基于HIF-VEGF-Notch通路探讨丁苯酞对氧糖剥夺/复氧人脑微血管内皮细胞的保护作用

目的基于HIF-VEGF-Notch通路探讨丁苯酞对氧糖剥夺/复氧人脑微血管内皮细胞的保护作用。方法制备氧糖剥夺/复氧人脑微血管内皮细胞模型,将细胞分为空白组、氧糖剥夺/复氧组、丁苯酞组和丁苯酞+sh-HIF-1α组。CCK-8及EdU染色检测H9c2细胞活力;流式细胞仪和AO/EB染色检测细胞凋亡;Matrigel体外成管试验检测血管生成能力;ELISA检测细胞中炎症因子含量;蛋白质印迹法检测细胞中HIF-1α、VEGF、Notch1蛋白表达。结果和空白组相比,氧糖剥夺/复氧组细胞存活率(51.32±4.68)%、EdU阳性细胞率(12.08±0.75)%、小管形成数目(121.08±10.59)个明显降低,细胞凋亡率(14.92±1.06)%、细胞中IL-1β(30.46±2.51)pg/mL、IL-6(35.96±2.74)pg/mL、TNF-α(24.08±1.95)pg/mL水平、HIF-1α(0.61±0.08)、VEGF(0.72±0.08)、Notch1(0.43±0.05)蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.01);和氧糖剥夺/复氧组相比,丁苯酞组细胞存活率(85.94±7.09)%、EdU阳性细胞率(20.27±2.01)%、小管形成数目(204.15±16.71)个及细胞中HIF-1α(1.15±0.12)、VEGF(0.96±0.10)、Notch1(0.87±0.10)蛋白表达均明显增加,细胞凋亡率(7.40±0.65)%、细胞中IL-1β(10.32±0.87)pg/mL、IL-6(12.81±1.03)pg/mL、TNF-α(10.31±0.89)pg/mL水平明显降低(P<0.0001);和丁苯酞组相比,丁苯酞+sh-HIF-1α组细胞存活率(54.18±5.06)%、EdU阳性细胞率(15.46±0.83)%、小管形成数目(129.26±11.64)个及细胞中HIF-1α(0.53±0.06)、VEGF(0.60±0.06)、Notch1(0.36±0.04)蛋白表达明显降低,细胞凋亡率(12.87±1.01)%、细胞中IL-1β(28.59±2.39)pg/mL、IL-6(32.87±2.31)pg/mL、TNF-α(22.01±1.87)pg/mL水平明显升高(P<0.01)。结论丁苯酞可促进氧糖剥夺/复氧人脑微血管内皮细胞血管生成,从而对损伤的细胞发挥保护作用,其作用机制可能和促进HIF-1α/VEGF/Notch1信号通路激活有关。

非小细胞肺癌中Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA的表达及意义

目的探讨Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA在非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)组织的表达及其临床病理学意义。方法采用免疫组化SP法和原位杂交法分别检测65例NSCLC组织、15例正常支气管上皮组织中Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA的表达。结果Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA在非小细胞肺癌中阳性表达率分别为81.5%(53/65)、96.9%(63/65)、93.8%(61/65)、73.8%(48/65),均明显高于正常支气管上皮组织阳性表达率(P<0.05);NSCLC中Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA的表达均与临床分期、淋巴结转移有关(P<0.05);Notch1、HIF-1与VEGF蛋白间均正相关;Notch1蛋白与Notch1 mRNA的表达呈正相关。结论Notch1、HIF-1、VEGF蛋白及Notch1 mRNA在NSCLC中均表达上调,提示在肺癌的发生、发展中可能起重要作用;检测NSCLC组织Notch1蛋白及mRNA可作为判断肿瘤侵袭与转移的重要指标。

Protective Effect of Catalpol on Myocardium in Rats with Isoprenaline-Induced Myocardial Infarcts via Angiogenesis through Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Notch1 Signaling Pathway

Protective effect of catalpol on myocardium was studied in relation to endothelial progenitor cells, Notch1 signaling pathway and angiogenesis in rats with isoprenaline (INN)-induced acute myocardial infarcts. To analyze the pathological status and impact of catalpol on the rats, 3 weeks after intragastric gavage, the animals were verified for myocardial infarcts with electrocardiogram and measured for enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), creatine kinase (CK) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in myocardium, and further analyzed using HE and TTC staining, as well as visual examination of infarct area. Flow cytometry study of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) indicated that the EPCs were mobilized during infarction. The roles of Notch1 signaling pathway in angiogenesis of the infracted animals were studied using immunohistochemistry analysis of RBPjκ and Western blot analysis of Notch1 and Jagged1. Our results obtained from the rats treated with catalpol, positive drug and control showed that catalpol could protect rats from infarction probably by mobilization of EPCs and activation of Notch1 signaling pathway.

Role of the Notch Signaling Pathway in Fibrosis of Denervated Skeletal Muscle

In order to investigate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in skeletal muscle fibrosis after nerve injury, 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided randomly into a control and two experimental groups. Group A served as controls without any treatment. Rats in groups B were injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL PBS and those in group C were injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL PBS+100 ymol/L, 0.2 mL N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]- S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT, a gamma-secretase inhibitor that suppresses Notch signaling) respectively, on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 in a model of denervation-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis by right sciatic nerve transection. Five rats from each group were euthanized on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 28 to collect the right gastrocnemii, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry test, real-time PCR, and Western blotting were performed to assess connective tissue hyperplasia and fibroblast density as well as expression of Notch 1, Jagged 1, and Notch downstream molecules Hes 1 and collagen I (COL I) on day 28. There was no significant difference in HE-stained fibroblast density between group B and C on postoperative day 1. However, fibroblast density was significantly higher in group B than in group C on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28. Notch 1, Jagged 1, Hes 1, and COL I proteins in the gastrocnemius were expressed at very low levels in group A but at high levels in group B. Expression levels of these proteins were significantly lower in group C than in group B (P<0.05), but they were higher in group C than in group A (P<0.05) on postoperative day 28. We are led to conclude that locking the Notch signaling pathway inhibits fibrosis progression of denervated skeletal muscle. Thus, it may be a new approach for treatment of fibrosis of denervated skeletal muscle.

缺氧诱导因子1-血管内皮生长因子-Notch信号通路参与马蹄内翻足畸形的发生机制

目的研究马蹄内翻足畸形发生的分子机制。方法采用HE染色观察两组胎鼠足踝部组织结构差异,免疫组化染色、qRT-PCR和Western blot技术检测模型组和对照组大鼠足踝部组织缺氧诱导因子1(hypoxia inducible factor 1,HIF-1)、血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)及Notch-1表达情况。结果光镜下观察,与对照组相比,实验组足踝部组织结构相对紊乱,组织间隙增大,软组织松散,局部软组织聚集挛缩。免疫组化染色、qRT-PCR和Western blot结果显示,实验组足踝部组织HIF-1表达水平下调,Vegf、Notch-1的表达减少。结论HIF-VEGF-Notch信号通路可能与马蹄内翻足畸形的发生相关。

Buyang Huanwu decoction up-regulates Notch1 gene expression in injured spinal cord

Expression of genes in the Notch signaling pathway is altered in the injured spinal cord, which indicates that Notch participates in repair after spinal cord injury. Buyang Huanwu decoction, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation, can promote the growth of nerve cells and nerve fibers; however, it is unclear whether Buyang Huanwu decoction affects the Notch signaling pathway in injured spinal cord. In this study, a rat model was established by injuring the T10 spinal cord. At 2 days after injury, rats were intragastrically administered 2 m L of 0.8 g/m L Buyang Huanwu decoction daily until sacrifice. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that at 7, 14 and 28 days after injury, the expression of Notch1 was increased in the Buyang Huanwu decoction group compared with controls. These findings confirm that Buyang Huanwu decoction can promote the expression of Notch1 in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury, and may indicate a mechanism to promote the repair of spinal cord injury.

Negative effects of Notch1 on the differentiation of muscle-derived stem cells into neuronal-like cells

We cultured rat muscle-derived stem cells in medium containing nerve growth factor and basic fi-broblast growth factor to induce neuronal-like cell differentiation.Immunocytochemical staining and reverse transcription-PCR showed that the differentiated muscle-derived stem cells exhibited processes similar to those of neuronal-like cells and neuron-specific enolase expression,but Notch1 mRNA and protein expression was decreased.Down-regulation of Notch1 expression may facilitate neuronal-like cell differentiation from muscle-derived stem cells.

Brucine Inhibits Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 Signaling Pathways

Objective： To examine the effects of brucine on the invasion, migration and bone resorption of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand（RANKL）-induced osteoclastogenesis. Methods： The osteoclastogenesis model was builded by co-culturing human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages cells. RANKL（50 ng/m L） and macrophage-colony stimulating factor（50 ng/m L） were added to this system, followed by treatment with brucine（0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mmol/L）, or 10 μmol/L zoledronic acid as positive control. The migration and bone resorption were measured by transwell assay and in vitro bone resorption assay. The protein expressions of Jagged1 and Notch1 were investigated by Western blot. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1）, nuclear factor-kappa B（NF-κB） and Hes1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results： Compared with the model group, brucine led to a dose-dependent decrease on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of RAW264.7 cells（P 〈0.01）. Furthermore, brucine decreased the protein levels of Jagged1 and Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and RAW264.7 cells co-cultured system as well as the expressions of TGF-β1, NF-κB and Hes1（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Brucine may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathways.

Solanine Interferes with AKT/p-AKT and PI3K/p-PI3K Pathway to Inhibit HIF and Destroy Cell Energy Metabolism

The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of Solanine disrupting energy metabolism in human renal cancer ACHN cells and to clarify its target. The specific method was to culture human renal cancer ACHN cell lines, and to intervene with Solanine of high, medium and low concentrations. The content of ATP in cells was measured by ELISA method. The expression of HIF-1α protein and the expression of PI3K, AKT, p-PI3K, p-AKT in PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that compared with the control group, the relative expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT showed a downward trend with the increase of Solanine concentration (P < 0.05), while the relative expression of PI3K and AKT showed no significant change (P > 0.05). In addition, the relative expression of HIF-1α also showed a downward trend (P < 0.05). According to the above results, it is suggested that Solanine can significantly inhibit the energy metabolism of renal cancer cells, the main mechanism of which is the down-regulation of HI-1αf downstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation process of PI3K/p-PI3K and Akt/p-Akt.

Novel molecular targets in hepatocellular carcinoma

Globally,hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of cancer and cancerrelated deaths.The therapeutic efficacy of locoregional and systemic treatment in patients with advanced HCC remains low,which results in a poor prognosis.The development of sorafenib for the treatment of HCC has resulted in a new era of molecular targeted therapy for this disease.However,the median overall survival was reported to be barely higher in the sorafenib treatment group than in the control group.Hence,in this review we describe the importance of developing more effective targeted therapies for the management of advanced HCC.Recent investigations of molecular signaling pathways in several cancers have provided some insights into developing molecular therapies that target critical members of these signaling pathways.Proteins involved in the Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathways,Polo-like kinase 1,arginine,histone deacetylases and Glypican-3 can be potential targets in the treatment of HCC.Monotherapy has limited therapeutic efficacy due to the development of inhibitory feedback mechanisms and induction of chemoresistance.Thus,emphasis is now on the development of personalized and combination molecular targeted therapies that can serve as ideal therapeutic strategies for improved management of HCC.

Alagille syndrome associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and severe xanthomas:A case report

BACKGROUND Alagille syndrome(ALGS)is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the JAG1 or NOTCH2 gene.It is characterized by decreased intrahepatic bile ducts associated with a variety of abnormalities in many other organ systems,such as the cardiovascular,skeletal,and urinary systems.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of ALGS.A 1-month-old male infant presented with sustained jaundice and had a rare congenital heart disease:Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TAPVC).Sustained jaundice,particularly with cardiac murmur,caught our attention.Laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,total bilirubin,and total bile acids,indicating serious intrahepatic cholestasis.Imaging confirmed the presence of butterfly vertebra at the seventh thoracic vertebra.This suggested ALGS,which was confirmed by genetic testing with a c.3197dupC mutation in the JAG1 gene.Ursodiol was administered immediately after confirmation of the diagnosis,and cardiac surgery was performed when the patient was 1.5 month old.He recovered well after treatment and was discharged at the age of 3 mo.At the age of two years,the patient returned to our clinic because multiple cutaneous nodules with xanthomas appeared,and their size and number increased over time.CONCLUSION We report a unique case of ALGS associated with TAPVC and severe xanthomas.This study has enriched the clinical manifestations of ALGS and emphasized the association between JAG1 gene and TAPVC.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation of Maxing Shigan decoction in the treatment of influenza virus-inducedferroptosis

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that has caused high morbidity and mortality worldwide.Influenza A virus(IAV)has been found to activate multiple programmed cell death pathways,including ferroptosis.Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death in which the accumulation of intracellular iron promotes lipid peroxidation,leading to cell death.However,little is known about how influenza viruses induce ferroptosis in the host cells.In this study,based on network pharmacology,we predicted the mechanism of action of Maxing Shigan decoction(MXSGD)in IAV-induced ferroptosis,and found that this process was related to biological processes,cellular components,molecular function and multiple signaling pathways,where the hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1)signaling pathway plays a significant role.Subsequently,we constructed the mouse lung epithelial(MLE-12)cell model by IAV-infected in vitro cell experiments,and revealed that IAV infection induced cellular ferroptosis that was characterized by mitochondrial damage,increased reactive oxygen species(ROS)release,increased total iron and iron ion contents,decreased expression of ferroptosis marker gene recombinant glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),increased expression of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),and enhanced activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),induced nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the HIF-1 signaling pathway.Treatment with MXSGD effectively reduced intracellular viral load,while reducing ROS,total iron and ferrous ion contents,repairing mitochondrial results and inhibiting the expression of cellular ferroptosis and the HIF-1 signaling pathway.Finally,based on animal experiments,it was found that MXSGD effectively alleviated pulmonary congestion,edema and inflammation in IAV-infected mice,and inhibited the expression of ferroptosis-related protein and the HIF-1 signaling pathway in lung tissues.

Extracts of Celastrus Orbiculatus Inhibit Cancer Metastasis by Down-regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hypoxia-Induced Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Celastrus Orbiculatus extracts(COE) on metastasis in hypoxiainduced hepatocellular carcinoma cells(Hep G2) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods:The effect of COE(160, 200 and 240 μg/mL) on cell viability, scratch-wound, invasion and migration were studied by 3-4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT), scratch-wound and transwell assays, respectively. Co Cl2 was used to establish a hypoxia model in vitro. Effects of COE on the expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin were investigated with Western blot and immuno?uorescence analysis,respectively. Results: COE inhibited proliferation and metastasis of hypoxia-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01). Furthermore, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) related markers were also remarkably suppressed in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01). In addition, the upstream signaling pathways, including the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(Hif-1α) and Twist1 were suppressed by COE. Additionally, the Hif-1α inhibitor 3-5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole(YC-1), potently suppressed cell invasion and migration as well as expression of EMT in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cells. Similarly, the combined treatment with COE and YC-1 showed a synergistic effect(P<0.01) compared with the treatment with COE or YC-1 alone in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cells. Conclusions: COE signi?cantly inhibited the tumor metastasis and EMT by suppressing Hif-1α/Twist1 signaling pathway in hypoxia-induced Hep G2 cell. Thus, COE might have potential effect to inhibit the progression of Hep G2 in the context of tumor hypoxia.