DI-3-n-butylphthalide exerts neuroprotective effects by modulating hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha ubiquitination to attenuate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

DI-3-n-butylphthalide is used to treat mild and moderate acute ischemic stroke.However,the precise underlying mechanism requires further investigation.In this study,we investigated the molecular mechanism of DI-3-n-butylphthalide action by various means.We used hydrogen peroxide to induce injury to PC12cells and RAW264.7 cells to mimic neuronal oxidative stress injury in stroke in vitro and examined the effects of DI-3-n-butylphthalide.We found that DI-3-nbutylphthalide pretreatment markedly inhibited the reduction in viability and reactive oxygen species production in PC12 cells caused by hydrogen peroxide and inhibited cell apoptosis.Furthermore,DI-3-n-butylphthalide pretreatment inhibited the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bnip3.DI-3-nbutylphthalide also promoted ubiquitination and degradation of hypoxia inducible factor 1α,the key transcription factor that regulates Bax and Bnip3 genes.These findings suggest that DI-3-n-butylphthalide exhibits a neuroprotective effect on stroke by promoting hypoxia inducible factor-1α ubiquitination and degradation and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Role of apoptosis-inducing factor in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Perinatal complications,such as asphyxia,can cause brain injuries that are often associated with subsequent neurological deficits,such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation.The mechanisms of perinatal brain injury are not fully understood,but mitochondria play a prominent role not only due to their central function in metabolism but also because many proteins with apoptosis-related functions are located in the mitochondrion.Among these proteins,apoptosis-inducing factor has already been shown to be an important factor involved in neuronal cell death upon hypoxia-ischemia,but a better understanding of the mechanisms behind these processes is required for the development of more effective treatments during the early stages of perinatal brain injury.In this review,we focus on the molecular mechanisms of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,specifically on the importance of apoptosis-inducing factor.The relevance of apoptosis-inducing factor is based not only because it participates in the caspase-independent apoptotic pathway but also because it plays a crucial role in mitochondrial energetic functionality,especially with regard to the maintenance of electron transport during oxidative phosphorylation and in oxidative stress,acting as a free radical scavenger.We also discuss all the different apoptosis-inducing factor isoforms discovered,focusing especially on apoptosis-inducing factor 2,which is only expressed in the brain and the functions of which are starting now to be clarified.Finally,we summarized the interaction of apoptosis-inducing factor with several proteins that are crucial for both apoptosis-inducing factor functions(prosurvival and pro-apoptotic)and that are highly important in order to develop promising therapeutic targets for improving outcomes after perinatal brain injury.

Relevance and therapeutic potential of Cyp A targeting to block apoptosis inducing factor-mediated neuronal cell death

Programmed cell death （PCD） signaling pathways are import- ant contributors to acute neurological insults such as hypox- ic-ischemic brain damage, traumatic brain injury, stroke etc. The pathogenesis of all these diseases is closely linked with ab- erration of apoptotic cell death pathways. Mitochondria play a crucial role during PCD, acting as both sensors of death signals, and as initiators of biochemical path- ways, which cause cell death （Bras et al., 2005）. Cytochrome c was the firstly identified apoptogenic factor released from mitochondria into the cytosol, where it induces apoptosome formation through the activation of caspases. Other proteins, such as apoptosis inducing factor （AIF）, have been subsequently identified as mitochondrial released factors. AIF contributes to apoptotic nuclear DNA damage （Bras et al., 2005）. in a caspase-independent way

Expression of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND： Receptors for tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） include death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor 1, and decoy receptor 2. Activation of death receptor 4 and 5 selectively kills tumor cells. OBJECTIVE： To detect TRAIL receptor expression in glioblastoma by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and to compare this expression to that in normal brain tissue. DESIGN： Observational analysis. SETTING： Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Henan Tumor Pathology Key Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS： Twenty-five patients （17 males and 8 females） who received glioblastoma resection were selected from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, between September 2003 to June 2004. All glioblastoma samples were diagnosed pathologically. Twenty patients （12 males and 8 females） with craniocerebral injury who received normal brain tissue resection were selected in the same time period. There were no significant differences in sex and age between glioblastoma patients or between craniocerebral injury patients （P 〉 0.05）. All patients and appropriate relatives provided informed consent, and this study was approved by the local research ethics committee. METHODS： Polyclonal antibody against TRAIL receptors and an immunohistochemical kit （batch number： 200502） were purchased from Boster Company, Wuhan. Immunohistochemistry： Expression of death receptor 4, death receptor 5, decoy receptor l, and decoy receptor 2 were observed in both glioblastoma and normal brain tissue. The experiment was performed according to the kit instructions, and positive staining was brown-yellow. Assessment： There were no positive signals （-）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 〈 25% （＋）; weakly positive signals, positive cells 25%-50% （＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 50%-75% （＋＋＋）; strongly positive signals, positive cells 〉 75% （＋＋＋＋）. Evaluation： Expression levels of TRAIL receptors were estimated in both normal brain tissue and glioblastoma. Expression of decoy receptor 1 and decoy receptor 2 mRNA in glioblastoma were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma was estimated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Comparison of death receptor and decoy receptor protein expression between glioblastoma and normal brain tissue; decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma. RESULTS： Death receptor protein expression was strongly positive （＋＋＋） in glioblastoma, while it was weakly positive （＋, ＋＋） in normal brain tissue. Therefore, expression rate of death receptor protein in the glioblastoma was significantly higher than that in the normal brain tissue （.~ 2 = 18.48, 23.03, P 〈 0.01）. Decoy receptor protein expression in the glioblastoma was significantly lower than that in the normal brain tissue （ x2 = 6.65, 18.76, P 〈 0.01）. The level of decoy receptor mRNA expression in glioblastoma was significantly higher than those of protein expression （ x 2 = 9.82, 10.09, P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： High expression of death receptor and low expression of decoy receptor are frequently observed in glioblastoma, suggesting that TRAIL receptor genes show an anti-tumor and expressive response during the initiation and development of the tumor. There are significant differences in decoy receptor expression between normal brain tissue and glioblastoma, suggesting that the restricted expression of decoy receptor in glioblastoma is regulated at the post-transcriptional level.

Antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand combined with mevastatin on a human glioma cell line SWO-38

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have reported that statins are less toxic to the human body and have greater antitumor activity; however, few studies have addressed the antitumor effect of statins combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL）. OBJECTIVE： To explore the effect of TRAIL combined with mevastatin on the proliferation and apoptotic cell death of a human glioma cell line SWO-38, and to study its mechanism of action. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vitro control experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of the Third Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, between January and April 2009. MATERIALS： The human SWO-38 cell line was provided by Cell Research, Department of Animal Experimental Center of Sun Yat-sen University; human recombinant soluble TRAIL by R＆D, USA; and mevastatin by Sigma, USA. METHODS： SWO-38 cells were separately incubated in TRAIL （100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 tJg/L） and mevastatin （5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 pmol/L） for 72 hours. In addition, SWO-38 cells were incubated in TRAIL （300 μg/L）, mevastatin （30 μmol/L）, and a solution containing both TRAIL and mevastatin for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Cell proliferation was detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay; cell apoptosis was observed using Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy and was measured using Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry; TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 protein expressions levels were measured using indirect immunofluorescence staining combined with flow cytometry in the recombinant soluble TRAIL （rsTRAIL, 300 tJg/L）, mevastatin （30 IJmol/L） and combination groups; TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 mRNA expression was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： rsTRAIL, mevastatin and their combination inhibited tumor proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The proliferation inhibitory rate and apoptosis rate of human SWO-38 cells in the combined group were significantly greater than the rsTRAIL or mevastatin alone group （P 〈 0.01）. TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 protein and mRNA expressions were increased in the combination group compared with mevastatin or rsTRAIL alone after 72 hours （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Both rsTRAIL and mevastatin inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of the human glioma cell line SWO-38, while their combination enhances the anti-tumor effect. The mechanism of action possibly correlates to the upregulation of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 mRNA expression by mevastatin, thereby enhancing the cell sensitivity to rsTRAIL.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis in glioma U87 cells

Studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand（TRAIL）exhibits strong induction of apoptosis in human glioma cells.It remains unclear whether the mitochondrion pathway,an important apoptosis signaling pathway,is involved in TRAIL-induced glioma cell apoptosis.In the present study,in vitro cultured human glioma U87 cells were treated with human recombinant soluble TRAIL.Apoptosis of glioma U87 cells,mitochondrial transmembrane potential（Δψm）,cytoplasmic cytochrome c concentration and changes in caspase-3,-8 and-9 activity following human recombinant soluble TRAIL treatment were investigated to determine the mechanism of glioma U87 cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL.Additionally,blocking caspase-8resulted in TRAIL-induced mitochondrion pathway activation,suggesting that TRAIL,through activating caspase-8,initiated a series of mitochondrial events and resulted in apoptosis of glioma U87 cells.

Coupled multiphysical model for investigation of influence factors in the application of microbially induced calcite precipitation

The study presents a comprehensive coupled thermo-bio-chemo-hydraulic(T-BCH)modeling framework for stabilizing soils using microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP).The numerical model considers relevant multiphysics involved in MICP,such as bacterial ureolytic activities,biochemical reactions,multiphase and multicomponent transport,and alteration of the porosity and permeability.The model incorporates multiphysical coupling effects through well-established constitutive relations that connect parameters and variables from different physical fields.It was implemented in the open-source finite element code OpenGeoSys(OGS),and a semi-staggered solution strategy was designed to solve the couplings,allowing for flexible model settings.Therefore,the developed model can be easily adapted to simulate MICP applications in different scenarios.The numerical model was employed to analyze the effect of various factors,including temperature,injection strategies,and application scales.Besides,a TBCH modeling study was conducted on the laboratory-scale domain to analyze the effects of temperature on urease activity and precipitated calcium carbonate.To understand the scale dependency of MICP treatment,a large-scale heterogeneous domain was subjected to variable biochemical injection strategies.The simulations conducted at the field-scale guided the selection of an injection strategy to achieve the desired type and amount of precipitation.Additionally,the study emphasized the potential of numerical models as reliable tools for optimizing future developments in field-scale MICP treatment.The present study demonstrates the potential of this numerical framework for designing and optimizing the MICP applications in laboratory-,prototype-,and field-scale scenarios.

Nintedanib induces apoptosis in human pterygium cells through the FGFR2-ERK signalling pathway

AIM:To investigate whether nintedanib can inhibit pterygium cells through the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2(FGFR2)/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase(ERK)pathway.METHODS:Human primary pterygium cells were cultured in vitro.After treatment with nintedanib,the cell morphology was observed under microscopy,the morphological changes of the nucleus were observed after DAPI staining,apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin-V FITC/PI double staining,and the changes of apoptosis-associated proteins were detected by Western blot.The binding ability of nintedanib to FGFR2 was predicted by molecular docking.Finally,by silencing FGFR2,we explored whether nintedanib inhibited FGFR2/ERK pathway.RESULTS:The results showed that nintedanib inhibited the growth of pterygium cells and caused nuclear pyknosis.The results of Annexin-VFITC/PI double staining showed that nintedanib was able to induce early and late apoptosis of pterygium cells,significantly increasing the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins Bax and cleaved-Caspase3(P<0.05),and reducing the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05).In addition,nintedanib significantly inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation through FGFR2(P<0.05).After silencing the expression of FGFR2,there was no significant difference in the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by nintedanib(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Nintedanib induces apoptosis of pterygium cells by inhibiting FGFR2/ERK pathway.

SIRT1 inhibits apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To explore the effect of silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1(SIRT1)on modulating apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs)and alleviating lens opacification of rats through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.METHODS:HLECs(SRA01/04)were treated with varying concentrations of tunicamycin(TM)for 24h,and the expression of SIRT1 and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence.Cell morphology and proliferation was evaluated using an inverted microscope and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,respectively.In the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model,which underwent siRNA transfection for SIRT1 knockdown and SRT1720 treatment for its activation,the expression levels of SIRT1,CHOP,glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),and activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)were examined.The potential reversal of SIRT1 knockdown effects by 4-phenyl butyric acid(4-PBA;an ER stress inhibitor)was investigated.In vivo,age-related cataract(ARC)rat models were induced by sodium selenite injection,and the protective role of SIRT1,activated by SRT1720 intraperitoneal injections,was evaluated through morphology observation,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,Western blotting,and RT-PCR.RESULTS:SIRT1 expression was downregulated in TMinduced SRA01/04 cells.Besides,in SRA01/04 cells,both cell apoptosis and CHOP expression increased with the rising doses of TM.ER stress was stimulated by TM,as evidenced by the increased GRP78 and ATF4 in the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model.Inhibition of SIRT1 by siRNA knockdown increased ER stress activation,whereas SRT1720 treatment had opposite results.4-PBA partly reverse the adverse effect of SIRT1 knockdown on apoptosis.In vivo,SRT1720 attenuated the lens opacification and weakened the ER stress activation in ARC rat models.CONCLUSION:SIRT1 plays a protective role against TM-induced apoptosis in HLECs and slows the progression of cataract in rats by inhibiting ER stress.These findings suggest a novel strategy for cataract treatment focused on targeting ER stress,highlighting the therapeutic potential of SIRT1 modulation in ARC development.

Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer and de novo neuroendocrine prostate cancer:Identification,prognosis and survival,genetic and epigenetic factors

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer(NEPC)shows an aggressive behavior compared to prostate cancer(PCa),also known as prostate adenocarcinoma.Scanty foci in PCa can harbor genetic alternation that can arise in a heterogeneity of prostate cancer.NEPC may arise de novo or develop following androgen deprivation therapy(ADT).NEPC that arise following ADT has the nomenclature“treatmentemerging/induced NEPC(t-NEPC)”.t-NEPC would be anticipated in castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)and metastatic PCa.t-NEPC is characterized by low or absent androgen receptor(AR)expression,independence of AR signaling,and gain of neuroendocrine phenotype.t-NEPC is an aggressive metastatic tumor,develops from PCa in response to drug induced ADT,and shows very short response to conventional therapy.t-NEPC occurs in 10%-17%of patients with CRPC.De novo NEPC is rare and is accounting for less than 2%of all PCa.The molecular mechanisms underlying the trans-differentiation from CRPC to t-NEPC are not fully elucidated.Sphingosine kinase 1 plays a significant role in t-NEPC development.Although neuroendocrine markers:Synaptophysin,chromogranin A,and insulinoma associated protein 1(INSM1)are expressed in t-NEPC,they are non-specific for diagnosis,prognosis,and follow-up of therapy.t-NEPC shows enriched genomic alteration in tumor protein P53(TP53)and retinoblastoma 1(RB1).There are evidences suggest that t-NEPC might develop through epigenetic evolution.There are genomic,epigenetic,and transcriptional alterations that are reported to be involved in development of t-NEPC.Knock-outs of TP53 and RB1 were found to contribute in development of t-NEPC.PCa is resistant to immunotherapy,and at present there are running trials to approach immunotherapy for PCa,CRPC,and t-NEPC.

Role of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL） in the pathogenesis of varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction

The higher frequency of varicocele in men with infertility has drawn attention and resulted in increased research at the molecular level towards treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL） and its receptors in varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction in an experimental rat model. The rats were divided into three groups： control, sham and varicocele. Varicoceles in rats were induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein and left testes. The rats were analyzed 13 weeks after surgery. The degree of DNA fragmentation within cells in the testis was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Tubule degeneration was evaluated using the Johnsen score. The expression of TRAIL and its receptors was detected by immunohistochemical and Western blotting techniques. The apoptotic index, Johnsen score and the expression of TRAIL and TRAIL receptors were examined. The data are presented as the mean-.＋s.d, and were analyzed using computer software. The KruskaI-Wallis and Dunn＇s multiple comparison tests were used in the statistical analyses. The germ cell apoptotic index was increased in rats with varicoceles when compared with the sham and control groups （P=0.0031）. The Johnsen score was significantly decreased in the varicocele group when compared with the sham and control groups （P〈O.O001）. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses showed that after varicocele induction, the expression of TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R4 in germ cells was increased and the expression of TRAIL-R2 was decreased. There are no significant differences among the groups in terms of TRAIL and TRAIL-R3 receptor expression. The results of this study indicate that TRAIL and its receptors may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction.

Down-regulation of Tissue Factor by siRNA Increased Doxorubi-cin-induced Apoptosis in Human Neuroblastoma

The effects of tissue factor （TF） on doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma were investigated. The expression of TF was examined by Western blotting. TFsiRNA-pSUPER plasmid was constructed by inserting specific 19-nt silencing sequence targeting TF gene into pSUPER vector. Transfection of TFsiRNA-pSUPER was performed using lipofectamine^2000. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin was determined by WST assay. The activation of Caspase-3 and PARP induced by doxorubicin was tested by Western blotting. The apoptotic cells were stained by Hochest33342 and counted under fluorescence inverted microscope. It was found that human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC expressed high level of TE Knockdown of the TF expression was achieved by transfection of TFsiRNA-pSUPER on SK-N-MC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of TF significantly decreased the viability of transfected SK-N-MC cells treated with different concentrations of doxorubicin. Cleavage of Caspase-3 and PARP was enhanced in transfected SK-N-MC cells with down-regulation of TF. TFsiRNA treatment significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells in transfected SK-N-MC cells as compared with those control cells （P〈0.05） when these cells were exposed to 1 μg/mL doxorubicin for 8 h. These results suggested that knockdown of the TF expression by specific siRNA vector could increase the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and enhance doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells. Over-expression of TF might contribute to chemotherapy resistance in human neuroblastoma and its progression, at lest in part, by regulating doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.

HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR PROTECTS AGAINST APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Objective To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)on vascular endothelial cells apoptosis induced by advanced glycation end products(AGEs)and its possible mechanism. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and intervened by different concentrations of AGEs and HGF.The cell inhibitory rates of each group with different culture time(12, 24, 48, and 72 hours)were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay. The early stage apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining, and the expression of apoptosis-associated genes Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.The activity of caspase-3 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results Morphological observation indicated that high concentration of AGEs induced characteristic apoptotic changes in HUVECs.Within a certain concentration range, HUVECs apoptosis inducing rates by AGEs were in both dose- and time-dependent manners.HGF significantly inhibited the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by AGEs (P< 0.05).AGEs significantly promoted expression of Bax protein, but not Bcl-2.Whereas HGF significantly promoted the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.01)and decreased the activity of caspase-3(P<0.05)without affecting Bax level.Conclusions AGEs can induce the apoptosis of endothelial cells in vitro.HGF may effectively attenuate AGEs-induced endothelial cells apoptosis through upregulating Bcl-2 gene expression and inhibiting caspase-3 activation.

IGFBPrP1 induces liver fibrosis by inducing hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatocyte apoptosis via Smad2/3 signaling

AIM: To investigate the role and mechanism of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) in the development of liver fibrosis.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevents beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis of pheochromocytoma cells by regulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was utilized in the present study to treat cell injury models induced by aggregated β-amyloid（25 35）. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and western blot analysis showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor provided neuroprotection against cellular apoptosis by suppressing the decline in β-amyloid（25 35）-induced cell activity and the increasing ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. After treating pheochromocytoma cells with tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor inhibitor K252a, brain-derived neurotrophic factor reverses the above- mentioned changes. The experimental findings suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevented β-amyloid peptide-induced cellular apoptosis by modulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression, and this effect was associated with binding to the specific tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor.

Inducing Apoptosis of Cancer Cell and Inhibiting Mice's MalignantTumour Growth by Magnetic Fields

It was found that the growth of malignant tumour in mice was inhibited and the ability of immune cell’s dissolving cancer cells was enhanced by ultralow frequency (ULF) pulsed gradient magnetic field. The DNA contents of nuclei decreased which indicated that magnetic field can block DNA replication and mitosis of cancer cells. It was observed that magnetic field inhibited the cancer cell’s metabolism, lowered its malignancy, and restrained its rapid and heteromorphic growth. The morphology properties of Programmed Cell Death (PCD) of the cancer cells of the treated group by magnetic field was observed for the first time. The heterochromatin condensed and coagulated together along the nuclear membrane; the endoplasmic reticulums expanded and fused with the cellular membrane; many apoptotic bodies which were packed by the cellular membrane appeared and were devoured by the lymphocytes and plasma.

Total Triterpenoids from Ganoderma Lucidum Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Growth Arrest and Apoptosis

In this study,one immortalized human normal prostatic epithelial cell line（BPH） and four human prostate cancer cell lines（LNCa P,22Rv1,PC-3,and DU-145） were treated with Ganoderma Lucidum triterpenoids（GLT） at different doses and for different time periods. Cell viability,apoptosis,and cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry and chemical assays. Gene expression and binding to DNA were assessed using real-time PCR and Western blotting. It was found that GLT dose-dependently inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. GLT-induced apoptosis was due to activation of Caspases-9 and-3 and turning on the downstream apoptotic events. GLT-induced cell cycle arrest（mainly G1 arrest） was due to up-regulation of p21 expression at the early time and down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 4（CDK4） and E2F1 expression at the late time. These findings demonstrate that GLT suppresses prostate cancer cell growth by inducing growth arrest and apoptosis,which might suggest that GLT or Ganoderma Lucidum could be used as a potential therapeutic drug for prostate cancer.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of Apoptosis Antagonizing Transcription Factor Involved in Hydroquinone-Induced DNA Damage Response

The molecular mechanism of DNA damage induced by hydroquinone （HQ） remains unclear. Poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase-1 （PARP-1） usually works as a DNA damage sensor, and hence, it is possible that PARP-1 is involved in the DNA damage response induced by HQ. In TK6 cells treated with HQ, PARP activity as well as the expression of apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor （AATF）, PARP-1, and phosphorylated H2AX （v-H2AX） were maximum at 0.5 h, 6 h, 3 h, and 3 h, respectively. To explore the detailed mechanisms underlying the prompt DNA repair reaction, the above indicators were investigated in PARP-l-silenced cells. PARP activity and expression of AATF and PARP-1 decreased to 36%, 32%, and 33%, respectively, in the cells; however, y-H2AX expression increased to 265%. Co-immunoprecipitation （co-IP） assays were employed to determine whether PARP-1 and AATF formed protein complexes. The interaction between these proteins together with the results from IP assays and confocal microscopy indicated that poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation {PARylation） regulated AATF expression, in conclusion, PARP-1 was involved in the DNA damage repair induced by HQ via increasing the accumulation of AATF through PARylation.

Dorsomorphin induces cancer cell apoptosis and sensitizes cancer cells to HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors by reducing nuclear heat shock factor 1 levels

Objective: Heat shock factor 1(HSF1), a transcriptional regulator of heat shock proteins(HSPs), is an attractive therapeutic target for cancer. However, only a few HSF1 inhibitors have been identified so far.Methods: The mRNA and protein levels of HSF1, HSPs, cleaved PARP, and phosphorylated HSF1 were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot. Forced expression, RNA interference, and immunofluorescence assay were used for mechanistic studies.Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by WST-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Xenograft studies were performed in nude mice to evaluate the effect of dorsomorphin and an HSP90 inhibitor on tumor growth.Results: Dorsomorphin suppressed multiple stimuli-induced and constitutive HSPs expression in cancer cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that dorsomorphin reduced heat-induced HSP expression independent of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase. Dorsomorphin reduced heat-stimulated HSF1 Ser320 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, as well as resting nuclear HSF1 levels in cancer cells. Dorsomorphin induced cancer cell apoptosis by inhibiting HSF1 expression. A structure-activity study revealed that the 4-pyridyl at the 3-site of the pyrazolo [1, 5-a]pyrimidine ring is critical for the anti-HSF1 activities of dorsomorphin. Dorsomorphin sensitized cancer cells to HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors and inhibited HSP70 expression induced by these inhibitors in vitro. In tumor-bearing nude mice, dorsomorphin enhanced HSP90 inhibitor-induced cancer cell apoptosis, tumor growth inhibition, and HSP70 expression.Conclusions: Dorsomorphin is an HSF1 inhibitor. It induces cancer cell apoptosis, sensitizes cancer cells to both HSP90 and proteasome inhibitors, and suppresses HSP upregulation by these drugs, which may prevent the development of drug resistance.Hence, dorsomorphin and its derivates may serve as potential precursors for developing drugs against cancer.

TNF related apoptosis-inducing ligand and its receptors in ocular tumors

Most of the ocular tumors have poor prognosis, and they remain a difficult problem in the area of ophthalmology. With the rapid development of molecular biology and immunologic techniques and the deep research on ocular tumor related genes, it becomes possible to diagnose and treat malignant tumors from the molecular level. The tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) super family, is a promising candidate, either alone or in combination with established cancer therapies, since it can initiate apoptosis through the activation of their death receptors. The ability of TRAIL to selectively induce apoptosis of transformed, virus-infected or tumor cells but not normal cells promotes the development of TRAIL-based cancer therapy. Here, we will review TRAIL and its receptors' structure, function, mechanism of action and application in ocular tumors therapy.