Banxia xiexin decoction prevents the development of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND In China banxia xiexin decoction(BXD)has been used in treating gastric cancer(GC)for thousands of years and BXD has a good role in reversing GC histopathology,but its chemical composition and action mechanism are still unknown.AIM To investigate the mechanism of action of BXD against GC based on transcriptomics,network pharmacology,in vivo and in vitro experiments.METHODS The transplanted tumor model was prepared,and the nude mouse were pathologically examined after administration,and hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed.The active ingredients of BXD were quality controlled and identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS),and traditional Chinese medicines systems pharmacology platform,drug bank and the Swiss target prediction platform to predict the relevant targets,the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)of GC were screened by RNA-seq sequencing,and the overlapping targets were analyzed to obtain the key targets and pathways.Cell Counting Kit-8,apoptosis assay,cell migration and Realtime fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used for in vitro experiments.RESULTS All dosing groups inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors in laboratory-bred strain nude,with the capecitabine group and the BXD medium-dose group being the best.A total of 29 compounds and 859 potential targets in BXD were identified by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS and network pharmacology,RNA-seq sequencing found 4767 GC DEGs,which were combined with network pharmacology and analyzed 246 potential therapeutic targets were obtained and pathway results showed that BXD may against GC through the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKt)signaling pathway.In vitro cellular experiments confirmed that BXDcontaining serum and LY294002 could inhibit the proliferation of GC cells,promote apoptosis,and inhibit the migration of GC cells by decreasing the expression of EGFR,PIK3CA,IL6,BCL2 and AKT1 in the PI3K-Akt pathway in MGC-803 expression.CONCLUSION BXD has the effect of inhibiting tumor growth rate and delaying the development of GC.Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Fenofibrate Pre-treatment Suppressed Inflammation by Activating Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase/Protein Kinase B(PI3K/Akt) Signaling in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of Fenofibrate on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury（IRI） in mice and its potential mechanism. IRI was induced by bilateral renal ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operated group（sham）, IRI＋saline group（IRI group）, IRI＋Fenofibrate（FEN） group. Normal saline or Fenofibrate（3 mg/kg） was intravenously injected 60 min before renal ischemia in IRI group and FEN group, respectively. Blood samples and renal tissues were collected at the end of reperfusion. The renal function, histopathologic changes, and the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-8（IL-8）, tumor necrosis factor alpha（TNF-α） and IL-6] in serum and renal tissue homogenate were assessed. Moreover, the effects of Fenofibrate on activating phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α（PPAR-α） were also measured in renal IRI. The results showed that plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, histopathologic scores and the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 were significantly lower in FEN group than in IRI group. Moreover, Fenofibrate pretreatment could further induce PI3K/Akt signal pathway and PPAR-α activation following renal IRI. These findings indicated PPAR-α activation by Fenofibrate exerts protective effects on renal IRI in mice by suppressing inflammation via PI3K/Akt activation. Thus, Fenofibrate could be a novel therapeutic alternative in renal IRI.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors in breast cancer

Activation of the phosphoinositide 3 kinase(PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway is common in breast cancer. There is preclinical data to support inhibition of the pathway, and phase Ⅰ to Ⅲ trials involving inhibitors of the pathway have been or are being conducted in solid tumors and breast cancer. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, is currently approved for the treatment of hormone receptor(HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-negative breast cancer. In this review, we summarise the efficacy and toxicity findings from the randomised clinical trials, with simplified guidelines on the management of potential adverse effects. Education of healthcare professionals and patients is critical for safety and compliance. While there is some clinical evidence of activity of mTOR inhibition in HR-positive and HER2-positive breast cancers, the benefits may be more pronounced in selected subsets rather than in the overall population. Further development of predictive biomarkers will be useful in the selection of patients who will benefit from inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR(PAM) pathway.

Protective Effects of Danmu Extract Syrup on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice through Endothelial Barrier Repair

Objective:To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup(DMS) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism.Methods:Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table(n=12),including control(normal saline),LPS(5 mg/kg),LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg,LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg,LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg,and LPS+Dexamethasone(DXM,5 mg/kg) groups.After pretreatment with DMS and DXM,the ALI mice model was induced by LPS,and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration,cell counts and inflammatory cytokines.The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin,and the wet/dry weight ratio(W/D) of lung tissue was calculated.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1βin BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The expression levels of Claudin-5,vascular endothelial(VE)-cadherin,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),phospho-protein kinase B(p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis.Results:DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes.Compared with the LPS group,the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β(P<0.01).Meanwhile,DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5,VE-cadherin and VEGF(P<0.01).Conclusions:DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier.It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.

Liposomalα-cyperone targeting bone resorption surfaces suppresses osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis progression via the PI3K/Akt axis

Osteoporosis is a metabolic dysregulation of bone that occurs mainly in postmenopausal women,and the hyperfunction of osteoclasts is the primary contributor to postmenopausal osteoporosis.However,the development of effective therapeutic drugs and precise delivery systems remains a challenge in the field of anti-absorption therapy.Here,we reported theα-cyperone(α-CYP)for anti-osteoporosis and developed a liposome-based nano-drug delivery system ofα-CYP,that specifically targets the bone resorption interface.Firstly,we found that theα-CYP,one of the major sesquiterpenes of Cyperus rotundus L.,attenuated the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized(OVX)mice and down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated proteins of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(Akt),causing down-regulation of osteoclast-related genes/proteins and curbing osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,α-CYP reversed the activation of osteoclastic differentiation and enhanced osteoporosis-related proteins expression caused by PI3K/Akt agonist(YS-49).More importantly,we adopted the osteoclastic resorption surface targeting peptide Asp8 and constructed the liposome(lipαC@Asp8)to deliverα-CYP to osteoclasts and confirmed its anti-osteoporosis effect and enhanced osteoclast inhibition by blocking PI3K/Akt axis.In conclusion,this study demonstrated thatα-CYP inhibits osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis development by silencing PI3K/Akt pathway,and the liposome targeting delivery systems loaded withα-CYP might provide a novel and effective strategy to treat osteoporosis.

Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth and Metastasis by Ameliorating Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αSignaling Pathway

Objective:To investigate whether Buthus martensii karsch(Scorpiones),Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L.Koch(Scolopendra)and Gekko gecko Linnaeus(Gekko)could ameliorate the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and inhibit lung cancer growth and metastasis by regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α)signaling pathway.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with luciferase labeled LL/2-luc-M38 cell suspension to develop lung cancer models,with rapamycin and cyclophosphamide as positive controls.Carboxy methyl cellulose solutions of Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko were administered intragastrically as 0.33,0.33,and 0.83 g/kg,respectively once daily for 21 days.Fluorescent expression were detected every 7 days after inoculation,and tumor growth curves were plotted.Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine CD31 and HIF-1αexpressions in tumor tissue and microvessel density(MVD)was analyzed.Western blot was performed to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway-related proteins.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect serum basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in mice.Results:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko prolonged the survival time and inhibited lung cancer metastasis and expression of HIF-1α(all P<0.01).Moreover,Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and ribosomal protein S6 kinase(p70S6K)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In addition,they also decreased the expression of CD31,MVD,bFGF,TGF-β1 and VEGF compared with the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko all showed beneficial effects on lung cancer by ameliorating the hypoxic tumor microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells modulate autophagy in RAW264.7 macrophages via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway under oxygen-glucose deprivation/restoration conditions

Background: Autophagy of alveolar macrophages is a crucial process in ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential for repairing injured sites and regulating autophagy. This study was to investigate the influence of BM-MSCs on autophagy of macrophages in the oxygen-glucose deprivation/restoration (OGD/R) microenvironment and to explore the potential mechanism.Methods: We established a co-culture system of macrophages (RAW264.7) with BM-MSCs under OGD/R conditionsin vitro. RAW264.7 cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus (Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B) and autophagic status of RAW264.7 cells was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Autophagy-related proteins light chain 3 (LC3)-I, LC3-II, and p62 in RAW264.7 cells were detected by Western blotting. We used microarray expression analysis to identify the differently expressed genes between OGD/R treated macrophages and macrophages co-culture with BM-MSCs. We investigated the gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is downstream of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway.Results: The ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I of OGD/R treated RAW264.7 cells was increased (1.27 ± 0.20vs. 0.44 ± 0.08,t = 6.67,P < 0.05), while the expression of p62 was decreased (0.77 ± 0.04vs. 0.95 ± 0.10,t = 2.90,P < 0.05), and PI3K (0.40 ± 0.06vs. 0.63 ± 0.10,t = 3.42,P < 0.05) and p-Akt/Akt ratio was also decreased (0.39 ± 0.02vs. 0.58 ± 0.03,t = 9.13,P < 0.05). BM-MSCs reduced the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio of OGD/R treated RAW264.7 cells (0.68 ± 0.14vs. 1.27 ± 0.20,t = 4.12,P < 0.05), up-regulated p62 expression (1.10 ± 0.20vs. 0.77 ± 0.04,t = 2.80,P < 0.05), and up-regulated PI3K (0.54 ± 0.05vs. 0.40 ± 0.06,t = 3.11,P < 0.05) and p-Akt/Akt ratios (0.52 ± 0.05vs. 0.39 ± 0.02,t = 9.13,P < 0.05). A whole-genome microarray assay screened the differentially expressed geneHO-1, which is downstream of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and the alteration ofHO-1 mRNA and protein expression was consistent with the data on PI3K/Akt pathway.Conclusions: Our results suggest the existence of the PI3K/Akt/HO-1 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells under OGD/R circumstancesin vitro, revealing the mechanism underlying BM-MSC-mediated regulation of autophagy and enriching the understanding of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALI.

PI-3 kinase pathway can mediate the effect of TGF-β1 in inducing the expression of SHARP-2 in LLC-PK1 cells

We aim to investigate the effect of transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1 on the expression of enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 （SHARP-2） messenger RNA （mRNA） and its signaling pathway. In this study, several cell lines including LLC-PK1 （a porcine kidney tubular epithelial cell line）, MDCK （Madin-Darby canine kidney） and CTLL-2 （cytotoxic T-lymphocyte line） were treated with recombinant human TGF-131, and a series of experiments were carried out, involving Northern blot analysis of total RNA from these cells. Further, several specific chemical inhibitors were applied before TGF-β1 treatment to probe the signaling pathway. The results showed that TGF-β1 can significadtly up-regulate SHARP-2 mRNA expression in the LLC-PK1 cell line. The peak level of induction was found 2 h after TGF-β1 stimulation. While one phospho- inositide 3-kinases （PI-3） kinase inhibitor, LY294002, completely blocked the effect of TGF-131 on SHARP-2 mRNA expression in LLC-PK1 cells at a low concentration, other inhibitors, including PD98059, staurosporine, AG490, wortmannin, okadaic acid and rapamycin, had no effect. The effect of LY294002 was dose-dependent. We conclude that, in LLC-PK1 cells at least, TGF-β1 can effectively induce the SHARP-2 mRNA expression and that the PI-3 kinase pathway can mediate this effect.

PI3-K/AkT信号转导通路与瘢痕形成研究进展

临床上组织损伤2-3天后即可出现肉芽组织,进而由于成纤维细胞和血管内皮细胞的增殖逐渐形成纤维性瘢痕。瘢痕的形成与血管再生和细胞增殖及凋亡密切相关。常见的病理性瘢痕主要是增生性瘢痕和瘢痕疙瘩,他们不仅影响患者关键伤口的活动,而且在美观上给患者带来莫大的痛苦。但是由于对瘢痕的形成原因及发病机制仍不甚清楚,至今临床上实行地以手术为主的对瘢痕的治疗方法仍未取得较满意效果。磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K,phosphoinositide3-kinase)/Akt(PI3-k/Akt)通路广泛存在于人体的多个生理功能中,其在细胞因子作用下介导细胞生存已被证实,目前研究表明,PI3-k/Akt信号通路在瘢痕形成中也发挥了重要作用,这可能会为瘢痕的治疗带来新的前景。本文将就近年来关于PI3-k/Akt通路在中发挥的作用机制作一综述,并对未来利用此通路彻底治疗瘢痕的可能方式做一展望。

Speedy/RINGO: a molecular savior in spinal cord injury-based neurodegeneration?

Endogenous or exogenous insults can cause spinal cord injury(SCI),often resulting in the loss of motor,autonomic,sensory and reflex functions.The pathogenesis of SCI comprises two stages.The primary injury stage occurs at the moment of trauma and is characterized by hemorrhage and rapid cell death.The secondary injury stage occurs due to progression of primary damage and is characterized by tissue loss and functional disorder.One of the most important cellular mechanisms underlying secondary injury is glutamate excitotoxicity,which overactivates the calpain protease via excessive Ca2+influx and induces neuronal apoptosis via p53 induction.Furthermore,Ca2+influx elicits apoptosis by inducing p53,thus negatively affecting two pathways:the mitogenic extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogenactivated protein kinase(ERK/MAPK)pathway and the survival phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)pathway.Speedy/rapid inducer of G2/M progression in oocytes(Speedy/RINGO)is a cell cycle regulatory protein that increases survival of p53-positive mitotic cells by inhibiting the apoptotic machinery.Moreover,this protein elicits p53-dependent anti-apoptotic effects on calpain-induced degeneration of primary hippocampal neurons,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis motor neurons,and astrocytes and microglia in spinal cord lesions.The pathophysiology of SCI has not been fully elucidated and this hinders the development of powerful therapeutic strategies.This review focuses on the cellular mechanisms underlying the anti-apoptotic effects of Speedy/RINGO and discusses how this protective function can possibly be exploited to facilitate recovery from SCI.Particular attention is paid to reversal of the negative effects on the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways via induction of p53.

Integrative analyses identified gap junction beta‐2 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for breast cancer

Background:Increasing evidence has shown that connexins are involved in the regulation of tumor development,immune escape,and drug resistance.This study investigated the gene expression patterns,prognostic values,and potential mechanisms of connexins in breast cancer.Methods:We conducted a comprehensive analysis of connexins using public gene and protein expression databases and clinical samples from our institution.Connexin mRNA expressions in breast cancer and matched normal tissues were compared,and multiomics studies were performed.Results:Gap junction beta‐2 mRNA was overexpressed in breast cancers of different pathological types and molecular subtypes,and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis.The tumor membrane of the gap junction beta‐2 mutated group was positive,and the corresponding protein was expressed.Somatic mutation and copy number variation of gap junction beta‐2 are rare in breast cancer.The gap junction beta‐2 transcription level in the p110αsubunit of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase mutant subgroup was higher than that in the wild‐type subgroup.Gap junction beta‐2 was associated with the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐Akt signaling pathway,extracellular matrix–receptor interaction,focal adhesion,and proteoglycans in cancer.Furthermore,gap junction beta‐2 overexpression may be associated with phosphoinositide 3‐kinase and histone deacetylase inhibitor resistance,and its expression level correlated with infiltrating CD8+T cells,macrophages,neutrophils,and dendritic cells.Conclusions:Gap junction beta‐2 may be a promising therapeutic target for targeted therapy and immunotherapy and may be used to predict breast cancer prognosis.