implying that it can induce autophagy. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that platyphyllenone significantly decreased p-AKT and increased p-JNK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. The specific inhibitors of p-JNK1/2 also reduced platyphyllenone-induced cleavage of PARP, caspase-3, and caspase -8, LC3-II and p62 protein expression. These findings are the first to demonstrate that platyphyllenone can induce both autophagy and apoptosis in oral cancers, and it is expected to provide a therapeutic option as a chemopreventive agent against oral cancer proliferation.


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