Galectin 2 regulates JAK/STAT3 signaling activity to modulate oral squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and migration in vitro

Background:Galectin 2(LGALS2)is a protein previously reported to serve as a mediator of disease progression in a range of cancers.The function of LGALS2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC),however,has yet to be explored,prompting the present study to address this literature gap.Methods:Overall,144 paired malignant tumor tissues and paracancerous OSCC patient samples were harvested and the LGALS2 expression levels were examined through qPCR and western immunoblotting.The LGALS2 coding sequence was introduced into the pcDNA3.0 vector,to enable the overexpression of this gene,while an LGALS2-specific shRNA and corresponding controls were also obtained.The functionality of LGALS2 as a regulator of the ability of OSCC cells to grow and undergo apoptotic death in vitro was assessed through EdU uptake and CCK-8 assays,and flow cytometer,whereas a Transwell system was used to assess migratory activity and invasivity.An agonist of the Janus Kinase 2(JAK2)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3(STAT3)pathway was also used to assess the role of this pathway in the context of LGALS2 signaling.Results:Here,we found that lower LGALS2 protein and mRNA expression were evident in OSCC tumor tissue samples,and these expression levels were associated with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival outcomes.Silencing LGALS2 enhanced proliferation in OSCC cells while rendering these cells better able to resist apoptosis.The opposite was instead observed after LGALS2 was overexpressed.Mechanistically,the ability of LGALS2 to suppress the progression of OSCC was related to its ability to activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling axis.Conclusion:Those results suggest a role for LGALS2 as a suppressor of OSCC progression through its ability to modulate JAK/STAT3 signaling,supporting the potential utility of LGALS2 as a target for efforts aimed at treating OSCC patients.

Gossypol acetic acid regulates leukemia stem cells by degrading LRPPRC via inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling or resulting mitochondrial dysfunction

BACKGROUND Leukemia stem cells(LSCs)are found to be one of the main factors contributing to poor therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia(AML),as they are protected by the bone marrow microenvironment(BMM)against conventional therapies.Gossypol acetic acid(GAA),which is extracted from the seeds of cotton plants,exerts anti-tumor roles in several types of cancer and has been reported to induce apoptosis of LSCs by inhibiting Bcl2.AIM To investigate the exact roles of GAA in regulating LSCs under different microenvironments and the exact mechanism.METHODS In this study,LSCs were magnetically sorted from AML cell lines and the CD34+CD38-population was obtained.The expression of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein(LRPPRC)and forkhead box M1(FOXM1)was evaluated in LSCs,and the effects of GAA on malignancies and mitochondrial RESULTS LRPPRC was found to be upregulated,and GAA inhibited cell proliferation by degrading LRPPRC.GAA induced LRPPRC degradation and inhibited the activation of interleukin 6(IL-6)/janus kinase(JAK)1/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 signaling,enhancing chemosensitivity in LSCs against conventional chemotherapies,including L-Asparaginase,Dexamethasone,and cytarabine.GAA was also found to downregulate FOXM1 indirectly by regulating LRPPRC.Furthermore,GAA induced reactive oxygen species accumulation,disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis,and caused mitochondrial dysfunction.By inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling via degrading LRPPRC,GAA resulted in the elimination of LSCs.Meanwhile,GAA induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell damage by causing mitochondrial damage.CONCLUSION Taken together,the results indicate that GAA might overcome the BMM protective effect and be considered as a novel and effective combination therapy for AML.

Hepatocellular carcinoma-derived exosomal miRNA-761 regulates the tumor microenvironment by targeting the SOCS2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

BACKGROUND:Exosomes and exosomal microRNAs have been implicated in tumor occurrence and metastasis.Our previous study showed that microRNA-761(miR-761)is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissues and that its inhibition affects mitochondrial function and inhibits HCC metastasis.The mechanism by which exosomal miR-761 modulates the tumor microenvironment has not been elucidated.METHODS:Exosomal miR-761 was detected in six cell lines.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and transwell migration assays were performed to determine the function of exosomal miR-761 in HCC cells.The luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze miR-761 target genes in normal fi broblasts(NFs).The inhibitors AZD1480 and C188-9 were employed to determine the role of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)signaling pathway in the transformation of cancer-associated fi broblasts(CAFs).RESULTS:In this study,we characterized the mechanism by which miR-761 reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment.We found that HCC-derived exosomal miR-761 was taken up by NFs.Moreover,HCC exosomes aff ected the tumor microenvironment by activating NFs via suppressor of cytokine signaling 2(SOCS2)and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.CONCLUSIONS:These results demonstrated that exosomal miR-761 modulated the tumor microenvironment via SOCS2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway-dependent activation of CAFs.Our fi ndings may inspire new strategies for HCC prevention and therapy.

Targeting Janus tyrosine kinase 3 （JAK3） with an inhibitor induces secretion of TGF-β by CD4＋ T cells

Regulatory T cells （Tregs） are critical for the peripheral maintenance of the autoreactive T cells in autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes （TID）. Pharmacological inhibition of Janus tyrosine kinase 3 （JAK3） has been proposed as a basis for new treatment modalities against autoimmunity and allogeneic responses. Targeting JAK3 with an inhibitor has previously been shown to exhibit protective action against the development of T 1D in non-obese diabetic （NOD） mice. As the mechanism of such preventative action has been unknown, we hypothesized that JAK3 inhibition induces generation of Tregs. Here, we show that the JAK3 inhibitor 4-（4＇-hydroxyphenyl）-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline （WHI-P131） suppresses proliferation of short-term cultured NOD CD4＋ T cells through induction of apoptosis, while promoting survival of a particular population of long-term cultured cells. It was found that the surviving cells were not of the CD4＋CD25＋FoxP3＋ phenotype. They secreted decreased amounts of IL-IO, IL-4 and interferon （IFN）-y compared to the cells not exposed to the optimal concentrations of JAK3 inhibitor. However, an elevated transforming growth factor （TGF）-β secretion was detected in their supernatants. In vivo treatment of prediabetic NOD mice with WHI-P131 did not affect the frequency and number of splenic and pancreatic lymph node CD4＋FoxP3＋ Tregs, while generating an elevated numbers of CD4＋FoxP3- TGF-β-secreting T cells. In conclusion, our data suggest an induction of TGF-β-secreting CD4＋ T cells as the underlying mechanism for antidiabetogenic effects obtained by the treatment with a JAK3 inhibitor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the JAK3 inhibitor activity in the context of the murine Tregs.

Profilin-1 is involved in macroangiopathy induced by advanced glycation end products via vascular remodeling and inflammation

BACKGROUND The accumulation of advanced glycation end products(AGEs)have been implicated in the development and progression of diabetic vasculopathy.However,the role of profilin-1 as a multifunctional actin-binding protein in AGEs-induced atherosclerosis(AS)is largely unknown.AIM To explore the potential role of profilin-1 in the pathogenesis of AS induced by AGEs,particularly in relation to the Janus kinase 2(JAK2)and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.METHODS Eighty-nine individuals undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in the study.Plasma cytokine levels were detected using ELISA kits.Rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(RASMCs)were incubated with different compounds for different times.Cell proliferation was determined by performing the MTT assay and EdU staining.An AGEs-induced vascular remodeling model was established in rats and histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed.The mRNA and protein levels were detected using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis,respectively.In vivo,shRNA transfection was performed to verify the role of profilin-1 in AGEs-induced proatherogenic mediator release and aortic remodeling.Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 software.RESULTS Compared with the control group,plasma levels of profilin-1 and receptor for AGEs(RAGE)were significantly increased in patients with coronary artery disease,especially in those complicated with diabetes mellitus(P<0.01).The levels of profilin-1 were positively correlated with the levels of RAGE(P<0.01);additionally,the levels of both molecules were positively associated with the degree of coronary artery stenosis(P<0.01).In vivo,tail vein injections of AGEs induced the release of proatherogenic mediators,such as asymmetric dimethylarginine,intercellular adhesion molecule-1,and the N-terminus of procollagen III peptide,concomitant with apparent aortic morphological changes and significantly upregulated expression of the profilin-1 mRNA and protein in the thoracic aorta(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Downregulation of profilin-1 expression with an shRNA significantly attenuated AGEs-induced proatherogenic mediator release(P<0.05)and aortic remodeling.In vitro,incubation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)with AGEs significantly promoted cell proliferation and upregulated the expression of the profilin-1 mRNA and protein(P<0.05).AGEs(200μg/mL,24 h)significantly upregulated the expression of the STAT3 mRNA and protein and JAK2 protein,which was blocked by a JAK2 inhibitor(T3042-1)and/or STAT3 inhibitor(T6308-1)(P<0.05).In addition,pretreatment with T3042-1 or T6308-1 significantly inhibited AGEs-induced RASMC proliferation(P<0.05).CONCLUSION AGEs induce proatherogenic events such as VSMC proliferation,proatherogenic mediator release,and vascular remodeling,changes that can be attenuated by silencing profilin-1 expression.These results suggest a crucial role for profilin-1 in AGEs-induced vasculopathy.

Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction Ameliorates TNBC by Modulating JAK2-STAT3 and Lipid Metabolism

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction(SXD)on triplenegative breast cancer(TNBC)in mice and its underlying mechanism.Methods:The high-performance liquid chromatography(HHLC)was used to quantitate and qualify SXD.A total of 15 female BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously on the right hypogastrium with 3×10^(5) of 4T1-Luc cells to establish TNBC mouse model.All mice were divided randomly into 3 groups,including phosphate buffered solution(PBS),SXD and doxorubicin(DOX)groups(positive drug).Additionally,tumor growth,pathological changes,serum lipid profiles,expression of Janus kinase 2(JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway and its key targets including inflammatory factors,cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers were investigated.Besides,the biosafety of SXD was also evaluated in mice.Results:Rhein,coptisine,berberine hydrochloride and baicalin were all found in SXD,and the concentrations of these 4 components were 0.57,2.61,2.93,and 46.04 mg/g3respectively.The mouse experiment showed that SXD could notably suppress the development of tumors and reduce the density of tumor cells(P<0.01).The serum lipid analysis and Oil-Red-O staining both showed the differences,SXD group exhibited higher serum adiponectin and HDL-C levels with lower TC and LDL-C levels compared to the PBS and DOX groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01),respectively.SXD also decreased the levels of phospho-JAK2(p-JAK2),phospho-STAT3(p-STAT3)expressions and its downstream factors,including mostly inflammatory cytokine,EMT markers,S phase of tumor cells and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression(P<.05 or P<0.01),respectively.The biosafety assessment of SXD revealed low levels of toxicity in mice.Conclusion:SXD could inhibit TNBC by suppressing JAK2-STAT3 phosphorylation which may be associated with modulation of lipid metabolism.

Effect of electroacupuncture on JAK2/STAT3 pathway in synovial tissues of rats with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway in knee joint synovial tissues of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the action mechanism of EA on RA. Methods: Twelve of the 48 SPF male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to a normal group by the random number table method. The remaining 36 rats were subjected to RA model preparation by intradermal injection of the Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind foot pad of each rat under sterile conditions. After the model was successfully prepared, rats were then divided into a model group, a drug group and an EA group according to a random number table method (n=12). Rats in the drug group were treated with 2 mL aqueous solution of tripterygium glycosides [8.1 mg/(kg?bw)];rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Zusanli (ST 36), for 30 min each time;rats in the normal group and the model group were placed in a special rat fixation tank for 30 min each time, and received the same dose of normal saline as those in the drug group. Rats in all groups received intervention once a day for 4 weeks. Diameter of rat ankle joint and rat arthritis index were measured before and after the intervention. At the end of the experiment, the expressions of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs expressions. Results: After the model was produced, the arthritis index >2 was considered successful in model preparation. Compared with the model group, the ankle joint diameters and arthritis indexes of rats in the drug group and the EA group were significantly lower (all P<0.01);immunohistochemical staining cells with phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 were significantly decreased (all P<0.01);the expression levels of JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs were decreased with statistical differences (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the EA group and the drug group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: EA can alleviate the inflammatory response of RA rats, improve their pathological conditions, reduce the expressions of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 in the synovial tissue of knee joint, and decrease the expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs. The therapeutic effect of EA is comparable to that of the tripterygium glycosides. The mechanism of EA treatment may be related to the inactivation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Regulatory Effect of JAK2/STAT3 on the Immune Function of Endotoxin-tolerant Dendritic Cells and its Involvement in Acute Liver Failure

Background and Aims:Acute liver failure(ALF)is a potentially fatal clinical syndrome with no effective treatment.This study aimed to explore the role of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)pathway in modulating the phenotype and immune function of endotoxin-tolerant dendritic cells(ETDCs).In addition,we explored the use of EDTCs in an experimental model of ALF and investigated the associated mechanisms.Methods:In the in vitro experiment,ETDCs were transfected with adenovirus to induce SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs and SOCS1^(−/−)ETDCs.Thereafter,costimulatory molecules and mixed lymphocyte reaction were assessed.Experimental mice were randomly divided into normal control,ALF,ALF+mock-ETDCs,ALF+SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs,ALF+AG490,and ALF+AG490+SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs groups.We examined the therapeutic effect of adoptive cellular immunotherapy by tail-vein injection of target ETDCs 12 h before ALF modeling.AG490,a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor,was used in the in vivo experiment to further explore the protective mechanism of SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs.Results:Compared with control ETDCs,SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs had lower expression of costimulatory molecules,weaker allostimulatory ability,lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-αexpression and higher IL-10 secretion.SOCS1^(−/−)ETDCs showed the opposite results.In the in vivo experiments,the ALF+SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs and ALF+AG490+SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs groups showed less pathological damage and suppressed activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.The changes were more pronounced in the ALF+AG490+SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs group.Infusion of SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs had a protective effect against ALF possibly via inhibition of JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation.Conclusions:The SOCS1 gene had an important role in induction of endotoxin tolerance.SOCS1^(+/+)ETDCs alleviated lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced ALF by downregulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.