BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) a...BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.展开更多
Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem ce...Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem cell therapy and advancing the frontiers of stem cell-derived treatments.This lays a foundation for the development of potentially potent new treatment modalities for ischemic stroke.However,the precise mechanisms underlying the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles remain unclear,presenting challenges for clinical translation.To promote the translation of therapy based on human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles from the bench to the bedside,we conducted a comprehensive preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the treatment of ischemic stroke.We found that administration of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to an ischemic stroke rat model reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and promoted functional recovery by alleviating neuronal apoptosis.The human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduced neuronal apoptosis by enhancing phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase,mammalian target of rapamycin,and protein kinase B,and these effects were reversed by treatment with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor.These findings suggest that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles play a neuroprotective role in ischemic stroke through activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.Finally,we showed that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have a good in vivo safety profile.Therefore,human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are a promising potential agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.展开更多
Cerebral edema caused by blood-brain barrier injury after intracerebral hemorrhage is an important factor leading to poor prognosis.Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cell exosomes(hiPSC-NSC-Exos)...Cerebral edema caused by blood-brain barrier injury after intracerebral hemorrhage is an important factor leading to poor prognosis.Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cell exosomes(hiPSC-NSC-Exos)have shown potential for brain injury repair in central nervous system diseases.In this study,we explored the impact of hiPSC-NSC-Exos on blood-brain barrier preservation and the underlying mechanism.Our results indicated that intranasal delivery of hiPSC-NSC-Exos mitigated neurological deficits,enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity,and reduced leukocyte infiltration in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage.Additionally,hiPSC-NSC-Exos decreased immune cell infiltration,activated astrocytes,and decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines like monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,macrophage inflammatory protein-1α,and tumor necrosis factor-αpost-intracerebral hemorrhage,thereby improving the inflammatory microenvironment.RNA sequencing indicated that hiPSC-NSC-Exo activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in astrocytes and decreased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion,thereby improving blood-brain barrier integrity.Treatment with the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 or the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 neutralizing agent C1142 abolished these effects.In summary,our findings suggest that hiPSC-NSC-Exos maintains blood-brain barrier integrity,in part by downregulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in astrocytes.展开更多
A large body of experimental and clinical data supports the notion that inflammation in acute pancreatitis has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of local and systemic damage and is a major determinant of clinical sev...A large body of experimental and clinical data supports the notion that inflammation in acute pancreatitis has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of local and systemic damage and is a major determinant of clinical severity. Thus, research has recently focused on molecules that can regulate the inflammatory processes, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), a family of lipid and protein kinases involved in intracellular signal transduction. Studies using genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibitors of different PI3K isoforms, in particular the class I PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ, have contributed to a greater understanding of the roles of these kinases in the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Recent data suggest that PI3Ks are also involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Activation of the PI3K signaling pathway, and in particular of the class IB PI3Kγ isoform, has a significant role in those events which are necessary for the initiation of acute pancreatic injury, namely calcium signaling alteration, trypsinogen activation, and nuclear factor-κB transcription. Moreover, PI3Kγ is instrumental in modulating acinar cell apoptosis, and regulating local neutrophil infiltration and systemic inflammatory responses during the course of experimental acute pancreatitis. The availability of PI3K inhibitors selective for specific isoforms may provide new valuable therapeutic strategies to improve the clinical course of this disease. This article presents a brief summary of PI3K structure and function, and highlights recent advances that implicate PI3Ks in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Class?I?phosphoinositide 3-kinase (Class?I?PI3K) signal transduction on the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of gastric ca...AIM: To investigate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Class?I?phosphoinositide 3-kinase (Class?I?PI3K) signal transduction on the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of gastric cancer SGC7901 and MGC803 cells.METHODS: We constructed the recombinant replication adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNA interference (RNAi)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and control adenovirus NC-RNAi-GFP, and infected it into human gastric cancer cells. MTT assay was used to determine the growth rate of the gastric cancer cells. Activation of autophagy was monitored with monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining after adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP and control adenovirus NC-RNAi-GFP treatment. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the fluorescent probe JC-1. The expression of autophagy was monitored with MDC, LC3 staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect p53, Beclin-1, Bcl-2, and LC3 protein expression in the culture supernatant.RESULTS: The viability of gastric cancer cells was inhibited after siRNA targeting to the Class?I?PI3K blocked Class?I?PI3K signal pathway. MTT assays revealed that, after SGC7901 cancer cells were treated with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP, the rate of inhibition reached 27.48% ± 2.71% at 24 h, 41.92% ± 2.02% at 48 h, and 50.85% ± 0.91% at 72 h. After MGC803 cancer cells were treated with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP, the rate of inhibition reached 24.39% ± 0.93% at 24 h, 47.00% ± 0.87% at 48 h, and 70.30% ± 0.86% at 72 h (P < 0.05 compared to control group). It was determined that when 50 MOI, the transfection efficiency was 95% ± 2.4%. Adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI) induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated cell apoptosis in SGC7901 cells, and the results described here prove that RNAi of Class?I?PI3K induced apoptosis in SGC7901 cells. The results showed that adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP transfection induced punctate distribution of LC3 immunoreactivity, indicating increased formation of autophagosomes. The results showed that the basal level of Beclin-1 and LC3 protein in SGC7901 cells was low. After incubating with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI), Beclin-1, LC3, and p53 protein expression was significantly increased from 24 to 72 h. We also found that Bcl-2 protein expression down-regulated with the treatment of adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI). A number of isolated membranes, possibly derived from ribosome-free endoplasmic reticulum, were seen. These isolated membranes were elongated and curved to engulf a cytoplasmic fraction and organelles. We used transmission electron microscopy to identify ultrastructural changes in SGC7901 cells after adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI) treatment. Control cells showed a round shape and contained normal-looking organelles, nucleus, and chromatin, while adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI)-treated cells exhibited the typical signs of autophagy.CONCLUSION: After the Class?I?PI3K signaling pathway has been blocked by siRNA, the proliferation of cells was inhibited and the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was enhanced.展开更多
Objective To explore the mechanisms involved in Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） invading human monocytic U937 cells. Methods S. aureus were added to U937 cells at multiplicity of infections （MOI） of 20：1 for 0...Objective To explore the mechanisms involved in Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） invading human monocytic U937 cells. Methods S. aureus were added to U937 cells at multiplicity of infections （MOI） of 20：1 for 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC）/propidium iodide （PI） flow cytometry analysis. Akt and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） activities were detected by Western blotting. Results Infection of U937 cells with S. aureus induced rapid cell death in a time-dependent manner, and the cells displayed characteristic features of apoptosis. S. aureus-induced apoptosis was associated with a prominent downregulation of activated （phosphorylated） Akt and NF-κB. The inhibition of phosphorylated Akt by LY294002 led to the inhibition of NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of Akt with LY294002 caused further increase in apoptosis of U937 cells. Conclusions S. aureus can stimulate the apoptosis of U937 ceils. S. aureus induces apoptosis of U937 cells by inhibiting Akt-regulated NF-κB.展开更多
Baicalin is a flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis root.Recent evidence indicates that baicalin is neuroprotective in models of ischemic stroke.Here,we investigate the neuroprotective effect of ba...Baicalin is a flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis root.Recent evidence indicates that baicalin is neuroprotective in models of ischemic stroke.Here,we investigate the neuroprotective effect of baicalin in a neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Seven-day-old pups underwent left common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia（8% oxygen at 37°C） for 2 hours,before being injected with baicalin（120 mg/kg intraperitoneally） and examined 24 hours later.Baicalin effectively reduced cerebral infarct volume and neuronal loss,inhibited apoptosis,and upregulated the expression of p-Akt and glutamate transporter 1.Intracerebroventricular injection of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3 K/Akt） inhibitor LY294002 30 minutes before injury blocked the effect of baicalin on p-Akt and glutamate transporter 1,and weakened the associated neuroprotective effect.Our findings provide the first evidence,to our knowledge that baicalin can protect neonatal rat brains against hypoxic-ischemic injury by upregulating glutamate transporter 1 via the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the effect of diisononyl phthalate（DINP） exposure during gestation and lactation on allergic response in pups and to explore the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway on it. Methods Fem...Objective To evaluate the effect of diisononyl phthalate（DINP） exposure during gestation and lactation on allergic response in pups and to explore the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway on it. Methods Female Wistar rats were treated with DINP at different dosages（0, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg of body weight per day）. The pups were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin（OVA）. The airway response was assessed; the airway histological studies were performed by hematoxylin and eosin（HE） staining; and the relative cytokines in phosphoinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）/Akt pathway were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） and western blot analysis. Results There was no significant difference in DINP＇s effect on airway hyperresponsiveness（AHR） between male pups and female pups. In the 50 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated group, airway response to OVA significantly increased and pups showed dramatically enhanced pulmonary resistance（RI） compared with those from controls（P〈0.05）. Enhanced Akt phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation, and Th2 cytokines expression were observed in pups of 50 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated group. However, in the 5 and 500 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated pups, no significant effects were observed. Conclusion There was an adjuvant effect of DINP on allergic airway inflammation in pups. Maternal DINP exposure could promote OVA-induced allergic airway response in pups in part by upregulation of PI3K/Akt pathway.展开更多
OBJECTIVE Phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) activation was reported to participate in the development of effect of some drugs,such as morphine and cocaine dependence.We previous found nischarin is associated with the ac...OBJECTIVE Phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) activation was reported to participate in the development of effect of some drugs,such as morphine and cocaine dependence.We previous found nischarin is associated with the activation of PI3K.It is our great interest to investigate the involvement of nischarin in PI3K dependent modulation of morphine versus cocaine dependence.METHODS In order to study the role of nischarin in drug dependence and tolerance,nischarin knockout mice were used for our research.Effect of psychological dependence was studied by conditioned place preference(CPP),and the effect of physical dependence was tested by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs.Some brain tissues were harvested 24 h after the behavioral experiment for the further measurement.RESULTS PI3K specific inhibitor LY294002 significantly blocked the acquisition of morphine-induced CPP in wild-type mice,but had no effect on its expression.In comparison,LY294002 failed to block the acquisition of cocaine-induced CPP but inhibited the expression.Furthermore,we found naloxoneprecipitated withdrawal signs in the morphine dependent mice was inhibited by LY294002.Nischarin knockout in mice could abolish the effect of LY294002 on blocking the effects of morphine,but had no effect on cocaine.CONCLUSION PI3K activation is involved in the different phases of morphine and cocaine dependence,and nischarin plays an important role in the process.展开更多
To investigate the molecular mechanism of leptin regulating insulin secretion through determining the regulation of insulin secretion and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2-associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI...To investigate the molecular mechanism of leptin regulating insulin secretion through determining the regulation of insulin secretion and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2-associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity by leptin in the isolated rat pancreatic islets, pancreatic islets were isolated from male SD rats by the collagenase method. The purified islets were incubated with leptin 2 nmol/L for 1 h in the presence of 5.6 mmol/L or 11.1 mmol/L glucose. Insulin release was measured using radioimmunoassay. IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K was determined by immunoprecipitate assay and Western blot. The results showed that in the presence of 5.6 mmol/L glucose, leptin had no significant effect on both insulin secretion and IRS-2-associated PI3K activity, but in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose, insulin release was significantly inhibited after the islets were exposed to leptin for 1 h (P<0.01). PI3K inhibitor wortmannin blocked the inhibitory regulation of leptin on insulin release (P<0.05). Western Blot assay revealed that 2 nmol/L leptin could significantly increase the IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K by 51.5 % (P<0.05) in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose. It was concluded that Leptin could significantly inhibit insulin secretion in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose by stimulating IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K, which might be the molecular mechanism of leptin regulating insulin secretion.展开更多
Objective： The mechanisms by which lipopolysaccharide （LPS） pretreatment induces cardioprotection following ischaemia/reperfusion （I/R） have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that activation of phosphoin...Objective： The mechanisms by which lipopolysaccharide （LPS） pretreatment induces cardioprotection following ischaemia/reperfusion （I/R） have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt and high mobility group box 1 （HMGBxl） signaling plays an important role in LPS-induced cardioprotection. Methods： In in vivo experiments, age- and weight- matched male C57BL/10Sc wild type mice were pretreated with LPS before ligation of the left anterior descending coronary followed by reperfusion. Infarction size was examined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Akt, phospho-Akt, and HMGBxl were assessed by immunoblotting with appropriate primary antibodies. In situ cardiac myocyte apop- tosis was examined by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. In an in vitro study, rat cardiac myoblasts （H9c2） were subdivided into two groups, and only one was pretreated with LPS. After pretreatment, the cells were transferred into a hypoxic chamber under 0.5% 02. Levels of HMGBxl were assessed by immunoblot. Results： In the in vivo experiment, pretreatment with LPS reduced the at risk infarct size by 70.6% and the left ventricle infarct size by 64.93% respectively. Pretreatment with LPS also reduced cardiac myocytes apoptosis by 39.1% after ischemia and reperfusion. The mechanisms of LPS induced cardioprotection involved increasing PI3K/Akt activity and decreasing expression of HMGBxl. In the in vitro study, pretreatment with LPS reduced the level of HMGBxl in H9c2 cell cytoplasm following hypoxia. Conclusion： The results suggest that the cardioprotection following I/R induced by LPS pretreatment involves PI3K/Akt and HMGBxl pathways.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. U20A20408 and No. 82074450Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, No. 2020JJ4066+4 种基金Hunan Province"Domestic First-class Cultivation Discipline"Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Open Fund Project, No. 2020ZXYJH34 and No. 2020ZXYJH35Hunan Graduate Scientific Research Innovation Project, No. QL20210173 and No. CX20210730Hunan Province Science and Technology Innovation Talents Plan College Students Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project, No. 2020RC1004Guangzhou Health Science and Technology Project, No. 20221A011102Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project, No. 202101
文摘BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China,No.81471308(to JL)the Innovative Leading Talents of Liaoning Province,No.XLYC1902031(to JL)+2 种基金Science and Technology Projects in Liaoning Province,No.2022-BS-238(to CH)Young Top Talents of Liaoning Province,No.XLYC1907009(to LW)Dalian Science and Technology Innovation Fund,No.2018J11CY025(to JL)。
文摘Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem cell therapy and advancing the frontiers of stem cell-derived treatments.This lays a foundation for the development of potentially potent new treatment modalities for ischemic stroke.However,the precise mechanisms underlying the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles remain unclear,presenting challenges for clinical translation.To promote the translation of therapy based on human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles from the bench to the bedside,we conducted a comprehensive preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the treatment of ischemic stroke.We found that administration of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to an ischemic stroke rat model reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and promoted functional recovery by alleviating neuronal apoptosis.The human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduced neuronal apoptosis by enhancing phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase,mammalian target of rapamycin,and protein kinase B,and these effects were reversed by treatment with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor.These findings suggest that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles play a neuroprotective role in ischemic stroke through activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.Finally,we showed that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have a good in vivo safety profile.Therefore,human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are a promising potential agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.8227050826(to PL)Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau Foundation,No.20201194(to PL)Tianjin Graduate Research and Innovation Project,No.2022BKY174(to CW).
文摘Cerebral edema caused by blood-brain barrier injury after intracerebral hemorrhage is an important factor leading to poor prognosis.Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cell exosomes(hiPSC-NSC-Exos)have shown potential for brain injury repair in central nervous system diseases.In this study,we explored the impact of hiPSC-NSC-Exos on blood-brain barrier preservation and the underlying mechanism.Our results indicated that intranasal delivery of hiPSC-NSC-Exos mitigated neurological deficits,enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity,and reduced leukocyte infiltration in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage.Additionally,hiPSC-NSC-Exos decreased immune cell infiltration,activated astrocytes,and decreased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines like monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,macrophage inflammatory protein-1α,and tumor necrosis factor-αpost-intracerebral hemorrhage,thereby improving the inflammatory microenvironment.RNA sequencing indicated that hiPSC-NSC-Exo activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in astrocytes and decreased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion,thereby improving blood-brain barrier integrity.Treatment with the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 or the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 neutralizing agent C1142 abolished these effects.In summary,our findings suggest that hiPSC-NSC-Exos maintains blood-brain barrier integrity,in part by downregulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in astrocytes.
基金Supported by Ministero dell’Universitàe della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica(MURST,ex-60%to GM and EL)
文摘A large body of experimental and clinical data supports the notion that inflammation in acute pancreatitis has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of local and systemic damage and is a major determinant of clinical severity. Thus, research has recently focused on molecules that can regulate the inflammatory processes, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), a family of lipid and protein kinases involved in intracellular signal transduction. Studies using genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibitors of different PI3K isoforms, in particular the class I PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ, have contributed to a greater understanding of the roles of these kinases in the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Recent data suggest that PI3Ks are also involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Activation of the PI3K signaling pathway, and in particular of the class IB PI3Kγ isoform, has a significant role in those events which are necessary for the initiation of acute pancreatic injury, namely calcium signaling alteration, trypsinogen activation, and nuclear factor-κB transcription. Moreover, PI3Kγ is instrumental in modulating acinar cell apoptosis, and regulating local neutrophil infiltration and systemic inflammatory responses during the course of experimental acute pancreatitis. The availability of PI3K inhibitors selective for specific isoforms may provide new valuable therapeutic strategies to improve the clinical course of this disease. This article presents a brief summary of PI3K structure and function, and highlights recent advances that implicate PI3Ks in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.
基金Supported by The Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 81172348Suzhou High-Level Talents Project,2008-11+1 种基金Suzhou Science and Technology Development Foundation,2010SYS201031the Science,Education,and Health Foundation of Suzhou City,SWKQ0914 and SWKQ0916
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Class?I?phosphoinositide 3-kinase (Class?I?PI3K) signal transduction on the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of gastric cancer SGC7901 and MGC803 cells.METHODS: We constructed the recombinant replication adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNA interference (RNAi)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) and control adenovirus NC-RNAi-GFP, and infected it into human gastric cancer cells. MTT assay was used to determine the growth rate of the gastric cancer cells. Activation of autophagy was monitored with monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining after adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP and control adenovirus NC-RNAi-GFP treatment. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the fluorescent probe JC-1. The expression of autophagy was monitored with MDC, LC3 staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect p53, Beclin-1, Bcl-2, and LC3 protein expression in the culture supernatant.RESULTS: The viability of gastric cancer cells was inhibited after siRNA targeting to the Class?I?PI3K blocked Class?I?PI3K signal pathway. MTT assays revealed that, after SGC7901 cancer cells were treated with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP, the rate of inhibition reached 27.48% ± 2.71% at 24 h, 41.92% ± 2.02% at 48 h, and 50.85% ± 0.91% at 72 h. After MGC803 cancer cells were treated with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP, the rate of inhibition reached 24.39% ± 0.93% at 24 h, 47.00% ± 0.87% at 48 h, and 70.30% ± 0.86% at 72 h (P < 0.05 compared to control group). It was determined that when 50 MOI, the transfection efficiency was 95% ± 2.4%. Adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI) induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated cell apoptosis in SGC7901 cells, and the results described here prove that RNAi of Class?I?PI3K induced apoptosis in SGC7901 cells. The results showed that adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP transfection induced punctate distribution of LC3 immunoreactivity, indicating increased formation of autophagosomes. The results showed that the basal level of Beclin-1 and LC3 protein in SGC7901 cells was low. After incubating with adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI), Beclin-1, LC3, and p53 protein expression was significantly increased from 24 to 72 h. We also found that Bcl-2 protein expression down-regulated with the treatment of adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI). A number of isolated membranes, possibly derived from ribosome-free endoplasmic reticulum, were seen. These isolated membranes were elongated and curved to engulf a cytoplasmic fraction and organelles. We used transmission electron microscopy to identify ultrastructural changes in SGC7901 cells after adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI) treatment. Control cells showed a round shape and contained normal-looking organelles, nucleus, and chromatin, while adenovirus PI3K(I)-RNAi-GFP (50 MOI)-treated cells exhibited the typical signs of autophagy.CONCLUSION: After the Class?I?PI3K signaling pathway has been blocked by siRNA, the proliferation of cells was inhibited and the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was enhanced.
基金Supported by the Doctor Research Start-up Fund of Liaoning province (20081055)a grant from the Education Department of Liaoning province (2009A737)
文摘Objective To explore the mechanisms involved in Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） invading human monocytic U937 cells. Methods S. aureus were added to U937 cells at multiplicity of infections （MOI） of 20：1 for 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC）/propidium iodide （PI） flow cytometry analysis. Akt and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） activities were detected by Western blotting. Results Infection of U937 cells with S. aureus induced rapid cell death in a time-dependent manner, and the cells displayed characteristic features of apoptosis. S. aureus-induced apoptosis was associated with a prominent downregulation of activated （phosphorylated） Akt and NF-κB. The inhibition of phosphorylated Akt by LY294002 led to the inhibition of NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of Akt with LY294002 caused further increase in apoptosis of U937 cells. Conclusions S. aureus can stimulate the apoptosis of U937 ceils. S. aureus induces apoptosis of U937 cells by inhibiting Akt-regulated NF-κB.
基金supported by the Chinese Medicine Research Foundation of Jiangxi Provincial Health Department of China,No.2013A040the Science and Technology Program of Jiangxi Provincial Health Department of China,No.20123023the Science and Technology Support Program of Jiangxi Province of China,No.2009BSB11209
文摘Baicalin is a flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis root.Recent evidence indicates that baicalin is neuroprotective in models of ischemic stroke.Here,we investigate the neuroprotective effect of baicalin in a neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Seven-day-old pups underwent left common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia（8% oxygen at 37°C） for 2 hours,before being injected with baicalin（120 mg/kg intraperitoneally） and examined 24 hours later.Baicalin effectively reduced cerebral infarct volume and neuronal loss,inhibited apoptosis,and upregulated the expression of p-Akt and glutamate transporter 1.Intracerebroventricular injection of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3 K/Akt） inhibitor LY294002 30 minutes before injury blocked the effect of baicalin on p-Akt and glutamate transporter 1,and weakened the associated neuroprotective effect.Our findings provide the first evidence,to our knowledge that baicalin can protect neonatal rat brains against hypoxic-ischemic injury by upregulating glutamate transporter 1 via the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Number:81072263)Shanghai Natural Science Foundation(Grant Number:10ZR1402000)
文摘Objective To evaluate the effect of diisononyl phthalate（DINP） exposure during gestation and lactation on allergic response in pups and to explore the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway on it. Methods Female Wistar rats were treated with DINP at different dosages（0, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg of body weight per day）. The pups were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin（OVA）. The airway response was assessed; the airway histological studies were performed by hematoxylin and eosin（HE） staining; and the relative cytokines in phosphoinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）/Akt pathway were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） and western blot analysis. Results There was no significant difference in DINP＇s effect on airway hyperresponsiveness（AHR） between male pups and female pups. In the 50 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated group, airway response to OVA significantly increased and pups showed dramatically enhanced pulmonary resistance（RI） compared with those from controls（P〈0.05）. Enhanced Akt phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation, and Th2 cytokines expression were observed in pups of 50 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated group. However, in the 5 and 500 mg/（kg·d） DINP-treated pups, no significant effects were observed. Conclusion There was an adjuvant effect of DINP on allergic airway inflammation in pups. Maternal DINP exposure could promote OVA-induced allergic airway response in pups in part by upregulation of PI3K/Akt pathway.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (81673409).
文摘OBJECTIVE Phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) activation was reported to participate in the development of effect of some drugs,such as morphine and cocaine dependence.We previous found nischarin is associated with the activation of PI3K.It is our great interest to investigate the involvement of nischarin in PI3K dependent modulation of morphine versus cocaine dependence.METHODS In order to study the role of nischarin in drug dependence and tolerance,nischarin knockout mice were used for our research.Effect of psychological dependence was studied by conditioned place preference(CPP),and the effect of physical dependence was tested by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs.Some brain tissues were harvested 24 h after the behavioral experiment for the further measurement.RESULTS PI3K specific inhibitor LY294002 significantly blocked the acquisition of morphine-induced CPP in wild-type mice,but had no effect on its expression.In comparison,LY294002 failed to block the acquisition of cocaine-induced CPP but inhibited the expression.Furthermore,we found naloxoneprecipitated withdrawal signs in the morphine dependent mice was inhibited by LY294002.Nischarin knockout in mice could abolish the effect of LY294002 on blocking the effects of morphine,but had no effect on cocaine.CONCLUSION PI3K activation is involved in the different phases of morphine and cocaine dependence,and nischarin plays an important role in the process.
基金This project was supported by Ministry of Education Re-turning Overseas Scholar science study Foundation( 2 0 0 2 2 47) ,province Hubei Natural Sciences Foundation( 2 0 0 2 AB13 6) ,Wuhan science and Technology ChenguangPlan Foundation( 9910 0 2 0 9)
文摘To investigate the molecular mechanism of leptin regulating insulin secretion through determining the regulation of insulin secretion and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2-associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity by leptin in the isolated rat pancreatic islets, pancreatic islets were isolated from male SD rats by the collagenase method. The purified islets were incubated with leptin 2 nmol/L for 1 h in the presence of 5.6 mmol/L or 11.1 mmol/L glucose. Insulin release was measured using radioimmunoassay. IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K was determined by immunoprecipitate assay and Western blot. The results showed that in the presence of 5.6 mmol/L glucose, leptin had no significant effect on both insulin secretion and IRS-2-associated PI3K activity, but in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose, insulin release was significantly inhibited after the islets were exposed to leptin for 1 h (P<0.01). PI3K inhibitor wortmannin blocked the inhibitory regulation of leptin on insulin release (P<0.05). Western Blot assay revealed that 2 nmol/L leptin could significantly increase the IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K by 51.5 % (P<0.05) in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose. It was concluded that Leptin could significantly inhibit insulin secretion in the presence of 11.1 mmol/L glucose by stimulating IRS-2-associated activity of PI3K, which might be the molecular mechanism of leptin regulating insulin secretion.
文摘Objective： The mechanisms by which lipopolysaccharide （LPS） pretreatment induces cardioprotection following ischaemia/reperfusion （I/R） have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt and high mobility group box 1 （HMGBxl） signaling plays an important role in LPS-induced cardioprotection. Methods： In in vivo experiments, age- and weight- matched male C57BL/10Sc wild type mice were pretreated with LPS before ligation of the left anterior descending coronary followed by reperfusion. Infarction size was examined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Akt, phospho-Akt, and HMGBxl were assessed by immunoblotting with appropriate primary antibodies. In situ cardiac myocyte apop- tosis was examined by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay. In an in vitro study, rat cardiac myoblasts （H9c2） were subdivided into two groups, and only one was pretreated with LPS. After pretreatment, the cells were transferred into a hypoxic chamber under 0.5% 02. Levels of HMGBxl were assessed by immunoblot. Results： In the in vivo experiment, pretreatment with LPS reduced the at risk infarct size by 70.6% and the left ventricle infarct size by 64.93% respectively. Pretreatment with LPS also reduced cardiac myocytes apoptosis by 39.1% after ischemia and reperfusion. The mechanisms of LPS induced cardioprotection involved increasing PI3K/Akt activity and decreasing expression of HMGBxl. In the in vitro study, pretreatment with LPS reduced the level of HMGBxl in H9c2 cell cytoplasm following hypoxia. Conclusion： The results suggest that the cardioprotection following I/R induced by LPS pretreatment involves PI3K/Akt and HMGBxl pathways.
