scholarly journals Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae Restore the MMP/TIMP Balance in Models of Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting the Activation of the NF- κ B and PI3K/AKT Pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Guang-Yao Chen ◽  
Jia-Qi Chen ◽  
Xiao-Yu Liu ◽  
Yuan Xu ◽  
Jing Luo ◽  
...  

Total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD) have been shown to have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis (OA) clinically, but the mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of TFRD on articular cartilage in an OA rat model established by the Hulth method and in SW1353 chondrocytes induced by the proinflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The results showed that TFRD could alleviate the pathological changes in knee cartilage in OA model rats. In vivo, the qPCR analysis indicated that the mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13, were decreased, while tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases- (TIMP-) 4 was increased in cartilage, and these changes could be partially prevented by TFRD. In vitro experiments showed that IL-1β could significantly increase the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 and decrease the expression of TIMP-4 in SW1353 cells at the mRNA and protein levels. TFRD could increase the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and decrease the expression of TIMP-4. Transfection of siRNA and addition of pathway inhibitors were used to clarify that inhibition of NF- κ B and PI3K/AKT pathway decreased MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 and increased TIMP-4 expression. We also found that in IL-1β-induced SW1353 cells, TFRD pretreatment had a modest inhibitory effect on p-AKT (Ser473) and reversed the increase of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF- κ B ) p65 in nuclear fraction and the decrease of inhibitor of NF- κ B I κ B - α in the cytosolic fraction. Further immunofluorescence confirmed that TFRD can inhibit IL-1β-induced NF- κ B p65 translocation to the nucleus to some extent. In conclusion, TFRD showed chondroprotective effects by restoring the MMP/TIMP balance in OA models by suppressing the activation of the NF- κ B and PI3K/AKT pathways.

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Szwajgier ◽  
Ewa Baranowska-Wojcik ◽  
Kamila Borowiec

Numerous authors have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of phenolic acids and their derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of phenolic acids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is discussed, including the structure-activity relationship. In addition, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the formation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibrils is presented. We also cover the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies concerning the prevention and treatment of the cognitive enhancement.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengwu Xiao ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Meimian Hua ◽  
Huan Chen ◽  
Bin Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins exhibit oncogenic roles in various cancers. The roles of TRIM27, a member of the TRIM super family, in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remained unexplored. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the clinical impact and roles of TRIM27 in the development of RCC. Methods The mRNA levels of TRIM27 and Kaplan–Meier survival of RCC were analyzed from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the mRNA and protein levels of TRIM27 both in vivo and in vitro. siRNA and TRIM27 were exogenously overexpressed in RCC cell lines to manipulate TRIM27 expression. Results We discovered that TRIM27 was elevated in RCC patients, and the expression of TRIM27 was closely correlated with poor prognosis. The loss of function and gain of function results illustrated that TRIM27 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in RCC cell lines. Furthermore, TRIM27 expression was positively associated with NF-κB expression in patients with RCC. Blocking the activity of NF-κB attenuated the TRIM27-mediated enhancement of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. TRIM27 directly interacted with Iκbα, an inhibitor of NF-κB, to promote its ubiquitination, and the inhibitory effects of TRIM27 on Iκbα led to NF-κB activation. Conclusions Our results suggest that TRIM27 exhibits an oncogenic role in RCC by regulating NF-κB signaling. TRIM27 serves as a specific prognostic indicator for RCC, and strategies targeting the suppression of TRIM27 function may shed light on future therapeutic approaches.


Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 759-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
F P Yuan ◽  
X Li ◽  
J Lin ◽  
C Schwabe ◽  
E E Büllesbach ◽  
...  

LH receptor knockout (LhrKO) male mice exhibit a bilateral cryptorchidism resulting from a developmental defect in the gubernaculum during the inguinoscrotal phase of testis descent, which is corrected by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).In vivoandin vitroexperiments were conducted to investigate the roles of the androgen receptor (AR) and RXFP2 signals in regulation of gubernacular development inLhrKO animals. This study demonstrated that AR and RXFP2 proteins were expressed in the gubernaculum during the entire postnatal period. TRT normalized gubernacular RXFP2 protein levels inLhrKO mice. Organ and primary cell cultures of gubernacula showed that 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) upregulated the expression ofRxfp2which was abolished by the addition of an AR antagonist, flutamide. A single s.c. testosterone injection also led to a significant increase inRxfp2mRNA levels in a time-dependent fashion inLhrKO animals. DHT, natural and synthetic insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), or relaxin alone did not affect proliferation of gubernacular mesenchymal cells, while co-treatments of DHT with either INSL3 or relaxin resulted in an increase in cell proliferation, and they also enhanced the mesenchymal cell differentiation toward the myogenic pathway, which included a decrease in a mesenchymal cell marker, CD44 and the expression of troponin. These effects were attenuated by the addition of flutamide, siRNA-mediatedRxfp2knockdown, or by an INSL3 antagonist. Co-administration of an INSL3 antagonist curtailed TRT-induced inguinoscrotal testis descent inLhrKO mice. Our findings indicate that the RXFP2 signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating androgen action to stimulate gubernaculum development during inguinoscrotal testis descent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Shen ◽  
Zehua Chen ◽  
Zige Li ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
...  

Background: Total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD), extracted from the kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma Rrynariae, has been proved to be effective in treating osteoporosis, bone fractures and defects. However, pharmacological effects of TFRD on type H vessels, angiogenic-osteogenic coupling in distraction osteogenesis (DO) and the mechanism remain unclear. This study aims at investigating whether type H vessels exist in the DO model, effects of TFRD on angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and further elucidating the underlying mechanism.Methods: Rats models of DO and bone fracture (FR) were established, and then were separately divided into TFRD and control subgroups. Imageological and histological analyses were performed to assess bone and vessel formation. Immunofluorescent staining of CD31 and endomucin (Emcn) was conducted to determine type H vessel formation. Matrigel tube formation, ALP and Alizarin Red S staining assays were performed to test the effects of TFRD on angiogenesis or osteogenesis of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Additionally, expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, PDGF-BB, RUNX2 and OSX were determined by ELISA, qPCR or western blot, respectively.Results: The in vivo results indicated more formed type H vessels in DO groups than in FR groups and TFRD obviously increased the abundance of type H vessels. Moreover, groups with higher abundance of type H vessels showed better angiogenesis and osteogenesis outcomes. Further in vitro experiments showed that TFRD significantly promoted while blocking PDGF-BB remarkably suppressed the angiogenic activity of EPCs under stress conditions. The levels of p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, downstream mediators of the PDGF-BB pathway, were up-regulated by TFRD but blocked by function blocking anti-PDGF-BB antibody. In contrast, the activated AKT and ERK1/2 and corresponding tube formation were not affected by the HIF-1α inhibitor. Besides, blocking PDGF-BB inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of the stretched BMSCs, but TFRD enhanced the osteogenic activity of BMSCs and ameliorated the inhibition, with more calcium nodes, higher ALP activity and mRNA and protein levels of RUNX2 and OSX.Conclusion: Type H vessels exist in the DO model and TFRD enhances angiogenic-osteogenic coupling during DO by promoting type H vessel formation via PDGF-BB/PDGFR-β instead of HIF-1α/VEGF axis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 532-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunmei Mi ◽  
Bin Ye ◽  
Zhou Gao ◽  
Jinzhi Du ◽  
Ruizhen Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Pre-eclampsia (PE), which results from abnormal placentation, is a primary cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the causes of abnormal development of the placenta remain poorly understood. BHLHE40 is a transcriptional repressor in response to hypoxia. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that BHLHE40 negatively regulates miR-196a-5p expression, which may decrease miR-196a-5p to target SNX16. Since SNX16 exerts an inhibitory effect on cell migration, it may disrupt trophoblast cell migration in placentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore a possible role of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis in PE pathogenesis. BHLHE40, miR-196a-5p and SNX16 mRNA and/or protein levels were detected in PE and normal placenta tissues. PE models in vitro and in vivo were constructed by culturing trophoblasts under hypoxia and reducing the uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant C57/BL6N mice, respectively. BHLHE40 and SNX16 were upregulated in PE placenta, while miR-196a-5p was downregulated. Knockdown of BHLHE40 reversed miR-196a-5p expression in trophoblasts under hypoxia, and upregulation of miR-196a-5p inhibited SNX16 expression. As indicated by ChIP assay, BHLHE40 bound to the promoter of the miR-196a-5p gene; luciferase reporter analysis showed that miR-196a-5p could bind to the 3ʹ-untranslated region of SNX16 mRNA. Knockdown of either BHLHE40 or SNX16, or an increase in miR-196a-5p, restored cell viability, migration, invasion and matrix metalloprotein (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression under hypoxia. BHLHE40 knockdown also alleviated PE symptoms in pregnant C57/BL6N mice. This study supports involvement of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis in PE pathogenesis; Proper adjustment of the BHLHE40/miR-196a-5p/SNX16 axis is able to attenuate PE symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ting Zhai ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
Yayun Liu ◽  
Kun Qian ◽  
Yanling Xiong ◽  
...  

Background. Honokiol (HNK) has been reported to possess various beneficial effects in the context of metabolic disorders, including fatty liver, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress which are closely related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however with no particular reference to CFLAR or JNK. Methods. C57BL/6 mice were fed methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet and administered simultaneously with HNK (10 and 20 mg/kg once a day, ig) for 6 weeks, and NCTC1469 cells were pretreated, respectively, by oleic acid (OA, 0.5 mmol/L) plus palmitic acid (PA, 0.25 mmol/L) for 24 h, and adenovirus-down Cflar for 24 h, then exposed to HNK (10 and 20 μmol/L) for 24 h. Commercial kits, H&E, MT, ORO staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were used to detect the biomarkers, hepatic histological changes, and the expression of key genes involved in NASH. Results. The in vivo results showed that HNK suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK (pJNK) by activating CFLAR; enhanced the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes Acox, Cpt1α, Fabp5, Gpat, Mttp, Pparα, and Scd-1; and decreased the levels of hepatic TG, TC, and MDA, as well as the levels of serum ALT and AST. Additionally, HNK enhanced the protein expression of oxidative stress-related key regulatory gene NRF2 and the activities of antioxidases HO-1, CAT, and GSH-Px and decreased the protein levels of prooxidases CYP4A and CYP2E1. The in vivo effects of HNK on the expression of CLFAR, pJNK, and NRF2 were proved by the in vitro experiments. Moreover, HNK promoted the phosphorylation of IRS1 (pIRS1) in both tested cells and increased the uptake of fluorescent glucose 2-NBDG in OA- and PA-pretreated cells. Conclusions. HNK ameliorated NASH mainly by activating the CFLAR-JNK pathway, which not only alleviated fat deposition by promoting the efflux and β-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver but also attenuated hepatic oxidative damage and insulin resistance by upregulating the expression of NRF2 and pIRS1.


Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (12) ◽  
pp. 1629-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
HUA-RONG LI ◽  
GANG LI ◽  
MAN LI ◽  
SHU-LING ZHANG ◽  
HENG WANG ◽  
...  

SUMMARYInterleukin (IL)-13-associated signal pathway plays an important role in schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis. In this study we tried to investigate the effects of corilagin to ameliorate schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis through regulating IL-13-associated signal pathway in vitro and in vivo. Cellular model was set up with hepatic stellate cells-T6 cells stimulated by rIL-13 and male Balb/c mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariaeas as animal model. Liver histological changes were observed with haematoxylin and eosin staining. Masson staining was employed to observe the change of egg granulomas. Expression of Col (collagen) and Col III were examined with Immunohistochemistry. Western bolt was employed to detect the JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 proteins. The mRNA expression of Col I, Col III, IL-13, JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. As a result, less inflammatory changes were found in all corilagin groups compared with model group and praziquantel group. The mRNA levels of Col I, Col III, IL-13, JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 were significantly decreased after corilagin intervention (P < 0·01). JAK-1 and IL-13Rα1 protein levels were also greatly decreased in the corilagin groups (P < 0·01). In conclusion, corilagin could ameliorate schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis by down-regulating the expression of IL-13 and signal molecules in IL-13 pathway.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. C172-C183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Guimont ◽  
Francine Grondin ◽  
Claire M. Dubois

The proprotein convertase furin participates in the maturation/bioactivation of a variety of proproteins involved in chondrogenesis events. These include parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), an autocrine/paracrine factor that is crucial to both normal cartilage development and cartilage-related pathological processes. Despite the known importance of furin activity in the bioactivation of the polypeptides, the mechanisms that control furin regulation in chondrogenesis remain unknown. To gain insight into the molecular regulation of furin, we used the mouse prechondrogenic ATDC5 cell line, an established in vitro model of cartilage differentiation. Peak expression of both furin mRNA and furin PTHrP maturation was observed during chondrocyte nodule formation stage, an event that correlated with increased mRNA levels of Sox9, a potent high-mobility-group (HMG) box-containing transcription factor required for cartilage formation. Inhibition of furin activity led to a diminution in maturation of PTHrP, suggesting a relationship between Sox9-induced regulation of furin and chondrogenesis events. Transient transfection of Sox9 in nonchondrogenic cells resulted in a marked increase in furin mRNA and in the transactivation of the furin P1A promoter. Direct Sox9 action on the P1A promoter was narrowed down to a critical paired site with Sox9 binding capability in vitro and in vivo. Sox9 transactivation effect was inhibited by L-Sox5 and Sox-6, two Sox9 homologs also expressed in ATDC5 cells. Sox6 inhibitory effect was reduced when using Sox6-HMG-box mutants, indicating a repressive effect through direct HMG-box/DNA binding. Our work suggests a mechanism by which furin is regulated during chondrogenesis. It also adds to the complexity of Sox molecule interaction during gene regulation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Weiya Cao ◽  
Xueke Liu ◽  
Yinci Zhang ◽  
Amin Li ◽  
Yinghai Xie ◽  
...  

Acquired resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to sorafenib (SFB) is the main reason for the failure of SFB treatment of the cancer. Abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is important in the acquired resistance of SFB. Therefore, we investigated whether BEZ235 (BEZ) could reverse acquired sorafenib resistance by targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway. A sorafenib-resistant HCC cell line Huh7R was established. MTT assay, clone formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the effects of BEZ235 alone or combined with sorafenib on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and autophagy of Huh7 and Huh7R cells. The antitumor effect was evaluated in animal models of Huh7R xenografts in vivo. Western blot was used to detect protein levels of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and related effector molecules. In vitro results showed that the Huh7R had a stronger proliferation ability and antiapoptosis effect than did Huh7, and sorafenib had no inhibitory effect on Huh7R. SFB + BEZ inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway caused by sorafenib. Moreover, SFB + BEZ inhibited the proliferation and cloning ability, blocked the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and promoted apoptosis in the two cell lines. The autophagy level in Huh7R cells was higher than in Huh7 cells, and BEZ or SFB + BEZ further promoted autophagy in the two cell lines. In vivo, SFB + BEZ inhibited tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. We concluded that BEZ235 enhanced the sensitivity of sorafenib through suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy. These observations may provide the experimental basis for sorafenib combined with BEZ235 in trial treatment of HCC.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5896-5896
Author(s):  
Rui-Rong Xu ◽  
Nan-Xin Song ◽  
Xiao-Long Wu ◽  
Si-Yuan Cui ◽  
Zhen-Zhen Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To observe the mechanisms of realgar intervening telomere protein POT1, TRF1, TRF2 expression to regulate telomere dynamics in THP-1 cells, and elucidate the experimental and theoretical basis for realgar targeted threapy of AML. Methods: 1.In vitro: (1)Cultured human acute myeloid leukemia THP-1 cells. (2), The cells were incubated in absence or presence of increasing concentration of realgar for 24/48 h, from which determined the IC50. Cell viability was tested by CCK-8 assay. (3)Apoptotic rate and cell cycle distribution were tested by FCM. (4)Each group of POT1, TRF1, TRF2 protein levels were tested by western-blot analysis. (5)Each group of POT1,TRF1,TRF2 mRNA levels were tested by RT-qPCR analysis. 2.In vivo: (1)Established THP-1 model in NOD/SCID mice, and the mouse were treated by realgar. (2)All the mouse were killed by institutionally approved method after 3 weeks. The apoptotic rate and cell cycle distribution of mice spleen cells were examined by FCM. (3)The changes of POT1, TRF1, TRF2 protein levels in organic tissue were detected by IHC. Results: 1.In vitro: (1)CCK-8 assay showed that after treated by realgar, THP-1 cells growth were inhibited and the cell viability decreased in a dose- and time- dependent manner, IC50 was 0.023μg/mL. Therefore, we choose a medium concentration was 0.015μg/mL (lower than IC50) at 48h. (2)Our study demonstrated that after treatment for 48h, the apoptotic rate and the G1 arrest of these THP-1 cell increased, compared with control group. (3)As shown by western blot analysis, compared with controls, realgar group POT1, TRF1 protein levels significantly increaesed and TRF2 decreased(P<0.01). (4) As shown by by RT-qPCR analysis, POT1, TRF1, TRF2 mRNA levels were consistent with their protein levels. 2.In vivo: (1) The THP-1/NOD-SCID model was established, and survival curve showed that compared with controls, realgar group mouse had longer life span(P<0.01). (2) The results of FCM showed that after treatment of realgar, the rate of THP-1 cell apoptosis and G1 arrest significantly increased(P<0.01). (3) The results of IHC showed that compared with controls, POT1, TRF1 protein levels significantly increased and TRF2 decreased in realgar group mouse(P<0.01). Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo studies results indicated that realgar could significantly prolong the life span of the THP-1/NOD-SCID mice, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of THP-1 cell, and regulate telomere dynamics through intervening THP-1 cell telomere protein POT1, TRF1, TRF2 expression. Our studies results provided experimental and theoretical basis for realgar targeted threapy of AML. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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