scholarly journals Myc is involved in Genistein protecting against LPS-induced myocarditis in vitro through mediating MAPK/JNK signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhua Huang ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Hongli Qi ◽  
Xintan Xu ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Genistein is widely used as a pharmacological compound as well as a food additive. However, the pharmaceutical effects of Genistein on myocarditis and its potential mechanisms have not been studied in detail. Methods: H9c2 cells were continuously stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 h to simulate the in vitro model of myocarditis injury. DrugBank, String, and GEO dataset were used to investigate specific genes that interacting with Genistein. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis were employed to explore Myc-related signaling pathways. Biological behaviors of H9c2 cells were observed with the support of cell counting kit-8, MTT and flow cytometry. Expression levels of cytokines including TNF-α and ILs were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of Myc and MAPK pathway related proteins. Results: Genistein alleviated the damage of H9c2 cells subjected to LPS from the perspective of elevating cells growth ability, and inhibiting cells apoptosis and inflammatory response. Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified Myc as the potential target of Genistein in myocarditis, and MAPK as the signaling pathway. Significantly, Myc was highly up-regulated in myocarditis samples. More importantly, by performing biological experiments, we discovered that Genistein relieved H9c2 cells apoptosis and inflammatory reaction which caused by LPS stimulation through inhibiting Myc expression. Additionally, the marked augmentation of p-P38 MAPK and p-JNK expression in LPS-induced cardiomyocyte model were blocked by Genistein and si-Myc. Conclusions: Our research revealed that Myc mediated the protective effects of Genistein on H9c2 cells damage caused by LPS partly through modulation of MAPK/JNK signaling pathway.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liucheng Xiao ◽  
Zonghuan Li ◽  
Chongyuan Fan ◽  
Chenggong Zhu ◽  
Xingyu Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction is a useful formula in the treatment of atherosclerosis in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Methods: In this study, we conducted the method of network pharmacology and molecular docking to discover the mechanism of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction against atherosclerosis. Then, we validated the function of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction in atherosclerosis in vitro. We investigated the function and mechanism of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction in RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells.Results: We identified 213 targets of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction and 331 targets of atherosclerosis. The PPI networks of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction and atherosclerosis were constructed. Furthermore, the two PPI networks were merged and the core PPI network was obtained. Then, functional enrichment analysis was conducted with GO and KEGG signaling pathway analysis. KEGG analysis indicated Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction was correlated with ubiquitin mediated proteolysis pathway, PI3K-AKT pathway, MAPK pathway, Notch signaling pathway, and TGF-β signaling pathway. At last, we validated the function of Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction with atherosclerosis in vitro. Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction reduced lipid accumulation and promoted the outflow of cholesterol in RAW264.7-derived foam cells. Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction increased the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein in foam cells. ABCA1 and ABCG1 were related with regulation of the inflammatory pathway and cell proliferation in atherosclerosis.Conclusions: Combined the mechanism of available treatments of atherosclerosis, we inferred Xiao-Xian-Xiong decoction could alleviate atherosclerosis by inhibiting inflammatory response and cell proliferation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 8297-8308
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Jialin Xu ◽  
Dongli Li ◽  
Hang Ma ◽  
Yu Mu ◽  
...  

GUB, a main phenolic compound present in guava fruits, could alleviate APAP-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1270-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamze Bildik ◽  
Nazli Akin ◽  
Yashar Esmaeilian ◽  
Francesko Hela ◽  
Kayhan Yakin ◽  
...  

Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a luteotropic hormone that promotes the survival and steroidogenic activity of corpus luteum (CL) by acting through luteinizing hormone receptors (LHRs) expressed on luteinized theca and granulosa cells (GCs). Therefore, it is used to support luteal phase in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles to improve clinical pregnancy rates and prevent miscarriage. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this action of hCG is not well characterized. To address this question, we designed an in vitro translational research study on the luteal GCs obtained from 58 IVF patients. hCG treatment at different concentrations and time points activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway and significantly increased its endogenous kinase activity along with upregulated expression of steroidogenic enzymes (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (stAR), 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD)) in a dose-dependent manner in the luteal GCs. As a result, in vitro P production of the cells was significantly enhanced after hCG. When JNK pathway was inhibited pharmacologically or knocked-down with small interfering RNA luteal function was compromised, P4 production was declined along with the expression of stAR and 3β-HSD in the cells. Further, hCG treatment after JNK inhibition failed to correct the luteal defect and promote P4 output. Similar to hCG, luteinizing hormone (LH) treatment improved luteal function as well and this action of LH was associated with JNK activation in the luteal GCs. These findings could be important from the perspective of CL biology and luteal phase in human because we for the first time identify a critical role for JNK signaling pathway downstream LHR activation by hCG/LH in luteal GCs. Summary Sentence JNK signaling pathway plays a central role in the upregulated expression of the steroidogenic enzymes StAR and 3b-HSD and augmented progesterone production by hCG/LH in human luteal granulosa cells.


Pharmacology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 505-513
Author(s):  
Wen Xu ◽  
Xiang-peng Li ◽  
En-ze Li ◽  
Yue-fen Liu ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
...  

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> This research was aimed to explore protective effects of allicin on rat model of myocardial infarction via JNK signaling pathway. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Rat myocardial ischemia model was established with subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO). Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (<i>n</i> = 15): sham group, ISO group, low-dose group (1.2 mg/kg/days for 7 days), medium-dose group (1.8 mg/kg/days for 7 days), and high-dose group (3.6 mg/kg/days for 7 days). Routine HE staining and Masson staining were performed to observe myocardial histopathology. The expression of oxidative stress-related indicators, heart tissue apoptosis-related proteins, and JNK and p-JNK proteins were measured for different groups. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared with the sham group, the T wave value of the ISO group was significantly increased (<i>p &#x3c;</i> 0.01). When allicin was administered, the T wave values at different time points in all groups were all decreased. Compared with the sham group, the ratio of eNOS, Bcl-2/Bax was significantly decreased, and p-eNOS, iNOS, caspase-3, caspase-9, and Cyt-c were significantly elevated in the ISO group (<i>p &#x3c;</i> 0.05). After allicin was administered, significant changes in these proteins were observed in the medium- and high-dose groups. There was no significant change in the expression of JNK protein in the ISO group compared with the sham group; however, the expression of eNOS and p-JNK protein were significantly upregulated (<i>p &#x3c;</i> 0.01) and the expression of p-eNOS and iNOS were significantly downregulated (<i>p &#x3c;</i> 0.01). When allicin was administered, expression of p-JNK protein was significantly downregulated. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Allicin can reduce oxidative stress damage and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rat model of myocardial infarction and can significantly regulate JNK signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (5) ◽  
pp. G670-G681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jixiang Niu ◽  
Zhen Li ◽  
Fuzhou Li

In recent studies, microRNAs (miRs) have been widely explored as important regulators in tumor suppression. miR-136 has been suggested to participate in tumor inhibition through control of vital cellular processes, such as angiogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of overexpressed miR-136 by transferring mimics in gallbladder cancer (GBC) and to assess the functional role of miR-136 in GBC cell behaviors with the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 ( MAP2K4)-dependent JNK signaling pathway. Differentially expressed miRs associated with GBC were screened using microarray expression profiles, which identified that miR-136 expression was decreased in GBC. Furthermore, MAP2K4 was validated as a target gene of miR-136. To uncover functional relevance regarding miR-136 and MAP2K4 in GBC, cultured GBC cell lines were prepared to transfect with mimic, inhibitor, siRNA, or vectors. At the same time, the transfected GBC cells were inoculated into nude mice to validate findings in vivo. The obtained results demonstrated that overexpressed miR-136 inhibited angiogenesis and cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in GBC cell lines in vitro, accompanied by impeded cellular tumorigenicity in nude mice via the suppression of MAP2K4. Moreover, the overexpression of MAP2K4 and the activation of the JNK signaling pathway reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-136 on the angiogenesis and tumorigenicity of GBC cells. Together, our results indicated that overexpressed miR-136 attenuates angiogenesis and enhances cell apoptosis in GBC via the JNK signaling pathway by downregulating the expression of MAP2K4. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is based on previous studies suggesting the tumor-suppressive role of microRNA (miR)-136 in various cancers. We aim to clarify whether miR-136 could function as a tumor suppressor in gallbladder cancer (GBC) and an underlying mechanism. In vitro and in vivo assays delineated that the tumor-suppressive role of miR-136 in GBC is achieved through inactivation of the JNK signaling pathway by downregulation of MAP2K4.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Hu ◽  
Yu Tao ◽  
Jing Hu

AbstractCannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) has been reported to play an important role in the regulation of pathogenesis and progression of myocardial infarction (MI). Here we tried to investigate its potential mechanisms. The ratio of infarct size in heart issue was detected by TTC staining, and cardiac functions were calculated according to echocardiographic evaluation. Cell viability in cardiomyocytes was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Western blot was used to detect autophagy-related proteins including Beclin-1, LC3, p62, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin rabbit (mTOR)-p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling-related proteins including AMPK, mTOR, p70S6K, and their phosphorylation formation. Rapamycin was used for the induction of autophagy. Cleaved caspase-3 and Bax were detected for analyzing apoptosis. TEM was used for the detection of autophagosomes. We found that CB2R deletion (CB2R KO) largely deteriorated the severity of MI and the cardiac function as well as cell viability of cardiomyocytes. Knocking out CB2R decreased the level of autophagy in heart issues from MI mice as well as cardiomyocytes under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Furthermore, CB2R dysfunction significantly attenuated the cardiac protective effects of rapamycin both in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we found that CB2R-mediated autophagy was induced by AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway. Our current study demonstrated for the first time that CB2R deletion led to a detrimental effect of MI through the dysfunction of AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway, which might provide a novel insight in the treatment of MI.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Ling Zhang ◽  
Bing Chen ◽  
Xiao-Yun Fan ◽  
Sha-Sha Wu ◽  
Sheng-Quan Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective. Herein, we aimed to study the mechanism whereby poly-L-arginine (PLA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can synergistically induce the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in NCI-H292 cells.Methods. NCI-H292 cells were divided into control, PLA, LPS, and PLA+LPS groups. At various time points, the phosphorylation of JNK in each group was measured by western blotting. Additionally, the productions of IL-6 and IL-8 were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of SP600125, an inhibitor of the JNK pathway, on the increase of p-JNK, IL-6, and IL-8 were also studied.Results. Our results showed that either PLA or LPS treatment alone can significantly increase the phosphorylation level of JNK in NCI-H292 cells. Of interest was the combined use of PLA and LPS that has a synergistic effect on the phosphorylation of JNK, as well as synergistically inducing the release of IL-6 and IL-8 in NCI-H292 cells. Furthermore, SP600125 significantly inhibited the activation of JNK signal, as well as reducing the productions of IL-6 and IL-8 in response to PLA+LPS stimulation.Conclusions. The JNK signaling pathway contributes to the release of IL-6 and IL-8, which is stimulated by the synergistic actions of PLA+LPS in NCI-H292 cells.


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